[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 178 (Friday, September 13, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48337-48339]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-19880]



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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Notice Announcing Availability of Funds and Application Deadline 
for the 2019 Immediate Aid to Restart School Operations Program; 
Disaster Recovery Assistance for Education

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice 
announcing the availability of funds and the application deadline for 
eligible applicants for the 2019 Immediate Aid to Restart School 
Operations (2019 Restart) program under title VIII of the Additional 
Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (hereafter 
referred to as the Disaster Supplemental), Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance (CFDA) number 84.938A. This notice relates to the approved 
information collection under OMB control number 1810-0740.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: September 13, 2019.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: October 23, 2019.

ADDRESSES: The addresses pertinent to this program, including the 
addresses for obtaining and submitting an application, can be found 
under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Molly Budman, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 3W303, Washington, DC 20202-
6450. Telephone: (202) 453-5791. Email: [email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: Under the 2019 Restart program, we will award 
grants to eligible State educational agencies (SEAs) to assist local 
educational agencies (LEAs) and non-public schools with expenses 
related to the restart of elementary and secondary schools affected by 
the consequences of Hurricanes Florence and Michael, Typhoon Mangkhut, 
Super Typhoon Yutu, and wildfires, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions 
occurring in calendar year 2018 and tornadoes and floods occurring in 
calendar year 2019 in those areas for which a major disaster or 
emergency has been declared under section 401 or 501 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 and 
5190)(hereafter referred to as ``a covered disaster or emergency''). 
Funds may be used to assist school administrators and personnel in 
restarting school operations, re-opening schools, and re-enrolling 
students.
    Background: This notice announces availability of funds and 
application deadline for eligible applicants for the 2019 Restart 
program. The Disaster Supplemental, which was signed into law on June 
6, 2019, provides $17.2 billion in supplemental appropriations to 
Federal departments and agencies for expenses related to the 
consequences of disasters in 2018 and 2019 for which a covered disaster 
or emergency has been declared, including $165 million for education-
related disaster recovery activities. The Disaster Supplemental also 
provides the Secretary of Education with discretion to determine which 
disaster recovery programs to fund. The Department plans to award funds 
through the 2019 Restart program, Temporary Emergency Impact Aid for 
Displaced Students, Emergency Assistance to Institutions of Higher 
Education, and Project School Emergency Response to Violence.
    Exemption From Rulemaking: The 2019 Restart program is exempt from 
the rulemaking requirements in section 437 of the General Education 
Provisions Act (GEPA) (20 U.S.C. 1232) and section 553 of the 
Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553), as established in 
division B, subdivision 1, title VIII, ``Hurricane Education Recovery'' 
paragraph (6), of Public Law 115-123, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 
2018, and title VIII of the Disaster Supplemental.
    Program Authority: Title VIII of the Disaster Supplemental, Public 
Law 116-20 (enacted June 6, 2019).
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 76, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 97, 
98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to 
Agencies on Governmentwide 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 as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR 
part 3474.
    Note: The open licensing requirement in 2 CFR 3474.20 does not 
apply to the 2019 Restart program.

II. Award Information

    Estimated Available Funds: Congress appropriated $165 million to 
the Department under the Disaster Supplemental that will be used to 
make awards under this program and others authorized in the law. 
Consequently, the specific amount available for the 2019 Restart 
program will be based on the Department's assessment of relative need 
across funded programs as determined by such factors as the number of 
applicants and their demonstrated need for assistance. For this reason, 
awards to eligible 2019 Restart applicants may be adjusted downward (or 
upward) to match available funding.
    Note: We strongly encourage SEAs to provide services or assistance 
directly to LEAs or non-public schools, or award Restart funds to 
eligible LEAs, at the earliest possible date. SEAs and LEAs must 
obligate the funds in a timely fashion to address the immediate needs 
of both public and non-public schools with expenses related to the 
restart of elementary schools and secondary schools.
    Grant Period under the 2019 Restart Program: Funds received under 
this program by SEAs and LEAs (including those funds used by the public 
agencies to provide services and assistance to non-public schools) must 
be expended within 24 months of obligation of the funds by the 
Department. Funds are available for obligation by the Department 
through September 30, 2020.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: SEAs affected by the following covered 
disasters or emergencies: Hurricanes Florence and Michael, Typhoon 
Mangkhut, Super Typhoon Yutu, and wildfires, earthquakes, and volcanic 
eruptions occurring in calendar year 2018 and tornadoes and floods 
occurring in calendar year 2019 in those areas for which a major 
disaster or emergency has been declared under section 401 or 501 of the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 
and 5190) and that have education-related needs resulting from the 
covered disaster or emergency. A general list of disaster declarations 
and emergency declarations can be found at www.fema.gov/disasters.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    3. Subgrantees: The SEA may use Restart funds to provide services 
or assistance directly to eligible LEAs or non-public schools, or it 
may award

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Restart funds to eligible LEAs to reimburse them for costs incurred, or 
to provide funding for other allowable purposes. In providing services 
or assistance to non-public schools, control of the funds must be 
maintained by the SEA, and LEA, or another public agency.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Application Submission Instructions: Applications for this 
program must be submitted in both of the following two ways:
    (a) Submit an application in electronic portable document format 
(PDF) or Microsoft Word format via email to [email protected]. 
Questions regarding application submission can be directed to the 
program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    (b) Mail the original and two copies of your application by express 
mail service through the U.S. Postal Service or through a commercial 
carrier to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.
    2. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive 
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. However, under 34 
CFR 79.8(a), we waive intergovernmental review in order to make timely 
awards.

V. Application Review Information

    1. School Data: Applicants must provide data on the number of 
public and non-public students who were enrolled during the school year 
prior to the covered disaster or emergency in elementary and secondary 
schools that were closed as a result of the covered disaster or 
emergency.
    2. Impact and Needs Assessment: Applicants must also describe the 
impact of the covered disaster or emergency on each affected LEA and 
non-public school and the activities, materials, and services required 
to restart school operations, re-open schools, and re-enroll students 
in each affected LEA and non-public school. Note that this description 
may cover activities already completed or prospective actions expected 
to continue over a period of time.
    3. Estimated or Actual Costs: Applicants must identify estimated or 
actual costs of meeting the recovery needs identified in paragraph 2, 
Impact and Needs Assessment, which they propose to pay with funds 
provided through the 2019 Restart program.
    4. Proposed Use of Funds: Applicants must describe the services and 
assistance, consistent with allowable uses of funds under the 2019 
Restart program, which they propose to provide with the funds requested 
in paragraph 3, Estimated or Actual Costs.
    Restart funds may be used for the following activities: Recovery of 
student and personnel data and other electronic information; 
replacement of school district information systems, including hardware 
and software; financial operations; reasonable transportation costs; 
rental of mobile educational units and leasing of neutral sites or 
spaces; initial replacement of instructional materials and equipment, 
including textbooks; redeveloping instructional plans, including 
curriculum development; initiating and maintaining education and 
support services; specific educator-related costs; and other activities 
related to the purpose of the program subject to approval by the 
Department. Please note that the legislation expressly prohibits the 
use of Restart funds for construction or major renovation of schools. 
If necessary and reasonable, these funds may be used for minor 
remodeling and repair.
    Note: With regard to paragraphs 1-4, applicants are encouraged to 
submit their best available data as of the application deadline. 
Applicants that meet the initial application deadline may provide any 
updated data through November 22, 2019 to [email protected]. SEAs must 
submit any application amendments affecting applications under this 
program to the Department no later than November 22, 2019.
    5. Compliance Assurance: Each applicant must provide an assurance 
that it will comply with all requirements that apply to the 2019 
Restart program, including, but not limited to, certifying that the SEA 
will use funds only for allowable activities, complying with reporting 
requirements, reserving an amount of funding to be made available to 
non-public schools based on needs and proportionate to enrollment, 
cooperating with any Inspector General inquiries, complying with 
applicable Office of Management and Budget assurances, signing and 
submitting a certification regarding lobbying using Department Form 80-
0013, and complying with any other applicable assurances and 
certifications.
    6. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.205, before awarding grants under this program, the Department 
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 
3474.10, the Secretary may impose specific 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.
    7. Additional Monitoring: This program is designated as 
``susceptible to significant improper payments'' for purposes of the 
Improper Payments Information Act of 2002 (31 U.S.C. 3321 note). See 
title VIII of the Disaster Supplemental, and Public Law 115-123, the 
Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, division B, subdivision 1, title XII, 
Sec.  21208(a), February 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 108. Consequently, once 
2019 Restart program grantees have expended more than $10,000,000--a 
level of expenditures that the Department anticipates will be met--
there will be additional requirements for grantees under the program, 
including making expenditure information and documentation available 
for review by the Department. We will provide additional information 
about this requirement after we make awards, providing advanced notice 
to ensure grantees understand their responsibilities for documenting 
all expenditures of 2019 Restart funds. In general, these documentation 
requirements are identical to those ordinarily required for all Federal 
education program expenditures; the primary impact of the Improper 
Payments Information Act will be increased review of this 
documentation.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If you receive a grant award under the 2019 
Restart program, we will notify your U.S. Representative(s) and U.S. 
Senators, if applicable, 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 also notify you informally.
    2. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this program, 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. 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. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance 
reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c).

VII. Other Information

    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document

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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.
    Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may 
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of 
Federal Regulations at www.govinfo.gov. 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.

Frank Brogan,
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2019-19880 Filed 9-12-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P