[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 50 (Monday, March 15, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12140-12143]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5822]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview 
Information; Technology and Media Services For Individuals With 
Disabilities--Steppingstones of Technology Innovation for Students with 
Disabilities; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal 
Year (FY) 2004

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.327A


DATES: 
    Applications Available: March 16, 2004.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 23, 2004.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 22, 2004.
    Eligible Applicants: State educational agencies (SEAs); local 
educational agencies (LEAs); institutions of higher education (IHEs); 
other public agencies; nonprofit private organizations; outlying areas; 
freely associated States; Indian tribes or tribal organizations; and 
for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Available Funds: $2,900,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: Phases 1 and 2--$100,000-$200,000; Phase 
3-$200,000-$300,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: Phases 1 and 2--$199,000; Phase 
3--$299,000.
    Maximum Award: Phases 1 and 2: $200,000 and Phase 3: $300,000. We 
will reject any application that proposes a budget exceeding the 
maximum award for a single budget period of 12 months. The Assistant 
Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services may change the maximum amount through a notice published in 
the Federal Register.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 13. We intend to fund, at a minimum, 
three projects in each phase.

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

    Project Period: Projects funded under Phase 1 will be funded for up 
to 24 months. Projects funded under Phase 2 will be funded for up to 24 
months. Projects funded under Phase 3 will be funded for up to 36 
months.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: To: (1) Improve results for children with 
disabilities by promoting the development, demonstration, and use of 
technology; (2) support educational media activities designed to be of 
educational value to children with disabilities; and (3) provide 
support for some captioning, video description, and cultural 
activities.
    Priority: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv), this priority 
is from allowable activities specified in the statute (see sections 
661(e)(2) and 687 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 
(IDEA)).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2004 this priority is an absolute 
priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that 
meet this priority.
    The purpose of this priority is to support projects that--

[[Page 12141]]

    (a) Develop or conduct research on a technology-based approach for 
achieving one or more of the following purposes for early intervention, 
or preschool, elementary, middle school, or high school students with 
disabilities: (1) Improving the results of education or early 
intervention; (2) improving access to and participation in the general 
curriculum, or developmentally appropriate activities for preschool 
children; and (3) improving accountability and participation in 
statewide assessment and accountability systems. The technology-based 
approach must be an innovative combination of a new technology and 
additional materials and methodologies that enable the technology to 
improve educational or early intervention results for children with 
disabilities;
    (b) Present a justification on the basis of scientifically rigorous 
research or theory that supports the effectiveness of the technology-
based approach for achieving one or more of the purposes presented in 
paragraph (a);
    (c) Clearly identify and conduct work in ONE of the following 
phases:
    (1) Phase 1--Development: Projects funded under Phase 1 must 
develop and refine a technology-based approach, and test its 
feasibility for use with children with disabilities. Activities may 
include development, adaptation, and refinement of technology, 
curriculum materials, or instructional methodologies. Activities must 
include formative evaluation. The primary product of Phase 1 should be 
a promising technology-based approach that is suitable for field-based 
evaluation of effectiveness in improving results for children with 
disabilities.
    (2) Phase 2--Research on Effectiveness: Projects funded under Phase 
2 must select a promising technology-based approach that has been 
developed and tested in a manner consistent with Phase 1, and subject 
the approach to rigorous field-based research and evaluation to 
determine effectiveness and feasibility in educational or early 
intervention settings. Approaches studied in Phase 2 may have been 
developed with previous funding under this priority or with funding 
from other sources. Products of Phase 2 include a further refinement 
and description of the technology-based approach, and sound evidence 
that, in a defined range of real world contexts, the approach can be 
effective in achieving one or more of the purposes presented in 
paragraph (a) of this priority.
    (3) Phase 3--Research on Implementation: Projects funded under 
Phase 3 must select a technology-based approach that has been evaluated 
for effectiveness and feasibility in a manner consistent with Phase 2. 
Projects must study the implementation of the approach in multiple, 
complex settings to acquire an improved understanding of the range of 
contexts in which the approach can be used effectively, and the factors 
that determine the effectiveness and sustainability of the approach in 
this range of contexts.
    Approaches studied in Phase 3 may have been developed, tested, 
researched, and evaluated with previous funding under this priority or 
with funding from other sources. Factors to be studied in Phase 3 
include factors related to the technology, materials, and methodologies 
that constitute the technology-based approach. Also to be studied in 
Phase 3 are contextual factors associated with students, teacher 
attitudes and skills, physical setting, curricular and instructional or 
early intervention approaches, resources, professional development, 
policy supports, etc.
    Phases 2 and 3 can be contrasted as follows: Phase 2 studies the 
effectiveness of the approach, while Phase 3 studies the effectiveness 
the approach is likely to have in sustained use in a range of typical 
educational settings. The primary product of Phase 3 must be a set of 
research findings that provide evidence of improved results for 
children with disabilities and that can be used to guide dissemination 
and utilization of the technology-based approach;
    (d) In addition to the annual two-day Project Directors' meeting in 
Washington, DC mentioned in section III. Eligibility Information, 3. 
Other: General Requirements elsewhere in this notice, budget for 
another annual trip to Washington, DC to collaborate with the Federal 
project officer and the other projects funded under this priority, and 
to share information and discuss findings and methods of dissemination; 
and
    (e) Prepare products from the project in formats that are useful 
for specific audiences as appropriate, including parents, 
administrators, teachers, early intervention personnel, related 
services personnel, researchers, and individuals with disabilities.
    Within the absolute priority, we intend to fund at least two 
projects focusing on technology-based approaches for children with 
disabilities, ages birth to age 3.
    Also, within this priority, we intend to fund at least two projects 
for which the project director or principal investigator is in the 
initial phase of his or her career. For purposes of this priority, the 
initial phase of an individual's career is considered to be the first 
three years after completing a doctoral program and graduating (i.e., 
for FY 2004 awards, projects may support individuals who completed a 
doctoral program and graduated no earlier than the 2000-2001 academic 
year). To qualify for this consideration, the applicant must explicitly 
state and document that the project director or principal investigator 
is in the initial phase of his or her career. At least 50 percent of 
the initial career researcher's time must be devoted to the project.
    Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative Procedure 
Act (5 U.S.C. 553), the Department generally offers interested parties 
the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities. However, section 
661(e)(2) of IDEA makes the public comment requirements inapplicable to 
the priority in this notice.

    Program Authority:  20 U.S.C. 1487.

    Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 
81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99.

    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants 
except federally recognized Indian tribes.


    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $2,900,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: Phases 1 and 2--$100,000-$200,000; Phase 
3--$200,000-$300,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: Phases 1 and 2--$199,000; Phase 
3--$299,000.
    Maximum Award: Phases 1 and 2--$200,000 and Phase 3: $300,000. We 
will reject any application that proposes a budget exceeding the 
maximum award for a single budget period of 12 months. The Assistant 
Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services may change the maximum amount through a notice published in 
the Federal Register.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 13. We intend to fund, at a minimum, 
three projects in each phase.

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

    Project Period: Projects funded under Phase 1 will be funded for up 
to 24 months. Projects funded under Phase 2

[[Page 12142]]

will be funded for up to 24 months. Projects funded under Phase 3 will 
be funded for up to 36 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: SEAs; LEAs; IHEs; other public agencies; 
nonprofit private organizations; outlying areas; freely associated 
States; Indian tribes or tribal organizations; and for-profit 
organizations.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not involve cost 
sharing or matching.
    3. Other: General Requirements--(a) The projects funded under this 
notice must make positive efforts to employ and advance in employment 
qualified individuals with disabilities (see section 606 of IDEA).
    (b) Applicants and grant recipients funded under this notice must 
involve individuals with disabilities or parents of individuals with 
disabilities in planning, implementing, and evaluating the projects 
(see section 661(f)(1)(A) of IDEA).
    (c) The projects funded under these priorities must budget for a 
two-day Project Directors' meeting in Washington, DC during each year 
of the project.
    (d) If a project maintains a Web site, it must include relevant 
information and documents in an accessible form.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: Education Publications 
Center (ED Pubs), P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794-1398. Telephone (toll 
free): 1-877-433-7827. FAX: (301) 470-1244. If you use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call (toll free): 
1-877-576-7734.
    You may also contact ED Pubs at its Web site: http://www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html or you may contact ED Pubs at its e-mail address: 
[email protected].
    If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify 
this competition as follows: CFDA number 84.327A.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application 
package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, 
audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the Grants and Contracts 
Services Team listed in section VII of this notice.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you 
must submit, are in the application package for this competition.
    Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application) 
is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that 
reviewers use in evaluating your application. You must limit Part III 
to the equivalent of no more than 50 pages, using the following 
standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5[sec] x 11[sec] on one side 
only, with 1[sec] margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
     Double space (no more than three lines per 
vertical inch) all text in the application narrative, including titles, 
headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as 
all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
     Use a font that is either 12-point or larger or 
no smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
    The page limit does not apply to Part I, the cover sheet; Part II, 
the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; Part 
IV, the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the 
resumes, the bibliography, the references, the letters of support, or 
the appendix. However, you must include all of the application 
narrative in Part III.
    We will reject your application if--
     You apply these standards and exceed the page 
limit; or
     You apply other standards and exceed the 
equivalent of the page limit.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: March 16, 2004.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 23, 2004. The dates 
and times for the transmittal of applications by mail or by hand 
(including a courier service or commercial carrier) are in the 
application package for this competition. The application package also 
specifies the hours of operation of the e-Application Web site.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 22, 2004.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive 
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 
12372 is in the application package for this competition.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We reference additional regulations 
outlining funding restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of 
this notice.
    6. Other Submission Requirements: Instructions and requirements for 
the transmittal of applications by mail or by hand (including a courier 
service or commercial carrier) are in the application package for this 
competition.

Application Procedures

    Note: Some of the procedures in these instructions for 
transmitting applications differ from those in the Education 
Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) (34 CFR 
75.102). Under the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553) the 
Department generally offers interested parties the opportunity to 
comment on proposed regulations. However, these amendments make 
procedural changes only and do not establish new substantive policy. 
Therefore, under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A), the Secretary has determined 
that proposed rulemaking is not required.

Government-Wide Grants.gov Project for Electronic Submission of 
Applications

    We have been accepting applications electronically through the 
Department's e-Application system since FY 2000. In order to expand on 
those efforts and comply with the President's Management Agenda, we are 
participating as a partner in the new government-wide Grants.gov Apply 
site in FY 2004. The Special Education--Technology and Media Services 
for Individuals with Disabilities program--Steppingstones of Technology 
Innovation for Students with Disabilities competition--CFDA Number 
84.327A is one of the competitions included in this project. If you are 
an applicant under the Special Education--Technology and Media Services 
for Individuals with Disabilities program--Steppingstones of Technology 
Innovation for Students with Disabilities competition, you may submit 
your application to us in either electronic or paper format.
    The project involves the use of the Grants.gov Apply site 
(Grants.gov). If you use Grants.gov, you will be able to download a 
copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload 
and submit the application via the Grants.gov site. You may not e-mail 
an electronic copy of a grant application to us. We request your 
participation in Grants.gov.
    If you participate in Grants.gov, please note the following:
     Your participation is voluntary.
     When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will 
find information about submitting an application electronically through 
the site, as well as the hours of operation. We strongly recommend that 
you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the 
application process through Grants.gov.
     To use Grants.gov, you, as the applicant, must 
have a D-U-N-S Number

[[Page 12143]]

and register in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). You should allow 
a minimum of five days to complete the CCR registration.
     You will not receive additional point value 
because you submit a grant application in electronic format, nor will 
we penalize you if you submit an application in paper format.
     You may submit all documents electronically, 
including all information typically included on the Application for 
Federal Education Assistance (ED 424), Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and 
certifications.
     Your application must comply with any page limit 
requirements described in this notice.
     After you electronically submit your 
application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgement from 
Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. The Department 
will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send you a second 
confirmation, which will include a PR/Award number (an ED-specified 
identifying number) unique to your application.
     We may request that you give us original 
signatures on forms at a later date.
     If you experience technical difficulties on the 
application deadline date and are unable to meet the 4:30 p.m. 
(Washington, DC time) deadline, print out your application and follow 
the instructions included in the application package for the 
transmittal of paper applications.
    You may access the electronic grant application for the Special 
Education--Technology and Media Services for Individuals with 
Disabilities program--Steppingstones of Technology Innovation for 
Students with Disabilities competition at: http://www.grants.gov.

    Note: Please note that you must search for the downloadable 
application package for this program by the CFDA number. Do not 
include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search.

V. Application Review Information

    Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are 
listed in 34 CFR 75.210 of EDGAR. The specific selection criteria to be 
used for this competition are in the application package.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN). We may also notify you informally.
    If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify 
administrative and national policy requirements in the application 
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable 
Regulations section of this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and 
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also 
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding 
commitments under the grant.
    3. Reporting: At the end of your project period, you must submit a 
final performance report, including financial information, as directed 
by the Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an 
annual performance report that provides the most current performance 
and financial expenditure information as specified by the Secretary in 
34 CFR 75.118.
    4. Performance Measures: Under the Government Performance and 
Results Act (GPRA), the Department is currently developing measures 
that will yield information on various aspects of the quality of the 
Technology and Media Services to Improve Services and Results for 
Children with Disabilities program (e.g., the extent to which projects 
are of high quality, are relevant to the needs of children with 
disabilities, and contribute to improving results for children with 
disabilities). Data on these measures will be collected from the 
projects funded under this notice.
    Grantees will also be required to report information on their 
projects' performance in annual reports to the Department (EDGAR, 34 
CFR 75.590).

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Grants and Contracts Services 
Team, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 
3317, Switzer Building, Washington, DC 20202-2550. Telephone: 1-202-
205-8207.
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may 
call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an 
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer 
diskette) on request to the Grants and Contracts Services Team listed 
in this section.

VIII. Other Information

    Electronic Access to This Document: You may view this document, as 
well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal 
Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the 
Internet at the following site: http://www.ed.gov/news/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.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.


    Dated: March 10, 2004.
Troy R. Justesen,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 04-5822 Filed 3-12-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P