[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 77 (Tuesday, April 21, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22164-22169]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08391]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Parent Information and Training 
Program--Technical Assistance for Parent Training and Information 
Centers

AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, 
Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The mission of the Office of Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is to improve early childhood, 
educational, and employment outcomes and raise expectations for all 
people with disabilities, their families, their communities, and the 
Nation. As such, the Department of Education (Department) is issuing a 
notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2020 
for Parent Information and Training Program-Technical Assistance for 
Parent Training and Information Centers, Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance (CFDA) number 84.235G. The national center under this 
competition is designed to provide technical assistance to, and 
coordination among, the State-level Parent Training and Information 
(PTI) centers that are funded under section 303(c) of the 
Rehabilitation Act, known as the Rehabilitation Services Administration 
(RSA) PTI centers, and to establish and maintain partnerships with the 
State-level PTI centers established pursuant to section 671 and 681(d) 
of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), known as the 
Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)-funded PTIs. This notice 
relates to the approved information collection under OMB control number 
1820-0028.

DATES: Applications Available: April 21, 2020.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 22, 2020.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 19, 2020.
    Date of Pre-Application Meeting: The Office of Special Education 
and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) will post a PowerPoint presentation 
that provides general information related to RSA's discretionary grant 
competitions and a PowerPoint presentation specifically related to this 
Parent Information and Training Program--Technical Assistance for 
Parent Training and Information Centers at https://ncrtm.ed.gov/RSAGrantInfo.aspx. OSERS will conduct a pre-application meeting 
specific to this competition via conference call in order to respond to 
questions on May 5, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. OSERS invites you 
to send questions to [email protected] in advance of the pre-
application meeting. The teleconference information, including the 
84.235G pre-application meeting summary of the questions and answers, 
will be available at https://ncrtm.ed.gov/RSAGrantInfo.aspx within 6 
days after the pre-application meeting.

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: Tara Jordan, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 5058E, Potomac Center Plaza, 
Washington, DC 20202-2800. Telephone: (202) 245-7341. 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 Parent Information and Training 
Program, section 303(c) of the Rehabilitation Act, RSA funds State-
level PTI centers and one national PTI center. The State-level PTI 
centers provide training and information to individuals with 
disabilities and their parents, family members, guardians, advocates, 
or authorized representatives (hereafter referred to as ``individuals 
with disabilities and their families'') who live in the service area, 
particularly those who are members of populations that have been 
unserved or underserved by programs under the Rehabilitation Act.

[[Page 22165]]

    The national PTI center is designed to provide technical assistance 
to, and coordination among, the State-level PTI centers that are funded 
under section 303(c) of the Rehabilitation Act, and to establish and 
maintain partnerships with the State-level PTI centers established 
pursuant to section 671 and 681(d) of IDEA.
    Priority: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(v), this priority 
is from allowable activities specified in the statute (see section 
303(c)(6) of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. 773(c)(6)).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2020 and any subsequent year in which we 
make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet this priority.
    This priority is:
    Parent Information and Training Program-Technical Assistance for 
Parent Information and Training Centers.
    Background:
    The Department has funded RSA-PTI centers and a national center 
under the Rehabilitation Act since 1993. For individuals with 
disabilities and their families, particularly for youth of transition 
age, the need for information about transition, vocational 
rehabilitation (VR), independent living, and other adult services is 
critical. The current Federal approach to assisting students with 
disabilities in transitioning to postsecondary education or the 
workforce necessitates that students and their parents navigate 
multiple service systems and access multiple programs in order to piece 
together the supports these students need to achieve maximum 
independence in adulthood. Under this complex structure, information 
dissemination and service coordination are essential (GAO, 2012).
    Also, although families may be familiar with the supports provided 
while a youth with disabilities is in secondary school, the options 
available for postsecondary education and training, including how to 
obtain financial aid for such options, can often be daunting. Without 
receiving accurate and timely information about available services, 
students may miss opportunities to access needed services that could 
mean the difference between achieving an optimal level of self-
sufficiency and relying on public assistance to meet their basic needs 
(GAO, 2012). Finally, although many youths with disabilities receive 
work experiences while in secondary school, additional job exploration 
and on-the-job training experiences provided through a VR services 
program can introduce them to career possibilities not previously 
considered.
    Having accurate and user-friendly information available helps to 
ensure that individuals with disabilities receive the services that 
will help them achieve their employment and independent living goals. 
Projects must be awarded and operated in a manner consistent with the 
nondiscrimination requirements contained in the U.S. Constitution and 
the Federal civil rights laws.
    The purpose of this priority is to fund a national PTI center to 
provide technical assistance to, and coordination of, the State-level 
PTI centers funded in FY 2020 under section 303(c) of the 
Rehabilitation Act, and to establish and maintain partnerships with the 
State-level PTI centers established pursuant to sections 671 and 681(d) 
of IDEA.
    The purpose of the technical assistance and coordination provided 
by the national PTI center is to assist individuals with disabilities 
and their families in achieving their employment and independent living 
goals by: (1) Ensuring that the individual RSA-PTI centers are 
providing consistent, high-quality information and training to 
individuals with disabilities and their families; (2) ensuring that the 
RSA-PTI centers are working together, sharing best practices, not 
duplicating effort, and collaborating on activities; and (3) 
establishing and maintaining partnerships with the OSEP-funded PTIs and 
Regional Parent Technical Assistance Centers. This coordination is 
designed to increase the consistency of information provided by the 
centers funded under the Rehabilitation Act and those funded under 
IDEA. Finally, this center will help to build greater and more 
effective family engagement in the education and transition of their 
children and create or expand partnerships with community-based 
organizations to provide supports and services to individuals with 
disabilities and their families.
    References:

United States Government Accountability Office (GAO). (2012). Report to 
the Ranking Member, Committee on Education and the Workforce, House of 
Representatives. Students with Disabilities, Better Federal 
Coordination Could Lessen Challenges in the Transition from High 
School. July 2012. Retrieved from: www.gao.gov/assets/600/592329.pdf.

    Priority:
    Under this priority a grant is awarded for the establishment or 
continuation of a national Parent Training and Information (PTI) center 
that provides technical assistance and coordination of the PTI centers 
funded under section 303(c) of the Rehabilitation Act. Specifically, 
this national PTI center will coordinate information and training 
provided by the State-level PTI centers to individuals with 
disabilities and their parents, family members, guardians, advocates, 
or authorized representatives (hereafter referred to as ``individuals 
with disabilities and their families''). To be considered for funding 
under this priority, consistent with section 303(c)(2) of the 
Rehabilitation Act, an applicant must meet the following application, 
programmatic, and administrative requirements of this priority:
    (a) The national PTI center must coordinate and provide technical 
assistance to the PTI centers funded by RSA to help these PTI centers, 
at a minimum, to--
    (1) Assist individuals with disabilities and their families to 
better understand VR and independent living programs and services;
    (2) Provide follow-up support for transition and employment 
programs for individuals with disabilities and their families;
    (3) Assist individuals with disabilities and their families to 
communicate more effectively with transition and rehabilitation 
personnel and other relevant professionals;
    (4) Provide support to individuals with disabilities and their 
families in the development of the individualized plan for employment;
    (5) Provide support and expertise for individuals with disabilities 
and their families in obtaining information about rehabilitation and 
independent living programs, services, and resources that are 
appropriate; and
    (6) Assist individuals with disabilities and their families to 
understand the provisions of the Rehabilitation Act, particularly 
provisions relating to employment, supported employment, and 
independent living.
    (b) In order to effectively provide coordination and technical 
assistance to the RSA-funded PTI centers on the activities in paragraph 
(a), the national PTI center may, among other activities--
    (1) Survey all RSA-funded PTI centers to determine collective and 
individualized technical assistance activities being provided and the 
gaps in information and training that exist;
    (2) Prioritize and provide individualized technical assistance to 
PTI centers that serve areas in which

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there are low-performing State VR agencies, poor employment outcomes 
for individuals with disabilities, and PTIs with capacity issues;
    (3) Build the capacity of the network of RSA-funded PTI centers by 
conducting a set of coordinated activities, including opportunities for 
peer-to-peer information sharing using various strategies such as 
listservs, newsletters, and other community of practice strategies;
    (4) Develop and Disseminate information and resources on promising 
and evidence-based practices that lead to high-quality employment 
outcomes and independent living for individuals with disabilities;
    (5) Share with the RSA-funded PTI centers strategies for 
communicating effectively with individuals from culturally, ethnically, 
and linguistically diverse backgrounds;
    (6) Foster development of expertise in assisting State-level RSA-
funded PTI centers as they work with individuals with disabilities, 
including youth with disabilities of transition age, and their families 
to access transition services, VR programs, and career development 
opportunities, including expertise in the provision of technical 
assistance on how to coordinate a student's Individualized Education 
Program with the individualized plan for employment so that the 
services provided to individuals with disabilities under both plans are 
more likely to lead to high-quality competitive employment in the 
integrated labor market;
    (7) Create tools to help State-level RSA-funded PTI centers to 
build their capacity to disseminate information and conduct training 
activities for individuals with disabilities, including youth with 
disabilities of transition age, and their families on the transition 
from school to adult life, available VR program services, career 
development, and related fields;
    (8) Support RSA-funded PTI centers in conducting their annual data 
collection activities on parent training outcomes and consolidating 
data into an annual report;
    (9) Conduct an annual evaluation survey of RSA-funded PTI centers 
to determine which products and services were deemed to be useful by 
PTI centers and the individuals with disabilities and families 
accessing their products and services, with particular emphasis on the 
effectiveness of those products and services designed to improve VR 
service utilization; and
    (10) Coordinate with the State-level PTI centers and the parent 
technical assistance centers funded by OSEP in disseminating 
information and training materials on transition services, VR, 
supported employment, independent living, and career development.
    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 773(c)(6).
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 
84, 86, 97, 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 regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grant.
    Estimated Available Funds: $300,000.
    The Administration has requested $300,000 for new awards for this 
program for FY 2020.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2020 from the list of 
unfunded applications from this competition.
    Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $300,000 for a 
single budget period of 12 months.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 1.
    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Private nonprofit organizations that, to 
the extent practicable, are the PTI centers established pursuant to 
section 671 of IDEA. Eligible applicants must also meet the 
requirements in section 303(c)(4) of the Rehabilitation Act. To receive 
a grant, an applicant must--
    (a) Include in its application information demonstrating the 
capacity and expertise of the organization--
    (i) To coordinate training and information activities with centers 
for independent living;
    (ii) To coordinate and work closely with PTI centers established 
pursuant to section 671 of IDEA, the community parent resource centers 
established pursuant to section 672 of IDEA, and the eligible entities 
receiving awards under section 673 of IDEA; and
    (iii) To effectively conduct the training and information 
activities authorized in section 303 of the Rehabilitation Act;
    (b)(i) Be governed by a board of directors--
    (A) That includes professionals in the VR field; and
    (B) On which a majority of the members are individuals with 
disabilities or the parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or 
authorized representatives of the individuals; or
    (ii)(A) Have a membership that represents the interests of 
individuals with disabilities; and
    (B) Establish a special governing committee that includes 
professionals in the VR field and on which a majority of the members 
are individuals with disabilities or the parents, family members, 
guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of the individuals 
to operate a training and information program under section 303(c)(4) 
of the Rehabilitation Act; and
    (c) Serve, and demonstrate the capacity for serving, individuals 
with a full range of disabilities, and the parents, family members, 
guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of the individuals.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.

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. 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.
    4. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition 
are from 34 CFR 75.210 and are as follows:
    (a) Significance (15 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed 
project.

[[Page 22167]]

    (2) In determining the significance of the proposed project, the 
Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) 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; and
    (ii) The importance or magnitude of the results or outcomes likely 
to be attained by the proposed project.
    (b) Quality of project design (10 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the 
proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable.
    (ii) The extent to which there is a conceptual framework underlying 
the proposed research or demonstration activities and the quality of 
that framework.
    (c) Quality of project services (25 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be 
provided by the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the services to be provided by 
the proposed project, the Secretary considers the quality and 
sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal access and treatment for 
eligible project participants who are members of groups that have 
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
origin, gender, age, or disability.
    (3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed 
project reflect up-to-date knowledge from research and effective 
practice.
    (ii) The extent to which the services to be provided by the 
proposed project are appropriate to the needs of the intended 
recipients or beneficiaries of those services.
    (iii) The extent to which the services to be provided by the 
proposed project involve the collaboration of appropriate partners for 
maximizing the effectiveness of project services.
    (iv) The extent to which the technical assistance services to be 
provided by the proposed project involve the use of efficient 
strategies, including the use of technology, as appropriate, and the 
leveraging of non-project resources.
    (d) Quality of the project evaluation (15 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be 
conducted of the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, 
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the 
proposed project.
    (ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are appropriate 
to the context within which the project operates.
    (iii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward 
achieving intended outcomes.
    (iv) The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use 
of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the 
intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and 
qualitative data to the extent possible.
    (f) Adequacy of resources and quality of project personnel (20 
points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources and quality 
of project personnel for the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the adequacy of resources and quality of project 
personnel for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the 
following factors:
    (i) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment, 
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the 
lead applicant organization.
    (ii) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to 
the objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed 
project.
    (iii) The extent to which the applicant encourages applications for 
employment from persons who are members of groups that have 
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
origin, gender, age, or disability.
    (iv) The qualifications, including relevant training and 
experience, of key project personnel.
    (v) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of project consultants or subcontractors.
    (vi) The relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in 
the proposed project to the implementation and success of the project.
    (f) Quality of the management plan (15 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for 
the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the management plan for the 
proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives 
of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly 
defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing 
project tasks.
    (ii) 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.
    (iii) The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality products 
and services from the proposed project.
    (iv) How the applicant will ensure that a diversity of perspectives 
are brought to bear in the operation of the proposed project, including 
those of parents, teachers, the business community, a variety of 
disciplinary and professional fields, recipients or beneficiaries of 
services, or others, as appropriate.
    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. Additional Review and Selection Process Factors: In the past, 
the Department has had difficulty finding peer reviewers for certain 
competitions because so many individuals who are eligible to serve as 
peer reviewers have conflicts of interest. The standing panel 
requirements under section 682(b) of IDEA also have placed additional 
constraints on the availability of reviewers. Therefore, the Department 
has determined that, for some discretionary grant competitions, 
applications may be separated into two or more groups and ranked and 
selected for funding within specific groups. This procedure will make 
it easier for the Department to find peer reviewers by

[[Page 22168]]

ensuring that greater numbers of individuals who are eligible to serve 
as reviewers for any particular group of applicants will not have 
conflicts of interest. It also will increase the quality, independence, 
and fairness of the review process, while permitting panel members to 
review applications under discretionary grant competitions for which 
they also have submitted applications.
    4. Risk Assessment and Specific 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 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.
    5. 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 Grant Award 
Notification (GAN); or we may send you an email containing a link to 
access an electronic version of your GAN. We may notify you informally, 
also.
    If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify 
administrative and national policy requirements in the application 
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable 
Regulations section of this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and 
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also 
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding 
commitments under the grant.
    3. 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 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 Government Performance and Results Act 
of 1993 (GPRA) directs Federal departments and agencies to improve the 
effectiveness of programs by engaging in strategic planning, setting 
outcome-related goals for programs, and measuring program results 
against those goals. The required annual report must include 
information on the following measure: The percentage of all products 
and services deemed to be useful by PTI centers to improve VR service 
utilization. The data on this measure will be collected by the grantee 
via survey, assessed, and reported in the aggregate to RSA. The grantee 
will negotiate targets with RSA after the first year, which will be 
used to establish a baseline.
    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

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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.

Mark Schultz,
Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration. Delegated the 
authority to perform the functions and duties of the Assistant 
Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services.
[FR Doc. 2020-08391 Filed 4-20-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P