Applications for New Awards; Center of Excellence in Spatial Computing Grant Program, 57883-57888 [2022-20474]
Download as PDF
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 183 / Thursday, September 22, 2022 / Notices
collected; and (5) how might the
Department minimize the burden of this
collection on the respondents, including
through the use of information
technology. Please note that written
comments received in response to this
notice will be considered public
records.
Title of Collection: Build America,
Buy America Act (BABAA) Domestic
Sourcing Requirements Waiver—United
States Department of Education BABAA
Waiver Request Form.
OMB Control Number: 1894–NEW.
Type of Review: New Collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: State,
Local, and Tribal Governments.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Responses: 470.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Burden Hours: 4,700.
Abstract: In accordance with section
70914 of the Build America Buy
America Act (Pub. L. 117–58 §§ 70901–
70953) (BABAA), grantees funded under
the Department’s programs that allow
funds to be used for infrastructure
projects (infrastructure programs), i.e.,
construction and broadband
infrastructure, may not use their grant
funds for these infrastructure projects or
activities unless they comply with the
following BABAA sourcing
requirements: (1) All iron and steel used
in the infrastructure project or activity
are produced in the United States, (2)
All manufactured products used in the
infrastructure project or activity are
produced in the United States, and (3)
All construction materials are
manufactured in the United States.
The Department may, in accordance
with sections 70914(b) and (d),
70921(b), 70935, and 70937 of BABAA,
and the Office of Management and
Budget Memorandum M 22–11, Initial
Implementation Guidance on
Application of Buy America Preference
in Federal Financial Assistance
Programs for Infrastructure, approve
waivers to BABAA sourcing
requirements submitted by grantees
under programs it has identified as
infrastructure programs when it
determines that exceptions to these
requirements apply. The Department
may approve, subject to notice and
comment requirements and the Office of
Management and Budget Made in
America Office (MIAO) review, the
types of waivers listed below when one
or more of the following conditions are
met: (1) Public Interest Waiver—
Applying the BABAA sourcing
requirement would be inconsistent with
the public interest, (2) Non-availability
Waiver—The types of iron, steel,
manufactured products, or construction
materials are not produced in the
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:32 Sep 21, 2022
Jkt 256001
United States in sufficient and
reasonably available quantities or of a
satisfactory quality, and (3)
Unreasonable Cost Waiver—The
inclusion of iron, steel, manufactured
products, or construction materials
produced in the United States will
increase the cost of the overall project
by more than 25 percent.
This is a new information collection,
and it includes the following two
documents: (1) the Build America, Buy
America Act (BABAA) Domestic
Sourcing Requirements Waiver—United
States Department of Education BABAA
Waiver Request Form (BABAA Waiver
Request Form); and (2) a document
listing the BABAA Waiver Request
Form data elements.
Additional Information: Pursuant to
the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) procedures established at 5 CFR
1320, the Department requests that the
following collection of information,
Build America, Buy America Act
(BABAA) Domestic Sourcing
Requirements Waiver—United States
Department of Education BABAA
Waiver Request Form (BABAA Waiver
Request Form), be processed in
accordance with section 1320.13
Emergency Processing. This this
information is essential to the
Department’s ability to effectively
approve waiver requests for Department
grantees as required in accordance with
section 70914 of the Build America Buy
America Act (Pub. L. 117–58 §§ 70901–
70953) (BABAA) and OMB
Memorandum M 22–11, Initial
Implementation Guidance on
Application of Buy America Preference
in Federal Financial Assistance
Programs for Infrastructure. If normal
processing were to be followed, ED
would not be able to implement the
BABAA Waiver Request Form on
October 1, 2022, which is the date that
it must implement BABAA
requirements under its currently OMB
approved adjustment period waiver.
Delays in implementing resulting from
normal processing would likely result in
overall delays to critically important
project goals and objectives and would
inhibit grant infrastructure projects and
activities from moving forward.
Dated: September 19, 2022.
Stephanie Valentine,
PRA Coordinator, Strategic Collections and
Clearance, Governance and Strategy Division,
Office of Chief Data Officer, Office of
Planning, Evaluation and Policy
Development.
[FR Doc. 2022–20538 Filed 9–21–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
57883
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Center
of Excellence in Spatial Computing
Grant Program
Office of Postsecondary
Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Department of Education
(Department) is issuing a notice inviting
applications for new awards for fiscal
year (FY) 2022 for the Center of
Excellence in Spatial Computing (CESC)
grant program, Assistance Listing
Number 84.116Q. This notice relates to
the approved information collection
under OMB control number 1894–0006.
DATES:
Applications Available: September
22, 2022.
Deadline for Transmittal of
Applications: November 7, 2022.
Deadline for Intergovernmental
Review: December 6, 2022.
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 December 27, 2021
(86 FR 73264) and available at
www.federalregister.gov/d/2021-27979.
Please note that these Common
Instructions supersede the version
published on February 13, 2019, and, in
part, describe the transition from the
requirement to register in SAM.gov a
Data Universal Numbering System
(DUNS) number to the implementation
of the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
More information on the phase-out of
DUNS numbers is available at
www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ofo/
docs/unique-entity-identifier-transitionfact-sheet.pdf.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jason Cottrell, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,
room 2B127, Washington, DC 20202–
4260. Telephone: (202) 453–7530.
Email: Jason.Cottrell@ed.gov.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or
have a speech disability and wish to
access telecommunications relay
services, please dial 7–1–1.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The CESC grant
program is designed to help increase the
number of highly qualified Americans
available for hire within the high-tech
labor pool.
Background: The evolution of
computers has changed how we interact
E:\FR\FM\22SEN1.SGM
22SEN1
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES
57884
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 183 / Thursday, September 22, 2022 / Notices
with the technology in computing
systems. Computer technology is no
longer limited to a static machine.
Computational devices are now found
in our kitchen appliances, cars, and
other daily use items.1 Spatial
computing is the digitization and
virtualization of the activities and
interactions between various entities
and environments to improve their
functionality.2 Autonomous guided
vehicles, smart vacuums, virtual and
augmented reality, and the cameras in
many phones that use light detection
and ranging are all examples of
technologies that use spatial computing
to operate. Spatial computing has the
potential to deeply affect how we
interact with today’s immersive,
engaging technology.
Given how these technologies impact
so much of our day-to-day lives, the
need to ensure a workforce that can
develop, enhance, and maintain such
systems is critical. Additionally, given
the need to have a workforce in this
field that is representative of the diverse
U.S. population, it is critical that IHEs
recruit and educate underrepresented
students, as defined in this notice, in
these technologies. The technology
sector, as the fastest growing market in
the United States, has an increasing
need for a spatial computing workforce
to remain competitive. To this end, the
CESC grant program allows institutions
of higher education (IHEs) the
opportunity to apply for Federal
funding to teach students the necessary
skills to succeed in an ever-evolving
high-tech economy.
Institutions interested in applying for
the CESC grant program are expected to
teach, improve, and disseminate spatial
computing knowledge and skills
required to increase the number of
highly qualified Americans available for
hire within the high-tech labor pool.
Priorities: This notice contains one
absolute priority and one competitive
preference priority. We are establishing
these priorities for the FY 2022 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 the priority.
The priority is:
1 www.uctoday.com/unified-communications/
what-is-spatial-computing-the-basics/
2 www.ptc.com/en/blogs/corporate/what-isspatial-computing
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:32 Sep 21, 2022
Jkt 256001
To be considered for a grant under
this absolute priority, an eligible
institution must include in its
application—
(a) The member IHEs that constitute
the consortium that will support the
advancement of spatial computing;
(b) A description of how best
practices and curricula will be
evaluated and shared with computer
science and other relevant programs;
(c) A description of how the
consortium will establish leadership
and competitiveness in spatial
computing, including how it will
promote innovative processes for
domestic manufacturing of spatial
computing technology products;
(d) A description of how the
consortium will create educational and
work placement opportunity programs
to recruit, train, and retain
underrepresented populations in the
technology sector; and
(e) A description of how the
consortium will develop case studies
and skill-based workforce training and
company-based education programs in
spatial computing.
Competitive Preference Priority: This
priority is a competitive preference
priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i),
we award up to an additional 10 points
to an application, depending on how
well the application meets the priority.
The priority is:
Leveraging Industry Partnerships to
Provide Job-Embedded Experiences for
Students in Spatial Computing
Technologies (up to 10 points).
Projects that are designed to increase
the proportion of underrepresented
students with the skill sets necessary to
meet industry demands in spatial
computing by providing high-quality,
paid, job-embedded opportunities that
could potentially lead to stackable
credentials in the field.
Definitions: In accordance with
section 437(d)(1) of GEPA, we are
establishing definitions for ‘‘MinorityServing Institutions,’’
‘‘underrepresented students,’’ and
‘‘spatial computing.’’ The definitions of
‘‘demonstrates a rationale,’’ ‘‘logic
model,’’ ‘‘project component,’’ and
‘‘relevant outcomes’’ are from 34 CFR
77.1.
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.
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
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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 Regional Educational Laboratory
Program’s (REL Pacific) Education Logic
Model Application, available at https://
ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/
elm.asp. Other sources include: https://
ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/pdf/
REL_2014025.pdf, https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/
edlabs/regions/pacific/pdf/REL_2014007.pdf,
and https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/
northeast/pdf/REL_2015057.pdf.
Minority-Serving Institution (MSI)
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
Higher Education Act of 1965, as
amended.
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 outcome(s) the key
project component is designed to
improve, consistent with the specific
goals of the program.
Spatial computing means the
digitization of activities of machines,
people, objects, and the environments in
which they take place to enable and
optimize actions and interactions.
Underrepresented students means
students enrolled in postsecondary,
career, or technical education who are
in one or more of the following
subgroups:
(i) A student who is living in poverty.
(ii) A student who is American
Indian, Alaskan Native, Asian
American, Black, Hispanic or Latino,
Native Hawaiian, and/or Pacific
Islander.
(iii) A student who is female.
(iv) A student who is lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, questioning,
queer, or intersex (LGBTQI+).
(v) A student with a disability.
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
E:\FR\FM\22SEN1.SGM
22SEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 183 / Thursday, September 22, 2022 / Notices
competition under a new or
substantially revised program authority.
This is the first grant competition for
this program under 20 U.S.C. 1033a, and
therefore qualifies for this exemption. In
order to ensure timely grant awards, the
Secretary has decided to forgo public
comment on the priorities, definitions,
and requirements under section
437(d)(1) of GEPA. These priorities,
definitions, and requirements will apply
to the FY 2022 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; the Explanatory Statement
accompanying Division H of the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022
(Pub. L. 117–103).
Note: Projects will be awarded and must be
operated in a manner consistent with the
nondiscrimination requirements contained in
Federal civil rights laws.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The
Education Department General
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR
parts 75, 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and
99. (b) The Office of Management and
Budget Guidelines to Agencies on
Governmentwide Debarment and
Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR
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 grant.
Estimated Available Funds:
$1,980,000.
Contingent upon the availability of
funds and the quality of applications,
we may make additional awards in
subsequent years from the list of
unfunded applications from this
competition.
Estimated Range of Awards: $990,000
to $1,980,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards:
$990,000.
Maximum Award: We will not make
an award exceeding $1,980,000 for the
entire project period of 36 months.
Estimated Number of Awards: 1–2.
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES
Note: The Department is not bound by any
estimates in this notice.
Project Period: Up to 36 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: A consortium
of public and private nonprofit IHEs
that includes at least one Historically
Black College or University (HBCU),
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:32 Sep 21, 2022
Jkt 256001
Tribally Controlled College and
University (TCCU), or other MinorityServing Institution (as defined in this
notice).
Note: In addressing the absolute priority,
please identify each IHE that is an HBCU,
TCCU, or MSI.
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
establishing this indirect cost limit for
the FY 2022 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
December 27, 2021 (86 FR 73264) and
available at www.federalregister.gov/d/
2021-27979, which contain
requirements and information on how to
submit an application. Please note that
these Common Instructions supersede
the version published on February 13,
2019, and, in part, describe the
transition from the requirement to
register in SAM.gov a DUNS number to
the implementation of the UEI. More
information on the phase-out of DUNS
numbers is available at https://
www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ofo/
docs/unique-entity-identifier-transitionfact-sheet.pdf.
2. Submission of Proprietary
Information: Given the types of projects
that may be proposed in applications for
the CESC grant program, your
application may include business
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
57885
information that you consider
proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11 we define
‘‘business information’’ and describe the
process we use in determining whether
any of that information is proprietary
and, thus, protected from disclosure
under Exemption 4 of the Freedom of
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552, as
amended).
Because we plan to make successful
applications available to the public, you
may wish to request confidentiality of
business information.
Consistent with Executive Order
12600, please designate in your
application any information you believe
is exempt from disclosure under
Exemption 4. In the appropriate
Appendix section of your application
under ‘‘Other Attachments Form,’’
please list the page number or numbers
on which we can find this information.
For additional information please see 34
CFR 5.11(c).
3. Intergovernmental Review: This
competition is subject to Executive
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34
CFR part 79. Information about
Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs under Executive Order 12372
is in the application package for this
competition. Information about
Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs under Executive Order 12372
is in the application package for this
program [competition]. Please note that,
under 34 CFR 79.8(a), we have
shortened the standard 60-day
intergovernmental review period in
order to make awards before these funds
expire.
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.
E:\FR\FM\22SEN1.SGM
22SEN1
57886
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 183 / Thursday, September 22, 2022 / Notices
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES
The recommended page limit does not
apply to the cover sheet; the budget
section, including the narrative budget
justification; the assurances and
certifications; or the one-page abstract,
the resumes, the bibliography, or the
letters of support. However, the
recommended page limit does apply to
all of the application narrative.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection
criteria for this competition are from 34
CFR 75.210. The points assigned to each
criterion are indicated in the
parentheses next to the criterion. An
application may earn up to a total of 100
points based on the selection criteria.
Applications may receive up to 10
additional points under the competitive
preference priority, for a total score of
up to 110 points. All applications will
be evaluated based on the selection
criteria as follows:
(a) Significance. (Maximum 25 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the
significance of the proposed project.
(2) In determining the significance of
the proposed project, the Secretary
considers the following factors:
(i) The extent to which the proposed
project is likely to yield findings that
may be utilized by other appropriate
agencies and organizations. (up to 5
points)
(ii) The extent to which the proposed
project involves the development or
demonstration of promising new
strategies that build on, or are
alternatives to, existing strategies. (up to
10 points)
(iii) The importance or magnitude of
the results or outcomes likely to be
attained by the proposed project,
especially improvements in teaching
and student achievement. (5 points)
(iv) The extent to which the results of
the proposed project are to be
disseminated in ways that will enable
others to use the information or
strategies. (up to 5 points)
(b) Quality of the project design.
(Maximum 45 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the
quality of the design of the proposed
project.
(2) In determining the quality of the
design of the proposed project, the
Secretary considers the following
factors:
(i) The extent to which the proposed
project is part of a comprehensive effort
to improve teaching and learning and
support rigorous academic standards for
students. (up to 10 points)
(ii) The extent to which the proposed
activities constitute a coherent,
sustained program of training in the
field. (up to 10 points)
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:32 Sep 21, 2022
Jkt 256001
(iii) The extent to which the proposed
project is designed to build capacity and
yield results that will extend beyond the
period of Federal financial assistance.
(up to 10 points)
(iv) The extent to which the proposed
project represents an exceptional
approach to the priority or priorities
established for the competition. (up to
10 points)
(v) The extent to which the proposed
project demonstrates a rationale (as
defined in this notice). (up to 5 points)
(c) Quality of project personnel.
(Maximum 10 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the
quality of the personnel who will carry
out the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of
project personnel, the Secretary
considers the extent to which the
applicant encourages applications for
employment from persons who are
members of groups that have
traditionally been underrepresented
based on race, color, national origin,
gender, age, or disability.
(d) Adequacy of resources. (Maximum
5 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the
adequacy of the resources for the
proposed project.
(2) In determining the adequacy of
resources for the proposed project, the
Secretary considers the adequacy of
support, including facilities, equipment,
supplies, and other resources, from the
applicant organization or the lead
applicant organization.
(e) Quality of the management plan.
(Maximum 5 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the
quality of the management plan for the
proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of the
management plan for the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the
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.
(f) Quality of the project evaluation.
(Maximum 10 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the
quality of the evaluation to be
conducted of the proposed project.
(2) 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 will provide performance
feedback and permit periodic
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
assessment of progress toward achieving
intended outcomes. (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).
For this competition, a panel of
external reviewers will read, prepare a
written evaluation of, and score all
eligible applications using the selection
criteria and the competitive preference
priority, if applicable, provided in this
notice. The individual scores of the
reviewers will be added and the sum
divided by the number of reviewers to
determine the peer review score. The
Department may use more than one tier
of reviews in evaluating grantees. The
Department will prepare a rank order of
applications based solely on the
evaluation of their quality according to
the selection criteria and competitive
preference priority points.
In the event there are two or more
applications with the same final score in
the rank order listing, and there are
insufficient funds to fully support each
of these applications, the Department
will apply the following procedure to
determine which application or
applications will receive an award:
First Tiebreaker: The first tiebreaker
will be the highest average score for the
selection criterion ‘‘Quality of the
Project Design.’’ If a tie remains, the
second tiebreaker will be utilized.
Second Tiebreaker: The second
tiebreaker will be the highest average
score for the selection criterion
‘‘Significance.’’ If a tie remains, the
third tiebreaker will be utilized.
Third Tiebreaker: The third tiebreaker
will be the highest average score for the
selection criterion ‘‘Project Evaluation.’’
If a tie remains, the fourth tiebreaker
will be utilized.
Fourth Tiebreaker: The fourth
tiebreaker will be the highest average
score for the competitive preference
E:\FR\FM\22SEN1.SGM
22SEN1
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 183 / Thursday, September 22, 2022 / Notices
priority. If a tie remains, the fifth
tiebreaker will be utilized.
Fifth Tiebreaker: The fifth tiebreaker
will be the consortium with the highest
percentage of Pell Grant students
enrolled at the time of application.
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
judgement 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:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:32 Sep 21, 2022
Jkt 256001
(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 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
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
57887
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
purposes of Department reporting under
34 CFR 75.110, the Department will use
the following performance measures to
evaluate the success of the CESC grant
program:
(a) The number and percentage of
underrepresented students served by the
project.
(b) The number and percentage of
students placed in paid job-embedded
experiences in the spatial computing
sector.
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, whether the grantee has
made substantial progress in achieving
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).
E:\FR\FM\22SEN1.SGM
22SEN1
57888
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 183 / Thursday, September 22, 2022 / Notices
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.
Nasser H. Paydar,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary
Education.
[FR Doc. 2022–20474 Filed 9–21–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES
Combined Notice of Filings #1
Take notice that the Commission
received the following electric corporate
filings:
Docket Numbers: EC22–120–000.
Applicants: ABN Energy, LLC.
Description: Application for
Authorization Under Section 203 of the
Federal Power Act of ABN ENERGY,
LLC.
Filed Date: 9/14/22.
Accession Number: 20220914–5152.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 10/5/22.
Take notice that the Commission
received the following Complaints and
Compliance filings in EL Dockets:
Docket Numbers: EL22–76–000;
QF22–777–001.
Applicants: Rocktown Solar, LLC,
Rocktown Solar, LLC.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:32 Sep 21, 2022
Jkt 256001
Description: Amended Application
for Order Reinstating the Obligation to
Purchase Under 18 CFR 292.311 of
Rocktown Solar, LLC.
Filed Date: 9/13/22.
Accession Number: 20220913–5130.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 10/11/22.
Take notice that the Commission
received the following electric rate
filings:
Docket Numbers: ER19–469–005.
Applicants: PJM Interconnection,
L.L.C.
Description: Compliance filing:
Supplemental Information to Amend
Effective Date in ER19–469 to be
effective 12/31/9998.
Filed Date: 9/16/22.
Accession Number: 20220916–5147.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 10/7/22.
Docket Numbers: ER22–2863–000.
Applicants: Arizona Public Service
Company.
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:
Service Agreement No. 404,
Indemnification Agreement with AES to
be effective 8/18/2022.
Filed Date: 9/15/22.
Accession Number: 20220915–5206.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 10/6/22.
Docket Numbers: ER22–2864–000.
Applicants: Arizona Public Service
Company.
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:
Service Agreement No. 405, E&P
Agreement between APS & CO Bar Solar
to be effective 8/16/2022.
Filed Date: 9/15/22.
Accession Number: 20220915–5212.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 10/6/22.
Docket Numbers: ER22–2865–000.
Applicants: Public Service Company
of New Mexico.
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:
Executed Engineering and Procurement
Agreement between PNM and Artisco
Solar LLC to be effective 8/18/2022.
Filed Date: 9/15/22.
Accession Number: 20220915–5228.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 10/6/22.
Docket Numbers: ER22–2866–000.
Applicants: PacifiCorp.
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:
UAMPS TSOA Rev 6 to be effective 11/
15/2022.
Filed Date: 9/16/22.
Accession Number: 20220916–5033.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 10/7/22.
Docket Numbers: ER22–2867–000.
Applicants: Bluegrass Solar, LLC.
Description: Baseline eTariff Filing:
Reactive Power Compensation Baseline
to be effective 10/1/2022.
Filed Date: 9/16/22.
Accession Number: 20220916–5036.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 10/7/22.
Docket Numbers: ER22–2868–000.
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Applicants: Public Service Company
of New Mexico.
Description: Notice of Cancellation of
Rate Schedule No. 60 of Public Service
Company of New Mexico.
Filed Date: 9/15/22.
Accession Number: 20220915–5306.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 10/6/22.
Docket Numbers: ER22–2869–000.
Applicants: Midcontinent
Independent System Operator, Inc.
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:
2022–09–16_SA 4030 Termination of
GridLiance Heartland LLC Att KK–1 to
be effective 9/1/2022.
Filed Date: 9/16/22.
Accession Number: 20220916–5093.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 10/7/22.
Docket Numbers: ER22–2870–000.
Applicants: Midcontinent
Independent System Operator, Inc.
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:
2022–09–16_Revisions to Attachment
EE for Authorized Requestors to be
effective 11/16/2022.
Filed Date: 9/16/22.
Accession Number: 20220916–5094.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 10/7/22.
Docket Numbers: ER22–2871–000.
Applicants: Duke Energy Florida,
LLC.
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:
DEF–TECO RS 80 to be effective 11/22/
2022.
Filed Date: 9/16/22.
Accession Number: 20220916–5099.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 10/7/22.
Docket Numbers: ER22–2872–000.
Applicants: PJM Interconnection,
L.L.C.
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing: First
Revised ISA No. 3796; Queue No. AD1–
118 to be effective 8/17/2022.
Filed Date: 9/16/22.
Accession Number: 20220916–5110.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 10/7/22.
Docket Numbers: ER22–2873–000.
Applicants: Duke Energy Carolinas,
LLC.
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:
DEC—Revisions to MBR Tariffs Vols 3
and 5 to be effective 11/16/2022.
Filed Date: 9/16/22.
Accession Number: 20220916–5117.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 10/7/22.
Docket Numbers: ER22–2874–000.
Applicants: Duke Energy Florida,
LLC.
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing: DEFRevisons to MBR Vols. 8, 10 to be
effective 11/16/2022.
Filed Date: 9/16/22.
Accession Number: 20220916–5129.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 10/7/22.
Docket Numbers: ER22–2875–000.
Applicants: Duke Energy Ohio, Inc.
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:
DEO- MBR Revisions Vo. 1 to be
effective 11/16/2022.
E:\FR\FM\22SEN1.SGM
22SEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 183 (Thursday, September 22, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57883-57888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-20474]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Center of Excellence in Spatial
Computing Grant Program
AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice
inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2022 for the
Center of Excellence in Spatial Computing (CESC) grant program,
Assistance Listing Number 84.116Q. This notice relates to the approved
information collection under OMB control number 1894-0006.
DATES:
Applications Available: September 22, 2022.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: November 7, 2022.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: December 6, 2022.
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 December 27, 2021 (86 FR 73264) and available at
www.federalregister.gov/d/2021-27979. Please note that these Common
Instructions supersede the version published on February 13, 2019, and,
in part, describe the transition from the requirement to register in
SAM.gov a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number to the
implementation of the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). More information
on the phase-out of DUNS numbers is available at www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ofo/docs/unique-entity-identifier-transition-fact-sheet.pdf.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Cottrell, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, room 2B127, Washington, DC 20202-
4260. Telephone: (202) 453-7530. Email: [email protected].
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and
wish to access telecommunications relay services, please dial 7-1-1.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The CESC grant program is designed to help
increase the number of highly qualified Americans available for hire
within the high-tech labor pool.
Background: The evolution of computers has changed how we interact
[[Page 57884]]
with the technology in computing systems. Computer technology is no
longer limited to a static machine. Computational devices are now found
in our kitchen appliances, cars, and other daily use items.\1\ Spatial
computing is the digitization and virtualization of the activities and
interactions between various entities and environments to improve their
functionality.\2\ Autonomous guided vehicles, smart vacuums, virtual
and augmented reality, and the cameras in many phones that use light
detection and ranging are all examples of technologies that use spatial
computing to operate. Spatial computing has the potential to deeply
affect how we interact with today's immersive, engaging technology.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ www.uctoday.com/unified-communications/what-is-spatial-computing-the-basics/
\2\ www.ptc.com/en/blogs/corporate/what-is-spatial-computing
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Given how these technologies impact so much of our day-to-day
lives, the need to ensure a workforce that can develop, enhance, and
maintain such systems is critical. Additionally, given the need to have
a workforce in this field that is representative of the diverse U.S.
population, it is critical that IHEs recruit and educate
underrepresented students, as defined in this notice, in these
technologies. The technology sector, as the fastest growing market in
the United States, has an increasing need for a spatial computing
workforce to remain competitive. To this end, the CESC grant program
allows institutions of higher education (IHEs) the opportunity to apply
for Federal funding to teach students the necessary skills to succeed
in an ever-evolving high-tech economy.
Institutions interested in applying for the CESC grant program are
expected to teach, improve, and disseminate spatial computing knowledge
and skills required to increase the number of highly qualified
Americans available for hire within the high-tech labor pool.
Priorities: This notice contains one absolute priority and one
competitive preference priority. We are establishing these priorities
for the FY 2022 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 the priority.
The priority is:
To be considered for a grant under this absolute priority, an
eligible institution must include in its application--
(a) The member IHEs that constitute the consortium that will
support the advancement of spatial computing;
(b) A description of how best practices and curricula will be
evaluated and shared with computer science and other relevant programs;
(c) A description of how the consortium will establish leadership
and competitiveness in spatial computing, including how it will promote
innovative processes for domestic manufacturing of spatial computing
technology products;
(d) A description of how the consortium will create educational and
work placement opportunity programs to recruit, train, and retain
underrepresented populations in the technology sector; and
(e) A description of how the consortium will develop case studies
and skill-based workforce training and company-based education programs
in spatial computing.
Competitive Preference Priority: This priority is a competitive
preference priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award up to an
additional 10 points to an application, depending on how well the
application meets the priority.
The priority is:
Leveraging Industry Partnerships to Provide Job-Embedded
Experiences for Students in Spatial Computing Technologies (up to 10
points).
Projects that are designed to increase the proportion of
underrepresented students with the skill sets necessary to meet
industry demands in spatial computing by providing high-quality, paid,
job-embedded opportunities that could potentially lead to stackable
credentials in the field.
Definitions: In accordance with section 437(d)(1) of GEPA, we are
establishing definitions for ``Minority-Serving Institutions,''
``underrepresented students,'' and ``spatial computing.'' The
definitions of ``demonstrates a rationale,'' ``logic model,'' ``project
component,'' and ``relevant outcomes'' are from 34 CFR 77.1.
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.
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 Regional Educational Laboratory Program's (REL
Pacific) Education Logic Model Application, available at https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/elm.asp. Other sources
include: https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/pdf/REL_2014025.pdf, https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/pdf/REL_2014007.pdf, and https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/northeast/pdf/REL_2015057.pdf.
Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) 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 Higher
Education Act of 1965, as amended.
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 outcome(s)
the key project component is designed to improve, consistent with the
specific goals of the program.
Spatial computing means the digitization of activities of machines,
people, objects, and the environments in which they take place to
enable and optimize actions and interactions.
Underrepresented students means students enrolled in postsecondary,
career, or technical education who are in one or more of the following
subgroups:
(i) A student who is living in poverty.
(ii) A student who is American Indian, Alaskan Native, Asian
American, Black, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian, and/or Pacific
Islander.
(iii) A student who is female.
(iv) A student who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
questioning, queer, or intersex (LGBTQI+).
(v) A student with a disability.
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
[[Page 57885]]
competition under a new or substantially revised program authority.
This is the first grant competition for this program under 20 U.S.C.
1033a, and therefore qualifies for this exemption. In order to ensure
timely grant awards, the Secretary has decided to forgo public comment
on the priorities, definitions, and requirements under section
437(d)(1) of GEPA. These priorities, definitions, and requirements will
apply to the FY 2022 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; the Explanatory Statement
accompanying Division H of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022
(Pub. L. 117-103).
Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in
Federal civil rights laws.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97,
98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to
Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in
2 CFR 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 grant.
Estimated Available Funds: $1,980,000.
Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of
applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent years from
the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
Estimated Range of Awards: $990,000 to $1,980,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $990,000.
Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $1,980,000 for
the entire project period of 36 months.
Estimated Number of Awards: 1-2.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Project Period: Up to 36 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: A consortium of public and private
nonprofit IHEs that includes at least one Historically Black College or
University (HBCU), Tribally Controlled College and University (TCCU),
or other Minority-Serving Institution (as defined in this notice).
Note: In addressing the absolute priority, please identify each
IHE that is an HBCU, TCCU, or MSI.
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 establishing this indirect cost limit for the FY 2022
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 December 27, 2021 (86 FR 73264) and available at
www.federalregister.gov/d/2021-27979, which contain requirements and
information on how to submit an application. Please note that these
Common Instructions supersede the version published on February 13,
2019, and, in part, describe the transition from the requirement to
register in SAM.gov a DUNS number to the implementation of the UEI.
More information on the phase-out of DUNS numbers is available at
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ofo/docs/unique-entity-identifier-transition-fact-sheet.pdf.
2. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of
projects that may be proposed in applications for the CESC grant
program, your application may include business information that you
consider proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11 we define ``business information''
and describe the process we use in determining whether any of that
information is proprietary and, thus, protected from disclosure under
Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552, as
amended).
Because we plan to make successful applications available to the
public, you may wish to request confidentiality of business
information.
Consistent with Executive Order 12600, please designate in your
application any information you believe is exempt from disclosure under
Exemption 4. In the appropriate Appendix section of your application
under ``Other Attachments Form,'' please list the page number or
numbers on which we can find this information. For additional
information please see 34 CFR 5.11(c).
3. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under
Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this
competition. Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs under Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for
this program [competition]. Please note that, under 34 CFR 79.8(a), we
have shortened the standard 60-day intergovernmental review period in
order to make awards before these funds expire.
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.
[[Page 57886]]
The recommended page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the
budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the
assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the resumes,
the bibliography, or the letters of support. However, the recommended
page limit does apply to all of the application narrative.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition
are from 34 CFR 75.210. The points assigned to each criterion are
indicated in the parentheses next to the criterion. An application may
earn up to a total of 100 points based on the selection criteria.
Applications may receive up to 10 additional points under the
competitive preference priority, for a total score of up to 110 points.
All applications will be evaluated based on the selection criteria as
follows:
(a) Significance. (Maximum 25 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed
project.
(2) In determining the significance of the proposed project, the
Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) The extent to which the proposed project is likely to yield
findings that may be utilized by other appropriate agencies and
organizations. (up to 5 points)
(ii) The extent to which the proposed project involves the
development or demonstration of promising new strategies that build on,
or are alternatives to, existing strategies. (up to 10 points)
(iii) The importance or magnitude of the results or outcomes likely
to be attained by the proposed project, especially improvements in
teaching and student achievement. (5 points)
(iv) The extent to which the results of the proposed project are to
be disseminated in ways that will enable others to use the information
or strategies. (up to 5 points)
(b) Quality of the project design. (Maximum 45 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the
proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) The extent to which the proposed project is part of a
comprehensive effort to improve teaching and learning and support
rigorous academic standards for students. (up to 10 points)
(ii) The extent to which the proposed activities constitute a
coherent, sustained program of training in the field. (up to 10 points)
(iii) The extent to which the proposed project is designed to build
capacity and yield results that will extend beyond the period of
Federal financial assistance. (up to 10 points)
(iv) The extent to which the proposed project represents an
exceptional approach to the priority or priorities established for the
competition. (up to 10 points)
(v) The extent to which the proposed project demonstrates a
rationale (as defined in this notice). (up to 5 points)
(c) Quality of project personnel. (Maximum 10 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will
carry out the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary
considers the extent to which the applicant encourages applications for
employment from persons who are members of groups that have
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national
origin, gender, age, or disability.
(d) Adequacy of resources. (Maximum 5 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the adequacy of the resources for the
proposed project.
(2) In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the adequacy of support, including
facilities, equipment, supplies, and other resources, from the
applicant organization or the lead applicant organization.
(e) Quality of the management plan. (Maximum 5 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for
the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of the management plan for the
proposed project, the Secretary considers the 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.
(f) Quality of the project evaluation. (Maximum 10 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be
conducted of the proposed project.
(2) 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 will provide
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward
achieving intended outcomes. (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).
For this competition, a panel of external reviewers will read,
prepare a written evaluation of, and score all eligible applications
using the selection criteria and the competitive preference priority,
if applicable, provided in this notice. The individual scores of the
reviewers will be added and the sum divided by the number of reviewers
to determine the peer review score. The Department may use more than
one tier of reviews in evaluating grantees. The Department will prepare
a rank order of applications based solely on the evaluation of their
quality according to the selection criteria and competitive preference
priority points.
In the event there are two or more applications with the same final
score in the rank order listing, and there are insufficient funds to
fully support each of these applications, the Department will apply the
following procedure to determine which application or applications will
receive an award:
First Tiebreaker: The first tiebreaker will be the highest average
score for the selection criterion ``Quality of the Project Design.'' If
a tie remains, the second tiebreaker will be utilized.
Second Tiebreaker: The second tiebreaker will be the highest
average score for the selection criterion ``Significance.'' If a tie
remains, the third tiebreaker will be utilized.
Third Tiebreaker: The third tiebreaker will be the highest average
score for the selection criterion ``Project Evaluation.'' If a tie
remains, the fourth tiebreaker will be utilized.
Fourth Tiebreaker: The fourth tiebreaker will be the highest
average score for the competitive preference
[[Page 57887]]
priority. If a tie remains, the fifth tiebreaker will be utilized.
Fifth Tiebreaker: The fifth tiebreaker will be the consortium with
the highest percentage of Pell Grant students enrolled at the time of
application.
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 judgement 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 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 purposes of Department reporting under
34 CFR 75.110, the Department will use the following performance
measures to evaluate the success of the CESC grant program:
(a) The number and percentage of underrepresented students served
by the project.
(b) The number and percentage of students placed in paid job-
embedded experiences in the spatial computing sector.
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, whether
the grantee has made substantial progress in achieving 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).
[[Page 57888]]
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.
Nasser H. Paydar,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2022-20474 Filed 9-21-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P