[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 9, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52332-52337]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20906]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), 
Overview Information; National Institute on Disability and 
Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)--Small Business Innovation Research 
Program (SBIR)--Phase I; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards 
for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.133S-1.
    DATES:
    Applications Available: September 9, 2008.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: November 10, 2008.

[[Page 52333]]

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program is to stimulate 
technological innovation in the private sector, strengthen the role of 
small business in meeting Federal research or research and development 
(R/R&D) needs, increase the commercial application of the U.S. 
Department of Education (Department) supported research results, and 
improve the return on investment from federally funded research for 
economic and social benefits to the Nation.

    Note: This program is in concert with President George W. Bush's 
New Freedom Initiative (NFI) and NIDRR's Final Long-Range Plan for 
FY 2005-2009 (Plan). The NFI can be accessed on the Internet at the 
following site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/newfreedom.

    The Plan, which was published in the Federal Register on February 
15, 2006 (71 FR Doc 8166), can be accessed on the Internet at the 
following site: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/nidrr/policy.html.
    Through the implementation of the NFI and the Plan, NIDRR seeks to: 
(1) Improve the quality and utility of disability and rehabilitation 
research; (2) foster an exchange of expertise, information, and 
training to facilitate the advancement of knowledge and understanding 
of the unique needs of individuals with disabilities from traditionally 
underserved populations; (3) determine best strategies and programs to 
improve rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with disabilities from 
underserved populations; (4) identify research gaps; (5) identify 
mechanisms of integrating research and practice; and (6) disseminate 
findings.
    NIDRR Supports Manufacturing-Related Innovation (Executive Order 
13329): Executive Order 13329 states that continued technological 
innovation is critical to a strong manufacturing sector in the United 
States economy and ensures that Federal agencies assist the private 
sector in its manufacturing innovation efforts. The Department's SBIR 
program encourages innovative research and development (R&D) projects 
that are manufacturing-related, as defined by Executive Order 13329. 
Manufacturing-related R&D encompasses improvements in existing methods 
or processes, or wholly new processes, machines, or systems. The 
projects supported under the Department's SBIR program encompass a 
range of manufacturing-related R&D, including projects leading to the 
manufacture of such items as artificial intelligence or information 
technology devices, software, and systems. For more information on 
Executive Order 13329, please visit the following Web site: http://www.sba.gov/sbir/execorder.html or contact Lynn Medley at: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#066a7f6868286b63626a637f46636228616970"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="117d687f7f3f7c74757d74685174753f767e67">[email protected]</span></a>.

Background

    The Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000 (Act) was enacted on 
December 21, 2000. The Act requires certain agencies, including the 
Department, to establish SBIR programs by reserving a statutory 
percentage of their extramural R&D budgets to be awarded to small 
business concerns through a uniform, highly competitive three-phase 
process.
    The three phases of the SBIR program are:
    Phase I: Phase I projects determine, insofar as possible, the 
scientific or technical merit and feasibility of ideas submitted under 
the SBIR program. An application for Phase I should concentrate on 
research that will significantly contribute to proving the scientific 
or technical feasibility of the approach or concept. Scientific or 
technical feasibility is a prerequisite to further support by the 
Department in Phase II.
    Phase II: Phase II projects expand on the results of and further 
pursue the development of Phase I projects. Phase II is the principal 
R/R&D effort of the SBIR program. Applications for Phase II projects 
must be more comprehensive than applications for Phase I projects; 
Phase II applications must outline the proposed effort in detail, 
including the commercial potential of projects or processes developed 
or researched during the Phase I project. Phase II applicants must be 
Phase I grantees with approaches that appear sufficiently promising as 
a result of their efforts in Phase I. Phase II awards are for periods 
of up to two years in amounts up to a maximum total of $500,000 over a 
period of two years.
    Phase III: In Phase III, the small business grantee must use non-
SBIR capital to pursue commercial applications of the R/R&D. Also, 
under Phase III, Federal agencies may award non-SBIR follow-on funding 
for products or processes that meet the needs of those agencies.
    All SBIR projects funded by NIDRR must address the needs of 
individuals with disabilities and their families. (See 29 U.S.C. 762.) 
Activities may include: conducting manufacturing-related R&D that 
encompasses improvements in existing methods or processes, or wholly 
new processes, machines, or systems; exploring the uses of technology 
to ensure equal access to education, employment, community 
environments, and information for individuals with disabilities; and 
improving the quality and utility of disability and rehabilitation 
research.
    Priorities: Under this competition we are particularly interested 
in applications that address one of the following priorities.
    Invitational Priorities: For FY 2009 these priorities are 
invitational priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an 
application that meets one of these invitational priorities a 
competitive or absolute preference over other applications.
    These priorities are:
    Each of the following priorities relate to innovative research 
utilizing new technologies to address the needs of individuals with 
disabilities and their families. Applicants who choose to respond to 
one of the invitational priorities must propose projects whose 
activities contribute to one of the following outcomes:
    (1) Increased independence of individuals with disabilities in the 
workplace, recreational settings, or educational settings through the 
development of technology to support access and promote integration of 
individuals with disabilities.
    (2) Enhanced sensory or motor function of individuals with 
disabilities through the development of technology to support improved 
functional capacity.
    (3) Enhanced workforce participation through the development of 
technology to support access to employment, promote sustained 
employment, and promote employment advancement for individuals with 
disabilities.
    (4) Enhanced community participation and living for individuals 
with disabilities through the development of accessible information 
technology including Web access technology, software, and other systems 
and devices that promote access to information in educational, 
employment, and community settings, and voting technology that improves 
access for individuals with disabilities.
    (5) Improved interventions and increased use of health-care 
resources through the development of technology to support independent 
access to health-care services in the community for individuals with 
disabilities.
    Applicants should describe the approaches they expect to use to 
collect empirical evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of the 
technology they are proposing. This empirical evidence should 
facilitate the assessment of the

[[Page 52334]]

efficacy and usefulness of the technology.

    Note: NIDRR encourages applicants to adhere to universal design 
principles and guidelines. Universal design is defined as ``the 
design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to 
the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or 
specialized design'' (The Center for Universal Design, 1997). 
Accessible design of consumer products minimizes or alleviates 
barriers that reduce the ability of individuals with disabilities to 
effectively or safely use standard consumer products. (For more 
information see http://www.trace.wisc.edu/docs/consumer_product_guidelines/consumer.pcs/disabil.htm ).

    Reference: The Center for Universal Design. (1997). The Principles 
of Universal Design, Version 2.0. Raleigh, NC: North Carolina State 
University. Web: www.design.ncsu.edu.
    Program Authority: The Small Business Act, Pub. L. 85-536, as 
amended (15 U.S.C. 631 and 638), and title II of the Rehabilitation Act 
of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 760, et seq.).
    Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 81, 82, 84, 
85, 97, 98, and 99.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested 
$105,700,000 for the National Institute on Disability and 
Rehabilitation Research for FY 2009, of which we intend to use an 
estimated $1,125,000 for new Phase I awards under the SBIR program. 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.

    Note: The estimated amount of funds available for new Phase I 
awards is based upon the estimated threshold SBIR allocation for 
OSERS, minus prior commitments for Phase II continuation awards.

    Estimated Range of Awards: $70,000-$75,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $75,000.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding $75,000 for a single budget period of up to six 
months. The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services may change the maximum amount through a notice 
published in the Federal Register.

    Note: The maximum award amount includes direct and indirect 
costs and fees.

    Estimated Number of Awards: 15.

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

    Maximum Project Period: We will reject any application that 
proposes a project period that exceeds a single budget period of up to 
six months. The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services may change the maximum project period through a 
notice published in the Federal Register.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Entities that are, at the time of award, 
small business concerns as defined by the Small Business Administration 
(SBA). This definition is included in the application package.
    All technology, science, or engineering firms with strong research 
capabilities in any of the priority areas listed in this notice are 
encouraged to participate.
    Consultative or other arrangements between these firms and 
universities or other non-profit organizations are permitted, but the 
small business concern must serve as the grantee. For Phase I projects, 
at least two-thirds of the research and/or analytic activities must be 
performed by the proposing small business concern. Furthermore, the 
total of all consultant fees, facility leases or usage fees, and other 
subcontracts or purchase agreements may not exceed one-third of the 
total funding award.
    If it appears that an applicant organization does not meet the 
eligibility requirements, we will request an evaluation by the SBA. 
Under circumstances in which eligibility is unclear, we will not make 
an SBIR award until the SBA makes a determination.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.

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: 
Education Publications Center, P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794-1398. 
Telephone, toll free: 1-877-433-7827. FAX: (301) 470-1244. 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.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html or at its e-mail address: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bdd8d9cdc8dfcefdd4d3d8c993d8d993dad2cb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="80e5e4f0f5e2f3c0e9eee5f4aee5e4aee7eff6">[email protected]</span></a>.
    If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify 
this competition as follows: CFDA number 84.133S-1.
    Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application 
package in an alternative format (e.g. , Braille, large print, 
audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the person listed under 
Alternative 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 25 
pages, excluding any documentation of prior multiple Phase II awards, 
if applicable, and required forms, using 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> Single space all text in the application narrative. Single 
space 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).
    The page limit does not apply to Part I, the coversheet; 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, the letters of support; related 
application(s) or award(s); or documentation of multiple Phase II 
awards, if applicable. 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.
    The application package will provide instructions for completing 
all components to be included in the application. Each application must 
include a cover sheet (Standard Form 424); budget requirements (ED Form 
524) and narrative justification; other required forms; an abstract, 
Human Subjects narrative, Part III narrative; resume of staff; and 
other related materials, if applicable.

[[Page 52335]]

    3. Content Restrictions: If an applicant chooses to respond to more 
than one invitational priority, the applicant must submit a separate 
application for each priority. There is no limitation on the number of 
different applications that an applicant may submit under this 
competition. An applicant may submit separate applications on different 
priorities, or different applications on the same priority. However, an 
applicant may address only one priority in an application.
    The Plan is organized around the following research domains and 
arenas: (1) Community Living and Participation; (2) Health and 
Function; (3) Technology; (4) Employment; and (5) Demographics. 
Applicants should indicate, for each application, the domain or arena 
under which they are applying. In their applications, applicants should 
clearly indicate whether they are applying for a research grant in the 
area of (1) Community Living and Participation; (2) Health and 
Function; (3) Technology; (4) Employment; or (5) Demographics. No more 
than one designation should be selected for each application.
    4. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: September 9, 2008.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: November 10, 2008.
    Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted 
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov), or in 
paper format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including dates 
and times) about how to submit your application electronically, or in 
paper format by mail or hand delivery, 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 
in 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.
    5. Intergovernmental Review: This program is not subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
    6. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section in this notice.
    7. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under 
this program may be submitted electronically or in paper format by mail 
or hand delivery.
    a. Electronic Submission of Applications.
    To comply with the President's Management Agenda, we are 
participating as a partner in the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site. 
The SBIR Program, CFDA Number 84.133S-1, is included in this project. 
We request your participation in Grants.gov.
    If you choose to submit your application electronically, you must 
use the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site at http://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 e-mail an electronic copy of a grant 
application to us.
    You may access the electronic grant application for the SBIR 
Program at: http://www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable 
application package for this competition by the CFDA number. Do not 
include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g. , search 
for 84.133, not 84.133S).
    Please note the following:
    <bullet> Your participation in Grants.gov is voluntary.
    <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 4:30:00 
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 4:30:00 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 
4:30:00 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 at http://e-Grants.ed.gov/help/GrantsgovSubmissionProcedures.pdf.
    <bullet> To submit your application via Grants.gov, you must 
complete all steps in the Grants.gov registration process (see http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp ). These steps include 
(1) registering your organization, a multi-part process that includes 
registration with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR); (2) 
registering yourself as an Authorized Organization Representative 
(AOR); and (3) getting authorized as an AOR by your organization. 
Details on these steps are outlined in the Grants.gov 3-Step 
Registration Guide (see http://www.grants.gov/section910/Grants.govRegistrationBrochure.pdf). You also must provide on your 
application the same D-U-N-S Number used with this registration. Please 
note that the registration process may take five or more business days 
to complete, and you must have completed all registration steps to 
allow you to submit successfully an application via Grants.gov. In 
addition you will need to update your CCR registration on an annual 
basis. This may take three or more business days to complete.
    <bullet> You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you 
if you submit your application in paper format.
    <bullet> If you submit your application electronically, you must 
submit all documents electronically, including all information you 
typically provide on the following forms: 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. Please note 
that two of these forms--the SF 424 and the Department of Education 
Supplemental Information for SF 424--have replaced the ED 424 
(Application for Federal Education Assistance).

[[Page 52336]]

    <bullet> If you submit your application electronically, 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.
    <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 e-mail. 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 in 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.

    b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.
    If you submit your application in paper format by mail (through the 
U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier), you must mail the 
original and two copies of your application, on or before the 
application deadline date, to the Department at the applicable 
following address:

By mail through the U.S. Postal Service: U.S. Department of Education, 
Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.133S-1), 400 
Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-4260; or

By mail through a commercial carrier: U.S. Department of Education, 
Application Control Center, Stop 4260, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.133S-
1), 7100 Old Landover Road, Landover, MD 20785-1506.

    Regardless of which address you use, 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 submit your application in paper format by hand delivery, 
you (or a courier service) 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 84.133S-
1) 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

    Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are 
from 35 CFR 75.210 of EDGAR 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 Notice 
(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 in this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable Regulations section in 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

[[Page 52337]]

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: To evaluate the overall success of its 
research program, NIDRR assesses the quality of its funded projects 
through review of grantee performance and products. Each year, NIDRR 
examines, through expert review, a portion of its grantees to 
determine:
    <bullet> The degree to which the grantees are conducting high-
quality research, as reflected in the appropriateness of study designs, 
the rigor with which accepted standards of scientific and engineering 
methods are applied, and the degree to which the research builds on and 
contributes to the level of knowledge in the field; and
    <bullet> The number of new or improved assistive and universally 
designed technologies, products, and devices developed by grantees that 
are deemed to improve rehabilitation services and outcomes, enhance 
opportunities for participation by individuals with disabilities, and 
are successfully transferred to industry or other private entities for 
potential commercialization.

VII. Agency Contact

    For Further Information Contact: Lynn Medley, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 6027, Potomac Center Plaza, 
Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245-7338 or by e-mail: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0e4277606020436b6a626b774e6b6a20696178">[email protected]</a>.
    If you use a TDD, call the TDD number at (202) 205-4475.

VIII. Other Information

    Alternative Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document and a copy of the application package in an alternative 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 
Federal Relay Service, 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. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. 
Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in 
the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512-1530.

    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: September 4, 2008.
Tracy R. Justesen,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. E8-20906 Filed 9-8-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P


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