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[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 79 (Monday, April 26, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21617-21621]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-9635]

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview 
Information; Rehabilitation Capacity Building for Traditionally 
Underserved Populations--Rehabilitation Capacity Building; Notice 
Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers: 84.315C and 
84.315D.
    Dates:
    Applications Available: April 26, 2010.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 10, 2010.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 9, 2010.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The Rehabilitation Capacity Building for 
Traditionally Underserved Populations program provides financial 
assistance for projects that provide training, research, technical 
assistance, or related activities to improve services provided under 
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Act), especially services 
provided to individuals from minority backgrounds. Section 21 of the 
Act underscores the importance of increasing the participation of 
minority entities, as defined under section 21(b)(5) of the Act, in 
activities funded under the Act and enhancing their capacity to carry 
out these activities (29 U.S.C. 718).
    Priorities: These priorities are from the notice of final 
priorities for this program, published in the Federal Register on May 
9, 2002 (67 FR 31700). For the purposes of these priorities, a 
``minority entity'' includes a Hispanic-serving institution whose 
Hispanic student enrollment is 25 percent or more of the institution's 
student population.
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2010 and any subsequent year in which we 
make awards from the list of approved but

[[Page 21618]]

unfunded applicants from this competition, these priorities are 
absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we consider only 
applications that meet these priorities.
    These priorities are:

Priority 1--Establishing New Rehabilitation Training Programs (CFDA 
Number 84.315C)

    Projects funded must meet the requirements in section 21(b)(2)(B) 
of the Rehabilitation Act.
    Projects must--
    (1) Enhance and increase the capacity of minority institutions of 
higher education to prepare more individuals for careers in the public 
vocational rehabilitation (VR) program, including individuals from 
minority backgrounds;
    (2) Be located at minority institutions of higher education, 
including community colleges whose minority student enrollment is at 
least 50 percent, that are interested in establishing new first-time 
rehabilitation training programs at the associate degree, undergraduate 
degree, and graduate degree levels;
    (3) Include an evaluation component based upon clear, specific 
performance and outcome measures; and
    (4) Report the results of the evaluation in its annual performance 
report.

Priority 2--Capacity Building for Minority Entities (CFDA Number 
84.315D)

    Projects funded must meet the requirements in section 21(b)(2)(C) 
of the Rehabilitation Act.
    Projects must--
    (1) Provide outreach, capacity building, and technical assistance 
to minority entities and Indian Tribes to promote their participation 
in activities funded under the Act, including assistance to carry out 
those activities;
    (2) Provide a variety of training and technical assistance 
activities, including grant writing workshops that focus on 
Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) and National Institute on 
Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) discretionary grant 
programs, the peer review process, selection criteria, training on 
disability legislation (i.e., Americans with Disabilities Act, 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, etc.), and technical assistance 
to minority entities that are first-time recipients of grants funded 
under the Act in order to increase their ability to carry out their 
grants;
    (3) Include an evaluation component based upon clear, specific 
performance and outcome measures; and
    (4) Report the results of the evaluation in its annual performance 
report.

    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 718(b).

    Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 
81, 82, 84, 85, 86, and 99.

    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: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $2,400,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $150,000-$200,000 for 315C; $250,000-
$300,000 for 315D.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $240,000.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding $200,000 for a single budget period of 12 months for 
84.315C or exceeds $300,000 for a single budget period of 12 months for 
84.315D. The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services may change the maximum amount through a notice 
published in the Federal Register.

Estimated Number of Awards

    Priority 1--CFDA Number 84.315C: 5.
    Priority 2--CFDA Number 84.315D: 5.

    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this 
notice.

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: For priority 1, minority entities as 
defined under section 21(b)(5) of the Act. Under the Act, the term 
minority entity means an entity that is a historically black college or 
university, a Hispanic-serving institution of higher education, an 
American Indian Tribal college or university, or another institution of 
higher education whose minority student enrollment is at least 50 
percent.
    For priority 2, a State or a public or private nonprofit agency or 
organization, such as an institution of higher education or an Indian 
Tribe.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.

    Note: Under 34 CFR 75.562(c), an indirect cost reimbursement on 
a training grant is limited to the recipient's actual indirect 
costs, as determined in its negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, 
or eight percent of a modified total direct cost base, whichever 
amount is less. Indirect costs in excess of this limit may not be 
charged directly, used to satisfy matching or cost sharing 
requirements, or charged to another Federal award.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    You can obtain an application package via the Internet or from the 
Education Publications Center (ED Pubs). To obtain a copy via the 
Internet, use the following address: http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html. To obtain a copy from ED Pubs, write, fax, 
or call the following: ED Pubs, U.S. Department of Education, P.O. Box 
22207, Alexandria, VA 22304. Telephone, toll free: 1-877-433-7827. FAX: 
(703) 605-6794. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf 
(TDD), call, toll free: 1-877-576-7734.
    You can contact ED Pubs at its Web site, also: http://www.EDPubs.gov or at its e-mail address: edpubs@inet.ed.gov.
    If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify 
this competition as follows: CFDA number 84.315C or D.
    Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application 
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, 
or computer diskette) by contacting the person or team listed under 
Accessible Format in section VIII of this notice.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission Requirements Concerning 
the Content of an Application, Together With the Forms You Must Submit, 
Are in the Application Package for This Competition

    Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application) 
is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that 
reviewers use to evaluate your application. You must limit the 
application narrative (Part III) to the equivalent of no more than 45 
pages, using 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

[[Page 21619]]

New, or Arial. An application submitted in any other font (including 
Times Roman or Arial Narrow) will not be accepted.
    The page limit 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, the 
resumes, the bibliography, or the letters of support. However, the page 
limit does apply to all of the application narrative section (Part 
III).
    We will reject your application if you exceed the page limit; or if 
you apply other standards and exceed the equivalent of the page limit.

3. Submission Dates and Times

    Applications Available: April 26, 2010.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 10, 2010.
    Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted 
electronically using the Electronic Grant Application System (e-
Application) accessible through the Department's e-Grants site. For 
information (including dates and times) about how to submit your 
application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, please refer to section IV. 6. Other Submission 
Requirements of this notice.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact 
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII 
of this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the 
application process, the individual's application remains subject to 
all other requirements and limitations in this notice.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 9, 2010.

4. Intergovernmental Review

    This program is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the 
regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about Intergovernmental 
Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 12372 is in the 
application package for this competition.

5. Funding Restrictions

    We reference regulations outlining funding restrictions in the 
Applicable Regulations section of this notice.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted 
electronically unless you qualify for an exception to this requirement 
in accordance with the instructions in this section.
a. Electronic Submission of Applications
    Applications for grants under the Rehabilitation Capacity Building 
for Traditionally Underserved Populations program, CFDA Number 84.315C 
and D must be submitted electronically using e-Application, accessible 
through the Department's e-Grants Web site at: http://e-grants.ed.gov.
    We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format 
unless, as described elsewhere in this section, you qualify for one of 
the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no 
later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written 
statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these 
exceptions. Further information regarding calculation of the date that 
is two weeks before the application deadline date is provided later in 
this section under Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement.
    While completing your electronic application, you will be entering 
data online that will be saved into a database. You may not e-mail an 
electronic copy of a grant application to us.
    Please note the following:
     You must complete the electronic submission of your grant 
application by 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. E-Application will not accept an application for this 
program after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not wait 
until the application deadline date to begin the application process.
     The hours of operation of the e-Grants Web site are 6:00 
a.m. Monday until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday; and 6:00 a.m. Thursday until 
8:00 p.m. Sunday, Washington, DC time. Please note that, because of 
maintenance, the system is unavailable between 8:00 p.m. on Sundays and 
6:00 a.m. on Mondays, and between 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and 6:00 a.m. 
on Thursdays, Washington, DC time. Any modifications to these hours are 
posted on the e-Grants Web site.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, as described elsewhere in this section, and submit your 
application in paper format.
     You must submit all documents electronically, including 
all information you typically provide on the following forms: the 
Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), the Department of 
Education Supplemental Information for SF 424, Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and 
certifications. You must attach any narrative sections of your 
application as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF 
(Portable Document) format. If you upload a file type other than the 
three file types specified in this paragraph or submit a password 
protected file, we will not review that material.
     Your electronic application must comply with any page 
limit requirements described in this notice.
     Prior to submitting your electronic application, you may 
wish to print a copy of it for your records.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive an automatic acknowledgment that will include a PR/Award number 
(an identifying number unique to your application).
     Within three working days after submitting your electronic 
application, fax a signed copy of the SF 424 to the Application Control 
Center after following these steps:
    (1) Print SF 424 from e-Application.
    (2) The applicant's Authorizing Representative must sign this form.
    (3) Place the PR/Award number in the upper right hand corner of the 
hard-copy signature page of the SF 424.
    (4) Fax the signed SF 424 to the Application Control Center at 
(202) 245-6272.
     We may request that you provide us original signatures on 
other forms at a later date.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of e-Application 
Unavailability: If you are prevented from electronically submitting 
your application on the application deadline date because e-Application 
is unavailable, we will grant you an extension of one business day to 
enable you to transmit your application electronically, by mail, or by 
hand delivery. We will grant this extension if--
    (1) You are a registered user of e-Application and you have 
initiated an electronic application for this competition; and
    (2) (a) E-Application is unavailable for 60 minutes or more between 
the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Washington,

[[Page 21620]]

DC time, on the application deadline date; or
    (b) E-Application is unavailable for any period of time between 
3:30 p.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date.
    We must acknowledge and confirm these periods of unavailability 
before granting you an extension. To request this extension or to 
confirm our acknowledgment of any system unavailability, you may 
contact either (1) the person listed elsewhere in this notice under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT (see VII. Agency Contact) or (2) the e-
Grants help desk at 1-888-336-8930. If e-Application is unavailable due 
to technical problems with the system and, therefore, the application 
deadline is extended, an e-mail will be sent to all registered users 
who have initiated an e-Application. Extensions referred to in this 
section apply only to the unavailability of e-Application.
    Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement: You qualify for an 
exception to the electronic submission requirement, and may submit your 
application in paper format, if you are unable to submit an application 
through e-Application because--
     You do not have access to the Internet; or
     You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to 
e-Application; and
     No later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date (14 calendar days or, if the fourteenth calendar day before the 
application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, the next business 
day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement 
to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception 
prevents you from using the Internet to submit your application. If you 
mail your written statement to the Department, it must be postmarked no 
later than two weeks before the application deadline date. If you fax 
your written statement to the Department, we must receive the faxed 
statement no later than two weeks before the application deadline date.
    Address and mail or fax your statement to: Ellen Chesley, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5019, Potomac 
Center Plaza (PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2800. FAX: (202) 245-7591.
    Your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the 
mail or hand delivery instructions described in this notice.
b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail
    If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a 
commercial carrier) your application to the Department. You must mail 
the original and two copies of your application, on or before the 
application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: 
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
(CFDA Number 84.315C or D), LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20202-4260.
    You must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:
    (1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.
    (2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the 
U.S. Postal Service.
    (3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial 
carrier.
    (4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the 
U.S. Department of Education.
    If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do 
not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
    (1) A private metered postmark.
    (2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.
    If your application is postmarked after the application deadline 
date, we will not consider your application.

    Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated 
postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your 
local post office.

c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery
    If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver your paper 
application to the Department by hand. You must deliver the original 
and two copies of your application, by hand, on or before the 
application deadline date, to the Department at the following address:

U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
(CFDA number 84.315C or D), 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac 
Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.

    The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily 
between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, except 
Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays.

    Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you 
mail or hand deliver your application to the Department--
    (1) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by 
the Department--in Item 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including 
suffix letter, if any, of the competition under which you are 
submitting your application; and
    (2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a 
notification of receipt of your grant application. If you do not 
receive this grant notification within 15 business days from the 
application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of 
Education Application Control Center at (202) 245-6288.

V. Application Review Information

    Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are 
from 34 CFR 75.210 and are listed in the application package.

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). 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. Reporting: 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 multi-year 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 http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    4. Performance Measures: The Government Performance and Results Act 
(GPRA) of 1993 directs Federal departments and agencies to improve the 
effectiveness of their programs by engaging in strategic planning, 
setting

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outcome-related goals for programs, and measuring program results 
against those goals. The purpose of the Rehabilitation Capacity 
Building for Traditionally Underserved Populations program is to 
enhance the capacity and increase the participation of minority 
institutions in programs that are funded under the Act, as well as to 
improve the delivery of VR services to people with disabilities, 
especially people with disabilities from minority backgrounds.
    In order to measure the success of capacity building grantees in 
meeting this goal, each grantee is required to evaluate its activities 
based upon clear, specific performance and outcome measures and report 
the results of the evaluation in its annual performance report. At a 
minimum, the annual performance reports must include the following:
    For priority 1, grantees must report on--(1) The number and type of 
new degree-granting programs established as a result of participation 
in this program and the number of students enrolled; (2) the number of 
undergraduate and graduate students who graduate from programs 
participating in this program and the number who go to work for the 
public VR program or related rehabilitation agencies; and (3) the 
number of institutions receiving Council on Rehabilitation Education 
(CORE) accreditation as a result of participation in this program.
    For priority 2, grantees must report on--(1) The number of minority 
entities and Indian Tribes that have received training and technical 
assistance; (2) the number of applications submitted by first-time and 
repeat applicants to RSA and NIDRR for funding; (3) the number of 
applications by first-time and repeat applicants recommended for 
funding by RSA and NIDRR; (4) the number of applications by first-time 
and repeat applicants funded by RSA and NIDRR; and (5) the number of 
funded programs by first-time and repeat applicants that have been 
implemented and are operational.

VII. Agency Contact

    For Further Information Contact: Ellen Chesley, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., room 5019, PCP, Washington, DC 
20202-2800. Telephone: (202) 245-7300 or by e-mail: 
ellen.chesley@ed.gov.
    If you use TDD, call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 
1-800-877-8339.

VIII. Other Information

    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format 
(e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by 
contacting the Grants and Contracts Services Team, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5075, PCP, Washington, DC 
20202-2550. Telephone: (202) 245-7363. If you use a TDD, call the FRS, 
toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
    Electronic Access to This Document: You can view this document, as 
well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal 
Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the 
Internet at the following site: http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister. To 
use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at 
this site.

    Note: The official version of this document is the document 
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the 
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal 
Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.

    Dated: April 21, 2010.
Alexa Posny,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2010-9635 Filed 4-23-10; 8:45 am]
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