[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 57 (Thursday, March 24, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6875]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 24, 1994]


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Part II



Department of Commerce



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National Telecommunications and Information Administration



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National Endowment for Children's Educational Television; Notice of 
Availability of Funds
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
[Docket No. 940375-4075]
[RIN 0660-AA06]

 

National Endowment for Children's Educational Television (NECET)

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds.

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SUMMARY: The National Endowment for Children's Educational Television 
(NECET) hereby gives notice of the availability of funds for the 
purpose of enhancing the education of children through the creation and 
production of television programming specifically directed toward the 
development of fundamental intellectual skills.

DATES: The closing date for submission of all NECET Preliminary 
Applications (Pre-Applications) for the fiscal year (FY) 1994 grant 
cycle is Wednesday, May 4, 1994. Pre-Applications must be received at 
the NECET office no later than 5 p.m., May 4, 1994, whether mailed or 
hand-delivered. Facsimile copies will not be accepted.
    Successful Pre-Applicants will be invited to submit Full 
Applications to NECET. Full Applications must be received at the NECET 
office no later than 5 p.m., Wednesday, July 13, 1994. NTIA intends to 
award FY 1994 NECET grants by September 30, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Office of Telecommunications and Information Applications 
(OTIA); National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
(NTIA); U.S. Department of Commerce; 14th Street and Constitution 
Avenue, NW., room H-4889; Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Charles M. Rush; Acting Associate 
Administrator, Office of Telecommunications and Information 
Applications (OTIA); Telephone: (202) 482-5802; Facsimile: (202) 482-
2156; E-Mail: [email protected]. Information on the NECET program may 
also be downloaded from the NTIA Bulletin Board by contacting (202) 
482-1199 via modern or ntiabbs.ntia.doc.gov via Internet.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority

    The National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
(NTIA), Department of Commerce, serves as the President's principal 
adviser on telecommunications and information policy. NTIA's functions 
were codified as part of the Telecommunications Authorization Act of 
1992, Public Law No. 102-538, 106 Stat. 3533, 47 U.S.C. 901-04 (1993).
    The National Endowment for Children's Educational Television was 
established by The Children's Television Act of 1990, Public Law No. 
101-437, 104 Stat. 996 (1990) (codified at 47 U.S.C. 394 (1991)).

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)

    11.551; The National Endowment for Children's Educational 
Television.

Program Description

NECET Background

    NECET funds are intended to support the creation and production of 
children's television programming that is specifically directed toward 
the development of fundamental intellectual skills. In so doing, 
NECET's efforts are intended to supplement children's educational 
programming that is funded by other governmental entities.
    Congress directed that NECET be administered by the Secretary of 
Commerce. The Secretary, in turn, has delegated this responsibility to 
the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, who serves 
as the Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration (NTIA).
    The Children's Television Act of 1990 stipulates that, during the 
first two years following project completion, NECET-funded programming 
may be offered for distribution only to noncommercial public television 
stations. After the initial two-year period, NECET-funded programming 
may be made available to commercial media as well, including broadcast 
television networks and stations, and cable television networks and 
systems. The 1990 Act authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, under 
certain circumstances, to modify some aspects of these distribution 
requirements.
    Through the 1990 Act, Congress sought to ensure that commercial 
television entities would have at their disposal a growing pool of 
high-quality programming appropriate for a children's audience that 
would be available at an affordable cost. Accordingly, the 1990 Act 
authorizes the Secretary to offer NECET-funded programs to commercial 
television stations and cable television systems at a rate designed to 
encourage these entities to air such programming.

NECET Objectives

    For the FY 1994 grant round, NECET has three major objectives that 
applicants should consider when preparing their submissions.
     To Improve the Fundamental Intellectual Skills of Children 
Through the Vehicle of Television Programming. The term ``fundamental 
intellectual skills'' may be defined in a number of ways. In general, 
NECET interprets the term broadly, to include those competencies and 
abilities that enable children to effectively understand and cope with 
problems posed by the contemporary world. Such skills might include 
proficiency in traditional academic disciplines, such as mathematics, 
science, history or reading, or they might consist of more abstract 
abilities, concerns or appreciations, such as problem-solving, ethics, 
multiculturalism or diversity. Regardless of approach, applicants are 
also encouraged to incorporate basic human development skills, such as 
self-esteem and pro-social behavior development, into their proposals. 
Finally, since most effective educational television programming for 
children has an entertainment element woven throughout it, NECET 
applicants are encouraged to incorporate this element into the design 
of their proposals.
     To the Extent Feasible, To Support the Development of 
Programming for Children Aged 6 to 8. Although there is a need for 
high-quality educational television programming for children of all 
ages, NECET has concluded that the six-to-eight-year-old child is 
currently the most underserved by educational television programming 
and is therefore deserving of special consideration for the FY 1994 
grant round. According to the 1990 U.S. Census, there are a total of 
10,732,061 children in this age group. Consistent with this emphasis, 
projects that meet the needs of this particular age group are more 
likely to be competitive and to receive funding consideration than 
projects focused on other age groups. NECET, however, will not 
automatically reject projects designed for other age groups. In future 
grant rounds, NECET may emphasize projects designed for different age 
levels.
     To Encompass a Broad Range of Subject Areas Within the 
Overall Context of the Grant Program. NECET is imposing no limits on 
the scope of the proposals that may be submitted for funding 
consideration. In selecting the goals for their projects, applicants 
may choose to encompass a broad array of targeted skills. Alternatively 
applicants may choose to center on a single learning need.

Funding Availability

    The Departments of Commerce, Justice and State, the Judiciary and 
Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1993, Public Law 103-121, 107 
Stat. 1153 (1993), provides the Department of Commerce $1 million in 
assistance for the National Endowment for Children's Educational 
Television under 47 U.S.C. 394 (1991), to be used for the creation and 
production of television programming specifically directed toward the 
development of fundamental intellectual skills. Congress has 
appropriated a total of $1 million for NECET for Fiscal Year 1994. NTIA 
anticipates that in FY 1994 NECET will fund up to six grant awards, 
depending on the nature of the projects and the need of the recipients, 
and that NECET awards will range from $50,000 to $300,000.

Matching Requirements

    The Children's Television Act of 1990 provides that the Department 
of Commerce may award funds up to 75 percent of a project's eligible 
costs. Due to the limitation of available funding, however, applicants 
are encouraged to provide as much outside funding as possible.

Type of Funding Instrument

    The funding instrument for awards made under this program will be a 
grant.

Eligibility Criteria

    Any individual, partnership, association, joint stock company, 
trust, corporation (not-for-profit or for-profit), or state or local 
governmental entity is eligible to submit an application for NECET 
funding.

Award Period

    Successful applicants will have up to twenty-four months to 
complete their project, although the grant award period will vary as a 
function of the complexity and scope of the project.

Indirect Costs

    The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed in an 
application under this program must not exceed the indirect cost rate 
negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal agency prior to the 
proposed effective date of the award or 100 percent of the total 
proposed direct costs dollar amount in the application, whichever is 
less.

Application Forms and Kit; Selection Procedures

Preliminary Applications

    A Preliminary Application (Pre-Application) is required for each 
proposal submitted by an applicant. The Pre-Application consists of two 
parts; (1) A Standard Form 424 (SF-424) (Rev. 4-92) Application for 
Federal Assistance; and (2) a narrative summary of the general nature 
of the proposed project, not to exceed five single-spaced pages. An 
original and two copies of each complete Pre-Application is required 
for each project submission. No organization or individual is permitted 
to submit Pre-Applications for more than three separate projects. 
Videotapes, audio cassettes and other related materials are not 
permitted with Pre-Applications. A copy of the SF-424 and an outline of 
points to be included in the Pre-Application narrative summary is 
contained in the National Endowment for Children's Educational 
Television Guidelines for Preparing Applications: 1994 Grant Cycle. 
This booklet may be secured by contacting the NTIA Office listed 
earlier.
    Upon receipt, NECET Pre-Applications will be reviewed and evaluated 
by outside reviewers with expertise in the area of children's 
television programming and by NECET staff. Criteria to be used in the 
evaluation of each proposal are listed in the ``Evaluation Criteria'' 
section of this Notice. Written comments made by reviewers on each 
proposal will not be made available to the applicant, and Pre-
Application submissions will not be returned. Recommendations regarding 
successful Pre-Applications will be submitted to the NTIA 
Administrator, who shall make a final determination regarding 
successful and unsuccessful Pre-Applications. Successful and 
unsuccessful Pre-Applicants will be notified by letter about their 
proposals in late May, 1994. Those determined to be unsuccessful Pre-
Applicants will be dropped from further consideration for the FY 1994 
NECET grant cycle. Those determined to be successful Pre-Applicants 
will be invited to submit Full Applications to NECET.

Full Applications

    The Full Application is a comprehensive document that consists of 
required Federal forms, five sections of additional information, and 
three exhibits. Detailed instructions for completing the Full 
Application are contained in the Guidelines for Preparing Applications: 
1994 Grant Cycle cited earlier.
    In addition, those applicants requesting funds for production of a 
series, individual program(s), or special program(s) are also strongly 
recommended to submit a half-inch VHS videocassette that represents the 
quality of work of which the applicant is capable. This type may take 
the form of a pilot or other sample tape of the proposed project, or 
may be a tape of an unrelated nature that demonstrates the creative and 
technical capability of the applicant. Applicants requesting NECET 
funds for reproduction activities only (e.g., planning, research, 
development, scripting, etc.) and/or for production of a pilot program 
do not need to submit a videocassette with their Full Applications. 
Videocassettes will not be returned.

Project Funding Priorities

    In general, NECET funds are available to support all of the varied 
tasks associated with the production of children's television, and 
project eligibility is not limited to any particular stage of 
production or type of activity as long as it is germane to the 
production of children's television programming that furthers the 
objectives of the 1990 Act. Programming funded by NECET is primarily 
intended for general viewing by children, although it may also have 
value and be used within an instructional context. In general, NECET 
expects to award funds for four categories of projects:

Series

    To initiate new series productions, or to complete a series project 
already underway.

Individual Programs or Specials

    To support production of new individual program(s) or special(s).

Pilot Programs

    To support various pre-production activities (e.g., planning, 
research development, scripting, etc.) up through and including the 
production of pilot program(s).

Pre-Production Projects

    To support preliminary pre-production activities, such as planning, 
research, development and/or scripting, that will eventually lead to 
production.

Evaluation Criteria

    Five Evaluation Criteria will be used to evaluate all NECET Pre-
Application and NECET Full Application submissions received during the 
FY 1994 grant cycle. These criteria, and the weight accorded each 
criterion, are as follows:

Creativity (30 points)

    The proposed project must display a high degree of creativity, 
originality and artistic imagination and, ideally, be unique and 
innovative in its approach.

Clarity of Educational Objectives; Plan for Evaluating Educational 
Effectiveness; Indication of Developmental Appropriateness (30 points)

    Applicants must provide:
    (1) A clear statement of the educational objectives of their 
proposal;
    (2) a plan for evaluating the educational effectiveness of the 
proposed project; and
    (3) an indication that the proposed project is developmentally 
appropriate for the target audience specified in the proposal.

Conformance With NECET Objectives (15 points)

    Applicants must satisfy NECET that their project will further the 
three NECET objectives discussed earlier in this Notice:
    (1) To Improve the Fundamental Intellectual Skills of Children 
through the Vehicle of Television Programming;
    (2) To the Extent Feasible, to Support the Development of 
Programming for Children Aged 6 to 8; and
    (3) To Encompass a Broad Range of Subject Areas within the Overall 
Context of the Grant Program.

Applicant Capability (15 points)

    Applicants must indicate why NECET may be confident that they will 
be able to complete the proposed project in a satisfactory manner. 
Applicants may demonstrate this capability in various ways, including 
documentation of previous experience, presentation of a well-developed 
plan, and related information.

Thoroughness of Project Plan (10 points)

    Applicants must provide evidence of a well-developed and sound plan 
for execution of their project, including a detailed and realistic 
timetable and budget that accurately reflect the needs of the project.

Program Standards

    Programs produced with NECET grant funding must meet broadcast-
quality production and technical standards consistent with those of the 
Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). All programs must be closed-
captioned. Programming funded by NECET may not be interrupted with 
commercial advertising messages for the life of the program. All NECET-
funded programming must be aired with a funding (underwriting) credit 
for the National Endowment for Children's Educational Television 
(NECET), and any ancillary materials produced with this grant shall 
contain a similar credit. Such funding credit shall be consistent with 
common practice for funding announcements on public broadcasting 
stations.

Rights, Clearances, and Distribution

    NECET grant recipients are entitled to retain continuing rights to 
the programming that they create with NECET funding assistance. 
Recipients of NECET grant funding must comply with all requirements of 
United States Copyright Law, including requirements to obtain 
permission from owners of copyright in works of authorship and to pay 
any required license fees. Accordingly, NECET requires that all 
completed creative works supported by NECET funding have appropriate 
clearances, releases, and/or other documentation demonstrating that the 
organization or individual producing the programming either has 
obtained rights for the use of all elements in the programs, or has 
itself originally created the work. These rights and clearances apply 
to all elements of such programming.
    NECET Applicants should note that they will need to obtain an 
option on any material critical to the successful completion of their 
projects before they apply to NECET, unless all such material has 
already been cleared or is entirely original with the applicant.

Other Requirements

Federal Policies and Procedures

    Recipients and sub-recipients are subject to all applicable Federal 
laws and Federal and Department of Commerce policies, regulations, and 
procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance awards.

Past Performance

    Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal financial assistance 
awards may result in an application not being considered for funding.

Pre-Award Activities

    If applicants incur any costs prior to the awarding of funds, they 
do so solely at their own risk of not being reimbursed by the 
government. Applicants are hereby notified that, notwithstanding any 
verbal or written assurance that they may have received, there is no 
obligation on the part of the Department of Commerce or NTIA to cover 
pre-award costs.

No Obligation for Future Funding

    If an application is selected for funding, the Department of 
Commerce has no obligation to provide any additional future funding in 
connection with that award. Renewal of an award to increase funding or 
extend the period of performance is at the total discretion of the 
Department of Commerce.

Delinquent Federal Debts

    No award of Federal funds shall be made to an applicant who has an 
outstanding delinquent Federal debt until either:
    1. The delinquent account is paid in full;
    2. A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one 
payment is received; or
    3. Other arrangements satisfactory to the Department of Commerce 
are made.

Name Check Review

    All non-profit and for-profit applicants are subject to a name 
check review process. Name checks are intended to reveal if any key 
individuals associated with the applicant have been convicted of or are 
presently facing criminal charges such as fraud, theft, perjury, or 
other matters that significantly reflect on the applicant's management 
honesty or financial integrity.

Primary Applicant Certifications

    All primary applicants must submit a completed Form CD-511, 
``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other 
Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and 
Lobbying.'' The following explanations are hereby provided:
     Non-procurement Debarment and Suspension. Prospective 
participants (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, Sec. 26.105) are subject to 
15 CFR part 26, ``Non-procurement Debarment and Suspension'' and the 
related section of the certification form prescribed above applies;
     Drug-Free Workplace. Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR part 
26, Sec. 26.605) are subject to 15 CFR part 26, Subpart F, 
``Government-wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants) and the 
related section of the certification form prescribed above applies;
     Anti-Lobbying. Persons (as defined at 15 CFR part 28, 
Sec. 28.105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352, 
``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal 
contracting and financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of 
the certification form prescribed above applies to applications/bids 
for grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than 
$100,000, and loans and loan guarantees for more than $150,000 or the 
single family maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever 
is greater; and
     Anti-Lobbying Disclosure. Any applicant that has paid or 
will pay for lobbying using any funds must submit an SF-LLL, 
``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR part 
28, appendix B.

Lower Tier Certifications

    Grant recipients shall require applicants/bidders for subgrants, 
contracts, subcontracts, or other lower tier covered transactions at 
any tier under the award to submit, if applicable, a completed Form CD-
512, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility 
and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered Transactions and Lobbying'' 
and disclosure from SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.'' Form 
CD-512 is intended for the use of recipients and should not be 
transmitted to DOC. SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or sub-
recipient should be submitted to DOC in accordance with the 
instructions contained in the award document.

False Statements

    A false statement on an application is grounds for denial or 
termination of funds and grounds for possible punishment by a fine or 
imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.

Intergovernmental Review

    Applications under this program are subject to Executive Order 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''

Requirement To Buy American-Made Equipment or Products

    Applicants are hereby notified that any equipment or products 
authorized to be purchased with funding provided under this program 
must be American-made to the maximum extent feasible in accordance with 
Public Law 103-121, sections 606 (a) and (b). Adequate justification 
will be required for any proposed purchases of equipment or products 
that are not American-made.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The standard forms have been approved by the Office of Management 
and Budget pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act under OMB Approval 
Nos. 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 0348-0040 and 0348-0046.

Executive Order 12866

    This Notice was not subject to review by the Office of Management 
and Budget under Executive Order 12866.

    Dated: March 18, 1994.
Larry Irving,
Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information.
[FR Doc. 94-6875 Filed 3-23-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-60-M