[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 95 (Tuesday, May 17, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30523-30529]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-11606]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Indian Education Discretionary 
Grants Programs--Professional Development Grants Program

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

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Overview Information

    Indian Education Discretionary Grants Programs--Professional 
Development Grants Program.
    Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 
2016.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.299B.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: May 17, 2016.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 1, 2016.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 30, 2016.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purposes of the Indian Education 
Professional Development Grants program are to (1) increase the number 
of qualified Indian individuals in professions that serve Indians; (2) 
provide training to qualified Indian individuals to become teachers, 
administrators, teacher aides, social workers, and ancillary 
educational personnel; and (3) improve the skills of qualified Indian 
individuals who serve in the education field.
    Priorities: This competition contains two absolute priorities and 
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 263.5).
    Absolute Priorities: For FY 2016 and any subsequent year in which 
we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, these priorities are absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet one or both of 
these priorities.
    These priorities are:

Absolute Priority 1: Pre-Service Training for Teachers

    Projects that--
    (i) Provide support and training to Indian individuals to complete 
a pre-service education program before the end of the award period that 
enables the individuals to meet the requirements for full State 
certification or licensure as a teacher through--
    (A) Training that leads to a degree in education;
    (B) For States allowing a degree in a specific subject area, 
training that leads to a degree in the subject area; or
    (C) Training in a current or new specialized teaching assignment 
that requires a degree and in which a documented teacher shortage 
exists;
    (ii) Provide one year of induction services, during the award 
period, to participants after graduation, certification, or licensure, 
while they are completing their first year of work as teachers in 
schools with significant Indian student populations; and
    (iii) Include goals for the--
    (A) Number of participants to be recruited each year;
    (B) Number of participants to continue in the project each year;
    (C) Number of participants to graduate each year; and
    (D) Number of participants to find qualifying jobs within twelve 
months of completion.

Absolute Priority 2: Pre-Service Administrator Training

    Projects that--
    (i) Provide support and training to Indian individuals to complete 
a graduate degree in education administration that is provided before 
the end of the award period and that allows participants to meet the 
requirements for State certification or licensure as an education 
administrator;
    (ii) Provide one year of induction services, during the award 
period, to participants after graduation, certification, or licensure, 
while they are completing their first year of work as administrators in 
schools with significant Indian student populations; and
    (iii) Include goals for the--
    (A) Number of participants to be recruited each year;
    (B) Number of participants to continue in the project each year;
    (C) Number of participants to graduate each year; and
    (D) Number of participants to find qualifying jobs within twelve 
months of completion.
    Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2016 and any subsequent 
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications 
from this competition, these priorities are competitive preference 
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(ii) we award an additional five 
points to an application that meets Competitive Preference Priority 1, 
an additional five points to an application that meets Competitive 
Preference Priority 2, and an additional three points to an application 
that meets Competitive Preference Priority 3.
    These priorities are:

Competitive Preference Priority 1 (Five Additional Points)

    An application that includes a letter of support signed by the 
authorized representative of a local educational agency (LEA) or 
Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Education-funded school or 
other entity in the applicant's service area that agrees to consider 
program graduates for qualifying employment.

Competitive Preference Priority 2 (Five Additional Points)

    An application submitted by an Indian tribe, Indian organization, 
or Indian institution of higher education (Indian IHE) that is eligible 
to participate in the Professional Development program. A consortium 
application of eligible entities that meets the requirements of 34 CFR 
75.127 through 75.129 and includes an

[[Page 30524]]

Indian tribe, Indian organization, or Indian IHE will be considered 
eligible to receive preference under this priority only if the lead 
applicant for the consortium is the Indian tribe, Indian organization, 
or Indian IHE. In order to be considered a consortium application, the 
application must include the consortium agreement, signed by all 
parties.

Competitive Preference Priority 3 (Three Additional Points)

    A consortium application of eligible entities whose lead is non-
tribal that--
    (i) Meets the requirements of 34 CFR 75.127 through 75.129 and 
includes an Indian tribe, Indian organization, or Indian IHE; and
    (ii) Is not eligible to receive a preference under Competitive 
Preference Priority 2.

Statutory 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.

    Program Authority:  20 U.S.C. 7442.

    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 Office of Management and Budget 
Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide 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 as regulations of the 
Department in 2 CFR part 3474. (d) The regulations for this program in 
34 CFR part 263.

    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.


    Note:  On April 22, 2015, the Department amended regulations 
including 34 CFR 263.1 through 263.12 (80 FR 22403). We encourage 
applicants to read closely the amended regulations, particularly as 
they relate to payback requirements, payback reporting requirements, 
and grantee post-award requirements. We also have included the text 
of these regulations in the application package.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $6,000,000.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2017 from the list of 
unfunded applications from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $300,000-$400,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $350,000.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding $400,000 for the first, second, or third 12-month 
budget period. The last 12-month budget period of a 48-month award will 
be limited to induction services only, at a cost not to exceed $90,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 18.

    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) An applicant must be an eligible entity which means--
    (1) An institution of higher education, including an Indian IHE;
    (2) A State educational agency in consortium with an institution of 
higher education;
    (3) An LEA in consortium with an institution of higher education;
    (4) An Indian tribe or Indian organization in consortium with an 
institution of higher education; or
    (5) A Bureau of Indian Education (Bureau)-funded school.
    (b) Bureau-funded schools are eligible applicants for--
    (1) An in-service training program; and
    (2) A pre-service training program when the Bureau-funded school 
applies in consortium with an institution of higher education that is 
accredited to provide the coursework and level of degree required by 
the project.
    (c) Eligibility of an applicant requiring a consortium with an 
institution of higher education, including Indian IHEs, requires that 
the institution of higher education be accredited to provide the 
coursework and level of degree required by the project.
    An applicant applying as an Indian organization must demonstrate 
that the entity meets the definition of ``Indian organization'' in 34 
CFR 263.3. ``Indian organization'' means an organization that--
    (1) Is legally established--
    (i) By tribal or inter-tribal charter or in accordance with State 
or tribal law; and
    (ii) With appropriate constitution, by-laws, or articles of 
incorporation;
    (2) Includes in its purposes the promotion of the education of 
Indians;
    (3) Is controlled by a governing board, the majority of which is 
Indian;
    (4) If located on an Indian reservation, operates with the sanction 
or by charter of the governing body of that reservation;
    (5) Is neither an organization or subdivision of, nor under the 
direct control of, any institution of higher education; and
    (6) Is not an agency of State or local government.
    The term ``Indian institution of higher education'' means an 
accredited college or university within the United States cited in 
section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 
(7 U.S.C. 301 note), any other institution that qualifies for funding 
under the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 
1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), and Din[eacute] College (formerly Navajo 
Community College) authorized in the Navajo College Assistance Act of 
1978 (25 U.S.C. 640a et seq.).
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    3. Other: Projects funded under this competition are encouraged to 
budget for a two-day Project Directors' meeting in Washington, DC 
during each year of the project period.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: You can obtain an 
application package via the Internet or from the Education Publications 
Center (ED Pubs). To obtain a copy via the Internet, use the following 
address: www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html. To obtain a 
copy from ED Pubs, write, fax, or call the following: ED Pubs, U.S. 
Department of Education, P.O. Box 22207, Alexandria, VA 22304. 
Telephone, toll free: 1-877-433-7827. FAX: (703) 605-6794. If you use a

[[Page 30525]]

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 or competition as follows: CFDA number 84.299B.
    Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application 
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, 
or compact disc) by contacting the person listed under Accessible 
Format in section VIII of this notice.
    2. a. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you 
must submit, are in the application package for this competition.
    Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, the applicant, 
address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your 
application. The suggested page limit for the application narrative is 
no more than 35 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 all text in the application narrative, 
including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and 
captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller 
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial.
    The suggested page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the 
budget section, including the budget narrative justification; the 
assurances and certifications; or the abstract, table of contents, the 
resumes, the bibliography, letters of support, or the signed consortium 
agreement, if applicable.
    b. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of 
projects that may be proposed in applications for the Indian Education 
Professional Development Grants program, your application may include 
business information that you consider proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11 we 
define ``business information'' and describe the process we use in 
determining whether any of that information is proprietary and, thus, 
protected from disclosure under Exemption 4 of the Freedom of 
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552, as amended).
    Because we plan to make successful applications available to the 
public by posting them on our Web site, you may wish to request 
confidentiality of business information. Consistent with Executive 
Order 12600, please designate in your application any information that 
you believe is exempt from disclosure under Exemption 4. In the 
appropriate Appendix section of your application, under ``Other 
Attachments Form,'' please list the page number or numbers on which we 
can find this information. For additional information please see 34 CFR 
5.11(c).
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: May 17, 2016.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 1, 2016.
    Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted 
electronically using 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 Other Submission 
Requirements in section IV 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 30, 2016.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This competition 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 specify allowable costs in 34 CFR 
263.4.
    A Professional Development program may include, as training costs, 
assistance to--
    (1) Fully finance a student's educational expenses including 
tuition, books, and required fees; health insurance required by the 
institution of higher education; stipend; dependent allowance; 
technology costs; program required travel; and instructional supplies; 
or
    (2) Supplement other financial aid, including Federal funding other 
than loans, for meeting a student's educational expenses.
    The maximum stipend amount is $1,800 per month for full-time 
students; grantees may also provide participants with a $300 allowance 
per month per dependent during an academic term. The Department will 
reduce any stipends in excess of this amount. The terms ``stipend,'' 
``full-time student,'' and ``dependent allowance'' are defined in 34 
CFR 263.3. Stipends may be paid only to full-time students.
    Other costs that a Professional Development program may include, 
but that must not be included as training costs, include costs for--
    (1) Collaborating with prospective employers within the grantees' 
local service area to create a pool of potentially available qualifying 
employment opportunities;
    (2) In-service training activities such as providing mentorship 
linking experienced teachers at job placement sites with program 
participants; and
    (3) Assisting participants in identifying and securing qualified 
employment opportunities in their fields of study following completion 
of the program.
    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), 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 at the 
following Web site: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. 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

[[Page 30526]]

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 you enter into the SAM database. 
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, it may be 24 to 48 
hours before you can access the information in, and 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

    Applications for grants under the Indian Education--Professional 
Development Grants program, CFDA number 84.299B, 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 Indian 
Education_Professional Development 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 84.299, not 84.299B).
    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 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. In addition, for specific guidance and 
procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov, please 
refer to the Grants.gov Web site at: www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html.
     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 read-only, non-modifiable 
Portable Document Format (PDF). Do not upload an interactive or 
fillable PDF file. If you upload a file type other than a read-only, 
non-modifiable PDF (e.g., Word, Excel, WordPerfect, etc.) or submit a 
password-protected file, we will not review that material. Please note 
that this could result in your application not being considered for 
funding because the material in question--for example, the project 
narrative--is critical to a meaningful review of your proposal. For 
that reason it is important to allow yourself adequate time to upload 
all material as PDF files. The Department will not convert material 
from other formats to PDF.
     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. Grants.gov 
will also notify you automatically by email if your application met all 
the Grants.gov validation requirements or if there were any errors 
(such as submission of your application by someone other than a 
registered

[[Page 30527]]

Authorized Organization Representative, or inclusion of an attachment 
with a file name that contains special characters). You will be given 
an opportunity to correct any errors and resubmit, but you must still 
meet the deadline for submission of applications.
    Once your application is successfully validated by Grants.gov, the 
Department will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send you 
an email with a unique PR/Award number for your application.
    These emails do not mean that your application is without any 
disqualifying errors. While your application may have been successfully 
validated by Grants.gov, it must also meet the Department's application 
requirements as specified in this notice and in the application 
instructions. Disqualifying errors could include, for instance, failure 
to upload attachments in a read-only, non-modifiable PDF; failure to 
submit a required part of the application; or failure to meet applicant 
eligibility requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure that your 
submitted application has met all of the Department's requirements.
     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 the 
problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30:00 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. We will 
contact you after we determine whether your application will be 
accepted.

    Note: The extensions to which we refer in this section apply 
only to the unavailability of, or technical problems with, the 
Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed 
to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before 
the application deadline date and time or if the technical problem 
you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system.

    Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement: You qualify for an 
exception to the electronic submission requirement, and may submit your 
application in paper format, if you are unable to submit an application 
through the Grants.gov system because--
     You do not have access to the Internet; or
     You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to 
the Grants.gov system;

and

     No later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date (14 calendar days or, if the fourteenth calendar day before the 
application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, the next business 
day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement 
to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception 
prevents you from using the Internet to submit your application.
    If you mail your written statement to the Department, it must be 
postmarked no later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date. If you fax your written statement to the Department, we must 
receive the faxed statement no later than two weeks before the 
application deadline date.
    Address and mail or fax your statement to: John Cheek, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 3W207, 
Washington, DC 20202-6335. FAX: (202) 205-0606.
    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 84.299B), 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.

    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.

    We will not consider applications postmarked after the application 
deadline date.

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 84.299B), 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.


[[Page 30528]]



V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition 
include general selection criteria in 34 CFR 75.210 and selection 
criteria in 34 CFR 263.6 and are also listed in the application 
package. We will award up to 100 points to an application under each 
selection criteria; the total possible points for each selection 
criterion are noted in parentheses.
    (a) Need for project (Maximum 15 points). The Secretary considers 
the need for the proposed project. In determining the need for the 
proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (1) The extent to which specific gaps or weaknesses in services, 
infrastructure, or opportunities have been identified and will be 
addressed by the proposed project, including the nature and magnitude 
of those gaps or weaknesses.
    (2) The extent to which employment opportunities exist in the 
project's service area, as demonstrated through a job market analysis.
    (b) Quality of the project design (Maximum 25 points). The 
Secretary considers the following factors in determining the quality of 
the design of the proposed project:
    (1) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are ambitious but also attainable and 
address--
    (i) The number of participants expected to be recruited in the 
project each year;
    (ii) The number of participants expected to continue in the project 
each year;
    (iii) The number of participants expected to graduate; and
    (iv) The number of participants expected to find qualifying jobs 
within twelve months of completion.
    (2) The extent to which the proposed project has a plan for 
recruiting and selecting participants that ensures that program 
participants are likely to complete the program.
    (3) The potential of the proposed project to develop effective 
strategies for teaching Indian students and improving Indian student 
achievement, as demonstrated by a plan to share findings gained from 
the proposed project with parties who could benefit from such findings, 
such as other institutions of higher education who are training 
teachers and administrators who will be serving Indian students.
    (4) The extent to which the proposed project will incorporate the 
needs of potential employers, as identified by a job market analysis, 
by establishing partnerships and relationships with appropriate 
entities (e.g., Bureau-funded schools, organizations providing 
educational services to Indian students, and LEAs) and developing 
programs that meet their employment needs.
    (c) Quality of project services (Maximum 25 points). The Secretary 
considers the following factors in determining the quality of project 
services:
    (1) The likelihood that the proposed project will provide 
participants with learning experiences that develop needed skills for 
successful teaching and/or administration in schools with significant 
Indian populations.
    (2) The extent to which the proposed project prepares participants 
to adapt teaching and/or administrative practices to meet the breadth 
of Indian student needs.
    (3) The extent to which the applicant will provide job placement 
activities that reflect the findings of a job market analysis and needs 
of potential employers.
    (4) The extent to which the applicant will offer induction services 
that reflect the latest research on effective delivery of such 
services.
    (5) 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 practice 
among the recipients of those services.
    (d) Quality of project personnel (Maximum 15 points). The Secretary 
considers the following factors when determining the quality of the 
personnel who will carry out the proposed project:
    (1) The qualifications, including relevant training, experience, 
and cultural competence, of the project director and the amount of time 
this individual will spend directly involved in the project.
    (2) The qualifications, including relevant training, experience, 
and cultural competence, of key project personnel and the amount of 
time to be spent on the project and direct interactions with 
participants.
    (3) The qualifications, including relevant training, experience, 
and cultural competence (as necessary), of project consultants or 
subcontractors, if any.
    (e) Quality of the management plan. (Maximum 20 points). In 
determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (1) 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.
    (2) The adequacy of procedures for ensuring feedback and continuous 
improvement in the operation of the proposed project.
    (3) The extent to which the time commitments of the project 
director and principal investigator and other key project personnel are 
appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed 
project.
    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 
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. Risk Assessment and Special Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.205, before awarding grants under this competition the Department 
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. 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

[[Page 30529]]

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 multiyear 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.
    (c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may provide a grantee 
with additional funding for data collection analysis and reporting. In 
this case the Secretary establishes a data collection period.
    4. Performance Measures: The Department has established the 
following Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) 
performance measures for the Indian Education Professional Development 
program: (1) The percentage of participants in administrator 
preparation projects who become principals, vice principals, or other 
school administrators in LEAs that serve American Indian and Alaska 
Native students; (2) The percentage of participants in teacher 
preparation projects who become teachers in LEAs that serve American 
Indian and Alaska Native students; (3) The percentage of program 
participants who meet State licensure requirements; (4) The percentage 
of program participants who complete their service requirement on 
schedule; (5) The cost per individual who successfully completes an 
administrator preparation program, takes a position in a school 
district that benefits American Indian/Alaska Native enrollment, and 
completes the service requirement in such a district; and (6) The cost 
per individual who successfully completes a teacher preparation 
program, takes a position in such a school district that benefits 
American Indian/Alaska Native enrollment, and completes the service 
requirement in such a district.
    These measures constitute the Department's indicator of success for 
this program. Consequently, we advise an applicant for a grant under 
this program to give careful consideration to these measures in 
conceptualizing the approach and evaluation for its proposed project. 
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 award, 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: John Cheek, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 3W207, Washington, DC 20202-
6335. Telephone: (202) 401-0274 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 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 11, 2016.
Ann Whalen,
Senior Advisor Delegated the Duties of Assistant Secretary for 
Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2016-11606 Filed 5-16-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P