[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 20, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37025-37031]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-15051]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Final Priority: Disability Rehabilitation Research Project--Burn 
Model Systems Centers

AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, 
Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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Overview Information

CFDA Number: 84.133A-3.
    Final priority; National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation 
Research (NIDRR)--Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and 
Centers Program--Disability Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP)--
Burn Model Systems Centers.

SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services announces a priority for the Disability and 
Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program administered by 
the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research 
(NIDRR). Specifically, this notice announces a priority for Burn Model 
Systems (BMS) Centers. The Assistant Secretary may use this priority 
for a competition in fiscal year (FY) 2012 and later years. We take 
this action to focus research attention on areas of national need.

DATES: Effective Date: This priority is effective July 20, 2012.

[[Page 37026]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynn Medley, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5140, Potomac Center Plaza 
(PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245-7338 or by 
email: [email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice of final priority (NFP) is in 
concert with NIDRR's currently approved Long-Range Plan (Plan). The 
Plan, which was published in the Federal Register on February 15, 2006 
(71 FR 8165), can be accessed on the Internet at the following site: 
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/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 traditionally underserved populations; (3) determine best 
strategies and programs to improve rehabilitation outcomes for 
underserved populations; (4) identify research gaps; (5) identify 
mechanisms of integrating research and practice; and (6) disseminate 
findings.
    This notice announces a final priority that NIDRR intends to use 
for a DRRP competition in FY 2012 and possibly later years. However, 
nothing precludes NIDRR from publishing additional priorities, if 
needed. Furthermore, NIDRR is under no obligation to make an award for 
this priority. The decision to make an award will be based on the 
quality of applications received and available funding.

Purpose of Program

    The purpose of the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects 
and Centers Program is to plan and conduct research, demonstration 
projects, training, and related activities, including international 
activities, to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation 
technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration into 
society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic 
and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities, 
especially individuals with the most severe disabilities, and to 
improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Rehabilitation Act).

Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRPs)

    The purpose of DRRPs, which are funded under NIDRR's Disability and 
Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program, is to improve the 
effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 
1973, as amended, by developing methods, procedures, and rehabilitation 
technologies that advance a wide range of independent living and 
employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities, especially 
individuals with the most severe disabilities. DRRPs carry out one or 
more of the following types of activities, as specified and defined in 
34 CFR 350.13 through 350.19: Research, training, demonstration, 
development, dissemination, utilization, and technical assistance. 
Additional information on DRRPs can be found at: http://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/res-program.html#DRRP.

    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(a).

    Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR part 350.
    We published a notice of proposed priority for the Burn Model 
Systems Centers program in the Federal Register on March 7, 2012 (77 FR 
13582). That notice contained background information and our reasons 
for proposing the particular priority.
    Public Comment: In response to our invitation in the notice of 
proposed priority, 12 parties submitted comments on the proposed 
priority.
    Generally, we do not address technical and other minor changes. In 
addition, we do not address general comments that raised concerns not 
directly related to the proposed priority.
    Analysis of Comments and Changes: An analysis of the comments and 
of any changes in the priority since publication of the notice of 
proposed priority follows.
    Comment: None.
    Discussion: Upon further review of the text of the priority, we 
determined that it would be helpful to describe what the BMS database 
is.
    Changes: We have added a footnote to paragraph (b) of the priority 
to clarify that the BMS database is a centralized database through 
which BMS Centers have collected and contributed information on common 
data elements on outcomes of individuals since 1998. The BMS database 
is maintained through a separate NIDRR-funded grant for a National Data 
and Statistical Center for the BMS.
    Comment: Five commenters provided recommendations regarding the 
implementation of activities under paragraph (b) of the priority, which 
requires the assessment of long-term outcomes of individuals with burn 
injury by enrolling at least 30 subjects per year into the BMS 
database. These commenters suggested that NIDRR revise the priority to:
    (a) Specify a ratio of adults to children (e.g. 2:1) to be enrolled 
per BMS Center in the national database;
    (b) Require that the BMS Center budget two full-time equivalents 
(FTE) to carry out the activities required under paragraph (b);
    (c) Require that the BMS Center conduct all data collection in 
accordance with BMS standard operating procedures and best-practices;
    (d) Require the BMS Center to conduct annual follow-up assessments 
rather than 5-year-follow-up assessments;
    (e) Increase the minimum number of persons to be enrolled per 
center;
    (f) Increase funding for adding assessments beyond 10 years post 
injury because it requires a substantial increase in data collection 
effort over the requirements of previous BMS Center competitions; and
    (g) Specify that the BMS longitudinal database include a measure of 
physical functioning.
    Discussion: NIDRR acknowledges that significant effort will be 
required by BMS Centers to maintain the quality of the BMS database and 
to increase its research utility by extending follow-up assessments 
beyond 10 years post injury. With regard to the comment requesting that 
NIDRR define the ratio of adults to children in the BMS database, we 
decline to establish a ratio for the priority because we believe it is 
more appropriate to allow projects to make this determination on their 
own. We expect BMS project directors to make this determination based 
on the characteristics of the patient populations that they serve.
    In response to comment (b) requesting that NIDRR require individual 
BMS Centers to budget two FTE to carry out the activities required 
under paragraph (b) of the priority, we note that individual centers 
are in the best position to determine the staffing structure they will 
require to carry out their database responsibilities under the 
priority. NIDRR does not believe it is appropriate to require a 
specific allocation of staff resources for this purpose. This is 
particularly true given that the level of effort for the database 
responsibilities will differ depending on the number of database 
participants that a Center may have recruited into the

[[Page 37027]]

BMS database during previous cycles of the program.
    NIDRR agrees with the comment that all BMS Centers should conduct 
data collection in accordance with BMS standard operating procedures 
and best practices, as approved by NIDRR and the BMS project directors. 
For this reason, we are revising paragraph (b) of the priority to 
clarify that grantees will follow the standard operating procedures and 
practices established by the BMS project directors in conjunction with 
the National Data and Statistical Center for the BMS.
    In response to the comments requesting that NIDRR increase funding 
to support the requirement in paragraph (b) of the priority that 
grantees conduct assessments beyond 10 years post injury, we note that 
the funding levels for the BMS Centers in fiscal year (FY) 2012 will be 
consistent with funding levels of previous awards made under this 
program and we believe that this funding is adequate to support the 
long-term data collection activities required under this priority. We 
believe the funding is adequate because NIDRR is not requiring, as part 
of this priority, that BMS Centers propose and conduct a collaborative 
module research project (a requirement included in previous BMS Centers 
program competitions). Thus, grantees under this priority will have a 
greater amount of total funding to support the increased data 
collection activities. That said, we do not believe that the funding 
levels allocated for this program are sufficient to support an increase 
in the frequency of follow-up assessments, or an increase in the 
minimum number of persons to be enrolled in the database by each 
center, as recommended by some commenters.
    Finally, with regard to the comment that we include a measure of 
physical functioning in the BMS database, we decline to make this 
change to the requirement without the input of the BMS project 
directors. We believe it is more appropriate to allow the group of BMS 
project directors to determine whether they will incorporate a measure 
of physical functioning into the database.
    Change: We have added language in paragraph (b) of the priority to 
clarify that grantees will follow the standard operating procedures and 
practices established by the BMS project directors in conjunction with 
National Data and Statistical Center for the BMS.
    Comment: Two commenters requested clarification regarding the Note 
following paragraph (b) of the priority, which addresses budgeting for 
the activities of the BMS database under this program. Specifically, 
the commenters asked whether NIDRR will specify one funding level for 
grantees that have already enrolled patients in the BMS database and a 
different funding level for grantees that have no patients yet 
enrolled.
    Discussion: We do expect funding levels to differ depending on the 
number of participants for which BMS Centers will need to collect 
follow-up data to meet the requirements of paragraph (b) of the 
priority. All BMS Centers funded under this competition are responsible 
for collecting follow-up data from subjects who will be enrolled in the 
grant cycle that begins in FY 2012. To the extent a grantee under a 
competition using this priority was previously funded under the BMS 
program, that grantee must also, as part of this grant, collect follow-
up data from subjects who were enrolled in the BMS database in previous 
grant cycles. For this reason, NIDRR requests that each applicant under 
this priority initially budget for the activities required under 
paragraph (b) based on the number of follow-up assessments it expects 
to conduct during the project period. Final budgets for successful 
applicants will be negotiated with NIDRR prior to the grant award. The 
range of possible grant awards under this priority is specified in the 
notice inviting applications for the FY 2012 BMS competition, which is 
published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.
    Changes: We have added language to the Note that follows paragraph 
(b) of the priority, to provide more information about how grant award 
amounts are to be determined, within the range of possible grant awards 
that is specified in the notice inviting applications.
    Comment: One commenter recommended that we revise paragraph (c) of 
the priority, which requires each BMS Center to propose and conduct at 
least one, but no more than two, site-specific research projects, so 
that each BMS Center is required to test interventions as part of its 
site-specific research project or projects.
    Discussion: Paragraph (c) of the proposed priority would have 
required each BMS Center to test innovative approaches to treating burn 
injury or to assess outcomes of individuals with burn injury. In light 
of the comment, we believe that this language may have been 
unnecessarily restrictive. While NIDRR acknowledges the importance of 
testing innovative treatment approaches, we also acknowledge the 
continuing need for knowledge about the experiences and outcomes of 
individuals with burn injury that results from other types of research, 
including but not limited to, descriptive research, exploratory 
research, and measures development, all of which could contribute to 
development of innovative interventions. For this reason, we have 
broadened the language in paragraph (c) to clarify that applicants may 
propose interventions research and descriptive research, exploratory 
research, measures development, or other types of research that can 
contribute to the development of interventions for site-specific 
projects.
    Change: NIDRR has revised paragraph (c) of the priority to state 
that applicants must propose and conduct at least one, but no more than 
two, site-specific research projects to test interventions for treating 
burn injury or to conduct other types of research, including but not 
limited to, descriptive research, exploratory research, or measures 
development that can contribute to development or measurement of 
interventions. Site-specific research projects must contribute to 
outcomes in one or more domains identified in the Plan: health and 
function, community living and participation, technology, and 
employment.
    Comment: Two commenters requested clarification regarding the role 
of the BMS National Data and Statistical Center (BMS National Data 
Center) in the BMS Center's site-specific research projects required 
under paragraph (c) of the priority. In particular, the commenters 
asked whether the BMS National Data Center would be available to 
provide statistical consultation to the BMS Centers to assist them with 
the site-specific research projects and whether it could house data for 
the BMS Centers' site specific research projects.
    Discussion: The BMS National Data Center priority, which will be 
announced in a separate notice in the Federal Register, does require 
the BMS National Data Center to make statistical and other 
methodological consultation available for site-specific research 
projects being conducted by the BMS Centers. However, the BMS National 
Data Center priority does not require the BMS National Data Center to 
house data collected during the BMS Centers' site-specific research 
projects. Accordingly, the BMS Centers will need to negotiate with the 
BMS National Data Center, if they want to house their site-specific 
research projects with the BMS National Data Center.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: Two commenters requested clarification regarding the Note 
that follows paragraph (c) of the priority, which allows for 
collaboration as needed for site-specific research projects. The 
commenters requested

[[Page 37028]]

clarification about three issues: (1) Whether collaborators must be 
other BMS Centers; (2) whether the priority allows for the 
identification of proposed collaborators within the application 
submitted for the Department's review; and, (3) whether a site-specific 
project could be a multi-site study.
    Discussion: BMS Center applicants may propose to collaborate with 
third parties in order to conduct the site-specific research projects 
required under paragraph (c) of the priority. These collaborating 
entities may be, but are not required to be, other NIDRR-funded BMS 
Centers. To the extent an applicant plans to collaborate with others in 
the site-specific research projects it proposes, it may identify 
potential collaborators in its application, if so desired. The site-
specific projects proposed by applicants under this priority can be 
multi-site studies that are managed and administered by the proposed 
BMS Center.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: Two commenters requested guidance regarding paragraph (d) 
of the priority, which requires the grantee to coordinate with the 
NIDRR-funded Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKT Center). 
The commenters asked NIDRR to indicate the level of effort it expected 
applicants to budget for these knowledge translation activities.
    Discussion: NIDRR allows applicants the flexibility to determine 
the budget required to implement these activities.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: Three commenters noted potential synergies between the BMS 
database, and the database maintained by the American Burn Association 
(ABA). One of these commenters recommended that NIDRR revise the 
priority to require the BMS Centers to collaborate with the ABA to 
facilitate synergies between the BMS and ABA databases. The other two 
commenters discussed the potential for a collaboration between the BMS 
and the ABA to produce common data elements related to long-term 
outcomes of burn survivors. These two commenters noted that such 
collaboration with the ABA could help make the NIDRR BMS Centers' 
measurement of long-term outcomes more ``mainstream'' outside of the 
Burn Model Systems program.
    Discussion: NIDRR agrees with the commenters that collaboration 
between the BMS Centers and the ABA may lead to improved outcomes of 
the BMS database and important synergies between the BMS and ABA 
databases. At the program level, NIDRR personnel and BMS project 
directors have facilitated a relationship between the BMS Centers and 
the ABA in past grant cycles. In the coming grant cycle, NIDRR will 
continue to facilitate this relationship, which will include 
discussions toward common, long-term data elements in both databases. 
NIDRR believes that synergies between the BMS program's database and 
the ABA database can best be achieved at the program level--between the 
network of NIDRR BMS Centers and the ABA. Such a relationship will not 
be facilitated via multiple grant applicants individually seeking a 
collaborative relationship with the ABA.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: Six commenters posed questions regarding paragraph (e) of 
the proposed priority, which specified that the grantee should spend 
$5,000 towards the costs of a state-of-the-science conference. One 
commenter asked whether the specified dollars could be used for travel 
to the conference and dissemination of information following the 
conference. Another commenter asked whether the specified amount 
included indirect costs associated with the conference. Other 
commenters recommended that NIDRR specify in the priority the timeframe 
for holding the conference and that the themes of the conference be on 
quality of care, patient satisfaction, and long-term patient outcomes. 
Finally, one commenter asked whether grantees would be required to 
coordinate with the ABA and other agencies in sponsoring the 
conference.
    Discussion: NIDRR has decided to withdraw the proposed requirement 
that BMS Centers budget to support a state-of-the-science conference. 
Instead, NIDRR is adding language to paragraph (d) of the priority that 
suggests including a state-of-the-science meeting as one possible means 
of collaboratively conducting knowledge translation activities that 
might be used to disseminate research findings from the BMS Centers 
program. BMS Centers have the freedom to determine the amount of funds 
that they might set aside for such activities, including any activities 
in conjunction with the MSKT Center.
    Changes: NIDRR has removed the requirement stated in proposed 
paragraph (e). It has added language to paragraph (d) of the priority 
to identify state-of-the-science meetings as one means of facilitating 
dissemination of research findings to stakeholders.
    Comment: Three commenters requested clarification regarding 
proposed paragraph (f) of the priority, which required that grantees 
address the needs of individuals with burn injuries, including 
individuals from one or more traditionally underserved populations. The 
commenters requested clarification from NIDRR regarding the types of 
individuals that are included in the category ``traditionally 
underserved populations'' and whether activities that address the 
clinical needs of these persons are subject to funding under this 
priority.
    Discussion: Paragraph (f) of the proposed priority (redesignated as 
paragraph (e) in the final priority) requires each BMS Center to 
address the needs of individuals with burn injuries, including 
individuals from one or more traditionally underserved populations 
through its project. The Rehabilitation Act authorizes the research 
activities that are administered by NIDRR, including the research 
activities under the BMS Centers program. While section 21 of the 
Rehabilitation Act, titled Traditionally Underserved Populations, does 
not define the term ``traditionally underserved,'' it does provide an 
in-depth discussion of populations that experience inequitable 
treatment and poor outcomes in the vocational rehabilitation process. 
Section 21 of the Rehabilitation Act specifically mentions groups of 
racial and ethnic minorities with disabilities, including Latinos, 
African Americans, Asian Americans, and American Indians with 
disabilities. For purposes of this priority, we expect applicants to 
describe how they will fulfill the priority's requirement to address 
the needs of individuals with burn injuries from traditionally 
underserved populations, as that term is described in section 21 of the 
Rehabilitation Act. The peer review process will evaluate the merits of 
each application.
    With regard to the question concerning clinical services to 
individuals with burn injuries from traditionally underserved 
populations, we note that NIDRR program funds are used to sponsor 
research and development activities and, therefore, can only be used to 
support clinical services that constitute a part of the research 
process. For example, the provision of treatment as part of a clinical 
trial, or the development of consumer education materials as part of an 
evidence-based knowledge translation process are allowable research 
activities for which grant funds under this priority may be used.
    Changes: With the removal of proposed paragraph (e) of the 
priority, NIDRR has redesignated proposed paragraph (f) final paragraph 
(e). In addition, we have revised this paragraph to include a cross-
reference to

[[Page 37029]]

the Rehabilitation Act's discussion of traditionally underserved 
populations.
    Comment: Two commenters requested guidance regarding proposed 
paragraph (g) of the priority, which required that grantees ensure that 
input of individuals with burn injuries is used to shape BMS research 
activities. Specifically, the commenters asked NIDRR to clarify the 
scope of the activities it expects grantees to engage in to meet this 
proposed requirement as well as the corresponding budget for these 
activities. In addition, one commenter requested that NIDRR specify the 
potential collaborators, such as the Phoenix Society, with which 
grantees could work with to carry out these activities.
    Discussion: It is NIDRR's intent that input from persons with burn 
injuries will inform all research conducted under the BMS Centers 
program. This includes the site-specific research to be conducted under 
paragraph (c) of this priority and the research conducted by the system 
of BMS Centers through the BMS database. For purposes of this priority, 
each applicant is expected to describe in its application the 
activities it will conduct to ensure that input from persons with burn 
injuries shape its site-specific research project or projects. NIDRR 
allows applicants the flexibility to determine the budget required to 
implement these activities. NIDRR also allows applicants the 
flexibility to determine the methods it will use for receiving input 
from consumers.
    With respect to specifying potential collaborators, such as the 
Phoenix Society, we decline to do so because NIDRR does not have a 
sufficient basis for requiring all applicants to collaborate with the 
Phoenix Society. However, applicants are free to propose such a 
collaboration.
    Changes: We have redesignated paragraph (g) of the proposed 
priority to paragraph (f).
    Comment: One commenter recommended that we revise the priority to 
clarify that applicants must budget for travel to and participation in 
the face-to-face BMS project directors' meeting, and to participate in 
the regularly scheduled conference calls of the BMS project directors.
    Discussion: In keeping with prior practice, NIDRR expects the 
Project Directors of the BMS Centers to participate in two Project 
Directors' meetings per year (one to be held in the greater Washington, 
DC and one in conjunction with the annual ABA Conference). Applicants 
must budget for the costs of having their project directors travel to 
and participate in these meetings. NIDRR also expects BMS project 
directors to participate in regularly scheduled conference calls of 
this group. The purpose of these meetings is to establish policies and 
procedures with NIDRR input for BMS activities, to share research 
findings across the BMS program, to facilitate NIDRR program officer 
knowledge of the progress on grant activities, to discuss database 
issues, and to foster successful development of the BMS program.
    Changes: NIDRR has added paragraph (g) to the priority. This new 
paragraph states that the BMS Center must ensure that its project 
director participates in the following:
    (1) Two annual face-to-face BMS Center Project Director meetings, 
one of which will take place in the greater Washington, DC area and 
once in conjunction with the annual ABA Convention.
    (2) Additional meetings of the BMS Center Project Directors that 
are held on a regular basis via conference call.
    Comment: One commenter asked whether the BMS Centers would be 
required to engage in a collaborative module research project. The 
commenter recommended that such a project be funded under a separate 
program priority.
    Discussion: Grantees under the BMS Centers priority are not 
required to engage in a collaborative module research project.
    Changes: None.

Final Priority

Priority--Burn Model Systems (BMS) Centers

    The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services announces a priority for the funding of Burn Model Systems 
Centers (BMS Centers). The BMS Centers must provide comprehensive, 
multidisciplinary services to individuals with burn injury and conduct 
research that contributes to evidence-based rehabilitation 
interventions and clinical and practice guidelines. The BMS Centers 
must generate new knowledge that can be used to improve outcomes of 
individuals with burn injury in one or more domains identified in 
NIDRR's currently approved Long Range Plan, published in the Federal 
Register on February 15, 2006 (71 FR 8166): health and function, 
participation and community living, technology, and employment. Each 
BMS Center must contribute to this outcome by--
    (a) Providing a multidisciplinary system of rehabilitation care 
specifically designed to meet the needs of individuals with burn 
injury, including but not limited to, physical, psychological, and 
community reintegration needs. The system must encompass a continuum of 
care, including emergency medical services, acute care services, acute 
medical rehabilitation services, and post-acute services;
    (b) Continuing the assessment of long-term outcomes of individuals 
with burn injury by enrolling at least 30 subjects per year into the 
BMS database,\1\ and collecting follow-up data on all subjects enrolled 
in the database at 6 months, and at 1, 2, 5, and 10 years post injury 
(as is being done in the current grant cycle) and extending the 
assessment to every five years thereafter, following standard operating 
procedures and practices established by the BMS Project Directors in 
conjunction with the National Data and Statistical Center for the BMS 
and the established protocols for the collection of enrollment and 
follow-up data on subjects;
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    \1\ The BMS database is a centralized database through which BMS 
Centers have collected and contributed information on common data 
elements on outcomes of individuals since 1998. The BMS database is 
maintained through a separate NIDRR-funded grant for a National Data 
and Statistical Center for the BMS. (Additional information on the 
BMS database can be found at http://bms-dcc.ucdenver.edu/).

    Note:  BMS Centers will be funded at varying amounts up to the 
maximum award based on the numbers of BMS database participants from 
whom BMS Centers must collect follow-up data. To the extent a 
grantee under a competition using this priority was previously 
funded under the BMS program, that grantee must also, as part of 
this grant, collect follow-up data from subjects who were enrolled 
in the BMS database in previous grant cycles. For this reason, NIDRR 
requests that each applicant under this priority initially budget 
for the activities required under paragraph (b) based on the number 
of follow-up assessments it expects during the project period. BMS 
Centers that have previously been BMS grantees with large numbers of 
database participants will receive more funding within the specified 
range than BMS Centers with fewer participants, as determined by 
NIDRR after applicants are selected for funding. Applicants must 
include in their budgets specific estimates of their costs for 
follow-up data collection. Funding will be determined individually 
for each successful applicant, up to the maximum allowed, based upon 
the documented workload associated with the follow-up data 
collection, other costs of the grant, and the overall budget of the 
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research project.

    (c) Proposing and conducting at least one, but no more than two, 
site-specific research projects to test interventions for treating burn 
injury or to conduct other types of research, including but not limited 
to, descriptive research, exploratory research, or measures

[[Page 37030]]

development that can contribute to development or measurement of 
interventions. Site-specific research projects must contribute to 
outcomes in one or more domains identified in the Plan: health and 
function, community living and participation, technology, and 
employment;

    Note: Applicants who propose more than two site-specific 
research projects will be disqualified. Site-specific research 
projects may include collaborating with entities as needed for 
execution of the research project.

    (d) Coordinating with the NIDRR-funded Model Systems Knowledge 
Translation Center (MSKTC) (http://www.msktc.org/) to provide 
scientific results and information for dissemination to clinical and 
consumer audiences, using a variety of mechanisms that could include 
state-of-the-science meetings, webinars, Web sites, and other 
dissemination methods;
    (e) Addressing the needs of individuals with burn injuries, 
including individuals from one or more traditionally underserved 
populations, as discussed in section 21 of the Act, 29 U.S.C. 718;
    (f) Ensuring that the input of individuals with burn injuries is 
used to shape BMS research activities; and
    (g) Ensuring that its project director participates in the 
following:
    (1) Two annual face-to-face BMS Center Project Director meetings, 
one of which will take place in the greater Washington, DC area and 
once in conjunction with the annual American Burn Association 
Convention.
    (2) Additional meetings of the BMS Center Project Directors that 
are held on a regular basis via conference call.

Types of Priorities

    When inviting applications for a competition using one or more 
priorities, we designate the type of each priority as absolute, 
competitive preference, or invitational through a notice in the Federal 
Register. The effect of each type of priority follows:
    Absolute priority: Under an absolute priority, we consider only 
applications that meet the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(3)).
    Competitive preference priority: Under a competitive preference 
priority, we give competitive preference to an application by (1) 
awarding additional points, depending on the extent to which the 
application meets the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i)); or (2) 
selecting an application that meets the priority over an application of 
comparable merit that does not meet the priority (34 CFR 
75.105(c)(2)(ii)).
    Invitational priority: Under an invitational priority, we are 
particularly interested in applications that meet the priority. 
However, we do not give an application that meets the priority a 
preference over other applications (34 CFR 75.105(c)(1)).
    This notice does not preclude us from proposing additional 
priorities, requirements, definitions, or selection criteria, subject 
to meeting applicable rulemaking requirements.

    Note: This notice does not solicit applications. In any year in 
which we choose to use this priority, we invite applications through 
a notice in the Federal Register.

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

Regulatory Impact Analysis

    Under Executive Order 12866, the Secretary must determine whether 
this regulatory action is ``significant'' and, therefore, subject to 
the requirements of the Executive order and subject to review by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Section 3(f) of Executive Order 
12866 defines a ``significant regulatory action'' as an action likely 
to result in a rule that may--
    (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more, 
or adversely affect a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, 
jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local or 
Tribal governments or communities in a material way (also referred to 
as an ``economically significant'' rule);
    (2) Create serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an 
action taken or planned by another agency;
    (3) Materially alter the budgetary impacts of entitlement grants, 
user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients 
thereof; or
    (4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal 
mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles stated in the 
Executive order.
    This final regulatory action is not a significant regulatory action 
subject to review by OMB under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866.
    We have also reviewed this final regulatory action under Executive 
Order 13563, which supplements and explicitly reaffirms the principles, 
structures, and definitions governing regulatory review established in 
Executive Order 12866. To the extent permitted by law, Executive Order 
13563 requires that an agency--
    (1) Propose or adopt regulations only upon a reasoned determination 
that their benefits justify their costs (recognizing that some benefits 
and costs are difficult to quantify);
    (2) Tailor its regulations to impose the least burden on society, 
consistent with obtaining regulatory objectives and taking into 
account--among other things and to the extent practicable--the costs of 
cumulative regulations;
    (3) In choosing among alternative regulatory approaches, select 
those approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential 
economic, environmental, public health and safety, and other 
advantages; distributive impacts; and equity);
    (4) To the extent feasible, specify performance objectives, rather 
than the behavior or manner of compliance a regulated entity must 
adopt; and
    (5) Identify and assess available alternatives to direct 
regulation, including economic incentives--such as user fees or 
marketable permits--to encourage the desired behavior, or provide 
information that enables the public to make choices.
    Executive Order 13563 also requires an agency ``to use the best 
available techniques to quantify anticipated present and future 
benefits and costs as accurately as possible.'' The Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB has emphasized that these 
techniques may include ``identifying changing future compliance costs 
that might result from technological innovation or anticipated 
behavioral changes.''
    We are issuing this final priority only on a reasoned determination 
that its benefits justify its costs. In choosing among alternative 
regulatory approaches, we selected those approaches that maximize net 
benefits. Based on the analysis that follows, the Department believes 
that this regulatory action is consistent with the principles in 
Executive Order 13563.
    We also have determined that this regulatory action does not unduly 
interfere with State, local, and Tribal governments in the exercise of 
their governmental functions.
    In accordance with both Executive orders, the Department has 
assessed the potential costs and benefits, both quantitative and 
qualitative, of this regulatory action. The potential costs are those 
resulting from statutory requirements and those we have determined as 
necessary for administering the Department's programs and activities.

Summary of Potential Costs and Benefits

    The benefits of the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects 
and Centers Programs have been well established over the years in that 
similar projects have been completed successfully. This final priority 
will generate new knowledge through research and development.

[[Page 37031]]

    Another benefit of the final priority is that establishing new 
DRRPs will improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. The new 
DRRPs will provide support and assistance for NIDRR grantees as they 
generate, disseminate, and promote the use of new information that will 
improve the options for individuals with disabilities to perform 
regular activities of their choice in the community.
    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, 
audiotape, or compact disc) 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 or a TTY, call the FRS, toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
    Electronic Access to This Document: 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 via the Federal Digital System 
at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site 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). To 
use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at 
the site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal Register by using the article search feature at: http://www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

    Dated: June 15, 2012.
Alexa Posny,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2012-15051 Filed 6-19-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P