[Federal Register: June 5, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 108)]
[Notices]
[Page 35770-35790]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05jn00-138]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[CFDA No.: 84.224C]
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services National
Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research; Notice Inviting
Applications for New Awards in Fiscal Years 2000-2001 for the
Alternative Financing Program (AFP), and the Alternative Financing
Technical Assistance Program (AFTAP), Both Authorized Under Title III
of the Assistive Technology Act (ATAct)
Note to Applicants: This notice is a complete application
package. Together with the statute authorizing the program and the
Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR),
this notice contains information, application forms, and
instructions needed to apply for a grant under these competitions.
These programs support the National Education Goal that calls for
all Americans to possess the knowledge and skills necessary to compete
in a global economy and exercise the rights and responsibilities of
citizenship.
The estimated funding levels in this notice do not bind the
Department of Education to make awards in any of these categories, or
to any specific number of awards or funding levels, unless otherwise
specified in statute.
Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81,
82, 85, and 86 and the Notice of Final Priority published elsewhere in
this issue of the Federal Register.
Absolute Priorities: These competitions focus on projects designed
to meet the absolute priorities in the notice of final priority for
these programs, published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal
Register. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that
meet one of the absolute priorities.
Pre-Application Meeting: Interested parties are invited to
participate in a pre-application meeting to discuss the funding
priorities for the AFP and the AFTAP and to receive technical
[[Page 35771]]
assistance through individual consultation and information about the
funding priorities. The pre-application meeting will be held on June
16, 2000 either in person or by conference call at the Department of
Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Switzer Building, Room 3065, 330 C St. SW, Washington, DC between 10
a.m. and 12 a.m. NIDRR staff will also be available at this location
from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on that same day to provide technical
assistance through individual consultation and information about the
funding priorities. For further information or to make arrangements to
attend contact Carol Cohen, Switzer Building, room 3420, 400 Maryland
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone (202) 205-5666. If you use
a Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD), you may call (202) 205-
4475.
Assistance to Individuals With Disabilities at the Public Meetings
The meeting site is accessible to individuals with disabilities,
and a sign language interpreter will be available. If you need an
auxiliary aid or service other than a sign language interpreter in
order to participate in the meeting (e.g. other interpreting service
such as oral, cued speech, or tactile interpreter; assistive listening
device; or materials in alternate format), notify the contact person
listed in this Notice at least two weeks before the scheduled meeting
date. Although we will attempt to meet a request we receive after this
date, we may not be able to make available the requested auxiliary aid
or service because of insufficient time to arrange it.
Application Notice for Fiscal Year 2000, Alternative Financing Program and Alternative Financing Technical
Assistance Program, CFDA No. 84.224C
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deadline for Estimated Project
Funding priority transmittal of number of Award amount (per period
applications awards year) \1\ \2\ (months)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
84.224C-1, Alternative Financing July 28, 2000.......... 7 Outlying areas, 12
Program. maximum: $105,000;
State Minimum:
$500,000; Average:
$540,000; Range:
$500,000 to $3,800,000
\1\.
84.224C-2, Alternative Financing July 28, 2000.......... 1 Year 1--200,000; Year 24
Technical Assistance Program. 2--300,000.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Note: The total amount available in FY 2000 for the AFP is $3,800,000. The Secretary is required to award a
minimum of $500,000 to States and to distribute any remaining funds among those States based on population and
density. After award of $500,000 to seven States, the Secretary would have an additional $250,000
(approximately) to distribute among the seven States. If only four applications are approved for funding, the
Secretary would distribute all available funds ($3.8 million) to those four applicants. Therefore, applicants
are encouraged to apply for (with full matching requirements) a grant award of up to $3.8 million, which is
the amount available if only one State applies and receives an award. The Secretary requires that the amount
above the minimum of $500,000 shall be separable and clearly identified in the application, budget, and
matching materials.
\2\ The Secretary will reject without consideration or evaluation any application that proposes a project
funding level that exceeds the stated maximum award amount for fiscal year 2000 (See 34 CFR 75.104(b)).
Program Title: Alternative Financing Program.
CFDA Number: 84.224C-1.
Purpose of Program: The purpose of the AFP is to award grants to
States to pay for the Federal share of the cost of the establishment
and administration of, or the expansion and administration of, an AFP
featuring one or more alternative financing mechanisms to allow
individuals with disabilities and their family members, guardians,
advocates, and authorized representatives to purchase AT devices and AT
services.
Eligible Applicants: Parties eligible to apply for the AFP are
States and outlying areas that receive or have received grants under
the AT State Grant Program (section 101 of the ATAct).
Matching Requirement: The Federal share of the cost of the
Alternative Financing Program must not be more than 50 percent.
Therefore, because the minimum Federal share is $500,000 for States,
States are required to match at least $500,000. The match must be
provided with cash, from State, local, or private sources. The State
must match at the exact level requested, $500,000 or greater. The
Federal share for an outlying area would be $105,000; requiring a
$105,000 match.
Program Title: Alternative Financing Technical Assistance Program.
CFDA Number: 84.224C-2.
Purpose of Program: The purpose of the AFTAP is to award a grant to
a public or private agency or organization to provide information and
TA to States participating in AFP.
Eligible Applicants: Parties eligible to apply for grants under the
AFTAP are public or private agencies and organizations, including
institutions of higher education with sufficient documented experience,
expertise and capacity to assist States in the development and
implementation of the AFPs carried out the ATAct. A State receiving a
grant under the ATP would not be eligible for a grant under the AFTAP.
Matching: No match is required.
Selection Criteria: The Secretary uses the following selection
criteria to evaluate applications for priorities under both the
Alternative Financing Program and the Alternative Financing Technology
Assistance Program. (See 34 CFR 75.210). The maximum score for all the
criteria is 100 points.
(a) Significance (10 points total). (1) The Secretary considers the
significance of the proposed project; and
(2) In determining the significance of the proposed project, the
Secretary considers 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.
(b) Quality of the project design (25 points total). (1) The
Secretary considers the quality of the design of the proposed project;
and (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
(8 points).
(ii) 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 (8 points).
(iii) The extent to which the proposed project represents an
exceptional approach to the priority or priorities
[[Page 35772]]
established for the competition (6 points).
(iv) The extent to which the proposed project will be coordinated
with similar or related efforts, and with other appropriate community,
State, and Federal resources (3 points).
(c) Quality of project services (15 points total). (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 proposed project participants who are members of groups that
have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national
origin, gender, age, or disability (5 points); and
(3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(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 (5 points).
(ii) 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 (5 points).
(d) Quality of project personnel (15 points total). (1) The
Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will carry out the
proposed project;
(2) In determining the quality of proposed 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 (5 points); and
(3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience,
of the project director or principal investigator (5 points).
(ii) The qualifications, including relevant training and
experience, of key project personnel (5 points).
(e) Adequacy of resources (15 points total). (1) The Secretary
considers the adequacy of resources for the proposed project.
(2) In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment,
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the
lead applicant organization (8 points).
(ii) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to
the objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed
project (7 points).
(f) Quality of the management plan (10 points total). (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, timeliness, and milestones for accomplishing
project tasks (5 points).
(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
(5 points).
(g) Quality of the project evaluation (10 points total). (1) The
Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be conducted by
the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary
considers the following factors:
(i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough,
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the
proposed project (5 points).
(ii) 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 (5 points).
Instructions for Application Narrative: The Assistant Secretary
strongly recommends the following:
(a) A one-page abstract;
(b) An application narrative (i.e., Part III that addresses the
selection criteria that will be used by reviewers in evaluating
individual proposals) of no more than 75 pages double-spaced (no more
than 3 lines per vertical inch) 8.5 x 11'' pages (on one side only)
with one inch margins (top, bottom, and sides). The application
narrative page limit recommendation does not apply to: Part I--the
electronically scannable form; Part II--the budget section (including
the narrative budget justification); and Part IV--the assurances and
certifications; and
(c) A font no smaller than a 12-point font and an average character
density no greater than 14 characters per inch.
Instructions for Transmittal of Applications:
(a) If an applicant wants to apply for a grant, the applicant
must--
(1) Mail the original and two copies of the application on or
before the deadline date to: U.S. Department of Education, Application
Control Center, Attention: (CFDA 84.224C-1 or C-2 and the title),
Washington, DC 20202-4725, or
(2) Hand deliver the original and two copies of the application by
4:30 p.m. (Washington, DC time) on or before the deadline date to: U.S.
Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA
84.224C-1 or C-2 and the title), Room #3633, Regional Office Building
#3, 7th and D Streets, SW, Washington, DC.
(b) An applicant must show one of the following as proof of
mailing:
(1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.
(2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the
U.S. Postal Service.
(3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial
carrier.
(4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary.
(c) If an application is mailed through the U.S. Postal Service,
the Secretary does not accept either of the following as proof of
mailing:
(1) A private metered postmark.
(2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.
Notes:
(1) The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated
postmark. Before relying on this method, an applicant should check with
its local post office.
(2) An applicant wishing to know that the Department has received
its application must include with the application a stamped self-
addressed postcard containing the CFDA number and title of this
program.
(3) The applicant must indicate on the envelope and--if not
provided by the Department--in Item 10 of the Application for Federal
Assistance (Standard Form 424) the CFDA number--and letter, if any--of
the competition under which the application is being submitted.
Application Forms and Instructions
The appendix to this application is divided into four parts. These
parts are organized in the same manner that the submitted application
should be organized. These parts are as follows:
Part I: Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424 (Rev.
11/12/99)) and instructions.
[[Page 35773]]
Part II: Budget Form--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form
524A) and instructions.
Part III: Application Narrative.
Additional Materials
Estimated Public Reporting Burden.
Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B).
Certification Regarding Lobbying, Debarment, Suspension, and Other
Responsibility Matters, and Drug-Free Work-Place Requirements (ED Form
80-0013).
Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and
Voluntary Exclusion: Lower Tier Covered Transactions (ED Form 80-0014)
and instructions.
Note: ED Form GCS-014 is intended for the use of primary
participants and should not be transmitted to the Department.
Certification of Eligibility for Federal Assistance in Certain
Programs (ED Form 80-0016).
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL (if
applicable) and instructions; and Disclosure Lobbying Activities
Continuation Sheet (Standard Form LLL-A).
An applicant may submit information on a Photostat copy of the
application and budget forms, the assurances, and the certifications.
However, the application form, the assurances, and the certifications
must each have an original signature. No grant may be awarded unless a
completed application form has been received.
For Applications Contact: The Grants and Contracts Service Team
(GCST), Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., room 3317
Switzer Building, Washington, DC 20202, or call (202) 205-8207.
Individuals who use a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) may
call the TDD number at (202) 205-9860. The preferred method for
requesting information is to FAX your request to (202) 205-8717.
Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application
package in an alternate format by contacting the GCST. However, the
Department is not able to reproduce in an alternate format the standard
forms included in the application package.
For Further Information Contact: Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, room 3414, Switzer Building,
Washington, DC 20202-2645. Telephone: (202) 205-5880. Individuals who
use a Telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the TDD
number at (202) 205-4475. Internet: Donna_Nangle@ed.gov
Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an
alternate format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer
diskette) on request to the contact person listed in the preceding
paragraph.
Electronic Access to This Document
You may review this document, as well as all other Department of
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe
Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at either of the
following sites:
http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg.htm
http://www.ed.gov/news.html
To use the PDF you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader Program with
Search, which is available free at either of the previous sites. If you
have questions about using the PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing
Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC,
area at (202) 512-1530.
Note: The official version of this document is the document
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal
Regulations is available on GPO access at: http://
www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 84.224C, Assistive
Technology Act Alternative Loan Financing Program)
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 3051-3058.
Dated: May 25, 2000.
Judith E. Heumann,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
Appendix--Application Forms and Instructions
Applicants are advised to reproduce and complete the application
forms in this Section. Applicants are required to submit an original
and two copies of each application as provided in this Section.
However, applicants are encouraged to submit an original and seven
copies of each application in order to facilitate the peer review
process and minimize copying errors.
Frequent Questions
1. Can I Get an Extension of the Due Date?
No. On rare occasions the Department of Education may extend a
closing date for all applicants. If that occurs, a notice of the
revised due date is published in the Federal Register. However,
there are no extensions or exceptions to the due date made for
individual applicants.
2. What Should Be Included in the Application?
The application should include a project narrative, vitae of key
personnel, and a budget, as well as the Assurances forms included in
this package. Vitae of staff or consultants should include the
individual's title and role in the proposed project, and other
information that is specifically pertinent to this proposed project.
The budgets for both the first year and all subsequent project years
should be included.
If collaboration with another organization is involved in the
proposed activity, the application should include assurances of
participation by the other parties, including written agreements or
assurances of cooperation. It is not useful to include general
letters of support or endorsement in the application.
If the applicant proposes to use unique tests or other
measurement instruments that are not widely known in the field, it
would be helpful to include the instrument in the application.
Many applications contain voluminous appendices that are not
helpful and in many cases cannot even be mailed to the reviewers. It
is generally not helpful to include such things as brochures,
general capability statements of collaborating organizations, maps,
copies of publications, or descriptions of other projects completed
by the applicant.
3. What Format Should Be Used for the Application?
NIDRR generally advises applicants that they may organize the
application to follow the selection criteria that will be used. The
specific review criteria vary according to the specific program, and
are contained in this Consolidated Application Package.
4. May I Submit Applications to More Than One NIDRR Program Competition
or More Than One Application to a Program?
Yes. You may submit applications to any program for which they
are responsive to the program requirements.
5. What Is the Allowable Indirect Cost Rate?
The limits on indirect costs vary according to the program and
the type of application. In this case it is limited to 10%.
6. Can Profitmaking Businesses Apply for Grants?
Only States may apply for the AFP and there are specific
eligibility requirements for the TA project however, profitmaking
entities are eligible to apply for the AFTAP.
7. Can Individuals Apply for Grants?
No. Parties eligible to apply for the AFP are States and
outlying areas that receive or have received grants under the AT
State Grant Program (section 101 of the ATAct).
8. How Soon After Submitting my Application Can I Find Out if It Will
Be Funded?
The time from closing date to grant award date varies from
program to program. Generally speaking, NIDRR endeavors to have
awards made within five to six months of the closing date.
Unsuccessful applicants generally will be notified within that time
frame as well. For the purpose of estimating a project start date,
the applicant should estimate approximately six months from the
closing date, but no later than the following September 30 of the
current fiscal year.
9. Can I Contact NIDRR To Find Out if My Application Is Being Funded?
No. When NIDRR is able to release information on the status of
grant applications, it will notify applicants by letter. The results
of the peer review cannot
[[Page 35774]]
be released except through this formal notification.
10. If My Application Is Successful, Can I Assume I Will Get the
Requested Budget Amount in Subsequent Years?
No. Funding in subsequent years is subject to availability of
funds and project performance.
11. Will All Approved Applications Be Funded?
No. It often happens that the peer review panels approve for
funding more applications than NIDRR can fund within available
resources. Applicants who are approved but not funded are encouraged
to consider submitting similar applications in future competitions
if such competitions are held. This would depend on subsequent
appropriations.
Public reporting burden for these collections of information is
estimated to average 30 hours per response, including the time for
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering
and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information.
Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect
of these collections of information, including suggestions for
reducing this burden, to: the U.S. Department of Education,
Information Management and Compliance Division, Washington, DC
20202-4651; and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork
Reduction Project 1820-0027, Washington, DC 20503.
Alternative Financing Program and the Alternative Financing
Technical Assistance Program (CFDA No. 84.224C).
BILLING CODE 4000-01-U
[[Page 35775]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN05JN00.005
[[Page 35776]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN05JN00.006
[[Page 35777]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN05JN00.007
[[Page 35778]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN05JN00.008
[[Page 35779]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN05JN00.009
[[Page 35780]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN05JN00.010
[[Page 35781]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN05JN00.011
[[Page 35782]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN05JN00.012
[[Page 35783]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN05JN00.013
[[Page 35784]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN05JN00.014
[[Page 35785]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN05JN00.015
[[Page 35786]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN05JN00.016
[[Page 35787]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN05JN00.017
[[Page 35788]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN05JN00.018
[[Page 35789]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN05JN00.019
[[Page 35790]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN05JN00.020
[FR Doc. 00-13946 Filed 6-2-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-C