[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 248 (Friday, December 27, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71395-71401]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27984]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Developing Hispanic-Serving
Institutions Program
AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice
inviting applications (NIA) for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2020
for the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI) Program,
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 84.031S. This
notice relates to the approved information collection under OMB control
number 1840-0745.
DATES:
Applications Available: December 27, 2019.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 10, 2020.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: April 10, 2020.
ADDRESSES: For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an
application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to
Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the
Federal Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768), and available at
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Njeri Clark, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 260-14, Washington, DC 20202-
4260. Telephone: (202) 453-6224. 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: The DHSI Program provides grants to assist
Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) to expand educational
opportunities for, and improve the academic attainment of, Hispanic
students. DHSI Program grants enable HSIs to expand and enhance the
academic offerings, program quality, faculty quality, and institutional
stability of colleges and universities that are educating the majority
of Hispanic college students and help large numbers of Hispanic
students and other low-income individuals complete postsecondary
degrees.
Background: Hispanic students are enrolling in postsecondary
institutions at higher rates than ever before, yet their high
enrollments are not translating to degree completion.\1\ HSIs have an
opportunity to both improve individual educational outcomes and support
our Nation's economic growth and competitiveness by increasing the
number of certificates and degrees attained by Hispanic and low-income
students. HSIs' high enrollment of Hispanic and low-income students
positions them to serve as models for how best to meet the needs of
Hispanic and low-income students. The DHSI program supports HSIs that
demonstrate a commitment to developing or enhancing a comprehensive
plan that looks to identify and address the strengths and weaknesses of
an institution's enrollment, retention, support, and graduation rates
of Hispanic and low-income students.
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\1\ Digest of Education Statistics 2017, January 2019, https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2018/2018070.pdf.
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HSIs interested in applying to this grant program can use the
development of their comprehensive plan to examine
[[Page 71396]]
the alignment of their mission and current strategic plan with the
needs of the target population and surrounding community to develop,
enhance, and implement leadership, practice, and policies that best
promote student success. Moreover, HSIs can use their plans as road
maps to help all students, especially those with the highest needs,
find exciting pathways to employment and career advancement.
To this end, this competition includes two competitive preference
priorities that are designed to promote student success.
Priorities: This notice contains two competitive preference
priorities from the Secretary's Final Supplemental Priorities and
Definitions for Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal
Register on March 2, 2018 (83 FR 9096) (Supplemental Priorities).
Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2020 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)(i), we award an application up to
5 additional points, depending on how well the application meets one of
these priorities. Applicants may respond to one or both priorities, for
a total of up to 10 additional points.
These priorities are:
Competitive Preference Priority 1--Fostering Flexible and Affordable
Paths To Obtaining Knowledge and Skills (Up to 5 Additional Points)
Projects that are designed to address at least one of the following
priority areas:
(a) Improving collaboration between education providers and
employers to ensure student learning objectives are aligned with the
skills or knowledge required for employment in in-demand industry
sectors or occupations (as defined in section 3(23) of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014).
(b) Providing work-based learning experiences (such as internships,
apprenticeships, and fellowships) that align with in-demand industry
sectors or occupations (as defined in section 3(23) of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014).
(c) Creating or expanding opportunities for students to obtain
recognized postsecondary credentials in science, technology,
engineering, mathematics, or computer science (as defined in this
notice).
Competitive Preference Priority 2--Fostering Knowledge and Promoting
the Development of Skills That Prepare Students To Be Informed,
Thoughtful, and Productive Individuals and Citizens (Up to 5 Additional
Points)
Projects that are designed to support instruction in personal
financial literacy, knowledge of markets and economics, knowledge of
higher education financing and repayment (e.g., college savings and
student loans), or other skills aimed at building personal financial
understanding and responsibility.
Definitions: The following definitions are from 34 CFR 77.1 and the
Supplemental Priorities and apply to the priorities and selection
criteria in this notice:
Baseline means the starting point from which performance is
measured and targets are set.
Budget period means an interval of time into which a project period
is divided for budgetary purposes.
Computer science means the study of computers and algorithmic
processes and includes the study of computing principles and theories,
computational thinking, computer hardware, software design, coding,
analytics, and computer applications.
Computer science often includes computer programming or coding as a
tool to create software, including applications, games, websites, and
tools to manage or manipulate data; or development and management of
computer hardware and the other electronics related to sharing,
securing, and using digital information.
In addition to coding, the expanding field of computer science
emphasizes computational thinking and interdisciplinary problem-solving
to equip students with the skills and abilities necessary to apply
computation in our digital world.
Computer science does not include using a computer for everyday
activities, such as browsing the internet; use of tools like word
processing, spreadsheets, or presentation software; or using computers
in the study and exploration of unrelated subjects.
Demonstrates a rationale means a key project component included in
the project's logic model is informed by research or evaluation
findings that suggest the project component is likely to improve
relevant outcomes.
Department means the U.S. Department of Education.
Evidence-based means the proposed project component is supported by
promising evidence or evidence that demonstrates a rationale.
Experimental study means a study that is designed to compare
outcomes between two groups of individuals (such as students) that are
otherwise equivalent except for their assignment to either a treatment
group receiving a project component or a control group that does not.
Randomized controlled trials, regression discontinuity design studies,
and single-case design studies are the specific types of experimental
studies that, depending on their design and implementation (e.g.,
sample attrition in randomized controlled trials and regression
discontinuity design studies), can meet What Works Clearinghouse (WWC)
standards without reservations as described in the WWC Handbook:
(i) A randomized controlled trial employs random assignment of, for
example, students, teachers, classrooms, or schools to receive the
project component being evaluated (the treatment group) or not to
receive the project component (the control group).
(ii) A regression discontinuity design study assigns the project
component being evaluated using a measured variable (e.g., assigning
students reading below a cutoff score to tutoring or developmental
education classes) and controls for that variable in the analysis of
outcomes.
(iii) A single-case design study uses observations of a single case
(e.g., a student eligible for a behavioral intervention) over time in
the absence and presence of a controlled treatment manipulation to
determine whether the outcome is systematically related to the
treatment.
Fiscal year means the Federal fiscal year--a period beginning on
October 1 and ending on the following September 30.
Grant period means the period for which funds have been awarded.
Grantee means the legal entity to which a grant is awarded and that
is accountable to the Federal Government for the use of the funds
provided. The grantee is the entire legal entity even if only a
particular component of the entity is designated in the grant award
notice (GAN). For example, a GAN may name as the grantee one school or
campus of a university. In this case, the granting agency usually
intends, or actually intends, that the named component assume primary
or sole responsibility for administering the grant-assisted project or
program. Nevertheless, the naming of a component of a legal entity as
the grantee in a grant award document shall not be construed as
relieving the whole legal entity from accountability to the Federal
Government for the use of the
[[Page 71397]]
funds provided. (This definition is not intended to affect the
eligibility provision of grant programs in which eligibility is limited
to organizations that may be only components of a legal entity.) The
term ``grantee'' does not include any secondary recipients, such as
subgrantees and contractors, that may receive funds from a grantee
pursuant to a subgrant or contract.
Logic model (also referred to as a theory of action) means a
framework that identifies key project components of the proposed
project (i.e., the active ``ingredients'' that are hypothesized to be
critical to achieving the relevant outcomes) and describes the
theoretical and operational relationships among the key project
components and relevant outcomes.
Note: In developing logic models, applicants may want to use
resources such as the Pacific Education Laboratory's Logic Model
Application (www.ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/elm.asp).
Performance measure means any quantitative indicator, statistic, or
metric used to gauge program or project performance.
Performance target means a level of performance that an applicant
would seek to meet during the course of a project or as a result of a
project.
Project component means an activity, strategy, intervention,
process, product, practice, or policy included in a project. Evidence
may pertain to an individual project component or to a combination of
project components (e.g., training teachers on instructional practices
for English learners and follow-on coaching for these teachers).
Promising evidence means that there is evidence of the
effectiveness of a key project component in improving a relevant
outcome, based on a relevant finding from one of the following:
(i) A practice guide prepared by What Works Clearinghouse (WWC)
reporting a ``strong evidence base'' or ``moderate evidence base'' for
the corresponding practice guide recommendation;
(ii) An intervention report prepared by the WWC reporting a
``positive effect'' or ``potentially positive effect'' on a relevant
outcome with no reporting of a ``negative effect'' or ``potentially
negative effect'' on a relevant outcome; or
(iii) A single study assessed by the Department, as appropriate,
that--
(A) Is an experimental study, a quasi-experimental design study, or
a well-designed and well-implemented correlational study with
statistical controls for selection bias (e.g., a study using regression
methods to account for differences between a treatment group and a
comparison group); and
(B) Includes at least one statistically significant and positive
(i.e., favorable) effect on a relevant outcome.
Quasi-experimental design study means a study using a design that
attempts to approximate an experimental study by identifying a
comparison group that is similar to the treatment group in important
respects. This type of study, depending on design and implementation
(e.g., establishment of baseline equivalence of the groups being
compared), can meet WWC standards with reservations, but cannot meet
WWC standards without reservations, as described in the WWC Handbook.
Relevant outcome means the student outcome(s) or other outcomes(s)
the key project component is designed to improve, consistent with the
specific goals of the program.
Subgrant means an award of financial assistance in the form of
money, or property in lieu of money, made under a grant by a grantee to
an eligible subgrantee. The term includes financial assistance when
provided by contractual or any other form of legal agreement, but does
not include procurement purchases, nor does it include any form of
assistance that is excluded from the definition of ``grant or award''
in this part (See 2 CFR 200.92, ``Subaward'').
What Works Clearinghouse Handbook (WWC Handbook) means the
standards and procedures set forth in the WWC Procedures and Standards
Handbook, Version 3.0 or Version 2.1 (incorporated by reference, see 34
CFR 77.2). Study findings eligible for review under WWC standards can
meet WWC standards without reservations, meet WWC standards with
reservations, or not meet WWC standards. WWC practice guides and
intervention reports include findings from systematic reviews of
evidence as described in the Handbook documentation.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1101-1101d and 1103-1103g.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97,
98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 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. (d) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 606. (e)
The Supplemental Priorities.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants. Five-year Individual
Development Grants only. Cooperative Arrangement Grants and Planning
Grants will not be awarded in FY 2020.
Estimated Available Funds: The Department estimates that
$124,415,000 will be available for the DHSI program in FY 2020, of
which approximately $52,800,000 will be available for new awards. The
actual level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action.
However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete
the grant process before the end of the current fiscal year, if
Congress appropriates funds for this program.
Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of
applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent fiscal years
from the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
Estimated Range of Awards: $500,000-$600,000.
Maximum Awards: We will not make an award exceeding $600,000 for a
single budget period of 12 months.
Estimated Number of Awards: 96.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: Up to 60 months.
III. Eligibility Information and Supplemental Requirements
1. Eligible Applicants: (a) Institutions of higher education (IHEs)
that qualify as eligible HSIs are eligible to apply for new Individual
Development Grants under the DHSI Program. To be an eligible HSI, an
IHE must--
(i) Have an enrollment of needy students, as defined in section
502(b) of the HEA (section 502(a)(2)(A)(i) of the HEA; 20 U.S.C.
1101a(a)(2)(A)(i));
(ii) Have, except as provided in section 522(b) of the HEA, average
education and general expenditures that are low, per full-time
equivalent (FTE) undergraduate student, in comparison with the average
education and general expenditures per FTE undergraduate student of
institutions that offer similar instruction (section 502(a)(2)(A)(ii)
of the HEA; 20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)(2)(A)(ii));
Note: To demonstrate an enrollment of needy students and low
average education and general expenditures per FTE undergraduate
student, an IHE must be designated as an ``eligible institution'' in
accordance with 34 CFR 606.3 through 606.5 and the notice
[[Page 71398]]
inviting applications for designation as an eligible institution for
the fiscal year for which the grant competition is being conducted.
Note: The notice announcing the FY 2020 process for designation of
eligible institutions, and inviting applications for waiver of
eligibility requirements, was published in the Federal Register on
December 16, 2019 (84 FR 68434). Only institutions that the Department
determines are eligible, or are granted a waiver, may apply for a grant
in this program.
(iii) Be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency
or association that the Secretary has determined to be a reliable
authority as to the quality of education or training offered, or making
reasonable progress toward accreditation, according to such an agency
or association (section 502(a)(2)(A)(iv) of the HEA; 20 U.S.C.
1101a(a)(2)(A)(iv));
(iv) Be legally authorized to provide, and provides within the
State, an education program for which the institution awards a
bachelor's degree (section 502(a)(2)(A)(iii) of the HEA; 20 U.S.C.
1101a(a)(2)(A)(iii)), or be a junior or community college (section
502(a)(2)(A)(iii) of the HEA; 20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)(2)(A)(iii));
(v) Have an enrollment of undergraduate FTE students that is at
least 25 percent Hispanic students at the end of the award year
immediately preceding the date of application (section 502(a)(5)(B) of
the HEA; 20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)(5)(B)); and
(vi) Provide, as an attachment to the application, the
documentation the IHE relied upon in determining that at least 25
percent of the IHE's undergraduate FTE students are Hispanic. The 25
percent requirement applies only to undergraduate Hispanic students and
is calculated based upon FTE students as defined in section 502(a)(4)
of the HEA. Instructions for formatting and submitting the verification
documentation to Grants.gov are in the application package for this
competition.
(b) For this program, the ``end of the award year immediately
preceding the date of application'' refers to the end of the fiscal
year prior to the application due date. For purposes of this
competition, the data that we will use to determine percent enrollment
is for academic year 2018-2019.
(c) In considering applications for grants under this program, the
Department will compare the data and documentation the institution
relied on in its application with data reported to the Department's
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the IHE's
State-reported enrollment data, and the institutional annual report. If
different percentages or data are reported in these various sources,
the institution must, as part of the 25 percent assurance verification,
explain the reason for the differences. If the IPEDS data show that
less than 25 percent of the institution's undergraduate FTE students
are Hispanic, the burden is on the institution to show that the IPEDS
data are inaccurate. If the IPEDS data indicate that the institution
has an undergraduate FTE less than 25 percent, and the institution
fails to demonstrate that the IPEDS data are inaccurate, the
institution will be considered ineligible.
(d) A grantee under the DHSI Program, which is authorized by title
V of the HEA, may not receive a grant under any HEA, title III, part A
or part B program (section 505 of the HEA; 20 U.S.C. 1101d). The title
III, part A programs include: The Strengthening Institutions Program;
the American Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities
Program; the Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions
Programs; the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-
Serving Institutions Program; the Predominantly Black Institutions
program; and the Native American-Serving Non-Tribal Institutions
Program. Furthermore, a current DHSI Program grantee may not give up
its HSI grant in order to receive a grant under any title III, part A
program (34 CFR 606.2(c)(1)).
(e) An eligible HSI may only submit one Individual Development
Grant application.
(f) Nothing in this notice alters a grantee's obligations to comply
with nondiscrimination requirements in the U.S. Constitution and
Federal civil rights laws, including on the basis of race or ethnicity,
among others.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost
sharing or matching unless the grantee uses a portion of its grant for
establishing or improving an endowment fund. If a grantee uses a
portion of its grant for endowment fund purposes, it must match or
exceed those grant funds with non-Federal funds (section 503(c)(2) of
the HEA; 20 U.S.C. 1101b(c)(2)).
3. Supplement-Not Supplant: This program involves supplement-not-
supplant funding requirements. Grant funds shall be used so that they
supplement and, to the extent practical, increase the funds that would
otherwise be available for the activities to be carried out under the
grant and in no case supplant those funds. (34 CFR 606.30(b)).
4. Subgrantees: Under 34 CFR 75.708(b) and (c), a grantee under
this competition may award subgrants--to directly carry out project
activities described in its application--to the following types of
entities: Local educational agencies; State educational agencies; IHEs;
nonprofit organizations. The grantee may award subgrants to entities it
has identified in an approved application or that it selects through a
competition under procedures established by the grantee.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to
follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of
Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal
Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768), and available at
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf, which
contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.
2. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of
projects that may be proposed in applications for the DHSI 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).
An applicant may wish to request confidentiality of business
information because successful applications may be made available to
the public, if requested.
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. 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.
4. Funding Restrictions: We specify unallowable costs in 34 CFR
606.10(c). We reference additional regulations
[[Page 71399]]
outlining funding restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of
this notice.
5. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative is where you,
the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to
evaluate your application. We recommend that you (1) limit the
application narrative to no more than 55 pages and (2) use the
following standards:
A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1''
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
Double-space (no more than three lines per vertical inch)
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings,
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in
charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
Use a font that is either 12 point or larger, and no
smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier,
Courier New, or Arial.
The recommended page limit applies to the Project Narrative, which
is your complete response to the selection criteria, and any response
to the competitive preference priorities, if applicable. However, the
page limit does not apply to the Application for Federal Assistance
form (SF-424); the ED SF-424 Supplement form; the Budget Information--
Non-Construction Programs form (ED 524); the assurances and
certifications; or the one-page project abstract, the program profile
form, and supporting budget narrative.
6. Notice of Intent to Apply: The Department will be able to review
grant applications more efficiently if we know the approximate number
of applicants that intend to apply. Therefore, we strongly encourage
each potential applicant to notify us of their intent to submit an
application. To do so, please email the program contact person listed
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT with the subject line ``Intent to
Apply,'' and include the applicant's name and a contact person's name
and email address. Applicants that do not submit a notice of intent to
apply may still apply for funding; applicants that do submit a notice
of intent to apply are not bound to apply or bound by the information
provided.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition
are from 34 CFR 75.210, 606.8, and 606.22 and are as follows:
(a) Quality of the applicant's comprehensive development plan. (up
to 25 points)
The extent to which--
(1) The strengths, weaknesses, and significant problems of the
institution's academic programs, institutional management, and fiscal
stability are clearly and comprehensively analyzed and result from a
process that involved major constituencies of the institution (up to 5
points);
(2) The goals for the institution's academic programs,
institutional management, and fiscal stability are realistic and based
on comprehensive analysis (up to 5 points);
(3) The objectives stated in the plan are measurable, related to
institutional goals, and, if achieved, will contribute to the growth
and self-sufficiency of the institution (up to 5 points);
(4) The plan clearly and comprehensively describes the methods and
resources the institution will use to institutionalize practice and
improvements developed under the proposed project, including, in
particular, how operational costs for personnel, maintenance, and
upgrades of equipment will be paid with institutional resources (up to
5 points); and
(5) The plan clearly and comprehensively describes the five-year
plan to improve its services to Hispanic and other low-income students
(up to 5 points).
Note: A comprehensive development plan is an institution's strategy
for achieving growth and self-sufficiency by strengthening its--
(1) Academic programs;
(2) Institutional management; and
(3) Fiscal stability.
(b) Quality of the project design. (up to 15 points)
The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the proposed
project. In determining the quality of the design of the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following:
(1) The extent to which the proposed project demonstrates a
rationale (as defined in this notice) (up to 10 points); and
(2) The extent to which the proposed project is supported by
promising evidence (as defined in this notice) (up to 5 points).
Note: To establish that their projects ``demonstrate a rationale,''
applicants must use a logic model (as defined in this notice). To
establish that their projects are supported by ``promising evidence,''
applicants should cite the supporting study or studies that meets the
conditions in the definition of ``promising evidence'' and attach the
studies as part of the application attachments. In addressing
``promising evidence,'' applicants are encouraged to align the direct
student services proposed in this application to evidence-based
practices identified in the selected studies.
(c) Quality of activity objectives. (up to 10 points)
The extent to which the objectives for each activity are--
(1) Realistic and defined in terms of measurable results (up to 5
points); and
(2) Directly related to the problems to be solved and to the goals
of the comprehensive development plan (up to 5 points).
(d) Quality of implementation strategy. (up to 20 points)
The extent to which--
(1) The implementation strategy for each activity is comprehensive
(up to 10 points);
(2) The rationale for the implementation strategy for each activity
is clearly described and is supported by the results of relevant
studies or projects (up to 5 points); and
(3) The timetable for each activity is realistic and likely to be
attained (up to 5 points).
(e) Quality of project management plan. (up to 10 points)
The extent to which--
(1) Procedures for managing the project are likely to ensure
efficient and effective project implementation (up to 5 points); and
(2) The project coordinator and activity directors have sufficient
authority to conduct the project effectively, including access to the
president or chief executive officer (up to 5 points).
(f) Quality of key personnel. (up to 5 points)
The extent to which--
(1) The past experience and training of key professional personnel
are directly related to the stated activity objectives (up to 2
points); and
(2) The time commitment of key personnel is realistic (up to 3
points).
(g) Quality of evaluation plan. (up to 10 points)
The extent to which--
(1) The data elements and the data collection procedures are
clearly described and appropriate to measure the attainment of activity
objectives and to measure the success of the project in achieving the
goals of the comprehensive development plan (up to 5 points); and
(2) The data analysis procedures are clearly described and are
likely to produce formative and summative results on attaining activity
objectives and measuring the success of the project on achieving the
goals of the comprehensive development plan (up to 5 points).
[[Page 71400]]
(h) Budget. (up to 5 points)
The extent to which the proposed costs are necessary and reasonable
in relation to the project's objectives and scope.
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
(34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
A panel of three non-Federal reviewers will review and score each
application in accordance with the selection criteria in this notice,
as well as the competitive preference priorities. A rank order funding
slate will be made from this review. Awards will be made in rank order
according to the average score received from the peer review.
Tiebreaker: In tie-breaking situations for development grants
described in 34 CFR 606.23(b), the DHSI Program regulations in 34 CFR
part 606, subpart C require that we award additional points to an
application from an IHE that--
(1) Has an endowment fund of which the current market value, per
FTE enrolled student, is less than the average current market value of
the endowment funds, per FTE enrolled student, at comparable
institutions that offer similar instruction;
(2) Has expenditures for library materials per FTE enrolled student
that are less than the average expenditures for library materials per
FTE enrolled student at comparable institutions that offer similar
instruction; or
(3) Proposes to carry out one or more of the following activities--
(i) Faculty development (1 point);
(ii) Funds and administrative management (1 point);
(iii) Development and improvement of academic programs (2 points);
(iv) Acquisition of equipment for use in strengthening management
and academic programs (1 point);
(v) Joint use of facilities (2 points); or
(vi) Student services (2 points).
If a tie remains after applying the tiebreaker mechanism above,
priority will be given to applicants that addressed the statutory
priority found in section 521(d) of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1071).
If a tie still remains after applying the additional point(s) and
the relevant statutory priority, we will determine the ranking of
applicants based on the applicant that scores the highest under the
selection criteria, quality of the applicant's comprehensive
development plan, followed by quality of implementation strategy.
3. 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.
4. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this
competition to receive an award that over the course of the project
period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently
$250,000), under 2 CFR 200.205(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal
awards--that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant--before we make
an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that
is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as
the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System
(FAPIIS)), accessible through the System for Award Management. You may
review and comment on any information about yourself that a Federal
agency previously entered and that is currently in FAPIIS.
Please note that, if the total value of your currently active
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the
Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity
information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal
funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.
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 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. Open Licensing Requirements: Unless an exception applies, if you
are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to
openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in
part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of
modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends only to those
modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent
that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or
other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works.
Additionally, a grantee or subgrantee that is awarded competitive grant
funds must have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables.
This dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your
application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional
information on the open licensing requirements, please refer to 2 CFR
3474.20.
4. 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
[[Page 71401]]
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.
5. Performance Measures: The Secretary has established the
following key performance measures for assessing the effectiveness of
the DHSI Program:
(a) The annual rate of degree or certificate completion for all
students, and specifically for Hispanic students, at DHSI grantee
institutions.
(b) The annual persistence rate at DHSI grantee institutions for
all students, and for Hispanic students in particular, from one year to
the next.
(c) The percentage of all students, and of Hispanic students in
particular, that transfer from a two-year HSI to a four-year
institution.
(d) The number of all students, and the number of Hispanic students
in particular, served by any direct student service supported by the
grant.
(e) The Federal cost per undergraduate and graduate degree at
institutions in the DHSI program.
6. 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. 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.
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 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.
Robert L. King,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2019-27984 Filed 12-26-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P