Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/04/28/2015-09832/applications-for-new-awards-indian-education-discretionary-grants-programs-demonstration-grants-for
Timestamp: 2018-12-14 12:06:04
Document Index: 658179281

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 75', 'art 180', 'art 3485', 'art 200', 'art 3474', 'art 263', 'art 79', 'art 263']

Federal Register :: Applications for New Awards; Indian Education Discretionary Grants Programs-Demonstration Grants for Indian Children Program
Applications for New Awards; Indian Education Discretionary Grants Programs-Demonstration Grants for Indian Children Program
A Notice by the Education Department on 04/28/2015
80 FR 23514
23514-23520 (7 pages)
2015-09832
Competitive Preference Priority Three
Competitive Preference Priority Four
Competitive Preference Priority Five
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2015-09832 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2015-09832
This PDF is the current document as it appeared on Public Inspection on 04/27/2015 at 8:45 am.
Overview Information: Indian Education Discretionary Grants Programs—Demonstration Grants for Indian Children Program Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2015.
Applications Available: April 28, 2015.
Deadline for Notice of Intent To Apply: June 2, 2015.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 29, 2015.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 26, 2015.
Background: The priority for Native Youth Community Projects is a new priority under the Demonstration Grants program and a major part of the Generation Indigenous (Gen-I) Initiative. These projects will provide funding to support community-driven, comprehensive projects to help American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children become college- and career-ready.
Given the interconnectedness of in-school and out-of-school factors, the Department intends to award several grants to encourage a community-wide approach to providing academic, social, and other support services, for AI/AN students and students' family members that will result in improved educational outcomes, and specifically college- and career-readiness. Grantees' project evaluations will help inform future practices that effectively improve outcomes for AI/AN youth.
Priorities: This competition contains one absolute priority and five competitive preference priorities. In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(ii), the absolute priority is from the notice of final regulations (34 CFR 263.21(c)(1) and 263.20) for this program (NFR), published in the Federal Register on April 22, 2015 (80 FR 22403). In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv), competitive preference priority one is from section 263.21(c)(5) of the NFR, competitive preference priorities two and four are from section 263.21(b) of the NFR, competitive preference priority three paragraph (b) is from section 263.21(c)(2) of the NFR, and competitive preference priority five is from section 263.21(a) of the NFR. Competitive preference priority three paragraph (a) (relating to Promise Zones) is from the notice of final priority published in the Federal Register on March 27, 2014 (79 FR 17035).
This priority is: Native Youth Community Projects.
A native youth community project is—
(iii) Existing local policies, programs, practices, service providers, and funding sources;Start Printed Page 23515
(B) One or more Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)-funded schools, one or more local educational agencies (LEAs), or both; and
Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2015 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition, these priorities are competitive preference priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we will award up to an additional 9 points to an application, depending on how well the application meets one or more of these priorities.
We award three points to an application proposing to serve a rural local community. To meet this priority, a project must include an LEA that is eligible under the Small Rural School Achievement (SRSA) or Rural and Low-Income School (RLIS) programs or a BIE-funded school that is located in an area designated by the U.S. Census Bureau with a locale code of 42 or 43.
We award three points to an application submitted by an eligible Indian tribe, Indian organization, or Indian institution of higher education (IHE). A consortium of eligible entities or a partnership is eligible to receive the points only if the lead applicant is an Indian tribe, Indian organization, or Indian IHE.
We award two points to an application that is either—
An application will not receive points for both (a) and (b).
We award one point to an application that is not eligible under Priority 2 and is submitted by a consortium of eligible entities or a partnership that includes an Indian tribe, Indian organization, or Indian IHE.
We award one point to an application with a plan for combining two or more of the activities described in section 7121(c) of the ESEA over a period of more than one year.
Applications that propose a project to meet the absolute priority will likely meet this competitive preference priority.
Application Requirements: The following requirements apply to all applications submitted under this competition and are from section 263.22 of the NFR, published in the Federal Register on April 22, 2015 (80 FR 22403). Each application must contain:
(a) A description of how Indian tribes and parents of Indian children have been, and will be, involved in developing and implementing the proposed activities.
(b) Assurances that the applicant will participate, at the request of the Secretary, in any national evaluation of this program.
(c) Information demonstrating that the proposed project is based on scientific research, where applicable, or an existing program that has been modified to be culturally appropriate for Indian students.
(d) A description of how the applicant will continue the proposed activities once the grant period is over.
(e) Evidence, which could be either a needs assessment conducted within the last three years or other data analysis, of—
(1) The greatest barriers, both in and out of school, to the readiness of local Indian students for college and careers;
(2) Opportunities in the local community to support Indian students; and
(3) Existing local policies, programs, practices, service providers, and funding sources.
(f) A copy of an agreement signed by the partners in the proposed project, identifying the responsibilities of each partner in the project. The agreement can be either—
(1) A consortium agreement that meets the requirements of 34 CFR 75.128, if each of the entities are eligible entities under this program; or
(2) Another form of partnership agreement, such as a memorandum of understanding or a memorandum of agreement, if not all the partners are eligible entities under this program.
(g) A plan, which includes measurable objectives, to evaluate reaching the project goal or goals.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The OMB 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. (d) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 263, including the recent amendments of the NFR, published in the Federal Register on April 22, 2015 (80 FR 22403).
Start Printed Page 23516
Estimated Range of Awards: $400,000-600,000.
1. Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants for this program are State educational agencies; LEAs, including charter schools that are considered LEAs under State law; Indian tribes; Indian organizations; BIE-funded schools; Indian institutions (including Indian IHEs); or a consortium of any of these entities.
An application from a consortium of eligible entities must meet the requirements of 34 CFR 75.127 through 75.129, including the requirement to include a signed consortium agreement with the application. Letters of support do not meet the requirement for a consortium agreement.
Applicants applying in a consortium with or as an Indian organization must demonstrate that they meet the definition of “Indian organization” in 34 CFR 263.20.
The term “Indian institution of higher education” means an accredited college or university within the United States cited in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note), any other institution that qualifies for funding under the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), and Dine College (formerly Navajo Community College) authorized in the Navajo Community College Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 640a et seq.).
To obtain a copy via the Internet, use the following address: www.ed.gov/​gund/​grant/​apply/​grantapps/​index.html.
If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify this program or competition as follows: CFDA number 84.299A.
Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) by contacting the person or team listed under For Further Information Contact in section VII of this notice.
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, the Assistant Secretary strongly encourages each potential applicant to notify us of their intent to submit an application for funding. To do so, please email David.Emenheiser@ed.gov with the subject line “Intent to Apply,” and include the following information:
1. Applicant's name, mailing address, and phone number;
2. Contact person's name and email address;
Pre-Application Webinar: The Department intends to hold a pre-application Webinar designed to provide technical assistance to interested applicants. Information about Webinar times and instructions for registering are on the Department Web site at http://www2.ed.gov/​programs/​indiandemo/​applicant.html.
Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. The suggested page limit for the application narrative is 35 pages. The suggested standards for the narrative include:
Use a font that is 12 point or larger but no smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
The suggested page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the budget section, including the budget narrative justification; the consortium agreement or partnership agreement; the assurances and certifications; or the abstract, the resumes, the bibliography, or other required attachments.
b. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of projects that may be proposed in applications for the Demonstration Grants for Indian Children, an application may include business information that the applicant considers proprietary. The Department's regulations define “business information” in 34 CFR 5.11.
Consistent with E. O. 12600, please designate in your application any information that you feel is exempt from disclosure under Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act. In the appropriate Appendix section of your application, under “Other Attachment Form,” please list the page number or numbers on which we can find this information. For additional information please see 34 CFR 5.11(c).
Applications Available: April 28, 2015.Start Printed Page 23517
4. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to E. O. 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under E. O. 12372 is in the application package for this competition.
In addition, if you are submitting your application via Grants.gov, you must (1) be designated by your organization as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR); and (2) register yourself with Grants.gov as an AOR. Details on these steps are outlined at the following Grants.gov Web page: www.grants.gov/​web/​grants/​register.html
Applications for grants under the Indian Education—Demonstration Grants for Indian Children program, CFDA number 84.299A, must be submitted electronically using the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site at www.Grants.gov. Through this site, you will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit your application. You may not email an electronic copy of a grant application to us.
You may access the electronic grant application for the Indian Education—Demonstration Grants for Indian Children program at www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable application package for this program by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for 84.299, not 84.299A).
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 Start Printed Page 23518deadline date to begin the submission process through Grants.gov.
Address and mail or fax your statement to: David E. Emenheiser, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 3W215, Washington, DC 20202-6335. FAX: (202) 401-0606.
If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier) your application to the Department. You must mail the original and two copies of your application, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.299A) LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20202-4260.
If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver your paper application to the Department by hand. You must deliver the original and two copies of your application by hand, Start Printed Page 23519on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.299A) 550 12th Street SW., Room 7039, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.
1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition include general selection criteria from 34 CFR 75.210 and selection criteria based on regulatory requirements in 34 CFR part 263, including the recent amendments of the NFR, published in the Federal Register on April 22, 2015 (80 FR 22403), in accordance with 34 CFR 75.209(a). 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. Need for project (Maximum 15 points). The Secretary considers the need for the proposed project. In determining the need for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factor:
(i) The extent to which the project is informed by evidence, which could be either a needs assessment conducted within the last three years or other data analysis, of:
(1) The greatest barriers both in and out of school to the readiness of local Indian students for college and careers;
b. Quality of the project design (Maximum 25 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 project is focused on a defined local geographic area.
(ii) The extent to which the proposed project is based on scientific research, where applicable, or an existing program that has been modified to be culturally appropriate for Indian students.
(iv) The extent to which the design of the proposed project is appropriate to, and will successfully address, the needs of the target population or other identified needs.
(v) The extent to which the proposed project is supported by strong theory (as defined in 34 CFR 77.1(c)).
(vi) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed project involve the collaboration of appropriate partners for maximizing the effectiveness of project services.
c. Quality of project personnel (Maximum 10 points). The Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will carry out the proposed project. In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary considers the extent to which the applicant encourages applications for employment from persons who are members of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
Please note that section 7(b) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act requires that to the greatest extent feasible, a grantee must give to Indians preference and opportunities in connection with the administration of the grant, and give Indian organizations and 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.
d. Adequacy of resources (Maximum 10 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 the following factors:
(i) The relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in the proposed project to the implementation and success of the project.
e. Quality of Experience (Maximum 10 points). The Secretary considers the quality of experience for the proposed project. In determining the quality of experience for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factor:
The extent to which the applicant, or one of its partners, demonstrates capacity to improve outcomes that are relevant to the project focus through experience with programs funded through other sources.
f. Quality of the management plan (Maximum 20 points). The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for the proposed project. In determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(iii) The extent to which Indian tribes and parents of Indian children have been, and will be, involved in developing and implementing the proposed activities.
g. Quality of the project evaluation (Maximum 10 points). The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be conducted of the proposed project. In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary considers the following factors:
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 Start Printed Page 23520objectives, 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.
4. Performance Measures: Under the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), the Department has developed the following performance measures for measuring the overall effectiveness of the Demonstration Grants for Indian Children program:
(1) The percentage of the annual measurable objectives, as described in the application, that are met by grantees; and
(2) The percentage of grantees that report a significant increase in community collaborative efforts that promote college and career readiness of Indian children.
These measures constitute the Department's indicators of success for this program. Consequently, we advise an applicant for a grant under this program to give careful consideration to these measures in developing the proposed project and identifying the method of evaluation. Each grantee will be required to provide, in its annual performance and final reports, data about its progress in meeting these measures.
David E. Emenheiser, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 3W215, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 260-1488 or by email: david.emenheiser@ed.gov.
[FR Doc. 2015-09832 Filed 4-27-15; 8:45 am]