Applications for New Awards; Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities-National Technical Assistance and Dissemination Center Program, 42801-42806 [2021-16832]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 148 (Thursday, August 5, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42801-42806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16832]



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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Postsecondary Programs for Students 
with Intellectual Disabilities-National Technical Assistance and 
Dissemination Center Program

AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice 
inviting applications (NIA) for a new award for fiscal year (FY) 2021 
for the Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual 
Disabilities-National Technical Assistance and Dissemination Center 
(PPSID-NTAD) program, Assistance Listing Number 84.407C. This notice 
relates to the approved information collection under OMB control number 
1894-0006.

DATES: Applications available: August 5, 2021.
    Deadline for transmittal of applications: September 7, 2021.

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: Shedita Alston, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 2B194, Washington, DC 20202-
4260. Telephone: (202) 453-7090. Email: [email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The Postsecondary Programs for Students with 
Intellectual Disabilities-National Technical Assistance and 
Dissemination Center (PPSID-NTAD) program provides for the 
establishment of a technical assistance center to translate and 
disseminate research and best practices for all institutions of higher 
education (IHEs), including those not participating in the Transition 
and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities 
(TPSID) program, for improving inclusive postsecondary education for 
students with intellectual disabilities (SWIDs). This center will help 
ensure that knowledge and products gained through research will reach 
more IHEs and students and improve postsecondary educational 
opportunities SWIDs.
    Background: Historically in the United States, the education, 
employment, and independent living outcomes for individuals with 
intellectual disabilities have lagged that of students without 
disabilities. According to Migliore, Butterworth, and Hart (2009), 
SWIDs have the lowest rates of education, work, or preparation for work 
after high school of all disability groups.\1\ Since 2010, through the 
grants that the Department has awarded under the TPSID program, we have 
seen improvements in services for students with disabilities, including 
institutions of higher education more frequently offering specially 
designed instruction in inclusive and integrated settings to support 
improved academic, functional, and social outcomes, which, in turn, 
lead to improved employment and independent living outcomes.
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    \1\ A. Migliore, J. Butterworth, and D. Hart, Fast facts: 
Postsecondary education and employment outcomes for youth with 
intellectual disabilities (No. 1). Boston: Institute for Community 
Inclusion.
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    The Department is particularly interested in broadening the 
dissemination of information that is based on the work that has been 
completed by projects that were funded under the TPSID program 
(Assistance Listing Number 84.407A). The Department seeks to assist 
other IHEs in learning about high-impact practices for these students 
and sharing them with the widest audience possible, including other 
colleges and universities, local educational agencies (LEAs), families 
and students, and other stakeholders who may be interested in 
developing, expanding, or improving inclusive higher education for 
SWIDs. Through the dissemination of such information, including 
research and promising practices in the field of postsecondary 
education for SWIDs, the PPSID-NTAD program seeks to better support 
comprehensive transition and postsecondary education programs across 
the country (including those funded under the TPSID program) as they 
work to increase the number of individuals with intellectual 
disabilities who are academically, functionally, and socially prepared 
to obtain and retain competitive employment in integrated settings and 
to live independently as full and active members of their communities.
    Priorities: This notice contains one absolute priority and one 
competitive preference priority. We are establishing these priorities 
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 the General 
Education Provisions Act (GEPA), 20 U.S.C. 1232 (d)(1).
    Absolute 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 an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet this priority.
    This absolute priority is:
    The purpose of this priority is to fund a cooperative agreement to 
establish and operate a National Technical Assistance Center for 
Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities 
(Center). This Center will translate and disseminate to institutions of 
higher education (IHEs) research and best practices for improving 
inclusive postsecondary education for (SWIDs).
    The Center must be designed to achieve, at a minimum, the following 
expected outcomes:
    (a) Increased accessibility to postsecondary education courses, 
including courses conducted in-person and through remote learning, for 
SWIDs.
    (b) Increased participation of SWIDs in the same curriculum offered 
to matriculating college students without intellectual disabilities.
    (c) Increased availability for SWIDs of the same campus services 
and events offered to matriculating students without intellectual 
disabilities (such as academic and career advising, on-campus 
residential living that is not restricted to matriculating college 
students, employment, and student orientation).
    (d) An increased number of IHEs offering comprehensive transition 
programs (CTPs) for SWIDs.
    (e) An increased number of SWIDs obtaining a meaningful 
postsecondary credential each year.
    In responding to this priority, the applicant must describe--
    (a) How the Center will translate and disseminate to all IHEs, 
including those not participating in the TPSID program and those not 
currently offering Comprehensive Transition Programs, research and best 
practices for improving inclusive postsecondary education for SWIDs;
    (b) How the Center will assist IHEs, including IHEs that do not 
currently have CTPs, in the development, evaluation, and continuous 
improvement of such programs;

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    (c) How the Center will assist IHEs in the expansion of inclusive 
practices for SWIDs across a wide range of academic programs;
    (d) How the Center will promote improved academic, social, 
independent living, and self-advocacy outcomes for SWIDs;
    (e) How the Center will increase the capacity of faculty, campus 
service providers, and families to meet the needs of SWIDs; and
    (f) How the Center will coordinate with other federally funded 
technical assistance centers to avoid duplication of activities.
    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 
six points to an application, depending on how well the application 
meets this priority.
    This priority is:
    Projects designed to develop and sustain partnerships between IHEs, 
businesses, LEAs, vocational rehabilitation agencies, community-based 
organizations, or other non-profit organizations to support improved 
academic, social, independent living, and self-advocacy outcomes for 
SWIDs.
    Definitions: The following definitions apply to this competition. 
We are establishing the definition of ``remote learning'' in this 
notice 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. The 
definitions of ``comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for 
students with intellectual disabilities'' and ``student with an 
intellectual disability'' are from section 760 of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) (20 U.S.C. 1140). The definition of 
``institution of higher education'' is from section 101 of the HEA (20 
U.S.C. 1001). The term ``cooperative agreement'' is from 2 CFR 200.24.
    Comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students 
with intellectual disabilities means a degree, certificate, or 
nondegree program that--
    (1) Is offered by an IHE;
    (2) Is designed to support SWIDs who are seeking to continue 
academic, career and technical, and independent living instruction at 
an IHE in order to prepare for gainful employment;
    (3) Includes an advising and curriculum structure;
    (4) Requires SWIDs to participate on not less than a half-time 
basis as determined by the institution, with such participation 
focusing on academic components, and occurring through one or more of 
the following activities:
    (i) Regular enrollment in credit-bearing courses with nondisabled 
students offered by the institution.
    (ii) Auditing or participating in courses with nondisabled students 
offered by the institution for which the student does not receive 
regular academic credit.
    (iii) Enrollment in noncredit-bearing, nondegree courses with 
nondisabled students.
    (iv) Participation in internships or work-based training in 
settings with nondisabled individuals; and
    (5) Requires SWIDs to be socially and academically integrated with 
non-disabled students to the maximum extent possible.
    Cooperative agreement means a legal instrument of financial 
assistance between a Federal awarding agency and a recipient or a pass-
through entity and a subrecipient that, consistent with 31 U.S.C. 6302-
6305:
    (1) Is used to enter into a relationship the principal purpose of 
which is to transfer anything of value to carry out a public purpose 
authorized by a law of the United States (see 31 U.S.C. 6101(3)); and 
not to acquire property or services for the Federal Government or pass-
through entity's direct benefit or use;
    (2) Is distinguished from a grant in that it provides for 
substantial involvement of the Federal awarding agency in carrying out 
the activity contemplated by the Federal award.
    (3) The term does not include:
    (i) A cooperative research and development agreement as defined in 
15 U.S.C. 3710a; or
    (ii) An agreement that provides only:
    (A) Direct United States Government cash assistance to an 
individual;
    (B) A subsidy;
    (C) A loan;
    (D) A loan guarantee; or
    (E) Insurance.
    Institution of higher education--
    (1) Means an educational institution in any State that--
    (i) 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 484(d) of the HEA;
    (ii) Is legally authorized within such State to provide a program 
of education beyond secondary education;
    (iii) 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;
    (iv) Is a public or other nonprofit institution; and
    (v) 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 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.
    (2) Additional institutions included for the purposes of the HEA, 
other than title IV. The term ``institution of higher education'' also 
includes--
    (i) 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 provision of paragraphs (i), (ii), (iv), 
and (v) of paragraph (1); and
    (ii) A public or nonprofit private educational institution in any 
State that, in lieu of the requirement in paragraph (1)(i), admits as 
regular students individuals--
    (A) 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.
    Remote learning means programming where at least part of the 
learning occurs away from the physical building in a manner that 
addresses a learner's education needs. Remote learning may include 
online, hybrid/blended learning, or non-technology-based learning 
(e.g., lab kits, project supplies, paper packets).
    Student with an intellectual disability means a student--
    (1) With a cognitive impairment, characterized by significant 
limitations in--
    (i) Intellectual and cognitive functioning; and
    (ii) Adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social, and 
practical adaptive skills; and
    (2) Who is currently, or was formerly, eligible for a free 
appropriate public education under the Individuals with Disabilities 
Education Act.

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    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. 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. To ensure timely grant 
awards, the Secretary has decided to forgo public comment on the 
priorities and definitions under section 437(d)(1) of GEPA. These 
priorities and definitions 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: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, 
and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2021, H.R. 7614, 
116th Congress (2020); the explanatory statement accompanying H.R. 
7614, Congressional Record, December 21, 2020, H8635.

    Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner 
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in the 
Federal civil rights laws.

    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97, 
98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to 
Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 
2 CFR 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.

    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative agreement.
    Estimated Available Funds: $1,980,000.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent years from 
the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
    Estimated Average Size of Award: $1,980,000.
    Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $1,980,000 for a 
project period of 12 months.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 1.

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

    Project Period: Up to 36 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: We are establishing the following 
eligibility requirement 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. To be eligible to apply for a grant under this 
competition, the applicant must be an entity, or partnership of 
entities, that has demonstrated expertise in the fields of--
    (a) Higher education;
    (b) The education of SWIDS;
    (c) The development of comprehensive transition and postsecondary 
programs for students SWIDs; and
    (d) Evaluation and technical assistance.
    2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not require 
cost sharing or matching.
    b. 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.
    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.
    3. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award 
subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities 
described in its application.

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 
contains requirements and information on how to submit an application.
    2. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive 
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. However, under 34 
CFR 79.8 (a), we waive intergovernmental review in order to make awards 
by September 30, 2021.
    3. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    4. 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 no more than 50 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. However, the 
recommended page limit does apply to all the application narrative.

    Note:  The Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs Form (ED 
524) Sections A-C are not the same as the narrative response to the 
Budget section of the selection criteria.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The following selection criteria for this 
program are from 34 CFR 75.210. The points assigned to each criterion 
are indicated in parentheses. Applicants may earn up to a total of 100 
points for the selection criteria and up to six additional points for 
the competitive preference priority.
    (a) Need for project. (up to 10 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the need for the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the need for the proposed project, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    (i) The magnitude or severity of the problem to be addressed by the 
proposed project.
    (ii) The extent to which specific gaps or weaknesses in services, 
infrastructure, or opportunities have been identified and will be 
addressed by the proposed project, including the

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nature and magnitude of those gaps or weaknesses.
    (b) Significance. (up to 10 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed 
project.
    (2) In determining the significance of the proposed project, the 
Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the results of the proposed project are to 
be disseminated in ways that will enable others to use the information 
or strategies.
    (ii) The extent to which the proposed project involves the 
development or demonstration of promising new strategies that build on, 
or are alternatives to, existing strategies.
    (c) Quality of the project design. (up to 15 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the 
proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the design of the proposed project is 
appropriate to, and will successfully address, the needs of the target 
population or other identified needs.
    (ii) The extent to which the design of the proposed project 
includes a thorough, high-quality review of the relevant literature, a 
high-quality plan for project implementation, and the use of 
appropriate methodological tools to ensure successful achievement of 
project objectives.
    (iii) The extent to which the design of the proposed project 
reflects up-to-date knowledge from research and effective practice.
    (d) Quality of project services. (up to 15 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be 
provided by the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the services to be provided by 
the proposed project, the Secretary considers the quality and 
sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal access and treatment for 
eligible project participants who are members of groups that have 
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
origin, gender, age, or disability.
    (3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed 
project are appropriate to the needs of the intended recipients or 
beneficiaries of those services.
    (ii) The likelihood that the services to be provided by the 
proposed project will lead to improvements in the skills necessary to 
gain employment or build capacity for independent living.
    (iii) The extent to which the services to be provided by the 
proposed project reflect up-to-date knowledge from research and 
effective practice.
    (e) Quality of project personnel. (up to 10 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will 
carry out the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary 
considers the extent to which the applicant encourages applications for 
employment from persons who are members of groups that have 
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
origin, gender, age, or disability.
    (3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of the project director or principal investigator.
    (ii) The qualifications, including relevant training and 
experience, of key project personnel.
    (f) Adequacy of resources. (up to 20 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources for the 
proposed project.
    (2) In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment, 
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the 
lead applicant organization.
    (ii) The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the 
proposed project.
    (iii) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to 
the number of persons to be served and to the anticipated results and 
benefits.
    (iv) The potential for continued support of the project after 
Federal funding ends, including, as appropriate, the demonstrated 
commitment of appropriate entities to such support.
    (g) Quality of the project evaluation. (up to 20 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be 
conducted of the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the project evaluation to be 
conducted of the proposed project, the Secretary considers the 
following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation provide for 
examining the effectiveness of project implementation strategies.
    (ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use 
of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the 
intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and 
qualitative data to the extent possible.
    (iii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress towards 
achieving intended outcomes.
    (iv) The extent to which the evaluation will provide guidance about 
effective strategies suitable for replication or testing in other 
settings.
    2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants 
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, 
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past 
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as 
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and 
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider 
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or 
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
    In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary 
also requires various assurances including those applicable to Federal 
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or 
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department 
(34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    A panel of three non-Federal reviewers will review and score each 
application in accordance with the selection criteria. A rank order 
funding slate will be made from this review. An award will be made in 
rank order according to the average score received from the combined 
peer review and competitive preference priority point grand total.
    In a tie-breaking situation under this program, if a tie remains 
after applying any additional points from the competitive preference 
priority, preference will be given to the applicant with the highest 
score under the ``Quality of the Project Design'' criterion. If there 
is still a tie after implementing the first tiebreaker, preference will 
be given to the applicant with the highest score under the ``Quality of 
the Project Services'' criterion. If there is still a tie after 
applying the secondary tiebreaker, preference will be given to the 
applicant with the highest score on the ``Quality of Management Plan'' 
selection criterion.
    3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.206, before awarding grants under this program, the Department 
conducts

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a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 200.208, the 
Secretary may impose specific conditions and, under 2 CFR 3474.10, in 
appropriate circumstances, high-risk conditions on a grant if the 
applicant or grantee is not financially stable; has a history of 
unsatisfactory performance; has a financial or other management system 
that does not meet the standards in 2 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not 
fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not 
responsible.
    4. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this 
competition to receive an award that over the course of the project 
period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently 
$250,000), under 2 CFR 200.206(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your 
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal 
awards--that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant--before we make 
an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that 
is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as 
the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System 
(FAPIIS)), accessible through the System for Award Management. You may 
review and comment on any information about yourself that a Federal 
agency previously entered and that is currently in FAPIIS.
    Please note that, if the total value of your currently active 
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the 
Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity 
information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal 
funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.
    5. In General: In accordance with the Office of Management and 
Budget's guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal 
laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department will review and 
consider applications for funding pursuant to this notice inviting 
applications in accordance with--
    (a) Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering 
results based on the program objectives through an objective process of 
evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR 200.205);
    (b) Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video 
surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the 
National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) (2 CFR 
200.216);
    (c) Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to 
maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United 
States (2 CFR 200.322); and
    (d) Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest 
extent authorized by law if an award no longer effectuates the program 
goals or agency priorities (2 CFR 200.340).
    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).

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN); or we may send you an email containing a link to 
access an electronic version of your GAN. We may notify you informally, 
also.
    If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify 
administrative and national policy requirements in the application 
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable 
Regulations section of this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and 
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also 
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding 
commitments under the grant.
    3. Open Licensing Requirements: Unless an exception applies, if you 
are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to 
openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in 
part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of 
modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends only to those 
modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent 
that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or 
other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works. 
Additionally, a grantee that is awarded competitive grant funds must 
have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables. This 
dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your 
application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional 
information on the open licensing requirements, please refer to 2 CFR 
3474.20.
    4. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition, 
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and 
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply 
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
    (b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final 
performance report, including financial information, as directed by the 
Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit 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.
    5. Performance Measures: The Government Performance and Results Act 
of 1993 directs Federal departments and agencies to improve the 
effectiveness of their programs by engaging in strategic planning, 
setting outcome-related goals for programs, and measuring program 
results against those goals. To assess the success of the grantee in 
meeting these goals, the Secretary has established the following two 
performance measures for annually assessing the effectiveness of the 
PPSID-NTAD program:
    (a) The percentage of inclusive comprehensive transition and 
postsecondary programs SWIDs assisted by the Center that use the 
technical assistance and/or best practices knowledge disseminated by 
the Center; and
    (b) The percentage of SWIDs who are enrolled in programs assisted 
by the Center who complete the programs and obtain a meaningful 
credential, as defined by the Center and supported through empirical 
evidence.

[[Page 42806]]

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. The Department will provide the requestor with an 
accessible format that may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or text 
format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large print, 
audiotape, or compact disc, or another accessible format.
    Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may 
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of 
Federal Regulations at www.govinfo.gov. At this site you can view this 
document, as well as all other documents of this Department published 
in the Federal Register, in text or Portable Document Format (PDF). To 
use PDF, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at 
the site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal Register by using the article search feature at 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

Michelle Asha Cooper,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.

[FR Doc. 2021-16832 Filed 8-4-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P