[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 34 (Friday, February 18, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9331-9337]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-03510]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Indian Education Discretionary Grant 
Programs--Native Youth Community Program

AGENCY: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of 
Education.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Education is issuing a notice inviting 
applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2022 for Demonstration 
Grants for the Indian Children and Youth Program (Demonstration 
program), Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.299A. This notice relates 
to the approved information collection under OMB control number 1810-
0722.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: February 18, 2022.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: March 10, 2022.
    Date of Pre-Application Webinar: March 7, 2022.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 19, 2022.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 20, 2022.

ADDRESSES: For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an 
application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to 
Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the 
Federal Register on December 27, 2021 (86 FR 73264) and available at 
www.federalregister.gov/d/2021-27979. Please note that these Common 
Instructions supersede the version published on February 13, 2019, and, 
in part, describe the transition from the requirement to register in 
SAM.gov a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number to the 
implementation of the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). More information 
on the phase-out of DUNS numbers is available at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ofo/docs/unique-entity-identifier-transition-fact-sheet.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Bussell, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 3W239, Washington, DC 20202-
6335. Telephone: (202) 453-6813. Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b3d7dcddddd29dd1c6c0c0d6dfdff3d6d79dd4dcc5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f0949f9e9e91de92858383959c9cb09594de979f86">[email protected]</span></a>.
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Demonstration program is to 
provide financial assistance to projects that develop, test, and 
demonstrate the effectiveness of services and programs to improve the 
educational opportunities and achievement of Indian students in 
preschool, elementary, and secondary schools.
    Background: For FY 2022, the Department will use the priority for 
Native Youth Community Projects (NYCP) to support community-led, 
comprehensive projects to help American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) 
children become college- and career-ready. NYCP funding is one of many 
efforts across the Federal government to coordinate, measure progress, 
and make investments in Native youth programs. These grants are 
designed to help communities improve educational outcomes for Native 
youth, specifically college- and career-readiness, through strategies 
tailored to address the specific challenges and build upon the specific 
opportunities and culture within a community. Such strategies can 
include supplemental academic programs or courses, social-emotional 
services, cultural education, and other support services for AI/AN 
students and families.
    Recognizing the importance of Tribal Nations to the education of 
Native youth, NYCP projects are based on a partnership that includes at 
least one Tribe and one school district or Department of the Interior 
Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)-funded school. We expect that this 
partnership will facilitate capacity building within the community, 
generating positive results and practices for student college-and-
career readiness beyond the period of Federal financial assistance. The 
requirement in this competition for a written partnership agreement 
helps to ensure that all relevant partners needed to achieve the 
project goals are included from the outset.
    Further, a key priority of the Department is to promote equity in 
student access to educational resources and opportunities. This 
competition includes a competitive preference priority to encourage 
projects that bridge the purpose of NYCP (to improve Native children 
and youth's college- and career-readiness) and the Secretary's 
supplemental priority on promoting equity in student access to 
educational resources and opportunities by supporting community-led 
projects that engage school-age children in career exploration 
opportunities, with an emphasis on learning about the teaching 
profession. For example, applicants could propose projects that are 
designed to provide middle and high school students with career 
exploration opportunities such as: Classes about the teaching 
profession, hands-on teaching experience, guided support and mentorship 
from an experienced educator, college credit toward a future degree, 
and resources to know where and how to pursue a degree in education. By 
increasing exploration of the teaching profession among Native youth, 
the Department hopes to recruit future educators from traditionally 
underrepresented backgrounds or the communities they serve.
    Priorities: This competition includes one absolute priority and 
three competitive preference priorities. In accordance with 34 CFR 
75.105(b)(2)(ii), the absolute priority is from 34 CFR 263.20 and 
263.21(c)(1); Competitive Preference Priority 1 is from 34 CFR 
263.21(b)(1); and Competitive

[[Page 9332]]

Preference Priority 2 is from 34 CFR 263.21(b)(2). Competitive 
Preference Priority 3 is from the Secretary's Final Supplemental 
Priorities and Definitions for Discretionary Grant Programs published 
in the Federal Register on December 10, 2021 (86 FR 70612) 
(Supplemental Priorities).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2022 and any subsequent year in which we 
make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this priority.
    This priority is:
    Native Youth Community Projects.
    To meet this priority, applicants must propose a project that 
fulfills the requirements of a Native Youth Community Project, as 
defined in this notice. In accordance with this definition, such a 
project must be designed to ensure that local Indian students are 
prepared for college and careers.
    A native youth community project is:
    (1) Focused on a defined local geographic area;
    (2) Centered on the goal of ensuring that Indian students are 
prepared for college and careers;
    (3) Informed by evidence, which could be either a needs assessment 
conducted within the last three years or other data analysis, on--
    (i) The greatest barriers, both in and out of school, to the 
readiness of local Indian students for college and careers;
    (ii) Opportunities in the local community to support Indian 
students; and
    (iii) Existing local policies, programs, practices, service 
providers, and funding sources;
    (4) Focused on one or more barriers or opportunities with a 
community-based strategy or strategies and measurable objectives;
    (5) Designed and implemented through a partnership of various 
entities, which--
    (i) Must include--
    (A) One or more Tribes or their Tribal education agencies; and
    (B) One or more BIE-funded schools, one or more local educational 
agencies (LEAs), or both; and
    (ii) May include other optional entities, including community-based 
organizations, national nonprofit organizations, and Alaska regional 
corporations; and
    (6) Led by an entity that--
    (i) Is eligible for a grant under the Demonstration Grants for 
Indian Children and Youth program; and
    (ii) Demonstrates, or partners with an entity that demonstrates, 
the capacity to improve outcomes that are relevant to the project focus 
through experience with programs funded through other sources.
    Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2022 and any subsequent 
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications 
from this competition, these priorities are competitive preference 
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we award an additional 5 
points to an application that meets Competitive Preference Priority 1, 
or an additional 3 points to an application that meets Competitive 
Preference Priority 2. An applicant can receive points under either 
Competitive Preference Priority 1 or 2, but not both. In addition, we 
award an additional 7 points to an application that meets Competitive 
Preference Priority 3. An application that meets Competitive Preference 
Priorities 1 and 3 can be awarded a maximum of 12 priority points. An 
application that meets Competitive Preference Priorities 2 and 3 can be 
awarded a maximum of 10 priority points.
    These priorities are:
    Competitive Preference Priority 1: Tribal Lead Applicants (0 or 5 
points).
    To meet this priority, an application must be submitted by an 
Indian Tribe, Indian organization, school funded by the Bureau of 
Indian Education (BIE-funded school), or Tribal college or university 
(TCU) that is eligible to participate in the Demonstration program. A 
group application submitted by a consortium that meets the requirements 
of 34 CFR 75.127 through 75.129 or submitted by a partnership is 
eligible to receive the preference only if the lead applicant for the 
consortium is the Indian Tribe, Indian organization, BIE-funded school, 
or TCU.
    Competitive Preference Priority 2: Tribal Partnership (0 or 3 
points).
    To meet this priority, an application must be submitted by a 
consortium of eligible entities that meets the requirements of 34 CFR 
75.127 through 75.129 or submitted by a partnership if the consortium 
or partnership: (1) Includes an Indian Tribe, Indian organization, BIE-
funded school, or TCU; and (2) is not eligible to receive the 
preference under Competitive Preference Priority 1.
    Competitive Preference Priority 3: Promoting Equity in Student 
Access to Educational Resources and Opportunities (0 to 7 points).
    Under this priority, an applicant must demonstrate that the 
applicant proposes a project designed to promote educational equity and 
adequacy in resources and opportunity for underserved students--
    (1) In one or more of the following educational settings:
    (i) Elementary school.
    (ii) Middle school.
    (iii) High school.
    (iv) Career and technical education programs.
    (iv) Out-of-school-time settings.
    (vi) Alternative schools and programs.
    (2) That examines the sources of inequity and inadequacy and 
implements responses, and that includes increasing the number and 
proportion of experienced, fully certified, in-field, and effective 
educators, and educators from traditionally underrepresented 
backgrounds or the communities they serve, to ensure that underserved 
students have educators from those backgrounds and communities and are 
not taught at disproportionately higher rates by uncertified, out-of-
field, and novice teachers compared to their .peers \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ All strategies to increase racial diversity of educators 
must comply with applicable law, including Title VI of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Application Requirements: For FY 2022 and any subsequent year in 
which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, applicants must meet the following application 
requirements, which are from section 6121 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7441) 
and 34 CFR 263.22. Each application must contain--
    (a) A description of how Indian Tribes and parents and families of 
Indian children and youth have been, and will be, involved in 
developing and implementing the proposed activities;
    (b) Assurances that the applicant will participate, at the request 
of the Secretary, in any national evaluation of this program;
    (c) Information demonstrating that the proposed project is 
evidence-based, where applicable, or is based on an existing evidence-
based program that has been modified to be culturally appropriate for 
Indian students;
    (d) A description of how the applicant will continue the proposed 
activities once the grant period is over;
    (e) Evidence, which could be either a needs assessment conducted 
within the last three years or other data analysis, of--
    (1) The greatest barriers, both in and out of school, to the 
readiness of local Indian students for college and careers;
    (2) Opportunities in the local community to support Indian 
students; and
    (3) Existing local policies, programs, practices, service 
providers, and funding sources;

[[Page 9333]]

    (f) A copy of an agreement signed by the partners in the proposed 
project, identifying the responsibilities of each partner in the 
project. The agreement can be either--
    (1) A consortium agreement that meets the requirements of 34 CFR 
75.128, if each of the entities are eligible entities under this 
program; or
    (2) Another form of partnership agreement, such as a memorandum of 
understanding or a memorandum of agreement, if not all the partners are 
eligible entities under this program;
    (g) A plan, which includes measurable objectives, to evaluate 
reaching the project goal or goals;
    (h) An assurance that--
    (1) Services will be supplemental to the education program provided 
by local schools attended by the students to be served;
    (2) Funding will be supplemental to existing sources, such as 
Johnson O'Malley funding; and
    (3) The availability of funds for supplemental special education 
and related services (i.e., services that are not part of the special 
education and related services, supplementary aids and services, and 
program modifications or supports for school personnel that are 
required to make a free appropriate public education (FAPE) available 
under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 
to a child with a disability in conformity with the child's 
individualized education program or the regular or special education 
and related aids and services required to make FAPE available under a 
Section 504 plan, if any) does not affect the right of the child to 
receive FAPE under Part B of the IDEA or Section 504, and the 
respective implementing regulations.
    Statutory Hiring Preference:
    (a) Awards that are primarily for the benefit of Indians are 
subject to the provisions of section 7(b) of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (Pub. L. 93-638). That 
section requires that, to the greatest extent feasible, a grantee--
    (1) Give to Indians preferences and opportunities for training and 
employment in connection with the administration of the grant; and
    (2) Give to Indian organizations and to Indian-owned economic 
enterprises, as defined in section 3 of the Indian Financing Act of 
1974 (25 U.S.C. 1452(e)), preference in the award of contracts in 
connection with the administration of the grant.
    (b) For purposes of this preference, an Indian is a is a member of 
any federally recognized Indian Tribe.
    Definitions: The following definitions apply to this competition. 
The definition of ``evidence-based'' is from section 8101(21) of the 
ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7801(21)), and the definitions of ``Indian,'' ``Indian 
organization,'' ``Parent,'' ``Native youth community project,'' and 
``Tribal college or university'' are from 34 CFR 263.20. The 
definitions of ``demonstrates a rationale,'' ``relevant outcome,'' 
``project component,'' and ``logic model'' 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.
    Evidence-based, when used with respect to a State, LEA, or school 
activity, means an activity, strategy, or intervention that--
    (1) Demonstrates a statistically significant effect on improving 
student outcomes or other relevant outcomes based on--
    (i) Strong evidence from at least 1 well-designed and well-
implemented experimental study;
    (ii) Moderate evidence from at least 1 well-designed and well-
implemented quasi-experimental study; or
    (iii) Promising evidence from at least 1 well-designed and well-
implemented correlational study with statistical controls for selection 
bias; or
    (2)(i) Demonstrates a rationale based on high-quality research 
findings or positive evaluation that such activity, strategy, or 
intervention is likely to improve student outcomes or other relevant 
outcomes; and
    (ii) Includes ongoing efforts to examine the effects of such 
activity, strategy, or intervention.
    Indian means an individual who is--
    (1) A member of an Indian Tribe or band, as membership is defined 
by the Indian Tribe or band, including any Tribe or band terminated 
since 1940, and any Tribe or band recognized by the State in which the 
Tribe or band resides;
    (2) A descendant of a parent or grandparent who meets the 
requirements described in paragraph (1) of this definition;
    (3) Considered by the Secretary of the Interior to be an Indian for 
any purpose;
    (4) An Eskimo, Aleut, or other Alaska Native; or
    (5) A member of an organized Indian group that received a grant 
under the Indian Education Act of 1988 as it was in effect on October 
19, 1994.
    Indian organization means an organization that--
    (1) Is legally established--
    (i) By Tribal or inter-Tribal charter or in accordance with State 
or Tribal law; and
    (ii) With appropriate constitution, by-laws, or articles of 
incorporation;
    (2) Includes in its purposes the promotion of the education of 
Indians;
    (3) Is controlled by a governing board, the majority of which is 
Indian;
    (4) If located on an Indian reservation, operates with the sanction 
of or by charter from the governing body of that reservation;
    (5) Is neither an organization or subdivision of, nor under the 
direct control of, any institution of higher education or TCU; and
    (6) Is not an agency of State or local government.
    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.
    Native youth community project means a project that is--
    (1) Focused on a defined local geographic area;
    (2) Centered on the goal of ensuring that Indian students are 
prepared for college and careers;
    (3) Informed by evidence, which could be either a needs assessment 
conducted within the last three years or other data analysis, on--
    (i) The greatest barriers, both in and out of school, to the 
readiness of local Indian students for college and careers;
    (ii) Opportunities in the local community to support Indian 
students; and
    (iii) Existing local policies, programs, practices, service 
providers, and funding sources;
    (4) Focused on one or more barriers or opportunities with a 
community-based strategy or strategies and measurable objectives;
    (5) Designed and implemented through a partnership of various 
entities, which--
    (i) Must include--
    (A) One or more Tribes or their Tribal education agencies; and
    (B) One or more BIE-funded schools, one or more LEAs, or both; and
    (ii) May include other optional entities, including community-based 
organizations, national nonprofit organizations, and Alaska regional 
corporations; and
    (6) Led by an entity that--
    (i) Is eligible for a grant under the Demonstration program; and

[[Page 9334]]

    (ii) Demonstrates, or partners with an entity that demonstrates, 
the capacity to improve outcomes that are relevant to the project focus 
through experience with programs funded through other sources.
    Parent includes a legal guardian or other person standing in loco 
parentis (such as a grandparent or stepparent with whom the child 
lives, or a person who is legally responsible for the child's welfare).
    Project component means an activity, strategy, intervention, 
process, product, practice, or policy included in a project. Evidence 
may pertain to an individual project component or to a combination of 
project components (e.g., training teachers on instructional practices 
for English learners and follow-on coaching for these teachers).
    Relevant outcome means the student outcome(s) or other outcome(s) 
the key project component is designed to improve, consistent with the 
specific goals of the program.
    Tribal College or University (TCU) means an accredited college or 
university within the United States cited in section 532 of the Equity 
in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994, any other institution 
that qualifies for funding under the Tribally Controlled College or 
University Assistance Act of 1978, and the Navajo Community College, 
authorized in the Navajo Community College Assistance Act of 1978.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7441.
    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 Guidelines to 
Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 
2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department 
in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 
200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR 
part 3474. (d) The program regulations in 34 CFR part 263. (e) The 
Supplemental Priorities.
    Note: The open licensing requirement in 2 CFR 3474.20 does not 
apply to this program.
    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:
    The Administration has requested $67,993,000 for the Special 
Programs for Indian Children program for FY 2022, of which we intend to 
use an estimated $18,000,000 for this competition. The actual level of 
funding, if any, depends on final 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 FY 2023 and subsequent 
years from the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $400,000-$500,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $475,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 40.
    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
    Project Period: Up to 60 months.
    Note: Under ESEA section 6121(d)(1)(C), the Secretary awards grants 
for an initial period of not more than 36 months and may renew them for 
up to 24 months if the Secretary determines that the grantee has made 
substantial progress in carrying out activities under the grant.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: The following entities, either alone or in 
a consortium, are eligible under this program:
    (a) An SEA.
    (b) An LEA, including charter schools that are considered LEAs 
under State law.
    (c) An Indian Tribe.
    (d) An Indian organization.
    (e) A federally supported elementary school or secondary school for 
Indian students.
    (f) A TCU.
    2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses an 
unrestricted indirect cost rate. For more information regarding 
indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please 
see www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/intro.html.
    c. Administrative Cost Limitation: Under ESEA section 6121(e), no 
more than five percent of the funds awarded for a grant may be used for 
administrative costs.
    3. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award 
subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities 
described in its application.
    4. Other: Projects funded under this competition should budget for 
a two-day Project Directors' meeting in Washington, DC during each year 
of the project period.

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 27, 2021 (86 FR 73264) and available at 
www.federalregister.gov/d/2021-27979, which contain requirements and 
information on how to submit an application. Please note that these 
Common Instructions supersede the version published on February 13, 
2019, and, in part, describe the transition from the requirement to 
register in SAM.gov a DUNS number to the implementation of the UEI. 
More information on the phase-out of DUNS numbers is available at 
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ofo/docs/unique-entity-identifier-transition-fact-sheet.pdf.
    2. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of 
projects that may be proposed in applications for the Demonstration 
program, your application may include business information that you 
consider proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11 we define ``business information'' 
and describe the process we use in determining whether any of that 
information is proprietary and, thus, protected from disclosure under 
Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552, as 
amended).
    Because we plan to make successful applications available to the 
public by posting them on our website, you may wish to request 
confidentiality of business information.
    Consistent with Executive Order 12600, please designate in your 
application any information that you believe is exempt from disclosure 
under Exemption 4. In the appropriate Appendix section of your 
application, under ``Other Attachments Form,'' please list the page 
number or numbers on which we can find this information. For additional 
information please see 34 CFR 5.11(c).
    3. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. 
Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal

[[Page 9335]]

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 30 pages and (2) use the 
following standards:
    <bullet> A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller 
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
    <bullet> 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, the letter(s) of support, or the signed consortium 
agreement. 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. Notice of Intent to Apply: The Department will be able to review 
grant applications more efficiently if we know the approximate number 
of applicants that intend to apply. Therefore, we strongly encourage 
each potential applicant to notify us of their intent to submit an 
application. To do so, please email the program contact person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT with the subject line ``Intent to 
Apply,'' and include the applicant's name and a contact person's name 
and email address. Applicants that do not submit a notice of intent to 
apply may still apply for funding; applicants that do submit a notice 
of intent to apply are not bound to apply or bound by the information 
provided.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition 
are from 34 CFR 263.24 and 34 CFR 75.210. The maximum score for 
addressing each criterion and factor within each criterion, is included 
in parentheses. The maximum score for these criteria is 100 points.
    (a) Need for project (10 points). The Secretary considers the need 
for the proposed project. In determining the need for the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (1) The extent to which specific gaps or weaknesses in services, 
infrastructure, or opportunities have been identified and will be 
addressed by the proposed project, including the nature and magnitude 
of those gaps or weaknesses. (Up to 4 points)
    (2) The magnitude of the need for the services to be provided or 
the activities to be carried out by the proposed project. (Up to 3 
points)
    (3) The extent to which the proposed project will provide services 
or otherwise address the needs of students at risk of educational 
failure. (Up to 3 points)
    (b) Quality of project design (37 points). The Secretary considers 
the quality of the design of the proposed project. In determining the 
quality of the design of the proposed project, the Secretary considers 
the following factors:
    (1) The extent to which the design for implementing and evaluating 
the proposed project will result in information to guide possible 
replication of project activities or strategies, including information 
about the effectiveness of the approach or strategies employed by the 
project. (Up to 10 points)
    (2) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable. 
(Up to 5 points)
    (3) The extent to which the design of the proposed project includes 
a thorough, high-quality review of the relevant literature, a high-
quality plan for project implementation, and the use of appropriate 
methodological tools to ensure successful achievement of project 
objectives. (Up to 7 points)
    (4) The extent to which the proposed project demonstrates a 
rationale (as defined in this notice). (Up to 10 points)
    (5) The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use 
of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the 
intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and 
qualitative data to the extent possible. (Up to 5 points)
    (c) Quality of project personnel (12 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the personnel who will carry out the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    (1) 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 6 points)
    (2) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of the project director or principal investigator. (Up to 3 points)
    (3) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of key project personnel. (Up to 3 points)
    (d) Quality of project services (10 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the project services. In determining the 
quality of project services, the Secretary considers the following 
factors:
    (1) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed 
project involve the collaboration of appropriate partners for 
maximizing the effectiveness of project services. (Up to 5 points)
    (2) The extent to which the services to be offered would meet the 
needs of the local population, as demonstrated by an analysis of 
community-level data, including direct input from parents and families 
of Indian children and youth. (Up to 5 points)
    (e) Quality of the management plan (24 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the management plan for the proposed project. 
In determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (1) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives 
of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly 
defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing 
project tasks. (Up to 14 points)
    (2) How the applicant will ensure that a diversity of perspectives 
are brought to bear in the operation of the proposed project, including 
those of parents, teachers, the business community, a variety of 
disciplinary and professional fields, recipients or beneficiaries of 
services, or others, as appropriate. (Up to 5 points)
    (3) The extent to which the proposed project is designed to build 
capacity and yield results that will extend beyond the period of 
Federal financial assistance. (Up to 5 points)
    (f) Quality of the project evaluation (7 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the evaluation to be conducted of the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of the

[[Page 9336]]

evaluation, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (1) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward 
achieving intended outcomes. (Up to 4 points)
    (2) The extent to which the evaluation will provide guidance about 
effective strategies suitable for replication or testing in other 
settings. (Up to 3 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).
    3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.206, before awarding grants under this program, the Department 
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 
200.208, the Secretary may impose specific conditions and, under 2 CFR 
3474.10, in appropriate circumstances, high-risk conditions on a grant 
if the applicant or grantee is not financially stable; has a history of 
unsatisfactory performance; has a financial or other management system 
that does not meet the standards in 2 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not 
fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not 
responsible.
    4. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this 
competition to receive an award that over the course of the project 
period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently 
$250,000), under 2 CFR 200.206(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your 
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal 
awards--that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant--before we make 
an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that 
is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as 
the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System 
(FAPIIS)), accessible through the System for Award Management. You may 
review and comment on any information about yourself that a Federal 
agency previously entered and that is currently in FAPIIS.
    Please note that, if the total value of your currently active 
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the 
Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity 
information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal 
funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.
    5. In General: In accordance with the Office of Management and 
Budget's guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal 
laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department will review and 
consider applications for funding pursuant to this notice inviting 
applications in accordance with--
    (a) Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering 
results based on the program objectives through an objective process of 
evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR 200.205);
    (b) Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video 
surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the 
National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) (2 CFR 
200.216);
    (c) Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to 
maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United 
States (2 CFR 200.322); and
    (d) Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest 
extent authorized by law if an award no longer effectuates the program 
goals or agency priorities (2 CFR 200.340).

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN); or we may send you an email containing a link to 
access an electronic version of your GAN. We may notify you informally, 
also. If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify 
administrative and national policy requirements in the application 
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable 
Regulations section of this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and 
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also 
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding 
commitments under the grant.
    3. 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.
    (c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may provide a grantee 
with additional funding for data collection analysis and reporting. In 
this case the Secretary establishes a data collection period.
    5. Performance Measures: For the purposes of Department reporting 
under 34 CFR 75.110, we developed the following performance measures 
for measuring the overall effectiveness of the Demonstration program:
    (1) The percentage of the annual measurable objectives, as 
described in the application, that are met by grantees; and
    (2) The percentage of grantees that report a significant increase 
in community collaborative efforts that promote college and career 
readiness of Indian children.
    These measures constitute the Department's indicators of success 
for this program. Consequently, we advise an applicant for a grant 
under this program to carefully consider these measures in 
conceptualizing the approach to, and evaluation for, its proposed 
project. Each grantee will be required to provide, in its annual 
performance and final reports, data about its progress in meeting these 
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

[[Page 9337]]

the goals and objectives of the project; whether the grantee has 
expended funds in a manner that is consistent with its approved 
application and budget; and, if the Secretary has established 
performance measurement requirements, whether the grantee has made 
substantial progress in achieving the performance targets in the 
grantee's approved application.
    In making a continuation award, the Secretary also considers 
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in 
its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil 
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities 
receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

VII. Other Information

    Accessible Format: On request to the program contact person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, individuals with disabilities 
can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an 
accessible format. The Department will provide the requestor with an 
accessible format that may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or text 
format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large print, 
audiotape, or compact disc, or other accessible format.
    Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may 
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of 
Federal Regulations at www.govinfo.gov. At this site you can view this 
document, as well as all other documents of this Department published 
in the Federal Register, in text or Portable Document Format (PDF). To 
use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at 
the site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal Register by using the article search feature at 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

Ruth E. Ryder,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Programs, Office of 
Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2022-03510 Filed 2-17-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P


</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>