Bilingual Vocational Training Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Grant Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1995

[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 207 (Thursday, October 27, 1994)]

[Unknown Section]

[Page 0]

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[FR Doc No: 94-26661]

[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 27, 1994]

_______________________________________________________________________

Part V

Department of Education

_______________________________________________________________________

Bilingual Vocational Training Program; Inviting Applications for New

Grant Awards for Fiscal Year 1995; Notice

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[CFDA No.: 84.077]

Bilingual Vocational Training Program; Notice Inviting

Applications for New Grant Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1995

Note to Applicants: This notice is a complete application package.

Together with the statute authorizing the program and applicable

regulations governing the program, including the Education Department

General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), this notice contains all of

the information, application forms, and instructions needed to apply

for a grant under this competition.

Purpose of Program: The Bilingual Vocational Training Program

provides financial assistance for bilingual vocational education and

training for limited English proficient out-of-school youth and adults,

to prepare these individuals for jobs in recognized occupations and new

and emerging occupations.

The Bilingual Vocational Training Program supports the National

Education Goal that, by the year 2000, every adult American will be

literate and will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to compete

in a global economy and exercise the rights and responsibilities of

citizenship. The program furthers this goal by helping to improve

vocational education and training for limited English proficient

adults.

Eligible Applicants: State agencies, local educational agencies,

postsecondary educational institutions, private non-profit vocational

training institutions, other non-profit organizations specifically

created to serve or currently serving individuals who normally use a

language other than English.

Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: December 12, 1994.

Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: February 2, 1995.

Available funds: $2,209,000.

Estimated Range of Awards: $150,000-$250,000.

Estimated Average Size of Awards: $184,000.

Estimated Number of Awards: 12.

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

notice.

Project Period: Up to 18 months.

Applicable Regulations

(a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations

(EDGAR) as follows:

(1) 34 CFR Part 74 (Administration of Grants to Institutions of

Higher Education, Hospitals and Nonprofit Organizations).

(2) 34 CFR Part 75 (Direct Grant Programs).

(3) 34 CFR Part 77 (Definitions that Apply to Department

Regulations).

(4) 34 CFR Part 79 (Intergovernmental Review of Department of

Education Programs and Activities).

(5) 34 CFR Part 80 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants

and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments).

(6) 34 CFR Part 81 (General Education Provisions Act--Enforcement).

(7) 34 CFR Part 82 (New Restrictions on Lobbying).

(8) 34 CFR Part 85 (Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension

(Nonprocurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free

Workplace (Grants)).

(9) 34 CFR Part 86 (Drug-Free Schools and Campuses).

(b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR Parts 400 and 427.

Content of the Application

(a) An application must--

(1) Provide an assurance that the activities and services for which

assistance is sought will be administered by or under the supervision

of the applicant;

(2) Propose a project of a size, scope and design that will make a

substantial contribution toward carrying out the purpose of the

Bilingual Vocational Training Program;

(3) Contain measurable goals for the enrollment, completion, and

placement of program participants;

(4) Include a comparison of how the applicant's goals take into

consideration any related standards and measures in the geographic area

for the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS) program (42

U.S.C. 681 et seq.) and any Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA)

programs (29 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) and any standards set by the State

Board for Vocational Education for the occupational and geographic

area;

(5) Describe, for each occupation for which training is to be

provided, how successful program completion will be determined and

reported to the Secretary in terms of the academic and vocational

competencies to be demonstrated by enrollees prior to successful

completion and any academic or work credentials expected to be acquired

upon completion; and

(6) Be submitted to the State board for vocational education (State

board) established under section 111 of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational

and Applied Technology Education Act (the Act) for review and comment,

including comment on the relationship of the proposed project to the

State's vocational education program.

(b) An applicant shall include any comments received under

paragraph (a)(6) of this section with the application.

Invitational Priority

Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) the Secretary is particularly interested

in applications that meet the following invitational priority. However,

an application that meets this invitational priority does not receive

competitive or absolute preference over other applications:

Applications that include strategies for developing the applicant's

capacity to continue, expand, or build upon its bilingual vocational

education and training when Federal funding under this competition

ends, as evidenced by such actions as--

(a) Extending training to additional sites that are not funded

under this program;

(b) Integrating the project into the long-term planning of the

applicant;

(c) Committing funding and staffing for continued implementation of

the project;

(d) Incorporating the project into the applicant's organizational

and program structure; or

(e) Establishing and strengthening relationships within the

community, region, or State that will support continuation of the

project.

Selection Criteria

The Secretary uses the following selection criteria to evaluate

applications for new grants under this competition. The maximum score

for all of these criteria is 100 points. The maximum score for each

criterion is indicated in parentheses.

For this competition, the Secretary assigns the 15 points, reserved

in 34 CFR 427.20(b), as follows:

Plan of operation (34 CFR 427.21(b)). Five points are added to this

criterion for a possible total of 20 points.

Demonstration and dissemination (34 CFR 427.21(g)). Ten points are

added to this criterion for a possible total of 20 points.

(a) Need. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each application for

specific information that shows the need for the proposed bilingual

vocational training project in the local geographic area, including--

(1) The employment training need of limited English proficient

individuals to be met;

(2) The labor market need to be met; and

(3) The relationship of the proposed project to other employment

training programs in the community.

(b) Plan of operation. (20 points)

(1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent

to which the project proposes measurable goals for student enrollment,

completion, and placement and describes how the applicant sets the

goals taking into consideration the standards and measures for JOBS

programs and JTPA programs and any standards set by the State Board

established under section 111 of the Act for the occupation and

geographic area.

(2) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent

to which the project defines successful program completion (or

describes how successful program completion will be defined and

reported to the Secretary) in a way consistent with the goals of the

program for each occupation for which training is to be provided.

(3) (i) The Secretary reviews each application for specific

information that, upon completion of their training, more than 65

percent of the trainees will be employed in jobs (including military

specialties) related to their training, or will be enrolled for further

training related to their training under this program. This information

must correspond to the information described in paragraph (a) of this

section.

(ii) The estimated job placement rate must be supported by past

records, actual employer job commitments, anticipated job openings, or

other pertinent information.

(4) The Secretary reviews each application for an effective plan of

management that ensures proper and efficient administration of the

project, including--

(i) Clearly defined project objectives that relate to the purpose

of the Bilingual Vocational Training Program;

(ii) For each objective, the specific tasks to be performed in

order to achieve the specified project objective;

(iii) How the applicant plans to use its resources and personnel to

achieve each objective; and

(iv) If the applicant plans to use a project advisory committee, a

clear plan for using a project advisory committee to assist in project

development, to review curriculum materials, and to make

recommendations about job placements.

(c) Program factors. (20 points)

(1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality

of training to be provided, including--

(i) Provision of vocational skills instruction in English and the

trainees' native languages;

(ii) Provision of job-related English-as-a-second language

instruction;

(iii) Coordination of the job-related English-as-a-second language

instruction with the vocational skills instruction;

(iv) Recruitment procedures that are targeted towards limited

English proficient out-of-school youth and adults who have the greatest

need for bilingual vocational training;

(v) Assessment procedures that evaluate the language and vocational

training needs of the trainees;

(vi) Provision of counseling activities and employability skills

instruction that prepare trainees for employment in an English language

environment; and

(vii) Job development and job placement procedures that provide

opportunities for career advancement or entrepreneurship.

(2) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the

project's potential to have a lasting impact in the local geographic

area, including the potential impact of the project on--

(i) Program participants;

(ii) The agency or agencies responsible for administering the

bilingual vocational training program;

(iii) Other employment training services in the local area; and

(iv) The community.

(d) Key personnel. (10 points)

(1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality

of key personnel the applicant plans to use on the project, including--

(i) The qualifications of the director and other key personnel to

be used in the project;

(ii) The appropriateness of the time that each person referred to

in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section will commit to the project; and

(iii) How the applicant, as part of its nondiscriminatory

employment practices, will ensure that personnel will be selected

without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, or

disability.

(2) To determine personnel qualifications under paragraph (d)(1)(i)

of this section, the Secretary considers--

(i) Experience and training in fields related to the objectives of

the project;

(ii) Experience and training in project management; and

(iii) Any other qualifications that pertain to the quality of the

project.

(e) Budget and cost effectiveness. (5 points) The Secretary reviews

each application to determine the extent to which--

(1) The budget is sufficient to support the proposed project, and

that it represents a cost effective use of Bilingual Vocational

Training Program funds;

(2) Costs are necessary and reasonable in relation to the

objectives of the proposed project; and

(3) The facilities, equipment, and supplies that the applicant

plans to use are adequate for the proposed project.

(f) Evaluation plan. (10 points)

The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of

the project's evaluation plan, including the extent to which the plan--

(1) Is clearly explained and appropriate for the project;

(2) Identifies at a minimum, types of data to be collected and

reported with respect to the English-language competencies and academic

and vocational competencies demonstrated by participants and the number

and kinds of academic and work credentials acquired by individuals who

complete the training;

(3) Identifies at a minimum, types of data to be collected and

reported with respect to enrollment, completion, and placement of

participants by sex, racial or ethnic group, socio-economic status, and

if appropriate, by level of English proficiency, for each occupation

for which training is provided;

(4) Includes activities during the formative stages of the project

to help guide and improve the project, as well as a summative

evaluation that includes recommendations for replicating project

activities and results; and

(5) Makes use of an external evaluator.

(g) Demonstration and dissemination. (20 points) The Secretary

reviews each application for information to determine the effectiveness

and efficiency of the plan for demonstrating and disseminating

information about project activities and results throughout the project

period, including--

(1) High quality in the design of the demonstration and

dissemination plan and procedures for evaluating the effectiveness of

the dissemination plan;

(2) Provisions for publicizing the project at the local, State, and

national levels by conducting or delivering presentations at

conferences, workshops, and other professional meetings and by

preparing materials for journal articles, newsletters, and brochures;

(3) Provisions for making available the methods and techniques used

by the project to others interested in replicating these methods and

techniques, such as by inviting them to observe project activities;

(4) A description of the types of materials the applicant plans to

make available to help others replicate project activities and the

methods for making the materials available; and

(5) Provisions for assisting others to adopt and successfully

implement the project or methods and techniques used by the project.

Additional Factors

(a) After evaluating the applications according to the selection

criteria and consulting with the appropriate State board established

under section 111 of the Act, the Secretary determines whether the most

highly rated applications are equitably distributed among populations

of individuals with limited English proficiency within the affected

State.

(b) The Secretary may select other applications for funding if

doing so would improve the--

(1) Equitable distribution of assistance among populations of

individuals with limited English proficiency within the affected State;

or

(2) Geographical distribution of projects funded under this

program.

Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs

This program is subject to the requirements of Executive Order

12372 (Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs) and the

regulations in 34 CFR Part 79.

The objective of the Executive order is to foster an

intergovernmental partnership and to strengthen federalism by relying

on State and local processes for State and local government

coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance.

Applicants must contact the appropriate State Single Point of

Contact to find out about, and to comply with, the State's process

under Executive order 12372. Applicants proposing to perform activities

in more than one State should immediately contact the Single Point of

Contact 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 State Single Point of Contact, see the list

published in the Federal Register on June 10, 1994 (59 FR 30214-30215).

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

State Single Point of Contact and any comments from State, areawide,

regional, and local entities must be mailed or hand-delivered by the

date indicated in this notice to the following address: The Secretary,

E.O. 12372--CFDA# 84.077, U.S. Department of Education, Room 4161, 400

Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202-0125.

Proof of mailing will be determined on the same basis as

applications (see 34 CFR 75.102). Recommendations or comments may be

hand-delivered until 4:30 p.m. (Washington, D.C. time) on the date

indicated in this notice.

Please note that the above address is not the same address as the

one to which the applicant submits its completed application. Do not

send applications to the above address.

Instructions for Transmittal of Applications

(a) If an applicant wants to apply for a grant, the applicant

shall--

(1) Mail the original and six copies of the application on or

before the deadline date to: U.S. Department of Education, Application

Control Center, Attention: (CFDA# 84.077), Washington, D.C. 20202-4725

or

(2) Hand deliver the original and six copies of the application by

4:30 p.m. (Washington, D.C. time) on or before the deadline date to:

U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention:

(CFDA# 84.077), Room #3633, Regional Office Building #3, 7th and D

Streets, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202-4725.

(b) An applicant must show one of the following as proof of

mailing:

(1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.

(2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the

U.S. Postal Service.

(3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial

carrier.

(4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary.

(c) If an application is mailed through the U.S. Postal Service,

the Secretary does not accept either of the following as proof of

mailing:

(1) A private metered postmark.

(2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.

Notes: (1) The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a

dated postmark. Before relying on this method, an applicant should

check with its local post office.

(2) The Application Control Center will mail a Grant Application

Receipt Acknowledgement to each applicant. If an applicant fails to

receive the notification of application receipt within 15 days from

the date of mailing the application, the applicant should call the

U.S. Department of Education Application Control Center at (202)

708-8493.

(3) The applicant must indicate on the envelope and--if not

provided by the Department--in Item 10 of the Application for

Federal Assistance (Standard Form 24) the CFDA number of the

competition under which the application is being submitted.

Application Instructions and Forms:

The appendix to this application is divided into six parts, plus a

statement regarding estimated public reporting burden and various

assurances and certifications. These parts and additional materials are

organized in the same manner that the submitted application should be

organized. The parts and additional materials are as follows:

Part I: Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424 (Rev.

4-88)) and instructions.

Part II: Instructions for ED Form No. 524.

Part III: Budget Information Non-construction Programs (ED Form No.

524).

Part IV: Budget Narrative.

Part V: Program Narrative.

Part VI: Additional Assurances and Certifications:

a. Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B).

b. Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension, and

Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (ED

80-0013) and Instructions.

c. Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and

Voluntary Exclusion: Lower Tier Covered Transactions (ED 80-0014, 9/90)

and Instructions. (NOTE: The grantee should keep this form on file. It

should not be transmitted to the Department.)

d. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL) (if

applicable) and Instructions; and Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

Continuation Sheet (Standard Form LLL-A.)

All forms and instructions are included as Appendix A of this

notice. Questions and answers pertaining to this program are included,

as Appendix B, to assist potential applicants.

All applicants must submit ONE original signed application,

including ink signatures on all forms and assurances and SIX copies of

the application. Please mark each application as original or copy.

Local or State agencies may choose to submit two copies with the

original. No grant may be awarded unless a complete application form

has been received.

For Further Information Contact: Cindy Towsner, Special Programs

Branch, Division of National Programs, Office of Vocational and Adult

Education, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W.

(Room 4512, Mary E. Switzer Building), Washington, D.C. 20202-7242.

Telephone (202) 205-5864. Individuals who use a telecommunications

device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay

Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern

time, Monday through Friday.

Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2441(a).

Dated: October 21, 1994.

Augusta Souza Kappner,

Assistant Secretary, Office of Vocational and Adult Education.

BILLING CODE 4000-01-P

Appendix A

TN27OC94.020

TN27OC94.021

BILLING CODE 4000-01-C

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is

estimated to vary from 13 to 22 hours per response, with an average of

17.5 hours, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching

existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and

completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments

regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection

of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the

U.S. Department of Education, Information Management and Compliance

Division, Washington, DC 20202-4651; and the Office of Management and

Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project 1875-0102, Washington, DC 20503.

Instructions for Ed Form No. 524

General Instructions

This form is used to apply to individual U.S. Department of

Education discretionary grant programs. Unless directed otherwise,

provide the same budget information for each year of the multi-year

funding request. Pay attention to applicable program specific

instructions, if attached.

Section A--Budget Summary: U.S. Department of Education Funds

All applicants must complete Section A and provide a breakdown by

the applicable budget categories shown in lines 1-11.

Lines 1-11, columns (a)-(e):

For each project year for which funding is requested, show the

total amount requested for each applicable budget category.

Lines 1-11, column (f):

Show the multi-year total for each budget category. If funding is

requested for only one project year, leave this column blank.

Line 12, columns (a)-(e):

Show the total budget request for each project year for which

funding is requested.

Line 12, column (f):

Show the total amount requested for all project years. If funding

is requested for only one year, leave this space blank.

Section B--Budget Summary: Non-Federal Funds

If you are required to provide or volunteer to provide matching

funds or other non-Federal resources to the project, these should be

shown for each applicable budget category on lines 1-11 of Section B.

Lines 1-11, columns (a)-(e):

For each project year for which matching funds or other

contributions are provided, show the total contribution for each

applicable budget category.

Lines 1-11, column (f):

Show the multi-year total for each budget category. If non-Federal

contributions are provided for only one year, leave this column blank.

Line 12, columns (a)-(e):

Show the total matching or other contribution for each project

year.

Line 12, column (f):

Show the total amount to be contributed for all years of the multi-

year project. If non-Federal contributions are provided for only one

year, leave this space blank.

Section C--Other Budget Information

Pay attention to applicable program specific instructions, if

attached.

1. Provide an itemized budget breakdown, by project year, for each

budget category listed in Sections A and B.

2. If applicable to this program, enter the type of indirect rate

(provisional, predetermined, final or fixed) that will be in effect

during the funding period. In addition, enter the estimated amount of

the base to which the rate is applied, and the total indirect expense.

3. If applicable to this program, provide the rate and base on

which fringe benefits are calculated.

4. Provide other explanations or comments you deem necessary.

BILLING CODE 4000-01-P

TN27OC94.022

TN27OC94.023

BILLING CODE 4000-01-C

Instructions for Part IV--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.

Explanation of Budget Categories

1. Personnel: Show salaries to be paid to project personnel.

2. Fringe Benefits: Indicate the rate and amount of fringe

benefits.

3. Travel: Indicate the amount requested for both inter- and intra-

State travel of project staff. Include funds for at least one trip for

two people to attend a project director's meeting in Washington, DC.

4. Equipment: Indicate the cost of non-expendable personal property

that has a useful life of more than one year and a cost of $300 or more

per unit ($5,000 or more if State, Local or Tribal Government).

5. Supplies: Include the cost of consumable supplies and materials

to be used during the project.

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 Allowable.

8. Other: Indicate all direct costs not clearly covered by lines 1

through 7 above, including consultants.

9. Total, Direct Cost: Show the total for lines 1 through 8.

10. Indirect Costs: Indicate the rate and amount of indirect costs.

NOTE: For training grants, the indirect cost rate cannot exceed 8%.

11. Training/Stipend Cost: (if allowable).

12. TOTAL, Federal Funds Requested: Show total for lines 9 through

11.

Cost Sharing

Indicate the actual rate and amount of cost sharing when there is a

cost sharing requirement. If cost sharing is required by program

regulations, the local share required refers to a percentage of Total

Project Cost, not of Federal funds.

Instructions for Part IV--Program Narrative

The program narrative will comprise the largest portion of your

application. This part is where you spell out the who, what, when,

where, why, and how of your proposed project.

Although you will not have a form to fill out for your narrative,

there is a format. This format is the selection criteria. Because your

application will be reviewed and rated by a review panel on the basis

of the selection criteria, your narrative should follow the order and

format of the criteria.

Before preparing your application, you should carefully read the

legislation and regulations of the program, eligibility requirements,

information on any priority set by the Secretary, and the selection

criteria for this competition.

Your program narrative should be clear, concise, and to the point.

Begin the narrative with a one page abstract or summary of your

proposed project. Then describe the project in detail, addressing each

selection criterion in order.

The Secretary strongly suggests that the applicant limit the

program narrative to no more than 40 double-spaced, typed pages (on one

side only), although the Secretary will consider applications of

greater length. Be sure to number consecutively ALL pages in your

application.

You may include supporting documentation as appendices. Be sure

that this material is concise and pertinent to this program competition

and is numbered consecutively.

Applicants are advised that: (a) The Department considers only

information contained in the application in ranking applications for

funding consideration. Letters of support sent separately from the

formal application package are not considered in the review by the

technical review panels. (34 CFR 75.217)

(b) The technical review panel evaluates each application solely on

the basis of the established technical review criteria. Letters of

support contained in the application will strengthen the application

only insofar as they contain commitments that pertain to the

established technical review criteria, such as commitment and

resources.

Additional Materials

Instructions for Estimated Public Reporting Burden

Under terms of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, as amended, and

the regulations implementing that Act, the Department of Education

invites comment on the public reporting burden in this collection of

information. Public reporting burden for this collection of information

is estimated to average 90 hours per response, including the time for

reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and

maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the

collection of information. You may send comments regarding this burden

to the U.S. Department of Education, Information Management and

Compliance Division, Washington, DC 20202-4651; and to the Office of

Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project, OMB 1830-0013,

Washington, DC 20503. (Information collection approved under OMB

control number 1830-0013. Expiration date:

2/28/95.)

BILLING CODE 4000-01-P

TN27OC94.024

TN27OC94.025

TN27OC94.026

TN27OC94.027

TN27OC94.028

TN27OC94.029

TN27OC94.030

TN27OC94.031

BILLING CODE 4000-01-C

Appendix B

Potential applicants frequently direct questions to officials of

the Department regarding application notices and programmatic and

administrative regulations governing various direct grant programs.

To assist potential applicants the Department has assembled the

following most commonly asked questions.

Q. Can we get an extension of the deadline?

A. No. A closing date may be changed only under extraordinary

circumstances. Any change must be announced in the Federal Register

and apply to all applications. Waivers for individual applications

cannot be granted regardless of the circumstances.

Q. How many copies of the application should I submit and must

they be bound?

A. Our new policy calls for an original and six copies to be

submitted. The binding of applications is optional.

Q. May we use this same application to compete for funds under a

different grant program?

A. Yes, however, the likelihood of success is not good. A

properly prepared application must meet the specifications of the

grant program to which it is submitted.

Q. I'm not sure which grant program is most appropriate for my

project. What should I do?

A. We are happy to provide general program information. Clearly,

it would not be appropriate for staff to participate in the actual

writing of an application, but we can respond to specific questions

about application requirements, evaluation criteria, and the

priorities. Applicants should understand that this previous contact

is not required, nor will it in any way influence the success of an

application.

Q. When will I find out if I'm going to be funded?

A. You can expect to receive notification within 3 to 4 months

of the application closing date, depending on the number of

applications received and the number of grant programs with closing

dates at about the same time.

Q. Once my application has been reviewed by the review panel,

can you tell me the outcome?

A. No. Every year we are called by a number of applicants who

have legitimate reasons for needing to know the outcome of the

review prior to official notification. Some applicants need to make

job decisions, some need to notify a local school district, etc.

Regardless of the reason, because final funding decisions have not

been made at that point, we cannot share information about the

review with anyone.

Q. Will my application be returned if I am not funded?

A. We no longer return unsuccessful applications. Thus

applicants should retain at least one copy of the application.

Q. Can I obtain copies of reviewers' comments?

A. Upon written request, reviewers' comments will be mailed to

unsuccessful applicants.

Q. Is travel allowed under these projects?

A. Travel associated with carrying out the project is allowed.

Because we may request the project director of funded projects to

attend an annual project directors meeting, you may also wish to

include a trip or two to Washington, D.C. in the travel budget.

Travel to conferences is sometimes allowed when it is for purposes

of dissemination.

Q. If my application receives high scores from the reviewers,

does that mean that I will receive funding?

A. Not necessarily. It is often the case that the number of

applications scored highly by the reviewers exceeds the dollars

available for funding projects under a particular competition. The

order of selection, which is based on the scores of all the

applications and other relevant factors, determines the applications

that can be funded.

Q. What happens during negotiations?

A. During negotiations technical and budget issues may be

raised. These are issues that have been identified during the panel

and staff reviews that require clarification. Sometimes issues are

stated as ``conditions.'' These are issues that have been identified

as so critical that the award cannot be made unless those conditions

are met. Questions may also be raised about the proposed budget.

Generally, these issues are raised because there is inadequate

justification or explanation of a particular budget item, or because

the budget item seems unimportant to the successful completion of

the project. If you are asked to make changes that you feel could

seriously affect the project's success, you may provide reasons for

not making the changes or provide alternative suggestions.

Similarly, if proposed budget reductions will, in your opinion,

seriously affect the project activities, you may explain why and

provide additional justification for the proposed expenses. An award

cannot be made until all negotiation issues have been resolved.

Q. How do I provide an assurance?

A. Except for SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction

Programs,'' which must be completed, simply state in writing that

you are meeting a prescribed requirement.

Q. Where can copies of the Federal Register, a program's

regulations, and Federal statutes be obtained?

Copies of these materials can usually be found at your local

library. If not, most can be obtained from the Government Printing

Office by writing to: Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government

Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, Telephone: (202) 783-3238.

When requesting copies of regulations or statutes, it is helpful to

use the specific name, public law number, or part number. The

material referenced in this notice would be referred to as follows:

(1) Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education

Act (Public Law 101-392) 104 Stat. 753 (1990).

(2) State Vocational and Applied Technology Education Programs

and National Discretionary Programs of Vocational Education Final

Regulations, 34 CFR parts 400 and 427.

(3) Education Department General Administrative Regulations, 34

CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85 and 86.

[FR Doc. 94-26661 Filed 10-26-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4000-01-P