[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 122 (Monday, June 27, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-15506]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 27, 1994]


_______________________________________________________________________

Part IV





Department of Education





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Demonstration Grants for Critical Language and Area Studies; Invitation 
to Apply for New Awards for Fiscal Year 1994; Notice
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[CFDA No.: 84.273]

 
Demonstration Grants for Critical Language and Area Studies; 
Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1994

    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), the notice 
contains all of the information, application forms, and instructions 
needed to apply for a grant under this competition.
    Purpose of the Program: To provide demonstration grants to eligible 
consortia to operate critical language and area studies programs, 
develop and acquire educational equipment and materials, and develop 
teacher training programs, texts, curricula, and other activities 
designed to improve and expand the instruction of foreign languages at 
elementary and secondary schools in the United States.
    Eligible Applicants: A consortium consisting of at least four 
schools: (1) An institution of higher education; (2) a secondary school 
with experience in teaching critical languages; (3) a secondary school 
with experience in teaching critical languages and in which at least 25 
percent of the students are eligible to be counted under chapter 1 of 
title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; and (4) 
a secondary school in which at least 25 percent of the students are 
eligible to be counted under chapter 1 of title I of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965. Each eligible consortium may include a 
nonprofit organization to provide services not otherwise available from 
the aforementioned participants. The State educational agency or State 
higher education agency responsible for the supervision of any one 
school participating in an eligible consortium may submit the 
application for a grant under this program on behalf of the eligible 
consortium.
    Definitions: The following definitions apply to the terms used in 
this notice:
    (a) A ``consortium'' is a cooperative effort of institutions of 
higher education and secondary schools in one or more states.
    (b) ``Critical language'' means each of the languages contained in 
the list of critical foreign languages designated by the Secretary 
pursuant to section 212(d) of the Education for Economic Security Act 
(50 FR 31413).
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: 8/8/94
    Deadline for Intergovernment Review: 9/8/94.
    Available Funds: $1,000,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $300,000.-$1,000,000.
    Estimated Average Size by Awards: $333,333.-$1,000,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 1-3.

    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this 
notice.

    Project Period: Up to 36 months.
    Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) as follows:
    (1) 34 CFR Part 74 (Administration of Grants to Institutions of 
Higher Education, Hospitals, and Nonprofit Organizations).
    (2) 34 CFR Part 75 (Direct Grant Programs).
    (3) 34 CFR Part 77 (Definitions that Apply to Department 
Regulations).
    (4) 34 CFR Part 79 (Intergovernmental Review of Department of 
Education Programs and Activities).
    (5) 34 CFR Part 80 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants 
and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments).
    (6) 34 CFR Part 82 (New Restrictions on Lobbying).
    (7) 34 CFR Part 85 (Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension 
(Nonprocurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free 
Workplace (Grants)).
    (8) 34 CFR Part 86 (Drug-Free Schools and Campuses).
    Description of Program: A consortium receiving funds under this 
program shall use these funds to pursue the activities described in the 
section: Purpose of the Program. Each consortium must include in the 
activities assisted pursuant to such a grant a study abroad or cultural 
exchange program. No more than ten percent of the grant may be used for 
administrative expenses.
    Priorities:
    Competitive Priority: Under 34 CFR 75.105 (c) (2) (ii) and 20 
U.S.C. 1114 (c) (1), the Secretary gives preference to applications 
that meet the following competitive priority. An application that meets 
the following competitive priority is selected by the Secretary over 
applications of comparable merit that do not meet the priority:
    Eligible consortia with demonstrated, proven effectiveness in the 
field of critical language and area studies and that have been in 
existence for at least one year prior to applying for a grant under 
this program.
    Invitational Priority: Under 34 CFR 75.105 (c) (1) the Secretary is 
particularly interested in applications that meet the following 
invitational priority. However, an application that meets this 
invitational priority does not receive competitive or absolute 
preference over other applications.
    Projects that focus substantively on one or more of the following 
languages:
    (a) Russian.
    (b) Japanese.
    (c) Chinese.
    (d) Arabic.
    (e) Korean.
    Equitable Distribution: In awarding grants under this program, the 
Secretary shall take into consideration providing an equitable 
geographic distribution of these grants among the regions of the United 
States.
    Special Rule: Each eligible consortium receiving a grant may use 
not more than ten percent of the grant for administrative expenses.
    Special Program Requirement: Each eligible consortium receiving a 
grant under this program shall include in the project activities a 
study abroad or cultural exchange program.
    Selection Criteria:
    (a) (1) The Secretary uses the following selection criteria to 
evaluate applications for new grants under this competition.
    (2) The maximum score for all of these criteria is 100 points.
    (3) The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in 
parentheses.
    The regulations in 34 CFR 75.210(a) and (c) provide that the 
Secretary may award up to 100 points for the selection criteria, 
including distribution of an additional 15 points. For this 
competition, the Secretary distributes the 15 additional points as 
folllows: 5 points to 34 CFR 75.210(b)(1) (Meeting the purposes of the 
authorizing statute) for a possible total of 35 points; 5 points to 
selection criterion 34 CFR 75.210(b)(3) (Plan of operation) for a 
possible total of 20 points; and 5 points to selection criterion 34 CFR 
75.210(b)(6) (Evaluation plan)
    for a possible total of 10 points.
    (b) The criteria.-- (1) Meeting the purposes of the authorizing 
statute. (35 points) The Secretary reviews each application to 
determine how well the project will meet the purpose of the 
Demonstration Grants for Critical Language and Area Studies program, 
including consideration of--
    (i) The objectives of the project; and
    (ii) How the objectives of the project further the purposes of the 
Demonstration Grants for Critical Language and Area Studies program.
    (2) Extent of need for the project. (20 points) The Secretary 
reviews each application to determine the extent to which the project 
meets specific needs recognized in the statute that authorized the 
program, including consideration of--
    (i) The needs addressed by the project;
    (ii) How the applicant identified those needs;
    (iii) How those needs will be met by the project; and
    (iv) The benefits to be gained by meeting those needs.
    (3) Plan of operation. (20 points) The Secretary reviews each 
application to determine the quality of the plan of operation for the 
project, including--
    (i) The quality of the design of the project;
    (ii) The extent to which the plan of management is effective and 
ensures proper and efficient administration of the project;
    (iii) How well the objectives of the project relate to the purpose 
of the program;
    (iv) The quality of the applicant's plan to use its resources and 
personnel to achieve each objective;
    (v) How the applicant will ensure that project participants who are 
otherwise eligible to participate are selected without regard to race, 
color, national origin, gender, age, or handicapping condition; and
    (4) Quality of key personnel. (7 points)
    (i) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality 
of key personnel the applicant plans to use on the project, including--
    (A) The qualifications of the project director (if one is to be 
used);
    (B) The qualifications of each of the other key personnel to be 
used in the project;
    (C) The time that each person referred to in paragraphs (b) (4) (i) 
(A) and (B) will commit to the project; and
    (D) How the applicant, as part of its nondiscriminatory employment 
practices, will ensure that its personnel are selected for employment 
without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, or 
handicapping condition.
    (ii) To determine personnel qualifications under paragraphs (b) (4) 
(i) (A) and (B), the Secretary considers--
    (A) Experience and training in fields related to the objectives of 
the project; and
    (B) Any other qualifications that pertain to the quality of the 
project.
    (5) Budget and cost effectiveness. (5 points) The Secretary reviews 
each application to determine the extent to which--
    (i) The budget is adequate to support the project; and
    (ii) Costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the 
project.
    (6) Evaluation plan. (10 points) The Secretary reviews each 
application to determine the quality of the evaluation plan for the 
project, including the extent to which the applicant's methods of 
evaluation--
    (i) Are appropriate to the project; and
    (ii) To the extent possible, are objective and produce data that 
are quantifiable.
    (Cross-reference: See 34 CFR 75.590 Evaluation by the grantee).
    (7) Adequacy of resources. (3 points) The Secretary reviews each 
application to determine the adequacy of the resources that the 
applicant plans to devote to the project, including facilities, 
equipment, and supplies.
    Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs:
    This program is subject to the requirements of Executive Order 
12372 (Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs) and the 
regulations in 34 CFR Part 79.
    The objective of the Executive order is to foster an 
intergovernmental partnership and to strengthen federalism by relying 
on State and local processes for State and local government 
coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance.
    Applicants must contact the appropriate State Single Point of 
Contact to find out about, and to comply with, the State's process 
under Executive Order 12372. Applicants proposing to perform activities 
in more than one State should immediately contact the Single Point of 
Contact for each of those States and follow the procedure established 
in each State under the Executive order. For the name and address of 
any State Single Point of Contact see the list published in the Federal 
Register on September 24, 1993 (58 FR 50162-50164).
    In States that have not established a process or chosen a program 
for review, State, area wide, regional, and local entities may submit 
comments directly to the Department.
    Any State Process Recommendation and other comments submitted by a 
State Single Point of Contact and any comments from State, area wide, 
regional, and local entities must be mailed or hand-delivered by the 
date indicated in this notice to the following address: The Secretary, 
E.O. 12372--CFDA #84.273, U.S. Department of Education, room 4161, 400 
Maryland Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20202-0125.
    Proof of mailing will be determined on the same basis as for 
applications (see 34 CFR 75.102). Recommendations or comments may be 
hand-delivered until 4:30 p.m. (Washington, DC time) on the date 
indicated in this notice.
    Please note that the above address is not the same address as the 
one to which the applicant submits its completed application. Do not 
send applications to the above address.
    Instructions for Transmittal of Applications:
    (a) If an applicant wants to apply for a grant, the applicant 
shall--
    (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 #84.273), 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 the deadline date to: U.S. 
Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA 
#84.273), 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) The Application Control Center will mail a Grant Application 
Receipt Acknowledgment to each applicant. If an applicant fails to 
receive the notification of application receipt within 15 days from 
the date of mailing the application, the applicant should call the 
U.S. Department of Education Application Control Center at (202) 
708-9494.
    (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 suffix 
letter, if any--of the competition under which the application is 
being submitted.

    Application Instructions and Forms:
    The appendix to this application is divided into three parts plus a 
statement regarding estimated public reporting and various assurances 
and certifications. These parts and additional materials are organized 
in the same manner that the submitted application should be organized. 
The parts and additional materials are as follows:
    Part I: Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424 (Rev. 
4-88)) and instructions.
    Part II: Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (Standard 
Form 424A) and instructions.
    Part III: Application Narrative.
    Additional Materials:
    Estimated Public Reporting Burden.
    Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B).
    Certifications regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension, and Other 
Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (ED 80-
0013).
    Certification regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and 
Voluntary Exclusion: Lower Tier Covered Transactions (ED 80-0014, 9/90) 
and instructions. (NOTE: ED 80-0014 is intended for the use of grantees 
and should not be transmitted to the Department.)
    Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL) (if 
applicable) and instructions; and Disclosure of 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 or Information Contact: Sara West, U.S. Department 
of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-5331. 
Telephone: (202) 732-6082. 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.
    Information about the Department's funding opportunities, including 
copies of application notices for discretionary grant competitions, can 
be viewed on the Department's electronic bulletin board (ED Board), 
telephone (202) 260-9950; or on the Internet Gopher Server at 
GOPHER.ED.GOV (under Announcements, Bulletins and Press Releases). 
However, the official application notice for a discretionary grant 
competition is the notice published in the Federal Register.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1114.

    Dated: June 21, 1994.
David A. Longanecker,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
    BILLING CODE 4000-01-P

Appendix

TN27JN94.010


TN27JN94.011


TN27JN94.012


TN27JN94.013


TN27JN94.014


TN27JN94.015


    BILLING CODE 4000-01-P

Supplementary Budget Information

    Under 34 CFR 75.562, the Secretary accepts an indirect cost rate of 
eight (8) percent of the total direct cost of the project.
    Under terms of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, as amended, and 
the regulations implementing that Act, the Department of Education 
invites comment on the public reporting burden in this collection 
information. Public reporting burden for this collection of information 
is estimated to average 50 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. You may send comments regarding this burden 
estimate or any other aspect of this collection 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, 1840-0685, Washington, DC 20503.

(Information collection approved under OMB control number 1840-0685. 
Expiration date: 6/30/97.

Instructions for Part III--Application Narrative

    Before preparing the Application Narrative, an applicant should 
carefully read all the information included in the notice, especially 
the program purpose, description of program, and the selection of 
criteria the Secretary uses to evaluate applications.
    1. Begin with a one-page abstract; that is, a summary of the 
proposed project.
    2. Describe the program to be developed and the project it will 
carry out.
    3. Be sure to identify the student to be served, and how they are 
being recruited; describe in detail how program activities will be 
accomplished.
    4. Describe the proposed project in light of each of the selection 
criteria in the order they are listed in this notice.
    5. Applicants should include a plan of operation for each year for 
which program funds are requested.
    6. Include all of the above and any other pertinent information 
that might assist the Secretary in reviewing the application.
    The Secretary strongly recommends that the applicant limit the 
Application Narrative to no more that 75 double-spaced pages (on one 
side only), in 10 to 12 point type size, although the Secretary will 
consider applications of greater length.

    BILLING CODE 4000-01-P

TN27JN94.016


TN27JN94.017


TN27JN94.018


TN27JN94.019


TN27JN94.020


TN27JN94.021


TN27JN94.022


TN27JN94.023


TN27JN94.024


[FR Doc. 94-15506 Filed 6-24-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-C