[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 93 (Wednesday, May 14, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27580-27586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-11113]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; State Charter School; Facilities 
Incentive Grants Program

AGENCY: Office of Innovation and Improvement, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Overview Information: State Charter School Facilities Incentive 
Grants Program Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal 
year (FY) 2014.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.282D

DATES: 
    Applications Available: May 14, 2014.
    Date of Pre-Application Webinar: Thursday, May 22, 2014, at 2:00 
p.m., Washington, DC time.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 30, 2014.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 27, 2014

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The State Charter School Facilities Incentive 
Grants Program provides grants to eligible States to help them 
establish or enhance, and then administer, per-pupil facilities aid 
programs for charter schools. States eligible for these grants are 
those with per-pupil facilities aid programs that assist charter 
schools with their school facility costs.
    Priorities: This competition includes three competitive preference 
priorities. In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105 (b)(2)(ii), these 
priorities are from the regulations for this program (34 CFR 226.13 and 
226.14).
    Competitive Preference 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 competitive preference 
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we award up to an additional 
10 points to an application that meets competitive preference priority 
1; up to an additional 10 points to an application that meets 
competitive preference priority 2; and an additional 20 points to an 
application that meets competitive preference priority 3.
    These priorities are:
    Competitive Preference Priority 1 (10 points). The Secretary will 
award up to 10 points to an application under competitive preference 
priority 1. The applicant must meet all of the requirements in (a) 
through (d) in order to receive the full 10 points. The requirements 
are: (a) Periodic Review and Evaluation.
    The State provides for periodic review and evaluation by the 
authorized public chartering agency of each charter school at least 
once every five years, unless required more frequently by State law, to 
determine whether the charter school is meeting the terms of the 
school's charter and is meeting or exceeding the student academic 
performance requirements and goals for charter schools as set forth 
under State law or the school's charter.
    (b) Number of High-Quality Charter Schools.
    The State has demonstrated progress in increasing the number of 
high-quality charter schools that are held accountable in the terms of 
the schools' charters for meeting clear and measurable objectives for 
the educational progress of the students attending the schools, in the 
period prior to the period for which the State applies for a grant 
under this competition.

    Note:  The Secretary encourages the applicant to include in its 
application an analysis of the number of charter schools meeting and 
exceeding State academic targets, as well as the number of charter 
schools that have been closed due to academic and operational 
performance.

    (c) One Authorized Public Chartering Agency Other Than a Local 
Educational Agency (LEA), or an Appeals Process.
    The State--
    (1) Provides for one authorized public chartering agency that is 
not a LEA,

[[Page 27581]]

such as a State chartering board, for each individual or entity seeking 
to operate a charter school pursuant to State law; or
    (2) In the case of a State in which LEAs are the only authorized 
public chartering agencies, allows for an appeals process for the 
denial of an application for a charter school.
    (d) High Degree of Autonomy.
    The State ensures that each charter school has a high degree of 
autonomy over the charter school's budgets and expenditures.
    Competitive Preference Priority 2 (10 points). The Secretary will 
award up to 10 points to an application under this competitive 
preference priority regarding the capacity of charter schools to offer 
public school choice in those communities with the greatest need for 
this choice based on--
    (1) The extent to which this applicant would target services to 
geographic areas in which a large proportion or number of public 
schools have been identified for improvement, corrective action, or 
restructuring under Title 1 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA).

    Note: In order for a State with an approved request for ESEA 
flexibility to receive points under this competitive preference 
priority, the State should target geographic areas in which a large 
proportion or number of public schools have been identified as 
priority or focus schools or belong to a subset of other Title I 
schools specifically identified as low-achieving under the State's 
approved ESEA flexibility request (see the June 7, 2012, ``ESEA 
Flexibility'' document at www.ed.gov/esea/flexibility). The State 
should also describe how its proposed project is consistent with the 
efforts to serve students attending priority or focus schools 
described in its approved request for ESEA flexibility.

    (2) The extent to which the applicant would target services to 
geographic areas in which a large proportion of students perform poorly 
on State academic assessments; and
    (3) The extent to which the applicant would target services to 
communities with large proportions of low-income students.
    Competitive Preference Priority 3 (20 points). The Secretary will 
award an additional 20 points to an application under a competitive 
preference priority for applicants that have not previously received a 
grant under this program.
    Definitions: The following definitions are from 34 CFR 77.1(c):
    Ambitious means promoting continued, meaningful improvement for 
program participants or for other individuals or entities affected by 
the grant, or representing a significant advancement in the field of 
education research, practices, or methodologies. When used to describe 
a performance target, whether a performance target is ambitious depends 
upon the context of the relevant performance measure and the baseline 
for that measure.
    Logic model (also referred to as theory of action) means a well-
specified conceptual framework that identifies key components of the 
proposed process, product, strategy, or practice (i.e., the active 
``ingredients'' that are hypothesized to be critical to achieving the 
relevant outcomes) and describes the relationships among the key 
components and outcomes, theoretically and operationally.
    Performance measure means any quantitative indicator, statistic, or 
metric used to gauge program or project performance.
    Performance target means a level of performance that an applicant 
would seek to meet during the course of a project or as a result of a 
project.
    Relevant outcome means the student outcome(s) (or the ultimate 
outcome if not related to students) the proposed process, product, 
strategy, or practice is designed to improve; consistent with the 
specific goals of a program.
    Strong theory means a rationale for the proposed process, product, 
strategy, or practice that includes a logic model.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7221d(b).
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 
81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The Education Department debarment 
and suspension regulations in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The regulations for 
this program in 34 CFR part 226.

    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants 
except federally recognized Indian tribes.


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

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $11,000,000.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2015 from the list of 
unfunded applicants from this competition.

    Note: The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 states that 
``funds available for part B of title V of the ESEA may be used for 
grants that support preschool education in charter schools.'' An 
application submitted under this competition may propose to use CSP 
funds to support preschool education in a charter school, provided 
that the charter school meets the definition of ``charter school'' 
in section 5210(1) of the ESEA, including the requirement that the 
charter school provide a program of elementary or secondary 
education, or both. Under section 9101(18) of the ESEA, ``elementary 
school'' means a nonprofit institutional day or residential school, 
including a public elementary charter school, that provides 
elementary education, as determined under State law. In a number of 
States, preschool education is part of elementary education under 
State law. In such States, CSP funds may be used to support 
preschool education in charter schools (as defined in section 
5210(1)) that provide elementary or secondary education beyond 
preschool, as well as in charter schools that provide only preschool 
education. In States in which preschool education is not part of 
elementary education under State law, CSP funds may be used to 
support preschool education so long as the preschool program is 
offered as part of a school that meets the definition of ``charter 
school'' in section 5210(1)--that is, the school provides elementary 
or secondary education, or both. Thus, in States in which preschool 
education is not part of elementary education under State law, CSP 
funds may not be used to support charter schools that provide only 
preschool education. In Spring 2014, the Department plans to release 
nonregulatory guidance that will provide additional information 
about how CSP funds may be used to support preschool education in 
charter schools. Please continue to check the CSP Web site for 
updates.

    Estimated Range of Awards: $1,000,000 to $10,000,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $5,500,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 1-3.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: States that have enacted a law authorizing 
per-pupil facilities aid for charter schools.
    2.a. Cost Sharing or Matching: Under section 5205(b)(2)(C) of the 
ESEA, States, or parties that are closely collaborating with them, are 
required to provide matching funds. The minimum non-Federal share of 
the total cost of the project increases each year of the grant, from 10 
percent the first year to 80 percent in the fifth year.
    Applicants that are initially selected to receive grants will not 
receive grant funds unless they demonstrate, by September 1, 2014, that 
they will be able to fund the non-Federal share of the matching funds 
required under this program. The Department reserves the right to 
reject an application if an initial recipient does not demonstrate that 
it will have the required non-Federal funding by this date.

[[Page 27582]]

    b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This program involves supplement-not-
supplant funding requirements. Under section 5205(b)(3)(C) of the ESEA 
(20 U.S.C. 7221d(b)(3)(C)), program funds must be used to supplement, 
and not supplant, State and local public funds expended to provide per-
pupil facilities aid programs, operations financing programs, or other 
programs, for charter schools. Therefore, the Federal funds provided 
under this program, as well as the matching funds provided by the 
grantee, must be in addition to the State and local funds that would 
otherwise be used for this purpose in the absence of this Federal 
program. The Department generally considers that State and local funds 
would be available for this purpose at least in the amount of the funds 
that was available in the preceding year and that the Federal funds and 
matching funds under this program would supplement that amount.
    3. Other: The charter schools that a grantee selects to benefit 
from this program must meet the definition of a ``charter school'' in 
the Charter Schools Program authorizing statute throughout the grant 
period. The definitions of ``charter school,'' ``per-pupil facilities 
aid programs,'' and ``authorized public chartering agency'' are in 
sections 5205(b) and 5210(1) of the ESEA.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: Kristin Lundholm, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4W221, 
Washington, DC 20202-5970. Telephone: (202) 205-4352 or by email: 
[email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.
    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 program contact person listed in 
this section.
    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 program.
    Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, the applicant, 
address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your 
application. Applicants are encouraged to limit their application 
narrative to no more than 40 pages (not including the required forms 
and tables), 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.
    Furthermore, applicants are strongly encouraged to include a table 
of contents that specifies where each required part of the application 
is located.
    b. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of 
projects that may be proposed in applications for the State Charter 
School Facilities Incentive Grants Program, an application may include 
business information that the applicant considers proprietary. The 
Department's regulations define ``business information'' in 34 CFR 
5.11.
    Because we plan to make successful applications available to the 
public, 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 Attachment 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: May 14, 2014.
    Date of Pre-Application Webinar: The Department will hold a pre-
application Webinar for prospective applicants on the following date: 
Thursday, May 22, 2014, at 2:00 p.m., Washington, DC time.
    Individuals interested in attending the Webinar are encouraged to 
pre-register by emailing their name, organization, contact information, 
and preferred Webinar date and time with the subject heading STATE 
INCENTIVE PRE-APPLICATION MEETING to [email protected]. There is 
no registration fee for attending the pre-application Webinar.
    For further information about the pre-application Webinar, contact 
Kristin Lundholm, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue 
SW., Room 4W221, Washington, DC 20202-5970. Telephone: (202) 205-4352 
or by email: [email protected].
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 30, 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, please refer to section IV. 7. Other 
Submission Requirements of this notice.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact 
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII 
of this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the 
application process, the individual's application remains subject to 
all other requirements and limitations in this notice.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 27, 2014.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive 
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 
12372 is in the application package for this program.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We specify unallowable costs in 34 CFR 
75.533. We reference additional 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

[[Page 27583]]

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/web/grants/register.html.
    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 State Charter School Facilities 
Incentive Grants Program, CFDA number 84.282D, 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 State 
Charter School Facilities Incentive Grants 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 84.282, not 84.282D).
    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.
     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

[[Page 27584]]

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 
prevent 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: Kristin Lundholm, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4W221, 
Washington, DC 20202-5970. FAX: (202) 250-5630.
    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 84.282D)
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 84.282D)
550 12th Street SW.,
Room 7039, 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 and factors for this 
program are from the program regulations in 34 CFR 226.12 and the 
general selection criteria in 34 CFR 75.210. The selection criteria and 
factors are also listed in this section. The maximum score for all of 
the selection criteria is 100 points. The maximum score for each 
criterion is indicated in parentheses. Each criterion also includes the 
factors that the reviewers will consider to determine how well an 
application meets the criterion. We encourage applicants to make 
explicit connections to the selection criteria and factors in their 
applications.
    (a) Need for facility funding (30 points).
    (1) The need for per-pupil charter school facility funding in the 
State.
    (2) The extent to which the proposal meets the need to fund charter 
school facilities on a per-pupil basis.
    (b) Quality of plan (30 points).
    (1) The likelihood that the proposed grant project will result in 
the State either retaining a new per-pupil facilities aid program or 
continuing to enhance such a program without the total amount of 
assistance (State and Federal) declining over a five-year period.

[[Page 27585]]

    (2) The flexibility charter schools have in their use of facility 
funds for the various authorized purposes.
    (3) The quality of the plan for identifying charter schools and 
determining their eligibility to receive funds.
    (4) The per-pupil facilities aid formula's ability to target 
resources to charter schools with the greatest need and the highest 
proportions of students in poverty.
    (5) For projects that plan to reserve funds for evaluation, the 
quality of the applicant's plan to use grant funds for this purpose.
    (6) For projects that plan to reserve funds for technical 
assistance, dissemination, or personnel, the quality of the applicant's 
plan to use grant funds for these purposes.
    (7) The extent to which the proposed project is supported by strong 
theory (as defined in this notice).

    Note: The applicant should review the Performance Measures 
section of this notice for information on the requirements for 
developing project-specific performance measures and targets 
consistent with the objectives of the program.

    (c) The grant project team (10 points).
    (1) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of the project manager and other members of the grant project team, 
including employees not paid with grant funds, consultants, and 
subcontractors.
    (2) The adequacy and appropriateness of the applicant's staffing 
plan for the grant project.
    (d) The budget (10 points).
    (1) The extent to which the requested grant amount and the project 
costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives, design, and 
potential significance of the proposed grant project.
    (2) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the 
number of students served and to the anticipated results and benefits.
    (3) The extent to which the non-Federal share exceeds the minimum 
percentages (which are based on the percentages under section 
5205(b)(2)(C) of the ESEA), particularly in the initial years of the 
program.
    (e) Quality of project evaluation (10 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be 
conducted of the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary 
considers the extent to which--
    (i) The methods of evaluation are thorough, feasible, and 
appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the proposed 
project.
    (ii) The methods of evaluation will provide performance feedback 
and permit periodic assessment of progress toward achieving intended 
outcomes.
    (iii) The methods of evaluation will provide valid and reliable 
performance data on relevant outcomes.
    (f) State experience (10 points).
    The experience of the State in addressing the facility needs of 
charter schools through various means, including providing per-pupil 
aid, access to State loan or bonding pools, and the use of Qualified 
Zone Academy Bonds.
    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).
    Additional factors we consider in selecting an application for an 
award are in 34 CFR 226.13 and 226.14.

    Note:  As described in 34 CFR 226.14(c), the Secretary may elect 
to consider the points awarded under the competitive preference 
priorities only for proposals that exhibit sufficient quality to 
warrant funding under the selection criteria.

    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:
    (a) Program Performance Measures. The performance measure for this 
program is the ratio of funds leveraged by States for charter school 
facilities to funds awarded by the Department under the State Charter 
School Facilities Incentive Grants Program.
    (b) Project-Specific Performance Measures. Applicants must propose 
project-specific performance measures and performance targets 
consistent with the objectives of the project and program. Applications 
must provide the following information as directed under 34 CFR 
75.110(b):
    (1) Project Performance Measures. How each proposed project-
specific performance measure would accurately measure the performance 
of the project and how the proposed project-specific performance 
measure would be consistent with the performance measures established 
for the program funding the competition.
    (2) Project Performance Targets. Why each proposed performance 
target is

[[Page 27586]]

ambitious yet achievable compared to the baseline for the performance 
measure and when, during the project period, the applicant would meet 
the performance target(s).

    Note:  The Secretary encourages the applicant to consider 
measures and targets tied to the applicant's grant activities during 
the grant period. The measures should be sufficient to gauge the 
progress throughout the grant period, show results by the end of the 
grant period, and be included in the logic model.

    For technical assistance in developing effective performance 
measures, applicants are encouraged to review information provided by 
the Department's Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs). The RELs 
seek to build the capacity of States and school districts to 
incorporate data and research into education decision-making. Each REL 
provides research support and technical assistance to its region but 
makes learning opportunities available to educators everywhere. For 
example, the REL Pacific has developed an electronic program that 
guides users through the processes of designing logic models, which is 
available at: http://relpacific.mcrel.org/ELM.html.
    (3) The applicant must also describe in the application:
    (i) The data collection and reporting methods the applicant would 
use and why those methods are likely to yield reliable, valid, and 
meaningful performance data, and
    (ii) The applicant's capacity to collect and report reliable, 
valid, and meaningful performance data, as evidenced by high-quality 
data collection, analysis, and reporting in other projects or research.

    Note:  If the applicant does not have experience with collection 
and reporting of performance data through other projects or 
research, it should provide other evidence of its capacity to 
successfully carry out data collection and reporting for their 
proposed project.

    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: Kristin Lundholm, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4W221, Washington, DC 20202-
5970. Telephone: (202) 205-4352 or by email: [email protected].
    If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the 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) on request to 
the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
in section VII of this notice.
    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: May 9, 2014.
Nadya Chinoy Dabby,
Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement.
[FR Doc. 2014-11113 Filed 5-14-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P