Applications for New Awards; American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services, 63345-63350 [2021-24887]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 218 / Tuesday, November 16, 2021 / Notices
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
Bureau, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(b) The accuracy of the Bureau’s
estimate of the burden of the collection
of information, including the validity of
the methods and the assumptions used;
(c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility,
and clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) Ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on respondents, including through the
use of automated collection techniques
or other forms of information
technology. Comments submitted in
response to this notice will be
summarized and/or included in the
request for OMB approval. All
comments will become a matter of
public record.
Dated: November 10, 2021.
Anthony May,
Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Bureau of
Consumer Financial Protection.
[FR Doc. 2021–24974 Filed 11–15–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810–AM–P
BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL
PROTECTION
[Docket No. CFPB–2021–0019]
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Comment Request
Bureau of Consumer Financial
Protection.
ACTION: Notice and request for comment.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(PRA), the Bureau of Consumer
Financial Protection (Bureau) is
requesting to renew the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB)
approval for an existing information
collection titled ‘‘Generic Information
Collection Plan for the Collection of
Qualitative Feedback on Bureau Service
Delivery.’’
DATES: Written comments are
encouraged and must be received on or
before January 18, 2022 to be assured of
consideration.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
identified by the title of the information
collection, OMB Control Number (see
below), and docket number (see above),
by any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Email: PRA_Comments@cfpb.gov.
Include Docket No. CFPB–2021–0019 in
the subject line of the email.
• Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier:
Comment intake, Bureau of Consumer
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SUMMARY:
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Financial Protection (Attention: PRA
Office), 1700 G Street NW, Washington,
DC 20552. Please note that due to
circumstances associated with the
COVID–19 pandemic, the Bureau
discourages the submission of
comments by mail, hand delivery, or
courier. Please note that comments
submitted after the comment period will
not be accepted. In general, all
comments received will become public
records, including any personal
information provided. Sensitive
personal information, such as account
numbers or Social Security numbers,
should not be included.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Documentation prepared in support of
this information collection request is
available at www.regulations.gov.
Requests for additional information
should be directed to Anthony May,
Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, at
(202) 435–7278, or email: CFPB_PRA@
cfpb.gov. If you require this document
in an alternative electronic format,
please contact CFPB_Accessibility@
cfpb.gov. Please do not submit
comments to these email boxes.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title of Collection: Generic
Information Collection for the
Collection of Qualitative Feedback on
Bureau Service Delivery.
OMB Control Number: 3170–0024.
Type of Review: Extension of a
currently approved information
collection.
Affected Public: Individuals; Private
sector; and State, Local, or Tribal
Governments.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
500,000.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 125,000.
Abstract: This generic information
collection plan provides for the
collection of qualitative feedback from
consumers, financial institutions, and
stakeholders on a wide range of services
the Bureau provides in an efficient,
timely manner, in accordance with the
Bureau’s commitment to improving
service delivery. By qualitative
feedback, the Bureau means information
that provides useful insights on, for
example, comprehension, usability,
perceptions, and opinions, but are not
statistical surveys that yield quantitative
results that can be generalized to the
population of study. The Bureau expects
this feedback to include insights into
consumer, financial institution, or
stakeholder perceptions, experiences,
and expectations, provide an early
warning of issues with service, or focus
attention on areas where
communication, training or changes in
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operations might improve delivery of
products or services. These collections
will allow for ongoing, collaborative,
and actionable communications
between the Bureau and consumers,
financial institutions, and stakeholders.
It will also allow feedback to contribute
directly to the improvement of program
management.
Request for Comments: Comments are
invited on: (a) Whether the collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
Bureau, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(b) The accuracy of the Bureau’s
estimate of the burden of the collection
of information, including the validity of
the methods and the assumptions used;
(c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility,
and clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) Ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on respondents, including through the
use of automated collection techniques
or other forms of information
technology. Comments submitted in
response to this notice will be
summarized and/or included in the
request for OMB approval. All
comments will become a matter of
public record.
Dated: November 9, 2021.
Anthony May,
Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Bureau of
Consumer Financial Protection.
[FR Doc. 2021–24953 Filed 11–15–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810–AM–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards;
American Indian Vocational
Rehabilitation Services
Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services, Department of
Education.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Department of Education
(Department) is issuing a notice inviting
applications for Federal fiscal year
(FFY) 2022 for American Indian
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
(AIVRS)—Assistance Listing Number
84.250P—to partner with Indian Tribes
in providing eligible American Indians
with disabilities with vocational
rehabilitation (VR) services. This notice
relates to the approved information
collection under OMB control number
1820–0018.
DATES:
Applications Available: November 16,
2021.
Deadline for Transmittal of
Applications: March 16, 2022.
SUMMARY:
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Pre-Application Webinar Information:
The Department will hold a preapplication meeting via webinar for
prospective applicants on December 20,
2021, 2:00PM Eastern Time. Details
about the pre-application meeting will
be available at https://ncrtm.ed.gov/
RSAGrantInfo.aspx.
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-201902-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joy
Harris-Summerville, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,
Room 5056E, Potomac Center Plaza,
Washington, DC 20202–2800.
Telephone: (202) 245–8240. Email:
Joy.Harris@ed.gov.
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
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I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The purpose of
this program is to make grants to the
governing bodies of Indian tribes
located on Federal and State
reservations (and consortia of those
governing bodies) to provide VR
services, including culturally
appropriate services, to American
Indians with disabilities who reside on
or near such reservations, consistent
with such eligible individuals’
strengths, resources, priorities,
concerns, abilities, capabilities,
interests, and informed choice, so that
such individuals may prepare for, and
engage in, high-quality employment that
will increase opportunities for economic
self-sufficiency.
Priority: In accordance with 34 CFR
75.105(b)(2)(iv), this priority is from
section 121(b)(4) of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, as amended (Rehabilitation
Act) (29 U.S.C. 741(b)(4)).
Competitive Preference Priority: For
FY 2022, and any subsequent year in
which we make awards from the list of
unfunded applications from this
competition, this priority is a
competitive preference priority. Under
34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award an
additional five points to an application
that meets this priority.
This priority is:
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Continuation of Previously Funded
Tribal Programs.
In making new awards under this
program, we give priority to
applications for the continuation of
programs that have been funded under
the AIVRS program.
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 741.
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, 81, 82, and 84. (b) The
Office of Management and Budget
Guidelines to Agencies on
Governmentwide Debarment and
Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR
part 180, as adopted and amended as
regulations of the Department in 2 CFR
part 3485. (c) The Uniform
Administrative Requirements, Cost
Principles, and Audit Requirements for
Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as
adopted and amended as regulations of
the Department in 2 CFR part 3474. (d)
The regulations for this program in 34
CFR part 371.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds: The
Administration intends to use
approximately $4,369,250 for new
awards for this program for FFY 2022.
The actual level of funding, if any,
depends on final congressional action.
However, we are inviting applications to
allow enough time to complete the grant
process if Congress appropriates funds
for this program.
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 Range of Awards:
$300,000–$550,000.
Estimated Average Size of Award:
$546,156.
Estimated Number of Awards: 8.
Note: The Department is not bound by
any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: Up to 60 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: Applications
may be made only by Indian Tribes (and
consortia of those Indian Tribes) located
on Federal and State reservations. The
definition of ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ in section
7(19)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act is
‘‘any Federal or State Indian tribe, band,
rancheria, pueblo, colony, or
community, including any Alaskan
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native village or regional village
corporation (as defined in or established
pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims
Settlement Act) and a tribal organization
(as defined in section 4(1) of the Indian
Self-Determination and Education
Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(1)).’’
‘‘Reservation’’ is defined in 34 CFR
371.6 as ‘‘a Federal or State Indian
reservation, public domain Indian
allotment, former Indian reservation in
Oklahoma, land held by incorporated
Native groups, regional corporations
and village corporations under the
provisions of the Alaska Native Claims
Settlement Act; or a defined area of land
recognized by a State or the Federal
Government where there is a
concentration of tribal members and on
which the tribal government is
providing structured activities and
services.’’
The applicant for an AIVRS grant
must be—
(1) The governing body of an Indian
Tribe, either on behalf of the Indian
Tribe or on behalf of a consortium of
Indian Tribes; or
(2) A Tribal organization that is a
separate legal organization from an
Indian Tribe.
To receive an AIVRS grant, a Tribal
organization that is not a governing
body of an Indian Tribe must—
(1) Have as one of its functions the
vocational rehabilitation of American
Indians with disabilities; and
(2) Have the approval of the Tribe to
be served by such organization.
If a grant is made to the governing
body of an Indian Tribe, either on its
own behalf or on behalf of a consortium,
or to a Tribal organization to perform
services benefiting more than one
Indian Tribe, the approval of each such
Indian Tribe shall be a prerequisite to
the making of such a grant.
2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost
sharing is required by section 121(a) of
the Rehabilitation Act and 34 CFR
371.40 at 10 percent of the total cost of
the project.
b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This
program uses an unrestricted indirect
cost rate. Applicants for this program
are the governing bodies of Indian
Tribes (or consortia of governing bodies)
and have negotiated indirect cost rate
agreements with a cognizant agency if
indirect costs will be charged to the
grant. 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
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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.
While subgrants are not permitted,
under 34 CFR 371.42(a), grantees are
permitted to provide the VR services by
contract or otherwise enter into an
agreement with a designated State unit
(DSU), a community rehabilitation
program, or another agency to assist in
the implementation of the Tribal VR
program, as long as such contract or
agreement is identified in the
application.
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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. Intergovernmental Review: This
competition is not subject to Executive
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34
CFR part 79.
3. Funding Restrictions: We reference
regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection
criteria for this competition are from 34
CFR 75.210, have a maximum score of
100 points, and are as follows:
(a) Need for Project and Significance
(10 Points): The Secretary considers the
need for and significance of the
proposed project. In determining the
need for and significance of the
proposed project, the Secretary
considers the following factors:
(1) The magnitude of the need for the
services to be provided or the activities
to be carried out by the proposed
project.
(2) 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.
(3) The potential contribution of the
proposed project to increased
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knowledge or understanding of
rehabilitation problems, issues, or
effective strategies.
(4) The extent to which the proposed
project is likely to build local capacity
to provide, improve, or expand services
that address the needs of the target
population.
(b) Quality of the Project Design (20
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:
(1) The extent to which the goals,
objectives, and outcomes to be achieved
by the proposed project are clearly
specified and measurable.
(2) 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.
(3) The extent to which the proposed
project will establish linkages with
other appropriate agencies and
organizations providing services to the
target population.
(c) Quality of Project Services (20
Points):
The Secretary considers the quality of
the services to be provided by the
proposed project. 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.
In addition, the Secretary considers
the following factors:
(1) 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.
(2) The likely impact of the services
to be provided by the proposed project
on the intended recipients of those
services.
(3) The extent to which the services
to be provided by the proposed project
involve the collaboration of appropriate
partners for maximizing the
effectiveness of project services.
(d) Quality of Project Personnel (15
Points):
The Secretary considers the quality of
the personnel who will carry out the
proposed project. In determining the
quality of project personnel, the
Secretary considers the extent to which
the applicant encourages applications
for employment from persons who are
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members of groups that have
traditionally been underrepresented
based on race, color, national origin,
gender, age, or disability.
In addition, the Secretary considers
the qualifications, including relevant
training and experience, of key project
personnel.
(e) Adequacy of Resources (10 Points):
The Secretary considers the adequacy
of resources for the proposed project. In
determining the adequacy of resources
for the proposed project, the Secretary
considers the following factors:
(1) The adequacy of support,
including facilities, equipment,
supplies, and other resources, from the
applicant organization or the lead
applicant organization.
(2) The extent to which the costs are
reasonable in relation to the objectives,
design, and potential significance of the
proposed project.
(3) 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.
(f) Quality of the Management Plan
(15 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
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
responsibilities, timelines, and
milestones for accomplishing project
tasks.
(2) The adequacy of procedures for
ensuring feedback and continuous
improvement in the operation of the
proposed project.
(3) The extent to which the time
commitments of the project director and
principal investigator and other key
project personnel are appropriate and
adequate to meet the objectives of the
proposed project.
(g) Quality of the Project Evaluation
(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:
(1) The extent to which the methods
of evaluation are thorough, feasible, and
appropriate to the goals, objectives, and
outcomes of the proposed project.
(2) 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
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quantitative and qualitative data to the
extent possible.
(3) The extent to which the methods
of evaluation will provide performance
feedback and permit periodic
assessment of progress toward achieving
intended outcomes.
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).
Applicants for the AIVRS program
must provide evidence regarding the
following special application
requirements in 34 CFR 371.21(a)–(k).
The application package includes a
Special Application Requirements form
in Section D that must be completed. An
application is not complete without the
Special Application Requirements form,
provided in the application package,
and will not be considered for review
without that completed form. These
requirements are:
(a) Effort will be made to provide a
broad scope of vocational rehabilitation
services in a manner and at a level of
quality at least comparable to those
services provided by the designated
State unit.
(b) All decisions affecting eligibility
for vocational rehabilitation services,
the nature and scope of available
vocational rehabilitation services and
the provision of such services will be
made by a representative of the Tribal
vocational rehabilitation program
funded through this grant and such
decisions will not be delegated to
another agency or individual.
(c) Priority in the delivery of
vocational rehabilitation services will be
given to those American Indians with
disabilities who are the most
significantly disabled.
(d) An order of selection of
individuals with disabilities to be
served under the program will be
specified if services cannot be provided
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to all eligible American Indians with
disabilities who apply.
(e) All vocational rehabilitation
services will be provided according to
an individualized plan for employment
which has been developed jointly by the
representative of the Tribal vocational
rehabilitation program and each
American Indian with disabilities being
served.
(f) American Indians with disabilities
living on or near Federal or State
reservations where Tribal vocational
rehabilitation service programs are
being carried out under this part will
have an opportunity to participate in
matters of general policy development
and implementation affecting vocational
rehabilitation service delivery by the
Tribal vocational rehabilitation
program.
(g) Cooperative working arrangements
will be developed with the DSU, or
DSUs, as appropriate, which are
providing vocational rehabilitation
services to other individuals with
disabilities who reside in the State or
States being served.
(h) Any comparable services and
benefits available to American Indians
with disabilities under any other
program, which might meet in whole or
in part the cost of any vocational
rehabilitation service, will be fully
considered in the provision of
vocational rehabilitation services.
(i) Any American Indian with
disabilities who is an applicant or
recipient of services, and who is
dissatisfied with a determination made
by a representative of the Tribal
vocational rehabilitation program and
files a request for a review, will be
afforded a review under procedures
developed by the grantee comparable to
those under the provisions of section
102(c)(1)–(5) and (7) of the
Rehabilitation Act.
(j) The Tribal vocational rehabilitation
program funded under this part must
assure that any facility used in
connection with the delivery of
vocational rehabilitation services meets
facility and program accessibility
requirements consistent with the
requirements, as applicable, of the
Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,
section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act,
and the regulations implementing these
laws.
(k) The Tribal vocational
rehabilitation program funded under
this part must ensure that providers of
vocational rehabilitation services are
able to communicate in the native
language of, or by using an appropriate
mode of communication with,
applicants and eligible individuals who
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have limited English proficiency, unless
it is clearly not feasible to do so.
3. Risk Assessment and Specific
Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR
200.206, before awarding grants under
this competition 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);
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(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).
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VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices: If your application
is successful, we notify your U.S.
Representative and U.S. Senators and
send you a Grant Award Notification
(GAN); or we may send you an email
containing a link to access an electronic
version of your GAN. We may notify
you informally, also.
If your application is not evaluated or
not selected for funding, we notify you.
2. Administrative and National Policy
Requirements: We identify
administrative and national policy
requirements in the application package
and reference these and other
requirements in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
We reference the regulations outlining
the terms and conditions of an award in
the Applicable Regulations section of
this notice and include these and other
specific conditions in the GAN. The
GAN also incorporates your approved
application as part of your binding
commitments under the grant.
3. Open Licensing Requirements:
Unless an exception applies, if you are
awarded a grant under this competition,
you will be required to openly license
to the public grant deliverables created
in whole, or in part, with Department
grant funds. When the deliverable
consists of modifications to pre-existing
works, the license extends only to those
modifications that can be separately
identified and only to the extent that
open licensing is permitted under the
terms of any licenses or other legal
restrictions on the use of pre-existing
works. Additionally, a grantee or
subgrantee that is awarded competitive
grant funds must have a plan to
disseminate these public grant
deliverables. This dissemination plan
can be developed and submitted after
your application has been reviewed and
selected for funding. For additional
information on the open licensing
requirements please refer to 2 CFR
3474.20.
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17:03 Nov 15, 2021
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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: For the
purposes of the Government
Performance and Results Act of 1993
(GPRA), and reporting under 34 CFR
75.110, the Department has established
four performance measures for the
AIVRS program. The measures are:
(a) Of all those exiting the program,
the percentage of individuals who leave
the program with an employment
outcome after receiving services under
an individualized plan for employment
(IPE).
(b)(1) The percentage of individuals
who leave the program with an
employment outcome after receiving
services under an IPE.
(2) The percentage of individuals who
leave the program without an
employment outcome after receiving
services under an IPE.
(3) The percentage of individuals who
have not left the program and are
continuing to receive services under an
IPE.
(c) The percentage of projects that
demonstrate an average annual cost per
employment outcome of no more than
$35,000.
(d) The percentage of projects that
demonstrate an average annual cost of
services per participant of no more than
$10,000.
Each grantee must annually report the
data needed to measure its performance
on the GPRA measures through the
Annual Performance Reporting Form
(APR Form) for the AIVRS program.
Note: For purposes of this section, the
term ‘‘employment outcome’’ means,
with respect to an individual, (a)
entering or retaining full-time or, if
appropriate, part-time competitive
employment in the integrated labor
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
63349
market; (b) satisfying the vocational
outcome of supported employment; or
(c) satisfying any other vocational
outcome the Secretary of Education may
determine to be appropriate (including
satisfying the vocational outcome of
customized employment, selfemployment, telecommuting, or
business ownership). (Section 7(11) of
the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C.
705(11)).
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. 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
E:\FR\FM\16NON1.SGM
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63350
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 218 / Tuesday, November 16, 2021 / Notices
your search to documents published by
the Department.
Katherine Neas,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Special
Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2021–24887 Filed 11–15–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Case Number 2021–004; EERE–2021–BT–
WAV–0009]
Energy Conservation Program:
Notification of Petition for Waiver of
GE Appliances, a Haier Company,
From the Department of Energy
Miscellaneous Refrigeration Products
Test Procedure
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notification of petition for
waiver; request for comments.
AGENCY:
This notification announces
receipt of and publishes a petition for
waiver from GE Appliances, a Haier
Company, which seeks a waiver for a
specified miscellaneous refrigeration
product basic model from the U.S.
Department of Energy (‘‘DOE’’) test
procedure used for determining the
energy consumption of these products.
DOE solicits comments, data, and
information concerning the petition and
its suggested alternate test procedure so
as to inform DOE’s final decision on the
waiver request.
DATES: Written comments and
information are requested and will be
accepted on or before December 16,
2021.
SUMMARY:
Interested persons are
encouraged to submit comments using
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at
www.regulations.gov. Alternatively,
interested persons may submit
comments, identified by docket number
EERE–2021–BT–WAV–0009, by any of
the following methods:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal:
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
2. Email: to AS_Waiver_Requests@
ee.doe.gov. Include docket number
EERE–2021–BT–WAV–0009 in the
subject line of the message.
No telefacsimiles (‘‘faxes’’) will be
accepted. For detailed instructions on
submitting comments and additional
information on this process, see the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of
this document.
Although DOE has routinely accepted
public comment submissions through a
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
ADDRESSES:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:03 Nov 15, 2021
Jkt 256001
variety of mechanisms, including postal
mail and hand delivery/courier, the
Department has found it necessary to
make temporary modifications to the
comment submission process in light of
the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019
(‘‘COVID–19’’) pandemic. DOE is
currently suspending receipt of public
comments via postal mail and hand
delivery/courier. If a commenter finds
that this change poses an undue
hardship, please contact Appliance
Standards Program staff at (202) 586–
1445 to discuss the need for alternative
arrangements. Once the COVID–19
pandemic health emergency is resolved,
DOE anticipates resuming all of its
regular options for public comment
submission, including postal mail and
hand delivery/courier.
Docket: The docket, which includes
Federal Register notices, comments,
and other supporting documents/
materials, is available for review at
www.regulations.gov. All documents in
the docket are listed in the
www.regulations.gov index. However,
some documents listed in the index,
such as those containing information
that is exempt from public disclosure,
may not be publicly available.
The docket web page can be found at
www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE2021-BT-WAV-0009. The docket web
page contains instruction on how to
access all documents, including public
comments, in the docket. See the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for
information on how to submit
comments through
www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Julia Hegarty, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Building
Technologies Office, Mailstop EE–5B,
1000 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20585–0121. Email:
AS_Waiver_Request@ee.doe.gov.
Mr. Michael Kido, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of the General Counsel,
Mail Stop GC–33, Forrestal Building,
1000 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20585–0103.
Telephone: (202) 586–8145. Email:
Michael.Kido@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE is
publishing GEA’s petition for waiver in
its entirety, pursuant to 10 CFR
430.27(b)(1)(iv).1 DOE invites all
interested parties to submit in writing
by December 16, 2021, comments and
information on all aspects of the
petition, including the alternate test
procedure. Pursuant to 10 CFR
1 The petition did not identify any of the
information contained therein as confidential
business information.
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
430.27(d), any person submitting
written comments to DOE must also
send a copy of such comments to the
petitioner. The contact information for
the petitioner is:
John T. Schlafer, GE Appliances, A
Haier Company, Appliance Park—AP2–
225, Louisville, KY 40225. Email:
john.schlafer@geappliances.com.
Submitting comments via
www.regulations.gov. The
www.regulations.gov web page will
require you to provide your name and
contact information. Your contact
information will be viewable to DOE
Building Technologies staff only. Your
contact information will not be publicly
viewable except for your first and last
names, organization name (if any), and
submitter representative name (if any).
If your comment is not processed
properly because of technical
difficulties, DOE will use this
information to contact you. If DOE
cannot read your comment due to
technical difficulties and cannot contact
you for clarification, DOE may not be
able to consider your comment.
However, your contact information
will be publicly viewable if you include
it in the comment or in any documents
attached to your comment. Any
information that you do not want to be
publicly viewable should not be
included in your comment, nor in any
document attached to your comment. If
this instruction is followed, persons
viewing comments will see only first
and last names, organization names,
correspondence containing comments,
and any documents submitted with the
comments.
Do not submit to www.regulations.gov
information for which disclosure is
restricted by statute, such as trade
secrets and commercial or financial
information (hereinafter referred to as
Confidential Business Information
(‘‘CBI’’)). Comments submitted through
www.regulations.gov cannot be claimed
as CBI. Comments received through the
website will waive any CBI claims for
the information submitted. For
information on submitting CBI, see the
Confidential Business Information
section.
DOE processes submissions made
through www.regulations.gov before
posting. Normally, comments will be
posted within a few days of being
submitted. However, if large volumes of
comments are being processed
simultaneously, your comment may not
be viewable for up to several weeks.
Please keep the comment tracking
number that www.regulations.gov
provides after you have successfully
uploaded your comment.
E:\FR\FM\16NON1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 218 (Tuesday, November 16, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63345-63350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24887]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; American Indian Vocational
Rehabilitation Services
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice
inviting applications for Federal fiscal year (FFY) 2022 for American
Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS)--Assistance Listing
Number 84.250P--to partner with Indian Tribes in providing eligible
American Indians with disabilities with vocational rehabilitation (VR)
services. This notice relates to the approved information collection
under OMB control number 1820-0018.
DATES:
Applications Available: November 16, 2021.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: March 16, 2022.
[[Page 63346]]
Pre-Application Webinar Information: The Department will hold a
pre-application meeting via webinar for prospective applicants on
December 20, 2021, 2:00PM Eastern Time. Details about the pre-
application meeting will be available at https://ncrtm.ed.gov/RSAGrantInfo.aspx.
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: Joy Harris-Summerville, U.S.
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 5056E, Potomac
Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-2800. Telephone: (202) 245-8240.
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 purpose of this program is to make grants
to the governing bodies of Indian tribes located on Federal and State
reservations (and consortia of those governing bodies) to provide VR
services, including culturally appropriate services, to American
Indians with disabilities who reside on or near such reservations,
consistent with such eligible individuals' strengths, resources,
priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed
choice, so that such individuals may prepare for, and engage in, high-
quality employment that will increase opportunities for economic self-
sufficiency.
Priority: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv), this priority
is from section 121(b)(4) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended
(Rehabilitation Act) (29 U.S.C. 741(b)(4)).
Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2022, and any subsequent
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications
from this competition, this priority is a competitive preference
priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award an additional five
points to an application that meets this priority.
This priority is:
Continuation of Previously Funded Tribal Programs.
In making new awards under this program, we give priority to
applications for the continuation of programs that have been funded
under the AIVRS program.
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 741.
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, 81, 82, and 84. (b)
The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on
Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part
180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR
part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part
200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR
part 3474. (d) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 371.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds: The Administration intends to use
approximately $4,369,250 for new awards for this program for FFY 2022.
The actual level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional
action. However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to
complete the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this
program.
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 Range of Awards: $300,000-$550,000.
Estimated Average Size of Award: $546,156.
Estimated Number of Awards: 8.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: Up to 60 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: Applications may be made only by Indian
Tribes (and consortia of those Indian Tribes) located on Federal and
State reservations. The definition of ``Indian Tribe'' in section
7(19)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act is ``any Federal or State Indian
tribe, band, rancheria, pueblo, colony, or community, including any
Alaskan native village or regional village corporation (as defined in
or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act) and
a tribal organization (as defined in section 4(1) of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(1)).''
``Reservation'' is defined in 34 CFR 371.6 as ``a Federal or State
Indian reservation, public domain Indian allotment, former Indian
reservation in Oklahoma, land held by incorporated Native groups,
regional corporations and village corporations under the provisions of
the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act; or a defined area of land
recognized by a State or the Federal Government where there is a
concentration of tribal members and on which the tribal government is
providing structured activities and services.''
The applicant for an AIVRS grant must be--
(1) The governing body of an Indian Tribe, either on behalf of the
Indian Tribe or on behalf of a consortium of Indian Tribes; or
(2) A Tribal organization that is a separate legal organization
from an Indian Tribe.
To receive an AIVRS grant, a Tribal organization that is not a
governing body of an Indian Tribe must--
(1) Have as one of its functions the vocational rehabilitation of
American Indians with disabilities; and
(2) Have the approval of the Tribe to be served by such
organization.
If a grant is made to the governing body of an Indian Tribe, either
on its own behalf or on behalf of a consortium, or to a Tribal
organization to perform services benefiting more than one Indian Tribe,
the approval of each such Indian Tribe shall be a prerequisite to the
making of such a grant.
2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost sharing is required by section
121(a) of the Rehabilitation Act and 34 CFR 371.40 at 10 percent of the
total cost of the project.
b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses an
unrestricted indirect cost rate. Applicants for this program are the
governing bodies of Indian Tribes (or consortia of governing bodies)
and have negotiated indirect cost rate agreements with a cognizant
agency if indirect costs will be charged to the grant. 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
[[Page 63347]]
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. While subgrants are not permitted, under
34 CFR 371.42(a), grantees are permitted to provide the VR services by
contract or otherwise enter into an agreement with a designated State
unit (DSU), a community rehabilitation program, or another agency to
assist in the implementation of the Tribal VR program, as long as such
contract or agreement is identified in the 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. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is not subject to
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
3. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition
are from 34 CFR 75.210, have a maximum score of 100 points, and are as
follows:
(a) Need for Project and Significance (10 Points): The Secretary
considers the need for and significance of the proposed project. In
determining the need for and significance of the proposed project, the
Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) The magnitude of the need for the services to be provided or
the activities to be carried out by the proposed project.
(2) 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.
(3) The potential contribution of the proposed project to increased
knowledge or understanding of rehabilitation problems, issues, or
effective strategies.
(4) The extent to which the proposed project is likely to build
local capacity to provide, improve, or expand services that address the
needs of the target population.
(b) Quality of the Project Design (20 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:
(1) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable.
(2) 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.
(3) The extent to which the proposed project will establish
linkages with other appropriate agencies and organizations providing
services to the target population.
(c) Quality of Project Services (20 Points):
The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be provided
by the proposed project. 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.
In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) 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.
(2) The likely impact of the services to be provided by the
proposed project on the intended recipients of those services.
(3) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed
project involve the collaboration of appropriate partners for
maximizing the effectiveness of project services.
(d) Quality of Project Personnel (15 Points):
The Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will carry
out the proposed project. 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.
In addition, the Secretary considers the qualifications, including
relevant training and experience, of key project personnel.
(e) Adequacy of Resources (10 Points):
The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources for the proposed
project. In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment,
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the
lead applicant organization.
(2) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the
objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project.
(3) 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.
(f) Quality of the Management Plan (15 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 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 responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing
project tasks.
(2) The adequacy of procedures for ensuring feedback and continuous
improvement in the operation of the proposed project.
(3) The extent to which the time commitments of the project
director and principal investigator and other key project personnel are
appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed
project.
(g) Quality of the Project Evaluation (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:
(1) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough,
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the
proposed project.
(2) 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
[[Page 63348]]
quantitative and qualitative data to the extent possible.
(3) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward
achieving intended outcomes.
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).
Applicants for the AIVRS program must provide evidence regarding
the following special application requirements in 34 CFR 371.21(a)-(k).
The application package includes a Special Application Requirements
form in Section D that must be completed. An application is not
complete without the Special Application Requirements form, provided in
the application package, and will not be considered for review without
that completed form. These requirements are:
(a) Effort will be made to provide a broad scope of vocational
rehabilitation services in a manner and at a level of quality at least
comparable to those services provided by the designated State unit.
(b) All decisions affecting eligibility for vocational
rehabilitation services, the nature and scope of available vocational
rehabilitation services and the provision of such services will be made
by a representative of the Tribal vocational rehabilitation program
funded through this grant and such decisions will not be delegated to
another agency or individual.
(c) Priority in the delivery of vocational rehabilitation services
will be given to those American Indians with disabilities who are the
most significantly disabled.
(d) An order of selection of individuals with disabilities to be
served under the program will be specified if services cannot be
provided to all eligible American Indians with disabilities who apply.
(e) All vocational rehabilitation services will be provided
according to an individualized plan for employment which has been
developed jointly by the representative of the Tribal vocational
rehabilitation program and each American Indian with disabilities being
served.
(f) American Indians with disabilities living on or near Federal or
State reservations where Tribal vocational rehabilitation service
programs are being carried out under this part will have an opportunity
to participate in matters of general policy development and
implementation affecting vocational rehabilitation service delivery by
the Tribal vocational rehabilitation program.
(g) Cooperative working arrangements will be developed with the
DSU, or DSUs, as appropriate, which are providing vocational
rehabilitation services to other individuals with disabilities who
reside in the State or States being served.
(h) Any comparable services and benefits available to American
Indians with disabilities under any other program, which might meet in
whole or in part the cost of any vocational rehabilitation service,
will be fully considered in the provision of vocational rehabilitation
services.
(i) Any American Indian with disabilities who is an applicant or
recipient of services, and who is dissatisfied with a determination
made by a representative of the Tribal vocational rehabilitation
program and files a request for a review, will be afforded a review
under procedures developed by the grantee comparable to those under the
provisions of section 102(c)(1)-(5) and (7) of the Rehabilitation Act.
(j) The Tribal vocational rehabilitation program funded under this
part must assure that any facility used in connection with the delivery
of vocational rehabilitation services meets facility and program
accessibility requirements consistent with the requirements, as
applicable, of the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, the Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act,
and the regulations implementing these laws.
(k) The Tribal vocational rehabilitation program funded under this
part must ensure that providers of vocational rehabilitation services
are able to communicate in the native language of, or by using an
appropriate mode of communication with, applicants and eligible
individuals who have limited English proficiency, unless it is clearly
not feasible to do so.
3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR
200.206, before awarding grants under this competition 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);
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(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 Grant Award
Notification (GAN); or we may send you an email containing a link to
access an electronic version of your GAN. We may notify you informally,
also.
If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding,
we notify you.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify
administrative and national policy requirements in the application
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding
commitments under the grant.
3. Open Licensing Requirements: Unless an exception applies, if you
are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to
openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in
part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of
modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends only to those
modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent
that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or
other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works.
Additionally, a grantee or subgrantee that is awarded competitive grant
funds must have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables.
This dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your
application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional
information on the open licensing requirements please refer to 2 CFR
3474.20.
4. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition,
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
(b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final
performance report, including financial information, as directed by the
Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit 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: For the purposes of the Government
Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), and reporting under 34 CFR
75.110, the Department has established four performance measures for
the AIVRS program. The measures are:
(a) Of all those exiting the program, the percentage of individuals
who leave the program with an employment outcome after receiving
services under an individualized plan for employment (IPE).
(b)(1) The percentage of individuals who leave the program with an
employment outcome after receiving services under an IPE.
(2) The percentage of individuals who leave the program without an
employment outcome after receiving services under an IPE.
(3) The percentage of individuals who have not left the program and
are continuing to receive services under an IPE.
(c) The percentage of projects that demonstrate an average annual
cost per employment outcome of no more than $35,000.
(d) The percentage of projects that demonstrate an average annual
cost of services per participant of no more than $10,000.
Each grantee must annually report the data needed to measure its
performance on the GPRA measures through the Annual Performance
Reporting Form (APR Form) for the AIVRS program.
Note: For purposes of this section, the term ``employment outcome''
means, with respect to an individual, (a) entering or retaining full-
time or, if appropriate, part-time competitive employment in the
integrated labor market; (b) satisfying the vocational outcome of
supported employment; or (c) satisfying any other vocational outcome
the Secretary of Education may determine to be appropriate (including
satisfying the vocational outcome of customized employment, self-
employment, telecommuting, or business ownership). (Section 7(11) of
the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 705(11)).
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. 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
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your search to documents published by the Department.
Katherine Neas,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2021-24887 Filed 11-15-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P