[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2133-2136]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-634]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education


Overview Information; High School Equivalency Program (HEP); 
Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2005

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.141A.
    Dates: Applications Available: January 12, 2005.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: March 14, 2005.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: May 12, 2005.
    Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education (IHEs) or 
private non-profit organizations (such as faith-based organizations) 
that plan the project in cooperation with an IHE and prepare to operate 
some aspects of the project with the facilities of the IHE.
    Estimated Available Funds: $5,920,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $150,000-$475,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $370,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 16.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.
Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of the High School Equivalency 
Program (HEP) is to help migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their 
children obtain a general education diploma (GED) that meets the 
guidelines for high school equivalency established by the State in 
which the HEP project is conducted, and to gain employment or be placed 
in an IHE or other postsecondary education or training.
    Priority: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(ii), this priority 
is from section 75.225(a) of the Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR).
    Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2005 this priority is a 
competitive preference priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we award 
an additional 5 points to an application meeting this competitive 
preference priority.
    This priority is: Novice Applicant
    The applicant must be a ``novice applicant'' as defined in 34 CFR 
75.225(a).
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070d-2.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) EDGAR in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 
82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99; (b) 34 CFR part 206; (c) the 
definitions of a migratory agricultural worker in 34 CFR part 200.81; 
and (d) 20 CFR parts 669.110 and 669.320.

    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: $5,920,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $150,000-$475,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $370,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 16.

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


    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: IHEs or private non-profit organizations 
(such as faith-based organizations) that plan the project in 
cooperation with an IHE and prepare to operate some aspects of the 
project with the facilities of the IHE.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not involve cost 
sharing or matching.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: Mary L. Suazo, U.S. 
Department of Education, Office of Migrant Education, 400 Maryland 
Ave., SW., room 3E227, Washington, DC 20202-6135. Telephone: (202) 260-
1396 or by e-mail: [email protected].
    The application package also can be obtained electronically at the 
following address: http://www.ed.gov/programs/hep/applicant.html.
    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 a copy of the application 
package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille,

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large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) or by contacting the 
program contact person listed in this section.
    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 to evaluate your application. You must limit Part III of 
the application to the equivalent of no more than 25 pages, using the 
following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative (Part III), including titles, 
headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions. However, you 
may single space all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs. 
Charts, tables, figures, and graphs presented in the application 
narrative count toward the page limit.
     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller 
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
     Appendices must be limited to 15 pages and may include the 
following: resumes, job descriptions, letters of support, bibliography, 
and information on prior experience if relevant.
    The page limits described in this notice do not apply to the 
following sections of the application: 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. 
However, you must include all of the application narrative in Part III.
    Our reviewers will not read any pages of your application that--
     Exceed the page limit if you apply these standards; or
     Exceed the equivalent of the page limit if you apply other 
standards.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: January 12, 2005.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: March 14, 2005.
    Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted 
electronically using the Electronic Grant Application System (e-
Application) accessible through the Department's e-Grants system, or in 
paper format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including dates 
and times) about how to submit your application electronically, or by 
mail or hand delivery, please refer to section IV.6. Other Submission 
Requirements in this notice.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: May 12, 2005.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 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 regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under 
this competition may be submitted electronically or in paper format by 
mail or hand delivery.

a. Electronic Submission of Applications

    If you submit your application to us electronically, you must use 
e-Application available through the Department's e-Grants system, 
accessible through the e-Grants portal page at: http://e-grants.ed.gov.
    While completing your electronic application, you will be entering 
data online that will be saved into a database. You may not e-mail an 
electronic copy of a grant application to us.
    Please note the following:
     Your participation in e-Application is voluntary.
     You must complete the electronic submission of your grant 
application by 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. The e-Application system will not accept an application 
for this competition after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the 
application deadline date. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do 
not wait until the application deadline date to begin the application 
process.
     The regular hours of operation of the e-Grants Web site 
are 6 a.m. Monday until 7 p.m. Wednesday; and 6 a.m. Thursday until 
midnight Saturday, Washington, DC time. Please note that the system is 
unavailable on Sundays, and between 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and 6 a.m. on 
Thursdays, Washington, DC time, for maintenance. Any modifications to 
these hours are posted on the e-Grants Web site.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you 
if you submit your application in paper format.
     You must submit all documents electronically, including 
the Application for Federal Education Assistance (ED 424), Budget 
Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary 
assurances and certifications.
     Your electronic application must comply with any page 
limit requirements described in this notice.
     Prior to submitting your electronic application, you may 
wish to print a copy of it for your records.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive an automatic acknowledgement that will include a PR/Award 
number (an identifying number unique to your application).
     Within three working days after submitting your electronic 
application, fax a signed copy of the ED 424 to the Application Control 
Center after following these steps:
    1. Print ED 424 from e-Application.
    2. The applicant's Authorizing Representative must sign this form.
    3. Place the PR/Award number in the upper right hand corner of the 
hard-copy signature page of the ED 424.
    4. Fax the signed ED 424 to the Application Control Center at (202) 
245-6272.
     We may request that you provide us original signatures on 
other forms at a later date.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of System 
Unavailability: If you are prevented from electronically submitting 
your application on the application deadline date because the e-
Application system is unavailable, we will grant you an extension of 
one business day in order to transmit your application electronically, 
by mail, or by hand delivery. We will grant this extension if--
    1. You are a registered user of e-Application and you have 
initiated an electronic application for this competition; and
    2. (a) The e-Application system is unavailable for 60 minutes or 
more between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, 
on the application deadline date; or
    (b) The e-Application system is unavailable for any period of time 
between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the 
application deadline date.
    We must acknowledge and confirm these periods of unavailability 
before granting you an extension. To request this extension or to 
confirm our acknowledgement of any system unavailability, you may 
contact either (1) the person listed elsewhere in this notice under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION

[[Page 2135]]

CONTACT (see VII. Agency Contact) or (2) the e-Grants help desk at 1-
888-336-8930. If the system is down and therefore the application 
deadline is extended, an e-mail will be sent to all registered users 
who have initiated an e-Application.
    Extensions referred to in this section apply only to the 
unavailability of the Department's e-Application system. If the e-
Application system is available, and, for any reason, you are unable to 
submit your application electronically or you do not receive an 
automatic acknowledgement of your submission, you may submit your 
application in paper format by mail or hand delivery in accordance with 
the instructions in this notice.

b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail

    If you submit your application in paper format by mail (through the 
U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier), you must send the 
original and two copies of your application, on or before the 
application deadline date, to the Department at the applicable 
following address:
    By mail through the U.S. Postal Service: U.S. Department of 
Education, Application Control Center, Attention: CFDA Number 84.141A, 
400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-4260; or
    By mail through a commercial carrier: U.S. Department of Education, 
Application Control Center--Stop 4260, Attention: CFDA Number 84.141A, 
7100 Old Landover Road, Landover, MD 20785-1506.
    Regardless of which address you use, you must show proof of mailing 
consisting of one of the following:
    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; or
    4. Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the 
U.S. Department of Education.
    If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do 
not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
    1. A private metered postmark, or
    2. A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.
    If your application is postmarked after the application deadline 
date, we will not consider your application.

    Note: 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.

c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery

    If you submit your application in paper format by hand delivery, 
you (or a courier service) must hand deliver the original and two 
copies of your application, on or before the application deadline date, 
to the Department at the following address: U.S. Department of 
Education, Application Control Center, Attention: CFDA Number 84.141A, 
550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 
20202-4260.
    The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily 
between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, 
Sundays and Federal holidays.
    Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you mail 
or hand deliver your application to the Department:
    1. You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by the 
Department--in Item 4 of the ED 424 the CFDA number--and suffix letter, 
if any--of the competition under which you are submitting your 
application.
    2. The Application Control Center will mail a grant application 
receipt acknowledgment to you. If you do not receive the grant 
application receipt acknowledgement within 15 business days from the 
application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of 
Education Application Control Center at (202) 245-6288.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition 
are in the application package.
    2. Review and Selection Process: Additional factors we consider in 
selecting an application are prior experience. Applicants that are 
currently administering a HEP project that is in the final year of the 
five-year grant cycle and applicants whose five-year grant cycle ended 
in FY 2004 are eligible to receive up to 15 points for prior experience 
in accordance with Section 418A(e) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, 
as amended.
    The Secretary will award points for prior experience based on 
information contained in documents such as annual performance reports, 
project evaluation reports, site visit reports, and the previously 
approved application.

VI. Award Admininstration 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 Notice 
(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 developed the following performance 
measures to evaluate the overall effectiveness of HEP: (1) the number 
and percent of HEP participants who complete the course of study and 
receive a GED, and (2) the number and percent of HEP participants with 
a GED who enter postsecondary education programs, career positions, or 
the military.
    All grantees will be required to submit an annual performance 
report documenting their success in addressing these performance 
measures.

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary L. Suazo, U.S. Department of 
Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of 
Migrant Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3E227, Washington, DC 
20202-6135. Telephone Number: (202) 260-1396, or by e-mail: 
[email protected].
    The application package also can be obtained electronically at the 
following address: http://www.ed.gov/programs/hep/applicant.html.
    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 by contacting the contact person listed in this 
section.

[[Page 2136]]

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: January 7, 2005.
Raymond Simon,
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 05-634 Filed 1-11-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P