[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 57 (Friday, March 24, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15636-15639]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-7109]




[[Page 15635]]

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Part III





Department of Commerce





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National Telecommunications and Information Administration



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National Endowment for Children's Educational Television; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 57 / Friday, March 24, 1995 / 
Notices  
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[[Page 15636]] 


DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
[Docket No. 950313071-5071-01]
RIN 0660-ZA00


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) 1995 grant 
cycle is Tuesday, May 2, 1995. Pre-Applications must be received at the 
NECET office no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT, May 2, 1995, whether mailed 
or hand-delivered. Fax 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 5:00 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, July 26, 1995. Fax 
copies will not be accepted. NTIA intends to award FY 1995 NECET grants 
by September 29, 1995.

ADDRESSES: National Endowment for Children's Educational Television 
(NECET); Office of Telecommunications and Information Applications 
(OTIA); National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
(NTIA); U.S. Department of Commerce; 14th Street and Constitution 
Avenue, N.W., Room H-4096; Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Heather Birnie; Acting Director, 
National Endowment for Children's Educational Television (NECET); 
Telephone: (202) 482-5802; Fax: (202) 501-8009; E-Mail: 
[email protected]. Information on the NECET program may also be 
downloaded from the NTIA Bulletin Board by contacting (202) 482-1199 
via modem 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, Pub. L. No. 102-538, 106 Stat. 3533 (1992)(codified at 47 U.S.C. 
901-904 (1993)).
    The National Endowment for Children's Educational Television was 
established by The Children's Television Act of 1990, Pub. L. No. 101-
437, 104 Stat. 996, 997 (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, as long as the programming is not interrupted by commercial 
advertisements.
    NECET Objectives: For the FY 1995 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 10. Although there is a need for 
high-quality educational television programming for children of all 
ages, NECET has identified the six-to-ten-year-old child as currently 
among the most underserved by educational television programming, and 
therefore deserving of special consideration for the FY 1995 grant 
round. 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, 1995, Pub.L. No. 103-317, 108 
Stat. 1724, 1747 (1994), provides the Department of Commerce $2.5 
million in assistance for the National Endowment for Children's 
Educational Television under 47 U.S.C. Sec. 394, 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 $2.5 million for NECET for Fiscal Year 1995. 
NTIA anticipates that in FY 1995 [[Page 15637]] NECET will fund up to 
twelve grant awards, depending on the nature of the projects and the 
need of the recipients, and that NECET awards will range from $100,000 
to $400,000.

Matching Requirements

    NECET grant recipients will be required to provide matching funds 
toward the total eligible costs of their project. Matching funds may be 
in the form of cash or in-kind contributions (see OMB Circular A-110). 
An applicant's matching share normally must be drawn entirely from non-
Federal sources. Funds from another Federal Agency may be used as the 
source of an applicant's match only when those funds have been 
specifically authorized by that agency's enabling legislation for use 
as a non-Federal match for Federal grants.
    The Department of Commerce will award funds up to 50 percent of the 
total eligible costs of a project, unless extraordinary circumstances 
warrant a grant of up to 75 percent. Since NECET funds are limited, 
applicants are encouraged to provide as much outside funding and 
matching support as possible, and to explore co-production and co-
funding opportunities for their projects. Grant funds under this 
program will be released in direct proportion to non-Federal matching 
funds raised and/or documented.

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

    The NECET grant program has a two-stage application process.
    Preliminary Applications: All applicants are first required to 
submit a Preliminary Application (Pre-Application) that provides a 
brief narrative summary of the general nature of the proposed project. 
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: 1995 Grant Cycle. This booklet may be secured by 
contacting the NECET Office by telephone, fax, or electronic mail, as 
described in the ``Addresses'' section above.
    Full Applications: The Full Application is a comprehensive document 
that consists of required Federal forms, four sections of additional 
information, and three exhibits. Detailed instructions for completing 
the Full Application are contained in the Guidelines for Preparing 
Applications: 1995 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 tape 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 pre-production 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.
    Because of the high level of public interest in projects supported 
by NECET, the program anticipates receiving requests for copies of 
applications. Applicants are hereby notified that the applications they 
submit are subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Applicants may 
identify sensitive information and label it ``confidential'' to assist 
NTIA in making disclosure determinations.

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.
    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.
    Programming funded by NECET is primarily intended for general at-
home viewing by children, although it may also have value and be used 
within a school-based instructional context.

Evaluation Criteria

    Five Evaluation Criteria will be used to evaluate all NECET Pre-
Application and NECET Full Application submissions received during the 
FY 1995 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. [[Page 15638]] 
    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 10; 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, description of qualifications of key personnel associated 
with the project, and presentation of a well-developed plan.
    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 budget that accurately 
reflects the needs of the project. Project timetables are also 
acceptable and may be included in an attachment to the application.

Selection Procedures

    NECET grants are awarded on the basis of a competitive review 
process.
    Pre-Applications: Upon receipt, each NECET Pre-Application will be 
thoroughly reviewed and evaluated by outside reviewers with 
demonstrated expertise in the area of children's television 
programming. Criteria to be used in the evaluation of each proposal are 
listed in the ``Evaluation Criteria'' section of this Notice. Reviewers 
will provide written comments and assign numerical points to each Pre-
Application proposal, and then make a non-binding recommendation to 
NECET staff regarding each project. Written comments and points 
assigned by reviewers will not be made available to the applicant, and 
Pre-Application submissions will not be returned. Following reviewer 
evaluation, the NECET Director will prepare a proposed slate of the 
highest rated Pre-Applications based solely on the comments, 
recommendations and points assigned by outside reviewers. This proposed 
slate is then submitted for consideration to the NTIA Administrator, 
who, as the selecting official, 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 early June, 1995. Those determined to be unsuccessful Pre-
Applicants will be dropped from further consideration for the FY 1995 
NECET grant cycle. Those determined to be successful Pre-Applicants 
will be invited to submit Full Applications to NECET. However, not all 
successful Pre-Applicants who are invited to submit Full Applications 
will be funded.
    Full Applications: NECET Full Applications and, as may be relevant, 
accompanying videocassettes will be thoroughly reviewed by a panel of 
outside reviewers with demonstrated expertise in the area of children's 
television programming. The review panels will evaluate Full 
Applications using criteria identical to those used in the evaluation 
of Pre-Applications. These criteria are listed elsewhere in this 
Notice. Reviewers will provide written comments and assign numerical 
points to each Full Application proposal, and then make a non-binding 
recommendation to NECET staff regarding each project. Written comments 
and points assigned by reviewers will not be made available to the 
applicant, and Full Application submissions and videocassettes will not 
be returned. Following review panel evaluation, the NECET Director will 
prepare a proposed slate of the highest rated projects based solely on 
the comments, recommendations and points assigned by review panelists. 
This proposed slate is then submitted for consideration to the NTIA 
Administrator, who, as the selecting official, shall make a final 
determination regarding those Full Applications to be negotiated for a 
possible grant award. In making their final decisions, the NECET 
Director and the NTIA Administrator will consider the following 
selection criteria:
     The written evaluations and points assigned by the outside 
reviewers;
     The degree to which the slate of applications, taken as a 
whole, satisfies NECET Objectives and Project Funding Priorities;
     The extent to which a proposed children's television 
project is intended to be used within a general at-home viewing 
context, as opposed to a school-based instructional viewing context;
     The ability of an applicant to immediately proceed with 
the project, as demonstrated by the availability and amount of non-
Federal matching funds, either raised or documented; and
     The availability of NECET funds.
    After applications have been selected in this manner, negotiations 
will take place between NECET staff and the applicant. These 
negotiations are intended to resolve any differences that exist between 
the applicant's original funding request and what NECET proposes to 
fund. Not all applicants who are contacted for negotiation will 
necessarily receive a NECET grant. When the negotiations are completed, 
the NECET Director will recommend final award actions to the NTIA 
Administrator. Applying the same factors listed above, the 
Administrator will then make the final selection of grant recipients 
from the pool of negotiated applications.
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. 
[[Page 15639]] 

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. Receipt of a NECET 
grant, however, will not eliminate the recipient from consideration for 
future funding.
    Delinquent Federal Debts: No award of Federal funds shall be made 
to an applicant who has an outstanding delinquent Federal debt until 
either:
     The delinquent account is paid in full;
     A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at 
least one payment is received; or
     Other arrangements satisfactory to the Department of 
Commerce are made.
    No Funding for Sectarian Purposes: The Department of Commerce has a 
long-standing policy of not funding projects for purposes the essential 
thrust of which is sectarian. Consistent with this policy, NECET will 
not fund projects the essential thrust of which is sectarian. Sectarian 
organizations, however, are eligible applicants and may request funds 
for non-sectarian purposes. [Compare with NTIA Public 
Telecommunications Facilities Program (PTFP) regulations at 15 C.F.R. 
Secs. 2301.1, 2301.22(d); Fordham University v. Brown, No. 93-2120 
(CRR)(D.D.C. June 29, 1994), appeal docketed, No.94-5229 (D.C.Cir. Aug. 
22, 1994)]
    Name Check Review: All non-profit and for-profit applicants are 
subject to a name check review process. Officials of state and local 
governments and officials of accredited colleges and universities who 
are acting on behalf of their respective entities in applying for 
assistance are exempt from the name check review process. In addition, 
all elected officials of state and local governments who are serving in 
capacities other than their elected capacities when applying for 
assistance are also exempt. 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 C.F.R. Part 26, Section 105) are subject 
to 15 C.F.R. 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, Section 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, 
Section 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 in connection with a covered Federal action, such 
as the awarding of any Federal contract, the making of any Federal 
grant, the making of any Federal loan, the entering into of any 
cooperative agreement, or the extension, continuation, renewal, 
amendment, or modification of any Federal contract, grant loan, or 
cooperative agreement 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 sub-grants, 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 they will be encouraged, to the greatest 
extent practicable, to purchase American-made equipment and products 
with funding provided under this program in accordance with 
Congressional intent as set forth in the resolution contained in Public 
Law 103-317, Sections 607 (a) and (b).
    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 has been determined to be not 
significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866.

    Dated: March 17, 1995.
Larry Irving,
Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information.
[FR Doc. 95-7109 Filed 3-23-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-60-P