Notice2021-20496
Applications for New Awards; National Center for Information and Technical Support for Postsecondary Students With Disabilities Program
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 22, 2021
Issuing agencies
Education Department
Abstract
The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice inviting applications (NIA) for a new award for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for the National Center for Information and Technical Support for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.116D. This notice relates to the approved information collection under OMB control number 1894-0006.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 181 (Wednesday, September 22, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 181 (Wednesday, September 22, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52654-52659]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-20496]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; National Center for Information and
Technical Support for Postsecondary Students With Disabilities Program
AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice
inviting applications (NIA) for a new award for fiscal year (FY) 2021
for the National Center for Information and Technical Support for
Postsecondary Students with Disabilities Program, Assistance Listing
Number 84.116D. This notice relates to the approved information
collection under OMB control number 1894-0006.
DATES:
Applications Available: September 22, 2021.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: October 22, 2021.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: December 21, 2021.
ADDRESSES: For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an
application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to
Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the
Federal Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768), and available at
<a href="http://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf">www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shedita Alston, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 2B194, Washington, DC 20202-
4260. Telephone: (202) 453-7090. Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#99caf1fcfdf0edf8b7d8f5eaedf6f7d9fcfdb7fef6ef"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="62310a07060b16034c230e11160d0c2207064c050d14">[email protected]</span></a>.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program is to support a
National Center for Information and Technical Support for Postsecondary
Students with Disabilities (the Center) to provide technical assistance
and information on best and promising practices for students with
disabilities as they transition to or attend postsecondary education.
Institutions of higher education (IHEs), as well as elementary and
secondary schools, have legal obligations under two civil rights laws
prohibiting disability discrimination, Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Section 504) (29 U.S.C. 794),
and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended (ADA) (42
U.S.C. 12101-12213). The technical assistance and information provided
by the Center can help students, parents, and educational officials in
determining how to meet
[[Page 52655]]
these obligations and ensure the rights of students with disabilities.
In particular, the Center can assist students with disabilities and
their families in understanding that in IHEs, students with
disabilities have different rights and protections than they had in
secondary school under Section 504 and the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq. Students with
disabilities and their parents need to understand the differences in
these rights and responsibilities as students with disabilities enter
college and pursue postsecondary education. Specifically, unlike
students in secondary school, postsecondary students with disabilities
are responsible for requesting the academic adjustments, auxiliary aids
and services, and other accommodations they need to have equal
educational opportunity and are expected to comply with reasonable
procedures that an IHE may have concerning documentation of disability
and the need for accommodations under Section 504 and the ADA.
Note: A more detailed explanation of the different rights and
responsibilities of students with disabilities in secondary school and
postsecondary institutions can be found in two pamphlets issued by the
Department's Office for Civil Rights: ``Transition of Students With
Disabilities To Postsecondary Education: A Guide for High School
Educators,'' available at: <a href="https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transitionguide.html">https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transitionguide.html</a>, and ``Students with Disabilities Preparing for
Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities,''
available at: <a href="https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html">https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html</a>.
Priority: This notice contains one absolute priority. In accordance
with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv), this priority is from section 777(a) of
the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) (20 U.S.C.
1140q(a)).
Absolute Priority: For FY 2021 and any subsequent year in which we
make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition,
this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we
consider only applications that meet this priority.
This priority is:
Entities that can demonstrate the experience and capacity to
improve postsecondary recruitment, transition, retention, and
completion rates of students with disabilities by providing the
following:
1. Assistance to students and families. The Center must provide
information and technical assistance to students with disabilities and
the families of students with disabilities to support students across
the broad spectrum of disabilities, including--
(a) Information to assist individuals with disabilities who are
prospective students of an IHE in planning for postsecondary education
while the students are in secondary school;
(b) Information and technical assistance provided to individualized
education program teams (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1414(d)(1)) for
secondary school students with disabilities, and to early outreach and
student services programs, including programs authorized under subparts
2, 4, and 5 of title IV of the HEA, to support students across a broad
spectrum of disabilities with the successful transition to
postsecondary education;
(c) Research-based supports, services, and accommodations which are
available in postsecondary settings, including services provided by
other agencies such as vocational rehabilitation;
(d) Information on student mentoring and networking opportunities
for students with disabilities; and
(e) Effective recruitment and transition programs at postsecondary
educational institutions.
2. Assistance to institutions of higher education. The Center must
provide information and technical assistance to faculty, staff, and
administrators of IHEs to improve the services provided to, the
accommodations for, the retention rates of, and the completion rates
of, students with disabilities in higher education settings, which may
include--
(a) Collection and dissemination of best and promising practices
and materials for accommodating and supporting students with
disabilities, including practices and materials supported by the
grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements authorized under subparts
1, 2, and 3 of title VII, part D, of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1140q);
(b) Development and provision of training modules for higher
education faculty on exemplary practices for accommodating and
supporting postsecondary students with disabilities across a range of
academic fields, which may include universal design for learning and
practices supported by the grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements
authorized under subparts 1, 2, and 3 of title VII, part D, of the HEA
(20 U.S.C. 1140q); and
(c) Development of technology-based tutorials for higher education
faculty and staff, including new faculty and graduate students, on best
and promising practices related to support and retention of students
with disabilities in postsecondary education.
3. Information collection and dissemination. The Center will be
responsible for building, maintaining, and updating a database of
disability support services information with respect to IHEs, or for
expanding and updating an existing database of disabilities support
services information with respect to IHEs. This database must be made
available to the general public through a website built to high
technical standards of accessibility practicable for the broad spectrum
of individuals with disabilities. This database and website must
include available information on--
(a) Disability documentation requirements;
(b) Support services available;
(c) Links to financial aid;
(d) Accommodations policies;
(e) Accessible instructional materials;
(f) Other topics relevant to students with disabilities; and
(g) The information in the report described in paragraph (5) below.
4. Disability support services. The Center must work with
organizations and individuals with proven expertise related to
disability support services for postsecondary students with
disabilities to evaluate, improve, and disseminate information related
to the delivery of high quality disability support services at IHEs.
5. Review and report. Not later than three years after the
establishment of the National Center, and every two years thereafter,
the National Center must prepare and disseminate a report to the
Secretary and the authorizing committees analyzing the condition of
postsecondary success for students with disabilities. The report must
include--
(a) A review of the activities and the effectiveness of the
programs authorized under title VII, part D of the HEA;
(b) Annual enrollment and graduation rates of students with
disabilities in IHEs from publicly reported data;
(c) Recommendations for effective postsecondary supports and
services for students with disabilities, and how such supports and
services may be widely implemented at IHEs;
(d) Recommendations on reducing barriers to full participation for
students with disabilities in higher education; and
(e) A description of the strategies with a demonstrated record of
effectiveness in improving the success of such students in
postsecondary education.
6. Staffing of the Center. In hiring employees of the National
Center, the National Center must consider the expertise and experience
of prospective employees in providing training and technical assistance
to practitioners.
Note: Websites established or maintained to carry out any project
[[Page 52656]]
funded under this competition must meet WCAG 2.1 standards (Source:
<a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/glance/">https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/glance/</a>). Documents
posted on grantee websites must, at a minimum, meet the Department's
accessibility standards set out at: <a href="https://www2.ed.gov/web-guidance/accessibility/index.html">https://www2.ed.gov/web-guidance/accessibility/index.html</a>.
Definitions: The following definitions are from sections 101 and
103 of the HEA.
Institution of higher education--
(1) Means an educational institution in any State that--
(i) Admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of
graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the
recognized equivalent of such a certificate, or persons who meet the
requirements of section 484(d) of the HEA;
(ii) Is legally authorized within such State to provide a program
of education beyond secondary education;
(iii) Provides an educational program for which the institution
awards a bachelor's degree or provides not less than a 2-year program
that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree, or awards a
degree that is acceptable for admission to a graduate or professional
degree program, subject to review and approval by the Secretary;
(iv) Is a public or other nonprofit institution; and
(v) Is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or
association, or if not so accredited, is an institution that has been
granted pre-accreditation status by such an agency or association that
has been recognized by the Secretary for the granting of pre-
accreditation status, and the Secretary has determined that there is
satisfactory assurance that the institution will meet the accreditation
standards of such an agency or association within a reasonable time;
and
(2) Also includes--
(i) Any school that provides not less than a 1-year program of
training to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized
occupation and that meets the provision of paragraphs (1)(i), (ii),
(iv), and (v); and
(ii) A public or nonprofit private educational institution in any
State that, in lieu of the requirement in paragraph (1)(i), admits as
regular students individuals--
(A) Who are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance in the
State in which the institution is located; or
(B) Who will be dually or concurrently enrolled in the institution
and a secondary school.
Universal design for learning means a scientifically valid
framework for guiding educational practice that--
(1) Provides flexibility in the ways information is presented, in
the ways students respond or demonstrate knowledge and skills, and in
the ways students are engaged; and
(2) Reduces barriers in instruction, provides appropriate
accommodations, supports, and challenges, and maintains high
achievement expectations for all students, including students with
disabilities and students who are limited English proficient.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1140q(a).
Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in the
Federal civil rights laws.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97,
98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to
Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in
2 CFR 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 in 2 CFR part 3474.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Cooperative agreement.
Estimated Available Funds: $1,980,000.
Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of
applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent years from
the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
Estimated Average Size of Award: $1,980,000.
Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $1,980,000 for a
project period of 48 months.
Estimated Number of Awards: 1.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: Up to 48 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: Under section 777(a)(3) of the HEA, an
``eligible entity'' is an IHE (as defined in this notice); a nonprofit
organization; or a partnership of two or more IHEs or organizations,
with demonstrated expertise in:
(a) Supporting students with disabilities in postsecondary
education;
(b) Technical knowledge necessary for the dissemination of
information in accessible formats;
(c) Working with diverse types of IHEs, including community
colleges; and
(d) The subjects necessary to support students across the broad
spectrum of disabilities.
2.a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not require
cost sharing or matching.
b. Administrative Cost Limitation: This program does not include
any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. All
administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to
Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform
Guidance.
c. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses a restricted
indirect cost rate of 8 percent. For more information regarding
indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please
see <a href="http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/intro.html">www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/intro.html</a>.
3. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award
subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities
described in its application.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to
follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of
Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal
Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768), and available at
<a href="http://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf">www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf</a>, which
contains requirements and information on how to submit an application.
2. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order
12372 is in the application package for this program.
3. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
4. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative is where you,
the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to
evaluate your application. We recommend that you (1) limit the
application narrative to no more than 50 pages and (2) use the
following standards:
[[Page 52657]]
<bullet> A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1''
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> Use a font that is either 12 point or larger, and no
smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
<bullet> Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier,
Courier New, or Arial.
The recommended page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the
budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the
assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract. However, the
recommended page limit does apply to all of the application narrative.
Note: The Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs Form (ED
524) Sections A-C are not the same as the narrative response to the
Budget section of the selection criteria.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are
from 34 CFR 75.210 and from section 777(a) of the HEA (20 U.S.C.
1140q(a)). Applicants should address each of the following selection
criteria separately for each proposed activity. The selection criteria
are worth a total of 100 points; the maximum score for each criterion
is noted in parentheses.
(a) Demonstration of Eligibility. (Maximum 25 Points)
(1) The Secretary considers whether the applicant has demonstrated
expertise and experience sufficient to meet the requirements to be an
eligible entity under section 777(a)(3) of the HEA.
(2) In considering eligibility, the Secretary considers the
following factors:
(i) Demonstrated expertise in supporting students with disabilities
in postsecondary education;
(ii) Demonstrated expertise in technical knowledge necessary for
the dissemination of information in accessible formats;
(iii) Demonstrated expertise in working with diverse types of IHEs,
including community colleges; and
(iv) Demonstrated expertise in the subjects necessary to support
students across the broad spectrum of disabilities.
(b) Quality of the Project Design. (Maximum 15 Points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the
proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) The extent to which the design of the proposed project is
appropriate to, and will successfully address, the needs of the target
population or other identified needs;
(ii) The extent to which the design for implementing and evaluating
the proposed project will result in information to guide possible
replication of project activities or strategies, including information
about the effectiveness of the approach or strategies employed by the
project;
(iii) The extent to which the proposed project will establish
linkages with other appropriate agencies and organizations providing
services to the target population;
(iv) 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;
(v) The extent to which performance feedback and continuous
improvement are integral to the design of the proposed project.
(vi) The extent to which the design of the proposed project
reflects up-to-date knowledge from research and effective practice.
(vii) The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that it has
the resources to operate the project beyond the length of the grant,
including a multi-year financial and operating model and accompanying
plan; the demonstrated commitment of any partners; evidence of broad
support from stakeholders (e.g., State educational agencies, teachers'
unions) critical to the project's long-term success; or more than one
of these types of evidence.
(c) Quality of Project Services. (Maximum 15 Points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be
provided by the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of the services to be provided by
the proposed project, the Secretary considers the quality and
sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal access and treatment for
eligible project participants who are members of groups that have
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national
origin, gender, age, or disability.
(3) In addition, the Secretary considers:
(i) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed
project are appropriate to the needs of the intended recipients or
beneficiaries of those services;
(ii) The likelihood that the services to be provided by the
proposed project will lead to improvements in the achievement of
students as measured against rigorous academic standards;
(iii) The extent to which the services to be provided by the
proposed project involve the collaboration of appropriate partners for
maximizing the effectiveness of project services; and
(iv) The extent to which the technical assistance services to be
provided by the proposed project involve the use of efficient
strategies, including the use of technology, as appropriate, and the
leveraging of non-project resources.
(d) Quality of Project Personnel. (Maximum 15 Points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will
carry out the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary
considers the extent to which the applicant encourages applications for
employment from persons who are members of groups that have
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national
origin, gender, age, or disability.
(3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience,
of the project director or principal investigator;
(ii) The qualifications, including relevant training and
experience, of key project personnel; and
(iii) The qualifications, including relevant training and
experience, of project consultants or subcontractors.
(e) Quality of the Management Plan. (Maximum 10 Points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for
the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of the management plan, the
Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) 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;
(ii) The adequacy of procedures for ensuring feedback and
continuous improvement in the operation of the proposed project;
[[Page 52658]]
(iii) The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality products
and services from the proposed project;
(iv) 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; and
(v) How the applicant will ensure that a diversity of perspectives
are brought to bear in the operation of the proposed project, including
those of parents, teachers, the business community, a variety of
disciplinary and professional fields, recipients or beneficiaries of
services, or others, as appropriate.
(f) Quality of the Project Evaluation. (Maximum 20 Points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be
conducted of the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of the evaluation to be conducted
for the proposed project, 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;
(ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation provide for
examining the effectiveness of project implementation strategies;
(iii) 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; and
(iv) 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
also requires various assurances including those applicable to Federal
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department
(34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
A panel of three non-Federal reviewers will review and score each
application in accordance with the selection criteria. A rank order
funding slate will be made from this review. An award will be made in
rank order according to the average score received from the combined
peer review points.
In a tie-breaking situation under this program, preference will be
given to the applicant with the highest score under the ``Quality of
the Project Design'' criterion. If there is still a tie after
implementing the first tiebreaker, preference will be given to the
applicant with the highest score under the ``Quality of Project
Services'' criterion. If there is still a tie after applying the
secondary tiebreaker, preference will be given to the applicant with
the highest score under the ``Quality of the Management Plan''
selection criterion. If there is still a tie after applying a third
tiebreaker, preference will be given to the applicant with the highest
score under the ``Quality of the Project Evaluation'' selection
criterion.
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 200.8,
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.
[[Page 52659]]
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 <a href="http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html">www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html</a>.
5. Performance Measures: Under the Government Performance and
Results Act of 1993 and 34 CFR 75.110, the following three performance
measures will be used in assessing the performance of the National
Center for Information and Technical Support for Postsecondary Students
with Disabilities Program:
1. The extent to which the project serves students with
disabilities, families of students with disabilities, individualized
education program teams, and individualized plan for employment teams,
including growth in numbers served over time, and improved user
satisfaction ratings with the services received;
2. The extent to which the project provides information and
technical assistance to faculty, staff, and administrators of IHEs
aimed at improving accommodation, retention, and completion rates of
students with disabilities, including growth in the number of persons
and institutions served over time, and improved user satisfaction
ratings with services received, baseline change over time in retention,
and completion rates of students with disabilities at the institutions
served; and
3. The extent and growth over time in utilization of the database
of disability services information by IHEs, including improved user
satisfaction ratings of the accessibility and utility of the
information provided.
These measures constitute the Department's indicators of success
for this program. Consequently, we advise an applicant for an award
under this program to give careful consideration to the
operationalization of the measures in conceptualizing the approach and
evaluation for its proposed project.
If funded, you will be required to collect and report data in your
project's annual performance report (34 CFR 75.590).
VII. Other Information
Accessible Format: On request to the program contact person listed
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, individuals with disabilities
can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an
accessible format. The Department will provide the requestor with an
accessible format that may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or text
format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large print,
audiotape, or compact disc, or another accessible format.
Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of
Federal Regulations at <a href="http://www.govinfo.gov">www.govinfo.gov</a>. 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
<a href="http://www.federalregister.gov">www.federalregister.gov</a>. Specifically, through the advanced search
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published
by the Department.
Michelle Asha Cooper,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2021-20496 Filed 9-21-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 22, 2021.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.