Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; Overview Information; High School Equivalency Program (HEP); Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010, 66304-66307 [E9-29807]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 15, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66304-66307]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-29807]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; Overview 
Information; High School Equivalency Program (HEP); Notice Inviting 
Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.141A.

    Dates: Applications Available: December 15, 2009.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 16, 2010.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: April 14, 2010.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of HEP is to help migrant and 
seasonal farmworkers and members of their immediate family obtain a 
general education diploma (GED) that meets the guidelines for high 
school equivalency established by the State in which the HEP project is 
conducted, and to gain employment or be placed in an institution of 
higher education (IHE) or other postsecondary education or training.
    Priorities: This competition includes two competitive preference 
priorities and one invitational priority. In accordance with 34 CFR 
75.105(b)(2)(ii), the competitive preference priority for ``novice 
applicant'' is from the Education Department General Administrative 
Regulations (EDGAR) (34 CFR 75.225). In accordance with 34 CFR 
75.105(b)(2)(iv), the competitive preference priority for ``prior 
experience of service delivery'' is from section 418A(e) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965, as amended by section 408(3) of the Higher 
Education Opportunity Act (20 U.S.C. 1070d-2(e)).
    Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2010, these priorities 
are competitive preference priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we 
award an additional five points to an application that meets the 
``novice applicant'' competitive preference priority, and up to a 
maximum of 15 additional points to an application that meets the 
``prior experience of service delivery'' competitive preference 
priority.
    These priorities are:

Novice Applicant

    The applicant must be a ``novice applicant'' as defined in 34 CFR 
75.225(a).

Prior Experience of Service Delivery

    With respect to applicants with an expiring HEP project, the 
Secretary will consider the applicant's prior experience in 
implementing its expiring HEP project based on information contained in 
documents previously provided to the Department, such as annual 
performance reports, project evaluation reports, site visit reports, 
and the previously approved HEP application.
    Under this competition, we are particularly interested in 
applications that address the following priority.
    Invitational Priority: For FY 2010, this priority is an 
invitational priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an 
application that meets this invitational priority a competitive or 
absolute preference over other applications.
    This priority is:
    Applications that propose to engage faith-based and community 
organizations in the delivery of services under this program.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070d-2, the Higher Education Act 
of 1965, as reauthorized by the Higher Education Opportunity Act 
(HEOA) (Pub. L. 110-315).

    Applicable Regulations: (a) EDGAR in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 
82, 84, 85, 86, 97, and 99. (b) The regulations in 34 CFR part 206. (c) 
The definitions in 34 CFR 200.81. (d) The regulations in 20 CFR 669.110 
and 669.320.

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


    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 206 were issued prior to 
the enactment of the HEOA. The application package identifies any 
provisions in part 206 that have been superseded by enactment of the 
HEOA.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested 
$6,153,000 for new awards for this program for FY 2010. 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.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $180,000-$475,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $473,000.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a HEP 
award exceeding $475,000 for any of the five single budget periods of 
12 months. The Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary 
Education may change the maximum amount through a notice published in 
the Federal Register.
    Minimum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a HEP 
award that is less than $180,000 for any of the five single budget 
periods of 12 months. The Assistant Secretary for Elementary and 
Secondary Education may change the minimum amount through a notice 
published in the Federal Register.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 13.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: IHEs or private non-profit organizations 
(including faith-based organizations) that plan their

[[Page 66305]]

projects in cooperation with an IHE and propose to operate some aspects 
of the project with the facilities of the IHE.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    3. Annual Meeting Attendance: Projects funded under this 
competition are encouraged to budget for a two-day OME Annual Meeting 
for HEP and CAMP Directors in the Washington, DC area during each year 
of the project period.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: David De Soto, U.S. 
Department of Education, Office of Migrant Education, 400 Maryland 
Avenue, SW., Room 3E344, Washington, DC 20202-6135. Telephone: (202) 
260-8103 or by e-mail: david.de.soto@ed.gov.
    The application package content also can be viewed electronically 
at the following address: https://www.ed.gov/programs/hep/applicant.html.
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the 
Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
    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 program contact person listed 
in this section.
    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. Panel readers will award points only for an applicant's 
response to a given selection criterion that is contained within the 
section of the application designated to address that particular 
selection criterion. Readers will not review, or award points for 
responses to a given selection criterion that are in any other section 
of the application or appendices. You must limit the application 
narrative to no more than 25 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, and captions. However, you may 
single space all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs. Charts, 
tables, figures, and graphs presented in the application narrative 
count toward the page limit.
     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller 
than 10 pitch (characters per inch) throughout the entire application 
package.
     Appendices must be limited to 20 pages and must include 
the following: resumes and job descriptions of key personnel. Job 
descriptions must include duties and minimum qualifications. Items in 
the appendices will only be used by the program office for the purpose 
of approving any future personnel changes.
    The 25-page limit for the project narrative does not apply to the 
cover sheet; the budget section, including the narrative budget 
justification; the assurances and certifications; or the one-page 
abstract. However, the page limit does apply to all of the application 
narrative section.
    Our reviewers will not read any pages of your application that 
exceed the page limit.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: December 15, 2009.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 16, 2010.
    Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted 
electronically using the Electronic Grant Application System (e-
Application) accessible through the Department's e-Grants site. For 
information (including dates and times) about how to submit your 
application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, 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: April 14, 2010.
    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 must be submitted electronically unless you qualify 
for an exception to this requirement in accordance with the 
instructions in this section.

a. Electronic Submission of Applications

    Applications for grants under the High School Equivalency Program--
CFDA Number 84.141A, must be submitted electronically using e-
Application, accessible through the Department's e-Grants Web site at: 
https://e-grants.ed.gov.
    We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format 
unless, as described elsewhere in this section, you qualify for one of 
the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no 
later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written 
statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these 
exceptions. Further information regarding calculation of the date that 
is two weeks before the application deadline date is provided later in 
this section under Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement.
    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:
     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,

[[Page 66306]]

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 qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, as described elsewhere in this section, and 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.
    (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 e-Application 
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.
    Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement: You qualify for an 
exception to the electronic submission requirement, and may submit your 
application in paper format, if you are unable to submit an application 
through e-Application because--
     You do not have access to the Internet; or
     You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to 
e-Application; and
     No later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date (14 calendar days or, if the fourteenth calendar day before the 
application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, the next business 
day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement 
to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception 
prevents you from using the Internet to submit your application. If you 
mail your written statement to the Department, it must be postmarked no 
later than two weeks before the application deadline date. If you fax 
your written statement to the Department, we must receive the faxed 
statement no later than two weeks before the application deadline date.
    Address and mail or fax your statement to: David De Soto, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., 3E344, Washington, 
DC 20202-6135. FAX: (202) 205-0089.
    Your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the 
mail or hand delivery instructions described in this notice.

b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail

    If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a 
commercial carrier) your application to the Department. 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 84.141A), 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 qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver your paper 
application to the Department by hand. You 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 84.141A), 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--

[[Page 66307]]

    (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

    Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are 
from 34 CFR 75.210 of EDGAR and are listed in the application package.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN). We may 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 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 developed the following 
performance measures to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the HEP: 
(1) The percentage of HEP program exiters receiving a General Education 
Development (GED) credential (GPRA 1), and (2) the percentage of HEP 
GED recipients who enter postsecondary education or training programs, 
upgraded employment, or the military (GPRA 2).
    Applicants must propose annual targets for these measures in their 
applications. The national target for GPRA 1 for FY 2010 is that 69 
percent of HEP program exiters will receive a GED credential. The 
national target for GPRA 2 for FY 2010 is that 80 percent of HEP GED 
recipients will enter postsecondary education or training programs, 
upgraded employment, or the military. The panel readers will score 
related selection criteria for applicants, in part, on the basis of how 
well an applicant addresses these GPRA measures. Therefore, applicants 
should consider how they will demonstrate their capacity to provide 
reliable data on these measures, including the project's annual 
performance targets for the GPRA measures, as required by the OMB 
approved annual performance report that is included in the application 
package. All grantees will be required to submit, as part of their 
annual performance report, information with respect to these GPRA 
measures.

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David De Soto, U.S. Department of 
Education, Office of Migrant Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 
3E344, Washington, DC 20202-6135. Telephone: (202) 260-8103, or by e-
mail: david.de.soto@ed.gov, or Tara Ramsey, U.S. Department of 
Education, Office of Migrant Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 
3E323, Washington, DC 20202-6135. Telephone: (202) 260-2063, or by e-
mail: tara.ramsey@ed.gov. If you use a TDD, call the 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) on 
request to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of 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.

    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: December 10, 2009.
Thelma Mel[eacute]ndez de Santa Ana,
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. E9-29807 Filed 12-14-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P