Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview Information; Technology and Media Services for Individuals With Disabilities-National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM); Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009, 26656-26661 [E9-12903]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 3, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26656-26661]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-12903]



[[Page 26656]]

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview 
Information; Technology and Media Services for Individuals With 
Disabilities--National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials 
(AIM); Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 
2009

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.327T.

DATES: Applications Available: June 3, 2009.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 6, 2009.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 1, 2009.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purposes of the Technology and Media 
Services for Individuals with Disabilities program are to: (1) Improve 
results for children with disabilities by promoting the development, 
demonstration, and use of technology, (2) support educational media 
services activities designed to be of educational value in the 
classroom setting to children with disabilities, and (3) provide 
support for captioning and video description of educational materials 
that are appropriate for use in the classroom setting.
    Priority: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(v), this priority 
is from allowable activities specified in the statute (see sections 674 
and 681(d) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 
20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2009 and any subsequent year in which we 
make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition, 
this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we 
consider only applications that meet this priority.
    This priority is:
    Technology and Media Services for Individuals with Disabilities--
National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM).
    Background: IDEA requires that the individualized education program 
for each child with a disability be designed to enable the child to be 
involved in and make progress in the general education curriculum (20 
U.S.C. 1414(d)(1)(A)(i)(II)(aa)). Some children with disabilities, 
however, experience a significant barrier to making progress in the 
general education curriculum because they cannot effectively utilize 
print instructional materials such as textbooks (Rose & Meyer, 2002; 
Rose, Meyer & Hitchcock, 2005; Stahl, 2007). For example, studies show 
that, for many children with disabilities, a neurologically based 
reading dysfunction limits their ability to read and learn from print 
instructional materials (Shaywitz, 1998; 2002; 2005; 2006).
    The 2004 amendments to IDEA required the Secretary to establish the 
National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) and 
required States to adopt NIMAS for the purpose of providing 
instructional materials in specialized formats in a timely manner for 
use in elementary and secondary schools by children who are blind or 
who have print disabilities (20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(23)(A)). The 2004 
amendments also established the National Instructional Materials Access 
Center (NIMAC) as a national repository to receive and store NIMAS 
source files and make them available to States.
    State educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational agencies 
(LEAs) now obtain NIMAS file sets directly from publishers or from 
NIMAC and convert those files into specialized formats for use by 
students who need accessible instructional materials (AIM). The files 
obtained from NIMAC may only be used for children with disabilities who 
are eligible under IDEA and meet the definition of blind or other 
persons with print disabilities in the Act to Provide Books for the 
Adult Blind (2 U.S.C. 135a), which establishes eligibility criteria for 
individuals served by the Library of Congress (LOC) regulations (36 CFR 
701.6(b)(1)). These eligibility criteria cover individuals who are 
blind, have other visual disabilities, are unable to read or use 
standard print as a result of physical limitations, or have reading 
disabilities resulting from organic dysfunction. The regulations 
implementing Part B of IDEA require SEAs and LEAs to ensure that 
children with disabilities who need instructional materials in 
accessible formats, but are not included under the LOC definition of 
blind or other persons with print disabilities or who need materials 
that cannot be produced from NIMAS files obtained through NIMAC, 
receive those instructional materials in a timely manner (34 CFR 
300.172(b)(3) and 300.210(b)(3)).
    The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) funded the NIMAS TA 
Center (https://www.nimas.cast.org) in September 2004 to support the 
implementation of NIMAS-related requirements and to provide technical 
assistance (TA) and information to SEAs, LEAs, and other stakeholders 
in the preparation, delivery, and conversion of NIMAS file sets. 
However, the NIMAS TA Center targeted its efforts on addressing the 
need for AIM for children eligible under LOC regulations. A recent 
national survey of States found that the implementation of NIMAS is 
underway within States, but that States have encountered difficulty in 
developing and implementing unified distribution systems for AIM to 
serve the needs of all children with disabilities (Project Forum, 
2007). SEAs and LEAs need sustained TA to provide high-quality 
materials in a timely manner and to improve their distribution systems 
because of the complexity of developing and implementing a unified 
distribution system that is responsive to IDEA requirements, the LOC 
criteria for eligibility, and section 121 of the Copyright Act.\1\ 
State systems must address simultaneously the concerns of multiple 
participants in the system, including students and families, teachers, 
local schools, SEAs and LEAs, educational publishers, software 
developers, accessible media producers (AMPs), and distributors. 
Continued TA can help States develop efficient State distribution 
systems so that all children with disabilities receive AIM in a timely 
manner.
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    \1\ The Chafee Amendment to Chapter 1 of Title 17, United States 
Code, adds section 121, establishing a limitation on the exclusive 
rights in copyrighted works. The Amendment allows authorized 
entities to reproduce or distribute copies or phonorecords of 
previously published nondramatic literary works in specialized 
formats exclusively for use by blind or other persons with 
disabilities.
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    Priority: The purpose of this priority is to fund a cooperative 
agreement to support the establishment and operation of a national 
center on AIM (Center). The Center will provide TA to SEAs, LEAs, and 
other stakeholders: (1) To improve the implementation of NIMAS; and (2) 
to develop and implement unified distribution systems in SEAs that will 
improve the timely delivery of high-quality AIM to all children with 
disabilities who need instructional materials in accessible formats.
    To be considered for funding under this absolute priority, 
applicants must meet the application requirements contained in this 
priority. Any project funded under this absolute priority also must 
meet the programmatic and administrative requirements specified in the 
priority.

Application Requirements

    An applicant must include in its application--
    (a) A logic model that depicts, at a minimum, the goals, 
activities, outputs, and outcomes of the proposed project. A logic 
model communicates how a project will achieve its outcomes and

[[Page 26657]]

provides a framework for both the formative and summative evaluations 
of the project;

    Note: The following Web site provides more information on logic 
models and lists multiple online resources: https://www.cdc.gov/eval/resources.htm.

    (b) A plan to implement the activities described in the Project 
Activities section of this priority;
    (c) A plan, linked to the proposed project's logic model, for a 
formative evaluation of the proposed project's activities. The plan 
must describe how the formative evaluation will use clear performance 
objectives to ensure continuous improvement in the operation of the 
proposed project, including objective measures of progress in 
implementing the project and ensuring the quality of products and 
services;
    (d) A budget for a summative evaluation to be conducted by an 
independent third party;
    (e) A budget for attendance at the following:
    (1) A one and one-half day kick-off meeting to be held in 
Washington, DC, within four weeks after receipt of the award, and an 
annual planning meeting held in Washington, DC, with the OSEP Project 
Officer during each subsequent year of the project period.
    (2) A three-day Project Directors' Conference in Washington, DC, 
during each year of the project period.
    (3) A four-day Technical Assistance and Dissemination Conference in 
Washington, DC, during each year of the project period.
    (4) A one-day trip annually to attend Department briefings, 
Department-sponsored conferences, and other meetings, as requested by 
OSEP; and
    (f) A line item in the proposed budget for an annual set-aside of 
five percent of the grant amount to support emerging needs that are 
consistent with the proposed project's activities, as those needs are 
identified in consultation with OSEP.

    Note: With approval from the OSEP Project Officer, the Center 
must reallocate any remaining funds from this annual set-aside no 
later than the end of the third quarter of each budget period.

Project Activities

    To meet the requirements of this priority, the Center, at a 
minimum, must conduct the following activities:
Knowledge Development Activities
    (a) Identify and document current approaches used by SEAs and LEAs, 
where appropriate, for developing and implementing efficient, unified 
distribution systems for the delivery of AIM to all children with 
disabilities who require instructional materials produced in accessible 
formats. This activity should occur during the first year of the 
project.
    (b) Describe in detail the necessary components of efficient, 
unified distribution systems for the delivery of AIM in a timely 
manner. These components must include but are not limited to the 
following:
    (1) Implementation of tracking systems that provide for digital 
rights management and measure timely delivery.
    (2) Coordination with textbook adoption authorities and assistive 
technology projects within SEAs.
    (3) Utilization of existing general education distribution systems, 
resource centers, and professional development systems. This knowledge 
development activity should occur during the first and second years of 
the project.
Technical Assistance and Dissemination Activities
    (a) Work directly with SEAs to ensure that distribution systems are 
high-quality and deliver AIM in a timely manner to children with 
disabilities. To address this requirement the Center must--
    (1) Work directly with a minimum of ten States to assist the SEAs 
in developing and implementing a plan to develop a unified distribution 
system or improve their existing distribution system for AIM;
    (2) Develop and coordinate a national TA network comprised of a 
cadre of experts that the Center will use to provide TA to SEAs, LEAs, 
and other stakeholders to develop a unified distribution system or 
improve their existing State distribution systems for the delivery of 
AIM to children with disabilities; and
    (3) Disseminate information to SEAs and LEAs about improving the 
timely delivery of AIM and increasing the quantity and improving the 
quality of commercially available AIM through their print instructional 
materials adoption processes, procurement contracts, or other practices 
or instruments used for purchase of print instructional materials (34 
CFR 300.172(c)).
    (4) Disseminate information to SEAs and LEAs on developing and 
implementing a unified distribution system that is responsive to IDEA 
requirements, the LOC criteria for eligibility, and section 121 of the 
Copyright Act.
    (b) Provide a continuum of general TA and dissemination (TA&D) 
activities, (e.g., managing Web sites, listservs, and communities of 
practice, and holding training institutes) to assist SEAs--
    (1) In developing and implementing quality indicators of their 
distribution systems that: Define high-quality AIM, describe the State 
definition of ``timely manner'' (34 CFR 300.172(a)(2)) and use that 
definition to assess whether children who need AIM receive these 
materials in a timely manner, identify elements that support an 
efficient flow of materials in the distribution system, and use 
effective protocols for digital rights management;
    (2) In providing exemplars and other information to publishers, 
AMPs, and other stakeholders on the use of NIMAS (e.g., in support for 
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) and Mathematical Markup Language 
(MathML)). The following Web sites provide information on SVG and 
MathML: https://www.w3.org/Graphics/SVG and www.w3.org/Math; and
    (3) To the maximum extent possible, in meeting their obligation to 
work collaboratively with the State agency responsible for assistive 
technology programs (34 CFR 300.172(d); 20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(23)(D)).
    (c) Prepare and disseminate reports, documents, practice guides, 
and other materials on the implementation of State distribution systems 
for the delivery of AIM, the quality indicators related to an effective 
distribution system, the use of AIM, and related topics, as requested 
by OSEP, for specific audiences, including parents, teachers, textbook 
selection committees, and SEA administrators.
    (d) Maintain a Web site that meets government or industry-
recognized standards for accessibility and that links to the Web site 
operated by the Technical Assistance Coordination Center (TACC).
Leadership and Coordination Activities
    (a) On an annual basis, compile and share data, in collaboration 
with other currently funded OSEP centers, on the implementation of 
NIMAS. To complete this activity, the Center must--
    (1) Review and summarize NIMAS-related data from sources such as 
IDEA State Annual Performance Reports (APRs) and the updated State 
Performance Plans (SPPs). The following Web site provides more 
information on APRs and SPPs: https://www.rrfcnetwork.org/content/view/409/47/;
    (2) Prepare a summary report annually on the status of the 
implementation of NIMAS and disseminate the findings of the

[[Page 26658]]

summary report to OSEP, SEAs, LEAs, and other stakeholders; and
    (3) Provide recommendations to OSEP on the most meaningful and 
useful ways to analyze and aggregate the data reported by States on 
IDEA Part B indicators relevant to NIMAS implementation at the national 
level. The following Web site provides more information on the SEAs' 
adoption of NIMAS: https://www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/monitor/nimac.html.
    (b) Establish and maintain an advisory committee to review the 
activities and outcomes of the Center and provide programmatic support 
and advice throughout the project period. At a minimum, the advisory 
committee must meet on an annual basis and must include: SEA and LEA 
personnel involved with the distribution of AIM, textbook adoption 
personnel, individuals with disabilities or parents of children with 
disabilities, OSEP-funded technology grants that relate to NIMAS and 
that improve results for children with disabilities, and other 
stakeholders and project directors of Department-funded centers that 
relate to the implementation of NIMAS requirements. The Center must 
submit the names of the proposed members of the advisory committee to 
OSEP for approval within eight weeks after receipt of the award.
    (c) Communicate and collaborate with currently funded OSEP projects 
including NIMAC; Bookshare.org for Education; Recording for the Blind & 
Dyslexic; the NIMAS center (which OSEP intends to fund in FY 2009); and 
TACC. This collaboration could include the joint development of 
products, the coordination of TA services, and the planning and 
carrying out of TA meetings and events, including the convening of an 
annual meeting of these projects to ensure a well-designed national 
distribution system for SEAs and LEAs and to reduce duplication of 
effort and improve the delivery time for specialized formats.
    (d) Communicate and collaborate with postsecondary groups to help 
facilitate coordinated efforts between the K-12 and postsecondary AIM 
distribution systems, as appropriate.
    (e) Participate in, organize, or facilitate, as directed by OSEP, 
communities of practice (https://www.tacommunities.org/) that are 
aligned with the Center's objectives as a way to support discussions 
and collaboration among key stakeholders.
    (f) Prior to developing any new product, whether paper or 
electronic, submit to the OSEP Project Officer and the Proposed Product 
Advisory Board at OSEP's TACC for approval, a proposal describing the 
content and purpose of the product.
    (g) Coordinate with the National Dissemination Center for 
Individuals with Disabilities to develop an efficient and high-quality 
dissemination strategy that reaches broad audiences. The Center must 
report to the OSEP Project Officer the outcomes of these coordination 
efforts.
    (h) Contribute, on an ongoing basis, updated information on the 
Center's services to OSEP's Technical Assistance and Dissemination 
Matrix (https://matrix.rrfcnetwork.org/), which provides current 
information on Department-funded TA services to a range of 
stakeholders.
    (i) Conduct formative and summative evaluations of the Center that 
are aligned with the evaluation plan. These evaluations must examine 
the outcomes or impact of the Center's activities in order to assess 
the effectiveness of those activities. These evaluations will be 
reported to OSEP at least annually in the case of the formative 
evaluation and at the end of the project period for the summative 
evaluation.
    (j) Maintain ongoing communication with the OSEP Project Officer 
through monthly phone conversations and e-mail communication. Fourth 
and Fifth Years of the Project: In deciding whether to continue funding 
the Center for the fourth and fifth years, the Secretary will consider 
the requirements of 34 CFR 75.253(a), and in addition--
    (a) The recommendation of a review team consisting of experts 
selected by the Secretary. This review will be conducted during a one-
day meeting in Washington, DC, that will be held during the last half 
of the second year of the project period.
    (b) The timeliness and effectiveness with which all requirements of 
the negotiated cooperative agreement have been or are being met by the 
Center; and
    (c) The quality, relevance, and usefulness of the Center's 
activities and products, and the degree to which the Center's 
activities and products have contributed to the development and 
improvement of State distribution systems for the efficient delivery of 
AIM for children with disabilities.

References:

Mueller, E. & Burdett, P. (2007). The National Instructional 
Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS): Current State 
Implementation. Project Forum: Alexandria, VA.

    Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative Procedure 
Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553), the Department generally offers interested 
parties the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities and 
requirements. Section 681(d) of IDEA, however, makes the public comment 
requirements of the APA inapplicable to the priority in this notice.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1474 and 1481.
    Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 
81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99.

    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants 
except federally recognized Indian Tribes.


    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education (IHEs) only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.
    Estimated Available Funds: $1,000,000.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2010 from the list of 
unfunded applicants from this competition.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding $1,000,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. 
The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services may change the maximum amount through a notice published in 
the Federal Register.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 1.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: SEAs; LEAs, including public charter 
schools that are considered LEAs under State law; IHEs; other public 
agencies; private nonprofit organizations; outlying areas; freely 
associated States; Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations; and for-
profit organizations.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    3. Other: General Requirements--(a) The projects funded under this 
competition must make positive efforts to employ and advance in 
employment qualified individuals with disabilities (see section 606 of 
IDEA).
    (b) Applicants and grant recipients funded under this competition 
must involve individuals with disabilities or parents of individuals 
with disabilities ages birth through 26 in planning, implementing, and 
evaluating the projects (see section 682(a)(1)(A) of IDEA).

[[Page 26659]]

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: Education Publications 
Center (ED Pubs), P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794-1398. Telephone, toll 
free: 1-877-433-7827. FAX: (301) 470-1244. If you use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), 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 package from ED Pubs, be sure to 
identify this competition as follows: CFDA number 84.327T.
    Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application 
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, 
or computer diskette) by contacting the person or team listed under 
Accessible Format in section VIII 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 the 
application narrative to the equivalent of no more than 50 pages, 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, including titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, references, abstracts, 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 
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
    The page limit does not apply to Part I, the cover sheet; 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 references, or the letters of support. 
However, the page limit does apply to all of the application narrative 
section (Part III).
    We will reject your application if you exceed the page limit or if 
you apply other standards and exceed the equivalent of the page limit.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: June 3, 2009.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 6, 2009.
    Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted 
electronically using the Electronic Grant Application System (e-
Application) accessible through the Department's e-Grants site, 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. 6. 
Other Submission Requirements of this notice.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    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 
of 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.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 1, 2009.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. 
Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under 
Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this 
competition.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under 
this competition may be submitted electronically or in paper format by 
mail or hand delivery.

a. Electronic Submission of Applications

    If you choose to submit your application to us electronically, you 
must use e-Application, accessible through the Department's e-Grants 
Web site at: https://e-grants.ed.gov.
    While completing your electronic application, you will be entering 
data online that will be saved into a database. You may not e-mail an 
electronic copy of a grant application to us.
    Please note the following:
     Your participation in e-Application is voluntary.
     You must complete the electronic submission of your grant 
application by 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. E-Application will not accept an application for this 
competition after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not wait 
until the application deadline date to begin the application process.
     The hours of operation of the e-Grants Web site are 6:00 
a.m. Monday until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday; and 6:00 a.m. Thursday until 
8:00 p.m. Sunday, Washington, DC time. Please note that, because of 
maintenance, the system is unavailable between 8:00 p.m. on Sundays and 
6:00 a.m. on Mondays, and between 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and 6:00 a.m. 
on Thursdays, Washington, DC time. Any modifications to these hours are 
posted on the e-Grants Web site.
     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 must submit all documents electronically, including 
all information you typically provide on the following forms: the 
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. 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.
     Prior to submitting your electronic application, you may 
wish to print a copy of it for your records.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive an automatic acknowledgment that will include a PR/Award number 
(an identifying number unique to your application).
     Within three working days after submitting your electronic 
application, fax a signed copy of the SF 424 to the Application Control 
Center after following these steps:
    (1) Print SF 424 from e-Application.
    (2) The applicant's Authorizing Representative must sign this form.

[[Page 26660]]

    (3) Place the PR/Award number in the upper right hand corner of the 
hard-copy signature page of the SF 424.
    (4) Fax the signed SF 424 to the Application Control Center at 
(202) 245-6272.
     We may request that you provide us original signatures on 
other 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 e-Application 
is unavailable, we will grant you an extension of one business day to 
enable you to transmit your application electronically, by mail, or by 
hand delivery. We will grant this extension if--
    (1) You are a registered user of e-Application and you have 
initiated an electronic application for this competition; and
    (2) (a) E-Application is unavailable for 60 minutes or more between 
the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the 
application deadline date; or
    (b) E-Application is unavailable for any period of time between 
3:30 p.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date.
    We must acknowledge and confirm these periods of unavailability 
before granting you an extension. To request this extension or to 
confirm our acknowledgment of any system unavailability, you may 
contact either (1) the person listed elsewhere in this notice under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT (see VII. Agency Contact) or (2) the e-
Grants help desk at 1-888-336-8930. If e-Application is unavailable due 
to technical problems with the system and, therefore, the application 
deadline is extended, an e-mail will be sent to all registered users 
who have initiated an e-Application.
    Extensions referred to in this section apply only to the 
unavailability of e-Application. If e-Application is available, and, 
for any reason, you are unable to submit your application 
electronically or you do not receive an automatic acknowledgment of 
your submission, you may submit your application in paper format by 
mail or hand delivery in accordance with the instructions in this 
notice.

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 following address: 
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
(CFDA Number 84.327T), LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20202-4260.
    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 
84.327T), 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza, 
Washington, DC 20202-4260.
    The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily 
between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30:00 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 grant 
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

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition 
are from 34 CFR 75.210 and are listed in the application package.
    2. Review and Selection Process: In the past, the Department has 
had difficulty finding peer reviewers for certain competitions because 
so many individuals who are eligible to serve as peer reviewers have 
conflicts of interest. The Standing Panel requirements under IDEA also 
have placed additional constraints on the availability of reviewers. 
Therefore, the Department has determined that, for some discretionary 
grant competitions, applications may be separated into two or more 
groups and ranked and selected for funding within the specific groups. 
This procedure will make it easier for the Department to find peer 
reviewers by ensuring that greater numbers of individuals who are 
eligible to serve as reviewers for any particular group of applicants 
will not have conflicts of interest. It also will increase the quality, 
independence, and fairness of the review process while permitting panel 
members to review applications under discretionary grant competitions 
for which they also have submitted applications. However, if the 
Department decides to select an equal number of applications in each 
group for funding, this may result in different cut-off points for 
fundable applications in each group.

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 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 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

[[Page 26661]]

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: Under the Government Performance and 
Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), the Department has established a set of 
performance measures, including long-term measures, that are designed 
to yield information on various aspects of the effectiveness and 
quality of the Technology and Media Services for Individuals with 
Disabilities program. These measures focus on the extent to which 
projects provide high-quality products and services, are relevant to 
improving outcomes for children with disabilities, and contribute to 
improving outcomes for children with disabilities. We will collect data 
on these measures from the project funded under this competition.
    The grantee will be required to report information on its project's 
performance in annual reports to the Department (34 CFR 75.590).

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Slade, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 4175, Potomac Center Plaza 
(PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2550. Telephone: (202) 245-7527.
    If you use a TDD, call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, 
at 1-800-877-8339.

VIII. Other Information

    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format 
(e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by 
contacting the Grants and Contracts Services Team, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5075, PCP, Washington, DC 
20202-2550. Telephone: (202) 245-7363. If you use a TDD, call the FRS, 
toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
    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/.

    Delegation of Authority: The Secretary of Education has delegated 
authority to Andrew J. Pepin, Executive Administrator for the Office of 
Special Education and Rehabilitative Services to perform the functions 
of the Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services.

    Dated: May 28, 2009.
Andrew J. Pepin,
Executive Administrator for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services.
[FR Doc. E9-12903 Filed 6-2-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P