[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 22 (Friday, February 1, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7419-7424]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-02214]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; National Institute on Disability and 
Rehabilitation Research--Disability and Rehabilitation Research 
Projects and Centers Program--Minority-Serving Institution Advanced 
Rehabilitation Research Training Projects

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

ACTION: Notice.

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    Overview Information: National Institute on Disability and 
Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)--Disability and Rehabilitation Research 
Projects and Centers Program--Minority-Serving Institution Advanced 
Rehabilitation Research Training Projects Notice inviting applications 
for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2013.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.133P-3.

    Dates:
    Applications Available: February 1, 2013.
    Date of Pre-Application Meeting: February 22, 2013.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 2, 2013.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Advanced Rehabilitation 
Research Training (ARRT) Projects program is to provide advanced 
research training and experience to individuals with doctorates, or 
similar advanced degrees, who have clinical or other relevant 
experience. ARRT projects train rehabilitation researchers, including 
researchers with disabilities, with particular attention to research 
areas that support the implementation and objectives of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Act), and that improve the 
effectiveness of services authorized under the Act.
    The purpose of this competition is to improve the capacity of 
minority entities to develop and support disability and rehabilitation 
research training opportunities, by limiting eligibility for ARRT 
grants to minority entities. Section 21(b)(2)(A) of the Act authorizes 
NIDRR to make awards to minority entities and Indian tribes to carry 
out activities authorized under Title II of the Act.

    Note: This program is in concert with NIDRR's currently approved 
long-range plan (the Plan). The Plan is comprehensive and integrates 
many issues relating to disability and rehabilitation research 
topics. The Plan, which was published in the Federal Register on 
February 15, 2006 (71 FR 8166), can be accessed on the Internet at 
the following site: 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 methods to 
facilitate the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the unique 
needs of individuals with disabilities from traditionally underserved 
populations; (3) determine the best strategies and programs to improve 
rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with disabilities from 
underserved populations; (4) identify research gaps; (5) identify 
mechanisms for integrating research and practice; and (6) disseminate 
findings.
    Priority: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(ii), this priority 
is from the regulations for this program (34 CFR 350.12 and 350.64 
through 350.65).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2013, 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: Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) Advanced 
Rehabilitation Research Training Projects.
    This MSI-ARRT priority is intended to improve the capacity of 
minority entities, as defined in section 21 of the Act, to develop and 
support disability and rehabilitation research training opportunities. 
ARRT projects must (1) recruit and select candidates for advanced 
research training; (2) provide a training program that includes 
didactic and classroom instruction, is multidisciplinary, and 
emphasizes scientific methodology, and may involve collaboration among 
institutions; (3) provide research experience, laboratory experience or 
its equivalent in a community-based research setting, and a practicum 
that involve each individual in clinical research and in practical 
activities with organizations representing individuals with 
disabilities; (4) provide academic mentorship or guidance, and 
opportunities for scientific collaboration with qualified researchers 
at the host university and other appropriate institutions; and (5) 
provide opportunities for participation in the development of 
professional presentations and publications, and for attendance at 
professional conferences and meetings, as appropriate for the 
individual's field of study and level of experience.
    The ARRT project must provide training to individuals for at least 
one academic year, unless a longer training period is necessary to 
ensure that each trainee is qualified to conduct independent research 
upon completion of the course of training; and require trainees to 
devote at least 80 percent of their time to the activities of the 
training program during the training period.

    Note: We expect an applicant to articulate goals, objectives, 
and expected outcomes for the research training activities. An 
applicant should describe expected public benefits of these training 
activities, especially benefits for individuals with disabilities, 
and propose projects that are optimally designed to demonstrate 
outcomes that are consistent with the proposed goals. Each applicant 
is encouraged to include information describing how it will measure 
outcomes, including the indicators for determining that results have 
occurred. Submission of this measurement information is voluntary, 
except where required by the selection criteria listed in the 
application package.



[[Page 7420]]


    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(k) and 29 U.S.C. 718.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 
82, 84, 86, and 97. (b) The Education Department suspension and 
debarment regulations in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The regulations for this 
program in 34 CFR part 350.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested 
$106,817,000 for NIDRR for FY 2013, of which we intend to use an 
estimated $150,000 for this ARRT competition. 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 2013 from the list of 
unfunded applicants from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $147,000 to $150,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $150,000.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding $150,000 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.

    Note: Consistent with 34 CFR 75.562, indirect cost reimbursement 
for a training grant is limited to eight percent of a modified total 
direct cost base, defined as total direct costs less stipends, 
tuition and related fees, equipment, and the amount of each subaward 
in excess of $25,000. Indirect costs would be determined in the 
grantee's negotiated indirect cost rate agreement if that amount is 
less than the amount calculated under the formula above.

    Estimated Number of Awards: 1.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months. We will reject any application 
that proposes a project period exceeding 60 months. The Assistant 
Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services may change 
the maximum project period through a notice published in the Federal 
Register.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Parties eligible to apply for MSI ARRT 
Projects grants are limited to minority entities and Indian tribes as 
authorized by section 21(b)(2)(A) of the Act. A minority entity is 
defined as a historically black college or university (a part B 
institution, as defined in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965, as amended), a Hispanic-serving institution of higher 
education, an American Indian tribal college or university, or another 
institution of higher education whose minority student enrollment is at 
least 50 percent.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching. However, any applicant may voluntarily promise to 
share in the cost of the ARRT project by supplementing the amount of 
the stipend paid to trainees with additional funds beyond the maximum 
awarded under this program. The policies governing grantee cost sharing 
or matching are as follows:
    a. Cost sharing or matching is the portion of project costs not 
borne by the Federal Government. Applications submitted under this 
program with voluntary cost sharing to supplement trainee stipends must 
use funds from non-Federal sources (34 CFR 74.23(a)(5)).
    b. Any cost sharing promised by the grantee in its application must 
be fully documented and accounted for in the grantee's budget and 
expenditure records and reports. Applications submitted for funding 
that have voluntary cost-sharing must include--
     The specific contributions proposed;
     The source of the cost sharing; and
     In the case of in-kind contributions, a description of how 
the value was determined for the donated or contributed services or 
goods.
    c. It is the policy of the Department that this additional cost 
share or match becomes part of the grantee's budget and therefore a 
condition of the grant. According to 34 CFR 74.25, any changes to an 
applicant's budget can be made only with the prior written approval of 
the Department.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: You can obtain an 
application package via the Internet or from the Education Publications 
Center (ED Pubs). To obtain a copy via the Internet, use the following 
address: www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html. To obtain a 
copy from ED Pubs, write, fax, or call the following: 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) or a text telephone (TTY), 
call, toll free: 1-877-576-7734.
    You can contact ED Pubs at its Web site, also: www.EDPubs.gov or at 
its email address: [email protected].
    If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify 
this program as follows: CFDA number 84.133P.
    Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application 
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, 
or compact disc) 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 are in the application package 
for this program, including the requirement for an applicant to provide 
assurances that it will comply with 34 CFR 350.64 and 350.65. The 
application package also includes the forms you must submit. 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. We recommend that you limit Part III to 
the equivalent of no more than 75 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).
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial.
    The recommended 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, or the letters of 
support. However, the page limit does apply to all of the application 
narrative section (Part III).
    An applicant should consult NIDRR's Plan when preparing its 
application. The Plan is organized around the following research 
domains: (1) Community Living and Participation; (2) Health and 
Function; (3) Technology; (4) Employment; and (5) Demographics. Each 
applicant should clearly indicate, for each application, the domain 
under which it is applying.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:

[[Page 7421]]

    Applications Available: February 1, 2013.
    Date of Pre-Application Meeting: Interested parties are invited to 
participate in a pre-application meeting and to receive information and 
technical assistance through individual consultation with NIDRR staff. 
The pre-application meeting will be held on February 22, 2013. 
Interested parties may participate in this meeting by conference call 
with NIDRR staff from the Office of Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., Washington, DC 
time. NIDRR staff also will be available from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., 
Washington, DC time, on the same day, by telephone, to provide 
information and technical assistance through individual consultation. 
For further information or to make arrangements to participate in the 
meeting via conference call or for an individual consultation, contact 
Marlene Spencer as follows:
    Marlene Spencer, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue 
SW., Potomac Center Plaza (PCP), Room 5133, Washington, DC 20202-2700. 
Telephone: (202) 245-7532 or by email: [email protected].
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 2, 2013.
    Applications for grants under this program must be submitted 
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov). For 
information (including dates and times) about how to submit your 
application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, please refer to section IV.7. Other Submission 
Requirements of this notice.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact 
one of the persons 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.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is not subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
    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, you must--
    a. Have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and a 
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN);
    b. Register both your DUNS number and TIN with the Central 
Contractor Registry (CCR)--and, after July 24, 2012, with the System 
for Award Management (SAM), the Government's primary registrant 
database;
    c. Provide your DUNS number and TIN on your application; and
    d. Maintain an active CCR or SAM registration with current 
information while your application is under review by the Department 
and, if you are awarded a grant, during the project period.
    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 or SAM 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 registration annually. This may take three or more 
business days to complete. Information about SAM is available at 
SAM.gov.
    In addition, if you are submitting your application via Grants.gov, 
you must (1) be designated by your organization as an Authorized 
Organization Representative (AOR); and (2) register yourself with 
Grants.gov as an AOR. Details on these steps are outlined at the 
following Grants.gov Web page: www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp.
    7. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under 
this program must be submitted electronically unless you qualify for an 
exception to this requirement in accordance with the instructions in 
this section.
    a. Electronic Submission of Applications. Applications for grants 
under the MSI-ARRT Projects program, CFDA Number 84.133P-3, must be 
submitted electronically using the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site 
at www.Grants.gov. Through this site, you will be able to download a 
copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload 
and submit your application. You may not email an electronic copy of a 
grant application to us.
    We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format 
unless, as described elsewhere in this section, you qualify for one of 
the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no 
later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written 
statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these 
exceptions. Further information regarding calculation of the date that 
is two weeks before the application deadline date is provided later in 
this section under Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement.
    You may access the electronic grant application for the MSI-ARRT 
Projects program at www.Grants.gov. You must search for the 
downloadable application package for this program by the CFDA number. 
Do not include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g., 
search for 84.133, not 84.133P).
    Please note the following:
     When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find 
information about submitting an application electronically through the 
site, as well as the hours of operation.
     Applications received by Grants.gov are date and time 
stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted and must 
be date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30:00 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as 
otherwise noted in this section, we will not accept your application if 
it is received--that is, date and time stamped by the Grants.gov 
system--after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. We do not consider an application that does not comply 
with the deadline requirements. When we retrieve your application from 
Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application 
because it was date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system after 
4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date.
     The amount of time it can take to upload an application 
will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the 
application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we 
strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline 
date to begin the submission process through Grants.gov.

[[Page 7422]]

     You should review and follow the Education Submission 
Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are 
included in the application package for this program to ensure that you 
submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov system. 
You can also find the Education Submission Procedures pertaining to 
Grants.gov under News and Events on the Department's G5 system homepage 
at www.G5.gov.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, as described elsewhere in this section, and submit your 
application in paper format.
     You must submit all documents electronically, including 
all information you typically provide on the following forms: The 
Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), the Department of 
Education Supplemental Information for SF 424, Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and 
certifications.
     You must upload any narrative sections and all other 
attachments to your application as files in a PDF (Portable Document) 
read-only, non-modifiable format. Do not upload an interactive or 
fillable PDF file. If you upload a file type other than a read-only, 
non-modifiable PDF or submit a password-protected file, we will not 
review that material. Additional, detailed information on how to attach 
files is in the application instructions.
     Your electronic application must comply with any page-
limit requirements described in this notice.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that 
contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates 
receipt by Grants.gov only, not receipt by the Department.) The 
Department then will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send 
a second notification to you by email. This second notification 
indicates that the Department has received your application and has 
assigned your application a PR/Award number (a Department-specified 
identifying number unique to your application).
     We may request that you provide us original signatures on 
forms at a later date.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical Issues 
With the Grants.gov System: If you are experiencing problems submitting 
your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov 
Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a 
Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it.
    If you are prevented from electronically submitting your 
application on the application deadline date because of technical 
problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension 
until 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to 
enable you to transmit your application electronically or by hand 
delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing 
instructions described elsewhere in this notice.
    If you submit an application after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC 
time, on the application deadline date, please contact one of the 
persons listed under For Further Information Contact in section VII of 
this notice and provide an explanation of the technical problem you 
experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk 
Case Number. We will accept your application if we can confirm that a 
technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that 
problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30:00 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The 
Department will contact you after a determination is made on whether 
your application will be accepted.


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

    Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement: You qualify for an 
exception to the electronic submission requirement, and may submit your 
application in paper format, if you are unable to submit an application 
through the Grants.gov system because--
     You do not have access to the Internet; or
     You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to 
the Grants.gov system; and
     No later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date (14 calendar days or, if the fourteenth calendar day before the 
application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, the next business 
day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement 
to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception 
prevents you from using the Internet to submit your application.
    If you mail your written statement to the Department, it must be 
postmarked no later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date. If you fax your written statement to the Department, we must 
receive the faxed statement no later than two weeks before the 
application deadline date.
    Address and mail or fax your statement to: Marlene Spencer, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5133, Potomac 
Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-2700. FAX: (202) 245-7323.
    Your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the 
mail or hand delivery instructions described in this notice.
    b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.
    If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a 
commercial carrier) your application to the Department. You must mail 
the original and two copies of your application, on or before the 
application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: 
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
(CFDA Number 84.133P-3) 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 qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver your paper 
application to the Department by hand. You must deliver the original 
and

[[Page 7423]]

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 84.133P-3), 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 program under which you are submitting 
your application; and
    (2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a 
notification of receipt of your grant application. If you do not 
receive this notification within 15 business days from the 
application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of 
Education Application Control Center at (202) 245-6288.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are 
from 34 CFR 350.54 and are listed in the application package.
    2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants 
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, 
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past 
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as 
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and 
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider 
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or 
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
    In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary 
also requires various assurances including those applicable to Federal 
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or 
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department 
of Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    3. Special Conditions: Under 34 CFR 74.14 and 80.12, the Secretary 
may impose special conditions on a grant if the applicant or grantee is 
not financially stable; has a history of unsatisfactory performance; 
has a financial or other management system that does not meet the 
standards in 34 CFR parts 74 or 80, as applicable; has not fulfilled 
the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not responsible.

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: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition, 
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and 
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply 
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
    (b) 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 www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    4. Performance Measures: To evaluate the overall success of its 
research program, NIDRR assesses the quality of its funded projects 
through review of grantee performance and products. Each year, NIDRR 
examines a portion of its grantees to determine the extent to which 
grantees are conducting high-quality research and related activities 
that lead to high-quality products. Performance measures for the MSI-
ARRT Projects program include--
     The percentage of NIDRR-supported fellows, post-doctoral 
trainees, and doctoral students who publish results of NIDRR-sponsored 
research in refereed journals.
     The average number of publications per award based on 
NIDRR-funded research and development activities in refereed journals.
    NIDRR uses information submitted by grantees as part of their 
Annual Performance Reports (APRs) to assess performance. NIDRR also 
determines, using information submitted as part of the grantees' APRs, 
the number of publications in refereed journals that are based on 
NIDRR-funded research and development activities.
    Department of Education program performance reports, which include 
information on NIDRR programs, are available on the Department's Web 
site: www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/opepd/sas/index.html.
    5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award, the 
Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.253, the extent to which a 
grantee has made ``substantial progress toward meeting the objectives 
in its approved application.'' This consideration includes the review 
of a grantee's progress in meeting the targets and projected outcomes 
in its approved application, and whether the grantee has expended funds 
in a manner that is consistent with its approved application and 
budget. In making a continuation grant, the Secretary also considers 
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in 
its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil 
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities 
receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

VII. Agency Contacts

    For Further Information Contact: Marlene Spencer as follows:
    Marlene Spencer, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue 
SW., Room 5133, PCP, Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245-
7532 or by email: [email protected].
    If you use a TDD or TTY, 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 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.

[[Page 7424]]

    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: 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: 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

    Dated: January 29, 2013.
Michael Yudin,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services.
[FR Doc. 2013-02214 Filed 1-31-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P