[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 19, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31364-31382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15648]
[[Page 31363]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part VIII
Department of Education
_______________________________________________________________________
Indian Vocational Education Program; Notice Inviting Applications for
New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1996; Notice
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 119 / Wednesday, June 19, 1996 /
Notices
[[Page 31364]]
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[CFDA No: 84.101]
Indian Vocational Education Program; Notice Inviting Applications
for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1996
Notice 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), the notice
contains all of the information, application forms, and instructions
needed to apply for a grant under this competition.
Purpose of Program: To provide financial assistance to Indian
tribes and certain schools funded by the Department of the Interior to
plan, conduct, and administer projects, or portions of projects, that
are authorized by and consistent with the Carl D. Perkins Vocational
and Applied Technology Education Act of 1990 (Act), as amended, 20
U.S.C. 2301 et seq.
Eligible Applicants: The following entities are eligible for an
award under this program:
(a) A tribal organization of any Indian tribe that is eligible to
contract with the Secretary of the Interior under the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act or under the Act of April
16, 1934.
(b) A Bureau-funded school offering a secondary program.
(c) Any tribal organization or Bureau-funded school described in
paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section may apply individually or as part
of a consortium with one or more eligible tribal organizations or
schools.
When seeking to apply for funds as a consortium, individual
eligible applicants must enter into an agreement signed by all members
of the consortium and designating one member of the consortium as the
applicant and grantee. The consortium's agreement must detail the
activities each member of the consortium plans to perform, and must
bind each member to every statement and assurance made in the
consortium's application. The designated applicant must submit the
consortium's agreement with its application.
Submission of Applications: (a) An application from a tribal
organization, other than a Bureau-funded school, must be submitted to
the Secretary by the Indian tribe.
(b) An application for a project to serve more than one Indian
tribe must be approved by each tribe to be served.
(c) An application from a Bureau-funded school may be submitted
directly to the Secretary.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 2, 1996.
Available Funds: $11,482,511 for the first 12 months of the 24-
month project period. Funding for the second 12-month period of the 24-
month project period is subject to the availability of funds and to a
grantee meeting the requirements of 34 CFR 75.253.
Estimated Range of Awards: $250,000 to $500,000 for the first 12
months.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $375,000.
Estimated Number of Awards: 31.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Project Period: Up to 24 months.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) as follows:
(1) 34 CFR Part 74 (Administration of Grants to 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 80 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants
and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments).
(5) 34 CFR Part 81 (General Education Provisions Act--Enforcement).
(6) 34 CFR Part 85 (Government-wide Debarment and Suspension
(Nonprocurement) and Government-wide 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 401.
Definitions
Applicants are encouraged to take particular note of the following
definitions that are contained in 34 CFR 401.5:
``Act of April 16, 1934'' means the Federal law commonly known as
the ``Johnson-O'Malley Act,'' that authorizes the Secretary of the
Interior to make contracts for the education of Indians and other
purposes (25 U.S.C. 455-457).
``Bureau'' means the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the
Interior.
``Bureau-funded school'' means--
(1) A Bureau-operated elementary or secondary day or boarding
school or a Bureau-operated dormitory for students attending a school
other than a Bureau school;
(2) An elementary or secondary school or a dormitory that receives
financial assistance for its operation under a contract or agreement
with the Bureau under section 102, 104(1), or 208 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450f, 450h(1),
and 458(d); or
(3) A school for which assistance is provided under the Tribally
Controlled Schools Act of 1988.
``Indian tribe'' means any Indian tribe, band, Nation, or other
organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or
regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant
to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688) that is
federally recognized as eligible for the special programs and services
provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as
Indians.
``Tribal organization'' means the recognized governing body of any
Indian tribe or any legally established organization of Indians that is
controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by that governing body or that is
democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to
be served by the organization and that includes the maximum
participation of Indians in all phases of its activities. However, in
any case where a contract is let or grant made to an organization to
perform services benefiting more than one Indian tribe, the approval of
each of those Indian tribes must be a prerequisite to the letting or
making of that contract or grant.
Selection Criteria
The Secretary uses the selection criteria contained in 34 CFR
401.21 to evaluate applications for new grants under this competition.
Section 401.21 assigns a total of 85 points for these criteria. Under
section 401.20(b), the Secretary is authorized to distribute an
additional 15 reserved points among the criteria contained in section
401.21 for a maximum of 100 points for the selection criteria. The
maximum score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses.
Criteria
(a) Program factors. (25 points) The Secretary reviews each
application to determine the extent to which it--
(1) Proposes measurable goals for student enrollment, completion,
and placement (including placement in jobs or military specialties and
in continuing education or training opportunities) that are realistic
in terms of stated needs, resources, and job opportunities in each
occupation for which training is to be provided;
(2) Proposes goals that take into consideration any related goals
or
[[Page 31365]]
standards developed for Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS)
programs (42 U.S.C. 681 et seq.) and Job Training Partnership Act
(JTPA) (29 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) training programs operating in the
area, and, where appropriate, any goals set by the State Board for
vocational education for the occupation and geographic area;
(3) Describes, for each occupation for which training is to be
provided, how successful program completion will be determined in terms
of academic and vocational competencies demonstrated by enrollees prior
to completion and any academic or work credentials acquired by
enrollees upon completion;
(4) Demonstrates the active commitment in the project's planning
and operation by advisory committees, tribal planning offices, the JOBS
program office, the JTPA program director, and potential employers such
as tribal enterprises, private enterprises (on or off reservation), and
other organizations;
(5) Is targeted to individuals with inadequate skills to assist
those individuals in obtaining new employment; and
(6) Includes a thorough description of the approach to be used,
including some or all of the following components:
(i) Methods of participant selection.
(ii) Assessment and feedback of participant progress.
(iii) Coordination of vocational instruction, academic instruction,
and support services such as counseling, transportation, and child
care.
(iv) Curriculum and, if appropriate, approaches for providing on-
the-job training experience.
(b) Need. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each application to
determine the extent to which the project addresses specific needs,
including--
(1) The job market and related needs (such as educational level) of
the target population;
(2) Characteristics of that population, including an estimate of
those to be served by the project;
(3) How the project will meet the needs of the target population;
and
(4) A description of any ongoing and planned activities relative to
those needs, including, if appropriate, how the State plan developed
under 34 CFR 403.30-403.34 is designed to meet those needs.
(c) Plan of operation. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each
application to determine the quality of the plan of operation for the
project, including--
(1) The establishment of objectives that are clearly related to
project goals and activities and are measurable with respect to
anticipated enrollments, completions, and placements;
(2) A management plan that describes the chain of command, how
staff will be managed, how coordination among staff will be
accomplished, and timelines for each activity; and
(3) The way the applicant intends to use its resources and
personnel to achieve each objective.
(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 project director;
(ii) The qualifications of each of the other key personnel to be
used on the project;
(iii) The time, including justification for the time that each one
of the key personnel, including the project director, will commit to
the project; and
(iv) Subject to the Indian preference provisions of the Indian
Self-Determination Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.) that apply to grants and
contracts to tribal organizations, how the applicant, as part of its
nondiscriminatory employment practices, will ensure that its personnel
are selected for employment without regard to race, color, national
origin, gender, age, or disabling condition.
(2) To determine personnel qualifications, the Secretary
considers--
(i) The experience and training of key personnel in project
management and in fields particularly related to the objectives of the
project; and
(ii) Any other qualifications of key personnel 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 adequate to support the project activities;
(2) Costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the
project and the number of participants to be served; and
(3) The budget narrative justifies the expenditures.
(f) Evaluation Plan. (10 points) The Secretary reviews each
application to determine the quality of the evaluation plan for the
project, including the extent to which--
(1) The plan identifies, at a minimum, types of data to be
collected and reported with respect to the academic and vocational
competencies demonstrated by participants and the number and kind of
academic and work credentials acquired by participants who complete the
training;
(2) The plan identifies, at a minimum, types of data to be
collected and reported with respect to the achievement of project goals
for the enrollment, completion, and placement of participants. The data
must be broken down by sex and by occupation for which training was
provided;
(3) The methods of evaluation are appropriate for the project and,
to the extent possible, are objective and produce data that are
quantifiable; and
(4) The methods of evaluation provide periodic data that can be
used by the project for ongoing program improvement.
(h) Employment opportunities. (20 points) The Secretary reviews
each application to determine the quality of the plan for job placement
of participants who complete training under this program, including--
(1) The expected employment opportunities (including any military
specialties) and any additional educational or training opportunities
that are related to the participants' training;
(2) Information and documentation concerning potential employers'
commitment to hire participants who complete training; and
(3) An estimate of the percentage of trainees expected to be
employed (including self-employed individuals) in the field for which
they were trained following completion of training.
Special Considerations
Under 34 CFR 401.20(e), in addition to the 100 points to be awarded
based on the selection criteria in 34 CFR 401.21, the Secretary awards:
(a) Up to 5 points to applications proposing exemplary approaches
that involve, coordinate with, or encourage tribal economic development
plans; and
(b) Five points to applications from tribally controlled community
colleges that--
(1) Are accredited or are candidates for accreditation by a
nationally recognized accreditation organization as an institution of
postsecondary vocational education; or
(2) Operate vocational education programs that are accredited or
are candidates for accreditation by a nationally recognized
accreditation organization and issue certificates for completion of
vocational education programs.
Additional Factors
Under 34 CFR 401.22, the Secretary may decide not to award a grant
or cooperative agreement if--
(a) The proposed project duplicates an effort already being made;
or
(b) Funding the project would create an inequitable distribution of
funds under this part among Indian tribes.
[[Page 31366]]
Instructions for Transmittal of Applications
Applicants are required to submit one original and two copies of
the grant application. To aid with the review of applications, the
Department encourages applicants to submit four additional copies of
the grant application. The Department will not penalize applicants who
do not provide additional copies.
(a) If an applicant wants to apply for a grant under this
competition, the applicant must--
(1) Mail the original and two copies of the application on or
before the deadline date to: U.S. Department of Education, Application
Control Center, Attention: (CFDA #84.101), Washington, D.C. 20202-4725.
(2) Hand deliver the original and two 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 #84.101), Room #3633, Regional Office Building #3, 7th and D
Streets, S.W., Washington, D.C.
(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
date 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 Acknowledgment 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. The parts and additional materials are as
follows:
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. Estimated Public Reporting Burden.
Part V: Additional Assurances and Certifications:
a. Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B).
b. Certification regarding 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 Form
80-0014, 9/90) and instructions.
(Note: ED Form 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. This document has been marked to
reflect statutory changes. See the notice published by the Office of
Management and Budget at 61 FR 1413 (January 19, 1996).
e. Notice to All Applicants.
All applicants must submit ONE original signed application having
an ink signature on all forms and assurances and two copies of the
application. Please mark each application as original and copy. To aid
with the review of applications, the Department encourages applicants
to submit four additional copies of the grant application. The
Department will not penalize applicants who do not provide additional
copies.
No grant may be awarded unless a completed application form has
been received.
For Further Information Contact: Gwen Washington or David Jones,
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) 205-9270. 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; or on the Internet Gopher Server at
GOPHER.ED.GOV (under Announcements, Bulletins and Press Releases).
However, the official application notice for a discretionary grant
competition is the notice published in the Federal Register.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2313(b).
Dated: June 13, 1996.
Patricia W. McNeil,
Assistant Secretary, Office of Vocational and Adult Education.
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
[[Page 31367]]
Appendix A
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN19JN96.010
[[Page 31368]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN19JN96.011
[[Page 31369]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN19JN96.012
[[Page 31370]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN19JN96.013
[[Page 31371]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN19JN96.014
[[Page 31372]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN19JN96.015
BILLING CODE 4000-01-C
[[Page 31373]]
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 for each
budget year.
2. Fringe Benefits: Indicate the rate and amount of fringe
benefits for each budget year.
3. Travel: Indicate the amount requested for both local and out
of State travel of Project Staff for each budget year. 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 for each budget
year.
5. Supplies: Include the cost of consumable supplies and
materials to be used during the project period for each budget year.
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 for each budget year.
7. Construction: Not Applicable.
8. Other: Indicate all direct costs not clearly covered by lines
1 through 6 above, including consultants and capital expenditures
for each budget year.
9. Total Direct Cost: Show the total for Lines 1 through 8 for
each budget year.
10. Indirect Costs: Indicate the rate and amount of indirect
costs for each budget year.
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) for each budget year.
12. Total Costs: Show total for lines 9 through 11 for each
budget year.
Instructions for Part III--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.
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,
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 based on 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, special considerations, 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 project. Then describe the project in detail, addressing each
selection criterion in order.
The Secretary strongly suggests that 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 to the
program narrative. Be sure that this material is concise and
pertinent to this program completion.
You are advised that--
(a) The Secretary 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 selection criteria contained in this notice and
in 34 CFR 401.21 and the special considerations contained in this
notice and in 34 CFR 401.20(e). Letters of support included as
appendices to the application that are of direct relevance to or
contain commitments that pertain to the established selection
criteria, such as commitment of resources, will be reviewed by the
panel.
Paperwork 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 1830-0013 (Expiration date: 06/
30/99). The time required to complete this information collection is
estimated to average 90 hours per response, including the time to
review instructions, search existing data resources, gather 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, D.C. 20202-4651. If you have
comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual
submission of this form, write directly to: Gwen Washington or David
Jones, 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.
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
[[Page 31374]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN19JN96.016
[[Page 31375]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN19JN96.017
[[Page 31376]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN19JN96.018
[[Page 31377]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN19JN96.019
[[Page 31378]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN19JN96.020
[[Page 31379]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN19JN96.021
[[Page 31380]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN19JN96.022
BILLING CODE 4000-01-C
[[Page 31381]]
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 may 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 followed by the Department's
answers.
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 must 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. Applicants are required to submit one original and two copies
of the grant application. To aid with the review of applications,
the Department encourages applicants to submit four additional
copies of the grant application. The Department will not penalize
applicants who do not provide additional copies. The binding of
applications is optional.
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 specifications 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 such 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, however, that prior
contact with the Department 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 Department competitions with
similar closing dates.
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 a legitimate reason for needing to know the outcome of the
panel 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
results of panel review with anyone.
Q. Will my application be returned if I am not funded?
A. No. 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, DC in the travel budget. Travel
to conferences is sometimes allowed when the purpose of the
conference will be of benefit and relates to the project.
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 reviewed 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
[[Page 31382]]
unless those conditions are met. Questions may also be raised about
the proposed budget. Generally, these issues are raised because an
application contains 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 issues
under negotiation have been resolved.
Q. How do I provide an assurance?
A. Except for SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction
Programs,'' you may provide an assurance simply by stating 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, DC 20402. Telephone: (202) 708-8228.
When requesting copies of regulations or statutes, it is helpful to
use the specific name or public law, number of a statute, or part
number of a regulation. The material referenced in this notice
should be referred to as follows:
(1) The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology
Education Act (Pub. L. 101-302).
(2) Education Department General Administrative Regulations, 34
CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 90, 81, and 85.
(3) 34 CFR parts 400 (Vocational and Applied Technology
Education Programs--General Provisions) and 401 (Indian Vocational
Education Program) as published in the Federal Register on August
14, 1992 (57 FR 36724).
[FR Doc. 96-15648 Filed 6-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
