[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 96 (Thursday, May 18, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31741-31746]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-10625]
[[Page 31741]]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Transitioning Gang-Involved Youth to
Higher Education Program
AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice
inviting applications (NIA) for fiscal year (FY) 2023 for the
Transitioning Gang-Involved Youth to Higher Education Program,
Assistance Listing Number 84.116Y. This notice relates to the approved
information collection under OMB control number 1894-0006.
DATES:
Applications Available: May 18, 2023.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 17, 2023.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 15, 2023.
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 December 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045), and available at
www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-26554. Please note that these Common
Instructions supersede the version published on December 27, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jymece Seward, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, 5th floor, Washington, DC 20202-
4260. Telephone: 202-453-6138. Email: [email protected].
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and
wish to access telecommunications relay services, please dial 7-1-1.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Transitioning Gang-Involved
Youth to Higher Education Program (TGIY) is to provide a funding
opportunity for organizations that work directly with gang-involved
youth to help such youth pursue higher education opportunities that
will lead to certification or credentials. Such programs can include
apprenticeships or other workforce preparation programs that promote
job readiness upon completion of the program, while simultaneously
providing essential wraparound services that include culturally
competent social and emotional support.
Background: Recent research indicates that more than 1 million
youth are estimated to be involved in some type of gang, crew, or other
group.\1\ Youth gang involvement can negatively impact behavioral and
mental health. Evidence suggests that exposure to adverse childhood
experiences (ACEs), which are described as potentially traumatic events
that can have negative lasting effects on health and well-being, can
have a cumulative effect on later behavior, including potential future
criminal justice system involvement. The greater the number of ACEs
experienced in adolescence, the greater the impact on mental health
into adulthood.\2\ Furthermore, Frisby-Osman and Wood found that a
range of ACEs, such as familial experiences, exposure to delinquency
and violent victimization, and mental health difficulties, have been
linked to a risk of gang involvement.
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\1\ Pyrooz, D. and Sweeten, G. (2015). Gang Membership Between
Ages 5 and 17 Years in the United States. Journal of Adolescent
Health, 1-6.
\2\ Frisby-Osman, S. and Wood, J. (2020). Rethinking How We View
Gang Members: An Examination into Affective, Behavioral, and Mental
Health Predictors of UK Gang-Involved Youth. Youth Justice (20) 1,
93-112.
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Gang involvement has almost immediate negative effects on
educational achievement. According to the research, gang-involved youth
are 30 percent less likely to complete high school compared with their
gang-avoiding peers. However, regarding postsecondary matriculation,
gang-affiliated youth who earn a GED went to college at twice the rate
of their gang-avoiding peers with a GED.\3\ In interviews, gang-
involved youth enrolled in community colleges reported that low
expectations and negative stereotypes were part of their schooling
experience.\4\ Accordingly, through this grant opportunity, the
Department seeks to improve access to postsecondary education and
outcomes for gang-involved youth.
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\3\ Pyrooz, D.C. (2014). From colors and guns to caps and gowns?
The effect of gang membership on educational attainment. Journal of
Research in Crime and Delinquency, 51(1), 56-87.
\4\ Gardenhire-Crooks, A., Collado, H., Martin, K., & Castro, A.
(2010). Terms of engagement: Men of color discuss their experiences
in community college. Oakland, CA: MDRC. Retrieved from: http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED508982.pdf.
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College access is a multistep process for all students, but is
especially difficult for students from low-income, non-college-educated
families. These families typically do not possess the valued forms of
social or cultural capital needed to access the networks that help
students prepare for college.\5\ Most schools that serve primarily low-
income students are unable to provide adequate college advising or
information about financial aid or to place students in the appropriate
courses to increase their college readiness level.\6\ When college
information is not available or frequently shared with high school
students, their ability to build the necessary college knowledge and
form a college-going identity is significantly weakened.
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\5\ Tierney, W.G. (2009). Applying to college. Qualitative
Inquiry, 15(1), 79-95.
\6\ Corwin, Z.B, Venegas, K.M., Oliverez, P.M., and Colyar, J.E.
(2004). School counsel: How appropriate guidance affects college
going. Urban Education, 39(4), 442-457.
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Youth who are gang-involved may benefit from holistic support
systems through which their schools provide culturally competent social
and emotional support, their families are included in their educational
efforts, and they receive employment and resources and support for
accessing financial assistance.\7\ Because prior research has suggested
that stable employment can reduce the potential for future criminal
justice system involvement, this program encourages applicants to
collaborate with other organizations to build and support pathways to
education and careers for gang-involved youth.
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\7\ Sharkey, J. (2015). How to Help Me Get Out of a Gang: Youth
Recommendations to Family, School, Community, and Law Enforcement
Systems. Research Gate, 64-100.
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Community-based organizations are increasingly looking for
institutional partners with which to collaborate.\8\ Community-academic
partnerships are formed to work together toward shared goals to better
reach and serve traditionally underserved populations. Partnerships can
be expanded to include not only service delivery but also research and
education. There can be many benefits to cross-sector partnerships
relating to the shared work, including diverse perspectives and the
combined expertise of academic partners and community knowledge.
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\8\ Liederman, S., Furco, A., Zapf, J., and Gross, M. (2003).
Building partnerships with college campuses: Community perspectives.
Washington, DC: Council for Independent Colleges/The Consortium for
the Advancement of Private Higher Education's Engaging Communities
and Campuses Grant Program.
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The intent of this program is to support partnerships of
institutions of higher education and other organizations that are best
prepared to provide the supports and services necessary, to enable
underserved youth, including youth with disabilities, to transition
into postsecondary programs that will allow them to pursue a
certificate, degree, or other credential, and, in doing so, reduce the
risk of future criminal justice system involvement.
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Priorities: This notice contains one absolute priority, two
competitive preference priorities, and two invitational priorities. The
absolute priority and competitive preference priorities are from the
Secretary's Supplemental Priorities and Definitions for Discretionary
Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2021
(86 FR 70612) (Supplemental Priorities).
Absolute Priority: For FY 2023 and any subsequent year in which we
make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this
competition, this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR
75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet this priority.
The priority is:
Increasing Postsecondary Education Access, Affordability,
Completion, and Post-Enrollment Success.
Projects that are designed to increase postsecondary access,
affordability, completion, and success for underserved students by
addressing one or more of the following priority areas:
(a) Increasing the number and proportion of underserved students
who enroll in and complete postsecondary education programs, which may
include strategies related to college preparation, awareness,
application, selection, advising, counseling, and enrollment.
(b) Supporting the development and implementation of student
success programs that integrate multiple comprehensive and evidence-
based services or initiatives, such as academic advising, structured/
guided pathways, career services, credit-bearing academic undergraduate
courses focused on career, and programs to meet basic needs, such as
housing, childcare and transportation, student financial aid, and
access to technological devices.
(c) Increasing the number of individuals who return to the
educational system and obtain a regular high school diploma, or its
recognized equivalent for adult learners; enroll in and complete
community college, college, or career and technical training; or obtain
basic and academic skills, including English language learning, that
they need to succeed in college--including community college--as well
as career and technical education and/or the workforce.
Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2023 and any subsequent
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications
from this competition, these priorities are competitive preference
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award up to an additional
10 points to an application for each competitive preference priority,
depending on how well the application meets these priorities.
Applicants may respond to one or both competitive preference
priorities, for a total of up to 20 additional points.
These priorities are:
Competitive Preference Priority 1--Meeting Student Social,
Emotional, and Academic Needs (Up to 10 points).
Projects that are designed to improve students' social, emotional,
academic, and career development, with a focus on underserved students,
through one or more of the following priority areas:
(a) Creating a positive, inclusive, and identity-safe climate at
institutions of higher education through one or more of the following
activities:
(1) Fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion for underserved
students. (Up to 2 points)
(2) Implementing evidence-based practices for advancing student
success for underserved students. (Up to 2 points)
(3) Providing evidence-based professional development opportunities
designed to build asset-based mindsets for faculty and staff on campus
and that are inclusive with regard to race, ethnicity, culture,
language, and disability status. (Up to 2 points)
(b) Fostering partnerships, including across government agencies
(e.g., housing, human services, employment agencies), local educational
agencies, community-based organizations, adult learning providers, and
postsecondary education institutions, to provide comprehensive services
to students and families that support students' social, emotional,
mental health, and academic needs, and that are inclusive with regard
to race, ethnicity, culture, language, and disability status. (Up to 4
points)
Competitive Preference Priority 2--Strengthening Cross-Agency
Coordination and Community Engagement To Advance Systemic Change (Up to
10 points).
Projects that are designed to take a systemic evidence-based
approach to improving outcomes for underserved students by coordinating
efforts with Federal, State, or local agencies, or community-based
organizations, that support students, to address one or both of the
following:
(a) Justice policy. (Up to 5 points)
(b) College readiness. (Up to 5 points)
Invitational Priorities: For FY 2023 and any subsequent year in
which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this
competition, these priorities are invitational priorities. Under 34 CFR
75.105(c)(1), we do not give an application that meets these
invitational priorities a competitive or absolute preference over other
applications.
These priorities are:
Invitational Priority 1--Organizations With a Demonstrated Record
of Helping Gang-involved Youth Access Postsecondary Education.
Projects proposed by entities with prior experience working
directly with gang-involved youth to help such youth pursue higher
education opportunities. For the purpose of the invitational
priorities, gang-involved youth means an individual, between the ages
14 and 24, who may participate in activities of a violent gang or who
may face an increased risk of gang exposure due to proximity to
communities with gang activity and/or gang-related conditions (e.g.,
community violence, vandalism, assault, gun violence, illegal drug
trade, homicide) or other risk factors (e.g., domestic violence, child
physical and sexual abuse, academic failure, low educational
aspirations).
Invitational Priority 2--Promoting Equity in Student Access to
Educational Resources and Opportunities.
Projects that are designed to promote educational equity and
adequacy in resources and opportunity for gang-involved youth--
(a) In one or more of the following educational settings:
(1) High school.
(2) Career and technical education programs.
(3) Alternative schools and programs.
(4) Juvenile justice system or correctional facilities.
(b) That examines the sources of inequity and inadequacy and
implement responses, and that may include one or more of the following:
(1) Improving the quality of educational and other evidence-based
rehabilitative programs in juvenile justice facilities (such as
detention facilities and secure and non-secure placements) or adult
correctional facilities.
(2) Supporting re-entry of, and improving long-term outcomes for,
youth and adults after release from juvenile justice system or
correctional facilities by linking youth and adults to appropriate
support, education, vocational rehabilitation, or workforce training
programs.
Definitions: These definitions apply to the priorities and the
selection criteria for this competition. The definitions of
``demonstrates a rationale,'' ``evidence-based,'' ``logic model,''
``project component,'' and ``relevant outcome'' are from 34 CFR 77.1.
The definition of ``underserved student'' is from the Supplemental
Priorities.
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Demonstrates a rationale means a key project component included in
the project's logic model is informed by research or evaluation
findings that suggest the project component is likely to improve
relevant outcomes.
Disconnected youth means an individual, between the ages 14 and 24,
who may be from a low-income background, experiences homelessness, is
in foster care, is involved in the justice system, or is not working or
not enrolled in (or at risk of dropping out of) an educational
institution.
Evidence-based means the proposed project component is supported by
evidence that demonstrates a rationale.
Logic model (also referred to as 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.
Note: In developing logic models, applicants may want to use
resources such as the Regional Educational Laboratory Program's (REL
Pacific) Education Logic Model Application User Guide, available at
https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/rel/regions/pacific/pdf/ELMUserGuideJune2014.pdf.
Other sources include: https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/pdf/REL2014025.pdf, https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/pdf/REL2014007.pdf, and https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/northeast/pdf/REL_2015057.pdf.
Project component means an activity, strategy, intervention,
process, product, practice, or policy included in a project. Evidence
may pertain to an individual project component or to a combination of
project components (e.g., training teachers on instructional practices
for English learners and follow-on coaching for these teachers).
Relevant outcome means the student outcome(s) or other outcome(s)
the key project component is designed to improve, consistent with the
specific goals of the program.
Underserved student means a student (which may include students in
postsecondary education or career and technical education, and adult
learners, as appropriate) in one or both of the following subgroups:
(a) A disconnected youth.
(b) A student impacted by the justice system, including a formerly
incarcerated student.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1138-1138d; the Explanatory Statement
accompanying Division H of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023
(Pub. L. 117-328).
Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in Federal
civil rights laws.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97,
98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to
Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in
2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department
in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part
200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR
part 3474. (d) The Supplemental Priorities.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of
higher education only.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grant.
Estimated Available Funds: $4,950,000.
Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of
applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent years from
the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
Estimated Range of Awards: $900,000 to $990,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $990,000.
Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $990,000 for a
single budget period of 36 months.
Note: The maximum award is based on a 3-year budget period.
Applicants will need to prepare a multiyear budget request for up to 3
years.
Estimated Number of Awards: 5.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: Up to 36 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants are IHEs (as defined in
section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C.
1001)) that are public or private nonprofit IHEs, and public and
private nonprofit organizations and agencies that partner with
institutions of higher education.
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 competition does not require
cost sharing or matching.
b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This program does not involve
supplement-not-supplant funding requirements.
c. 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.
d. 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: Under 34 CFR 75.708(b) and (c) a grantee under this
competition may award subgrants--to directly carry out project
activities described in its application--to entities listed in the
grant 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 December 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045), and available at
www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-26554, which contain requirements and
information on how to submit an application. Please note that these
Common Instructions supersede the version published on December 27,
2021.
2. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about
Intergovernmental Review of Federal
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Programs under Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for
this program.
3. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
4. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative is where you,
the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to
evaluate your application. We recommend that you (1) limit the
application narrative to no more than 60 pages and (2) use the
following standards:
A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1''
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
Double-space (no more than three lines per vertical inch)
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings,
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions as well as all text in
charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
Use a font that is either 12 point or larger, and no
smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier,
Courier New, or Arial.
The recommended 60-page limit applies only to the application
narrative and does not apply to Part I, the cover sheet; Part II, the
budget section, including the narrative budget justification; Part IV,
the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract. We
recommend that any application addressing the priorities include no
more than three additional pages for each priority addressed.
Note: The Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs Form (ED
524) Sections A-C are not the same as the narrative response to the
Budget section of the selection criteria.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The following selection criteria for this
program are from 34 CFR 75.210. The points assigned to each criterion
are indicated in the parentheses next to the criterion. An applicant
may earn up to a total of 100 points based on the selection criteria
and up to 20 additional points under the competitive preference
priorities, for a total score of up to 120 points. All applications
will be evaluated based on the selection criteria as follows:
(a) Quality of the project design. (Maximum 20 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the
proposed project. In determining the quality of the design of the
proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) The extent to which the proposed project demonstrates a
rationale (as defined in this notice). (Up to 5 points)
(ii) The extent to which the design of the proposed project is
appropriate to, and will successfully address, the needs of the target
population or other identified needs. (Up to 10 points)
(iii) The extent to which the proposed project will establish
linkages with other appropriate agencies and organizations providing
services to the target population. (Up to 5 points)
(b) Quality of project services. (Maximum 20 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be
provided by the proposed project. 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. (Up to 5 points)
(2) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed
project are appropriate to the needs of the intended recipients or
beneficiaries of those services. (Up to 5 points)
(ii) The likely impact of the services to be provided by the
proposed project on the intended recipients of those services. (Up to 5
points)
(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. (Up to 5 points)
(c) Significance. (Maximum 20 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed
project. In determining the significance of the proposed project, the
Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) The potential contribution of the proposed project to increased
knowledge or understanding of educational problems, issues, or
effective strategies. (Up to 10 points)
(ii) The likelihood that the proposed project will result in system
change or improvement. (Up to 10 points)
(d) Quality of project personnel. (Maximum 20 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will
carry out the proposed project. 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. (Up to 8 points)
(2) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience,
of the project director or principal investigator. (Up to 6 points)
(ii) The qualifications, including relevant training and
experience, of key project personnel. (Up to 6 points)
(e) Quality of the management plan. (Maximum 10 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for
the proposed project. In determining the quality of the management
plan, 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. (Up to 5 points)
(ii) How the applicant will ensure that a diversity of perspectives
are brought to bear in the operation of the proposed project, including
those of parents, teachers, the business community, a variety of
disciplinary and professional fields, recipients or beneficiaries of
services, or others, as appropriate. (Up to 5 points)
(f) Quality of the project evaluation. (Maximum 10 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be
conducted of the proposed project. In determining the quality of the
evaluation, 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.
(Up to 5 points)
(ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough,
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the
proposed project. (Up to 5 points)
2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition,
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider
whether the applicant failed to
[[Page 31745]]
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).
For this competition, a panel of up to three non-Federal reviewers
will read, prepare a written evaluation of, and score all eligible
applications using the selection criteria and the competitive
preference priorities, if applicable, in this notice. The individual
scores of the reviewers will be added and the sum divided by the number
of reviewers to determine the peer review score. The Department may use
more than one tier of reviews in evaluating grantees. The Department
will prepare a rank order list of applications based solely on the
evaluation of their quality according to the selection criteria and
competitive preference priority points.
Tiebreaker: In the event there are two or more applications with
the same final score, and there are insufficient funds to fully support
each of these applications, the Department will apply the following
procedure to determine which application or applications will receive
an award:
First Tiebreaker: The first tiebreaker will be the highest average
score for the selection criterion ``Quality of the Project Design.'' If
a tie remains, the second tiebreaker will be utilized.
Second Tiebreaker: The second tiebreaker will be the highest
average score for the selection criterion ``Quality of Project
Services.'' If a tie remains, the 3rd tiebreaker will be utilized.
Third Tiebreaker: The third tiebreaker will be the highest average
score for the selection criterion ``Significance.'' If a tie remains,
the fourth tiebreaker will be utilized.
Fourth Tiebreaker: The fourth tiebreaker will be the highest
average score for the selection criterion ``Quality of the Project
Evaluation.'' If a tie remains, the fifth tiebreaker will be utilized.
Fifth Tiebreaker: The fifth tiebreaker will be the highest average
score for the competitive preference priorities.
Sixth Tiebreaker: The sixth tiebreaker will be to select the
application(s) proposed by organizations that work directly with gang-
involved youth to help such youth pursue higher education
opportunities.
Seventh Tiebreaker: The seventh tiebreaker will be to select the
application(s) that propose to serve geographic areas that have been
previously underserved by this program.
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.
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.
[[Page 31746]]
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.
5. Performance Measures: For the purposes of the Department
reporting under 34 CFR 75.110, the following performance measures will
be used in assessing the effectiveness of the TGIY program:
(a) Number of project participants enrolled in a postsecondary
education program.
(b) Number of project participants earning a certificate, degree,
or other credential.
(c) Number of project participants active in internships,
apprenticeships, or other work experiences.
These measures constitute the Department's indicators of success
for this program. Consequently, we advise an applicant for an award
under this program to give careful consideration to the
operationalization of the measures in conceptualizing the approach and
evaluation for its proposed project.
If funded, you will be required to collect and report data in your
project's annual performance report (34 CFR 75.590).
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.
Nasser H. Paydar,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2023-10625 Filed 5-17-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P