[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 123 (Friday, June 26, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36777-36783]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-15781]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Coordinating Center for Transition 
Programs for Students With Intellectual Disabilities Into Higher 
Education

AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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Overview Information

    Coordinating Center for Transition Programs for Students with 
Intellectual Disabilities into Higher Education (TPSID)--Model 
Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with 
Intellectual Disabilities Notice inviting applications for new awards 
for fiscal year (FY) 2015.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.407B.

    Dates:
    Applications Available: June 26, 2015.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 10, 2015.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program is to support a 
national coordinating center (Coordinating Center) charged with 
conducting and disseminating research on strategies to promote positive 
academic, social, employment, and independent living outcomes for 
students with intellectual disabilities. The Coordinating Center will 
establish a comprehensive research and evaluation protocol for TPSID 
programs; administer a mentoring program matching current and new TPSID 
grantees based on areas of expertise; and coordinate longitudinal 
follow-up data collection and technical assistance to TPSID grantees on 
programmatic components and evidence-based practices. The Coordinating 
Center will also provide technical assistance to build the capacity of 
kindergarten through grade 12 transition services and support 
postsecondary education inclusive practices, among other activities.

[[Page 36778]]

    Priority: This notice contains one absolute priority. In accordance 
with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv), this priority is from section 777(b) of 
the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) (20 U.S.C. 
1140q(b)).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2015 and any subsequent year in which we 
make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition, 
this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we 
consider only applications that meet this priority.
    This priority is:
    A grant recipient must use grant funds to establish and maintain a 
national coordinating center for institutions of higher education 
(IHEs) that offer inclusive comprehensive transition and postsecondary 
programs for students with intellectual disabilities. The Coordinating 
Center must provide such programs recommendations related to the 
development of standards for such programs, technical assistance for 
such programs, and evaluations for such programs. The Coordinating 
Center is also required to:
    (1) Serve as the technical assistance entity for all comprehensive 
transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual 
disabilities;
    (2) Provide technical assistance regarding the development, 
evaluation, and continuous improvement of such programs;
    (3) Develop an evaluation protocol for such programs that includes 
qualitative and quantitative methodologies for measuring student 
outcomes and program strengths in the areas of academic enrichment, 
socialization, independent living, and competitive or supported 
employment;
    (4) Assist recipients of grants under the TPSID program (CFDA 
84.407A) in efforts to award a meaningful credential to students with 
intellectual disabilities upon the completion of such programs, which 
credential must take into consideration unique State factors;
    (5) Develop recommendations for the necessary components of such 
programs, such as--
    (i) Academic, vocational, social, and independent living skills;
    (ii) Evaluation of student progress;
    (iii) Program administration and evaluation;
    (iv) Student eligibility; and
    (v) Issues regarding the equivalency of a student's participation 
in such programs to semester, trimester, quarter, credit, or clock 
hours at an IHE, as the case may be;
    (6) Analyze possible funding streams for such programs and provide 
recommendations regarding the funding streams;
    (7) Develop model memoranda of agreement for use between or among 
IHEs and State and local agencies providing funding for such programs;
    (8) Develop mechanisms for regular communication, outreach, and 
dissemination of information about comprehensive transition and 
postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities to 
those institutions that have grants authorized under the TPSID Program 
and to families and prospective students;
    (9) Host a meeting of all recipients of grants authorized under the 
TPSID program not less often than once each year; and
    (10) Convene a workgroup to develop and recommend model criteria, 
standards, and components of such programs as described in paragraph 
(5) that are appropriate for the development of accreditation 
standards, which workgroup must include--
    (i) An expert in higher education;
    (ii) An expert in special education;
    (iii) A disability organization that represents students with 
intellectual disabilities;
    (iv) A representative from the National Advisory Committee on 
Institutional Quality and Integrity; and
    (v) A representative of a regional or national accreditation agency 
or association.
    Definition: This definition is from section 760(1) of the HEA (20 
U.S.C. 1140(1)).
    Comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students 
with intellectual disabilities means a degree, certificate, or 
nondegree program that--
    (A) Is offered by an IHE;
    (B) Is designed to support students with intellectual disabilities 
who are seeking to continue academic, career and technical, and 
independent living instruction at an IHE in order to prepare for 
gainful employment;
    (C) Includes an advising and curriculum structure;
    (D) Requires students with intellectual disabilities to participate 
on not less than a half-time basis as determined by the institution, 
with such participation focusing on academic components, and occurring 
through one or more of the following activities:
    (i) Regular enrollment in credit-bearing courses with nondisabled 
students offered by the institution.
    (ii) Auditing or participating in courses with nondisabled students 
offered by the institution for which the student does not receive 
regular academic credit.
    (iii) Enrollment in noncredit-bearing, nondegree courses with 
nondisabled students.
    (iv) Participation in internships or work-based training in 
settings with nondisabled individuals.
    (E) Requires students with intellectual disabilities to be socially 
and academically integrated with nondisabled students to the maximum 
extent possible.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1140q(b).

    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 82, 84, 
86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government-
wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) 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.

    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to IHEs only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative agreement.
    Estimated Available Funds: $2,000,000.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding $2,000,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. 
The Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education may change the 
maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal Register.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 1.

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

    Project Period: 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Under section 777(b)(1) of the HEA, an 
``eligible entity'' means an entity, or a partnership of entities, that 
has demonstrated expertise in the fields of--
    (1) Higher education;
    (2) The education of students with intellectual disabilities;
    (3) The development of comprehensive transition and postsecondary 
programs for students with intellectual disabilities; and
    (4) Evaluation and technical assistance.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not require cost 
sharing or matching.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: You can obtain an 
application

[[Page 36779]]

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/grantapp/index.html. To obtain a copy from 
Ed Pubs, write, fax, or call the following: ED Pubs, U.S. Department of 
Education, P.O. Box 22207, Alexandria, VA 22304. Telephone, toll free: 
1-877-433-7827. FAX: (703) 605-6794. If you use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) or a text telephone (TTY), call, toll free: 
1-877-576-7734.
    You can contact ED Pubs at its Web site, also: www.EDPubs.gov or at 
its email address: [email protected].
    If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify 
this program as follows: CFDA number 84.407B.
    Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application 
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audio 
tape, or computer disc) by contacting the person listed under 
Accessible Format in section VIII of this notice.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you 
must submit, are in the application package for this program.
    Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application) 
is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that 
reviewers use to evaluate your application. There is a limit for the 
application narrative of no more than 70 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.

    Note: For the purpose of determining compliance with the 70-page 
limit, each page on which there are words will be counted as one 
full page.

     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative, except titles, headings, 
footnotes, endnotes, quotations, references, and captions. Charts, 
tables, figures, and graphs in the application may be single-spaced.
     Use a font that is either 12-point or larger, or no 
smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch). However, you may use a 10-
point font in charts, tables, figures, graphs, footnotes, and endnotes.
     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 Ariel Narrow) will not be accepted.
    The 70-page limit does not apply to Part I, the cover sheet or the 
table of contents; Part II, the budget section, including the narrative 
budget justification; Part IV, the assurances and certifications; the 
Abstract and Information Page; or the resumes (three-page limit), the 
citations, or letters of support.
    If you include any attachments or appendices not specifically 
requested and required for the application, these items will be counted 
as part of the narrative for the purposes of the page limit.
    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.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: June 26, 2015.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 10, 2015.
    Applications for grants under this program must be submitted 
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov). For 
information (including dates and times) about how to submit your 
application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, please refer to section IV. 7. Other Submission 
Requirements of this notice.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact 
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII 
of this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the 
application process, the individual's application remains subject to 
all other requirements and limitations in this notice.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is 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 reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification 
Number, and System for Award Management: To do business with the 
Department of Education, you must--
    a. Have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and a 
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN);
    b. Register both your DUNS number and TIN with the System for Award 
Management (SAM) (formerly the Central Contractor Registry (CCR)), the 
Government's primary registrant database;
    c. Provide your DUNS number and TIN on your application; and
    d. Maintain an active SAM registration with current information 
while your application is under review by the Department and, if you 
are awarded a grant, during the project period.
    You can obtain a DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet. A DUNS number 
can be created within one to two business days.
    If you are a corporate entity, agency, institution, or 
organization, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal Revenue Service. 
If you are an individual, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal 
Revenue Service or the Social Security Administration. If you need a 
new TIN, please allow 2-5 weeks for your TIN to become active.
    The SAM registration process can take approximately seven business 
days, but may take upwards of several weeks depending on the 
completeness and accuracy of the data entered into the SAM database by 
an entity. Thus, if you think you might want to apply for Federal 
financial assistance under a program administered by the Department, 
please allow sufficient time to obtain and register your DUNS number 
and TIN. We strongly recommend that you register early.

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

    If you are currently registered with SAM, you may not need to make 
any changes. However, please make certain that the TIN associated with 
your DUNS number is correct. Also note that you will need to update 
your registration annually. This may take three or more business days.
    Information about SAM is available at www.SAM.gov. To further 
assist you with obtaining and registering your DUNS number and TIN in 
SAM or updating your existing SAM account, we have prepared a SAM.gov 
Tip sheet, which you can find at www.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

[[Page 36780]]

(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

    Applications for grants under the TPSID Coordinating Center 
Program, CFDA number 84.407B, must be submitted electronically using 
the Government-wide 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 
Coordinating Center for Transition Programs for Students with 
Intellectual Disabilities into Higher Education 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 84.407, not 
84.407B).
    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 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 competition 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 
Format) 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 program 
contact 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

[[Page 36781]]

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: Shedita Alston, U.S. 
Department of Education, 1990 K Street NW., Room 6131, Washington, DC 
20006-8225. FAX: (202) 502-7699.
    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 84.407B), 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 84.407B), 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 program are 
from 34 CFR 75.210. The points assigned to each criterion are indicated 
in parentheses. Applicants may earn up to a total of 75 points for the 
selection criteria. These selection criteria serve as the template for 
submitting and reviewing proposals. Additional details may be found in 
the application package under Instructions for the Project Narrative.
    The five selection criteria for the grant in this competition are 
as follows:

 1. Quality of the Project Design (Up to 20 Points)

    The Secretary considers the quality of the project design of the 
proposed project. In determining the quality of the design of the 
proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
     The extent to which the design of the proposed project is 
appropriate to, and will successfully address, the needs of the target 
population or other identified needs.
     The extent to which the design of the proposed project 
includes a thorough, high-quality review of the relevant literature, a 
high-quality plan for project implementation, and the use of 
appropriate methodological tools to ensure successful achievement of 
project objectives.
     The extent to which the proposed project is designed to 
build capacity and yield results that will extend beyond the period of 
Federal financial assistance.
     The extent to which the design of the proposed project 
reflects up-to-date knowledge from research and effective practice.

 2. Quality of Project Services (Up to 15 Points)

    The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be provided 
by the proposed project. In determining the quality of the services to 
be provided by the proposed project, the Secretary considers the 
following factors:
     The extent to which the services to be provided by the 
proposed project are appropriate to the needs of the intended 
recipients or beneficiaries of those services.
     The likelihood that the services to be provided by the 
proposed project will lead to improvements in the skills necessary to 
gain employment or build capacity for independent living.

 3. Quality of Project Personnel (Up to 10 Points)

    The Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will carry 
out the proposed project. In determining the quality of project 
personnel, the Secretary considers the following factors:
     The extent to which the applicant encourages applications 
from persons who are members of groups that have traditionally been 
underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or 
disability.
     The qualifications, including relevant training and 
experience, of the project director or principal investigator.
     The qualifications, including relevant training and 
experience, of key project personnel.

 4. Adequacy of Resources (Up to 15 Points)

    The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources for the proposed 
project. In

[[Page 36782]]

determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed project, the 
Secretary considers the following factors:
     The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment, 
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the 
lead applicant organization.
     The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the 
proposed project.
     The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation 
to the number of persons to be served and to the anticipated results 
and benefits.
     The potential for continued support of the project after 
Federal funding ends, including, as appropriate, the demonstrated 
commitment of appropriate entities to such support.

5. Quality of Project Evaluation (Up to 15 Points)

    The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be 
conducted of the proposed project. In determining the quality of the 
project evaluation to be conducted of the proposed project, the 
Secretary considers the following factors:
     The extent to which the methods of evaluation provide for 
examining the effectiveness of project implementation strategies.
     The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the 
use of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the 
intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and 
qualitative data to the extent possible.
     The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress towards 
achieving intended outcomes.
     The extent to which the evaluation will provide guidance 
about effective strategies suitable for replication or testing in other 
settings.
    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 the project period, a grantee 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 this program, not later than five 
years after the date of the establishment of the Coordinating Center, 
the Coordinating Center must report to the Secretary, the authorizing 
committees, and the National Advisory Committee on Institutional 
Quality and Integrity on the recommendations of the workgroup described 
in the absolute priority of this notice. For specific requirements on 
reporting, please go to http://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    4. Performance Measures: The Government Performance and Results Act 
of 1993 directs Federal departments and agencies to improve the 
effectiveness of their programs by engaging in strategic planning, 
setting outcome-related goals for programs, and measuring program 
results against those goals. The goal of the Coordinating Center 
Program is to provide: (A) Recommendations related to the development 
of standards for inclusive comprehensive transition and postsecondary 
programs for students with intellectual disabilities; (B) technical 
assistance for such programs; and (C) evaluations for such programs. To 
assess the success of the grantee in meeting these goals, in addition 
to other information, the grantee's annual performance report must 
include--
    (1) The percentage of inclusive comprehensive transition and 
postsecondary programs assisted by the center that meet evidence-based, 
center-developed standards for necessary program components, reported 
across each standard; and
    (2) The percentage of students with intellectual disabilities who 
are enrolled in programs assisted by the center who complete the 
programs and obtain a meaningful credential, as defined by the center 
and supported through empirical evidence.
    In addition, the Coordinating Center will work closely with the 
Federal project officer to develop additional performance measures, 
performance targets, and data collection methodologies that are aligned 
with this work. Data must be collected by the Coordinating Center 
around accreditation standards and communications with accrediting 
bodies, descriptions and analyses of funding streams, and the impact of 
the Coordinating Center's technical assistance activities related to 
outreach and dissemination. These additional performance measures will 
capture formative data about the quality, usefulness, relevance, and 
efficiency of the Coordinating Center's technical assistance and 
evaluation services.
    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 toward

[[Page 36783]]

meeting 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: Shedita Alston, U.S. Department of 
Education, Model Comprehensive and Transition Programs for Students 
with Intellectual Disabilities, 1990 K Street NW., Room 6131, 
Washington, DC 20006-8524. Telephone: (202) 502-7808, 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.
    Delegation of Authority: The Secretary of Education has delegated 
authority to Jamienne S. Studley, Deputy Under Secretary, to perform 
the functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary 
Education.

    Dated: June 23, 2015.
Jamienne S. Studley,
Deputy Under Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-15781 Filed 6-25-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P