[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 4, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20369-20374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-8107]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Centers for Independent Living--
Training and Technical Assistance

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

ACTION: Notice.

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Overview Information

Centers for Independent Living--Training and Technical Assistance

    Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 
2012.

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number 84.132B.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: April 4, 2012.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 21, 2012.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: July 18, 2012.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Purpose of Program

    The purpose of the Training and Technical Assistance grant under 
the Centers for Independent Living program is to provide training and 
technical assistance to eligible agencies, centers for independent 
living (CILs), and Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs) with 
respect to planning, developing, conducting, administering, and 
evaluating CILs.
    A CIL is a consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, 
nonresidential private nonprofit agency that is designed and operated 
within a local community by individuals with disabilities and that 
provides an array of independent living services. An eligible agency is 
a consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, 
nonresidential, private nonprofit agency.
    The purpose of independent living services is to maximize 
leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals 
with significant disabilities, and to integrate these individuals into 
the mainstream of American society.
    Each State establishes a SILC that jointly develops and signs the 
State Plan for Independent Living with the Designated State Unit and 
monitors, reviews, and evaluates the implementation of the State plan. 
A majority of a SILC's members are individuals with disabilities, and 
other members include CIL representatives and State agency 
representatives, as well as other appropriate individuals.
    Priorities: This competition contains two absolute priorities. 
These priorities are from the notice of final priorities for this 
program, published in the Federal Register on June 22, 2007 (72 FR 
34450).

Background

    The Department is inviting applications for one grant to provide 
training and technical assistance to CILs and SILCs. This is a change 
from how we conducted the last competition for this grant. In 2007, we 
awarded separate grants to train CILs and SILCs. In response to the FY 
2007 notice of proposed priorities published in the Federal Register on 
March 6, 2007 (72 FR 9936), the majority of the commenters expressed 
their preference for awarding a single training and technical 
assistance grant for both CILs and SILCs. These commenters stated that 
training CILs and SILCs together would allow them to understand each 
other's activities, needs, and issues and would promote effective 
communication and collaboration between CILs and SILCs, thus enabling 
them to better achieve their common goals. While CILs and SILCs have 
discrete statutorily-based responsibilities, commenters recognized that 
CILs and SILCs share the common fundamental objective to improve 
independent living for persons with significant disabilities.
    While acknowledging the validity of the concerns expressed 
regarding separate grants, the Department determined in 2007 that the 
benefits of two grants outweighed the potential costs. The Department 
believed that two grants would permit grantees to focus training and 
technical assistance on the specific needs of CILs and SILCs separately 
to ensure that the unique activities and responsibilities of the CILs 
and SILCs were addressed.

[[Page 20370]]

However, based on the Department's experience with the separate grants 
awarded in 2007, we have determined that there is no distinct advantage 
in administering separate grants to train and provide technical 
assistance to CILs and SILCs separately. The Department has determined 
that it can realize the benefits of using one grantee to provide the 
unique training and technical assistance required by CILs and SILCs and 
also eliminate the unnecessary duplication of costs that came with 
funding two grants. Therefore, the Department is returning to its 
practice prior to 2007 and consolidating training and technical 
assistance into a single grant for CILs and SILCs.
    In addition to furthering program objectives, this decision 
maximizes the funds available for the direct provision of training and 
technical assistance to CILs and SILCs.
    Although the number of CILs has increased as a result of funds made 
available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the 
funds appropriated for the CIL program, including the funds available 
for training and technical assistance for CILs and SILCs, have 
decreased in both FY 2011 and FY 2012. By providing training and 
technical assistance to CILs and SILCs through a single grant, the 
Department will also increase the efficiency of the training and 
technical assistance by reducing administrative costs.
    Absolute Priorities: For FY 2012 and any subsequent year in which 
we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this 
competition, these priorities are absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet both of these 
priorities.
    These priorities are:

Priority 1--Centers for Independent Living (CILs) Training and 
Technical Assistance Center

    This priority supports a CILs Training and Technical Assistance 
Center (CILs T&TA Center) to improve the performance of CILs by 
providing training and technical assistance to the CILs on the 
programmatic and financial aspects of their operations, including 
information on effective practices and proven solutions to common 
problems. CILs are distributed across the Nation and vary in size, 
stage of development, service area characteristics, and urgency of need 
for training and technical assistance. Therefore, the training and 
technical assistance provided by the CILs T&TA Center must be sensitive 
to this diversity and must encompass a broad range of topics.
    The CILs T&TA Center must make available to all CILs a broad array 
of resources, training, and technical assistance. In addition, the CILs 
T&TA Center must address the specific needs of CILs by providing those 
CILs that require it with intensive, individualized, on-site training 
and technical assistance that meets their needs. In this regard, the 
CILs T&TA Center must be prepared to respond promptly to the 
Department's identification of particular training and technical 
assistance needs in general and those of particular CILs.
    In coordination with the Department, the CILs T&TA Center must--
    (a) Develop and provide training and technical assistance, based on 
the CILs' annual performance report survey and other available data, on 
topics related to the provision and expansion of independent living 
(IL) services (primarily the IL core services), fiscal and management 
practices, compliance with CIL standards and assurances, increased 
program efficiency, rigorous evaluations, and improved outcomes as 
measured by long-term goals and indicators;
    (b) Develop and implement a plan to ensure that training and 
technical assistance efforts will reach all federally funded CILs and 
other eligible agencies;
    (c) Refer CILs and eligible agencies to non-IL specific training 
and technical assistance available through government or non-government 
resources;
    (d) Utilize a broad range of available, accessible technologies and 
methodologies to provide training and technical assistance to CILs and 
eligible agencies in the most effective and cost efficient manner;
    (e) Provide focused, intensive, and rapid training and technical 
assistance to CILs identified by the Department as needing, or to CILs 
requesting, such assistance;
    (f) Identify and develop accessible training and technical 
assistance materials and disseminate these materials to CILs and 
eligible agencies; and
    (g) Coordinate and collaborate with other training and technical 
assistance projects funded by the Department to ensure that training 
and technical assistance activities are complementary and non-
duplicative and that dissemination activities are effective and 
efficient. At a minimum, the CILs T&TA Center must coordinate with any 
SILC Training and Technical Assistance Center funded under the 
Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs) Training and Technical 
Assistance Center priority.

Priority 2--Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs) Training and 
Technical Assistance Center

    This priority supports a SILCs Training and Technical Assistance 
Center (SILCs T&TA Center) to improve the performance of SILCs through 
greater access to timely and relevant training and technical assistance 
regarding SILC duties and operation.
    In coordination with the Department, the SILCs T&TA Center must--
    (a) Develop and provide training and technical assistance, based on 
the SILCs' annual performance report survey and other available data, 
on topics directly related to SILC legal responsibilities, including 
SILC organization and operation and the development of the State Plan 
for Independent Living;
    (b) Develop and implement a plan to provide to all SILCs the 
training and technical assistance identified in paragraph (a) of this 
priority;
    (c) Refer SILCs to non-IL specific training and technical 
assistance available through government or non-government resources;
    (d) Utilize a broad range of available, accessible technologies and 
methodologies to provide training and technical assistance to SILCs in 
the most effective and cost efficient manner;
    (e) Identify and develop accessible training and technical 
assistance materials and disseminate these materials to the SILCs;
    (f) Provide training and technical assistance to SILCs to enhance 
SILC partnerships with State vocational rehabilitation agencies, CILs, 
and other organizations, with a focus on sharing successful operational 
experiences of other SILCs; and
    (g) Coordinate and collaborate with other training and technical 
assistance projects funded by the Department to ensure that training 
and technical assistance activities are complementary and non-
duplicative and dissemination activities are effective and efficient. 
At a minimum, the SILCs T&TA Center must coordinate with any CILs 
Training and Technical Assistance Center funded under the Centers for 
Independent Living (CILs) Training and Technical Assistance Center 
priority.

    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 796f.

    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 
81, 82, 84, 85, and 86. (b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR 
part 366. (c) The notice of final priorities published in the Federal 
Register on June 22, 2007 (72 FR 34450).


[[Page 20371]]


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


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

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative agreement.
    Estimated Available Funds: $1,444,165.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding a total of $1,444,165 for both Priority 1 and Priority 
2 for a single budget period of 12 months. 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: 1.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Entities that have experience in the 
operation of centers for independent living.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not require cost 
sharing or matching.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: 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) or a text telephone (TTY), 
call, toll free: 1-877-576-7734.
    You can contact ED Pubs at its Web site, also: www.EDPubs.gov or at 
its email address: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#17727367627564577e79726339727339707861"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cfaaabbfbaadbc8fa6a1aabbe1aaabe1a8a0b9">[email protected]</span></a>.
    If you request an application package from ED Pubs, be sure to 
identify this competition as follows: CFDA number 84.132B.
    Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application 
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, 
or compact disc) 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.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: April 4, 2012.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 21, 2012.
    Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted 
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov). 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. 7. Other Submission 
Requirements in 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: July 18, 2012.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. 
Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under 
Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this 
competition.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification 
Number, and Central Contractor Registry: To do business with the 
Department of Education, you must--
    a. Have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and a 
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN);
    b. Register both your DUNS number and TIN with the Central 
Contractor Registry (CCR), the Government's primary registrant 
database;
    c. Provide your DUNS number and TIN on your application; and
    d. Maintain an active CCR registration with current information 
while your application is under review by the Department and, if you 
are awarded a grant, during the project period.
    You can obtain a DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet. A DUNS number 
can be created within one business day.
    If you are a corporate entity, agency, institution, or 
organization, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal Revenue Service. 
If you are an individual, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal 
Revenue Service or the Social Security Administration. If you need a 
new TIN, please allow 2-5 weeks for your TIN to become active.
    The CCR registration process may take five or more business days to 
complete. If you are currently registered with the CCR, you may not 
need to make any changes. However, please make certain that the TIN 
associated with your DUNS number is correct. Also note that you will 
need to update your CCR registration on an annual basis. This may take 
three or more business days to complete.
    In addition, if you are submitting your application via Grants.gov, 
you must (1) be designated by your organization as an Authorized 
Organization Representative (AOR); and (2) register yourself with 
Grants.gov as an AOR. Details on these steps are outlined at the 
following Grants.gov Web page: www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp.
    7. 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 Centers for Independent Living--
Training and Technical Assistance, CFDA number 84.132B must be 
submitted electronically using the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site 
at www.Grants.gov. Through this site, you will be able to download a 
copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload 
and submit your application. You may not email an electronic copy of a 
grant application to us.
    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.
    You may access the electronic grant application for Centers for 
Independent Living_Training and Technical Assistance at 
www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable application 
package for this competition by the CFDA number. Do not include

[[Page 20372]]

the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for 84.132, 
not 84.132B).
    Please note the following:
    <bullet> When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find 
information about submitting an application electronically through the 
site, as well as the hours of operation.
    <bullet> Applications received by Grants.gov are date and time 
stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted and must 
be date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as 
otherwise noted in this section, we will not accept your application if 
it is received--that is, date and time stamped by the Grants.gov 
system--after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. We do not consider an application that does not comply 
with the deadline requirements. When we retrieve your application from 
Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application 
because it was date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system after 
4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date.
    <bullet> The amount of time it can take to upload an application 
will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the 
application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we 
strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline 
date to begin the submission process through Grants.gov.
    <bullet> You should review and follow the Education Submission 
Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are 
included in the application package for this competition to ensure that 
you submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov 
system. You can also find the Education Submission Procedures 
pertaining to Grants.gov under News and Events on the Department's G5 
system home page at http://www.G5.gov.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> You must upload any narrative sections and all other 
attachments to your application as files in a PDF (Portable Document) 
read-only, non-modifiable format. Do not upload an interactive or 
fillable PDF file. If you upload a file type other than a read-only, 
non-modifiable PDF or submit a password-protected file, we will not 
review that material.
    <bullet> Your electronic application must comply with any page-
limit requirements described in this notice.
    <bullet> After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that 
contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates 
receipt by Grants.gov only, not receipt by the Department.) The 
Department then will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send 
a second notification to you by email. This second notification 
indicates that the Department has received your application and has 
assigned your application a PR/Award number (an ED-specified 
identifying number unique to your application).
    <bullet> We may request that you provide us original signatures on 
forms at a later date.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical Issues 
with the Grants.gov System: If you are experiencing problems submitting 
your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov 
Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a 
Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it.
    If you are prevented from electronically submitting your 
application on the application deadline date because of technical 
problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension 
until 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to 
enable you to transmit your application electronically or by hand 
delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing 
instructions described elsewhere in this notice.
    If you submit an application after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC 
time, on the application deadline date, please contact the person 
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this 
notice and provide an explanation of the technical problem you 
experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk 
Case Number. We will accept your application if we can confirm that a 
technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that 
problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30:00 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The 
Department will contact you after a determination is made on whether 
your application will be accepted.

    Note: The extensions to which we refer in this section apply 
only to the unavailability of, or technical problems with, the 
Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed 
to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before 
the application deadline date and time or if the technical problem 
you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system.

    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 the Grants.gov system because--
    <bullet> You do not have access to the Internet; or
    <bullet> You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to 
the Grants.gov system; and
    <bullet> 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 
prevent 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: Mary Williams, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5144, PCP, 
Washington, DC 20202-2800. FAX: (202) 245-7590.
    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:

[[Page 20373]]

(CFDA Number 84.132B), 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 84.132B), 550 12th Street SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center 
Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.

The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily between 8 
a.m. and 4:30 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 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

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition 
are in 34 CFR 366.15 and are listed in the application package.
    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 
also 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 
of Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    3. Special Conditions: Under 34 CFR 74.14 and 80.12, the Secretary 
may impose special 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 34 CFR parts 74 or 80, as applicable; has not fulfilled 
the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not responsible.

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: (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 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 www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    4. Performance Measures: The Government Performance and Results Act 
of 1993 (GPRA) directs Federal departments and agencies to improve the 
effectiveness of their programs by engaging in strategic planning, 
setting outcome-related goals for programs, and measuring program 
results against those goals.
    The goal of this grant is to provide training and technical 
assistance with respect to planning, developing, conducting, 
administering, and evaluating CILs to the following eligible entities 
authorized under title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as 
amended: Eligible agencies, CILs, and SILCs.
    In annual performance reports, grantees are required to provide 
specific information on the number of training activities, the topics 
of each training program, the number and types of participants served 
(i.e., CILs, SILCs, or eligible agencies), and summary data from 
participant evaluations.
    5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award, the 
Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.253, the extent to which a 
grantee has made ``substantial progress toward meeting the objectives 
in its approved application.'' This consideration includes the review 
of a grantee's progress in meeting the targets and projected outcomes 
in its approved application, and whether the grantee has expended funds 
in a manner that is consistent with its approved application and 
budget. In making a continuation grant, 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

[[Page 20374]]

assistance from the Department (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 
110.23).

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Williams, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., room 5144, PCP, Washington, DC 
20202-2800. Telephone: (202) 245-7586 or by email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c8a5a9bab1e6bfa1a4a4a1a9a5bb88adace6afa7be"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="abc6cad9d285dcc2c7c7c2cac6d8ebcecf85ccc4dd">[email protected]</span></a>.
    If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the 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 compact disc) 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 or a TTY, call the FRS, 
toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
    Electronic Access to This Document: 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 via the Federal Digital System 
at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. 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 Adobe 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.

    Dated: March 30, 2012.
Alexa Posny,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2012-8107 Filed 4-3-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P


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