Applications for New Awards; Parent Information and Training Program, 39375-39381 [2014-16124]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 132 (Thursday, July 10, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39375-39381]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-16124]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Parent Information and Training 
Program

AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, 
Department of Education

ACTION: Notice.

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Overview Information

    Rehabilitation Services Administration--Parent Information and 
Training Program.
    Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 
2014.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.235F.


DATES: 
    Applications Available: July 10, 2014.
    Date of Pre-Application Webinar: July 15, 2014.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 11, 2014.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The Parent Information and Training Program is 
designed to support projects that provide training and information to 
enable individuals with disabilities, and the parents, family members, 
guardians, advocates, or other authorized representatives of the 
individuals (hereafter collectively referred to as ``individuals with 
disabilities and their families''), to participate more effectively 
with professionals in meeting the vocational, independent living, and 
rehabilitation needs of individuals with disabilities. These grants are 
designed to meet the unique training and information needs of those 
individuals who live in the area to be served, particularly those who 
are members of populations that have been unserved or underserved by 
programs under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended 
(Rehabilitation Act).
    Priority: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(v), this priority 
is from allowable activities specified in the statute (see section 
303(c)(2) of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 773(c)(2))).
    Absolute 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 absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we 
consider only applications that meet this priority.
    Background: The purpose of this competition is to fund six Parent 
Training and Information (PTI) centers to meet the information and 
training needs of individuals with disabilities and their families, so 
that such individuals with disabilities can achieve their employment 
and independent living goals. The PTI centers will be distributed 
geographically to the extent possible throughout the country. They will 
be designed to meet the unique training and information needs of 
individuals with disabilities and their families who live in the area 
to be served, particularly those who are members of populations that 
have been unserved or underserved by other Rehabilitation Act programs. 
The centers will coordinate and work closely with the PTI centers 
established pursuant to section 671 of the Individuals with 
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and with centers for independent 
living.
    The Department has funded PTI centers under IDEA for over 35 years. 
Research and experience has demonstrated that the education of youth 
with disabilities can be made more effective by strengthening parents' 
ability to participate fully in their children's education at school 
and at home. For example, research has found that trainings and 
programs, including those provided by the Office of Special Education 
Programs (OSEP), provide parents with much-needed information about how 
to monitor their children's progress, be productive members of the 
Individualized Education Program (IEP) team, and support their 
children's education at school (Newman, 2005).
    In addition to the PTI centers funded under IDEA, the Department 
has funded PTI centers under the Rehabilitation Act since 1993. For 
individuals with disabilities and their families, particularly for 
youth of transition age, the need for information about transition, 
vocational rehabilitation (VR), independent living, and other adult 
services is very critical. The current Federal approach to assisting 
students with disabilities in transitioning to postsecondary education 
or the workforce necessitates that students and their parents navigate 
multiple programs and service systems in order to piece together the 
supports these students need to achieve maximum independence in 
adulthood. Under this complex structure, information dissemination and 
service coordination are essential (GAO, 2012).
    Also, although families may be familiar with the supports provided 
while a youth with disabilities is in secondary school, the options 
available for postsecondary education and training, including how to 
obtain financial aid for such options, can often be daunting. Without 
receiving accurate and timely information about available services, 
students may miss opportunities to access needed services that could 
mean the difference between achieving an optimal level of self-
sufficiency and relying on public assistance to meet their basic needs 
(GAO, 2012). Finally, although many youth with disabilities receive 
work experiences while in secondary school, additional exploration and 
on-the-job training experiences provided through a VR services program 
can introduce them to career possibilities not previously considered.

[[Page 39376]]

    It is noteworthy that 80 percent of the individuals with 
disabilities and family members surveyed by the PTI centers funded from 
FY 2007 to FY 2011 reported that they have an increased knowledge of VR 
services based on the training they received; and that 89 percent of 
individuals with disabilities who received training believed that the 
training was highly relevant to their needs.
    For over the past 20 years, PTI centers have provided information 
and training to thousands of individuals with disabilities and their 
families to help them better understand the varied eligibility 
requirements for, and the complex array of services provided by, 
programs that serve adults with disabilities. Having accurate and user-
friendly information available helps to ensure that individuals with 
disabilities receive the services that will help them achieve their 
employment and independent living goals.

References

Newman, L. (2005). Family Involvement in the Educational Development 
of Youth with Disabilities. National Longitudinal Transition Study 
2. 28 March 2005. Retrieved from: www.nlts2.org/reports/2005_03/nlts2_report_2005_03_complete.pdf.
United States Government Accountability Office (GAO). (2012). Report 
to the Ranking Member, Committee on Education and the Workforce, 
House of Representatives. Students with Disabilities, Better Federal 
Coordination Could Lesson Challenges in the Transition from High 
School. July 2012. Retrieved from: www.gao.gov/assets/600/592329.pdf.

    This priority is:
    Parent Information and Training Program.
    Under this priority grants are awarded for the establishment or 
continuation of projects that provide information and training to 
assist individuals with disabilities and their parents, family members, 
guardians, advocates, or other authorized representatives (hereafter 
collectively referred to as ``individuals with disabilities and their 
families'') to participate more effectively with professionals in 
meeting the vocational, independent living, and rehabilitation needs of 
individuals with disabilities. To be considered for funding under this 
priority, an applicant must meet the application, programmatic, and 
administrative requirements of this priority. The applicant must 
address the following requirements and explain how it will assist 
individuals with disabilities, including youth of transition age, and 
their families to:
    (1) Better understand vocational rehabilitation (VR) and 
independent living programs and services. To meet this requirement, the 
applicant may describe--
    (i) How it will assess the need for information and training 
materials to inform individuals with disabilities and their families 
about VR and independent living services;
    (ii) The materials and training that will be developed to explain 
the VR process and how VR is designed to lead to high-quality 
competitive employment outcomes in the integrated labor market for 
individuals with disabilities;
    (iii) A plan for disseminating the materials developed; and
    (iv) A plan for evaluating the information and training materials 
disseminated.
    (2) Provide follow-up support for transition services and 
employment programs. To meet this requirement, the applicant may 
describe--
    (i) A plan for developing the necessary follow-up activities so 
that individuals with disabilities experience a smooth transition from 
secondary school activities to employment and other post school 
activities;
    (ii) How it will develop and disseminate training materials on 
transition services and employment programs;
    (iii) A plan for evaluating the information and training materials 
disseminated on transition services and employment programs; and
    (iv) How it will develop collaborative arrangements with VR service 
providers and employers in the area to be served that will facilitate 
the provision of transition services and employment programs to support 
individuals with disabilities and their families.
    (3) Communicate more effectively with transition and rehabilitation 
personnel and other relevant professionals. To meet this requirement, 
the applicant may describe--
    (i) How training will be provided to individuals with disabilities 
and their families to help them understand the language and the frame 
of reference that rehabilitation professionals use in their work so 
that such individuals and their families will be capable of 
communicating effectively with such professionals;
    (ii) How the needs of individuals with disabilities and their 
families who are from culturally diverse backgrounds or who have 
varying communication needs will be addressed; and
    (iii) How the effectiveness of the training will be evaluated.
    (4) Provide support in the development of individualized plans for 
employment (IPEs). To meet this requirement the applicant may 
describe--
    (i) How it will provide training to individuals with disabilities 
and their families to help them develop IEPs with a focus on transition 
services needed in order to achieve high-quality employment and 
independence and that will later be coordinated with the IPEs developed 
for the individuals; and
    (ii) How it will provide training to individuals with disabilities 
and their families to help them develop comprehensive IPEs leading to 
employment goals consistent with the individuals' strengths, abilities, 
and informed choice.
    (5) Provide support and expertise in obtaining information about 
rehabilitation and independent living programs, services, and resources 
that are appropriate. To meet this requirement the applicant may 
describe--
    (i) How it will develop and disseminate materials to educate 
individuals with disabilities and their families about the array of 
transition, rehabilitation, and independent living services and 
programs available in the area to be served;
    (ii) How it will provide information to individuals with 
disabilities from diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds 
and how it will provide information in accessible formats (e.g., 
languages other than English, or in braille, or large print); and
    (iii) How it will develop relationships with rehabilitation and 
independent living service providers in the area to be served so that 
the information the PTI provides is current and meaningful.
    (6) Understand the provisions of the Rehabilitation Act, 
particularly provisions relating to employment, supported employment, 
and independent living. To meet this requirement the applicant may 
describe--
    (i) How it would train individuals with disabilities and their 
families about how to access, and what to expect from, VR and 
independent living programs available under the Rehabilitation Act and 
how such services and programs can help individuals with disabilities 
achieve their goals in postsecondary education, independent living, and 
high-quality competitive employment in the integrated labor market, 
including supported employment; and
    (ii) How it would provide information to individuals with 
disabilities and their families on the rights such individuals have to 
access these programs and their rights to due process if they are not 
satisfied with the services they receive.


[[Page 39377]]


    Program Authority:  29 U.S.C. 773(c).

    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 
81, 82, 84, 86, 97, and 99. (b) The Education Department suspension and 
debarment regulations in 2 CFR part 3485.

    Note:  The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants 
except federally recognized Indian tribes.


    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: $785,600.
    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: $125,000-$130,933.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $130,000.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding $130,933 for a single budget period of 12 months. The 
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services 
may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal 
Register.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 6.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Private nonprofit organizations that meet 
the requirements in section 303(c)(4) of the Rehabilitation Act.
    A. An applicant must demonstrate the capacity and expertise to 
coordinate training and information activities with centers for 
independent living. In addition an applicant may wish to demonstrate 
the capacity and expertise to coordinate training and information 
activities with schools, VR agencies, and other relevant service 
providers.
    B. An applicant must demonstrate the capacity and expertise to 
coordinate and work closely with parent information and training 
centers established pursuant to section 671 of IDEA.
    C. An applicant must demonstrate the capacity and expertise to 
effectively conduct the training and information activities authorized 
in section 303 of the Rehabilitation Act.
    D. In order to receive a grant under this program, an entity must:
    (1)(A) Be governed by a board of directors that includes 
professionals in the field of VR and on which a majority of the members 
are individuals with disabilities or the parents, family members, 
guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of the individuals. 
In addition, an applicant may include representatives from special 
education and other public and private agencies on the board, as 
appropriate; or
    (B) Alternatively, have a membership that represents the interests 
of individuals with disabilities and must establish a special governing 
committee that includes professionals in the field of VR and on which a 
majority of the members are individuals with disabilities or the 
parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized 
representatives of the individuals. In addition, an applicant may 
include representatives from special education and other public and 
private agencies on the governing committee, as appropriate; and
    (2) Serve individuals with a full range of disabilities, and the 
parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized 
representatives of the individuals.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program 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, from the Education Publications 
Center (ED Pubs), or from the program office. To obtain a copy via the 
Internet, use the following address: www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/. To obtain a copy from ED Pubs, write, fax, or 
call the following: ED Pubs, U.S. Department of Education, P.O. Box 
22207, Alexandria, VA 22304. Telephone, toll free: 1-877-433-7827. FAX: 
(703) 605-6794. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf 
(TDD) or a text telephone (TTY), call, toll free: 1-877-576-7734.
    You can contact ED Pubs at its Web site, also: www.EDPubs.gov or at 
its email address: edpubs@inet.ed.gov.
    If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify 
this competition as follows: CFDA number 84.235F.
    To obtain a copy from the program office, contact Tara Jordan, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., room 5040, Potomac 
Center Plaza (PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2800. Telephone: (202) 245-
7341 or by email: tara.jordan@ed.gov.
    If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), 
toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
    Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application 
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, 
or compact disc) by contacting the 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 (Part III of the application) 
is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that 
reviewers use to evaluate your application. You must limit the 
application narrative to the equivalent of no more than 35 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 Part I, the cover sheet; Part II, 
the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; Part 
IV, the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract.
    All other materials submitted (e.g., resumes, bibliography, or 
letters of support) cannot exceed 30 additional pages.
    We will reject your application if you exceed the page limits.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: July 10, 2014.
    Date of Pre-Application Webinar: Interested parties are invited to 
participate in a pre-application webinar. The pre-application webinar 
with staff from the Department will be held on July 15, 2014. The 
webinar will be recorded. For further information about the pre-
application webinar, contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this notice.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 11, 2014.

[[Page 39378]]

    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 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 subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. However, 
under 34 CFR 79.8(a), we waive the intergovernmental review in order to 
make an award by the end of FY 2014.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification 
Number, and 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 two to five weeks for your TIN to become active.
    The SAM registration process can take approximately seven business 
days, but may take upwards of several weeks, depending on the 
completeness and accuracy of the data entered into the SAM database by 
an entity. Thus, if you think you might want to apply for Federal 
financial assistance under a program administered by the Department, 
please allow sufficient time to obtain and register your DUNS number 
and TIN. We strongly recommend that you register early.

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

    If you are currently registered with SAM, you may not need to make 
any changes. However, please make certain that the TIN associated with 
your DUNS number is correct. Also note that you will need to update 
your registration annually. This may take three or more business days.
    Information about SAM is available at www.SAM.gov. To further 
assist you with obtaining and registering your DUNS number and TIN in 
SAM or updating your existing SAM account, we have prepared a SAM.gov 
Tip Sheet, which you can find at:  https://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/sam-faqs.html.
    In addition, if you are submitting your application via Grants.gov, 
you must (1) be designated by your organization as an Authorized 
Organization Representative (AOR); and (2) register yourself with 
Grants.gov as an AOR. Details on these steps are outlined at the 
following Grants.gov Web page: www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html.
    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 Demonstration and Training: 
Parent Information and Training Program, CFDA number 84.235F, 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 Parent 
Information and Training Program competition 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 84.235, not 84.235F).
    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

[[Page 39379]]

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. 
In addition, for specific guidance and procedures for submitting an 
application through Grants.gov, please refer to the Grants.gov Web site 
at: www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, as described elsewhere in this section, and submit your 
application in paper format.
     You must submit all documents electronically, including 
all information you typically provide on the following forms: The 
Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), the Department of 
Education Supplemental Information for SF 424, Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and 
certifications.
     You must upload any narrative sections and all other 
attachments to your application as files in a PDF (Portable Document) 
read-only, non-modifiable format. Do not upload an interactive or 
fillable PDF file. If you upload a file type other than a read-only, 
non-modifiable PDF or submit a password-protected file, we will not 
review that material.
     Your electronic application must comply with any page-
limit requirements described in this notice.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that 
contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates 
receipt by Grants.gov only, not receipt by the Department.) The 
Department then will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send 
a second notification to you by email. This second notification 
indicates that the Department has received your application and has 
assigned your application a PR/Award number (an ED-specified 
identifying number unique to your application).
     We may request that you provide us original signatures on 
forms at a later date.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical Issues 
with the Grants.gov System: If you are experiencing problems submitting 
your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov 
Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a 
Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it.
    If you are prevented from electronically submitting your 
application on the application deadline date because of technical 
problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension 
until 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to 
enable you to transmit your application electronically or by hand 
delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing 
instructions described elsewhere in this notice.
    If you submit an application after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC 
time, on the application deadline date, please contact the person 
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this 
notice and provide an explanation of the technical problem you 
experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk 
Case Number. We will accept your application if we can confirm that a 
technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that 
problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30:00 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The 
Department will contact you after a determination is made on whether 
your application will be accepted.

    Note:  The extensions to which we refer in this section apply 
only to the unavailability of, or technical problems with, the 
Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed 
to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before 
the application deadline date and time or if the technical problem 
you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system.

    Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement: You qualify for an 
exception to the electronic submission requirement, and may submit your 
application in paper format, if you are unable to submit an application 
through the Grants.gov system because--
     You do not have access to the Internet; or
     You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to 
the Grants.gov system;
    and
     No later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date (14 calendar days or, if the fourteenth calendar day before the 
application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, the next business 
day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement 
to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception 
prevents you from using the Internet to submit your application.
    If you mail your written statement to the Department, it must be 
postmarked no later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date. If you fax your written statement to the Department, we must 
receive the faxed statement no later than two weeks before the 
application deadline date.
    Address and mail or fax your statement to: Tara Jordan, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5040, PCP, 
Washington, DC 20202-2800. FAX: (202) 245-7591.
    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 84.235F), 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,

[[Page 39380]]

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 84.235F), 550 12th Street SW., Room 
7039, 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 CFR 75.210 and 34 CFR 373.10 and are listed in the 
application package.
    2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants 
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, 
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past 
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as 
the applicant's use of funds, 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: The Government Performance and Results Act 
of 1993 (GPRA) directs Federal departments and agencies to improve the 
effectiveness of programs by engaging in strategic planning, setting 
outcome-related goals for programs, and measuring program results 
against those goals. The required annual report must include 
information on two measures: (a) The percentage of individuals with 
disabilities and their families receiving PTI services who report 
enhanced knowledge and understanding of VR services; and (b) the 
percentage of all products and services developed to improve VR service 
utilization deemed to be useful by individuals with disabilities and 
their families receiving PTI services. The data needed to support these 
measures will be collected by grantees via survey, assessed, and 
reported in the aggregate to RSA. Grantees will negotiate targets with 
RSA after the first year, which will be used to establish a baseline.
    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 Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Tara Jordan, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5040, PCP, Washington, DC 
20202-2800. Telephone: (202) 245-7341 or by email: tara.jordan@ed.gov.
    If you use a TDD or TTY, call the FRS, toll free, at 1-800-877-
8339.

VIII. Other Information

    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format 
(e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) on request to 
the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
in section VII of this notice.
    Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free 
Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the 
Code of Federal Regulations is available via the Federal Digital System 
at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you can view this document, as well 
as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal 
Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF 
you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the 
site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal

[[Page 39381]]

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: July 3, 2014.
Michael K. Yudin,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services.
[FR Doc. 2014-16124 Filed 7-9-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P