Final Waiver and Extension of the Project Period for the Literacy Information and Communication System Regional Professional Development Centers, 31315-31317 [2014-12707]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 105 / Monday, June 2, 2014 / Notices SEFSC assessment surveys. The permit expires on February 28, 2019. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. As required by the ESA, issuance of this permit was based on a finding that such permit: (1) Was applied for in good faith; (2) will not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) is consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA. Dated: May 28, 2014. Tammy C. Adams, Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–12680 Filed 5–30–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION [Docket No.: ED–2014–ICCD–0081] Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Regulatory Requirements Office of Management (OM), Department of Education (ED). ACTION: Notice. sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 3501 et seq.), ED is proposing an extension of an existing information collection. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before August 1, 2014. ADDRESSES: Comments submitted in response to this notice should be submitted electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https:// www.regulations.gov by selecting Docket ID number ED–2014–ICCD–0081 or via postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery. If the regulations.gov site is not available to the public for any reason, ED will temporarily accept comments at ICDocketMgr@ed.gov. Please note that comments submitted by fax or email and those submitted after the comment period will not be accepted; ED will only accept comments during the comment period in this mailbox when the regulations.gov site is not available. Written requests for information or comments submitted by postal mail or delivery should be addressed to the Director of the VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:59 May 30, 2014 Jkt 232001 Information Collection Clearance Division, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., LBJ, Mailstop L–OM–2–2E319, Room 2E105, Washington, DC 20202. For specific questions related to collection activities, please contact Regina Miles, 202–260–3887. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Department of Education (ED), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. It also helps the public understand the Department’s information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. ED is soliciting comments on the proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below. The Department of Education is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Please note that written comments received in response to this notice will be considered public records. Title of Collection: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Regulatory Requirements. OMB Control Number: 1880–0543. Type of Review: An extension of an existing information collection. Respondents/Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Governments. Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 20,293,021. Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 1,914,593. Abstract: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requires that subject educational agencies and institutions notify parents and students of their rights under FERPA and requires that they record disclosures of personally identifiable information from education records, with certain exceptions. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 31315 Dated: May 27, 2014. Stephanie Valentine, Acting Director, Information Collection Clearance Division, Privacy, Information and Records Management Services, Office of Management. [FR Doc. 2014–12599 Filed 5–30–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Final 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: Final Waiver and Extension. AGENCY: SUMMARY: For the 36-month grant projects funded in fiscal year (FY) 2011, using FY 2010 funds, under the Literacy Information and Communication System (LINCS) Regional Professional Development Centers (RPDC) program, the Secretary hereby waives the restriction against project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds, and extends the project period of the four LINCS RPDC grants for an additional 12 months. This will enable 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; and we will not announce a new LINCS RPDC competition in FY 2014. DATES: This final waiver and extension of the project period is effective June 2, 2014. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Bennett, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW., Room 11013, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (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. On March 12, 2014, we published in the Federal Register (79 FR 14017) (March 2014 proposed waiver) a proposed waiver of 34 CFR 75.261(a) and (c)(2), which restricts project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds, as it applies to the LINCS RPDC. The Secretary also proposed to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\02JNN1.SGM 02JNN1 31316 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 105 / Monday, June 2, 2014 / Notices extend the project period of LINCS RPDC grants for an additional 12 months to enable 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. Public Comment: In the March 2014 proposed waiver, the Secretary invited comments about the potential effect that this waiver and extension of the project period would have on LINCS RPDC and on applicants that may be eligible to apply for grant awards under any new LINCS RPDC notice inviting applications, should there be one. We received five comments in response, one of which did not address the proposed waiver and extension. Generally, we do not address comments that raise concerns not related to the proposed waiver and extension. Analysis of Comments and Changes: Comment: The four commenters who addressed the proposed waiver and extension: supported it, discussed the benefits and accomplishments of current LINCS RPDC projects, and stated that an extension of the current project period would allow grantees to continue their work and expand on their accomplishments. Response: We agree with the four commenters that extending the current LINCS RPDC grant period will allow current LINCS RPDC grantees to request continuation awards with which they could continue to work toward accomplishing the goals and objectives stated in their 2011 LINCS RPDC grant applications. Change: None. sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Background In FY 2011, using FY 2010 funds, we funded four LINCS RPDC grants, based on the requirements established in the notice for applications for new awards for LINCS RPDCs, published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2011 (76 FR 38374) (June 2011 notice), as authorized under title II of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) (20 U.S.C. 9253(2)(H)). 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, VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:59 May 30, 2014 Jkt 232001 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 evidence-based virtual or inperson 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). 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. 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. 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/). PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The LINCS 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. For these four LINCS RPDC projects, the Secretary waives the requirement of 34 CFR 75.261(a) and (c)(2), the regulation that generally prohibits project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds, in order to extend the current LINCS RPDC project period for an additional 12 months. The Secretary’s waiver of 34 CFR 75.261(a) and (c)(2) and extension of the current LINCS RPDC project period means that: (1) Current LINCS RPDC grantees will be authorized to request in FY 2014 and receive LINCS RPDC continuation awards for one additional year through FY 2015; (2) we will not announce a new LINCS RPDC competition to make new awards in FY 2014; (3) the June 2011 notice will continue to govern current projects during the extension year; and (4) the four currently-approved applications selected based on the June 2011 notice will govern LINCS RPDC continuation activities. The June 2011 notice: (1) Established a project period of up to 36 months and reiterated that funding for multi-year awards would be dependent on a grantee meeting the requirements of 34 CFR 75.253 (continuation of a multiyear project after the first budget period); (2) explained the requirements of the program; (3) described the evaluation and reporting requirements; and (4) established the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) performance indicators for the LINCS RPDCs. With this final waiver and extension of the project period, the current four LINCS RPDC grantees may request continuation awards for one additional project year, through FY 2015, with FY 2014 funds Congress has appropriated under the current authority in section 243(2)(H) of the AEFLA. Any requests for continuation awards will be considered under the current authority and subject to the requirements of 34 CFR 75.253, including the requirement that each grantee demonstrate that it is making substantial progress performing its LINCS RPDC grant activities based on the requirements in the June 2011 notice. We will make decisions regarding continuation awards based on information provided in grantee E:\FR\FM\02JNN1.SGM 02JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 105 / Monday, June 2, 2014 / Notices requests for continuation awards, including information provided in program narratives, budgets and budget narratives, and performance reports. 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 2011 LINCS RPDC competition. Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification The Secretary certifies that the waiver and extension and the activities required to support an additional year of funding will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The small entities that will be affected by this waiver and extension are the four currently-funded LINCS RPDC grantees and any potential applicants for LINCS RPDC grants in FY 2014. The Secretary further certifies that the waiver and extension will not have a significant economic impact on these LINCS RPDC entities because the waiver and extension impose minimal compliance costs to extend projects already in existence, and the activities required to support the additional year of funding will not impose additional regulatory burdens or require unnecessary Federal supervision. Furthermore, the costs of carrying out these activities could be paid for with program funds. sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 This notice of waiver and extension does not contain any information collection requirements. Intergovernmental Review The LINCS RPDC is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. 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 this site. VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:59 May 30, 2014 Jkt 232001 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: May 28, 2014. Johan Uvin, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Delegated Authority To Perform the Functions and Duties of the Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education. [FR Doc. 2014–12707 Filed 5–30–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Secretary of Energy Advisory Board Department of Energy. Notice of open meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: This notice announces an open meeting of the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board (SEAB). SEAB was reestablished pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92– 463, 86 Stat. 770) (the Act). This notice is provided in accordance with the Act. DATES: Friday, June 20, 2014; 9:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m. ADDRESSES: Building TCS Conference Center, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Lemont, Illinois 60439. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Gibson, Designated Federal Officer, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585; telephone (202) 586–3787; email: seab@hq.doe.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background: The Board was established to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary on the Department’s basic and applied research, economic and national security policy, educational issues, operational issues, and other activities as directed by the Secretary. Purpose of the Meeting: This meeting is the quarterly meeting of the Board. Tentative Agenda: The meeting will start at 9:00 a.m. on June 20th. The tentative meeting agenda includes updates on the work of the SEAB task forces, briefings on topics of interest from the Lab and DOE, and comments from the public. The meeting will conclude at 12:00 p.m. Agenda updates will be posted on the SEAB Web site: www.energy.gov/seab. PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 31317 Public Participation: The meeting is open to the public. Individuals who would like to attend must RSVP to Karen Gibson no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2014, by email at: seab@hq.doe.gov. Please provide your name, organization, citizenship, and contact information. Anyone attending the meeting will be required to present government issued identification. Individuals and representatives of organizations who would like to offer comments and suggestions may do so at the end of the meeting. Approximately 30 minutes will be reserved for public comments. Time allotted per speaker will depend on the number who wish to speak but will not exceed 5 minutes. The Designated Federal Officer is empowered to conduct the meeting in a fashion that will facilitate the orderly conduct of business. Those wishing to speak should register to do so beginning at 9:00 a.m. on June 20th. Those not able to attend the meeting or who have insufficient time to address the committee are invited to send a written statement to Karen Gibson, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585, email to: seab@ hq.doe.gov. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting will be available by contacting Ms. Gibson. She may be reached at the postal address or email address above, or by visiting SEAB’s Web site at www.energy.gov/seab. Issued in Washington, DC, on May 23, 2014. LaTanya R. Butler, Deputy Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. 2014–12684 Filed 5–30–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee Office of Science, Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of Open Teleconference Meeting. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice announces a teleconference meeting of the Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee (FESAC). The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–463, 86 Stat.770) requires that public notice of these meetings be announced in the Federal Register. DATES: Monday, June 16, 2014, 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. EDT. ADDRESSES: Public participation is welcomed. Information concerning the call-in number can be found on the Web E:\FR\FM\02JNN1.SGM 02JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 105 (Monday, June 2, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31315-31317]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-12707]


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

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Final 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: Final Waiver and Extension.

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

SUMMARY: For the 36-month grant projects funded in fiscal year (FY) 
2011, using FY 2010 funds, under the Literacy Information and 
Communication System (LINCS) Regional Professional Development Centers 
(RPDC) program, the Secretary hereby waives the restriction against 
project period extensions involving the obligation of additional 
Federal funds, and extends the project period of the four LINCS RPDC 
grants for an additional 12 months. This will enable 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; and we will not announce a new LINCS RPDC 
competition in FY 2014.

DATES: This final waiver and extension of the project period is 
effective June 2, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Bennett, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW., Room 11013, Potomac Center Plaza, 
Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (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: On March 12, 2014, we published in the 
Federal Register (79 FR 14017) (March 2014 proposed waiver) a proposed 
waiver of 34 CFR 75.261(a) and (c)(2), which restricts project period 
extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds, as it 
applies to the LINCS RPDC. The Secretary also proposed to

[[Page 31316]]

extend the project period of LINCS RPDC grants for an additional 12 
months to enable 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.
    Public Comment: In the March 2014 proposed waiver, the Secretary 
invited comments about the potential effect that this waiver and 
extension of the project period would have on LINCS RPDC and on 
applicants that may be eligible to apply for grant awards under any new 
LINCS RPDC notice inviting applications, should there be one. We 
received five comments in response, one of which did not address the 
proposed waiver and extension. Generally, we do not address comments 
that raise concerns not related to the proposed waiver and extension.

Analysis of Comments and Changes:

    Comment: The four commenters who addressed the proposed waiver and 
extension: supported it, discussed the benefits and accomplishments of 
current LINCS RPDC projects, and stated that an extension of the 
current project period would allow grantees to continue their work and 
expand on their accomplishments.
    Response: We agree with the four commenters that extending the 
current LINCS RPDC grant period will allow current LINCS RPDC grantees 
to request continuation awards with which they could continue to work 
toward accomplishing the goals and objectives stated in their 2011 
LINCS RPDC grant applications.
    Change: None.

Background

    In FY 2011, using FY 2010 funds, we funded four LINCS RPDC grants, 
based on the requirements established in the notice for applications 
for new awards for LINCS RPDCs, published in the Federal Register on 
June 30, 2011 (76 FR 38374) (June 2011 notice), as authorized under 
title II of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), the Adult 
Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) (20 U.S.C. 9253(2)(H)). 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 evidence-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 LINCS 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.
    For these four LINCS RPDC projects, the Secretary waives the 
requirement of 34 CFR 75.261(a) and (c)(2), the regulation that 
generally prohibits project period extensions involving the obligation 
of additional Federal funds, in order to extend the current LINCS RPDC 
project period for an additional 12 months.
    The Secretary's waiver of 34 CFR 75.261(a) and (c)(2) and extension 
of the current LINCS RPDC project period means that: (1) Current LINCS 
RPDC grantees will be authorized to request in FY 2014 and receive 
LINCS RPDC continuation awards for one additional year through FY 2015; 
(2) we will not announce a new LINCS RPDC competition to make new 
awards in FY 2014; (3) the June 2011 notice will continue to govern 
current projects during the extension year; and (4) the four currently-
approved applications selected based on the June 2011 notice will 
govern LINCS RPDC continuation activities.
    The June 2011 notice: (1) Established a project period of up to 36 
months and reiterated that funding for multi-year awards would be 
dependent on a grantee meeting the requirements of 34 CFR 75.253 
(continuation of a multi-year project after the first budget period); 
(2) explained the requirements of the program; (3) described the 
evaluation and reporting requirements; and (4) established the 
Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) performance indicators 
for the LINCS RPDCs.
    With this final waiver and extension of the project period, the 
current four LINCS RPDC grantees may request continuation awards for 
one additional project year, through FY 2015, with FY 2014 funds 
Congress has appropriated under the current authority in section 
243(2)(H) of the AEFLA. Any requests for continuation awards will be 
considered under the current authority and subject to the requirements 
of 34 CFR 75.253, including the requirement that each grantee 
demonstrate that it is making substantial progress performing its LINCS 
RPDC grant activities based on the requirements in the June 2011 
notice.
    We will make decisions regarding continuation awards based on 
information provided in grantee

[[Page 31317]]

requests for continuation awards, including information provided in 
program narratives, budgets and budget narratives, and performance 
reports. 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 
2011 LINCS RPDC competition.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification

    The Secretary certifies that the waiver and extension and the 
activities required to support an additional year of funding will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.
    The small entities that will be affected by this waiver and 
extension are the four currently-funded LINCS RPDC grantees and any 
potential applicants for LINCS RPDC grants in FY 2014.
    The Secretary further certifies that the waiver and extension will 
not have a significant economic impact on these LINCS RPDC entities 
because the waiver and extension impose minimal compliance costs to 
extend projects already in existence, and the activities required to 
support the additional year of funding will not impose additional 
regulatory burdens or require unnecessary Federal supervision. 
Furthermore, the costs of carrying out these activities could be paid 
for with program funds.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    This notice of waiver and extension does not contain any 
information collection requirements.

Intergovernmental Review

    The LINCS RPDC is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the 
regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
    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 this 
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: May 28, 2014.
Johan Uvin,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Strategic Initiatives, 
Delegated Authority To Perform the Functions and Duties of the 
Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education.
[FR Doc. 2014-12707 Filed 5-30-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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