Application for New Awards; High School Equivalency Program, 76126-76131 [2013-29823]

Download as PDF 76126 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 241 / Monday, December 16, 2013 / Notices 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 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 number of products (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. VII. Agency Contact FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Patricia Barrett, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5142, PCP, Washington, DC 20202–2700. Telephone: (202) 245–6211 or by email: patricia.barrett@ed.gov. If you use a TDD or a TTY, 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 compact disc) 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 or a TTY, 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: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you can view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department VerDate Mar<15>2010 13:51 Dec 13, 2013 Jkt 232001 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: www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the Department. Dated: December 11, 2013. Michael K. Yudin, Acting Assistant, Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. [FR Doc. 2013–29824 Filed 12–13–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Application for New Awards; High School Equivalency Program Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: Overview Information High School Equivalency Program (HEP). Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2014. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.141A. DATES: Applications Available: December 19, 2013. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 19, 2014. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: April 20, 2014. Full Text of Announcement I. Funding Opportunity Description Purpose of Program: The purposes of HEP are to help migrant and seasonal farmworkers and members of their immediate family: (1) Obtain a general education diploma that meets the guidelines for high school equivalency (HSE) established by the State in which the HEP project is conducted; and (2) gain employment or be placed in an institution of higher education (IHE) or other postsecondary education or training. Priorities: This competition includes one competitive preference priority and two invitational priorities. In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv), the competitive preference priority is from section 418A(e) of the Higher Education Act of PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 1965, as amended by section 408 of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (20 U.S.C. 1070d–2(e)). The second priority is an invitational priority for applications that promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. The third priority is an invitational priority for applications that propose to engage faith-based and community organizations in the delivery of services under this program. Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2014 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition, this priority is a competitive preference priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award up to 15 additional points to an application, depending on how well the applicant meets this priority. The maximum amount of competitive preference points an application can receive under this competition is 15 points. This priority is: Prior Experience of Service Delivery For applicants with an expiring HEP project, the Secretary will consider the applicant’s prior experience in implementing its expiring HEP project, based on information contained in documents previously provided to the Department, such as annual performance reports, project evaluation reports, site visit reports, and the previously approved HEP application. Under this competition, we also are particularly interested in applications that address the following priorities. Invitational Priorities: For FY 2014, and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition, these priorities are invitational priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets these invitational priorities a competitive or absolute preference over other applications. These priorities are: Invitational Priority 1—Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education (STEM) Projects that are designed to address one or more of the following priority areas: (a) Providing students with increased access to rigorous and engaging coursework in STEM. (b) Increasing the opportunities for high-quality preparation of, or professional development for, teachers or other educators of STEM subjects. Note: Applicants could consider activities to better prepare program participants to transition into postsecondary education, such E:\FR\FM\16DEN1.SGM 16DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 241 / Monday, December 16, 2013 / Notices as preparing students to pass the sections of college entrance examinations in STEMrelated subjects or mentoring, counseling, and tutoring services designed to motivate participants to pursue postsecondary education in STEM-related fields. Similarly, for demonstrating professional development, applicants could propose how they intend to increase and improve the opportunities for professional development for project instructors in mathematics and related HSE instruction. Invitational Priority 2—Faith-Based and Community Organizations Applications that propose to engage faith-based and community organizations in the delivery of services under this program. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070d–2. Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Education Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98 and 99. (b) The Education Department suspension and debarment regulations in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 206. (d) The definitions of ‘‘migratory agricultural worker’’ in 34 CFR 200.81(d), ‘‘migratory child’’ in 34 CFR 200.81(e), and ‘‘migratory fisher’’ in 34 CFR 200.81(f). (e) The regulations in 20 CFR 669.110 and 669.320. Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to IHEs only. pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES II. Award Information Type of Award: Discretionary grants. Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested $5,855,833 for new awards for this program for FY 2014. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are inviting applications at this time to allow enough time to complete the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this program. Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2015 from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition. Estimated Range of Awards: $180,000–$475,000. Estimated Average Size of Awards: $447,488. Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a HEP award exceeding $475,000 for any of the five single budget periods of 12 months. The Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal Register. Minimum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a HEP award VerDate Mar<15>2010 13:51 Dec 13, 2013 Jkt 232001 that is less than $180,000 for any of the five single budget periods of 12 months. Estimated Number of Awards: 13. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. Project Period: Up to 60 months. III. Eligibility Information 1. Eligible Applicants: IHEs or private non-profit organizations (including faith-based organizations) that plan their projects in cooperation with an IHE and propose to operate some aspects of the project with the facilities of the IHE. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost sharing or matching. However, consistent with 34 CFR 75.700, which requires an applicant to comply with its approved application, an applicant that proposes to contribute non-Federal matching funds and is awarded a grant must provide those funds for each year that the funds are proposed. 3. Other: Projects funded under this competition are encouraged to budget for a two-day Office of Migrant Education annual meeting for HEP Directors in the Washington, DC area during each year of the project period. IV. Application and Submission Information 1. Address to Request Application Package: Tara Ramsey, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Migrant Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., room 3E309, Washington, DC 20202– 6135. Telephone: (202) 260–2063 or by email: tara.ramsey@ed.gov. The application package content also can be viewed electronically at the following address: https://www.ed.gov/ programs/hep/applicant.html. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or text telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877– 8339. Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) by contacting the program contact person listed in this section. 2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you must submit, are in the application package for this competition. Page Limit: The application narrative (Part IV of the application) is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. Panel readers will award points only for an applicant’s response to a given selection criterion that is PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 76127 contained within the section of the application designated to address that particular selection criterion. Readers will not review, or award points for responses to a given selection criterion that is located in any other section of the application or the appendices. You must limit the application narrative [Part IV] to no more than 25 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. However, you may single space all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs. Charts, tables, figures, and graphs presented in the application narrative count toward the page limit. • Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch) throughout the entire application package. • 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 25-page limit for the project narrative does not apply to the cover sheet; the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract. However, the page limit does apply to all of the application narrative section. Our reviewers will not read any pages of your application narrative that exceed the 25-page limit. Appendices must be limited to 20 pages and must include the following: resumes and job descriptions of key personnel. Job descriptions must include duties and minimum qualifications. Items in the appendices will only be used by the program office. 3. Submission Dates and Times: Applications Available: December 19, 2013. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 19, 2014. Applications for grants under this competition 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. E:\FR\FM\16DEN1.SGM 16DEN1 pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 76128 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 241 / Monday, December 16, 2013 / Notices We do not consider an application that does not comply with the deadline requirements. Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the application process, the individual’s application remains subject to all other requirements and limitations in this notice. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: April 20, 2014. 4. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this competition. 5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice. 6. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification Number, and Central Contractor Registry: To do business with the Department of Education, 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 System for Award Management (SAM) (formerly 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 SAM 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-to-two business days. 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 SAM registration process can take approximately seven business days, but may take upwards of several weeks, VerDate Mar<15>2010 13:51 Dec 13, 2013 Jkt 232001 depending on the completeness and accuracy of the data entered into the SAM database by an entity. Thus, if you think you might want to apply for Federal financial assistance under a program administered by the Department, please allow sufficient time to obtain and register your DUNS number and TIN. We strongly recommend that you register early. Note: Once your SAM registration is active, you will need to allow 24 to 48 hours for the information to be available in Grants.gov and before you can submit an application through Grants.gov. If you are currently registered with SAM, 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 registration annually. This may take three or more business days. Information about SAM is available at www.SAM.gov. To further assist you with obtaining and registering your DUNS number and TIN in SAM or updating your existing SAM account, we have prepared a SAM.gov Tip Sheet, which you can find at: https:// www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/samfaqs.html. 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 at the following Grants.gov Web page: www.grants.gov/ applicants/get_registered.jsp. 7. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted electronically unless you qualify for an exception to this requirement in accordance with the instructions in this section. a. Electronic Submission of Applications Applications for grants under the High School Equivalency Program, CFDA number 84.141A, must be submitted electronically using the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site at 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 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 HEP at www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable application package for this competition by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number’s alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for 84.141, not 84.141A). 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 competition 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 E:\FR\FM\16DEN1.SGM 16DEN1 pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 241 / Monday, December 16, 2013 / Notices 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) read-only, nonmodifiable format. Do not upload an interactive or fillable PDF file. If you upload a file type other than a readonly, non-modifiable 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 email. 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. VerDate Mar<15>2010 13:51 Dec 13, 2013 Jkt 232001 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: Tara Ramsey, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., room 3E309, Washington, DC 20202–6135. FAX: (202) 205–0089. Your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the mail PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 76129 or hand delivery instructions described in this notice. b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier) your application to the Department. You must mail the original and two copies of your application, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: CFDA Number 84.141A, LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20202–4260. You must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following: (1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark. (2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the U.S. Postal Service. (3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial carrier. (4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do not accept either of the following as proof of mailing: (1) A private metered postmark. (2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service. If your application is postmarked after the application deadline date, we will not consider your application. Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your local post office. c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver your paper application to the Department by hand. You must deliver the original and two copies of your application by hand, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: CFDA Number 84.141A, 550 12th Street SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202–4260. The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays. Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you mail or hand deliver your application to the Department— E:\FR\FM\16DEN1.SGM 16DEN1 76130 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 241 / Monday, December 16, 2013 / Notices (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. pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES V. Application Review Information 1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are from 34 CFR 75.210 of EDGAR 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, 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 and 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); or we may send you an email containing a link to access an electronic version of your 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 VerDate Mar<15>2010 13:51 Dec 13, 2013 Jkt 232001 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 www.ed.gov/ fund/grant/apply/appforms/ appforms.html. 4. Performance Measures: Under the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), the Department developed the following performance measures to evaluate the overall effectiveness of HEP: (1) the percentage of HEP program participants exiting the program having received a HSE diploma (GPRA 1), and (2) the percentage of HSE diploma recipients who enter postsecondary education or training programs, upgraded employment, or the military (GPRA 2). Applicants must propose annual targets for these measures in their applications. The national target for GPRA measure 1 for FY 2014 is that 69 percent of HEP program participants exiting the program having received a HSE credential. The national target for GPRA measure 2 for FY 2014 is that 80 percent of HEP HSE diploma recipients will enter postsecondary education or training programs, upgraded employment, or the military. The national targets for subsequent years may be adjusted based on additional baseline data. The panel readers will score related selection criteria on the basis of how well an applicant addresses these GPRA measures. Therefore, applicants will want to consider how to demonstrate a sound PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 capacity to provide reliable data on the GPRA measures, including the project’s annual performance targets for addressing the GPRA performance measures, as is required by the Office of Management and Budget approved annual performance report that is included in the application package. All grantees will be required to submit, as part of their annual performance report, information with respect to these GPRA performance measures. 5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award, the Secretary considers, 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 Contact Tara Ramsey, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 3E309, LBJ, Washington, DC 20202– 6135. Telephone: (202) 260–2063 or by email: tara.ramsey@ed.gov. If you use a TDD or TYY, call the FRS, toll free, at 1–800–877–8339. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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 compact disc) on request to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this notice. 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: 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 E:\FR\FM\16DEN1.SGM 16DEN1 76131 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 241 / Monday, December 16, 2013 / Notices 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: www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the Department. Dated: December 11, 2013. Deborah S. Delisle, Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education. [FR Doc. 2013–29823 Filed 12–13–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Applications for New Awards; National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research—Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program—Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: Overview Information: National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)— Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program— Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs)—Information and Communication Technologies Access and Rehabilitation Strategies, Techniques, and Interventions Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2014. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers: 84.133E–1 and 84.133E– 3. Note: This notice invites applications for two separate competitions. For funding and other key information for each of the two competitions, see the chart in the Award Information section of this notice. pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES DATES: Applications Available: December 16, 2013. Date of Pre-Application Meeting: January 6, 2014. Deadline for Notice of Intent To Apply: January 13, 2014. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 14, 2014. VerDate Mar<15>2010 13:51 Dec 13, 2013 Jkt 232001 Full Text of Announcement I. Funding Opportunity Description Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program (Program) is to plan and conduct research, demonstration projects, training, and related activities, including international activities, to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology. The Program’s activities are designed to 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 The purpose of the RERCs program, which is funded through the Program, is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act. The RERCs program encourages advanced engineering research, develops and evaluates innovative technologies, facilitates service delivery system changes, stimulates the production and distribution of new technologies and equipment in the private sector, and provides training opportunities. RERCs seek to solve rehabilitation problems and remove environmental barriers to improvements in employment, community living and participation, and health and function outcomes of individuals with disabilities. The general requirements for RERCs are set out in subpart D of 34 CFR part 350 (What Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers Does the Secretary Assist?). Additional information on the RERCs program can be found at: www.ed.gov/ rschstat/research/pubs/. Priorities: NIDRR has established two priorities for the two competitions announced in this notice. These priorities are from the notice of final priorities for this program, published in the Federal Register on June 11, 2013 (78 FR 34897). Absolute Priorities: For FY 2014 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 applicants from these competitions, these priorities are absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), for each competition, we consider only applications that meet the absolute priority designated for that competition. These priorities are: Absolute priority Corresponding competition CFDA No. Information and Communication Technologies Access ........ Rehabilitation Strategies, Techniques, and Interventions .............. 84.133E–1 84.133E–3 Note: The full text of these priorities is included in the notice of final priorities published in the Federal Register on June 11, 2013 (78 FR 34897) and in the applicable application package. Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(3)(A). Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 82, 84, 86, and 97. (b) The Education Department suspension and debarment regulations in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 350. (d) The notice of final priorities for this program, published in the Federal Register on June 11, 2013 (78 FR 34897). Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education (IHEs) only. II. Award Information Type of Award: Discretionary grants. Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested $110,000,000 for the NIDRR program for FY 2014, of which we intend to use an estimated $1,900,000 for the RERC competitions. See chart. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this program. Maximum Award: See chart. Estimated Number of Awards: See chart. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. Project Period: See chart. E:\FR\FM\16DEN1.SGM 16DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 241 (Monday, December 16, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76126-76131]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-29823]


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

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Application for New Awards; High School Equivalency Program

AGENCY: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of 
Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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

Overview Information

    High School Equivalency Program (HEP).
    Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 
2014.

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


DATES: 
    Applications Available: December 19, 2013.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 19, 2014.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: April 20, 2014.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purposes of HEP are to help migrant and 
seasonal farmworkers and members of their immediate family: (1) Obtain 
a general education diploma that meets the guidelines for high school 
equivalency (HSE) established by the State in which the HEP project is 
conducted; and (2) gain employment or be placed in an institution of 
higher education (IHE) or other postsecondary education or training.
    Priorities: This competition includes one competitive preference 
priority and two invitational priorities. In accordance with 34 CFR 
75.105(b)(2)(iv), the competitive preference priority is from section 
418A(e) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by section 408 
of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (20 U.S.C. 1070d-2(e)). 
The second priority is an invitational priority for applications that 
promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) 
education. The third priority is an invitational priority for 
applications that propose to engage faith-based and community 
organizations in the delivery of services under this program.
    Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2014 and any subsequent 
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from 
this competition, this priority is a competitive preference priority. 
Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award up to 15 additional points to an 
application, depending on how well the applicant meets this priority. 
The maximum amount of competitive preference points an application can 
receive under this competition is 15 points.
    This priority is:

Prior Experience of Service Delivery

    For applicants with an expiring HEP project, the Secretary will 
consider the applicant's prior experience in implementing its expiring 
HEP project, based on information contained in documents previously 
provided to the Department, such as annual performance reports, project 
evaluation reports, site visit reports, and the previously approved HEP 
application.
    Under this competition, we also are particularly interested in 
applications that address the following priorities.
    Invitational Priorities: For FY 2014, and any subsequent year in 
which we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this 
competition, these priorities are invitational priorities. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets these 
invitational priorities a competitive or absolute preference over other 
applications.
    These priorities are:

Invitational Priority 1--Science, Technology, Engineering and 
Mathematics Education (STEM)

    Projects that are designed to address one or more of the following 
priority areas:
    (a) Providing students with increased access to rigorous and 
engaging coursework in STEM.
    (b) Increasing the opportunities for high-quality preparation of, 
or professional development for, teachers or other educators of STEM 
subjects.

    Note: Applicants could consider activities to better prepare 
program participants to transition into postsecondary education, 
such

[[Page 76127]]

as preparing students to pass the sections of college entrance 
examinations in STEM-related subjects or mentoring, counseling, and 
tutoring services designed to motivate participants to pursue 
postsecondary education in STEM-related fields. Similarly, for 
demonstrating professional development, applicants could propose how 
they intend to increase and improve the opportunities for 
professional development for project instructors in mathematics and 
related HSE instruction.

Invitational Priority 2--Faith-Based and Community Organizations

    Applications that propose to engage faith-based and community 
organizations in the delivery of services under this program.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070d-2.

    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Education Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 
84, 85, 86, 97, 98 and 99. (b) The Education Department suspension and 
debarment regulations in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The regulations for this 
program in 34 CFR part 206. (d) The definitions of ``migratory 
agricultural worker'' in 34 CFR 200.81(d), ``migratory child'' in 34 
CFR 200.81(e), and ``migratory fisher'' in 34 CFR 200.81(f). (e) The 
regulations in 20 CFR 669.110 and 669.320.

    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to IHEs only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested 
$5,855,833 for new awards for this program for FY 2014. The actual 
level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. 
However, we are inviting applications at this time to allow enough time 
to complete the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this 
program.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2015 from the list of 
unfunded applicants from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $180,000-$475,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $447,488.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a HEP 
award exceeding $475,000 for any of the five single budget periods of 
12 months. The Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary 
Education may change the maximum amount through a notice published in 
the Federal Register.
    Minimum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a HEP 
award that is less than $180,000 for any of the five single budget 
periods of 12 months.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 13.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: IHEs or private non-profit organizations 
(including faith-based organizations) that plan their projects in 
cooperation with an IHE and propose to operate some aspects of the 
project with the facilities of the IHE.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching. However, consistent with 34 CFR 75.700, which 
requires an applicant to comply with its approved application, an 
applicant that proposes to contribute non-Federal matching funds and is 
awarded a grant must provide those funds for each year that the funds 
are proposed.
    3. Other: Projects funded under this competition are encouraged to 
budget for a two-day Office of Migrant Education annual meeting for HEP 
Directors in the Washington, DC area during each year of the project 
period.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: Tara Ramsey, U.S. 
Department of Education, Office of Migrant Education, 400 Maryland 
Avenue SW., room 3E309, Washington, DC 20202-6135. Telephone: (202) 
260-2063 or by email: tara.ramsey@ed.gov.
    The application package content also can be viewed electronically 
at the following address: https://www.ed.gov/programs/hep/applicant.html.
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or text 
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.
    Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application 
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, 
or compact disc) by contacting the program contact person listed in 
this section.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you 
must submit, are in the application package for this competition. Page 
Limit: The application narrative (Part IV of the application) is where 
you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use 
to evaluate your application. Panel readers will award points only for 
an applicant's response to a given selection criterion that is 
contained within the section of the application designated to address 
that particular selection criterion. Readers will not review, or award 
points for responses to a given selection criterion that is located in 
any other section of the application or the appendices. You must limit 
the application narrative [Part IV] to no more than 25 pages, using the 
following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions. However, you may 
single space all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs. Charts, 
tables, figures, and graphs presented in the application narrative 
count toward the page limit.
     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller 
than 10 pitch (characters per inch) throughout the entire application 
package.
     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 25-page limit for the project narrative does not apply to the 
cover sheet; the budget section, including the narrative budget 
justification; the assurances and certifications; or the one-page 
abstract. However, the page limit does apply to all of the application 
narrative section.
    Our reviewers will not read any pages of your application narrative 
that exceed the 25-page limit.
    Appendices must be limited to 20 pages and must include the 
following: resumes and job descriptions of key personnel. Job 
descriptions must include duties and minimum qualifications. Items in 
the appendices will only be used by the program office.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: December 19, 2013.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 19, 2014.
    Applications for grants under this competition 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.

[[Page 76128]]

    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact 
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII 
of this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the 
application process, the individual's application remains subject to 
all other requirements and limitations in this notice.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: April 20, 2014.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. 
Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under 
Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this 
competition.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification 
Number, and Central Contractor Registry: To do business with the 
Department of Education, 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 System for Award 
Management (SAM) (formerly 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 SAM 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-to-two business days.
    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 SAM registration process can take approximately seven business 
days, but may take upwards of several weeks, depending on the 
completeness and accuracy of the data entered into the SAM database by 
an entity. Thus, if you think you might want to apply for Federal 
financial assistance under a program administered by the Department, 
please allow sufficient time to obtain and register your DUNS number 
and TIN. We strongly recommend that you register early.

    Note: Once your SAM registration is active, you will need to 
allow 24 to 48 hours for the information to be available in 
Grants.gov and before you can submit an application through 
Grants.gov.

    If you are currently registered with SAM, 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 registration annually. This may take three or more business days.
    Information about SAM is available at www.SAM.gov. To further 
assist you with obtaining and registering your DUNS number and TIN in 
SAM or updating your existing SAM account, we have prepared a SAM.gov 
Tip Sheet, which you can find at: https://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/sam-faqs.html.
    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 at the 
following Grants.gov Web page: www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp.
    7. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under 
this competition must be submitted electronically unless you qualify 
for an exception to this requirement in accordance with the 
instructions in this section.

a. Electronic Submission of Applications

    Applications for grants under the High School Equivalency Program, 
CFDA number 84.141A, must be submitted electronically using the 
Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site at 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 HEP at 
www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable application 
package for this competition by the CFDA number. Do not include the 
CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for 84.141, not 
84.141A).
    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 competition 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

[[Page 76129]]

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) 
read-only, non-modifiable format. Do not upload an interactive or 
fillable PDF file. If you upload a file type other than a read-only, 
non-modifiable 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 email. 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: Tara Ramsey, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., room 3E309, 
Washington, DC 20202-6135. FAX: (202) 205-0089.
    Your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the 
mail or hand delivery instructions described in this notice.

b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail

    If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a 
commercial carrier) your application to the Department. You must mail 
the original and two copies of your application, on or before the 
application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: 
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
CFDA Number 84.141A, LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20202-4260.
    You must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:
    (1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.
    (2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the 
U.S. Postal Service.
    (3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial 
carrier.
    (4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the 
U.S. Department of Education.
    If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do 
not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
    (1) A private metered postmark.
    (2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.
    If your application is postmarked after the application deadline 
date, we will not consider your application.

    Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated 
postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your 
local post office.

c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery

    If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver your paper 
application to the Department by hand. You must deliver the original 
and two copies of your application by hand, on or before the 
application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: 
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
CFDA Number 84.141A, 550 12th Street SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center 
Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.
    The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily 
between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, except 
Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays.

    Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you 
mail or hand deliver your application to the Department--

[[Page 76130]]

    (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 competition 
are from 34 CFR 75.210 of EDGAR 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, 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 and 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); or we may send you an email containing a link to 
access an electronic version of your 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 www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    4. Performance Measures: Under the Government Performance and 
Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), the Department developed the following 
performance measures to evaluate the overall effectiveness of HEP: (1) 
the percentage of HEP program participants exiting the program having 
received a HSE diploma (GPRA 1), and (2) the percentage of HSE diploma 
recipients who enter postsecondary education or training programs, 
upgraded employment, or the military (GPRA 2).
    Applicants must propose annual targets for these measures in their 
applications. The national target for GPRA measure 1 for FY 2014 is 
that 69 percent of HEP program participants exiting the program having 
received a HSE credential. The national target for GPRA measure 2 for 
FY 2014 is that 80 percent of HEP HSE diploma recipients will enter 
postsecondary education or training programs, upgraded employment, or 
the military. The national targets for subsequent years may be adjusted 
based on additional baseline data. The panel readers will score related 
selection criteria on the basis of how well an applicant addresses 
these GPRA measures. Therefore, applicants will want to consider how to 
demonstrate a sound capacity to provide reliable data on the GPRA 
measures, including the project's annual performance targets for 
addressing the GPRA performance measures, as is required by the Office 
of Management and Budget approved annual performance report that is 
included in the application package. All grantees will be required to 
submit, as part of their annual performance report, information with 
respect to these GPRA performance measures.
    5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award, the 
Secretary considers, 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 Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tara Ramsey, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 3E309, LBJ, Washington, DC 
20202-6135. Telephone: (202) 260-2063 or by email: tara.ramsey@ed.gov.
    If you use a TDD or TYY, 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 compact disc) on request to 
the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
in section VII of this notice.
    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: 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

[[Page 76131]]

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: 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

    Dated: December 11, 2013.
Deborah S. Delisle,
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2013-29823 Filed 12-13-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.