[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 62 (Thursday, April 1, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16629-16633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-7417]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools Overview Information; 
Emergency Management for Higher Education Grant Program; Notice 
Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.184T.

    Dates:
    Applications Available: April 1, 2010.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 12, 2010.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: July 12, 2010.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: EMHE grants support efforts by institutions of 
higher education (IHEs) to develop, or review and improve, and fully 
integrate, campus-based all-hazards emergency management planning 
efforts within the framework of the four phases of emergency management 
(Prevention-Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery).
    Priorities: These priorities are from the notice of final 
priorities and requirements for this program, published elsewhere in 
this issue of the Federal Register.
    Absolute Priorities: For FY 2010 and any subsequent year in which 
we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this 
competition, these priorities are absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet these priorities.
    These priorities are:
Priority 1--Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) Projects Designed To 
Develop, or Review and Improve, and Fully Integrate Campus-Based All-
Hazards Emergency Management Planning Efforts.
    Under this priority, we support IHE projects designed to develop, 
or review and improve, and fully integrate campus-based all-hazards 
emergency management planning efforts. A program funded under this 
priority must use the framework of the four phases of emergency 
management (Prevention-Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and 
Recovery) to:
    (1) Develop, or review and improve, and fully integrate a campus-
wide all-hazards emergency management plan that takes into account 
threats that may be unique to the campus;
    (2) Train campus staff, faculty, and students in emergency 
management procedures;
    (3) Coordinate with local and State government emergency management 
efforts;
    (4) Ensure coordination of planning and communication across all 
relevant components, offices, and departments of the campus;
    (5) Develop a written plan with emergency protocols that include 
the medical, mental health, communication, mobility, and emergency 
needs of persons with disabilities, as well as for those individuals 
with temporary special needs or other unique needs (including those 
arising from language barriers or cultural differences);
    (6) Develop or update a written plan that prepares the campus for 
infectious disease outbreaks with both short-term implications for 
planning (e.g., outbreaks caused by methicillin-resistant 
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or food-borne illnesses) and long-term 
implications for planning (e.g., pandemic influenza);
    (7) Develop or enhance a written plan for preventing violence on 
campus by assessing and addressing the mental health needs of students, 
staff, and faculty who may be at risk of causing violence by harming 
themselves or others; and
    (8) Develop or update a written campus-wide continuity of 
operations plan that would enable the campus to maintain and/or restore 
key educational, business, and other essential functions following an 
emergency.
Priority 2--Priority for Applicants That Have Not Previously Received a 
Grant Under The EMHE Program (CFDA 84.184T).
    Under this priority we give priority to applications from IHEs that 
have not previously received a grant under this program (CFDA number 
84.184T). An applicant that has received services under this program 
directly, or as a partner in a consortium application under this 
program, would not meet this priority. Under a consortium application, 
all members of the IHE consortium must meet this criterion in order for 
the applicant to meet this priority.
    Final Requirements: These requirements are from the notice of final 
priorities and requirements published elsewhere in this issue of the 
Federal Register. The following requirements apply to all applications 
submitted under this competition:
    1. Partner Agreements: To be considered for a grant award, an 
applicant must include in its application two partner agreements. One 
partner agreement must detail coordination with, and participation of, 
a representative of the appropriate level of local or State government 
for the locality in which the IHE to be served by the project is 
located (for example, the mayor, city manager, or county executive). 
The second partner agreement must detail coordination with, and 
participation of, a representative from a local or State emergency 
management coordinating body (for example, the head of the local 
emergency planning council that would be involved in coordinating a 
large-scale emergency response effort in the campus community). Both 
agreements must include the name of the partner organization, an 
indication of whether the partner represents the local or State 
government or the local or State emergency management coordinating 
body, and a description of the respective partner as well as a 
description of the partner's roles and responsibilities in supporting 
the EMHE grant and in

[[Page 16630]]

strengthening emergency management planning efforts for the IHE. Each 
partner agreement must also include a description of the roles and 
responsibilities of the IHE in grant implementation and partner 
coordination. A signature from an authorized representative of the IHE 
and each of the two required partners acknowledging the relationship 
and the agreements must be included in the application. If either or 
both of the two required partners is not present in an applicant's 
community, or cannot feasibly participate, the agreements must explain 
the absence of each missing partner.
    Applications that fail to include either of the two required 
partner agreement forms, including information on partners' roles and 
responsibilities (or an explanation documenting that partner's absence 
in the community) along with the required signatures, will not be 
considered for funding.
    Each consortium applicant (an applicant submitting on behalf of 
multiple IHEs) and any applicant applying on behalf of multiple 
campuses (including one or more satellite or extension campuses within 
its own institution or its consortium of IHEs) must submit a complete 
set of partner agreements with appropriate signatures from the 
authorized representative and the two required partners noted earlier 
for each campus proposed to be receiving services under its EMHE 
project.
    Although this program requires partnerships with other parties, 
administrative direction and fiscal control for the project must remain 
with the IHE.
    2. Completed Memoranda of Agreements: All IHEs supported by the 
EMHE program must use the grant period to create, or review and update, 
and sign, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with each of the following 
four partners: local or State emergency management coordinating body, 
local government, primary off-campus public health provider, and 
primary off-campus mental health services provider. Each applicant 
under the EMHE program must include an assurance with its application 
that the IHE will establish these MOAs during the project period. MOAs 
must be completed for each campus to be served by the EMHE project. 
Completed MOAs will be requested at the end of the project period with 
the Final Report submission.
    3. Coordination with State or Local Homeland Security Plan: All 
emergency management plans created or enhanced using funding under this 
program must be coordinated with the Homeland Security Plan of the 
State or locality in which the IHE is located. To ensure that emergency 
services are coordinated, and to avoid duplication of effort within 
States and localities, an applicant must include in its application an 
assurance that the IHE will coordinate with, and follow, the 
requirements of its State or local Homeland Security Plan for emergency 
services and initiatives.
    4. Implementation of the National Incident Management System 
(NIMS): Each applicant must agree to implement its grant in a manner 
consistent with the implementation of the NIMS in its community. An 
applicant must include in its application an assurance that it has met, 
or will complete, all current NIMS requirements by the end of the grant 
period.
    Implementation of the NIMS is a dynamic process that will continue 
to evolve over time. In order to receive Federal preparedness funding 
under the EMHE program, each IHE must cooperate with the efforts of its 
community to meet the minimum NIMS requirements established for each 
fiscal year. Because the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) 
determination of NIMS requirements may change from year to year, an 
applicant must refer to the most recent list of NIMS requirements 
published by DHS when submitting its application. In any notice 
inviting applications, the Department will provide applicants with 
information necessary to access the most recent DHS list of NIMS 
requirements.

    Note:  The responsibilities and procedures of any campus-based 
security office or law enforcement agency and the elements of the 
campus emergency management plan must be considered in conjunction 
with the local community's emergency operations plan (EOP) and the 
capacity and responsibility of local fire and rescue departments, 
emergency medical service providers, crisis center/hotlines, and law 
enforcement agencies that may be called to assist the IHE in a 
large-scale disaster. IHEs' participation in the NIMS preparedness 
program of the local government is essential in ensuring that first-
responder services are delivered in a timely and effective manner. 
Additional information about NIMS and NIMS implementation is 
available at: http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/ImplementationGuidanceStakeholders.shtm and http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/index.shtm.

    IHEs that have previously received Federal preparedness funding and 
are, therefore, already NIMS-compliant should indicate that in the 
assurance form.
    5. Eligibility: To be considered for an award under this 
competition, an applicant must be considered an IHE, or a consortia 
thereof. An IHE, for the purposes of this competition, is defined as: 
an educational institution in any State that--
    (1) Admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of 
graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the 
recognized equivalent of such a certificate or persons who meet the 
requirements of section 484(d)(3) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, 
as amended;
    (2) Is legally authorized within such State to provide a program of 
education beyond secondary education;
    (3) Provides an educational program for which the institution 
awards a bachelor's degree or provides not less than a 2-year program 
that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree or awards a 
degree that is acceptable for admission to a graduate or professional 
degree program, subject to review and approval by the Secretary;
    (4) Is a public or other nonprofit institution; and
    (5) Is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or 
association or, if not so accredited, is an institution that has been 
granted preaccreditation status by such an agency or association that 
has been recognized by the Secretary for the granting of 
preaccreditation status, and the Secretary has determined that there is 
satisfactory assurance that the institution will meet the accreditation 
standards of such an agency or association within a reasonable time.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7131.

    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 81, 
82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The regulations in 34 CFR part 299. 
(c) The notice of final priorities and requirements, published 
elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.

    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants 
except federally recognized Indian tribes.


    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $9,067,000.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards later in FY 2010 and in FY 
2011 from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $200,000-$750,000.

[[Page 16631]]

    Estimated Average Size of Awards: We estimate that IHEs with 
student enrollment between 1-999 students will need up to $200,000 to 
implement their projects; IHEs with enrollment between 1,000-4,999 
students will need up to $300,000 to implement their projects; IHEs 
with enrollment between 5,000 and 19,999 will need up to $500,000 to 
implement their projects; and IHEs with enrollment between 20,000 and 
40,000 may need up to $750,000 to implement their projects. Please note 
that these are estimates only and IHEs that believe that they need 
additional support to successfully complete their projects should fully 
justify this in their applications.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 26.

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

    Project Period: Up to 24 months. Budgets should be developed for a 
single award with a project period of up to 24 months. No continuation 
awards will be provided.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: To be considered for an award under this 
competition, an applicant must be considered an IHE, or a consortia 
thereof. An IHE, for the purposes of this competition, is defined as: 
an educational institution in any State that--
    (1) Admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of 
graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the 
recognized equivalent of such a certificate or persons who meet the 
requirements of section 484(d)(3) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, 
as amended;
    (2) Is legally authorized within such State to provide a program of 
education beyond secondary education;
    (3) Provides an educational program for which the institution 
awards a bachelor's degree or provides not less than a 2-year program 
that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree or awards a 
degree that is acceptable for admission to a graduate or professional 
degree program, subject to review and approval by the Secretary;
    (4) Is a public or other nonprofit institution; and
    (5) Is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or 
association or, if not so accredited, is an institution that has been 
granted preaccreditation status by such an agency or association that 
has been recognized by the Secretary for the granting of 
preaccreditation status, and the Secretary has determined that there is 
satisfactory assurance that the institution will meet the accreditation 
standards of such an agency or association within a reasonable time. 
This eligibility requirement is from the notice of final priorities and 
requirements published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not require cost 
sharing or matching.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: You can obtain an 
application package via the Internet. To obtain a copy via the 
Internet, use the following address: http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html.
    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 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.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: April 1, 2010. Deadline for Transmittal of 
Applications: May 12, 2010.
    Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted 
electronically using the Electronic Grant Application System (e-
Application) accessible through the Department's e-Grants site, 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 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 
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: July 12, 2010.
    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 of this notice.
    6. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under 
this competition may be submitted electronically or in paper format by 
mail or hand delivery.
    a. Electronic Submission of Applications.
    If you choose to submit your application to us electronically, you 
must use e-Application, accessible through the Department's e-Grants 
Web site 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 4:30:00 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 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

[[Page 16632]]

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 System 
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. If e-Application 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 following address: 
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
(CFDA Number 84.184T), LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland 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 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 
84.184T), 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 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. For this competition, you must also submit an interim 
report 12 months after the award date. The Secretary may also require 
more

[[Page 16633]]

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 Measure: We have identified the following Government 
Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) performance measure for 
assessing the effectiveness of the EMHE grant program: The average 
number of National Incident Management System (NIMS) training course 
completions by key personnel at the start of the grant compared to the 
average number of NIMS training course completions by key personnel at 
the end of the grant.
    This GPRA measure constitutes the Department's indicator of success 
for this program. Applicants for a grant under this program are advised 
to give careful consideration to this measure in designing their 
proposed project, including considering how data for the measure will 
be collected. Grantees will be required to collect and report, in their 
interim and final performance reports, baseline data and data on their 
progress with regard to this measure.

VII. Agency Contact

    For Further Information Contact: Tara Hill, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 10088, PCP, Washington, DC 
20202-6450. Telephone: (202) 245-7860 or by e-mail: [email protected].
    If you use a TDD, call the FRS, toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.

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) on 
request to the program contact person listed under For Further 
Information Contact in section VII of this notice.
    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: March 29, 2010.
Kevin Jennings,
Assistant Deputy Secretary for Safe and Drug-Free Schools.
[FR Doc. 2010-7417 Filed 3-31-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P