[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 120 (Monday, June 22, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37438-37443]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13304]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Out-of-School Time Career Pathway
Program
AGENCY: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of
Education.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Education is issuing a notice inviting
applications from State educational agencies (SEAs) as the lead
applicant and fiscal agent of a partnership for an Out-of-School Time
Career Pathway program under the national activities authority in the
Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC)
program, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 84.287D.
DATES:
Applications Available: June 22, 2020.
Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: July 22, 2020.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: September 21, 2020.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: November 19, 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: Erin Shackel, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 3W111, LBJ, Washington, DC
20202. Telephone: (202) 453-6423. 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: Consistent with the purposes of the 21st CCLC
program, the Out-of-School Time Career Pathway program will make grants
to SEAs that, in partnership with eligible entities (as defined in
section 4201(b)(3) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESEA)) in the
State, will provide students expanded options to participate in a
career pathway (as defined in this notice) program, outside regular
school hours or as part of an expanded learning program,\1\ that leads
to a recognized postsecondary credential, such as an industry-
recognized certification or a certification of completion of an
apprenticeship in an in-demand industry sector or occupation. Such
program should be aligned with an existing program of study (as defined
in this notice) for students so that in-school and out-of-school time
activities complement each other and maximize student preparedness for
postsecondary education or a career. An SEA must propose to use grant
funds to support an existing partnership or a partnership that has been
formed during the application period and will continue to exist if
awarded this grant funding. The partnership must consist of the SEA as
the lead applicant and fiscal agent, a currently funded 21st CCLC
subgrantee (i.e., funded as of the application closing date for the
competition outlined in this notice), and an employer in an in-demand
industry sector or occupation. Although not required, the SEA may want
the partnership to include an institution of higher education (IHE)
when developing a student progression along a career pathway continuum,
in addition to an employer in an in-demand industry sector or
occupation and a 21st CCLC program subgrantee. The goal of this
partnership must be to serve students by expanding existing, or
building new, career pathway programs. In addition, the partnership
must disseminate information about its grant activities to a national
audience that includes, but is not limited to, 21st CCLC program
coordinators.
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\1\ An Out-of-School Time Career Pathway program may operate
during the regular school day as part of an expanded learning
program if the State determines that the statutory requirements in
ESEA section 4204(a)(2) for 21st CCLC expanded learning program
activities are met, including the requirement that such activities
supplement but do not supplant regular school day requirements.
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Background: In June 2017, President Trump issued Executive Order
13801, ``Expanding Apprenticeships in America,'' calling for both a new
emphasis on Federal support for apprenticeships and broader efforts to
improve workforce preparation that will help students obtain the skills
necessary to secure high-paying jobs in today's workforce. The
President's National Council for the American Worker was also
established to raise awareness of the skills gap in science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), including computer
science; help expand apprenticeships; and encourage investment in
worker education. The 21st CCLC program supports efforts to establish
or expand opportunities for academic enrichment and other activities,
including career and technical education programs and internship or
apprenticeship programs linked to in-demand industry sectors or
occupations for high school students that are designed to reinforce and
complement the regular academic program of participating students.
Subgrantees under the 21st CCLC program provide services to
students primarily during non-school hours and are ideally positioned
to support expanded access to career pathway
[[Page 37439]]
opportunities for high school students and, if appropriate, students in
middle school. The Out-of-School Time Career Pathway program will fund
demonstration partnership grants to SEAs to expand options for students
to participate in a career pathway program outside regular school hours
or as part of an expanded learning program that leads to recognized
postsecondary credential, such as an industry-recognized certification
or a certificate of completion of an apprenticeship, in an in-demand
industry sector or occupation.
Given the impact that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has
had, and continues to have, on the Nation, workforce preparation is
increasingly important. Students will benefit from this program by
building skills and earning credentials that will support their
transition into the workforce. Employers will have the opportunity to
work with apprentices or interns. Partnerships like these will help
rebuild the economy as the Nation recovers from COVID-19.
This competition includes a competitive preference priority aligned
with the aims of the Federal Government's five-year strategic plan for
STEM education entitled, Charting A Course for Success: America's
Strategy for STEM Education (plan),\2\ published in December 2018. The
plan is responsive to the requirements of section 101 of the America
COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621) and strengthens
the Federal commitment to equity and diversity, evidence-based
practices, and engagement with the national STEM community through a
nationwide collaboration with learners, families, educators, community
leaders, and employers. Beyond guiding Federal agency actions over the
next five years, the plan is intended to serve as a ``North Star'' for
the STEM community as it charts a course for collective success. The
Federal Government encourages STEM education stakeholders from across
the Nation to support the goals of this plan through their own actions.
The STEM strategic plan is based on a vision for a future where all
Americans have lifelong access to high-quality STEM education and the
United States is the global leader in STEM literacy, innovation, and
employment. To achieve this vision, the plan provides for the following
three goals:
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\2\ The White House, National Science and Technology Council,
``Charting A Course For Success: America's Strategy For STEM
Education,'' www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/STEM-Education-Strategic-Plan-2018.pdf (December 2018).
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Build strong foundations for STEM literacy.
Increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM.
Prepare the STEM workforce for the future.
This competition also includes a competitive preference priority
for serving students in rural local educational agencies, since these
areas may be underserved in terms of access to out-of-school time
career pathways programs that lead to a recognized postsecondary
credential, such as an industry-recognized certification or a
certification of completion of an apprenticeship in an in-demand
industry sector or occupation.
Priorities: This notice contains one absolute priority and two
competitive preference priorities. We are establishing the absolute
priority for the FY 2020 grant competition and any subsequent year in
which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this
competition, in accordance with section 437(d)(1) of the General
Education Provisions Act (GEPA) (20 U.S.C. 1232(d)(1)). In accordance
with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(ii), competitive preference priority 1 is from
the Department's notice of Final Supplemental Priorities and
Definitions for Discretionary Grant Programs (Supplemental Priorities)
published in the Federal Register on March 2, 2018 (83 FR 9096), and
competitive preference priority 2 is from the Department's
Administrative Priorities for Discretionary Grant Programs published in
the Federal Register on March 9, 2020 (85 FR 13640).
Absolute Priority: This priority is an absolute priority. Under 34
CFR 75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet this priority.
This priority is:
Out-of-School Time Career Pathway Program
To receive a grant under this competition, an SEA must--
a. Provide evidence (e.g., a memorandum of understanding (MOU) or
other written agreement) of a partnership--with the SEA serving as the
lead applicant and fiscal agent--that includes at least one employer in
an in-demand industry sector or occupation, and one existing 21st CCLC
subgrantee;
b. Provide evidence that the partnership will build or expand
options for students to participate in a career pathway program outside
regular school hours or as part of an expanded learning program that
leads to a recognized postsecondary credential, such as an industry-
recognized certification or a certificate of completion of an
apprenticeship, in an in-demand industry sector or occupation; and
c. Assure that it will give priority (e.g., award bonus points) to
eligible entities that propose to build or expand career pathway
programs, including programs that lead to recognized postsecondary
credentials, in each of its competitions under which it awards new
subgrants of 21st CCLC funds during the project period of the grant
awarded under this competition.
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 up to an additional
five points for Competitive Preference Priority 1 to an application,
depending on how well the application meets the competitive preference
priority, and an additional ten points for applicants that meet
Competitive Preference Priority 2. An applicant must clearly indicate
in the abstract section of its application which competitive preference
priority or priorities it addresses, including any relevant evidence
(e.g., the relevant National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
school district identification number and corresponding locale code for
Competitive Preference Priority 2).
These priorities are:
Competitive Preference Priority 1: Promoting Science, Technology,
Engineering, or Math (STEM) Education, With a Particular Focus on
Computer Science (Up to 5 points)
Projects designed to improve student achievement or other
educational outcomes in one or more of the following areas: Science,
technology, engineering, math, or computer science (as defined in this
notice). These projects must address supporting programs that lead to
recognized postsecondary credentials (as defined in section 3(52) of
the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)) \3\ that align
with the needs of industries in the State or regional economy involved
for careers in STEM fields, including computer science.
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\3\ The term ``recognized postsecondary credential'' is defined
in section 3(52) of WIOA as a credential consisting of an industry-
recognized certificate or certification, a certificate of completion
of an apprenticeship, a license recognized by the State involved or
Federal Government, or an associate or baccalaureate degree. (29
U.S.C. 3102(52)).
Competitive Preference Priority 2: Rural Applicants (0 or 10 points)
[[Page 37440]]
Under this priority, an applicant must demonstrate that it proposes
to serve students in a community that is served by one or more LEAs
with a locale code of 32, 33, 41, 42, or 43. Note: Applicants are
encouraged to retrieve locale codes from the NCES School District
search tool (https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/), where LEAs can
be looked up individually to retrieve locale codes.
Requirements: We are establishing these requirements for the FY
2020 grant competition and any subsequent year in which we make awards
from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, in
accordance with section 437(d)(1) of GEPA (20 U.S.C. 1232(d)(1)).
Application Requirements: Each application for funds must include
the following:
(1) A description of how the partnership will use grant funds to
expand options for students to participate in a career pathway (as
defined in this notice) program outside regular school hours or as part
of an expanded learning program that leads to an to a recognized
postsecondary credential, such as an industry-recognized certification
or a certificate of completion of an apprenticeship, in an in-demand
industry sector or occupation.
(2) A written partnership agreement (e.g., an MOU or other written
agreement) describing how the SEA, as the lead applicant and fiscal
agent, will partner with at least one existing 21st CCLC subgrantee and
at least one employer in an in-demand industry sector or occupation as
determined by the State.
(3) If an applicant is seeking points under Competitive Preference
Priority 2, the applicant must specify which rural LEA(s) the project
will serve by including the National Center for Education Statistics
(NCES) LEA identification number in the project abstract.
(4) A description of how the partnership assessed the need for the
particular career pathway (as defined in this notice) program(s) for
which it is requesting funding.
(5) A description of how the partnership will disseminate
information about its grant activities to a national audience,
including, but not limited to, 21st CCLC program coordinators.
(6) A description of the ways the partnership will inform potential
participating students and their parents about the career pathway (as
defined in this notice) programs and components of such programs, such
as credentialing, apprenticeships, and internships, offered through
this project.
(7) An assurance that the SEA and each of its partners will
cooperate with any evaluation conducted or facilitated by the
Department or its designees, which may require minimal time and effort
at the grantee's expense after the end of the awarded grant's project
period.
(8) An assurance that the funds will be used to supplement, and not
supplant, other Federal, State, and local public funds expended to
provide programs and activities authorized under the 21st CCLC program.
(9) An assurance that the project will target students who
primarily attend schools eligible for schoolwide programs under section
1114 of the ESEA, and the families of such students, to the extent
feasible and appropriate.
Program Requirements: Grantees under this program must--
(1) Explain their career pathway (as defined in this notice)
program(s) and share results of participating students (e.g., the
extent to which participating students earned or are on the path to
earning recognized postsecondary credentials) at the Department's
annual meeting of 21st CCLC State coordinators;
(2) Disseminate information about its career pathway(s) (as defined
in this notice) program(s) and results of the participating students
(e.g., the extent that participating students earned or are on the path
to earning industry-recognized credentials or, as appropriate,
completed internships or apprenticeships) to a national audience (e.g.,
at the 21st CCLC summer symposium, at another national conference, or
via a webinar).
Definitions: For the FY 2020 grant competition and any subsequent
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications
from this competition, we are establishing definitions for the terms
``career pathway'' and ``rural local educational agency (LEA)'' in
accordance with section 437(d)(1) of GEPA (20 U.S.C. 1232(d)(1)). The
definition of ``career pathway'' is based on the definition of the term
in section 3 of WIOA (29 U.S.C. 3102(7)). The definition of ``computer
science'' is from the Supplemental Priorities. The definition of
``program of study'' is from section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career
and Technical Education Act of 2006, as amended (20 U.S.C. 2302). The
definition of ``State'' is from ESEA section 8101(48), and the
definition of ``State educational agency'' is from section ESEA section
8101(49).
Career pathway means a combination of rigorous and high-quality
education, training, and other services that--
(a) Aligns with the skill needs of industries in the economy of the
State or regional economy involved;
(b) Prepares an individual to be successful in any of a full range
of secondary or postsecondary education options, including
apprenticeships registered under the Act of August 16, 1937;
(c) Includes counseling to support an individual in achieving the
individual's education and career goals;
(d) Includes, as appropriate, education offered concurrently with
and in the same context as workforce preparation activities and
training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster;
(e) Organizes education, training, and other services to meet the
particular needs of an individual in a manner that accelerates the
educational and career advancement of the individual to the extent
practicable;
(f) Helps an individual enter or advance within a specific
occupation or occupational cluster;
(g) May lead, as appropriate, to at least one industry-recognized
credential.
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.
Program of study means a coordinated, non-duplicative sequence of
academic and technical content at the secondary and postsecondary level
that--
[[Page 37441]]
(a) Incorporates challenging State academic standards, including
those adopted by a State under section 1111(b)(1) of the ESEA;
(b) Addresses both academic and technical knowledge and skills,
including employability skills;
(c) Is aligned with the needs of industries in the economy of the
State, region, Tribal community, or local area;
(d) Progresses in specificity (beginning with all aspects of an
industry or career cluster and leading to more occupation-specific
instruction);
(e) Has multiple entry and exit points that incorporate
credentialing; and
(f) Culminates in the attainment of a recognized postsecondary
credential.
State means each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and each of the outlying areas.
State educational agency means the agency primarily responsible for
the State supervision of public elementary schools and secondary
schools.
Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative Procedure
Act (5 U.S.C. 553), the Department generally offers interested parties
the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities, definitions,
requirements, and selection criteria. Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA,
however, allows the Secretary to exempt from rulemaking requirements
regulations governing the first grant competition under a new or
substantially revised program authority. This is the first grant
competition for this program under section 4202(a)(2) of the ESEA (20
U.S.C. 7172(a)(2)) and, therefore, the priorities, requirements, and
definitions established in this notice qualify for this exemption. In
order to ensure timely grant awards, the Secretary has decided to forgo
public comment on the priorities, requirements, and definitions
established in accordance with section 437(d)(1) of GEPA.
Program Authority: Title IV, Part B of the ESEA, Section
4202(a)(2), 20 U.S.C. 7172(a)(2).
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 76, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84,
86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines
to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (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 Supplemental Priorities.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds: $1,500,000.00 each year for five years
for a total investment of $7,500,000.00.
Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of
applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent years from
the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
Estimated Range of Awards: $375,000-$625,000 per year for five
years.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $500,000 per year for five years.
Estimated Number of Awards: 2-4.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Project Period: Up to 60 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: SEAs in partnership (as described in this
notice) with, at a minimum, an existing 21st CCLC subgrantee and an
employer in an in-demand industry sector or occupation, as determined
by the State. An SEA may submit more than one application; each
application must propose to build or expand one project only, though
one project may serve multiple sites.
Note: For purposes of this program, the Bureau of Indian Education
(BIE) is considered to be an SEA, and the outlying areas (American
Samoa, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the
Virgin Islands) are eligible only to the extent that they are using
funds from the Consolidated Grants to Insular Areas to implement a 21st
CCLC program under Title IV, Part B of the ESEA and have current 21st
CCLC subgrantees.
2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not require
cost sharing or matching.
b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This program involves supplement-not-
supplant funding requirements.
3. Subgrantees: Under 34 CFR 75.708(b) and (c), an SEA grantee
under this competition may award subgrants--to directly carry out
project activities described in its application--to eligible entities
(as defined in section 4201(b)(3) of the ESEA): LEAs, community-based
organizations, Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations (as such terms are
defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Act
(25 U.S.C. 450b)), other public or private entities, or consortia of
two or more such agencies, organizations, or entities. The SEA grantee
may award subgrants to eligible entities it has identified in an
approved application.
4. Equitable Services: A grantee under this program is required to
provide for the equitable participation of private school children, in
accordance with section 8501 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7881).
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.
Grants.gov has relaxed the requirement for applicants to have an
active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) in order
to apply for funding during the COVID-19 pandemic. An applicant that
does not have an active SAM registration can still register with
Grants.gov, but must contact the Grants.gov Support Desk, toll-free, at
1-800-518-4726, in order to take advantage of this flexibility.
2. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of
projects that may be proposed in applications for the Out-of-School
Time Career Pathway program, your application may include business
information that you consider proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11 we define
``business information'' and describe the process we use in determining
whether any of that information is proprietary and, thus, protected
from disclosure under Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (5
U.S.C. 552, as amended).
Because we plan to make successful applications available to the
public, you may wish to request confidentiality of business
information.
Consistent with Executive Order 12600, please designate in your
application any information that you believe is exempt from disclosure
under Exemption 4. In the appropriate Appendix section of your
application, under ``Other Attachments Form,'' please list the page
number or numbers on which we can find this information. For additional
information please see 34 CFR 5.11(c).
3. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal
[[Page 37442]]
Programs under Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for
this competition.
4. 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 its 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 and are as follows:
(a) Significance. (Up to 15 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed
project.
(2) In determining the significance of the proposed project, the
Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) The extent to which the proposed project is likely to yield
findings that may be utilized by other appropriate agencies and
organizations. (3 points).
(ii) The extent to which the proposed project is likely to build
local capacity to provide, improve, or expand services that address the
needs of the target population. (5 points).
(iii) The extent to which the proposed project involves the
development or demonstration of promising new strategies that build on,
or are alternatives to, existing strategies. (3 points).
(iv) The extent to which the results of the proposed project are to
be disseminated in ways that will enable others to use the information
or strategies. (4 points).
(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 goals, objectives, and outcomes to be
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable.
(5 points).
(ii) 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. (5 points).
(iii) The extent to which there is a conceptual framework
underlying the proposed research or demonstration activities and the
quality of that framework. (5 points).
(iv) The extent to which the proposed project will integrate with
or build on similar or related efforts to improve relevant outcomes (as
defined in 34 CFR 77.1(c)), using existing funding streams from other
programs or policies supported by community, State, and Federal
resources. (5 points).
(c) Quality of project services. (Up to 30 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 following factors:
(i) 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. (5 points).
(ii) The extent to which the services to be provided by the
proposed project reflect up-to-date knowledge from research and
effective practice. (10 points).
(iii) The likely impact of the services to be provided by the
proposed project on the intended recipients of those services. (15
points).
(d) Adequacy of resources. (Up to 21 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. (7 points).
(ii) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to
the objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed
project. (7 points).
(iii) The potential for continued support of the project after
Federal funding ends, including, as appropriate, the demonstrated
commitment of appropriate entities to such support. (7 points).
(e) Quality of the management plan. (Up to 14 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. (7 points).
(ii) 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. (7 points).
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).
3. 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.
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
[[Page 37443]]
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 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 annual
performance reports that provide 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 Department has established the
following Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 performance
measures for the Out-of-School Time Career Pathway program:
(a) The cumulative, unduplicated number of students participating
in a program supported by this grant.
(b) The cumulative number of program participants who receive an
industry-recognized credential, and the cumulative number of
credentials received, as a result of a program supported by this grant.
(c) The cumulative number of program participants who complete an
internship as a result of a program supported by this grant.
(d) The cumulative number of program participants who complete an
apprenticeship as a result of a program supported by this grant.
(e) The cumulative percentage of program participants that received
a credential or completed an internship or apprenticeship.
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.
Frank T. Brogan,
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2020-13304 Filed 6-19-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P