2019-11520. Applications for New Awards; Alaska Native Education Program

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) 2019 for the Alaska Native Education (ANE) program, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 84.356A. This notice relates to the approved information collection under OMB control number 1894-0006.

DATES:

Applications Available: June 4, 2019.

Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: May 31, 2019.

Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 5, 2019.

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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Almita Reed, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 3E222, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: [phone]. Email: [e-mail].

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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Purpose of Program: The purpose of the ANE program is to support innovative projects that recognize and address the unique educational needs of Alaska Natives. These projects must include the activities authorized under section 6304(a)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA), and may include one or more of the activities authorized under section 6304(a)(3) of the ESEA.

Background: The ANE program serves the unique educational needs of Alaska Natives and recognizes the roles of Alaska Native languages and cultures in the educational success and long-term well-being of Alaska Native students. The program supports effective supplemental education programs that maximize participation of Alaska Native educators and leaders in the planning, development, implementation, management, and evaluation of programs designed to serve Alaska Natives. Permissible activities include, but are not limited to, curriculum development, training and professional development, early childhood and parent outreach, and enrichment programs, as well as construction.

The ANE program encourages grantees to undertake a broad array of activities to achieve these purposes, including many that are consistent with the Administration's policy focus areas as expressed in the Secretary's Final Supplemental Priorities and Definitions for Discretionary Grant Programs (83 FR 9096) (Supplemental Priorities). For example, section 6304(a)(3)(D) of the ESEA authorizes student enrichment programs, including programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) that prepare Native students to excel in these subjects, provide appropriate supports so that students can benefit from them, and include activities that incorporate the unique cultural and educational needs of Native children. Similarly, Supplemental Priority 6 calls for projects in STEM, including computer science, that support student mastery of key prerequisites to ensure success in all STEM fields and expose students to building-block skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving, gained through hands-on, inquiry-based learning. Section 6304(a)(3)(B) of the ESEA also authorizes training and professional development activities for educators that include pre-service and in-service programs for teachers on understanding Alaska Native history, culture, values, and ways of knowing and learning, as well as recruitment and preparation of Alaska Native teachers and school leaders. Supplemental Priority 8 is designed to support the recruitment of educators who are effective and increase diversity (including, but not limited to, racial and ethnic diversity), as well as promote the number of students in rural schools who have access to effective educators.

As a final example, section 6304(a)(3)(K) authorizes career preparation activities to enable Alaska Native children and adults to prepare for meaningful employment, including programs providing tech-prep, mentoring, training, and apprenticeship activities. Similarily, Supplemental Priority 4 is designed to support projects likely to improve student academic performance and better prepare students for employment, responsible citizenship, and fulfilling lives.

Definitions: The definitions for “Alaska Native” and “Alaska Native organization” are from section 6306 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7546). The definitions for “logic model,” “demonstrates a rationale,” “project component,” and “relevant outcome” are from 34 CFR 77.1. The definition for “Native” is from section 3(b) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602(b)). In addition, the definitions for “experience operating programs that fulfill the purposes of the ANE program,” “official charter or sanction,” and “predominately governed by Alaska Natives” are from the notice of final definitions and requirements published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.

Alaska Native has the same meaning as the term Native has in section 3(b) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602(b)) and includes the descendants of individuals so defined.

Alaska Native organization means an organization that has or commits to acquire expertise in the education of Alaska Natives and is—

(a) An Indian tribe, as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450(b)), located in Alaska;

(b) A tribal organization, as defined in section 4 of such Act (25 U.S.C. 450(b)), located in Alaska; or

(c) An organization listed in clauses (i) through (xii) of section 419(4)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 619(4)(B)(i) through (xii)), or the successor of an entity so listed.

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.

Experience operating programs that fulfill the purposes of the ANE program means that, within the past four years, the entity has received and satisfactorily administered, in compliance with applicable terms and conditions, a grant under the ANE program or another Federal or non-Federal program that focused on meeting the unique education needs of Alaska Native children and families in Alaska.

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.

Native means a citizen of the United States who is a person of one-fourth degree or more Alaska Indian (including Tsimshian Indians not enrolled in the Metlaktla Indian Community) Eskimo, or Aleut blood, or combination thereof. The term includes any Native as so defined either or both of whose adoptive parents are not Natives. It also includes, in the absence of proof of a minimum blood quantum, any citizen of the United States who is regarded as an Alaska Native by the Native village or Native group of which he claims to be a member and whose father or mother is (or, if deceased, was) regarded as Native by any village or group. Any decision of the Secretary of the Interior regarding eligibility for enrollment shall be final.

Official charter or sanction means a signed letter or written agreement from an Alaska Native Tribe or ANO that is dated within 120 days prior to the date of the submission of the application and expressly (1) authorizes the applicant to conduct activities authorized under the ANE program and (2) describes the nature of those activities.

Predominately governed by Alaska Natives means that at least 80 percent of the entity's governing board (i.e., board elected or appointed to direct the policies of the organization) are Alaska Natives.

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).

Relevant outcome means the student outcome(s) or other outcome(s) the key project component is designed to improve, consistent with the specific goals of the program.

Application Requirements: The following requirements are from section 6304(a)(2) of the ESEA and from the notice of final definitions and requirements published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register. In order to receive funding, an applicant must meet the following requirements, as applicable:

(a) All applicants:

(1) The applicant must provide a detailed description of the plans, methods, strategies, and activities it will develop and implement to improve the educational outcomes of Alaska Natives; and how the applicant will develop and implement such plans, methods, strategies, and activities; and

(2) The applicant must provide a detailed description of the data it will collect to assist in the evaluation of the programs carried out under the ANE program, including data that address the performance measures in section VI.5 (Performance Measures) of this notice; and how the applicant will collect such data.

(b) Group Application:

An applicant that applies as part of a partnership must meet this requirement, in addition to the requirements in paragraph (a).

(1) An ANO that applies for a grant in partnership with a State educational agency (SEA) or local educational agency (LEA) must serve as the fiscal agent for the project.

(2) Group applications under the ANE program must include a partnership agreement that includes a Memorandum of Understanding or a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU/MOA) between the members of the partnership identified and discussed in the grant application. Each MOU/MOA must—

(i) Be signed by all partners, and dated within 120 days prior to the date of the submission of the application;

(ii) Clearly outline the work to be completed by each partner that will participate in the grant in order to accomplish the goals and objectives of the project; and

(iii) Demonstrate an alignment between the activities, roles, and responsibilities described in the grant application for each of the partners in the partnership agreement.

(c) Applicants Establishing Eligibility through a Charter or Sanction from an Alaska Native Tribe or ANO:

For an entity that does not meet the eligibility requirements for an ANO, established in section 6304(a)(1) and 6306(2) of the ESEA and the notice of final definitions and requirements published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, and that seeks to establish eligibility through a charter or sanction provided by an Alaska Native Tribe or ANO as required under section 6304(a)(1)(C)(ii) of the ESEA, the following documentation is required, in addition to the information in paragraph (a) and, if applicable, paragraph (b).

(1) Written documentation demonstrating that the entity is physically located in the State of Alaska.

(2) Written documentation demonstrating that the entity has experience operating programs that fulfill the purposes of the ANE program.

(3) Written documentation demonstrating that the entity is predominately governed by Alaska Natives, including the total number, names, and Tribal affiliations of members of the governing board.

(4) A copy of the official charter or sanction provided to the entity by an Alaska Native Tribe or ANO.

Statutory Hiring Preference: (a) Awards that are primarily for the benefit of Indians are subject to the provisions of section 7(b) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (Pub. L. 93-638). That section requires that, to the greatest extent feasible, a grantee—

(1) Give to Indians preferences and opportunities for training and employment in connection with the administration of the grant; and

(2) Give to Indian organizations and to Indian-owned economic enterprises, as defined in section 3 of the Indian Financing Act of 1974 (25 U.S.C. 1452(e)), preference in the award of contracts in connection with the administration of the grant.

(b) For purposes of this requirement, an Indian is a member of any federally recognized Indian Tribe.

Program Authority: Title VI, part C of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7541-7546).

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 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 notice of final definitions and requirements published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.

Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only.

II. Award Information

Type of Award: Discretionary grants.

Estimated Available Funds: $19,580,000.

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: $300,000-$1,500,000 for each 12-month budget period.

Estimated Average Size of Awards: $490,000 for each 12-month period.

Estimated Number of Awards: 40.

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

Project Period: Up to 36 months.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants: (a) Alaska Native organizations with experience operating programs that fulfill the purposes of the ANE program;

(b) Alaska Native organizations that do not have experience operating programs that fulfill the purposes of the ANE program, but are in partnership with—

(i) An SEA or LEA; or

(ii) An Alaska Native organization that operates a program that fulfills the purposes of the ANE program; or

(c) An entity located in Alaska, and predominately governed by Alaska Natives, that does not meet the definition of an Alaska Native organization but—

(i) Has experience operating programs that fulfill the purposes of the ANE program; and

(ii) Is granted an official charter or sanction from at least one Alaska Native Tribe or Alaska Native organization to carry out programs that meet the purposes of the ANE program.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost sharing or matching.

3. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities described in its application.

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 the ANE program, 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 program is not subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.

4. Funding Restrictions: No more than five percent of funds awarded for a grant under this program may be used for administrative costs (20 U.S.C. 7545). This five-percent limit must include both direct and indirect administrative costs. Please see the application package for more information about the administrative cost limit. We reference regulations outlining additional 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 30 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.

6. Notice of Intent to Apply: The Department will be able to review grant applications more efficiently if we know the approximate number of applicants that intend to apply. Therefore, we strongly encourage each potential applicant to notify us of their intent to submit an application. To do so, please email the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT with the subject line “Intent to Apply,” and include the applicant's name and a contact person's name and email address. Applicants that do not submit a notice of intent to apply may still apply for funding; applicants that do submit a notice of intent to apply are not bound to apply or bound by the information provided.

V. Application Review Information

1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are from 34 CFR 75.210 and section 6304(a)(2)(A) of the ESEA. The maximum score for all of the selection criteria is 120 points. The maximum score for each criterion is included in parentheses following the title of the specific selection criterion. Each criterion also includes the factors that reviewers will consider in determining the extent to which an applicant meets the criterion.

The selection criteria are as follows:

(a) Need for project (up to 20 points)

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

(2) In determining the need for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the extent to which specific gaps or weaknesses in services, infrastructure, or opportunities have been identified and will be addressed by the proposed project, including the nature and magnitude of those gaps or weaknesses.

(b) Quality of the project design (up to 40 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 20 points);

(ii) The extent to which the proposed project demonstrates a rationale (as defined in this notice) (up to 10 points); and

(iii) The extent to which the project plans, methods, strategies, and activities described by the applicant under Application Requirement (a)(1) will improve educational outcomes for Alaska Natives (up to 10 points).

(c) Quality of the management plan (up to 40 points)

(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for the proposed project.

(2) In determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(i) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing project tasks (up to 20 points); and

(ii) The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality products and services from the proposed project (up to 20 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. In addition the Secretary considers the qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of key project personnel.

(e) Quality of the project evaluation (up to 10 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 5 points)

(ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are appropriate to the context within which the project operates. (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), 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).

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 administrative and national policy requirements in the application package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.

We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also incorporates your approved application as part of your binding commitments under the grant.

3. 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.

(c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may provide a grantee with additional funding for data collection analysis and reporting. In this case the Secretary establishes a data collection period.

5. Performance Measures: We have established four performance measures for the ANE program: (1) The percentage of Alaska Native students in schools served by the program who meet or exceed proficiency standards in reading, mathematics, and science on the Alaska State assessments; (2) the percentage of Alaska Native children participating in early learning and preschool programs who consistently demonstrate school readiness in language and literacy as measured by the Revised Alaska Development Profile; (3) the percentage of Alaska Native students in schools served by the program who graduate from high school with a high school diploma in four years; and (4) the number of Alaska Native programs that primarily focus on Alaska Native culture and language.

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: 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) on request to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

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.

Frank T. Brogan,

Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.