[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 13, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1757-1761]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-482]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS);
Overview Information; National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)--Small Business Innovation Research
Program (SBIR)--Phase I; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards
for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.133S-1.
Dates: Applications Available: January 13, 2010.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: March 15, 2010.
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program is to stimulate
technological innovation in the private sector, strengthen the role of
small business in meeting Federal research or research and development
(R/R&D) needs, increase the commercial application of the U.S.
Department of Education (Department) supported research results, and
improve the return on investment from federally funded research for
economic and social benefits to the Nation.
Note: This program is in concert with NIDRR's Final Long-Range
Plan for FY 2005-2009 (Plan).
The Plan, which was published in the Federal Register on February
15, 2006 (71 FR 8166), can be accessed on the Internet at the following
site: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/lists/osers/nidrr/policy.html.
Through the implementation of the Plan, NIDRR seeks to: (1) Improve
the quality and utility of disability and rehabilitation research; (2)
foster an exchange of expertise, information, and training to
facilitate the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the unique
needs of individuals with disabilities from traditionally underserved
populations; (3) determine best strategies and programs to improve
rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with disabilities from
underserved populations; (4) identify research gaps; (5) identify
mechanisms of integrating research and practice; and (6) disseminate
findings.
NIDRR Supports Manufacturing-Related Innovation (Executive Order
13329):
Executive Order 13329 states that continued technological
innovation is critical to a strong manufacturing sector in the United
States economy and ensures that Federal agencies assist the private
sector in its manufacturing innovation efforts. The Department's SBIR
program encourages innovative research and development (R&D) projects
that are manufacturing-related, as defined by Executive Order 13329.
Manufacturing-related R&D encompasses improvements in existing methods
or processes, or wholly new processes, machines, or systems. The
projects supported under the Department's SBIR program encompass a
range of manufacturing-related R&D, including projects leading to the
manufacture of such items as artificial intelligence or information
technology devices, software, and systems. For more information on
Executive Order
[[Page 1758]]
13329, please visit the following Web site: http://www.sba.gov/sbir/execorder.html or contact Lynn Medley at: [email protected].
Background
The Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000 (Act) was enacted on
December 21, 2000. The Act requires certain agencies, including the
Department, to establish SBIR programs by reserving a statutory
percentage of their extramural R&D budgets to be awarded to small
business concerns through a uniform, highly competitive three-phase
process.
The three phases of the SBIR program are:
Phase I: Phase I projects determine, insofar as possible, the
scientific or technical merit and feasibility of ideas submitted under
the SBIR program. An application for Phase I should concentrate on
research that will contribute significantly to proving the scientific
or technical feasibility of the approach or concept. Scientific or
technical feasibility is a prerequisite to the Department's provision
of further support in Phase II.
Phase II: Phase II projects expand on the results of and further
pursue the development of Phase I projects. Phase II is the principal
R/R&D effort of the SBIR program. Applications for Phase II projects
must be more comprehensive than applications for Phase I projects;
Phase II applications must outline the proposed effort in detail,
including the commercial potential of projects or processes developed
or researched during the Phase I project. Phase II applicants must be
Phase I grantees with approaches that appear sufficiently promising as
a result of their efforts in Phase I. Phase II awards are for periods
of up to two years in amounts up to a maximum total of $500,000 over a
period of two years.
Phase III: In Phase III, the small business grantee must use non-
SBIR capital to pursue commercial applications of the R/R&D. Also,
under Phase III, Federal agencies may award non-SBIR follow-on funding
for products or processes that meet the needs of those agencies.
All SBIR projects funded by NIDRR must address the needs of
individuals with disabilities and their families. (See 29 U.S.C. 762).
Activities may include: conducting manufacturing-related R&D that
encompasses improvements in existing methods or processes, or wholly
new processes, machines, or systems; exploring the uses of technology
to ensure equal access to education, employment, community
environments, and information for individuals with disabilities; and
improving the quality and utility of disability and rehabilitation
research.
Priorities: Under this competition we are particularly interested
in applications that address one of the following five priorities.
Invitational Priorities: For FY 2010 these priorities are
invitational priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an
application that meets one of these invitational priorities a
competitive or absolute preference over other applications.
Each of the following priorities relate to innovative research
utilizing new technologies to address the needs of individuals with
disabilities and their families. Applicants who choose to respond to
one of the invitational priorities must propose projects whose
activities contribute to one of the following priorities:
(1) Increased independence of individuals with disabilities in the
workplace, recreational settings, or educational settings through the
development of technology to support access and promote integration of
individuals with disabilities.
(2) Enhanced sensory or motor function of individuals with
disabilities through the development of technology to support improved
functional capacity.
(3) Enhanced workforce participation through the development of
technology to support access to employment, promote sustained
employment, and promote employment advancement for individuals with
disabilities.
(4) Enhanced community participation and living for individuals
with disabilities through the development of accessible information
technology including Web access technology, software, and other systems
and devices that promote access to information in educational,
employment, and community settings, and voting technology that improves
access for individuals with disabilities.
(5) Improved interventions and increased use of health-care
resources through the development of technology to support independent
access to health-care services in the community for individuals with
disabilities.
Applicants should describe the approaches they expect to use to
collect empirical evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of the
technology they are proposing. This empirical evidence should
facilitate the assessment of the efficacy and usefulness of the
technology.
Note: NIDRR encourages applicants to adhere to universal design
principles and guidelines. The term ``universal design'' is defined
as ``the design of products and environments to be usable by all
people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for
adaptation or specialized design'' (The Center for Universal Design,
1997). Universal design of consumer products minimizes or alleviates
barriers that reduce the ability of individuals with disabilities to
effectively or safely use standard consumer products. (For more
information see http://www.trace.wisc.edu/docs/consumer_product_guidelines/consumer.pcs/disabil.htm).
Program Authority: The Small Business Act, Pub. L. 85-536, as
amended (15 U.S.C. 631 and 638), and title II of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 760, et seq.).
Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 81, 82, 84,
85, 97, 98, and 99.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds: $1,125,000 for new Phase I awards.
Note: The estimated amount of funds available for new Phase I
awards is based upon the estimated threshold SBIR allocation for
OSERS, minus prior commitments for Phase II continuation awards.
Estimated Range of Awards: $70,000-$75,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $75,000.
Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a
budget exceeding $75,000 for a single budget period of up to six
months. The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services may change the maximum amount through a notice
published in the Federal Register.
Note: The maximum award amount includes direct and indirect
costs and fees.
Estimated Number of Awards: 15.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Maximum Project Period: We will reject any application that
proposes a project period that exceeds a single budget period of up to
six months. The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services may change the maximum project period through a
notice published in the Federal Register.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: Entities that are, at the time of award,
small business concerns as defined by the Small Business Administration
(SBA). This definition is included in the application package.
[[Page 1759]]
If it appears that an applicant organization does not meet the
eligibility requirements, we will request an evaluation by the SBA.
Under circumstances in which eligibility is unclear, we will not make
an SBIR award until the SBA makes a determination that the applicant is
eligible under its definition of small business concern.
All technology, science, or engineering firms with strong research
capabilities in any of the priority areas listed in this notice are
encouraged to participate. Consultative or other arrangements between
these firms and universities or other non-profit organizations are
permitted, but the small business concern must serve as the grantee.
For Phase I projects, at least two-thirds of the research and/or
analytic activities must be performed by the proposing small business
concern grantee.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost
sharing or matching.
3. Other: The total of all consultant fees, facility leases or
usage fees, and other subcontracts or purchase agreements may not
exceed one-third of the total funding award.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address To Request Application Package: You can obtain an
application package via the Internet or from the Education Publications
Center (ED Pubs). To obtain a copy via the Internet, use the following
address: http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html.
To obtain a copy from ED Pubs, write, fax, or call the following:
Education Publications Center, 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/edpubs.html or 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 84.133S-1.
Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape,
or computer diskette) by contacting the person or team listed under
Accessible 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
(Part III) to the equivalent of no more than 25 pages, excluding any
documentation of prior multiple Phase II awards, if applicable, and
required forms, 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.
Single space all text in the application narrative. Single
space 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).
Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier,
Courier New, or Arial. An application submitted in any other font
(including Times Roman or Arial Narrow) will not be accepted.
The page limit does not apply to Part I, the coversheet; Part II,
the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; Part
IV, the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the
r[eacute]sum[eacute]s, the bibliography, the letters of support;
related application(s) or award(s); or documentation of multiple Phase
II awards, if applicable. However, the page limit does apply to all of
the application project narrative section (Part III).
We will reject your application if you exceed the page limit; or if
you apply other standards and exceed the equivalent of the page limit.
The application package will provide instructions for completing
all components to be included in the application. Each application must
include a cover sheet (Standard Form 424); budget requirements (ED Form
524) and narrative budget justification; other required forms; an
abstract, Human Subjects narrative, Part III project narrative;
r[eacute]sum[eacute] of staff; and other related materials, if
applicable.
3. Content Restrictions: If an applicant chooses to respond to more
than one invitational priority, we request that the applicant submit a
separate application for each priority. There is no limitation on the
number of different applications that an applicant may submit under
this competition. An applicant may submit separate applications for
different priorities, or different applications under the same
priority.
Applicants should consult NIDRR's Long-Range Plan when preparing
their applications. The Plan is organized around the following research
domains and arenas: (1) Community Living and Participation; (2) Health
and Function; (3) Technology; (4) Employment; and (5) Demographics.
Applicants should indicate, for each application, the domain or arena
under which they are applying. In their applications, applicants should
clearly indicate whether they are applying for a research grant in the
area of (1) Community Living and Participation; (2) Health and
Function; (3) Technology; (4) Employment; or (5) Demographics.
4. Submission Dates and Times: Applications Available: January 13,
2010.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: March 15, 2010.
Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted
electronically using the Electronic Grant Application system (e-
Application) accessible through the Department's e-Grants site. For
information (including dates and times) about how to submit your
application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission
requirement, please refer to section IV.7. Other Submission
Requirements of 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
of 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.
5. Intergovernmental Review: This program is not subject to
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
6. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding
restrictions of the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
7. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under
this competition must be submitted electronically unless you qualify
for an exception to this requirement in accordance with the
instructions in this section.
[[Page 1760]]
a. Electronic Submission of Applications.
Applications for grants under the SBIR Program--CFDA Number
84.133S-1--must be submitted electronically using e-Application,
accessible through the Department's e-Grants Web site at: http://e-grants.ed.gov.
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.
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 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application
deadline date. E-Application will not accept an application for this
competition after 4:30:00 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 hours of operation of the e-Grants Web site are 6:00
a.m. Monday until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday; and 6:00 a.m. Thursday until
8:00 p.m. Sunday, Washington, DC time. Please note that, because of
maintenance, the system is unavailable between 8:00 p.m. on Sundays and
6:00 a.m. on Mondays, and between 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and 6:00 a.m.
on Thursdays, Washington, DC time. 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
all information you typically provide on the following forms: the
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. 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.
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 SF 424 to the Application Control
Center after following these steps:
(1) Print SF 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 SF 424.
(4) Fax the signed SF 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
Unavailability: If you are prevented from electronically submitting
your application on the application deadline date because e-Application
is unavailable, we will grant you an extension of one business day to
enable you 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) E-Application 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) E-Application is unavailable for any period of time between
3:30 p.m. and 4:30:00 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 e-Application is unavailable due
to technical problems with the system 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 e-Application.
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 e-Application because--
You do not have access to the Internet; or
You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to
e-Application; 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
prevents 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: Lynn Medley, U.S.
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 6027, Potomac
Center Plaza (PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2700. FAX: (202) 245-7338.
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 an 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 following address:
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention:
(CFDA Number 84.133S-1) LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland
[[Page 1761]]
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-4260.
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 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 84.133S-1) 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center
Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.
The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily
between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30:00 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 grant 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
Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are
from 34 CFR 75.210 of EDGAR and are listed in the application package.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award
Notification (GAN). We may 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 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 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: To evaluate the overall success of its
research program, NIDRR assesses the quality of its funded projects
through review of grantee performance and products. Each year, NIDRR
examines a portion of its SBIR grantees to determine--
The percentage of National Institute of Disability and
Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)-funded grant applications that receive
an average peer review score of 85 or higher.
NIDRR uses information submitted by grantees as part of their
Annual Performance Reports (APRs) for these reviews.
Department of Education program performance reports, which include
information on NIDRR programs, are available on the Department's Web
site: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/opepd/sas/index.html.
VII. Agency Contact
For Further Information Contact: Lynn Medley, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 6027, PCP, Washington, DC
20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245-7338 or by e-mail: [email protected].
If you use a TDD, call the TDD number at (202) 205-4475.
VIII. Other Information
Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this
document and a copy of the application package in an accessible 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
Federal Relay Service, 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.
Note: The official version of this document is the document
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal
Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.
Dated: January 8, 2010.
Alexa Posny,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2010-482 Filed 1-12-10; 8:45 am]
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