Notice2023-11600
Applications for New Awards; Activities for Underserved Populations
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
May 31, 2023
Issuing agencies
Education Department
Abstract
The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2023 for Activities for Underserved Populations Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.315C, to make awards to minority entities and Indian Tribes to conduct research, training and technical assistance, and related activities to improve services under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Rehabilitation Act), especially services provided to underserved populations. This notice relates to the approved information collection under OMB control number 1820-0028.
Full Text
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 104 (Wednesday, May 31, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34840-34846]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11600]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Activities for Underserved
Populations
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice
inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2023 for Activities for
Underserved Populations Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.315C, to
make awards to minority entities and Indian Tribes to conduct research,
training and technical assistance, and related activities to improve
services under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended
(Rehabilitation Act), especially services provided to underserved
populations. This notice relates to the approved information collection
under OMB control number 1820-0028.
DATES:
Applications available: May 31, 2023.
Deadline for transmittal of applications: July 21, 2023.
Date of pre-application meeting: On the date this notice is
published in the Federal Register, the Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) will post a PowerPoint presentation
specifically about Activities for Underserved Populations at <a href="https://ncrtm.ed.gov/grant-info">https://ncrtm.ed.gov/grant-info</a>. OSERS will conduct a pre-application
conference call on June 6, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time specific to
this competition to respond to questions. Information about the pre-
application conference call will be available at <a href="https://ncrtm.ed.gov/grant-info">https://ncrtm.ed.gov/grant-info</a>. OSERS invites you to send questions to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#44777571070421206a232b32"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="41727074020124256f262e37">[email protected]</span></a> in
advance of the pre-application conference call. A summary of questions
and responses will be available at <a href="https://ncrtm.ed.gov/grant-info">https://ncrtm.ed.gov/grant-info</a>
within six business days after the pre-application conference call.
Deadline for intergovernmental review: September 28, 2023.
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
<a href="http://www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-26554">www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-26554</a>. Please note that these Common
Instructions supersede the version published on December 27, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristen Rhinehart-Fernandez, U.S.
Department of Education, 400 Maryland
[[Page 34841]]
Avenue SW, Room 5076, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-5076.
Telephone: (202) 245-6103. Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#53606266101336377d343c25"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="566567631516333278313920">[email protected]</span></a>.
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: A purpose of the Activities for Underserved
Populations program is to improve the quality, access, and delivery of
services and the outcomes of services provided under the Rehabilitation
Act, especially services provided to individuals with disabilities from
underserved backgrounds, and to increase the capacity of minority
entities and Indian Tribes to participate in activities funded under
the Rehabilitation Act.
Priority: This priority is from the notice of final priority and
definition (NFP) published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal
Register.
Absolute Priority: For FY 2023, this priority is an absolute
priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that
meet this priority.
The priority is:
Improving the Delivery of Vocational Rehabilitation Services to,
and the Employment Outcomes of, Individuals with Disabilities from
Underserved Populations.
Under this priority, the Department provides funding for a
cooperative agreement for a minority entity or an Indian Tribe to
provide training and technical assistance to a minimum range of 5 to 15
State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies (Combined, General, or
Agencies for the Blind) over a five-year period of performance so that
the agencies are equipped to serve as role models for diversity,
equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workforce system by
implementing policies, practices, and service delivery approaches that
are designed to contribute to increasing competitive integrated
employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities from underserved
populations. Further, the grantee must contribute to VR research and
pedagogical practices that promote access to approaches that are
racially, ethnically, culturally, and linguistically inclusive.
During the first year of the project the grantee will focus on
developing training and technical assistance material and gathering
input and feedback from a diverse group of stakeholders including the
Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), State VR agencies, and
other relevant partners. During the period of performance, the grantee
must enter into agreements with the State VR agencies receiving
training and technical assistance. Each agreement must: specify the
level of involvement from VR agency leadership and personnel and
include an assurance that the VR agency is committed to sustainable
systems change across the organization for improving delivery of
services to underserved populations; explain how data will be collected
and shared; identify training and technical assistance needs,
intervention strategies, and implementation timelines; and describe how
outcomes will be measured. The grantee must have a minimum of two
agreements in place by the end of the first year of the grant.
Application Requirements
To be considered for funding under this priority, applicants must,
at a minimum, propose a project that will conduct the following
activities in a culturally appropriate manner. The Department
encourages innovative approaches to meet this requirement. To meet this
requirement, applicants must--
(a) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under
``Significance of the Proposed Project,'' an understanding of the
inequities and challenges experienced by individuals with disabilities
from underserved populations determined eligible to receive VR
services. To meet this requirement, applicants must--
(1) Present information and relevant data about the disparities
that exist with respect to VR services and employment outcomes for
underserved populations; and
(2) Describe how the project proposes to improve VR services for,
and competitive integrated employment outcomes of, underserved
populations.
(b) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under
``Quality of Project Design,'' how the project will address inequities
and challenges experienced by underserved populations determined
eligible to receive VR services. To meet this requirement, applicants
must--
(1) Demonstrate knowledge and experience working with individuals
with disabilities from underserved populations;
(2) Incorporate into the project design current research and
promising and evidence-based practices (EBPs),\1\ research about adult
learning principles and implementation science, and relevant findings,
recommendations, and relevant strategies identified by the Targeted
Communities project \2\ to overcome barriers to competitive integrated
employment and VR participation for individuals with disabilities from
underserved populations;
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\1\ For purposes of these requirements, ``evidence-based
practices'' (EBPs) means, at a minimum, demonstrating a rationale
(as defined in 34 CFR 77.1) based on high-quality research findings
or positive evaluation that such activity, strategy, or intervention
is likely to improve student outcomes or other relevant outcomes.
\2\ Final Report from the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical
Assistance Center for Targeted Communities (Project E3) (PR/Award
#H264F150003) <a href="https://ncrtm.ed.gov/library/detail/vocational-rehabilitation-technical-assistance-center-targeted-communities-project">https://ncrtm.ed.gov/library/detail/vocational-rehabilitation-technical-assistance-center-targeted-communities-project</a> and project website: <a href="https://projecte3.com/">https://projecte3.com/</a>.
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(3) Detail how the project will collect and examine data, including
from the RSA-911 and other relevant sources, from a minimum range of 5
to 15 State VR agencies regarding VR applicants, VR-eligible
individuals, and VR participants by race/ethnicity by--
(i) Exploring patterns, changes, or shifts in demographics for
individuals with disabilities from underserved populations;
(ii) Exploring data, by race/ethnicity, from each State VR agency
regarding VR applicants to identify opportunities for increased
outreach to and referral of individuals with disabilities from
underserved populations to VR services;
(iii) Examining data, by race/ethnicity, from each State VR agency
regarding selected VR services and competitive integrated employment
outcomes at exit to identify inconsistencies or gaps in the provision
of services;
(iv) Examining data from each State VR agency to identify reasons
for successful and unsuccessful closures between VR program
participants from underserved populations and VR program participants
who are not from underserved populations; and
(v) Reviewing each State VR agency's service delivery model from
eligibility determination to exit; and
(4) Present approaches for how the information and data described
above will be used to inform strategies to improve the delivery of
services to individuals with disabilities from underserved populations
for each of the identified State VR agencies. For example, applicants
may consider conducting a needs assessment and asset map for each of
the identified State VR agencies to identify existing programs and
services and businesses and philanthropic organizations in the
community, as well as potential gaps
[[Page 34842]]
and opportunities for collaboration, to support individuals with
disabilities from underserved populations in successfully obtaining
competitive integrated employment. Applicants may also consider
designing a long-term data collection tool and provide analytical
support and training to the identified State VR agencies to identify
additional data elements not captured in the RSA-911 or other case
management systems to continually assess the quality of services and
outcomes for individuals with disabilities from underserved populations
and individuals with disabilities not from underserved populations.
(c) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under
``Quality of Project Services,'' how the project will be designed so
that policies, practices, and service delivery approaches will
contribute to increased competitive integrated employment outcomes for
individuals with disabilities from underserved populations. To meet
this requirement, applicants must--
(1) Propose training and technical assistance activities that will
be offered to the identified State VR agencies. Training and technical
assistance activities will be further developed during the first year
of the grant and described in the agreements with the identified State
VR agencies based on needs and analysis of data. Training and technical
assistance activities may include, but are not limited to, (i)
assisting in State VR agency coordination and cross-agency partnerships
with State and local agencies and community-based organizations,
workforce programs, educational institutions, and other relevant local
community agencies and organizations (i.e., agencies and organizations
that provide services and supports related to mental health, substance
use, behavioral health, intellectual developmental disabilities, and
other areas of need such as housing, food, transportation, and
healthcare) to strengthen outreach and awareness about VR programs and
services, build trust between State VR agency counselors and
individuals with disabilities from underserved populations, and connect
individuals with disabilities from underserved populations determined
to be VR eligible with necessary supports to successfully obtain
competitive integrated employment; (ii) reviewing policies, practices,
and procedures from the identified State VR agencies and providing
recommendations to help ensure they are culturally appropriate and
implemented in an appropriate manner; (iii) developing strategies to
strengthen diversity in the VR workforce (e.g., reviewing hiring
practices from the identified State VR agencies and identifying
strategies that expand outreach to VR counselors from underserved
populations and mentoring and coaching activities for new and existing
VR counselors and paraprofessionals, human resource and professional
development specialists, and VR management and leadership personnel
from underserved populations); and (iv) any other activity that
improves understanding, responsiveness, and delivery of services to,
and competitive integrated employment outcomes for, individuals with
disabilities from underserved populations;
(2) Detail how those activities will incorporate relevant
strategies and promising and effective practices identified by the
Targeted Communities Project and other EBPs or related sources to the
extent possible;
(3) Explain how training and technical assistance activities will
be of high quality and sufficient intensity and duration to achieve the
intended outcomes of the project;
(4) Describe how remote learning \3\ opportunities will be
incorporated into the project. Remote learning opportunities should
offer experiences that advance engagement and implementation (e.g.,
synchronous and asynchronous professional learning, professional
learning networks or communities, and coaching), which could also be
incorporated into Rehabilitation Counseling programs, as well as other
training and professional development activities designed for the VR
workforce, as appropriate. The remote learning environment must be
accessible to individuals with disabilities in accordance with section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act;
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\3\ ``Remote learning'' means programming where at least part of
the learning occurs away from the physical building in a manner that
addresses a learner's educational needs. Remote learning may include
online, hybrid/blended learning, or non-technology-based learning
(e.g., lab kits, project supplies, paper packets).
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(5) Describe their knowledge, skills, and experience to support the
training and technical assistance activities described above;
(6) Describe how the project will contribute to VR research and
pedagogical practices that promote access to approaches that are
racially, ethnically, culturally, and linguistically inclusive. To meet
this requirement, applicants must describe how they will--
(i) Disseminate to all State VR agencies, RSA-funded Rehabilitation
Long-Term Training projects and technical assistance centers,
Department-funded programs, and Federal partners, as applicable,
training and technical assistance material, analysis of data collected,
evidence-based and promising practices, and lessons learned;
(ii) Develop products, such as toolkits, guides, manuals, webinars,
and communities of learning, for instructors, facilitators, State VR
agency directors, and human resource and professional development
specialists to facilitate the implementation of training and technical
assistance material in curriculum and relevant training and development
activities; and
(iii) Gather input and feedback from a diverse group of
stakeholders and subject matter experts, including RSA, State VR
agencies, and other relevant partners, throughout the project to inform
the development and delivery of the material described above.
(d) In the narrative section of the application under ``Quality of
the Project Evaluation,'' include an evaluation plan for the project.
The evaluation plan must describe--
(1) Clear and measurable outcomes;
(2) Approaches for measuring the effectiveness of the intervention
strategies identified in the agreements, including standards and
targets for measuring knowledge, skills, and abilities of State VR
agency personnel before and after completion of training activities. To
address this requirement, applicants must provide an approach for
determining--
(i) The most effective practices in improving the delivery of
services to individuals with disabilities from underserved populations
and the data that demonstrate the effectiveness of the practices; and
(ii) The most effective practices in creating a culture of systems
change within the State VR agency and the data that demonstrate the
effectiveness of the practices;
(3) Methodologies, including instruments, data collection methods,
and analyses, that will be used to evaluate the project and how the
methods of evaluation will produce quantitative and qualitative data to
demonstrate whether the project activities achieved their intended
outcomes;
(4) How the evaluation will be coordinated, implemented, and
revised, as needed, during the project. The applicant must designate at
least one individual with sufficient dedicated time, demonstrated
experience in
[[Page 34843]]
evaluation, and knowledge of the project to coordinate and conduct the
evaluation. This may include, but is not limited to, making revisions
to reflect any changes or clarifications, as needed, to the model and
to the evaluation design and instrumentation with the logic model
(e.g., designing instruments and developing quantitative or qualitative
data collections that permit collecting of progress data and assessing
project outcomes);
(5) How evaluation results will be used to improve delivery of
services to VR program participants from underserved populations from
eligibility determination to exit. To address this requirement,
applicants must provide an approach to gather input and feedback that
includes the experiences of VR program participants from underserved
populations. Applicants may consider voluntary focus groups, use of a
unique identifier, or another approach that adheres to consumer
confidentiality requirements in 34 CFR 361.38; and
(6) A process for gathering feedback from the identified State VR
agencies for continuous improvement throughout years two, three, four,
and five of the project.
(e) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under
``Quality of the Management Plan,'' how applicants will ensure that--
(1) The project's intended outcomes, including the evaluation, will
be achieved on time and within budget through--
(i) Clearly defined responsibilities of key project personnel,
subawards, and contracts, as applicable;
(ii) Procedures to track and ensure completion of the action steps,
timelines, and milestones established for key project activities,
requirements, and deliverables;
(iii) Internal monitoring processes to ensure that the project is
being implemented in accordance with the established application and
management plan; and
(iv) Internal financial management controls to increase efficiency
and cost-effectiveness, including by reducing waste or achieving better
outcomes, and how the applicant will ensure accurate and timely
obligations, drawdowns, and reporting of grant funds, as well as
monitoring subawards as applicable, in accordance with the Uniform
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements
for Federal Awards at 2 CFR part 200 and the terms and conditions of
the Federal award;
(2) The allocation of key project personnel, subawards, as
applicable, and levels of effort of key personnel are appropriate and
adequate to achieve the project's intended outcomes;
(3) The products and services are of high quality, relevance, and
usefulness, in both content and delivery and are accessible to
individuals with disabilities in accordance with section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act, as applicable;
(4) The proposed project will benefit from a diversity of
perspectives; and
(5) Projects will be awarded and operated in a manner consistent
with nondiscrimination requirements contained in the Federal civil
rights laws.
(f) Include the following:
(1) In Appendix A, personnel-loading charts and timelines, as
applicable, to illustrate the management plan described in the
narrative;
(2) In Appendix A, a logic model \4\ that depicts, at a minimum,
the goals, activities, outputs, and outcomes of the proposed project;
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\4\ ``Logic model'' (also referred to as a theory of action)
means a framework that identifies key project components of the
proposed project (i.e., the active ``ingredients'' that are
hypothesized to be critical to achieving the relevant outcomes) and
describes the theoretical and operational relationships among the
key project components and relevant outcomes.
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(3) An assurance to maintain a high-quality website, with an easy-
to-navigate design that is accessible to individuals with disabilities
in accordance with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as
applicable; and
(4) An assurance that training and technical assistance materials
such as outreach, training curricula, presentations, reports, outcomes,
and other relevant information will be submitted to RSA's National
Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCRTM) (<a href="https://ncrtm.ed.gov/">https://ncrtm.ed.gov/</a>) at least 90 days before the end of the final budget
period.
Definition: The following definition is from the NFP.
Underserved populations means Black, Latino, and Indigenous and
Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and
other persons of color.
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 718(b)(2)(B).
Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in Federal
civil rights laws.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84 and
86. (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 NFP.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants
except federally recognized Indian Tribes.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of
higher education only.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Cooperative agreement.
Estimated Available Funds: $910,490.
Note: This amount will be reduced by up to $9,000 in the first year
of the award to support peer review for this competition.
Estimated Number of Awards: 1.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: Up to 60 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: Minority entities and Indian Tribes. As
defined in section 21(b)(5)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act, ``minority
entity'' means a historically Black college or university, a Hispanic-
serving institution of higher education, an American Indian Tribal
college or university, or another institution of higher education whose
minority student enrollment is at least 50 percent. 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)).''
2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not require
cost sharing or matching.
b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses an
unrestricted indirect cost rate. 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>.
c. Administrative Cost Limitation: This program does not include
any program-specific limitation on
[[Page 34844]]
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: Under 34 CFR 75.708(b) and (c), a grantee under
this competition may award subgrants to directly carry out project
activities described in its application to the following types of
entities: Indian Tribes, institutions of higher education, and public
and private nonprofit organizations. The grantee may award subgrants to
entities it has identified in an approved application. Under 34 CFR
75.708(e), a grantee may contract for supplies, equipment, and other
services in accordance with 2 CFR 200.317-200.326, Procurement
Standards.
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
<a href="http://www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-26554">www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-26554</a>, which contain requirements and
information on how to submit an application. Please note that these
Common Instructions supersede the version published on December 27,
2021.
2. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under
Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this
competition.
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:
<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, reference citations, and captions, as well as
all text in charts, tables, figures, graphs, and screen shots.
<bullet> Use a font that is 12 point or larger.
<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 abstract (follow the guidance
provided in the application package for completing the abstract), the
table of contents, the resumes, the reference list, the letters of
support, or the appendices. However, the recommended page limit does
apply to all of the application narrative, including all text in
charts, tables, figures, graphs, and screen shots. Applicants are
expected to make the contents of their application accessible for
individuals with disabilities to the maximum extent possible. Tutorials
and resources for making documents accessible are available for free on
RSA's National Clearinghouse for Rehabilitation Training Materials at
<a href="https://ncrtm.ed.gov/accessibility-resources">https://ncrtm.ed.gov/accessibility-resources</a>.
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) Significance. (10 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed
project.
(2) In determining the significance of the proposed project, the
Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) The likelihood that the proposed project will result in system
change or improvement; and
(ii) The potential contribution of the proposed project to increase
knowledge or understanding of rehabilitation problems, issues, or
effective strategies.
(b) Quality of the project design. (20 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 goals, objectives, and outcomes to be
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable;
(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 is designed to build
capacity and yield results that will extend beyond the period of
Federal financial assistance;
(iv) The extent to which the design of the proposed project
reflects up-to-date knowledge from research and effective practice;
(v) The extent to which the proposed project will establish
linkages with other appropriate agencies and organizations providing
services to the target population; and
(vi) The extent to which performance feedback and continuous
improvement are integral to the design of the proposed project.
(c) Quality of project services. (25 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 the following factors:
(i) 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;
(ii) The extent to which the training or professional development
services to be provided by the proposed project are of sufficient
quality, intensity, and duration to lead to improvements in practice
among the recipients of those services; and
(iii) The extent to which the results of the proposed project are
to be disseminated in ways that will enable others to use the
information or strategies.
(d) Quality of the project evaluation. (25 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be
conducted of the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary
considers the following factors:
(i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide
valid and reliable performance data on relevant outcomes (as defined in
34 CFR 77.1(c));
(ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will, if well
implemented, produce promising evidence (as defined in 34 CFR 77.1(c))
about the project's effectiveness;
(iii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use
of objective performance measures that are
[[Page 34845]]
clearly related to the intended outcomes of the project and will
produce quantitative and qualitative data to the extent possible;
(iv) The qualifications, including relevant training, experience,
and independence, of the evaluator; and
(v) The extent to which the methods of evaluation provide for
examining the effectiveness of project implementation strategies.
(e) Quality of the management plan. (20 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for
the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of the management plan for the
proposed project, the Secretary considers the 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 milestone for accomplishing
project tasks;
(ii) 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
(iii) 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.
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).
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.
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
[[Page 34846]]
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>.
(c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may approve a data
collection period for a grant for a period of up to 72 months after the
end of the project period and provide funding, separate from this
funding opportunity, for the data collection period for the sole
purpose of collecting, analyzing, and reporting performance measurement
data regarding the project.
5. Performance Measures: For the purposes of Department reporting
under 34 CFR 75.110, we have established the following program
performance measures:
Measure 1: Based on the State VR agencies that received training
and technical assistance, the number and percentage of individuals with
disabilities from underserved populations determined eligible to
receive VR services compared to all individuals with disabilities that
are not from underserved populations and determined eligible to receive
VR services.
Measure 2: Based on the State VR agencies that received training
and technical assistance, the number and percentage of individuals with
disabilities from underserved populations that received VR services
compared to all individuals with disabilities that are not from
underserved populations that received VR services.
Measure 3: Based on the State VR agencies that received training
and technical assistance, the number and percentage of individuals with
disabilities from underserved populations employed at the time of exit
compared to all individuals with disabilities that are not from
underserved populations and employed at the time of exit.
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, or compact disc, or other accessible format.
Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of
Federal Regulations at <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.
Glenna Wright-Gallo,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2023-11600 Filed 5-30-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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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.