87 FR 34 pgs. 9331-9337 - Applications for New Awards; Indian Education Discretionary Grant Programs—Native Youth Community Program
Type: NOTICEVolume: 87Number: 34Pages: 9331 - 9337
Pages: 9331, 9332, 93339334, 9335, 9336, 9337, FR document: [FR Doc. 2022-03510 Filed 2-17-22; 8:45 am]
Agency: Education Department
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Indian Education Discretionary Grant Programs-Native Youth Community Program
AGENCY:
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education.
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY:
The Department of Education is issuing a notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2022 for Demonstration Grants for the Indian Children and Youth Program (Demonstration program), Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.299A. This notice relates to the approved information collection under OMB control number 1810-0722.
DATES:
Applications Available: February 18, 2022.
Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: March 10, 2022.
Date of Pre-Application Webinar: March 7, 2022.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 19, 2022.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 20, 2022.
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 December 27, 2021 (86 FR 73264) and available at www.federalregister.gov/d/2021-27979. Please note that these Common Instructions supersede the version published on February 13, 2019, and, in part, describe the transition from the requirement to register in SAM.gov a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number to the implementation of the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). More information on the phase-out of DUNS numbers is available at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ofo/docs/unique-entity-identifier-transition-fact-sheet.pdf.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Donna Bussell, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 3W239, Washington, DC 20202-6335. Telephone: (202) 453-6813. Email: donna.bussell@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Demonstration program is to provide financial assistance to projects that develop, test, and demonstrate the effectiveness of services and programs to improve the educational opportunities and achievement of Indian students in preschool, elementary, and secondary schools.
Background: For FY 2022, the Department will use the priority for Native Youth Community Projects (NYCP) to support community-led, comprehensive projects to help American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children become college- and career-ready. NYCP funding is one of many efforts across the Federal government to coordinate, measure progress, and make investments in Native youth programs. These grants are designed to help communities improve educational outcomes for Native youth, specifically college- and career-readiness, through strategies tailored to address the specific challenges and build upon the specific opportunities and culture within a community. Such strategies can include supplemental academic programs or courses, social-emotional services, cultural education, and other support services for AI/AN students and families.
Recognizing the importance of Tribal Nations to the education of Native youth, NYCP projects are based on a partnership that includes at least one Tribe and one school district or Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)-funded school. We expect that this partnership will facilitate capacity building within the community, generating positive results and practices for student college-and-career readiness beyond the period of Federal financial assistance. The requirement in this competition for a written partnership agreement helps to ensure that all relevant partners needed to achieve the project goals are included from the outset.
Further, a key priority of the Department is to promote equity in student access to educational resources and opportunities. This competition includes a competitive preference priority to encourage projects that bridge the purpose of NYCP (to improve Native children and youth's college- and career-readiness) and the Secretary's supplemental priority on promoting equity in student access to educational resources and opportunities by supporting community-led projects that engage school-age children in career exploration opportunities, with an emphasis on learning about the teaching profession. For example, applicants could propose projects that are designed to provide middle and high school students with career exploration opportunities such as: Classes about the teaching profession, hands-on teaching experience, guided support and mentorship from an experienced educator, college credit toward a future degree, and resources to know where and how to pursue a degree in education. By increasing exploration of the teaching profession among Native youth, the Department hopes to recruit future educators from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds or the communities they serve.
[top] Priorities: This competition includes one absolute priority and three competitive preference priorities. In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(ii), the absolute priority is from 34 CFR 263.20 and 263.21(c)(1); Competitive Preference Priority 1 is from 34 CFR 263.21(b)(1); and Competitive
Absolute Priority: For FY 2022 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this priority.
This priority is:
Native Youth Community Projects.
To meet this priority, applicants must propose a project that fulfills the requirements of a Native Youth Community Project, as defined in this notice. In accordance with this definition, such a project must be designed to ensure that local Indian students are prepared for college and careers.
A native youth community project is:
(1) Focused on a defined local geographic area;
(2) Centered on the goal of ensuring that Indian students are prepared for college and careers;
(3) Informed by evidence, which could be either a needs assessment conducted within the last three years or other data analysis, on-
(i) The greatest barriers, both in and out of school, to the readiness of local Indian students for college and careers;
(ii) Opportunities in the local community to support Indian students; and
(iii) Existing local policies, programs, practices, service providers, and funding sources;
(4) Focused on one or more barriers or opportunities with a community-based strategy or strategies and measurable objectives;
(5) Designed and implemented through a partnership of various entities, which-
(i) Must include-
(A) One or more Tribes or their Tribal education agencies; and
(B) One or more BIE-funded schools, one or more local educational agencies (LEAs), or both; and
(ii) May include other optional entities, including community-based organizations, national nonprofit organizations, and Alaska regional corporations; and
(6) Led by an entity that-
(i) Is eligible for a grant under the Demonstration Grants for Indian Children and Youth program; and
(ii) Demonstrates, or partners with an entity that demonstrates, the capacity to improve outcomes that are relevant to the project focus through experience with programs funded through other sources.
Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2022 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, these priorities are competitive preference priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we award an additional 5 points to an application that meets Competitive Preference Priority 1, or an additional 3 points to an application that meets Competitive Preference Priority 2. An applicant can receive points under either Competitive Preference Priority 1 or 2, but not both. In addition, we award an additional 7 points to an application that meets Competitive Preference Priority 3. An application that meets Competitive Preference Priorities 1 and 3 can be awarded a maximum of 12 priority points. An application that meets Competitive Preference Priorities 2 and 3 can be awarded a maximum of 10 priority points.
These priorities are:
Competitive Preference Priority 1: Tribal Lead Applicants (0 or 5 points).
To meet this priority, an application must be submitted by an Indian Tribe, Indian organization, school funded by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE-funded school), or Tribal college or university (TCU) that is eligible to participate in the Demonstration program. A group application submitted by a consortium that meets the requirements of 34 CFR 75.127 through 75.129 or submitted by a partnership is eligible to receive the preference only if the lead applicant for the consortium is the Indian Tribe, Indian organization, BIE-funded school, or TCU.
Competitive Preference Priority 2: Tribal Partnership (0 or 3 points).
To meet this priority, an application must be submitted by a consortium of eligible entities that meets the requirements of 34 CFR 75.127 through 75.129 or submitted by a partnership if the consortium or partnership: (1) Includes an Indian Tribe, Indian organization, BIE-funded school, or TCU; and (2) is not eligible to receive the preference under Competitive Preference Priority 1.
Competitive Preference Priority 3: Promoting Equity in Student Access to Educational Resources and Opportunities (0 to 7 points).
Under this priority, an applicant must demonstrate that the applicant proposes a project designed to promote educational equity and adequacy in resources and opportunity for underserved students-
(1) In one or more of the following educational settings:
(i) Elementary school.
(ii) Middle school.
(iii) High school.
(iv) Career and technical education programs.
(iv) Out-of-school-time settings.
(vi) Alternative schools and programs.
(2) That examines the sources of inequity and inadequacy and implements responses, and that includes increasing the number and proportion of experienced, fully certified, in-field, and effective educators, and educators from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds or the communities they serve, to ensure that underserved students have educators from those backgrounds and communities and are not taught at disproportionately higher rates by uncertified, out-of-field, and novice teachers compared to their.peers 1
Footnotes:
1 ?All strategies to increase racial diversity of educators must comply with applicable law, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Application Requirements: For FY 2022 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, applicants must meet the following application requirements, which are from section 6121 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7441) and 34 CFR 263.22. Each application must contain-
(a) A description of how Indian Tribes and parents and families of Indian children and youth have been, and will be, involved in developing and implementing the proposed activities;
(b) Assurances that the applicant will participate, at the request of the Secretary, in any national evaluation of this program;
(c) Information demonstrating that the proposed project is evidence-based, where applicable, or is based on an existing evidence-based program that has been modified to be culturally appropriate for Indian students;
(d) A description of how the applicant will continue the proposed activities once the grant period is over;
(e) Evidence, which could be either a needs assessment conducted within the last three years or other data analysis, of-
(1) The greatest barriers, both in and out of school, to the readiness of local Indian students for college and careers;
(2) Opportunities in the local community to support Indian students; and
[top] (3) Existing local policies, programs, practices, service providers, and funding sources;
(f) A copy of an agreement signed by the partners in the proposed project, identifying the responsibilities of each partner in the project. The agreement can be either-
(1) A consortium agreement that meets the requirements of 34 CFR 75.128, if each of the entities are eligible entities under this program; or
(2) Another form of partnership agreement, such as a memorandum of understanding or a memorandum of agreement, if not all the partners are eligible entities under this program;
(g) A plan, which includes measurable objectives, to evaluate reaching the project goal or goals;
(h) An assurance that-
(1) Services will be supplemental to the education program provided by local schools attended by the students to be served;
(2) Funding will be supplemental to existing sources, such as Johnson O'Malley funding; and
(3) The availability of funds for supplemental special education and related services ( i.e., services that are not part of the special education and related services, supplementary aids and services, and program modifications or supports for school personnel that are required to make a free appropriate public education (FAPE) available under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to a child with a disability in conformity with the child's individualized education program or the regular or special education and related aids and services required to make FAPE available under a Section 504 plan, if any) does not affect the right of the child to receive FAPE under Part B of the IDEA or Section 504, and the respective implementing regulations.
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 preference, an Indian is a is a member of any federally recognized Indian Tribe.
Definitions: The following definitions apply to this competition. The definition of "evidence-based" is from section 8101(21) of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7801(21)), and the definitions of "Indian," "Indian organization," "Parent," "Native youth community project," and "Tribal college or university" are from 34 CFR 263.20. The definitions of "demonstrates a rationale," "relevant outcome," "project component," and "logic model" are from 34 CFR 77.1.
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.
Evidence-based, when used with respect to a State, LEA, or school activity, means an activity, strategy, or intervention that-
(1) Demonstrates a statistically significant effect on improving student outcomes or other relevant outcomes based on-
(i) Strong evidence from at least 1 well-designed and well-implemented experimental study;
(ii) Moderate evidence from at least 1 well-designed and well-implemented quasi-experimental study; or
(iii) Promising evidence from at least 1 well-designed and well-implemented correlational study with statistical controls for selection bias; or
(2)(i) Demonstrates a rationale based on high-quality research findings or positive evaluation that such activity, strategy, or intervention is likely to improve student outcomes or other relevant outcomes; and
(ii) Includes ongoing efforts to examine the effects of such activity, strategy, or intervention.
Indian means an individual who is-
(1) A member of an Indian Tribe or band, as membership is defined by the Indian Tribe or band, including any Tribe or band terminated since 1940, and any Tribe or band recognized by the State in which the Tribe or band resides;
(2) A descendant of a parent or grandparent who meets the requirements described in paragraph (1) of this definition;
(3) Considered by the Secretary of the Interior to be an Indian for any purpose;
(4) An Eskimo, Aleut, or other Alaska Native; or
(5) A member of an organized Indian group that received a grant under the Indian Education Act of 1988 as it was in effect on October 19, 1994.
Indian organization means an organization that-
(1) Is legally established-
(i) By Tribal or inter-Tribal charter or in accordance with State or Tribal law; and
(ii) With appropriate constitution, by-laws, or articles of incorporation;
(2) Includes in its purposes the promotion of the education of Indians;
(3) Is controlled by a governing board, the majority of which is Indian;
(4) If located on an Indian reservation, operates with the sanction of or by charter from the governing body of that reservation;
(5) Is neither an organization or subdivision of, nor under the direct control of, any institution of higher education or TCU; and
(6) Is not an agency of State or local government.
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 youth community project means a project that is-
(1) Focused on a defined local geographic area;
(2) Centered on the goal of ensuring that Indian students are prepared for college and careers;
(3) Informed by evidence, which could be either a needs assessment conducted within the last three years or other data analysis, on-
(i) The greatest barriers, both in and out of school, to the readiness of local Indian students for college and careers;
(ii) Opportunities in the local community to support Indian students; and
(iii) Existing local policies, programs, practices, service providers, and funding sources;
(4) Focused on one or more barriers or opportunities with a community-based strategy or strategies and measurable objectives;
(5) Designed and implemented through a partnership of various entities, which-
(i) Must include-
(A) One or more Tribes or their Tribal education agencies; and
(B) One or more BIE-funded schools, one or more LEAs, or both; and
(ii) May include other optional entities, including community-based organizations, national nonprofit organizations, and Alaska regional corporations; and
(6) Led by an entity that-
[top] (i) Is eligible for a grant under the Demonstration program; and
(ii) Demonstrates, or partners with an entity that demonstrates, the capacity to improve outcomes that are relevant to the project focus through experience with programs funded through other sources.
Parent includes a legal guardian or other person standing in loco parentis (such as a grandparent or stepparent with whom the child lives, or a person who is legally responsible for the child's welfare).
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.
Tribal College or University (TCU) means an accredited college or university within the United States cited in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994, any other institution that qualifies for funding under the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978, and the Navajo Community College, authorized in the Navajo Community College Assistance Act of 1978.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7441.
Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in Federal civil rights laws.
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 program regulations in 34 CFR part 263. (e) The Supplemental Priorities.
Note: The open licensing requirement in 2 CFR 3474.20 does not apply to this program.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants except federally recognized Indian Tribes.
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:
The Administration has requested $67,993,000 for the Special Programs for Indian Children program for FY 2022, of which we intend to use an estimated $18,000,000 for this competition. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this program.
Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2023 and subsequent years from the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
Estimated Range of Awards: $400,000-$500,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $475,000.
Estimated Number of Awards: 40.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: Up to 60 months.
Note: Under ESEA section 6121(d)(1)(C), the Secretary awards grants for an initial period of not more than 36 months and may renew them for up to 24 months if the Secretary determines that the grantee has made substantial progress in carrying out activities under the grant.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: The following entities, either alone or in a consortium, are eligible under this program:
(a) An SEA.
(b) An LEA, including charter schools that are considered LEAs under State law.
(c) An Indian Tribe.
(d) An Indian organization.
(e) A federally supported elementary school or secondary school for Indian students.
(f) A TCU.
2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost sharing or matching.
b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses an unrestricted indirect cost rate. For more information regarding indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please see www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/intro.html.
c. Administrative Cost Limitation: Under ESEA section 6121(e), no more than five percent of the funds awarded for a grant may be used for administrative costs.
3. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities described in its application.
4. Other: Projects funded under this competition should budget for a two-day Project Directors' meeting in Washington, DC during each year of the project period.
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 December 27, 2021 (86 FR 73264) and available at www.federalregister.gov/d/2021-27979, which contain requirements and information on how to submit an application. Please note that these Common Instructions supersede the version published on February 13, 2019, and, in part, describe the transition from the requirement to register in SAM.gov a DUNS number to the implementation of the UEI. More information on the phase-out of DUNS numbers is available at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ofo/docs/unique-entity-identifier-transition-fact-sheet.pdf.
2. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of projects that may be proposed in applications for the Demonstration 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 by posting them on our website, 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).
[top] 3. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal
4. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
5. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. We recommend that you (1) limit the application narrative to no more than 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, the letter(s) of support, or the signed consortium agreement. However, the recommended page limit does apply to all of the application narrative. An application will not be disqualified if it exceeds the recommended page limit.
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 263.24 and 34 CFR 75.210. The maximum score for addressing each criterion and factor within each criterion, is included in parentheses. The maximum score for these criteria is 100 points.
(a) Need for project (10 points). The Secretary considers the need for the proposed project. In determining the need for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) 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. (Up to 4 points)
(2) The magnitude of the need for the services to be provided or the activities to be carried out by the proposed project. (Up to 3 points)
(3) The extent to which the proposed project will provide services or otherwise address the needs of students at risk of educational failure. (Up to 3 points)
(b) Quality of project design (37 points). The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the proposed project. In determining the quality of the design of the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) The extent to which the design for implementing and evaluating the proposed project will result in information to guide possible replication of project activities or strategies, including information about the effectiveness of the approach or strategies employed by the project. (Up to 10 points)
(2) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable. (Up to 5 points)
(3) The extent to which the design of the proposed project includes a thorough, high-quality review of the relevant literature, a high-quality plan for project implementation, and the use of appropriate methodological tools to ensure successful achievement of project objectives. (Up to 7 points)
(4) The extent to which the proposed project demonstrates a rationale (as defined in this notice). (Up to 10 points)
(5) The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and qualitative data to the extent possible. (Up to 5 points)
(c) Quality of project personnel (12 points). The Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will carry out the proposed project. In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) The extent to which the applicant encourages applications for employment from persons who are members of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. (Up to 6 points)
(2) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of the project director or principal investigator. (Up to 3 points)
(3) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of key project personnel. (Up to 3 points)
(d) Quality of project services (10 points). The Secretary considers the quality of the project services. In determining the quality of project services, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed project involve the collaboration of appropriate partners for maximizing the effectiveness of project services. (Up to 5 points)
(2) The extent to which the services to be offered would meet the needs of the local population, as demonstrated by an analysis of community-level data, including direct input from parents and families of Indian children and youth. (Up to 5 points)
(e) Quality of the management plan (24 points). The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for the proposed project. In determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) 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 14 points)
(2) How the applicant will ensure that a diversity of perspectives are brought to bear in the operation of the proposed project, including those of parents, teachers, the business community, a variety of disciplinary and professional fields, recipients or beneficiaries of services, or others, as appropriate. (Up to 5 points)
(3) The extent to which the proposed project is designed to build capacity and yield results that will extend beyond the period of Federal financial assistance. (Up to 5 points)
[top] (f) Quality of the project evaluation (7 points). The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be conducted of the proposed project. In determining the quality of the
(1) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward achieving intended outcomes. (Up to 4 points)
(2) The extent to which the evaluation will provide guidance about effective strategies suitable for replication or testing in other settings. (Up to 3 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 200.206, before awarding grants under this program, the Department conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 200.208, the Secretary may impose specific conditions and, under 2 CFR 3474.10, 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 200.206(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.
5. In General: In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget's guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department will review and consider applications for funding pursuant to this notice inviting applications in accordance with-
(a) Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an objective process of evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR 200.205);
(b) Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) (2 CFR 200.216);
(c) Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2 CFR 200.322); and
(d) Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest extent authorized by law if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR 200.340).
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. 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: For the purposes of Department reporting under 34 CFR 75.110, we developed the following performance measures for measuring the overall effectiveness of the Demonstration program:
(1) The percentage of the annual measurable objectives, as described in the application, that are met by grantees; and
(2) The percentage of grantees that report a significant increase in community collaborative efforts that promote college and career readiness of Indian children.
These measures constitute the Department's indicators of success for this program. Consequently, we advise an applicant for a grant under this program to carefully consider these measures in conceptualizing the approach to, and evaluation for, its proposed project. Each grantee will be required to provide, in its annual performance and final reports, data about its progress in meeting these measures.
[top] 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
In making a continuation award, the Secretary also considers whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
VII. Other Information
Accessible Format: On request to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT , individuals with disabilities can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format. The Department will provide the requestor with an accessible format that may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or text format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc, or other accessible format.
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.
Ruth E. Ryder,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Programs, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2022-03510 Filed 2-17-22; 8:45 am]
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