Applications for New Awards; Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as Amended (AT Act)-National Activities-Data Collection and Reporting Assistance, 28426-28431 [2011-12073]

Download as PDF 28426 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 95 / Tuesday, May 17, 2011 / Notices extended storage of nuclear materials may cause safety problems. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION [CFDA No. 84.129 B, L, P, Q] CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Brian Grosner, General Manager, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, 625 Indiana Avenue, NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20004–2901, (800) 788– 4016. This is a toll-free number. Public participation in the meeting and hearing is invited. The Board is setting aside approximately thirty minutes at the end of each session for presentations and comments from the public. Requests to speak may be submitted in writing or by telephone. The Board asks that commentators describe the nature and scope of their oral presentations. Those who contact the Board prior to close of business on June 10, 2011, will be scheduled to speak at the session of the meeting and hearing most relevant to their oral presentations. At the beginning of Session I, the Board will post a schedule of speakers at the entrance to the meeting and hearing room. Anyone who wishes to comment or provide technical information or data may do so in writing, either in lieu of, or in addition to, making an oral presentation. The Board Members may question presenters to the extent deemed appropriate. Documents will be accepted at the meeting and hearing or may be sent to the Board’s Washington, DC, office. The Board will hold the record open until July 18, 2011, for the receipt of additional materials. A transcript of the meeting and hearing will be made available by the Board for inspection by the public at the Board’s Washington, DC, office and at DOE’s public reading room at the DOE Federal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585. The Board specifically reserves its right to further schedule and otherwise regulate the course of the meeting and hearing, to recess, reconvene, postpone, or adjourn the meeting and hearing, conduct further reviews, and otherwise exercise its power under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. Emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: May 13, 2011. Peter S. Winokur, Chairman. [FR Doc. 2011–12245 Filed 5–13–11; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3670–01–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:21 May 16, 2011 Jkt 223001 Withdrawal of Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2011; Rehabilitation Training: Rehabilitation Long-Term Training Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: On April 20, 2011, the Department published in the Federal Register a notice inviting applications for new awards under the Rehabilitation Long-Term Training program for FY 2011. Since that time, the Department has determined that, as a result of final Congressional action on FY 2011 appropriations, there are not sufficient funds available in 2011 to make new awards. As such, the Department withdraws this notice inviting applications for new awards for FY 2011 under this program. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Finch, U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5147, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202–2800. Telephone: (202) 245–7343 or by e-mail: Tom.Finch@ed.gov. If you use a TDD, call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800– 877–8339. Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 772. Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this document in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the Grants and Contracts Service 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: 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 via the Federal Digital System at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site 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). To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the site. You may also access documents of the Department published in the Federal Register by using the article search feature at: https:// SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the Department. Dated: May 12, 2011. Alexa Posny, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. [FR Doc. 2011–12072 Filed 5–16–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Applications for New Awards; Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as Amended (AT Act)—National Activities—Data Collection and Reporting Assistance Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: Overview Information: AT Act— National Activities—Data Collection and Reporting Assistance Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2011. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.224B Dates: Applications Available: May 17, 2011. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 1, 2011. Full Text of Announcement I. Funding Opportunity Description Purpose of Program: Under section 6 of the AT Act, the Secretary is authorized to provide grants to support national activities to improve the administration of the AT Act. According to section 3(15) of the AT Act, the term ‘‘State AT program’’ means a program authorized under section 4 of the AT Act. State AT programs are required to collect data and report on the activities they conduct to determine whether those activities are conducted appropriately and successfully and to assess the outcomes of those activities. Section 6(b)(5) of the AT Act authorizes support to assist State AT Programs with this data collection and reporting. Statutory Requirements—Assistive Technology Act Data Collection and Reporting Assistance. Under section 6(b)(5) of the Act, the Secretary supports entities to assist the Assistive Technology State grant program grantees in their development and implementation of effective datacollection and reporting systems that— (a) Focus on quantitative and qualitative data elements; E:\FR\FM\17MYN1.SGM 17MYN1 Emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 95 / Tuesday, May 17, 2011 / Notices (b) Measure the outcomes of the required activities described in section 4 of the AT Act that are implemented by the States and the progress of the States toward achieving the measurable goals related to— (1) Education, including goals involving the provision of assistive technology to individuals with disabilities who receive services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.); (2) Employment, including goals involving the State vocational rehabilitation program carried out under title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 720 et seq.); (3) Telecommunication and information technology; and (4) Community living; and (c) Provide States with the necessary information required under the AT Act or by the Secretary for reports described in section 4(f)(2) of the AT Act. Such information must document the following activities carried out by the grantee under section 4 of the AT Act— (1) The type of State financing activities described in section 4(e)(2)(A) of the AT Act used by the State; (2) The amount and type of assistance given to consumers of the State financing activities described in section 4(e)(2)(A) of the AT Act (who shall be classified by type of assistive technology device or assistive technology service financed through the State financing activities, and geographic distribution within the State), including— (i) The number of applications for assistance received; (ii) The number of applications approved and rejected; (iii) The default rate for the financing activities; (iv) The range and average interest rate for the financing activities; (v) The range and average income of approved applicants for the financing activities; and (vi) The types and dollar amounts of assistive technology financed; (3) The number, type, and length of time of loans of assistive technology devices provided to individuals with disabilities, employers, public agencies, or public accommodations through the device loan program described in section 4(e)(2)(C), and an analysis of the individuals with disabilities who have benefited from the device loan program; (4) The number, type, estimated value, and scope of assistive technology devices exchanged, repaired, recycled, or reutilized (including redistributed through device sales, loans, rentals, or donations) through the device reutilization program described in section 4(e)(2)(B) of the AT Act, and an VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:21 May 16, 2011 Jkt 223001 analysis of the individuals with disabilities that have benefited from the device reutilization program; (5) The number and type of device demonstrations and referrals provided under section 4(e)(2)(D) of the AT Act, and an analysis of individuals with disabilities who have benefited from the demonstrations and referrals; (6)(i) The number and general characteristics of individuals who participated in training under section 4(e)(3)(B)(i) of the AT Act (such as individuals with disabilities, parents, educators, employers, providers of employment services, health care workers, counselors, other service providers, or vendors) and the topics of such training; and (ii) To the extent practicable, the geographic distribution of individuals who participated in the training; (7) The frequency of provision and nature of technical assistance provided to State and local agencies and other entities; (8) The number of individuals assisted through the public-awareness activities and statewide information and referral system described in section 4(e)(3)(B)(ii) of the Act; (9) The outcomes of any improvement initiatives carried out by the State as a result of activities funded under this section, including a description of any written policies, practices, and procedures that the State has developed and implemented regarding access to, provision of, and funding for, assistive technology devices, and assistive technology services, in the contexts of education, health care, employment, community living, and information technology and telecommunications, including e-government; (10) The source of leveraged funding or other contributed resources, including resources provided through subcontracts or other collaborative resource-sharing agreements, from and with public and private entities to carry out State activities described in section 4(e)(3)(B)(iii) of the AT Act, the number of individuals served with the contributed resources for which information is not reported under paragraphs (1) through (9) or paragraph (11) or paragraph (12), and other outcomes accomplished as a result of such activities carried out with the contributed resources; and (11) The level of customer satisfaction with the services provided; and (d) Help measure the accrued benefits of the activities to individuals who need assistive technology. Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 3001, et seq. PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 28427 Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 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 only. II. Award Information Type of Award: Cooperative agreement. Estimated Available Funds: $250,000. Estimated Number of Awards: 1. Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a budget exceeding $250,000 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. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. Project Period: Up to 60 months. III. Eligibility Information 1. Eligible Applicants: Public or private nonprofit or for-profit organizations, including institutions of higher education, that have personnel with— (a) Documented experience and expertise in administering State AT programs; (b) Experience in collecting and analyzing data associated with implementing required and discretionary activities; (c) Expertise necessary to identify additional data elements needed to provide comprehensive reporting of State activities and outcomes; and (d) Experience in utilizing data to provide annual reports to State policymakers. Note: An eligible entity can demonstrate its experience and expertise with its own personnel or through proposed subcontracts with other entities that have personnel with the relevant experience and expertise. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not involve cost sharing or matching. IV. Application and Submission Information 1. Address to Request Application Package: You 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/ E:\FR\FM\17MYN1.SGM 17MYN1 Emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES 28428 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 95 / Tuesday, May 17, 2011 / Notices 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 from ED Pubs, be sure to identify this program as follows: CFDA Number 84.224B. 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 24 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 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 Application for Federal Assistance; Part IV, the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the eligibility statement, the curriculum vitae, the bibliography, the letters of recommendation, or the information on the protection of human subjects. 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 VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:21 May 16, 2011 Jkt 223001 other standards and exceed the equivalent of the page limit. 3. Submission Dates and Times: Applications Available: May 17, 2011. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 1, 2011. Applications for grants under this program must be submitted electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov). 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. 4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. 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, you must— a. Have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN); b. Register both your DUNS number and TIN with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR), the Government’s primary registrant database; c. Provide your DUNS number and TIN on your application; and d. Maintain an active CCR registration with current information while your application is under review by the Department and, if you are awarded a grant, during the project period. 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 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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. In addition, if you are submitting your application via Grants.gov, you must (1) be designated by your organization as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR); and (2) register yourself with Grants.gov as an AOR. Details on these steps are outlined in the Grants.gov 3– Step Registration Guide (see https:// www.grants.gov/section910/ Grants.govRegistrationBrochure.pdf). 7. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under this program 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 National Activities program, CFDA Number 84.224B, must be submitted electronically using the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site at https://www.Grants.gov. Through this site, you will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit your application. You may not email an electronic copy of a grant application to us. 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. You may access the electronic grant application for the National Activities program at https://www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable application package for this program by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number’s alpha suffix in your E:\FR\FM\17MYN1.SGM 17MYN1 Emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 95 / Tuesday, May 17, 2011 / Notices search (e.g., search for 84.224, not 84.224B). Please note the following: • When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find information about submitting an application electronically through the site, as well as the hours of operation. • Applications received by Grants.gov are date and time stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted and must be date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as otherwise noted in this section, we will not accept your application if it is received—that is, date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system—after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. We do not consider an application that does not comply with the deadline requirements. When we retrieve your application from Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application because it was date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. • The amount of time it can take to upload an application will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the submission process through Grants.gov. • You should review and follow the Education Submission Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are included in the application package for this program to ensure that you submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov system. You can also find the Education Submission Procedures pertaining to Grants.gov under News and Events on the Department’s G5 system home page at https://www.G5.gov. • 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—NonConstruction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and certifications. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:21 May 16, 2011 Jkt 223001 • You must upload any narrative sections and all other attachments to your application as files in a .PDF (Portable Document) format only. If you upload a file type other than a .PDF or submit a password-protected file, we will not review that material. • Your electronic application must comply with any page-limit requirements described in this notice. • After you electronically submit your application, you will receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates receipt by Grants.gov only, not receipt by the Department.) The Department then will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send a second notification to you by e-mail. This second notification indicates that the Department has received your application and has assigned your application a PR/Award number (an EDspecified identifying number unique to your application). • We may request that you provide us original signatures on forms at a later date. Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical Issues with the Grants.gov System: If you are experiencing problems submitting your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov Support Desk, toll free, at 1–800–518–4726. You must obtain a Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it. If you are prevented from electronically submitting your application on the application deadline date because of technical problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension until 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to enable you to transmit your application electronically or by hand delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing instructions described elsewhere in this notice. If you submit an application after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this notice and provide an explanation of the technical problem you experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number. We will accept your application if we can confirm that a technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The Department will contact you after a PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 28429 determination is made on whether your application will be accepted. Note: The extensions to which we refer in this section apply only to the unavailability of, or technical problems with, the Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before the application deadline date and time or if the technical problem you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system. 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 the Grants.gov system because— • You do not have access to the Internet; or • You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to the Grants.gov system; 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 prevent 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: Brian Bard, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5019, Potomac Center Plaza (PCP), Washington, DC 20202–2800. FAX: (202) 245–7590. 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 84.224B), LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202–4260. E:\FR\FM\17MYN1.SGM 17MYN1 28430 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 95 / Tuesday, May 17, 2011 / Notices 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. Emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES 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 84.224B), 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 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 program are from 34 CFR 75.210 and are listed in the application package. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:21 May 16, 2011 Jkt 223001 2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as the applicant’s use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or submitted a report of unacceptable quality. In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary also requires various assurances including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department of Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23). 3. Special Conditions: Under 34 CFR 74.14 and 80.12, the Secretary may impose special conditions on a grant if the applicant or grantee is not financially stable; has a history of unsatisfactory performance; has a financial or other management system that does not meet the standards in 34 CFR parts 74 or 80, as applicable; has not fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not responsible. 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: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition, you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b). PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (b) 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 of 1993 (GPRA) directs Federal departments and agencies to improve the effectiveness of their programs by engaging in strategic planning, setting outcome-related goals for programs, and measuring program results against those goals. The goals of Assistive Technology Act Data Collection and Reporting Assistance program are to provide States with technical assistance and guidance on how assistive technology programs can develop and implement effective data-collection and reporting systems and to provide the Department with data on the activities carried out under the AT Act. In order to assist the Department in evaluating the success of this program in meeting these goals, it assesses the data provided on an annual performance report from this grantee. This report must include a description of— (a) State-specific and national technical assistance provided to State AT programs to support their data collection and reporting infrastructure, and the outcomes of that technical assistance as evidenced by improvement in those infrastructures; (b) State-specific and national data analyses performed and how, in collaboration with the National Assistive Technology Training and Technical Assistance Program, these analyses were used for planning, management, and improvement of State AT programs; and (c) Technical assistance and guidance in the development, and continuous improvement of RSA’s data collection system, the Management Information System (MIS), as well as assistance to States for the input of valid data into the system. 5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award, the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.253, the extent to which a grantee has made ‘‘substantial progress toward meeting the objectives in its approved application.’’ E:\FR\FM\17MYN1.SGM 17MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 95 / Tuesday, May 17, 2011 / Notices This consideration includes the review of a grantee’s progress in meeting the targets and projected outcomes in its approved application, and whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is consistent with its approved application and budget. In making a continuation grant, the Secretary also considers whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23). VII. Agency Contact FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Bard, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5019, PCP, Washington, DC 20202–2800. Telephone: (202) 245–7345 or by e-mail: brian.bard@ed.gov. If you use a TDD, call the FRS, toll free, at 1–800–877–8339. Emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES 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: 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 via the Federal Digital System at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site 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). To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the site. You may also access documents of the Department published in the Federal Register by using the article search feature at: https:// www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the Department. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:21 May 16, 2011 Jkt 223001 Dated: May 12, 2011. Alexa Posny, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. [FR Doc. 2011–12073 Filed 5–16–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION The Equity and Excellence Commission Office for Civil Rights. U.S. Department of Education. ACTION: Notice of open meeting. (amended) AGENCY: On May 10, 2011 the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education published in the Federal Register (76 FR 27034) a notice of open meeting for the Equity and Excellence Commission. This notice amends the May 10, 2011 notice by providing notice of a closed session on the afternoon of May 23, 2011 and amending the start time of the meeting on May 24, 2011. This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of an upcoming open meeting with a closed session of The Equity and Excellence Commission. The notice also describes the functions of the Commission. Notice of this meeting is required by section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act and is intended to notify the public of their opportunity to attend. This amended notice is appearing in the Federal Register less than 15 days before the meeting due to the need to add a closed session to the agenda. DATES: Monday, May 23, 2011 and Tuesday, May 24, 2011. Time: May 23, 2011: noon to 5:30 p.m.; May 24, 2011: 9:30 a.m. to noon. Closed session will begin at 2:30–5:30 p.m. on May 23, 2011. ADDRESSES: The Commission will meet at the U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. Lyndon Baines Johnson Auditorium. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Chen, Designated Federal Official, Equity and Excellence Commission, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202. E-mail: equitycommission@ed.gov. Telephone: (202) 453–6624. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the Commission is to collect information, analyze issues, and obtain broad public input regarding how the Federal government can increase educational opportunity by improving school funding equity. The Commission SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 28431 will also make recommendations for restructuring school finance systems to achieve equity in the distribution of educational resources and further student performance, especially for the students at the lower end of the achievement gap. The Commission will examine the disparities in meaningful educational opportunities that give rise to the achievement gap, with a focus on systems of finance, and recommend appropriate ways in which Federal policies could address such disparities. The agenda for the Commission’s second meeting will include a discussion of the best framework for the report and the finalizing of outlines for each section of the report. The meeting will include a report of outreach activities conducted by the Commission in April and May. The Commission will also meet in closed session at 2:30 on May 23, 2011 to discuss financial matters relevant to the Department’s budget and matters that could interfere with proposed agency action with regard to competitive grant programs if discussed publicly and therefore is protected under 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(9)(B). Due to time constraints, there will not be a public comment period at this meeting, but, individuals wishing to comment may contact the Equity Commission via e-mail at equitycommission@ed.gov. Individuals interested in attending the meeting must register in advance because seating may be limited. Please contact Kimberly Watkins-Foote at (202) 260–8197 or by e-mail at equitycommission@ed.gov. Individuals who will need accommodations for a disability in order to attend the meeting (e.g., interpreting services, assistive listening devices, or materials in alternative format) should notify Watkins-Foote at (202) 260–8197 no later than May 16, 2011. We will attempt to meet requests for accommodations after this date but cannot guarantee their availability. The meeting site is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Records are kept of all Commission proceedings and are available for public inspection at the Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202 from the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. E.S.T. Russlynn Ali, Assistant Secretary, Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education. [FR Doc. 2011–11950 Filed 5–16–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P E:\FR\FM\17MYN1.SGM 17MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 95 (Tuesday, May 17, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28426-28431]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-12073]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as 
Amended (AT Act)--National Activities--Data Collection and Reporting 
Assistance

AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, 
Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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

    Overview Information: AT Act--National Activities--Data Collection 
and Reporting Assistance
    Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 
2011.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.224B

    Dates:
    Applications Available: May 17, 2011.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 1, 2011.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: Under section 6 of the AT Act, the Secretary is 
authorized to provide grants to support national activities to improve 
the administration of the AT Act. According to section 3(15) of the AT 
Act, the term ``State AT program'' means a program authorized under 
section 4 of the AT Act. State AT programs are required to collect data 
and report on the activities they conduct to determine whether those 
activities are conducted appropriately and successfully and to assess 
the outcomes of those activities. Section 6(b)(5) of the AT Act 
authorizes support to assist State AT Programs with this data 
collection and reporting.
    Statutory Requirements--Assistive Technology Act Data Collection 
and Reporting Assistance. Under section 6(b)(5) of the Act, the 
Secretary supports entities to assist the Assistive Technology State 
grant program grantees in their development and implementation of 
effective data-collection and reporting systems that--
    (a) Focus on quantitative and qualitative data elements;

[[Page 28427]]

    (b) Measure the outcomes of the required activities described in 
section 4 of the AT Act that are implemented by the States and the 
progress of the States toward achieving the measurable goals related 
to--
    (1) Education, including goals involving the provision of assistive 
technology to individuals with disabilities who receive services under 
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et 
seq.);
    (2) Employment, including goals involving the State vocational 
rehabilitation program carried out under title I of the Rehabilitation 
Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 720 et seq.);
    (3) Telecommunication and information technology; and
    (4) Community living; and
    (c) Provide States with the necessary information required under 
the AT Act or by the Secretary for reports described in section 4(f)(2) 
of the AT Act. Such information must document the following activities 
carried out by the grantee under section 4 of the AT Act--
    (1) The type of State financing activities described in section 
4(e)(2)(A) of the AT Act used by the State;
    (2) The amount and type of assistance given to consumers of the 
State financing activities described in section 4(e)(2)(A) of the AT 
Act (who shall be classified by type of assistive technology device or 
assistive technology service financed through the State financing 
activities, and geographic distribution within the State), including--
    (i) The number of applications for assistance received;
    (ii) The number of applications approved and rejected;
    (iii) The default rate for the financing activities;
    (iv) The range and average interest rate for the financing 
activities;
    (v) The range and average income of approved applicants for the 
financing activities; and
    (vi) The types and dollar amounts of assistive technology financed;
    (3) The number, type, and length of time of loans of assistive 
technology devices provided to individuals with disabilities, 
employers, public agencies, or public accommodations through the device 
loan program described in section 4(e)(2)(C), and an analysis of the 
individuals with disabilities who have benefited from the device loan 
program;
    (4) The number, type, estimated value, and scope of assistive 
technology devices exchanged, repaired, recycled, or reutilized 
(including redistributed through device sales, loans, rentals, or 
donations) through the device reutilization program described in 
section 4(e)(2)(B) of the AT Act, and an analysis of the individuals 
with disabilities that have benefited from the device reutilization 
program;
    (5) The number and type of device demonstrations and referrals 
provided under section 4(e)(2)(D) of the AT Act, and an analysis of 
individuals with disabilities who have benefited from the 
demonstrations and referrals;
    (6)(i) The number and general characteristics of individuals who 
participated in training under section 4(e)(3)(B)(i) of the AT Act 
(such as individuals with disabilities, parents, educators, employers, 
providers of employment services, health care workers, counselors, 
other service providers, or vendors) and the topics of such training; 
and
    (ii) To the extent practicable, the geographic distribution of 
individuals who participated in the training;
    (7) The frequency of provision and nature of technical assistance 
provided to State and local agencies and other entities;
    (8) The number of individuals assisted through the public-awareness 
activities and statewide information and referral system described in 
section 4(e)(3)(B)(ii) of the Act;
    (9) The outcomes of any improvement initiatives carried out by the 
State as a result of activities funded under this section, including a 
description of any written policies, practices, and procedures that the 
State has developed and implemented regarding access to, provision of, 
and funding for, assistive technology devices, and assistive technology 
services, in the contexts of education, health care, employment, 
community living, and information technology and telecommunications, 
including e-government;
    (10) The source of leveraged funding or other contributed 
resources, including resources provided through subcontracts or other 
collaborative resource-sharing agreements, from and with public and 
private entities to carry out State activities described in section 
4(e)(3)(B)(iii) of the AT Act, the number of individuals served with 
the contributed resources for which information is not reported under 
paragraphs (1) through (9) or paragraph (11) or paragraph (12), and 
other outcomes accomplished as a result of such activities carried out 
with the contributed resources; and
    (11) The level of customer satisfaction with the services provided; 
and
    (d) Help measure the accrued benefits of the activities to 
individuals who need assistive technology.
    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 3001, et seq.
    Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 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 only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative agreement.
    Estimated Available Funds: $250,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 1.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding $250,000 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.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Public or private nonprofit or for-profit 
organizations, including institutions of higher education, that have 
personnel with--
    (a) Documented experience and expertise in administering State AT 
programs;
    (b) Experience in collecting and analyzing data associated with 
implementing required and discretionary activities;
    (c) Expertise necessary to identify additional data elements needed 
to provide comprehensive reporting of State activities and outcomes; 
and
    (d) Experience in utilizing data to provide annual reports to State 
policymakers.

    Note: An eligible entity can demonstrate its experience and 
expertise with its own personnel or through proposed subcontracts 
with other entities that have personnel with the relevant experience 
and expertise.

    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not involve cost 
sharing or matching.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: You 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/

[[Page 28428]]

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 from ED Pubs, be sure to identify 
this program as follows: CFDA Number 84.224B.
    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 24 
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 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 Application for 
Federal Assistance; Part IV, the assurances and certifications; or the 
one-page abstract, the eligibility statement, the curriculum vitae, the 
bibliography, the letters of recommendation, or the information on the 
protection of human subjects. 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: May 17, 2011.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 1, 2011.
    Applications for grants under this program must be submitted 
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov). 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.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is not subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
    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, you must--
    a. Have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and a 
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN);
    b. Register both your DUNS number and TIN with the Central 
Contractor Registry (CCR), the Government's primary registrant 
database;
    c. Provide your DUNS number and TIN on your application; and
    d. Maintain an active CCR registration with current information 
while your application is under review by the Department and, if you 
are awarded a grant, during the project period.
    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.
    In addition, if you are submitting your application via Grants.gov, 
you must (1) be designated by your organization as an Authorized 
Organization Representative (AOR); and (2) register yourself with 
Grants.gov as an AOR. Details on these steps are outlined in the 
Grants.gov 3-Step Registration Guide (see https://www.grants.gov/section910/Grants.govRegistrationBrochure.pdf).
    7. Other Submission Requirements:
    Applications for grants under this program 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 National Activities program, CFDA 
Number 84.224B, must be submitted electronically using the 
Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site at https://www.Grants.gov. Through 
this site, you will be able to download a copy of the application 
package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit your 
application. You may not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant 
application to us.
    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.
    You may access the electronic grant application for the National 
Activities program at https://www.Grants.gov. You must search for the 
downloadable application package for this program by the CFDA number. 
Do not include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your

[[Page 28429]]

search (e.g., search for 84.224, not 84.224B).
    Please note the following:
     When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find 
information about submitting an application electronically through the 
site, as well as the hours of operation.
     Applications received by Grants.gov are date and time 
stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted and must 
be date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30:00 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as 
otherwise noted in this section, we will not accept your application if 
it is received--that is, date and time stamped by the Grants.gov 
system--after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. We do not consider an application that does not comply 
with the deadline requirements. When we retrieve your application from 
Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application 
because it was date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system after 
4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date.
     The amount of time it can take to upload an application 
will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the 
application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we 
strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline 
date to begin the submission process through Grants.gov.
     You should review and follow the Education Submission 
Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are 
included in the application package for this program to ensure that you 
submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov system. 
You can also find the Education Submission Procedures pertaining to 
Grants.gov under News and Events on the Department's G5 system home 
page at https://www.G5.gov.
     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 upload any narrative sections and all other 
attachments to your application as files in a .PDF (Portable Document) 
format only. If you upload a file type other than a .PDF or submit a 
password-protected file, we will not review that material.
     Your electronic application must comply with any page-
limit requirements described in this notice.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that 
contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates 
receipt by Grants.gov only, not receipt by the Department.) The 
Department then will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send 
a second notification to you by e-mail. This second notification 
indicates that the Department has received your application and has 
assigned your application a PR/Award number (an ED-specified 
identifying number unique to your application).
     We may request that you provide us original signatures on 
forms at a later date.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical Issues 
with the Grants.gov System: If you are experiencing problems submitting 
your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov 
Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a 
Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it.
    If you are prevented from electronically submitting your 
application on the application deadline date because of technical 
problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension 
until 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to 
enable you to transmit your application electronically or by hand 
delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing 
instructions described elsewhere in this notice.
    If you submit an application after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC 
time, on the application deadline date, please contact the person 
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this 
notice and provide an explanation of the technical problem you 
experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk 
Case Number. We will accept your application if we can confirm that a 
technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that 
problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30:00 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The 
Department will contact you after a determination is made on whether 
your application will be accepted.

    Note: The extensions to which we refer in this section apply 
only to the unavailability of, or technical problems with, the 
Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed 
to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before 
the application deadline date and time or if the technical problem 
you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system.

    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 the Grants.gov system because--
     You do not have access to the Internet; or
     You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to 
the Grants.gov system; 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 
prevent 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: Brian Bard, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5019, Potomac 
Center Plaza (PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2800. FAX: (202) 245-7590.
    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 84.224B), LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20202-4260.

[[Page 28430]]

    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 84.224B), 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 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 program are 
from 34 CFR 75.210 and are listed in the application package.
    2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants 
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, 
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past 
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as 
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and 
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider 
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or 
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
    In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary 
also requires various assurances including those applicable to Federal 
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or 
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department 
of Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    3. Special Conditions: Under 34 CFR 74.14 and 80.12, the Secretary 
may impose special conditions on a grant if the applicant or grantee is 
not financially stable; has a history of unsatisfactory performance; 
has a financial or other management system that does not meet the 
standards in 34 CFR parts 74 or 80, as applicable; has not fulfilled 
the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not responsible.

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: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition, 
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and 
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply 
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
    (b) 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 
of 1993 (GPRA) directs Federal departments and agencies to improve the 
effectiveness of their programs by engaging in strategic planning, 
setting outcome-related goals for programs, and measuring program 
results against those goals. The goals of Assistive Technology Act Data 
Collection and Reporting Assistance program are to provide States with 
technical assistance and guidance on how assistive technology programs 
can develop and implement effective data-collection and reporting 
systems and to provide the Department with data on the activities 
carried out under the AT Act.
    In order to assist the Department in evaluating the success of this 
program in meeting these goals, it assesses the data provided on an 
annual performance report from this grantee. This report must include a 
description of--
    (a) State-specific and national technical assistance provided to 
State AT programs to support their data collection and reporting 
infrastructure, and the outcomes of that technical assistance as 
evidenced by improvement in those infrastructures;
    (b) State-specific and national data analyses performed and how, in 
collaboration with the National Assistive Technology Training and 
Technical Assistance Program, these analyses were used for planning, 
management, and improvement of State AT programs; and
    (c) Technical assistance and guidance in the development, and 
continuous improvement of RSA's data collection system, the Management 
Information System (MIS), as well as assistance to States for the input 
of valid data into the system.
    5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award, the 
Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.253, the extent to which a 
grantee has made ``substantial progress toward meeting the objectives 
in its approved application.''

[[Page 28431]]

This consideration includes the review of a grantee's progress in 
meeting the targets and projected outcomes in its approved application, 
and whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is 
consistent with its approved application and budget. In making a 
continuation grant, the Secretary also considers whether the grantee is 
operating in compliance with the assurances in its approved 
application, including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws 
that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving 
Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 
106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Bard, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5019, PCP, Washington, DC 
20202-2800. Telephone: (202) 245-7345 or by e-mail: brian.bard@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) 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: 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 via the Federal Digital System 
at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site 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). To 
use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at 
the site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal Register by using the article search feature at: https://www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

    Dated: May 12, 2011.
Alexa Posny,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2011-12073 Filed 5-16-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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