[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 13, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19242-19249]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-07525]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Activities for Traditionally
Underserved Populations
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 fiscal year (FY) 2021 for Activities for
Traditionally Underserved Populations--Assistance Listing Number
84.315C--to make awards to minority entities and Indian Tribes to
improve services under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended
(Rehabilitation Act), especially services provided to individuals from
minority backgrounds. This notice relates to the approved information
collection under OMB control number 1820-0018.
DATES:
Applications Available: April 13, 2021.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 14, 2021.
Date of Pre-Application Meeting: The Office of Special Education
and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) will post a PowerPoint presentation
that provides general information about the Rehabilitation Services
Administration's (RSA) discretionary grants and a PowerPoint
presentation specifically about Activities for Traditionally
Underserved Populations at https://ncrtm.ed.gov/RSAGrantInfo.aspx.
OSERS will conduct a pre-application meeting specific to this
competition via conference call to respond to questions. Information
about the pre-application meeting will be available at https://ncrtm.ed.gov/RSAGrantInfo.aspx prior to the date of the call. OSERS
invites you to send questions to [email protected] in advance of the pre-
application meeting. The teleconference information, including the
84.315C pre-application meeting summary of questions and answers, will
be available at https://ncrtm.ed.gov/RSAGrantInfo.aspx within six days
after the pre-application meeting.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 11, 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: Kristen Rhinehart-Fernandez, U.S.
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 5094, Potomac
Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-2800. Telephone (202) 245-6103.
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: Activities for Traditionally Underserved
Populations are designed to improve the quality, access, delivery of
services, and the outcomes of those services under the Rehabilitation
Act, especially services provided to individuals with disabilities from
minority backgrounds, and to increase the capacity of minority entities
and Indian Tribes to participate in activities funded under the
Rehabilitation Act.
Priority: This priority is from the notice of final priority and
requirements (NFP) for this program published elsewhere in this issue
of the Federal Register.
Absolute Priority: For FY 2021, this priority is an absolute
priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that
meet this priority.
This priority is:
Improving the Delivery of Vocational Rehabilitation Services to,
and the Employment Outcomes of, Individuals with Disabilities from
Minority Backgrounds.
This priority funds a five-year cooperative agreement to focus on
changing the status quo and improving outcomes for individuals with
disabilities from minority backgrounds through providing cultural
competency training and promoting application for vocational
rehabilitation (VR) leadership and staff, collecting and analyzing
relevant data, evaluating cultural competency training, and
disseminating evidence-based practices. VR counselors and
paraprofessionals, human resource and professional development
specialists, and VR management and leadership personnel working in
State VR agencies and related agencies need to be adequately prepared
to effectively meet the needs of individuals with disabilities,
especially those from minority backgrounds.
Project Activities:
To be considered for funding under this priority, applicants must,
at a minimum, propose a project that will conduct the following
activities in a culturally appropriate manner:
(a) Collect and analyze data, including from RSA-911 data \1\ and
other relevant sources, about the minority populations and
subpopulations identified in the application. Data may include, but is
not limited to, employment outcomes, earnings, retention, length of
time in VR, challenges or barriers to employment and retention,
education, and other relevant data, as available;
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\1\ The RSA-911 collects a variety of participant
characteristics (sex, age, race, disability, health insurance,
education level, etc.), barriers to employment (ex-offender,
homeless, single parent, etc.), services provided (career, training,
and other services), duration of VR case, employment status at the
time of exit from the program, and employment status post-exit.
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(b) Share the data about the identified minority populations and
subpopulations with RSA, State VR agencies, RSA VR technical assistance
centers, and other relevant partners and stakeholders;
(c) Develop new or modify existing cultural competency training
curricula for VR counselors and paraprofessionals, human resource and
professional development specialists, and VR management and leadership
personnel working in State VR agencies and related agencies. To satisfy
this requirement, the curricula must---
(1) Contain knowledge, critical awareness, and skills development
that confront structural and systemic racism;
(2) Address:
(i) Actions that lead to change, such as full inclusion and
participation in the mainstream of society, an individual's right to
pursue a meaningful career, respect for self-determination and informed
choice, and competitive employment;
(ii) Exploration of unconscious and conscious biases, privilege,
stereotypes, prejudicial attitudes, and the dynamics of oppression on
an individual; and
(iii) Examination of microaggressions, service culture, policies
and practices, and lack of trust in the State VR agency;
(3) Incorporate principles of person-centered planning;
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(4) Incorporate culturally appropriate and culturally sensitive
training methods;
(5) Include evidence-based \2\ content, to the extent possible; and
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\2\ For the purpose of this priority, ``evidence-based'' means
the proposed project component is supported, at a minimum, by
evidence that demonstrates a rationale (as defined in 34 CFR 77.1),
where a key project component included in the project's logic model
(as defined in 34 CFR 77.1) is informed by research or evaluation
findings that suggest the project component is likely to improve
relevant outcomes (as defined in 34 CFR 77.1).
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(6) Include other critical content, as determined by the project;
(d) Gather input and feedback from a diverse group of stakeholders
and subject matter experts to inform the curricula, competencies,
training and application, and evaluation, including RSA, State VR
agencies, and other relevant partners;
(e) Require, as part of the training, that participants develop
action plans to continue applying the knowledge, practices, and
awareness gained from the training in their respective work settings;
(f) Create two cohorts to pilot the cultural competency training by
the end of the first year and evaluate the results. The cohorts must be
comprised of VR counselors and paraprofessionals, human resource and
professional development specialists, and VR management and leadership
personnel working in State VR agencies and related agencies. For the
first cohort, the grantee must collect pre- and post-assessments and
feedback from participants. After the first cohort, the grantee must
make revisions and improvements to the training curricula and
competencies, as necessary. The grantee must then test the training in
a second cohort to determine if the revisions and improvements worked.
(g) Deliver cultural competency training to VR counselors and
paraprofessionals, human resource and professional development
specialists, and VR management and leadership personnel working in
State VR agencies and related agencies in years two, three, four, and
five. To meet this requirement, the grantee will--
(1) Conduct outreach to VR counselors and paraprofessionals, human
resource and professional development specialists, and VR management
and leadership personnel working in State VR agencies and related
agencies so that they are aware of, and can participate in, cultural
competency training;
(2) Offer training using a variety of methods such as a traditional
classroom setting, distance learning facilitated by qualified
instructors, regional trainings, and through other delivery methods, as
appropriate, to meet the needs of the targeted audience;
(3) Use an online learning platform that is user friendly,
compatible with most mobile devices and State VR agency platforms, and
meets government and industry-recognized standards for accessibility
and cybersecurity;
(4) Use grant funds to offset costs associated with travel for
participants, as needed;
(5) Conduct an assessment before and after providing training for
each participant to establish baseline knowledge, and assess strengths
and specific areas for improvement, attainment, and application of
skills, and any issues or challenges to be addressed post-training to
ensure improved delivery of VR services to the minority populations and
subpopulations identified in the application;
(6) Assess participant progress towards completing their action
plans and provide coaching to address issues or challenges, as needed;
and
(7) Offer continuing education units (CEUs), Commission on
Rehabilitation Counseling Credit (CRCC), Certified Rehabilitation
Counselor (CRC) credit, a certificate of completion, or another form of
documentation or verification, as appropriate, to participants that
successfully complete the training and fulfill their action plans.
(h) Enable State VR agencies to apply cultural competency practices
to various activities of State VR agencies. In Assume Nothing! A
Monograph from the 38th Institute on Rehabilitation Issues to Address
Underserved Populations, Including Individuals Who Are Deaf-Blind
(2014), several recommendations were offered to help State VR agencies
remove attributes of service design and delivery that may result in
inequality. In line with those recommendations, to meet this
requirement, applicants
must--
(1) Examine reasons for successful and unsuccessful closures among
minority VR program participants and identify disparities between
minority and non-minority participants; and collaborate and share data
on the disparities between minority and non-minority participants with
State VR agencies and the VR-TA Center-Quality Management (VRTAC-QM)
and VR TA Center-Quality Employment (VRTAC-QE), which began on October
1, 2020, to inform their work with State VR agency personnel to ensure
that management decisions are established that support sustainable
changes in the way outreach, intake, and VR services are provided based
on the cultural competency training VR personnel receive;
(2) Select two of the following focus areas--
(i) Update or revise existing policies and procedures or develop
new action plans to strengthen and improve delivery of services in a
culturally appropriate and culturally sensitive manner;
(ii) Establish new partnerships and strengthen existing
partnerships with community rehabilitation providers, workforce
programs, and other relevant local community agencies and organizations
(i.e., agencies and organizations that provide services related to
behavior and mental health, substance dependence, and intellectual
developmental disabilities) to better meet the needs of individuals
with disabilities from minority backgrounds;
(iii) Develop business engagement activities for individuals with
disabilities from minority backgrounds;
(iv) Create opportunities to involve participants from minority
populations, or subpopulations, as appropriate, in the establishment of
policies and procedures that encourage collaboration between State VR
agencies and other State agencies;
(v) Develop opportunities for staff development and retention
designed to provide new and existing VR counselors and
paraprofessionals, human resource and professional development
specialists, and VR management and leadership personnel from minority
populations and subpopulations with peer-to-peer mentorship, as well as
guidance and support they may need to be successful; and
(vi) Any other activity that improves delivery of services to and
outcomes for individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds;
(3) Develop products, offer communities of learning, conduct
webinars, and offer other training and technical assistance delivery
methods, as appropriate, related to (1) and (2) above; and
(4) Follow up with State VR agencies to support the sustainability
of cultural competency practices;
(i) Gather input and feedback from a diverse group of stakeholders
and subject matter experts to inform the training curricula,
application of cultural competency practices in each selected area of
focus, the evaluation, the products developed, and the collaborative
work with RSA, State VR agencies, and other relevant partners;
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(j) Evaluate the project. To satisfy this requirement, the grantee
must--
(1) Assess whether cultural competency training provided to VR
counselors and paraprofessionals, human resource and professional
development specialists, and VR management and leadership personnel
working in State VR agencies and related agencies contributed to
improvements in the delivery of services to and employment outcomes for
individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds;
(2) Assess whether the application of cultural competency practices
led to improvements in policies, approaches, and behaviors in State VR
agencies;
(3) Through voluntary focus groups, use of a unique identifier, or
another approach that adheres to participant confidentiality
requirements in 34 CFR 361.38, gather input and feedback from VR
program participants who identify as members of the minority
populations or subpopulations described in the application about their
experiences to assess whether the cultural competency training and
application of cultural competency practices contributed to
improvements in the delivery of service; and
(4) Develop a plan for an evaluation that includes, but is not
limited to, approaches and methodologies, timelines, instruments, or
tools that will be used, a timeline for the evaluation and measurement
benchmarks, and a process for gathering feedback from VR counselors and
paraprofessionals, human resource and professional development
specialists, VR management and leadership personnel, and State VR
agencies for continuous improvement throughout years two, three, four,
and five of the project;
(k) Develop and maintain a state-of-the-art archiving and
dissemination platform, or modify an existing platform, that is open
and available to all VR counselors and paraprofessionals, human
resource and professional development specialists, VR management and
leadership personnel, and State VR agencies. To meet this requirement,
the grantee must--
(1) Ensure the archiving and dissemination platform provides a
central location for all materials related to the project, such as data
collection, reports, training curricula, audiovisual materials,
webinars, communities of learning, examples of evidence-based and
promising practices related to the selected areas of focus, and other
relevant material;
(2) Ensure that all materials developed by the project are
accessible to individuals with disabilities in accordance with section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act and title II of the Americans with
Disabilities Act, as applicable;
(3) Disseminate information about the project, including products
such as outreach, training curricula, presentations, reports, outcomes,
and other relevant information through RSA's National Clearinghouse of
Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCRTM) (https://ncrtm.ed.gov/);
(4) In the final year budget period, ensure the archiving and
dissemination platform can be sustained or coordinate with RSA to
transition the platform to the NCRTM so that it may be archived and
accessible to all after the grant ends;
(5) Disseminate, to all State VR agencies, RSA-funded
Rehabilitation Long-Term Training projects and TA Centers, Department-
funded programs, and Federal partners, as applicable, the training
material for incorporation into existing curricula, as well as
products, analysis of data collected, evidence-based and promising
practices, and lessons learned. To satisfy this requirement, the
grantee must--
(i) Develop participant guides, implementation materials, toolkits,
manuals, and other relevant material for instructors, facilitators,
State VR agency directors, and human resource and professional
development specialists to effectively deliver cultural competency
training, in their respective organizations; and
(ii) Provide outreach to and support State VR agencies, RSA-funded
Rehabilitation Long-Term Training projects and TA Centers, Department-
funded programs, and Federal partners, as applicable, in incorporating
or expanding cultural competency training and in applying cultural
competency practices across selected focus areas.
Application Requirements: The following application requirements
are from the NFP published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal
Register.
Application Requirements:
To be considered for funding under this priority, applicants must,
at a minimum, propose a project that will conduct the following
activities in a culturally appropriate manner. The Department
encourages innovative approaches to meet these requirements. Applicants
must--
(a) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under
``Significance of the Proposed Project,'' the minority populations and
subpopulations that will be addressed by this project. To meet this
requirement, applicants must--
(1) Describe the disparities that exist with respect to VR services
and employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities from minority
backgrounds, identify education and training needs and any challenges
to obtaining education and employment, and present any relevant data;
(2) Describe how the project proposes to improve VR services for,
and employment outcomes of, individuals with disabilities from the
identified minority backgrounds and subpopulations;
(3) Describe how data about the identified minority populations and
subpopulations will be collected and analyzed to inform the field and
the training curricula;
(4) Demonstrate how the proposed project will increase the number
of VR counselors and paraprofessionals, human resource and professional
development specialists, and VR management and leadership personnel
trained in providing culturally competent VR services. To meet this
requirement, applicants must--
(i) Describe the cultural competencies that VR counselors and
paraprofessionals, human resource and professional development
specialists, and VR management and leadership personnel must
demonstrate to provide high-quality services to individuals with
disabilities from minority backgrounds; and
(ii) Present information about potential challenges or difficulties
to effectively provide cultural competency training and to apply
cultural competency practices and any evidence-based practices or
strategies that may be used to address these challenges;
(b) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under
``Quality of Project Design,'' how the proposed project will meet the
requirements and intended outcomes of this priority. To meet this
requirement, applicants must--
(1) Describe the plan for implementing the project, including key
activities, timelines, milestones, and measurable intended project
outcomes. The plan should contain adequate time to develop and pilot
the training curricula, as well as develop content to support the
selected areas of focus. The plan should also build in alternative ways
to deliver training and conduct participant follow-up, in the event
that convening face-to-face is not possible due to health and safety
concerns;
(2) Describe how the proposed project will gather input and
feedback from a diverse group of stakeholders and subject matter
experts to inform the curricula, training and application, and
evaluation, including communication and coordination with RSA, State VR
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agencies, and other relevant partners. The plan must include
alternative forms of communication if in-person meetings are not
permitted due to health safety and concerns;
(3) Describe how the proposed project will provide outreach to VR
counselors and paraprofessionals, human resource and professional
development specialists, and VR management and leadership personnel
working in State VR agencies and related agencies so that they are
aware of, and can participate in, cultural competency training;
(4) Describe how cultural competency training will be provided to
VR counselors and paraprofessionals, human resource and professional
development specialists, and VR management and leadership personnel
working in State VR agencies and related agencies, which must include--
(i) Proposed methods, frequency, and duration of the training;
(ii) A proposed methodology for determining training topics;
(iii) A description of how the training needs of recipients,
including their ability to respond effectively to the training will be
assessed;
(iv) Proposed coaching techniques that may be provided to VR
counselors and paraprofessionals, human resource and professional
development specialists, and VR management and leadership personnel
working in State VR agencies or related agencies to address issues or
challenges, as needed;
(v) A proposed training module or an outline of a training module
to demonstrate how VR counselors and paraprofessionals, human resource
and professional development specialists, and VR management and
leadership personnel would be trained. The module or outline is a
required attachment in the application and must include, at a minimum--
(A) The goals and objectives of the training module;
(B) A description of what participants should know and be able to
do as a result of successfully completing the module or presentation;
(C) Up-to-date resources, publications, and other materials that
may be used to develop the training module or outline;
(D) Exercises that will provide an opportunity for application of
the subject matter;
(E) A description of how participant knowledge, skills, and
abilities will be measured; and
(F) A description of how the outcomes and impact of the cultural
competency training will be measured;
(5) Describe how the project will incorporate current research and
evidence-based and promising practices, including research about adult
learning principles and implementation science, in the development of
culturally competent training curricula and enable State VR agencies to
apply cultural competency practices to various activities of State VR
agencies;
(6) Describe how the project will examine reasons for successful
and unsuccessful closures among individuals with disabilities from
minority backgrounds, identify disparities between minority and non-
minority participants, and describe how this information will be shared
with State VR agencies and the VRTAC-QM and VRTAC-QE in ways that will
inform their work with State VR agency personnel to ensure that
management decisions are established that support sustainable changes
in the way outreach, intake, and VR services are provided based on the
cultural competency training VR personnel receive;
(7) Select two focus areas from the list described in the priority
and develop products, offer communities of learning, conduct webinars,
and offer other training and technical assistance delivery methods that
are of high quality and of sufficient intensity and duration to achieve
the intended outcomes of the proposed project. To meet this
requirement, applicants must describe--
(i) Knowledge, skills, and experience in each of the selected areas
of focus;
(ii) Methods, frequency, and duration of the activities;
(iii) Proposed methodology for determining selected areas of focus;
and
(iv) How follow-up will be provided to State VR agencies to support
the sustainability of cultural competency practices within the selected
areas of focus; and
(8) Describe how the proposed project will use accessible
technology to achieve the intended project outcomes.
(c) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under
``Adequacy of Project Resources,'' how the proposed costs are
reasonable in relation to the anticipated results and benefits. In
order to meet this requirement, applicants must--
(1) Describe any proposed consultants or contractors named in the
application, their areas of expertise, and provide rationale to
demonstrate the need;
(2) Describe costs associated with technology, including, but not
limited to, maintaining an online learning platform, state-of-the-art
archiving and dissemination platform, and communication tools (i.e.,
Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google, Amazon Chime, Skype, etc.) ensuring all
products and services are accessible to individuals with disabilities
in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II
of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as applicable;
(3) Designate funds to travel to Washington, DC, or for virtual
conferences and meetings when the in-person meetings are not possible
due to health and safety concerns, in the beginning of the second year
of the project for a one and one half day meeting to present an
analysis of the pilots, training curricula, delivering additional
activities in the selected focus areas, and plans for outreach,
dissemination, and evaluation of the project; and
(4) Designate funds to travel to Washington, DC, or virtual
conferences and meetings when in-person meetings are not possible due
to health and safety concerns, in the final year of the project for a
one and one half day meeting to present an analysis of data collected,
outcomes, results of the evaluation, evidence-based and promising
practices, and lessons learned;
(d) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under
``Quality of Project Personnel,'' how--
(1) The proposed project will encourage applications for employment
from persons who are members of groups that have historically been
underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or
disability, as appropriate;
(2) The proposed key project personnel will demonstrate the
qualifications and experience to provide the training required under
this priority and to achieve the project's intended outcomes, including
how the proposed project personnel have a degree of knowledge and
understanding of cultural factors sufficient to ensure the delivery of
training in a culturally appropriate manner; and
(3) The proposed project personnel will demonstrate knowledge and
experience working with the VR profession, especially in the provision
of services to individuals from minority backgrounds and in working
with VR counselors, paraprofessionals, human resource and professional
development specialists, and State VR agencies;
(e) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under
``Quality of the Management Plan,'' how the applicant will ensure
that--
(1) The project's intended outcomes, including the evaluation, will
be achieved on time and within budget, through--
(i) Clearly defined responsibilities of key project personnel,
consultants, and contractors, as applicable;
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(ii) Procedures to track and ensure completion of the action steps,
timelines, and milestones established for key project activities,
requirements, and deliverables;
(iii) Internal monitoring processes to ensure that the project is
being implemented in accordance with the established application,
cooperative agreement, once developed, and project plan; and
(iv) Internal financial management controls to ensure accurate and
timely obligations, drawdowns, and reporting of grant funds, as well as
monitoring contracts, in accordance with the Uniform Administrative
Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal
Awards at 2 CFR part 200 and the terms and conditions of the Federal
award;
(2) The allocation of key project personnel, consultants, and
contractors, as applicable, including levels of effort of key personnel
that are appropriate and adequate to achieve the project's intended
outcomes, including an assurance that key personnel will have enough
availability to ensure timely communications with stakeholders and RSA;
(3) The products and services are of high quality, relevance, and
usefulness, in both content and delivery; and
(4) The proposed project will benefit from a diversity of
perspectives, including those of State and local personnel, individuals
with disabilities from minority backgrounds, providers, researchers,
and policy makers, among others, in its development and operation.
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 718(b)(2)(B).
Note: The project 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, and
86. (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 NFP.
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 only.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Cooperative agreement.
Estimated Available Funds: $905,240 in the first year and $910,490
in years two, three, four, and five.
Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $910,490 for a
single budget period of 12 months.
Note: This amount will be reduced by an estimated $5,250 in the
first year of the award to support peer review for this competition.
This amount may change, depending on the final peer review cost.
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: Minority entities and Indian Tribes.
2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition 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.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to
follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of
Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal
Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768) and available at
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf, which
contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.
2. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of
projects that may be proposed in applications for the Activities for
Traditionally Underserved Populations 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. Note: The
Executive order does not apply to Indian Tribes.
4. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
5. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative is where you,
the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to
evaluate your application. We recommend that you (1) limit the
application narrative to no more than 45 pages and (2) use the
following standards:
A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1''
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch)
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings,
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in
charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier,
Courier New, or Arial.
The recommended page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the
budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the
assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the resumes,
the bibliography, or the letters of support. However, the recommended
page limit does apply to all of the application narrative.
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V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition
are from 34 CFR 75.210, have a maximum score of 100 points, and are as
follows:
(a) Significance. (20 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 likelihood that the proposed project will result in system
change or improvement; and
(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.
(b) Quality of the project design. (30 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the project design of
the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable;
(ii) The extent to which the design for implementing and evaluating
the proposed project will result in information to guide replication of
project activities or strategies, including information about the
effectiveness of the approach or strategies employed by the project;
(iii) The extent to which the proposed project is designed to build
capacity and yield results that will extend beyond the period of
Federal financial assistance;
(iv) The extent to which the design of the proposed project
reflects up-to-date knowledge from research and effective practice;
(v) The extent to which the proposed project will establish
linkages with other appropriate agencies and organizations providing
services to the target population; and
(vi) The extent to which performance feedback and continuous
improvement are integral to the design of the proposed project.
(c) Adequacy of resources. (15 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources for the
proposed project.
(2) In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment,
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the
lead applicant organization;
(ii) The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the
proposed project; and
(iii) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to
the objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed
project.
(d) Quality of project personnel. (15 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will
carry out the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary
considers the extent to which the applicant encourages applications for
employment from persons who are members of groups that have
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national
origin, gender, age, or disability.
(3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience,
of key project personnel; and
(ii) The qualifications, including relevant training and
experience, of project consultants or subcontractors.
(e) Quality of the management plan. (20 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 milestone 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; and
(iii) How the applicant will ensure that a diversity of
perspectives are brought to bear in the operation of the proposed
project, including those of parents, teachers, the business community,
a variety of disciplinary and professional fields, recipients or
beneficiaries of services, or others, as appropriate.
2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition,
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary
requires various assurances, including those applicable to Federal
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department
(34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
3. 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.
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 200.206(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.
[[Page 19248]]
5. 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 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 semiannual
and 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.
5. Performance Measures: The Government Performance and Results Act
of 1993 (GPRA) directs Federal departments and agencies to improve the
effectiveness of their programs by engaging in strategic planning,
setting outcome-related goals for programs, and measuring program
results against those goals.
For the purposes of GPRA and Department reporting under 34 CFR
75.110, we have established the following program measures:
Measure 1: Number and percentage of participants (State VR agency
personnel) who successfully complete cultural competency training,
including completion of action plans.
Measure 2: Based on the State VR agencies that received training,
the number and percentage of individuals with disabilities from
minority backgrounds determined eligible to receive VR services.
Measure 3: Based on the State VR agencies that received training,
the number and percentage of individuals with disabilities from
minority backgrounds that received VR services.
Measure 4: Based on the State VR agencies that received training,
the number and percentage of individuals with disabilities from
minority backgrounds employed at the time of exit.
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 Test 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
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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. 2021-07525 Filed 4-9-21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P