Source: https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2019/06/13/2019-12500.html
Timestamp: 2020-04-08 06:29:55
Document Index: 346300237

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 75', 'art 180', 'art 3485', 'art 200', 'art 3474', 'art 79', 'art 79', 'art 200', 'art 200', 'art 200', 'art 170', 'arts 75', 'art 180', 'art 3485', 'art 200', 'art 3474', 'art 371']

Applications for New Awards; State Tribal Education Partnership (STEP)-Tribal Education Agency Development Discretionary Grant Program (STEP Development), 27619-27623 [2019-12500] :: Department Of Education :: Regulation Tracker :: Justia
Justia Regulation Tracker Department Of Education Applications for New Awards; State Tribal Education Partnership (STEP)-Tribal Education Agency Development Discretionary Grant Program (STEP Development), 27619-27623 [2019-12500]
Applications for New Awards; State Tribal Education Partnership (STEP)-Tribal Education Agency Development Discretionary Grant Program (STEP Development), 27619-27623 [2019-12500]
Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 114 / Thursday, June 13, 2019 / Notices Full Text of Announcement DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Applications for New Awards; State Tribal Education Partnership (STEP)— Tribal Education Agency Development Discretionary Grant Program (STEP Development) Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice. The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2019 for State Tribal Education Partnership (STEP), Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 84.415A. This notice relates to the approved information collection under OMB control number 1894–0006. SUMMARY: DATES: Applications Available: June 13, 2019. Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: June 28, 2019. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 12, 2019. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: October 11, 2019. Pre-Application Webinar Information: The Department will hold a preapplication meeting via webinar for prospective applicants on a date to be determined. Individuals interested in attending this meeting are encouraged to pre-register by emailing their name, organization, and contact information with the subject heading ‘‘STEP GRANTS PRE-APPLICATION MEETING’’ to shahla.ortega@ed.gov. There is no registration fee for attending this meeting. 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 February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768), and available at www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-201902-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf. ADDRESSES: khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahla Ortega, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 3W245, Washington, DC 20202– 6450. Telephone: (202) 453–5602. Email: shahla.ortega@ed.gov. 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: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:55 Jun 12, 2019 Jkt 247001 I. Funding Opportunity Description Purpose of Program: The purposes of the STEP program are to: (1) Promote Tribal self-determination in education; (2) improve the academic achievement of Indian children and youth; and (3) promote the coordination and collaboration of Tribal educational agencies (TEAs) with State educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational agencies (LEAs) to meet the unique education and culturally related academic needs of Indian students. Background: STEP was revised under section 6132 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to include oneyear grants to Indian Tribes (as defined in this notice) that do not have a TEA, or Tribal organizations approved by an Indian Tribe that do not have a TEA, to develop a TEA. Our intent for this competition is to provide one-year grants to support Tribes’ creation of TEAs (as defined in this notice) so that they will be eligible to apply for a three-year STEP grant in future fiscal years. Therefore, we have designed elements of this competition to maximize alignment between the oneand three-year programs. For example, in order to receive funding, an applicant must demonstrate that it has at least one full-time employee on staff who works exclusively on education issues. We believe that it will be critically important for Indian Tribes receiving a one-year STEP grant to have staff in place from the beginning of their projects in order to successfully meet program outcomes and have a TEA in place by the end of the project period and, thus, be eligible to compete for a three-year grant in future fiscal years. We also require that, at the end of the one-year project, grantees be able to demonstrate that they meet the program outcomes and have at least two other characteristics of a successful TEA, in addition to having at least one full-time employee dedicated to education issues. In accordance with the Department’s commitment to engage in regular and meaningful consultation and collaboration with Indian Tribes, the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), Office of Indian Education (OIE), and the White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education conducted a Tribal Consultation regarding the reauthorized STEP program. Consistent with the Department’s trust responsibility to Tribes and its Tribal Consultation Policy, OESE consulted with elected officials of federally recognized Tribes to ensure that their PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 27619 views inform OESE’s policy decisions related to the priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria that govern this competition. OIE will respond to the Tribal Consultation in a separate correspondence. At the Tribal Consultation there was significant interest in providing opportunities for Tribes that do not have a TEA to create one. This notice respects this Tribal interest by is establishing an invitational priority, definitions, and requirements consistent with supporting the creation of new TEAs. In addition, the Department remains focused on supporting innovative strategies for improving delivery of educational services to the Nation’s students, consistent with the Secretary’s Supplemental Priority entitled ‘‘Promoting Innovation and Efficiency, Streamlining Education with an Increased Focus on Improving Student Outcomes, and Providing Increased Value to Students and Taxpayers’’ (83 FR 9096). In the context of the FY 2019 STEP competition, we are especially interested in Tribes’ and Tribal organizations’ approaches to forming TEAs that are well-positioned to deliver services that will meet the specific needs of the Native students in their communities, further promoting Tribal self-determination in education. We believe that applicants may be better positioned to create successful and sustainable TEAs if they work closely with other organizations in the community from the beginning. For example, we believe that engaging meaningfully with community stakeholders may help Tribes lay the groundwork for how their TEAs will develop school improvement plans or native language assessments, or revise schoolwide project plans, under Title I, Part A of the ESEA. Therefore, we are including an invitational priority in this competition for applicants that propose to engage with other stakeholders in the community, such as nonprofit organizations, private organizations, and local businesses, in designing their TEA. Priority: Under this competition we are particularly interested in applications that address the following priority. Invitational Priority: For FY 2019 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, this priority is an invitational priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets this invitational priority a competitive or absolute preference over other applications. This priority is: E:\FR\FM\13JNN1.SGM 13JNN1 khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES 27620 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 114 / Thursday, June 13, 2019 / Notices Promoting Sustainability through Community Engagement. This priority is for applicants who propose to develop their TEA in coordination with local stakeholders, such as nonprofit organizations, private organizations, and local businesses, for the purposes of (1) improving alignment of planned educational services to be delivered by the TEA with the needs of Native students in the community and (2) ensuring sustained community engagement at the end of the 12-month project. Requirements: We are establishing these application and program requirements for the FY 2019 grant competition, and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, in accordance with section 437(d)(1) of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA), 20 U.S.C. 1232(d)(1). Application Requirements: Each application must contain a plan that includes the following: (a) A description of the objectives to be achieved and the activities to be conducted to develop a TEA and to meet the program outcomes in program requirement (c) by the end of this grant period; (b) a timetable for accomplishing each of the objectives and activities that the applicant will undertake to achieve the program outcomes in program requirement (c); (c) an assurance that the applicant does not have a TEA; (d) a description of, and evidence of, past collaboration with State and local education entities; (e) evidence that demonstrates the applicant has resources, including at least one full-time staff member assigned exclusively to support development of the expertise, staffing, and infrastructure needed to establish and sustain a TEA, and may include funding or in-kind resources from the Tribe dedicated to supporting Tribal students’ education; (f) a description of the method to be used for evaluating the effectiveness of the activities for which assistance is sought and for determining whether such objectives are achieved; and (g) for applicants that are Tribal organizations (as defined in this notice), evidence of Tribal approval from every Tribe for which it is applying to be the applicant on their behalf. Under ESEA section 6132(d)(3), in their applications, applicants must also— (h) demonstrate that the eligible applicant has consulted with other education entities, if any, within the VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:55 Jun 12, 2019 Jkt 247001 territorial jurisdiction of the applicant that will be affected by the activities to be conducted under the grant; (i) describe the consultation with such other education entities in the operation and evaluation of the activities conducted under the grant; and (j) demonstrate that there will be adequate resources provided under this program or from other sources to complete the activities for which assistance is sought. Program Requirements: Applicants that receive grants under this program must meet the following requirements: (a) Each grantee must use program funds to create a TEA and meet the program outcomes in paragraph (c). (b) Grantees must engage in collaborative efforts that will allow the TEA to build partnerships with SEAs and LEAs. (c) Program outcomes: At the end of the project period, grantees must demonstrate that their TEA has at least one full-time staff member dedicated to education issues and at least two of the following: (1) A tribally sanctioned education code that is informed by available research on improving Indian student outcomes. (2) Tribally sanctioned and culturally relevant curricula and professional development strategies focused on culturally relevant instruction. (3) A partnership with an SEA or LEA that— (i) Promotes Tribal self-determination in education; (ii) Is designed to improve the academic achievement of Indian children and youth; (iii) Promotes coordination and collaboration with SEAs and LEAs to meet the unique education and culturally related academic needs of Indian students; (iv) Builds capacity to administer and coordinate education programs, and to improve the relationship and coordination with SEAs and LEAs that educate students from the Tribe; (v) Includes training and support from the SEA and LEA to the TEA, in areas such as data collection and analysis, grants management and monitoring, fiscal accountability, and other areas as needed; and (vi) Includes training and support from the TEA to the SEA and LEA in areas related to Tribal history, language, or culture. (4) Committed resources (e.g., funding, staff, office space) from the Tribe or Tribes. ISDEAA Hiring Preference: (a) Awards that are primarily for the benefit of Indians are subject to the PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 section, an Indian is a member of any federally recognized Indian tribe. Definitions: The definitions of ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ and ‘‘Tribal educational agency’’ are from section 6132 of the ESEA. The definition of ‘‘relevant outcome’’ is from 34 CFR 77.1(c). We are establishing the definition of ‘‘Tribal Organization’’ for the FY 2019 grant competition, and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, in accordance with section 437(d)(1) of GEPA, 20 U.S.C. 1232(d)(1). The following definitions apply to this competition: Indian Tribe means a federallyrecognized or a State-recognized Tribe. Relevant outcome means the student outcome(s) or other outcome(s) the key project component is designed to achieve, consistent with the specific goals of the program. Tribal educational agency (TEA) means the agency, department, or instrumentality of an Indian Tribe that is primarily responsible for supporting Tribal students’ elementary and secondary education. Note: For purposes of this program, this term also includes an agency, department, or instrumentality of more than one Tribe, if the Tribes are in close geographic proximity to each other. Tribal organization means an Indian 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, bylaws, 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 E:\FR\FM\13JNN1.SGM 13JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 114 / Thursday, June 13, 2019 / Notices khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES control of, any institution of higher education; and (6) Is not an agency of State or local government. Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553) the Department generally offers interested parties the opportunity to comment on proposed requirements and definitions. Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA, however, allows the Secretary to exempt from rulemaking requirements regulations governing the first grant competition under a new or substantially revised program authority. This is the first grant competition for this program under section 6132 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7452), and, therefore, qualifies for this exemption. In order to ensure timely grant awards, the Secretary has decided to forgo public comment on the requirements and definitions under section 437(d)(1) of GEPA. These requirements and definitions will apply to the FY 2019 competition, and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition. Program Authority: The program is authorized under section 6132(c)(1) of the ESEA, Grants To Tribes For Education, Administrative Planning, Development, And Coordination, 20 U.S.C. 7452. 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 Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Non-procurement) 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 in 2 CFR part 3474. Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants except federally recognized Indian Tribes. II. Award Information Type of Award: Discretionary grants. Estimated Available Funds: $1,600,000. Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent years from the list of unfunded applications from this competition. Estimated Range of Awards: $150,000 to $500,000. Estimated Average Size of Awards: $350,000. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:55 Jun 12, 2019 Jkt 247001 Estimated Number of Awards: 3–10. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. Project Period: Up to 12 months. III. Eligibility Information 1. Eligible Applicants: Indian Tribes that do not have a TEA, Tribal organizations approved by an Indian Tribe that do not have a TEA, or a consortium of such entities. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost sharing or matching. 3. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This program involves supplement-notsupplant funding requirements. 4. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities described in its application. 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 February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768), available at www.govinfo.gov/content/ pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf, which contain information on how to submit an application. 2. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this program. 3. Funding Restrictions: Funding restrictions are outlined in section 6132 (20 U.S.C.7452(3)(e)): (1) An Indian Tribe may not receive funds under this section if such Tribe receives funds under section 1140 of the Education Amendments of 1978 (20 U.S.C. 2020); and (2) no funds under this section may be used to provide direct services. We reference additional regulations outlining funding restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice. 4. 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 50 pages and (2) use the following standards: • A ‘‘page’’ is 8.5″ x 11″, on one side only, with 1″ margins at the top, bottom, and both sides. • Double-space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) all text in the PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 27621 application narrative, including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs. • Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch). • Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, Courier 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, or the letters of support. However, the recommended page limit does apply to all of the application narrative. 5. 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 program are from 34 CFR 75.210. We will award up to 100 points to an application under the selection criteria; the total possible points for each selection criterion are noted in parentheses. a. Quality of the Project Design (Maximum 45 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: (i) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable. (up to 10 points) (ii) The extent to which the proposed project will integrate with or build on similar or related efforts to improve relevant outcomes (as defined in this notice), using existing funding streams from other programs or policies supported by community, State, and Federal resources. (up to 10 points) E:\FR\FM\13JNN1.SGM 13JNN1 khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES 27622 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 114 / Thursday, June 13, 2019 / Notices (iii) The extent to which the proposed project will establish linkages with other appropriate agencies and organizations providing services to the target population. (up to 10 points) (iv) The extent to which the proposed project encourages parental involvement. (up to 10 points) (v) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are appropriate to the context within which the project operates. (up to 5 points) b. Adequacy of Resources (Maximum 40 points). The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources for the proposed project. In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed project, the Secretary considers: (i) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment, supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the lead applicant organization. (up to 10 points) (ii) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of the project director or principal investigator. (up to 10 points) (iii) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of key project personnel. (up to 5 points) (iv) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of project consultants or subcontractors. (up to 5 points) (v) The potential for continued support of the project after Federal funding ends, including, as appropriate, the demonstrated commitment of appropriate entities to such support. (up to 10 points) c. Quality of the Management Plan (Maximum 15 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 extent to which the time commitments of the project director and principal investigator and other key project personnel are appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed project. (up to 15 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:55 Jun 12, 2019 Jkt 247001 In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary also requires various assurances, including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23). 3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 200.205, before awarding grants under this program, the Department conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 3474.10, the Secretary may impose specific conditions and, 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 200.205(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. 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 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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. Open Licensing Requirements: Unless an exception applies, if you are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends only to those modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works. Additionally, a grantee or subgrantee that is awarded competitive grant funds must have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables. This dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional information on the open licensing requirements please refer to 2 CFR 3474.20. 4. 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. E:\FR\FM\13JNN1.SGM 13JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 114 / Thursday, June 13, 2019 / Notices (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 Measure: The number of Tribes that create a TEA by the end of the grant period. VII. Other Information Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) on request to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. 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. Frank T. Brogan, Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education. [FR Doc. 2019–12500 Filed 6–12–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Applications for New Awards; American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS) Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The mission of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is to improve early childhood, educational, and employment outcomes and raise expectations for all people with disabilities, their families, their communities, and the Nation. As such, the Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice inviting khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:55 Jun 12, 2019 Jkt 247001 applications for fiscal year (FY) 2019 for American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services—Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number 84.250M—to partner with Indian Tribes in providing eligible American Indians with disabilities with vocational rehabilitation services. This notice relates to the approved information collection under OMB control number 1820–0018. DATES: Applications Available: June 13, 2019. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 29, 2019. Pre-Application Webinar Information: No later than June 18, 2019, OSERS will post pre-recorded informational webinars designed to provide technical assistance to interested applicants. The webinars will be available at www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/rsa/ new-rsa-grants.html. Pre-Application Q & A Blog: No later than June 18, 2019, OSERS will open a blog where interested applicants may post questions about the application requirements for this competition and where OSERS will post answers to the questions received. OSERS will not respond to questions unrelated to the application requirements for this competition. The blog will be available at www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/rsa/ new-rsa-grants.html and will remain open until July 2, 2019. After the blog closes, applicants should direct questions to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. 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 February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768), and available at www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-201902-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: August Martin, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 5064A, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202–2800. Telephone: (202) 245–7410. Email: August.Martin@ed.gov. 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 this program is to provide vocational PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 27623 rehabilitation (VR) services, including culturally appropriate services, to American Indians with disabilities who reside on or near Federal or State reservations, consistent with such eligible individual’s strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice, so that such individual may prepare for, and engage in, high-quality employment that will increase opportunities for economic selfsufficiency. 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(b)(4)). Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2019, and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, this priority is a competitive preference priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award an additional five points to an application that meets this priority. This priority is: Continuation of Previously Funded Tribal Programs. In making new awards under this program, we give priority to applications for the continuation of programs that have been funded under the AIVRS program. Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 741. Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 81, 82, and 84. (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 regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 371. II. Award Information Type of Award: Discretionary grants. Estimated Available Funds: $21,265,000. Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2020 from the list of unfunded applications from this competition. Estimated Range of Awards: $365,000–$650,000. Estimated Average Size of Awards: $510,000. Estimated Number of Awards: 42. E:\FR\FM\13JNN1.SGM 13JNN1
[Pages 27619-27623]
[FR Doc No: 2019-12500]
Applications for New Awards; State Tribal Education Partnership
(STEP)--Tribal Education Agency Development Discretionary Grant Program
(STEP Development)
inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2019 for State Tribal
Education Partnership (STEP), Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
(CFDA) number 84.415A. This notice relates to the approved information
collection under OMB control number 1894-0006.
pre-application meeting via webinar for prospective applicants on a
date to be determined. Individuals interested in attending this meeting
are encouraged to pre-register by emailing their name, organization,
and contact information with the subject heading ``STEP GRANTS PRE-
APPLICATION MEETING'' to [email protected]. There is no registration
fee for attending this meeting.
Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs published in the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahla Ortega, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 3W245, Washington, DC 20202-
6450. Telephone: (202) 453-5602. Email: [email protected].
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll-free, at 1-
Purpose of Program: The purposes of the STEP program are to: (1)
Promote Tribal self-determination in education; (2) improve the
academic achievement of Indian children and youth; and (3) promote the
coordination and collaboration of Tribal educational agencies (TEAs)
with State educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational agencies
(LEAs) to meet the unique education and culturally related academic
needs of Indian students.
STEP was revised under section 6132 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act (ESEA) to include one-year grants to Indian Tribes (as
defined in this notice) that do not have a TEA, or Tribal organizations
approved by an Indian Tribe that do not have a TEA, to develop a TEA.
Our intent for this competition is to provide one-year grants to
support Tribes' creation of TEAs (as defined in this notice) so that
they will be eligible to apply for a three-year STEP grant in future
fiscal years. Therefore, we have designed elements of this competition
to maximize alignment between the one- and three-year programs. For
example, in order to receive funding, an applicant must demonstrate
that it has at least one full-time employee on staff who works
exclusively on education issues. We believe that it will be critically
important for Indian Tribes receiving a one-year STEP grant to have
staff in place from the beginning of their projects in order to
successfully meet program outcomes and have a TEA in place by the end
of the project period and, thus, be eligible to compete for a three-
year grant in future fiscal years. We also require that, at the end of
the one-year project, grantees be able to demonstrate that they meet
the program outcomes and have at least two other characteristics of a
successful TEA, in addition to having at least one full-time employee
dedicated to education issues.
In accordance with the Department's commitment to engage in regular
and meaningful consultation and collaboration with Indian Tribes, the
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), Office of Indian
Education (OIE), and the White House Initiative on American Indian and
Alaska Native Education conducted a Tribal Consultation regarding the
reauthorized STEP program. Consistent with the Department's trust
responsibility to Tribes and its Tribal Consultation Policy, OESE
consulted with elected officials of federally recognized Tribes to
ensure that their views inform OESE's policy decisions related to the
priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria that
govern this competition. OIE will respond to the Tribal Consultation in
a separate correspondence. At the Tribal Consultation there was
significant interest in providing opportunities for Tribes that do not
have a TEA to create one. This notice respects this Tribal interest by
is establishing an invitational priority, definitions, and requirements
consistent with supporting the creation of new TEAs.
In addition, the Department remains focused on supporting
innovative strategies for improving delivery of educational services to
the Nation's students, consistent with the Secretary's Supplemental
Priority entitled ``Promoting Innovation and Efficiency, Streamlining
Providing Increased Value to Students and Taxpayers'' (83 FR 9096). In
the context of the FY 2019 STEP competition, we are especially
interested in Tribes' and Tribal organizations' approaches to forming
TEAs that are well-positioned to deliver services that will meet the
specific needs of the Native students in their communities, further
promoting Tribal self-determination in education. We believe that
applicants may be better positioned to create successful and
sustainable TEAs if they work closely with other organizations in the
community from the beginning. For example, we believe that engaging
meaningfully with community stakeholders may help Tribes lay the
groundwork for how their TEAs will develop school improvement plans or
native language assessments, or revise schoolwide project plans, under
Title I, Part A of the ESEA. Therefore, we are including an
invitational priority in this competition for applicants that propose
to engage with other stakeholders in the community, such as nonprofit
organizations, private organizations, and local businesses, in
designing their TEA.
Invitational Priority: For FY 2019 and any subsequent year in which
This priority is for applicants who propose to develop their TEA in
coordination with local stakeholders, such as nonprofit organizations,
private organizations, and local businesses, for the purposes of (1)
improving alignment of planned educational services to be delivered by
the TEA with the needs of Native students in the community and (2)
ensuring sustained community engagement at the end of the 12-month
Requirements: We are establishing these application and program
requirements for the FY 2019 grant competition, and any subsequent year
in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from
this competition, in accordance with section 437(d)(1) of the General
Application Requirements: Each application must contain a plan that
(a) A description of the objectives to be achieved and the
activities to be conducted to develop a TEA and to meet the program
outcomes in program requirement (c) by the end of this grant period;
(b) a timetable for accomplishing each of the objectives and
activities that the applicant will undertake to achieve the program
outcomes in program requirement (c);
(d) a description of, and evidence of, past collaboration with
State and local education entities;
(e) evidence that demonstrates the applicant has resources,
including at least one full-time staff member assigned exclusively to
support development of the expertise, staffing, and infrastructure
needed to establish and sustain a TEA, and may include funding or in-
kind resources from the Tribe dedicated to supporting Tribal students'
(f) a description of the method to be used for evaluating the
effectiveness of the activities for which assistance is sought and for
determining whether such objectives are achieved; and
(g) for applicants that are Tribal organizations (as defined in
this notice), evidence of Tribal approval from every Tribe for which it
is applying to be the applicant on their behalf.
Under ESEA section 6132(d)(3), in their applications, applicants
must also--
(h) demonstrate that the eligible applicant has consulted with
other education entities, if any, within the territorial jurisdiction
of the applicant that will be affected by the activities to be
conducted under the grant;
(i) describe the consultation with such other education entities in
the operation and evaluation of the activities conducted under the
(j) demonstrate that there will be adequate resources provided
under this program or from other sources to complete the activities for
which assistance is sought.
Program Requirements: Applicants that receive grants under this
program must meet the following requirements:
(a) Each grantee must use program funds to create a TEA and meet
the program outcomes in paragraph (c).
(b) Grantees must engage in collaborative efforts that will allow
the TEA to build partnerships with SEAs and LEAs.
(c) Program outcomes: At the end of the project period, grantees
must demonstrate that their TEA has at least one full-time staff member
dedicated to education issues and at least two of the following:
(1) A tribally sanctioned education code that is informed by
available research on improving Indian student outcomes.
(2) Tribally sanctioned and culturally relevant curricula and
professional development strategies focused on culturally relevant
(3) A partnership with an SEA or LEA that--
(ii) Is designed to improve the academic achievement of Indian
(iii) Promotes coordination and collaboration with SEAs and LEAs to
meet the unique education and culturally related academic needs of
Indian students;
(iv) Builds capacity to administer and coordinate education
programs, and to improve the relationship and coordination with SEAs
and LEAs that educate students from the Tribe;
(v) Includes training and support from the SEA and LEA to the TEA,
in areas such as data collection and analysis, grants management and
monitoring, fiscal accountability, and other areas as needed; and
(vi) Includes training and support from the TEA to the SEA and LEA
in areas related to Tribal history, language, or culture.
(4) Committed resources (e.g., funding, staff, office space) from
the Tribe or Tribes.
(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 section, an Indian is a member of any
Definitions: The definitions of ``Indian Tribe'' and ``Tribal
educational agency'' are from section 6132 of the ESEA. The definition
of ``relevant outcome'' is from 34 CFR 77.1(c). We are establishing the
definition of ``Tribal Organization'' for the FY 2019 grant
competition, and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the
list of unfunded applications from this competition, in accordance with
section 437(d)(1) of GEPA, 20 U.S.C. 1232(d)(1). The following
definitions apply to this competition:
the key project component is designed to achieve, consistent with the
Tribal educational agency (TEA) means the agency, department, or
instrumentality of an Indian Tribe that is primarily responsible for
supporting Tribal students' elementary and secondary education.
Note: For purposes of this program, this term also includes an
agency, department, or instrumentality of more than one Tribe, if the
Tribes are in close geographic proximity to each other.
Tribal organization means an Indian organization that--
of or by charter from the governing body of that reservation;
control of, any institution of higher education; and
the opportunity to comment on proposed requirements and definitions.
Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA, however, allows the Secretary to exempt from
rulemaking requirements regulations governing the first grant
competition under a new or substantially revised program authority.
This is the first grant competition for this program under section 6132
of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7452), and, therefore, qualifies for this
decided to forgo public comment on the requirements and definitions
under section 437(d)(1) of GEPA. These requirements and definitions
will apply to the FY 2019 competition, and any subsequent year in which
Program Authority: The program is authorized under section
6132(c)(1) of the ESEA, Grants To Tribes For Education, Administrative
Planning, Development, And Coordination, 20 U.S.C. 7452.
Agencies on Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Non-procurement)
1. Eligible Applicants: Indian Tribes that do not have a TEA,
Tribal organizations approved by an Indian Tribe that do not have a
TEA, or a consortium of such entities.
3. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This program involves supplement-not-
supplant funding requirements.
4. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award
Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768), available at
contain information on how to submit an application.
2. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive
3. Funding Restrictions: Funding restrictions are outlined in
section 6132 (20 U.S.C.7452(3)(e)): (1) An Indian Tribe may not receive
funds under this section if such Tribe receives funds under section
1140 of the Education Amendments of 1978 (20 U.S.C. 2020); and (2) no
funds under this section may be used to provide direct services.
The application narrative is where you, the applicant, address the
selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. We
50 pages and (2) use the following standards:
the bibliography, or the letters of support. However, the recommended
page limit does apply to all of the application narrative.
5. Notice of Intent to Apply: The Department will be able to review
from 34 CFR 75.210. We will award up to 100 points to an application
under the selection criteria; the total possible points for each
selection criterion are noted in parentheses.
a. Quality of the Project Design (Maximum 45 points). The Secretary
(ii) The extent to which the proposed project will integrate with
or build on similar or related efforts to improve relevant outcomes (as
defined in this notice), using existing funding streams from other
programs or policies supported by community, State, and Federal
resources. (up to 10 points)
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(iii) The extent to which the proposed project will establish
services to the target population. (up to 10 points)
(iv) The extent to which the proposed project encourages parental
involvement. (up to 10 points)
(v) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are appropriate
to the context within which the project operates. (up to 5 points)
b. Adequacy of Resources (Maximum 40 points). The Secretary
considers the adequacy of resources for the proposed project. In
determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed project, the
lead applicant organization. (up to 10 points)
experience, of the project director or principal investigator. (up to
experience, of key project personnel. (up to 5 points)
(iv) The qualifications, including relevant training and
experience, of project consultants or subcontractors. (up to 5 points)
commitment of appropriate entities to such support. (up to 10 points)
c. Quality of the Management Plan (Maximum 15 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 extent to which the time
commitments of the project director and principal investigator and
other key project personnel are appropriate and adequate to meet the
objectives of the proposed project. (up to 15 points)
also requires various assurances, including those applicable to Federal
200.205, before awarding grants under this program, the Department
this case, the Secretary establishes a data collection period.
The number of Tribes that create a TEA by the end of the grant