[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 73 (Thursday, April 16, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20475-20482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-08681]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; State Tribal Education Partnership 
Program

AGENCY: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of 
Education

ACTION: Notice.

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Overview Information

    State Tribal Education Partnership Program (STEP) Notice inviting 
applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2015.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.415A.

[[Page 20476]]


DATES: 
Applications Available: April 16, 2015.
    Date of Pre-Application Webinar: April 30, 2015.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: May 21, 2015.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 15, 2015.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 14, 2015.
    Deadline for Submission of Final Agreement: March 31, 2016.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purposes of Program: The purposes of this program are to: (1) 
Promote increased collaboration between tribal education agencies 
(TEAs) and the State educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational 
agencies (LEAs) that serve students from the affected tribes; and (2) 
build the capacity of TEAs to conduct certain administrative functions 
under certain Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) 
formula grant programs for eligible schools, as determined by the TEA, 
SEA, and LEA.
    Priorities: These priorities are from the notice of final 
priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria for this 
program (NFP), published in the Federal Register on March 4, 2015 (80 
FR 11550).
    Absolute Priorities: For FY 2015 and any subsequent year in which 
we make awards based on the list of unfunded applicants from this 
competition, 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--Established TEAs.
    To meet this priority, a TEA must be an established TEA.
    Priority 2--TEAs with Limited Prior Experience.
    To meet this priority, a TEA with limited prior experience is, for 
any STEP competition, a TEA that does not meet the definition of an 
``established TEA.''
    Requirements: Applicants must meet the following requirements from 
the NFP:
    Schools and ESEA Formula Grant Programs Included in Project:
    (a) Schools. (1) Projects must include at least two eligible 
schools, at least one of which must be a public school.
    (2) All schools included in the project must receive services or 
funds for the specific ESEA formula grant program(s) selected by the 
applicant.
    (3) For projects that include one or more tribally controlled 
schools--
    (i) The applicant TEA must include in its application evidence that 
it submitted a copy of the application to BIE; and
    (ii) If the proposed project includes SEA-type functions with 
regard to the tribally controlled school, the TEA may be required by 
BIE to enter into an agreement with BIE, to be submitted to the 
Department at the same time as the final agreement.
    (b) ESEA Formula Grant Programs. Projects must include at least one 
ESEA formula grant program that is State-administered.
    Preliminary Agreement: An applicant must submit with its 
application for funding a signed preliminary agreement among the TEA, 
SEA, and LEA. Letters of support from an SEA or LEA will not meet this 
requirement and will not be accepted as a substitute.
    The preliminary agreement must include:
    (a) An explanation of how the parties will work collaboratively to:
    (1) Administer selected ESEA formula grant programs in eligible 
schools; and
    (2) Cooperate on administering other educational programs or 
services as agreed to by the parties.
    (b) The primary ESEA formula grant program(s) for which the TEA 
will assume SEA-type or LEA-type administrative functions;
    (c) A description of the primary SEA-type or LEA-type 
administrative functions that the TEA will assume;
    (d) The training and other activities that the SEA or LEA, as 
appropriate, will provide for the TEA to gain the knowledge and skills 
needed to administer ESEA formula programs;
    (e) The assistance that the TEA will provide to the SEA or LEA, as 
appropriate, to facilitate the project, such as cultural competence 
training;
    (f) A statement concerning student data that--
    (1) Acknowledges that access by the TEA to data on students who are 
tribal members is important to building the capacity of the TEA, and, 
depending on the project design, may be one of the factors the 
Secretary considers in determining whether a grantee has made 
substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of the 
project for the purpose of making continuation awards; and
    (2) Commits the parties to making their best efforts to:
    (i) Participate in training and technical assistance, provided by 
or through the Department, on the requirements of section 444 of the 
General Education Provisions Act (commonly referred to as the Family 
Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA) and on the possible ways 
in which the TEA could be provided access to tribal student data 
consistent with FERPA; and
    (ii) Reach agreement on and include as part of the Final Agreement 
to be submitted during year 1 of the grant, a provision on data sharing 
that is consistent with FERPA, if data sharing is required by the 
project design;
    (g) The names of at least one LEA and two or more eligible schools, 
at least one of which must be a public school, that are expected to 
participate in the project;
    (h) An explanation of how the STEP funds will be used to build on 
existing activities or add new activities rather than replace tribal or 
other funds; and
    (i) Signatures of the authorized representatives of the TEA, SEA, 
participating LEA(s), and any BIE-funded tribally controlled school 
that is included in the project.
    Final Agreement: Each grantee must submit to the Department a final 
agreement by March 31, 2016. The final agreement must contain:
    (a) All of the elements from the preliminary agreement, in final 
form;
    (b) A timetable for accomplishing each of the objectives and 
activities that the parties will undertake;
    (c) Goals of the project and measureable objectives towards 
reaching the goals; and
    (d) The actions that the parties will take to sustain the 
relationships and activities established in the agreement after the 
project ends.
    ISDEAA Hiring Preference:
    (a) Awards that are primarily for the benefit of Indians are 
subject to the provisions of section 7(b) of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (Pub. L. 93-638). That 
section requires that, to the greatest extent feasible, a grantee--
    (1) Give to Indians preferences and opportunities for training and 
employment in connection with the administration of the grant; and
    (2) Give to Indian organizations and to Indian-owned economic 
enterprises, as defined in section 3 of the Indian Financing Act of 
1974 (25 U.S.C. 1452(e)), preference in the award of contracts in 
connection with the administration of the grant.
    (b) For purposes of this section, an Indian is a member of any 
federally recognized Indian tribe.
    Definitions: The following definitions are from the NFP and apply 
to this competition:
    Cultural competency means the use of culturally responsive 
education that takes into account a student's own cultural experiences, 
creates connections between home and school experiences, and uses the 
cultural

[[Page 20477]]

knowledge, prior experiences, and learning styles of diverse students 
to make learning more appropriate and effective.
    Eligible Indian tribe means a federally recognized or a State-
recognized tribe.
    Eligible school means a school that is included in the applicant's 
preliminary and final agreements, and that is:
    (a) A public school, including a public charter school, or
    (b) A BIE-funded tribally controlled school.
    Established TEA means, for purposes of this competition, a TEA 
that:
    (a) Previously received a STEP grant, or
    (b) Has an existing prior relationship with an SEA or LEA as 
evidenced by a prior written agreement between the TEA and SEA or LEA, 
and meets two or more of the following criteria:
    (i) Has an existing tribal education code;
    (ii) Has administered at least one education program (for example, 
a tribally operated preschool or afterschool program) within the past 
five years; or
    (iii) Has administered at least one Federal, State, local, or 
private grant within the past five years.
    ESEA formula grant program means one of the following programs 
authorized under the ESEA, for which SEAs or LEAs receive formula 
funding:
    (a) Improving Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged (title I, 
part A);
    (b) School Improvement Grants (section 1003(g));
    (c) Migrant Education (title I, part C);
    (d) Neglected and Delinquent State Grants (title I, part D);
    (e) Improving Teacher Quality State Grants (title II, part A);
    (f) English Learner Education State Grants (title III, part A);
    (g) 21st Century Community Learning Centers (title IV, part B); and
    (h) Indian Education Formula Grants (title VII, part A).

    Note: State-administered ESEA formula grant programs are the 
programs identified in paragraphs (a)-(g) of the definition of ESEA 
formula grant program. If an applicant chooses the Indian Education 
Formula Grants program (title VII, part A), which makes direct 
grants to LEAs, it must also choose at least one State-administered 
program listed in (a)-(g), as required by paragraph (b) of Schools 
and ESEA Formula Grant Programs Included in Project, in the 
Requirements section of this notice. Applicants can still choose 
SEA- or LEA-type functions for the State-administered ESEA formula 
grant.

    LEA-type function means the type of activity that LEAs typically 
conduct, such as direct provision of educational services to students, 
grant implementation, school district curriculum development, staff 
professional development pursuant to State guidelines, and data 
submissions.
    SEA-type function means the type of activity that SEAs typically 
conduct, such as overall education policy development, supervision and 
monitoring of school districts, provision of technical assistance to 
districts, statewide curriculum development, collecting and analyzing 
performance data, and evaluating programs.
    Tribal educational agency (TEA) means the agency, department, or 
instrumentality of an eligible Indian tribe that is primarily 
responsible for supporting tribal students' elementary and secondary 
education, which may include early learning.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7451(a)(4).

    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 
84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The OMB Guidelines to Agencies on 
Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Non-procurement) in 2 CFR 
part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 
CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 
200, as adopted and amended in 2 CFR part 3474. (d) The NFP published 
in the Federal Register on March 4, 2015 (80 FR 11550).

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

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $1,950,000.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2016 from the list of 
unfunded applicants from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: Awards for a single TEA range from 
$150,000 to $330,000; awards for a consortium of TEAs range from 
$300,000 to $500,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $390,000.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application from a single TEA 
that proposes a budget exceeding $330,000 for a single budget period of 
12 months, or from a consortium of TEAs that proposes a budget 
exceeding $500,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The 
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education may change 
the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal Register.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 4-6.

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

    Project Period: Up to 48 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: (a) A TEA that is from an eligible Indian 
tribe and authorized by its tribe to administer this program; or (b) a 
consortium of such TEAs.
    To be eligible for an award, an applicant must include, as a part 
of its application, certification by the eligible Indian tribe that the 
applicant is the agency, department, or instrumentality of the eligible 
Indian tribe that is primarily responsible for supporting the 
elementary and secondary education of the tribe's students.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    3. Other: (a) To be eligible for an award, a TEA must submit a 
preliminary agreement, signed by an SEA and at least one LEA, with its 
application.
    (b) Projects funded under this competition must budget funds for a 
representative from the TEA, a representative from the SEA, and a 
representative from at least one LEA to attend a two-day Project 
Director's meeting in the Washington, DC area during each year of the 
project period.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: Shahla Ortega, U.S. 
Department of Education, Office of Indian Education, 400 Maryland 
Avenue SW., Room 3W223, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 453-5602 
or by email: [email protected].
    To obtain a copy of the application package via the Internet, use 
the following address: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/step/index.html.
    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. 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 20478]]

    Notice of Intent to Apply: The Department will be able to review 
grant applications more efficiently if we know the approximate number 
of applicants that intend to apply. Therefore, the Assistant Secretary 
strongly encourages each potential applicant to notify us of their 
intent to submit an application for funding no later than May 21, 2015. 
To do so, please email [email protected] with the subject line 
``Intent to Apply,'' and include the following information:
    1. Applicant's name, mailing address, and phone number;
    2. Contact person's name and email address;
    3. Name of SEA; and
    4. Whether the applicant intends to apply as a single TEA or a 
consortium of TEAs.
    Applicants that do not submit a notice of intent to apply may still 
apply for funding; applicants that do submit a notice of intent to 
apply are not bound to apply or bound by the information provided.
    Pre-Application Webinar: The Department intends to hold a pre-
application webinar designed to provide technical assistance to 
interested applicants. Information about webinar times and instructions 
for registering are on the Department Web site at http://www2.ed.gov/
programs/STEP/index.html.
    Page Limit: The project narrative (Part IV) is where you, the 
applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to 
evaluate your application. You must limit the project narrative to 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, 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. An application submitted in any other font 
(including Times Roman or Arial Narrow) will not be accepted.
    We will reject your application if you exceed the page limit.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: April 16, 2015.
    Date of Pre-Application Webinar: April 30, 2015.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: May 21, 2015.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 15, 2015.
    Deadline for Submission of Final Agreement: March 31, 2016.
    Applications for grants under this competition 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.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 14, 2015.
    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 competition.
    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 two to five 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 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.

[[Page 20479]]

    Applications for grants under STEP, CFDA number 84.415A, 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 STEP 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 84.415, not 
84.415A).
    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 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.

[[Page 20480]]

    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: Shahla Ortega, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 3W223, 
Washington, DC 20202. FAX: (202) 401-0606.
    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 84.415A), 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 84.415A), 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 for this competition 
are from the NFP and from 34 CFR 75.210. We will award up to 100 points 
to an application under the selection criteria; the total possible 
points for each selection criterion are noted in parentheses.
    a. Need for Project (Maximum 5 points). In determining the need for 
the proposed project, the Secretary considers the extent to which the 
goals and objectives in the preliminary agreement, including the TEA 
capacity-building activities, address identified educational needs of 
the Indian students to be served.
    b. Quality of the Project Design (Maximum 35 points). In 
determining the quality of project design, the Secretary considers the 
following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the proposed project would recognize and 
support tribal sovereignty. (5 points)
    (ii) The extent to which the preliminary agreement defines goals, 
objectives, and outcomes of the proposed project that are likely to be 
achieved by the end of the project period. (10 points)
    (iii) The extent to which the proposed project would build 
relationships and better communication among the TEA, SEA, and LEA, as 
well as families and communities, to the benefit of Indian students in 
the selected schools, including by enhancing the cultural competency of 
SEA and LEA staff. (10 points)
    (iv) The extent to which the proposed project would enhance the 
capacity of the TEA to administer ESEA formula grants during the grant 
period and beyond. (10 points)
    c. Adequacy of Resources (Maximum 5 points). In determining the 
adequacy of resources, the Secretary considers the extent to which the 
TEA has established, prior to developing the preliminary agreement, a 
relationship with either the SEA or an LEA that will enhance the 
likelihood of the project's success.
    d. Quality of the Management Plan (Maximum 25 points). In 
determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers:
    (i) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives 
of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly 
defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing 
project tasks. (10 points)
    (ii) The adequacy of procedures for ensuring feedback and 
continuous improvement in the operation of the proposed project. (5 
points)
    (iii) How the applicant will ensure that a diversity of 
perspectives are brought to bear in the operation of the proposed 
project, including those of parents, teachers, the business community, 
a variety of disciplinary and professional fields, recipients or 
beneficiaries of the services, or others, as appropriate. (10 points)

    Note:  In addressing the third subpart of the Quality of the 
Management Plan selection criteria, applicants may want to consider 
describing the involvement of the SEA and LEA in the project, in 
addition to the input of other affected groups, as appropriate.

    e. Quality of Project Personnel (Maximum 15 points). In determining 
the quality of project personnel, the Secretary considers the extent to 
which the applicant encourages applications for employment from persons 
who are members of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented 
based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. In 
addition, the Secretary considers:
    (i) The extent to which the proposed project director has 
experience in education and in administering Federal grants. (5 points)
    (ii) The qualifications, including relevant training and 
experience, of key project personnel. (5 points)
    (iii) The extent to which the training or professional development 
services to be provided by the proposed project are of sufficient 
quality, intensity, and duration to lead to improvements in

[[Page 20481]]

practice among the recipients of those services. (5 points)

    Note:  Please note that section 7(b) of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act requires that to the 
greatest extent feasible, a grantee must give to Indians preference 
and opportunities in connection with the administration of the 
grant, and give Indian organizations and Indian-owned economic 
enterprises, as defined in section 3 of the Indian Financing Act of 
1974 (25 U.S.C. 1452(e)), preference in the award of contracts in 
connection with the administration of the grant.

    In addressing the third subpart of the Quality of Project Personnel 
selection criterion, applicants may want to consider including the 
context of training or professional development among all three 
entities--TEA, SEA, and LEA. For example, the SEA or LEA could provide 
training to TEA staff with regard to Federal grant administration, and 
the TEA could provide training to SEA and LEA staff with regard to 
cultural competence.
    f. Quality of Project Evaluation (Maximum 15 points). In 
determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary considers the 
following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, 
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the 
proposed project. (5 points)
    (ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation provide for 
examining the effectiveness of project implementation strategies. (5 
points)
    (iii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward 
achieving intended outcomes. (5 points)
    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 2 CFR 3474.10, the Secretary may 
impose special conditions and, in appropriate circumstances, high-risk 
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 2 CFR part 
200, subpart D; 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: The Department has established the 
following Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) 
performance measures:
    (1) Number of TEA grantees that report increased collaboration 
among TEAs, SEAs, and LEAs.
    (2) The number of SEA-type and LEA-type administrative functions 
for which the TEA grantees have assumed responsibility.
    These measures constitute the Department's indicators of success 
for this program. Consequently, we advise an applicant for a grant 
under this program to give careful consideration to these measures in 
developing the proposed project and identifying the method of 
evaluation. Each grantee will be required to provide, in its annual 
performance and final reports, data about its progress in meeting these 
measures.
    5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR 
75.253, the Secretary considers, among other things: whether a grantee 
has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of 
the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is 
consistent with its approved application and budget; and, if the 
Secretary has established performance measurement requirements, the 
performance targets in the grantee's approved application. 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: Shahla Ortega, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 3W223, Washington, DC 20202-
6450. Telephone: (202) 453-5602 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

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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: April 10, 2015.
Deborah S. Delisle,
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2015-08681 Filed 4-15-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P