Application for New Awards; Alaska Native Education Program, 9184-9189 [2014-03475]

Download as PDF tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 9184 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 32 / Tuesday, February 18, 2014 / Notices phone 601–634–2513, or Jeffrey.R.Eckstein@usace.army.mil. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The meeting is being held under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) of 1972 (5 U.S.C., Appendix, as amended), the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and 41 CFR 102–3.150. The Board on Coastal Engineering Research provides broad policy guidance and reviews plans for the conduct of research and the development of research projects in consonance with the needs of the coastal engineering field and the objectives of the U.S. Army Chief of Engineers. Purpose of the Meeting: The purpose of the meeting is for the Board to discuss its accomplishments and impacts; contemporary Coastal Research, Development and Technology (RD&T) priorities and accomplishments; review U.S. Army the Chief of Engineers’ Charge to the Board and discuss knowledge gaps, and receive a status report on the Field Research Facility Experiment Series in Fiscal Years 2015/2016. Agenda: On Tuesday morning, March 18, 2014, the Board will review past initiatives and where they stand today, including a discussion of: contemporary coastal research, development and technology priorities; accomplishments, including Hurricane Sandy initiatives; infrastructure; and other Civil Works research areas. Tuesday afternoon will be devoted to a discussion of the Chief of Engineers’ Charge to the Board. On Wednesday morning, March 19, 2014, the Board will reconvene to review and discuss knowledge gaps identified through and assessment of the Chief’s Charge and through RD&T involvement in Hurricane Sandy response and recovery. In addition, the Board will receive a status report on experiment planning and expectations for the Field Research Facility Experiment Series for Fiscal Years 2015/ 2016. The meeting will close with a discussion about potential topics to consider in the context of the next Board meeting. Meeting Accessibility: Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended, and 41 CFR 102–3.140 through 102–3.165, and subject to the availability of space, the meeting is open to the public. Because seating capacity is limited, advance registration is required. Registration can be accomplished as set forth below. Because the meeting of the Board will be held in a Federal Government facility on a military base (Fort Hamilton Military Community), security screening VerDate Mar<15>2010 20:58 Feb 14, 2014 Jkt 232001 is required. A photo ID is required to enter the base. The name of each person seeking entry will be checked against the list of names of those persons who have registered to attend the meeting. Individuals will be directed to the Fort Hamilton Community Club. Please note that Fort Hamilton guards have the right to inspect vehicles seeking to enter and exit the base. Anyone arriving the base on foot may be required to proceed through a metal detector and the guards may exercise the right to search bags and belongings. The Fort Hamilton Community Club is fully handicap accessible. Wheelchair access is available from the rear entrance of the building. Written Comments of Statements: Pursuant to 41 CFR 102–3.015(j) and 102–3.140 and section 10(a)(3) of the FACA, the public or interested organizations may submit written comments or statements to the Board, in response to the stated agenda of the open meeting or in regard to the Board’s mission in general. Written comments or statements should be submitted to Colonel Jeffrey R. Eckstein, DFO, via electronic mail, the preferred mode of submission, as the address listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Each page of the comment or statement must include the author’s name, title or affiliation, address, and daytime phone number. The DFO will review all submitted written comments or statements and provide them to members of the Board for their consideration. Written comments or statements being submitted in response to the agenda set forth in this notice must be received by the DFO at least five calendar days prior to the meeting to be considered by the Board. Written comments or statements received after this date may not be provided to the Board until its next meeting. Registration: Individuals who wish to attend the one or both sessions of this meeting of the Board must register with the DFO by email, the preferred method of contact, no later than March 12, using the electronic mail contact information found in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. The communication should include the registrant’s full name, title, affiliation or employer, email address, and daytime phone number. If applicable, include written comments or statements with the registration email. Brenda S. Bowen, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 2014–03445 Filed 2–14–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3720–58–P PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Application for New Awards; Alaska Native Education Program Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: Overview Information: Alaska Native Education Program. Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2014. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.356A. DATES: Applications Available: February 18, 2014. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 21, 2014. Full Text of Announcement I. Funding Opportunity Description Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Alaska Native Education (ANE) program is to support innovative projects that enhance the educational services provided to Alaska Native children and adults. These projects may include the activities authorized under section 7304(a)(2) and (a)(3) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA). Note: Congress has expressly authorized the use of FY 2014 program funds for construction of facilities that support the operation of Alaska Native education programs. Priorities: This competition includes one competitive preference priority and one invitational priority. In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv), the competitive priority is from section 7304(c) of the ESEA, as amended (20 U.S.C. 7544(c)). The invitational priority is for applications that propose to carry out activities that preserve and strengthen Native culture and language. 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 an additional 10 points to an application that meets this priority. This priority is: Competitive Preference Priority—Alaska Native Regional Nonprofit Organization (10 points). An applicant that is an Alaska Native regional nonprofit organization or a consortium that includes at least one Alaska Native regional nonprofit organization. Note: In order to receive a competitive preference under this priority, the applicant E:\FR\FM\18FEN1.SGM 18FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 32 / Tuesday, February 18, 2014 / Notices must provide documentation supporting its claim that it meets this priority. Under this competition, we also are particularly interested in applications that address the following priority. Invitational 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 an invitational priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets this invitational priority a competitive or absolute preference over other applications. This priority is: tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Invitational Priority 1—Preservation of Native Culture and Language. Applications that propose to carry out activities that preserve and strengthen Native culture and language. Definitions: These definitions are from section 7306 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7546) and 34 CFR 77.1(c). For purposes of this competition, the following definitions apply: Alaska Native has the same meaning as the term ‘‘Native’’ has in section 3(b) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602(b)). (20 U.S.C. 7546). Alaska Native Organization means a federally recognized tribe, consortium of tribes, regional nonprofit Native association, and another organization that has or commits to acquire expertise in the education of Alaska Natives; and has Alaska Natives in substantive and policymaking positions within the organization. (20 U.S.C. 7546). Strong theory means a rational for the proposed process, product, strategy, or practice that includes a logic model. (34 CFR 77.1(c)). Logic model (also referred to as theory of action) means a well-specified conceptual framework that identifies key components of the proposed process, product, strategy, or practice (i.e., the active ‘‘ingredients’’ that are hypothesized to be critical to achieving the relevant outcomes) and describes the relationships among the key components and outcomes, theoretically and operationally. (34 CFR 77.1(c)). Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7544. Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The Education Department suspension and debarment regulations in 2 CFR part 3485. Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only. VerDate Mar<15>2010 20:58 Feb 14, 2014 Jkt 232001 II. Award Information Type of Award: Discretionary grants. Estimated Available Funds: $11,020,912. 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: $300,000 to $1,056,000. Estimated Average Size of Awards: $500,000. Estimated Number of Awards: 22. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. Project Period: Up to 36 months. III. Eligibility Information 1. Eligible Applicants: (a) Alaska Native organizations; (b) educational entities with experience in developing or operating Alaska Native programs or programs of instruction conducted in Alaska Native languages; (c) cultural and community-based organizations with experience in developing or operating programs to benefit Alaska Natives; and (d) consortia of organizations and entities described in this paragraph. Note: A State educational agency (SEA) or local educational agency (LEA), including a charter school that is considered an LEA under State law, may apply for an award under this program only as part of a consortium involving an Alaska Native organization. The consortium may also include other eligible applicants. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does 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 program office. To obtain a copy via the Internet, use following address: https:// www2.ed.gov/programs/alaskanative/ index.html. To obtain a copy from the program office, contact: Almita Reed, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., room 3E335, Washington, DC 20202–6200. Telephone: (202) 260–1979 or by email: Almita.Reed@ed.gov. 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 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 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 9185 with the forms you must submit, are in the application package for this competition. Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. You must limit the application narrative to no more than 25 pages, using the following standards: • A ‘‘page’’ is 8.5″ x 11″, on one side only, with 1″ margins at the top, bottom, and both sides. • Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs. • Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch). • Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New, or Arial. An application submitted in any other font (including Times Roman or Arial Narrow) will not be accepted. The page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; 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. Our reviewers will not read any pages of your application that exceed the page limit. 3. Submission Dates and Times: Applications Available: February 18, 2014. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 21, 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. 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 E:\FR\FM\18FEN1.SGM 18FEN1 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 9186 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 32 / Tuesday, February 18, 2014 / Notices 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 competition is not subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. 5. Funding Restrictions: Under section 7304(b) of the ESEA, as amended (20 U.S.C. 7544(b)), not more than five percent of the funds provided to a grantee under this competition for any fiscal year may be used for administrative purposes. We reference additional regulations outlining funding restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice. 6. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification Number, and System for Award Management: 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 VerDate Mar<15>2010 20:58 Feb 14, 2014 Jkt 232001 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 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: https:// www.grants.gov/web/grants/register. 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 ANE program, CFDA number 84.356A, 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 the ANE program at www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable application package for this competition by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 number’s alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for 84.356, not 84.356A). 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 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. E:\FR\FM\18FEN1.SGM 18FEN1 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 32 / Tuesday, February 18, 2014 / Notices • 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 the 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. 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., VerDate Mar<15>2010 20:58 Feb 14, 2014 Jkt 232001 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: Almita Reed, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., room 3E335, Washington, DC 20202–6200. FAX: (202) 260–8969. 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: PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 9187 (CFDA Number 84.356A) 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 84.356A) 550 12th Street SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202–4260. The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays. Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you mail or hand deliver your application to the Department— (1) You must indicate on the envelope and—if not provided by the Department—in Item 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including suffix letter, if any, of the competition under which you are submitting your application; and (2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a notification of receipt of your grant application. If you do not receive this notification within 15 business days from the application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of Education Application Control Center at (202) 245– 6288. V. Application Review Information 1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are from 34 E:\FR\FM\18FEN1.SGM 18FEN1 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 9188 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 32 / Tuesday, February 18, 2014 / Notices CFR 75.210. The maximum score for all criteria is 100 points. The maximum possible score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses. The selection criteria for this competition are as follows: (a) Need for project (20 points). The Secretary considers the need for the proposed project. In determining the need for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the magnitude or severity of the problem to be addressed by the proposed project. (b) Quality of the project design (20 points). The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the proposed project. In determining the quality of the design of the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors: (i) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable (10 points). (ii) The extent to which the proposed project is supported by strong theory (as defined in 34 CFR 77.1(c)) (10 points). (c) Quality of the management plan (20 points). The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for the proposed project. In determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors: (i) The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality products and services from the proposed project (10 points). (ii) The extent to which the time commitments of the project director and principal investigator and other key project personnel are appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed project (10 points). (d) Adequacy of resources (10 points). The Secretary considers the adequacy of the resources for the proposed project. In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project (10 points). (e) Quality of project evaluation (10 points). The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be conducted of the proposed project. In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary considers the following factors: (i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation provide for examining the effectiveness of project implementation strategies (5 points). (ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide performance feedback and permit periodic VerDate Mar<15>2010 20:58 Feb 14, 2014 Jkt 232001 assessment of progress toward achieving intended outcomes (5 points). (d) Quality of project services (20 points) The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be provided by the proposed project. In determining the quality of the services to be provided by the proposed project, the Secretary considers the quality and sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal access and treatment for eligible project participants who are members of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age or disability. In addition, the Secretary considers the extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed project involve the collaboration of appropriate partners for maximizing the effectiveness of project services (20 points). 2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as the applicant’s use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or submitted a report of unacceptable quality. In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary also requires various assurances including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department of Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23). 3. Special Conditions: Under 34 CFR 74.14 and 80.12, the Secretary may impose special conditions on a grant if the applicant or grantee is not financially stable; has a history of unsatisfactory performance; has a financial or other management system that does not meet the standards in 34 CFR parts 74 or 80, as applicable; has not fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not responsible. VI. Award Administration Information 1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award Notification (GAN); 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. PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 has developed the following performance measures for measuring the overall effectiveness of the ANE program: (1) The percentage of Alaska Native students in schools served by the program who meet or exceed proficiency standards in reading, mathematics, and science on the Alaska State assessments; (2) the percentage of Alaska Native children participating in early learning and preschool programs who consistently demonstrate school readiness in language and literacy as measured by the Revised Alaska Development Profile; and (3) the percentage of Alaska Native students in schools served by the program who graduate from high school with a high school diploma in four years. All grantees will be expected to submit an annual performance report that includes data addressing these performance measures, to the extent that they apply to the grantee’s project. 5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award, the Secretary may E:\FR\FM\18FEN1.SGM 18FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 32 / Tuesday, February 18, 2014 / Notices 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 Contact FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Almita Reed, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., room 3E335, Washington, DC 20202– 6200. Telephone: (202) 260–1979 or by email: Almita.Reed@ed.gov. If you use a TDD, call the FRS, toll free at 1–800–877–8339. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES VIII. Other Information Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or 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 the 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. VerDate Mar<15>2010 20:58 Feb 14, 2014 Jkt 232001 Dated: February 12, 2014. Deborah S. Delisle, Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education. [FR Doc. 2014–03475 Filed 2–14–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Applications for New Awards; Native Hawaiian Education Program Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: Overview Information: Native Hawaiian Education Program Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2014. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.362A. DATES: Applications Available: February 18, 2014. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 21, 2014. Full Text of Announcement I. Funding Opportunity Description Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Native Hawaiian Education (NHE) program is to support innovative projects that enhance the educational services provided to Native Hawaiian children and adults. These projects may include those activities authorized under section 7205(a)(3) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA). Note: Congress expressly authorized that FY 2014 program funds may be used to support the construction, renovation, or modernization of any elementary school, secondary school, or structure related to an elementary school or secondary school, that is run by the Department of Education of the State of Hawaii that serves a predominately Native Hawaiian student body. Priorities: This competition includes six competitive preference priorities. In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv), competitive preference priorities one through four are from section 7205(a)(2) of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7515(a)(2)). Competitive preference priorities five and six are from the notice of final supplemental priorities and definitions for discretionary grant programs, published in the Federal Register on December 15, 2010 (75 FR 78486), and corrected on May 12, 2011 (76 FR 27637). Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2014 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 9189 competition, these priorities are competitive preference priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we award up to an additional twelve points to an application, depending on how well the application meets one or more of these priorities. These priorities are: Competitive Preference Priority 1— Needs of At-risk Children and Youth. (2 points) Projects that are designed to address the needs of at-risk children and youth. Competitive Preference Priority 2— Native Hawaiian Underemployment. (2 points) Projects that are designed to address needs in fields or disciplines in which Native Hawaiians are underemployed. Competitive Preference Priority 3— Hawaiian Language Instruction. (2 points) Projects that are designed to address the use of the Hawaiian language in instruction. Competitive Preference Priority 4— Beginning Reading and Literacy. (2 points) Projects that are designed to address beginning reading and literacy among students in kindergarten through third grade. Competitive Preference Priority 5— Improving Early Learning Outcomes. (2 points) Projects that are designed to improve school readiness and success for highneed children (as defined in this notice) from birth through third grade (or for any age group of high-need children within this range) through a focus on one or more of the following priority areas: (a) Physical well-being and motor development. (b) Social-emotional development. (c) Language and literacy development. (d) Cognition and general knowledge, including early numeracy and early scientific development. (e) Approaches toward learning. Competitive Preference Priority 6— Improving Achievement and High School Graduation Rates. (2 points) Projects that are designed to address one or more of the following priority areas: (a) Accelerating learning and helping to improve high school graduation rates (as defined in this notice) and college enrollment rates for students in rural local educational agencies (as defined in this notice). (b) Accelerating learning and helping to improve high school graduation rates (as defined in this notice) and college enrollment rates for students with disabilities. E:\FR\FM\18FEN1.SGM 18FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 18, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9184-9189]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-03475]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Application for New Awards; Alaska Native Education Program

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

ACTION: Notice.

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

    Overview Information: Alaska Native Education Program.
    Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 
2014.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.356A.

DATES: Applications Available: February 18, 2014.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 21, 2014.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Alaska Native Education 
(ANE) program is to support innovative projects that enhance the 
educational services provided to Alaska Native children and adults. 
These projects may include the activities authorized under section 
7304(a)(2) and (a)(3) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965, as amended (ESEA).

    Note: Congress has expressly authorized the use of FY 2014 
program funds for construction of facilities that support the 
operation of Alaska Native education programs.

    Priorities: This competition includes one competitive preference 
priority and one invitational priority. In accordance with 34 CFR 
75.105(b)(2)(iv), the competitive priority is from section 7304(c) of 
the ESEA, as amended (20 U.S.C. 7544(c)). The invitational priority is 
for applications that propose to carry out activities that preserve and 
strengthen Native culture and language.
    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 an additional 10 points to an application that meets this 
priority.
    This priority is:

Competitive Preference Priority--Alaska Native Regional Nonprofit 
Organization (10 points).

    An applicant that is an Alaska Native regional nonprofit 
organization or a consortium that includes at least one Alaska Native 
regional nonprofit organization.

    Note: In order to receive a competitive preference under this 
priority, the applicant

[[Page 9185]]

must provide documentation supporting its claim that it meets this 
priority.

    Under this competition, we also are particularly interested in 
applications that address the following priority.
    Invitational 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 an invitational priority. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets this invitational 
priority a competitive or absolute preference over other applications.
    This priority is:

Invitational Priority 1--Preservation of Native Culture and Language.

    Applications that propose to carry out activities that preserve and 
strengthen Native culture and language.
    Definitions: These definitions are from section 7306 of the ESEA 
(20 U.S.C. 7546) and 34 CFR 77.1(c). For purposes of this competition, 
the following definitions apply:
    Alaska Native has the same meaning as the term ``Native'' has in 
section 3(b) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 
1602(b)). (20 U.S.C. 7546).
    Alaska Native Organization means a federally recognized tribe, 
consortium of tribes, regional nonprofit Native association, and 
another organization that has or commits to acquire expertise in the 
education of Alaska Natives; and has Alaska Natives in substantive and 
policymaking positions within the organization. (20 U.S.C. 7546).
    Strong theory means a rational for the proposed process, product, 
strategy, or practice that includes a logic model. (34 CFR 77.1(c)).
    Logic model (also referred to as theory of action) means a well-
specified conceptual framework that identifies key components of the 
proposed process, product, strategy, or practice (i.e., the active 
``ingredients'' that are hypothesized to be critical to achieving the 
relevant outcomes) and describes the relationships among the key 
components and outcomes, theoretically and operationally. (34 CFR 
77.1(c)).
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7544.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 
82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The Education Department suspension and 
debarment regulations in 2 CFR part 3485.

    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: $11,020,912.
    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: $300,000 to $1,056,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $500,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 22.

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

    Project Period: Up to 36 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: (a) Alaska Native organizations; (b) 
educational entities with experience in developing or operating Alaska 
Native programs or programs of instruction conducted in Alaska Native 
languages; (c) cultural and community-based organizations with 
experience in developing or operating programs to benefit Alaska 
Natives; and (d) consortia of organizations and entities described in 
this paragraph.

    Note:  A State educational agency (SEA) or local educational 
agency (LEA), including a charter school that is considered an LEA 
under State law, may apply for an award under this program only as 
part of a consortium involving an Alaska Native organization. The 
consortium may also include other eligible applicants.

    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does 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 program office. To 
obtain a copy via the Internet, use following address: https://www2.ed.gov/programs/alaskanative/. To obtain a copy from the 
program office, contact: Almita Reed, U.S. Department of Education, 400 
Maryland Avenue SW., room 3E335, Washington, DC 20202-6200. Telephone: 
(202) 260-1979 or by email: Almita.Reed@ed.gov.
    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 person or team listed under 
Accessible Format in section VIII of this notice.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you 
must submit, are in the application package for this competition.
    Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, the applicant, 
address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your 
application. You must limit the application narrative to no more than 
25 pages, using the following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in 
charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller 
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial. An application submitted in any other font 
(including Times Roman or Arial Narrow) will not be accepted.
    The page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the budget 
section, including the narrative budget justification; 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.
    Our reviewers will not read any pages of your application that 
exceed the page limit.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: February 18, 2014.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 21, 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.
    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

[[Page 9186]]

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 competition is not subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
    5. Funding Restrictions: Under section 7304(b) of the ESEA, as 
amended (20 U.S.C. 7544(b)), not more than five percent of the funds 
provided to a grantee under this competition for any fiscal year may be 
used for administrative purposes. We reference additional regulations 
outlining funding restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of 
this notice.
    6. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification 
Number, and System for Award Management: 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 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: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.
    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 ANE program, CFDA number 84.356A, 
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 the ANE program 
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 84.356, not 
84.356A).
    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 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.

[[Page 9187]]

     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 the 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: Almita Reed, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., room 3E335, 
Washington, DC 20202-6200.
    FAX: (202) 260-8969.
    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 84.356A) 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 84.356A) 550 12th Street SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center 
Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.
    The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily 
between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, except 
Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays.

    Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications:  If you 
mail or hand deliver your application to the Department--
    (1) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by 
the Department--in Item 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including 
suffix letter, if any, of the competition under which you are 
submitting your application; and
    (2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a 
notification of receipt of your grant application. If you do not 
receive this notification within 15 business days from the 
application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of 
Education Application Control Center at (202) 245-6288.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition 
are from 34

[[Page 9188]]

CFR 75.210. The maximum score for all criteria is 100 points. The 
maximum possible score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses. 
The selection criteria for this competition are as follows:
    (a) Need for project (20 points). The Secretary considers the need 
for the proposed project. In determining the need for the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the magnitude or severity of the 
problem to be addressed by the proposed project.
    (b) Quality of the project design (20 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the design of the proposed project. In 
determining the quality of the design of the proposed project, the 
Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable 
(10 points).
    (ii) The extent to which the proposed project is supported by 
strong theory (as defined in 34 CFR 77.1(c)) (10 points).
    (c) Quality of the management plan (20 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the management plan for the proposed project. 
In determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality products 
and services from the proposed project (10 points).
    (ii) The extent to which the time commitments of the project 
director and principal investigator and other key project personnel are 
appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed project 
(10 points).
    (d) Adequacy of resources (10 points). The Secretary considers the 
adequacy of the resources for the proposed project. In determining the 
adequacy of resources for the proposed project, the Secretary considers 
the extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the 
objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project 
(10 points).
    (e) Quality of project evaluation (10 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the evaluation to be conducted of the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation provide for 
examining the effectiveness of project implementation strategies (5 
points).
    (ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward 
achieving intended outcomes (5 points).
    (d) Quality of project services (20 points) The Secretary considers 
the quality of the services to be provided by the proposed project. In 
determining the quality of the services to be provided by the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the quality and sufficiency of 
strategies for ensuring equal access and treatment for eligible project 
participants who are members of groups that have traditionally been 
underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age or 
disability. In addition, the Secretary considers the extent to which 
the services to be provided by the proposed project involve the 
collaboration of appropriate partners for maximizing the effectiveness 
of project services (20 points).
    2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants 
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, 
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past 
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as 
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and 
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider 
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or 
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
    In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary 
also requires various assurances including those applicable to Federal 
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or 
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department 
of Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    3. Special Conditions: Under 34 CFR 74.14 and 80.12, the Secretary 
may impose special conditions on a grant if the applicant or grantee is 
not financially stable; has a history of unsatisfactory performance; 
has a financial or other management system that does not meet the 
standards in 34 CFR parts 74 or 80, as applicable; has not fulfilled 
the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not responsible.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN); 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 has developed the following 
performance measures for measuring the overall effectiveness of the ANE 
program: (1) The percentage of Alaska Native students in schools served 
by the program who meet or exceed proficiency standards in reading, 
mathematics, and science on the Alaska State assessments; (2) the 
percentage of Alaska Native children participating in early learning 
and preschool programs who consistently demonstrate school readiness in 
language and literacy as measured by the Revised Alaska Development 
Profile; and (3) the percentage of Alaska Native students in schools 
served by the program who graduate from high school with a high school 
diploma in four years.
    All grantees will be expected to submit an annual performance 
report that includes data addressing these performance measures, to the 
extent that they apply to the grantee's project.
    5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award, the 
Secretary may

[[Page 9189]]

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 Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Almita Reed, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., room 3E335, Washington, DC 20202-
6200. Telephone: (202) 260-1979 or by email: Almita.Reed@ed.gov.
    If you use a TDD, call the FRS, toll free at 1-800-877-8339.

VIII. Other Information

    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format 
(e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or 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 the 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: February 12, 2014.
Deborah S. Delisle,
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2014-03475 Filed 2-14-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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