[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 187 (Tuesday, September 28, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59699-59704]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-24337]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview 
Information; Technology and Media Services for Individuals With 
Disabilities--The Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) Personnel 
Development Center; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for 
Fiscal Year (FY) 2011

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.327W.

    Dates: Applications Available: September 28, 2010.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: November 29, 2010.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: January 26, 2011.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purposes of the Technology and Media 
Services for Individuals with Disabilities program is to: (1) Improve 
results for children with disabilities by promoting the development, 
demonstration, and use of technology; (2) support educational media 
services activities designed to be of educational value in the 
classroom setting for children with disabilities; and (3) provide 
support for captioning and video description of educational materials 
that are appropriate for use in the classroom setting, including 
television programs, videos, and programs and materials associated with 
new and emerging technologies, such as CDs, DVDs, video streaming, and 
other forms of multimedia.
    Priority: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(v), this priority 
is from allowable activities specified in the statute (see sections 674 
and 681(d) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 
20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2011 and any subsequent year in which we 
make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition, 
this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we 
consider only applications that meet this priority.
    This priority is:
    Technology and Media Services for Individuals with Disabilities--
The Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) Personnel Development 
Center.
    Background: IDEA requires States to provide a free appropriate 
public education (FAPE) to all children with disabilities. FAPE 
includes the provision of educational materials in accessible formats 
for children with disabilities eligible for services under Part B of 
IDEA, including children with visual impairments and with other print 
disabilities (section 674(e)(3)(A) of IDEA).
    The 2004 amendments to IDEA added provisions to improve the timely 
production and dissemination of educational materials in accessible 
formats for students who are blind or who have print disabilities (see 
sections 612(a)(23) and 674(e) of IDEA). These provisions include the 
following:
     States must adopt the National Instructional Materials 
Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) (section 612(a)(23) of IDEA). NIMAS is a 
technical standard used by publishers to produce source files that may 
be used to develop

[[Page 59700]]

multiple specialized formats (such as Braille or audio books) for 
students with print disabilities.
     The Department was directed to establish the National 
Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC), a repository for NIMAS 
files (section 674(e) of IDEA). For more information about NIMAC, go to 
http://www.nimac.us.
     States that choose to coordinate with NIMAC must require 
publishers to submit NIMAS files to NIMAC as part of State textbook 
purchase agreements (section 612(a)(23) of IDEA).
    These provisions were designed to ensure that State educational 
agencies (SEAs) and local educational agencies (LEAs) meet the 
educational needs of all students with disabilities by providing 
appropriate instructional materials in accessible formats. A major 
barrier to the implementation of the NIMAS provisions is that some 
children with disabilities are ineligible to use materials rendered 
from NIMAC files. The files obtained from NIMAC may only be used for 
children with disabilities who are eligible under IDEA and who meet the 
definition of ``blind or other persons with print disabilities'' under 
the Act to Provide Books for the Adult Blind (2 U.S.C. 135a), which 
establishes eligibility criteria for individuals served under the 
Library of Congress (LOC) regulations (36 CFR 701.6(b)(1)). These 
eligibility criteria cover individuals who are blind, have other visual 
disabilities, are unable to read or use standard print as a result of 
physical limitations, or have reading disabilities resulting from 
organic dysfunction. The regulations implementing Part B of IDEA 
require SEAs and LEAs to ensure that children with disabilities who 
need instructional materials in accessible formats, but are not 
included under the LOC definition of blind or other persons with print 
disabilities or who need materials that cannot be produced from NIMAS 
files obtained through NIMAC, receive those instructional materials in 
a timely manner (34 CFR 300.172(b)(3) and 300.210(b)(3)). SEAs have 
addressed these requirements in the systems they developed for 
producing, accessing, and distributing AIM. However, teachers and 
administrators in LEAs may be reluctant to provide AIM to students due 
to a lack of information and understanding about eligibility 
requirements, and due to limited knowledge of where, and how, to obtain 
AIM for students who require special formats (Etemad & Burdette, 2009).
    In response to concerns from SEAs and LEAs regarding the complexity 
and limitations of the provisions relating to NIMAS that were added to 
IDEA in 2004 (the NIMAS provisions) and the difficulties SEAs and LEAs 
were having as they began to implement these provisions, the Office of 
Special Education Programs (OSEP) awarded two 18-month grants to 
support States, the outlying areas, and freely associated States 
implement the NIMAS provisions. These grants included the Pacific 
Consortium for Instructional Materials Accessibility Project (Pacific 
CIMAP) and the AIM Consortium. The Pacific CIMAP facilitated the 
collaborative commitment of the six Pacific Basin entities to build 
local and regional capacity for the implementation of the NIMAS and 
NIMAC requirements. The 15-State AIM Consortium along with the Center 
for Applied Special Technology (CAST) worked together to develop State 
systems for increasing the timely provision of AIM for students with 
print disabilities, and ensure that those systems for identifying, 
acquiring, and using AIM employed high-quality procedures and 
practices.
    Based on the collective needs and challenging experiences of SEAs 
in implementing the NIMAS provisions, the consortia's members developed 
products, training modules, and materials. These resources are 
available to all States, the outlying areas, and freely associated 
States on the consortia's respective Web sites: http://www.guamcedders.org/main/index.php?pg=pacific--cimap and http://www.cast.org/research/projects/AIM.html.
    While the Pacific CIMAP and the AIM Consortium produced effective 
resources, product usability is more effective when personnel 
development is provided in conjunction with product availability. Both 
the Pacific CIMAP and the AIM Consortium awards were 18-month awards. 
Most of the time and resources of these projects focused on determining 
the needs of the States and developing the products and resources used 
in the implementation of the NIMAS provisions. States, including those 
that were part of the two consortia, continue to face the significant 
challenge of ensuring that all staff in the States receive training 
that is delivered with consistency and fidelity. (Etemad & Burdette, 
2009).
    SEAs are responsible for supporting LEAs on implementing NIMAS 
provisions. However, many SEAs lack the expertise and resources to 
effectively train LEA personnel on how to use the products, training 
modules, and materials developed by the two consortia or by other OSEP-
funded NIMAS-related projects (i.e., NIMAC; Recording for the Blind and 
Dyslexic (RFB&D); the National Instructional Materials Accessibility 
Standard Center (NIMAS Center); the AIM Center; and Bookshare for 
Education at Bookshare (B4E)). Therefore, OSEP is establishing a 
priority--the AIM Personnel Development Center--to improve State 
capacity for training personnel at the LEA level to ensure the 
effective delivery of AIM to children with disabilities who have visual 
impairments or print disabilities, including children who are not 
included under the LOC definition of blind or other persons with print 
disabilities and children who need AIM materials that cannot be 
produced from NIMAS files obtained through NIMAC.
    Priority: The purpose of this priority is to fund a cooperative 
agreement to support the establishment and operation of an AIM 
Personnel Development Center (Center). The Center will support and work 
with 25 States to: (1) Develop and implement LEA personnel development 
plans for effectively training LEA staff on the eligibility 
requirements regarding AIM and on the use of AIM products, training 
modules, and materials currently available through OSEP-funded NIMAS-
related projects; and (2) recruit and select qualified personnel who 
will provide in-service training to LEA staff on the effective use of 
these resources. For purposes of this priority, the term ``State'' 
refers to a State, outlying area, or freely associated State.
    To be considered for funding under this absolute priority, 
applicants must meet the application requirements contained in this 
priority. The project funded under this 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 sites provide more information on logic 
models: http://www.researchutilization.org/matrix/logicmodel_resource3c.html and www.tadnet.org/model_and_performance.

    (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

[[Page 59701]]

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 Center, including 
objective measures of progress in implementing the activities of the 
Center and ensuring the quality of products and services.
    (d) A plan for recruiting and selecting 25 States to participate in 
the activities of the Center. The selection process must be transparent 
and done in conjunction with OSEP.
    (e) A plan for, and description of, how the Center will incorporate 
the work of, and resources developed from, OSEP-funded NIMAS-related 
projects in the work of the Center;
    (f) A budget for a summative evaluation to be conducted by an 
independent third party.
    (g) 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 two-day Technical Assistance and Dissemination Conference in 
Washington, DC, during each year of the project period.
    (3) A two-day Technology Project Directors' Conference in 
Washington, DC, during each year of the project period.
    (4) A three-day Project Directors' Conference in Washington, DC, 
during each year of the project period.
    (5) A two-day State Representative meeting in Washington, DC, with 
OSEP staff in the second year of the project period. The budget for 
attendance at this meeting must include travel and per diem support for 
one representative from each selected State to attend the meeting.
    Project Activities. To meet the requirements of this priority, the 
Center, at a minimum, must conduct the following activities:
    (a) Identify and describe currently available AIM training 
products, materials, modules, and other training resources that are 
produced by OSEP-funded projects related to the implementation of the 
NIMAS provisions in the 2004 amendments of IDEA.
    (b) Identify and describe currently available AIM training 
products, materials, modules, and other training resources that are 
produced by publishers, universities, non-profit organizations, other 
federally funded projects, and other NIMAS-related entities.
    (c) Develop, and make publicly available through the Center's Web 
site, an electronic database of all currently available AIM products 
that are identified and described pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) of 
this section.
    (d) Recruit and select 25 States in accordance with the plan 
described in response to paragraph (d) of the Application Requirements 
of this priority.
    (e) Work with the 25 States selected under paragraph (d) of this 
section to determine their LEA personnel development needs related to 
each State's system for providing AIM in a timely manner, and to 
develop their respective LEA personnel development plans. Support the 
participating States in developing and implementing their personnel 
development plans. The personnel development plans must include in-
service training for LEA level staff on--
    (1) How to determine if a child has a print disability and will 
benefit from AIM;
    (2) Eligibility requirements for children with disabilities under 
IDEA and the LOC regulations;
    (3) How to determine the appropriate accessible formats needed for 
a child who requires AIM;
    (4) How to obtain AIM; and
    (5) How to effectively use available resources with fidelity, 
including how to incorporate the use of AIM products, training modules, 
and materials made available through OSEP-funded NIMAS-related projects 
and other resources;
    (f) Recruit, select, and train personnel from each of the 25 
participating States to provide in-service training to LEA staff in 
their respective States.
    (g) Maintain a Web site that meets government or industry-
recognized standards for accessibility and that links to the Web site 
operated by the Technical Assistance Coordination Center (TACC).
    (h) Prepare and disseminate reports, documents, and other materials 
on the Center's training activities.
    (i) Maintain ongoing communication with the OSEP Project Officer 
through bi-monthly phone conversations and e-mail communication.
    (j) Conduct a formative evaluation in accordance with the plan 
described in response to paragraph (c) of the Application Requirements 
in this priority.
    References:

Etemad, P. & Burdette, P. (2009). The National Materials Accessibility 
Standard (NIMAS): State Implementation Update. Project Forum: 
Alexandria, VA.

    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. 1474 and 1481(d).
    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: The Administration has requested 
$41,223,000 for the Technology and Media Services for Individuals with 
Disabilities program for FY 2011, of which we intend to use an 
estimated $3,000,000 for the competition announced in this notice. The 
actual level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. 
However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete 
the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this program.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2012 from this 
competition.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding $3,000,000 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.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 1.

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

    Project Period: Up to 24 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: SEAs; IHEs; other public agencies; private 
nonprofit organizations; outlying areas; freely associated States; and 
for-profit organizations.

[[Page 59702]]

    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), U.S. Department of Education, P.O. Box 22207, 
Alexandria, VA 22304. Telephone, toll free: 1-877-433-7827. FAX: (703) 
605-6794. 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.EDPubs.gov or at its e-mail address: [email protected].
    If you request an application package from ED Pubs, be sure to 
identify this competition as follows: CFDA number 84.327W.
    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 Part III to 
the equivalent of no more than 50 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. 
However, the page limit does apply to all of the application 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.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: September 28, 2010.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: November 29, 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.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.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: January 26, 2011.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive 
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 
12372 is in the application package for this competition.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification 
Number, and Central Contractor Registry: To do business with the 
Department of Education, (1) you must have a Data Universal Numbering 
System (DUNS) number and a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN); (2) 
you must register both of those numbers with the Central Contractor 
Registry (CCR), the Government's primary registrant database; and (3) 
you must provide those same numbers on your application.
    You can obtain a DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet. A DUNS number 
can be created within one business day.
    If you are a corporate entity, agency, institution, or 
organization, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal Revenue Service. 
If you are an individual, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal 
Revenue Service or the Social Security Administration. If you need a 
new TIN, please allow 2-5 weeks for your TIN to become active.
    The CCR registration process may take five or more business days to 
complete. If you are currently registered with the CCR, you may not 
need to make any changes. However, please make certain that the TIN 
associated with your DUNS number is correct. Also note that you will 
need to update your CCR registration on an annual basis. This may take 
three or more business days to complete.
    7. 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,

[[Page 59703]]

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 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 84.327W) 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 84.327W) 
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 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

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are 
from 34 CFR 75.210 and are listed in the application package.
    2. Review and Selection Process: In the past, the Department has 
had difficulty finding peer reviewers for certain competitions, 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

[[Page 59704]]

or more groups and ranked and selected for funding within 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 
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: 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 Technology and Media Services for Individuals with 
Disabilities program. These measures focus on the extent to which 
projects are of high-quality, are relevant to improving outcomes of 
children with disabilities, and contribute to improving outcomes for 
children with disabilities. We will collect data on these measures from 
the projects funded under this competition.
    Grantees will be required to report information on their projects' 
performance in their annual performance reports to the Department (34 
CFR 75.590).

VII. Agency Contact

    For Further Information Contact: Glinda Hill, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 4063, Potomac Center Plaza 
(PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2550. Telephone: (202) 245-7376.
    If you use a TDD, call the Federal Relay Service (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) 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.

    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: September 23, 2010.
Alexa Posny,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2010-24337 Filed 9-27-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P