[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 145 (Monday, July 29, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49196-49213]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-19120]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[CFDA No.: 84.133B]


Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; National 
Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research--Rehabilitation 
Research and Training Centers (RRTC) Program; Notice Inviting 
Applications for Fiscal Year (FY) 2002

    Note to Applicants: This notice is a complete application 
package. Together with the statute authorizing the program and the 
Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), 
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 RRTC Program is to 
improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (the Act), as amended.
    For FY 2002 the competition for new awards focuses on projects 
designed to meet the priorities we describe in the Priorities section 
of this application notice. The priorities are intended to improve 
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 Available: July 29, 2002.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: September 12, 2002.
    Maximum Award Amount: $600,000.

    Note: We will reject any application that proposes a budget 
exceeding $600,000 for a single budget period of 60 months.

    Estimated Number of Awards: 1.
    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this 
notice.

    Applicable Regulations: (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.

Priority

    This competition focuses on a project designed to meet the priority 
in the notice of final priority for this program, published elsewhere 
in this issue of the Federal Register.
    For FY 2002, this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet this priority.

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 elsewhere in this notice is 
met.

(a) Responsiveness to an Absolute or Competitive Priority (4 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 the extent to which 
the applicant's proposed activities are likely to achieve the purposes 
of the absolute or competitive priority.

(b) Importance of the Problem (9 Points Total)

    (1) The Secretary considers the importance of the problem.
    (2) In determining the importance of the problem, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the applicant clearly describes the need 
and target population (3 points).
    (ii) The extent to which the proposed activities address a 
significant need of one or more disabled populations (3 points).
    (iii) The extent to which the proposed activities address a 
significant need of rehabilitation service providers (3 points).

(c) Design of Research Activities (35 Points Total)

    (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 the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the research activities constitute a 
coherent, sustained approach to research in the field, including a 
substantial addition to the state-of-the-art (5 points).
    (ii) 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 (5 points);
    (B) Each research hypothesis is theoretically sound and based on 
current knowledge (5 points);
    (C) Each sample population is appropriate and of sufficient size (5 
points);
    (D) The data collection and measurement techniques are appropriate 
and likely to be effective (5 points); and
    (E) The data analysis methods are appropriate (5 points).
    (i) The extent to which anticipated research results are likely to 
satisfy the original hypotheses and could be used for planning 
additional research, including generation of new hypotheses where 
applicable (5 points).

(d) Design of Training Activities (11 points Total)

    (1) The Secretary considers the extent to which the design of 
training 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 the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the proposed training materials are likely 
to be effective, including consideration of their quality, clarity, and 
variety (2 points).
    (ii) The extent to which the proposed training methods are of 
sufficient quality, intensity, and duration (2 points).
    (iii) The extent to which the proposed training content--
    (A) Covers all of the relevant aspects of the subject matter (1 
point); and
    (B) If relevant, is based on new knowledge derived from research 
activities of the proposed project (1 point).
    (iv) The extent to which the proposed training materials, methods, 
and content are appropriate to the trainees, including consideration of 
the skill level of the trainees and the subject matter of the materials 
(2 points).
    (v) The extent to which the proposed training materials and methods 
are

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accessible to individuals with disabilities (1 point).
    (vi) The extent to which the applicant is able to carry out the 
training activities, either directly or through another entity (2 
points).

(e) Design of Dissemination Activities (8 Points Total)

    (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 the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the content of the information to be 
disseminated--
    (A) Covers all of the relevant aspects of the subject matter (1 
point); and
    (B) If appropriate, is based on new knowledge derived from research 
activities of the project (1 point).
    (ii) 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 (2 points).
    (iii) The extent to which the methods for dissemination are of 
sufficient quality, intensity, and duration (2 points).
    (iv) The extent to which the materials and information to be 
disseminated and the methods for dissemination are appropriate to the 
target population, including consideration of the familiarity of the 
target population with the subject matter, format of the information, 
and subject matter (1 point).
    (v) The extent to which the information to be disseminated will be 
accessible to individuals with disabilities (1 point).

(f) Design of Technical Assistance Activities (4 Points Total)

    (1) The Secretary considers the extent to which the design of 
technical assistance 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 the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the methods for providing technical 
assistance are of sufficient quality, intensity, and duration (1 
point).
    (ii) The extent to which the information to be provided through 
technical assistance covers all of the relevant aspects of the subject 
matter (1 point).
    (iii) The extent to which the technical assistance is appropriate 
to the target population, including consideration of the knowledge 
level of the target population, needs of the target population, and 
format for providing information (1 point).
    (iv) The extent to which the technical assistance is accessible to 
individuals with disabilities (1 point).

(g) Plan of Operation (4 Points Total)

    (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 following factors:
    (i) 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 
(2 points).
    (ii) The adequacy of the plan of operation to provide for using 
resources, equipment, and personnel to achieve each objective (2 
points).

(h) Collaboration (2 Points Total)

    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of collaboration.
    (2) In determining the quality of collaboration, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the applicants proposed collaboration with 
one or more agencies, organizations, or institutions is likely to be 
effective in achieving the relevant proposed activities of the project 
(1 point).
    (ii) The extent to which agencies, organizations, or institutions 
demonstrate a commitment to collaborate with the applicant (1 point).

(i) Adequacy and Reasonableness of the Budget (4 Points Total)

    (1) The Secretary considers the adequacy and the reasonableness of 
the proposed budget.
    (2) In determining the adequacy and the reasonableness of the 
proposed budget, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the 
proposed project activities (2 points).
    (ii) The extent to which the budget for the project, including any 
subcontracts, is adequately justified to support the proposed project 
activities (2 points).

(j) Plan of Evaluation (7 Points Total)

    (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 following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the plan of evaluation provides for 
periodic assessment of progress toward--
    (A) Implementing the plan of operation (1 point); and
    (B) Achieving the project's intended outcomes and expected impacts 
(1 point).
    (ii) The extent to which the plan of evaluation will be used to 
improve the performance of the project through the feedback generated 
by its periodic assessments (1 point).
    (iii) 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--
    (A) Are clearly related to the intended outcomes of the project and 
expected impacts on the target population (2 points); and
    (B) Are objective, and quantifiable or qualitative, as appropriate 
(2 points).

(k) Project Staff (8 Points Total)

    (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 the following factors:
    (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).

(l) Adequacy and Accessibility of Resources (4 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 the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the applicant is committed to provide 
adequate facilities, equipment, other resources, including 
administrative support, and laboratories, if appropriate (2 points).
    (ii) The extent to which the facilities, equipment, and other 
resources are

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appropriately accessible to individuals with disabilities who may use 
the facilities, equipment, and other resources of the project (2 
points).

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)).
    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 125, 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 # 84.133B), 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 # 84.133B), 7th 
& D Streets, SW., Room 3671, Regional Office Building 3, Washington, DC 
20202-4725.
    The Application Control Center accepts application deliveries daily 
between 8:00 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 Forms and Instructions

    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 and definitions.
     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).
    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 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].

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    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), 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)(3).

    Dated: July 24, 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 DRRP 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

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submitting similar applications in future competitions.

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[FR Doc. 02-19120 Filed 7-26-02; 8:45 am]
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