[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