[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 131 (Friday, July 9, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37366-37386]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-17136]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[CFDA No.: 84.224B]


Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, National 
Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research; Notice Inviting 
Applications and Pre-Application Meeting for New Awards Under the 
Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance Program for Fiscal Year 
1999

    Note to Applicants: This notice is a complete application 
package. Together with the statute authorizing the programs and 
applicable regulations governing the programs, including the 
Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), 
this notice contains information, application forms, and 
instructions needed to apply for a grant under these competitions.
    This program supports the National Education Goal that calls for 
all Americans to possess the knowledge and skills necessary to 
compete in a global economy and exercise the rights and 
responsibilities of citizenship.
    The estimated funding levels in this notice do not bind the 
Department of Education to make awards in any of these categories, 
or to any specific number of awards or funding levels, unless 
otherwise specified in statute.

    Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 
82, 85, and 86.
    Program Title: Assistive Technology Act (AT Act) Technical 
Assistance Program.
    CFDA Number: 84.224B.
    Purpose of Program: The purpose of the AT Act Technical Assistance 
Program is to address issues raised by States, individuals, Protection 
and Advocacy providers, and other relevant organizations; collect data 
that will provide information about assistive technology devices and 
services that can be used for determining policy; provide information 
on increased access to assistive technology devices, assistive 
technology services and other disability-related resources.
    Eligible Applicants: Parties eligible to apply for technical 
assistance grants shall have documented experience with and expertise 
in assistive technology service delivery or systems, interagency 
coordination, and capacity building and advocacy activities.
    Parties eligible to apply for a grant under priorities 1, 2, and 3 
are States, public or private agencies, including for-profit agencies, 
public or private organizations, including for-profit organizations, 
institutions of higher education, and Indian tribes and tribal 
organizations.
    Parties eligible to apply for a grant under priority 4, the 
National Assistive Technology Internet Site, are institutions of higher 
education that emphasize research and engineering, have a 
multidisciplinary research center, and have demonstrated expertise in 
working with assistive technology and intelligent agent interactive 
information dissemination systems; managing libraries of assistive 
technology and disability-related resources; delivering education, 
information, and referral services to individuals with disabilities, 
including technology-based curriculum development services for adults 
with low-level reading skills; developing cooperative partnerships with 
the private sector, particularly with private sector computer software, 
hardware, and Internet services entities; and developing and designing 
advanced Internet sites.

          Application Notice for Fiscal Year 1999 AT Act Technical Assistance Program, CFDA No. 84.224B
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Deadline for      Estimated
           Funding priority             transmittal of     number of      Maximum award amount    Project period
                                         applications       awards         (per fiscal year)*        (months)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
84.224B-1, Technical Assistance to AT           9/7/99               1  FY 1999, $638,000; FY                 36
 Act State Grant Program Grantees.                                       2000, $600,000; FY
                                                                         2001, $600,000.

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84.224B-2, Technical Assistance to AT           9/7/99               1  FY 1999, $200,000; FY                 36
 Act Protection and Advocacy Program                                     2000, $175,000; FY
 Grantees.                                                               2001, $175,000.
84.224B-3, AT Act Data Collection               9/7/99               1  FY 1999, $338,000; FY                 48
 Project.                                                                2000, $305,000; FY
                                                                         2001, $305,000; FY
                                                                         2002, $305,000.
84.224B-4, National Assistive                   9/7/99               1  FY 1999, $352,000; FY                36
 Technology Internet Site.                                               2000, $300,000; FY
                                                                         2001, $300,000.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Note: The Secretary will reject without consideration or evaluation any application that proposes a project
  funding level that exceeds the stated maximum award amount per year (See 34 CFR 75.104(b)).

    Pre-application Meeting: This notice invites interested parties to 
participate in a pre-application meeting to discuss the funding 
priorities and receive technical assistance through individual 
consultation and information about the funding priorities. The pre-
application meeting for the Technical Assistance to AT Act State Grant 
Program grantees and the Technical Assistance to AT Act Protection and 
Advocacy Program grantees will be held on July 21, 1999 at the 
Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services, Room 1002, Switzer Building, 330 C Street, S.W., Washington, 
D.C. between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. NIDRR staff will also be available from 
12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on that same day to provide technical assistance 
through individual consultation and information about the funding 
priorities. The pre-application meeting for the AT Act Data Collection 
Project and the National Assistive Technology Internet Site will be 
held on July 22, 1999 at the Department of Education, Office of Special 
Education and Rehabilitative Services, Room 1002, Switzer Building, 330 
C Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. NIDRR staff 
will also be available from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on that same day to 
provide technical assistance through individual consultation and 
information about the funding priorities. For further information 
contact Judith Fein, U.S. Department of Education, room 3430, Switzer 
Building, 330 C Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202, or call (202) 
205-8116. Individuals who use a telecommunications device (TDD) may 
call the TDD number at (202) 205-5516. NIDRR will make alternate 
arrangements to accommodate interested parties who are unable to attend 
the pre-application meeting in person.

Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities at the Public Meeting

    The meeting site is accessible to individuals with disabilities. If 
you will need an auxiliary aid or service to participate in the meeting 
(e.g., interpreting service, assistive listening device, or materials 
in an alternate format), notify the contact person listed in this 
notice at least two weeks before the scheduled meeting date. Although 
we will attempt to meet a request we receive after that date, we may 
not be able to make available the requested auxiliary aid or service 
because of insufficient time to arrange it.
    Selection Criteria: The Secretary uses the following selection 
criteria to evaluate applications for priorities under the Assistive 
Technology Act of 1998. (See 34 CFR 75.210)
    (a) Significance (8 points total).
    (1) The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed 
project.
    (2) In determining the significance of the proposed project, the 
Secretary considers the extent to which the results of the proposed 
project are to be disseminated in ways that will enable others to use 
the information or strategies.
    (b) Quality of the project design (35 points total).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the 
proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable 
(12 points).
    (ii) The extent to which the design of the proposed project is 
appropriate to, and will successfully address, the needs of the target 
population or other identified needs (10 points).
    (iii) The extent to which the proposed project represents an 
exceptional approach to the priority or priorities established for the 
competition (8 points).
    (iv) The extent to which the proposed project will be coordinated 
with similar or related efforts, and with other appropriate community, 
State, and Federal resources (5 points).
    (c) Quality of project services (16 points total).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be 
provided by the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the services to be provided by 
the proposed project, the Secretary considers the quality and 
sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal access and treatment for 
eligible proposed project participants who are members of groups that 
have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
origin, gender, age, or disability (5 points).
    (3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed 
project are appropriate to the needs of the intended recipients or 
beneficiaries of those services (5 points).
    (ii) The extent to which the technical assistance services to be 
provided by the proposed project involve the use of efficient 
strategies, including the use of technology, as appropriate, and the 
leveraging of non-project resources (6 points).
    (d) Quality of project personnel (12 points total).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will 
carry out the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of proposed project personnel, the 
Secretary considers the extent to which the applicant encourages 
applications for employment from persons who are members of groups that 
have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
origin, gender, age, or disability (3 points).
    (3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of the project director or principal investigator (5 points).

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    (ii) The qualifications, including relevant training and 
experience, of key project personnel (4 points).
    (e) Adequacy of resources (6 points total).
    (1) The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources for the 
proposed project.
    (2) In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment, 
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the 
lead applicant organization (3 points).
    (ii) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to 
the objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed 
project (3 points).
    (f) Quality of the management plan (11 points total).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for 
the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the management plan for the 
proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives 
of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly 
defined responsibilities, timeliness, and milestones for accomplishing 
project tasks (6 points).
    (ii) The extent to which the time commitments of the project 
director and principal investigator and other key project personnel are 
appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed project 
(5 points).
    (g) Quality of the project evaluation (12 points total).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be 
conducted by the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, 
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the 
proposed project (6 points).
    (ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use 
of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the 
intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and 
qualitative data to the extent possible (6 points).
    Instructions for Application Narrative: The Secretary will reject 
without consideration or evaluation any application that proposes a 
project funding level that exceeds the stated maximum award amount per 
year (See 34 CFR 75.104(b)).
    The Secretary strongly recommends the following:
    (a) A one-page abstract;
    (b) An Application Narrative (i.e., Part III that addresses the 
selection criteria that will be used by reviewers in evaluating 
individual proposals) of no more than 75 pages double-spaced (no more 
than 3 lines per vertical inch) 8.5 x 11'' pages (on one side only) 
with one inch margins (top, bottom, and sides). The application 
narrative page limit recommendation does not apply to: Part I--the 
electronically scannable form; Part II--the budget section (including 
the narrative budget justification); and Part IV--the assurances and 
certifications; and
    (c) A font no smaller than a 12-point font and an average character 
density no greater than 14 characters per inch.
    Instructions for Transmittal of Applications:
    (a) If an applicant wants to apply for a grant, the applicant 
must--
    (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 # [Applicant must insert number and 
letter]), 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 # [Applicant must insert number and letter]), 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) An applicant wishing to know that its application has been 
received by the Department must include with the application a 
stamped self-addressed postcard containing the CFDA number and title 
of this program.
    (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 letter, 
if any--of the competition under which the application is being 
submitted.

Application Forms and Instructions

    The appendix to this application is divided into four parts. These 
parts are organized in the same manner that the submitted application 
should be organized. These parts are as follows:
    Part I: Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424 (Rev. 
4-88)) and instructions.
    Part II: Budget Form--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 
524A) and instructions.
    Part III: Application Narrative.

Additional Materials

    Estimated Public Reporting Burden.
    Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B).
    Certification Regarding Lobbying, Debarment, Suspension, and Other 
Responsibility Matters, and Drug-Free Work-Place Requirements (ED Form 
80-0013).
    Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and 
Voluntary Exclusion: Lower Tier Covered Transactions (ED Form 80-0014) 
and instructions.

    Note: ED Form GCS-014 is intended for the use of primary 
participants and should not be transmitted to the Department.

    Certification of Eligibility for Federal Assistance in Certain 
Programs (ED Form 80-0016)
    Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL (if 
applicable) and instructions; and Disclosure Lobbying Activities 
Continuation Sheet (Standard Form LLL-A).
    An applicant may submit information on a photostatic copy of the 
application and budget forms, the assurances, and the certifications. 
However, the application form, the assurances, and the certifications 
must each have an original signature. No grant may be awarded unless a 
completed application form has been received.
    For Applications Contact: The Grants and Contracts Service Team 
(GCST), Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue S.W., room 3317 
Switzer Building, Washington, D.C. 20202, or call (202) 205-8207. 
Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may 
call the TDD number at (202) 205-9860. The preferred method for 
requesting information is to FAX your request to (202) 205-8717.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application 
package

[[Page 37369]]

in an alternate format by contacting the GCST. However, the Department 
is not able to reproduce in an alternate format the standard forms 
included in the application package.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., room 3418, Switzer Building, 
Washington, D.C. 20202-2645. Telephone: (202) 205-5880. Individuals who 
use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the TDD 
number at (202) 205-9136. Internet: [email protected].
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an 
alternate format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer 
diskette) on request to the contact person listed in the preceding 
paragraph.

Electronic Access to This Document

    You may review this document, as well as all other Department of 
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe 
Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet 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 previous sites. If you 
have questions about using the PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing 
Office (GPO) toll free at 1-888-293-6498; or in the Washington, D.C. 
area at (202) 512-1530.

    Note: The official version of this document is the document 
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the 
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal 
Regulations is available on GPO access at: http://
www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 84.224B, Assistive 
Technology Act Technical Assistance Program)

    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 3001.

    Dated: July 1, 1999.
Judith E. Heumann,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

Appendix--Application Forms and Instructions

    Applicants are advised to reproduce and complete the application 
forms in this Section. Applicants are required to submit an original 
and two copies of each application as provided in this Section. 
However, applicants are encouraged to submit an original and seven 
copies of each application in order to facilitate the peer review 
process and minimize copying errors.

Frequent Questions

1. Can I Get an Extension of the Due Date?

    No! On rare occasions the Department of Education may extend a 
closing date for all applicants. If that occurs, a notice of the 
revised due date is published in the Federal Register. However, 
there are no extensions or exceptions to the due date made for 
individual applicants.

2. What Should Be Included in the Application?

    The application should include a project narrative, vitae of key 
personnel, and a budget, as well as the Assurances forms included in 
this package. Vitae of staff or consultants should include the 
individual's title and role in the proposed project, and other 
information that is specifically pertinent to this proposed project. 
The budgets for both the first year and all subsequent project years 
should be included.
    If collaboration with another organization is involved in the 
proposed activity, the application should include assurances of 
participation by the other parties, including written agreements or 
assurances of cooperation.
    If the applicant proposes to use unique tests or other 
measurement instruments that are not widely known in the field, it 
would be helpful to include the instrument in the application.
    Many applications contain voluminous appendices that are not 
helpful and in many cases cannot even be mailed to the reviewers. It 
is generally not helpful to include such things as brochures, 
general capability statements of collaborating organizations, maps, 
copies of publications, or descriptions of other projects completed 
by the applicant.

3. What Format Should Be Used for the Application?

    NIDRR generally advises applicants that they may organize the 
application to follow the selection criteria that will be used. The 
specific review criteria vary according to the specific program, and 
are contained in this Consolidated Application Package.

4. May I Submit Applications to More Than One NIDRR Program 
Competition or More Than One Application to a Program?

    Yes, you may submit applications to any program for which they 
are responsive to the program requirements. You may submit the same 
application to as many competitions as you believe appropriate. You 
may also submit more than one application in any given competition.

5. What Is the Allowable Indirect Cost Rate?

    An applicant is limited to the organization's approved indirect 
rate. If the organization does not have an approved indirect rate, 
the application should include an estimated actual rate.

6. Can Profit Making Businesses Apply for Grants?

    Yes. However, for-profit organizations will not be able to 
collect a fee or profit on the grant, and in some programs will be 
required to share in the costs of the project.

7. Can Individuals Apply for Grants?

    No. Only organizations are eligible to apply for grants under 
NIDRR programs.

8. Can NIDRR Staff Advise Me Whether My Project Is of Interest to 
NIDRR or Likely To Be Funded?

    No. NIDRR staff can advise you of the requirements of the 
program in which you propose to submit your application. However, 
staff cannot advise you of whether your subject area or proposed 
approach is likely to receive approval.

9. How Do I Assure That My Application Will Be Referred to the Most 
Appropriate Panel for Review?

    Applicants should be sure that their applications are referred 
to the correct competition by clearly including the competition 
title and CFDA number, including alphabetical code, on the Standard 
Form 424, and including a project title that describes the project.

10. How Soon After Submitting My Application Can I Find Out if It Will 
Be Funded?

    The time from closing date to grant award date varies from 
program to program. Generally speaking, NIDRR endeavors to have 
awards made within five to six months of the closing date. 
Unsuccessful applicants generally will be notified within that time 
frame as well. For the purpose of estimating a project start date, 
the applicant should estimate approximately six months from the 
closing date, but no later than the following September 30.

11. Can I Call NIDRR To Find Out if My Application Is Being Funded?

    No. When NIDRR is able to release information on the status of 
grant applications, it will notify applicants by letter. The results 
of the peer review cannot be released except through this formal 
notification.

12. If My Application Is Successful, Can I Assume I Will Get the 
Requested Budget Amount in Subsequent Years?

    No. Funding in subsequent years is subject to availability of 
funds and project performance.

13. Will All Approved Applications Be Funded?

    No. It often happens that the peer review panels approve for 
funding more applications than NIDRR can fund within available 
resources. Applicants who are approved but not funded are encouraged 
to consider submitting similar applications in future competitions.

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    Public reporting burden for these collections of information is 
estimated to average 30 hours per response, including the time for 
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information.
    Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of 
these collections of information, including suggestions for reducing 
this burden, to: the U.S. Department of Education, Information 
Management and Compliance Division, Washington, D.C. 20202-4651; and to 
the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project 1820-
0027, Washington, D.C. 20503.
    Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance Program (CFDA No. 
84.224B).

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[FR Doc. 99-17136 Filed 7-8-99; 8:45 am]
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