[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 3, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44841-44845]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15253]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview 
Information; Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf or 
Hard of Hearing and Individuals Who Are Deaf-Blind; Notice Inviting 
Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2005

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers: 84.160A and 
84.160B.
    Dates: Applications Available: August 3, 2005.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: September 2, 2005.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 12, 2005.
    Eligible Applicants: Public and private nonprofit agencies and 
organizations, including institutions of higher education.
    Estimated Available Funds: $2,100,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: Regional Interpreter Education Centers: 
$250,000 to $300,000; National Interpreter Education Center: $500,000 
to $600,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: Regional Interpreter Education 
Centers: $275,000; National Interpreter Education Center: $550,000.
    Maximum Award: Regional Interpreter Education Centers: We will 
reject any application that proposes a budget exceeding $300,000 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.
    National Interpreter Education Center: We will reject any 
application that proposes a budget exceeding $600,000 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: Regional Interpreter Education Centers: 
5. One project will be awarded in each of the U.S. Department of 
Education bi-regions as follows: Region I and Region II, Region III and 
Region IV, Region V and Region VII, Region VI and Region VIII, and 
Region IX and Region X.
    National Interpreter Education Center: 1.


    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 provides grants to eligible 
entities to establish interpreter training programs or to assist 
ongoing training programs to train a sufficient number of qualified 
interpreters in order to meet the communications needs of individuals 
who are deaf or hard of hearing and individuals who are deaf-blind.
    Priorities: For these competitions, there are three priorities from 
the notice of final priorities and definitions for this program, 
published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register. Also, in 
accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(ii), there is a priority from the 
regulations for this program (34 CFR 396.33).
    Absolute Priorities: For FY 2005 priorities 1 and 2 are absolute 
priorities. For the National Interpreter Education Center, under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet Priority 1 from 
the notice of final priorities and definitions. For the Regional 
Interpreter Education Center or Centers, under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we 
consider only applications that meet Priority 2 from the notice of 
final priorities and definitions. For both competitions, the following 
priority from the regulations (34 CFR 396.33) applies:
    The Secretary, in making awards under this program, gives priority 
to public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations with existing 
programs that have demonstrated their capacity for providing 
interpreter training services.
    Competitive Preference Priority: Within the absolute priority in 34 
CFR

[[Page 44842]]

396.33, for FY 2005 we are designating Priority 3 from the notice of 
final priorities and definitions as a competitive preference priority. 
Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(ii), we give preference to an application 
that meets the competitive preference priority over an application of 
comparable merit that does not meet the priority.

    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 772(f).

    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) are in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 
80, 81, 82, 84, 85, and 86. (b) The regulations in 34 CFR 385.32, 
385.40, 385.44, 385.45, and 385.46. (c) The regulations in 34 CFR part 
396. (d) The notice of final priorities and definitions for this 
program, published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.

    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: $2,100,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: Regional Interpreter Education Centers: 
$250,000 to $300,000; National Interpreter Education Center: $500,000 
to $600,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: Regional Interpreter Education 
Centers: $275,000; National Interpreter Education Center: $550,000.
    Maximum Award: Regional Interpreter Education Centers: We will 
reject any application that proposes a budget exceeding $300,000 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.
    National Interpreter Education Center: We will reject any 
application that proposes a budget exceeding $600,000 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: Regional Interpreter Education Centers: 
5. One project will be awarded in each of the U.S. Department of 
Education bi-regions as follows: Region I and Region II (Connecticut, 
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, 
Rhode Island, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Vermont); Region III and Region 
IV (Alabama, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, 
Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South 
Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia); Region V and Region 
VII (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, 
Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin); Region VI and Region VIII (Arkansas, 
Colorado, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South 
Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming); and Region IX and Region X (Alaska, 
American Samoa, Arizona, California, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana 
Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington).
    National Interpreter Education Center: 1.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Public and private nonprofit agencies and 
organizations, including institutions of higher education.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not involve cost 
sharing or matching.


    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: 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 numbers 84.160A and 84.160B.
    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 program.
    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. We suggest you limit Part 
III to the equivalent of no more than 45 pages if you are submitting an 
application for the National Interpreter Education Center and 35 pages 
if you are submitting an application for the Regional Interpreter 
Education Centers, 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.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: August 3, 2005.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: September 2, 2005.
    Applications for grants under these competitions 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: September 12, 2005.

[[Page 44843]]

    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 
these competitions may be submitted electronically or in paper format 
by mail or hand delivery.
    a. Electronic Submission of Applications.
    If you choose to 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 these competitions 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.
     Any narrative sections of your application must be 
attached as files in a .DOC (document), .RFT (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.
     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 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 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 acknowledgment 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 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 Numbers 84.160A 
and 84.160B), 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 Numbers 84.160A 
and 84.160B), 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

[[Page 44844]]

a courier service) 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 Numbers 84.160A and 
84.160B), 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 program are 
from 34 CFR 75.209, 34 CFR 75.210, and 34 CFR 396.31 and are listed in 
the application package.
    2. Review and Selection Process: As required by 34 CFR 396.32, an 
additional factor we consider in selecting an application for an award 
under 84.160A for the Regional Interpreter Education Centers is the 
geographical location of the applicant that can best carry out the 
purposes of this program.

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: The Government Performance and Results Act 
of 1993 (GPRA) 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 goal of the Training of Interpreters 
for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Individuals Who Are 
Deaf-Blind program is to establish interpreter training programs or to 
assist ongoing training programs to train a sufficient number of 
qualified interpreters in order to meet the communications needs of 
individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and individuals who are 
deaf-blind.
    As required by the priorities, grantees must develop and implement 
program quality indicators and measure their performance against these 
indicators. In addition, the Rehabilitation Services Administration 
(RSA) will use the following indicators for the Training of 
Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and 
Individuals Who Are Deaf-Blind National Interpreter Education Center 
project:
    (a) The percentage of interpreter educators receiving educational 
opportunities (based on the model curriculum developed for interpreter 
educators under Grant Number H160C030001) from the National Center and 
who successfully completed those opportunities as demonstrated through 
pre- and post-activity assessments, the development of portfolios, etc.
    (b) The extent to which the educational activities and products for 
delivery through the five proposed Regional Interpreter Education 
Centers meet the clear, measurable goals that the grantee is required 
to establish.
    (c) A listing of organizations and individuals that received 
information related to the activities of this project and the Regional 
Interpreter Education Center projects.
    (d) The degree to which the project's activities have contributed 
to changed practices and improved the quality of interpreters.
    RSA will use the following indicators for each of the Training of 
Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and 
Individuals Who Are Deaf-Blind Regional Interpreter Education Center 
projects:
    (a) A listing of all formal relationships with Local Partner 
Networks across the region.
    (b) The percentage of interpreters at all skill levels receiving 
educational opportunities by the Regional Interpreter Education Center 
who successfully completed those opportunities as demonstrated through 
pre- and post-activity assessments, the development of portfolios, the 
completion of mentoring goals, the attainment of interpreter 
certification, etc.
    (c) The degree to which the project's activities have contributed 
to changed practices and improved the quality of interpreters.
    (d) The degree to which the project's activities have served each 
State within its designated geographic region.
    Each grantee must report annually to RSA on these indicators 
through their annual performance report.

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Annette Reichman, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5032, Potomac Center Plaza, 
Washington, DC 20202-2800. Telephone: (202) 245-7489 or by e-mail: 
[email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may 
call (202) 205-8352.
    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: 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.



[[Page 44845]]


    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: www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.


    Dated: July 28, 2005.
John H. Hager,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 05-15253 Filed 8-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P