Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview Information; Regional Interpreter Education Centers for Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Individuals Who Are Deaf-Blind; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010, 32164-32169 [2010-13569]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 108 (Monday, June 7, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32164-32169]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-13569]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview 
Information; Regional Interpreter Education Centers for Training of 
Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and 
Individuals Who Are Deaf-Blind; Notice Inviting Applications for New 
Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.160A.


DATES: 
    Applications Available: June 7, 2010.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 22, 2010.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 20, 2010.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: This program provides grants to eligible 
entities to establish regional interpreter training programs that will 
train a sufficient number of qualified interpreters to meet the 
communications needs of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and 
individuals who are deaf-blind.
    Priorities: These priorities and definitions are from the notice of 
final priorities and definitions for this program, published in the 
Federal Register on August 3, 2005 (70 FR 44834).
    Definitions: For the purposes of these priorities, we use the 
following definitions:
    Deaf means individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, late 
deafened, or deaf-blind. The term makes no reference or judgment of 
preferred mode of communication or language preference.
    Interpreter means individuals, both hearing and deaf, who provide 
interpreting or transliterating, or both, for deaf, hard of hearing, 
and deaf-blind

[[Page 32165]]

individuals using a variety of languages and modes of communication 
including but not limited to American Sign Language, Conceptually 
Accurate Signed English, other forms of signed English, oral 
communication, tactile communication, and cued speech.
    Local Partner Network means a formal network of individuals, 
organizations, and agencies including consumers, consumer 
organizations, community resources, service providers (especially 
vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies), VR State coordinators for the 
deaf, rehabilitation counselors for the deaf, and other appropriate 
entities with whom the Regional Interpreter Education Center will have 
Memoranda of Understanding or other recognized mechanisms for the 
provision of educational activities for interpreters.
    National Interpreter Education Center means a project supported by 
the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) to--(1) coordinate the 
activities of the Regional Interpreter Education Centers; (2) ensure 
the effectiveness of the educational opportunities offered by the 
Regional Interpreter Education Centers; (3) ensure the effectiveness of 
the program as a whole by evaluating and reporting outcomes; (4) 
provide technical assistance to the field on effective practices in 
interpreter education; and (5) provide educational opportunities for 
interpreter educators.
    Novice interpreter means an interpreter who has graduated from an 
interpreter training program and demonstrates language fluency in 
American Sign Language and in English, but lacks experience working as 
an interpreter.
    Qualified interpreter means an interpreter who is able to interpret 
effectively, accurately, and impartially both receptively and 
expressively, using any necessary specialized vocabulary. This 
definition, which is mentioned in the Senate Report for the 
Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998, Senate Report 105-166 (Second 
Session 1998), is one way for States to determine if interpreters are 
sufficiently qualified and is based on the standard specified in the 
regulations implementing titles II and III of the Americans with 
Disabilities Act of 1990.
    Regional Interpreter Education Center means a coordinated regional 
center to provide quality educational opportunities for interpreters at 
all skill levels.
    Training and education will be used interchangeably. Absolute 
Priority: For FY 2010 this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 
CFR 75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet this priority.
    This priority is:
    Priority One--Regional Interpreter Education Center or Centers.
    The purpose of this priority is to support a coordinated Regional 
Interpreter Education Center or Centers to provide quality educational 
opportunities for interpreters at all skill levels. The educational 
opportunities provided by a Regional Interpreter Education Center, 
through collaboration with Local Partner Networks and with substantial 
involvement from deaf consumers, must be of sufficient scope and 
sequence to demonstrate an increased skill and knowledge base of the 
participants through the use of pre- and post-assessments. The pre- and 
post-assessments will measure the knowledge and skill base of the 
participants, both when first entering the training program and when 
exiting the training program, to demonstrate their enhanced knowledge 
and skills as interpreters as a result of the training opportunity. In 
addition, the primary focus of the educational opportunities must be on 
interpreting for consumers of VR services. Consequently, this means 
educating hearing and deaf interpreters to work with consumers from 
diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds in diverse environments 
(i.e., urban, rural, low socioeconomic, territories, etc.) and within a 
variety of contexts (i.e., employment, job training, technical, 
medical, etc.).
    Further, the educational opportunities must encompass both skill-
based and knowledge-based topics, provide for both hearing interpreters 
and deaf interpreters, and focus on interpreting for a variety of 
individuals who have communication skills along the full spectrum of 
language from those with limited language skills to those with high-
level, professional language skills. Educational opportunities must be 
provided for interpreters from all skill levels from novice to 
advanced, and the skill level of the training must be clearly 
identified. All training activities must involve cooperative efforts 
with consumers, consumer organizations, community resources, and 
service providers, especially VR agencies, VR State coordinators for 
the deaf, and rehabilitation counselors for the deaf. Delivery of 
educational opportunities may not be limited to traditional methods. 
Distance technologies and delivery, use of teams of deaf and hearing 
presenters, assignment of mentors, immersion experiences, intensive 
institutes, and other innovative practices must be used.
    A Regional Interpreter Education Center funded under this priority 
also must do the following:
    (a) Develop formal relationships with Local Partner Networks as 
defined in this notice.
    (b) In collaboration with the National Center, Local Partner 
Networks, and consumers, implement effective practices in interpreter 
education.
    (c) In collaboration with the National Center, Local Partner 
Networks, and consumers, implement the ``Program Quality Indicators'' 
for this program.
    (d) Coordinate with existing interpreter training programs to 
identify and conduct outreach activities with recent and new graduates 
in order to provide training, including mentoring, to make them work-
ready.
    (e) In collaboration with the National Center, Local Partner 
Networks, and consumers, provide skill-based, context-based, and 
knowledge-based interpreter education activities of significant scope 
and sequence to interpreters in the identified region. Products 
developed by the National Center must be incorporated into the 
educational activities to the greatest extent appropriate. Educational 
opportunities must include, but not be limited to--
    (1) Educating deaf individuals and practicing deaf and hearing 
interpreters to serve as mentors and provide mentoring to novice and 
working interpreters who need additional feedback and experience to 
become qualified;
    (2) Addressing the various linguistic and cultural preferences 
within the deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind communities through 
strands of specialized interpreter education;
    (3) Focusing on interpreting in specialized environments such as 
rehabilitation, legal, medical, mental health, or multicultural 
environments, working with specific populations such as deaf-blind, 
oral, trilingual (including those who are fluent in spoken English and 
spoken Spanish along with both American Sign Language and Mexican Sign 
Language or other sign languages used by Spanish-speaking communities), 
or cued speech users, and improving specific skill sets such as sign-
to-voice interpreting, team interpreting, sight translation, or ethical 
decisionmaking and professionalism;
    (4) Developing interpretation and transliteration competencies for 
interpreters working with deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind 
individuals with differing modes of communication, including, but not 
limited to, the use of language immersion experiences in American Sign 
Language, Conceptually Accurate Signed English, oral communication, 
tactile communication, and cued speech;

[[Page 32166]]

    (5) Using state-of-the-art technologies for training on how to 
deliver interpreter services from remote locations and in handling 
various technologies during interpreter assignments (e.g., microphones, 
assistive listening devices, cameras, lights, etc.); and
    (6) Educating consumers on skills related to self-advocacy and 
working effectively with interpreters.
    (f) In collaboration with the National Center, Local Partner 
Networks, and consumers, implement and deliver the specific educational 
activities identified in the education needs assessments.
    (g) Provide information to the National Center for the purpose of 
promoting the educational activities of the National Center.
    (h) Provide qualitative and quantitative data on the educational 
activities conducted, pre- and post-assessments, portfolios produced, 
participant demographics, and other pertinent information to the 
National Center for the purpose of evaluating program effectiveness.
    (i) Coordinate and collaborate with the other Regional Interpreter 
Education Centers funded by RSA and funded through this priority.
    (j) Set aside 10 percent of the project's annual budget submitted 
to RSA to cover the costs of specific collaborative activities between 
the National Center and the Regional Interpreter Education Center or 
Centers including, but not limited to, travel, communications, 
materials development, Web site development, and other collaborative 
efforts.
    Fourth and Fifth Years of Project:
    In deciding whether to continue a project for the fourth and fifth 
years, the Secretary will consider the requirements of 34 CFR 75.253(a) 
for continuation awards.
    The Secretary will also consider the following:
    (a) The recommendation of a review team consisting of experts 
selected by the Secretary. The team will conduct its review in 
Washington, DC, during the first half of the project's third year. A 
project must budget for the travel associated with this one-day 
intensive review.
    (b) The timeliness and effectiveness with which all requirements of 
the award have been or are being met by the project.
    (c) Evidence of the degree to which the project's activities have 
contributed to changed practices and improved quality of interpreters.
    (d) Evidence of the degree to which the project's activities have 
served each State within its designated geographic region.
    Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2010 this priority is a 
competitive preference priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(ii) we give 
preference to an application that meets this priority over an 
application of comparable merit that does not meet the priority.
    This priority is:
    Priority Two--Programs Offering at Least a Bachelor's Degree in 
Interpreter Education.
    Within the existing priority from 34 CFR 396.33, we are 
establishing a priority to support applications from postsecondary 
institutions that offer and have awarded at least a bachelor's degree 
in interpreter education.
    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 772(f).
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 
81, 82, 84, 85, 86, and 99. (b) The regulations for this program in 34 
CFR parts 385 and 396. (c) The notice of final priorities and 
definitions for this program, published in the Federal Register on 
August 3, 2005 (70 FR 44834).

    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 only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $1,500,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $300,000.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding $300,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The 
Assistant Secretary may change the maximum amount through a notice 
published in the Federal Register.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 5.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: States and public or nonprofit agencies and 
organizations, including institutions of higher education.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.

    Note: Under 34 CFR 75.562(c), an indirect cost reimbursement on 
a training grant is limited to the recipient's actual indirect 
costs, as determined by its negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, 
or eight percent of a modified total direct cost base, whichever 
amount is less. Indirect costs in excess of the eight percent limit 
may not be charged directly, used to satisfy matching or cost-
sharing requirements, or charged to another Federal award.

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: ED Pubs, 
U.S. Department of Education, P.O. Box 22207, Alexandria, VA 22304. 
Telephone, toll free: 1-877-433-7827. Fax: (703) 605-6794. 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.EDPubs.gov or at its e-mail address: edpubs@inet.ed.gov.
    If you request an application package from ED Pubs, be sure to 
identify this program or competition as follows: CFDA number 84.160A.
    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 [Part III] to the equivalent of no more than 45 
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, 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).
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier

[[Page 32167]]

New, or Arial. An application submitted in any other font (including 
Times Roman or Arial Narrow) will not be accepted.
    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, 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 7, 2010.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 22, 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.7. 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 20, 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. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification 
Number, and Central Contractor Registry: To do business with the 
Department of Education, (1) you must have a Data Universal Numbering 
System (DUNS) number and a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN); (2) 
you must register both of those numbers with the Central Contractor 
Registry (CCR), the Government's primary registrant database; and (3) 
you must provide those same numbers on your application.
    You can obtain a DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet. A DUNS number 
can be created within one business day.
    If you are a corporate entity, agency, institution, or 
organization, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal Revenue Service. 
If you are an individual, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal 
Revenue Service or the Social Security Administration. If you need a 
new TIN, please allow 2-5 weeks for your TIN to become active.
    The CCR registration process may take five or more business days to 
complete. If you are currently registered with the CCR, you may not 
need to make any changes. However, please make certain that the TIN 
associated with your DUNS number is correct. Also note that you will 
need to update your CCR registration on an annual basis. This may take 
three or more business days to complete.
    7. 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 Regional Interpreter Education 
Centers for Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf or 
Hard of Hearing and Individuals Who are Deaf-Blind program--CFDA Number 
84.160A 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, 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).

[[Page 32168]]

     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: Traci DiMartini, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5027, Potomac 
Center Plaza (PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2800. FAX: (202) 245-7591.
    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 84.160A, 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 84.160A, 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

    Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are 
from 34 CFR 75.210, 396.31, and 396.32 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.

[[Page 32169]]

    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: The Government Performance and Results Act 
(GPRA) of 1993 directs Federal departments and agencies to improve the 
effectiveness of programs by engaging in strategic planning, setting 
outcome-related goals for programs, and measuring program results 
against those goals.
    The goal of the Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are 
Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Individuals Who Are Deaf-Blind program is 
to establish interpreter training programs or to assist ongoing 
training programs to train a sufficient number of qualified 
interpreters in order to meet the communications needs of individuals 
who are deaf or hard of hearing and individuals who are deaf-blind.
    As required by the absolute priority, grantees must develop and 
implement quality indicators and measure their performance against 
these indicators. In addition, RSA will use the following indicators 
for each of the Regional Interpreter Education Centers for Training of 
Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and 
Individuals Who are Deaf-Blind:
     A listing of all formal relationships with Local Partner 
Networks across the region.
     The percentage of interpreters at all skill levels 
receiving educational opportunities by the Regional Interpreter Center 
who successfully completed those opportunities as demonstrated through 
pre-and post-activities assessments, the development of portfolios, the 
completion of mentoring goals, the attainment of interpreter 
certification, etc.
     The degree to which the project's activities have 
contributed to changed practices and improved the quality of 
interpreters.
     The degree to which the project's activities have served 
each State within its designated geographic region.
    Each Regional Center must report annually to RSA on these 
indicators through its annual performance report.

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Traci DiMartini, U.S. Department of 
Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration, 400 Maryland Avenue 
SW., room 5027, PCP, Washington, DC 20202-2800. Telephone: (202) 245-
6425 or by e-mail: Traci.DiMartini@ed.gov.
    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.

    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: June 2, 2010.
Alexa Posny,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2010-13569 Filed 6-4-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P