[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 109 (Thursday, June 5, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32016-32022]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-12634]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview 
Information; Technical Assistance and Dissemination To Improve Services 
and Results for Children With Disabilities--Technical Assistance 
Coordination Center; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for 
Fiscal Year (FY) 2008

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.326Z.
    DATES:
    Applications Available: June 5, 2008.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 7, 2008.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 3, 2008.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Technical Assistance and 
Dissemination to Improve Services and Results for Children With 
Disabilities program is to promote academic achievement and to improve 
results for children with disabilities by providing technical 
assistance (TA), supporting model demonstration projects, disseminating 
useful information, and implementing activities that are supported by 
scientifically based research.
    Priority: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(v), this priority 
is from allowable activities specified in the statute or otherwise 
authorized in the statute (see sections 663 and 681(d) of the 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C. 1400 et 
seq.).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2008, this priority is an absolute 
priority. Under 34

[[Page 32017]]

CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this 
priority.
    This priority is:
    Technical Assistance and Dissemination to Improve Services and 
Results for Children With Disabilities--Technical Assistance 
Coordination Center.
    Background: Under Part D of IDEA, the Office of Special Education 
Programs (OSEP) developed a comprehensive Technical Assistance & 
Dissemination (TA&D) Network, which is comprised of approximately 40 
TA&D OSEP-funded centers that work at the national and regional levels 
to improve the education of and services to eligible children with 
disabilities. These centers provide TA covering a variety of areas to 
State educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), 
Part C lead agencies, families of children with disabilities, and 
others to improve services and outcomes for children served under Part 
B and Part C of IDEA. (For more information regarding Parts B and C of 
IDEA see sections 611 and 631 of IDEA (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.))
    Ongoing communication, collaboration, and coordination among the 
centers in the OSEP TA&D Network are essential to (a) increase the 
impact of the TA&D centers' efforts, (b) maximize efficiency, and (c) 
ensure that products and services are non-duplicative. Furthermore, 
communication, collaboration, and coordination between OSEP's TA&D 
Network and other relevant federally-funded TA&D centers are necessary 
to improve early intervention and education outcomes for children with 
disabilities. For example, the Department's Office of Elementary and 
Secondary Education (OESE) funds a Comprehensive Center on Assessments, 
which provides TA to States on assessment issues related to all 
children, including children with disabilities; and the U.S. Department 
of Health and Human Services supports the Center for Social and 
Emotional Foundations for Early Learning.
    Communication, collaboration, and coordination, however, are 
difficult to initiate and sustain without logistical (e.g., arranging 
meetings, coordinating schedules) and structural supports (e.g., 
documenting decisions, developing agendas).
    OSEP funded a Federal Resource Center for Special Education (FRC) 
in 2003 as a way to facilitate communication, collaboration, and 
coordination among OSEP-funded Regional Resource Centers (RRCs). The 
FRC worked closely with the six RRCs to help them coordinate their TA 
to States. In addition to the coordination among RRCs, the FRC 
coordinated, to a limited extent, the exchange of information between 
the RRCs and other OSEP and Department-funded TA&D centers. (For 
further information on the work of the FRC, go to http://www.rrfcnetwork.org). In addition to more efficient use of RRC staff 
time, expertise, and funds, the FRC found that RRC products and service 
delivery improved when the work of the RRCs was coordinated. OSEP 
believes that similar positive results can be achieved if support for 
communication, collaboration, and coordination is extended beyond the 
six RRCs to include all of the OSEP and other relevant Department and 
federally-funded technical assistance projects, national professional 
organizations, and stakeholders such as associations that are members 
of the IDEA Partnership, which OSEP intends to fund in FY 2008.
    Priority: The purpose of this priority is to fund a cooperative 
agreement to support the establishment and operation of a Technical 
Assistance Coordination Center (TACC) that will assist OSEP in 
supporting ongoing communication, collaboration, and coordination among 
the centers in the OSEP-funded TA&D Network, and between these centers 
and other relevant federally-funded TA&D centers, national professional 
organizations, and a broad spectrum of stakeholders.
    To be considered for funding under this absolute priority, 
applicants must meet the application requirements contained in this 
priority. A project funded under the absolute priority also must meet 
the programmatic and administrative requirements specified in the 
priority.
    Application Requirements. An applicant must include in its 
application--
    (a) A logic model that depicts, at a minimum, the goals, 
activities, outputs, and outcomes of the proposed project. A logic 
model communicates how a project will achieve its outcomes and provides 
a framework for both the formative and summative evaluations of the 
project;

    Note: The following Web site provides more information on logic 
models and lists multiple online resources: http://www.cdc.gov/eval/resources.htm.

    (b) A plan to implement the activities described in the Project 
Activities section of this priority;
    (c) A plan, linked to the proposed project's logic model, for a 
formative evaluation of the proposed project's activities. The plan 
must describe how the formative evaluation will use clear performance 
objectives to ensure continuous improvement in the operation of the 
proposed project, including objective measures of progress in 
implementing the project and ensuring the quality of products and 
services;
    (d) A budget for attendance at the following:
    (1) A one and one half day kick-off meeting to be held in 
Washington, DC within four weeks after receipt of the award, and an 
annual planning meeting held in Washington, DC with the OSEP Project 
Officer during each subsequent year of the project period.
    (2) A three-day Project Directors' Conference in Washington, DC 
during each year of the project period.
    (3) Five two-day trips annually to attend Department briefings, 
Department-sponsored conferences, and other meetings requested by OSEP; 
and
    (e) A line item in the proposed budget for an annual set-aside of 
five percent of the grant amount to support emerging needs that are 
consistent with the proposed project's activities, as those needs are 
identified in consultation with OSEP.

    Note: With approval from the OSEP Project Officer, the TACC must 
reallocate any remaining funds from this annual set-aside no later 
than the end of the third quarter of each budget period.

    Project Activities. To meet the requirements of this priority, the 
TACC, at a minimum, must conduct the following activities.
    Logistical Support and Coordination Activities.
    (a) Facilitate ongoing communication, collaboration, and 
coordination among the centers in the OSEP TA&D Network, and between 
those centers and other Department-funded TA&D centers, including the 
Comprehensive Centers, Equity Assistance Centers, and Regional 
Educational Laboratories; relevant TA centers funded by the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services; national professional 
organizations, and other stakeholders, as appropriate. The TACC, at a 
minimum, must--
    (1) Provide logistical support to establish and maintain topical 
workgroups comprised of OSEP TA&D Network center staff, including 
information specialists and other TA&D staff, as appropriate, to share 
information and develop coordinated TA strategies and products on 
issues, priorities, and strategic initiatives identified by OSEP.
    (2) Establish and maintain listservs and other electronic 
mechanisms for communication, collaboration, and coordination.

[[Page 32018]]

    (3) Maintain OSEP's Proposed Product Advisory Board (PPAB), which 
reviews information on products proposed by the OSEP TA&D Network 
centers to ensure non-duplication of products across TA&D centers. 
Information about PPAB is available at: http://www.nichcy.org/ppab/index.htm. The TACC, at a minimum, must ensure that this independent 
review panel conducts a systematic review, at least twice annually and 
more frequently if needed, of products proposed by the TA&D Network 
centers and offer recommendations to OSEP regarding whether the 
proposed products are duplicative.
    (4) Maintain and expand, as appropriate, the communities of 
practice Web site (http://www.tacommunities.org) to support discussions 
among centers in the OSEP TA&D Network and between these centers and 
other federally-funded TA&D centers on specific topical areas such as 
those currently found at http://www.rrfcnetwork.org/content/view/21/49/. The TACC must, at a minimum, maintain the facilitator section of 
the Web site, organize and host facilitator community meetings, provide 
training and support to current and new facilitators, and develop 
communications and outreach materials about the communities of practice 
that are listed at http://www.tacommunities.org/.
    (5) Develop, maintain, update, and integrate, when appropriate, 
searchable databases of OSEP's (i) discretionary grants, (ii) TA&D 
Network centers' proposed and current products and services, and (iii) 
events. This work must include, at a minimum, the following:
    (i) Expanding, modifying, maintaining, and integrating, as 
appropriate, the existing databases of OSEP-funded discretionary grants 
and their products to assist in coordinating TA&D activities within and 
across all Part D programs. These databases include the OSEP 
Discretionary Projects Databases, which must be in compliance with the 
2002 E-Government Act and the 2002 Federal Information Security 
Management Act requirements. Information about these databases is 
available at: http://www.nichcy.org/directories/sepm/default.asp and 
http://www.nichcy.org/search.htm#tad.
    (ii) Expanding the TA&D Matrix, which is a searchable database that 
provides current information on Department-funded TA services to a 
range of stakeholders, to include current information on federally-
funded early intervention and early childhood education TA services. 
This matrix must be integrated with the databases mentioned in 
paragraph (i). Information about the TA&D Matrix is available at: 
http://matrix.rrfcnetwork.org.
    (6) Maintain and update, at least twice annually, the TA&D 
Placemat, which is a tool that includes the contact information for all 
Department-funded TA&D centers. The current TA&D Placemat is available 
at: http://www.rrfcnetwork.org/content/view/137/192/.
    (7) Maintain a Web portal that includes--(i) a work area for the 
OSEP TA&D Network centers to develop and share resources and products 
and that links to the Web sites operated by centers in the OSEP TA&D 
Network; and (ii) an events calendar that includes information on 
national and regional events hosted by the OSEP TA&D Network centers 
and OSEP.
    (8) Provide an orientation for new OSEP TA&D Network centers and 
ongoing support for existing OSEP TA&D Network centers on topics such 
as: (i) PPAB product submission guidelines; (ii) TA&D Matrix data input 
and maintenance; (iii) Events calendar input and maintenance; (iv) 
Communities of practice participation; (v) Web site protocols; (vi) 
Annual performance report (APR) schedules and updates; and (vii) 
Government Performance and Results Act performance measures.
    (b) Facilitate ongoing communication, collaboration, and 
coordination among the OSEP TA&D Network regional centers, such as the 
RRCs and the Postsecondary Education Programs Network Regional Centers. 
The TACC, at a minimum, must (i) develop and maintain an area of the 
Web portal for use by these regional TA&D centers, (ii) coordinate 
monthly phone calls among the regional TA&D centers, and (iii) 
establish and maintain topical workgroups comprised of staff across the 
regional TA&D centers to identify and develop TA tools and resources.
    (c) Support OSEP in sharing information with the OSEP TA&D Network, 
States, national professional organizations, and other relevant 
stakeholders on national priorities, issues, and initiatives. The TACC, 
at a minimum, must--
    (i) Provide logistical support for annual conferences hosted by 
OSEP (e.g., Leadership Conference, TA&D Conference, Joint Leveraging 
Resources Conference, and Summer Monitoring Institutes) as well as any 
national meetings, public meetings, and hearings associated with the 
reauthorization of IDEA.
    (ii) Maintain and update, as appropriate, OSEP's existing IDEA Web 
site (located at http://idea.ed.gov), which contains searchable 
versions of the IDEA statute and regulations and resources to support 
the implementation of the statute and regulations. The Web portal 
referenced in paragraph (a)(7) of the Logistical Support and 
Coordination Activities section must link to the IDEA Web site.
    (iii) Maintain and update, as appropriate, the State Performance 
Plans (SPPs) and APRs Planning Calendar, which contains information to 
assist States with the preparation and timely completion of their SPPs 
and APRs. The Web portal referenced in paragraph (a)(7) of the 
Logistical Support and Coordination Activities section must include the 
SPP and APR Planning Calendar. Information about the SPP and APR 
Planning Calendar is available at: http://www.rrfcnetwork.org/content/view/458/414/.
    (iv) Develop a summary report for all SPP and APR performance and 
compliance indicators using data compiled by centers within the OSEP 
TA&D Network that includes information about States' progress in 
meeting targets for IDEA Part B and Part C indicators, as well as any 
revisions made to States' monitoring and data systems, measurement 
systems, or improvement strategies. OSEP staff and the OSEP TA&D 
Network centers will use this information to plan and coordinate their 
TA efforts. The TACC must participate in OSEP-requested teleconferences 
to discuss the findings of the summary report.
    (d) Prepare and disseminate reports, documents, and other materials 
on OSEP-sponsored conference proceedings, Federal initiatives and 
policies, evidence-based TA practices, and related topics, as requested 
by OSEP, for specific audiences, including the OSEP TA&D Network 
centers, other federally-funded TA&D centers, SEAs, LEAs, and Part C 
lead agencies. In consultation with the OSEP Project Officer, make 
selected reports, documents, and other materials available in both 
English and Spanish, when appropriate.
    (e) Ensure that any Web site established or maintained by the TACC 
under this priority meets a government or an industry-recognized 
standard for accessibility.
    Leadership and Collaboration Activities.
    (a) Establish and maintain an advisory committee to review the 
activities and outcomes of the TACC and provide programmatic support 
and advice throughout the project period. At a minimum, the advisory 
committee must

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meet on an annual basis in Washington, DC, and consist of OSEP and OESE 
TA providers, SEA personnel, and families of children with 
disabilities. The TACC must submit the names of proposed members of the 
advisory committee to OSEP for approval within eight weeks after 
receipt of the award.
    (b) Communicate and collaborate, on an ongoing basis, with OSEP-
funded projects outside of the TA&D Network, including Parent Training 
and Information Centers, personnel preparation projects, State 
Personnel Development Grant projects, and State TA Deaf-Blind projects 
to support the ongoing exchange of information and resources.
    (c) Prior to developing any new product, whether paper or 
electronic, submit to the OSEP Project Officer, for approval, a 
proposal describing the content and purpose of the product.
    (d) Collaborate with the National Dissemination Center for 
Individuals with Disabilities, which OSEP intends to fund in FY 2008, 
to develop an efficient and high-quality dissemination strategy that 
reaches the broad audiences to be targeted by the project. The TACC 
must report to the OSEP Project Officer the outcomes of these 
coordination efforts.
    (e) Conduct a summative evaluation of the TACC in collaboration 
with the OSEP-funded Center to Improve Project Performance (CIPP) as 
described in the following paragraphs. This summative evaluation must 
examine the outcomes or impact of the TACC's activities in order to 
assess the effectiveness of those activities.

    Note: The major tasks of CIPP would be to guide, coordinate, and 
oversee the summative evaluations conducted by selected Technical 
Assistance, Personnel Development, Parent Training and Information 
Center, and Technology projects that individually receive $500,000 
or more funding from OSEP annually. The efforts of CIPP are expected 
to enhance individual project evaluations by providing expert and 
unbiased assistance in designing evaluations, conducting analyses, 
and interpreting data.

    To fulfill the requirements of the summative evaluation to be 
conducted under the guidance of CIPP and with the approval of the OSEP 
Project Officer, the TACC must--
    (1) Hire or designate, with the approval of the OSEP Project 
Officer, a project liaison staff person with sufficient dedicated time, 
experience in evaluation, and knowledge of the TACC to work with CIPP 
on the following tasks: (i) Planning for the TACC's summative 
evaluation (e.g., selecting evaluation questions, developing a timeline 
for the evaluation, locating sources of relevant data, and refining the 
logic model used for the evaluation), (ii) developing the summative 
evaluation design and instrumentation (e.g., determining quantitative 
or qualitative data collection strategies, selecting respondent 
samples, and pilot testing instruments), (iii) coordinating the 
evaluation timeline with the implementation of TACC activities, (iv) 
collecting summative data, and (v) writing reports of summative 
evaluation findings;
    (2) Cooperate with CIPP staff in order to accomplish the tasks 
described in paragraph (1) of this section; and
    (3) Dedicate $60,000 of the annual budget request for this project 
to cover the costs of carrying out the tasks described in paragraphs 
(1) and (2) of this section, implementing the TACC's formative 
evaluation, and traveling to Washington, DC in the second year of the 
project period for the TACC's review for continued funding.
    (f) Maintain ongoing communication with the OSEP Project Officer 
through monthly phone conversations and e-mail communication.
    Fourth and Fifth Years of the Project: In deciding whether to 
continue funding the TACC for the fourth and fifth years, the Secretary 
will consider the requirements of 34 CFR 75.253(a), and in addition--
    (a) The recommendation of a review team consisting of experts 
selected by the Secretary. This review will be conducted during a one-
day intensive meeting in Washington, DC that will be held during the 
last half of the second year of the project period;
    (b) The timeliness and effectiveness with which all requirements of 
the negotiated cooperative agreement have been or are being met by the 
TACC; and
    (c) The quality, relevance, and usefulness of the TACC's activities 
and products and the degree to which the TACC's activities and products 
have contributed to changed practice and improved communication, 
collaboration, and coordination among OSEP TA&D Network centers.
    Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative Procedure 
Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553), the Department generally offers interested 
parties the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities and 
requirements. Section 681(d) of IDEA, however, makes the public comment 
requirements of the APA inapplicable to the priority in this notice.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1463 and 1481.
    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 (IHEs) only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.
    Estimated Available Funds: $1,800,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $1,800,000.
    Maximum Awards: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding $1,800,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. 
The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services may change the maximum amount through a notice published in 
the Federal Register.
    Number of Awards: 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: SEAs; LEAs, including public charter 
schools that are considered LEAs under State law; IHEs; other public 
agencies; private nonprofit organizations; outlying areas; freely 
associated States; Indian tribes or tribal organizations; and for-
profit organizations.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    3. Other: General Requirements--(a) The projects funded under this 
competition 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 competition 
must involve individuals with disabilities or parents of individuals 
with disabilities ages birth through 26 in planning, implementing, and 
evaluating the projects (see section 682(a)(1)(A) of IDEA).

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), call, toll free: 1-877-
576-7734.
    You can contact ED Pubs at its Web site, also, http://www.ed.gov/
pubs/

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edpubs.html or at its e-mail address, [email protected].
    If you request an application package from ED Pubs, be sure to 
identify this program or competition as follows: CFDA Number 84.326Z.
    Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application 
package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, 
audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the person or team 
listed under Alternative Format in section VIII 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 to evaluate your application. You must limit the 
application narrative to the equivalent of no more than 70 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, the references, or the letters of support. 
The page limit, however, does apply to the application narrative in 
Part III.
    We will reject your application if you exceed the page limit or if 
you use other standards and exceed the equivalent of the page limit.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: June 5, 2008.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 7, 2008.
    Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted 
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov), or in 
paper format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including dates 
and times) about how to submit your application electronically, or in 
paper format 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.
    Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact 
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII 
in this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the 
application process, the individual's application remains subject to 
all other requirements and limitations in this notice.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 3, 2008.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This competition 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 in this notice.
    6. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under 
this program may be submitted electronically or in paper format by mail 
or hand delivery.
    a. Electronic Submission of Applications. To comply with the 
President's Management Agenda, we are participating as a partner in the 
Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site. The Technical Assistance 
Coordination Center competition, CFDA Number 84.326Z, is included in 
this project. We request your participation in Grants.gov.
    If you choose to submit your application electronically, you must 
use the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site at http://www.Grants.gov. 
Through this site, you will be able to download a copy of the 
application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit 
your application. You may not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant 
application to us.
    You may access the electronic grant application for the Technical 
Assistance Coordination Center competition at http://www.Grants.gov. 
You must search for the downloadable application package for this 
competition by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number's alpha 
suffix in your search (e.g., search for 84.326, not 84.326Z).
    Please note the following:
     Your participation in Grants.gov 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.
     Applications received by Grants.gov are date and time 
stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted and must 
be date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as 
otherwise noted in this section, we will not consider your application 
if it is date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system later than 4:30 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. When we 
retrieve your application from Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are 
rejecting your application because it was date and time stamped by the 
Grants.gov system after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the 
application deadline date.
     The amount of time it can take to upload an application 
will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the 
application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we 
strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline 
date to begin the submission process through Grants.gov.
     You should review and follow the Education Submission 
Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are 
included in the application package for this competition to ensure that 
you submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov 
system. You can also find the Education Submission Procedures 
pertaining to Grants.gov at http://e-Grants.ed.gov/help/GrantsgovSubmissionProcedures.pdf.
     To submit your application via Grants.gov, you must 
complete all steps in the Grants.gov registration process (see http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp). These steps include (1) 
registering your organization, a multi-part process that includes 
registration with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR); (2) 
registering yourself as an Authorized Organization Representative 
(AOR); and (3) getting authorized as an AOR by your organization. 
Details on these steps are outlined in the Grants.gov 3-Step 
Registration Guide (see http://www.grants.gov/section910/Grants.govRegistrationBrochure.pdf). You also must provide on your 
application the same D-U-N-S Number used with this registration. Please 
note that the registration process may take five or more business days 
to complete, and you must have completed all

[[Page 32021]]

registration steps to allow you to submit successfully an application 
via Grants.gov. In addition you will need to update your CCR 
registration on an annual basis. This may take three or more business 
days to complete.
     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.
     If you submit your application electronically, you must 
submit all documents electronically, including all information you 
typically provide on the following forms: Application for Federal 
Assistance (SF 424), the Department of Education Supplemental 
Information for SF 424, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs 
(ED 524), and all necessary assurances and certifications. Please note 
that two of these forms--the SF 424 and the Department of Education 
Supplemental Information for SF 424--have replaced the ED 424 
(Application for Federal Education Assistance).
     If you submit your application electronically, you must 
attach any narrative sections of your application as files in a .DOC 
(document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF (Portable Document) format. If 
you upload a file type other than the three file types specified in 
this paragraph or submit a password-protected file, we will not review 
that material.
     Your electronic application must comply with any page-
limit requirements described in this notice.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that 
contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates 
receipt by Grants.gov only, not receipt by the Department.) The 
Department then will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send 
a second notification to you by e-mail. This second notification 
indicates that the Department has received your application and has 
assigned your application a PR/Award number (an ED-specified 
identifying number unique to your application).
     We may request that you provide us original signatures on 
forms at a later date.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical Issues 
with the Grants.gov System: If you are experiencing problems submitting 
your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov 
Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a 
Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it.
    If you are prevented from electronically submitting your 
application on the application deadline date because of technical 
problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension 
until 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to 
enable you to transmit your application electronically or by hand 
delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing 
instructions described elsewhere in this notice.
    If you submit an application after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, 
on the application deadline date, please contact the person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII in this notice and 
provide an explanation of the technical problem you experienced with 
Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number. We will 
accept your application if we can confirm that a technical problem 
occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that problem affected your 
ability to submit your application by 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, 
on the application deadline date. The Department will contact you after 
a determination is made on whether your application will be accepted.

    Note: The extensions to which we refer in this section apply 
only to the unavailability of, or technical problems with, the 
Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed 
to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before 
the application deadline date and time or if the technical problem 
you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system.

    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 Number 84.326Z), 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 84.326Z), 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.
    (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.
    (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 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 
84.326Z), 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 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including 
suffix letter, if any, of the competition under which you are 
submitting your application; and
    (2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a 
notification of receipt of your grant application. If you do not 
receive this notification 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 are listed in the application package.
    2. Peer Review: In the past, the Department has had difficulty 
finding peer reviewers for certain competitions

[[Page 32022]]

because so many individuals who are eligible to serve as peer reviewers 
have conflicts of interest. The Standing Panel requirements under IDEA 
also have placed additional constraints on the availability of 
reviewers. Therefore, the Department has determined that, for some 
discretionary grant competitions, applications may be separated into 
two or more groups and ranked and selected for funding within the 
specific groups. This procedure will make it easier for the Department 
to find peer reviewers by ensuring that greater numbers of individuals 
who are eligible to serve as reviewers for any particular group of 
applicants will not have conflicts of interest. It also will increase 
the quality, independence, and fairness of the review process while 
permitting panel members to review applications under discretionary 
grant competitions for which they also have submitted applications. 
However, if the Department decides to select an equal number of 
applications in each group for funding, this may result in different 
cut-off points for fundable applications in each group.

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 Notice 
(GAN). We may notify you informally, also.
    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 in this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable Regulations section in 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 directed by the Secretary 
under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent 
performance reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements 
on reporting, please go to http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    4. Performance Measures: Under the Government Performance and 
Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), the Department has established a set of 
performance measures, including long-term measures, that are designed 
to yield information on various aspects of the effectiveness and 
quality of the Technical Assistance and Dissemination To Improve 
Services and Results for Children With Disabilities program. These 
measures focus on the extent to which projects provide high quality 
products and services, the relevance of project products and services 
to educational and early intervention policy and practice, and the use 
of products and services to improve educational and early intervention 
policy and practice.
    Grantees will be required to provide information related to these 
measures in annual reports to the Department.
    Grantees also will be required to report information on their 
project's performance in annual reports to the Department (34 CFR 
75.590).

VII. Agency Contact

    For Further Information Contact: Rex Shipp or Debra Price-
Ellingstad, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., 
Room 4178 and 4097, respectively, Potomac Center Plaza (PCP), 
Washington, DC 20202-2550. Telephone: (202) 245-7523 and 245-7481, 
respectively.
    If you use a TDD, call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll-free, 
at 1-800-877-8339.

VIII. Other Information

    Alternative Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document and 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, PCP, Washington, DC 
20202-2550. Telephone: (202) 245-7363. If you use a TDD, call the FRS, 
toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
    Electronic Access to This Document: You can 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: May 30, 2008.
Tracy R. Justesen,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. E8-12634 Filed 6-4-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P