Applications for New Awards; Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program, 61183-61188 [2021-24362]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 212 (Friday, November 5, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61183-61188]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24362]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Basic Needs for Postsecondary 
Students 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 new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2021 
for the Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program, Assistance 
Listing Number 84.116N. This notice relates to the approved information 
collection under OMB control number 1894-0006.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: November 5, 2021.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: December 6, 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: Njeri Clark, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 2B168, Washington, DC 20202-
4260. Telephone: (202) 453-6224. Email: [email protected].

[[Page 61184]]

    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 Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students 
Program provides grants to eligible institutions of higher education 
(IHEs) to support programs that address the basic needs of students and 
to report on practices that improve outcomes for students.
    Background: The Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program 
supports IHEs that demonstrate a commitment to developing or enhancing 
programs that support the basic needs of students. There is growing 
evidence that food and housing insecurities compromise the well-being 
of thousands of undergraduate students across the country, which may 
reduce the odds that they will complete their degrees or certificates. 
A recent study of more than 33,000 community college students found 
that one-third had the lowest levels of food security and could be 
considered hungry, while just over 50 percent were housing insecure. 
Fourteen percent of those students surveyed were homeless.\1\
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    \1\ Goldrick-Rab, S., Broton, K., & Eisenberg, D. (2015). Hungry 
to Learn: Addressing Food & Housing Insecurity among Undergraduates. 
Wisconsin HOPE Lab. Retrieved from https://wihopelab.com/publications/Wisconsin_HOPE_Lab_Hungry_To_Learn.pdf. Goldrick-Rab, 
S., Richardson, J., & Hernandez, A. (2017). Hungry and Homeless in 
College: Results from a National Study of Basic Needs Insecurity in 
Higher Education. Wisconsin HOPE Lab. Retrieved from https://wihopelab.com/publications/hungry-and-homeless-in-college-report.pdf
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    Similarly, the Government Accountability Office analyzed dozens of 
studies and found rates of food insecurity among college students were 
typically reported at more than 30 percent.\2\ Studies show that if a 
student has not eaten sufficient nutritious food or slept the night 
before a class or exam, they will have greater difficulty mastering the 
material and performing well.\3\
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    \2\ Government Accountability Office. (2018). Food Insecurity: 
Better Information Could Help Eligible College Students Access 
Federal Food Assistance Benefits. Retrieved from https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-19-95.pdf.
    \3\ Maroto, M.E., Snelling, A., & Linck, H. (2015). Food 
Insecurity Among Community College Students: Prevalence and 
Association with Grade Point Average. Community College Journal of 
Research and Practice, 39(6), 515-526. Hershner, S.D., & Chervin, 
R.D. (2014). Causes and Consequences of Sleepiness Among College 
Students. Nature and Science of Sleep, 6, 73-84.
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    According to the Hope Center for College, Community and Justice's 
most recent basic needs survey, students of color were more likely to 
experience basic needs insecurity than their White peers. For students 
at both two- and four-year institutions, 75 percent of Indigenous 
students, 70 percent of Black students, and 64 percent of Hispanic or 
Latino students experienced basic needs insecurity, compared with 54 
percent of White students.\4\
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    \4\ hope4college.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/2019_RealCollege_Survey_Report.pdf.
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    Supporting students' basic needs has many benefits for colleges and 
universities, including boosting academic performance, promoting 
retention and degree completion, reducing the barriers that returning 
adults face, and creating bridges between the institution and community 
organizations.\5\ In light of this and the other important issues 
described above, this competition is designed to promote student 
success by supporting programs that address the basic needs of students 
and report on those practices that improve student outcomes. In 
addition to the absolute priority we have established to address these 
issues, we are establishing a competitive preference priority to 
promote comprehensive services to students. This competitive preference 
priority furthers the goals of the program by supporting projects that 
meet the needs of the whole student.
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    \5\ hope4college.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/2019_RealCollege_Survey_Report.pdf.
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    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: This priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 
CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this 
priority.
    This priority is:
    Strengthening Cross-Agency Coordination and Community Engagement to 
Advance Systemic Change.
    Projects that are designed to take a systemic approach to improving 
outcomes for underserved students through coordinating efforts with 
Federal, State, or local agencies, or community-based organizations 
that support students, to address two or more of the following basic 
needs:
    (1) Food assistance.
    (2) Housing.
    (3) Transportation.
    (4) Health, including access to mental health support.
    (5) Childcare.
    (6) Dependent care.
    (7) Technology.
    Competitive Preference Priority: 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 priority.
    This priority is:
    Meeting Student Social, Emotional, and Academic Needs. (up to 5 
points)
    Projects that are designed to support students' social, emotional, 
and academic needs with a focus on underserved students.
    Definitions: We are establishing definitions for ``community 
college,'' ``Historically Black colleges and universities,'' 
``Minority-Serving Institution,'' ``Tribal Colleges or Universities,'' 
and ``underserved student'' 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. We have defined ``community college'' to ensure that 
we capture applicable institutions of higher education that offer both 
associate and bachelor's degrees. We are establishing the definition of 
``underserved student'' to target the populations we believe are most 
in need of the services intended to be provided under this program. The 
remaining definitions are from 34 CFR 77.1.
    Community college means an institution that meets the definition in 
section 312(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) 
(20 U.S.C. 1058(f)); or an IHE (as defined in section 101 of the HEA) 
that awards degrees and certificates, more than 50 percent of which are 
not bachelor's degrees (or an equivalent) or master's, professional, or 
other advanced degrees.
    Demonstrates a rationale means a key project component included in 
the project's logic model is informed by research or evaluation 
findings that suggest the project component is likely to improve 
relevant outcomes.
    Department means the U.S. Department of Education.
    Fiscal year means the Federal fiscal year--a period beginning on 
October 1 and ending on the following September 30.
    Grantee means the legal entity to which a grant is awarded and that 
is accountable to the Federal Government for the use of the funds 
provided. The

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grantee is the entire legal entity even if only a particular component 
of the entity is designated in the grant award notice (GAN). For 
example, a GAN may name as the grantee one school or campus of a 
college or university. In this case, the granting agency usually 
intends, or actually intends, that the named component assume primary 
or sole responsibility for administering the grant-assisted project or 
program. Nevertheless, the naming of a component of a legal entity as 
the grantee in a grant award document shall not be construed as 
relieving the whole legal entity from accountability to the Federal 
Government for the use of the funds provided. (This definition is not 
intended to affect the eligibility provision of grant programs in which 
eligibility is limited to organizations that may be only components of 
a legal entity.) The term ``grantee'' does not include any secondary 
recipients, such as subgrantees and contractors, that may receive funds 
from a grantee pursuant to a subgrant or contract.
    Historically Black colleges and universities means colleges and 
universities that meet the criteria set out in 34 CFR 608.2.
    Logic model (also referred to as a theory of action) means a 
framework that identifies key project components of the proposed 
project (i.e., the active ``ingredients'' that are hypothesized to be 
critical to achieving the relevant outcomes) and describes the 
theoretical and operational relationships among the key project 
components and relevant outcomes.

    Note: In developing logic models, applicants may want to use 
resources such as the Pacific Education Laboratory's Logic Model 
Application (www.ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/elm.asp).

    Minority-Serving Institution means an institution that is eligible 
to receive assistance under sections 316 through 320 of part A of title 
III, under part B of title III, or under title V of the HEA.
    Performance measure means any quantitative indicator, statistic, or 
metric used to gauge program or project performance.
    Project component means an activity, strategy, intervention, 
process, product, practice, or policy included in a project. Evidence 
may pertain to an individual project component or to a combination of 
project components (e.g., training teachers on instructional practices 
for English learners and follow-on coaching for these teachers).
    Relevant outcome means the student outcome(s) or other outcomes(s) 
the key project component is designed to improve, consistent with the 
specific goals of the program.
    Tribal Colleges or Universities has the meaning ascribed it in 
section 316(b)(3) of the HEA.
    Underserved student means a student who is enrolled in 
postsecondary education and is a member of one or more of the following 
subgroups:
    (a) A student who is living in poverty.
    (b) A student of color.
    (c) A student who is a member of a federally recognized Indian 
Tribe.
    (d) A student with a disability.
    (e) A student experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
    (f) A pregnant, parenting, or caregiving student.
    (g) A lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex 
(LGBTQ+) student.
    (h) A student who is the first in their family to attend 
postsecondary education.
    (i) A student enrolling in or seeking to enroll in postsecondary 
education for the first time at the age of 20 or older.
    (j) A student who is enrolled in or is seeking to enroll in 
postsecondary education who is eligible for a Pell Grant.
    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, selection criteria, 
definitions, and other requirements. 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 program, and therefore qualifies for this 
exemption. In order to ensure timely grant awards, the Secretary has 
decided to forgo public comment on the priorities, requirements, and 
definitions under section 437(d)(1) of GEPA. These priorities, 
requirements, 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: 20 U.S.C. 1138-1138d; 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. 133 (Pub. L. 116-260).

    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 (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.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $4,950,000.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent fiscal years 
from the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $750,000 to $990,000 over 36 months.
    Estimated Average Size of Award: $865,000.
    Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $990,000 for a 
single budget period of 36 months.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 5.

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

    Project Period: Up to 36 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Community Colleges (as defined in this 
notice) that are Minority-Serving Institutions (as defined in this 
notice), Historically Black colleges and universities (as defined in 
this notice), or Tribal Colleges or Universities (as defined in this 
notice).

    Note: The notice announcing the FY 2021 process for designation 
of eligible institutions, and inviting applications for waiver of 
eligibility requirements, was published in the Federal Register on 
March 4, 2021 (86 FR 12665). The Department extended the deadline 
for applications in a notice published in the Federal Register on 
April 13, 2021 (86 FR 19231). Only institutions that the Department 
determines are eligible, or which are granted a waiver under the 
process described in the March 4, 2021, notice, and that meet the 
other eligibility requirements described in this notice, may apply 
for a grant under this program.

    2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not require 
cost sharing or matching.
    b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program limits a grantee's 
indirect cost reimbursement to eight percent of a modified total direct 
cost base. We are

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establishing this indirect cost limit 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. 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.
    c. 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.
    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 
contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.
    2. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of 
projects that may be proposed in applications for the Basic Needs for 
Postsecondary Students 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).
    An applicant may wish to request confidentiality of business 
information because successful applications may be made available to 
the public, if requested.
    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. However, 
under 34 CFR 79.8(a), we waive intergovernmental review in order to 
make awards in a timely manner.
    4. Funding Restrictions: We reference additional 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 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 applies to the Project Narrative, which 
is your complete response to the selection criteria, and any response 
to the competitive preference priorities, if applicable. However, the 
recommended page limit does not apply to the Application for Federal 
Assistance form (SF-424); the ED SF-424 Supplement form; the Budget 
Information--Non-Construction Programs form (ED 524); the assurances 
and certifications; or the one-page project abstract and supporting 
budget 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 may still apply for funding; applicants that do 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 competition 
are from 34 CFR 75.210. An applicant may earn up to a total of 100 
points based on the selection criteria and up to five additional points 
under the competitive preference priority, for a total score of up to 
105 points. The selection criteria are as follows:

a. Need for the project. (Maximum 20 Points)

    The Secretary considers the need for the proposed project.
    In determining the need for the proposed project, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    i. The magnitude of the need for the services to be provided or the 
activities to be carried out by the proposed project. (Up to 10 points)
    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 nature and magnitude 
of those gaps or weaknesses. (Up to 10 points)

b. Quality of the project design. (Maximum 35 Points)

    The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of the design of the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    i. The extent to which the proposed project will integrate with or 
build on similar or related efforts to improve relevant outcomes (as 
defined in this notice), using existing funding streams from other 
programs or policies supported by community, State, and Federal 
resources. (Up to 10 points)
    ii. The extent to which the proposed project will establish 
linkages with other appropriate agencies and organizations providing 
services to the target population. (Up to 10 points)
    iii. The extent to which the proposed project demonstrates a 
rationale (as defined in this notice). (Up to 5 points)
    iv. 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. (Up to 10 points)

c. Quality of project services. (Maximum 25 Points)

    The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be provided 
by the proposed project.
    i. In determining the quality of the services to be provided by the 
proposed

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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. (Up to 5 points)
    In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    ii. The likely impact of the services to be provided by the 
proposed project on the intended recipients of those
    services. (Up to 10 points)
    iii. The extent to which the services to be provided by the 
proposed project involve the collaboration of appropriate partners for 
maximizing the effectiveness of project services. (Up to 10 points)

d. Quality of the management plan. (Maximum 10 Points)

    The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for the 
proposed project. In determining the quality of the management plan for 
the proposed project, the Secretary considers the adequacy of the 
management plan to achieve the objectives of the proposed project on 
time and within budget, including clearly defined responsibilities, 
timelines, and milestones for accomplishing project tasks.

e. Quality of the project evaluation. (Maximum 10 Points)

    The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be 
conducted of the proposed project. In determining the quality of the 
evaluation, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    i. The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, 
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the 
proposed project. (Up to 5 points)
    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. (Up to 5 points)
    2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants 
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, 
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past 
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as 
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and 
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider 
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or 
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
    In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary 
requires various assurances, including those applicable to Federal 
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or 
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department 
(34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    A panel of two to three non-Federal reviewers will review and score 
each application in accordance with the selection criteria in this 
notice, as well as the competitive preference priorities. A rank order 
funding slate will be made from this review. Awards will be made in 
rank order according to the average score received from the peer 
review.
    Tiebreaker: If there is more than one application with the same 
score and insufficient funds to fund all the applications with the same 
ranking, the first tiebreaker will be to select the applicant with the 
highest average score under Quality of Project Services. If a second 
tiebreaker is required, we will select the applicant with the highest 
average score under Quality of the Project Design. If a third 
tiebreaker is required, we will select the applicant with the highest 
average score under Need for the Project. If the tie persists, the 
application with the highest percentage of students who are Pell grant 
recipients will be funded.
    3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.206, before awarding grants under this program, the Department 
conducts 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).

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 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

[[Page 61188]]

the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and include these and 
other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also incorporates your 
approved application as part of your binding commitments under the 
grant.
    3. Open Licensing Requirements: Unless an exception applies, if you 
are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to 
openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in 
part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of 
modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends only to those 
modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent 
that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or 
other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works. 
Additionally, a grantee or subgrantee that is awarded competitive grant 
funds must have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables. 
This dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your 
application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional 
information on the open licensing requirements, please refer to 2 CFR 
3474.20.
    4. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition, 
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and 
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply 
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
    (b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final 
performance report, including financial information, as directed by the 
Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit 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.
    5. Performance Measures: For purposes of evaluating the success of 
the Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program under the Government 
Performance and Results Act of 1993 and Department reporting under 34 
CFR 75.110, the Department will use the following performance measures:
    (1) The number of underserved students served by any direct student 
service supported by the grant.
    (2) The annual persistence rate at grantee institutions for all 
students who are served by any direct student service supported by the 
grant.
    (3) The annual rate of degree or certificate completion at grantee 
institutions for all students served by any direct student service 
supported by the grant.

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 other 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. 2021-24362 Filed 11-4-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P