[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 57 (Thursday, March 24, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6875]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 24, 1994]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part II
Department of Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
_______________________________________________________________________
National Endowment for Children's Educational Television; Notice of
Availability of Funds
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
[Docket No. 940375-4075]
[RIN 0660-AA06]
National Endowment for Children's Educational Television (NECET)
AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration,
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of availability of funds.
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SUMMARY: The National Endowment for Children's Educational Television
(NECET) hereby gives notice of the availability of funds for the
purpose of enhancing the education of children through the creation and
production of television programming specifically directed toward the
development of fundamental intellectual skills.
DATES: The closing date for submission of all NECET Preliminary
Applications (Pre-Applications) for the fiscal year (FY) 1994 grant
cycle is Wednesday, May 4, 1994. Pre-Applications must be received at
the NECET office no later than 5 p.m., May 4, 1994, whether mailed or
hand-delivered. Facsimile copies will not be accepted.
Successful Pre-Applicants will be invited to submit Full
Applications to NECET. Full Applications must be received at the NECET
office no later than 5 p.m., Wednesday, July 13, 1994. NTIA intends to
award FY 1994 NECET grants by September 30, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Office of Telecommunications and Information Applications
(OTIA); National Telecommunications and Information Administration
(NTIA); U.S. Department of Commerce; 14th Street and Constitution
Avenue, NW., room H-4889; Washington, DC 20230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Charles M. Rush; Acting Associate
Administrator, Office of Telecommunications and Information
Applications (OTIA); Telephone: (202) 482-5802; Facsimile: (202) 482-
2156; E-Mail: necet@ntia.doc.gov. Information on the NECET program may
also be downloaded from the NTIA Bulletin Board by contacting (202)
482-1199 via modern or ntiabbs.ntia.doc.gov via Internet.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration
(NTIA), Department of Commerce, serves as the President's principal
adviser on telecommunications and information policy. NTIA's functions
were codified as part of the Telecommunications Authorization Act of
1992, Public Law No. 102-538, 106 Stat. 3533, 47 U.S.C. 901-04 (1993).
The National Endowment for Children's Educational Television was
established by The Children's Television Act of 1990, Public Law No.
101-437, 104 Stat. 996 (1990) (codified at 47 U.S.C. 394 (1991)).
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)
11.551; The National Endowment for Children's Educational
Television.
Program Description
NECET Background
NECET funds are intended to support the creation and production of
children's television programming that is specifically directed toward
the development of fundamental intellectual skills. In so doing,
NECET's efforts are intended to supplement children's educational
programming that is funded by other governmental entities.
Congress directed that NECET be administered by the Secretary of
Commerce. The Secretary, in turn, has delegated this responsibility to
the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, who serves
as the Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA).
The Children's Television Act of 1990 stipulates that, during the
first two years following project completion, NECET-funded programming
may be offered for distribution only to noncommercial public television
stations. After the initial two-year period, NECET-funded programming
may be made available to commercial media as well, including broadcast
television networks and stations, and cable television networks and
systems. The 1990 Act authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, under
certain circumstances, to modify some aspects of these distribution
requirements.
Through the 1990 Act, Congress sought to ensure that commercial
television entities would have at their disposal a growing pool of
high-quality programming appropriate for a children's audience that
would be available at an affordable cost. Accordingly, the 1990 Act
authorizes the Secretary to offer NECET-funded programs to commercial
television stations and cable television systems at a rate designed to
encourage these entities to air such programming.
NECET Objectives
For the FY 1994 grant round, NECET has three major objectives that
applicants should consider when preparing their submissions.
To Improve the Fundamental Intellectual Skills of Children
Through the Vehicle of Television Programming. The term ``fundamental
intellectual skills'' may be defined in a number of ways. In general,
NECET interprets the term broadly, to include those competencies and
abilities that enable children to effectively understand and cope with
problems posed by the contemporary world. Such skills might include
proficiency in traditional academic disciplines, such as mathematics,
science, history or reading, or they might consist of more abstract
abilities, concerns or appreciations, such as problem-solving, ethics,
multiculturalism or diversity. Regardless of approach, applicants are
also encouraged to incorporate basic human development skills, such as
self-esteem and pro-social behavior development, into their proposals.
Finally, since most effective educational television programming for
children has an entertainment element woven throughout it, NECET
applicants are encouraged to incorporate this element into the design
of their proposals.
To the Extent Feasible, To Support the Development of
Programming for Children Aged 6 to 8. Although there is a need for
high-quality educational television programming for children of all
ages, NECET has concluded that the six-to-eight-year-old child is
currently the most underserved by educational television programming
and is therefore deserving of special consideration for the FY 1994
grant round. According to the 1990 U.S. Census, there are a total of
10,732,061 children in this age group. Consistent with this emphasis,
projects that meet the needs of this particular age group are more
likely to be competitive and to receive funding consideration than
projects focused on other age groups. NECET, however, will not
automatically reject projects designed for other age groups. In future
grant rounds, NECET may emphasize projects designed for different age
levels.
To Encompass a Broad Range of Subject Areas Within the
Overall Context of the Grant Program. NECET is imposing no limits on
the scope of the proposals that may be submitted for funding
consideration. In selecting the goals for their projects, applicants
may choose to encompass a broad array of targeted skills. Alternatively
applicants may choose to center on a single learning need.
Funding Availability
The Departments of Commerce, Justice and State, the Judiciary and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1993, Public Law 103-121, 107
Stat. 1153 (1993), provides the Department of Commerce $1 million in
assistance for the National Endowment for Children's Educational
Television under 47 U.S.C. 394 (1991), to be used for the creation and
production of television programming specifically directed toward the
development of fundamental intellectual skills. Congress has
appropriated a total of $1 million for NECET for Fiscal Year 1994. NTIA
anticipates that in FY 1994 NECET will fund up to six grant awards,
depending on the nature of the projects and the need of the recipients,
and that NECET awards will range from $50,000 to $300,000.
Matching Requirements
The Children's Television Act of 1990 provides that the Department
of Commerce may award funds up to 75 percent of a project's eligible
costs. Due to the limitation of available funding, however, applicants
are encouraged to provide as much outside funding as possible.
Type of Funding Instrument
The funding instrument for awards made under this program will be a
grant.
Eligibility Criteria
Any individual, partnership, association, joint stock company,
trust, corporation (not-for-profit or for-profit), or state or local
governmental entity is eligible to submit an application for NECET
funding.
Award Period
Successful applicants will have up to twenty-four months to
complete their project, although the grant award period will vary as a
function of the complexity and scope of the project.
Indirect Costs
The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed in an
application under this program must not exceed the indirect cost rate
negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal agency prior to the
proposed effective date of the award or 100 percent of the total
proposed direct costs dollar amount in the application, whichever is
less.
Application Forms and Kit; Selection Procedures
Preliminary Applications
A Preliminary Application (Pre-Application) is required for each
proposal submitted by an applicant. The Pre-Application consists of two
parts; (1) A Standard Form 424 (SF-424) (Rev. 4-92) Application for
Federal Assistance; and (2) a narrative summary of the general nature
of the proposed project, not to exceed five single-spaced pages. An
original and two copies of each complete Pre-Application is required
for each project submission. No organization or individual is permitted
to submit Pre-Applications for more than three separate projects.
Videotapes, audio cassettes and other related materials are not
permitted with Pre-Applications. A copy of the SF-424 and an outline of
points to be included in the Pre-Application narrative summary is
contained in the National Endowment for Children's Educational
Television Guidelines for Preparing Applications: 1994 Grant Cycle.
This booklet may be secured by contacting the NTIA Office listed
earlier.
Upon receipt, NECET Pre-Applications will be reviewed and evaluated
by outside reviewers with expertise in the area of children's
television programming and by NECET staff. Criteria to be used in the
evaluation of each proposal are listed in the ``Evaluation Criteria''
section of this Notice. Written comments made by reviewers on each
proposal will not be made available to the applicant, and Pre-
Application submissions will not be returned. Recommendations regarding
successful Pre-Applications will be submitted to the NTIA
Administrator, who shall make a final determination regarding
successful and unsuccessful Pre-Applications. Successful and
unsuccessful Pre-Applicants will be notified by letter about their
proposals in late May, 1994. Those determined to be unsuccessful Pre-
Applicants will be dropped from further consideration for the FY 1994
NECET grant cycle. Those determined to be successful Pre-Applicants
will be invited to submit Full Applications to NECET.
Full Applications
The Full Application is a comprehensive document that consists of
required Federal forms, five sections of additional information, and
three exhibits. Detailed instructions for completing the Full
Application are contained in the Guidelines for Preparing Applications:
1994 Grant Cycle cited earlier.
In addition, those applicants requesting funds for production of a
series, individual program(s), or special program(s) are also strongly
recommended to submit a half-inch VHS videocassette that represents the
quality of work of which the applicant is capable. This type may take
the form of a pilot or other sample tape of the proposed project, or
may be a tape of an unrelated nature that demonstrates the creative and
technical capability of the applicant. Applicants requesting NECET
funds for reproduction activities only (e.g., planning, research,
development, scripting, etc.) and/or for production of a pilot program
do not need to submit a videocassette with their Full Applications.
Videocassettes will not be returned.
Project Funding Priorities
In general, NECET funds are available to support all of the varied
tasks associated with the production of children's television, and
project eligibility is not limited to any particular stage of
production or type of activity as long as it is germane to the
production of children's television programming that furthers the
objectives of the 1990 Act. Programming funded by NECET is primarily
intended for general viewing by children, although it may also have
value and be used within an instructional context. In general, NECET
expects to award funds for four categories of projects:
Series
To initiate new series productions, or to complete a series project
already underway.
Individual Programs or Specials
To support production of new individual program(s) or special(s).
Pilot Programs
To support various pre-production activities (e.g., planning,
research development, scripting, etc.) up through and including the
production of pilot program(s).
Pre-Production Projects
To support preliminary pre-production activities, such as planning,
research, development and/or scripting, that will eventually lead to
production.
Evaluation Criteria
Five Evaluation Criteria will be used to evaluate all NECET Pre-
Application and NECET Full Application submissions received during the
FY 1994 grant cycle. These criteria, and the weight accorded each
criterion, are as follows:
Creativity (30 points)
The proposed project must display a high degree of creativity,
originality and artistic imagination and, ideally, be unique and
innovative in its approach.
Clarity of Educational Objectives; Plan for Evaluating Educational
Effectiveness; Indication of Developmental Appropriateness (30 points)
Applicants must provide:
(1) A clear statement of the educational objectives of their
proposal;
(2) a plan for evaluating the educational effectiveness of the
proposed project; and
(3) an indication that the proposed project is developmentally
appropriate for the target audience specified in the proposal.
Conformance With NECET Objectives (15 points)
Applicants must satisfy NECET that their project will further the
three NECET objectives discussed earlier in this Notice:
(1) To Improve the Fundamental Intellectual Skills of Children
through the Vehicle of Television Programming;
(2) To the Extent Feasible, to Support the Development of
Programming for Children Aged 6 to 8; and
(3) To Encompass a Broad Range of Subject Areas within the Overall
Context of the Grant Program.
Applicant Capability (15 points)
Applicants must indicate why NECET may be confident that they will
be able to complete the proposed project in a satisfactory manner.
Applicants may demonstrate this capability in various ways, including
documentation of previous experience, presentation of a well-developed
plan, and related information.
Thoroughness of Project Plan (10 points)
Applicants must provide evidence of a well-developed and sound plan
for execution of their project, including a detailed and realistic
timetable and budget that accurately reflect the needs of the project.
Program Standards
Programs produced with NECET grant funding must meet broadcast-
quality production and technical standards consistent with those of the
Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). All programs must be closed-
captioned. Programming funded by NECET may not be interrupted with
commercial advertising messages for the life of the program. All NECET-
funded programming must be aired with a funding (underwriting) credit
for the National Endowment for Children's Educational Television
(NECET), and any ancillary materials produced with this grant shall
contain a similar credit. Such funding credit shall be consistent with
common practice for funding announcements on public broadcasting
stations.
Rights, Clearances, and Distribution
NECET grant recipients are entitled to retain continuing rights to
the programming that they create with NECET funding assistance.
Recipients of NECET grant funding must comply with all requirements of
United States Copyright Law, including requirements to obtain
permission from owners of copyright in works of authorship and to pay
any required license fees. Accordingly, NECET requires that all
completed creative works supported by NECET funding have appropriate
clearances, releases, and/or other documentation demonstrating that the
organization or individual producing the programming either has
obtained rights for the use of all elements in the programs, or has
itself originally created the work. These rights and clearances apply
to all elements of such programming.
NECET Applicants should note that they will need to obtain an
option on any material critical to the successful completion of their
projects before they apply to NECET, unless all such material has
already been cleared or is entirely original with the applicant.
Other Requirements
Federal Policies and Procedures
Recipients and sub-recipients are subject to all applicable Federal
laws and Federal and Department of Commerce policies, regulations, and
procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance awards.
Past Performance
Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal financial assistance
awards may result in an application not being considered for funding.
Pre-Award Activities
If applicants incur any costs prior to the awarding of funds, they
do so solely at their own risk of not being reimbursed by the
government. Applicants are hereby notified that, notwithstanding any
verbal or written assurance that they may have received, there is no
obligation on the part of the Department of Commerce or NTIA to cover
pre-award costs.
No Obligation for Future Funding
If an application is selected for funding, the Department of
Commerce has no obligation to provide any additional future funding in
connection with that award. Renewal of an award to increase funding or
extend the period of performance is at the total discretion of the
Department of Commerce.
Delinquent Federal Debts
No award of Federal funds shall be made to an applicant who has an
outstanding delinquent Federal debt until either:
1. The delinquent account is paid in full;
2. A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one
payment is received; or
3. Other arrangements satisfactory to the Department of Commerce
are made.
Name Check Review
All non-profit and for-profit applicants are subject to a name
check review process. Name checks are intended to reveal if any key
individuals associated with the applicant have been convicted of or are
presently facing criminal charges such as fraud, theft, perjury, or
other matters that significantly reflect on the applicant's management
honesty or financial integrity.
Primary Applicant Certifications
All primary applicants must submit a completed Form CD-511,
``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other
Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and
Lobbying.'' The following explanations are hereby provided:
Non-procurement Debarment and Suspension. Prospective
participants (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, Sec. 26.105) are subject to
15 CFR part 26, ``Non-procurement Debarment and Suspension'' and the
related section of the certification form prescribed above applies;
Drug-Free Workplace. Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR part
26, Sec. 26.605) are subject to 15 CFR part 26, Subpart F,
``Government-wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants) and the
related section of the certification form prescribed above applies;
Anti-Lobbying. Persons (as defined at 15 CFR part 28,
Sec. 28.105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352,
``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal
contracting and financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of
the certification form prescribed above applies to applications/bids
for grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than
$100,000, and loans and loan guarantees for more than $150,000 or the
single family maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever
is greater; and
Anti-Lobbying Disclosure. Any applicant that has paid or
will pay for lobbying using any funds must submit an SF-LLL,
``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR part
28, appendix B.
Lower Tier Certifications
Grant recipients shall require applicants/bidders for subgrants,
contracts, subcontracts, or other lower tier covered transactions at
any tier under the award to submit, if applicable, a completed Form CD-
512, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility
and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered Transactions and Lobbying''
and disclosure from SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.'' Form
CD-512 is intended for the use of recipients and should not be
transmitted to DOC. SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or sub-
recipient should be submitted to DOC in accordance with the
instructions contained in the award document.
False Statements
A false statement on an application is grounds for denial or
termination of funds and grounds for possible punishment by a fine or
imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
Intergovernmental Review
Applications under this program are subject to Executive Order
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''
Requirement To Buy American-Made Equipment or Products
Applicants are hereby notified that any equipment or products
authorized to be purchased with funding provided under this program
must be American-made to the maximum extent feasible in accordance with
Public Law 103-121, sections 606 (a) and (b). Adequate justification
will be required for any proposed purchases of equipment or products
that are not American-made.
Paperwork Reduction Act
The standard forms have been approved by the Office of Management
and Budget pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act under OMB Approval
Nos. 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 0348-0040 and 0348-0046.
Executive Order 12866
This Notice was not subject to review by the Office of Management
and Budget under Executive Order 12866.
Dated: March 18, 1994.
Larry Irving,
Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information.
[FR Doc. 94-6875 Filed 3-23-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-60-M
