Applications for New Awards; Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs), 37085-37089 [2011-15933]
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 122 / Friday, June 24, 2011 / Notices
ACTION:
Comment request.
The Director, Information
Collection Clearance Division, Privacy,
Information and Records Management
Services, Office of Management, invites
comments on the submission for OMB
review as required by the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13).
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before July 25,
2011.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should
be addressed to the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Attention: Education Desk Officer,
Office of Management and Budget, 725
17th Street, NW., Room 10222, New
Executive Office Building, Washington,
DC 20503, be faxed to (202) 395–5806 or
e-mailed to
oira_submission@omb.eop.gov with a
cc: to ICDocketMgr@ed.gov. Please note
that written comments received in
response to this notice will be
considered public records.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section
3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires
that the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) provide interested
Federal agencies and the public an early
opportunity to comment on information
collection requests. The OMB is
particularly interested in comments
which: (1) Evaluate whether the
proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have
practical utility; (2) Evaluate the
accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of
information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and (4) Minimize the burden
of the collection of information on those
who are to respond, including through
the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
SUMMARY:
Frequency of Responses: Annually.
Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal
Government, State Educational
Agencies or Local Educational Agencies.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Responses: 57.
Total Estimated Annual Burden
Hours: 18,050.
Abstract: The Office of Vocational and
Adult Education requests a revision to
its data collection requirements for four
measures—entered employment,
retained employment, entry into
postsecondary education and attainment
of a secondary credential—by changing
the population to which these measures
apply. Currently, states report on the
relevant outcome for students who set
goals related to the measure. Goal
setting is being replaced with automatic
cohort designation related to a student’s
employment status, having a secondary
credential and taking General
Educational Development tests.
Approval is also sought for collecting
new data on teacher experience and
certification and student’s years of
schooling.
Copies of the information collection
submission for OMB review may be
accessed from the RegInfo.gov Web site
at https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/
PRAMain or from the Department’s Web
site at https://edicsweb.ed.gov, by
selecting the ‘‘Browse Pending
Collections’’ link and by clicking on
link number 4523. When you access the
information collection, click on
‘‘Download Attachments ’’ to view.
Written requests for information should
be addressed to U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW.,
LBJ, Washington, DC 20202–4537.
Requests may also be electronically
mailed to the Internet address
ICDocketMgr@ed.gov or faxed to 202–
401–0920. Please specify the complete
title of the information collection and
OMB Control Number when making
your request.
Individuals who use a
telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Information
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–
8339.
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Dated: June 20, 2011.
Darrin A. King,
Director, Information Collection Clearance
Division, Privacy, Information and Records
Management Services, Office of Management.
[FR Doc. 2011–15797 Filed 6–23–11; 8:45 am]
Office of Vocational and Adult
Education
Applications for New Awards;
Rehabilitation Engineering Research
Centers (RERCs)
Type of Review: Revision.
Title of Collection: Measures and
Methods for the National Reporting
System for Adult Education.
OMB Control Number: 1830–0027.
Agency Form Number(s): N/A.
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BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services, Department of
Education.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
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Overview Information: National
Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)—
Disability and Rehabilitation Research
Projects and Centers Program—
Rehabilitation Engineering Research
Centers (RERCs).
Notice inviting applications for new
awards for fiscal year (FY) 2011.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
(CFDA) Numbers: 84.133E–1 and 84.133E–3.
Applications Available: June 24,
2011.
Date of Pre-Application Meeting: July
15, 2011.
Deadline for Transmittal of
Applications: August 15, 2011.
DATES:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The purpose of
the Disability and Rehabilitation
Research Projects and Centers Program
is to plan and conduct research,
demonstration projects, training, and
related activities, including
international activities; to develop
methods, procedures, and rehabilitation
technology that maximize the full
inclusion and integration into society,
employment, independent living, family
support, and economic and social selfsufficiency of individuals with
disabilities, especially individuals with
the most severe disabilities; and to
improve the effectiveness of services
authorized under the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973, as amended (Rehabilitation
Act).
Rehabilitation Engineering Research
Centers Program (RERCs)
The purpose of the RERC program is
to improve the effectiveness of services
authorized under the Rehabilitation Act
by conducting advanced engineering
research on and development of
innovative technologies that are
designed to solve particular
rehabilitation problems, or to remove
environmental barriers. RERCs also
demonstrate and evaluate such
technologies, facilitate service delivery
system changes, stimulate the
production and distribution of new
technologies and equipment in the
private sector, and provide training
opportunities.
Priorities: These priorities are from
the notice of final priorities for this
program, published elsewhere in this
issue of the Federal Register.
Absolute Priorities: For FY 2011 and
any subsequent year in which we make
awards from the list of unfunded
applicants from these competitions,
these priorities are absolute priorities.
Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we consider
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only applications that meet one of the
following priorities.
These priorities are:
84.133E–1—RERC on Low Vision and
Blindness.
84.133E–3—RERC on Wireless
Technologies.
Note: The full text of these priorities is
included in the notice of final priorities,
published elsewhere in this issue of the
Federal Register and in the application
package for these competitions.
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and
764(b)(3).
Applicable Regulations: (a) The
Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in
34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 82, 84,
85, 86, and 97. (b) The regulations for
this program in 34 CFR Part 350. (c) The
notice of final priorities for the
Disability and Rehabilitation Research
Projects and Centers program, published
elsewhere in this issue of the Federal
Register.
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:
$1,900,000.
Contingent upon the availability of
funds and the quality of applications,
we may make additional awards in FY
2012 from the list of unfunded
applicants from these competitions.
Maximum Award: We will reject any
application that proposes a budget
exceeding $950,000 for a single budget
period of 12 months. The Assistant
Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services may change the
maximum amount through a notice
published in the Federal Register.
Estimated Number of Awards: 1 for
the RERC on Low Vision and Blindness
competition (CFDA No. 84.133E–1) and
1 for the RERC on Wireless
Technologies competition (CFDA No.
84.133E–3).
Note: The Department is not bound by any
estimates in this notice.
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Project Period: Up to 60 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: States; public
or private agencies, including for-profit
agencies; public or private
organizations, including for-profit
organizations; institutions of higher
education; and Indian tribes and tribal
organizations.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: The
competitions announced in this notice
do not require cost sharing or matching.
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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 from ED
Pubs, be sure to identify this program as
follows: CFDA numbers 84.133E–1 and
84.133E–3.
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
program.
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. We recommend that
you limit the application narrative (Part
III) to the equivalent of no more than
125 pages, using the following
standards:
• A ‘‘page’’ is 8.5″ × 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.
The recommended 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
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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).
The application package will provide
instructions for completing all
components to be included in the
application. Each application must
include a cover sheet (Standard Form
424); budget requirements (ED Form
524) and narrative budget justification;
other required forms; an abstract,
Human Subjects narrative, Part III
project narrative; resumes of staff; and
other related materials, if applicable.
3. Submission Dates and Times:
Applications Available: June 24, 2011.
Date of Pre-Application Meeting:
Interested parties are invited to
participate in a pre-application meeting
and to receive information and technical
assistance through individual
consultation with NIDRR staff. The preapplication meeting will be held July
15, 2011. Interested parties may
participate in this meeting by
conference call with NIDRR staff from
the Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services between 1 p.m.
and 3 p.m., Washington, DC time.
NIDRR staff also will be available from
3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC
time, on the same day, by telephone, to
provide information and technical
assistance through individual
consultation. For further information or
to make arrangements to participate in
the meeting via conference call or for an
individual consultation, contact either
Lynn Medley or Marlene Spencer as
follows: Lynn Medley, U.S. Department
of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue,
SW., Room 5140, Potomac Center Plaza
(PCP), Washington, DC 20202–2700.
Telephone: (202) 245–7338 or by e-mail:
Lynn.Medley@ed.gov. Marlene Spencer,
U.S. Department of Education, 400
Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 5133,
PCP, Washington, DC 20202–2700.
Telephone: (202) 245–7532 or by e-mail:
Marlene.Spencer@ed.gov.
Deadline for Transmittal of
Applications: August 15, 2011.
Applications for grants under the
competitions announced in this notice
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.
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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 in 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
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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
Disability and Rehabilitation Research
Projects and Centers program, CFDA
number 84.133E–1 or 84.133E–3, 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
applications for the RERC on Low
Vision and Blindness and the RERC on
Wireless Technologies competitions 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 search
(e.g., search for 84.133, not 84.133E).
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
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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 these
competitions 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.
• 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.
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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
determination is made on whether your
application will be accepted.
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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
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• 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: Marlene Spencer, U.S.
Department of Education, 400 Maryland
Avenue, SW., room 5133, PCP,
Washington, DC 20202–2700. FAX:
(202) 245–7323.
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 84.133E–1 or 84.133E–
3), 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.
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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 84.133E–1 or 84.133E–
3), 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 program 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
350.54 and are listed in the application
package.
2. Review and Selection Process: We
remind potential applicants that in
reviewing applications in any
discretionary grant program, 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
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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.
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
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 program, 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 program. 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.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:06 Jun 23, 2011
Jkt 223001
4. Performance Measures: To evaluate
the overall success of its research
program, NIDRR assesses the quality of
its funded projects through a review of
grantee performance and products. Each
year, NIDRR examines a portion of its
grantees to determine:
• The percentage of NIDRR-supported
fellows, post-doctoral trainees, and
doctoral students who publish results of
NIDRR-sponsored research in refereed
journals.
• The number of accomplishments
(e.g., new or improved tools, methods,
discoveries, standards, interventions,
programs, or devices) developed or
tested with NIDRR funding that have
been judged by expert panels to be of
high quality and to advance the field.
• The average number of publications
per award based on NIDRR-funded
research and development activities in
refereed journals.
• The percentage of new NIDRR
grants that assess the effectiveness of
interventions, programs, and devices
using rigorous methods.
• The number of new or improved
NIDRR-funded assistive and universally
designed technologies, products, and
devices transferred to industry for
potential commercialization.
NIDRR uses information submitted by
grantees as part of their Annual
Performance Reports (APRs) for these
reviews.
Department of Education program
performance reports, which include
information on NIDRR programs, are
available on the Department’s Web site:
https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/
opepd/sas/.
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.’’ 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).
as follows: Lynn Medley, U.S.
Department of Education, 400 Maryland
Avenue, SW., room 5140, PCP,
Washington, DC 20202–2700.
Telephone: (202) 245–7338 or by e-mail:
lynn.medley@ed.gov. Marlene Spencer,
U.S. Department of Education, 400
Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5133,
PCP, Washington, DC 20202–2700.
Telephone: (202) 245–7532 or by e-mail:
Marlene.Spencer@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 FRS, tollfree, 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: June 21, 2011.
Alexa Posny,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2011–15933 Filed 6–23–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
VII. Agency Contacts
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Either Lynn Medley or Marlene Spencer
PO 00000
Frm 00037
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E:\FR\FM\24JNN1.SGM
24JNN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 122 (Friday, June 24, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37085-37089]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-15933]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Rehabilitation Engineering Research
Centers (RERCs)
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Overview Information: National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)--Disability and Rehabilitation Research
Projects and Centers Program--Rehabilitation Engineering Research
Centers (RERCs).
Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY)
2011.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers: 84.133E-1 and
84.133E-3.
DATES: Applications Available: June 24, 2011.
Date of Pre-Application Meeting: July 15, 2011.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 15, 2011.
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Disability and
Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program is to plan and
conduct research, demonstration projects, training, and related
activities, including international activities; to develop methods,
procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full
inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living,
family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals
with disabilities, especially individuals with the most severe
disabilities; and to improve the effectiveness of services authorized
under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Rehabilitation Act).
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers Program (RERCs)
The purpose of the RERC program is to improve the effectiveness of
services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act by conducting advanced
engineering research on and development of innovative technologies that
are designed to solve particular rehabilitation problems, or to remove
environmental barriers. RERCs also demonstrate and evaluate such
technologies, facilitate service delivery system changes, stimulate the
production and distribution of new technologies and equipment in the
private sector, and provide training opportunities.
Priorities: These priorities are from the notice of final
priorities for this program, published elsewhere in this issue of the
Federal Register.
Absolute Priorities: For FY 2011 and any subsequent year in which
we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from these
competitions, these priorities are absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR
75.105(c)(3) we consider
[[Page 37086]]
only applications that meet one of the following priorities.
These priorities are:
84.133E-1--RERC on Low Vision and Blindness.
84.133E-3--RERC on Wireless Technologies.
Note: The full text of these priorities is included in the
notice of final priorities, published elsewhere in this issue of the
Federal Register and in the application package for these
competitions.
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(3).
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81,
82, 84, 85, 86, and 97. (b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR
Part 350. (c) The notice of final priorities for the Disability and
Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers program, published
elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.
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: $1,900,000.
Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2012 from the list of
unfunded applicants from these competitions.
Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a
budget exceeding $950,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal
Register.
Estimated Number of Awards: 1 for the RERC on Low Vision and
Blindness competition (CFDA No. 84.133E-1) and 1 for the RERC on
Wireless Technologies competition (CFDA No. 84.133E-3).
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; public or private agencies,
including for-profit agencies; public or private organizations,
including for-profit organizations; institutions of higher education;
and Indian tribes and tribal organizations.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: The competitions announced in this
notice do not require cost sharing or matching.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package: You can obtain an
application package via the Internet or from the Education Publications
Center (ED Pubs). To obtain a copy via the Internet, use the following
address: https://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/.
To obtain a copy from ED Pubs, write, fax, or call the following:
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 numbers 84.133E-1 and 84.133E-3.
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 program.
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. We recommend that you limit
the application narrative (Part III) to the equivalent of no more than
125 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.
The recommended 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).
The application package will provide instructions for completing
all components to be included in the application. Each application must
include a cover sheet (Standard Form 424); budget requirements (ED Form
524) and narrative budget justification; other required forms; an
abstract, Human Subjects narrative, Part III project narrative; resumes
of staff; and other related materials, if applicable.
3. Submission Dates and Times:
Applications Available: June 24, 2011.
Date of Pre-Application Meeting: Interested parties are invited to
participate in a pre-application meeting and to receive information and
technical assistance through individual consultation with NIDRR staff.
The pre-application meeting will be held July 15, 2011. Interested
parties may participate in this meeting by conference call with NIDRR
staff from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Washington, DC time. NIDRR staff also will
be available from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the
same day, by telephone, to provide information and technical assistance
through individual consultation. For further information or to make
arrangements to participate in the meeting via conference call or for
an individual consultation, contact either Lynn Medley or Marlene
Spencer as follows: Lynn Medley, U.S. Department of Education, 400
Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 5140, Potomac Center Plaza (PCP),
Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245-7338 or by e-mail:
Lynn.Medley@ed.gov. Marlene Spencer, U.S. Department of Education, 400
Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 5133, PCP, Washington, DC 20202-2700.
Telephone: (202) 245-7532 or by e-mail: Marlene.Spencer@ed.gov.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 15, 2011.
Applications for grants under the competitions announced in this
notice 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.
[[Page 37087]]
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 in 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 Disability and Rehabilitation
Research Projects and Centers program, CFDA number 84.133E-1 or
84.133E-3, 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 applications for the RERC on
Low Vision and Blindness and the RERC on Wireless Technologies
competitions 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 search (e.g.,
search for 84.133, not 84.133E).
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 these competitions 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.
[[Page 37088]]
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: Marlene Spencer, U.S.
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5133, PCP,
Washington, DC 20202-2700. FAX: (202) 245-7323.
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 84.133E-1 or 84.133E-3), 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 84.133E-1 or 84.133E-3), 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 program 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 350.54 and are listed in the application package.
2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant program, 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
[[Page 37089]]
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 program, 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 program. 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: To evaluate the overall success of its
research program, NIDRR assesses the quality of its funded projects
through a review of grantee performance and products. Each year, NIDRR
examines a portion of its grantees to determine:
The percentage of NIDRR-supported fellows, post-doctoral
trainees, and doctoral students who publish results of NIDRR-sponsored
research in refereed journals.
The number of accomplishments (e.g., new or improved
tools, methods, discoveries, standards, interventions, programs, or
devices) developed or tested with NIDRR funding that have been judged
by expert panels to be of high quality and to advance the field.
The average number of publications per award based on
NIDRR-funded research and development activities in refereed journals.
The percentage of new NIDRR grants that assess the
effectiveness of interventions, programs, and devices using rigorous
methods.
The number of new or improved NIDRR-funded assistive and
universally designed technologies, products, and devices transferred to
industry for potential commercialization.
NIDRR uses information submitted by grantees as part of their
Annual Performance Reports (APRs) for these reviews.
Department of Education program performance reports, which include
information on NIDRR programs, are available on the Department's Web
site: https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/opepd/sas/.
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.'' 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 Contacts
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Either Lynn Medley or Marlene Spencer
as follows: Lynn Medley, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland
Avenue, SW., room 5140, PCP, Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone:
(202) 245-7338 or by e-mail: lynn.medley@ed.gov. Marlene Spencer, U.S.
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5133, PCP,
Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245-7532 or by e-mail:
Marlene.Spencer@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 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: June 21, 2011.
Alexa Posny,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2011-15933 Filed 6-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P