[Federal Register: July 9, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 131)]
[Notices]
[Page 37366-37386]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09jy99-113]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[CFDA No.: 84.224B]
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, National
Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research; Notice Inviting
Applications and Pre-Application Meeting for New Awards Under the
Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance Program for Fiscal Year
1999
Note to Applicants: This notice is a complete application
package. Together with the statute authorizing the programs and
applicable regulations governing the programs, including the
Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR),
this notice contains information, application forms, and
instructions needed to apply for a grant under these competitions.
This program supports 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.
Program Title: Assistive Technology Act (AT Act) Technical
Assistance Program.
CFDA Number: 84.224B.
Purpose of Program: The purpose of the AT Act Technical Assistance
Program is to address issues raised by States, individuals, Protection
and Advocacy providers, and other relevant organizations; collect data
that will provide information about assistive technology devices and
services that can be used for determining policy; provide information
on increased access to assistive technology devices, assistive
technology services and other disability-related resources.
Eligible Applicants: Parties eligible to apply for technical
assistance grants shall have documented experience with and expertise
in assistive technology service delivery or systems, interagency
coordination, and capacity building and advocacy activities.
Parties eligible to apply for a grant under priorities 1, 2, and 3
are States, public or private agencies, including for-profit agencies,
public or private organizations, including for-profit organizations,
institutions of higher education, and Indian tribes and tribal
organizations.
Parties eligible to apply for a grant under priority 4, the
National Assistive Technology Internet Site, are institutions of higher
education that emphasize research and engineering, have a
multidisciplinary research center, and have demonstrated expertise in
working with assistive technology and intelligent agent interactive
information dissemination systems; managing libraries of assistive
technology and disability-related resources; delivering education,
information, and referral services to individuals with disabilities,
including technology-based curriculum development services for adults
with low-level reading skills; developing cooperative partnerships with
the private sector, particularly with private sector computer software,
hardware, and Internet services entities; and developing and designing
advanced Internet sites.
Application Notice for Fiscal Year 1999 AT Act Technical Assistance Program, CFDA No. 84.224B
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deadline for Estimated
Funding priority transmittal of number of Maximum award amount Project period
applications awards (per fiscal year)* (months)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
84.224B-1, Technical Assistance to AT 9/7/99 1 FY 1999, $638,000; FY 36
Act State Grant Program Grantees. 2000, $600,000; FY
2001, $600,000.
[[Page 37367]]
84.224B-2, Technical Assistance to AT 9/7/99 1 FY 1999, $200,000; FY 36
Act Protection and Advocacy Program 2000, $175,000; FY
Grantees. 2001, $175,000.
84.224B-3, AT Act Data Collection 9/7/99 1 FY 1999, $338,000; FY 48
Project. 2000, $305,000; FY
2001, $305,000; FY
2002, $305,000.
84.224B-4, National Assistive 9/7/99 1 FY 1999, $352,000; FY 36
Technology Internet Site. 2000, $300,000; FY
2001, $300,000.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Note: The Secretary will reject without consideration or evaluation any application that proposes a project
funding level that exceeds the stated maximum award amount per year (See 34 CFR 75.104(b)).
Pre-application Meeting: This notice invites interested parties to
participate in a pre-application meeting to discuss the funding
priorities and receive technical assistance through individual
consultation and information about the funding priorities. The pre-
application meeting for the Technical Assistance to AT Act State Grant
Program grantees and the Technical Assistance to AT Act Protection and
Advocacy Program grantees will be held on July 21, 1999 at the
Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services, Room 1002, Switzer Building, 330 C Street, S.W., Washington,
D.C. between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. NIDRR staff will also be available from
12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on that same day to provide technical assistance
through individual consultation and information about the funding
priorities. The pre-application meeting for the AT Act Data Collection
Project and the National Assistive Technology Internet Site will be
held on July 22, 1999 at the Department of Education, Office of Special
Education and Rehabilitative Services, Room 1002, Switzer Building, 330
C Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. NIDRR staff
will also be available from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on that same day to
provide technical assistance through individual consultation and
information about the funding priorities. For further information
contact Judith Fein, U.S. Department of Education, room 3430, Switzer
Building, 330 C Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202, or call (202)
205-8116. Individuals who use a telecommunications device (TDD) may
call the TDD number at (202) 205-5516. NIDRR will make alternate
arrangements to accommodate interested parties who are unable to attend
the pre-application meeting in person.
Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities at the Public Meeting
The meeting site is accessible to individuals with disabilities. If
you will need an auxiliary aid or service to participate in the meeting
(e.g., interpreting service, assistive listening device, or materials
in an 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 that date, we may
not be able to make available the requested auxiliary aid or service
because of insufficient time to arrange it.
Selection Criteria: The Secretary uses the following selection
criteria to evaluate applications for priorities under the Assistive
Technology Act of 1998. (See 34 CFR 75.210)
(a) Significance (8 points total).
(1) The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed
project.
(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 (35 points total).
(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
(12 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 (10 points).
(iii) The extent to which the proposed project represents an
exceptional approach to the priority or priorities established for the
competition (8 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 (5 points).
(c) Quality of project services (16 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).
(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 (6 points).
(d) Quality of project personnel (12 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 (3 points).
(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).
[[Page 37368]]
(ii) The qualifications, including relevant training and
experience, of key project personnel (4 points).
(e) Adequacy of resources (6 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 (3 points).
(ii) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to
the objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed
project (3 points).
(f) Quality of the management plan (11 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 (6 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 (12 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 (6 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 (6 points).
Instructions for Application Narrative: The Secretary will reject
without consideration or evaluation any application that proposes a
project funding level that exceeds the stated maximum award amount per
year (See 34 CFR 75.104(b)).
The 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 # [Applicant must insert number and
letter]), Washington, D.C. 20202-4725, or
(2) Hand deliver the original and two copies of the application by
4:30 p.m. [Washington, D.C. time] on or before the deadline date to:
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention:
(CFDA # [Applicant must insert number and letter]), Room #3633,
Regional Office Building #3, 7th and D Streets, S.W., Washington, D.C.
(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 its application has been
received by the Department 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.
4-88)) and instructions.
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 photostatic 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 S.W., room 3317
Switzer Building, Washington, D.C. 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
[[Page 37369]]
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, S.W., room 3418, Switzer Building,
Washington, D.C. 20202-2645. Telephone: (202) 205-5880. Individuals who
use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the TDD
number at (202) 205-9136. 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, D.C.
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 84.224B, Assistive
Technology Act Technical Assistance Program)
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 3001.
Dated: July 1, 1999.
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.
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. You may submit the same
application to as many competitions as you believe appropriate. You
may also submit more than one application in any given competition.
5. What Is the Allowable Indirect Cost Rate?
An applicant is limited to the organization's approved indirect
rate. If the organization does not have an approved indirect rate,
the application should include an estimated actual rate.
6. Can Profit Making Businesses Apply for Grants?
Yes. However, for-profit organizations will not be able to
collect a fee or profit on the grant, and in some programs will be
required to share in the costs of the project.
7. Can Individuals Apply for Grants?
No. Only organizations are eligible to apply for grants under
NIDRR programs.
8. Can NIDRR Staff Advise Me Whether My Project Is of Interest to
NIDRR or Likely To Be Funded?
No. NIDRR staff can advise you of the requirements of the
program in which you propose to submit your application. However,
staff cannot advise you of whether your subject area or proposed
approach is likely to receive approval.
9. How Do I Assure That My Application Will Be Referred to the Most
Appropriate Panel for Review?
Applicants should be sure that their applications are referred
to the correct competition by clearly including the competition
title and CFDA number, including alphabetical code, on the Standard
Form 424, and including a project title that describes the project.
10. 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.
11. Can I Call 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 be released except through this formal
notification.
12. 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.
13. 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.
BILLING CODE 4000-01-U
[[Page 37370]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09JY99.023
[[Page 37371]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09JY99.024
[[Page 37372]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09JY99.025
[[Page 37373]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09JY99.026
[[Page 37374]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09JY99.027
[[Page 37375]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09JY99.028
[[Page 37376]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09JY99.029
[[Page 37377]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09JY99.030
[[Page 37378]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09JY99.031
[[Page 37379]]
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, D.C. 20202-4651; and to
the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project 1820-
0027, Washington, D.C. 20503.
Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance Program (CFDA No.
84.224B).
BILLING CODE 4000-01-U
[[Page 37380]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09JY99.032
[[Page 37381]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09JY99.033
[[Page 37382]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09JY99.034
[[Page 37383]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09JY99.035
[[Page 37384]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09JY99.036
[[Page 37385]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09JY99.037
[[Page 37386]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN09JY99.038
[FR Doc. 99-17136 Filed 7-8-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-C