Applications for New Awards: Rehabilitation Long-Term Training Program-Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, 17548-17555 [2020-06535]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 61 (Monday, March 30, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17548-17555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-06535]



[[Page 17548]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards: Rehabilitation Long-Term Training 
Program--Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling

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

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The mission of the Office of Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is to improve early childhood, 
educational, and employment outcomes and raise expectations for all 
people with disabilities, their families, their communities, and the 
Nation. The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice 
inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2020 for the Rehabilitation 
Long-Term Training program, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 
(CFDA) number 84.129B. The Long-Term Training program will provide 
training in Rehabilitation Counseling. Projects funded under the 
Rehabilitation Long-Term Training competition must meet rigorous 
standards in order to provide rehabilitation professionals the 
knowledge, skills, and qualifications necessary to meet the current 
challenges facing State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies and 
related agencies and to assist youth and adults with disabilities in 
achieving competitive integrated employment outcomes and independent 
living. This priority fosters collaboration between education providers 
and employers and partnerships with one or multiple local or State 
entities to help meet the goals of the project. This notice relates to 
the approved information collection under OMB control number 1820-0018.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: March 30, 2020.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 14, 2020.
    Date of Pre-Application Meeting: The Office of Special Education 
and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) will post a PowerPoint presentation 
that provides general information related to RSA's discretionary grant 
competitions and a PowerPoint presentation specifically related to this 
Rehabilitation Long-Term Training program--Vocational Rehabilitation 
Counseling competition at https://ncrtm.ed.gov/RSAGrantInfo.aspx. OSERS 
will conduct a pre-application meeting specific to this competition via 
conference call in order to respond to questions on April 21, 2020 at 
2:00 p.m. Eastern time. OSERS invites you to send questions to 
[email protected] in advance of the pre-application meeting. The 
teleconference information, including the 84.129B pre-application 
meeting summary of the questions and answers, will be available at 
https://ncrtm.ed.gov/RSAGrantInfo.aspx within 6 days after the pre-
application meeting.

ADDRESSES: For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an 
application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to 
Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the 
Federal Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768) and available at 
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diandrea Bailey, Ph.D., U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 5065A, Potomac 
Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-2800. Telephone: (202) 245-6244. 
Email: [email protected].
    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:

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The Rehabilitation Long-Term Training program, 
Rehabilitation Counseling (84.129B) is designed to support projects 
that provide academic training in areas of personnel shortages 
identified by the Secretary to increase the number of personnel trained 
in providing VR services to individuals with disabilities. Projects 
must be operated in a manner consistent with nondiscrimination 
requirements contained in the U.S. Constitution and the Federal civil 
rights laws.
    Priorities: This competition includes two absolute priorities and 
two competitive preference priorities. The first absolute priority is 
from the notice of final priority for this program published in the 
Federal Register on November 5, 2013 (78 FR 66271) (2013 NFP) 
(www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2013-11-05/pdf/2013-26500.pdf). 
Absolute Priority 2 and Competitive Preference Priority 1 are from the 
Secretary's Final Supplemental Priorities and Definitions for 
Discretionary Grant Programs (Supplemental Priorities) published in the 
Federal Register on March 2, 2018 (83 FR 9096). In accordance with 34 
CFR 75.105(b)(2)(ii), Competitive Preference Priority 2 is from 
regulations (34 CFR 75.255).
    Absolute Priorities: For FY 2020, and any subsequent year in which 
we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, these priorities are absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet these priorities.
    These priorities are:

Absolute Priority 1

    Under this priority, the Department funds programs leading to a 
master's degree in VR counseling. The goal of this priority is to 
increase the skills of VR counseling scholars so that upon successful 
completion they are prepared to effectively meet the needs and demands 
of consumers with disabilities and employers.
    Under this priority, applicants must:
    (a) Provide data on the current and projected employment needs and 
personnel shortages in State VR agencies and other related agencies as 
defined in 34 CFR 386.4 in their local area, region, and State, and 
describe how the proposed program will address those employment needs 
and personnel shortages.
    (b) Describe how the VR counseling program will provide 
rehabilitation counselors the skills and knowledge that will help 
ensure that the individuals with disabilities that they serve can meet 
current demands and emerging trends in the labor market, including how:
    (1) The curriculum provides a breadth of knowledge, experience, and 
rigor that will adequately prepare scholars to meet the employment 
needs and goals of VR consumers and aligns with evidence-based 
practices and with competency-based skills (e.g., advanced counseling 
skills, critical thinking skills, and skills in building collaborative 
relationships) in the field of VR counseling;
    (2) The curriculum prepares scholars to meet all applicable 
certification standards;
    (3) The curriculum addresses new or emerging consumer employment 
needs or trends at the national, State, and regional levels;
    (4) The curriculum teaches scholars to address the needs of 
individuals with a range of disabilities and individuals with 
disabilities who are from diverse cultural backgrounds;
    (5) The curriculum will train scholars to recognize the assistive 
technology needs of consumers throughout the rehabilitation process so 
that they will be better able to coordinate the provision of 
appropriate assistive technology services and devices in order

[[Page 17549]]

to assist the consumer to obtain and retain employment;
    (6) The curriculum will teach scholars to work effectively with 
employers in today's economy, including by teaching strategies for 
developing relationships with employers in their State and local areas, 
identifying employer needs and skill demands, making initial employer 
contacts, presenting job-ready clients to potential employers, and 
conducting follow-up with employers; and
    (7) The latest technology is incorporated into the methods of 
instruction (e.g., the use of distance education to reach scholars who 
live far from the university and the use of technology to acquire labor 
market information).
    (c) Describe their methods to:
    (1) Recruit highly capable prospective scholars who have the 
potential to successfully complete the academic program, all required 
practicum and internship experiences, and the required service 
obligation;
    (2) Educate potential scholars about the terms and conditions of 
the service obligation under 34 CFR 386.4, 386.34, and 386.40 through 
386.43 so that they will be fully informed before accepting a 
scholarship;
    (3) Maintain a system that ensures that scholars sign a payback 
agreement and an exit form when they exit the program, regardless of 
whether they drop out, are removed, or successfully complete the 
program;
    (4) Provide academic support and counseling to scholars throughout 
the course of the academic program to ensure successful completion;
    (5) Ensure that all scholars complete an internship in a State VR 
agency as a requirement for program completion. In such cases where an 
applicant can provide sufficient justification that it is not feasible 
for all students receiving scholarships to meet this requirement, the 
applicant may require scholars to complete an internship in a State VR 
agency or a related agency, as defined in 34 CFR 386.4. Circumstances 
that would constitute sufficient justification may include, but are not 
limited to, a lack of capacity at the State VR agency to provide 
adequate supervision of scholars during their internship experience or 
the physical distance between scholars and the nearest office of the 
State VR agency (e.g., for scholars enrolled in distance-learning 
programs or at rural institutions). Applicants should include written 
justification in the application or provide it to Rehabilitation 
Services Administration (RSA) for review and approval by the 
appropriate RSA Project Officer no later than 30 days prior to a 
scholar beginning an internship in a related agency;
    (6) Provide career counseling, including informing scholars of 
professional contacts and networks, job leads, and other necessary 
resources and information to support scholars in successfully obtaining 
and retaining qualifying employment;
    (7) Maintain regular contact with scholars upon successful program 
completion (e.g., matching scholars with mentors in the field), to 
ensure that they have support during their search for qualifying 
employment as well as support during the initial months of their 
employment;
    (8) Maintain regular communication with scholars after program exit 
to ensure that scholar contact information is up-to-date, and that 
documentation of employment is accurate and meets the regulatory 
requirements for qualifying employment; and
    (9) Maintain accurate information on, while safeguarding the 
privacy of, current and former scholars from the time they are enrolled 
in the program until they successfully meet their service obligation.
    (d) Describe a plan for developing and maintaining partnerships 
with State VR agencies and community-based rehabilitation service 
providers that includes:
    (1) Coordination between the grantee and the State VR agencies and 
community-based rehabilitation service providers that will promote 
qualifying employment opportunities for scholars and formalized on-
boarding and induction experiences for new hires;
    (2) Formal opportunities for scholars to obtain work experiences 
through internships, practicum agreements, job shadowing, and mentoring 
opportunities; and
    (3) A scholar internship assessment tool that is developed to 
ensure a consistent approach to the evaluation of scholars in a 
particular program. The tool should reflect the specific 
responsibilities of the scholar during the internship. The grantee and 
worksite supervisor are encouraged to work together as they see fit to 
develop the assessment tool. Supervisors at the internship site will 
complete the assessment detailing the scholar's strengths and areas for 
improvement that must be addressed and provide the results of the 
assessment to the grantee. The grantee should ensure that (A) scholars 
are provided with a copy of the assessment and all relevant rubrics 
prior to beginning their internship, (B) supervisors have sufficient 
technical support to accurately complete the assessment, and (C) 
scholars receive a copy of the results of the assessment within 90 days 
of the end of their internship.
    (e) Describe how scholars will be evaluated throughout the entire 
program to ensure that they are proficient in meeting the needs and 
demands of today's consumers and employers, including the steps that 
will be taken to provide assistance to a scholar who is not meeting 
academic standards or who is performing poorly in a practicum or 
internship setting.
    (f) Describe how the program will be evaluated. Such a description 
must include:
    (1) How the program will determine its effect over a period of time 
on filling vacancies in the State VR agency with qualified counselors 
capable of providing quality services to consumers;
    (2) How input from State VR agencies and community-based 
rehabilitation service providers will be included in the evaluation;
    (3) How feedback from consumers of VR services and employers 
(including the assessments described in paragraph (d)(3)) will be 
included in the evaluation;
    (4) How data from other sources, such as those from the Department, 
on the State VR program will be included in the evaluation; and
    (5) How the data and results from the evaluation will be used to 
make necessary adjustments and improvements to the program.

Absolute Priority 2

    Background: Cost sharing of at least 10 percent of the total cost 
of the project is required by 34 CFR 386.30 for grantees under the 
Rehabilitation Long-Term Training program. To the extent that the 
Department uses funds set aside under section 21 of the Rehabilitation 
Act to make awards to minority entities or Indian tribes to carry out 
activities under authorized title III programs, such as the 
Rehabilitation Long-Term Training program, we require cost sharing 
equal to that of the programs under which the award is made. Therefore, 
we have included an absolute priority for matching support through non-
Federal contributions, either in cash or in-kind donations. Although 
the cash or in-kind resources to be contributed must be at least 10 
percent of the total grant award, we encourage a higher percentage 
through the competitive preference priority included within this 
absolute priority.
    Applicants must address this absolute priority, and the competitive 
preference priority, if applicable, in the budget information (ED Form 
524, Section B) and budget narrative. The applicant

[[Page 17550]]

must propose the amount of cash or in-kind resources to be contributed 
for each year of the grant.
    Priority: Projects that are designed to demonstrate matching 
support[thinsp]for the proposed project at 10 percent of the total 
amount of the grant.
    Competitive Preference Priority 1: Within this absolute priority, 
for FY 2020 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the 
list of unfunded applications from this competition, we give 
competitive preference to applications that address the following 
priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we award an additional three 
points to an application that meets paragraph (a) of the competitive 
preference priority and an additional five points to an application 
that meets paragraph (b) of the competitive preference priority.
    This priority is:
    Projects that are designed to demonstrate matching support for the 
proposed projects:
    (a) 50 percent of the total amount of the grant (3 points); or
    (b) 100 percent of the total amount of the grant (5 points).
    Note: This competitive preference priority match is not mandatory, 
but if an applicant responds to and meets the criteria outlined in the 
Competitive Preference Priority 1, an additional three or five points 
will be applied to the application score. Cost sharing of at least 10 
percent of the total cost of the project is mandatory of all grantees 
under the Rehabilitation Long-Term Training program.
    Competitive Preference Priority 2: For FY 2020 and any subsequent 
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications 
from this competition, this priority is a competitive preference 
priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we award an additional two 
points to an application that meets Competitive Preference Priority 2.
    Competitive Preference Priority 2--Novice Applications (2 points)
    (a) Under this priority, an applicant must demonstrate that the 
applicant--
    (i) Has never received a grant or subgrant under this program;
    (ii) Has never been a member of a group application, submitted in 
accordance with 34 CFR 75.127-75.129, that received a grant under this 
program; and
    (iii) Has not had an active discretionary grant from the Federal 
Government in the five years before the deadline date for applications 
under this program.
    (b) For the purpose of this priority, a grant is active until the 
end of the grant's project or funding period, including any extensions 
of those periods that extend the grantee's authority to obligate funds.
    Program Requirements: The program requirements for this competition 
are from 34 CFR part 386 and are as follows:
    Grantees are required to maintain a system that safeguards the 
privacy of current and former scholars from the time they are enrolled 
in the program until they successfully meet their service obligation 
through qualified employment or monetary repayment. This system must 
ensure that the payback agreement is signed by each scholar prior to 
the disbursement of initial funds and for each subsequent year that 
funds are disbursed and contain the terms and conditions outlined in 
the regulations at 34 CFR part 386.
    Each grantee must--
    (a) Provide an original signed/executed payback agreement to RSA 
(34 CFR 386.34(c) and (d)), regardless of whether the scholars drop 
out, are removed, or successfully complete the program;
    (b) Establish, publish, and apply reasonable standards for 
measuring whether a scholar is maintaining satisfactory progress in the 
scholar's program of study (34 CFR 386.34(e));
    (c) Ensure exit certification forms are signed by each scholar and 
clearly delineate pertinent grant information and the scholar's 
responsibilities to meet the service obligation (34 CFR 386.34(f));
    (d) Collect documentation that the employment, not including work 
completed as part of an internship, practicum, or other work-related 
requirement necessary to complete the educational program (34 CFR 
386.34(g)(2)), meets the requirements of 34 CFR 386.40(a)(7); and
    (e) Maintain payback records for not less than one year beyond the 
period when all scholars have completed their service obligation or 
entered into repayment. (34 CFR 386.34(g) and 34 CFR 386.34(j)).
    Specifically, each grantee is required to maintain the following 
scholar information:
    (a) Current contact information for all students receiving 
scholarships, including home address, email, and a phone number (home 
or cell).
    (b) A point of contact for each scholar in the event that the 
grantee is unable to contact the student. This contact must be at least 
21 years of age and may be a parent, relative, spouse, partner, 
sibling, or guardian.
    (c) Cumulative financial support granted to scholars.
    (d) Scholar debt in years.
    (e) Program completion date and reason for exit for each scholar.
    (f) Annual documentation from the scholar's employer(s) until the 
scholar completes the service obligation. This documentation must 
include the following elements in order to verify qualified employment: 
start date of employment to the present date, confirmation of full-time 
or part-time employment (if the scholar is working part-time the number 
of hours per week must be included in the documentation), type of 
employment, and a description of the roles and responsibilities 
performed on the job. This information is required for each employer if 
the scholar has worked in more than one setting in order to meet the 
service obligation.
    (g) If the scholar is employed in a related agency, documentation 
to validate that there is a relationship between the related agency and 
the State VR agency. This may be a formal or informal contract, 
cooperative agreement, memorandum of understanding, or related 
document.
    (h) Annual documentation from the scholar's institution of higher 
education to verify dates of deferral, if applicable. An educational 
deferral may be granted to the scholar who is pursuing higher education 
specifically in the field of rehabilitation but not to a scholar 
pursuing education in any other field of study (Sec.  386.41(b)(1)). 
The documentation may be prepared by the scholar's advisor or 
department chair and must include: confirmation of enrollment date, 
estimated graduation date, confirmation that the scholar is enrolled in 
a full-time course of study, and confirmation of the scholar's intent 
to fulfill the service obligation upon completion of the program.
    Grantees are required to report annually to RSA on the data 
elements described above using the RSA Grantee Reporting Form, OMB 
number 1820-0617, an electronic reporting system supported by the RSA 
Payback Information Management System (PIMS). In addition, grantees 
must use all forms required by RSA to prepare and process repayment, as 
well as requests for deferral and exceptions. The RSA Grantee Reporting 
Form collects specific data, including the number of scholars entering 
the rehabilitation workforce, the rehabilitation field each scholar 
enters, and the type of employment setting each scholar chooses (e.g., 
State VR agency, nonprofit service provider, or professional practice 
group). This form allows RSA to measure results against the goal of 
increasing the number of

[[Page 17551]]

qualified VR personnel working in State VR and related agencies.
    Grantees are required to inform the scholars that upon graduation 
they will need to verify the accuracy of data in the system, submit 
employment data, request exceptions and deferrals, and upload 
documentation in PIMS; and grantees and scholars are required to inform 
the employers that they will be required to verify scholar employment 
information within the PIMS.
    In addition, all Rehabilitation Long-Term Training grantees must 
submit the following quantitative and qualitative data in a semiannual 
and annual performance report:
    (a) Program activities that occurred during each fiscal year from 
October 1 to March 31 and projected program activities to occur from 
April 1 to September 30 should be included in the semiannual 
performance report. Program activities that occur during each fiscal 
year from October 1 to September 30 must be included in the annual 
performance report. For subsequent reporting years, grantees confirm 
projections made from the prior year.
    (b) Summary of academic support and counseling provided to scholars 
to ensure successful completion.
    (c) Summary of career counseling provided to scholars upon program 
completion to ensure that they have support during their search for 
qualifying employment, as well as during their initial months of their 
employment. This may include but is not limited to informing scholars 
of professional contacts, networks, and job leads, matching scholars 
with mentors in the field, and connecting scholars to other necessary 
resources and information.
    (d) Summary of partnership and coordination activities with State 
VR agencies and community-based rehabilitation providers. This may 
include, but is not limited to, obtaining input and feedback regarding 
curricula from State VR agencies and community-based rehabilitation 
providers; organizing internships, practicum agreements, job shadowing, 
and mentoring opportunities; and assessing scholars at the work site.
    (e) Assistance provided to scholars who may not be meeting academic 
standards or who are performing poorly in a practicum or internship 
setting.
    (f) Results of the program evaluation, as well as information 
describing how these results will be used to make necessary adjustments 
and improvements to the program.
    (g) Results from scholar internship, practicum, job shadowing, or 
mentoring assessments, as well as information describing how those 
results will be used to ensure that future scholars receive all 
necessary preparation and training prior to program completion.
    (h) Results from scholar evaluations and information describing how 
these results will be used to ensure that future scholars will be 
proficient in meeting the needs and demands of today's consumers and 
employers.
    (i) Number of scholars who began an internship during the reporting 
period.
    (j) Number of scholars who completed an internship during the 
reporting period.
    (k) Number of scholars who dropped out or were dismissed from the 
program during the reporting period.
    (l) Number of scholars receiving RSA scholarships during the 
reporting period.
    (m) Number of scholars who graduated from the program during the 
reporting period.
    (n) Number of scholars who obtained qualifying employment during 
the reporting period.
    (o) Number of vacancies filled in the State VR agency with 
qualified counselors from the program during the reporting period.
    (p) A budget and narrative detailing expenditures covering the 
period of October 1 through March 31 and projected expenditures from 
April 1 through September 30. The budget narrative must also verify 
progress towards meeting the 10 percent match requirement. For 
subsequent reporting years, grantees will confirm projections made from 
the prior year.
    (q) Other information, as requested by RSA, in order to verify 
substantial progress and effectively report program impact to Congress 
and key stakeholders.
    Fourth and Fifth Years of the Project: In deciding whether to 
continue funding any Rehabilitation Long-Term Training grant for the 
fourth and fifth years, the Department will consider the requirements 
of 34 CFR 75.253(a), including:
    (a) The recommendation of the RSA project officer who will monitor 
the reported annual performance of the grantee's training program and 
measure it against the projections stated in the grantee's application. 
This review will consider the number of students actually enrolled in 
the grantee's training program, the number of students who successfully 
enter qualifying employment with the State VR agencies, and the number 
who obtain qualifying employment at other related agencies;
    (b) The timeliness and effectiveness with which all requirements of 
the grant award have been or are being met by the grantee, including 
the submission of annual performance reports and annual RSA Scholar 
Payback Program reports, and adherence to fiduciary responsibilities 
related to the budget submitted in the application per 2 CFR part 200, 
``Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit 
Requirements for Federal Awards,'' and the Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations; and
    (c) The quality, relevance, and usefulness of the grantee's 
training program and activities and the degree to which the training 
program and activities and their outcomes have contributed to 
significantly improving the quality of VR professionals ready for 
employment with State VR agencies and related agencies, as measured by 
the percentage of students entering qualified employment under 34 CFR 
386.34.
    Note: While applicants may not hire staff or select trainees based 
on race or national origin or ethnicity, they may conduct outreach 
activities to increase the pool of eligible minority candidates. We may 
disqualify and not consider for funding any applicant that indicates 
that it will hire or train a certain number or percentage of minority 
candidates.
    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 772.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 
97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to 
Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 
2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department 
in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 
200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR 
part 3474. (d) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR parts 385 and 
386. (e) The 2013 NFP. (f) The Supplemental Priorities.
    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: $6,184,453.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications,

[[Page 17552]]

we may make additional awards in subsequent years from the list of 
unfunded applications from this competition.
    Estimate Range of Awards: $180,000-$200,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $190,000.
    Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $200,000 for a 
single budget period of 12 months.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 31.
    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: States and public or private nonprofit 
agencies and organizations, including Indian Tribes and institutions of 
higher education.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost sharing of at least 10 percent of 
the total cost of the project is required of grantees under the 
Rehabilitation Long-Term Training program. The Secretary may waive part 
of the non-Federal share of the cost of the project after negotiations 
if the applicant demonstrates that it does not have sufficient 
resources to contribute the entire match (34 CFR 386.30). The Secretary 
does not, as a general matter, anticipate waiving this requirement in 
the future. Furthermore, given the importance of matching funds to the 
long-term success of the project, eligible entities must identify 
appropriate matching funds in the proposed budget. Finally, the 
selection criteria include factors such as ``the adequacy of support, 
including facilities, equipment, supplies, and other resources, from 
the applicant organization or the lead applicant organization'' and 
``the relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in the 
proposed project to the implementation and success of the project,'' 
which may include a consideration of demonstrated matching support.
    Note: Under 34 CFR 75.562(c), an indirect cost reimbursement on a 
training grant is limited to the recipient's actual indirect costs, as 
determined by its negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, or eight 
percent of a modified total direct cost base, whichever amount is less. 
Indirect costs in excess of the limit may not be charged directly, used 
to satisfy matching or cost-sharing requirements, or charged to another 
Federal award.
    Note: Under 34 CFR 386.31(a), a grantee must use at least 65 
percent of the total cost of the project under this program for 
scholarships as defined in 34 CFR 386.4.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to 
follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of 
Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal 
Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768) and available at 
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf, which 
contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.
    2. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of 
projects that may be proposed in applications for the Rehabilitation 
Training: Rehabilitation Long-Term Training competition, your 
application may include business information that you consider 
proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11 we define ``business information'' and 
describe the process we use in determining whether any of that 
information is proprietary and, thus, protected from disclosure under 
Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552, as 
amended).
    Because we plan to make successful applications available to the 
public, you may wish to request confidentiality of business 
information.
    Consistent with Executive Order 12600, please designate in your 
application any information that you believe is exempt from disclosure 
under Exemption 4. In the appropriate Appendix section of your 
application, under ``Other Attachments Form,'' please list the page 
number or numbers on which we can find this information. For additional 
information please see 34 CFR 5.11(c).
    3. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. 
Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under 
Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this 
competition.
    4. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    5. Recommended 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. We recommend 
that you (1) limit the application narrative to no more than 45 pages 
and (2) use 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.
    The recommended 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, the resumes, the bibliography, or the letters of 
support. However, the recommended page limit does apply to all of the 
application narrative.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition 
are from 34 CFR 75.210 and 386.20, and are as follows:
    (a) Relevance to State-Federal vocational rehabilitation service 
program. (10 points)
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that 
shows that the proposed project appropriately relates to the mission of 
the State-Federal vocational rehabilitation service program.
    (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows that the project 
can be expected either--
    (i) To increase the supply of trained personnel available to State 
and other public or nonprofit agencies involved in the rehabilitation 
of individuals with disabilities through degree or certificate granting 
programs; or
    (ii) To improve the skills and quality of professional personnel in 
the rehabilitation field in which the training is to be provided 
through the granting of a degree or certificate.
    (b) Nature and scope of curriculum. (20 points)
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that 
demonstrates the adequacy of the proposed curriculum.
    (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
    (i) The scope and nature of the coursework reflect content that can 
be expected to enable the achievement of the established project 
objectives;
    (ii) The curriculum and teaching methods provide for an integration 
of theory and practice relevant to the educational objectives of the 
program;
    (iii) For programs whose curricula require them, there is evidence 
of

[[Page 17553]]

educationally focused practical and other field experiences in settings 
that ensure student involvement in the provision of vocational 
rehabilitation, supported employment, customized employment, pre-
employment transition services, transition services, or independent 
living rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities, 
especially individuals with significant disabilities;
    (iv) The coursework includes student exposure to vocational 
rehabilitation, supported employment, customized employment, employer 
engagement, and independent living rehabilitation processes, concepts, 
programs, and services; and
    (v) If applicable, there is evidence of current professional 
accreditation by the designated accrediting agency in the professional 
field in which grant support is being requested.
    (c) Quality of project services. (25 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be 
provided by the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the services to be provided by 
the proposed project, the Secretary considers the quality and 
sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal access and treatment for 
eligible project participants who are members of groups that have 
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
origin, gender, age, or disability.
    (3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the training or professional development 
services to be provided by the proposed project are of sufficient 
quality, intensity, and duration to lead to improvements in practice 
among the recipients of those services.
    (ii) The extent to which the training or professional development 
services to be provided by the proposed project are likely to alleviate 
the personnel shortages that have been identified or are the focus of 
the proposed project.
    (iii) The extent to which the services to be provided by the 
proposed project involve the collaboration of appropriate partners for 
maximizing the effectiveness of project services.
    (d) Quality of project personnel. (10 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will 
carry out the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary 
considers the extent to which the applicant encourages applications for 
employment from persons who are members of groups that have 
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
origin, gender, age, or disability.
    (3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of the project director or principal investigator.
    (ii) The qualifications, including relevant training and 
experience, of key project personnel.
    (iii) The qualifications, including relevant training and 
experience, of project consultants or subcontractors.
    (e) Adequacy of resources. (20 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources for the 
proposed project.
    (2) In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment, 
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the 
lead applicant organization.
    (ii) The relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in 
the proposed project to the implementation and success of the project.
    (iii) The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the 
proposed project.
    (iv) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to 
the number of persons to be served and to the anticipated results and 
benefits.
    (v) The potential for continued support of the project after 
Federal funding ends, including, as appropriate, the demonstrated 
commitment of appropriate entities to such support.
    (f) Quality of the management plan. (15 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for 
the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the management plan for the 
proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives 
of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly 
defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing 
project tasks.
    (ii) The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality products 
and services from the proposed project.
    (iii) The extent to which the time commitments of the project 
director and principal investigator and other key project personnel are 
appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed 
project.
    In addition to the selection criteria listed above, the Secretary, 
in making awards under this program and in accordance with 34 CFR 
385.33, considers such factors as the two listed below from 34 CFR 
385.33, which will not be scored by the peer review panel--
    (a) The geographical distribution of projects in each 
Rehabilitation Training program category throughout the country; and
    (b) The past performance of the applicant in carrying out similar 
training activities under previously awarded grants, as indicated by 
such factors as compliance with grant conditions, soundness of 
programmatic and financial management practices, and attainment of 
established project objectives.
    These criteria will be used after non-Federal reviewers score the 
applications. The criterion related to geographical distribution of 
projects will be applied to fund applications out of rank order if the 
top-ranked applications do not represent a geographical distribution 
throughout the country. The criterion related to past performance will 
be applied to all applications that are recommended for funding.
    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 
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 
(34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    When reviewing prior performance under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3) and 
conducting risk assessments pursuant to 2 CFR 200.205, the Secretary 
will consider factors such as whether applicants have demonstrated 
sufficient institutional capacity through the commitment of adequate 
resources, as described in the selection criteria, and suitable past 
performance to fully implement multiple awards. In reviewing capacity, 
the Secretary will consider factors such as whether

[[Page 17554]]

potential grantees have demonstrated sufficient staffing, an adequate 
pool of potential scholars, and existing relationships with VR and 
related agencies to place scholars from multiple grants in appropriate 
internships. Based on these reviews, the Secretary will take 
appropriate action under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), 2 CFR 200.205, and 2 CFR 
3474.10, before making awards to a grantee.
    3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.205, before awarding grants under this competition the Department 
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 
3474.10, the Secretary may impose specific conditions and, in 
appropriate circumstances, high-risk 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 2 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not 
fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not 
responsible.
    4. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this 
competition to receive an award that over the course of the project 
period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently 
$250,000), under 2 CFR 200.205(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your 
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal 
awards--that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant--before we make 
an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that 
is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as 
the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System 
(FAPIIS)), accessible through the System for Award Management. You may 
review and comment on any information about yourself that a Federal 
agency previously entered and that is currently in FAPIIS.
    Please note that, if the total value of your currently active 
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the 
Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity 
information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal 
funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.

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. Open Licensing Requirements: Unless an exception applies, if you 
are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to 
openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in 
part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of 
modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends only to those 
modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent 
that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or 
other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works. 
Additionally, a grantee or subgrantee that is awarded competitive grant 
funds must have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables. 
This dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your 
application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional 
information on the open licensing requirements please refer to 2 CFR 
3474.20.
    4. 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 multiyear award, you must submit semiannual 
and annual performance reports that provide 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.
    5. 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.
    GPRA Measure 1: The percentage of master's level counseling 
graduates fulfilling their payback requirements through qualifying 
employment.
    GPRA Measure 2: The percentage of master's level counseling 
graduates fulfilling their payback requirements through qualifying 
employment in State VR agencies.
    GPRA Measure 3: The Federal cost per master's level RSA-supported 
rehabilitation counseling graduate.
    In addition, the following RSA Program Measures apply to the 
Rehabilitation Long-Term Training program:
    Program Measure 1: Number of scholars enrolled during the reporting 
period.
    Program Measure 2: Number of scholars who dropped out or were 
dismissed from the program during the reporting period.
    Program Measure 3: Number of scholars who graduated with a master's 
degree from the program during the reporting period.
    Program Measure 4: Number of scholars who obtained employment in a 
State VR agency during the reporting period.
    Program Measure 5: Number of scholars who maintained or advanced in 
their employment in a State VR agency during the reporting period.
    Annual project progress toward meeting project goals must be posted 
on the project website or university website.
    6. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR 
75.253, the Secretary considers, among other things: whether a grantee 
has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of 
the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is 
consistent with its approved application and budget; and, if the 
Secretary has established performance measurement requirements, the 
performance targets in the grantee's approved application.
    In making a continuation award, 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

[[Page 17555]]

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. 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.
    Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may 
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of 
Federal Regulations at www.govinfo.gov. 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 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.

Mark Schultz,
Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration. Delegated the 
authority to perform the functions and duties of the Assistant 
Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services.
[FR Doc. 2020-06535 Filed 3-27-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P