[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 207 (Thursday, October 27, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-26661]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: October 27, 1994]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part V
Department of Education
_______________________________________________________________________
Bilingual Vocational Training Program; Inviting Applications for New
Grant Awards for Fiscal Year 1995; Notice
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[CFDA No.: 84.077]
Bilingual Vocational Training Program; Notice Inviting
Applications for New Grant Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1995
Note to Applicants: This notice is a complete application package.
Together with the statute authorizing the program and applicable
regulations governing the program, including the Education Department
General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), this notice contains all of
the information, application forms, and instructions needed to apply
for a grant under this competition.
Purpose of Program: The Bilingual Vocational Training Program
provides financial assistance for bilingual vocational education and
training for limited English proficient out-of-school youth and adults,
to prepare these individuals for jobs in recognized occupations and new
and emerging occupations.
The Bilingual Vocational Training Program supports the National
Education Goal that, by the year 2000, every adult American will be
literate and will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to compete
in a global economy and exercise the rights and responsibilities of
citizenship. The program furthers this goal by helping to improve
vocational education and training for limited English proficient
adults.
Eligible Applicants: State agencies, local educational agencies,
postsecondary educational institutions, private non-profit vocational
training institutions, other non-profit organizations specifically
created to serve or currently serving individuals who normally use a
language other than English.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: December 12, 1994.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: February 2, 1995.
Available funds: $2,209,000.
Estimated Range of Awards: $150,000-$250,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $184,000.
Estimated Number of Awards: 12.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Project Period: Up to 18 months.
Applicable Regulations
(a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations
(EDGAR) as follows:
(1) 34 CFR Part 74 (Administration of Grants to Institutions of
Higher Education, Hospitals and Nonprofit Organizations).
(2) 34 CFR Part 75 (Direct Grant Programs).
(3) 34 CFR Part 77 (Definitions that Apply to Department
Regulations).
(4) 34 CFR Part 79 (Intergovernmental Review of Department of
Education Programs and Activities).
(5) 34 CFR Part 80 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants
and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments).
(6) 34 CFR Part 81 (General Education Provisions Act--Enforcement).
(7) 34 CFR Part 82 (New Restrictions on Lobbying).
(8) 34 CFR Part 85 (Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension
(Nonprocurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free
Workplace (Grants)).
(9) 34 CFR Part 86 (Drug-Free Schools and Campuses).
(b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR Parts 400 and 427.
Content of the Application
(a) An application must--
(1) Provide an assurance that the activities and services for which
assistance is sought will be administered by or under the supervision
of the applicant;
(2) Propose a project of a size, scope and design that will make a
substantial contribution toward carrying out the purpose of the
Bilingual Vocational Training Program;
(3) Contain measurable goals for the enrollment, completion, and
placement of program participants;
(4) Include a comparison of how the applicant's goals take into
consideration any related standards and measures in the geographic area
for the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS) program (42
U.S.C. 681 et seq.) and any Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA)
programs (29 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) and any standards set by the State
Board for Vocational Education for the occupational and geographic
area;
(5) Describe, for each occupation for which training is to be
provided, how successful program completion will be determined and
reported to the Secretary in terms of the academic and vocational
competencies to be demonstrated by enrollees prior to successful
completion and any academic or work credentials expected to be acquired
upon completion; and
(6) Be submitted to the State board for vocational education (State
board) established under section 111 of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational
and Applied Technology Education Act (the Act) for review and comment,
including comment on the relationship of the proposed project to the
State's vocational education program.
(b) An applicant shall include any comments received under
paragraph (a)(6) of this section with the application.
Invitational Priority
Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) the Secretary is particularly interested
in applications that meet the following invitational priority. However,
an application that meets this invitational priority does not receive
competitive or absolute preference over other applications:
Applications that include strategies for developing the applicant's
capacity to continue, expand, or build upon its bilingual vocational
education and training when Federal funding under this competition
ends, as evidenced by such actions as--
(a) Extending training to additional sites that are not funded
under this program;
(b) Integrating the project into the long-term planning of the
applicant;
(c) Committing funding and staffing for continued implementation of
the project;
(d) Incorporating the project into the applicant's organizational
and program structure; or
(e) Establishing and strengthening relationships within the
community, region, or State that will support continuation of the
project.
Selection Criteria
The Secretary uses the following selection criteria to evaluate
applications for new grants under this competition. The maximum score
for all of these criteria is 100 points. The maximum score for each
criterion is indicated in parentheses.
For this competition, the Secretary assigns the 15 points, reserved
in 34 CFR 427.20(b), as follows:
Plan of operation (34 CFR 427.21(b)). Five points are added to this
criterion for a possible total of 20 points.
Demonstration and dissemination (34 CFR 427.21(g)). Ten points are
added to this criterion for a possible total of 20 points.
(a) Need. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each application for
specific information that shows the need for the proposed bilingual
vocational training project in the local geographic area, including--
(1) The employment training need of limited English proficient
individuals to be met;
(2) The labor market need to be met; and
(3) The relationship of the proposed project to other employment
training programs in the community.
(b) Plan of operation. (20 points)
(1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent
to which the project proposes measurable goals for student enrollment,
completion, and placement and describes how the applicant sets the
goals taking into consideration the standards and measures for JOBS
programs and JTPA programs and any standards set by the State Board
established under section 111 of the Act for the occupation and
geographic area.
(2) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent
to which the project defines successful program completion (or
describes how successful program completion will be defined and
reported to the Secretary) in a way consistent with the goals of the
program for each occupation for which training is to be provided.
(3) (i) The Secretary reviews each application for specific
information that, upon completion of their training, more than 65
percent of the trainees will be employed in jobs (including military
specialties) related to their training, or will be enrolled for further
training related to their training under this program. This information
must correspond to the information described in paragraph (a) of this
section.
(ii) The estimated job placement rate must be supported by past
records, actual employer job commitments, anticipated job openings, or
other pertinent information.
(4) The Secretary reviews each application for an effective plan of
management that ensures proper and efficient administration of the
project, including--
(i) Clearly defined project objectives that relate to the purpose
of the Bilingual Vocational Training Program;
(ii) For each objective, the specific tasks to be performed in
order to achieve the specified project objective;
(iii) How the applicant plans to use its resources and personnel to
achieve each objective; and
(iv) If the applicant plans to use a project advisory committee, a
clear plan for using a project advisory committee to assist in project
development, to review curriculum materials, and to make
recommendations about job placements.
(c) Program factors. (20 points)
(1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality
of training to be provided, including--
(i) Provision of vocational skills instruction in English and the
trainees' native languages;
(ii) Provision of job-related English-as-a-second language
instruction;
(iii) Coordination of the job-related English-as-a-second language
instruction with the vocational skills instruction;
(iv) Recruitment procedures that are targeted towards limited
English proficient out-of-school youth and adults who have the greatest
need for bilingual vocational training;
(v) Assessment procedures that evaluate the language and vocational
training needs of the trainees;
(vi) Provision of counseling activities and employability skills
instruction that prepare trainees for employment in an English language
environment; and
(vii) Job development and job placement procedures that provide
opportunities for career advancement or entrepreneurship.
(2) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the
project's potential to have a lasting impact in the local geographic
area, including the potential impact of the project on--
(i) Program participants;
(ii) The agency or agencies responsible for administering the
bilingual vocational training program;
(iii) Other employment training services in the local area; and
(iv) The community.
(d) Key personnel. (10 points)
(1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality
of key personnel the applicant plans to use on the project, including--
(i) The qualifications of the director and other key personnel to
be used in the project;
(ii) The appropriateness of the time that each person referred to
in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section will commit to the project; and
(iii) How the applicant, as part of its nondiscriminatory
employment practices, will ensure that personnel will be selected
without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, or
disability.
(2) To determine personnel qualifications under paragraph (d)(1)(i)
of this section, the Secretary considers--
(i) Experience and training in fields related to the objectives of
the project;
(ii) Experience and training in project management; and
(iii) Any other qualifications that pertain to the quality of the
project.
(e) Budget and cost effectiveness. (5 points) The Secretary reviews
each application to determine the extent to which--
(1) The budget is sufficient to support the proposed project, and
that it represents a cost effective use of Bilingual Vocational
Training Program funds;
(2) Costs are necessary and reasonable in relation to the
objectives of the proposed project; and
(3) The facilities, equipment, and supplies that the applicant
plans to use are adequate for the proposed project.
(f) Evaluation plan. (10 points)
The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of
the project's evaluation plan, including the extent to which the plan--
(1) Is clearly explained and appropriate for the project;
(2) Identifies at a minimum, types of data to be collected and
reported with respect to the English-language competencies and academic
and vocational competencies demonstrated by participants and the number
and kinds of academic and work credentials acquired by individuals who
complete the training;
(3) Identifies at a minimum, types of data to be collected and
reported with respect to enrollment, completion, and placement of
participants by sex, racial or ethnic group, socio-economic status, and
if appropriate, by level of English proficiency, for each occupation
for which training is provided;
(4) Includes activities during the formative stages of the project
to help guide and improve the project, as well as a summative
evaluation that includes recommendations for replicating project
activities and results; and
(5) Makes use of an external evaluator.
(g) Demonstration and dissemination. (20 points) The Secretary
reviews each application for information to determine the effectiveness
and efficiency of the plan for demonstrating and disseminating
information about project activities and results throughout the project
period, including--
(1) High quality in the design of the demonstration and
dissemination plan and procedures for evaluating the effectiveness of
the dissemination plan;
(2) Provisions for publicizing the project at the local, State, and
national levels by conducting or delivering presentations at
conferences, workshops, and other professional meetings and by
preparing materials for journal articles, newsletters, and brochures;
(3) Provisions for making available the methods and techniques used
by the project to others interested in replicating these methods and
techniques, such as by inviting them to observe project activities;
(4) A description of the types of materials the applicant plans to
make available to help others replicate project activities and the
methods for making the materials available; and
(5) Provisions for assisting others to adopt and successfully
implement the project or methods and techniques used by the project.
Additional Factors
(a) After evaluating the applications according to the selection
criteria and consulting with the appropriate State board established
under section 111 of the Act, the Secretary determines whether the most
highly rated applications are equitably distributed among populations
of individuals with limited English proficiency within the affected
State.
(b) The Secretary may select other applications for funding if
doing so would improve the--
(1) Equitable distribution of assistance among populations of
individuals with limited English proficiency within the affected State;
or
(2) Geographical distribution of projects funded under this
program.
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs
This program is subject to the requirements of Executive Order
12372 (Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs) and the
regulations in 34 CFR Part 79.
The objective of the Executive order is to foster an
intergovernmental partnership and to strengthen federalism by relying
on State and local processes for State and local government
coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance.
Applicants must contact the appropriate State Single Point of
Contact to find out about, and to comply with, the State's process
under Executive order 12372. Applicants proposing to perform activities
in more than one State should immediately contact the Single Point of
Contact for each of those States and follow the procedure established
in each State under the Executive order. If you want to know the name
and address of any State Single Point of Contact, see the list
published in the Federal Register on June 10, 1994 (59 FR 30214-30215).
In States that have not established a process or chosen a program
for review, State, areawide, regional, and local entities may submit
comments directly to the Department.
Any State Process Recommendation and other comments submitted by a
State Single Point of Contact and any comments from State, areawide,
regional, and local entities must be mailed or hand-delivered by the
date indicated in this notice to the following address: The Secretary,
E.O. 12372--CFDA# 84.077, U.S. Department of Education, Room 4161, 400
Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202-0125.
Proof of mailing will be determined on the same basis as
applications (see 34 CFR 75.102). Recommendations or comments may be
hand-delivered until 4:30 p.m. (Washington, D.C. time) on the date
indicated in this notice.
Please note that the above address is not the same address as the
one to which the applicant submits its completed application. Do not
send applications to the above address.
Instructions for Transmittal of Applications
(a) If an applicant wants to apply for a grant, the applicant
shall--
(1) Mail the original and six copies of the application on or
before the deadline date to: U.S. Department of Education, Application
Control Center, Attention: (CFDA# 84.077), Washington, D.C. 20202-4725
or
(2) Hand deliver the original and six copies of the application by
4:30 p.m. (Washington, D.C. time) on or before the deadline date to:
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention:
(CFDA# 84.077), Room #3633, Regional Office Building #3, 7th and D
Streets, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202-4725.
(b) An applicant must show one of the following as proof of
mailing:
(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.
(c) If an application is mailed through the U.S. Postal Service,
the Secretary does 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.
Notes: (1) The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a
dated postmark. Before relying on this method, an applicant should
check with its local post office.
(2) The Application Control Center will mail a Grant Application
Receipt Acknowledgement to each applicant. If an applicant fails to
receive the notification of application receipt within 15 days from
the date of mailing the application, the applicant should call the
U.S. Department of Education Application Control Center at (202)
708-8493.
(3) The applicant must indicate on the envelope and--if not
provided by the Department--in Item 10 of the Application for
Federal Assistance (Standard Form 24) the CFDA number of the
competition under which the application is being submitted.
Application Instructions and Forms:
The appendix to this application is divided into six parts, plus a
statement regarding estimated public reporting burden and various
assurances and certifications. These parts and additional materials are
organized in the same manner that the submitted application should be
organized. The parts and additional materials are as follows:
Part I: Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424 (Rev.
4-88)) and instructions.
Part II: Instructions for ED Form No. 524.
Part III: Budget Information Non-construction Programs (ED Form No.
524).
Part IV: Budget Narrative.
Part V: Program Narrative.
Part VI: Additional Assurances and Certifications:
a. Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B).
b. Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension, and
Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (ED
80-0013) and Instructions.
c. Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and
Voluntary Exclusion: Lower Tier Covered Transactions (ED 80-0014, 9/90)
and Instructions. (NOTE: The grantee should keep this form on file. It
should not be transmitted to the Department.)
d. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL) (if
applicable) and Instructions; and Disclosure of Lobbying Activities
Continuation Sheet (Standard Form LLL-A.)
All forms and instructions are included as Appendix A of this
notice. Questions and answers pertaining to this program are included,
as Appendix B, to assist potential applicants.
All applicants must submit ONE original signed application,
including ink signatures on all forms and assurances and SIX copies of
the application. Please mark each application as original or copy.
Local or State agencies may choose to submit two copies with the
original. No grant may be awarded unless a complete application form
has been received.
For Further Information Contact: Cindy Towsner, Special Programs
Branch, Division of National Programs, Office of Vocational and Adult
Education, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W.
(Room 4512, Mary E. Switzer Building), Washington, D.C. 20202-7242.
Telephone (202) 205-5864. Individuals who use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern
time, Monday through Friday.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2441(a).
Dated: October 21, 1994.
Augusta Souza Kappner,
Assistant Secretary, Office of Vocational and Adult Education.
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
Appendix A
TN27OC94.020
TN27OC94.021
BILLING CODE 4000-01-C
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is
estimated to vary from 13 to 22 hours per response, with an average of
17.5 hours, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching
existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and
completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments
regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection
of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the
U.S. Department of Education, Information Management and Compliance
Division, Washington, DC 20202-4651; and the Office of Management and
Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project 1875-0102, Washington, DC 20503.
Instructions for Ed Form No. 524
General Instructions
This form is used to apply to individual U.S. Department of
Education discretionary grant programs. Unless directed otherwise,
provide the same budget information for each year of the multi-year
funding request. Pay attention to applicable program specific
instructions, if attached.
Section A--Budget Summary: U.S. Department of Education Funds
All applicants must complete Section A and provide a breakdown by
the applicable budget categories shown in lines 1-11.
Lines 1-11, columns (a)-(e):
For each project year for which funding is requested, show the
total amount requested for each applicable budget category.
Lines 1-11, column (f):
Show the multi-year total for each budget category. If funding is
requested for only one project year, leave this column blank.
Line 12, columns (a)-(e):
Show the total budget request for each project year for which
funding is requested.
Line 12, column (f):
Show the total amount requested for all project years. If funding
is requested for only one year, leave this space blank.
Section B--Budget Summary: Non-Federal Funds
If you are required to provide or volunteer to provide matching
funds or other non-Federal resources to the project, these should be
shown for each applicable budget category on lines 1-11 of Section B.
Lines 1-11, columns (a)-(e):
For each project year for which matching funds or other
contributions are provided, show the total contribution for each
applicable budget category.
Lines 1-11, column (f):
Show the multi-year total for each budget category. If non-Federal
contributions are provided for only one year, leave this column blank.
Line 12, columns (a)-(e):
Show the total matching or other contribution for each project
year.
Line 12, column (f):
Show the total amount to be contributed for all years of the multi-
year project. If non-Federal contributions are provided for only one
year, leave this space blank.
Section C--Other Budget Information
Pay attention to applicable program specific instructions, if
attached.
1. Provide an itemized budget breakdown, by project year, for each
budget category listed in Sections A and B.
2. If applicable to this program, enter the type of indirect rate
(provisional, predetermined, final or fixed) that will be in effect
during the funding period. In addition, enter the estimated amount of
the base to which the rate is applied, and the total indirect expense.
3. If applicable to this program, provide the rate and base on
which fringe benefits are calculated.
4. Provide other explanations or comments you deem necessary.
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TN27OC94.022
TN27OC94.023
BILLING CODE 4000-01-C
Instructions for Part IV--Budget Narrative
The budget narrative should explain, justify, and, if needed,
clarify your budget summary. For each line item (personnel, fringe
benefits, travel, etc.) in your budget, explain why it is there and how
you computed the costs.
Please limit this section to no more than five pages. Be sure that
each page of your application is numbered consecutively.
Explanation of Budget Categories
1. Personnel: Show salaries to be paid to project personnel.
2. Fringe Benefits: Indicate the rate and amount of fringe
benefits.
3. Travel: Indicate the amount requested for both inter- and intra-
State travel of project staff. Include funds for at least one trip for
two people to attend a project director's meeting in Washington, DC.
4. Equipment: Indicate the cost of non-expendable personal property
that has a useful life of more than one year and a cost of $300 or more
per unit ($5,000 or more if State, Local or Tribal Government).
5. Supplies: Include the cost of consumable supplies and materials
to be used during the project.
6. Contractual: Show the amount to be used for (1) procurement
contracts (except those which belong on other lines such as supplies
and equipment; and (2) sub-contracts.
7. Construction: Not Allowable.
8. Other: Indicate all direct costs not clearly covered by lines 1
through 7 above, including consultants.
9. Total, Direct Cost: Show the total for lines 1 through 8.
10. Indirect Costs: Indicate the rate and amount of indirect costs.
NOTE: For training grants, the indirect cost rate cannot exceed 8%.
11. Training/Stipend Cost: (if allowable).
12. TOTAL, Federal Funds Requested: Show total for lines 9 through
11.
Cost Sharing
Indicate the actual rate and amount of cost sharing when there is a
cost sharing requirement. If cost sharing is required by program
regulations, the local share required refers to a percentage of Total
Project Cost, not of Federal funds.
Instructions for Part IV--Program Narrative
The program narrative will comprise the largest portion of your
application. This part is where you spell out the who, what, when,
where, why, and how of your proposed project.
Although you will not have a form to fill out for your narrative,
there is a format. This format is the selection criteria. Because your
application will be reviewed and rated by a review panel on the basis
of the selection criteria, your narrative should follow the order and
format of the criteria.
Before preparing your application, you should carefully read the
legislation and regulations of the program, eligibility requirements,
information on any priority set by the Secretary, and the selection
criteria for this competition.
Your program narrative should be clear, concise, and to the point.
Begin the narrative with a one page abstract or summary of your
proposed project. Then describe the project in detail, addressing each
selection criterion in order.
The Secretary strongly suggests that the applicant limit the
program narrative to no more than 40 double-spaced, typed pages (on one
side only), although the Secretary will consider applications of
greater length. Be sure to number consecutively ALL pages in your
application.
You may include supporting documentation as appendices. Be sure
that this material is concise and pertinent to this program competition
and is numbered consecutively.
Applicants are advised that: (a) The Department considers only
information contained in the application in ranking applications for
funding consideration. Letters of support sent separately from the
formal application package are not considered in the review by the
technical review panels. (34 CFR 75.217)
(b) The technical review panel evaluates each application solely on
the basis of the established technical review criteria. Letters of
support contained in the application will strengthen the application
only insofar as they contain commitments that pertain to the
established technical review criteria, such as commitment and
resources.
Additional Materials
Instructions for Estimated Public Reporting Burden
Under terms of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, as amended, and
the regulations implementing that Act, the Department of Education
invites comment on the public reporting burden in this collection of
information. Public reporting burden for this collection of information
is estimated to average 90 hours per response, including the time for
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. You may send comments regarding this burden
to the U.S. Department of Education, Information Management and
Compliance Division, Washington, DC 20202-4651; and to the Office of
Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project, OMB 1830-0013,
Washington, DC 20503. (Information collection approved under OMB
control number 1830-0013. Expiration date:
2/28/95.)
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
TN27OC94.024
TN27OC94.025
TN27OC94.026
TN27OC94.027
TN27OC94.028
TN27OC94.029
TN27OC94.030
TN27OC94.031
BILLING CODE 4000-01-C
Appendix B
Potential applicants frequently direct questions to officials of
the Department regarding application notices and programmatic and
administrative regulations governing various direct grant programs.
To assist potential applicants the Department has assembled the
following most commonly asked questions.
Q. Can we get an extension of the deadline?
A. No. A closing date may be changed only under extraordinary
circumstances. Any change must be announced in the Federal Register
and apply to all applications. Waivers for individual applications
cannot be granted regardless of the circumstances.
Q. How many copies of the application should I submit and must
they be bound?
A. Our new policy calls for an original and six copies to be
submitted. The binding of applications is optional.
Q. May we use this same application to compete for funds under a
different grant program?
A. Yes, however, the likelihood of success is not good. A
properly prepared application must meet the specifications of the
grant program to which it is submitted.
Q. I'm not sure which grant program is most appropriate for my
project. What should I do?
A. We are happy to provide general program information. Clearly,
it would not be appropriate for staff to participate in the actual
writing of an application, but we can respond to specific questions
about application requirements, evaluation criteria, and the
priorities. Applicants should understand that this previous contact
is not required, nor will it in any way influence the success of an
application.
Q. When will I find out if I'm going to be funded?
A. You can expect to receive notification within 3 to 4 months
of the application closing date, depending on the number of
applications received and the number of grant programs with closing
dates at about the same time.
Q. Once my application has been reviewed by the review panel,
can you tell me the outcome?
A. No. Every year we are called by a number of applicants who
have legitimate reasons for needing to know the outcome of the
review prior to official notification. Some applicants need to make
job decisions, some need to notify a local school district, etc.
Regardless of the reason, because final funding decisions have not
been made at that point, we cannot share information about the
review with anyone.
Q. Will my application be returned if I am not funded?
A. We no longer return unsuccessful applications. Thus
applicants should retain at least one copy of the application.
Q. Can I obtain copies of reviewers' comments?
A. Upon written request, reviewers' comments will be mailed to
unsuccessful applicants.
Q. Is travel allowed under these projects?
A. Travel associated with carrying out the project is allowed.
Because we may request the project director of funded projects to
attend an annual project directors meeting, you may also wish to
include a trip or two to Washington, D.C. in the travel budget.
Travel to conferences is sometimes allowed when it is for purposes
of dissemination.
Q. If my application receives high scores from the reviewers,
does that mean that I will receive funding?
A. Not necessarily. It is often the case that the number of
applications scored highly by the reviewers exceeds the dollars
available for funding projects under a particular competition. The
order of selection, which is based on the scores of all the
applications and other relevant factors, determines the applications
that can be funded.
Q. What happens during negotiations?
A. During negotiations technical and budget issues may be
raised. These are issues that have been identified during the panel
and staff reviews that require clarification. Sometimes issues are
stated as ``conditions.'' These are issues that have been identified
as so critical that the award cannot be made unless those conditions
are met. Questions may also be raised about the proposed budget.
Generally, these issues are raised because there is inadequate
justification or explanation of a particular budget item, or because
the budget item seems unimportant to the successful completion of
the project. If you are asked to make changes that you feel could
seriously affect the project's success, you may provide reasons for
not making the changes or provide alternative suggestions.
Similarly, if proposed budget reductions will, in your opinion,
seriously affect the project activities, you may explain why and
provide additional justification for the proposed expenses. An award
cannot be made until all negotiation issues have been resolved.
Q. How do I provide an assurance?
A. Except for SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction
Programs,'' which must be completed, simply state in writing that
you are meeting a prescribed requirement.
Q. Where can copies of the Federal Register, a program's
regulations, and Federal statutes be obtained?
Copies of these materials can usually be found at your local
library. If not, most can be obtained from the Government Printing
Office by writing to: Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, Telephone: (202) 783-3238.
When requesting copies of regulations or statutes, it is helpful to
use the specific name, public law number, or part number. The
material referenced in this notice would be referred to as follows:
(1) Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education
Act (Public Law 101-392) 104 Stat. 753 (1990).
(2) State Vocational and Applied Technology Education Programs
and National Discretionary Programs of Vocational Education Final
Regulations, 34 CFR parts 400 and 427.
(3) Education Department General Administrative Regulations, 34
CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85 and 86.
[FR Doc. 94-26661 Filed 10-26-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
