Applications for New Awards; Native American Career and Technical Education Program (NACTEP), 76548-76559 [2020-26112]

Download as PDF 76548 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 230 / Monday, November 30, 2020 / Notices utility of the full study, presenting the overarching plan for all of the phases of the data collection and providing as much detail about the measures to be used as is available at the time of this submission. As part of this submission, NCES is publishing a notice in the Federal Register allowing first a 60- and then a 30-day public comment period. Field test materials, procedures, and results will inform the full-scale study. After completion of the field test, NCES will publish a notice in the Federal Register allowing additional 30-day public comment period on the final details of the BPS:20/22 full-scale study. Dated: November 23, 2020. Stephanie Valentine, PRA Coordinator, Strategic Collections and Clearance Governance and Strategy Division, Office of Chief Data Officer, Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development. [FR Doc. 2020–26268 Filed 11–27–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION [Docket No.: ED–2020–SCC–0153] Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Application for Grants Under the Predominantly Black Institutions Formula Grant Program Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), Department of Education (ED). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is proposing a reinstatement without change of a previously approved collection. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before December 30, 2020. ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for proposed information collection requests should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/ do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection request by selecting ‘‘Department of Education’’ under ‘‘Currently Under Review,’’ then check ‘‘Only Show ICR for Public Comment’’ checkbox. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For specific questions related to collection activities, please contact Bernadette Miles, 202–453–7892. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Education (ED), in TKELLEY on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:03 Nov 27, 2020 Jkt 253001 accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. It also helps the public understand the Department’s information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. ED is soliciting comments on the proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below. The Department of Education is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Please note that written comments received in response to this notice will be considered public records. Title of Collection: Application for Grants Under the Predominantly Black Institutions Formula Grant Program. OMB Control Number: 1840–0812. Type of Review: A reinstatement without change of a previously approved collection. Respondents/Affected Public: Private Sector. Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 11. Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 220. Abstract: The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 amended Title III, Part A of the Higher Education Act to include Section 318—the Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) Program. The PBI Program makes 5-year grant awards to eligible colleges and universities to plan, develop, undertake and implement programs to enhance the institution’s capacity to serve more lowand middle-income Black American students; to expand higher education opportunities for eligible students by encouraging college preparation and student persistence in secondary school and postsecondary education; and to strengthen the financial ability of the institution to serve the academic needs of these students. PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Dated: November 24, 2020. Kate Mullan, PRA Coordinator, Strategic Collections and Clearance, Governance and Strategy Division, Office of Chief Data Officer, Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development. [FR Doc. 2020–26326 Filed 11–27–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Applications for New Awards; Native American Career and Technical Education Program (NACTEP) Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, Department of Education. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for the Native American Career and Technical Education Program (NACTEP), Assistance Listing number 84.101A. This notice relates to the approved information collection under OMB control number 1830–0542. DATES: Applications Available: November 30, 2020. Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: Applicants are strongly encouraged, but not required, to submit a notice of intent to apply by December 30, 2020. Date of Pre-Application Meeting: December 9, 2020. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: [INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. Pre-Application Webinar Information: The Department will hold a preapplication meeting via webinar for prospective applicants on December 9, 2020. More information about the webinar can be found in the application package. 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: Jenny Lambert, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Potomac Center Plaza, Room 11–070, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 245–6899. Email: NACTEP@ ed.gov. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\30NON1.SGM 30NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 230 / Monday, November 30, 2020 / Notices telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877– 8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Full Text of Announcement TKELLEY on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with NOTICES I. Funding Opportunity Description Purpose of Program: NACTEP provides grants to improve career and technical education (CTE) programs that are consistent with the purposes of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, as amended by the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (the Act or Perkins V) and that benefit Native Americans and Alaska Natives. Background: This notice invites applications for a NACTEP competition that implements the reauthorized section 116 of the Act. As under the prior law, section 116 of the Act continues to authorize the Secretary of Education (Secretary) to award grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Alaska Native entities to operate CTE projects that improve CTE for Native American and Alaska Native students. Under section 116 of the Act, a Bureau-funded school (as defined in this notice) is not eligible to apply for NACTEP funds for its general education program. Its application must be to carry out a supplemental CTE program in its secondary school. Statutory Changes Affecting NACTEP: For the convenience of applicants, we summarize in this notice some of the major statutory changes made to the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 by the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act that are relevant to NACTEP. This summary is not meant to be comprehensive of all Perkins V changes applicable to NACTEP. (a) Purpose. Congress amended the statement of purpose of the law in the Act, most significantly by adding, as a new purpose, increasing employment opportunities for populations who are chronically unemployed or underemployed, including individuals with disabilities, individuals from economically disadvantaged families, out-of-workforce individuals, youth who are in, or have aged out of, the foster care system, and homeless individuals (20 U.S.C. 2301(8)). Other amendments to the purpose incorporate references to programs of study and the development of employability skills by students; delete the term ‘‘tech-prep education’’; and change a reference to ‘‘high-demand occupations’’ to ‘‘in- VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:03 Nov 27, 2020 Jkt 253001 demand occupation,’’ a new term defined by the Act (20 U.S.C. 2302(26)). (b) Definitions. Congress amended the definitions of certain terms that affect NACTEP. Most significant among these are changes to the definition of ‘‘career and technical education’’ in section 3(5) of the Act (20 U.S.C. 2302(5)). The new definition of CTE now includes that CTE programs may provide ‘‘a recognized postsecondary credential,’’ as defined in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA),1 and that CTE may include ‘‘career exploration at the high school level or as early as the middle grades (as such term is defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965)’’.2 The amended definition of CTE also provides that, to the extent practicable, CTE should include coordination between secondary and postsecondary education programs through programs of study, which may include coordination through articulation agreements, early college high school programs, dual or concurrent enrollment program opportunities, or other credit transfer agreements that provide postsecondary credit or advanced standing. Additionally, the definition of CTE now includes work-based learning. For NACTEP grantees, this means that students may be paid stipends not only for time they spend in class receiving instruction, but also for participating in unpaid work-based learning that is part of a CTE program that meets the Act’s definition of CTE. Congress also made significant changes to the definition of ‘‘special populations’’ (20 U.S.C. 2302 (48)). The Act now includes three additional subpopulations within this definition: homeless individuals described in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a); youth who are in, or have aged out of, the foster care system; and youth with a parent who is a member of the armed forces (as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(a)(4)) and who is on active duty (as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(d)(1)). Also, the term ‘‘displaced homemakers’’ has been removed and replaced by the term ‘‘out-of-workforce individuals,’’ which includes: displaced homemakers, as 1 Section 3(52) of WIOA defines the term ‘‘recognized postsecondary credential’’ to mean ‘‘a credential consisting of an industry-recognized certificate or certification, a certificate of completion of an apprenticeship, a license recognized by the State involved or Federal Government, or an associate or baccalaureate degree.’’ 2 Section 8101(32) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA), defines the term ‘‘middle grades’’ to mean ‘‘any of grades 5 through 8.’’ PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 76549 defined in section 3 of WIOA (29 U.S.C. 3102); and unemployed or underemployed individuals who are experiencing difficulty in obtaining or upgrading employment who are either an individual who has worked primarily without remuneration to care for a home and family, and for that reason has diminished marketable skills, or is a parent whose youngest dependent child will become ineligible to receive assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program not later than two years after the date on which the parent applies for TANF assistance (20 U.S.C. 2302(36)). Additionally, the term ‘‘individuals with limited English proficiency’’ has been changed to ‘‘English learners’’ and the definition of this latter term has been aligned with the definition of this term in ESEA so that it now includes any secondary student who is an English learner as defined by section 8101 of ESEA (20 U.S.C. 2302 (22)). Finally, the Act now includes a definition of ‘‘work-based learning’’ (20 U.S.C. 2302(55)). (c) Authorized activities. A new allowable use of funds in the Act permits NACTEP grant funds to be used to provide preparatory, refresher, and remedial education services that are designed to enable students to achieve success in CTE programs or programs of study (20 U.S.C. 2326(c)(2)). Tribal Consultation: In accordance with the Department’s commitment to engage in regular and meaningful consultation and collaboration with Indian Tribes, the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) and the White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education conducted a Tribal Consultation regarding NACTEP on April 27, 2020. Consistent with the Department’s trust responsibility to Tribes and its Tribal Consultation Policy, views were sought from elected officials of federally recognized Tribes as well as stakeholders and educators from the Tribal community to inform the Department’s policy decisions related to changes in the Act pertaining to allowable uses of funds, the definition of CTE, and student stipends. The consultation also included discussion of the independent evaluation requirement established by the notice of final requirements, definitions, and selection criteria for this program (Notice of Final Requirements), published in the Federal Register on February 26, 2013 (78 FR E:\FR\FM\30NON1.SGM 30NON1 TKELLEY on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with NOTICES 76550 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 230 / Monday, November 30, 2020 / Notices 12955), the integration of services, and improving CTE student outcomes.3 Requirements and Selection Criteria: This notice includes application and program requirements and selection criteria that are based on statutory requirements or the Notice of Final Requirements, but that are established in accordance with section 437(d)(1) of General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) in order to make some modifications to those requirements and selection criteria. Priority: This priority is from the Secretary’s notice of final supplemental priorities and definitions, published in the Federal Register on March 2, 2018 (83 FR 9096) (Supplemental Priorities). Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2021, 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 up to an additional five points to an application, depending on how well the application meets this competitive preference priority. If an applicant chooses to address this competitive preference priority, the project narrative section of its application must identify its response to the competitive preference priority. This priority is: Promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) Education, With a Particular Focus on Computer Science (up to 5 points). Projects that are designed to improve student achievement or other educational outcomes in one or more of the following areas: Science, technology, engineering, math, or computer science (as defined in this notice). These projects must address increasing access to STEM coursework, including computer science, and hands-on learning opportunities, such as through expanded course offerings, dualenrollment, high-quality online coursework, or other innovative delivery mechanisms. Requirements: These application and program requirements are established in accordance with section 437(d)(1) of GEPA unless a specific statutory or regulatory citation for the requirement is provided. The application requirements are: (1) An eligible applicant (as determined by the Act) must include documentation in its application showing that it and, if appropriate, its consortium members are eligible to apply. 3 Notes from the Tribal consultation are available on the Department’s website at https://cte.ed.gov/ cal/tribal-consultation-nactep-april-27-2020. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:03 Nov 27, 2020 Jkt 253001 As defined in the Indian SelfDetermination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) (25 U.S.C. 5304(l)), the term ‘‘Tribal organization’’ means the recognized governing body of any Indian Tribe; any legally established organization of Indians which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body or which is democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to be served by such organization and which includes the maximum participation of Indians in all phases of its activities: provided, that in any case where a contract is let or grant made to an organization to perform services benefiting more than one Indian Tribe, the approval of each such Indian Tribe shall be a prerequisite to the letting or making of such contract or grant. In accordance with this statutory definition, any Tribal organization proposing to provide NACTEP services for the benefit of more than one Indian Tribe must first obtain the approval of each Indian Tribe it proposes to serve and must submit documentation of such approval with its NACTEP application and that documentation of Tribal approval is a prerequisite to the awarding of a NACTEP grant to any Tribal organization proposing to serve more than one Indian Tribe. (2) An applicant that is not proposing to provide CTE directly to its students and proposes instead to use NACTEP funds to pay one or more qualified education providers to provide CTE to its students must include with its application a signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the applicant and that entity. The MOU must describe the commitment between the applicant and each education provider and must include, at a minimum, a statement of the responsibilities of the applicant and the education provider, including a description of the CTE programming to be provided. The MOU must be signed by the appropriate individuals on behalf of each party, such as the authorizing official or president of a Tribe or Tribal organization, a Bureau-funded school, a college president, or a college dean. (3) An applicant must indicate whether it intends to consolidate FY 2021 NACTEP funds into a current or future 477 plan as described in Program Requirement 5. Any request to consolidate NACTEP funds into a 477 plan must be made separately to the U.S. Department of Interior. The program requirements are: Requirement 1—Authorized Programs (a) Section 116(e) of the Act requires the Secretary to ensure that activities PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 funded under NACTEP ‘‘will improve career and technical education programs’’ (20 U.S.C. 2326(e)), as the term ‘‘career and technical education’’ is defined by the Act as amended by the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (20 U.S.C. 2302 (5)). Therefore, under NACTEP, the Assistant Secretary will award grants to carry out projects that— (1) Propose organized educational activities offering a sequence of courses that— (A) Provide individuals with rigorous academic content and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in current or emerging professions, which may include high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations, which shall be, at the secondary level, aligned with the challenging State academic standards adopted by a State under section 1111(b)(1) of the ESEA; (B) Provide technical skill proficiency or a recognized postsecondary credential, which may include an industry-recognized credential, a certificate, or an associate degree; and (C) May include prerequisite courses that meet the requirements of this subparagraph; (2) Include competency-based, workbased, or other applied learning that supports the development of academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of an industry, including entrepreneurship, of an individual; (3) To the extent practicable, coordinate between secondary and postsecondary education programs through programs of study, which may include coordination through articulation agreements, early college high school programs, dual or concurrent enrollment program opportunities, or other credit transfer agreements that provide postsecondary credit or advanced standing; and (4) May include career exploration at the high school level or as early as the middle grades (as such term is defined in section 8101 of ESEA). (b) Special rule. Notwithstanding section 3(5)(A)(iii) of the Act, which excludes remedial courses from the definition of ‘‘career and technical education,’’ funds made available under NACTEP for CTE may be used to provide preparatory, refresher, and remedial education services that are designed to enable students to achieve success in CTE programs or programs of study. E:\FR\FM\30NON1.SGM 30NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 230 / Monday, November 30, 2020 / Notices (c) Assistance to Bureau-funded secondary schools. An Indian Tribe, a Tribal organization, or an Alaska Native entity that receives funds through a NACTEP grant or contract may use the funds to provide assistance to a secondary school operated or supported by the U.S. Department of the Interior to enable such school to carry out CTE programs. (Section 116(b)(3) of the Act) Note: A Bureau-funded secondary school is not eligible to directly apply for NACTEP funds for its general education secondary school program. Its application must be to carry out a supplemental CTE program in its secondary school. TKELLEY on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with NOTICES Requirement 2—Evaluation To help ensure the high quality of NACTEP projects and the achievement of the goals and purposes of section 116 of the Act, each grantee must budget for and conduct an ongoing evaluation of its NACTEP project. An independent evaluator must conduct the evaluation. The evaluation must be appropriate for the project and be both formative and summative in nature. Requirement 3—Student Stipends In accordance with section 116(c)(3) of the Act, a portion of an award under this program may be used to provide stipends (as defined in this notice) to one or more students to help meet the students’ costs of participation in a NACTEP project. A grantee must apply the following procedures for determining student eligibility for stipends and appropriate amounts to be awarded as stipends: (1) To be eligible for a stipend a student must— (i) Be enrolled in a CTE project funded under this program; (ii) Be in regular attendance in a NACTEP project and meet the training institution’s attendance requirement; (iii) Maintain satisfactory progress in his or her program of study according to the training institution’s published standards for satisfactory progress; and (iv) Have an acute economic need that— (A) Prevents participation in a CTE in a project funded under this program without a stipend; and (B) Cannot be met through a workstudy program. (2) The amount of a stipend is the greater of either the minimum hourly wage prescribed by State or local law or the minimum hourly wage established under the Fair Labor Standards Act. (3) A grantee may only award a stipend if the stipend combined with other resources the student receives does not exceed the student’s financial VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:03 Nov 27, 2020 Jkt 253001 need. A student’s financial need is the difference between the student’s cost of attendance and the financial aid or other resources available to defray the student’s cost of participating in a NACTEP project. (4) To calculate the amount of a student’s stipend, a grantee would multiply the number of hours a student actually attends CTE instruction by the amount of the minimum hourly wage that is prescribed by State or local law, or by the minimum hourly wage that is established under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Example: If a grantee uses the Fair Labor Standards Act minimum hourly wage of $7.25 and a student attends classes and/or participates in workbased learning (WBL) for 20 hours a week, the student’s stipend would be $145 for the week during which the student attends classes ($7.25 × 20 = $145.00). Note: In accordance with applicable Department statutory requirements and administrative regulations, grantees must maintain records that fully support their decisions to award stipends and the amounts that are paid, such as proof of a student’s enrollment in a CTE program or program of study supported with NACTEP funds, stipend applications, timesheets showing the number of attendance hours confirmed in writing by an instructor, student financial status information, and evidence that a student would not be able to participate in the CTE program or program of study supported with NACTEP funds without a stipend. (Notice of Final Requirements). (5) An eligible student may receive a stipend when taking a course for the first time. However, generally, a stipend may not be provided to a student who has already taken, completed, and had the opportunity to benefit from a course and is merely repeating the course. (6) An applicant must include in its application the procedure it intends to use to determine student eligibility for stipends and stipend amounts, and its oversight procedures for the awarding and payment of stipends. (Notice of Final Requirements). Requirement 4—Direct Assistance to Students A grantee may provide direct assistance to students if the following conditions are met: (1) The recipient of the direct assistance is an individual who is a member of a special population and who is participating in the grantee’s NACTEP project. PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 76551 (2) The direct assistance is needed to address barriers to the individual’s successful participation in that project. (3) The direct assistance is part of a broader, more generally focused program or activity to address the needs of an individual who is a member of a special population. Note: Direct assistance to individuals who are members of special populations is not, by itself, a ‘‘program or activity for special populations.’’ (4) The grant funds used for direct assistance must be expended to supplement, and not supplant, assistance that is otherwise available from non-Federal sources. (20 U.S.C. 2391(a)). For example, generally, a postsecondary educational institution could not use NACTEP funds to provide child care for single parents if nonFederal funds previously were made available for this purpose, or if nonFederal funds are used to provide child care services for single parents participating in non-CTE programs and these services otherwise would have been available to CTE students in the absence of NACTEP funds. (5) In determining how much of the NACTEP grant funds it will use for direct assistance to an eligible student, a grantee must consider whether the specific services to be provided are a reasonable and necessary cost of providing CTE programs for special populations. However, the Assistant Secretary does not envision a circumstance in which it would be a reasonable and necessary expenditure of NACTEP project funds for a grantee to use a majority of a project’s budget to pay direct assistance to students, in lieu of providing the students served by the project with CTE. (Notice of Final Requirements). Requirement 5—Integration of Services Section 116(f) of the Act provides that a Tribe, Tribal organization, or Alaska Native entity receiving financial assistance under this program may integrate those funds with assistance received from related programs in accordance with the provisions of Public Law 115–93, the Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Consolidation Act of 2017 (25 U.S.C. 3401 et seq.). An entity wishing to integrate funds must have a plan that meets the requirements of the Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Consolidation Act of 2017 and is acceptable to the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Education. Note: Current NACTEP grantees that integrate NACTEP funds with other grant funds pursuant to an approved plan under section 477 of the Indian E:\FR\FM\30NON1.SGM 30NON1 76552 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 230 / Monday, November 30, 2020 / Notices TKELLEY on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with NOTICES Employment, Training and Related Services Consolidation Act of 2017 (a 477 plan) must apply for a new NACTEP grant under this competition by submitting an application that meets all of the requirements included in this notice. Note: Any applicant who either currently has an approved 477 plan, or intends to submit a 477 application, that seeks to include FY 2021 NACTEP funds (if awarded) must indicate the intent to consolidate FY 2021 NACTEP funds into a current or future 477 plan in the NACTEP application as detailed in Application Requirement 3. Any request to consolidate NACTEP funds into a 477 plan must be made separately to the U.S. Department of Interior. Note: In order for the Department to ensure that FY 2021 NACTEP funds are efficiently transferred to the Department of Interior for 477 plan purposes (as per 25 U.S.C. 3412(a)), the Department must receive a 477 plan application that seeks to include FY 2021 NACTEP funds no later than May 15, 2021. For further information on the integration of grant funds under this and related programs, contact the Division of Workforce Development, Office of Indian Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior. Email: BIA_477Program@bia.gov. Requirement 6: ISDEAA Statutory Hiring Preference (1) Awards that are primarily for the benefit of Indians are subject to the provisions of section 7(b) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (Pub. L. 93–638). That section requires that, to the greatest extent feasible, a grantee— (i) Give to Indians preferences and opportunities for training and employment in connection with the administration of the grant; and (ii) Give to Indian organizations and to Indian-owned economic enterprises, as defined in section 3 of the Indian Financing Act of 1974 (25 U.S.C. 1452(e)), preference in the award of contracts in connection with the administration of the grant. (2) For purposes of Requirement 6, an Indian is a member of any federally recognized Indian Tribe. (25 U.S.C. 5307(b)) Definitions: These definitions are from the Act, the Supplemental Priorities, or the Notice of Final Requirements, or established in accordance with section 437(d)(1) of GEPA. The source of each definition is noted after the definition. Acute economic need means an income that is at or below the national poverty level according to the latest VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:03 Nov 27, 2020 Jkt 253001 available data from the U.S. Department of Commerce or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines. (Notice of Final Requirements). Alaska Native or Native means a citizen of the United States who is a person of one-fourth degree or more Alaska Indian (including Tsimshian Indians not enrolled in the Metlaktla Indian Community 4) Eskimo, or Aleut blood, or a combination thereof. The term includes— (a) Any Native, as so defined, either or both of whose adoptive parents are not Natives; and (b) In the absence of proof of a minimum blood quantum, any citizen of the United States who is regarded as an Alaska Native by the Native village or Native group of which he or she claims to be a member and whose father or mother is (or, if deceased, was) regarded as Native by any village or group. Any decision of the Secretary of the Interior regarding eligibility for enrollment will be final. (20 U.S.C. 2326(a)(1); 43 U.S.C. 1602(b)). Alaska Native entity means an entity such as an Alaska Native village, group, or regional or village corporation. (section 437(d)(1) of GEPA). Alaska Native group means any Tribe, band, clan, village, community, or village association of Natives in Alaska composed of less than twenty-five Natives, who comprise a majority of the residents of the locality. (43 U.S.C. 1602(d)). Alaska Native village means any Tribe, band, clan, group, village, community, or association in Alaska listed in sections 1610 and 1615 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, or that meets the requirements of chapter 33 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and that the Secretary of the Interior determines was, on the 1970 census enumeration date (as shown by the census or other evidence satisfactory to the Secretary of the Interior, who shall make findings of fact in each instance), composed of twenty-five or more Natives. (43 U.S.C. 1602(c)). Alaska regional corporation means an Alaska Native regional corporation established under the laws of the State of Alaska in accordance with the provisions of chapter 33 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. (43 U.S.C. 1602(g)). Alaska village corporation means an Alaska Native village corporation organized under the laws of the State of 4 The correct name of this community is Metlakatla Indian Community. It is misspelled in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, which is the source of this definition. PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Alaska as a business for profit or nonprofit corporation to hold, invest, manage and/or distribute lands, property, funds, and other rights and assets for and on behalf of an Alaska Native village, in accordance with the terms of chapter 33 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. (43 U.S.C. 1602(j)). Bureau means the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the U.S. Department of the Interior. (25 U.S.C. 2021(2)). Bureau-funded school means— (a) A Bureau-operated elementary or secondary day or boarding school or Bureau-operated dormitory for students attending a school other than a Bureau school. (25 U.S.C. 2021(3) and (4)); (b) An elementary school, secondary school, or dormitory that receives financial assistance for its operation under a contract, grant, or agreement with the Bureau under section 102, 103(a), or 208 of the ISDEAA (25 U.S.C. 5321, 5322(a), or 5355) or under the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988 (25 U.S.C. 2504 et seq.). (25 U.S.C. 2021(3) and (6)); or (c) A school for which assistance is provided under the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988 (25 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.). (25 U.S.C. 2021(3)). Career and technical education (CTE) means organized educational activities that— (a) Offer a sequence of courses that— (1) Provides individuals with rigorous academic content and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in current or emerging professions, which may include high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations, which shall be, at the secondary level, aligned with the challenging State academic standards adopted by a State under section 1111(b)(1) of the ESEA; (2) Provides technical skill proficiency or a recognized postsecondary credential, which may include an industry-recognized credential, a certificate, or an associate degree; and (3) May include prerequisite courses (other than a remedial course) 5 that meet the requirements of this paragraph (a); (b) Include competency-based, workbased, or other applied learning that supports the development of academic 5 Section 116(c)(2) of the Act provides that, notwithstanding the exclusion of remedial courses from the Act’s definition of CTE, funds made available under NACTEP ‘‘may be used to provide preparatory, refresher, and remedial education services that are designed to enable students to achieve success in career and technical education programs or programs of study.’’ E:\FR\FM\30NON1.SGM 30NON1 TKELLEY on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 230 / Monday, November 30, 2020 / Notices knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of an industry, including entrepreneurship, of an individual; (c) To the extent practicable, coordinate between secondary and postsecondary education programs through programs of study, which may include coordination through articulation agreements, early college high school programs, dual or concurrent enrollment program opportunities, or other credit transfer agreements that provide postsecondary credit or advanced standing; and (d) May include career exploration at the high school level or as early as the middle grades (as such term is defined in section 8101 of the ESEA). (20 U.S.C. 2302(5)). Computer science means the study of computers and algorithmic processes and includes the study of computing principles and theories, computational thinking, computer hardware, software design, coding, analytics, and computer applications. Computer science often includes computer programming or coding as a tool to create software, including applications, games, websites, and tools to manage or manipulate data; or development and management of computer hardware and the other electronics related to sharing, securing, and using digital information. In addition to coding, the expanding field of computer science emphasizes computational thinking and interdisciplinary problem-solving to equip students with the skills and abilities necessary to apply computation in our digital world. Computer science does not include using a computer for everyday activities, such as browsing the internet; use of tools like word processing, spreadsheets, or presentation software; or using computers in the study and exploration of unrelated subjects. (Supplemental Priorities). CTE concentrator means— (a) At the secondary school level, a student served by an eligible recipient who has completed at least 2 courses in a single career and technical education program or program of study; and (b) At the postsecondary level, a student enrolled in an eligible recipient who has— (1) Earned at least 12 credits within a career and technical education program or program of study; or (2) Completed such a program if the program encompasses fewer than 12 VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:03 Nov 27, 2020 Jkt 253001 credits or the equivalent in total. (20 U.S.C. 2302(12)) Direct assistance to students means tuition, dependent care, transportation, books, and supplies that are necessary for a student to participate in a CTE program or program of study supported with NACTEP funds. (Notice of Final Requirements). In-demand industry sector or occupation means— (a) An industry sector that has a substantial current or potential impact (including through jobs that lead to economic self-sufficiency and opportunities for advancement) on the State, regional, or local economy, as appropriate, and that contributes to the growth or stability of other supporting businesses, or the growth of other industry sectors; or (b) An occupation that currently has or is projected to have a number of positions (including positions that lead to economic self-sufficiency and opportunities for advancement) in an industry sector so as to have a significant impact on the State, regional, or local economy, as appropriate. (29 U.S.C. 3102). Indian means a person who is a member of an Indian Tribe. (25 U.S.C. 5304(d)). Indian Tribe means any Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians. (25 U.S.C. 5304(e)). Institution of higher education means— (a) An educational institution in any State that— (1) Admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the recognized equivalent of such a certificate or persons who meet the requirements of section 1091(d) of this title; (2) Is legally authorized within such State to provide a program of education beyond secondary education; (3) Provides an educational program for which the institution awards a bachelor’s degree or provides not less than a 2-year program that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree, or awards a degree that is acceptable for admission to a graduate or professional degree program, subject to review and approval by the Secretary; PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 76553 (4) Is a public or other nonprofit institution; and (5) Is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association or, if not so accredited, is an institution that has been granted preaccreditation status by such an agency or association that has been recognized by the Secretary of Education for the granting of pre-accreditation status, and the Secretary has determined that there is satisfactory assurance that the institution will meet the accreditation standards of such an agency or association within a reasonable time. (b) The term also includes— (1) Any school that provides not less than a 1-year program of training to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation and that meets the provisions of paragraphs (1), (2), (4), and (5) of paragraph (a); and (2) A public or nonprofit private educational institution in any State that, in lieu of the requirement in paragraph (a)(1) of this definition, admits as regular students individuals who are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance in the State in which the institution is located or, (B) who will be dually or concurrently enrolled in the institution and a secondary school. (20 U.S.C. 1001(a) and (b)). Professional development means activities that—(a) are an integral part of eligible agency, eligible recipient, institution, or school strategies for providing educators (including teachers, principals, other school leaders, administrators, specialized instructional support personnel, career guidance and academic counselors, and paraprofessionals) with the knowledge and skills necessary to enable students to succeed in career and technical education, to meet challenging State academic standards under section 1111(b)(1) of ESEA, or to achieve academic skills at the postsecondary level; and (b) Are sustained (not stand-alone, 1day, or short-term workshops), intensive, collaborative, job-embedded, data-driven, and classroom-focused, to the extent practicable evidence-based, and may include activities that—(1) Improve and increase educators’— (A) Knowledge of the academic and technical subjects; (B) Understanding of how students learn; and (C) Ability to analyze student work and achievement from multiple sources, including how to adjust instructional strategies, assessments, and materials based on such analysis; (2) Are an integral part of eligible recipients’ improvement plans; E:\FR\FM\30NON1.SGM 30NON1 TKELLEY on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with NOTICES 76554 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 230 / Monday, November 30, 2020 / Notices (3) Allow personalized plans for each educator to address the educator’s specific needs identified in observation or other feedback; (4) Support the recruitment, hiring, and training of effective educators, including educators who became certified through State and local alternative routes to certification; (5) Advance educator understanding of— (A) Effective instructional strategies that are evidence-based; and (B) Strategies for improving student academic and technical achievement or substantially increasing the knowledge and teaching skills of educators; (6) Are developed with extensive participation of educators, parents, students, and representatives of Indian Tribes (as applicable), of schools and institutions served under the Act; (7) Are designed to give educators of students who are English learners in career and technical education programs or programs of study the knowledge and skills to provide instruction and appropriate language and academic support services to those students, including the appropriate use of curricula and assessments; (8) As a whole, are regularly evaluated for their impact on increased educator effectiveness and improved student academic and technical achievement, with the findings of the evaluations used to improve the quality of professional development; (9) Are designed to give educators of individuals with disabilities in career and technical education programs or programs of study the knowledge and skills to provide instruction and academic support services to those individuals, including positive behavioral interventions and supports, multi-tier system of supports, and use of accommodations; (10) Include instruction in the use of data and assessments to inform and instruct classroom practice; (11) Include instruction in ways that educators may work more effectively with parents and families; (12) Provide follow-up training to educators who have participated in activities described in this definition that are designed to ensure that the knowledge and skills learned by the educators are implemented in the classroom; (13) Promote the integration of academic knowledge and skills and relevant technical knowledge and skills, including programming jointly delivered to academic and career and technical education teachers; or (14) Increase the ability of educators providing career and technical VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:03 Nov 27, 2020 Jkt 253001 education instruction to stay current with industry standards. (20 U.S.C. 2302(40)). Program of study means a coordinated, nonduplicative sequence of academic and technical content at the secondary and postsecondary level that— (A) Incorporates challenging State academic standards, including those adopted by a State under section 1111(b)(1) of ESEA; (B) Addresses both academic and technical knowledge and skills, including employability skills; (C) Is aligned with the needs of industries in the economy of the State, region, Tribal community, or local area; (D) Progresses in specificity (beginning with all aspects of an industry or career cluster and leading to more occupation-specific instruction); (E) Has multiple entry and exit points that incorporate credentialing; and (F) Culminates in the attainment of a recognized postsecondary credential. (20 U.S.C. 2302 (41)). Recognized postsecondary credential means a credential consisting of an industry-recognized certificate or certification, a certificate of completion of an apprenticeship, a license recognized by the State involved or Federal Government, or an associate or baccalaureate degree. (29 U.S.C. 3102(52)). Secondary school means a nonprofit institutional day or residential school, including a public secondary charter school, that provides secondary education, as determined under State law, except that the term does not include any education beyond grade 12. (20 U.S.C.7801(45)). Special populations means— (a) Individuals with disabilities; (b) Individuals from economically disadvantaged families, including lowincome youth and adults; (c) Individuals preparing for nontraditional fields; (d) Single parents, including single pregnant women; (e) Out-of-workforce individuals; (f) English learners; (g) Homeless individuals described in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a); (h) Youth who are in, or have aged out of, the foster care system; and (i) Youth with a parent who— (i) Is a member of the armed forces (as such term is defined in section 101(a)(4) of title 10, United States Code); and (ii) Is on active duty (as such term is defined in section 101(d)(1) of such title). (20 U.S.C. 2302(48)). Stipend means a subsistence allowance for a student that is necessary PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 for the student to participate in a CTE program or program of study supported with NACTEP funds. (Notice of Final Requirements). Support services means services related to curriculum modification, equipment modification, classroom modification, supportive personnel (including paraprofessionals and specialized instructional support personnel), and instructional aids and devices. (20 U.S.C. 2302(50)). Tribal organization means the recognized governing body of any Indian Tribe; any legally established organization of Indians that is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body or that is democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to be served by such organization and that includes the maximum participation of Indians in all phases of its activities: Provided, that, in any case where a contract is let or grant made to an organization to perform services benefiting more than one Indian Tribe, the approval of each such Indian Tribe shall be a prerequisite to the letting or making of such contract or grant. (25 U.S.C. 5304(l)). Tribally controlled college or university means an institution of higher education that is formally controlled, or has been formally sanctioned, or chartered, by the governing body of an Indian tribe or tribes, except that no more than one such institution shall be recognized with respect to any such tribe. (25 U.S.C. 1801(a)(4)). Work-based learning means sustained interactions with industry or community professionals in real workplace settings, to the extent practicable, or simulated environments at an educational institution that foster in-depth, firsthand engagement with the tasks required of a given career field, that are aligned to curriculum and instruction. (20 U.S.C. 2302 (55)). Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553), the Department generally offers interested parties the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities, requirements, and definitions. Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA, however, allows the Secretary to exempt from rulemaking requirements regulations governing the first grant competition under a new or substantially revised program authority. This is the first grant competition for this substantially revised program under section 116 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, as amended by the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, 20 U.S.C. 2326, and therefore qualifies for this exemption. In E:\FR\FM\30NON1.SGM 30NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 230 / Monday, November 30, 2020 / Notices order to ensure timely grant awards, the Secretary has decided to forgo public comment on certain requirements, definitions, and selection criteria under section 437(d)(1) of GEPA. These requirements, definitions, and selection criteria will apply to the FY 2021 grant competition and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2301, et seq., particularly 2326(a)–(g). Note: Projects must be awarded and operated in a manner consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in the U.S. Constitution and the Federal civil rights laws. Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 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) Notice of Final Requirements. (e) 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 86 apply to institutions of higher education only. TKELLEY on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with NOTICES II. Award Information Type of Award: Discretionary grants. Estimated Available Funds: $15,932,000 for the first 12 months of the project period. Funding for years two, three, four and five is subject to the availability of funds and to a grantee meeting the requirements of 34 CFR 75.253. Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of applications, we may make additional awards later in FY 2021 or in subsequent years from the list of unfunded applications from this competition. Estimated Range of Awards: $451,000 to $551,000. Estimated Average Size of Awards: $458,000. Estimated Number of Awards: 35. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. Project Period: Up to 60 months. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:03 Nov 27, 2020 Jkt 253001 III. Eligibility Information 1. Eligible Applicants: (a) The following entities are eligible to apply under this competition: (1) A federally recognized Indian Tribe. (2) A Tribal organization. (3) An Alaska Native entity. (4) A Bureau-funded school, except for a Bureau-funded school proposing to use its award to support general education secondary school programs. (b) Any Tribe, Tribal organization, Alaska Native entity, or eligible Bureaufunded school may apply individually or as part of a consortium with one or more eligible Tribes, Tribal organizations, Alaska Native entities, or eligible Bureau-funded schools. (Eligible applicants seeking to apply for funds as a consortium must meet the requirements in 34 CFR 75.127–75.129, which apply to group applications.) Note: If you are a nonprofit organization, under 34 CFR 75.51, you may demonstrate your nonprofit status by providing: (1) Proof that the Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a statement from a State taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private shareholder or individual; (3) a certified copy of the applicant’s certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or (4) any item described above if that item applies to a State or national parent organization, together with a statement by the State or parent organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate. 2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost sharing or matching. b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This competition involves supplement-notsupplant funding requirements. In accordance with section 211(a) of the Act (20 U.S.C. 2391(a)), funds under this program may not be used to supplant non-Federal funds used to carry out CTE activities. We caution applicants not to plan to use funds under NACTEP to replace otherwise available non-Federal funding for direct assistance to students and family assistance programs. For example, NACTEP funds must not be used to supplant Tribal and other nonFederal funds with Federal funds in order to pay the costs of students’ PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 76555 tuition, dependent care, transportation, books, supplies, and other costs associated with participation in a CTE program. Funds under NACTEP should not be used to replace Federal student financial aid. The Act does not authorize the Secretary to fund projects that serve primarily as entities through which students may apply for and receive tuition and other financial assistance. c. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses a restricted indirect cost rate. For more information regarding indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please see www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/ intro.html. d. Administrative Cost Limitation: This program does not include any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. All administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform Guidance. e. Limitation on Services: Section 215 of the Act (20 U.S.C. 2395) forbids the use of Perkins funds for the education of students prior to the middle grades. The term middle grades refers to grades 5 through 8, as defined in section 8101 of ESEA. 3. Subgrantees: Under 34 CFR 75.708 (b) and (c) a grantee under this competition may award subgrants—to directly carry out project activities described in its application—to the following types of entities: Institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, Tribal organizations, Bureau-funded schools operating a secondary school CTE program, or Alaska Native entities. The grantee may award subgrants to entities it has identified in an approved application or that it selects through a competition under procedures established by the grantee. 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 E:\FR\FM\30NON1.SGM 30NON1 TKELLEY on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with NOTICES 76556 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 230 / Monday, November 30, 2020 / Notices the NACTEP program, 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 on the Department’s website, 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 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 35 pages and (2) use the following standards: • A ‘‘page’’ is 8.5″ × 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, and 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 the cover sheet; the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the resumes, the bibliography, or the VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:03 Nov 27, 2020 Jkt 253001 letters of support. However, the recommended page limit does apply to all of the application narrative. 6. Notice of Intent to Apply: The Department will be able to review grant applications more efficiently if we know the approximate number of applicants that intend to apply. Therefore, we strongly encourage each potential applicant to notify us of their intent to submit an application. To do so, please email the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT with the subject line ‘‘Intent to Apply,’’ and include the applicant’s name and a contact person’s name and email address. Applicants that do not submit a notice of intent to apply are not bound to apply or bound by the information provided. V. Application Review Information 1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are from the Notice of Final Requirements, the Act, 34 CFR 75.210, or are being established for the FY 2021 grant competition and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition in accordance with section 437(d)(1) of GEPA, 20 U.S.C. 1232(d)(1). The source of each criterion is noted after each criterion. The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses. (a) Need for project (Up to 10 points). In determining the need for the proposed project, we consider the following factors: (1) The extent to which the proposed project involves, coordinates with, or encourages Tribal economic development plans. (Section 116(e)(1) of the Act). (Up to 5 points). (2) The extent of the need for the activities to be carried out by the proposed project, as evidenced by local labor market demand or occupational trends data, Tribal economic development plans, or recommendations from accrediting agencies. (Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA). (Up to 5 points). (b) Quality of the project design (Up to 40 points). In determining the quality of the design of the proposed project, we consider the following factors: (1) The extent to which the proposed project activities will create opportunities for students to receive a recognized postsecondary credential; become employed in high-skill, highwage, and in-demand industry sectors or occupations; or both. (Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA). (Up to 20 points). (2) The extent to which the proposed project will successfully address the needs of the target population or other PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 identified needs, as evidenced by the applicant’s description of programs and activities that align with the target population’s needs. (Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA). (Up to 10 points). (3) The extent to which the proposed project will be coordinated with similar or related efforts, and with community, State, or Federal resources, where such opportunities and resources exist. (Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA). (Up to 5 points). (4) 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. (34 CFR 75.210). (Up to 5 points). (c) Adequacy of resources (Up to 15 points). In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed project, we consider the following factors: (1) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment, supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization(s) and the Tribal entity or entities to be served. (Notice of Final Requirements). (Up to 2 points). (2) The extent to which the budget is adequate and costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the proposed project. (Notice of Final Requirements). (Up to 5 points). (3) The relevance and demonstrated commitment of the applicant, education providers, members of the consortium, local employers, or Tribal entities to be served by the project (e.g., through signed MOUs, letters of support and commitment, or commitments to employ project participants, as appropriate). (Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA). (Up to 3 points). (4) The extent to which the project will use instructors who are licensed or certified to teach in the field in which they will provide instruction. (Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA). (Up to 5 points). (d) Quality of the management plan (Up to 25 points). In determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed project, we consider the following factors: (1) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly defined project objectives, staff responsibilities, timelines, and the milestones. (Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA). (Up to 10 points). (2) 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 E:\FR\FM\30NON1.SGM 30NON1 TKELLEY on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 230 / Monday, November 30, 2020 / Notices disability. (Notice of Final Requirements). (Up to 5 points). (3) The extent to which the time commitments of the project director and other key project personnel are appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed project. (Notice of Final Requirements). (Up to 5 points). (4) The qualifications, including relevant training, expertise, and experience, of the project director, key personnel, and project consultants. (Notice of Final Requirements). (Up to 5 points). (e) Quality of the project evaluation (Up to 10 points). In determining the quality of the evaluation, we consider the following factors: (1) The extent to which the proposed methods of evaluation are thorough, feasible, and include the use of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the intended outcomes of the project and the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) performance measures. (Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA). (Up to 5 points). (2) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide performance feedback and continuous improvement toward achieving intended outcomes. (Notice of Final Requirements). (Up to 5 points). 2. Additional Selection Factor: In accordance with the requirement in section 116(e) of the Act, we have included the following additional selection factor from the Notice of Final Requirements: We will award five points to applications from Tribally controlled colleges or universities that— (a) Are accredited or are candidates for accreditation by a nationally recognized accreditation organization as an institution of postsecondary CTE; or (b) Operate CTE programs that are accredited or are candidates for accreditation by a nationally recognized accreditation organization and issue certificates for completion of CTE programs (20 U.S.C. 2326(e)). 3. 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:03 Nov 27, 2020 Jkt 253001 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). 4. Risk Assessment and Special 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 special 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. 5. 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 (SAM). 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. Appeal process: Any applicant denied funding under this NACTEP competition may request a hearing to review the Secretary’s decision not to make the award. The Secretary will implement the appeal process in accordance with the procedures in 34 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 76557 CFR 401.1. In accordance with those procedures, any applicant denied funding will have 30 calendar days to make a written request to the Secretary for a hearing to review the Secretary’s decision. (25 U.S.C. 5321(b); 34 CFR 401.1). 2. Indian Self-Determination Contracts: Section 116(b)(2) of the Act provides that grants or contracts awarded under section 116 of the Act are subject to the terms and conditions of section 102 of the ISDEAA (25 U.S.C. 5321) and must be conducted in accordance with the provisions of sections 4, 5, and 6 of the Act of April 16, 1934 (25 U.S.C. 5345–5347) (Johnson-O’Malley Act), that are relevant to the programs administered under section 116(b) of the Act. The Act of April 16, 1934 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into contracts for the education of Indians and other purposes. Section 102 of the ISDEAA authorizes Indian Tribes to request self-determination contracts from the Department of Interior. Accordingly, an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization that has applied to the Secretary for funding under NACTEP and has been notified of its selection to be a funding recipient may submit a request to both the Secretary of Education (via the contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) and the relevant Department of Interior contact person to operate its NACTEP project through a section 102 Indian self-determination contract. After successful applicants are selected under this NACTEP competition, the Secretary will review any requests to operate a project under an Indian self-determination contract pursuant to the ISDEAA. If a request for an Indian self-determination contract is approved, the Indian Tribe or Tribal organization submitting the request will be required, to the extent possible, to operate its project in accordance with the ISDEAA, relevant provisions in sections 4, 5, and 6 of the Act of April 16, 1934 (25 U.S.C. 5345–5347), the Act, and the non-statutory program requirements specified in this notice. The CTE programs provided through an Indian self-determination contract would have to be substantively the same as were proposed in the initial NACTEP application and approved by the Department. Any Indian Tribe or Tribal organization that is selected to receive funding under this competition, but whose request to operate the project under an Indian self-determination contract is denied, may appeal the denial to the Secretary. If you have questions about ISDEAA selfdetermination contracts, please contact E:\FR\FM\30NON1.SGM 30NON1 TKELLEY on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with NOTICES 76558 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 230 / Monday, November 30, 2020 / Notices the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. (Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA). 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. Open Licensing Requirement: 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. The 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. 6. 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 an annual performance report that provides the most current VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:03 Nov 27, 2020 Jkt 253001 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. (c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may provide a grantee with additional funding for data collection analysis and reporting. In this case the Secretary establishes a data collection period. 7. Performance Measures: The Department has established the following performance measures for purposes of GPRA and for Department reporting under 34 CFR 75.110, which it will use to evaluate the overall performance of the grantee’s project, as well as NACTEP as a whole: (a) At the secondary level: An increase in— (1) The percentage of CTE concentrators who graduate high school, as measured by— (A) The four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate (defined in section 8101 of ESEA); and (B) At the grantee’s discretion, the extended-year adjusted cohort graduation rate (defined in section 8101 of ESEA); (2) The percentage of CTE concentrators graduating from high school having attained postsecondary credits in the relevant CTE program earned through a dual or concurrent enrollment program or another credit transfer agreement; (3) The percentage of CTE concentrators graduating from high school having participated in workbased learning; (4) The percentage of CTE concentrators graduating from high school having attained a recognized postsecondary credential; and (5) The percentage of CTE concentrators who, after exiting from secondary education, are in postsecondary education or advanced training, military service, or a service program, or are employed. (b) At the postsecondary level: An increase in— (1) The percentage of CTE concentrators who remain enrolled in postsecondary education, are in advanced training, military service, or a service program, or are employed; and (2) The percentage of CTE concentrators who receive a recognized postsecondary credential. Project-Specific Performance Measures: In addition to these measures, applicants may propose project-specific PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 performance measures and performance targets consistent with the objectives of the proposed project. Examples of such project-specific performance measures could include student recruitment, student participation in work-based learning at the postsecondary level, and teacher and faculty participation in professional development. Note: All grantees will be expected to submit a semi-annual and an annual performance report addressing these performance measures, to the extent that these performance measures apply to each grantee’s NACTEP project. 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 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: On request to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, 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), to the extent reasonably practicable. 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 E:\FR\FM\30NON1.SGM 30NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 230 / Monday, November 30, 2020 / Notices your search to documents published by the Department. Scott Stump, Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education. [FR Doc. 2020–26112 Filed 11–27–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology Office of Science, Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of Open Virtual Meeting. AGENCY: This notice announces an open teleconference meeting of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), and describes the functions of the Council. The Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) requires that public notice of these meetings be announced in the Federal Register. DATES: December 18, 2020; 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time). ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held virtually. Information to participate can be found on the website closer to the meeting date at https://science.osti.gov/ About/PCAST/Meetings. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Domnitz, Deputy Executive Director, PCAST, (202) 881–8056 or email: PCAST@ostp.eop.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PCAST is an advisory group of the nation’s leading scientists and engineers, appointed by the President to augment the science and technology advice available to him from inside the White House, cabinet departments, and other Federal agencies. See the Executive Order at whitehouse.gov. PCAST is consulted on and provides analyses and recommendations concerning a wide range of issues where understanding of science, technology, and innovation may bear on the policy choices before the President. PCAST is chaired by Dr. Kelvin Droegemeier, Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President, The White House. The Designated Federal Officer is Edward McGinnis, Executive Director. Information about PCAST can be found at: https://science.osti.gov/ About/PCAST. Tentative Agenda: Discussion and consideration for approval of PCAST’s report on potential approaches to establishing Industries of the Future Institutes. Presentation and consideration for approval of PCAST’s congressionally-mandated periodic TKELLEY on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:03 Nov 27, 2020 Jkt 253001 review of the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Program. Public Comments: It is the policy of the PCAST to accept written public comments no longer than 10 pages and to accommodate oral public comments whenever possible. The PCAST expects that public statements presented at its meetings will not be repetitive of previously submitted oral or written statements. The public comment period for this meeting will take place on December 18, 2020, at a time specified in the meeting agenda. This public comment period is designed only for substantive commentary on PCAST’s work, not for business marketing purposes. Oral Comments: To be considered for the public speaker list at the meeting, interested parties should register to speak at PCAST@ostp.eop.gov, no later than 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 11, 2020. To accommodate as many speakers as possible, the time for public comments will be limited to two (2) minutes per person, with a total public comment period of up to 10 minutes. If more speakers register than there is space available on the agenda, PCAST will select speakers on a firstcome, first-served basis from those who applied. Those not able to present oral comments may always file written comments with the committee. Written Comments: Although written comments are accepted continuously, written comments should be submitted to PCAST@ostp.eop.gov no later than 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 11, 2020 so that the comments may be made available to the PCAST members prior to this meeting for their consideration. Please note that because PCAST operates under the provisions of FACA, all public comments and/or presentations will be treated as public documents and will be made available for public inspection, including being posted on the PCAST website. Signed in Washington, DC on November 23, 2020. LaTanya Butler, Deputy Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. 2020–26295 Filed 11–27–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 76559 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Energy Information Administration Agency Information Collection Proposed Extension Energy Information Administration (EIA), Department of Energy (DOE). ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: EIA invites public comment on the proposed three year extension, without changes, to Form EIA–63C, Densified Biomass Fuel Report as required under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The report is part of EIA’s comprehensive energy data program. Form EIA–63C collects monthly data on the manufacture, shipment, exports, energy characteristics, and sales of densified biomass fuels and other densified biomass fuel products data from facilities that manufacture densified biomass fuel products (pellet fuels), for energy applications. DATES: EIA must receive all comments on this proposed information collection no later than January 29, 2021. If you anticipate any difficulties in submitting your comments by the deadline, contact the person listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice as soon as possible. ADDRESSES: Send comments to Sara Hoff by email at Biomass2021@eia.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Connor Murphy, EI–23, U.S. Energy Information Administration, telephone (202) 287–5982, email Connor.Murphy@ eia.gov. The form and instructions are available at https://www.eia.gov/survey/ #eia-63. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This information collection request contains: (1) OMB Control Number: 1905–0209; (2) Information Collection Request Title: Densified Biomass Fuel Report; (3) Type of Request: Renewal; (4) Purpose: Form EIA–63C is part of EIA’s comprehensive energy data program. The survey collects information on the manufacture, shipment, exports, energy characteristics, and sales of pellet fuels and other densified biomass fuel products data from facilities that manufacture densified biomass fuel products, primarily pellet fuels, for energy applications. The data collected on Form EIA–63C are a primary source of information for the nation’s growing production of biomass products for heating and electric power generation, and for use in both domestic and foreign markets. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\30NON1.SGM 30NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 230 (Monday, November 30, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76548-76559]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-26112]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Native American Career and Technical 
Education Program (NACTEP)

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice 
inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for the 
Native American Career and Technical Education Program (NACTEP), 
Assistance Listing number 84.101A. This notice relates to the approved 
information collection under OMB control number 1830-0542.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: November 30, 2020.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: Applicants are strongly 
encouraged, but not required, to submit a notice of intent to apply by 
December 30, 2020.
    Date of Pre-Application Meeting: December 9, 2020.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: [INSERT DATE 60 DAYS 
AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].
    Pre-Application Webinar Information: The Department will hold a 
pre-application meeting via webinar for prospective applicants on 
December 9, 2020. More information about the webinar can be found in 
the application package.

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: Jenny Lambert, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Potomac Center Plaza, Room 11-070, 
Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 245-6899. Email: [email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text

[[Page 76549]]

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: NACTEP provides grants to improve career and 
technical education (CTE) programs that are consistent with the 
purposes of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 
2006, as amended by the Strengthening Career and Technical Education 
for the 21st Century Act (the Act or Perkins V) and that benefit Native 
Americans and Alaska Natives.
    Background: This notice invites applications for a NACTEP 
competition that implements the reauthorized section 116 of the Act. As 
under the prior law, section 116 of the Act continues to authorize the 
Secretary of Education (Secretary) to award grants to, or enter into 
cooperative agreements or contracts with, Indian Tribes, Tribal 
organizations, and Alaska Native entities to operate CTE projects that 
improve CTE for Native American and Alaska Native students.
    Under section 116 of the Act, a Bureau-funded school (as defined in 
this notice) is not eligible to apply for NACTEP funds for its general 
education program. Its application must be to carry out a supplemental 
CTE program in its secondary school.
    Statutory Changes Affecting NACTEP: For the convenience of 
applicants, we summarize in this notice some of the major statutory 
changes made to the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act 
of 2006 by the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 
21st Century Act that are relevant to NACTEP. This summary is not meant 
to be comprehensive of all Perkins V changes applicable to NACTEP.
    (a) Purpose. Congress amended the statement of purpose of the law 
in the Act, most significantly by adding, as a new purpose, increasing 
employment opportunities for populations who are chronically unemployed 
or underemployed, including individuals with disabilities, individuals 
from economically disadvantaged families, out-of-workforce individuals, 
youth who are in, or have aged out of, the foster care system, and 
homeless individuals (20 U.S.C. 2301(8)). Other amendments to the 
purpose incorporate references to programs of study and the development 
of employability skills by students; delete the term ``tech-prep 
education''; and change a reference to ``high-demand occupations'' to 
``in-demand occupation,'' a new term defined by the Act (20 U.S.C. 
2302(26)).
    (b) Definitions. Congress amended the definitions of certain terms 
that affect NACTEP. Most significant among these are changes to the 
definition of ``career and technical education'' in section 3(5) of the 
Act (20 U.S.C. 2302(5)). The new definition of CTE now includes that 
CTE programs may provide ``a recognized postsecondary credential,'' as 
defined in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 
(WIOA),\1\ and that CTE may include ``career exploration at the high 
school level or as early as the middle grades (as such term is defined 
in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965)''.\2\ The amended definition of CTE also provides that, to the 
extent practicable, CTE should include coordination between secondary 
and postsecondary education programs through programs of study, which 
may include coordination through articulation agreements, early college 
high school programs, dual or concurrent enrollment program 
opportunities, or other credit transfer agreements that provide 
postsecondary credit or advanced standing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Section 3(52) of WIOA defines the term ``recognized 
postsecondary credential'' to mean ``a credential consisting of an 
industry-recognized certificate or certification, a certificate of 
completion of an apprenticeship, a license recognized by the State 
involved or Federal Government, or an associate or baccalaureate 
degree.''
    \2\ Section 8101(32) of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA), defines the term ``middle grades'' 
to mean ``any of grades 5 through 8.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additionally, the definition of CTE now includes work-based 
learning. For NACTEP grantees, this means that students may be paid 
stipends not only for time they spend in class receiving instruction, 
but also for participating in unpaid work-based learning that is part 
of a CTE program that meets the Act's definition of CTE.
    Congress also made significant changes to the definition of 
``special populations'' (20 U.S.C. 2302 (48)). The Act now includes 
three additional subpopulations within this definition: homeless 
individuals described in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a); youth who are in, or have aged out 
of, the foster care system; and youth with a parent who is a member of 
the armed forces (as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(a)(4)) and who is on 
active duty (as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(d)(1)). Also, the term 
``displaced homemakers'' has been removed and replaced by the term 
``out-of-workforce individuals,'' which includes: displaced homemakers, 
as defined in section 3 of WIOA (29 U.S.C. 3102); and unemployed or 
underemployed individuals who are experiencing difficulty in obtaining 
or upgrading employment who are either an individual who has worked 
primarily without remuneration to care for a home and family, and for 
that reason has diminished marketable skills, or is a parent whose 
youngest dependent child will become ineligible to receive assistance 
under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program not 
later than two years after the date on which the parent applies for 
TANF assistance (20 U.S.C. 2302(36)). Additionally, the term 
``individuals with limited English proficiency'' has been changed to 
``English learners'' and the definition of this latter term has been 
aligned with the definition of this term in ESEA so that it now 
includes any secondary student who is an English learner as defined by 
section 8101 of ESEA (20 U.S.C. 2302 (22)). Finally, the Act now 
includes a definition of ``work-based learning'' (20 U.S.C. 2302(55)).
    (c) Authorized activities. A new allowable use of funds in the Act 
permits NACTEP grant funds to be used to provide preparatory, 
refresher, and remedial education services that are designed to enable 
students to achieve success in CTE programs or programs of study (20 
U.S.C. 2326(c)(2)).
    Tribal Consultation: In accordance with the Department's commitment 
to engage in regular and meaningful consultation and collaboration with 
Indian Tribes, the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education 
(OCTAE) and the White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska 
Native Education conducted a Tribal Consultation regarding NACTEP on 
April 27, 2020. Consistent with the Department's trust responsibility 
to Tribes and its Tribal Consultation Policy, views were sought from 
elected officials of federally recognized Tribes as well as 
stakeholders and educators from the Tribal community to inform the 
Department's policy decisions related to changes in the Act pertaining 
to allowable uses of funds, the definition of CTE, and student 
stipends. The consultation also included discussion of the independent 
evaluation requirement established by the notice of final requirements, 
definitions, and selection criteria for this program (Notice of Final 
Requirements), published in the Federal Register on February 26, 2013 
(78 FR

[[Page 76550]]

12955), the integration of services, and improving CTE student 
outcomes.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Notes from the Tribal consultation are available on the 
Department's website at https://cte.ed.gov/cal/tribal-consultation-nactep-april-27-2020.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Requirements and Selection Criteria: This notice includes 
application and program requirements and selection criteria that are 
based on statutory requirements or the Notice of Final Requirements, 
but that are established in accordance with section 437(d)(1) of 
General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) in order to make some 
modifications to those requirements and selection criteria.
    Priority: This priority is from the Secretary's notice of final 
supplemental priorities and definitions, published in the Federal 
Register on March 2, 2018 (83 FR 9096) (Supplemental Priorities).
    Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2021, 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 up to an additional 
five points to an application, depending on how well the application 
meets this competitive preference priority. If an applicant chooses to 
address this competitive preference priority, the project narrative 
section of its application must identify its response to the 
competitive preference priority.
    This priority is:
    Promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) 
Education, With a Particular Focus on Computer Science (up to 5 
points). Projects that are designed to improve student achievement or 
other educational outcomes in one or more of the following areas: 
Science, technology, engineering, math, or computer science (as defined 
in this notice). These projects must address increasing access to STEM 
coursework, including computer science, and hands-on learning 
opportunities, such as through expanded course offerings, dual-
enrollment, high-quality online coursework, or other innovative 
delivery mechanisms.
    Requirements: These application and program requirements are 
established in accordance with section 437(d)(1) of GEPA unless a 
specific statutory or regulatory citation for the requirement is 
provided.
    The application requirements are:
    (1) An eligible applicant (as determined by the Act) must include 
documentation in its application showing that it and, if appropriate, 
its consortium members are eligible to apply.
    As defined in the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
Assistance Act (ISDEAA) (25 U.S.C. 5304(l)), the term ``Tribal 
organization'' means the recognized governing body of any Indian Tribe; 
any legally established organization of Indians which is controlled, 
sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body or which is 
democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to 
be served by such organization and which includes the maximum 
participation of Indians in all phases of its activities: provided, 
that in any case where a contract is let or grant made to an 
organization to perform services benefiting more than one Indian Tribe, 
the approval of each such Indian Tribe shall be a prerequisite to the 
letting or making of such contract or grant. In accordance with this 
statutory definition, any Tribal organization proposing to provide 
NACTEP services for the benefit of more than one Indian Tribe must 
first obtain the approval of each Indian Tribe it proposes to serve and 
must submit documentation of such approval with its NACTEP application 
and that documentation of Tribal approval is a prerequisite to the 
awarding of a NACTEP grant to any Tribal organization proposing to 
serve more than one Indian Tribe.
    (2) An applicant that is not proposing to provide CTE directly to 
its students and proposes instead to use NACTEP funds to pay one or 
more qualified education providers to provide CTE to its students must 
include with its application a signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) 
between the applicant and that entity. The MOU must describe the 
commitment between the applicant and each education provider and must 
include, at a minimum, a statement of the responsibilities of the 
applicant and the education provider, including a description of the 
CTE programming to be provided. The MOU must be signed by the 
appropriate individuals on behalf of each party, such as the 
authorizing official or president of a Tribe or Tribal organization, a 
Bureau-funded school, a college president, or a college dean.
    (3) An applicant must indicate whether it intends to consolidate FY 
2021 NACTEP funds into a current or future 477 plan as described in 
Program Requirement 5. Any request to consolidate NACTEP funds into a 
477 plan must be made separately to the U.S. Department of Interior.
    The program requirements are:

Requirement 1--Authorized Programs

    (a) Section 116(e) of the Act requires the Secretary to ensure that 
activities funded under NACTEP ``will improve career and technical 
education programs'' (20 U.S.C. 2326(e)), as the term ``career and 
technical education'' is defined by the Act as amended by the 
Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act 
(20 U.S.C. 2302 (5)). Therefore, under NACTEP, the Assistant Secretary 
will award grants to carry out projects that--
    (1) Propose organized educational activities offering a sequence of 
courses that--
    (A) Provide individuals with rigorous academic content and relevant 
technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education 
and careers in current or emerging professions, which may include high-
skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations, which 
shall be, at the secondary level, aligned with the challenging State 
academic standards adopted by a State under section 1111(b)(1) of the 
ESEA;
    (B) Provide technical skill proficiency or a recognized 
postsecondary credential, which may include an industry-recognized 
credential, a certificate, or an associate degree; and
    (C) May include prerequisite courses that meet the requirements of 
this subparagraph;
    (2) Include competency-based, work-based, or other applied learning 
that supports the development of academic knowledge, higher-order 
reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, employability 
skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge 
of all aspects of an industry, including entrepreneurship, of an 
individual;
    (3) To the extent practicable, coordinate between secondary and 
postsecondary education programs through programs of study, which may 
include coordination through articulation agreements, early college 
high school programs, dual or concurrent enrollment program 
opportunities, or other credit transfer agreements that provide 
postsecondary credit or advanced standing; and
    (4) May include career exploration at the high school level or as 
early as the middle grades (as such term is defined in section 8101 of 
ESEA).
    (b) Special rule. Notwithstanding section 3(5)(A)(iii) of the Act, 
which excludes remedial courses from the definition of ``career and 
technical education,'' funds made available under NACTEP for CTE may be 
used to provide preparatory, refresher, and remedial education services 
that are designed to enable students to achieve success in CTE programs 
or programs of study.

[[Page 76551]]

    (c) Assistance to Bureau-funded secondary schools. An Indian Tribe, 
a Tribal organization, or an Alaska Native entity that receives funds 
through a NACTEP grant or contract may use the funds to provide 
assistance to a secondary school operated or supported by the U.S. 
Department of the Interior to enable such school to carry out CTE 
programs. (Section 116(b)(3) of the Act)
    Note: A Bureau-funded secondary school is not eligible to directly 
apply for NACTEP funds for its general education secondary school 
program. Its application must be to carry out a supplemental CTE 
program in its secondary school.

Requirement 2--Evaluation

    To help ensure the high quality of NACTEP projects and the 
achievement of the goals and purposes of section 116 of the Act, each 
grantee must budget for and conduct an ongoing evaluation of its NACTEP 
project. An independent evaluator must conduct the evaluation. The 
evaluation must be appropriate for the project and be both formative 
and summative in nature.

Requirement 3--Student Stipends

    In accordance with section 116(c)(3) of the Act, a portion of an 
award under this program may be used to provide stipends (as defined in 
this notice) to one or more students to help meet the students' costs 
of participation in a NACTEP project. A grantee must apply the 
following procedures for determining student eligibility for stipends 
and appropriate amounts to be awarded as stipends:
    (1) To be eligible for a stipend a student must--
    (i) Be enrolled in a CTE project funded under this program;
    (ii) Be in regular attendance in a NACTEP project and meet the 
training institution's attendance requirement;
    (iii) Maintain satisfactory progress in his or her program of study 
according to the training institution's published standards for 
satisfactory progress; and
    (iv) Have an acute economic need that--
    (A) Prevents participation in a CTE in a project funded under this 
program without a stipend; and
    (B) Cannot be met through a work-study program.
    (2) The amount of a stipend is the greater of either the minimum 
hourly wage prescribed by State or local law or the minimum hourly wage 
established under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
    (3) A grantee may only award a stipend if the stipend combined with 
other resources the student receives does not exceed the student's 
financial need. A student's financial need is the difference between 
the student's cost of attendance and the financial aid or other 
resources available to defray the student's cost of participating in a 
NACTEP project.
    (4) To calculate the amount of a student's stipend, a grantee would 
multiply the number of hours a student actually attends CTE instruction 
by the amount of the minimum hourly wage that is prescribed by State or 
local law, or by the minimum hourly wage that is established under the 
Fair Labor Standards Act.
    Example: If a grantee uses the Fair Labor Standards Act minimum 
hourly wage of $7.25 and a student attends classes and/or participates 
in work-based learning (WBL) for 20 hours a week, the student's stipend 
would be $145 for the week during which the student attends classes 
($7.25 x 20 = $145.00).
    Note: In accordance with applicable Department statutory 
requirements and administrative regulations, grantees must maintain 
records that fully support their decisions to award stipends and the 
amounts that are paid, such as proof of a student's enrollment in a CTE 
program or program of study supported with NACTEP funds, stipend 
applications, timesheets showing the number of attendance hours 
confirmed in writing by an instructor, student financial status 
information, and evidence that a student would not be able to 
participate in the CTE program or program of study supported with 
NACTEP funds without a stipend. (Notice of Final Requirements).
    (5) An eligible student may receive a stipend when taking a course 
for the first time. However, generally, a stipend may not be provided 
to a student who has already taken, completed, and had the opportunity 
to benefit from a course and is merely repeating the course.
    (6) An applicant must include in its application the procedure it 
intends to use to determine student eligibility for stipends and 
stipend amounts, and its oversight procedures for the awarding and 
payment of stipends. (Notice of Final Requirements).

Requirement 4--Direct Assistance to Students

    A grantee may provide direct assistance to students if the 
following conditions are met:
    (1) The recipient of the direct assistance is an individual who is 
a member of a special population and who is participating in the 
grantee's NACTEP project.
    (2) The direct assistance is needed to address barriers to the 
individual's successful participation in that project.
    (3) The direct assistance is part of a broader, more generally 
focused program or activity to address the needs of an individual who 
is a member of a special population.
    Note: Direct assistance to individuals who are members of special 
populations is not, by itself, a ``program or activity for special 
populations.''
    (4) The grant funds used for direct assistance must be expended to 
supplement, and not supplant, assistance that is otherwise available 
from non-Federal sources. (20 U.S.C. 2391(a)). For example, generally, 
a postsecondary educational institution could not use NACTEP funds to 
provide child care for single parents if non-Federal funds previously 
were made available for this purpose, or if non-Federal funds are used 
to provide child care services for single parents participating in non-
CTE programs and these services otherwise would have been available to 
CTE students in the absence of NACTEP funds.
    (5) In determining how much of the NACTEP grant funds it will use 
for direct assistance to an eligible student, a grantee must consider 
whether the specific services to be provided are a reasonable and 
necessary cost of providing CTE programs for special populations. 
However, the Assistant Secretary does not envision a circumstance in 
which it would be a reasonable and necessary expenditure of NACTEP 
project funds for a grantee to use a majority of a project's budget to 
pay direct assistance to students, in lieu of providing the students 
served by the project with CTE. (Notice of Final Requirements).

Requirement 5--Integration of Services

    Section 116(f) of the Act provides that a Tribe, Tribal 
organization, or Alaska Native entity receiving financial assistance 
under this program may integrate those funds with assistance received 
from related programs in accordance with the provisions of Public Law 
115-93, the Indian Employment, Training and Related Services 
Consolidation Act of 2017 (25 U.S.C. 3401 et seq.). An entity wishing 
to integrate funds must have a plan that meets the requirements of the 
Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Consolidation Act of 
2017 and is acceptable to the Secretary of the Interior and the 
Secretary of Education.
    Note: Current NACTEP grantees that integrate NACTEP funds with 
other grant funds pursuant to an approved plan under section 477 of the 
Indian

[[Page 76552]]

Employment, Training and Related Services Consolidation Act of 2017 (a 
477 plan) must apply for a new NACTEP grant under this competition by 
submitting an application that meets all of the requirements included 
in this notice.
    Note: Any applicant who either currently has an approved 477 plan, 
or intends to submit a 477 application, that seeks to include FY 2021 
NACTEP funds (if awarded) must indicate the intent to consolidate FY 
2021 NACTEP funds into a current or future 477 plan in the NACTEP 
application as detailed in Application Requirement 3. Any request to 
consolidate NACTEP funds into a 477 plan must be made separately to the 
U.S. Department of Interior.
    Note: In order for the Department to ensure that FY 2021 NACTEP 
funds are efficiently transferred to the Department of Interior for 477 
plan purposes (as per 25 U.S.C. 3412(a)), the Department must receive a 
477 plan application that seeks to include FY 2021 NACTEP funds no 
later than May 15, 2021.
    For further information on the integration of grant funds under 
this and related programs, contact the Division of Workforce 
Development, Office of Indian Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. 
Department of the Interior. Email: [email protected].

Requirement 6: ISDEAA Statutory Hiring Preference

    (1) Awards that are primarily for the benefit of Indians are 
subject to the provisions of section 7(b) of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (Pub. L. 93-638). That 
section requires that, to the greatest extent feasible, a grantee--
    (i) Give to Indians preferences and opportunities for training and 
employment in connection with the administration of the grant; and
    (ii) Give to Indian organizations and to Indian-owned economic 
enterprises, as defined in section 3 of the Indian Financing Act of 
1974 (25 U.S.C. 1452(e)), preference in the award of contracts in 
connection with the administration of the grant.
    (2) For purposes of Requirement 6, an Indian is a member of any 
federally recognized Indian Tribe. (25 U.S.C. 5307(b))
    Definitions: These definitions are from the Act, the Supplemental 
Priorities, or the Notice of Final Requirements, or established in 
accordance with section 437(d)(1) of GEPA. The source of each 
definition is noted after the definition.
    Acute economic need means an income that is at or below the 
national poverty level according to the latest available data from the 
U.S. Department of Commerce or the U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services Poverty Guidelines. (Notice of Final Requirements).
    Alaska Native or Native means a citizen of the United States who is 
a person of one-fourth degree or more Alaska Indian (including 
Tsimshian Indians not enrolled in the Metlaktla Indian Community \4\) 
Eskimo, or Aleut blood, or a combination thereof. The term includes--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ The correct name of this community is Metlakatla Indian 
Community. It is misspelled in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement 
Act, which is the source of this definition.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (a) Any Native, as so defined, either or both of whose adoptive 
parents are not Natives; and
    (b) In the absence of proof of a minimum blood quantum, any citizen 
of the United States who is regarded as an Alaska Native by the Native 
village or Native group of which he or she claims to be a member and 
whose father or mother is (or, if deceased, was) regarded as Native by 
any village or group. Any decision of the Secretary of the Interior 
regarding eligibility for enrollment will be final. (20 U.S.C. 
2326(a)(1); 43 U.S.C. 1602(b)).
    Alaska Native entity means an entity such as an Alaska Native 
village, group, or regional or village corporation. (section 437(d)(1) 
of GEPA).
    Alaska Native group means any Tribe, band, clan, village, 
community, or village association of Natives in Alaska composed of less 
than twenty-five Natives, who comprise a majority of the residents of 
the locality. (43 U.S.C. 1602(d)).
    Alaska Native village means any Tribe, band, clan, group, village, 
community, or association in Alaska listed in sections 1610 and 1615 of 
the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, or that meets the requirements 
of chapter 33 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and that the 
Secretary of the Interior determines was, on the 1970 census 
enumeration date (as shown by the census or other evidence satisfactory 
to the Secretary of the Interior, who shall make findings of fact in 
each instance), composed of twenty-five or more Natives. (43 U.S.C. 
1602(c)).
    Alaska regional corporation means an Alaska Native regional 
corporation established under the laws of the State of Alaska in 
accordance with the provisions of chapter 33 of the Alaska Native 
Claims Settlement Act. (43 U.S.C. 1602(g)).
    Alaska village corporation means an Alaska Native village 
corporation organized under the laws of the State of Alaska as a 
business for profit or nonprofit corporation to hold, invest, manage 
and/or distribute lands, property, funds, and other rights and assets 
for and on behalf of an Alaska Native village, in accordance with the 
terms of chapter 33 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. (43 
U.S.C. 1602(j)).
    Bureau means the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the U.S. Department of 
the Interior. (25 U.S.C. 2021(2)).
    Bureau-funded school means--
    (a) A Bureau-operated elementary or secondary day or boarding 
school or Bureau-operated dormitory for students attending a school 
other than a Bureau school. (25 U.S.C. 2021(3) and (4));
    (b) An elementary school, secondary school, or dormitory that 
receives financial assistance for its operation under a contract, 
grant, or agreement with the Bureau under section 102, 103(a), or 208 
of the ISDEAA (25 U.S.C. 5321, 5322(a), or 5355) or under the Tribally 
Controlled Schools Act of 1988 (25 U.S.C. 2504 et seq.). (25 U.S.C. 
2021(3) and (6)); or
    (c) A school for which assistance is provided under the Tribally 
Controlled Schools Act of 1988 (25 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.). (25 U.S.C. 
2021(3)).
    Career and technical education (CTE) means organized educational 
activities that--
    (a) Offer a sequence of courses that--
    (1) Provides individuals with rigorous academic content and 
relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further 
education and careers in current or emerging professions, which may 
include high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or 
occupations, which shall be, at the secondary level, aligned with the 
challenging State academic standards adopted by a State under section 
1111(b)(1) of the ESEA;
    (2) Provides technical skill proficiency or a recognized 
postsecondary credential, which may include an industry-recognized 
credential, a certificate, or an associate degree; and
    (3) May include prerequisite courses (other than a remedial course) 
\5\ that meet the requirements of this paragraph (a);
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ Section 116(c)(2) of the Act provides that, notwithstanding 
the exclusion of remedial courses from the Act's definition of CTE, 
funds made available under NACTEP ``may be used to provide 
preparatory, refresher, and remedial education services that are 
designed to enable students to achieve success in career and 
technical education programs or programs of study.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Include competency-based, work-based, or other applied learning 
that supports the development of academic

[[Page 76553]]

knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work 
attitudes, employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-
specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of an industry, including 
entrepreneurship, of an individual;
    (c) To the extent practicable, coordinate between secondary and 
postsecondary education programs through programs of study, which may 
include coordination through articulation agreements, early college 
high school programs, dual or concurrent enrollment program 
opportunities, or other credit transfer agreements that provide 
postsecondary credit or advanced standing; and
    (d) May include career exploration at the high school level or as 
early as the middle grades (as such term is defined in section 8101 of 
the ESEA). (20 U.S.C. 2302(5)).
    Computer science means the study of computers and algorithmic 
processes and includes the study of computing principles and theories, 
computational thinking, computer hardware, software design, coding, 
analytics, and computer applications.
    Computer science often includes computer programming or coding as a 
tool to create software, including applications, games, websites, and 
tools to manage or manipulate data; or development and management of 
computer hardware and the other electronics related to sharing, 
securing, and using digital information.
    In addition to coding, the expanding field of computer science 
emphasizes computational thinking and interdisciplinary problem-solving 
to equip students with the skills and abilities necessary to apply 
computation in our digital world.
    Computer science does not include using a computer for everyday 
activities, such as browsing the internet; use of tools like word 
processing, spreadsheets, or presentation software; or using computers 
in the study and exploration of unrelated subjects. (Supplemental 
Priorities).
    CTE concentrator means--
    (a) At the secondary school level, a student served by an eligible 
recipient who has completed at least 2 courses in a single career and 
technical education program or program of study; and
    (b) At the postsecondary level, a student enrolled in an eligible 
recipient who has--
    (1) Earned at least 12 credits within a career and technical 
education program or program of study; or
    (2) Completed such a program if the program encompasses fewer than 
12 credits or the equivalent in total. (20 U.S.C. 2302(12))
    Direct assistance to students means tuition, dependent care, 
transportation, books, and supplies that are necessary for a student to 
participate in a CTE program or program of study supported with NACTEP 
funds. (Notice of Final Requirements).
    In-demand industry sector or occupation means--
    (a) An industry sector that has a substantial current or potential 
impact (including through jobs that lead to economic self-sufficiency 
and opportunities for advancement) on the State, regional, or local 
economy, as appropriate, and that contributes to the growth or 
stability of other supporting businesses, or the growth of other 
industry sectors; or
    (b) An occupation that currently has or is projected to have a 
number of positions (including positions that lead to economic self-
sufficiency and opportunities for advancement) in an industry sector so 
as to have a significant impact on the State, regional, or local 
economy, as appropriate. (29 U.S.C. 3102).
    Indian means a person who is a member of an Indian Tribe. (25 
U.S.C. 5304(d)).
    Indian Tribe means any Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other 
organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or 
regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant 
to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), 
which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services 
provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as 
Indians. (25 U.S.C. 5304(e)).
    Institution of higher education means--
    (a) An educational institution in any State that--
    (1) Admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of 
graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the 
recognized equivalent of such a certificate or persons who meet the 
requirements of section 1091(d) of this title;
    (2) Is legally authorized within such State to provide a program of 
education beyond secondary education;
    (3) Provides an educational program for which the institution 
awards a bachelor's degree or provides not less than a 2-year program 
that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree, or awards a 
degree that is acceptable for admission to a graduate or professional 
degree program, subject to review and approval by the Secretary;
    (4) Is a public or other nonprofit institution; and
    (5) Is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or 
association or, if not so accredited, is an institution that has been 
granted pre-accreditation status by such an agency or association that 
has been recognized by the Secretary of Education for the granting of 
pre-accreditation status, and the Secretary has determined that there 
is satisfactory assurance that the institution will meet the 
accreditation standards of such an agency or association within a 
reasonable time.
    (b) The term also includes--
    (1) Any school that provides not less than a 1-year program of 
training to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized 
occupation and that meets the provisions of paragraphs (1), (2), (4), 
and (5) of paragraph (a); and
    (2) A public or nonprofit private educational institution in any 
State that, in lieu of the requirement in paragraph (a)(1) of this 
definition, admits as regular students individuals who are beyond the 
age of compulsory school attendance in the State in which the 
institution is located or, (B) who will be dually or concurrently 
enrolled in the institution and a secondary school. (20 U.S.C. 1001(a) 
and (b)).
    Professional development means activities that--(a) are an integral 
part of eligible agency, eligible recipient, institution, or school 
strategies for providing educators (including teachers, principals, 
other school leaders, administrators, specialized instructional support 
personnel, career guidance and academic counselors, and 
paraprofessionals) with the knowledge and skills necessary to enable 
students to succeed in career and technical education, to meet 
challenging State academic standards under section 1111(b)(1) of ESEA, 
or to achieve academic skills at the postsecondary level; and
    (b) Are sustained (not stand-alone, 1-day, or short-term 
workshops), intensive, collaborative, job-embedded, data-driven, and 
classroom-focused, to the extent practicable evidence-based, and may 
include activities that---
    (1) Improve and increase educators'--
    (A) Knowledge of the academic and technical subjects;
    (B) Understanding of how students learn; and
    (C) Ability to analyze student work and achievement from multiple 
sources, including how to adjust instructional strategies, assessments, 
and materials based on such analysis;
    (2) Are an integral part of eligible recipients' improvement plans;

[[Page 76554]]

    (3) Allow personalized plans for each educator to address the 
educator's specific needs identified in observation or other feedback;
    (4) Support the recruitment, hiring, and training of effective 
educators, including educators who became certified through State and 
local alternative routes to certification;
    (5) Advance educator understanding of--
    (A) Effective instructional strategies that are evidence-based; and
    (B) Strategies for improving student academic and technical 
achievement or substantially increasing the knowledge and teaching 
skills of educators;
    (6) Are developed with extensive participation of educators, 
parents, students, and representatives of Indian Tribes (as 
applicable), of schools and institutions served under the Act;
    (7) Are designed to give educators of students who are English 
learners in career and technical education programs or programs of 
study the knowledge and skills to provide instruction and appropriate 
language and academic support services to those students, including the 
appropriate use of curricula and assessments;
    (8) As a whole, are regularly evaluated for their impact on 
increased educator effectiveness and improved student academic and 
technical achievement, with the findings of the evaluations used to 
improve the quality of professional development;
    (9) Are designed to give educators of individuals with disabilities 
in career and technical education programs or programs of study the 
knowledge and skills to provide instruction and academic support 
services to those individuals, including positive behavioral 
interventions and supports, multi-tier system of supports, and use of 
accommodations;
    (10) Include instruction in the use of data and assessments to 
inform and instruct classroom practice;
    (11) Include instruction in ways that educators may work more 
effectively with parents and families;
    (12) Provide follow-up training to educators who have
    participated in activities described in this definition that are 
designed to ensure that the knowledge and skills learned by the 
educators are implemented in the classroom;
    (13) Promote the integration of academic knowledge and skills and 
relevant technical knowledge and skills, including programming jointly 
delivered to academic and career and technical education teachers; or
    (14) Increase the ability of educators providing career and 
technical education instruction to stay current with industry 
standards. (20 U.S.C. 2302(40)).
    Program of study means a coordinated, nonduplicative sequence of 
academic and technical content at the secondary and postsecondary level 
that--
    (A) Incorporates challenging State academic standards, including 
those adopted by a State under section 1111(b)(1) of ESEA;
    (B) Addresses both academic and technical knowledge and skills, 
including employability skills;
    (C) Is aligned with the needs of industries in the economy of the 
State, region, Tribal community, or local area;
    (D) Progresses in specificity (beginning with all aspects of an 
industry or career cluster and leading to more occupation-specific 
instruction);
    (E) Has multiple entry and exit points that incorporate 
credentialing; and
    (F) Culminates in the attainment of a recognized postsecondary 
credential. (20 U.S.C. 2302 (41)).
    Recognized postsecondary credential means a credential consisting 
of an industry-recognized certificate or certification, a certificate 
of completion of an apprenticeship, a license recognized by the State 
involved or Federal Government, or an associate or baccalaureate 
degree. (29 U.S.C. 3102(52)).
    Secondary school means a nonprofit institutional day or residential 
school, including a public secondary charter school, that provides 
secondary education, as determined under State law, except that the 
term does not include any education beyond grade 12. (20 
U.S.C.7801(45)).
    Special populations means--
    (a) Individuals with disabilities;
    (b) Individuals from economically disadvantaged families, including 
low-income youth and adults;
    (c) Individuals preparing for non-traditional fields; (d) Single 
parents, including single pregnant women;
    (e) Out-of-workforce individuals;
    (f) English learners;
    (g) Homeless individuals described in section 725 of the McKinney-
Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a);
    (h) Youth who are in, or have aged out of, the foster care system; 
and
    (i) Youth with a parent who--
    (i) Is a member of the armed forces (as such term is defined in 
section 101(a)(4) of title 10, United States Code); and
    (ii) Is on active duty (as such term is defined in section 
101(d)(1) of such title). (20 U.S.C. 2302(48)).
    Stipend means a subsistence allowance for a student that is 
necessary for the student to participate in a CTE program or program of 
study supported with NACTEP funds. (Notice of Final Requirements).
    Support services means services related to curriculum modification, 
equipment modification, classroom modification, supportive personnel 
(including paraprofessionals and specialized instructional support 
personnel), and instructional aids and devices. (20 U.S.C. 2302(50)).
    Tribal organization means the recognized governing body of any 
Indian Tribe; any legally established organization of Indians that is 
controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body or that is 
democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to 
be served by such organization and that includes the maximum 
participation of Indians in all phases of its activities: Provided, 
that, in any case where a contract is let or grant made to an 
organization to perform services benefiting more than one Indian Tribe, 
the approval of each such Indian Tribe shall be a prerequisite to the 
letting or making of such contract or grant. (25 U.S.C. 5304(l)).
    Tribally controlled college or university means an institution of 
higher education that is formally controlled, or has been formally 
sanctioned, or chartered, by the governing body of an Indian tribe or 
tribes, except that no more than one such institution shall be 
recognized with respect to any such tribe. (25 U.S.C. 1801(a)(4)).
    Work-based learning means sustained interactions with industry or 
community professionals in real workplace settings, to the extent 
practicable, or simulated environments at an educational institution 
that foster in-depth, firsthand engagement with the tasks required of a 
given career field, that are aligned to curriculum and instruction. (20 
U.S.C. 2302 (55)).
    Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative Procedure 
Act (5 U.S.C. 553), the Department generally offers interested parties 
the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities, requirements, and 
definitions. Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA, however, allows the Secretary 
to exempt from rulemaking requirements regulations governing the first 
grant competition under a new or substantially revised program 
authority. This is the first grant competition for this substantially 
revised program under section 116 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and 
Technical Education Act of 2006, as amended by the Strengthening Career 
and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, 20 U.S.C. 2326, and 
therefore qualifies for this exemption. In

[[Page 76555]]

order to ensure timely grant awards, the Secretary has decided to forgo 
public comment on certain requirements, definitions, and selection 
criteria under section 437(d)(1) of GEPA. These requirements, 
definitions, and selection criteria will apply to the FY 2021 grant 
competition and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the 
list of unfunded applications from this competition.

    Program Authority:  20 U.S.C. 2301, et seq., particularly 
2326(a)-(g).

    Note: Projects must be awarded and operated in a manner consistent 
with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in the U.S. 
Constitution and the Federal civil rights laws.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 
84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
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) Notice of Final 
Requirements. (e) 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 86 apply to institutions of higher 
education only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $15,932,000 for the first 12 months of 
the project period. Funding for years two, three, four and five is 
subject to the availability of funds and to a grantee meeting the 
requirements of 34 CFR 75.253.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards later in FY 2021 or in 
subsequent years from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $451,000 to $551,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $458,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 35.
    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: (a) The following entities are eligible to 
apply under this competition:
    (1) A federally recognized Indian Tribe.
    (2) A Tribal organization.
    (3) An Alaska Native entity.
    (4) A Bureau-funded school, except for a Bureau-funded school 
proposing to use its award to support general education secondary 
school programs.
    (b) Any Tribe, Tribal organization, Alaska Native entity, or 
eligible Bureau-funded school may apply individually or as part of a 
consortium with one or more eligible Tribes, Tribal organizations, 
Alaska Native entities, or eligible Bureau-funded schools. (Eligible 
applicants seeking to apply for funds as a consortium must meet the 
requirements in 34 CFR 75.127-75.129, which apply to group 
applications.)
    Note: If you are a nonprofit organization, under 34 CFR 75.51, you 
may demonstrate your nonprofit status by providing: (1) Proof that the 
Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an 
organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section 
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a statement from a State 
taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the 
organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and 
that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private 
shareholder or individual; (3) a certified copy of the applicant's 
certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly 
establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or (4) any item 
described above if that item applies to a State or national parent 
organization, together with a statement by the State or parent 
organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.
    2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This competition involves supplement-
not-supplant funding requirements. In accordance with section 211(a) of 
the Act (20 U.S.C. 2391(a)), funds under this program may not be used 
to supplant non-Federal funds used to carry out CTE activities.
    We caution applicants not to plan to use funds under NACTEP to 
replace otherwise available non-Federal funding for direct assistance 
to students and family assistance programs. For example, NACTEP funds 
must not be used to supplant Tribal and other non-Federal funds with 
Federal funds in order to pay the costs of students' tuition, dependent 
care, transportation, books, supplies, and other costs associated with 
participation in a CTE program.
    Funds under NACTEP should not be used to replace Federal student 
financial aid. The Act does not authorize the Secretary to fund 
projects that serve primarily as entities through which students may 
apply for and receive tuition and other financial assistance.
    c. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses a restricted 
indirect cost rate. For more information regarding indirect costs, or 
to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please see www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/intro.html.
    d. Administrative Cost Limitation: This program does not include 
any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. All 
administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to 
Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform 
Guidance.
    e. Limitation on Services: Section 215 of the Act (20 U.S.C. 2395) 
forbids the use of Perkins funds for the education of students prior to 
the middle grades. The term middle grades refers to grades 5 through 8, 
as defined in section 8101 of ESEA.
    3. Subgrantees: Under 34 CFR 75.708 (b) and (c) a grantee under 
this competition may award subgrants--to directly carry out project 
activities described in its application--to the following types of 
entities: Institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, 
Tribal organizations, Bureau-funded schools operating a secondary 
school CTE program, or Alaska Native entities. The grantee may award 
subgrants to entities it has identified in an approved application or 
that it selects through a competition under procedures established by 
the grantee.

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

[[Page 76556]]

the NACTEP program, 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 on the Department's website, 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 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 35 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, and 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 the cover sheet; the 
budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the 
assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the resumes, 
the bibliography, or the letters of support. However, the recommended 
page limit does apply to all of the application narrative.
    6. Notice of Intent to Apply: The Department will be able to review 
grant applications more efficiently if we know the approximate number 
of applicants that intend to apply. Therefore, we strongly encourage 
each potential applicant to notify us of their intent to submit an 
application. To do so, please email the program contact person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT with the subject line ``Intent to 
Apply,'' and include the applicant's name and a contact person's name 
and email address. Applicants that do not submit a notice of intent to 
apply are not bound to apply or bound by the information provided.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are 
from the Notice of Final Requirements, the Act, 34 CFR 75.210, or are 
being established for the FY 2021 grant competition and any subsequent 
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications 
from this competition in accordance with section 437(d)(1) of GEPA, 20 
U.S.C. 1232(d)(1). The source of each criterion is noted after each 
criterion.
    The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses.
    (a) Need for project (Up to 10 points). In determining the need for 
the proposed project, we consider the following factors:
    (1) The extent to which the proposed project involves, coordinates 
with, or encourages Tribal economic development plans. (Section 
116(e)(1) of the Act). (Up to 5 points).
    (2) The extent of the need for the activities to be carried out by 
the proposed project, as evidenced by local labor market demand or 
occupational trends data, Tribal economic development plans, or 
recommendations from accrediting agencies. (Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA). 
(Up to 5 points).
    (b) Quality of the project design (Up to 40 points). In determining 
the quality of the design of the proposed project, we consider the 
following factors:
    (1) The extent to which the proposed project activities will create 
opportunities for students to receive a recognized postsecondary 
credential; become employed in high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand 
industry sectors or occupations; or both. (Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA). 
(Up to 20 points).
    (2) The extent to which the proposed project will successfully 
address the needs of the target population or other identified needs, 
as evidenced by the applicant's description of programs and activities 
that align with the target population's needs. (Section 437(d)(1) of 
GEPA). (Up to 10 points).
    (3) The extent to which the proposed project will be coordinated 
with similar or related efforts, and with community, State, or Federal 
resources, where such opportunities and resources exist. (Section 
437(d)(1) of GEPA). (Up to 5 points).
    (4) 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. (34 CFR 75.210). (Up to 5 
points).
    (c) Adequacy of resources (Up to 15 points). In determining the 
adequacy of resources for the proposed project, we consider the 
following factors:
    (1) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment, 
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization(s) and 
the Tribal entity or entities to be served. (Notice of Final 
Requirements). (Up to 2 points).
    (2) The extent to which the budget is adequate and costs are 
reasonable in relation to the objectives of the proposed project. 
(Notice of Final Requirements). (Up to 5 points).
    (3) The relevance and demonstrated commitment of the applicant, 
education providers, members of the consortium, local employers, or 
Tribal entities to be served by the project (e.g., through signed MOUs, 
letters of support and commitment, or commitments to employ project 
participants, as appropriate). (Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA). (Up to 3 
points).
    (4) The extent to which the project will use instructors who are 
licensed or certified to teach in the field in which they will provide 
instruction. (Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA). (Up to 5 points).
    (d) Quality of the management plan (Up to 25 points). In 
determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed 
project, we consider the following factors:
    (1) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives 
of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly 
defined project objectives, staff responsibilities, timelines, and the 
milestones. (Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA). (Up to 10 points).
    (2) 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

[[Page 76557]]

disability. (Notice of Final Requirements). (Up to 5 points).
    (3) The extent to which the time commitments of the project 
director and other key project personnel are appropriate and adequate 
to meet the objectives of the proposed project. (Notice of Final 
Requirements). (Up to 5 points).
    (4) The qualifications, including relevant training, expertise, and 
experience, of the project director, key personnel, and project 
consultants. (Notice of Final Requirements). (Up to 5 points).
    (e) Quality of the project evaluation (Up to 10 points). In 
determining the quality of the evaluation, we consider the following 
factors:
    (1) The extent to which the proposed methods of evaluation are 
thorough, feasible, and include the use of objective performance 
measures that are clearly related to the intended outcomes of the 
project and the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) 
performance measures. (Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA). (Up to 5 points).
    (2) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and continuous improvement toward achieving 
intended outcomes. (Notice of Final Requirements). (Up to 5 points).
    2. Additional Selection Factor: In accordance with the requirement 
in section 116(e) of the Act, we have included the following additional 
selection factor from the Notice of Final Requirements:
    We will award five points to applications from Tribally controlled 
colleges or universities that--
    (a) Are accredited or are candidates for accreditation by a 
nationally recognized accreditation organization as an institution of 
postsecondary CTE; or
    (b) Operate CTE programs that are accredited or are candidates for 
accreditation by a nationally recognized accreditation organization and 
issue certificates for completion of CTE programs (20 U.S.C. 2326(e)).
    3. 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).
    4. Risk Assessment and Special 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 special 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.
    5. 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 (SAM). 
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. Appeal process: Any applicant denied funding under this NACTEP 
competition may request a hearing to review the Secretary's decision 
not to make the award. The Secretary will implement the appeal process 
in accordance with the procedures in 34 CFR 401.1. In accordance with 
those procedures, any applicant denied funding will have 30 calendar 
days to make a written request to the Secretary for a hearing to review 
the Secretary's decision. (25 U.S.C. 5321(b); 34 CFR 401.1).
    2. Indian Self-Determination Contracts: Section 116(b)(2) of the 
Act provides that grants or contracts awarded under section 116 of the 
Act are subject to the terms and conditions of section 102 of the 
ISDEAA (25 U.S.C. 5321) and must be conducted in accordance with the 
provisions of sections 4, 5, and 6 of the Act of April 16, 1934 (25 
U.S.C. 5345-5347) (Johnson-O'Malley Act), that are relevant to the 
programs administered under section 116(b) of the Act. The Act of April 
16, 1934 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into 
contracts for the education of Indians and other purposes. Section 102 
of the ISDEAA authorizes Indian Tribes to request self-determination 
contracts from the Department of Interior. Accordingly, an Indian Tribe 
or Tribal organization that has applied to the Secretary for funding 
under NACTEP and has been notified of its selection to be a funding 
recipient may submit a request to both the Secretary of Education (via 
the contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) and 
the relevant Department of Interior contact person to operate its 
NACTEP project through a section 102 Indian self-determination 
contract.
    After successful applicants are selected under this NACTEP 
competition, the Secretary will review any requests to operate a 
project under an Indian self-determination contract pursuant to the 
ISDEAA. If a request for an Indian self-determination contract is 
approved, the Indian Tribe or Tribal organization submitting the 
request will be required, to the extent possible, to operate its 
project in accordance with the ISDEAA, relevant provisions in sections 
4, 5, and 6 of the Act of April 16, 1934 (25 U.S.C. 5345-5347), the 
Act, and the non-statutory program requirements specified in this 
notice.
    The CTE programs provided through an Indian self-determination 
contract would have to be substantively the same as were proposed in 
the initial NACTEP application and approved by the Department. Any 
Indian Tribe or Tribal organization that is selected to receive funding 
under this competition, but whose request to operate the project under 
an Indian self-determination contract is denied, may appeal the denial 
to the Secretary. If you have questions about ISDEAA self-determination 
contracts, please contact

[[Page 76558]]

the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. (Section 
437(d)(1) of GEPA).
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. Open Licensing Requirement: 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. 
The 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.
    6. 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 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.
    (c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may provide a grantee 
with additional funding for data collection analysis and reporting. In 
this case the Secretary establishes a data collection period.
    7. Performance Measures: The Department has established the 
following performance measures for purposes of GPRA and for Department 
reporting under 34 CFR 75.110, which it will use to evaluate the 
overall performance of the grantee's project, as well as NACTEP as a 
whole:
    (a) At the secondary level: An increase in--
    (1) The percentage of CTE concentrators who graduate high school, 
as measured by--
    (A) The four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate (defined in 
section 8101 of ESEA); and
    (B) At the grantee's discretion, the extended-year adjusted cohort 
graduation rate (defined in section 8101 of ESEA);
    (2) The percentage of CTE concentrators graduating from high school 
having attained postsecondary credits in the relevant CTE program 
earned through a dual or concurrent enrollment program or another 
credit transfer agreement;
    (3) The percentage of CTE concentrators graduating from high school 
having participated in work-based learning;
    (4) The percentage of CTE concentrators graduating from high school 
having attained a recognized postsecondary credential; and
    (5) The percentage of CTE concentrators who, after exiting from 
secondary education, are in postsecondary education or advanced 
training, military service, or a service program, or are employed.
    (b) At the postsecondary level: An increase in--
    (1) The percentage of CTE concentrators who remain enrolled in 
postsecondary education, are in advanced training, military service, or 
a service program, or are employed; and
    (2) The percentage of CTE concentrators who receive a recognized 
postsecondary credential.
    Project-Specific Performance Measures: In addition to these 
measures, applicants may propose project-specific performance measures 
and performance targets consistent with the objectives of the proposed 
project. Examples of such project-specific performance measures could 
include student recruitment, student participation in work-based 
learning at the postsecondary level, and teacher and faculty 
participation in professional development.
    Note: All grantees will be expected to submit a semi-annual and an 
annual performance report addressing these performance measures, to the 
extent that these performance measures apply to each grantee's NACTEP 
project.
    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 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: On request to the program contact person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, 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), to the extent reasonably practicable.
    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

[[Page 76559]]

your search to documents published by the Department.

Scott Stump,
Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education.
[FR Doc. 2020-26112 Filed 11-27-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P


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