[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 169 (Friday, August 30, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70604-70610]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-19579]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; High School Equivalency Program

AGENCY: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, 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) 2025 for the High School 
Equivalency Program (HEP).

DATES: 
    Applications Available: September 3, 2024.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: November 13, 2024.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: January 13, 2025.
    Pre-Application Webinar Information: The Department will hold a 
pre-application webinar for prospective applicants. The date and time 
of the webinar will be announced on the Department's website at: 
https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-migrant-education/high-school-equivalency-program/applicant-information-high-school-equivalency-program/.
    Note: For new potential grantees unfamiliar with grantmaking at the 
Department, please consult our ``Getting Started with Discretionary 
Grant Applications'' web page at https://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/about/discretionary/index.html.

ADDRESSES: For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an 
application, please refer to our Common

[[Page 70605]]

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/documents/2022/12/07/2022-26554/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dylan Hart-Medina, Office of Migrant 
Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202. 
Telephone: (202) 987-1705. 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 HEP is designed to assist migratory or 
seasonal farmworkers (or immediate family members of such workers) to 
obtain the equivalent of a secondary school diploma and subsequently to 
gain improved employment, enter military service, or be placed in an 
institution of higher education (IHE) or other postsecondary education 
or training.
    Assistance Listing Number: 84.141A.
    OMB Control Number: 1894-0006.
    Note: The Administration's Good Jobs Initiative, led by the 
Department of Labor, is focused on providing information to workers, 
employers, and government to promote good jobs for all workers. The 
Department encourages applicants for grants under this program to 
consider in their budget and personnel planning for the proposal the 
use of funds in ways that would improve job quality and create access 
to good jobs for all working people. Additional information about the 
Good Jobs Initiative and the Department's Good Jobs Principles for 
Education is available at https://www.dol.gov/general/good-jobs and 
https://www.ed.gov/us-department-education-good-jobs-principles-statement.
    Priorities: This competition includes one competitive preference 
priority and two invitational priorities. In accordance with 34 CFR 
75.105(b)(2)(ii) and (iv), the competitive preference priority is from 
section 418A(e) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) 
(20 U.S.C. 1070d-2(e)), and 34 CFR 206.31.
    Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2025 and any subsequent 
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications 
from this competition, this priority is a competitive preference 
priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award up to an additional 15 
points to an application, depending on how well the application meets 
this competitive preference priority.
    This priority is:
    Consideration of Prior Experience. (Up to 15 points)
    Projects that are expiring (HEP grantees in their final budget 
period that received their current HEP award in FY 2020) will be 
considered for additional points under this competitive preference 
priority. In accordance with section 418A(e) of the HEA, we will award 
up to 15 points for this priority. In accordance with 34 CFR 206.31(a), 
the Secretary will consider the applicant's experience in implementing 
an expiring HEP project, with respect to:
    (a) Whether the applicant served the number of participants 
described in its approved application;
    (b) The extent to which the applicant met or exceeded its funded 
objectives with regard to project participants, including the targeted 
number and percentage of--
    (1) Participants who received a general educational development 
(GED) credential; and
    (2) GED credential recipients who were reported as entering 
postsecondary education programs, career positions, or the military; 
and
    (c) The extent to which the applicant met administrative 
requirements, including recordkeeping, reporting, and financial 
accountability under the terms of the previously funded award.
    Note: Although 34 CFR 206.31(a)(2)(i) and (ii) refer to general 
educational development (GED) credentials, the Department recognizes 
that there are multiple examinations through which high school 
equivalency (HSE) can be earned and, for the purposes of this notice, 
uses GED interchangeably with HSE.
    Invitational Priorities: For FY 2025 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. Applicants that address these invitational priorities 
must do so under the selection criterion ``Quality of the project 
design.''
    These priorities are:
    Meeting Students' Social, Emotional, and Academic Needs.
    Within a project designed to assist HEP students obtain the 
equivalent of a secondary school diploma, we invite projects that are 
designed to improve students' social, emotional, academic, and career 
development, with a focus on underserved students, through one or both 
of the following:
    (a) Creating a positive, inclusive, and identity-safe climate at 
IHEs through fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion for students 
who are migratory or seasonal farmworkers or immediate family members 
of such workers.
    (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 who are migratory or seasonal farmworkers or immediate 
family members of such workers and their 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.
    Promoting Multilingualism to Equip Participants with Language 
Skills Necessary to Thrive in a Globalized World.
    Within a project designed to assist HEP participants obtain the 
equivalent of a secondary school diploma, we invite projects that 
recognize, and are designed to increase awareness of, the benefits of 
proficiency in more than one language to help participants attain good 
jobs that provide a competitive wage, access to family-sustaining 
benefits, and equitable opportunities for advancement.
    Definitions: The definitions of ``migrant farmworker'' and 
``seasonal farmworker'' are from 34 CFR 206.5. The definitions of 
``demonstrates a rationale,'' ``experimental study,'' ``logic model,'' 
``project component,'' ``promising evidence,'' ``quasi-experimental 
design study,'' ``relevant outcome,'' and ``What Works Clearinghouse 
Handbooks (WWC Handbooks)'' are from 34 CFR 77.1.
    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.
    Experimental study means a study that is designed to compare 
outcomes between two groups of individuals (such as students) that are 
otherwise equivalent except for their assignment to either a treatment 
group receiving a

[[Page 70606]]

project component or a control group that does not. Randomized 
controlled trials, regression discontinuity design studies, and single-
case design studies are the specific types of experimental studies 
that, depending on their design and implementation (e.g., sample 
attrition in randomized controlled trials and regression discontinuity 
design studies), can meet What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) standards 
without reservations as described in the WWC Handbooks:
    (i) A randomized controlled trial employs random assignment of, for 
example, students, teachers, classrooms, or schools to receive the 
project component being evaluated (the treatment group) or not to 
receive the project component (the control group).
    (ii) A regression discontinuity design study assigns the project 
component being evaluated using a measured variable (e.g., assigning 
students reading below a cutoff score to tutoring or developmental 
education classes) and controls for that variable in the analysis of 
outcomes.
    (iii) A single-case design study uses observations of a single case 
(e.g., a student eligible for a behavioral intervention) over time in 
the absence and presence of a controlled treatment manipulation to 
determine whether the outcome is systematically related to the 
treatment.
    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.
    Migrant farmworker means a seasonal farmworker--as defined in this 
notice--whose employment required travel that precluded the farmworker 
from returning to his or her domicile (permanent place of residence) 
within the same day.
    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).
    Promising evidence means that there is evidence of the 
effectiveness of a key project component in improving a relevant 
outcome, based on a relevant finding from one of the following:
    (i) A practice guide prepared by WWC reporting a ``strong evidence 
base'' or ``moderate evidence base'' for the corresponding practice 
guide recommendation;
    (ii) An intervention report prepared by the WWC reporting a 
``positive effect'' or ``potentially positive effect'' on a relevant 
outcome with no reporting of a ``negative effect'' or ``potentially 
negative effect'' on a relevant outcome; or
    (iii) A single study assessed by the Department, as appropriate, 
that--
    (A) Is an experimental study, a quasi-experimental design study, or 
a well-designed and well-implemented correlational study with 
statistical controls for selection bias (e.g., a study using regression 
methods to account for differences between a treatment group and a 
comparison group); and
    (B) Includes at least one statistically significant and positive 
(i.e., favorable) effect on a relevant outcome.
    Quasi-experimental design study means a study using a design that 
attempts to approximate an experimental study by identifying a 
comparison group that is similar to the treatment group in important 
respects. This type of study, depending on design and implementation 
(e.g., establishment of baseline equivalence of the groups being 
compared), can meet WWC standards with reservations, but cannot meet 
WWC standards without reservations, as described in the WWC Handbook.
    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.
    Seasonal farmworker means a person whose primary employment was in 
farmwork on a temporary or seasonal basis (that is, not a constant 
year-round activity) for a period of at least 75 days within the past 
24 months.
    What Works Clearinghouse Handbooks (WWC Handbooks) means the 
standards and procedures set forth in the WWC Standards Handbook, 
Versions 4.0 or 4.1, and WWC Procedures Handbook, Versions 4.0 or 4.1, 
or in the WWC Procedures and Standards Handbook, Version 3.0 or Version 
2.1 (all incorporated by reference, see Sec.  77.2). Study findings 
eligible for review under WWC standards can meet WWC standards without 
reservations, meet WWC standards with reservations, or not meet WWC 
standards. WWC practice guides and intervention reports include 
findings from systematic reviews of evidence as described in the WWC 
Handbooks documentation.
    Note: The What Works Clearinghouse Procedures and Standards 
Handbook (Version 4.1), as well as the more recent What Works 
Clearinghouse Handbooks released in August 2022 (Version 5.0), are 
available at https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/Handbooks.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070d-2.
    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, 81, 82, 84, 86, 
97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
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 Guidance for 
Federal Financial Assistance in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended 
as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3474. (d) The 
regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 206. (e) The Migrant 
Education Program (MEP) definitions in 34 CFR 200.81. (f) The National 
Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) definitions in 20 CFR 685.110 and 
eligibility regulations in 20 CFR 685.320.
    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to IHEs only.
    Note: The MEP definitions and NFJP definitions and eligibility 
regulations apply to individuals seeking to qualify for HEP based on 
past participation in the MEP or NFJP.
    Note: The Department will implement the changes included in the OMB 
final rule, OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance 
(www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/22/2024-07496/guidance-for-federal-financial-assistance), formerly called, Office of Management 
and Budget Guidance for Grants and Agreements, which amends 2 CFR part 
200, on October 1, 2024. When preparing an application, grant 
applicants who anticipate a performance period start date on or after 
October 1, 2024, should follow the requirements in the updated 2 CFR 
part 200. For more information about these updated regulations please 
visit: https://www2.ed.gov/policy/fund/guid/uniform-guidance/index.html.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested 
$6,650,000 for new awards for this program for FY 2025. The actual 
level of funding, if any, depends on final

[[Page 70607]]

congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to allow 
enough time to complete the grant process if Congress appropriates 
funds for this program.
    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: $180,000-$475,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $475,000.
    Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $475,000 for a 
single budget period of 12 months. Under 34 CFR 75.104(b) the Secretary 
may reject, without consideration or evaluation, any application that 
proposes a project funding level that exceeds the stated maximum award 
amount.
    Minimum Award: We will not make an award for less than $180,000 for 
a single budget period of 12 months. Under section 418A of the HEA, the 
Secretary is prohibited from making an award for less than the stated 
award amount. Therefore, we will reject any application that proposes a 
HEP award that is less than the stated minimum award amount.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 14.
    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
    Project Period: Up to 60 months (five 12-month budget periods). 
Under section 418A(e) of the HEA, except under extraordinary 
circumstances, the Secretary must award grants for a five-year period. 
Under 34 CFR 75.117(b), applicants must submit a budget narrative 
accompanied by a budget form prescribed by the Secretary that provides 
budget information for each budget period of the proposed project 
period. Therefore, we may reject any application that does not propose 
a five-year project period as reflected on the applicant's ED 524 form, 
Section A, and budget narrative form, submitted as a part of the 
application.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: An IHE (as defined in section 101 and 102 
of the HEA) or a private nonprofit (as those terms are defined in 34 
CFR 77.1) organization may apply for a grant to operate a HEP project. 
If a private nonprofit organization other than an IHE applies for a HEP 
grant, that organization must plan the project in cooperation with an 
IHE and must propose to operate some aspects of the project with the 
facilities of that IHE.
    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. However, consistent with 34 CFR 75.700, which 
requires an applicant to comply with its approved application, an 
applicant that proposes non-Federal matching funds and is awarded a 
grant must provide those funds for each year that the funds are 
proposed.
    b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses a training 
indirect cost rate. This limits indirect cost reimbursement to an 
entity's actual indirect costs, as determined in its negotiated 
indirect cost rate agreement, or 8 percent of a modified total direct 
cost base, whichever amount is less. For more information regarding 
training indirect cost rates, see 34 CFR 75.562. For more information 
regarding indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, 
please see https://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 Guidance 
for Federal Financial Assistance.
    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 the following types of 
entities: IHEs and nonprofit organizations. The grantee may award 
subgrants to entities it has identified in an approved application or 
that it selects through a competition under procedures established by 
the grantee.
    4. Other: a. Budget: Projects funded under this competition must 
budget for a three-day Office of Migrant Education annual meeting for 
HEP Directors in the Washington, DC area during each year of the 
project period. Such expenses are allowable uses of grant funds and may 
be included in the proposed project budget. This meeting may be held 
virtually if conditions warrant such format.
    b. Build America, Buy America Act: This program is not subject to 
the Build America, Buy America Act (Pub. L. 117-58) domestic sourcing 
requirements.

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 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/07/2022-26554/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs, 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 HEP, 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 (Predisclosure of 
Notification Procedures for Confidential Commercial Information), 
please designate in your application any information that you believe 
is exempt from disclosure under Exemption 4. In the appropriate 
Appendix section of your application, under ``Other Attachments Form,'' 
please list the page number or numbers on which we can find this 
information. For additional information please see 34 CFR 5.11(c).
    3. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. 
Information about

[[Page 70608]]

Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 
12372 is in the application package for this competition.
    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 25 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. An 
application will not be disqualified if it exceeds the recommended page 
limit.
    6. Application Requirements: Applicants must address the following 
application requirements (34 CFR 206.20). In applying for a grant, an 
applicant must--
    (a) Follow the procedures and meet the requirements stated in 
subpart C of 34 CFR part 75 (Direct Grant Programs);
    (b) Submit a grant application that:
    (1) Covers a period of five years unless extraordinary 
circumstances warrant a shorter period; and
    (2) Includes an annual budget of not less than $180,000;
    (c) Include a management plan that contains:
    (1) Assurances that the staff has a demonstrated knowledge of and 
will be sensitive to the unique characteristics and needs of the 
migrant and seasonal farmworker population; and
    (2) Provisions for:
    (i) Staff inservice training;
    (ii) Training and technical assistance;
    (iii) Staff travel;
    (iv) Student travel;
    (v) Interagency coordination; and
    (vi) Project evaluation; and
    (d) Provide the following assurances:
    (1) The grantee will develop and implement a plan for identifying, 
informing, and recruiting eligible participants who are most in need of 
the academic and supporting services and financial assistance provided 
by the project.
    (2) The grantee will develop and implement a plan for identifying 
and using the resources of the participating IHE and the community to 
supplement and enhance the services provided by the project.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition 
are from 34 CFR 75.210 \1\ and are as follows:
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    \1\ Although updates to the Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), including updates to 34 CFR 
75.210, are scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on 
August 29, 2024, the selection criteria that apply to this 
competition are the ones in effect on the date of publication of 
this NIA.
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    (a) Need for project (Up to 10 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the need for the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the need for the proposed project, the Secretary 
considers the magnitude of the need for the services to be provided or 
the activities to be carried out by the proposed project. (Up to 10 
points)
    (b) Quality of the project design (Up to 24 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the 
proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable. 
(Up to 7 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 5 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)
    (iv) The extent to which the proposed project demonstrates a 
rationale (as defined in this notice). (Up to 7 points)
    (c) Quality of project services (Up to 24 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. (Up to 3 points)
    (3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed 
project are appropriate to the needs of the intended recipients or 
beneficiaries of those services. (Up to 7 points)
    (ii) 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 7 points)
    (iii) The likely impact of the services to be provided by the 
proposed project on the intended recipients of those services. (Up to 7 
points)
    (d) Quality of project personnel (Up to 10 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. (Up to 3 points)
    (3) In addition, the Secretary considers the qualifications, 
including relevant training and experience, of key project personnel. 
(Up to 7 points)
    (e) Adequacy of resources (Up to 12 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. (Up to 4 points)
    (ii) The relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in 
the proposed project to the implementation and success of the project. 
(Up to 4 points)
    (iii) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to 
the objectives,

[[Page 70609]]

design, and potential significance of the proposed project. (Up to 4 
points)
    (f) Quality of the project evaluation (Up to 20 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be 
conducted of the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the 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. (Up to 10 points)
    (ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward 
achieving intended outcomes. (Up to 5 points)
    (iii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will, if well 
implemented, produce promising evidence (as defined in this notice) 
about the project's effectiveness. (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 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).
    Additional factors we consider in selecting an application for an 
award are in section 418A of the HEA. In accordance with section 418A, 
the Secretary makes HEP awards based on the number, quality, and 
promise of the applications. Additionally, in accordance with section 
418A, if final FY 2025 HEP and College Assistance Migrant Program 
appropriations exceed $40,000,000, the Secretary will consider the need 
to provide an equitable geographic distribution of HEP awards. The 
Secretary may consider the need to provide equitable geographic 
distribution of HEP awards when--
    1. Two or more applicants receive the same score at the funding 
cutoff for this competition;
    2. The Secretary determines that a geographic region is overserved 
by current HEP projects;
    3. The Secretary determines that a geographic region is underserved 
by current HEP projects; or
    4. Two or more applicants propose to operate similar HEP projects 
in the same geographical region.
    When evaluating a potentially overserved or underserved geographic 
region, the Secretary may consider factors such as migrant or seasonal 
farmworker population data for a State or region, approximate distance 
between current and proposed projects, the type of entity of the 
current or proposed project (e.g., private nonprofit organization, 2-
year IHE, 4-year IHE), and the number of students proposed to be served 
by the current or proposed HEP project.
    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 Guidance for Federal 
Financial Assistance 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 also may notify you 
informally.
    If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify 
administrative and national policy requirements in the application 
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable 
Regulations section of this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and 
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also 
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding 
commitments under the grant.
    3. Open Licensing Requirements: Unless an exception applies, if you 
are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to 
openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in 
part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable

[[Page 70610]]

consists of modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends 
only to those modifications that can be separately identified and only 
to the extent that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any 
licenses or other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works. 
Additionally, a grantee or subgrantee that is awarded competitive grant 
funds must have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables. 
This dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your 
application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional 
information on the open licensing requirements please refer to 2 CFR 
3474.20.
    4. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition, 
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and 
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply 
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
    (b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final 
performance report, including financial information, as directed by the 
Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual 
performance report that provides the most current performance and 
financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34 
CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance 
reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, 
please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    5. Performance Measures: For the purposes of reporting under 34 CFR 
75.110, the Department developed the following performance measures to 
evaluate the overall effectiveness of HEP: (1) the percentage of HEP 
participants exiting the program having received a HSE diploma, and (2) 
the percentage of HSE diploma recipients who enter postsecondary 
education or training programs, upgraded employment, or the military. 
These measures are referred to as HEP performance measures 1 and 2, 
respectively.
    Applicants must propose annual targets for these measures and 
establish annual student enrollment targets in their applications. 
Applicants should identify these targets within their application 
abstracts. The national target for performance measure 1 for FY 2025 is 
that 69 percent of HEP participants exit the program having received an 
HSE credential. The national target for performance measure 2 for FY 
2025 is that 80 percent of HEP HSE diploma recipients will enter 
postsecondary education or training programs, upgraded employment, or 
the military. The national targets for subsequent years may be adjusted 
based on additional baseline data.
    Peer reviewers evaluate how well applicants propose to meet their 
application's goals and objectives. Peer reviewers will score related 
selection criteria on the basis of how well an applicant addresses 
these performance measures in addition to any other goals and 
objectives included in the application. Therefore, applicants will want 
to consider how to demonstrate a sound capacity to provide reliable 
data on the performance measures, including the project's annual 
performance targets for addressing the performance measures, as is 
required by the OMB-approved annual performance report that is included 
in the application package. All grantees will be required to submit, as 
part of their annual performance report, information with respect to 
these performance measures.
    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), text format 
(txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, Braille, large print, audiotape, 
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 Department documents 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 Department documents 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.

Adam Schott,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Delegated the Authority to Perform 
the Functions and Duties of the Assistant Secretary Office of 
Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2024-19579 Filed 8-28-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P