[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 91 (Monday, May 11, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27731-27735]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-10021]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Coordinating Center for Transition
Programs for Students With Intellectual Disabilities Into Higher
Education
AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice
inviting applications (NIA) for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2020
for the Coordinating Center for Transition Programs for Students with
Intellectual Disabilities into Higher Education--Model Comprehensive
Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual
Disabilities Program-Coordinating Center (TPSID-CC), Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 84.407B. This notice relates to the
approved information collection under OMB control number 1894-0006.
DATES:
Applications Available: May 11, 2020.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 10, 2020.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 8, 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: Shedita Alston, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 260-24, Washington, DC 20202-
4260. Telephone: (202) 453-7090. 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 purpose of the TPSID program is to support
a national coordinating center charged with conducting and
disseminating research on strategies to promote positive academic,
social, employment, and independent living outcomes for students with
intellectual disabilities. The TPSID-CC will establish a comprehensive
research and evaluation protocol for TPSID programs; administer a
mentoring program matching current and new TPSID grantees based on
areas of expertise; and coordinate longitudinal follow-up data
collection and technical assistance to TPSID grantees on programmatic
components and evidence-based practices. The TPSID-CC will also provide
technical assistance to build the capacity of kindergarten through
grade 12 transition services and support postsecondary education
inclusive practices, among other activities.
Background: As part of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of
2008, Congress authorized the TPSID-CC for institutions of higher
education (IHEs) that offer inclusive comprehensive transition and
postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities,
including institutions funded under the Transition Programs for
Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) program. Since that
time, the TPSID-CC has played a vital role in supporting the work of
TPSID grantees, including identifying and disseminating best practices,
promoting the development of high-quality performance measures, and
collecting valuable information about the provision of postsecondary
education for students with intellectual disabilities.
Priority: This notice contains one absolute priority. In accordance
with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv), this priority is from section 777(b) of
the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1140q(b)).
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:
A grant recipient must use grant funds to establish a coordinating
center for IHEs that offer inclusive comprehensive transition and
postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities,
including IHEs participating in grants authorized by the TPSID program.
The TPSID-CC must provide such programs recommendations related to the
development of standards for such programs, technical assistance for
such programs, and evaluations for such programs. The TPSID-CC must
establish and maintain a coordinating center that must--
(1) Serve as the technical assistance entity for all comprehensive
transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual
disabilities;
(2) Provide technical assistance regarding the development,
evaluation, and continuous improvement of such programs;
(3) Develop an evaluation protocol for such programs that includes
qualitative and quantitative methodologies for measuring student
outcomes and program strengths in the areas of academic enrichment,
socialization, independent living, and competitive or supported
employment;
(4) Assist recipients of grants under the TPSID program in efforts
to award a meaningful credential to students with intellectual
disabilities upon the completion of such programs, which credential
must take into consideration unique State factors;
(5) Develop recommendations for the necessary components of such
programs, such as--
(i) Academic, vocational, social, and independent living skills;
(ii) Evaluation of student progress;
(iii) Program administration and evaluation;
(iv) Student eligibility; and
(v) Issues regarding the equivalency of a student's participation
in such programs to semester, trimester, quarter, credit, or clock
hours at an IHE, as the case may be;
(6) Analyze possible funding streams for such programs and provide
recommendations regarding the funding streams;
(7) Develop model memoranda of agreement for use between or among
IHEs and State and local agencies providing funding for such programs;
(8) Develop mechanisms for regular communication, outreach, and
dissemination of information about comprehensive transition and
postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities to
those
[[Page 27732]]
institutions that have grants authorized under the TPSID program and to
families and prospective students;
(9) Host a meeting of all recipients of grants authorized under the
TPSID program not less often than once each year; and
(10) Convene a workgroup to develop and recommend model criteria,
standards, and components of such programs as described in paragraph
(5) that are appropriate for the development of accreditation
standards, which workgroup must include--
(i) An expert in higher education;
(ii) An expert in special education;
(iii) A disability organization that represents students with
intellectual disabilities;
(iv) A representative from the National Advisory Committee on
Institutional Quality and Integrity; and
(v) A representative of a regional or national accreditation agency
or association.
Definitions: The definition of ``comprehensive transition and
postsecondary program for students with intellectual disabilities'' is
from section 760(1) of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1140(1)). The definition of
``student with an intellectual disability'' is from section 760(2) of
the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1140(2)).
Comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students
with intellectual disabilities means a degree, certificate, or
nondegree program that--
(A) Is offered by an IHE;
(B) Is designed to support students with intellectual disabilities
who are seeking to continue academic, career and technical, and
independent living instruction at an IHE in order to prepare for
gainful employment;
(C) Includes an advising and curriculum structure;
(D) Requires students with intellectual disabilities to participate
on not less than a half-time basis as determined by the institution,
with such participation focusing on academic components, and occurring
through one or more of the following activities:
(i) Regular enrollment in credit-bearing courses with nondisabled
students offered by the institution.
(ii) Auditing or participating in courses with nondisabled students
offered by the institution for which the student does not receive
regular academic credit.
(iii) Enrollment in noncredit-bearing, nondegree courses with
nondisabled students.
(iv) Participation in internships or work-based training in
settings with nondisabled individuals; and
(E) Requires students with intellectual disabilities to be socially
and academically integrated with nondisabled students to the maximum
extent possible.
Student with an intellectual disability means a student--
(A) With a cognitive impairment, characterized by significant
limitations in--
(i) Intellectual and cognitive functioning; and
(ii) Adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social, and
practical adaptive skills; and
(B) Who is currently, or was formerly, eligible for a free
appropriate public education under the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1140q(b).
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 82, 84,
86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government-
wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as
adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part
3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and
Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and
amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3474.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to IHEs only.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds: Up to $2,000,000.
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.
Maximum Awards: We will not make an award exceeding $2,000,000 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: 60 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: Under section 777(b)(1) of the HEA, an
``eligible entity'' means an entity, or a partnership of entities, that
has demonstrated expertise in the fields of--
(1) Higher education;
(2) The education of students with intellectual disabilities;
(3) The development of comprehensive transition and postsecondary
programs for students with intellectual disabilities; and
(4) Evaluation and technical assistance.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not require cost
sharing or matching.
3. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award
subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities
described in its application.
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 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.
3. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
4. 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 70 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 application narrative.
However, the recommended 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
[[Page 27733]]
Programs form (ED 524); the assurances and certifications; or the one-
page project abstract, the program profile form, and supporting budget
narrative. Please include a separate heading when responding to the
absolute priority.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The following selection criteria for this
program are from 34 CFR 75.210. The points assigned to each criterion
are indicated in parentheses. Applicants may earn up to a total of 100
points for the selection criteria.
(a) Need for project (up to 10 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the need for the proposed project.
(2) In determining the need for the proposed project, the Secretary
considers the following factors:
(i) The magnitude or severity of the problem to be addressed by the
proposed project.
(ii) The magnitude of the need for the services to be provided or
the activities to be carried out by the proposed project.
(iii) 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.
(b) Quality of the project design (up to 20 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 design of the proposed project is
appropriate to, and will successfully address, the needs of the target
population or other identified needs.
(ii) The extent to which the design of the proposed project
includes a thorough, high-quality review of the relevant literature, a
high-quality plan for project implementation, and the use of
appropriate methodological tools to ensure successful achievement of
project objectives.
(iii) The extent to which the proposed project is designed to build
capacity and yield results that will extend beyond the period of
Federal financial assistance.
(iv) The extent to which the design of the proposed project
reflects up-to-date knowledge from research and effective practice.
(c) Quality of project services (up to 20 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 are appropriate to the needs of the intended recipients or
beneficiaries of those services.
(ii) The likelihood that the services to be provided by the
proposed project will lead to improvements in the skills necessary to
gain employment or build capacity for independent living.
(d) Quality of project personnel (up to 15 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will
carry out the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary
considers 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.
(3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience,
of the project director or principal investigator.
(2) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience,
of key project personnel.
(e) Adequacy of resources (up to 15 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources for the
proposed project.
(2) In determining the adequacy of resources 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 budget is adequate to support the
proposed project.
(iii) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to
the number of persons to be served and to the anticipated results and
benefits.
(iv) The potential for continued support of the project after
Federal funding ends, including, as appropriate, the demonstrated
commitment of appropriate entities to such support.
(f) Quality of the project evaluation (up to 20 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be
conducted of the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of the project evaluation to be
conducted of the proposed project, the Secretary considers the
following factors:
(i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation provide for
examining the effectiveness of project implementation strategies.
(ii) 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.
(iii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress towards
achieving intended outcomes.
(iv) The extent to which the evaluation will provide guidance about
effective strategies suitable for replication or testing in other
settings.
2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition,
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary
also requires various assurances including those applicable to Federal
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department
of Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
3. 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
[[Page 27734]]
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 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.
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 directs Federal
departments and agencies to improve the effectiveness of their programs
by engaging in strategic planning, setting outcome-related goals for
programs, and measuring program results against those goals. The goal
of the TPSID-CC Program is to provide--(a) recommendations related to
the development of standards for inclusive comprehensive transition and
postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities; (b)
technical assistance for such programs; and (c) evaluations for such
programs. To assess the success of the grantee in meeting these goals,
in addition to other information, the grantee's annual performance
report must include--
(a) The percentage of inclusive comprehensive transition and
postsecondary programs assisted by the TPSID-CC that meet evidence-
based, center-developed standards for necessary program components,
reported across each standard; and
(b) The percentage of students with intellectual disabilities who
are enrolled in programs assisted by the TPSID-CC who complete the
programs and obtain a meaningful credential, as defined by the TPSID-CC
and supported through empirical evidence.
In addition, the TPSID-CC will work closely with the Federal
project officer to develop additional performance measures, performance
targets, and data collection methodologies that are aligned with this
work. Data must be collected by the TPSID-CC on accreditation standards
and communications with recognized accrediting agencies, descriptions
and analyses of funding streams, and the impact of the TPSID-CC's
technical assistance activities related to outreach and dissemination.
These additional performance measures will capture formative data about
the quality, usefulness, relevance, and efficiency of the TPSID-CC's
technical assistance and evaluation services.
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
[[Page 27735]]
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. 2020-10021 Filed 5-8-20; 8:45 am]
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