[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 81 (Thursday, April 28, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22006-22010]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-8512]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Overview 
Information; State Vocational Rehabilitation Unit In-Service Training 
Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2005

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.265A.
    Dates:
    Applications Available: April 28, 2005.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 13, 2005.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 11, 2005.
    Eligible Applicants: State agencies designated under a State plan 
for vocational rehabilitation services under section 101(a) of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
    Estimated Available Funds: $5,823,883.
    Basic Awards: $4,659,106.
    Quality Awards: $1,164,777.
    Please see the chart elsewhere in this notice (see section II. 
Award Information) for further information concerning the estimated 
funds available to individual State agencies for Basic Awards.
    Estimated Range of Awards:
     Basic Awards: $19,413-$325,590.
     Quality Awards: $20,000-$60,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards:
     Basic Awards: $63,234.
     Quality Awards: $40,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards:
     Basic Awards: 80.
     Quality Awards: 30.


    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: This program is designed to support projects 
for training State vocational rehabilitation (VR) unit personnel in 
program areas essential to the effective management of the unit's 
program of VR services or in skill areas that will enable staff 
personnel to improve their ability to provide VR services leading to 
employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
    Priorities for Quality Awards: In accordance with 34 CFR 
75.105(b)(2)(ii),

[[Page 22007]]

these priorities are from the regulations for this program (34 CFR 
388.22). The Secretary reserves a portion of the funds for this program 
to support some or all of the proposals that have been awarded a rating 
of 80 points or more under the criteria described in 34 CFR 388.20. In 
making a final selection of proposals to support under this program, 
the Secretary considers the extent to which proposals have exceeded a 
rating of 80 points and gives an absolute preference to applications 
that meet one or more of the following priorities.
    Absolute Priorities: For FY 2005 these priorities are absolute 
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we consider for Quality Awards 
only applications that meet one or more of these priorities.


    Note: In order to be considered for a Quality Award, applicants 
must submit a separate Application for Federal Assistance (ED 424).


    These priorities are:

Absolute Priority 1--Development and Dissemination of Model In-Service 
Training Materials and Practices

    The proposed project demonstrates an effective plan to develop and 
disseminate information on its State VR In-Service Training program, 
including the identification of training approaches and successful 
practices, in order to permit the replication of these programs by 
other State VR units.

Absolute Priority 2--Distance Education

    The proposed project demonstrates innovative strategies for 
training State VR unit personnel through distance education methods, 
such as interactive audio, video, computer technologies, or existing 
telecommunications networks.

Absolute Priority 3--Enhanced Employment Outcomes for Specific 
Populations

    The proposed project supports specialized training in the provision 
of VR or related services to individuals with disabilities to increase 
the rehabilitation rate into competitive employment for all individuals 
or specified target groups.
    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 721 and 772.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 
81, 82, 84, 85, 86, and 99. (b) The regulations for this program in 34 
CFR parts 385 and 388.


    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: $5,823,883.
     Basic Awards: $4,659,106.
     Quality Awards: $1,164,777.
    Basic awards are calculated annually and distributed according to 
staffing levels of the State agencies obtained from data on the Annual 
Vocational Rehabilitation Program/Cost Report (RSA-2). The minimum 
level of a basic award is one-third of one percent of the funds 
available. For FY 2005 that amount is $19,413 (34 CFR 388.21(a)(3)).
    The following chart lists, by State agency, the Estimated Available 
Funds for Basic Awards.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Basic awards
                                                             estimated
                          State                              available
                                                               funds
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama.................................................         103,768
Alaska..................................................          19,413
Arizona.................................................          66,170
Arkansas (General)......................................          76,349
Arkansas (Blind)........................................          19,413
California..............................................         325,590
Colorado................................................          36,450
Connecticut (General)...................................          24,300
Connecticut (Blind).....................................          19,413
Delaware (General)......................................          19,413
Delaware (Blind)........................................          19,413
Florida (General).......................................         153,354
Florida (Blind).........................................          50,242
Georgia.................................................         151,712
Hawaii..................................................          19,413
Idaho (General).........................................          21,673
Idaho (Blind)...........................................          19,413
Illinois................................................         138,084
Indiana.................................................          57,138
Iowa (General)..........................................          43,347
Iowa (Blind)............................................          19,413
Kansas..................................................          41,704
Kentucky (General)......................................          76,841
Kentucky (Blind)........................................          19,413
Louisiana...............................................          65,019
Maine (General).........................................          20,031
Maine (Blind)...........................................          19,413
Maryland................................................          83,081
Massachusetts (General).................................          81,110
Massachusetts (Blind)...................................          19,413
Michigan (General)......................................          89,155
Michigan (Blind)........................................          19,413
Minnesota (General).....................................          60,586
Minnesota (Blind).......................................          19,413
Mississippi.............................................          87,185
Missouri (General)......................................          58,452
Missouri (Blind)........................................          19,413
Montana.................................................          19,413
Nebraska (General)......................................          28,569
Nebraska (Blind)........................................          19,413
Nevada..................................................          19,413
New Hampshire...........................................          19,413
New Jersey (General)....................................          46,303
New Jersey (Blind)......................................          19,413
New Mexico (General)....................................          28,405
New Mexico (Blind)......................................          19,413
New York (General)......................................         138,248
New York (Blind)........................................          31,360
North Carolina (General)................................         141,861
North Carolina (Blind)..................................          61,243
North Dakota............................................          19,413
Ohio....................................................         126,098
Oklahoma................................................          67,646
Oregon (General)........................................          40,062
Oregon (Blind)..........................................          19,413
Pennsylvania............................................         164,356
Rhode Island............................................          19,413
South Carolina (General)................................         192,924
South Carolina (Blind)..................................          19,413
South Dakota (General)..................................          19,413
South Dakota (Blind)....................................          19,413
Tennessee...............................................          93,754
Texas (General).........................................         243,987
Texas (Blind)...........................................          87,185
Utah....................................................          38,256
Vermont (General).......................................          19,413
Vermont (Blind).........................................          19,413
Virginia (General)......................................          81,767
Virginia (Blind)........................................          19,413
Washington (General)....................................          58,288
Washington (Blind)......................................          19,413
West Virginia...........................................          88,991
Wisconsin...............................................          57,959
Wyoming.................................................          19,413
District of Columbia....................................          24,465
Puerto Rico.............................................         226,583
American Samoa..........................................          19,413
Northern Marianna.......................................          19,413
Guam....................................................          19,413
Virgin Islands..........................................          19,413
                                                         ---------------
    Total...............................................      $4,659,106
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Range of Awards:
     Basic Awards: $19,413-$325,590.
      Quality Awards: $20,000-$60,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards:
     Basic Awards: $63,234.
     Quality Awards: $40,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards:
     Basic Awards: 80.
     Quality Awards: 30.


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


    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: State agencies designated under a State 
plan for vocational rehabilitation services under section 101(a) of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: Grantees under the State Vocational 
Rehabilitation Unit In-Service Training program must provide at least 
10 percent of the total cost of the project (34 CFR 388.30(a)), except 
that under 34 CFR 388.30(b), grantees designated to receive a minimum 
share of one third of one percent of the sums made available for the 
fiscal year are required to provide at least four percent of the total 
costs of the project.



[[Page 22008]]


    Note: Under 34 CFR 75.562(c), an indirect cost reimbursement on 
a training grant is limited to the recipient's actual indirect 
costs, as determined by its negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, 
or eight percent of a modified total direct cost base, whichever 
amount is less. Indirect costs in excess of the eight percent limit 
may not be charged directly, used to satisfy matching or cost-
sharing requirements, or charged to another Federal award.

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 84.265A.
    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, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., 
room 5075, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-2550. Telephone: 
(202) 245-7363. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf 
(TDD), you may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
    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: Part III of the application, the application narrative, 
is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that 
reviewers use to evaluate your application. You must limit Part III to 
the equivalent of no more than 35 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, 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, or the letters of support. 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: April 28, 2005.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 13, 2005.
    Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted 
electronically using the Electronic Grant Application System (e-
Application) available through the Department's e-Grants system. For 
information (including dates and times) about how to submit your 
application electronically or by mail or hand delivery if you qualify 
for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, 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: August 11, 2005.
    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 regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under 
this program must be submitted electronically, unless you qualify for 
an exception to this requirement in accordance with the instructions in 
this section.
    We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format 
unless, as described elsewhere in this section, you qualify for one of 
the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no 
later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written 
statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these 
exceptions. Further information regarding calculation of the date that 
is two weeks before the application deadline date is provided later in 
this section under Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement.
    a. Electronic Submission of Applications.
    Applications for grants under State Vocational Rehabilitation Unit 
In-Service Training--CFDA Number 84.265A must be submitted 
electronically using 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:
     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 program 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 qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, as described elsewhere in this section, and 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.
     Any narrative sections of your application should be 
attached as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF 
(Portable Document) format.
     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.

[[Page 22009]]

     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive an automatic acknowledgment 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 e-Application 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 acknowledgment of any system unavailability, you may 
contact either (1) the person listed elsewhere in this notice under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION 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.
    Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement: You qualify for an 
exception to the electronic submission requirement, and may submit your 
application in paper format, if you are unable to submit an application 
through the e-Application system because--
     You do not have access to the Internet; or
     You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to 
the Department's e-Application system; and
     No later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date (14 calendar days or, if the fourteenth calendar day before the 
application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, the next business 
day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement 
to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception 
prevent you from using the Internet to submit your application. If you 
mail your written statement to the Department, it must be postmarked no 
later than two weeks before the application deadline date. If you fax 
your written statement to the Department, we must receive the faxed 
statement no later than two weeks before the application deadline date.
    Address and mail or fax your statement to: Marilyn P. Fountain, 
U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5028, 
Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-2800. Fax: (202) 245-7591.
    Your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the 
mail or hand delivery instructions described in this notice.
    b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.
    If you qualify for any exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a 
commercial carrier) your application to the Department. You must mail 
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 
84.265A), 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 
84.265A), 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 qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver your paper 
application to the Department by hand. You must deliver the original 
and two copies of your application, by hand, 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 84.265A), 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 acknowledgment 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 from 34 CFR 75.210 and 34 CFR 388.20. The selection criteria for 
this competition are in the application package.

[[Page 22010]]

    2. Review and Selection Process: The procedures used for reviewing 
and selecting an application for an award are in 34 CFR 75.210 and 34 
CFR 388.20. An additional factor we consider in selecting an 
application for an award is the past performance of the applicant in 
carrying out similar training activities under previously awarded 
grants, as indicated by factors such as compliance with grant 
conditions, soundness of programmatic and financial management 
practices, and attainment of established project objectives (34 CFR 
385.33(b)).

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, 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: The Government Performance and Results Act 
(GPRA) of 1993 directs Federal departments and agencies to improve the 
effectiveness of their programs by engaging in strategic planning, 
setting outcome-related goals for programs, and measuring program 
results against those goals. The primary objective of the State VR Unit 
In-Service Training program is to maintain and upgrade the knowledge 
and skills of personnel currently employed in the public VR system. 
Grantees must provide training that responds to the needs identified in 
the Comprehensive System for Personnel Development (CSPD) required in 
section 101(a)(7) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
    In order to measure the success of the State VR Unit In-Service 
Training program grantees in meeting this objective, State VR agencies 
are required to submit performance data through the in-service annual 
performance report and their State plans. At a minimum, the annual 
performance report must include data on the percentage of currently 
employed VR State agency counselors who meet their States' CSPD 
standards.

VII. Agency Contact

    For Further Information Contact: Marilyn Fountain, U.S. Department 
of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5028, Potomac Center 
Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-2550. Telephone: (202) 245-7346 or by e-
mail: [email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may 
call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) 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 program contact person 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: April 22, 2005.
John H. Hager,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 05-8512 Filed 4-27-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P