96-5714. Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Vocational Institutions Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1996  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 48 (Monday, March 11, 1996)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 9864-9883]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-5714]
    
    
    
    
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    Part VI
    
    
    
    
    
    Department of Education
    
    
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Vocational Institutions Program; 
    Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year 1996; 
    Notice
    
    Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 48 / Monday, March 11, 1996 / 
    Notices
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
    
    [CFDA No.: 84.245]
    
    
    Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Vocational Institutions 
    Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year 
    (FY) 1996
    
        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 Tribally Controlled Postsecondary 
    Vocational Institutions Program provides grants for the operation and 
    improvement of tribally controlled postsecondary vocational 
    institutions to ensure continued and expanded educational opportunities 
    for Indian students, and to allow for the improvement and expansion of 
    the physical resources of those institutions.
        The Secretary intends to distribute all funds available under this 
    program through this competitive grant process and, therefore, it is 
    anticipated that no funds would be reserved to fund additional training 
    equipment costs at a later date.
        The Secretary wishes to highlight for potential applicants that 
    this program can help to further the National Education Goals. 
    Specifically, the Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Vocational 
    Institutions 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.
        Eligible Applicants: A tribally controlled postsecondary vocational 
    institution, as defined in 34 CFR 410.5, that meets the requirements in 
    34 CFR 410.2 is eligible for an award under this program.
        Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 10, 1996.
        Available Funds: $2,919,000 for the first 12 months. Funding for 
    the second, third, fourth, and fifth years of the project period for 
    any grant awarded under this competition is subject to the availability 
    of funds and to a grantee meeting the requirements in 34 CFR 75.253.
        Applicants should note that Congress has not yet enacted final 
    appropriations for Department of Education programs for fiscal year 
    1996. As a result of final action, funds available for this competition 
    could be reduced or even eliminated.
        Estimated Range of Awards: $1,054,000-$1,800,000 (funding for first 
    12 months).
        Estimated Average Size of Awards: $1,459,500 (funding for first 12 
    months).
        Estimated Number of Awards: A minimum of 2.
    
        Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this 
    notice.
    
        Project Period: 5 years.
        Applicable Regulations:
        (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations 
    (EDGAR) as follows:
        (1) 34 CFR Part 75 (Direct Grant Programs).
        (2) 34 CFR Part 77 (Definitions that Apply to Department 
    Regulations).
        (3) 34 CFR Part 80 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants 
    and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments).
        (4) 34 CFR Part 81 (General Education Provisions Act-- 
    Enforcement).
        (5) 34 CFR Part 82 (New Restrictions on Lobbying).
        (6) 34 CFR Part 85 (Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension 
    (Nonprocurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free 
    Workplace (Grants)).
        (7) 34 CFR Part 86 (Drug-Free Schools and Campuses).
        (b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR Parts 400 and 410.
        Content of the Application: To receive an institutional support 
    grant under the Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Vocational 
    Institutions Program, an applicant must include the following 
    information in the application:
        (a) Documentation showing that the institution is eligible 
    according to the requirements in 34 CFR 410.2.
        (b) A description of the fiscal control and fund accounting 
    procedures to be used for all funds received under this program that 
    will allow the Secretary to monitor expenditures and the Education 
    Department Inspector General, the U.S. Comptroller General, or an 
    independent non-Federal auditor to audit the institution's programs.
        (c) The institution's operating expenses for the preceding fiscal 
    year, including allowable expenses listed in 34 CFR 410.30.
        (d) The institution's Indian student count.
        (e) A comprehensive development plan that must address--
        (1) The institutional mission statement, i.e., a broad statement of 
    purpose, that identifies the institution's distinguishing 
    characteristics, including the characteristics of the students the 
    institution serves and plans to serve, and the programs of study it 
    offers and proposes to offer.
        (2) Data for the past three academic years reflecting the number 
    and required qualifications of the teaching and administrative staff, 
    the number of students enrolled, attendance rates, dropout rates, 
    graduation rates, rate of job placement or college enrollment after 
    graduation, and the most significant scholastic problems affecting the 
    student population.
        (3) A description of how the institution is responsive to the 
    current and projected labor market needs in its geographic area, 
    including the institution's plans for placement of students.
        (4) Assumptions concerning the institutional environment, the 
    potential number of students to be served, enrollment trends, and 
    economic factors that could affect the institution.
        (5) Major problems or deficiencies that inhibit the institution 
    from realizing its mission.
        (6) Long-range and short-range goals that will chart the growth and 
    development of the institution and address the problems identified 
    under paragraph (e)(5) of this section.
        (7) Measurable objectives related to reaching each goal.
        (8) Time-frames for achieving the goals and objectives described in 
    paragraphs (e)(6) and (7) of this section.
        (9) Priorities for implementing improvements concerning 
    instructional and student support, capital expenditures, equipment, and 
    other priority areas.
        (10) Major resource requirements necessary to achieve the 
    institution's goals and objectives, including personnel, finances, 
    equipment, and facilities.
        (11) A detailed budget identifying the costs to be paid with a 
    grant under this program and resources available from other Federal, 
    State, and local sources that will be used to achieve the institution's 
    goals and objectives. Budget and cost information must be sufficiently 
    detailed to enable the Secretary to determine the amount of payments 
    pursuant to section 386(b)(2) of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and 
    Applied Technology Education Act (Act). The statement must include 
    information on allowable expenses listed in 34 CFR 410.30.
        (12) Strategies and resources for objectively evaluating the 
    institution's progress towards, and success in, achieving its goals and 
    objectives. 
    
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        Selection Criteria: The Secretary uses the following selection 
    criteria to evaluate applications for new grants under this 
    competition. If only one or two applicants are eligible, the Secretary 
    selects each eligible applicant. The amount of each grant is determined 
    by the quality of the application, based on the selection criteria, and 
    the respective needs of the applicants. If there are more than two 
    elibible applicants, the Secretary ranks each application using the 
    selection criteria. The Secretary funds two or more applicants. The 
    number of grants made and the amount of each grant is determined by 
    taking into account the quality of the applications and the respective 
    needs of the applicants.
        The program regulations in 34 CFR 410.21 assign a maximum of 85 
    points for these criteria. Further, under 34 CFR 410.20(b) the 
    Secretary is authorized to distribute an additional 15 points among the 
    criteria to bring the total to a maximum of 100 points. The maximum 
    score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses.
        (a) Institutional goals and objectives. (15 points) The Secretary 
    reviews each application to determine the extent to which the 
    applicant's current and future institutional goals and objectives are--
        (1) Realistic and defined in terms of measurable results; and
        (2) Directly related to the problems to be solved.
        (b) Comprehensive development plan. (30 points) The Secretary 
    reviews each application to determine the extent to which the plan is 
    effectively designed to meet the applicant's current and future 
    institutional goals and objectives, including instructional and student 
    support needs, and equipment and capital requirements.
        (c) Implementation strategy. (25 points) The Secretary reviews each 
    application to determine the extent to which an applicant's 
    implementation strategy--
        (1) For each major activity funded under this program, is 
    comprehensive and likely to be effective, taking into account the 
    applicant's past performance and the data for the past three academic 
    years reflecting the number and required qualifications of the teaching 
    and administrative staff, the number of students enrolled, attendance 
    rates, dropout rates, graduation rates, rate of job placement or 
    college enrollment after graduation, and the most significant 
    scholastic problems affecting the student population;
        (2) Includes a realistic timetable for each such activity; and
        (3) Includes a staff management plan likely to ensure effective 
    administration of the project activities.
        (d) Budget and cost effectiveness. (20 points) The Secretary 
    reviews each application to determine the extent to which--
        (1) The budget is adequate to support the proposed activities to be 
    funded under this program, including capital expenditures and 
    acquisition of equipment, if applicable;
        (2) Costs are necessary and reasonable in relation to similar 
    activities the institution carried out in previous years; and
        (3) The budget narrative justifies the expenditures.
        (e) Evaluation plan. (10 points) The Secretary reviews each 
    application to determine the quality of the evaluation plan the 
    institution plans to use to determine its progress towards, and success 
    in, achieving its goals and objectives, including the extent to which--
        (1) The plan identifies, at a minimum, types of data to be 
    collected, expected outcomes, and how those outcomes will be measured;
        (2) The methods of evaluation are appropriate and, to the extent 
    possible, are objective and produce data that are quantifiable; and
        (3) The methods of evaluation provide periodic data that can be 
    used for ongoing program improvement.
        Additional Factors: After evaluating applications according to the 
    criteria in 34 CFR 410.21 and consulting, to the extent practicable, 
    with boards of trustees and the tribal governments chartering the 
    institutions being considered, the Secretary determines whether the 
    most highly rated applications are equitably distributed among Indian 
    tribes.
        The Secretary may select other applications for funding if doing so 
    would improve the distribution of projects among Indian tribes.
        In addition to the criteria in 34 CFR 410.21, the Secretary 
    considers whether funding a particular applicant duplicates an effort 
    already being made.
        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# 84.245), Washington, DC 20202-4725.
        (2) Hand deliver the original and six copies of the application by 
    4:30 p.m. (Washington, DC time) on the deadline date to: U.S. 
    Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA# 
    84.245), Room #3633, Regional Office Building #3, 7th and D Streets, 
    SW., Washington, DC
        (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) 708-9494.
        (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 424) the CFDA number--and suffix letter, if 
    any--of the competition under which the application is being submitted.
        Application Instructions and Forms:  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.
        To apply for an award under this program competition, your 
    application must be organized in the following order and include the 
    following five parts:
        Part I: Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424 (Rev. 
    4-88)) and instructions.
        Part II: Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED Form No. 
    524) and instructions.
        Part III: Budget Narrative.
        Part IV: Program Narrative.
        Part V: Additional Assurances and Certifications:
        a. Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B).
        b. Certification regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension, and 
    Other 
    
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    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: ED 80-0014 is intended for the use of grantees 
    and 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).
        e. Notice to all Applicants.
        An applicant may submit information on a photostatic copy of the 
    forms in Appendix A. However, each of the pertinent documents must each 
    have an original ink signature. 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. No grant may be awarded unless a 
    completed application form has been received.
        For Further Information Contact: Roberta Lewis, U.S. Department of 
    Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW. (Room 4523--MES), Washington, 
    DC 20202-7242. Telephone (202) 205-5680. 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.
        Information about the Department's funding opportunities, including 
    copies of application notices for discretionary grant competitions, can 
    be viewed on the Department's electronic bulletin board (ED Board), 
    telephone (202) 260-9950; on the Internet Gopher Server at 
    GOPHER.ED.GOV (under Announcements, Bulletins, and Press Releases); or 
    on the World Wide Web (at http://www.ed.gov/money.htm). However, the 
    official application notice for a discretionary grant competition is 
    the notice published in the Federal Register.
    
        Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2397-2397h.
    
        Dated: March 6, 1996.
    Jon Weintraub,
    Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Vocational and Adult Education.
    
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    Appendix A
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    APPENDIX A
    
    Part II--Budget Information
    
    Instructions for Part II--Budget Information Sections A and B--Budget 
    Summary by Categories
    
        1. Personnel: Show salaries to be paid to personnel.
        2. Fringe Benefits: Indicate the rate and amount of fringe 
    benefits.
        3. Travel: Indicate the amount requested for both local and out 
    of State travel of Project Staff. Include funds for at least one 
    trip for two people to attend the Project Director's Workshop.
        4. Equipment: Indicate the cost of non-expendable personal 
    property that has a cost of $5,000 or more per unit.
        5. Supplies: Include the cost of consumable supplies and 
    materials to be used during the project period.
        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 Applicable
        8. Other: Indicate all direct costs not clearly covered by lines 
    1 through 6 above, including consultants and capital expenditures.
        9. Total Direct Cost: Show the total for Lines 1 through 8.
        10. Indirect Costs: Indicate the rate and amount of indirect 
    costs.
    
        (Note: Except for grants to Federally recognized Indian tribes, 
    the indirect cost rate cannot exceed 8% of the total direct 
    charges.)
    
        11. Training/stipend Cost: Indicate cost per student and number 
    of hours of instruction (minimum wage is the basis for amount per 
    hour--$4.25).
        12. Total Costs: Show total for lines 9 through 11.
    
    Instructions for Part III--Budget Narrative
    
        Prepare a detailed Budget Narrative for each year of the project 
    that justifies, and/or clarifies the budget figures shown in Section 
    A. Explain:
        1. How personnel costs are calculated--provide yearly and/or 
    hourly rates; for other than full-time staff, provide hours per day, 
    week, month, and year.
        2. The basis used to estimate certain costs (professional 
    personnel, consultants, travel, indirect costs) and any other costs 
    that may appear unusual;
        3. How the major cost items relate to the proposed project 
    activities (refer to application page);
        4. The costs of the project's evaluation component;
        5. What matching occurs in each budget category.
        Please limit this section to no more than five pages.
    
    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 requests you limit the program narrative 
    to no more than 30 double-spaced, typed pages (on one side only), 
    although the Secretary will consider your application if it is 
    longer. 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.
        You 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. (EDGAR Sec. 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 which pertain 
    to the established technical review criteria, such as commitment and 
    resources.
    
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    Notice To All Applicants
    
        Thank you for your interest in this program. The purpose of this 
    enclosure is to inform you about a new provision in the Department 
    of Education's General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) that applies 
    to applicants for new grant awards under Department programs. This 
    provision is section 427 of GEPA, enacted as part of the Improving 
    America's Schools Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-382).
    
    To Whom Does This Provision Apply?
    
        Section 427 of GEPA affects applicants for new discretionary 
    grant awards under this program. ALL APPLICANTS FOR NEW AWARDS MUST 
    INCLUDE INFORMATION IN THEIR APPLICATIONS TO ADDRESS THIS NEW 
    PROVISION IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FUNDING UNDER THIS PROGRAM. 
    
    What Does This Provision Require?
    
        Section 427 requires each applicant for funds (other than an 
    individual person) to include in its application a description of 
    the steps the applicant proposes to take to ensure equitable access 
    to, and participation in, its federally-assisted program for 
    students, teachers, and other program beneficiaries with special 
    needs.
        This section allows applicants discretion in developing the 
    required description. The statute highlights six types of barriers 
    that can impede equitable access or participation that you may 
    address: gender, race, national origin, color, disability, or age. 
    Based on local circumstances, you can determine whether these or 
    other barriers may prevent your students, teachers, etc. from 
    equitable access or participation. Your description need not be 
    lengthy; you may provide a clear and succinct description of how you 
    plan to address those barriers that are applicable to your 
    circumstances. In addition, the information my be provided in a 
    single narrative, or, if appropriate, may be discussed in connection 
    with related topics in the application.
        Section 427 is not intended to duplicate the requirements of 
    civil rights statutes, but rather to ensure that, in designing their 
    projects, applicants for Federal funds address equity concerns that 
    may affect the ability of certain potential beneficiaries to fully 
    participate in the project and to achieve to high standards. 
    Consistent with program requirements and its approved application, 
    an applicant may use the Federal funds awarded to it to eliminate 
    barriers it identifies.
    
    What Are Examples of How an Applicant Might Satisfy the Requirement 
    of This Provision?
    
        The following examples may help illustrate how an applicant may 
    comply with section 427.
        (1) An applicant that proposes to carry out an adult literacy 
    project serving, among others, adults with limited English 
    proficiency, might describe in its application how it intends to 
    distribute a brochure about the proposed project to such potential 
    participants in their native language.
        (2) An applicant that proposes to develop instructional 
    materials for classroom use might describe how it will make the 
    materials available on audio tape or in braille for students who are 
    blind.
        (3) An applicant that proposes to carry out a model science 
    program for secondary students and is concerned that girls may be 
    less likely than boys to enroll in the course, might indicate how it 
    tends to conduct ``outreach'' efforts to girls, to encourage their 
    enrollment.
        We recognize that many applicants may already be implementing 
    effective steps to ensure equity of access and participation in 
    their grant programs, and we appreciate your cooperation in 
    responding to the requirements of this provision.
    
    Estimated Burden Statement
    
        According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are 
    required to respond to a collection of information unless it 
    displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number 
    for this information collection is 1801-0004 (Exp. 8/31/98). The 
    time required to complete this information collection is estimated 
    to vary from 1 to 3 hours per response, with an average of 1.5 
    hours, including the time to review instructions, search existing 
    data resources, gather and maintain the data needed, and complete 
    and review the information collection. If you have any comments 
    concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for 
    improving this form, please write to: U.S. Department of Education, 
    Washington, DC 20202-4651.
    
    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 and discouraged.
        Q. We just missed the deadline for the XXX competition. May we 
    submit under another competition?
        A. Yes, however, the likelihood of success is not good. A 
    properly prepared application must meet the requirements of the 
    competition to which it is submitted.
        Q. I'm not sure which competition is most appropriate for my 
    project. What should I do?
        A. We are happy to discuss any questions with you and provide 
    clarification on the unique elements of the various competitions.
        Q. Will you help us prepare our application?
        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 
    preapplication consultation 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 competitions 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 will request the project directors and evaluators of 
    funded projects to attend an annual project directors meeting, you 
    should include annual trips for each 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 
    
    [[Page 9883]]
    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,'' simply state in writing that you are meeting a 
    prescribed requirement.
        Q. Where can copies of the Federal Register, program 
    regulations, and Federal statutes be obtained?
        A. Copies of these materials can usually be found at your local 
    library. If not, they can be obtained from the Government Printing 
    Office by writing to: Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government 
    Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 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 should be referred to as follows:
        (1) Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education 
    Act (Perkins Act) (Public Law 101-392, 104 Stat. 753 (1990) 20 
    U.S.C. Secs. 2301 et seq. (Supp. IV) 1992).
        (2) State Vocational and Applied Technology Education Programs 
    and National Discretionary Programs of Vocational Education Final 
    Regulations, 34 CFR Parts 400 and 410.
        (3) Education Department General Administrative Regulations, 34 
    CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86.
    
    [FR Doc. 96-5714 Filed 3-8-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
    
    

Document Information

Published:
03/11/1996
Department:
Education Department
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
96-5714
Pages:
9864-9883 (20 pages)
Docket Numbers:
CFDA No.: 84.245
PDF File:
96-5714.pdf