[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 230 (Friday, November 29, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71584-71590]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-28669]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; NIDDR DRRP-Community Living and 
Participation, Health and Function, and Employment of Individuals With 
Disabilities

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--Disability and Rehabilitation Research

[[Page 71585]]

Projects (DRRPs)--Community Living and Participation, Health and 
Function, and Employment of Individuals with Disabilities Notice 
inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2014.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers: Community 
Living and Participation of Individuals with Disabilities: 84.133A-4 
(Research) and 84.133A-9 (Development); Health and Function of 
Individuals with Disabilities: 84.133A-3 (Research) and 84.133A-8 
(Development); and Employment of Individuals with Disabilities: 
84.133A-1 (Research) and 84.133A-7 (Development).

DATES: 
    Applications Available: November 29, 2013.
    Date of Pre-Application Meeting: December 20, 2013.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: January 3, 2014.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: January 28, 2014.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    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 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. 
Additionally information on DRRPs can be found at: http://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/res-program.html#DRRP.
    Priorities: There are four priorities for these competitions. Three 
priorities are from the notice of final priorities and definitions for 
this program, published in the Federal Register on May 7, 2013 (78 FR 
26513). One priority is from the notice of final priorities for the 
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program, 
published in the Federal Register on April 28, 2006 (71 FR 25472).
    Absolute Priorities: For FY 2014 and any subsequent year in which 
we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from these 
competitions, these priorities are absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet these priorities.
    These priorities are:
    Priority 1--DRRP on Community Living and Participation of 
Individuals with Disabilities.
    Priority 2--DRRP on Health and Function of Individuals with 
Disabilities.
    Priority 3--DRRP on Employment of Individuals with Disabilities.

    Note: The full text of these priorities is included in the 
notice of final priorities and definitions published in the Federal 
Register on May 7, 2013 (78 FR 26513) and in the application package 
for these competitions.

    Priority 4--General DRRP Requirements.

    Note: The full text of this priority is included in the notice 
of final priorities for the Disability and Rehabilitation Research 
Projects and Centers Program, published in the Federal Register on 
April 28, 2006 (71 FR 25472) and in the application package for 
these competitions.

    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(a).
    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. (d) The notice of final priorities for the 
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers program 
published in the Federal Register on April 28, 2006 (71 FR 25472). (e) 
The notice of final priorities and definitions for this program, 
published in the Federal Register on May 7, 2013 (78 FR 26513).

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

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested 
$110,000,000 for the NIDRR program for FY 2014, of which we intend to 
use an estimated $3,000,000 for the DRRP competitions. 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.
    Estimated Range of Awards: See chart.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: See chart.
    Maximum Award: See chart.
    Estimated Number of Awards: See chart.

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

    Project Period: See chart.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                    Maximum
                                                                Deadline for       Estimated   Estimated   Estimated   Estimated     award      Project
       CFDA number and name              Applications          transmittal of      available    average    range of    number of    amount      period
                                          available             applications         funds      size of     awards      awards    (per year)   (months)
                                                                                                awards                             \1, 2, 3\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
84.133A-4 (Research) and 84.133A-9  November 29, 2013....  January 28, 2014.....  $1,000,000    $490,000  $480,000-$           2    $500,000          60
 (Development), Community Living                                                                             500,000
 and Participation of Individuals
 with Disabilities.

[[Page 71586]]

 
84.133A-3 (Research) and 84.133A-8  November 29, 2013....  January 28, 2014.....  $1,000,000    $490,000  $480,000-$           2    $500,000          60
 (Development), Health and                                                                                   500,000
 Function of Individuals with
 Disabilities.
84.133A-1 (Research) and 84.133A-7  November 29, 2013....  January 28, 2014.....  $1,000,000    $490,000  $480,000--           2    $500,000          60
 (Development), Employment of                                                                               $500,000
 Individuals with Disabilities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2014 and any subsequent year from the
  list of unfunded applicants from this competition.
\2\ We will reject any application that proposes a budget exceeding the Maximum Amount. The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative
  Services may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal Register.
\3\ The maximum amount includes both direct and indirect costs.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: States; public or private agencies, 
including for-profit agencies; public or private organizations, 
including for-profit organizations; IHEs; and Indian tribes and tribal 
organizations.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost sharing is required by 34 CFR 
350.62(a) and will be negotiated at the time of the grant award.
    3. Other: Different selection criteria are used for DRRP research 
grants and development grants. Applicants under each priority must 
clearly indicate in the application whether they are applying for a 
research grant (84.133A-4, 84.133A-3, or 84.133A-1) or a development 
grant (84.133A-9, 84.133A-8, or 84.133A-7) and must address the 
selection criteria relevant to that grant type. Without exception, 
NIDRR will review each application based on the grant designation made 
by the applicant. Applications will be determined ineligible and will 
not be reviewed if they do not include a clear designation as a 
research grant or a development grant.

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 
these competitions as follows: CFDA numbers 84.133A-4 & 84.133A-9; 
84.133A-3 & 84.133A-8; or 84.133A-1 & 84.133A-7.
    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, together with the forms you 
must submit, are in the application package for this program.
    Notice of Intent to Apply: Due to the open nature of the DRRP 
priorities announced here, and to assist with the selection of 
reviewers for this competition, NIDRR is requesting all potential 
applicants to submit a letter of intent (LOI). The submission is not 
mandatory and the content of the LOI will not be peer reviewed or 
otherwise used to rate an applicant's application.
    Each LOI should be limited to a maximum of four pages and include 
the following information: (1) The title of the proposed project, the 
name of the applicant, the name of the Project Director or Principal 
Investigator (PI), and the names of partner institutions and entities; 
(2) a brief statement of the vision, goals, and objectives of the 
proposed project and a description of its activities at a sufficient 
level of detail to allow NIDRR to select potential peer reviewers; (3) 
a list of proposed project staff including the Project Director or PI 
and key personnel; (4) a list of individuals whose selection as a peer 
reviewer might constitute a conflict of interest due to involvement in 
proposal development, selection as an advisory board member, co-PI 
relationships, etc.; and (5) contact information for the Project 
Director or PI. Submission of a LOI is not a prerequisite for 
eligibility to submit an application.
    NIDRR will accept the optional LOI via surface mail or email, by 
January 3, 2014. The LOI must be sent to: Marlene Spencer, U.S. 
Department of Education, 550 12th Street, SW., room 5133, Potomac 
Center Plaza (PCP), Washington, DC 20202; or by email to: 
[email protected].
    For further information regarding the LOI submission process, 
contact Marlene Spencer at (202) 245-7532. 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 recommended page limit does apply to all of the 
application narrative section (Part III).

[[Page 71587]]

    An applicant should consult NIDRR's Long-Range Plan for Fiscal 
Years 2013-2017 (78 CFR 20299) (Plan) when preparing its application. 
The Plan is organized around the following research domains: (1) 
Community Living and Participation; (2) Health and Function; and (3) 
Employment.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: November 29, 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 December 20, 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 to arrange for an individual 
consultation, contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT in section VII of this notice.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: January 3, 2014.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: January 28, 2014.
    Applications for grants under these competitions 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 
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.
    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 System for Award Management: 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 System for Award 
Management (SAM) (formerly the Central Contractor Registry (CCR)), the 
Government's primary registrant database;
    c. Provide your DUNS number and TIN on your application; and
    d. Maintain an active 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-to-two business days.
    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 SAM registration process can take approximately seven business 
days, but may take upwards of several weeks, depending on the 
completeness and accuracy of the data entered into the SAM database by 
an entity. Thus, if you think you might want to apply for Federal 
financial assistance under a program administered by the Department, 
please allow sufficient time to obtain and register your DUNS number 
and TIN. We strongly recommend that you register early.

    Note:  Once your SAM registration is active, you will need to 
allow 24 to 48 hours for the information to be available in 
Grants.gov and before you can submit an application through 
Grants.gov.

    If you are currently registered with SAM, 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.
    Information about SAM is available at www.SAM.gov. To further 
assist you with obtaining and registering your DUNS number and TIN in 
SAM or updating your existing SAM account, we have prepared a SAM.gov 
Tip Sheet, which you can find at: http://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/sam-faqs.html.
    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 the 
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 Community Living and 
Participation, Health and Function, and Employment of Individuals with 
Disabilities DRRP program, CFDA Numbers 84.133A-4 (Research) and 
84.133-9 (Development); 84.133A-3 (Research) and 84.133A-8 
(Development); 84.133A-1 (Research) and 84.133A-7 (Development), 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 Community 
Living and Participation, Health and Function, and Employment of 
Individuals with Disabilities DRRP program at www.Grants.gov. You must 
search for

[[Page 71588]]

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 84.133A).
    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.
     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 home 
page 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 (an ED-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 the person 
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, PCP, 
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

[[Page 71589]]

application deadline date, to the Department at the following address:

U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
(CFDA Number 84.133A-4 (Research) or 84.133A-9 (Development); 84.133A-3 
(Research) or 84.133A-8 (Development); 84.133A-1 (Research) or 84.133A-
7 (Development)), 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 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 84.133A-4 (Research) or 84.133A-9 (Development); 84.133A-3 
(Research) or 84.133A-8 (Development); 84.133A-1 (Research) or 84.133A-
7 (Development)), 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); or we may send you an email containing a link to 
access an electronic version of your 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 a review of grantee performance and products. Each year, NIDRR 
examines a portion of its grantees to determine:
     The number of products (e.g., new or improved tools, 
methods, discoveries, standards, interventions, programs, or devices 
developed or tested with NIDRR funding) that have been judged by expert 
panels to be of high quality and to advance the field.
     The average number of publications per award based on 
NIDRR-funded research and development activities in refereed journals.
     The percentage of new NIDRR grants that assess the 
effectiveness of interventions, programs, and devices using rigorous 
methods.
    NIDRR uses information submitted by grantees as part of their 
Annual Performance Reports for these reviews.
    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.

[[Page 71590]]

    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 Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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 a 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.
    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: November 25, 2013.
Michael K. Yudin,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services.
[FR Doc. 2013-28669 Filed 11-27-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P