[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 4, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38556-38577]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-13983]
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Part III
Department of Education
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Office of Vocational and Adult Education, Community Technology Centers
Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year
(FY) 2002; Notice
Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 107 / Tuesday, June 4, 2002 /
Notices
[[Page 38556]]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[CFDA No. 84.341A]
Office of Vocational and Adult Education, Community Technology
Centers Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal
Year (FY) 2002
Note to Applicants: This notice is a complete application
package. Together with the statute authorizing the program and the
Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR),
this notice contains all of the information, application forms, and
instructions you need to apply for a grant under this competition.
Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Community Technology Centers
program is to assist eligible applicants to create or expand community
technology centers that will provide disadvantaged residents of
economically distressed urban and rural communities with access to
information technology and related training.
For FY 2002, the competition for new awards focuses on projects
that fulfill the purpose of the program and that address the priorities
we describe in the PRIORITIES section of this notice.
Eligible Applicants: Community-based organizations, including
faith-based organizations, State and local educational agencies,
institutions of higher education, entities such as foundations,
libraries, museums and other public and private nonprofit organizations
or for-profit businesses. To be eligible, an applicant must also have
the capacity to significantly expand access to computers and related
services for disadvantaged residents of economically distressed urban
and rural communities (who would otherwise be denied such access).
An individual elementary or secondary school is not eligible to
apply for a grant unless it is a charter school that is a local
educational agency under State law or it is a school funded by the
Bureau of Indian Affairs that meets the requirements established by 20
U.S.C. 9101(26)(C). A group of eligible entities is also eligible to
receive a grant if the group follows the procedures for group
applications in 34 CFR 75.127-129 of EDGAR.
Note: An eligible applicant may submit only one application for
this competition, but may propose to carry out projects or
activities at multiple sites in a single application.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 19, 2002.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 17, 2002.
Notification of Intent to Apply for Funding: We can expedite the
review of applications and the final award of funds if we know
beforehand approximately how many entities intend to apply for funding.
Therefore, we strongly encourage each potential applicant to send by
June 28, 2002 a brief notification of your intent to submit an
application to the following address: [email protected].
Please put ``Notice of Intent'' in the subject line. The
notification of intent to apply for funding is optional and should not
include information regarding the proposed application. Eligible
applicants that fail to provide the notification can still submit an
application for funding.
Estimated Available Funds: $15,000,000.
Cost Share Requirement: Recipients of the one-year grants under the
program must share in the cost of the activities assisted under the
grant. Grant recipients must make available non-Federal contributions
in cash or in kind, as authorized under section 5512(c) of ESEA, of not
less than 50 percent of the cost of activities assisted under the
grant.
Estimated Range of Awards: $75,000--$300,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $180,000.
Estimated Number of Awards: 83.
Note: The Department of Education is not bound by any estimates
in this notice.
Project Period: Up to 12 months.
Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application)
is where you, the applicant, address the required application contents
and the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your
application. You must limit Part III to the equivalent of no more than
40 pages using 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).
The page limit does not apply to Part I, the cover sheet; Part II,
the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; Part
IV, the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, table
of contents, the information addressing section 427 of GEPA, the
resumes, the bibliography, or the letters of support.
However, you must include all of the application narrative in Part
III.
We will reject your application if:
You apply these standards and exceed the page limit; or
You apply other standards and exceed the equivalent of the page
limit.
Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 80, 81,
82, 85, 86, 97, 98 and 99.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Description of Program
These grants are authorized by Title V, Part D, Subpart 11, section
5511 et seq. of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(ESEA), as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (20 U.S.C.
7263).
Grant recipients must use funds provided under this program to
create or expand community technology centers that expand access to
information technology and related training for disadvantaged residents
of distressed urban and rural communities. The Community Technology
Centers program is fundamentally an education program. The focus of
successful projects will be on using technology as a tool to improve
learning outcomes, rather than on simply providing individuals with
access to technology as an end in itself. Teaching and learning should
be at the core of each project's activities.
Program Evaluation
Recipients also must use grant funds to carry out an evaluation of
the effectiveness of the project. Effectiveness should be measured on
the basis of the actual learning gains achieved by project participants
as determined by standardized assessments or other objective measures.
The effectiveness of adult education and family literacy instruction
provided by each project should be measured on the basis of the
literacy skill gains made by the adult learners served by the project,
as well as other outcomes, such as the receipt of a high school diploma
or its equivalent, placement in employment or enrollment in
postsecondary education.
Reporting Requirements
Applicants should be aware that, following the award of grants, we
anticipate establishing reporting requirements for projects funded
under this competition that will collect data on these and other
outcomes for adult learners, using similar procedures as those used for
the National Reporting System (NRS) for the Adult Education and Family
Literacy Act. To determine educational gain for NRS, local adult
education programs assess students at
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intake to determine their educational functioning level. There are four
educational functioning levels for adult basic education, two for adult
secondary education, and six levels for English-as-a-second language
students. Each level describes a set of skills and competencies that
students entering at that level can do in the areas of reading,
writing, numeracy, speaking, and listening. Using these descriptors as
guidelines, programs determine an initial level in which to place an
entering student based on a standardized assessment procedure. After a
pre-determined amount of instruction or time period, the program
conducts a follow-up assessment of the student and uses the functioning
level descriptors to determine whether the student has advanced one or
more levels or is progressing within the same level. More information
about the NRS procedures is available at: http://www.air-dc.org/nrs/DraftGuidelines.htm.
Consistent with the Paperwork Reduction Act, we will provide an
opportunity for public review and comment prior to establishing any
reporting requirements.
Applicants should anticipate and plan for the costs of student
assessments and other associated evaluation activities in preparing the
proposed budgets they submit with their applications.
Adult Education and Literacy
As the nation moves from an industrial-based to a service- and
knowledge-based economy, there is widespread agreement that adults and
youth need a higher level of academic knowledge, greater competency in
information analysis and problem-solving, and a different mix of
technical and technology skills. Unable to gain a foothold in this
emerging new economy are the millions of adults who lack basic skills,
proficiency in English, or a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Literacy in the Labor Force (1999), an analysis of data collected
as part of the 1992 National Adult Literacy Survey, found that adults
with the lowest literacy skills were four to seven times more likely to
be unemployed than those with the highest literacy skills. When
individuals with the lowest literacy skills did obtain employment, they
earned nearly a third less than adults with the highest literacy
skills. The Literacy in the Labor Force report is available on the
website of the National Center for Education Statistics at: http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=1999470.
Community technology centers can provide new opportunities for
these individuals to upgrade their skills so that they can move into
postsecondary education and obtain better-paying jobs. Technology-
supported instruction can increase access to adult education by
providing learning opportunities at convenient times and locations.
Instruction can be individualized to suit different learning styles,
interests and levels of mastery. Learning time can be used more
efficiently, enabling adult learners to move at their own pace. In some
cases, technology-facilitated instruction can help students learn
technology and technical skills at the same time that it addresses
literacy needs.
In addressing the absolute priority this competition establishes
for projects that provide adult education and family literacy
activities, applicants may provide either or both adult education and
family literacy, depending upon their own priorities and resources and
the needs of the communities they serve. We also wish to emphasize that
adult basic and adult secondary education instruction, and not only
instruction designed to prepare individuals for the GED examination,
are allowable uses of funds.
Other Authorized Uses of Funds
Grant funds also may be used to carry out other activities
authorized by section 5513(b) of the statute, such as career
development and job preparation activities, after-school academic
enrichment activities for children and youth, and small business
assistance activities. Other authorized activities include, among other
things, support for personnel, equipment, networking capabilities, and
other infrastructure costs. No funds may be used for construction
costs.
Definitions: In addition to definitions in the statute and EDGAR,
the following definitions apply:
Adult education means services or instruction below the
postsecondary level for individuals--
(a) Who have attained 16 years of age;
(b) Who are not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary
school under State law; and
(c) Who--
(1) Lack sufficient mastery of basic educational skills to enable
the individuals to function effectively in society;
(2) Do not have a secondary school diploma or its recognized
equivalent, and have not achieved an equivalent level of education; or
(3) Are unable to speak, read, or write the English language.
Economically distressed means a county or equivalent division of
local government of a State (or a portion thereof) in which, according
to the most recent available data from the United States Bureau of the
Census, a significant percentage of the residents have an annual income
that is at or below the poverty level.
Language instruction educational programs means programs of
instruction designed to help adults and out-of-school youth of limited
English proficiency achieve competence in the English language.
Application Narrative: Applicants must submit an application that
includes:
(a) A description of the proposed project, including a description
of the magnitude of the need for the services and how the project would
expand access to information technology and related services to
disadvantaged residents of an economically distressed urban or rural
community.
(b) A demonstration of--
(1) The commitment, including the financial commitment, of entities
(such as institutions, organizations, business and other groups in the
community) that will provide support for the creation, expansion, and
continuation of the proposed project; and
(2) The extent to which the proposed project coordinates with other
appropriate agencies, efforts, and organizations providing services to
disadvantaged residents of an economically distressed urban or rural
community.
(c) A description of how the proposed project would be sustained
once the Federal funds awarded under the grant end.
(d) A plan for the evaluation of the program, which shall include
benchmarks to monitor progress toward specific project objectives.
Priorities
Absolute Priority: This competition focuses on projects designed to
meet a priority that we have chosen from allowable activities specified
in the program statute (see 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(v) and section
5513(b)(3)(B)(i) of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7263b(b)(3)(B)(i)).
Specifically, this competition establishes an absolute priority for
projects that, at a minimum, provide adult education and family
literacy activities through technology and the Internet, including
General Education Development (GED), Language Instruction Educational
Programs, and adult basic education classes or programs. Under 34 CFR
75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this absolute
priority.
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This absolute priority does not preclude projects from offering
additional services authorized by the statute. However, they must, at a
minimum, provide adult education and family literacy activities through
technology and the Internet.
Competitive Priority: Within this absolute priority for this
competition for FY 2002, we award, under section 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i)
and 34 CFR 75.255, an additional 5 points to an application from an
otherwise eligible applicant that is a novice applicant. We award these
points in addition to points that we award the applicant under the
selection criteria. Thus, a novice applicant could earn a maximum of
110 points.
Note: A novice applicant is an applicant that, either individually
or as a member of a consortium, has never received a grant under the
Community Technology Centers program and has not received a
discretionary grant from the Federal Government during the preceding
five years (see 34 CFR 75.225(a)).
Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking
Under the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553) the
Department generally offers interested parties the opportunity to
comment on proposed priorities and other program requirements. However,
section 437(d)(1) of the General Education Provisions Act exempts from
formal rulemaking requirements, regulations governing the first grant
competition under a new or substantially revised program authority (20
U.S.C. 1232(d)(1)). The program authority for the Community Technology
Centers program was substantially revised on January 8, 2002 by section
5511 of Pub. Law 107-110. In order to make awards on a timely basis,
the Secretary has decided to issue this notice without first publishing
proposed priorities and requirements for public comment. These
priorities and requirements will apply to the FY 2002 grant competition
only.
Selection Criteria: We use the following selection criteria to
evaluate applications for grants under this competition.
The maximum score for all of these criteria is 105 points.
The maximum score for each criterion and factor is indicated in
parentheses.
Note: In all instances where the word ``project'' appears in the
selection criteria, the reference to a community technology center
should be made.
(a) Need for project. (20 points)
(1) We consider the need for the proposed project.
(2) In determining the need for the proposed project, we consider
the following factors:
(i) The magnitude of the need for the services to be provided or
the activities to be carried out by the proposed project. (10 points)
(ii) The extent to which the proposed project will focus on serving
or otherwise addressing the needs of disadvantaged individuals. (10
points)
(b) Significance. (10 points)
(1) We consider the significance of the proposed project.
(2) In determining the significance of the proposed project, we
consider the importance or magnitude of the results or outcomes likely
to be attained by the proposed project, especially improvements in
teaching and student achievement. (10 points)
(c) Quality of project design. (30 points)
(1) We consider the quality of the design of the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed
project, we consider 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.
(5 points)
(ii) The extent to which the proposed project will establish
linkages with other appropriate agencies and organizations providing
services to the target population. (5 points)
(iii) The extent to which the design of the proposed project
reflects up-to-date knowledge from research and effective practice. (10
points)
(iv) The likelihood that the services to be provided by the
proposed project will lead to improvements in the skills necessary to
gain employment or build capacity for independent living. (10 points)
(d) Quality of project personnel. (10 points)
(1) We consider the quality of the personnel who will carry out the
proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of project personnel, we consider
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. (5 points)
(3) In addition, we consider the qualifications, including relevant
training and experience, of key project personnel. (5 points)
(e) Quality of the management plan. (10 points)
(1) We consider the quality of the management plan for the proposed
project.
(2) In determining the quality of the management plan for the
proposed project, we consider 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. (10 points)
(f) Adequacy of resources. (10 points)
(1) We consider the adequacy of resources for the proposed project.
(2) In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed
project, we consider the following factors:
(i) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment,
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the
lead applicant organization. (5 points)
(ii) The potential for continued support of the project after
Federal funding ends, including, as appropriate, the demonstrated
commitment of appropriate entities to such support. (5 points)
(g) Quality of project evaluation. (15 points)
(1) We consider the quality of the evaluation to be conducted by an
independent evaluator of the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of the evaluation, we consider the
following factors:
(i) 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. (10 points)
(ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward
achieving intended outcomes. (5 points)
Note: In accordance with EDGAR 34 CFR 75.590, 80.40, and 80.50,
grant recipients must submit a final performance report as a
condition of the grant that provides the most current performance
and financial expenditure information on project activities,
including the recipient's progress in achieving the objectives in
its approved application.
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs
This program is subject to Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental
Review of Federal Programs) and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
One of the objectives of the Executive order is to foster an
intergovernmental partnership and a strengthened federalism. The
Executive order relies on processes developed by State and local
governments for coordination and
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review of proposed Federal financial assistance.
If you are an applicant, you must contact the appropriate State
Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to find out about, and to comply with,
the State's process under Executive Order 12372. If you propose to
perform activities in more than one State, you should immediately
contact the SPOC for each of those States and follow the procedure
established in each State under the Executive order. If you want to
know the name and address of any SPOC, see the latest official SPOC
list on the Web site of the Office of Management and Budget at the
following address: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.
In States that have not established a process or chosen a program
for review, State, areawide, regional, and local entities may submit
comments directly to the Department.
Any State Process Recommendation and other comments submitted by a
SPOC and any comments from State, areawide, regional, and local
entities must be mailed or hand-delivered by the date indicated in this
application notice to the following address: The Secretary, E.O. 12372-
CFDA 84.341A, U.S. Department of Education, room 7E200, 400
Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-0125.
We will determine proof of mailing under 34 CFR 75.102 (Deadline
date for applications). Recommendations or comments may be hand-
delivered until 4:30 p.m. (Washington, DC time) on the date indicated
in this notice.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ADDRESS IS NOT THE SAME ADDRESS AS THE ONE TO
WHICH AN APPLICANT SUBMITS ITS COMPLETED APPLICATION. DO NOT SEND
APPLICATIONS TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS.
Application Instructions and Forms
The Appendix to this notice contains forms and instructions, a
statement regarding estimated public reporting burden, a notice to
applicants regarding compliance with section 427 of the General
Education Provisions Act, various assurances and certifications, and a
checklist for applicants.
Application for Federal Education Assistance (ED 424 (Exp.
11/30/2004)) and instructions and definitions.
Protection of Human Subjects in Research (Attachment to ED
424).
Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED Form No.
524) and instructions.
Application Narrative.
Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B)
(Rev. 7-97).
Certifications regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension,
and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements
(ED 80-0013, 12/98) and instructions.
Certification regarding Debarment, Suspension,
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion: Lower Tier Covered Transactions
(ED 80-0014, 9/90) and instructions. (NOTE: ED 80-0014 is intended for
the use of grantees and should not be transmitted to the Department.)
Certification of Eligibility for Federal Assistance in
Certain Programs (ED 80-0016 9/92)).
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL (Rev.
7-97)) and instructions.
Checklist for Applicants.
You may submit information on a photocopy of the application and
budget forms, the assurances, and the certifications. However, the
application form, the assurances, and the certifications must each have
an original signature. We will not award a grant unless we have
received a completed application form.
Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer
diskette) on request to the program contact person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. However, the Department is not able to
reproduce in an alternative format the standard forms included in this
application notice.
Electronic Access to this Document
You may view this document, as well as all other Department of
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe
Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site:
www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister.
To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available
free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S.
Government Printing Office (GPO) toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in
the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512-1530.
You may also view this document in text at the following site:
www.ed.gov/offices/OVAE/CTC.
Note: The official version of this document is the document
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal
Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary LeGwin or April Blunt, U.S.
Department of Education, Community Technology Centers Program, Office
of Vocational and Adult Education, 330 C Street, SW., room 4414,
Switzer Building, Washington, DC 20202-7240. Telephone: (202) 205-4238
or via Internet: [email protected].
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may
call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
Pilot Project for Electronic Submission of Applications
In FY 2002, the U.S. Department of Education is continuing to
expand its pilot project of electronic submission of applications to
include additional formula grant programs and additional discretionary
grant competitions. The Community Technology Centers Program--CFDA
84.341A is one of the programs included in the pilot project. If you
are an applicant under the Community Technology Centers Program, you
may submit your application to us in either electronic or paper format.
The pilot project involves the use of the Electronic Grant
Application System (e-APPLICATION, formerly e-GAPS) portion of the
Grant Administration and Payment System (GAPS). We request your
participation in this pilot project. We shall continue to evaluate its
success and solicit suggestions for improvement.
If you participate in this e-APPLICATION pilot, please note the
following:
Your participation is voluntary.
You will not receive any additional point value or penalty
because you submit a grant application in electronic or paper format.
You can submit all documents electronically, including the
Application for Federal Assistance (ED 424), Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and
certifications.
Within three working days of submitting your electronic
application fax a signed copy of the Application for Federal Assistance
(ED 424) to the Application Control Center after following these steps:
1. Print ED 424 from the e-APPLICATION system.
2. Make sure that the institution's Authorizing Representative
signs this form.
3. Before faxing this form, submit your electronic application via
the e-APPLICATION system. You will receive an automatic
acknowledgement, which will include a PR/Award number (an
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identifying number unique to your application).
4. Place the PR/Award number in the upper right hand corner of ED
424.
5. Fax ED 424 to the Application Control Center at (202) 260-1349.
We may request that you give us original signatures on all
other forms at a later date.
You may access the electronic grant application for the Community
Technology Centers Program at: http://e-grants.ed.gov.
We have included additional information about the e-APPLICATION
pilot project (see Parity Guidelines between Paper and Electronic
Applications) in the application package.
Instructions for Transmitting Applications
If you want to apply for a grant and be considered for funding, you
must meet the following deadline requirements:
(A) If You Send Your Application by Mail: You must mail the
original and two copies of the application on or before the deadline
date. To help expedite our review of your application, we would
appreciate your voluntarily including an additional two copies of your
application. We request that you bind one of these copies. Mail your
application to: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control
Center, Attention: (CFDA 84.341A, 7th & D Streets, SW., Room
3671, Regional Office Building 3, Washington, DC 20202-4725.
You must show one of the following as proof of mailing:
(1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.
(2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the
U.S. Postal Service.
(3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial
carrier.
(4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary.
If you mail an application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do
not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
(1) A private metered postmark.
(2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.
Note: Due to recent disruptions to normal mail delivery, the
Department encourages you to consider using an alternative delivery
method (for example, a commercial carrier, such as Federal Express
or United Parcel Service; U. S. Postal Service Express Mail; or a
courier service) to transmit your application for this competition.
If you use an alternative delivery method, please obtain the
appropriate proof of mailing under this section (A) ``If You Send
Your Application by Mail,'' then follow the instructions in section
(B) ``If You Deliver Your Application by Hand.''
(B) If You Deliver Your Application by Hand: You or your courier
must hand deliver the original and two copies of the application by
4:30 p.m. (Washington, DC time) on or before the deadline date. To help
expedite our review of your application, we would appreciate your
voluntarily including an additional two copies of your application. We
request that you bind one of these copies. Deliver your application to:
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention:
(CFDA 84.341A), 7th & D Streets, SW., Room 3671, Regional
Office Building 3, Washington, DC 20202-4725.
The Application Control Center accepts application deliveries daily
between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Washington, DC time), except
Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays. The Center accepts
application deliveries through the D Street entrance only. A person
delivering an application must show identification to enter the
building.
(C) If You Submit Your Application Electronically: You must submit
your grant application through the Internet using the software provided
on the e-Grants Web site (http://e-grants.ed.gov) by 4:30 p.m.
(Washington, DC time) on the deadline date.
The regular hours of operation of the e-Grants Web site are 6:00
a.m. until 12:00 midnight (Washington, DC time) Monday--Friday and 6:00
a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Saturdays. The system is unavailable on the second
Saturday of every month, Sundays, and Federal holidays. Please note
that on Wednesdays the Web site is closed for maintenance at 7:00 p.m.
(Washington, DC time).
Notes: (1) The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a
dated postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with
your local post office.
(2) If you send your application by mail or if you or your
courier deliver it by hand, the Application Control Center will mail
a Grant Application Receipt Acknowledgment to you. If you do not
receive the notification of application receipt within 15 days from
the date of mailing the application, you should call the U.S.
Department of Education Application Control Center at (202) 708-
9493.
(3) If your application is late, we will notify you that we will
not consider the application.
(4) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by
the Department--in Item 4 of the Application for Federal Education
Assistance (ED 424 (exp. 11/30/2004)) the CFDA number--and suffix
letter, if any--of the competition under which you are submitting
your application.
(5) If you submit your application through the Internet via the
e-Grants Web site, you will receive an automatic acknowledgment when
we receive your application.
Parity Guidelines Between Paper and Electronic Applications
In FY 2002, the U.S. Department of Education is continuing to
expand the pilot project, which began in FY 2000, which allows
applicants to use an Internet-based electronic system for submitting
applications. This competition is among those that have an electronic
submission option available to all applicants. The system, called e-
APPLICATION, formerly e-GAPS (Electronic Grant Application System),
allows an applicant to submit a grant application to us electronically,
using a current version of the applicant's Internet browser. To see e-
APPLICATION visit the following address: http://e-grants.ed.gov.
Users of e-APPLICATION, a data driven system, will be entering data
on-line while completing their applications. This will be more
interactive than just e-mailing a soft copy of a grant application to
us. If you participate in this voluntary pilot project by submitting an
application electronically, the data you enter on-line will go into a
database and ultimately will be accessible in electronic form to our
reviewers.
This pilot project continues the Department's transition to an
electronic grant award process. In addition to e-APPLICATION, the
Department plans to expand the number of discretionary programs using
the electronic peer review (e-READER) system and to increase the
participation of discretionary programs offering grantees the use of
the electronic annual performance reporting (e-REPORTS) system.
To help ensure parity and a similar look between electronic and
paper copies of grant applications, we are asking each applicant that
submits a paper application to adhere to the following guidelines:
Submit your application on 8\1/2\'' by 11'' paper.
Leave a 1-inch margin on all sides.
Use consistent font throughout your document. You may also
use boldface type, underlining, and italics. However, please do not use
colored text.
Please use black and white, also, for illustrations,
including charts, tables, graphs and pictures.
For the narrative component, your application should
consist of the
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number and text of each selection criterion followed by the narrative.
The text of the selection criterion, if included, does not count
against any page limitation.
Place a page number at the bottom right of each page
beginning with 1; and number your pages consecutively throughout your
document.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7263.
Dated: May 30, 2002.
Carol D'Amico,
Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education.
Appendix--Estimated Public Reporting Burden
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, you are not
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this
collection of information is 1890-0009. Expiration date: 7/31/2002. We
estimate the time required to complete this collection of information
to average 40 hours per response, including the time to review
instructions, search existing data sources, gather the data needed, and
complete and review the collection of information. If you have any
comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate or suggestions
for improving this form, please write to: Mary LeGwin or April Blunt,
Community Technology Centers Program, U.S. Department of Education,
Washington, DC 20202-4651. If you have comments or concerns regarding
the status of your submission of this form, write directly to:
Community Technology Centers Program, Division of Adult Education and
Literacy, Office of Vocational and Adult Education, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 4414, Mary E. Switzer
Building, Washington, DC 20202-7240.
Instructions for the Application Narrative
The narrative is the section of the application where the selection
criteria used by reviewers in evaluating the application are addressed.
The narrative must encompass each function or activity for which funds
are being requested. Before preparing the Application Narrative, an
applicant should read carefully the description of the program, the
required contents of the application, and the selection criteria we use
to evaluate applications.
1. Begin with a one-page abstract summarizing the proposed
community technology center project, including a short description of
the population to be served by the project, project objectives, and
planned project activities;
2. Include a table of contents listing the parts of the narrative
in the order of first, the required elements of the application, and
second, the selection criteria. Indicate the page numbers on which the
different parts of the narrative are found. Be sure to number the
pages.
3. Address the four required elements of the application.
4. Describe fully the proposed project in light of the selection
criteria in the order in which the criteria are listed in the
application package. Do not simply paraphrase the criteria.
5. In the application budget, include a description of the non-
federal contributions that the applicant will contribute to the project
in amounts not less than the non-federal contribution as required in
this notice. Budget line items must support the goals and objectives of
the proposed project.
6. Provide the following in response to the attached ``Notice to
all Applicants'': (1) A reference to the portion of the application in
which information appears as to how the applicant is addressing steps
to promote equitable access and participation, or (2) a separate
statement that contains that information.
7. When applying for funds as a consortium, individual eligible
applicants must enter into an agreement signed by all members. The
consortium's agreement must detail the activities each member of the
consortium plans to perform, and must bind each member to every
statement and assurance made in the consortium's application. The
designated applicant must submit the consortium's agreement with its
application.
8. Attach copies of all required assurances and forms.
Budget Information and Instructions
1. Personnel: Show salaries to be paid to personnel.
2. Fringe Benefits: Indicate the rate and amount of fringe
benefits.
3. Travel: Indicate the amount requested for both local and out of
State travel of Program Staff. Include funds for two people to attend
the Program Director's Workshop in Washington, DC.
4. Equipment: Indicate the cost of non-expendable personal property
that has a cost of $5,000 or more per unit.
5. Supplies: Include the cost of consumable supplies and materials
to be used during the project period.
6. Contractual: Show the amount to be used for: (1) Procurement
contracts (except those which belong on other lines such as supplies
and equipment); and (2) sub-contracts.
7. Construction: Not applicable.
8. Other: Indicate all direct costs not clearly covered by lines 1
through 6 above, including consultants and capital expenditures.
9. Total Direct Cost: Show the total for Lines 1 through 8.
10. Limitation on Indirect Costs: The success of the Community
Technology Centers program will depend upon how well grantees improve
the literacy and other skills of those they serve. If the program is to
achieve its purposes, we need to ensure that the $15 million available
for new grants is used as effectively as possible. To do so, it is
necessary to place a reasonable limitation on the amount of program
funds that grant recipients may use to reimburse themselves for the
``indirect costs'' of program activities. Therefore, the Secretary has
decided to establish a reasonable limit of eight percent (8%) on the
indirect cost rate that all program recipients may charge to funds
provided under this program. Indicate the rate and amount of indirect
costs for each budget year. Indirect cost reimbursement is limited to
your actual indirect costs, as determined by your negotiated indirect
cost rate agreement, or eight percent (8%) of your modified direct cost
base, whichever is less. If you do not have a negotiated indirect cost
rate agreement, we may assign you a temporary rate until a rate
agreement has been negotiated.
11. Training/Stipend Cost: Not applicable.
12. Total Costs: Show total for lines 9 through 11.
Instructions for the Budget Narrative
The budget narrative should explain, justify, and, if needed,
clarify your budget summary. For each line item (personnel, fringe
benefits, travel, etc.) in your budget, explain why it is there and how
you computed the costs. Please limit this section to no more than five
pages. Be sure that each page of your application is numbered
consecutively.
Checklist for Applicants
The following forms and other items must be included in the
application in the order listed below:
1. Application for Federal Assistance (ED 424).
2. Budget Information--Non-construction Programs (ED Form No. 524).
3. Budget Narrative.
4. Application Narrative, including application abstract, table of
contents, the four required elements of the application, responses to
the selection criteria, and information that addresses section 427 of
the General Education
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Provisions Act. (See the section entitled ``NOTICE TO ALL
APPLICANTS'').
5. Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (SF 424B).
6. Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension, and
Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (ED
80-0013).
7. Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and
Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions (ED 80-0014).
8. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL).
9. Consortium agreement, if applicable.
Note: The section on PAGE LIMIT elsewhere in this application
notice applies to your application. The 40 page limit applies to the
four required elements of the application and your responses to the
selection criteria.
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[FR Doc. 02-13983 Filed 6-3-02; 8:45 am]
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