Proposed Waiver and Extension of the Project Period for the Literacy Information and Communication System Regional Professional Development Centers, 14017-14019 [2014-05431]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 48 / Wednesday, March 12, 2014 / Notices tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 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). Additional factors we consider in reviewing applications for an award are from sections 5421(a)(3), 5421 (b), and 5421(c)(2) of the ESEA, which outline application and program requirements, as well as a requirement that, in making grant awards, the Secretary will ensure an equitable geographic distribution among the regions of the United States and among LEAs located in urban, rural, and suburban areas. These requirements are outlined in the ESSC application package. 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 Notice (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 in this notice. We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of an award in the Applicable Regulations section in 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 VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:51 Mar 11, 2014 Jkt 232001 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: The Department has established the following Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) performance measures for the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Programs: (1) The percentage of grantees closing the gap between their student/mental health professional ratios and the student/mental health professional ratios recommended by the statute; and (2) the average number of referrals per grant site for disciplinary reasons in schools participating in the program. These measures constitute the Department’s indicators of success for this program. Consequently, we advise an applicant for a grant under this program to give careful consideration to these measures in conceptualizing the approach and evaluation for the applicant’s proposed project. Each grantee will be required to provide, in its annual performance and final reports, data about the grantee’s progress against these measures. 5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award, the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.253, the extent to which a grantee has made ‘‘substantial progress toward meeting the objectives in its approved application.’’ This consideration includes the review of a grantee’s progress in meeting the targets and projected outcomes in its approved application, and whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is consistent with its approved application and budget. In making a continuation grant, the Secretary also considers whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23). VII. Agency Contacts For Further Information Contact: Lisa Harrison, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 3E255, Washington, DC 20202–6450. PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 14017 Telephone: 202–453–6730 or by email: Lisa.Harrison@ed.gov or Loretta McDaniel, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 3E242, Washington, DC 20202– 6450. Telephone: 202–453–6720 or by email: Loretta.McDaniel@ed.gov. If you use a TDD or TTY, call the Federal Relay Service, 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 alternative format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) on request to the program contact persons listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII in 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 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: March 7, 2014. Deborah S. Delisle, Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education. [FR Doc. 2014–05444 Filed 3–11–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Proposed Waiver and Extension of the Project Period for the Literacy Information and Communication System Regional Professional Development Centers [Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.191B.] Career, Technical, and Adult Education, Department of Education. ACTION: Proposed waiver and extension of the project period. AGENCY: For the current 36-month grant projects under the Literacy SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\12MRN1.SGM 12MRN1 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 14018 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 48 / Wednesday, March 12, 2014 / Notices Information and Communication System (LINCS) Regional Professional Development Centers (RPDC) program, the Secretary proposes to: (1) Waive the restriction against project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds; and (2) extend for an additional 12 months the project period of these grants. The Secretary proposes this action because we do not believe that it would be in the public interest to hold a LINCS RPDC competition in FY 2014, the same year in which the Department’s LINCS Resource Collection contract and the LINCS technical services contract will end. This proposed one-year extension of the LINCS RPDC project period is intended to ensure seamless technical assistance service delivery to our adult education customers. DATES: We must receive your comments on or before April 11, 2014. ADDRESSES: Address all comments about this proposed waiver and extension of the project period to Patricia Bennett, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 11013, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202–7241. If you prefer to send your comments by email, use the following address: patricia.bennett@ed.gov. You must include the phrase ‘‘Proposed waiver and extension of the project period for LINCS RPDCs’’ in the subject line of your message. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Bennett by telephone at (202) 245–7758 or by email at: patricia.bennett@ed.gov. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877– 8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Invitation to Comment: We invite you to submit comments regarding this notice. We are particularly interested in receiving comments on the potential impact that this proposed project period waiver and extension might have on current LINCS RPDCs and on potential applicants that would be eligible to apply for grant awards under any new LINCS RPDC notice inviting applications, should there be one. The following entities would be eligible to apply should the Department conduct a new competition for LINCS RPDCs: (a) Institutions of higher education; (b) Public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations; and (c) Consortia of eligible institutions, organizations, or agencies. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:51 Mar 11, 2014 Jkt 232001 During and after the comment period, you may inspect all public comments about this proposed waiver and extension of the project period in room 11013, Potomac Center Plaza, 550 12th Street SW., Washington, DC, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, Monday through Friday of each week, except Federal holidays. Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities in Reviewing the Rulemaking Record: On request we will provide an appropriate accommodation or auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability who needs assistance to review the comments or other documents in the public rulemaking record for this notice of proposed waiver and extension of the project period. If you want to schedule an appointment for this type of aid, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Background In fiscal year (FY) 2011, using FY 2010 funds, we funded four LINCS RPDC grants, as authorized under title II of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) (20 U.S.C. 9253(2)(H)), the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA). Each RPDC serves one of the following four regions: (1) Region 1—Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the Virgin Islands. (2) Region 2—Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. (3) Region 3—Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. (4) Region 4—Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Republic of Palau. Through the LINCS RPDC grants we support evidenced-based virtual or inperson adult education professional development (AEPD) activities to assist educators who provide adult education services 1 or adult education 1 Adult education services (e.g., career counseling, transportation counseling, education counseling) are provided to adult learners by educators who may include staff of eligible providers identified in section 203(5) of the AEFLA, as well as State staff responsible for the implementation of adult education programs. PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 instruction 2 to adult learners (adult educators). In addition, the LINCS RPDCs support each eligible agency responsible for administering or supervising policy for adult education and literacy programs under section 203(4) of the AEFLA 3 (eligible agency), and adult education and related organizations within each State 4 and outlying area 5 by— (1) Disseminating information on the materials and the AEPD in the LINCS Resource Collection 6 to each eligible agency in the region that the grantee serves and to adult education and related organizations within each State and outlying area in that region; (2) Collaborating closely with eligible agencies to organize and deliver virtual or in-person AEPD; and (3) Fostering the use of new technologies, including virtual moderated communities of practice 7 (CoP), for adult educators. The RPDCs provide substantial and direct operational involvement in the management of project implementation and on plans for AEPD and project activities, including by facilitating the collaboration between grantees and the Department’s LINCS Resource Collection contractor and the LINCS technical services contractor. In conducting the required activities under the cooperative agreements, the LINCS RPDCs— (1) Use the LINCS Resource Collection materials and other AEPD materials available on the Department’s LINCS Web site for dissemination and AEPD; (2) Work collaboratively with the Department’s LINCS Resource Collection contractor and the LINCS technical services contractor to meet the project’s goals, objectives, and outcomes; and (3) Implement the requirements established in the notice for applications for new awards for Literacy 2 Adult education instruction (e.g., instruction in basic literacy, mathematics, and English language skills) is provided to adult learners by educators who may include adult education teachers and other instructional personnel of eligible providers identified in section 203(5) of the AEFLA. 3 Section 203(4) of the AEFLA defines the term ‘‘eligible agency’’ as the sole entity or agency in a State or an outlying area responsible for administering or supervising policy for adult education and literacy in the State or outlying area, respectively, consistent with the law of the State or outlying area, respectively. 4 See section 203(17) of the AEFLA. 5 See section 203(14) of the AEFLA. 6 For more information on the LINCS Resource Collection, see https://lincs.ed.gov/collections. 7 Communities of practice are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly (see https://www.ewenger.com/ theory/). E:\FR\FM\12MRN1.SGM 12MRN1 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 48 / Wednesday, March 12, 2014 / Notices Information and Communication System Regional Professional Development Centers, published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2011 (76 FR 38374). For the four current LINCS RPDC grantees the Secretary now proposes to waive the requirement of 34 CFR 75.261(a) and (c)(2) of the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) that generally prohibits project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The Secretary also proposes to extend the current LINCS RPDC project period for 12 months. This will allow each of the four current LINCS RPDC grantees that received awards under the FY 2011 competition to seek a continuation award for one additional year through FY 2015 with FY 2014 funds. Further, the waiver and extension, as proposed, would mean that we would not announce new awards in FY 2014. Holding an RPDC competition in FY 2014—the same year in which the Department’s LINCS Resource Collection contract and the LINCS technical services contract end—would not be in the public interest. Because all of the LINCS service providers would be transitioning at the same time, there would be a disruption to the continuity and stability of services that we provide to adult educators, resulting in a negative impact on service delivery to our adult education customers. Therefore, to ensure continuity and stability of LINCS services, we plan to hold competitions during FY 2014 for the LINCS Resource Collection contract and the LINCS technology services contract, both new contracts to begin in FY 2015. We then plan to issue in FY 2015 a LINCS RPDC notice inviting applications for new awards for a threeyear period to begin in FY 2016. This proposed one-year extension of the LINCS RPDC project period will ensure seamless technical assistance service delivery to our adult education customers. If the waiver of 34 CFR 75.261(a) and (c)(2) that we propose in this notice is announced by the Department in a final notice, the requirements applicable to continuation awards for current LINCS RPDC grantees and the requirements in section 75.253 of EDGAR would apply to any continuation awards sought by current LINCS RPDC grantees. If we announce this proposed waiver and extension of the project period as final, we would make continuation awards based on information that each grantee had provided, indicating that it is making substantial progress performing its LINCS RPDC grant VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:51 Mar 11, 2014 Jkt 232001 14019 activities based on the requirements in the notice inviting applications, and based on the regulations in 34 CFR 75.253. Any activities to be carried out during the continuation year must be consistent with, or be a logical extension of, the scope, goals, and objectives of each grantee’s application as approved in the FY 2011 LINCS RPDC competition. Under this proposed waiver and extension, the project period for current LINCS RPDC grantees would be extended through FY 2015. other documents of this Department published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the site. You may also access documents of the Department published in the Federal Register by using the article search feature at: www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the Department. Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification The Secretary certifies that the proposed waiver and extension of the project period and the activities required to support the additional year of funding would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The small entities that would be affected by this proposed waiver and extension of the project period are the four currentlyfunded LINCS RPDC grantees and any potential eligible applicants for the LINCS RPDC grants. The proposed waiver and extension of these current projects would involve minimal compliance costs, and the activities required to support the additional year of funding would not impose additional regulatory burdens or require unnecessary Federal supervision. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 9253(2)(H). Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 This notice of proposed waiver and extension of the project period does not contain any information collection requirements. Intergovernmental Review The LINCS RPDC program 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. Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this document in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) on request to the contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. 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 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Dated: March 7, 2014. Brenda Dann-Messier, Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education. [FR Doc. 2014–05431 Filed 3–11–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Environmental Management SiteSpecific Advisory Board, Savannah River Site Department of Energy. Notice of Open Meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: This notice announces a meeting of the Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board (EM SSAB), Savannah River Site. The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–463, 86 Stat. 770) requires that public notice of this meeting be announced in the Federal Register. DATES: Monday, March 24, 2014 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.; Tuesday, March 25, 2014, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ADDRESSES: Doubletree Hotel, 2651 Perimeter Parkway, Augusta. GA 30909. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gerri Flemming, Office of External Affairs, Department of Energy, Savannah River Operations Office, P.O. Box A, Aiken, SC 29802; Phone: (803) 952–7886. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Purpose of the Board: The purpose of the Board is to make recommendations to DOE–EM and site management in the areas of environmental restoration, waste management, and related activities. SUMMARY: Tentative Agenda Monday, March 24, 2014 1:00 p.m. Combined Committees Session Order of committees: • Strategic & Legacy Management • Administrative & Outreach • Break E:\FR\FM\12MRN1.SGM 12MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 48 (Wednesday, March 12, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14017-14019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-05431]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Proposed Waiver and Extension of the Project Period for the 
Literacy Information and Communication System Regional Professional 
Development Centers

[Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.191B.]

AGENCY: Career, Technical, and Adult Education, Department of 
Education.

ACTION: Proposed waiver and extension of the project period.

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

SUMMARY: For the current 36-month grant projects under the Literacy

[[Page 14018]]

Information and Communication System (LINCS) Regional Professional 
Development Centers (RPDC) program, the Secretary proposes to: (1) 
Waive the restriction against project period extensions involving the 
obligation of additional Federal funds; and (2) extend for an 
additional 12 months the project period of these grants. The Secretary 
proposes this action because we do not believe that it would be in the 
public interest to hold a LINCS RPDC competition in FY 2014, the same 
year in which the Department's LINCS Resource Collection contract and 
the LINCS technical services contract will end. This proposed one-year 
extension of the LINCS RPDC project period is intended to ensure 
seamless technical assistance service delivery to our adult education 
customers.

DATES: We must receive your comments on or before April 11, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments about this proposed waiver and 
extension of the project period to Patricia Bennett, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 11013, Potomac Center Plaza, 
Washington, DC 20202-7241.
    If you prefer to send your comments by email, use the following 
address: patricia.bennett@ed.gov. You must include the phrase 
``Proposed waiver and extension of the project period for LINCS RPDCs'' 
in the subject line of your message.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Bennett by telephone at (202) 
245-7758 or by email at: patricia.bennett@ed.gov.
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Invitation to Comment:
    We invite you to submit comments regarding this notice. We are 
particularly interested in receiving comments on the potential impact 
that this proposed project period waiver and extension might have on 
current LINCS RPDCs and on potential applicants that would be eligible 
to apply for grant awards under any new LINCS RPDC notice inviting 
applications, should there be one.
    The following entities would be eligible to apply should the 
Department conduct a new competition for LINCS RPDCs:
    (a) Institutions of higher education;
    (b) Public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations; and
    (c) Consortia of eligible institutions, organizations, or agencies.
    During and after the comment period, you may inspect all public 
comments about this proposed waiver and extension of the project period 
in room 11013, Potomac Center Plaza, 550 12th Street SW., Washington, 
DC, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, 
Monday through Friday of each week, except Federal holidays.
    Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities in Reviewing the 
Rulemaking Record: On request we will provide an appropriate 
accommodation or auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability who 
needs assistance to review the comments or other documents in the 
public rulemaking record for this notice of proposed waiver and 
extension of the project period. If you want to schedule an appointment 
for this type of aid, please contact the person listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Background

    In fiscal year (FY) 2011, using FY 2010 funds, we funded four LINCS 
RPDC grants, as authorized under title II of the Workforce Investment 
Act of 1998 (WIA) (20 U.S.C. 9253(2)(H)), the Adult Education and 
Family Literacy Act (AEFLA). Each RPDC serves one of the following four 
regions:
    (1) Region 1--Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, 
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 
Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the Virgin 
Islands.
    (2) Region 2--Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, 
Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, 
Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
    (3) Region 3--Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, 
Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
    (4) Region 4--Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, 
Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Guam, 
American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and 
the Republic of Palau.
    Through the LINCS RPDC grants we support evidenced-based virtual or 
in-person adult education professional development (AEPD) activities to 
assist educators who provide adult education services \1\ or adult 
education instruction \2\ to adult learners (adult educators).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Adult education services (e.g., career counseling, 
transportation counseling, education counseling) are provided to 
adult learners by educators who may include staff of eligible 
providers identified in section 203(5) of the AEFLA, as well as 
State staff responsible for the implementation of adult education 
programs.
    \2\ Adult education instruction (e.g., instruction in basic 
literacy, mathematics, and English language skills) is provided to 
adult learners by educators who may include adult education teachers 
and other instructional personnel of eligible providers identified 
in section 203(5) of the AEFLA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, the LINCS RPDCs support each eligible agency 
responsible for administering or supervising policy for adult education 
and literacy programs under section 203(4) of the AEFLA \3\ (eligible 
agency), and adult education and related organizations within each 
State \4\ and outlying area \5\ by--
    (1) Disseminating information on the materials and the AEPD in the 
LINCS Resource Collection \6\ to each eligible agency in the region 
that the grantee serves and to adult education and related 
organizations within each State and outlying area in that region;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Section 203(4) of the AEFLA defines the term ``eligible 
agency'' as the sole entity or agency in a State or an outlying area 
responsible for administering or supervising policy for adult 
education and literacy in the State or outlying area, respectively, 
consistent with the law of the State or outlying area, respectively.
    \4\ See section 203(17) of the AEFLA.
    \5\ See section 203(14) of the AEFLA.
    \6\ For more information on the LINCS Resource Collection, see 
https://lincs.ed.gov/collections.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Collaborating closely with eligible agencies to organize and 
deliver virtual or in-person AEPD; and
    (3) Fostering the use of new technologies, including virtual 
moderated communities of practice \7\ (CoP), for adult educators.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ Communities of practice are groups of people who share a 
concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it 
better as they interact regularly (see https://www.ewenger.com/theory/).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The RPDCs provide substantial and direct operational involvement in 
the management of project implementation and on plans for AEPD and 
project activities, including by facilitating the collaboration between 
grantees and the Department's LINCS Resource Collection contractor and 
the LINCS technical services contractor.
    In conducting the required activities under the cooperative 
agreements, the LINCS RPDCs--
    (1) Use the LINCS Resource Collection materials and other AEPD 
materials available on the Department's LINCS Web site for 
dissemination and AEPD;
    (2) Work collaboratively with the Department's LINCS Resource 
Collection contractor and the LINCS technical services contractor to 
meet the project's goals, objectives, and outcomes; and
    (3) Implement the requirements established in the notice for 
applications for new awards for Literacy

[[Page 14019]]

Information and Communication System Regional Professional Development 
Centers, published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2011 (76 FR 
38374).
    For the four current LINCS RPDC grantees the Secretary now proposes 
to waive the requirement of 34 CFR 75.261(a) and (c)(2) of the 
Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) that 
generally prohibits project period extensions involving the obligation 
of additional Federal funds. The Secretary also proposes to extend the 
current LINCS RPDC project period for 12 months. This will allow each 
of the four current LINCS RPDC grantees that received awards under the 
FY 2011 competition to seek a continuation award for one additional 
year through FY 2015 with FY 2014 funds. Further, the waiver and 
extension, as proposed, would mean that we would not announce new 
awards in FY 2014.
    Holding an RPDC competition in FY 2014--the same year in which the 
Department's LINCS Resource Collection contract and the LINCS technical 
services contract end--would not be in the public interest. Because all 
of the LINCS service providers would be transitioning at the same time, 
there would be a disruption to the continuity and stability of services 
that we provide to adult educators, resulting in a negative impact on 
service delivery to our adult education customers.
    Therefore, to ensure continuity and stability of LINCS services, we 
plan to hold competitions during FY 2014 for the LINCS Resource 
Collection contract and the LINCS technology services contract, both 
new contracts to begin in FY 2015. We then plan to issue in FY 2015 a 
LINCS RPDC notice inviting applications for new awards for a three-year 
period to begin in FY 2016. This proposed one-year extension of the 
LINCS RPDC project period will ensure seamless technical assistance 
service delivery to our adult education customers.
    If the waiver of 34 CFR 75.261(a) and (c)(2) that we propose in 
this notice is announced by the Department in a final notice, the 
requirements applicable to continuation awards for current LINCS RPDC 
grantees and the requirements in section 75.253 of EDGAR would apply to 
any continuation awards sought by current LINCS RPDC grantees.
    If we announce this proposed waiver and extension of the project 
period as final, we would make continuation awards based on information 
that each grantee had provided, indicating that it is making 
substantial progress performing its LINCS RPDC grant activities based 
on the requirements in the notice inviting applications, and based on 
the regulations in 34 CFR 75.253.
    Any activities to be carried out during the continuation year must 
be consistent with, or be a logical extension of, the scope, goals, and 
objectives of each grantee's application as approved in the FY 2011 
LINCS RPDC competition. Under this proposed waiver and extension, the 
project period for current LINCS RPDC grantees would be extended 
through FY 2015.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification

    The Secretary certifies that the proposed waiver and extension of 
the project period and the activities required to support the 
additional year of funding would not have a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities. The small entities that 
would be affected by this proposed waiver and extension of the project 
period are the four currently-funded LINCS RPDC grantees and any 
potential eligible applicants for the LINCS RPDC grants.
    The proposed waiver and extension of these current projects would 
involve minimal compliance costs, and the activities required to 
support the additional year of funding would not impose additional 
regulatory burdens or require unnecessary Federal supervision.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    This notice of proposed waiver and extension of the project period 
does not contain any information collection requirements.

Intergovernmental Review

    The LINCS RPDC program 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.
    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, 
audiotape, or compact disc) on request to the contact person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    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 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.

    Program Authority:  20 U.S.C. 9253(2)(H).

    Dated: March 7, 2014.
Brenda Dann-Messier,
Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education.
[FR Doc. 2014-05431 Filed 3-11-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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