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[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 92 (Thursday, May 14, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22729-22732]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-11202]

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview 
Information; Vocational Rehabilitation Services Projects for American 
Indians with Disabilities; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards 
for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.250A.
    Applications Available: May 19, 2009.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 23, 2009.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program is to provide 
vocational rehabilitation (VR) services to American Indians with 
disabilities who reside on or near Federal or State reservations, 
consistent with their individual strengths, resources, priorities, 
concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice, so 
that they may prepare for and engage in gainful employment, including 
self-employment, telecommuting, or business ownership.
    Priority: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv), this priority 
is from section 121(b)(4) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended 
(29 U.S.C. 741).
    Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2009, this priority is a 
competitive preference priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we award 
up to an additional 10 points to an application, depending on how well 
the application meets this priority.
    This priority is:

Continuation of Previously Funded Tribal Programs

    In making new awards under this program, we give priority 
consideration to applications for the continuation of vocational 
rehabilitation service programs that have been funded under the 
Vocational Rehabilitation Services Projects for American Indians with 
Disabilities program.

    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 741.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 80, 81, 82, 
84, 85, and 97. (b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR parts 
369 and 371.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $6,079,350.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $315,000-$412,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $380,000.
    Maximum Award: For applicants that are proposing to continue a 
program that is currently funded under the Vocational Rehabilitation 
Services Projects for American Indians with Disabilities program, the 
maximum award amount for the first project year is the greater of (a) 
$365,000 or (b) an amount equal to 103 percent of the applicant's 
approved budget for the applicant's FY 2008 grant (an increase of 3 
percent). For applicants that are proposing to establish a new program 
under the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Projects for American 
Indians with Disabilities program, the maximum award amount for the 
first project year is $365,000.
    In addition, the Secretary may limit any proposed increases in 
funding for project years two through five to the annual estimated 
percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers 
(CPIU).
    Estimated Number of Awards: 15.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: The governing bodies of Indian Tribes (and 
consortia of those governing bodies) located on Federal and State 
reservations.

    Note: Indian Tribe is defined in the program regulations at 34 
CFR 371.4 as ``any Federal or State Indian band, rancheria, pueblo, 
colony, and community, including any Alaskan native village or 
regional village corporation (as defined in or established pursuant 
to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act).''

[[Page 22730]]

    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: See 34 CFR 371.40.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: Education Publications 
Center (ED Pubs), 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: [email protected].
    If you request an application package from ED Pubs, be sure to 
identify this competition as follows: CFDA number 84.250A.
    Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application 
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, 
or computer diskette) by contacting the person or team listed under 
Accessible Format in section VIII of this notice.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you 
must submit, are in the application package for this competition.
    3. Submission Dates and Times: Applications Available: May 19, 
2009. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 23, 2009.
    Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted 
electronically using the Electronic Grant Application System (e-
Application) accessible through the Department's e-Grants system, or in 
paper format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including dates 
and times) about how to submit your application electronically, or by 
mail or hand delivery, please refer to section IV. 6. Other Submission 
Requirements of this notice.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact 
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII 
of this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the 
application process, the individual's application remains subject to 
all other requirements and limitations in this notice.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is not subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under 
this competition may be submitted electronically or in paper format by 
mail or hand delivery.

a. Electronic Submission of Applications

    If you choose to submit your application to us electronically, you 
must use e-Application, accessible available through the Department's 
e-Grants portal page at: http://e-grants.ed.gov.
    While completing your electronic application, you will be entering 
data online that will be saved into a database. You may not e-mail an 
electronic copy of a grant application to us.
    Please note the following:
     Your participation in e-Application is voluntary.
     You must complete the electronic submission of your grant 
application by 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. The e-Application system will not accept an application 
for this competition after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the 
application deadline date. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do 
not wait until the application deadline date to begin the application 
process.
     The regular hours of operation of the e-Grants Web site 
are 6:00 a.m. Monday until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday; and 6:00 a.m. Thursday 
until 8:00 p.m. Sunday, Washington, DC time. Please note that, because 
of maintenance, the system is unavailable between 8:00 p.m. on Sundays 
and 6:00 a.m. on Mondays, and between 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and 6:00 
a.m. on Thursdays, Washington, DC time. Any modifications to these 
hours are posted on the e-Grants Web site.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you 
if you submit your application in paper format.
     You must submit all documents electronically, including 
all information you typically provide on the following forms: the 
Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), the Department of 
Education Supplemental Information for SF 424, Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and 
certifications. You must attach any narrative sections of your 
application as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF 
(Portable Document) format. If you upload a file type other than the 
three file types specified in this paragraph or submit a password 
protected file, we will not review that material.
     Your electronic application must comply with any page 
limit requirements described in this notice.
     Prior to submitting your electronic application, you may 
wish to print a copy of it for your records.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive an automatic acknowledgment that will include a PR/Award number 
(an identifying number unique to your application).
     Within three working days after submitting your electronic 
application, fax a signed copy of the SF 424 to the Application Control 
Center after following these steps:
    (1) Print SF 424 from e-Application.
    (2) The applicant's Authorizing Representative must sign this form.
    (3) Place the PR/Award number in the upper right hand corner of the 
hard-copy signature page of the SF 424.
    (4) Fax the signed SF 424 to the Application Control Center at 
(202) 245-6272.
     We may request that you provide us original signatures on 
other forms at a later date.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of System 
Unavailability: If you are prevented from electronically submitting 
your application on the application deadline date because the e-
Application system is unavailable, we will grant you an extension of 
one business day to enable you to transmit your application 
electronically, by mail, or by hand delivery. We will grant this 
extension if--
    (1) You are a registered user of e-Application and you have 
initiated an electronic application for this competition; and
    (2) (a) The e-Application system is unavailable for 60 minutes or 
more between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, 
on the application deadline date; or
    (b) The e-Application system is unavailable for any period of time 
between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the 
application deadline date.
    We must acknowledge and confirm these periods of unavailability 
before granting you an extension. To request this extension or to 
confirm our acknowledgment of any system unavailability, you may 
contact either

[[Page 22731]]

(1) the person listed elsewhere in this notice under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT (see VII. Agency Contact) or (2) the e-Grants help 
desk at 1-888-336-8930. If the e-Application system is unavailable due 
to technical problems with the system and, therefore, the application 
deadline is extended, an e-mail will be sent to all registered users 
who have initiated an e-Application.
    Extensions referred to in this section apply only to the 
unavailability of the Department's e-Application system. If the e-
Application system is available, and, for any reason, you are unable to 
submit your application electronically or you do not receive an 
automatic acknowledgment of your submission, you may submit your 
application in paper format by mail or hand delivery in accordance with 
the instructions in this notice.

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 following address: 
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
(CFDA Number 84.250A), 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 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 
84.250A), 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza, 
Washington, DC 20202-4260.
    The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily 
between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, except 
Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays.

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

V. Application Review Information

    Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are 
from 34 CFR 75.210 of EDGAR and are listed in the application package. 
The selection criteria may total 100 points, plus the 10 competitive 
preference priority points (see section I. Competitive Preference 
Priority).

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN). We may notify you informally, also.
    If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify 
administrative and national policy requirements in the application 
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable 
Regulations section of this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and 
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also 
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding 
commitments under the grant.
    3. Reporting: At the end of your project period, you must submit a 
final performance report, including financial information, as directed 
by the Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an 
annual performance report that provides the most current performance 
and financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary 
under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent 
performance reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements 
on reporting, please go to http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    4. Performance Measures: Under the Government Performance and 
Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), the Department has established three 
performance measures for the Vocational Rehabilitation Services 
Projects for American Indians with Disabilities program. The measures 
are (1) the percentage of individuals who leave the program with an 
employment outcome, (2) the percentage of projects that demonstrate an 
average annual cost per employment outcome of no more than $35,000, and 
(3) the percentage of projects that demonstrate an average annual cost 
per participant of no more than $10,000. Each grantee must annually 
report its performance on these measures through the Annual Progress 
Reporting Form for the American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation 
Services program (APR Form).

Job Training and Employment Common Measures

    In addition, this program is part of the job training and 
employment common measures initiative. The common measures for job 
training and employment programs targeting adults are (1) entered 
employment (percentage employed in the first quarter after program 
exit); (2) retention in employment (percentage of those employed in the 
first quarter after exit that were still employed in the second and 
third quarter after program exit); (3) average weekly earnings (average 
earnings of those participants who are employed in the first, second, 
and third quarters after the exit quarter); and (4) the annual cost per 
participant.
    The AIVRS Annual Progress Reporting Form, approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) on September 5, 2008, has been revised to 
collect data needed to assess the Vocational Rehabilitation Services 
Projects for American Indians with Disabilities program's performance 
on supplemental measures that are comparable to the job training and 
employment common measures. Each grantee will be required to collect 
the report data for these supplemental measures as part of the annual

[[Page 22732]]

performance report requirement, including information on: (1) The 
number of individuals whose case record has not been closed, but have 
not received project services for 90 consecutive calendar days, (2) the 
number of eligible individuals who were employed three months after 
achieving the employment outcome, (3) the number of eligible 
individuals who were employed six months after achieving an employment 
outcome, (4) the average weekly earnings at entry, and (5) the average 
weekly earnings of the individuals whose employment outcomes resulted 
in earnings.

    Note: For purposes of this section VI. 4., the term ``employment 
outcome'' has the meaning provided in 34 CFR 369.4.

VII. Agency Contact

    For Further Information Contact: August Martin, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5088, PCP, Washington, DC 
20202-2800. Telephone: (202) 245-7410 or by e-mail: 
[email protected].
    If you use a TDD, 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 computer diskette) by 
contacting the Grants and Contracts Services Team, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5075, PCP, Washington, DC 
20202-2550. Telephone: (202) 245-7363. If you use a TDD, call the FRS, 
toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
    Electronic Access to This Document: You can view this document, as 
well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal 
Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the 
Internet at the following site: http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister.
    To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available 
free at this site. 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.

    Delegation of Authority: The Secretary of Education has delegated 
authority to Andrew J. Pepin, Executive Administrator for the Office of 
Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, to perform the functions 
of the Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services.

    Dated: May 8, 2009.
Andrew J. Pepin,
Executive Administrator for the Office of Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services.
 [FR Doc. E9-11202 Filed 5-13-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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