[Federal Register: March 24, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 56)] [Notices] [Page 14223-14224] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr24mr99-45] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION [CFDA No. 84.303A] Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI), Technology Innovation Challenge Grants Program; Notice Announcing a Two-Tier Review Process for Applications Received Under the Fiscal Year (FY) 1999 Competition SUMMARY: The Secretary announces the use of a two-tier review process to evaluate applications submitted for new [[Page 14224]] awards under the FY 1999 Technology Innovation Challenge Grants program. The Secretary takes this action to ensure a thorough review and assessment of the large number of applications that are expected to be received under the FY 1999 competition. This competition was announced previously in a notice published in the Federal Register on December 22, 1998 (63 FR 70977). That notice, however, did not explain that a two-tier review process is to be used in the evaluation of applications. Because the announcement of a two-tier review process does not affect the contents of applications in this competition, the date by which applications must be received remains the same as originally announced, March 12, 1999. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In prior fiscal years, applications for awards under this program were evaluated and selected in accordance with procedures established in the notice of final selection criteria, selection procedures, and application procedures for Technology Innovation Challenge Grants published in the Federal Register on May 12, 1997 (62 FR 26175). This year, however, these procedures for ``evaluation and selection of applications'' will not apply to this program. Instead, the Department will follow the procedures in 34 CFR part 75 except as indicated below. Application Review Procedures: The Secretary will use a two-tier process for reviewing applications in this competition. In the first tier, all eligible applications will be reviewed. The applications with the highest scores in the first tier--the top-ranked 60--will be reviewed in the second tier. In the event of a tie for the 60th place in the rank order of applications in the first tier, all applications tied for that final position will be considered in the second tier. The same evaluation criteria will be used in the second tier as in the first tier. The Secretary will select applications for funding on the basis of the rank ordering of applications in the second tier. In all other respects, the Secretary will follow the procedures in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), 34 CFR part 75, in reviewing applications. Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: In accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553), it is the practice of the Secretary to offer interested parties the opportunity to comment on proposed regulations. However, these exceptions to EDGAR make procedural changes only. Therefore, under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A), proposed rulemaking is not required. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Payer, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement, 555 New Jersey Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20208-5544. Telephone 202 208-3882. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday. 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. Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application package in an alternate format, also, by contacting that person. However, the Department is not able to reproduce in an alternate format the standard forms included in the application package. Electronic Access to This Document Anyone may view this document, as well as all other Department of Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or portable document format (pdf) on the World Wide Web at either of the following sites: http://ocfo.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 at (202) 512-1530, or toll free, at 1-888-293-6498. Anyone may also view these documents in text copy only on an electronic bulletin board of the Department. Telephone: (202) 219-1511 or, toll free, 1-800-222-4922. The documents are located under Option G-Files/Announcements, Bulletins and Press Releases. Note: The official version of a document is the document published in the Federal Register. PROGRAM AUTHORITY: 20 U.S.C. 6846. Dated: March 19, 1999. C. Kent McGuire, Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and Improvement. [FR Doc. 99-7188 Filed 3-23-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P