Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS); 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) 2008., 46968-46973 [E7-16609]

Download as PDF 46968 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 162 / Wednesday, August 22, 2007 / Notices concluded that the status of the Hawaiian monk seal remains ‘‘endangered’’. NMFS announced the initiation of the 5-year review and requested information from the public on January 22, 2007 (72 FR 2650). Information was received from the Ocean Conservancy and the Marine Mammal Commission. Conclusion NMFS revised the final Recovery Plan for the Hawaiian Monk Seal and evaluated all comments received by the public as well as independent peerreviewers. NMFS has also completed the first 5-year review for the Hawaiian Monk Seal based on public comments received and internal review. NMFS concludes that both the Recovery Plan and the 5-year review meet the requirements of the ESA. Dated: August 16, 2007. Angela Somma, Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E7–16600 Filed 8–21–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S Dated: August 16, 2007. James Hyler, Acting Leader, Information Management Case Services Team, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests SUMMARY: jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Federal Student Aid Department of Education. The Acting Leader, Information Management Case Services Team, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management, invites comments on the proposed information collection requests as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before October 22, 2007. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provide interested Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. OMB may amend or waive the requirement for public consultation to the extent that public participation in the approval process would defeat the purpose of the information collection, violate State or Federal law, or substantially interfere with any agency’s ability to perform its statutory obligations. The Acting Leader, Information Management Case Services Team, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management, publishes that notice AGENCY: VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:26 Aug 21, 2007 Jkt 211001 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. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Title: Federal Perkins Loan Program Regulations. Frequency: Annually. Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions (primary), Individuals or households, Businesses or other forprofit. Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: Responses: 2,800,642. Burden Hours: 61,879. Abstract: Institutions of higher education make Perkins loans. Information is necessary in order to monitor a school’s reimbursement to its Perkins loan revolving fund, monitor how collection costs are charged to borrowers on rehabilitated loans and to monitor the assignment of defaulted Perkins loans to the Department. Requests for copies of the proposed information collection request may be accessed from https://edicsweb.ed.gov, by selecting the ‘‘Browse Pending Collections’’ link and by clicking on link number 3448. When you access the information collection, click on ‘‘Download Attachments’’ to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to U.S. Department of PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Potomac Center, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20202–4700. Requests may also be electronically mailed to ICDocketMgr@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 ICDocketMgr@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. E7–16578 Filed 8–21–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS); 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) 2008. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.133S–1.) Dates: Applications Available: August 22, 2007. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: October 22, 2007. 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 (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 LongRange 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 8166), 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) E:\FR\FM\22AUN1.SGM 22AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 162 / Wednesday, August 22, 2007 / 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. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES NIDRR Supports Manufacturing-Related Innovation (Executive Order 13329) Executive Order 13329 states that continued technological innovation is critical to a strong manufacturing sector in 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 research and development (R&D) projects that are manufacturing-related, as defined by Executive Order 13329. Manufacturing-related R&D encompasses improvements in existing methods or processes, or wholly new processes, machines or systems. Broadly speaking, the Department’s SBIR program encourages R&D in manufacturing through systems level technologies. The projects supported under the Department’s SBIR program encompass a range of manufacturingrelated R&D, including projects leading to the manufacture of such items as artificial intelligence or information technology devices, software, and systems. 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 the Department, to establish SBIR programs by reserving a statutory percentage of their extramural R&D 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 VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:26 Aug 21, 2007 Jkt 211001 technical feasibility is a prerequisite to further support by the Department 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 grantees 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 a maximum total of $500,000 over a period of two years. 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 2008 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. Applicants who choose to respond to one of the invitational priorities must propose projects whose activities contribute to one of the following outcomes: (1) Increased independence of individuals with disabilities in the workplace, recreational settings, or PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 46969 educational settings through the development of technology to support access and promote integration of individuals with disabilities. (2) Enhanced sensory or motor function of individuals with disabilities through the development of technology to support improved functional capacity. (3) Enhanced workforce participation through the 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 the 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 the development of technology to support independent access to healthcare 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. This empirical evidence should facilitate the assessment of 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 Act, Pub. L. 85–536, as amended (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. E:\FR\FM\22AUN1.SGM 22AUN1 46970 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 162 / Wednesday, August 22, 2007 / Notices II. Award Information Type of Award: Discretionary grants. Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested $106,705,000 for the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research for FY 2008, of which we intend to use an estimated $1,125,000 for new Phase I awards under the SBIR program. 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 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 6 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. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Project Period: Up to six months. III. Eligibility Information 1. 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 small business concern. 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 VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:26 Aug 21, 2007 Jkt 211001 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 require cost sharing or matching. IV. Application and Submission Information 1. Address to Request Application Package: You can obtain an application package via the Internet or from the Education Publications Center (ED Pubs). To obtain a copy via the Internet, use the following address: https:// www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/ grantapps/. To obtain a copy from ED Pubs, write, fax, 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), call, toll free: 1–877– 576–7734. You can contact ED Pubs at its Web site, also: https://www.ed.gov/pubs/ edpubs.html or 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 can obtain a copy of the application package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the 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 is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. You must limit the application narrative to 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. • Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) all text in the application narrative. Single spacing may be used for titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs. PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 • Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller that 10 pitch (characters per inch). • Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New, or Arial. The page limit does not apply to Part I, the coversheet; Part II, the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; Part IV, the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the resumes, the bibliography, the letters of support; related application(s) or award(s); or documentation of multiple Phase II awards, if applicable. However, the page limit does apply to all of the application narrative section. We will reject your application if you exceed the page limit. 3. Content Restrictions: If an applicant chooses to respond to more than one invitational priority, the applicant 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: August 22, 2007. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: October 22, 2007. Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted electronically using the https:// Grants.gov. Apply on site (https:// 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 in paper format 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. E:\FR\FM\22AUN1.SGM 22AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 162 / Wednesday, August 22, 2007 / Notices jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII in this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the application process, the individual’s application remains subject to all other requirements and limitations in this notice. 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 in 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 To comply with the President’s Management Agenda, we are participating as a partner in the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site. The Small Business Innovative Research Program, CFDA Number 84.133S–1, is included in this project. We request your participation in Grants.gov. If you choose to submit your application electronically, you must use the Governmentwide 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 email an electronic copy of a grant application to us. You may access the electronic grant application for the Small Business Innovative Research Program at: https:// www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable application package for this competition by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number’s alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for 84.133, not 84.133S). Please note the following: • Your participation in https:// Grants.gov is voluntary. • When you enter the https:// 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 https:// Grants.gov are date and time stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted and must be VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:26 Aug 21, 2007 Jkt 211001 date and time stamped by the https://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 and time stamped by the https:// Grants.gov system later than 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. When we retrieve your application from https:// Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application because it was date and time stamped by the https://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 submission process through https://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 steps in the Grants.gov registration process (see https://www.grants.gov/applicants/ get_registered.jsp). These steps include (1) registering your organization, a multi-part process that includes registration with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR); (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 submit successfully an application via Grants.gov. In addition you will need to update your CCR registration on an annual basis. This may take three or more business days to complete. • You will not receive additional point value because you submit your PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 46971 application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you if you submit your application in paper format. • If you submit your application electronically, you must submit all documents electronically, including all information you typically provide 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). • If you 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 in this paragraph or submit a passwordprotected 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 from https://Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates receipt by https:// Grants.gov only, not receipt by the Department.) The Department then will retrieve your application from https:// Grants.gov and send a second notification to you by e-mail. This second notification indicates that the Department has received your application and has assigned your application a PR/Award number (an EDspecified 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 technical issues with the Grants.gov system: If you are experiencing problems submitting your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov Support Desk, toll free, at 1–800–518–4726. You must obtain a https://Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it. 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 E:\FR\FM\22AUN1.SGM 22AUN1 46972 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 162 / Wednesday, August 22, 2007 / Notices 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 described elsewhere in this notice. If you submit an application after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII in this notice and provide an explanation of the technical problem you experienced with https://Grants.gov, along with the https://Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number. We will accept your application if we can confirm that a technical problem occurred with the https://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: The extensions to which we refer in this section apply only to the unavailability of, or technical problems with, the https:// Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed to fully register to submit your application to https://Grants.gov before the application deadline date and time or if the technical problem you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES 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. VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:26 Aug 21, 2007 Jkt 211001 (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. (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 the SF 424 the CFDA number, including suffix letter, if any, of the competition under which you are submitting your application; and (2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a notification of receipt of your grant application. If you do not receive this notification 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 The selection criteria for this competition are from 35 CFR Selection Criteria: 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 Notice (GAN). We may notify you informally, also. PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 in this notice. We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of an award in the Applicable Regulations section in 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 directed by the Secretary under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, please go to: https://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/ appforms/appforms.html. 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 by e-mail: Lynn.Medley@ed.gov. E:\FR\FM\22AUN1.SGM 22AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 162 / Wednesday, August 22, 2007 / Notices If you use a TDD, call the TDD number at (202) 205–4475. VIII. Other Information Alternate Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this document and a copy of the application packet in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII in this notice. Electronic Access to This Document: You can 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. Dated: August 17, 2007. William W. Knudsen, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. [FR Doc. E7–16609 Filed 8–21–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance: Meeting Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, Education. ACTION: Notice of an Open Teleconference Meeting. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a forthcoming teleconference meeting of the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance (The Advisory Committee). This notice also describes the functions of the Advisory Committee. Notice of this meeting is required under Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. This document is intended to notify the general public. Date and Time: Thursday, September 13, 2007, beginning at 2 p.m. and ending at approximately 3 p.m. VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:26 Aug 21, 2007 Jkt 211001 Office of the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, 80 F Street, NW., Room 412, Washington, DC 20001. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. William J. Goggin, Executive Director or Dr. Michelle Asha Cooper, Deputy Director, Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, Capitol Place, 80 F Street, NW., Suite 413, Washington, DC 20202–7582, (202) 219– 2099. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance is established under Section 491 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended by Public Law 100–50 (20 U.S.C. 1098). The Advisory Committee serves as an independent source of advice and counsel to the Congress and the Secretary of Education on student financial aid policy. Since its inception, the congressional mandate requires the Advisory Committee to conduct objective, nonpartisan, and independent analyses on important aspects of the student assistance programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act, and to make recommendations that will result in the maintenance of access to postsecondary education for low- and middle-income students. In addition, Congress expanded the Advisory Committee’s mission in the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 to include several important areas: Access, Title IV modernization, distance education, and early information and needs assessment. Specifically, the Advisory Committee is to review, monitor and evaluate the Department of Education’s progress in these areas and report recommended improvements to Congress and the Secretary. The Advisory Committee has scheduled this teleconference meeting solely to conduct the election of officers. Individuals who will need accommodations for a disability in order to participate in the teleconference meeting (i.e., interpreting services, assistive listening devices, and/or materials in alternative format) should notify the Advisory Committee no later than Thursday, September 6, 2007 by contacting Ms. Hope Gray at (202) 219– 2099 or via e-mail at hope.gray@ed.gov. We will attempt to meet requests after this date, but cannot guarantee availability of the requested accommodation. The meeting site is accessible to individuals with disabilities. ADDRESSES: PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 46973 Space for the teleconference meeting is limited and you are encouraged to register early if you plan to participate. You may register by sending an e-mail to the following address: ACSFA@ed.gov or Tracy.Deanna.Jones@ed.gov. Please include your name, title, affiliation, complete address (including Internet and e-mail address, if available), and telephone and fax numbers. If you are unable to register electronically, you may fax your registration information to the Advisory Committee staff office at (202) 219–3032. You may also contact the Advisory Committee staff directly at (202) 219–2099. The registration deadline is Tuesday, September 11, 2007. Records are kept for Advisory Committee proceedings, and are available for inspection at the Office of the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, Capitol Place, 80 F Street, NW., Suite 413, Washington, DC from the hours of 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Information regarding the Advisory Committee is available on the Committee’s Web site, https:// www.ed.gov/ACSFA. Electronic Access to This Document: You may view this document, as well as 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. Dated: August 16, 2007. William J. Goggin, Executive Director, Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance. [FR Doc. E7–16567 Filed 8–21–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Environmental Management SiteSpecific Advisory Board, Northern New Mexico AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\22AUN1.SGM Department of Energy. 22AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 162 (Wednesday, August 22, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46968-46973]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-16609]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS); 
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) 2008.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.133S-1.)

    Dates: Applications Available: August 22, 2007.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: October 22, 2007.

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 
(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 8166), 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)

[[Page 46969]]

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.

NIDRR Supports Manufacturing-Related Innovation (Executive Order 13329)

    Executive Order 13329 states that continued technological 
innovation is critical to a strong manufacturing sector in 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 research and development (R&D) projects 
that are manufacturing-related, as defined by Executive Order 13329. 
Manufacturing-related R&D encompasses improvements in existing methods 
or processes, or wholly new processes, machines or systems. Broadly 
speaking, the Department's SBIR program encourages R&D in manufacturing 
through systems level technologies. The projects supported under the 
Department's SBIR program encompass a range of manufacturing-related 
R&D, including projects leading to the manufacture of such items as 
artificial intelligence or information technology devices, software, 
and systems. 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 the 
Department, to establish SBIR programs by reserving a statutory 
percentage of their extramural R&D 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 a prerequisite to further support by the 
Department 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 grantees 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 a maximum total of $500,000 over a 
period of two years.
    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 2008 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. Applicants who choose to respond to 
one of the invitational priorities must propose projects whose 
activities contribute to one of the following outcomes:
    (1) Increased independence of individuals with disabilities in the 
workplace, recreational settings, or educational settings through the 
development of technology to support access and promote integration of 
individuals with disabilities.
    (2) Enhanced sensory or motor function of individuals with 
disabilities through the development of technology to support improved 
functional capacity.
    (3) Enhanced workforce participation through the 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 the 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 the 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. This empirical evidence should 
facilitate the assessment of 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 Act, Pub. L. 85-536, as 
amended (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.

[[Page 46970]]

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested 
$106,705,000 for the National Institute on Disability and 
Rehabilitation Research for FY 2008, of which we intend to use an 
estimated $1,125,000 for new Phase I awards under the SBIR program. 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 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 6 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.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. 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 small business concern. 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 require cost 
sharing or matching.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: You can obtain an 
application package via the Internet or from the Education Publications 
Center (ED Pubs). To obtain a copy via the Internet, use the following 
address: https://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/. To 
obtain a copy from ED Pubs, write, fax, 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), call, toll free: 1-877-
576-7734.
    You can contact ED Pubs at its Web site, also: https://www.ed.gov/
pubs/edpubs.html or 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 can obtain a copy of the application 
package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, 
audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the 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 is where you, the applicant, 
address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your 
application. You must limit the application narrative to 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.
     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative. Single spacing may be used for 
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).
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial.
    The page limit does not apply to Part I, the coversheet; Part II, 
the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; Part 
IV, the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the 
resumes, the bibliography, the letters of support; related 
application(s) or award(s); or documentation of multiple Phase II 
awards, if applicable. However, the page limit does apply to all of the 
application narrative section.
    We will reject your application if you exceed the page limit.
    3. Content Restrictions: If an applicant chooses to respond to more 
than one invitational priority, the applicant 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: August 22, 
2007.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: October 22, 2007.
    Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted 
electronically using the https://Grants.gov. Apply on site (https://
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 in paper format 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.

[[Page 46971]]

    Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact 
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII 
in this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the 
application process, the individual's application remains subject to 
all other requirements and limitations in this notice.
    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 in 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

    To comply with the President's Management Agenda, we are 
participating as a partner in the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site. 
The Small Business Innovative Research Program, CFDA Number 84.133S-1, 
is included in this project. We request your participation in 
Grants.gov.
    If you choose to submit your application electronically, you must 
use the Governmentwide 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 at: https://www.Grants.gov. You 
must search for the downloadable application package for this 
competition by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number's alpha 
suffix in your search (e.g., search for 84.133, not 84.133S).
    Please note the following:
     Your participation in https://Grants.gov is voluntary.
     When you enter the https://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 https://Grants.gov are date and 
time stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted and 
must be date and time stamped by the https://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 and time stamped by the https://Grants.gov 
system later than 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. When we retrieve your application from https://
Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application 
because it was date and time stamped by the https://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 submission process through https://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 steps in the Grants.gov registration process (see https://
www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp). These steps include (1) 
registering your organization, a multi-part process that includes 
registration with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR); (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 submit successfully an application via Grants.gov. In 
addition you will need to update your CCR registration on an annual 
basis. This may take three or more business days to complete.
     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.
     If you submit your application electronically, you must 
submit all documents electronically, including all information you 
typically provide 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).
     If you 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 in 
this paragraph 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 from https://Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt 
that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification 
indicates receipt by https://Grants.gov only, not receipt by the 
Department.) The Department then will retrieve your application from 
https://Grants.gov and send a second notification to you by e-mail. This 
second notification indicates that the Department has received your 
application and has assigned your application 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 technical issues 
with the Grants.gov system: If you are experiencing problems submitting 
your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov 
Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a https://
Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it.
    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

[[Page 46972]]

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 described elsewhere in this notice.
    If you submit an application after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, 
on the application deadline date, please contact the person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII in this notice and 
provide an explanation of the technical problem you experienced with 
https://Grants.gov, along with the https://Grants.gov Support Desk Case 
Number. We will accept your application if we can confirm that a 
technical problem occurred with the https://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: The extensions to which we refer in this section apply 
only to the unavailability of, or technical problems with, the 
https://Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you 
failed to fully register to submit your application to https://
Grants.gov before the application 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.
    (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.
    (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 the SF 424 the CFDA number, including suffix 
letter, if any, of the competition under which you are submitting your 
application; and
    (2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a notification 
of receipt of your grant application. If you do not receive this 
notification 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

     The selection criteria for this competition are from 35 CFR 
Selection Criteria: 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 Notice 
(GAN). We may notify you informally, also.
    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 in this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable Regulations section in 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 directed by the Secretary 
under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent 
performance reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements 
on reporting, please go to: https://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/
appforms/appforms.html.
    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 by e-mail: 
Lynn.Medley@ed.gov.

[[Page 46973]]

    If you use a TDD, call the TDD number at (202) 205-4475.

VIII. Other Information

    Alternate Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document and a copy of the application packet in an alternative format 
(e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on 
request to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII in this notice.
    Electronic Access to This Document: You can 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: August 17, 2007.
William W. Knudsen,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. E7-16609 Filed 8-21-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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