National Endowment for Children's Educational Television (NECET)

SUMMARY: The National Endowment for Children's Educational Television

(NECET) hereby gives notice of the availability of funds for the

purpose of enhancing the education of children through the creation and

production of television programming specifically directed toward the

development of fundamental intellectual skills.

DATES: The closing date for submission of all NECET Preliminary

Applications (Pre-Applications) for the fiscal year (FY) 1994 grant

cycle is Wednesday, May 4, 1994. Pre-Applications must be received at

the NECET office no later than 5 p.m., May 4, 1994, whether mailed or

hand-delivered. Facsimile copies will not be accepted.

Successful Pre-Applicants will be invited to submit Full

Applications to NECET. Full Applications must be received at the NECET

office no later than 5 p.m., Wednesday, July 13, 1994. NTIA intends to

award FY 1994 NECET grants by September 30, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Office of Telecommunications and Information Applications

(OTIA); National Telecommunications and Information Administration

(NTIA); U.S. Department of Commerce; 14th Street and Constitution

Avenue, NW., room H-4889; Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Charles M. Rush; Acting Associate

Administrator, Office of Telecommunications and Information

Applications (OTIA); Telephone: (202) 482-5802; Facsimile: (202) 482-

2156; E-Mail: [email protected]. Information on the NECET program may

also be downloaded from the NTIA Bulletin Board by contacting (202)

482-1199 via modern or ntiabbs.ntia.doc.gov via Internet.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration

(NTIA), Department of Commerce, serves as the President's principal

adviser on telecommunications and information policy. NTIA's functions

were codified as part of the Telecommunications Authorization Act of

1992, Public Law No. 102-538, 106 Stat. 3533, 47 U.S.C. 901-04 (1993).

The National Endowment for Children's Educational Television was

established by The Children's Television Act of 1990, Public Law No.

101-437, 104 Stat. 996 (1990) (codified at 47 U.S.C. 394 (1991)).

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)

11.551; The National Endowment for Children's Educational

Television.

Program Description

NECET Background

NECET funds are intended to support the creation and production of

children's television programming that is specifically directed toward

the development of fundamental intellectual skills. In so doing,

NECET's efforts are intended to supplement children's educational

programming that is funded by other governmental entities.

Congress directed that NECET be administered by the Secretary of

Commerce. The Secretary, in turn, has delegated this responsibility to

the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, who serves

as the Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information

Administration (NTIA).

The Children's Television Act of 1990 stipulates that, during the

first two years following project completion, NECET-funded programming

may be offered for distribution only to noncommercial public television

stations. After the initial two-year period, NECET-funded programming

may be made available to commercial media as well, including broadcast

television networks and stations, and cable television networks and

systems. The 1990 Act authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, under

certain circumstances, to modify some aspects of these distribution

requirements.

Through the 1990 Act, Congress sought to ensure that commercial

television entities would have at their disposal a growing pool of

high-quality programming appropriate for a children's audience that

would be available at an affordable cost. Accordingly, the 1990 Act

authorizes the Secretary to offer NECET-funded programs to commercial

television stations and cable television systems at a rate designed to

encourage these entities to air such programming.

NECET Objectives

For the FY 1994 grant round, NECET has three major objectives that

applicants should consider when preparing their submissions.

To Improve the Fundamental Intellectual Skills of Children

Through the Vehicle of Television Programming. The term ``fundamental

intellectual skills'' may be defined in a number of ways. In general,

NECET interprets the term broadly, to include those competencies and

abilities that enable children to effectively understand and cope with

problems posed by the contemporary world. Such skills might include

proficiency in traditional academic disciplines, such as mathematics,

science, history or reading, or they might consist of more abstract

abilities, concerns or appreciations, such as problem-solving, ethics,

multiculturalism or diversity. Regardless of approach, applicants are

also encouraged to incorporate basic human development skills, such as

self-esteem and pro-social behavior development, into their proposals.

Finally, since most effective educational television programming for

children has an entertainment element woven throughout it, NECET

applicants are encouraged to incorporate this element into the design

of their proposals.

To the Extent Feasible, To Support the Development of

Programming for Children Aged 6 to 8. Although there is a need for

high-quality educational television programming for children of all

ages, NECET has concluded that the six-to-eight-year-old child is

currently the most underserved by educational television programming

and is therefore deserving of special consideration for the FY 1994

grant round. According to the 1990 U.S. Census, there are a total of

10,732,061 children in this age group. Consistent with this emphasis,

projects that meet the needs of this particular age group are more

likely to be competitive and to receive funding consideration than

projects focused on other age groups. NECET, however, will not

automatically reject projects designed for other age groups. In future

grant rounds, NECET may emphasize projects designed for different age

levels.

To Encompass a Broad Range of Subject Areas Within the

Overall Context of the Grant Program. NECET is imposing no limits on

the scope of the proposals that may be submitted for funding

consideration. In selecting the goals for their projects, applicants

may choose to encompass a broad array of targeted skills. Alternatively

applicants may choose to center on a single learning need.

Funding Availability

The Departments of Commerce, Justice and State, the Judiciary and

Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1993, Public Law 103-121, 107

Stat. 1153 (1993), provides the Department of Commerce $1 million in

assistance for the National Endowment for Children's Educational

Television under 47 U.S.C. 394 (1991), to be used for the creation and

production of television programming specifically directed toward the

development of fundamental intellectual skills. Congress has

appropriated a total of $1 million for NECET for Fiscal Year 1994. NTIA

anticipates that in FY 1994 NECET will fund up to six grant awards,

depending on the nature of the projects and the need of the recipients,

and that NECET awards will range from $50,000 to $300,000.

Matching Requirements

The Children's Television Act of 1990 provides that the Department

of Commerce may award funds up to 75 percent of a project's eligible

costs. Due to the limitation of available funding, however, applicants

are encouraged to provide as much outside funding as possible.

Type of Funding Instrument

The funding instrument for awards made under this program will be a

grant.

Eligibility Criteria

Any individual, partnership, association, joint stock company,

trust, corporation (not-for-profit or for-profit), or state or local

governmental entity is eligible to submit an application for NECET

funding.

Award Period

Successful applicants will have up to twenty-four months to

complete their project, although the grant award period will vary as a

function of the complexity and scope of the project.

Indirect Costs

The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed in an

application under this program must not exceed the indirect cost rate

negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal agency prior to the

proposed effective date of the award or 100 percent of the total

proposed direct costs dollar amount in the application, whichever is

less.

Application Forms and Kit; Selection Procedures

Preliminary Applications

A Preliminary Application (Pre-Application) is required for each

proposal submitted by an applicant. The Pre-Application consists of two

parts; (1) A Standard Form 424 (SF-424) (Rev. 4-92) Application for

Federal Assistance; and (2) a narrative summary of the general nature

of the proposed project, not to exceed five single-spaced pages. An

original and two copies of each complete Pre-Application is required

for each project submission. No organization or individual is permitted

to submit Pre-Applications for more than three separate projects.

Videotapes, audio cassettes and other related materials are not

permitted with Pre-Applications. A copy of the SF-424 and an outline of

points to be included in the Pre-Application narrative summary is

contained in the National Endowment for Children's Educational

Television Guidelines for Preparing Applications: 1994 Grant Cycle.

This booklet may be secured by contacting the NTIA Office listed

earlier.

Upon receipt, NECET Pre-Applications will be reviewed and evaluated

by outside reviewers with expertise in the area of children's

television programming and by NECET staff. Criteria to be used in the

evaluation of each proposal are listed in the ``Evaluation Criteria''

section of this Notice. Written comments made by reviewers on each

proposal will not be made available to the applicant, and Pre-

Application submissions will not be returned. Recommendations regarding

successful Pre-Applications will be submitted to the NTIA

Administrator, who shall make a final determination regarding

successful and unsuccessful Pre-Applications. Successful and

unsuccessful Pre-Applicants will be notified by letter about their

proposals in late May, 1994. Those determined to be unsuccessful Pre-

Applicants will be dropped from further consideration for the FY 1994

NECET grant cycle. Those determined to be successful Pre-Applicants

will be invited to submit Full Applications to NECET.

Full Applications

The Full Application is a comprehensive document that consists of

required Federal forms, five sections of additional information, and

three exhibits. Detailed instructions for completing the Full

Application are contained in the Guidelines for Preparing Applications:

1994 Grant Cycle cited earlier.

In addition, those applicants requesting funds for production of a

series, individual program(s), or special program(s) are also strongly

recommended to submit a half-inch VHS videocassette that represents the

quality of work of which the applicant is capable. This type may take

the form of a pilot or other sample tape of the proposed project, or

may be a tape of an unrelated nature that demonstrates the creative and

technical capability of the applicant. Applicants requesting NECET

funds for reproduction activities only (e.g., planning, research,

development, scripting, etc.) and/or for production of a pilot program

do not need to submit a videocassette with their Full Applications.

Videocassettes will not be returned.

Project Funding Priorities

In general, NECET funds are available to support all of the varied

tasks associated with the production of children's television, and

project eligibility is not limited to any particular stage of

production or type of activity as long as it is germane to the

production of children's television programming that furthers the

objectives of the 1990 Act. Programming funded by NECET is primarily

intended for general viewing by children, although it may also have

value and be used within an instructional context. In general, NECET

expects to award funds for four categories of projects:

Series

To initiate new series productions, or to complete a series project

already underway.

Individual Programs or Specials

To support production of new individual program(s) or special(s).

Pilot Programs

To support various pre-production activities (e.g., planning,

research development, scripting, etc.) up through and including the

production of pilot program(s).

Pre-Production Projects

To support preliminary pre-production activities, such as planning,

research, development and/or scripting, that will eventually lead to

production.

Evaluation Criteria

Five Evaluation Criteria will be used to evaluate all NECET Pre-

Application and NECET Full Application submissions received during the

FY 1994 grant cycle. These criteria, and the weight accorded each

criterion, are as follows:

Creativity (30 points)

The proposed project must display a high degree of creativity,

originality and artistic imagination and, ideally, be unique and

innovative in its approach.

Clarity of Educational Objectives; Plan for Evaluating Educational

Effectiveness; Indication of Developmental Appropriateness (30 points)

Applicants must provide:

(1) A clear statement of the educational objectives of their

proposal;

(2) a plan for evaluating the educational effectiveness of the

proposed project; and

(3) an indication that the proposed project is developmentally

appropriate for the target audience specified in the proposal.

Conformance With NECET Objectives (15 points)

Applicants must satisfy NECET that their project will further the

three NECET objectives discussed earlier in this Notice:

(1) To Improve the Fundamental Intellectual Skills of Children

through the Vehicle of Television Programming;

(2) To the Extent Feasible, to Support the Development of

Programming for Children Aged 6 to 8; and

(3) To Encompass a Broad Range of Subject Areas within the Overall

Context of the Grant Program.

Applicant Capability (15 points)

Applicants must indicate why NECET may be confident that they will

be able to complete the proposed project in a satisfactory manner.

Applicants may demonstrate this capability in various ways, including

documentation of previous experience, presentation of a well-developed

plan, and related information.

Thoroughness of Project Plan (10 points)

Applicants must provide evidence of a well-developed and sound plan

for execution of their project, including a detailed and realistic

timetable and budget that accurately reflect the needs of the project.

Program Standards

Programs produced with NECET grant funding must meet broadcast-

quality production and technical standards consistent with those of the

Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). All programs must be closed-

captioned. Programming funded by NECET may not be interrupted with

commercial advertising messages for the life of the program. All NECET-

funded programming must be aired with a funding (underwriting) credit

for the National Endowment for Children's Educational Television

(NECET), and any ancillary materials produced with this grant shall

contain a similar credit. Such funding credit shall be consistent with

common practice for funding announcements on public broadcasting

stations.

Rights, Clearances, and Distribution

NECET grant recipients are entitled to retain continuing rights to

the programming that they create with NECET funding assistance.

Recipients of NECET grant funding must comply with all requirements of

United States Copyright Law, including requirements to obtain

permission from owners of copyright in works of authorship and to pay

any required license fees. Accordingly, NECET requires that all

completed creative works supported by NECET funding have appropriate

clearances, releases, and/or other documentation demonstrating that the

organization or individual producing the programming either has

obtained rights for the use of all elements in the programs, or has

itself originally created the work. These rights and clearances apply

to all elements of such programming.

NECET Applicants should note that they will need to obtain an

option on any material critical to the successful completion of their

projects before they apply to NECET, unless all such material has

already been cleared or is entirely original with the applicant.

Other Requirements

Federal Policies and Procedures

Recipients and sub-recipients are subject to all applicable Federal

laws and Federal and Department of Commerce policies, regulations, and

procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance awards.

Past Performance

Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal financial assistance

awards may result in an application not being considered for funding.

Pre-Award Activities

If applicants incur any costs prior to the awarding of funds, they

do so solely at their own risk of not being reimbursed by the

government. Applicants are hereby notified that, notwithstanding any

verbal or written assurance that they may have received, there is no

obligation on the part of the Department of Commerce or NTIA to cover

pre-award costs.

No Obligation for Future Funding

If an application is selected for funding, the Department of

Commerce has no obligation to provide any additional future funding in

connection with that award. Renewal of an award to increase funding or

extend the period of performance is at the total discretion of the

Department of Commerce.

Delinquent Federal Debts

No award of Federal funds shall be made to an applicant who has an

outstanding delinquent Federal debt until either:

1. The delinquent account is paid in full;

2. A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one

payment is received; or

3. Other arrangements satisfactory to the Department of Commerce

are made.

Name Check Review

All non-profit and for-profit applicants are subject to a name

check review process. Name checks are intended to reveal if any key

individuals associated with the applicant have been convicted of or are

presently facing criminal charges such as fraud, theft, perjury, or

other matters that significantly reflect on the applicant's management

honesty or financial integrity.

Primary Applicant Certifications

All primary applicants must submit a completed Form CD-511,

``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other

Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and

Lobbying.'' The following explanations are hereby provided:

Non-procurement Debarment and Suspension. Prospective

participants (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, Sec. 26.105) are subject to

15 CFR part 26, ``Non-procurement Debarment and Suspension'' and the

related section of the certification form prescribed above applies;

Drug-Free Workplace. Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR part

26, Sec. 26.605) are subject to 15 CFR part 26, Subpart F,

``Government-wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants) and the

related section of the certification form prescribed above applies;

Anti-Lobbying. Persons (as defined at 15 CFR part 28,

Sec. 28.105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352,

``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal

contracting and financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of

the certification form prescribed above applies to applications/bids

for grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than

$100,000, and loans and loan guarantees for more than $150,000 or the

single family maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever

is greater; and

Anti-Lobbying Disclosure. Any applicant that has paid or

will pay for lobbying using any funds must submit an SF-LLL,

``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR part

28, appendix B.

Lower Tier Certifications

Grant recipients shall require applicants/bidders for subgrants,

contracts, subcontracts, or other lower tier covered transactions at

any tier under the award to submit, if applicable, a completed Form CD-

512, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility

and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered Transactions and Lobbying''

and disclosure from SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.'' Form

CD-512 is intended for the use of recipients and should not be

transmitted to DOC. SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or sub-

recipient should be submitted to DOC in accordance with the

instructions contained in the award document.

False Statements

A false statement on an application is grounds for denial or

termination of funds and grounds for possible punishment by a fine or

imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.

Intergovernmental Review

Applications under this program are subject to Executive Order

12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''

Requirement To Buy American-Made Equipment or Products

Applicants are hereby notified that any equipment or products

authorized to be purchased with funding provided under this program

must be American-made to the maximum extent feasible in accordance with

Public Law 103-121, sections 606 (a) and (b). Adequate justification

will be required for any proposed purchases of equipment or products

that are not American-made.

Paperwork Reduction Act

The standard forms have been approved by the Office of Management

and Budget pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act under OMB Approval

Nos. 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 0348-0040 and 0348-0046.

Executive Order 12866

This Notice was not subject to review by the Office of Management

and Budget under Executive Order 12866.

Dated: March 18, 1994.

Larry Irving,

Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information.

[FR Doc. 94-6875 Filed 3-23-94; 8:45 am]

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