[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 136 (Tuesday, July 16, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46820-46836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-17884]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

[CFDA No.: 84.133A]


National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research--
Disability Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program; Notice 
Inviting Applications for Fiscal Year (FY) 2002

    Note to Applicants: This notice is a complete application package. 
Together with (a) The Education Department General Administrative 
Regulations (EDGAR), 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 82, 85, 86, and 
97, and (b) The program regulations 34 CFR part 350, this notice 
contains all of the information, application forms, and instructions 
you need to apply for a grant under this competition.
    Purpose of the Program: The purpose of the DRRP Program is to 
improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (the Act). The DRRP supports 
activities designed to maximize the full inclusion and self-sufficiency 
of individuals with disabilities, especially the most severe 
disabilities.
    This competition for new awards focuses on projects designed to 
meet the priorities we describe in the PRIORITIES section of this 
application notice. We intend these priorities to improve the 
rehabilitation services and outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
    Eligible Applicants: Parties eligible to apply for grants under 
this program 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.

                         Application Notice for Fiscal Year 2002: Disability Rehabilitation Research Projects, CFDA No. 84-133A
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                                                                       Deadline for          Estimated     Maximum award     Estimated
           Funding priority              Application available        transmittal of         available      amount (per      number of    Project period
                                                                       applications            funds          year)*          awards         (months)
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84.133A-7: Persons aging with hearing  (July 16, 2002).........  (August 15, 2002.......        $500,000        $500,000               1              60
 and vision loss.
84.133A-15: Evaluation of the          (July 16, 2002).........  (August 15, 2002)......         300,000         300,000               1             60
 changing universe of disability and
 systems change.
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* Note: We will reject without consideration any application that proposes a budget exceeding the stated maximum award amount in any year (See 34 CFR
  75.104(b)).
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.

Priorities

    This competition focuses on projects designed to meet the 
priorities in the notice of final priorities for these programs, 
published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register. The 
priorities are:

Priority 1--Persons Aging With Hearing and Vision Loss
Priority 2--Evaluation of the Changing Universe of Disability and 
Systems Change Activities

    For FY 2002 these priorities are absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet one or more of 
these priorities.

Selection Criteria

    We use the following selection criteria to evaluate applications 
under this program.
    The maximum score for all of these criteria is 100 points.
    The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses.
    An additional 10 points may be earned by an applicant depending on 
how well the additional selection criterion is met. The additional 
selection criteria is found elsewhere in this notice.
    (a) Responsiveness to an absolute or competitive priority (6 
points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the responsiveness of the application 
to an absolute or competitive priority published in the Federal 
Register.
    (2) In determining the application's responsiveness to the absolute 
or competitive priority, the Secretary considers one or more of the 
following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the applicant addresses all requirements of 
the absolute or competitive priority. (3 points)
    (ii) The extent to which the applicant's proposed activities are 
likely

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to achieve the purposes of the absolute or competitive priority. (3 
points)
    (b) Design of research activities (40 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the extent to which the design of 
research activities is likely to be effective in accomplishing the 
objectives of the project.
    (2) In determining the extent to which the design is likely to be 
effective in accomplishing the objectives of the project, the Secretary 
considers one or more of the following factors. The extent to which the 
methodology of each proposed research activity is meritorious, 
including consideration of the extent to which--
    (A) The proposed design includes a comprehensive and informed 
review of the current literature, demonstrating knowledge of the state-
of-the art; (7 points)
    (B) Each research hypothesis is theoretically sound and based on 
current knowledge; (8 points)
    (C) Each sample population is appropriate and of sufficient size; 
(8 points)
    (D) The data collection and measurement techniques are appropriate 
and likely to be effective; (9 points)
    (E) The data analysis methods are appropriate. (8 points)
    (c) Design of dissemination activities (8 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the extent to which the design of 
dissemination activities is likely to be effective in accomplishing the 
objectives of the project.
    (2) In determining the extent to which the design is likely to be 
effective in accomplishing the objectives of the project, the Secretary 
considers one or more of the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the materials to be disseminated are likely 
to be effective and usable, including consideration of their quality, 
clarity, variety, and format. (4 points)
    (ii) The extent to which the materials and information to be 
disseminated and the formats and the methods for dissemination are 
appropriate to the target population. (2 points)
    (iii) The extent to which the information to be disseminated will 
be accessible to individuals with disabilities. (2 points)
    (d) Plan of operation (8 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the plan of operation.
    (2) In determining the quality of the plan of operation, the 
Secretary considers the adequacy of the plan of operation to achieve 
the objectives of the proposed project on time and within budget, 
including clearly defined responsibilities, and timelines for 
accomplishing project tasks. (8 points)
    (e) Collaboration (5 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of collaboration.
     (2) In determining the quality of collaboration, the Secretary 
considers one or more of the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the applicant's proposed collaboration with 
one or more agencies, organizations, or institutions is likely to be 
effective in achieving the relevant proposed activities of the project. 
(3 points)
    (ii) The extent to which agencies, organizations, or institutions 
demonstrate a commitment to collaborate with the applicant. (2 points)
    (f) Adequacy and reasonableness of the budget (5 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the adequacy and the reasonableness of 
the budget.
    (2) In determining the adequacy and the reasonableness of the 
proposed budget, the Secretary considers one or more of the following 
factors:
    (i) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the 
proposed project activities. (3 points)
    (ii) The extent to which the applicant is of sufficient size, 
scope, and quality to effectively carry out the activities in an 
efficient manner. (2 points)
    (g) Plan of evaluation (10 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the plan of evaluation.
    (2) In determining the quality of the plan of evaluation, the 
Secretary considers the extent to which the plan of evaluation provides 
for periodic assessment of a project's progress that is based on 
identified performance measures that--
    (i) Are clearly related to the intended outcomes of the project and 
expected impacts on the target population; (5 points) and
    (ii) Are objective, and quantifiable or qualitative, as 
appropriate. (5 points)
    (h) Project staff (8 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the project staff.
    (2) In determining the quality of the project staff, 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. (2 points)
    (3) In addition, the Secretary considers one or more of the 
following:
    (i) The extent to which the key personnel and other key staff have 
appropriate training and experience in disciplines required to conduct 
all proposed activities. (2 points)
    (ii) The extent to which the commitment of staff time is adequate 
to accomplish all the proposed activities of the project. (2 points)
    (iii) The extent to which the key personnel are knowledgeable about 
the methodology and literature of pertinent subject areas. (2 points)
    (i) Adequacy and accessibility of resources (10 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the adequacy and accessibility of the 
applicant's resources to implement the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the adequacy and accessibility of resources, the 
Secretary considers one or more of the following factors:
    (i) The quality of an applicant's past performance in carrying out 
a grant. (1 point)
    (ii) The extent to which the applicant has appropriate access to 
clinical populations and organizations representing individuals with 
disabilities to support advanced clinical rehabilitation research. (8 
points)
    (iii) The extent to which the facilities, equipment, and other 
resources are appropriately accessible to individuals with disabilities 
who may use the facilities, equipment, and other resources of the 
project. (1 point)

Additional Selection Criterion (10 points)

    We use the following additional criterion to evaluate applications 
under each priority.
    Up to 10 points based on the extent to which an application 
includes effective strategies for employing and advancing in employment 
qualified individuals with disabilities in projects awarded under these 
absolute priorities. In determining the effectiveness of those 
strategies, we will consider the applicant's prior success, as 
described in the application, in employing and advancing in employment 
qualified individuals with disabilities.
    Thus, for purposes of this competitive preference, applicants can 
be awarded up to a total of 10 points in addition to those awarded 
under the published selection criteria for these priorities. That is, 
an applicant meeting this competitive preference could earn a maximum 
total of 110 points.

Application Procedures

    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)).

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    The Secretary strongly recommends the following:
    (1) A one-page abstract;
    (2) 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 75 numbered, double-spaced (no more 
than 3 lines per vertical inch) 8"  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
    (3) A font no smaller than a 12-point font and an average character 
density no greater than 14 characters per inch.

Instructions for Transmitting Applications

    If you want to apply for a grant and be considered for funding, you 
must meet the following deadline requirements:
    (a) If You Send Your Application by Mail
    You must mail the original and two copies of the application on or 
before the deadline date. To help expedite our review of your 
application, we would appreciate your voluntarily including an 
additional seven copies of your application. Mail your application to: 
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
(CFDA #84.133A [add program number and title]), 7th & D Streets, SW., 
Room 3671, Regional Office Building 3, Washington, DC 20202-4725.
    You 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.
    If you mail an application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do 
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.
    (b) If You Deliver Your Application by Hand
    You or your courier must hand deliver the original and two copies 
of the application by 4:30 p.m. (Washington, DC time) on or before the 
deadline date. To help expedite our review of your application, we 
would appreciate your voluntarily including an additional seven copies 
of your application. Deliver your application to: U.S. Department of 
Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA #84.133A [add 
program number and title]), 7th & D Streets, SW., Room 3671, Regional 
Office Building 3, Washington, DC 20202-4725.
    The Application Control Center accepts application deliveries daily 
between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Washington, DC time), except Saturdays, 
Sundays, and Federal holidays. The Center accepts application 
deliveries through the D Street entrance only. A person delivering an 
application must show identification to enter the building.

Notes

    (1) The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated 
postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your 
local post office.
    (2) If you send your application by mail or if you or your courier 
deliver it by hand, the Application Control Center will mail a Grant 
Application Receipt Acknowledgment to you. If you do not receive the 
notification of application receipt within 15 days from the date of 
mailing the application, you should call the U.S. Department of 
Education Application Control Center at (202) 708-9493.
    (3) If your application is late, we will notify you that we will 
not consider the application.
    (4) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by the 
Department--in Item 4 of the Application for Federal Education 
Assistance (ED 424 (exp. 11/30/2004)) the CFDA number--and suffix 
letter, if any--of the competition under which you are submitting your 
application.

Application Instructions and Forms

    The Appendix to this notice contains forms and instructions, a 
statement regarding estimated public reporting burden, and various 
assurances and certifications. Please organize the parts and additional 
materials in the following order:
    Part I: Application for Federal Assistance (ED 424 (Rev. 11/30/
2004)) and instructions.
    Part II: Budget Form--Non-Construction Programs (ED 524) and 
instructions.
    Part III: Application Narrative.
    Part IV: 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.)
    Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL) (if 
applicable) and instructions; and Disclosure Lobbying Activities 
Continuation Sheet (Standard Form LLL-A).
    You 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. We will not award a grant unless we have 
received a complete application form.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3412, Switzer Building, 
Washington, DC 20202-2645. Telephone: (202) 205-5880 or via Internet: 
[email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may 
call the TDD number at (202) 205-4475.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an 
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer 
diskette) on request to the contact person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

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 the following site: 
www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister.
    To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available 
free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. 
Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in 
the Washington, DC 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.


    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b).


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    Dated: July 11, 2002.
Robert H. Pasternack,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

Appendix--

Instructions for Estimated Public Reporting Burden

    According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, you are not 
required to respond to a collection of information unless it 
displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number 
for this collection of information is 1820-0027. Expiration date: 2/
28/2003. We estimate the time required to complete this collection 
of information to average 30 hours per response, including the time 
to review instructions, search existing data sources, gather the 
data needed, and complete and review the collection of information.
    If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time 
estimate or suggestions for improving this form, please write to: 
U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC 20202-4651. If you have 
comments or concerns regarding the status of your submission of this 
form, write directly to: Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of Education, 
400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3412, Switzer Building, Washington, 
DC 20202-2645.

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. It is not useful to include general 
letters of support or endorsement in the application.
    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?

    The limits on indirect costs vary according to the program and 
the type of application. An applicant for an RRTC is limited to an 
indirect rate of 15%. An applicant for a Disability and 
Rehabilitation Research Project should limit indirect charges to the 
organization's approved indirect cost rate. If the organization does 
not have an approved indirect cost rate, the application should 
include an estimated actual rate.

6. Can Profitmaking 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. However, individuals are the only entities eligible 
to apply for fellowships.

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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[FR Doc. 02-17884 Filed 7-15-02; 8:45 am]
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