[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 241 (Monday, December 16, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76121-76126]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-29824]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; National Institute on Disability and 
Rehabilitation Research--Small Business Innovation Research Program--
Phase I

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

ACTION: Notice.

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    Overview Information: National Institute on Disability and 
Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)--Small Business Innovation Research 
Program (SBIR)--Phase I Notice inviting applications for new awards for 
fiscal year (FY) 2014.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.133S-1.

DATES: Applications Available: December 16, 2013.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 14, 2014.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of the SBIR program is four-fold:
     Stimulate technological innovation in the private sector.
     Encourage participation in innovation and entrepreneurship 
by socially and economically disadvantaged persons.
     Strengthen the role of small business in meeting Federal 
research and development (R&D) needs.
     Increase private-sector commercialization of innovations 
derived from U.S. Department of Education (Department) R&D funding.

Background

    The Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982 (Act), Pub. 
L. 97-219, established the SBIR program. The Act requires certain 
agencies, including the Department, to reserve a statutory percentage 
of their extramural R&D budgets for two phases of the three-phase SBIR 
program (see http://sbir.gov/about/about-sbir for more information on 
the program).
    Phase I awards are to determine, insofar as possible, the 
scientific or technical merit, feasibility, and commercial potential of 
R&D projects submitted under the SBIR program. Phase I awards are for 
amounts up to $75,000 and for a period of up to six months. Phase II 
projects continue the development of Phase I projects. Funding is based 
on the results achieved in Phase I and the scientific and technical 
merit and commercial potential of the proposed Phase II project. Only 
Phase I grantees are eligible to apply for Phase II funding. Phase II 
awards are for amounts up to $575,000 over a period of two years.
    In Phase III, the small business grantee pursues commercial 
applications of the Phase I and II R&D. The SBIR program does not fund 
Phase III.
    All SBIR projects funded by NIDRR must address the needs of 
individuals with disabilities. (See 29 U.S.C. 760.) Project activities 
may include:
     Conducting manufacturing-related R&D that encompasses 
improvements in existing methods or processes, or wholly new processes, 
machines, or systems, that benefit individuals with disabilities;
     Exploring the uses of technology to ensure equal access to 
education, employment, community environments, and information for 
individuals with disabilities; and
     Improving the quality and utility of disability and 
rehabilitation research.
    Executive Order 13329 states that continued technological 
innovation is critical to a strong manufacturing sector in the United 
States economy and seeks to ensure that Federal agencies assist the 
private sector in its manufacturing innovation efforts. The 
Department's SBIR program encourages innovative R&D projects that are 
manufacturing-

[[Page 76122]]

related, as defined by Executive Order 13329.
    Manufacturing-related R&D encompasses improvements in existing 
methods and processes, as well as wholly new processes, machines, and 
systems. The Department's SBIR program supports a range of 
manufacturing-related R&D projects, including projects relating to the 
manufacture of such items as artificial intelligence and information 
technology devices, software, and systems. For more information on 
Executive Order 13329, please visit the following Web site: 
www.sba.gov/content/executive-order-13329-encouraging-innovation-manufacturing-0 or contact Vanessa Tesoriero at: 
[email protected].

    Note: An applicant should consult NIDRR's Long-Range Plan for 
Fiscal Years 2013-2017 (78 FR 20299) (the 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.

    Priorities: Under this competition we are particularly interested 
in applications that address one or more of the following five 
priorities.
    Invitational Priorities: For FY 2014 and any subsequent year in 
which we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this 
competition, these priorities are invitational priorities. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets one of these 
invitational priorities a competitive or absolute preference over other 
applications.
    Each of the following invitational priorities relates to innovative 
research utilizing new technologies to address the needs of individuals 
with disabilities. These priorities are:
    (1) Increased independence of individuals with disabilities in 
community settings, including educational settings, through the 
development of technology to support access to these settings and 
promote integration of individuals with disabilities.
    (2) Enhanced sensory or motor function of individuals with 
disabilities through the development of technology to support improved 
functional capacity.
    (3) Enhanced workforce participation through the development of 
technology to increase access to employment, promote sustained 
employment, and support employment advancement for individuals with 
disabilities.
    (4) Enhanced community living and participation for individuals 
with disabilities through the development of accessible information 
technology including cloud computing, software, systems, and devices 
that promote access to information in educational, employment, and 
community settings, and voting technology that improves access for 
individuals with disabilities.
    (5) Improved health-care interventions and increased use of related 
resources through the development of technology to support independent 
access to community health-care services for individuals with 
disabilities.
    Applicants should describe the approaches they expect to use to 
collect empirical evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of the 
technology they are proposing. This empirical evidence should 
facilitate the assessment of the efficacy and usefulness of the 
technology.

    Note: In responding to all invitational priorities, NIDRR 
encourages applicants to adhere to universal design principles and 
guidelines. The term ``universal design'' is defined as ``the design 
of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the 
greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or 
specialized design'' (The Center for Universal Design, 1997). 
Universal design of consumer products minimizes or alleviates 
barriers that reduce the ability of individuals with disabilities to 
effectively or safely use standard consumer products. (For more 
information see: www.trace.wisc.edu/docs/consumer_product_guidelines/consumer.pcs/disabil.htm).


    Program Authority: The Small Business Innovation Development Act 
of 1982, Pub. L. 97-219, as amended (15 U.S.C. 631 and 638), and 
title II of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 
760 et seq.).

    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 81, 82, 
84, and 97. (b) The Education Department suspension and debarment 
regulations in 2 CFR part 3485.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested 
$110,000,000 for awards for NIDRR programs for FY 2014, of which we 
intend to use an estimated $750,000 for the SBIR Phase I 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.

    Note: The estimated amount of funds available for new Phase I 
awards is based upon the estimated SBIR allocation for OSERS, minus 
prior commitments for Phase II continuation awards.

    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2014 from the list of 
approved but unfunded applicants from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $70,000-$75,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $75,000.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding $75,000 for a single budget period of up to six 
months. The Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services may change the maximum amount through a notice 
published in the Federal Register.

    Note: The maximum award amount includes direct and indirect 
costs and fees.

    Estimated Number of Awards: 10.

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

    Project Period: Up to 6 months. We will reject any application that 
proposes a project period that exceeds a single budget period of up to 
six months. The Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education 
and Rehabilitative Services may change the project period through a 
notice published in the Federal Register.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Entities that are, at the time of award, 
small business concerns as defined by the Small Business Administration 
(SBA). This definition is included in the application package.
    If it appears that an applicant organization does not meet the 
eligibility requirements, we will request an evaluation by the SBA. 
Under circumstances in which eligibility is unclear, we will not make 
an SBIR award until the SBA makes a determination that the applicant is 
eligible under its definition of small business concern.
    Technology, science, and engineering firms with strong research 
capabilities in any of the priority areas listed in this notice are 
encouraged to participate. Consultative or other arrangements between 
these firms and universities or other nonprofit organizations are 
permitted, but the small business concern must serve as the grantee. 
For Phase I projects, at least two-thirds of the research or analytic 
activities must be performed by the small business concern grantee.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.

[[Page 76123]]

    3. Other: The total of all consultant fees, facility leases or 
usage fees, and other subcontracts or purchase agreements may not 
exceed one-third of the total funding award.

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 competition as follows: CFDA number 84.133S-1.
    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 team listed under Accessible Format 
in section VIII of this notice.
    2. a. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you 
must submit, are in the application package for this competition.
    Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, the applicant, 
address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your 
application. You must limit the application narrative to the equivalent 
of no more than 50 pages, using the following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5 x 11, on one side 
only, with 1 margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative. You are not required to double 
space titles, headings, footnotes, references, captions, or 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 page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the budget 
section, including the narrative budget justification; the assurances 
and certifications; the one-page abstract, the resumes, the 
bibliography, or the letters of support; related applications or 
awards; or the documentation of previous Phase II awards (required only 
if the small business concern has received more than 15 Phase II awards 
in the prior five fiscal years). However, the page limit does apply to 
all of the application narrative section.
    We will reject your application if you exceed the page limit or if 
you apply other standards and exceed the equivalent of the page limit.
    b. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of 
projects that may be proposed in applications for the SBIR program, 
your application may include business information that you consider 
proprietary. The Department's regulations define ``business 
information'' in 34 CFR 5.11.
    Because we plan to publicly highlight success stories on our Web 
site, you may wish to request confidentiality of business information.
    Consistent with Executive Order 12600, please designate in your 
application any information that you feel is exempt from disclosure 
under Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act. In the appropriate 
Appendix section of your application, under ``Other Attachments Form,'' 
please list the page number or numbers on which we can find this 
information. For additional information please see 34 CFR 5.11(c).
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: December 16, 2013.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 14, 2014.
    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. 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.
    5. Intergovernmental Review: This program is not subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
    6. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    7. 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

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changes. However, please make certain that the TIN associated with your 
DUNS number is correct. Also note that you will need to update your SAM 
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.
    8. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under 
this competition 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 SBIR Program, CFDA number 
84.133S-1, 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 SBIR 
Program at www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable 
application package for this competition by the CFDA number. Do not 
include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for 
84.133, not 84.133S).
    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

[[Page 76125]]

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.

    9. 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: Patricia Barrett, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5142, 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 
application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: 
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
(CFDA Number 84.133S-1), 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 84.133S-1), 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac 
Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260,
    The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily 
between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, except 
Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays.

    Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you 
mail or hand deliver your application to the Department--
    (1) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by 
the Department--in Item 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including 
suffix letter, if any, of the competition under which you are 
submitting your application; and
    (2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a 
notification of receipt of your grant application. If you do not 
receive this 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

[[Page 76126]]

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.

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Barrett, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5142, PCP, Washington, DC 
20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245-6211 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: December 11, 2013.
Michael K. Yudin,
Acting Assistant, Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services.
[FR Doc. 2013-29824 Filed 12-13-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P