2020-25892. Applications for New Awards; High School Equivalency Program  

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    AGENCY:

    Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education.

    ACTION:

    Notice.

    SUMMARY:

    The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for the High School Equivalency Program (HEP), Assistance Listing Number 84.141A. This notice relates to the approved information collection under OMB control number 1894-0006.

    DATES:

    Applications Available: November 27, 2020.

    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: January 22, 2021.

    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: March 23, 2021.

    Pre-Application Webinar Information: The Department will hold pre-application workshops via webinar for prospective applicants on Monday, November 30, 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time. We will repeat the webinar on Tuesday, December 1, 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

    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-2019-02-13/​pdf/​2019-02206.pdf.

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    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Steven Carr, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 3E321, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 260-2067. Email: steven.carr@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.

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    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Full Text of Announcement

    I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The HEP is designed to assist migratory or seasonal farmworkers (or immediate family members of such workers) to obtain the equivalent of a secondary school diploma and subsequently to gain improved employment, enter into military service, or be placed in an institution of higher education (IHE) or other postsecondary education or training.

    Priorities: This competition includes two competitive preference priorities and two invitational priorities. Competitive Preference Priority 1 is from the Secretary's Final Supplemental Priorities and Definitions for Discretionary Grant Programs (Supplemental Priorities) published in the Federal Register on March 2, 2018 (83 FR 9096). In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv), Competitive Preference Priority 2 is from section 418A(e) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) (20 U.S.C. 1070d-2(e)). The purpose of HEP aligns with priority 9(c) of the Supplemental Priorities, which promotes projects aimed at creating or supporting alternative paths to a regular high school diploma (as defined in section 8101(43) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended) for students whose environments outside of school, disengagement with a traditional curriculum, homelessness, or other challenges make it more difficult for them to complete an educational program.

    Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2021 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, these priorities are competitive preference priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we award up to an additional 5 points to an application for Competitive Preference Priority 1 and up to an additional 15 points to an application for Competitive Preference Priority 2, depending on how well the application meets these priorities.

    These priorities are:

    Competitive Preference Priority 1—Fostering Flexible and Affordable Paths to Obtaining Knowledge and Skills. (Up to 5 points)

    Projects that are designed to address improving collaboration between education providers and employers to ensure student learning objectives are aligned with the skills or knowledge required for employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations (as defined in section 3(23) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014).

    Note: Applicants that address Competitive Preference Priority 1 must Start Printed Page 74708do so under selection criterion (b) “Quality of the project design.”

    Competitive Preference Priority 2—Consideration of Prior Experience. (Up to 15 points)

    Projects that are expiring (current HEP grantees in their final budget period) will be considered for additional points under Competitive Preference Priority 2. In accordance with section 418A(e) of the HEA, the Department will award up to 15 points for this priority. In accordance with 34 CFR 206.31, the Secretary will consider the applicant's prior experience in implementing its expiring HEP project, based on information that includes the number of HEP participants served; the percentage of HEP participants exiting the program having received a High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma; the percentage of HSE diploma recipients who enter postsecondary education or training programs, upgraded employment, or the military; and the extent to which the applicant met administrative requirements.

    Note: Competitive Preference Priority 2 applies to expiring projects (current HEP grantees in their final budget period) that received their current HEP award in FY 2016.

    Invitational Priorities: For FY 2021 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, these priorities are invitational priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets these invitational priorities a competitive or absolute preference over other applications.

    These priorities are:

    Invitational Priority 1—New Potential Grantees

    Projects proposed by “new potential grantees.” For the purposes of this priority, a new potential grantee is any applicant that has never received a grant or subgrant under HEP.

    Note: Prospective applicants, including new potential grantees, for the Department's discretionary grant programs that have never received a grant from the Department and those that are interested in learning more about the process may refer to the following resources:

    https://www2.ed.gov/​documents/​funding-101/​funding-101-basics.pdf

    https://www2.ed.gov/​documents/​funding-101/​funding-101.pdf

    Invitational Priority 2—Support for Remote Learning

    Projects designed to adopt and support models that leverage technology (e.g., universal design for learning, competency-based education, or hybrid/blended learning) and provide high-quality digital learning content, application, and tools. Remote learning means programming where at least part of the learning occurs away from the physical building in a manner that addresses a learner's educational needs. Remote learning may include online, hybrid/blended learning, or non-technology-based learning (e.g., lab kits, project supplies, paper packets). Competency-based education (also called proficiency-based or master-based learning) means learning based on knowledge and skills that are transparent and measurable. Progression is based on demonstrated mastery of what students are expected to know (knowledge) and be able to do (skills), rather than seat time or age.

    Definitions: The definitions of “migrant farmworker” and “seasonal farmworker” are from 34 CFR 206.5. The definitions of “demonstrates a rationale,” “experimental study,” “logic model,” “project component,” “promising evidence,” “quasi-experimental design study,” and “What Works Clearinghouse Handbooks (WWC Handbooks)” are from 34 CFR 77.1. The definition of “in-demand industry sector or occupation” is from Section 3(23) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA).

    Demonstrates a rationale means a key project component included in the project's logic model is informed by research or evaluation findings that suggest the project component is likely to improve relevant outcomes.

    Experimental study means a study that is designed to compare outcomes between two groups of individuals (such as students) that are otherwise equivalent except for their assignment to either a treatment group receiving a project component or a control group that does not. Randomized controlled trials, regression discontinuity design studies, and single-case design studies are the specific types of experimental studies that, depending on their design and implementation (e.g., sample attrition in randomized controlled trials and regression discontinuity design studies), can meet What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) standards without reservations as described in the WWC Handbooks:

    (i) A randomized controlled trial employs random assignment of, for example, students, teachers, classrooms, or schools to receive the project component being evaluated (the treatment group) or not to receive the project component (the control group).

    (ii) A regression discontinuity design study assigns the project component being evaluated using a measured variable (e.g., assigning students reading below a cutoff score to tutoring or developmental education classes) and controls for that variable in the analysis of outcomes.

    (iii) A single-case design study uses observations of a single case (e.g., a student eligible for a behavioral intervention) over time in the absence and presence of a controlled treatment manipulation to determine whether the outcome is systematically related to the treatment.

    In-demand industry sector or occupation means (i) an industry sector that has a substantial current or potential impact (including through jobs that lead to economic self-sufficiency and opportunities for advancement) on the State, regional, or local economy, as appropriate, and that contributes to the growth or stability of other supporting businesses, or the growth of other industry sectors; or (ii) an occupation that currently has or is projected to have a number of positions (including positions that lead to economic self-sufficiency and opportunities for advancement) in an industry sector so as to have a significant impact on the State, regional, or local economy, as appropriate.

    The determination of whether an industry sector or occupation is in-demand under this definition shall be made by the State board or local board, as appropriate, using State and regional business and labor market projections, including the use of labor market information.

    Logic model (also referred to as a theory of action) means a framework that identifies key project components of the proposed project (i.e., the active “ingredients” that are hypothesized to be critical to achieving the relevant outcomes) and describes the theoretical and operational relationships among the key project components and relevant outcomes.

    Migrant farmworker means a seasonal farmworker—as defined in this notice—whose employment required travel that precluded the farmworker from returning to his or her domicile (permanent place of residence) within the same day.

    Project component means an activity, strategy, intervention, process, product, practice, or policy included in a project. Evidence may pertain to an individual project component or to a combination of project components (e.g., training teachers on instructional practices for English learners and follow-on coaching for these teachers).

    Promising evidence means that there is evidence of the effectiveness of a key project component in improving a Start Printed Page 74709relevant outcome, based on a relevant finding from one of the following:

    (i) A practice guide prepared by WWC reporting a “strong evidence base” or “moderate evidence base” for the corresponding practice guide recommendation;

    (ii) An intervention report prepared by the WWC reporting a “positive effect” or “potentially positive effect” on a relevant outcome with no reporting of a “negative effect” or “potentially negative effect” on a relevant outcome; or

    (iii) A single study assessed by the Department, as appropriate, that—

    (A) Is an experimental study, a quasi-experimental design study, or a well-designed and well-implemented correlational study with statistical controls for selection bias (e.g., a study using regression methods to account for differences between a treatment group and a comparison group); and

    (B) Includes at least one statistically significant and positive (i.e., favorable) effect on a relevant outcome.

    Quasi-experimental design study means a study using a design that attempts to approximate an experimental study by identifying a comparison group that is similar to the treatment group in important respects. This type of study, depending on design and implementation (e.g., establishment of baseline equivalence of the groups being compared), can meet WWC standards with reservations, but cannot meet WWC standards without reservations, as described in the WWC Handbook.

    Seasonal farmworker means a person whose primary employment was in farmwork on a temporary or seasonal basis (that is, not a constant year-round activity) for a period of at least 75 days within the past 24 months.

    What Works Clearinghouse Handbooks (WWC Handbooks) means the standards and procedures set forth in the WWC Standards Handbook, Versions 4.0 or 4.1, and WWC Procedures Handbook, Versions 4.0 or 4.1, or in the WWC Procedures and Standards Handbook, Version 3.0 or Version 2.1 (all incorporated by reference, see § 77.2). Study findings eligible for review under WWC standards can meet WWC standards without reservations, meet WWC standards with reservations, or not meet WWC standards. WWC practice guides and intervention reports include findings from systematic reviews of evidence as described in the WWC Handbooks documentation.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070d-2.

    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 (OMB) 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 206. (e) The Migrant Education Program (MEP) definitions in 34 CFR 200.81. (f) The National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) definitions in 20 CFR 685.110 and eligibility regulations in 20 CFR 685.320. (g) The Supplemental Priorities.

    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to IHEs only.

    Note: The MEP definitions and NFJP definitions and eligibility regulations apply to individuals seeking to qualify for HEP based on past participation in the MEP or NFJP.

    II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.

    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration's budget request for FY 2021 does not include funds for this program. However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant process before the end of the current fiscal year, if Congress appropriates funds for this program.

    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: $180,000-$475,000.

    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $470,000.

    Maximum Award: The Department will not make an award exceeding $475,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. Under 34 CFR 75.104(b) the Secretary may reject without consideration or evaluation any application that proposes a project funding level that exceeds the stated maximum award amount.

    Minimum Award: The Department will not make an award for less than the amount of $180,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. Under section 418A of the HEA, the Secretary is prohibited from making an award for less than the stated award amount. Therefore, we will reject any application that proposes a HEP award that is less than the stated minimum award amount.

    Note: This approach is intended to promote fairness and transparency in the competitive process.

    Estimated Number of Awards: 14.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months (five 12-month budget periods). Under section 418(e) of the HEA, except under extraordinary circumstances, the Secretary must award grants for a five-year period. Under 34 CFR 75.117(b), applicants must submit a budget narrative accompanied by a budget form prescribed by the Secretary that provides budget information for each budget period of the proposed project period. Therefore, we may reject any application that does not propose a five-year project period as reflected on the applicant's ED 524 form, Section A and budget narrative form, submitted as a part of the application.

    III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: An IHE or a private nonprofit organization may apply for a grant to operate a HEP project. If a private nonprofit organization other than an IHE applies for a HEP grant, that agency must plan the project in cooperation with an IHE and must propose to operate some aspects of the project with the facilities of that IHE.

    Note: IHE has the meaning given it in sections 101 and 102 of the HEA.

    Note: The definitions for “private” and “nonprofit” are in 34 CFR 77.1.

    Note: If you are a nonprofit organization, under 34 CFR 75.51, you may demonstrate your nonprofit status by providing: (1) Proof that the Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a statement from a State taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private shareholder or individual; (3) a certified copy of the applicant's certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or (4) any item described above if that item applies to a State or national parent organization, together with a statement by the State or parent organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.Start Printed Page 74710

    2.a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not require cost sharing or matching. However, consistent with 34 CFR 75.700, which requires an applicant to comply with its approved application, an applicant that proposes non-Federal matching funds and is awarded a grant must provide those funds for each year that the funds are proposed.

    b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses a training indirect cost rate. This limits indirect cost reimbursement to an entity's actual indirect costs, as determined in its negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, or eight percent of a modified total direct cost base, whichever amount is less. For more information regarding training indirect cost rates, see 34 CFR 75.562. For more information regarding indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please see www2.ed.gov/​about/​offices/​list/​ocfo/​intro.html.

    c. Administrative Cost Limitation: This program does not include any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. All administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform Guidance.

    3. Subgrantees: Under 34 CFR 75.708(b) and (c) a grantee under this competition may award subgrants—to directly carry out project activities described in its application—to the following types of entities: IHEs and nonprofit organizations. The grantee may award subgrants to entities it has identified in an approved application or that it selects through a competition under procedures established by the grantee.

    4. Other: Projects funded under this competition must budget for a three-day Office of Migrant Education annual meeting for HEP Directors in the Washington, DC area during each year of the project period. Such expenses are allowable uses of grant funds and may be included in the proposed project budget. This meeting may be held virtually if conditions warrant such format.

    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) and available at www.govinfo.gov/​content/​pkg/​FR-2019-02-13/​pdf/​2019-02206.pdf,, which contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.

    2. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of projects that may be proposed in applications for HEP, your application may include business information that you consider proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11 we define “business information” and describe the process we use in determining whether any of that information is proprietary and, thus, protected from disclosure under Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552, as amended).

    Because we plan to make successful applications available to the public, you may wish to request confidentiality of business information.

    Consistent with Executive Order 12600, please designate in your application any information that you believe is exempt from disclosure under Exemption 4. In the appropriate Appendix section of your application, under “Other Attachments 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).

    3. Intergovernmental Review: This competition 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 competition.

    4. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.

    5. 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 25 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 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. An application will not be disqualified if it exceeds the recommended page limit.

    V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are from 34 CFR 75.210 and are as follows:

    (a) Need for project. (Up to 10 points)

    (1) The Secretary considers the need for the proposed project.

    (2) In determining the need for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the magnitude of the need for the services to be provided or the activities to be carried out by the proposed project. (Up to 10 points)

    (b) Quality of the project design. (Up to 24 points)

    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the proposed project.

    (2) 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 7 points)

    (ii) 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. (Up to 5 points)

    (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 5 points)

    (iv) The extent to which the proposed project demonstrates a rationale (as defined in this notice). (Up to 7 points)

    (c) Quality of project services. (Up to 24 points)

    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be provided by the proposed project.

    (2) In determining the quality of the services to be provided by the proposed project, the Secretary considers the quality and sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal access and treatment for eligible project participants who are members of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. (Up to 3 points)

    (3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:

    (i) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed project are Start Printed Page 74711appropriate to the needs of the intended recipients or beneficiaries of those services. (Up to 7 points)

    (ii) 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. (Up to 7 points)

    (iii) The likely impact of the services to be provided by the proposed project on the intended recipients of those services. (Up to 7 points)

    (d) Quality of project personnel. (Up to 10 points)

    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will carry out the proposed project.

    (2) 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. (Up to 3 points)

    (3) In addition, the Secretary considers the qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of key project personnel. (Up to 7 points)

    (e) Adequacy of resources. (Up to 12 points)

    (1) The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources for the proposed project.

    (2) In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:

    (i) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment, supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the lead applicant organization. (Up to 4 points)

    (ii) The relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in the proposed project to the implementation and success of the project. (Up to 4 points)

    (iii) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project. (Up to 4 points)

    (f) Quality of the project evaluation. (Up to 20 points)

    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be conducted of the proposed project.

    (2) In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary considers the following factors:

    (i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the proposed project. (Up to 10 points)

    (ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward achieving intended outcomes. (Up to 5 points)

    (iii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will, if well implemented, produce promising evidence (as defined in this notice) about the project's effectiveness. (Up to 5 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)(ii), 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 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).

    Additional factors we consider in selecting an application for an award are in section 418A of the HEA. In accordance with section 418A, the Secretary makes HEP awards based on the number, quality, and promise of the applications. Additionally, in accordance with section 418A, if final FY 2021 HEP and College Assistance Migrant Program appropriations exceed $40,000,000, the Secretary will consider the need to provide an equitable geographic distribution of HEP awards. The Secretary may consider the need to provide equitable geographic distribution of HEP awards when—

    1. Two or more applicants receive the same score at the funding cutoff for this competition,

    2. The Secretary determines that a geographic region is overserved by current HEP projects,

    3. The Secretary determines that a geographic region is underserved by current HEP projects, or

    4. Two or more applicants propose to operate similar HEP projects in the same geographical region.

    When evaluating a potentially overserved or underserved geographic region, the Secretary may consider factors such as migrant or seasonal farmworker population data for a State or region, approximate distance between current and proposed projects, the type of entity of the current or proposed project (e.g., private nonprofit organization, 2-year IHE, 4-year IHE), and the number of students proposed to be served by the current or proposed HEP project.

    3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 200.205, before awarding grants under this competition 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 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 Start Printed Page 74712administrative 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.

    5. Performance Measures: For the purposes of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) and reporting under 34 CFR 75.110, the Department developed the following performance measures to evaluate the overall effectiveness of HEP: (1) The percentage of HEP participants exiting the program having received a HSE diploma (GPRA 1), and (2) the percentage of HSE diploma recipients who enter postsecondary education or training programs, upgraded employment, or the military (GPRA 2).

    Applicants must propose annual targets for these measures and establish annual student enrollment targets in their applications. Applicants should identify these targets within their application abstracts. The national target for GPRA 1 for FY 2021 is that 69 percent of HEP participants exit the program having received an HSE credential. The national target for GPRA 2 for FY 2021 is that 80 percent of HEP HSE diploma recipients will enter postsecondary education or training programs, upgraded employment, or the military. The national targets for subsequent years may be adjusted based on additional baseline data. Peer reviewers evaluate how well applicants propose to meet their application's goals and objectives. Peer reviewers will score related selection criteria on the basis of how well an applicant addresses these GPRA measures in addition to any other goals and objectives included in the application. Therefore, applicants will want to consider how to demonstrate a sound capacity to provide reliable data on the GPRA measures, including the project's annual performance targets for addressing the GPRA performance measures, as is required by the OMB-approved annual performance report that is included in the application package. All grantees will be required to submit, as part of their annual performance report, information with respect to these GPRA performance measures.

    6. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR 75.253, the Secretary considers, among other things: Whether a grantee has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of the project; Whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is consistent with its approved application and budget; and, if the Secretary has established performance measurement requirements, the performance targets in the grantee's approved application.

    In making a continuation award, 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 assistance from the Department (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

    VII. Other Information

    Accessible Format: On request to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, 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), to the extent reasonably practicable.

    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.

    Start Signature

    Frank T. Brogan,

    Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.

    End Signature End Supplemental Information

    [FR Doc. 2020-25892 Filed 11-20-20; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4000-01-P

Document Information

Published:
11/23/2020
Department:
Education Department
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice.
Document Number:
2020-25892
Dates:
Applications Available: November 27, 2020.
Pages:
74707-74712 (6 pages)
PDF File:
2020-25892.Pdf