[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 9 (Monday, January 14, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2664-2669]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-00569]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research--Disability and Rehabilitation Research
Projects and Centers Program--Minority-Serving Institution Field-
Initiated Projects
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
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Overview Information: National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)--Disability and Rehabilitation Research
Projects and Centers Program--Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) Field-
Initiated (FI) Projects.
Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY)
2013.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers: 84.133G-4
(Research) and 84.133G-5 (Development).
DATES:
Applications Available: January 14, 2013.
Date of Pre-Application Meeting: February 4, 2013.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: March 15, 2013.
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The purpose of the FI Projects program is to
develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that
maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment,
independent living, family support, and economic and social self-
sufficiency of individuals with disabilities, especially individuals
with the most severe disabilities. Another purpose of the FI Projects
program is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Act).
The purpose of this competition is to improve the capacity of
minority entities to conduct high-quality disability and rehabilitation
research by limiting eligibility for FI research and development grants
to minority entities and Indian tribes. Section 21(b)(2)(A) of the Act
authorizes NIDRR to make awards to minority entities and Indian tribes
to carry out activities authorized under Title II of the Act.
NIDRR makes two types of awards under the FI Projects program:
Research grants and development grants. The MSI FI Projects research
grants will be awarded under CFDA 84.133G-4, and the development grants
will be awarded under CFDA 84.133G-5.
Note: Different selection criteria are used for FI Project
research grants (84.133G-4) and development grants (84.133G-5). An
applicant must clearly indicate in the application whether it is
applying for a research grant (84.133G-4) or a development grant
(84.133G-5) and must address the selection criteria relevant for its
grant type. Without exception, NIDRR will review each application
based on the grant designation made by the applicant. Applications
will be determined ineligible and will not be reviewed if they do
not include a clear designation as a research grant or a development
grant.
In carrying out a research activity under an FI Projects research
grant, a grantee must identify one or more hypotheses and, based on the
hypotheses identified, perform an intensive, systematic study directed
toward (1) new or full scientific knowledge, or (2) understanding of
the subject or problem studied.
In carrying out a development activity under an FI Projects
development grant, a grantee must use knowledge and understanding
gained from research to create materials, devices, systems, or methods
beneficial to the target population, including design and development
of prototypes and processes. ``Target population'' means the group of
individuals, organizations, or other entities expected to be affected
by the project. More than one group may be involved since a project may
affect those who receive services, provide services, or administer
services.
Section 21:
Note: This program is in concert with NIDRR's currently approved
long-range plan (the Plan). The Plan is comprehensive and integrates
many issues relating to disability and rehabilitation research. The
Plan, which was published in the Federal Register on February 15,
2006 (71 FR 8165), can be accessed on the Internet at: www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/nidrr/policy.html.
Through the implementation of the Plan, NIDRR seeks to (1) improve
the quality and utility of disability and rehabilitation research; (2)
foster an exchange of expertise, information, and training methods to
facilitate the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the unique
needs of individuals with disabilities from traditionally underserved
populations; (3) determine the best strategies and programs to improve
rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with disabilities from
underserved populations; (4) identify research gaps; (5) identify
mechanisms for integrating research and practice; and (6) disseminate
findings.
[[Page 2665]]
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 764 and 29 U.S.C. 718.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81,
82, 84, 86, and 97. (b) The Education Department suspension and
debarment regulations in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The regulations for this
program in 34 CFR part 350.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of
higher education only.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested
$106,817,000 for NIDRR for FY 2013, of which we intend to use an
estimated $200,000 for the MSI FI competition. The actual funding, if
any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are inviting
applications to allow enough time to complete the grant process if
Congress appropriates funds for this program.
Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2014 from the list of
unfunded applicants from this competition.
Estimated Range of Awards: $195,000-$200,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $200,000.
Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a
budget exceeding $200,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal
Register.
Note: The maximum amount includes direct and indirect costs.
Estimated Number of Awards: 1.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Maximum Project Period: We will reject any application that
proposes a project period exceeding 36 months. The Assistant Secretary
for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services may change the
maximum project period through a notice published in the Federal
Register.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: Parties eligible to apply for MSI FI
Projects grants are limited to minority entities and Indian tribes as
authorized by section 21(b)(2)(A) of the Act. A minority entity is
defined as a historically black college or university (a part B
institution, as defined in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act
of 1965, as amended), a Hispanic-serving institution of higher
education, an American Indian tribal college or university, or another
institution of higher education whose minority student enrollment is at
least 50 percent.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost sharing is required by 34 CFR
350.62 and will be negotiated at the time of the grant award.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package: You can obtain an
application package via the Internet or from the Education Publications
Center (ED Pubs). To obtain a copy via the Internet, use the following
address: www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html.
To obtain a copy from ED Pubs, write, fax, or call the following:
ED Pubs, U.S. Department of Education, P.O. Box 22207, Alexandria, VA
22304. Telephone, toll free: 1-877-433-7827. FAX: (703) 605-6794. If
you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
telephone (TTY), call, toll free: 1-877-576-7734.
You can contact ED Pubs at its Web site, also: www.EDPubs.gov or at
its email address: edpubs@inet.ed.gov.
If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify
this competition as follows: CFDA number 84.133G-4 or 84.133G-5.
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
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.
Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application)
is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that
reviewers use to evaluate your application. We recommend that you limit
Part III to the equivalent of no more than 50 pages, using 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 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 Part I, the cover
sheet; Part II, the budget section, including the narrative budget
justification; Part IV, the assurances and certifications; or the one-
page abstract, the resumes, the bibliography, or the letters of
support. However, the page limit does apply to all of the application
narrative section.
The application package will provide instructions for completing
all components to be included in the application. Each application must
include a cover sheet (Standard Form 424); budget requirements (ED Form
524) and narrative justification; other required forms; an abstract,
Human Subjects narrative, and Part III narrative; resumes of staff; and
other related materials, if applicable.
Each applicant should consult NIDRR's Plan when preparing its
application. The Plan is organized around the following research
domains and arenas: (1) Community Living and Participation; (2) Health
and Function; (3) Technology; (4) Employment; and (5) Demographics. An
applicant should indicate, for each application, the domain or arena
under which it is applying.
3. Submission Dates and Times:
Applications Available: January 14, 2013.
Date of Pre-Application Meeting: Interested parties are invited to
participate in a pre-application meeting and to receive information and
technical assistance through individual consultation with NIDRR staff.
The pre-application meeting will be held on February 4, 2013.
Interested parties may participate in this meeting by conference call
with NIDRR staff from the Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., Washington, DC
time. NIDRR staff also will be available from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
Washington, DC time, on the same day, by telephone, to provide
information and technical assistance through individual consultation.
For further information or to make arrangements to participate in the
meeting via conference call or for an individual consultation, contact
either Lynn Medley or Marlene Spencer as follows:
Lynn Medley, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW.,
Potomac Center Plaza (PCP), room 5140, Washington, DC 20202-2700.
[[Page 2666]]
Telephone: (202) 245-7338 or by email: lynn.medley@ed.gov.
Marlene Spencer, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue
SW., PCP, room 5133, Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245-
7532 or by email: marlene.spencer@ed.gov.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: March 15, 2013.
Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov). For
information (including dates and times) about how to submit your
application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission
requirement, please refer to section IV.7. 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 program 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. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification
Number, and Central Contractor Registry: To do business with the
Department of Education, you must--
a. Have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and a
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN);
b. Register both your DUNS number and TIN with the Central
Contractor Registry (CCR)--and, after July 24, 2012, with the System
for Award Management (SAM), the Government's primary registrant
database;
c. Provide your DUNS number and TIN on your application; and
d. Maintain an active CCR or SAM registration with current
information while your application is under review by the Department
and, if you are awarded a grant, during the project period.
You can obtain a DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet. A DUNS number
can be created within one business day.
If you are a corporate entity, agency, institution, or
organization, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal Revenue Service.
If you are an individual, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal
Revenue Service or the Social Security Administration. If you need a
new TIN, please allow 2-5 weeks for your TIN to become active.
The CCR or SAM registration process may take five or more business
days to complete. If you are currently registered with the CCR, you may
not need to make any changes. However, please make certain that the TIN
associated with your DUNS number is correct. Also note that you will
need to update your registration annually. This may take three or more
business days to complete. Information about SAM is available at
SAM.gov.
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/aapplicants/get_registered.jsp.
7. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under
this competition must be submitted electronically unless you qualify
for an exception to this requirement in accordance with the
instructions in this section.
a. Electronic Submission of Applications.
Applications for grants under the MSI FI Projects program, CFDA
Number 84.133G-4 (Research) or 84.133G-5 (Development), 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.
We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format
unless, as described elsewhere in this section, you qualify for one of
the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no
later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written
statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these
exceptions. Further information regarding calculation of the date that
is two weeks before the application deadline date is provided later in
this section under Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement.
You may access the electronic grant application for the MSI FI
Projects program--CFDA Number 84.133G-4 (Research) or 84.133G-5
(Development)--at www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable
application package for this competition by the CFDA number. Do not
include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for
84.133, not 84.133G).
Please note the following:
When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find
information about submitting an application electronically through the
site, as well as the hours of operation.
Applications received by Grants.gov are date and time
stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted and must
be date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30:00
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as
otherwise noted in this section, we will not accept your application if
it is received--that is, date and time stamped by the Grants.gov
system--after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application
deadline date. We do not consider an application that does not comply
with the deadline requirements. When we retrieve your application from
Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application
because it was date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system after
4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date.
The amount of time it can take to upload an application
will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the
application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we
strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline
date to begin the submission process through Grants.gov.
You should review and follow the Education Submission
Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are
included in the application package for this competition to ensure that
you submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov
system. You can also find the Education Submission Procedures
pertaining to Grants.gov under News and Events on the Department's G5
system home page at www.G5.gov.
You will not receive additional point value because you
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission
requirement, as described
[[Page 2667]]
elsewhere in this section, and 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 upload any narrative sections and all other
attachments to your application as files in a PDF (Portable Document)
read-only, non-modifiable format. Do not upload an interactive or
fillable PDF file. If you upload a file type other than a read-only,
non-modifiable PDF 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.
After you electronically submit your application, you will
receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that
contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates
receipt by Grants.gov only, not receipt by the Department.) The
Department then will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send
a second notification to you by email. This second notification
indicates that the Department has received your application and has
assigned your application a PR/Award number (a Department-specified
identifying number unique to your application).
We may request that you provide us original signatures on
forms at a later date.
Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical Issues
with the Grants.gov System: If you are experiencing problems submitting
your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov
Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a
Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it.
If you are prevented from electronically submitting your
application on the application deadline date because of technical
problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension
until 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to
enable you to transmit your application electronically or by hand
delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing
instructions described elsewhere in this notice.
If you submit an application after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC
time, on the application deadline date, please contact the person
listed under For Further Information Contact in section VII of this
notice and provide an explanation of the technical problem you
experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk
Case Number. We will accept your application if we can confirm that a
technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that
problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30:00
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The
Department will contact you after a determination is made on whether
your application will be accepted.
Note: The extensions to which we refer in this section apply
only to the unavailability of, or technical problems with, the
Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed
to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before
the application deadline date and time or if the technical problem
you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system.
Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement: You qualify for an
exception to the electronic submission requirement, and may submit your
application in paper format, if you are unable to submit an application
through the Grants.gov system because--
You do not have access to the Internet; or
You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to
the Grants.gov system; and
No later than two weeks before the application deadline
date (14 calendar days or, if the fourteenth calendar day before the
application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, the next business
day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement
to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception
prevents you from using the Internet to submit your application.
If you mail your written statement to the Department, it must be
postmarked no later than two weeks before the application deadline
date. If you fax your written statement to the Department, we must
receive the faxed statement no later than two weeks before the
application deadline date.
Address and mail or fax your statement to: Lynn Medley, U.S.
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., room 5140, PCP,
Washington, DC 20202-2700. FAX: (202) 245-7323.
Your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the
mail or hand delivery instructions described in this notice.
b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.
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:
Applicants must identify either CFDA Number 84.133G-4 (Research) or
84.133G-5 (Development) depending on the designation of their proposed
project. 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 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, on or before the
application deadline date, to the Department at the following address:
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center,
Attention: Applicants must identify either CFDA Number 84.133G-4
(Research) or 84.133G-5 (Development) depending on the designation of
their proposed project. 550 12th Street SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center
Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.
The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily
between
[[Page 2668]]
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 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
1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition
are from 34 CFR 350.54 and 350.55 and are listed in the application
package.
Note: There are two different sets of selection criteria for FI
projects: One set to evaluate applications proposing to carry out
research activities (CFDA 84.133G-4), and a second set to evaluate
applications proposing to carry out development activities (CFDA
84.133G-5). Each applicant will be evaluated using the selection
criteria for the type of project the applicant designates in its
application.
2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition,
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary
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
of Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
Additional factors we consider in selecting an application for an
award are as follows:
The Secretary is interested in outcomes-oriented research or
development projects that use rigorous scientific methodologies. To
address this interest, applicants are encouraged to articulate goals,
objectives, and expected outcomes for the proposed research or
development activities. Proposals should describe how results and
planned outputs are expected to contribute to advances in knowledge,
improvements in policy and practice, and public benefits for
individuals with disabilities. Applicants should propose projects that
are designed to be consistent with these goals. We encourage applicants
to include in their application a description of how results will
measure progress towards achievement of anticipated outcomes (including
a discussion of measures of effectiveness), the mechanisms that will be
used to evaluate outcomes associated with specific problems or issues,
and how the proposed activities will support new intervention
approaches and strategies. Submission of the information identified in
this section is voluntary, except where required by the selection
criteria listed in the application package.
3. Special Conditions: Under 34 CFR 74.14 and 80.12, the Secretary
may impose special 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 34 CFR parts 74 or 80, as applicable; has not fulfilled
the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not responsible.
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: (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 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 www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
Note: NIDRR will provide information by letter to grantees on
how and when to submit the performance report.
4. Performance Measures: NIDRR assesses the quality of its funded
projects through review of grantee performance and products. Each year,
NIDRR examines a portion of its grantees to determine:
The number of products (e.g., new or improved tools,
methods, discoveries, standards, interventions, programs, or devices)
developed or tested with NIDRR funding that have been judged by expert
panels to be of high quality and to advance the field.
The average number of publications per award based on
NIDRR-funded research and development activities in refereed journals.
The percentage of new grants that assess the effectiveness
of interventions, programs, and devices using rigorous and appropriate
methods.
Each grantee must annually report on its performance through
NIDRR's Annual Performance Report (APR) form. NIDRR uses APR
information submitted by grantees to assess progress on these measures.
5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award, the
Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.253, the extent to which a
grantee has made ``substantial progress toward meeting the objectives
in its approved application.'' This consideration includes the review
of a grantee's progress in meeting the targets and projected outcomes
in its approved application, and whether the grantee has expended funds
in a manner that is consistent with its approved application and
budget. In making a continuation grant, the Secretary also considers
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in
its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities
receiving Federal financial
[[Page 2669]]
assistance from the Department (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and
110.23).
VII. Agency Contacts
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynn Medley or Marlene Spencer as
follows:
Lynn Medley, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW.,
room 5140, PCP, Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245-7338 or
by email: lynn.medley@ed.gov.
Marlene Spencer, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW.,
room 5133, PCP, Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245-7532 or
by email: marlene.spencer@ed.gov.
If you use a TDD or TTY, call the Federal Relay Service (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 compact disc) 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 or a TTY, call the FRS,
toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
Electronic Access to This Document: 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 via the Federal Digital System
at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. 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 Adobe 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.
Dated: January 9, 2013.
Michael Yudin,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services.
[FR Doc. 2013-00569 Filed 1-11-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P