Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview Information; National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)-Small Business Innovative Research Program (SBIR)-Phase I; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2007, 66926-66930 [E6-19491]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 222 (Friday, November 17, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66926-66930]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19491]


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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)--
Phase I; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year 
(FY) 2007

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.133S-1.
    Dates: Applications Available: November 17, 2006. Deadline for 
Transmittal of Applications: January 31, 2007.
    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. For Phase I projects, 
at least two-thirds of the research and/or analytic activities must be 
performed by the proposing firm. Furthermore, the total of all 
consultant fees, facility leases or usage fees, and other subcontracts 
or purchase agreements may not exceed one-third of the total funding 
award.
    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.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested 
$5,000,000 for the SBIR program for FY 2007, 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 Range of Awards: $70,000-75,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $72,000.
    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: The maximum award amount includes direct and indirect 
costs and fees.


    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 awards.

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 the U.S. 
Department of Education (ED or the Department) supported research 
results, and improve the return on investment from federally funded 
research for economic and social benefits to the Nation.

    Note: This program is in concert with President George W. Bush's 
New Freedom Initiative (NFI) and NIDRR's Final Long-Range Plan for 
FY 2005-2009 (Plan). The NFI can be accessed on the Internet at the 
following site: https://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/newfreedom


    The Plan, which was published in the Federal Register on February 
15, 2006 (71 FR Doc 8165), can be accessed on the Internet at the 
following site: https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/
nidrr/policy.html
    Through the implementation of the NFI and the Plan, NIDRR seeks 
to--(1) 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.

[[Page 66927]]

NIDRR Supports Manufacturing-Related Innovation (Executive Order 13329)

    Executive Order 13329 states that continued technological 
innovation is critical to a strong manufacturing sector of the United 
States economy and ensures that Federal agencies assist the private 
sector in its manufacturing innovation efforts. The Department'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. The 
projects supported under ED's SBIR program encompass a range of 
manufacturing-related R&D, including the innovative projects leading to 
manufacture of such items as artificial intelligence or information 
technology devices, software, systems, among others. For more 
information on Executive Order 13329, please visit the following Web 
site: https://www.sba.gov/sbir/execorder.html or contact Lynn Medley at: 
lynn.medley@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. An application for Phase I should concentrate on 
research that will significantly contribute to proving the scientific 
or technical feasibility of the approach or concept. Scientific or 
technical feasibility is 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 of the SBIR program. Applications for Phase II projects 
must be more comprehensive than applications for Phase I projects; 
Phase II applications must outline the proposed effort in detail, 
including the commercial potential of projects or processes developed 
or researched during the Phase I project. Phase II applicants must be 
Phase I awardees with approaches that appear sufficiently promising as 
a result of their efforts in Phase I. Phase II awards are for periods 
of up to two years in amounts up to $500,000.
    Phase III: In Phase III, the small business grantee 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. (See 29 U.S.C. 762). 
Activities may include conducting manufacturing-related R&D that 
encompasses improvements in existing methods or processes, or wholly 
new processes, machines, or systems; 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 2007 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.
    These priorities are:
    Each of the following priorities relate to innovative research 
utilizing new technologies to address the needs of individuals with 
disabilities and their families. To meet one of these priorities, the 
proposed Phase I project must support activities that will contribute 
to one of the following outcomes:
    (1) Increased independence of individuals with disabilities in the 
workplace, recreational settings, or educational settings through 
development of technology to support access and promote integration of 
individuals with disabilities.
    (2) Enhanced sensory or motor function of individuals with 
disabilities through development of technology to support improved 
functional capacity.
    (3) Enhanced workforce participation through development of 
technology to support access to employment, promote sustained 
employment, and promote employment advancement for individuals with 
disabilities.
    (4) Enhanced community participation and living for individuals 
with disabilities through 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) Improved interventions and increased use of health-care 
resources through 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 accessible 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 2007, 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.



[[Page 66928]]


    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 Range of Awards: $70,000-75,000.
    Estimated Size of Awards: $72,000.
    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: The maximum award amount includes direct and indirect 
costs and fees.


    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 awards.

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. For Phase I projects, 
at least two-thirds of the research and/or analytic activities must be 
performed by the proposing firm. Furthermore, the total of all 
consultant fees, facility leases or usage fees, and other subcontracts 
or purchase agreements may not exceed one-third of the total funding 
award.
    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 Education 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: Education Publications Center, 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 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.
    The NIDRR Long Range Plan is organized around the following 
research domains and arenas: (1) Community Living and Participation; 
(2) Health and Function; (3) Technology; (4) Employment; and (5) 
Demographics. Applicants should indicate, for each application, the 
domain or arena under which they are applying. In their applications, 
applicants should clearly indicate whether they are applying for a 
research grant in the area of (1) Community Living and Participation; 
(2) Health and Function; (3) Technology; (4) Employment; or (5) 
Demographics. No more than one designation should be selected for each 
application.
    4. Submission Dates and Times: Applications Available: November 17, 
2006. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: January 31, 2007.
    Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted 
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (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.

[[Page 66929]]

    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 2007. 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 at 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. 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/applicants/get_registered.jsp). 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/section910/Grants.govRegistrationBrochure.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 following forms: Application for 
Federal Assistance (SF 424), the Department of Education Supplemental 
Information for SF 424, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs 
(ED 524), and all necessary assurances and certifications. Please note 
that two of these forms--the SF 424 and the Department of Education 
Supplemental Information for SF 424--have replaced the ED 424 
(Application for Federal Education Assistance). 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:

[[Page 66930]]

    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.
    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 11 of SF 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 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: Lynn Medley, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 6027, Potomac Center Plaza, 
Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245-7338 or e-mail: 
Lynn.Medley@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: November 13, 2006.
John H. Hager,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. E6-19491 Filed 11-16-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P