[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 41 (Thursday, February 29, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7950-7956]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4642]




[[Page 7949]]

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Part VI





Department of Commerce





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National Telecommunications and Information Administration



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Telecommunications and Infrastructure Assistance Program; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 41 / Thursday, February 29, 1996 / 
Notices   

[[Page 7950]]


DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration
[Docket Number: 950124024-6045-03; CFDA: 11.552]
RIN 0660-AA04


Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance 
Program

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of solicitation of grant applications.

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SUMMARY: Subject to the availability of fiscal year 1996 funds, the 
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) 
issues this Notice describing the conditions under which applications 
will be accepted under the Telecommunications and Information 
Infrastructure Assistance Program (TIIAP) and how NTIA will determine 
which applications it will fund. TIIAP assists eligible organizations 
by promoting the widespread use of advanced telecommunications and 
information technologies in the public and non-profit sectors. By 
providing matching grants for Demonstration, Access, and Planning 
projects, this program will help develop a nationwide, interactive, 
multimedia information infrastructure that is accessible to all 
citizens, in rural as well as urban areas.

DATES: Complete applications for the fiscal year 1996 TIIAP grant 
program must be mailed or hand-carried to the address indicated below 
and received by NTIA by 5 P.M. EST, April 4, 1996. Applications 
received after that time and date will not be accepted. Applications 
will not be accepted via facsimile machine transmission or e-mail. NTIA 
anticipates that it will take between 4 and 6 months to process 
applications and make final funding determinations.

ADDRESSES: Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance 
Program, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., 
HCHB, Room 4090, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Stephen J. Downs, Acting Director of the Telecommunications and 
Information Infrastructure Assistance Program, Telephone: 202/482-2048. 
Fax: 202/501-5136. E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Program Purposes

    NTIA announces the third annual round of a competitive matching 
grant* program, TIIAP. TIIAP was created to promote the development and 
widespread availability of advanced telecommunications and information 
technologies to serve the public interest.

    *Terms marked with an asterisk (*) are defined at the end of 
this Notice.
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    To accomplish this objective, TIIAP will provide matching grants to 
state and local governments, non-profit health care and public health 
providers, school districts, libraries, colleges, universities, public 
safety providers, non-profit community-based organizations, and other 
non-profit entities, for projects that will improve the quality of, and 
the public's access to, education and lifelong learning; reduce the 
cost, improve the quality, and/or increase the accessibility of health 
care and public health services; promote responsive public services; 
and foster communication and resource-sharing within communities, both 
rural and urban.

Authority

    The Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and 
Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1994, P.L. No. 103-317, 108 
Stat. 1724, 1747 (1994) and P.L. No. 104-99 ``Balanced Budget 
Downpayment Act, I.''

Funding Availability

    NTIA issues this Notice subject to the appropriations made 
available under the continuing resolution (P.L. No. 104-99). NTIA 
anticipates making grant awards provided that funding for TIIAP is 
continued beyond March 15, 1996, the expiration date of the current 
continuing resolution. This continuing resolution includes $21.5 
million for TIIAP. Issuance of grants, however, is subject to the 
future availability of FY 1996 funds. Further notice will be made in 
the Federal Register of the final status of funding for this program at 
the appropriate time.
    Based on past experience, NTIA expects that the level of 
competition will be extremely strong. In fiscal year 1995, NTIA 
received more than 1,800 applications, collectively requesting more 
than $680 million in grant funds. From these 1,800 applications, the 
Department of Commerce announced 117 TIIAP awards totaling $35.7 
million in Federal funds.

Eligibility Criteria

    Eligible Organizations. All state and local governments, all 
colleges and universities, and all non-profit entities are eligible to 
apply. However, individuals and for-profit organizations are not 
eligible.
    Matching Funds Requirements. Grant recipients under this program 
will be required to provide matching funds toward the total project 
cost. A project will not be considered eligible for funding unless the 
applicant documents the capacity to supply matching funds. Matching 
funds may be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions. Grant funds 
under this program will be released in direct proportion to local 
matching funds raised and/or documented. NTIA will supply up to 50% of 
the total project cost, unless extraordinary circumstances warrant a 
grant of up to 75%. Federal funds (such as grants) generally may not be 
used as matching monies, except as provided by Federal statute. For 
information about whether particular Federal funds may be used as 
matching funds, the applicant should contact the Federal agency that 
administers the funds in question.
    Scope of Proposed Project. Funded projects must fall into the 
program categories and priorities described in this Notice. Projects 
must involve the delivery of useful, practical services in real-world 
environments within the grant award period. In fiscal year 1996, TIIAP 
will not fund the following kinds of projects:
    One-Way Networks. TIIAP will not support the construction or 
augmentation of one-way networks; all services and networks proposed 
under the program must be interactive.*
    Content Development* Projects. TIIAP will not support projects 
whose primary focus is to develop or produce information content, 
rather than to apply information infrastructure* to practical problems. 
For example, TIIAP will not consider projects whose primary purpose is 
the creation of databases or other information resources by converting 
paper-based information. Similarly, TIIAP will not consider projects 
that create new information resources, such as World Wide Web sites, 
unless these projects also include specific measures to ensure access 
to and use of those resources. Examples of such measures include, but 
are not limited to, placement of public access workstations and 
provision of training programs.
    Hardware or Software Development Projects. While some hardware or 
software development may be required 

[[Page 7951]]
to integrate existing systems or components, it may not be a major 
emphasis of any TIIAP project.
    Single-Organization Projects. TIIAP will not support projects whose 
primary emphasis is on the internal communications needs of a single 
organization. Projects must include appropriate partnerships, with 
plans for inter-organizational communications among the partners.
    Replacement or Upgrade of Existing Facilities. TIIAP will not 
support any projects whose primary emphasis is the upgrade or 
replacement of existing facilities.
    Policy on Sectarian Activities. Applicants are advised that on 
December 22, 1995, NTIA issued a notice in the Federal Register on its 
policy with regard to sectarian activities. Under NTIA's prior policy, 
NTIA funds could not be used for any sectarian purposes. While 
religious activities cannot be the essential thrust of a grant, an 
application will not be ineligible where sectarian activities are only 
incidental or attenuated to the overall project purpose for which 
funding is requested. Applicants for whom this policy may be relevant 
should read the policy that was published at 60 FR 66491, Dec. 22, 
1995.
    Completeness of Application. TIIAP will initially review all 
proposals to determine whether all required elements are present and 
clearly identifiable. The required elements are listed and described in 
the Guidelines for Preparing Applications--Fiscal Year 1996 
(Guidelines). Each of the required elements must be present and clearly 
identified for the proposal to be reviewed. Incomplete applications 
will be rejected.
    Past Performance. Unsatisfactory performance of an applicant under 
prior Federal financial assistance awards may result in that 
applicant's proposal not being considered for funding.
    Delinquent Federal Debts. No award of Federal funds shall be made 
to an applicant who has an outstanding delinquent Federal debt until:
    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.

Program Categories

    Introduction. The fiscal year 1996 TIIAP grant program is divided 
into three categories: Demonstration projects, Access projects, and 
Planning projects. NTIA will award approximately 65% of the funds in 
this program to support Demonstration projects, approximately 30% of 
the funds to support Access projects, and approximately 5% of the funds 
to support Planning projects, unless the quality and/or number of 
submissions in any of these categories does not, in NTIA's judgment, 
merit the proposed allocation of funds. Proposals will be evaluated and 
selected according to specific criteria (see the ``Evaluation 
Criteria'' section in this Notice).
    Demonstration Projects. The primary goal of Demonstration projects 
is to demonstrate new, high-impact, useful applications of information 
infrastructure which hold significant potential for replication in 
other communities. The projects must deploy, use, and evaluate 
innovative applications of information infrastructure to address a 
particular problem or set of problems in real-world environments. 
Projects selected in this category will have a high potential to serve 
as models* for other communities and to demonstrate results within the 
grant period.
    Demonstration projects must focus on the application of information 
technology to specific needs or problems, rather than on the technology 
itself. Every application for a Demonstration project must clearly 
describe how using information infrastructure is expected to result in 
measurably improved outcomes, such as lowering the cost of health care 
or improving student performance.
    Successful Demonstration applicants must complete their projects 
within 12-24 months.
    Information on Demonstration projects previously funded by TIIAP 
can be retrieved electronically (see the ``Electronic Information'' 
sub-section in this Notice) or by contacting the TIIAP office. 
Applicants are reminded that evaluation criteria for Demonstration 
projects change from year to year.

    Note: No award in the Demonstration projects category will 
exceed $750,000.

    Access Projects. The primary goal of Access projects is to provide 
underserved* communities, populations, or geographic areas with greater 
access to the benefits of the National Information Infrastructure 
(NII).* Access projects emphasize serving groups of people who have not 
been adequately served in the past and increasing their access to 
services and information. Access projects place greater emphasis on 
reducing disparities than on innovation. Hence, an Access project may 
build on or emulate a successful model which has gained widespread 
acceptance in the field.
    As is the case with Demonstration projects, the focus of Access 
projects is on the application of technology to specific needs or 
problems, rather than on technology itself. Every Access application 
must clearly describe how using information infrastructure is expected 
to result in measurably improved outcomes, such as lowering the cost of 
health care or improving student performance.
    Successful Access applicants must complete their projects within 
12-18 months.
    Examples of Access projects that have received funding in the past 
are the creation of wide-area networks within school systems or 
districts and the provision of Internet access to an isolated group or 
population. Information on current Access projects can be retrieved 
electronically (see the ``Electronic Information'' sub-section in this 
Notice) or by contacting the TIIAP office. Applicants are reminded that 
evaluation criteria for Access projects change from year to year.

    Note: No award in the Access projects category will exceed 
$250,000.

    Planning Projects. The primary goal of Planning projects is to 
enable organizations, or groups of organizations, to develop strategies 
for the enhanced application of information infrastructure. Planning 
projects provide opportunities to bring coalitions together to form 
firm foundations on which to implement information infrastructure 
equitably, to examine the opportunities that investment in information 
infrastructure creates, to aggregate demand for telecommunications 
services among multiple organizations, and to understand the needs of 
potential end users. Planning projects are encouraged for rural or 
underserved populations where an enhanced telecommunications 
infrastructure could provide greater economic opportunity.
    The end result of a Planning project should be a credible plan for 
deploying and using information infrastructure and sufficient support 
from the community to implement the plan. Proposals in this category 
must include clear descriptions of (1) the planning process or 
methodology to be employed and (2) the expected outcomes of the 
process.
    Successful Planning applicants must complete their projects within 
9-12 months.
    One example of a Planning project that has received funding in the 
past is the design, testing, and documentation of a scalable planning 
model for a city-wide advanced information 

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infrastructure. Another example of a funded Planning project is the 
development of a statewide strategic plan for networking state 
agencies, educational organizations, industry, health care, and other 
public service providers so that opportunities for equitably providing 
services to a state's widely dispersed population can be shared. 
Information on current Planning projects can be retrieved 
electronically (see the ``Electronic Information'' sub-section in this 
Notice) or by contacting the TIIAP office. Applicants are reminded that 
evaluation criteria for Planning projects change from year to year.

    Note: No award in the Planning projects category will exceed 
$100,000.

Project Funding Priorities

    In fiscal year 1996, TIIAP will support projects in four broad 
application groups*: Community-wide Networking, Health, Lifelong 
Learning, and Public Services. In all of these groups, TIIAP is 
committed to supporting projects that will use the NII to promote 
services to, and/or to encourage greater participation in the NII by, 
traditionally underserved populations.
    Community-wide Networking. These are multi-purpose projects that 
allow members of a community to share information resources and improve 
communication. Community-wide networking projects must link services or 
provide information resources across multiple application groups or 
sub-groups. Examples include, but would not be limited to, connecting 
local schools with public libraries, connecting local businesses with 
job retraining programs, and/or connecting citizens to a variety of 
social service programs or information resources.
    Health. Projects involving the use of telecommunications in the 
delivery of health and mental health services, public health, home 
health care, provision of health information to the public, or the 
education and training of health professionals. Examples of projects 
could include, but would not be limited to: community health 
information networks for sharing clinical, financial, and 
administrative information among hospitals, clinics, public health 
departments, and other organizations; telemedicine systems that extend 
medical expertise to underserved areas and/or into the home; and 
networks or information services aimed at disease prevention, health 
promotion, and health education.
    Lifelong Learning. Projects in this group are divided into three 
subgroups.
    Pre-School and K-12 Education. Projects that bring educational 
materials or instruction to pre-school and K-12 students or that permit 
those students to participate in educational activities via 
telecommunications. Related activities such as professional development 
of pre-school and K-12 teachers and administrators also fall within 
this sub-group, as do projects that intend to improve the 
administration of pre-school and K-12 education.
    Higher Education. Projects involving the delivery of college-level 
courses (including graduate courses); provision of continuing or adult 
education; or activities such as professional development for community 
college or university professors or administrators.
    Library and Lifelong Learning Services. Projects that bring 
information, education, and enrichment services on-line through public 
libraries, museums, cultural centers, literacy organizations, or other 
non-profit organizations. This sub-group also includes teaching adults 
basic literacy and job skills.
    Public Services. Projects in this group are divided into two 
subgroups.
    Human Services. Projects aimed at improving the delivery of 
services such as public and subsidized housing, food assistance, child 
welfare, day care, substance abuse prevention and counseling, job 
counseling and training, poverty relief, legal assistance, or shelter 
providing protection from domestic violence. Examples include, but 
would not be limited to, networks that facilitate coordination and 
collaboration among public and/or community-based organizations; 
projects that improve agency responsiveness by providing direct 
electronic access to information on available services; and projects 
that employ information technology creatively to promote self-
sufficiency among individuals and families.
    Public Safety. Projects aimed at increasing the effectiveness of 
police and fire departments or other entities involved in providing 
public safety services. Examples may include those that link public 
safety agencies located in a single geographic area to increase 
efficiency and share resources, or those that provide information in a 
timely manner to ``first-response officials,'' such as police officers, 
emergency medical technicians, and firefighters. Other projects might 
link agencies with information resources, or provide community outreach 
services, regarding safety issues and procedures.
    TIIAP will also support projects that promote the accessibility and 
usability of the NII for persons with disabilities. Such projects are 
expected to fit into one of the four broad application groups described 
above.
    The Guidelines booklet provides more information on selecting a 
group and/or subgroup for your application.

Evaluation Criteria

    Demonstration projects will be evaluated against nine criteria. 
While each criterion is weighted equally, the following three criteria 
are qualifying criteria. Demonstration project applicants must fully 
meet each qualifying criterion. If an application is deemed inadequate 
on any one of these, it will be not be further evaluated.

1. Problem Definition
2. Technical Approach
3. Ability to Serve as a Model

    Projects judged to be qualified will then be fully evaluated on all 
nine criteria, which include the following additional six criteria.

4. Applicant Qualifications
5. Partnerships and Community Support
6. Support for End Users
7. Evaluation and Dissemination
8. Reducing Disparities in Access to and Use of the NII
9. Budget

    Access projects will also be evaluated against nine criteria. While 
each criterion is weighted equally, the following two criteria are 
qualifying criteria. Access project applicants must fully meet both 
qualifying criteria. If an application is deemed inadequate on either 
of them, it will not be further evaluated.

1. Problem Definition
2. Reducing Disparities in Access to and Use of the NII

    Projects judged to be qualified will then be fully evaluated on all 
nine criteria, which include the following additional seven criteria.

3. Technical Approach
4. Applicant Qualifications
5. Partnerships and Community Support
6. Support for End Users
7. Evaluation and Dissemination
8. Sustainability
9. Budget

    Planning projects will be evaluated against seven criteria. While 
each criterion is weighted equally, the following two criteria are 
qualifying criteria. Planning project applicants must fully meet both 
qualifying criteria. If an application is deemed inadequate on either 
of them, it will not be further evaluated.

1. Problem Definition
2. Partnerships and Community Support

    Projects judged to be qualified will then be fully evaluated on all 
seven criteria, which include the following additional five criteria.

3. Reducing Disparities in Access to and Use of the NII 

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4. Applicant Qualifications
5. Support for End Users
6. Evaluation and Dissemination
7. Budget

Explanations of Evaluation Criteria

    1. Problem Definition. Applicants must clearly link the proposed 
project to a specific problem or problems in one or more of the 
application groups or sub-groups described in the ``Project Funding 
Priorities'' section in this Notice.
    The need(s) or problem(s) to be addressed should be thoroughly 
documented, including end-user demographics and target audiences to be 
served. Applicants must explain how the use of advanced 
telecommunications and information technology will contribute to the 
solution of the problem(s) and identify the clear and measurable 
results expected as an outcome of the project. The scope of the project 
must meet TIIAP eligibility criteria (see the ``Eligibility'' section 
in this Notice).
    For example, health care providers in rural areas may be required 
to spend a disproportionate amount of time in travel to visit homebound 
patients, when the time could be better spent interacting with patients 
or upgrading their skills. Using an interactive video system to meet 
with patients and to take continuing medical education courses could 
reduce the travel time burden, improving the efficiency of health care 
delivery and making it possible for nurses to develop new skills cost-
effectively.
    2. Technical Approach. TIIAP defines technical quality as the 
application of appropriate information technology consistent with the 
vision of a nationwide, seamless, interactive network of networks, not 
as innovation for its own sake. Therefore, a project proposed to TIIAP 
must demonstrate a knowledge of, and a realistic approach to, issues of 
interoperability* and scalability.* It is essential that the proposal 
be specific about how the proposed system would work, how the proposed 
system would operate with other systems, and how the system would be 
maintained and/or upgraded as needed.
    NTIA expects applicants to consider carefully safeguards to protect 
the privacy of the end users and beneficiaries* of the project. It is 
essential that the proposal address the privacy and confidentiality of 
user data if this is relevant. For example, an applicant proposing a 
project dealing with individually identifiable information (student 
grades, medical records, etc.) will be required to describe the 
mechanism(s) to be used for protecting the confidentiality of such 
information and the privacy of the individuals involved.
    3. Applicant Qualifications. Applicants must present evidence of 
qualifications and experience essential to the successful completion of 
the project. The applicant should clearly describe the experience of 
its key project personnel in addressing information- and technology-
related issues. The applicant should also describe the qualifications 
of project partners.
    4. Partnerships and Community Support. Proposals must provide 
evidence of public and/or private sector support and involvement. The 
extent to which applicants have included diverse sectors of the 
community in project design and development will be considered an 
integral part of the proposal. Applicants are also expected to 
coordinate with other entities in their states. A proposal should 
present a clear discussion of who the partners will be, what their 
respective roles in the project will be, what benefits each expects to 
receive, and what each partner will contribute to the project in the 
form of financial support, personnel, or other resources. In addition, 
applicants must provide documentation of the partners' commitment to 
the project, including letters of commitment from the partners to the 
applicant describing their roles and contributions.
    5. Support for End Users. Projects supported by TIIAP must 
demonstrate a high degree of attention to the needs, skills, working 
conditions, and living environments of the targeted end users. 
Applicants must clearly define the end users, including demographic or 
other statistical information. Plans for training end users and/or 
upgrading their skills must be clearly delineated. Applicants should 
explain clearly how the project will provide end users with easily 
accessible, useful information, and how end users will benefit from the 
services offered. Proposals should include evidence of a significant 
degree of end-user involvement in the design and planning of projects.
    6. Evaluation and Dissemination. Every project proposed to TIIAP 
must present a clearly defined evaluation plan with specific criteria 
for measuring the effectiveness of the project in reaching its intended 
audience and in improving outcomes. The applicant must identify 
specific evaluation instruments to be employed for this purpose. The 
proposed budget should include sufficient funds to perform a thorough 
and useful evaluation. In conjunction with the evaluation strategy, 
TIIAP will review the applicant's plan for disseminating the knowledge 
gained as a result of implementing the project. Applicants should 
demonstrate a willingness to share information about their projects 
with interested parties, to host site visits, and to participate in 
technology demonstrations.
    7. Reducing Disparities in Access to and Use of the NII. The 
applicant must identify existing disparities, supported by specific 
quantitative data, and must clearly describe a plan to redress these 
disparities. The applicant must be sensitive to and take into 
consideration the local environment of a traditionally underserved 
population in developing a targeted strategy to overcoming existing 
barriers. For example, unique sharing arrangements or innovative 
strategies may be proposed to redress disparities in access. 
Additionally, the applicant must clearly define the project's 
beneficiaries; in so doing, the applicant should include demographic 
and other data as appropriate.
    8. Budget. The applicant must fully explain each budget item, 
including both the Federal and the non-Federal shares of the total 
project cost, in the manner outlined in the Guidelines. Reviewers will 
closely examine the degree to which the proposed budget is reasonable 
in relation to the scope of the project. The budget must be reasonable 
for the tasks proposed, and the relationship of items in the budget to 
the project narrative must be clearly drawn.
    9. Ability to Serve as a Model. (Applicable only to Demonstration 
projects.) Demonstration projects must show a strong potential to serve 
as a model for others to follow. These projects should be innovative, 
not necessarily in terms of the technology to be used, but in the 
application of technology in a particular setting, to serve a 
particular population, or to solve a particular problem. Demonstration 
applicants must explain the degree to which the projects can be 
replicated, or can serve as catalysts for activities, in other settings 
or for other populations. Because of this requirement that a 
Demonstration project show the potential for applicability in other 
contexts, reviewers will also examine the economic viability of the 
proposed model. Demonstration applicants must also explain how the 
impact of their projects can extend beyond the scope of the original 
activity funded by TIIAP. For example, the project's innovative 
application of a particular technology may stimulate the creation of a 
market for products and services based on that technology. In addition, 
the program 

[[Page 7954]]
will examine whether a subsequent evaluation of the project can 
contribute significantly to our understanding of how the NII can be 
used to improve the delivery of a wide range of social services and 
promote economic development.
    10. Sustainability. (Applicable only to Access projects.) The 
applicant must clearly describe a credible plan for sustaining the 
project beyond the period of Federal funding. Such a plan should 
include discussion of anticipated ongoing expenses and potential 
sources or mechanisms for securing needed funds. In evaluating the 
plan, reviewers will consider the economic circumstances of the 
community or communities to be served by the proposed project.

Selection Process

    NTIA will publish a notice in the Federal Register listing all 
applications received by TIIAP. Listing an application in such a notice 
merely acknowledges receipt of an application that will compete for 
funding with other applications. Publication does not preclude 
subsequent return or disapproval of the application, nor does it ensure 
that the application will be funded.
    Each eligible application will first be reviewed by a panel of 
outside readers, who have demonstrated expertise in both the 
programmatic and technological aspects of the application. The review 
panels will evaluate applications according to the evaluation criteria 
provided in this Notice and make non-binding recommendations to the 
program staff. Working with the staff, the TIIAP Director prepares a 
slate of recommended grant awards for the Selection Official, who is 
the NTIA Administrator.
    In making recommendations, the Director will consider the following 
selection factors:
    1. The evaluations of the outside reviewers;
    2. The geographic distribution of the proposed grant awards;
    3. The variety of technologies employed by the proposed grant 
awards;
    4. The extent to which the proposed grant awards represent a 
reasonable distribution of funds across application groups and sub-
groups;
    5. The promotion of access to and use of the information 
infrastructure for underserved groups;
    6. Avoidance of redundancy and conflicts with the initiatives of 
other Federal agencies; and
    7. The availability of funds.
    The NTIA Administrator selects the applications to be negotiated 
for possible grant award taking into consideration the Director's 
recommendations and the degree to which the slate of applications, 
taken as a whole, satisfies the program's stated purposes as set forth 
in the section entitled ``Program Purposes.'' After applications have 
been selected in this manner, negotiations will take place between 
TIIAP staff and the applicant. These negotiations are intended to 
resolve any differences that exist between the applicant's original 
request and what TIIAP proposes to fund. Not all applicants who are 
contacted for negotiation will necessarily receive a TIIAP award. Final 
selections made by the Administrator will be based upon the Director's 
recommendations and the degree to which the slate of applications, 
taken as a whole, satisfies the program's stated purposes upon the 
conclusion of negotiations.

Eligible Costs

    Eligible Costs. Allowable costs incurred under approved projects 
shall be determined in accordance with applicable Federal cost 
principles, i.e., OMB Circular A-21, A-87, A-122, or Appendix E of 45 
CFR Part 74. If included in the approved project budget, TIIAP will 
allow costs for personnel, fringe benefits, computer hardware and 
software, other end-user equipment, telecommunication services and 
related equipment, consultants and other contractual services, travel, 
rental of office equipment, furniture and space, supplies, etc. that 
are reasonable and directly related to the project. Construction costs 
are not eligible.
    Note that costs that are ineligible for TIIAP support may not be 
included as part of the applicant's matching fund contribution.
    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.

Award Period

    Successful applicants for Demonstration grants will have between 12 
and 24 months to complete their projects. Successful applicants for 
Access grants will have between 12 and 18 months to complete their 
projects. Successful applicants for Planning grants will have between 9 
and 12 months to complete their projects. The completion time will vary 
depending on the complexity of the project.

Other Information

    Electronic Information. Information about NTIA and TIIAP, including 
this document and the Guidelines, can be retrieved electronically via 
the Internet through ftp, gopher and the World Wide Web.
    To reach the ftp server, ftp to ftp.ntia.doc.gov. Use the login 
name of `anonymous' and use your E-mail address as the password. Change 
to the /pub/grantinfo directory to find TIIAP files.
    To reach the gopher server, point your gopher client at 
gopher.ntia.doc.gov and login as `gopher'.
    To reach the www server, use http://www.ntia.doc.gov/tiiap/
tiiap.html to reach the TIIAP Home Page.
    TIIAP can also be reached via electronic mail at 
[email protected].
    Application Forms. Standard Forms 424 (OMB Approval Number 0348-
0044), Application for Federal Assistance; 424A (OMB Approval Number 
0348-0043), Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs; and 424B 
(OMB Approval Number 0348-0040), Assurances--Non-Construction Programs, 
(Rev 4-92), and other Department of Commerce forms shall be used in 
applying for financial assistance. These forms are included in the 
Guidelines, which can be obtained by contacting NTIA by telephone, fax, 
or electronic mail, as described in the `Address' section above. TIIAP 
requires one original and five copies of the application. Applicants 
for whom the submission of five copies presents financial hardship may 
submit one original and two copies of the application. In addition, all 
applicants are required to submit a copy of their application to their 
state Single Point of Contact (SPOC) offices, if they have one. (For 
information on contacting state SPOC offices, refer to page 39 of the 
Guidelines.)
    Because of the high level of public interest in projects supported 
by TIIAP, 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.
    Type of Funding Instrument. The funding instrument for awards under 
this program shall be a grant.
    Authority and Funding Availability. The National Telecommunications 
and Information Administration (NTIA), Department of Commerce, serves 
as the President's principal adviser on 

[[Page 7955]]
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, 47 U.S.C. Secs. 901-04 (1993).
    Anticipated Funding. NTIA issues this Notice subject to the 
authority of the continuing resolution (P.L. 104-99). NTIA anticipates 
making grant awards provided that funding for TIIAP is continued beyond 
the March 15, 1996, expiration date of the continuing resolution. This 
continuing resolution includes $21.5 million for TIIAP. Issuance of 
grants is subject to the availability of FY 1996 funds. Further notice 
will be made in the Federal Register about the final status of funding 
for this program at the appropriate time.
    Federal Policies and Procedures. Recipients and subrecipients are 
subject to all applicable Federal laws and Federal and Department of 
Commerce policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to Federal 
financial assistance awards.
    Pre-Award Activities. If an applicant incurs any project costs 
prior to the project start date negotiated at the time the award is 
made, it does so solely at its own risk of not being reimbursed by the 
government. Applicants are hereby notified that, notwithstanding any 
oral 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.
    Name Check Review. All non-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,'' and the following explanations are hereby 
provided:
    1. Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension--Prospective 
participants (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26, Section 105) are subject to 
15 CFR Part 26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension'' and the 
related section of the certification form prescribed above applies;
    2. Drug-Free Workplace--Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26, 
Section 605) are subject to 15 CFR Part 26, Subpart F, ``Governmentwide 
Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related section 
of the certification form prescribed above applies;
    3. Anti-Lobbying--Persons (as defined at 15 CFR Part 28, Section 
105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. Sec. 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
    4. 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'' (OMB Control Number 0348-0046), as required under 
15 CFR part 28, Appendix B.
    Lower Tier Certifications. 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 form 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 subrecipient 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. Sec. 1001.
    Intergovernmental Review. Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.'' It has been determined that this notice is a not a 
significant rule under Executive Order 12866.

Definitions

    Application group or sub-group. The specific sector whose problems 
or issues a proposed project addresses. The application groups and sub-
groups are described in the section on ``Project Funding Priorities'' 
in this Notice.
    Content development. The creation of information resources, such as 
databases or World Wide Web sites, for the purpose of dissemination 
through one or more on-line services.
    End user. A person who customarily employs or seeks access to, 
rather than provides, information infrastructure. An end user may be a 
consumer of information (e.g., a member of the public employing a 
touch-screen public access terminal); may be involved in an interactive 
communication with other end users; or may use information 
infrastructure to provide services to the public.
    Grant. Financial assistance award authorized by law to support 
autonomous projects or activities of state or local governments, or 
non-profit groups. This term does not include direct United States 
government cash assistance to an individual, a subsidy, a loan, a loan 
guarantee, or insurance.
    Information infrastructure. The telecommunication networks, 
computers, other end-user devices, software, standards, and skills that 
collectively enable people to connect to each other and to a vast array 
of services and information resources.
    Interactivity. The capacity of a communications system to allow end 
users to communicate directly with other users, either in real time (as 
in a video teleconference) or on a store-and-forward basis (as with 
electronic mail), or to seek and gain access to information on an on-
demand basis, as opposed to a broadcast basis.
    Interoperability. The condition achieved among information and 
communication systems when information (i.e., data, voice, image, 
audio, or video) can be easily and cost-effectively shared across 
acquisition, transmission, and presentation technologies, equipment, 
and services.
    Model. A project that employs a novel, innovative, and replicable 
approach. The ultimate impact of a model project should extend far 
beyond 

[[Page 7956]]
the community or communities to be served by the project itself.
    National Information Infrastructure (NII). A Federal policy 
initiative to facilitate and accelerate the development and utilization 
of the nation's information infrastructure. The Administration 
envisions the NII as a seamless web of communications networks, 
computers, databases, and consumer electronics that will put vast 
amounts of information at users' fingertips. For more information on 
various aspects of the NII initiative, see The National Information 
Infrastructure: Agenda for Action, 58 Fed. Reg. 49,025 (September 21, 
1993).
    Project beneficiary. Individual or organization deriving benefits 
from a project's outcome(s). A project beneficiary may also, but not 
necessarily, be a project end user.
    Scalability. The ability of a system to accommodate a significant 
growth in the size of the system (i.e., services provided, end users 
served) without the need for substantial redesign. A scalable approach 
that is demonstrated on a small scale can also be applied on a larger 
scale.
    Underserved. End users who are subject to barriers that limit or 
prevent their access to either social services or information 
infrastructure. In terms of information infrastructure, these barriers 
may be geographic, economic, physical, linguistic, or cultural. For 
example, a rural community may be physically isolated from circuits 
adequate to allow for data access; inner city neighborhoods may contain 
large numbers of potential end users for whom ownership of computer 
hardware is unlikely; individuals with disabilities may have the need 
for different types of interfaces when manipulating hardware and 
software.
Larry Irving,
Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information.
[FR Doc. 96-4642 Filed 2-28-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-60-P