[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 127 (Thursday, July 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36320-36338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-17582]



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Part III





Department of Education





_______________________________________________________________________



Indian Vocational Education Program; Inviting Applications for New 
Awards for Fiscal Year 1998; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 127 / Thursday, July 2, 1998 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[CFDA No: 84.101]


Indian Vocational Education Program; Notice Inviting Applications 
for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1998

    Notice to Applicants: This notice is a complete application 
package. Together with the statute authorizing the program and 
applicable regulations governing the program, including 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 Program: To provide financial assistance to Indian 
tribes and certain schools funded by the Department of the Interior to 
plan, conduct, and administer projects, or portions of projects, that 
are authorized by and consistent with the Carl D. Perkins Vocational 
and Applied Technology Education Act of 1990 (Act), as amended, 20 
U.S.C. 2301 et seq.
    Eligible Applicants: The following entities are eligible for an 
award under this program:
    (a) A tribal organization of any Indian tribe that is eligible to 
contract with the Secretary of the Interior under the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act or under the Act of April 
16, 1934.
    (b) A Bureau-funded school offering a secondary program.
    (c) Any tribal organization or Bureau-funded school described in 
paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section may apply individually or as part 
of a consortium with one or more eligible tribal organizations or 
schools.
    When seeking to apply for funds as a consortium, individual 
eligible applicants must enter into an agreement signed by all members 
of the consortium and designating one member of the consortium as the 
applicant and grantee. The consortium's agreement must detail the 
activities each member of the consortium plans to perform, and must 
bind each member to every statement and assurance made in the 
consortium's application. The designated applicant must submit the 
consortium's agreement with its application.

Submission of Applications

    (a) An application from a tribal organization, other than a Bureau-
funded school, must be submitted to the Secretary by the Indian tribe.
    (b) An application for a project to serve more than one Indian 
tribe must be approved by each tribe to be served.
    (c) An application from a Bureau-funded school may be submitted 
directly to the Secretary.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: September 18, 1998.
    Available Funds: $12,529,088 for the first 12 months of the 24-
month project period. Funding for the second 12-month period of the 24-
month project period is subject to the availability of funds and to a 
grantee meeting the requirements of 34 CFR 75.253.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $250,000 to $500,000 for the first 12 
months.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $375,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 35.

    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this 
notice.
    Project Period: Up to 24 months.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) as follows:
    (1) 34 CFR Part 74 (Administration of Grants and Agreements 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 80 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants 
and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments).
    (5) 34 CFR Part 81 (General Education Provisions Act--Enforcement).
    (6) 34 CFR Part 85 (Government-wide Debarment and Suspension 
(Nonprocurement) and Government-wide Requirements for Drug-Free 
Workplace (Grants)).
    (7) 34 CFR Part 86 (Drug-Free Schools and Campuses).
    (b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR parts 400 and 401.

Definitions

    Applicants are encouraged to take particular note of the following 
definitions that are contained in 34 CFR 401.5:
    Act of April 16, 1934 means the Federal law commonly known as the 
``Johnson-O'Malley Act,'' that authorizes the Secretary of the Interior 
to make contracts for the education of Indians and other purposes (25 
U.S.C. 455-457).
    Bureau means the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the 
Interior.
    Bureau-funded school means--
    (1) A Bureau-operated elementary or secondary day or boarding 
school or a Bureau-operated dormitory for students attending a school 
other than a Bureau school;
    (2) An elementary or secondary school or a dormitory that receives 
financial assistance for its operation under a contract or agreement 
with the Bureau under section 102, 104(1), or 208 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450f, 450h(1), 
and 458d); or
    (3) A school for which assistance is provided under the Tribally 
Controlled Schools Act of 1988.
    Indian tribe means any Indian tribe, band, Nation, or other 
organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or 
regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant 
to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688) that is 
federally recognized as eligible for the special programs and services 
provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as 
Indians.
    Tribal organization means the recognized governing body of any 
Indian tribe or any legally established organization of Indians that is 
controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by that governing body or that is 
democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to 
be served by the organization and that includes the maximum 
participation of Indians in all phases of its activities. However, in 
any case where a contract is let or grant made to an organization to 
perform services benefiting more than one Indian tribe, the approval of 
each of those Indian tribes must be a prerequisite to the letting or 
making of that contract or grant.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In response to recent notices inviting 
applications under the Indian Vocational Education Program, a number of 
Indian tribal organizations and Bureau-funded schools have submitted 
applications proposing projects that were designed to use a majority of 
the funds to prepare students for a high school equivalency diploma. 
Although a high school diploma or its equivalent certainly enhances a 
student's ability to benefit from postsecondary vocational education, 
applicants are reminded that projects must use funds under the Indian 
Vocational Education Program only to provide vocational education that 
is authorized by and consistent with the Act. Vocational education 
includes: (a) remedial education, only to the extent that it is 
necessary for a vocational education student to benefit from vocational 
instruction, and (b) the integration of academic and vocational 
education through coherent sequences of courses so that students 
achieve both academic and occupational competencies. Grantees may not 
pay for the cost of academic courses that are not

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directly related to the occupational skill being taught in a vocational 
education program.
    The Secretary recognizes that in many Indian communities the need 
for a high school equivalency diploma may be as great as the need for 
vocational training and, therefore, encourages Indian tribal 
organizations and Bureau-funded schools to seek other resources to 
address the former need.
    Priority:  Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1), the Secretary is particularly 
interested in receiving applications that meet the following 
invitational priority:
    Projects that include a valid, reliable, and otherwise meaningful 
plan for conducting an evaluation of the effectiveness of the project. 
The project must include an evaluation plan that--
    (a) Is clearly explained and appropriate for the project;
    (b) Identifies at a minimum--
    (1) The types of quantifiable data to be collected and reported 
with respect to the academic and vocational competencies demonstrated 
by participants and the number and kinds of academic and work 
credentials acquired by individuals who complete the training, 
including participation in programs providing training at the associate 
degree level that is articulated with an advanced degree option;
    (2) The type of data to be collected and reported with respect to 
enrollment, completion, and placement of participants by sex, racial or 
ethnic group, socio-economic status for each occupation for which 
training is provided;
    (3) Job or work skill attainment or enhancement, including 
participation in apprenticeship and work-based learning programs, and 
student progress in achieving occupational skills necessary to obtain 
employment in the field for which the student has been prepared, 
including occupational skills in the industry the student is preparing 
to enter; and
    (4) The types and numbers of placements into additional training or 
education, military service, or employment;
    (c) Includes activities during the formative stages of the project 
to help guide and improve the project, as well as a summative 
evaluation that includes recommendations for replicating project 
activities and results. A project that will continue to operate after 
Federal funding ends should also plan for a summative evaluation that 
includes recommendations for improving the quality of its vocational 
education services;
    (d) Will yield results that can be summarized and submitted to the 
Secretary for review as a potentially exemplary and promising 
educational program;
    (e) Makes use of an external independent evaluator; and
    (f) When appropriate, will provide a comparison between intended 
and observed results and lead to the demonstration of a clear link 
between the observed results and the specific treatment of project 
participants.

    Note: An application that meets this invitational priority does 
not receive competitive or absolute preference over other 
applications.

    Selection Criteria: The Secretary uses the selection criteria 
contained in 34 CFR 401.21 to evaluate applications for new grants 
under this competition. However, due to the repeal of the legislation 
authorizing the Jobs Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) program, the 
``program factors'' criterion included in this notice no longer 
includes references to the JOBS program. (See Pub. L. 104-193, Title I, 
Section 108(e), August 22, 1996.) Section 401.21 assigns a total of 85 
points for these criteria. Under section 401.20(b), the Secretary is 
authorized to distribute an additional 15 reserved points among the 
criteria contained in section 401.21 for a maximum of 100 points for 
the selection criteria. The maximum score for each criterion is 
indicated in parentheses.

Criteria

    (a) Program factors. (25 points) The Secretary reviews each 
application to determine the extent to which it--
    (1) Proposes measurable goals for student enrollment, completion, 
and placement (including placement in jobs or military specialties and 
in continuing education or training opportunities) that are realistic 
in terms of stated needs, resources, and job opportunities in each 
occupation for which training is to be provided;
    (2) Proposes goals that take into consideration any related goals 
or standards developed for the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA)(29 
U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) training programs operating in the area, and, 
where appropriate, any goals set by the State Board for vocational 
education for the occupation and geographic area;
    (3) Describes, for each occupation for which training is to be 
provided, how successful program completion will be determined in terms 
of academic and vocational competencies demonstrated by enrollees prior 
to completion and any academic or work credentials acquired by 
enrollees upon completion;
    (4) Demonstrates the active commitment in the project's planning 
and operation by advisory committees, tribal planning offices, the JTPA 
program director, and potential employers such as tribal enterprises, 
private enterprises (on or off reservation), and other organizations;
    (5) Is targeted to individuals with inadequate skills to assist 
those individuals in obtaining new employment; and
    (6) Includes a thorough description of the approach to be used, 
including some or all of the following components:
    (i) Methods of participant selection.
    (ii) Assessment and feedback of participant progress.
    (iii) Coordination of vocational instruction, academic instruction, 
and support services such as counseling, transportation, and child 
care.
    (iv) Curriculum and, if appropriate, approaches for providing on-
the-job training experience.
    (b) Need. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each application to 
determine the extent to which the project addresses specific needs, 
including--
    (1) The job market and related needs (such as educational level) of 
the target population;
    (2) Characteristics of that population, including an estimate of 
those to be served by the project;
    (3) How the project will meet the needs of the target population; 
and
    (4) A description of any ongoing and planned activities relative to 
those needs, including, if appropriate, how the State plan developed 
under 34 CFR 403.30-403.34 is designed to meet those needs.
    (c) Plan of operation. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each 
application to determine the quality of the plan of operation for the 
project, including--
    (1) The establishment of objectives that are clearly related to 
project goals and activities and are measurable with respect to 
anticipated enrollments, completions, and placements;
    (2) A management plan that describes the chain of command, how 
staff will be managed, how coordination among staff will be 
accomplished, and timelines for each activity; and
    (3) The way the applicant intends to use its resources and 
personnel to achieve each objective.
    (d) Key personnel. (10 points). (1) The Secretary reviews each 
application to determine the quality of key personnel the applicant 
plans to use on the project, including--
    (i) The qualifications of the project director;
    (ii) The qualifications of each of the other key personnel to be 
used on the project;
    (iii) The time, including justification for the time that each one 
of the key

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personnel, including the project director, will commit to the project; 
and
    (iv) Subject to the Indian preference provisions of the Indian 
Self-Determination Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.) that apply to grants and 
contracts to tribal organizations, 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 disabling condition.
    (2) To determine personnel qualifications, the Secretary 
considers--
    (i) The experience and training of key personnel in project 
management and in fields particularly related to the objectives of the 
project; and
    (ii) Any other qualifications of key personnel that pertain to the 
quality of the project.
    (e) Budget and Cost Effectiveness. (5 points) The Secretary reviews 
each application to determine the extent to which--
    (1) The budget is adequate to support the project activities;
    (2) Costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the 
project and the number of participants to be served; and
    (3) The budget narrative justifies the expenditures.
    (f) Evaluation Plan. (20 points) The Secretary reviews each 
application to determine the quality of the evaluation plan for the 
project, including the extent to which--
    (1) The plan identifies, at a minimum, types of data to be 
collected and reported with respect to the academic and vocational 
competencies demonstrated by participants and the number and kind of 
academic and work credentials acquired by participants who complete the 
training;
    (2) The plan identifies, at a minimum, types of data to be 
collected and reported with respect to the achievement of project goals 
for the enrollment, completion, and placement of participants. The data 
must be broken down by sex and by occupation for which training was 
provided;
    (3) The methods of evaluation are appropriate for the project and, 
to the extent possible, are objective and produce data that are 
quantifiable; and
    (4) The methods of evaluation provide periodic data that can be 
used by the project for ongoing program improvement.
    (g) Employment opportunities. (10 points) The Secretary reviews 
each application to determine the quality of the plan for job placement 
of participants who complete training under this program, including--
    (1) The expected employment opportunities (including any military 
specialties) and any additional educational or training opportunities 
that are related to the participants' training;
    (2) Information and documentation concerning potential employers' 
commitment to hire participants who complete training; and
    (3) An estimate of the percentage of trainees expected to be 
employed (including self-employed individuals) in the field for which 
they were trained following completion of training.

Special Considerations

    Under 34 CFR 401.20(e), in addition to the 100 points to be awarded 
based on the selection criteria in 34 CFR 401.21, the Secretary awards:
    (a) Up to 5 points to applications proposing exemplary approaches 
that involve, coordinate with, or encourage tribal economic development 
plans; and
    (b) Five points to applications from tribally controlled community 
colleges that--
    (1) Are accredited or are candidates for accreditation by a 
nationally recognized accreditation organization as an institution of 
postsecondary vocational education; or
    (2) Operate vocational education programs that are accredited or 
are candidates for accreditation by a nationally recognized 
accreditation organization and issue certificates for completion of 
vocational education programs.

Additional Factors

    Under 34 CFR 401.22, the Secretary may decide not to award a grant 
or cooperative agreement if--
    (a) The proposed project duplicates an effort already being made; 
or
    (b) Funding the project would create an inequitable distribution of 
funds under this part among Indian tribes.

Instructions for Transmittal of Applications

    Applicants are required to submit one original signed application 
and two copies of the grant application. All forms and assurances must 
have ink signatures. Please mark applications as ``original'' or 
``copy.'' To aid with the review of applications, the Department 
encourages applicants to submit four additional copies of the grant 
application. The Department will not penalize applicants who do not 
provide additional copies.
    (a) If an applicant wants to apply for a grant under this 
competition, the applicant must either--
    (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 #84.101), Washington, D.C. 20202-4725, 
or
    (2) Hand deliver the original and two copies of the application by 
4:30 p.m. (Washington, D.C. time) on or before the deadline date to: 
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
(CFDA #84.101), Room #3633, Regional Office Building #3, 7th and D 
Streets, S.W., Washington, D.C.
    (b) An applicant must show one of the following as proof of 
mailing:
    (1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.
    (2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the 
U.S. Postal Service.
    (3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial 
carrier.
    (4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary.
    (c) If an application is mailed through the U.S. Postal Service, 
the Secretary does not accept either of the following as proof of 
mailing:
    (1) A private metered postmark.
    (2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.

    Notes: (1) The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a 
dated postmark. Before relying on this method, an applicant should 
check with its local post office.
    (2) 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: All forms and instructions are 
included as Appendix A of this notice. Questions and answers pertaining 
to this program are included, as Appendix B, to assist potential 
applicants.
    To apply for an award under this program competition, your 
application must be organized in the following order and include the 
following five parts. 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 (ED Form No. 
524) and instructions.
    PART III: Budget Narrative.
    PART IV: Program Narrative.

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    Estimated Public Reporting Burden.
    PART V: Additional Assurances and Certifications:
    a. Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B).
    b. Certification regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other 
Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (ED 80-
0013) and instructions.
    c. Certification regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and 
Voluntary Exclusion: Lower Tier Covered Transactions (ED Form 80-0014, 
9/90) and instructions.

    Note: ED Form 80-0014 is intended for the use of grantees and 
should not be transmitted to the Department.

    d. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL)(if 
applicable) and instructions. This document has been marked to reflect 
statutory changes. See the notice published by the Office of Management 
and Budget at 61 FR 1413 (January 19, 1996).
    e. Notice to All Applicants.
    No grant may be awarded unless a completed application form has 
been received.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gwen Washington, Linda Mayo or Sonja 
Turner, Special Programs Branch, Division of National Programs, Office 
of Vocational and Adult Education, U.S. Department of Education, 600 
Independence Avenue, S.W. (Room 4512, Mary E. Switzer Building), 
Washington, D.C. 20202-7242. Telephone (202) 205-9351. 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.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain this notice in an 
alternate format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer 
diskette) on request to the contact persons listed in the preceding 
paragraph. Please note, however, that the Department is not able to 
reproduce in an alternate format the standard forms included in the 
notice.

Electronic Access to This Department

    Anyone may view this document, as well as all other Department of 
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or 
portable document format(pdf) on the World Wide Web at either of the 
following sites:

http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg.htm
http://www.ed.gov/news.html

    To use the pdf you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader Program with 
Search, which is available free at either of the preceding sites. If 
you have questions about using the pdf, call the U.S. Government 
Printing Office toll free at 1-888-293-6498.
    Anyone may also view these documents in text copy on an electronic 
bulletin board of the Department. Telephone (202) 219-1511 or, toll 
free, 1-800-222-4922. The documents are located under Option G--Files/
Announcements, Bulletins and Press Releases.

    Note: The official version of this document is the document 
published in the Federal Register.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2313(b).
    Dated: June 26, 1998.
Patricia W. McNeil,
Assistant Secretary, Office of Vocational and Adult Education.

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Appendix A
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PART II--BUDGET INFORMATION

Instructions for Part II--Budget Information

Sections A and B--Budget Summary by Categories
    1. Personnel: Show salaries to be paid to personnel for each budget 
year.
    2. Fringe Benefits: Indicate the rate and amount of fringe benefits 
for each budget year.
    3. Travel: Indicate the amount requested for both local and out of 
State travel of Project Staff for each budget year. Include funds for 
at least one trip for two people to attend the Project Director's 
Workshop.
    4. Equipment: Indicate the cost of non-expendable personal property 
that has a cost of $5,000 or more per unit for each budget year.
    5. Supplies: Include the cost of consumable supplies and materials 
to be used during the project period for each budget year.
    6. Contractual: Show the amount to be used for: (1) procurement 
contracts (except those which belong on other lines such as supplies 
and equipment); and (2) sub-contracts for each budget year.
    7. Construction: Not Applicable.
    8. Other: Indicate all direct costs not clearly covered by lines 1 
through 6 above, including consultants and capital expenditures for 
each budget year.
    9. Total Direct Cost: Show the total for Lines 1 through 8 for each 
budget year.
    10. Indirect Costs: Indicate the rate and amount of indirect costs 
for each budget year.
    11. Training/stipend Cost: Indicate cost per student and number of 
hours of instruction. The amount of a stipend may be the greater of 
either the minimum hourly wage prescribed by state or local law or the 
minimum hourly wage set under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Please 
carefully read 34 CFR 401.3(c) for additional information on stipends.
    12. Total Costs: Show total for lines 9 through 11 for each budget 
year.

Instructions for Part III--Budget Narrative

    The budget narrative should explain, justify, and, if needed, 
clarify your budget summary. For each line item (personnel, fringe 
benefits, travel, etc.) in your budget, explain why it is there and how 
you computed the costs.
    Please limit this section to no more than five pages. Be sure that 
each page of your application is numbered consecutively.

Instructions for Part IV--Program Narrative

    The program narrative will comprise the largest portion of your 
application. This part is where you spell out the who, what, when, why, 
and how, of your proposed project.
    Although you will not have a form to fill out for your narrative, 
there is a format. This format is based on the selection criteria. 
Because your application will be reviewed and rated by a review panel 
on the basis of the selection criteria, your narrative should follow 
the order and format of the criteria.
    Before preparing your application, you should carefully read the 
legislation and regulations of the program, eligibility requirements, 
special considerations, and the selection criteria for this 
competition.
    Your program narrative should be clear, concise, and to the point. 
Begin the narrative with a one page abstract or summary of your 
project. Then describe the project in detail, addressing each selection 
criterion in order.
    The Secretary strongly suggests that you limit the program 
narrative to no more than 30 double-spaced, typed pages (on one side 
only), although the Secretary will consider your application if it is 
longer. Be sure to number consecutively ALL pages in your application.
    You may include supporting documentation as appendices to the 
program narrative. Be sure that this material is concise and pertinent 
to this program competition.
    You are advised that--
    (a) The Secretary considers only information contained in the 
application in ranking applications for funding consideration. Letters 
of support sent separately from the formal application package are not 
considered in the review by the technical review panels. (34 CFR 
75.217)
    (b) The technical review panel evaluates each application solely on 
the basis of the selection criteria contained in this notice and in 34 
CFR 401.21 and the special consideration contained in this notice and 
in 34 CFR 401.20(e)(1).
    (c) The Secretary awards five points to applications from tribally-
controlled community colleges, under the terms of 34 CFR 401.20(e)(2).
    (d) Letters of support included as appendices to an application, 
that are of direct relevance to or contain commitments that pertain to 
the established selection criteria, such as commitment of resources, 
will be reviewed by the panel.

Estimated Burden Statement

    According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are 
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 
valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this 
information collection is 1830-0013. (Expiration date: 06/30/99). The 
time required to complete this information collection is estimated to 
average 90 hours per response, including the time to review 
instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, 
and complete and review the information collection.
    If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time 
estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this form, please write to: 
U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20202-4651. 
    If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your 
individual submission of this form, write directly to: Gwen Washington, 
Linda Mayo or Sonja Turner, Division of National Programs, Office of 
Vocational and Adult Education, U.S. Department of Education, 600 
Independence Avenue, S.W. (Room 4512, Mary E. Switzer Building), 
Washington D.C. 20202-7242.

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Notice to All Applicants

    Thank you for your interest in this program. The purpose of this 
enclosure is to inform you about a new provision in the Department of 
Education's General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) that applies to 
applicants for new grant awards under Department programs. This 
provision is section 427 of GEPA, enacted as part of the Improving 
America's Schools Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-382).

To Whom Does This Provision Apply?

    Section 427 of GEPA affects applicants for new discretionary grant 
awards under this program. All applicants for new awards must include 
information in their applications to address this new provision in 
order to receive funding under this program.

What Does This Provision Require?

    Section 427 requires each applicant for funds (other than an 
individual person) to include in its application a description of the 
steps the applicant proposes to take to ensure equitable access to, and 
participation in, its federally-assisted program for students, 
teachers, and other program beneficiaries with special needs.
    This section allows applicants discretion in developing the 
required description. The statute highlights six types of barriers that 
can impede equitable access or participation that you may address: 
gender, race, national origin, color, disability, or age. Based on 
local circumstances, you can determine whether these or other barriers 
may prevent your students, teachers, etc. from equitable access or 
participation. Your description need not be lengthy; you may provide a 
clear and succinct description of how you plan to address those 
barriers that are applicable to your circumstances. In addition, the 
information my be provided in a single narrative, or, if appropriate, 
may be discussed in connection with related topics in the application.
    Section 427 is not intended to duplicate the requirements of civil 
rights statutes, but rather to ensure that, in designing their 
projects, applicants for Federal funds address equity concerns that may 
affect the ability of certain potential beneficiaries to fully 
participate in the project and to achieve to high standards. Consistent 
with program requirements and its approved application, an applicant 
may use the Federal funds awarded to it to eliminate barriers it 
identifies.

What are Examples of How an Applicant Might Satisfy the Requirement of 
This Provision?

    The following examples may help illustrate how an applicant may 
comply with section 427.
    (1) An applicant that proposes to carry out an adult literacy 
project serving, among others, adults with limited English proficiency, 
might describe in its application how it intends to distribute a 
brochure about the proposed project to such potential participants in 
their native language.
    (2) An applicant that proposes to develop instructional materials 
for classroom use might describe how it will make the materials 
available on audio tape or in braille for students who are blind.
    (3) An applicant that proposes to carry out a model science program 
for secondary students and is concerned that girls may be less likely 
than boys to enroll in the course, might indicate how it tends to 
conduct ``outreach'' efforts to girls, to encourage their enrollment.
    We recognize that many applicants may already be implementing 
effective steps to ensure equity of access and participation in their 
grant programs, and we appreciate your cooperation in responding to the 
requirements of this provision.

Estimated Burden Statement

    According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are 
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 
valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this 
information collection is 1830-0013 (Exp. 6/30/99). The time required 
to complete this information collection is estimated to vary from 1 to 
3 hours per response, with an average of 1.5 hours, including the time 
to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather and 
maintain the data needed, and complete and review the information 
collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the 
time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this form, please write 
to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC 20202-4651.
    Potential applicants frequently direct questions to officials of 
the Department regarding application notices and programmatic and 
administrative regulations governing various direct grant programs. To 
assist potential applicants, the Department has assembled the following 
most commonly asked questions followed by the Department's answers.
    Q. Can we get an extension of the deadline?
    A. No. A closing date may be changed only under extraordinary 
circumstances. Any change must be announced in the Federal Register and 
must apply to all applications. Waivers for individual applications 
cannot be granted regardless of the circumstances.
    Q. How many copies of the application should I submit and must they 
be bound?
    A. Applicants are required to submit one original and two copies of 
the grant application. To aid with the review of applications, the 
Department encourages applicants to submit four additional copies of 
the grant application. The Department will not penalize applicants who 
do not provide additional copies. The binding of applications is 
optional.
    Q. We just missed the deadline for the XXX competition. May we 
submit under another competition?
    A. Yes, however, the likelihood of success is not good. A properly 
prepared application must meet the specifications of the competition to 
which it is submitted.
    Q. I'm not sure which competition is most appropriate for my 
project. What should I do?
    A. We are happy to discuss any such questions with you and provide 
clarification on the unique elements of the various competitions.
    Q. Will you help us prepare our application?
    A. We are happy to provide general program information. Clearly, it 
would not be appropriate for staff to participate in the actual writing 
of an application, but we can respond to specific questions about 
application requirements, evaluation criteria, and the priorities. 
Applicants should understand, however, that prior contact with the 
Department is not required, nor will it in any way influence the 
success of an application.
    Q. When will I find out if I'm going to be funded?
    A. You can expect to receive notification within 3 to 4 months of 
the application closing date, depending on the number of applications 
received and the number of Department competitions with similar closing 
dates.
    Q. Once my application has been reviewed by the review panel, can 
you tell me the outcome?
    A. No. Every year we are called by a number of applicants who have 
a legitimate reason for needing to know the outcome of the panel review 
prior to official notification. Some applicants need to make job 
decisions, some need to notify a local school district, etc.

[[Page 36338]]

Regardless of the reason, because final funding decisions have not been 
made at that point, we cannot share information about the results of 
panel review with anyone.
    Q. Will my application be returned if I am not funded?
    A. No. We no longer return unsuccessful applications. Thus, 
applicants should retain at least one copy of the application.
    Q. Can I obtain copies of reviewers' comments?
    A. Upon written request, reviewers' comments will be mailed to 
unsuccessful applicants.
    Q. Is travel allowed under these projects?
    A. Travel associated with carrying out the project is allowed. 
Because we may request the project director of funded projects to 
attend an annual project directors' meeting, you may also wish to 
include a trip or two to Washington, DC in the travel budget. Travel to 
conferences is sometimes allowed when the purpose of the conference 
will be of benefit and relates to the project.
    Q. If my application receives high scores from the reviewers, does 
that mean that I will receive funding?
    A. Not necessarily. It is often the case that the number of 
applications scored highly by the reviewers exceeds the dollars 
available for funding projects under a particular competition. The 
order of selection, which is based on the scores of all the 
applications reviewed and other relevant factors, determines the 
applications that can be funded.
    Q. What happens during pre-award clarification discussions?
    A. During pre-award clarification discussions, technical and budget 
issues may be raised. These are issues that have been identified during 
the panel and staff reviews that require clarification. Sometimes 
issues are stated as ``conditions.'' These are issues that have been 
identified as so critical that the award cannot be made unless those 
conditions are met. Questions may also be raised about the proposed 
budget. Generally, these issues are raised because an application 
contains inadequate justification or explanation of a particular budget 
item, or because the budget item seems unimportant to the successful 
completion of the project. If you are asked to make changes that you 
feel could seriously affect the project's success, you may provide 
reasons for not making the changes or provide alternative suggestions. 
Similarly, if proposed budget reductions will, in your opinion, 
seriously affect the project activities, you may explain why and 
provide additional justification for the proposed expenses. An award 
cannot be made until all issues under discussion have been resolved.
    Q. How do I provide an assurance?
    A. Except for SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs,'' 
you may provide an assurance simply by stating in writing that you are 
meeting a prescribed requirement.
    Q. Where can copies of the Federal Register, program regulations, 
and Federal statutes be obtained?
    A. Copies of these materials can usually be found at your local 
library. If not, they can be obtained from the Government Printing 
Office by writing to Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government 
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Telephone: (202) 708-8228. When 
requesting copies of regulations or statutes, it is helpful to use the 
specific name or public law, number of a statute, or part number of a 
regulation. The material referenced in this notice should be referred 
to as follows:
    (1) The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education 
Act (Pub. L. 101-302).
    (2) Education Department General Administrative Regulations, 34 CFR 
parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 90, 81, and 85.
    (3) 34 CFR parts 400 (Vocational and Applied Technology Education 
Programs--General Provisions) and 401 (Indian Vocational Education 
Program) as published in the Federal Register on August 14, 1992 (57 FR 
36724).
    Copies of these materials may be found on the World Wide Web at 
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.

[FR Doc. 98-17582 Filed 7-1-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P