[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 37 (Friday, February 26, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11744-11751]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03996]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Educational Technology, Media, and 
Materials for Individuals With Disabilities Program--Captioned and 
Described Educational Media Center

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice 
inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for 
Educational Technology, Media, and Materials for Individuals with 
Disabilities--Captioned and Described Educational Media Center, 
Assistance Listing Number 84.327N. This notice relates to the approved 
information collection under OMB control number 1820-0028.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: February 26, 2021.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 27, 2021.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 28, 2021.

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: Terry Jackson, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 5128, Potomac Center Plaza, 
Washington, DC 20202-5076. Telephone: (202) 245-6039. 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 Educational Technology, 
Media, and Materials for Individuals with Disabilities Program is to 
improve results for students with disabilities by (1) promoting the 
development, demonstration, and use of technology; (2) supporting 
educational activities designed to be of educational value in the 
classroom for students with disabilities; (3) providing support for 
captioning and video description that is appropriate for use in the 
classroom; and (4) providing accessible educational materials to 
students with disabilities in a timely manner.
    Priority: This competition includes one absolute priority. In 
accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(v), this priority is from allowable 
activities specified in sections 674(c)(1)(D) and 681(d) of the 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); 20 U.S.C. 
1474(c)(1)(D) and 1481(d).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2021 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

[[Page 11745]]

CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this 
priority.
    This priority is:

Captioned and Described Educational Media Center

    Background: Section 674(c) of the IDEA requires, in part, that the 
Secretary of Education support audio description,\1\ open captioning, 
and closed captioning,\2\ which is appropriate for use in early 
learning and kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) settings, of (a) 
television programs, (b) videos, and (c) other materials, including 
programs and materials associated with new and emerging technologies.
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    \1\ In October 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 
adopted rule changes including a switch from the term ``video 
description'' to ``audio description'' that can be found at https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/102760142335/FCC-20-155A1.pdf. Audio 
description (also known as video description or description) refers 
to providing auditory access to significant visual content in a 
video through spoken narration accompanying the video's soundtrack. 
Audio description increases the accessibility of visual content, 
especially for audience members who are blind or visually impaired 
or who have visual processing difficulties and for those who may be 
temporarily unable to follow the video portion of a program.
    \2\ Closed captioning (also known as captioning) refers to 
providing visual access to audio content from a video through text 
displayed along with the video. Captioning increases the 
accessibility of video and multi-media programs, particularly for 
audience members who are deaf or have hearing loss, but also for 
those who are temporarily unable to hear a program or who benefit 
when auditory information is substituted/supplemented by text (for 
example, some English learners and some students with language 
processing difficulties).
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    Ensuring that educational materials used in various learning 
environments are accessible to students who have hearing or vision 
impairments is an ongoing challenge and extends to a variety of 
critical content areas, including science, technology, engineering, and 
mathematics (STEM) and Spanish language materials. STEM materials are 
often not in accessible formats, and few Spanish language materials are 
captioned or described. Therefore, eligible students who are hearing or 
vision impaired or who are English learners (ELs) who speak Spanish are 
placed at a disadvantage.
    Research has demonstrated that accessible technologies like 
captioning and audio description contribute to gains in knowledge and 
understanding, improved retention, and increased interest in, and 
enjoyment of, the world for students with sensory disabilities (e.g., 
blindness/visual impairment, deafness/hard of hearing, and deaf 
blindness) (Rodriguez & Diaz, 2017). Captioning and audio description 
not only benefit students with sensory disabilities but can also 
benefit students without sensory disabilities and ELs. Studies have 
demonstrated that captioning improves ELs' performance with listening, 
auditory, and comprehension tests. Gernsbacher (2015) highlighted that 
learning to read is a complex process and watching videos with audio 
captions can lead to improvement in reading skills, defining content 
words, recognizing and pronouncing new and different vocabulary words, 
and drawing inferences about what happened in the videos for hearing 
and hearing-impaired children.
    In the past, the rights to accessible educational films and videos 
were purchased with Federal funds to make them available to eligible 
users with disabilities. Over the years, however, national broadcast 
television network program providers and the Television Access 
(84.327C) projects have collaborated to provide accessible educational 
television programs available at no cost and available on-demand to 
children with disabilities (U.S. Department of Education, March 16, 
2015). As a result, the Television Access (84.327C) projects now secure 
media from program providers at no cost.
    The need to support a Center that provides captioning and audio 
description for educational curricular materials and educational media 
that is appropriate for use in early learning and K-12 settings 
(including face-to-face, remote/online, and hybrid learning) continues 
to grow. Furthermore, the rapid growth, changes, and quality of 
accessible technology and captioning and description services must keep 
pace with advancements in new and emerging forms of media and 
technologies. A Center can provide easy access, e-learning 
opportunities, and cutting-edge digital technology for children and 
youth with sensory disabilities who need support and guidance in 
understanding how to use these technologies. In addition, a Center can 
provide families, educators, school administrators, and 
paraprofessionals with direct supports to access and use resources that 
are audio described and captioned and make appropriate curricular 
material selections.
    Priority: The purpose of this priority is to fund a cooperative 
agreement to establish and operate a Captioned and Described 
Educational Media Center (Center) that will oversee the selection, 
acquisition, captioning, audio description, and distribution of 
educational media and materials through a free loan service for 
eligible users.\3\
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    \3\ For purposes of this priority, ``eligible users'' are 
defined as students, including English learners, in early learning 
and kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) settings (face-to-face, 
remote/online, and hybrid learning) who have hearing or vision 
impairments and individuals, such as teachers, parents, and 
paraprofessionals, who are directly involved in these students' 
early learning or K-12 classroom instruction. To be eligible to use 
the accessible products and materials in the accessible technology 
platform (ATP), children and youth with disabilities must meet the 
criteria for ``eligible person'' in the Copyright Act of the United 
States, at 17 U.S.C. 121. For more information, visit 
www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#121.
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    The Center must achieve, at a minimum, the following expected 
outcomes:
    (a) Improved selection, acquisition, captioning, audio description, 
dissemination, and public awareness of curricular and accompanying 
learning materials through a free loan service for eligible users;
    (b) Increased number of described and captioned educational video 
programming,\4\ audio, and online digital media produced by the Center 
and the Television Access (84.327C) projects that are free of charge to 
users;
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    \4\ For the purposes of this priority, ``video programming'' is 
defined consistent with the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U.S.C. 
613, meaning ``programming by, or generally considered comparable to 
programming provided by a television broadcast station, but not 
including consumer-generated media.''
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    (c) Improved access and use of accessible curricular materials and 
online media products for early childhood providers, K-12 educators, 
children and youth with disabilities, ELs, teachers, families, and 
other professionals;
    (d) Increased supports, resources, and trainings related to the use 
of accessible described and captioned media in early learning 
environments and K-12 settings for children and youth with 
disabilities, their families, teachers, and other professionals, 
including collections of described and captioned curricula, training 
materials, modules, webinars, and other informational resources;
    (e) Increased access to content through a dedicated online portal 
and through the use of new and emerging technologies and processes; and
    (f) Improved coordination and efficient use of funding across the 
Television Access (84.327C) projects and this Center to more 
efficiently and effectively meet the needs of States, administrators, 
educators, service providers, children and youth with disabilities, 
ELs, and their families, and more efficient use of the funding 
available to support these activities.

[[Page 11746]]

    In addition to these programmatic requirements, to be considered 
for funding under this priority, applicants must meet the following 
application and administrative requirements in this priority:
    (a) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Significance,'' how the proposed project will--
    (1) Use applicable national, State, regional, or local data to 
demonstrate the need for the Center to oversee the selection and 
acquisition for captioning and audio description for children with 
sensory disabilities, families, educators, paraprofessionals, including 
children with disabilities, and ELs who may be underserved; and
    (2) Increase knowledge and understanding of the benefits, services, 
or opportunities that are available by using accessible educational 
materials and educational television programming in early childhood 
environments, K-12, and remote/online settings.
    (b) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Quality of project services,'' how the project will--
    (1) Improve the quality, usability, availability, and access to the 
content of a free online site to make it possible for eligible users to 
easily borrow media from the loan service;
    (2) Provide secure access to on-demand, curricular materials, 
accessible educational video programming, and e-learning modules;
    (3) Select educational curricular material and television programs 
of high educational value and quality that are widely available and 
appropriate for use in early learning environments and K-12 settings 
(face-to-face, remote/online, or hybrid learning environments) for 
children and youth with disabilities and ELs;
    (4) Implement strategies and procedures for identifying and 
prioritizing educational media and curricular materials that are not 
currently readily accessible to students but are appropriate for 
eligible users attending early learning programs and elementary and 
secondary schools that meet the educational needs of those students, 
including ELs;
    (5) Coordinate with the Television Access (84.327C) projects and 
media producers and distributors for the Center to acquire (at no cost) 
the rights to caption, describe, and widely distribute selected media, 
including distribution in alternate formats, such as video streaming;
    (6) Provide training, support, and resources (e.g., collections of 
described and captioned curricula, training materials, modules, 
webinars, other informational resources) related to the use of 
described and captioned materials and programming for children and 
youth with disabilities, their families, teachers, educators, 
administrators, and other professionals;
    (7) Ensure equal access and treatment for members of groups that 
have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
origin, gender, age, or disability. To meet these requirements, the 
applicant must describe how it will--
    (i) Identify the needs of the intended recipients for technical 
assistance and information; and
    (ii) Ensure that services and products meet the needs of the 
intended recipients of the grant;
    (8) Achieve its goals, objectives, and intended outcomes. To meet 
this requirement, the applicant must provide---
    (i) Measurable intended project outcomes; and
    (ii) In Appendix A, the logic model \5\ or conceptual framework by 
which the proposed project will achieve its intended outcomes that 
depicts, at a minimum, the goals, activities, outputs, and intended 
outcomes of the proposed project; and
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    \5\ Logic model (also referred to as a theory of action) means a 
framework that identifies key project components of the proposed 
project (i.e., the active ``ingredients'' that are hypothesized to 
be critical to achieving the relevant outcomes) and describes the 
theoretical and operational relationships among the key project 
components and relevant outcomes. See 34 CFR 77.1.
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    (9) Use a logic model or conceptual framework (and provide a copy 
in Appendix A) to develop project plans and activities, describing any 
underlying concepts, assumptions, expectations, beliefs, or theories, 
as well as the presumed relationships or linkages among these 
variables, and any empirical support for this framework.

    Note:  The following websites provide more information on logic 
models and conceptual frameworks: www.osepideasthatwork.org/logicModel and www.osepideasthatwork.org/resources-grantees/program-areas/ta-ta/tad-project-logic-model-and-conceptualframework.

    (c) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Adequacy of resources and quality of project personnel,'' how--
    (1) The proposed key personnel, consultants, and contractors have 
the qualifications, experience, and commitment to carry out the 
proposed activities and achieve the project's intended outcomes;
    (2) The proposed project will encourage applications for employment 
from persons who are members of groups that have traditionally been 
underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, linguistic 
diversity, gender, age, or disability, as appropriate;
    (3) The applicant and key partners have adequate resources to carry 
out proposed project activities. To address this requirement, the 
applicant must describe the willingness of the potential television 
program providers or program owners, as appropriate, to permit and 
facilitate the video description or the video description and 
captioning of their programs; and
    (4) The proposed costs are reasonable in relation to the 
anticipated results and benefits.
    (d) In the narrative section of the application under ``Quality of 
the project evaluation,'' include an evaluation plan for the project as 
described in the following paragraphs. The evaluation plan must 
describe measures of progress in implementation, including the extent 
to which the project's products and services have reached its target 
population; and measures of intended outcomes or results of the 
project's activities to assess the effectiveness of those activities.
    In designing the evaluation plan, the applicant must--
    (1) Provide a logic model or conceptual framework that depicts, at 
a minimum, the goals, activities, project evaluation, methods, 
performance measures, outputs, and outcomes of the proposed project;
    (2) Provide a plan to implement the activities described in this 
priority; and
    (3) Provide a plan, linked to the proposed project's logic model or 
conceptual framework, for a formative evaluation of the proposed 
project's activities. The plan must describe how the formative 
evaluation will use clear performance objectives to ensure continuous 
improvement in the operation of the proposed project, including 
objective measures of progress in implementing the project and ensuring 
the quality of products and resources.

    Note:  The following websites provide more information on logic 
models and conceptual frameworks: www.osepideasthatwork.org/logicModel and www.osepideasthatwork.org/resources-grantees/program-areas/ta-ta/tad-project-logic-model-and-conceptual-framework.

    (4) Designate, with the approval of the Office of Special Education 
Programs (OSEP) project officer, a project liaison staff person with 
sufficient dedicated time, experience in evaluation, and knowledge of 
the project to work in collaboration with the Center to

[[Page 11747]]

Improve Program and Project Performance (CIPP), the project director, 
and the OSEP project officer on the following tasks:
    (i) Revise, as needed, the logic model submitted in the application 
to provide for a more comprehensive measurement of implementation and 
outcomes and to reflect any changes or clarifications to the model 
discussed at the kick-off meeting;
    (ii) Refine the evaluation design and instrumentation proposed in 
the application consistent with the logic model (e.g., prepare 
evaluation questions about significant program processes and outcomes; 
develop quantitative or qualitative data collections that permit both 
the collection of progress data, including fidelity of implementation, 
as appropriate, and the assessment of project outcomes; and identify 
analytic strategies);
    (iii) Revise, as needed, the evaluation plan submitted in the 
application such that it clearly--
    (A) Specifies the evaluation questions, measures, and associated 
instruments or sources for data appropriate to answer these questions, 
suggests analytic strategies for those data, provides a timeline for 
conducting the evaluation, and includes staff assignments for 
completing the evaluation activities; and
    (B) Can be used to assist the project director and the OSEP project 
officer, with the assistance of CIPP, as needed to specify the project 
performance measures to be addressed in the project's annual 
performance report;
    (iv) Dedicate sufficient staff time and other resources during the 
first six months of the project to collaborate with CIPP staff, 
including regular meetings (e.g., weekly, biweekly, or monthly) with 
CIPP and the OSEP project officer, in order to accomplish the tasks 
described in paragraph (d)(4) of this section; and
    (v) Dedicate sufficient funds in each budget year to cover the 
costs of carrying out the tasks described in paragraphs (d)(4) of this 
section and revising and implementing the evaluation plan. Please note 
in your budget narrative the funds dedicated for this activity.
    (e) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under 
``Quality of the management plan,'' how--
    (1) The proposed management plan will ensure that the project's 
intended outcomes will be achieved on time and within budget. To 
address this requirement, the applicant must describe--
    (i) Clearly defined responsibilities for key project personnel, 
consultants, and subcontractors, as applicable; and
    (ii) Timelines and milestones for accomplishing the project tasks;
    (2) Key project personnel, consultants, and contractors will be 
sufficiently allocated to the project and how these allocations are 
appropriate and adequate to achieve the project's intended outcomes;
    (3) The proposed management plan will ensure that the products and 
resources provided are of high quality, relevant, and useful to 
recipients; and
    (4) The proposed project will benefit from a diversity of 
perspectives, including those of families, educators, researchers, and 
policy makers, among others, in its development and operation.
    (f) Address the following application requirements. The applicant 
must include--
    (1) In Appendix A, personnel-loading charts, and timelines, as 
applicable, to illustrate the management plan described in the 
narrative; and
    (2) In the budget, attendance at the following:
    (i) A one and one-half day kick-off meeting in Washington, DC, or 
virtually, after receipt of the award, and an annual planning meeting 
in Washington, DC, or virtually, with the Office of Special Education 
Programs (OSEP) project officer and other relevant staff during each 
subsequent year of the project period.

    Note:  Within 30 days of receipt of the award, a post-award 
teleconference must be held between the OSEP project officer and the 
grantee's project director or other authorized representative.

    (ii) A two and one-half-day project directors' conference in 
Washington, DC, or a virtual conference, during each year of the 
project period.
    (iii) Two annual two-day trips, or virtually, to attend Department 
briefings, Department-sponsored conferences, and other meetings, as 
requested by OSEP.
    (iv) A one-day intensive 3+2 review meeting during the last half of 
the second year of the project period.
    (3) Information on how the project will maintain a website, with an 
easy-to-navigate design, that meets government or industry-recognized 
standards for accessibility;
    (4) In Appendix A, an assurance to assist OSEP with the transfer of 
pertinent resources and products and to maintain the continuity of 
services to States during the transition to this new award period and 
at the end of this award period, as appropriate.
    Fourth and Fifth Years of the Project: In deciding whether to 
continue funding the project for the fourth and fifth years, the 
Secretary will consider the requirements of 34 CFR 75.253(a), 
including--
    (a) The recommendations of a 3+2 review team consisting of experts 
who have experience and knowledge in providing captioning and 
description services for children and youth with disabilities. This 
review will be conducted during a one-day intensive meeting that will 
be held during the last half of the second year of the project period;
    (b) The timeliness with which, and how well, the requirements of 
the negotiated cooperative agreement have been or are being met by the 
project; and
    (c) The quality, relevance, and usefulness of the project's 
products and services and the extent to which the project's products 
and services are aligned with the project's objectives and likely to 
result in the project achieving its intended outcomes.
    Under 34 CFR 75.253, the Secretary may reduce continuation awards 
or discontinue awards in any year of the project period for excessive 
carryover balances or a failure to make substantial progress. The 
Department intends to closely monitor unobligated balances and 
substantial progress under this program and may reduce or discontinue 
funding accordingly.
References
Gernsbacher, M.A. (2015). Video captions benefit everyone. Policy 
Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 2(1), 195-202. 
https://doi.org/10.1177/2372732215602130.
Rodriguez, J., & Diaz, M.V. (2017). Media with captions and 
description to support learning among children with sensory 
disabilities. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 5(11), 
2016-2025. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1159754.pdf.
U.S. Department of Education. (2015, March 16). Video-on-Demand 
Children's TV Programming Now Accessible for Thousands of Students 
with Visual or Hearing Disabilities [Press release]. www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/video-demand-children%E2%80%99s-tv-programming-now-accessible-thousands-students-visual-or-hearing-disabilities.

    Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative Procedure 
Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553) the Department generally offers interested 
parties the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities. Section 
681(d) of IDEA, however, makes the public comment requirements of the 
APA inapplicable to the priority in this notice.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1474 and 1481.


[[Page 11748]]


    Note:  Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner 
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in the 
Federal civil rights laws.

    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 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.

    Note:  The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants 
except federally recognized Indian Tribes.


    Note:  The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions 
of higher education (IHEs) only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative agreement.
    Estimated Available Funds: $2,000,000.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2022 from the list of 
unfunded applications from this competition.
    Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $10,000,000 for 
the 60-month project period.
    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: State educational agencies; local 
educational agencies (LEAs), including public charter schools that 
operate as LEAs under State law; IHEs; other public agencies; private 
nonprofit organizations; freely associated States and outlying areas; 
Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations; and for-profit organizations.

    Note:  If you are a nonprofit organization, under 34 CFR 75.51, 
you may demonstrate your nonprofit status by providing: (1) Proof 
that the Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant 
as an organization to which contributions are tax deductible under 
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a statement from 
a State taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that 
the organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the 
State and that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any 
private shareholder or individual; (3) a certified copy of the 
applicant's certificate of incorporation or similar document if it 
clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or (4) 
any item described above if that item applies to a State or national 
parent organization, together with a statement by the State or 
parent organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit 
affiliate.

    2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses an 
unrestricted indirect cost rate. For more information regarding 
indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please 
see www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/intro.html.
    c. Administrative Cost Limitation: This program does not include 
any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. All 
administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to 
Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform 
Guidance.
    3. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award 
subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities 
described in its application. Under 34 CFR 75.708(e), a grantee may 
contract for supplies, equipment, and other services in accordance with 
2 CFR part 200.
    4. Other General Requirements: (a) Recipients of funding under this 
competition must make positive efforts to employ and advance in 
employment qualified individuals with disabilities (see section 606 of 
IDEA).
    (b) Each applicant for, and recipient of, funding must, with 
respect to the aspects of their proposed project relating to the 
absolute priority, involve individuals with disabilities, or parents of 
individuals with disabilities ages birth through 26, in planning, 
implementing, and evaluating the project (see section 682(a)(1)(A) of 
IDEA).

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.
    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 50 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, reference citations, and captions, as well as 
all text in charts, tables, figures, graphs, and screen shots.
     Use a font that is 12 point or larger.
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial.
    The recommended page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the 
budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the 
assurances and certifications; or the abstract (follow the guidance 
provided in the application package for completing the abstract), the 
table of contents, the list of priority requirements, the resumes, the 
reference list, the letters of support, or the appendices. However, the 
recommended page limit does apply to all of the application narrative, 
including all text in charts, tables, figures, graphs, and screen 
shots.

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.
    (2) In determining the significance of the proposed project, the 
Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The significance of the problem or issue to be addressed by the 
proposed project;
    (ii) 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

[[Page 11749]]

    (iii) The potential contribution of the proposed project to 
increased knowledge or understanding of educational problems, issues, 
or effective strategies.
    (b) Quality of project services (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 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 training or professional development 
services to be provided by the proposed project are of sufficient 
quality, intensity, and duration to lead to improvements in practice 
among the recipients 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 services to be provided by the 
proposed project are appropriate to the needs of the intended 
recipients or beneficiaries of those services; and
    (v) The likely impact of the services to be provided by the 
proposed project on the intended recipients of those services.
    (c) Adequacy of resources and quality of project personnel (20 
points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources for the 
proposed project and 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 key project personnel;
    (ii) The qualifications, including relevant training and 
experience, of project consultants or subcontractors;
    (iii) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment, 
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the 
lead applicant organization;
    (iv) The relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in 
the proposed project to the implementation and success of the project; 
and
    (v) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the 
objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project.
    (d) Quality of the project evaluation (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 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 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 provide for 
examining the effectiveness of project implementation strategies;
    (iv) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward 
achieving intended outcomes; and
    (v) The extent to which the evaluation plan clearly articulates the 
key project components, mediators, and outcomes, as well as a 
measurable threshold for acceptable implementation.
    (e) 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; and
    (v) The adequacy of procedures for ensuring feedback and continuous 
improvement in the operation of the proposed project.
    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. 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 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

[[Page 11750]]

which they also have submitted applications.
    4. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.206, before awarding grants under this competition the Department 
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 
200.208, the Secretary may impose specific conditions and, under 2 CFR 
3474.10, 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 200.206(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.
    6. In General: In accordance with the Office of Management and 
Budget's guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal 
laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department will review and 
consider applications for funding pursuant to this notice inviting 
applications in accordance with--
    (a) Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering 
results based on the program objectives through an objective process of 
evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR 200.205);
    (b) Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video 
surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the 
National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 115--232) (2 CFR 
200.216);
    (c) Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to 
maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United 
States (2 CFR 200.322); and
    (d) Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest 
extent authorized by law if an award no longer effectuates the program 
goals or agency priorities (2 CFR 200.340).

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 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: For the purposes of the Government 
Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) and reporting under 34 CFR 
75.110, the Department has established a set of performance measures, 
including long-term measures, that are designed to yield information on 
various aspects of the effectiveness and quality of the Educational 
Technology, Media, and Materials (ETechM2) for Individuals with 
Disabilities Program. These measures are:
     Program Performance Measure 1: The percentage of ETechM2 
Program products and services judged to be of high quality by an 
independent review panel of experts qualified to review the substantial 
content of the products and services.
     Program Performance Measure 2: The percentage of ETechM2 
Program products and services judged to be of high relevance to 
improving outcomes for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with 
disabilities.
     Program Performance Measure 3: The percentage of ETechM2 
Program products and services judged to be useful in improving results 
for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.
     Program Performance Measure 4.1: The Federal cost per unit 
of accessible educational materials funded by the ETechM2 Program.
     Program Performance Measure 4.2: The Federal cost per unit 
of accessible

[[Page 11751]]

educational materials from the National Instructional Materials 
Accessibility Center funded by the ETechM2 Program.
     Program Performance Measure 4.3: The Federal cost per unit 
of video description funded by the ETechM2 Program.
    These measures apply to projects funded under this competition, and 
grantees are required to submit data on these measures as directed by 
OSEP.
    Grantees will be required to report information on their project's 
performance in annual performance reports and additional performance 
data to the Department (34 CFR 75.590 and 75.591).
    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, whether 
the grantee has made substantial progress in achieving 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: On request to the program contact person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, individuals with disabilities 
can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an 
accessible format. The Department will provide the requestor with an 
accessible format that may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or text 
format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large print, 
audiotape, or compact disc, or other accessible format.
    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.

David Cantrell,
Deputy Director, Office of Special Education Programs, delegated the 
authority to perform the functions and duties of the Assistant 
Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services.
[FR Doc. 2021-03996 Filed 2-25-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P