Applications for New Awards; American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services, 85268-85272 [2023-26856]
Download as PDF
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
85268
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 234 / Thursday, December 7, 2023 / Notices
programs specifically related to the RCs.
Honorable Vazirani will be followed by
Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, who
will provide a brief on the role of the RC
and the new National Defense Strategy.
The meeting will adjourn at the
conclusion of Secretary Austin’s
remarks.
Meeting Accessibility: In accordance
with section 1009(d) of the FACA and
41 CFR 102- 3.155, the DoD has
determined that between 8:30 a.m. to
11:45 a.m. the meeting will be closed to
the public. Specifically, the USD(P&R),
in coordination with the DoD FACA
attorney, has determined in writing that
this portion of the meeting will be
closed to the public because it is likely
to disclose classified matters covered by
5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(1). Such classified
material is so intertwined with the
unclassified material that it cannot
reasonably be segregated into separate
discussions without defeating the
effectiveness and meaning of these
portions of the meeting. Pursuant to
section 1009(a)(1) of the FACA and 41
CFR 102–3.140 and 102–3.150, the
portions of the meeting from 11:50 a.m.
to 2:30 p.m. are open to the public. All
members of the public who wish to
attend the public meeting must contact
Mr. Eric Flowers, DFO, no later than
7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 6,
2023, at 703–697–1795 or 703–945–
5203, or eric.p.flowers2.civ@mail.mil.
Written Statements: Pursuant of Title
41 CFR 102–3.105(j) and section
1009(a)(3) of the FACA, the public and
interested parties may submit written
statements to the RFPB at any time
about its approved agenda or at any time
on the RFPB’s mission. Written
statements should be submitted to the
RFPB’s DFO at the address or email
listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section. If statements pertain to
a specific topic being discussed at the
meeting that is the subject of this notice,
then these statements must be submitted
no later than 3 business days prior to
the scheduled meeting date. Written
statements received after this date may
not be provided to or considered by the
RFPB until its next scheduled meeting.
The DFO will review all timely
submitted written statements and
provide copies to the RFPB members
before the meeting that is the subject of
this notice. Please note that all
submitted comments will be made
available for public inspection,
including but not limited to being
posted on the RFPB’s website.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:23 Dec 06, 2023
Jkt 262001
Dated: December 4, 2023.
Natalie M. Ragland,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2023–26890 Filed 12–6–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6001–FR–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 fiscal year (FY) 2024 for
American Indian Vocational
Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS)—
Assistance Listing Number 84.250Q—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:
December 7, 2023.
Deadline for Transmittal of
Applications: March 26, 2024.
Pre-Application Webinar Information:
No later than January 3, 2024, the Office
of Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services will post pre-recorded
informational webinars designed to
provide technical assistance to
interested applicants. The webinars may
be found at https://ncrtm.ed.gov/
index.php/grant-info.
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 7, 2022
(87 FR 75045) and available at https://
www.federalregister.gov/documents/
2022/12/07/2022-26554/commoninstructions-for-applicants-todepartment-of-education-discretionarygrant-programs. Please note that these
Common Instructions supersede the
version published on December 27,
2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
August Martin, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,
room 4A10, Washington, DC 20202–
5076. Telephone: (202) 987–0116.
Email: August.Martin@ed.gov.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or
have a speech disability and wish to
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00065
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
access telecommunications relay
services, please dial 7–1–1.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The purpose of
this program is to provide VR services,
including culturally appropriate
services, to American Indians with
disabilities who reside on or near
Federal or State reservations, consistent
with such eligible individual’s
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 2024 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 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.
E:\FR\FM\07DEN1.SGM
07DEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 234 / Thursday, December 7, 2023 / Notices
Estimated Available Funds: The
Administration intends to use
approximately $28,503,407 for new
awards for this program for FY 2024.
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 (per year):
$300,000–$1,000,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards
(per year): $550,000.
Note: The estimated range of awards
and the estimated average size of the
award is for each individual year of the
five years of the grant and not the total
for all five years.
Estimated Number of Awards: 44.
Project Period: Up to 60 months.
Note: The Department is not bound by
any estimates in this notice.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
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(l) of the Indian
Self-Determination and Education
Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(l)).’’
‘‘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.’’
Under 34 CFR 371.2, 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—
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:23 Dec 06, 2023
Jkt 262001
(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 is 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. However, if an applicant can
demonstrate that they do not have
sufficient resources to contribute the
non-Federal share of the cost of the
project, the applicant may request a
waiver, in part or in whole, to the cost
sharing requirement in accordance with
section 121(a) of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973 and the implementing
regulations at 34 CFR 371.40(c).
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
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
PO 00000
Frm 00066
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
85269
follow the Common Instructions for
Applicants to Department of Education
Discretionary Grant Programs,
published in the Federal Register on
December 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045) and
available at https://
www.federalregister.gov/documents/
2022/12/07/2022-26554/commoninstructions-for-applicants-todepartment-of-education-discretionarygrant-programs, which contain
requirements and information on how to
submit an application.
Note: RSA invites an applicant to
indicate whether it intends to
consolidate its AIVRS grant funds into
a current or future 477 plan in
accordance with the provisions of
Public Law 115–93, the Indian
Employment, Training and Related
Services Consolidation Act of 2017 (25
U.S.C. 3401 et seq.). Any request to
consolidate AIVRS funds into a 477
plan must be made separately to the
U.S. Department of Interior. For further
information on the integration of grant
funds under this program and related
programs, contact the Division of
Workforce Development, Office of
Indian Services, Bureau of Indian
Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior
at Office of Indian Services, Division of
Workforce Development, Bureau of
Indian Affairs, 1849 C Street NW, MS–
3645–MIB, Washington, DC 20245,
Telephone: (202) 219–3938.
AIVRS grantees who are in their last
year of AIVRS funding from a previous
grant and have currently integrated that
previous grant under an approved 477
plan must apply for a new AIVRS grant
under this competition by submitting an
application that meets all of the
requirements included in this notice. If
such an applicant receives a new AIVRS
grant under this competition and wants
to consolidate the new AIVRS grant in
a 477 plan, it must submit a request to
the U.S. Department of Interior to do so.
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
E:\FR\FM\07DEN1.SGM
07DEN1
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
85270
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 234 / Thursday, December 7, 2023 / Notices
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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:23 Dec 06, 2023
Jkt 262001
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):
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
PO 00000
Frm 00067
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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
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
and will not be considered for review
without that completed form submitted
by the applicant. These requirements
are:
(a) Effort will be made to provide a
broad scope of VR services in a manner
and at a level of quality at least
comparable to those services provided
by the DSU.
(b) All decisions affecting eligibility
for VR services, the nature and scope of
available VR services, and the provision
of such services will be made by a
representative of the Tribal VR program
funded through this grant and such
decisions will not be delegated to
another agency or individual.
E:\FR\FM\07DEN1.SGM
07DEN1
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 234 / Thursday, December 7, 2023 / Notices
(c) Priority in the delivery of VR
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 VR services will be provided
according to an individualized plan for
employment (IPE) that has been
developed jointly by the representative
of the Tribal VR program and each
American Indian with disabilities being
served.
(f) American Indians with disabilities
living on or near Federal or State
reservations where Tribal VR service
programs are being carried out under
this part will have an opportunity to
participate in matters of general policy
development and implementation
affecting VR service delivery by the
Tribal VR program.
(g) Cooperative working arrangements
will be developed with the DSU, or
DSUs, as appropriate, which are
providing VR 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 VR service, will
be fully considered in the provision of
VR 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 VR
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 VR program funded
under this part must assure that any
facility used in connection with the
delivery of VR 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 VR program funded
under this part must ensure that
providers of VR 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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:23 Dec 06, 2023
Jkt 262001
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);
PO 00000
Frm 00068
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
85271
(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.
E:\FR\FM\07DEN1.SGM
07DEN1
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
85272
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 234 / Thursday, December 7, 2023 / Notices
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 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 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 these measures through the Annual
Performance Reporting 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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:23 Dec 06, 2023
Jkt 262001
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, 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).
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,
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
PO 00000
Frm 00069
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
your search to documents published by
the Department.
Glenna Wright-Gallo,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2023–26856 Filed 12–6–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards;
Personnel Development To Improve
Services and Results for Children With
Disabilities—Personnel Preparation of
Special Education, Early Intervention,
and Related Services Personnel at
Historically Black Colleges and
Universities, Tribally Controlled
Colleges and Universities, and Other
Minority Serving Institutions
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 new awards for fiscal
year (FY) 2024 for Personnel
Development to Improve Services and
Results for Children with Disabilities—
Personnel Preparation of Special
Education, Early Intervention, and
Related Services Personnel at
Historically Black Colleges and
Universities, Tribally Controlled
Colleges and Universities, and Other
Minority Serving Institutions,
Assistance Listing Number (ALN)
84.325M. This notice relates to the
approved information collection under
OMB control number 1820–0028.
DATES: Applications Available:
December 7, 2023.
Deadline for Transmittal of
Applications: February 20, 2024.
Deadline for Intergovernmental
Review: April 22, 2024.
Pre-Application Webinar Information:
No later than December 12, 2023, the
Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services will post details
on pre-recorded informational webinars
designed to provide technical assistance
to interested applicants. Links to the
webinars may be found at https://
www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/osep/
new-osep-grants.html.
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 7, 2022
(87 FR 75045) and available at
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\07DEN1.SGM
07DEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 234 (Thursday, December 7, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 85268-85272]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-26856]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 fiscal year (FY) 2024 for American Indian
Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS)--Assistance Listing Number
84.250Q--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: December 7, 2023.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: March 26, 2024.
Pre-Application Webinar Information: No later than January 3, 2024,
the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services will post
pre-recorded informational webinars designed to provide technical
assistance to interested applicants. The webinars may be found at
https://ncrtm.ed.gov/index.php/grant-info.
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 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045) and available at
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/07/2022-26554/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs. Please note that these Common Instructions supersede
the version published on December 27, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: August Martin, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, room 4A10, Washington, DC 20202-
5076. Telephone: (202) 987-0116. 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 purpose of this program is to provide VR
services, including culturally appropriate services, to American
Indians with disabilities who reside on or near Federal or State
reservations, consistent with such eligible individual's 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 2024 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 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.
[[Page 85269]]
Estimated Available Funds: The Administration intends to use
approximately $28,503,407 for new awards for this program for FY 2024.
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 (per year): $300,000-$1,000,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards (per year): $550,000.
Note: The estimated range of awards and the estimated average size
of the award is for each individual year of the five years of the grant
and not the total for all five years.
Estimated Number of Awards: 44.
Project Period: Up to 60 months.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
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(l) of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(l)).''
``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.''
Under 34 CFR 371.2, 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 is 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. However, if an applicant can demonstrate
that they do not have sufficient resources to contribute the non-
Federal share of the cost of the project, the applicant may request a
waiver, in part or in whole, to the cost sharing requirement in
accordance with section 121(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and
the implementing regulations at 34 CFR 371.40(c).
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
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 December 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045) and available at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/07/2022-26554/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs, which contain requirements and information on how to
submit an application.
Note: RSA invites an applicant to indicate whether it intends to
consolidate its AIVRS grant funds into a current or future 477 plan in
accordance with the provisions of Public Law 115-93, the Indian
Employment, Training and Related Services Consolidation Act of 2017 (25
U.S.C. 3401 et seq.). Any request to consolidate AIVRS funds into a 477
plan must be made separately to the U.S. Department of Interior. For
further information on the integration of grant funds under this
program and related programs, contact the Division of Workforce
Development, Office of Indian Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S.
Department of the Interior at Office of Indian Services, Division of
Workforce Development, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1849 C Street NW, MS-
3645-MIB, Washington, DC 20245, Telephone: (202) 219-3938.
AIVRS grantees who are in their last year of AIVRS funding from a
previous grant and have currently integrated that previous grant under
an approved 477 plan must apply for a new AIVRS grant under this
competition by submitting an application that meets all of the
requirements included in this notice. If such an applicant receives a
new AIVRS grant under this competition and wants to consolidate the new
AIVRS grant in a 477 plan, it must submit a request to the U.S.
Department of Interior to do so.
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
[[Page 85270]]
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):
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 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 and will not
be considered for review without that completed form submitted by the
applicant. These requirements are:
(a) Effort will be made to provide a broad scope of VR services in
a manner and at a level of quality at least comparable to those
services provided by the DSU.
(b) All decisions affecting eligibility for VR services, the nature
and scope of available VR services, and the provision of such services
will be made by a representative of the Tribal VR program funded
through this grant and such decisions will not be delegated to another
agency or individual.
[[Page 85271]]
(c) Priority in the delivery of VR 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 VR services will be provided according to an individualized
plan for employment (IPE) that has been developed jointly by the
representative of the Tribal VR program and each American Indian with
disabilities being served.
(f) American Indians with disabilities living on or near Federal or
State reservations where Tribal VR service programs are being carried
out under this part will have an opportunity to participate in matters
of general policy development and implementation affecting VR service
delivery by the Tribal VR program.
(g) Cooperative working arrangements will be developed with the
DSU, or DSUs, as appropriate, which are providing VR 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 VR service, will be fully considered
in the provision of VR 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 VR 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 VR program funded under this part must assure that
any facility used in connection with the delivery of VR 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 VR program funded under this part must ensure that
providers of VR 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);
(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.
[[Page 85272]]
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 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 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 these measures through the Annual Performance Reporting
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, 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).
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, 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.
Glenna Wright-Gallo,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2023-26856 Filed 12-6-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P