Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview Information; National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)-Small Business Innovative Research Program (SBIR); Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2006, 1523-1527 [E6-126]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2006 / Notices statutory obligations. The IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of the Chief Information Officer, publishes that notice containing proposed information collection requests prior to submission of these requests to OMB. Each proposed information collection, grouped by office, contains the following: (1) Type of review requested, e.g. new, revision, extension, existing or reinstatement; (2) Title; (3) Summary of the collection; (4) Description of the need for, and proposed use of, the information; (5) Respondents and frequency of collection; and (6) Reporting and/or Recordkeeping burden. OMB invites public comment. The Department of Education is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Dated: January 3, 2006. Angela C. Arrington, IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of the Chief Information Officer. wwhite on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Type of Review: New. Title: Annual Performance Reporting (APR) Forms for NIDRR Grantees (RERCs, RRTCS, FIPs, ARRTs, DBTACs, DRRPs, D&Us, SBIRs, Research Fellowships, and Model Systems). Frequency: Annually. Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions; businesses or other forprofit. Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: Responses: 340. Burden Hours: 5,440. Abstract: Information collection to obtain annual performance data from NIDRR grantees. The Department of Education will use the information for monitoring of grantees, program planning, budget development and Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) and Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) reporting. Requests for copies of the proposed information collection request may be accessed from https://edicsweb.ed.gov, by selecting the ‘‘Browse Pending VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:09 Jan 09, 2006 Jkt 208001 Collections’’ link and by clicking on link number 2963. When you access the information collection, click on ‘‘Download Attachments’’ to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Potomac Center, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20202–4700. Requests may also be electronically mailed to IC_DocketMgr@ed.gov or faxed to 202– 245–6623. Please specify the complete title of the information collection when making your request. Comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements should be electronically mailed to the email address IC_DocketMgr@ed.gov. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877– 8339. [FR Doc. E6–81 Filed 1–9–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview Information; National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)—Small Business Innovative Research Program (SBIR); Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.133S–1. Dates: Applications Available: January 10, 2006. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: March 13, 2006. Eligible Applicants: Entities that are, at the time of award, small business concerns as defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA). This definition is included in the application package. All technology, science, or engineering firms with strong research capabilities in any of the priority areas listed in this notice are encouraged to participate. Consultative or other arrangements between these firms and universities or other non-profit organizations are permitted, but the small business concern must serve as the grantee. If it appears that an applicant organization does not meet the eligibility requirements, we will request an evaluation by the SBA. Under circumstances in which eligibility is unclear, we will not make a SBIR award until the SBA makes a determination. Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 1523 $5,000,000 for the SBIR program for FY 2006, of which we intend to use an estimated $1,125,000 for new Phase I awards. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this program. Note: The estimated amount of funds available for new Phase I awards is based upon the estimated threshold SBIR allocation for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), minus prior commitments for Phase II continuation awards. Estimated Average Size of Awards: $75,000. Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a budget exceeding $75,000 for a single budget period of six months. The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal Register. Note: Maximum award amount includes direct and indirect costs and fees. Estimated Number of Awards: 15. Estimated Range of Awards: $60,000– $75,000. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. Project Period: Up to six months for Phase I. Full Text of Announcement. I. Funding Opportunity Description Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program is to stimulate technological innovation in the private sector, strengthen the role of small business in meeting Federal research or research and development (R/R&D) needs, increase the commercial application of Department of Education (ED) supported research results, and improve the return on investment from Federally funded research for economic and social benefits to the Nation. Note: NIDRR supports the goals of President Bush’s New Freedom Initiative (NFI). The NFI can be accessed on the Internet at the following site: https:// www.whitehouse.gov/news/ freedominitiative/freedominitiative.html. The goals of the SBIR program are in concert with NIDRR’s proposed LongRange Plan (Plan) published in the Federal Register on July 27, 2005 (70 FR 43521). The Plan is comprehensive and integrates many issues relating to disability and rehabilitation research topics. The Plan can be accessed on the Internet at the following site: https:// www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/ other/2005-3/072705d.html. Through the implementation of the NFI and the Plan, NIDRR seeks to—(1) E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM 10JAN1 1524 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2006 / Notices Improve the quality and utility of disability and rehabilitation research; (2) Foster an exchange of expertise, information, and training to facilitate the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the unique needs of traditionally underserved populations; (3) Determine best strategies and programs to improve rehabilitation outcomes for underserved populations; (4) Identify research gaps; (5) Identify mechanisms of integrating research and practice; and (6) Disseminate findings. wwhite on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Executive Order 13329—ManufacturingRelated Innovation Executive Order 13329 states that continued technological innovation is critical to a strong manufacturing sector of the United States economy and directs Federal agencies to assist the private sector in its manufacturing innovation efforts. ED’s SBIR Program encourages innovative R&D projects that are manufacturing related, as defined by the Executive Order. Manufacturingrelated R&D encompasses improvements in existing methods or processes, or wholly new processes, machines or systems. Broadly speaking, ED’s SBIR program encourages R&D in manufacturing through systems-level technologies, such as artificial intelligence and other information technology devices, software, systems, and product design. For more information on Executive Order 13329, please visit the following Web site: https://www.sba.gov/sbir/execorder.html or contact Carol Cohen at: Carol.Cohen@ed.gov. Background The Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000 (Act) was enacted on December 21, 2000. The Act requires certain agencies, including ED, to establish SBIR programs by reserving a statutory percentage of their extramural research and development budgets to be awarded to small business concerns through a uniform, highly competitive three-phase process. The three phases of the SBIR program are: Phase I: Phase I projects determine, insofar as possible, the scientific or technical merit and feasibility of ideas submitted under the SBIR program. The application should concentrate on research that will significantly contribute to proving the scientific or technical feasibility of the approach or concept and that would be a prerequisite to further ED support in Phase II. Phase II: Phase II projects expand on the results of and further pursue the development of Phase I projects. Phase VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:09 Jan 09, 2006 Jkt 208001 II is the principal R/R&D effort. It requires a more comprehensive application, outlining the effort in detail including the commercial potential. Phase II applicants must be Phase I awardees with approaches that appear sufficiently promising as a result of Phase I. Awards are for periods of up to two years in amounts up to $500,000. Phase III: In Phase III, the small business must use non-SBIR capital to pursue commercial applications of the R/R&D. Also, under Phase III, Federal agencies may award non-SBIR follow-on funding for products or processes that meet the needs of those agencies. All SBIR projects funded by NIDRR must address the needs of individuals with disabilities and their families. 29 U.S.C. 762. Activities may include exploring the uses of technology to ensure equal access to education, employment, community environments, and information for individuals with disabilities and improving the quality and utility of disability and rehabilitation research. Priorities: Under this competition we are particularly interested in applications that address one of the following priorities. Invitational Priorities: For FY 2006 these priorities are invitational priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets one of these invitational priorities a competitive or absolute preference over other applications. The invitational priorities relate to innovative research utilizing new technologies to address the needs of individuals with disabilities and their families. These priorities are: (1) Development of technology to support access, promote integration, or foster independence of individuals with disabilities in the workplace, recreational activities, or educational settings. (2) Development of technology to enhance sensory or motor function of individuals with disabilities. (3) Development of technology to support access to employment, promote sustained employment, and promote employment advancement for individuals with disabilities. (4) Development of accessible information technology including Web access technology, software, and other systems and devices that promote access to information in educational, employment, and community settings, and voting technology that improves access for individuals with disabilities. (5) Development of technology to support independent access to health care services in the community for individuals with disabilities. PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Applicants should describe the approaches they expect to use to collect empirical evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of the technology they are proposing in an effort to assess the efficacy and usefulness of the technology. Note: NIDRR encourages applicants to adhere to universal design principles and guidelines for more access0ble designs. Universal design is defined as ‘‘the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design’’ (The Center for Universal Design, 1997, n.p.). Accessible design of consumer products minimizes or alleviates barriers that reduce the ability of individuals with disabilities to effectively or safely use standard consumer products. (For more information see—https://www.trace.wisc.edu/ docs/consumer_product_guidelines/ consumer.pcs/disabil.htm.) Reference: The Principles of Universal Design, Version 2.0. Raleigh, NC: North Carolina State University. Web: https:// www.design.ncsu.edu). Program Authority: The Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000, Pub. L. 106–554 (15 U.S.C. 631 and 638) and title II of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 760 et seq.). Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 81, 82, 84, 85, 97, 98, and 99. II. Award Information Type of Award: Discretionary grants. Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested $5,000,000 for the SBIR program for FY 2006, of which we intend to use an estimated $1,125,000 for new Phase I awards. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this program. Note: The estimated amount of funds available for new Phase I awards is based upon the estimated threshold SBIR allocation for OSERS, minus prior commitments for Phase II continuation awards. Estimated Average Size of Awards: $75,000. Estimated Range of Awards: $60,000– $75,000. Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a budget exceeding $75,000 for a single budget period of six months. The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal Register. E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM 10JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2006 / Notices Note: Maximum award amount includes direct and indirect costs and fee. Estimated Number of Awards: 15. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. Project Period: Up to six months for Phase I. III. Eligibility Information 1. Eligible Applicants: Entities that are, at the time of award, small business concerns as defined by the SBA. This definition is included in the application package. All technology, science, or engineering firms with strong research capabilities in any of the priority areas listed in this notice are encouraged to participate. Consultative or other arrangements between these firms and universities or other non-profit organizations are permitted, but the small business concern must serve as the grantee. If it appears that an applicant organization does not meet the eligibility requirements, we will request an evaluation by the SBA. Under circumstances in which eligibility is unclear, we will not make an SBIR award until the SBA makes a determination. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not involve cost sharing or matching. wwhite on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES IV. Application and Submission Information 1. Address to Request Application Package: You may obtain an application package via Internet or from the ED Publications Center (ED Pubs). To obtain a copy via Internet use the following address: https://www.ed.gov/ fund/grant/apply/grantapps/. To obtain a copy of the application package from ED Pubs, write or call the following: ED Pubs, P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794–1398. Telephone (toll free): 1–877–433–7827. Fax: (301) 470– 1244. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call (toll free): 1–877–576–7734. You may also contact ED Pubs at its Web site: https://www.ed.gov/pubs/ edpubs.html or you may contact ED Pubs at its e-mail address: edpubs@inet.ed.gov. If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify this competition as follows: CFDA number 84.133S–1. Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:09 Jan 09, 2006 Jkt 208001 INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this notice. 2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you must submit, are in the application package for this competition. Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application) is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. You must limit Part III to the equivalent of no more than 25 pages, excluding any documentation of prior multiple Phase II and III awards, if applicable, and required forms, using the following standards: • A ‘‘page’’ is 8.5″ x 11″, on one side only, with 1″ margins at the top, bottom, and both sides. • Single space all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs. • Use a font that is either 12-point or larger or no smaller that 10 pitch (characters per inch). • Draw all graphs, diagrams, tables, and charts in black ink. Do not include glossy photographs or materials that cannot be photocopied in the body of the application. The page limit does not apply to Part II, the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the onepage abstract; the resumes; the bibliography; the letters of support; certifications; statements; related application(s) or award(s); or documentation of multiple Phase II awards, if applicable. We will reject your application if— • You apply these standards and exceed the page limit; or • You apply other standards and exceed the equivalent of the page limit. 3. Content Restrictions: If an applicant chooses to respond to more than one invitational priority, it must submit a separate application for each priority. There is no limitation on the number of different applications that an applicant may submit under this competition. An applicant may submit separate applications on different priorities, or different applications on the same priority. However, an applicant may address only one priority in an application. 4. Submission Dates and Times: Applications Available: January 10, 2006. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: March 13, 2006. Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 1525 electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (https://www.Grants.gov), or in paper format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including dates and times) about how to submit your application electronically, or by mail or hand delivery, please refer to section IV. 7. Other Submission Requirements in this notice. We do not consider an application that does not comply with the deadline requirements. 5. Intergovernmental Review: This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. 6. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice. 7. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under this program may be submitted electronically or in paper format by mail or hand delivery. a. Electronic Submission of Applications. We have been accepting applications electronically through the Department’s e-Application system since FY 2000. In order to expand on those efforts and comply with the President’s Management Agenda, we are continuing to participate as a partner in the new government wide Grants.gov Apply site in FY 2006. The Small Business Innovative Research Program—CFDA Number 84.133S–1 is one of the programs included in this project. We request your participation in Grants.gov. If you choose to submit your application electronically, you must use the Grants.gov Apply site https:// www.Grants.gov. Through this site, you will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit your application. You may not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us. You may access the electronic grant application for the Small Business Innovative Research Program—CFDA Number 84.133S–1 at: https:// www.grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable application package for this program by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number’s alpha suffix in your search. Please note the following: • Your participation in Grants.gov is voluntary. • When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find information about submitting an application electronically through the site, as well as the hours of operation. • Applications received by Grants.gov are time and date stamped. E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM 10JAN1 wwhite on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES 1526 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2006 / Notices Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted, and must be date/time stamped by the Grants.gov. system no later than 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as otherwise noted in this section, we will not consider your application if it is date/time stamped by the Grants.gov system later than 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. When we retrieve your application from Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application because it was date/time stamped by the Grants.gov system after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. • The amount of time it can take to upload an application will vary depending on a variety of factors including the size of the application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the application process through Grants.gov. • You should review and follow the Education Submission Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are included in the application package for this competition to ensure that you submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov system. You can also find the Education Submission Procedures pertaining to Grants.gov at https://eGrants.ed.gov/help/ GrantsgovSubmissionProcedures.pdf. • To submit your application via Grants.gov, you must complete all of the steps in the Grants.gov registration process (see https://www.Grants.gov/ GetStarted). These steps include (1) registering your organization, (2) registering yourself as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR), and (3) getting authorized as an AOR by your organization. Details on these steps are outlined in the Grants.gov 3-Step Registration Guide (see https:// www.grants.gov/assets/ GrantsgovCoBrandBrochure8X11.pdf). You also must provide on your application the same D–U–N–S Number used with this registration. Please note that the registration process may take five or more business days to complete, and you must have completed all registration steps to allow you to successfully submit an application via Grants.gov. • You will not receive additional point value because you submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you if you submit your application in paper format. VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:09 Jan 09, 2006 Jkt 208001 • You may submit all documents electronically, including all information typically included on the Application for Federal Education Assistance (ED 424), Budget Information—NonConstruction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and certifications. If you choose to submit your application electronically, you must attach any narrative sections of your application as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF (Portable Document) format. If you upload a file type other than the three file types specified above or submit a password protected file, we will not review that material. • Your electronic application must comply with any page limit requirements described in this notice. • After you electronically submit your application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. The Department will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send you a second confirmation by e-mail that will include a PR/Award number (an ED-specified identifying number unique to your application). • We may request that you provide us original signatures on forms at a later date. Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of System Unavailability If you are prevented from electronically submitting your application on the application deadline date because of technical problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension until 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to enable you to transmit your application electronically, or by hand delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing instructions as described elsewhere in this notice. If you submit an application after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the deadline date, please contact the person listed elsewhere in this notice under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, and provide an explanation of the technical problem you experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number (if available). We will accept your application if we can confirm that a technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The Department will contact you after a determination is made on whether your application will be accepted. PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Note: Extensions referred to in this section apply only to the unavailability of or technical problems with the Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before the deadline date and time or if the technical problem you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system. b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail. If you submit your application in paper format by mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier), you must mail the original and two copies of your application, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the applicable following address: By mail through the U.S. Postal Service: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.133S–1), 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202–4260; or By mail through a commercial carrier: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center—Stop 4260, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.133S–1), 7100 Old Landover Road, Landover, MD 20785–1506. Regardless of which address you use, you must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following: (1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark, (2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the U.S. Postal Service, (3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial carrier, or (4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do not accept either of the following as proof of mailing: (1) A private metered postmark, or (2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service. If your application is postmarked after the application deadline date, we will not consider your application. Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your local post office. c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery. If you submit your application in paper format by hand delivery, you (or a courier service) must deliver the original and two copies of your application by hand, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.133S–1), 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202–4260. E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM 10JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2006 / Notices The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays. Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you mail or hand deliver your application to the Department: (1) You must indicate on the envelope and—if not provided by the Department—in Item 4 of the Application for Federal Education Assistance (ED 424) the CFDA number—and suffix letter, if any—of the competition under which you are submitting your application. (2) The Application Control Center will mail a grant application receipt acknowledgment to you. If you do not receive the grant application receipt acknowledgment within 15 business days from the application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of Education Application Control Center at (202) 245– 6288. wwhite on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES V. Application Review Information Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are from 35 CFR 75.210 of EDGAR and are listed in the application package. VI. Award Administration Information 1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award Notification (GAN). We may also notify you informally. If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, we notify you. 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify administrative and national policy requirements in the application package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice. We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also incorporates your approved application as part of your binding commitments under the grant. 3. Reporting: At the end of your project period, you must submit a final performance report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an annual performance report that provides the most current performance and financial expenditure information as specified by the Secretary in 34 CFR 75.118. Note: NIDRR will provide information by letter to grantees on how and when to submit the report. 4. Performance Measures: To evaluate the overall success of its research VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:09 Jan 09, 2006 Jkt 208001 program, NIDRR assesses the quality of its funded projects through review of grantee performance and products. Each year, NIDRR examines, through expert peer review, a portion of its grantees to determine: • The degree to which the grantees are conducting high-quality research, as reflected in the appropriateness of study designs, the rigor with which accepted standards of scientific and engineering methods are applied, and the degree to which the research builds on and contributes to the level of knowledge in the field; and • The number of new or improved assistive and universally designed technologies, products, and devices developed by grantees that are deemed to improve rehabilitation services and outcomes, enhance opportunities for participation by individuals with disabilities and are successfully transferred to industry or other private entities for potential commercialization. For Further Information Contact: Carol G. Cohen, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 6035, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202–2700. Telephone: (202) 245–7303 or e-mail: Carol.cohen@ed.gov. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the TDD number at (202) 205–4475 or the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1– 800–877–8339. Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the program contact person listed in this section. VIII. Other Information Electronic Access to This Document: You may view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site: https://www.ed.gov/news/ fedregister. To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1– 888–293–6498; or in the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512–1530. Note: The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: https://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/ index.html. Frm 00022 Fmt 4703 Dated: January 4, 2006. John H. Hager, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. [FR Doc. E6–126 Filed 1–9–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. EL06–30–000] California Electricity Oversight Board; People of the State of California, ex rel., Bill Lockyer, Attorney General of the State of California, and California Department of Water Resources v. Calpine Energy Services, L.P.; Calpine Corporation; Power Contract Financing, and Gilroy Energy Center, L.L.C.; Order Providing Interim Guidance Issued January 3, 2006. VII. Agency Contact PO 00000 1527 Sfmt 4703 Before Commissioners: Joseph T. Kelliher, Chairman; Nora Mead Brownell, and Suedeen G. Kelly. 1. On December 19, 2005, the California Electricity Oversight Board, the California Attorney General, and the California Department of Water Resources (California State Parties) filed a Petition for Emergency Declaratory Order Requiring Continuing Performance of Jurisdictional Power Purchase Agreement and Complaint Requesting Fast Track Processing (Petition). The Petition seeks a Commission order requiring Calpine Energy Services, LP, and Calpine Corporation (Calpine) to continue to supply power, and otherwise perform, under a Master Power Purchase and Sale Agreement (Calpine 2 Contract). As explained in more detail below, because of a recently issued Ex Parte Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against the Commission, we cannot grant the relief requested. However, in the event the Commission participates in the bankruptcy proceedings, we hereby provide interim guidance to the parties regarding the standard to be applied in this case, and require certain additional filings. Background 2. The California State Parties state in their Petition that they expect Calpine to file for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code and, when it does, to request that the Bankruptcy Court reject the Calpine 2 Contract. The California State Parties state that, if the Commission does not act to require performance of the E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM 10JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 10, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1523-1527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-126]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview 
Information; National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation 
Research (NIDRR)--Small Business Innovative Research Program (SBIR); 
Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2006

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.133S-1.
    Dates: Applications Available: January 10, 2006.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: March 13, 2006.
    Eligible Applicants: Entities that are, at the time of award, small 
business concerns as defined by the Small Business Administration 
(SBA). This definition is included in the application package.
    All technology, science, or engineering firms with strong research 
capabilities in any of the priority areas listed in this notice are 
encouraged to participate.
    Consultative or other arrangements between these firms and 
universities or other non-profit organizations are permitted, but the 
small business concern must serve as the grantee.
    If it appears that an applicant organization does not meet the 
eligibility requirements, we will request an evaluation by the SBA. 
Under circumstances in which eligibility is unclear, we will not make a 
SBIR award until the SBA makes a determination.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested 
$5,000,000 for the SBIR program for FY 2006, of which we intend to use 
an estimated $1,125,000 for new Phase I awards. The actual level of 
funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are 
inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant 
process if Congress appropriates funds for this program.

    Note: The estimated amount of funds available for new Phase I 
awards is based upon the estimated threshold SBIR allocation for the 
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), 
minus prior commitments for Phase II continuation awards.

    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $75,000.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding $75,000 for a single budget period of six months. The 
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services 
may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal 
Register.

    Note: Maximum award amount includes direct and indirect costs 
and fees.

    Estimated Number of Awards: 15.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $60,000-$75,000.

    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this 
notice.

    Project Period: Up to six months for Phase I. Full Text of 
Announcement.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program is to stimulate 
technological innovation in the private sector, strengthen the role of 
small business in meeting Federal research or research and development 
(R/R&D) needs, increase the commercial application of Department of 
Education (ED) supported research results, and improve the return on 
investment from Federally funded research for economic and social 
benefits to the Nation.

    Note: NIDRR supports the goals of President Bush's New Freedom 
Initiative (NFI). The NFI can be accessed on the Internet at the 
following site: https://www.whitehouse.gov/news/freedominitiative/
freedominitiative.html.

    The goals of the SBIR program are in concert with NIDRR's proposed 
Long-Range Plan (Plan) published in the Federal Register on July 27, 
2005 (70 FR 43521). The Plan is comprehensive and integrates many 
issues relating to disability and rehabilitation research topics. The 
Plan can be accessed on the Internet at the following site: https://
www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/other/2005-3/072705d.html.
    Through the implementation of the NFI and the Plan, NIDRR seeks 
to--(1)

[[Page 1524]]

Improve the quality and utility of disability and rehabilitation 
research; (2) Foster an exchange of expertise, information, and 
training to facilitate the advancement of knowledge and understanding 
of the unique needs of traditionally underserved populations; (3) 
Determine best strategies and programs to improve rehabilitation 
outcomes for underserved populations; (4) Identify research gaps; (5) 
Identify mechanisms of integrating research and practice; and (6) 
Disseminate findings.

Executive Order 13329--Manufacturing-Related Innovation

    Executive Order 13329 states that continued technological 
innovation is critical to a strong manufacturing sector of the United 
States economy and directs Federal agencies to assist the private 
sector in its manufacturing innovation efforts. ED's SBIR Program 
encourages innovative R&D projects that are manufacturing related, as 
defined by the Executive Order. Manufacturing-related R&D encompasses 
improvements in existing methods or processes, or wholly new processes, 
machines or systems. Broadly speaking, ED's SBIR program encourages R&D 
in manufacturing through systems-level technologies, such as artificial 
intelligence and other information technology devices, software, 
systems, and product design. For more information on Executive Order 
13329, please visit the following Web site: https://www.sba.gov/sbir/
execorder.html or contact Carol Cohen at: Carol.Cohen@ed.gov.

Background

    The Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000 (Act) was enacted on 
December 21, 2000. The Act requires certain agencies, including ED, to 
establish SBIR programs by reserving a statutory percentage of their 
extramural research and development budgets to be awarded to small 
business concerns through a uniform, highly competitive three-phase 
process.
    The three phases of the SBIR program are:
    Phase I: Phase I projects determine, insofar as possible, the 
scientific or technical merit and feasibility of ideas submitted under 
the SBIR program. The application should concentrate on research that 
will significantly contribute to proving the scientific or technical 
feasibility of the approach or concept and that would be a prerequisite 
to further ED support in Phase II.
    Phase II: Phase II projects expand on the results of and further 
pursue the development of Phase I projects. Phase II is the principal 
R/R&D effort. It requires a more comprehensive application, outlining 
the effort in detail including the commercial potential. Phase II 
applicants must be Phase I awardees with approaches that appear 
sufficiently promising as a result of Phase I. Awards are for periods 
of up to two years in amounts up to $500,000.
    Phase III: In Phase III, the small business must use non-SBIR 
capital to pursue commercial applications of the R/R&D. Also, under 
Phase III, Federal agencies may award non-SBIR follow-on funding for 
products or processes that meet the needs of those agencies.
    All SBIR projects funded by NIDRR must address the needs of 
individuals with disabilities and their families. 29 U.S.C. 762. 
Activities may include exploring the uses of technology to ensure equal 
access to education, employment, community environments, and 
information for individuals with disabilities and improving the quality 
and utility of disability and rehabilitation research.
    Priorities: Under this competition we are particularly interested 
in applications that address one of the following priorities.
    Invitational Priorities: For FY 2006 these priorities are 
invitational priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an 
application that meets one of these invitational priorities a 
competitive or absolute preference over other applications. The 
invitational priorities relate to innovative research utilizing new 
technologies to address the needs of individuals with disabilities and 
their families.
    These priorities are:
    (1) Development of technology to support access, promote 
integration, or foster independence of individuals with disabilities in 
the workplace, recreational activities, or educational settings.
    (2) Development of technology to enhance sensory or motor function 
of individuals with disabilities.
    (3) Development of technology to support access to employment, 
promote sustained employment, and promote employment advancement for 
individuals with disabilities.
    (4) Development of accessible information technology including Web 
access technology, software, and other systems and devices that promote 
access to information in educational, employment, and community 
settings, and voting technology that improves access for individuals 
with disabilities.
    (5) Development of technology to support independent access to 
health care services in the community for individuals with 
disabilities.
    Applicants should describe the approaches they expect to use to 
collect empirical evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of the 
technology they are proposing in an effort to assess the efficacy and 
usefulness of the technology.

    Note: NIDRR encourages applicants to adhere to universal design 
principles and guidelines for more access0ble designs. Universal 
design is defined as ``the design of products and environments to be 
usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the 
need for adaptation or specialized design'' (The Center for 
Universal Design, 1997, n.p.). Accessible design of consumer 
products minimizes or alleviates barriers that reduce the ability of 
individuals with disabilities to effectively or safely use standard 
consumer products. (For more information see--https://
www.trace.wisc.edu/docs/consumer_product_guidelines/consumer.pcs/
disabil.htm.)

    Reference: The Principles of Universal Design, Version 2.0. 
Raleigh, NC: North Carolina State University. Web: https://
www.design.ncsu.edu).
    Program Authority: The Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000, 
Pub. L. 106-554 (15 U.S.C. 631 and 638) and title II of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 760 et seq.).
    Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 81, 82, 84, 
85, 97, 98, and 99.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested 
$5,000,000 for the SBIR program for FY 2006, of which we intend to use 
an estimated $1,125,000 for new Phase I awards. The actual level of 
funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are 
inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant 
process if Congress appropriates funds for this program.

    Note: The estimated amount of funds available for new Phase I 
awards is based upon the estimated threshold SBIR allocation for 
OSERS, minus prior commitments for Phase II continuation awards.

    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $75,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $60,000-$75,000.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding $75,000 for a single budget period of six months. The 
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services 
may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal 
Register.


[[Page 1525]]


    Note: Maximum award amount includes direct and indirect costs 
and fee.

    Estimated Number of Awards: 15.

    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this 
notice.

    Project Period: Up to six months for Phase I.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Entities that are, at the time of award, 
small business concerns as defined by the SBA. This definition is 
included in the application package.
    All technology, science, or engineering firms with strong research 
capabilities in any of the priority areas listed in this notice are 
encouraged to participate. Consultative or other arrangements between 
these firms and universities or other non-profit organizations are 
permitted, but the small business concern must serve as the grantee.
    If it appears that an applicant organization does not meet the 
eligibility requirements, we will request an evaluation by the SBA. 
Under circumstances in which eligibility is unclear, we will not make 
an SBIR award until the SBA makes a determination.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not involve cost 
sharing or matching.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: You may obtain an 
application package via Internet or from the ED Publications Center (ED 
Pubs). To obtain a copy via Internet use the following address: https://
www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/.
    To obtain a copy of the application package from ED Pubs, write or 
call the following: ED Pubs, P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794-1398. 
Telephone (toll free): 1-877-433-7827. Fax: (301) 470-1244. If you use 
a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call (toll 
free): 1-877-576-7734.
    You may also contact ED Pubs at its Web site: https://www.ed.gov/
pubs/edpubs.html or you may contact ED Pubs at its e-mail address: 
edpubs@inet.ed.gov.
    If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify 
this competition as follows: CFDA number 84.133S-1.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application 
package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, 
audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the program contact 
person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of 
this notice.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you 
must submit, are in the application package for this competition.
    Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application) 
is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that 
reviewers use to evaluate your application. You must limit Part III to 
the equivalent of no more than 25 pages, excluding any documentation of 
prior multiple Phase II and III awards, if applicable, and required 
forms, using the following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
     Single space all text in the application narrative, 
including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and 
captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
     Use a font that is either 12-point or larger or no smaller 
that 10 pitch (characters per inch).
     Draw all graphs, diagrams, tables, and charts in black 
ink. Do not include glossy photographs or materials that cannot be 
photocopied in the body of the application.
    The page limit does not apply to Part II, the budget section, 
including the narrative budget justification; the one-page abstract; 
the resumes; the bibliography; the letters of support; certifications; 
statements; related application(s) or award(s); or documentation of 
multiple Phase II awards, if applicable.
    We will reject your application if--
     You apply these standards and exceed the page limit; or
     You apply other standards and exceed the equivalent of the 
page limit.
    3. Content Restrictions: If an applicant chooses to respond to more 
than one invitational priority, it must submit a separate application 
for each priority. There is no limitation on the number of different 
applications that an applicant may submit under this competition. An 
applicant may submit separate applications on different priorities, or 
different applications on the same priority. However, an applicant may 
address only one priority in an application.
    4. Submission Dates and Times: Applications Available: January 10, 
2006.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: March 13, 2006.
    Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted 
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (https://www.Grants.gov), 
or in paper format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including 
dates and times) about how to submit your application electronically, 
or by mail or hand delivery, please refer to section IV. 7. Other 
Submission Requirements in this notice.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    5. Intergovernmental Review: This program is not subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
    6. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    7. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under 
this program may be submitted electronically or in paper format by mail 
or hand delivery.
    a. Electronic Submission of Applications. We have been accepting 
applications electronically through the Department's e-Application 
system since FY 2000. In order to expand on those efforts and comply 
with the President's Management Agenda, we are continuing to 
participate as a partner in the new government wide Grants.gov Apply 
site in FY 2006. The Small Business Innovative Research Program--CFDA 
Number 84.133S-1 is one of the programs included in this project. We 
request your participation in Grants.gov.
    If you choose to submit your application electronically, you must 
use the Grants.gov Apply site https://www.Grants.gov. Through this site, 
you will be able to download a copy of the application package, 
complete it offline, and then upload and submit your application. You 
may not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us.
    You may access the electronic grant application for the Small 
Business Innovative Research Program--CFDA Number 84.133S-1 at: https://
www.grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable application 
package for this program by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA 
number's alpha suffix in your search.
    Please note the following:
     Your participation in Grants.gov is voluntary.
     When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find 
information about submitting an application electronically through the 
site, as well as the hours of operation.
     Applications received by Grants.gov are time and date 
stamped.

[[Page 1526]]

Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted, and must be 
date/time stamped by the Grants.gov. system no later than 4:30 p.m., 
Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as 
otherwise noted in this section, we will not consider your application 
if it is date/time stamped by the Grants.gov system later than 4:30 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. When we 
retrieve your application from Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are 
rejecting your application because it was date/time stamped by the 
Grants.gov system after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the 
application deadline date.
     The amount of time it can take to upload an application 
will vary depending on a variety of factors including the size of the 
application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we 
strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline 
date to begin the application process through Grants.gov.
     You should review and follow the Education Submission 
Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are 
included in the application package for this competition to ensure that 
you submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov 
system. You can also find the Education Submission Procedures 
pertaining to Grants.gov at https://e-Grants.ed.gov/help/
GrantsgovSubmissionProcedures.pdf.
     To submit your application via Grants.gov, you must 
complete all of the steps in the Grants.gov registration process (see 
https://www.Grants.gov/GetStarted). These steps include (1) registering 
your organization, (2) registering yourself as an Authorized 
Organization Representative (AOR), and (3) getting authorized as an AOR 
by your organization. Details on these steps are outlined in the 
Grants.gov 3-Step Registration Guide (see https://www.grants.gov/assets/
GrantsgovCoBrandBrochure8X11.pdf). You also must provide on your 
application the same D-U-N-S Number used with this registration. Please 
note that the registration process may take five or more business days 
to complete, and you must have completed all registration steps to 
allow you to successfully submit an application via Grants.gov.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you 
if you submit your application in paper format.
     You may submit all documents electronically, including all 
information typically included on the Application for Federal Education 
Assistance (ED 424), Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED 
524), and all necessary assurances and certifications. If you choose to 
submit your application electronically, you must attach any narrative 
sections of your application as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich 
text), or .PDF (Portable Document) format. If you upload a file type 
other than the three file types specified above or submit a password 
protected file, we will not review that material.
     Your electronic application must comply with any page 
limit requirements described in this notice.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that contains a 
Grants.gov tracking number. The Department will retrieve your 
application from Grants.gov and send you a second confirmation by e-
mail that will include a PR/Award number (an ED-specified identifying 
number unique to your application).
     We may request that you provide us original signatures on 
forms at a later date.

Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of System Unavailability

    If you are prevented from electronically submitting your 
application on the application deadline date because of technical 
problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension 
until 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to 
enable you to transmit your application electronically, or by hand 
delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing 
instructions as described elsewhere in this notice. If you submit an 
application after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the deadline date, 
please contact the person listed elsewhere in this notice under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, and provide an explanation of the 
technical problem you experienced with Grants.gov, along with the 
Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number (if available). We will accept your 
application if we can confirm that a technical problem occurred with 
the Grants.gov system and that that problem affected your ability to 
submit your application by 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the 
application deadline date. The Department will contact you after a 
determination is made on whether your application will be accepted.

    Note: Extensions referred to in this section apply only to the 
unavailability of or technical problems with the Grants.gov system. 
We will not grant you an extension if you failed to fully register 
to submit your application to Grants.gov before the deadline date 
and time or if the technical problem you experienced is unrelated to 
the Grants.gov system.

    b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail. If you submit your 
application in paper format by mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or 
a commercial carrier), you must mail the original and two copies of 
your application, on or before the application deadline date, to the 
Department at the applicable following address:
    By mail through the U.S. Postal Service: U.S. Department of 
Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.133S-
1), 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-4260; or
    By mail through a commercial carrier: U.S. Department of Education, 
Application Control Center--Stop 4260, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.133S-
1), 7100 Old Landover Road, Landover, MD 20785-1506.
    Regardless of which address you use, you must show proof of mailing 
consisting of one of the following:
    (1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark,
    (2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the 
U.S. Postal Service,
    (3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial 
carrier, or
    (4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the 
U.S. Department of Education.
    If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do 
not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
    (1) A private metered postmark, or
    (2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.
    If your application is postmarked after the application deadline 
date, we will not consider your application.

    Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated 
postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your 
local post office.

    c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery. If you submit 
your application in paper format by hand delivery, you (or a courier 
service) must deliver the original and two copies of your application 
by hand, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department 
at the following address:
    U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, 
Attention: (CFDA Number 84.133S-1), 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, 
Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.

[[Page 1527]]

    The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily 
between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, 
Sundays, and Federal holidays.

    Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you 
mail or hand deliver your application to the Department:
    (1) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by 
the Department--in Item 4 of the Application for Federal Education 
Assistance (ED 424) the CFDA number--and suffix letter, if any--of 
the competition under which you are submitting your application.
    (2) The Application Control Center will mail a grant application 
receipt acknowledgment to you. If you do not receive the grant 
application receipt acknowledgment within 15 business days from the 
application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of 
Education Application Control Center at (202) 245-6288.

V. Application Review Information

    Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are 
from 35 CFR 75.210 of EDGAR and are listed in the application package.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN). We may also notify you informally.
    If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify 
administrative and national policy requirements in the application 
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable 
Regulations section of this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and 
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also 
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding 
commitments under the grant.
    3. Reporting: At the end of your project period, you must submit a 
final performance report, including financial information, as directed 
by the Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an 
annual performance report that provides the most current performance 
and financial expenditure information as specified by the Secretary in 
34 CFR 75.118.

    Note: NIDRR will provide information by letter to grantees on 
how and when to submit the report.

    4. Performance Measures: To evaluate the overall success of its 
research program, NIDRR assesses the quality of its funded projects 
through review of grantee performance and products. Each year, NIDRR 
examines, through expert peer review, a portion of its grantees to 
determine:
     The degree to which the grantees are conducting high-
quality research, as reflected in the appropriateness of study designs, 
the rigor with which accepted standards of scientific and engineering 
methods are applied, and the degree to which the research builds on and 
contributes to the level of knowledge in the field; and
     The number of new or improved assistive and universally 
designed technologies, products, and devices developed by grantees that 
are deemed to improve rehabilitation services and outcomes, enhance 
opportunities for participation by individuals with disabilities and 
are successfully transferred to industry or other private entities for 
potential commercialization.

VII. Agency Contact

    For Further Information Contact: Carol G. Cohen, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 6035, Potomac Center Plaza, 
Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245-7303 or e-mail: 
Carol.cohen@ed.gov.
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may 
call the TDD number at (202) 205-4475 or the Federal Relay Service 
(FRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an 
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer 
diskette) on request to the program contact person listed in this 
section.

VIII. Other Information

    Electronic Access to This Document: You may view this document, as 
well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal 
Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the 
Internet at the following site: https://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister.
    To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available 
free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. 
Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in 
the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512-1530.

    Note: The official version of this document is the document 
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the 
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal 
Regulations is available on GPO Access at: https://www.gpoaccess.gov/
nara/.


    Dated: January 4, 2006.
John H. Hager,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. E6-126 Filed 1-9-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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