MDA STEM BEST HTPD 2021_Full Announcement_20210621.pdf

MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY (MDA)

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS (STEM)

Boosting Engineering Science and Technology (BEST) Robotics Grant:

Hub’s Teacher Professional Development (HTPD) 2021

Approved for Public Release 21-MDA-10870 (21 Jun 21)

**Applications are due no later than July 21, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. CDT, via https:\\www.grants.gov**

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

The purpose of this announcement is to allow Official Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology (BEST) Robotics Inc. Local Competition Hubs the opportunity to obtain financial support for providing teacher professional development to teachers within their first three

(3) years of being a team teacher for a BEST Robotics team. Teacher professional development ensures general Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) training for teachers and a successful experience during their local BEST Robotics season, advancing the awareness of, and engagement in, STEM with K-12 teachers and students.

Missile Defense Agency (MDA) STEM:

The MDA STEM Outreach’s goal is to increase STEM awareness and proficiency among K-12 and college students to enhance the number of U.S. scientists and engineers capable of solving future missile defense challenges in the Government, industry, and academia.

MDA STEM is further guided by the following objectives:

1. Increase the number of high school graduates capable of declaring a college major in a STEM field.

2. Inspire K-12 and college students about career paths and the activities of scientists and engineers.

3. Investigate real-life, practical uses, for applied math and science in K-12 grade classrooms to further degree declarations; and career and life interest in STEM.

4. Present the importance of STEM career opportunities to school personnel, parents, and supporting institutions.

BEST Robotics, Inc.:

BEST Robotics, Inc. (https://www.bestrobotics.org/site/) is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization, whose mission is to inspire students to pursue careers in engineering, science, technology, and math through participation in a sports-like, science-and engineering-based robotics competition.

BEST's mission is to engage, inspire and excite students to pursue STEM majors and STEM careers through the vehicle of an after-school robotics program and competition. BEST values access and diversity and encourages participation of all students and schools by providing a free program supported through the fundraising and mentoring efforts of a large higher education and industry volunteer corps.

BEST Robotics Inc. point of contact: Michael Steiner, Executive Director, Michael.Steiner@Bestinc.org, (412) 499-4790.

II. AWARDS

https://www.bestrobotics.org/site/ mailto:Michael.Steiner@Bestinc.org

MDA can award up to $60,000 through this grant opportunity to official BEST Robotics Local Competition Hubs only. MDA also has the right to make no awards as a result of this opportunity.

The number of awards is not predetermined. Each hub’s individual grant award will vary, but may not exceed $2,980. Estimated cost per teacher attendee shall not exceed $298. A hub may submit one proposal, for up to 10 team teachers. Individual teachers should not submit proposals;

all proposals should be submitted by a Higher Education Agency (HEA)/BEST Hub.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

Official BEST Robotics Inc. Local Competition Hubs that are managed by, or work closely with, an HEA, such as a junior college or university, are eligible to apply for funds via this grant opportunity. For hubs not managed by, yet closely working with an HEA, all receipted and payment portions of the grant must be processed through the HEA’s grant office. Also, all non- HEA hubs must be classified as non-profit, 501(c)(3). Teachers identified by their hub for training must be full-time employees of a school system and within their first three years of coaching a BEST Robotics Team.

Local Competition Hubs awarded an MDA STEM BEST Robotics Grant in FY 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and/or 2019 may apply for funding through this grant opportunity only if both of the following statements are true about the hub’s previous grant performance:

1. Projected team registration goals and hub growth proposed in the grant proposals were attained; and

2. Post-award reporting requirements, receivable deadlines and content, were met.

Official BEST Robotics Inc. Local Competition Hubs supporting HEA submitting proposals must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. A DUNS number is a nine-digit number established and assigned by Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. (D&B) to uniquely identify business entities. A DUNS number may be obtained from D&B by telephone (866-705-5711) or website (http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform). For more detailed instructions for obtaining a DUNS number, refer to: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html

Official BEST Robotics Inc. Local Competition Hubs supporting HEA submitting proposals and awarded grants must have current information in the System for Award Management (SAM). If awarded a grant, SAM information must remain current until final payment is received, unless exempt from the requirement under 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 25.110. Additional information about registration procedures may be obtained by telephone (866-606-8220) or website (https://www.sam.gov). For more detailed instructions on registering with SAM, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html.

Official BEST Robotics Inc. Local Competition Hubs supporting HEA submitting proposals must have a Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE), formerly Wide Area Work Flow (WAWF), e-Business Suite (https://wawf.eb.mil/piee-landing/) account for, as a minimum, Invoice, Receipt, Acceptance, and Property Transfer (iRAPT) usage. PIEE accounts must remain current until all grant agreement payments and reporting are complete.

College/University signing authority for the grant agreement, if awarded, must have working knowledge and access to PIEE. Additional information about PIEE accounts and instructions may be obtained by telephone (866-618-5988) or website (https://wawf.eb.mil/xhtml/unauth/help/help.xhtml). When viewing the website, select “WAWF – http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html https://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://wawf.eb.mil/piee-landing/ https://wawf.eb.mil/xhtml/unauth/help/help.xhtml

Support Contractor Getting Started Help” under the “Government and Government Support Contractors Getting Started” box on the bottom left of the screen.

IV. APPLICATION INFORMATION

Please refer to Section IX. FORM ASSISTANCE for help in completing the grants.gov required forms.

Application forms and instructions are available at grants.gov. To access these materials, go to http://www.grants.gov, select “How to Apply for Grants” under the “Applicants” tab, and then follow the instructions. Read the instructions below about registering to apply for MDA STEM funds. Applicants should read the registration instructions carefully and prepare the information requested before beginning the registration process. Reviewing and assembling the required information before beginning the registration process will alleviate last-minute searches for required information.

This grant opportunity may fund up to ten (10) BEST Robotics team teachers and the necessary training costs. While other teachers may participate in the training offered by the local hub, this grant will not reimburse or financially support the costs of training any additional teachers, new or veteran. Total requested funds should reflect the number of BEST Robotics team teachers (up to 10) within their first 3 years of coaching; materials required to train the identified teachers;

and, if applicable, identified teachers’ supplemental subsistence costs. Meals and/or refreshments offered during the professional development session(s) training will not be provided or reimbursed by, or through, this grant opportunity.

Proposals may only request support for developing and providing teacher professional development, provided by and at the local hub competition site, for the 2021 BEST Robotics competition season. Teacher professional development must include all of the following:

1. Training for the BEST Robotics teams’ teachers within the hub’s assigned BEST Robotics region;

2. Awarding at least one continuing education credit (CEU) for participating teachers;

3. Instruction in at least three STEM areas, such as programming languages, computer-aided design (CAD), and robotics;

4. Learning materials for each team teacher to retain, for classroom learning; and

5. Sessions totaling at least four hours, but no more than eight hours.

If the training will consist of more than one day, funding may include a fixed supplementary stipend of up to $298 per teacher to assist with reasonable training materials, travel (up to a total of 120 miles) and subsistence (lodging for one night and meals for two days) costs.

If teacher professional development for team teachers consist of only one day, funding may include a fixed supplementary stipend of up to $156 per teacher to assist with reasonable training materials, travel (up to a total of 120 miles) and subsistence (meals for one day) costs.

Teachers and their schools must be identified in the proposal. Funding will include exact reimbursement for costs:

1. Up to and not exceeding the amounts identified in the table below;

2. Per teacher; and

3. For no more than two days, including travel time.

http://www.grants.gov/

ITEM

TOTAL MAXIMUM

COST FOR ONE DAY

TOTAL MAXIMUM

COST FOR TWO DAYS

Materials $46 $50

Lodging $0 $96

Travel (mileage x $0.575) $69 $69

Meals and Incidental Expenses

$41 $83

Total per Teacher: $156 $298

The material funds are for the Official BEST Robotics Hub to use for the training. The Lodging, Meals and Incidental Expenses, and Travel funds are for the BEST Robotics Teachers to use to be able to attend the training. Teachers should be given no less than the amount granted in these two fields. Grant award recipients must be able to independently accomplish all required hub tasks, without any involvement or additional funding from MDA.

The registration process can take up to three weeks to complete. Therefore, registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required application submission deadlines.

The next step in the registration process is to create an account with grants.gov. Applicants must know their organization's DUNS number to complete this process. Completing this process automatically triggers an email request for applicant roles to the organization's E-Business Point of Contact (EBiz POC) for review. The EBiz POC is a representative from your organization who is the contact listed for SAM. To apply for grants on behalf of your organization, you will need the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) role.

For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on grants.gov, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html

After creating an account on grants.gov, the EBiz POC receives an email notifying them of your registration and request for roles. The EBiz POC will then log into grants.gov and authorize the appropriate roles, which may include the AOR role, thereby giving you permission to complete and submit applications on behalf of the organization. You will be able to submit your application online any time after you have been approved as an AOR.

For more detailed instructions about creating a AOR roles on grants.gov, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html

To track your role request, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html

In addition to information requested in the grants.gov standard form instructions, your proposal must include the following attachments:

1. Attachment Name: Training Information. A document with all the training information including:

a. Location

b. Date

c. Number of learning modules

d. Time allotted for each module https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html

e. Brief description of learning objectives/modules

f. Brief description of learners’ assessments

g. Estimated number of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to be given to the attendees

h. Itemized list of training materials, include vendor

i. List of take-away learning materials for the attendees

j. Cost per teacher

k. Total amount of funding requested

l. Projected number of participating teams for 2021

2. Attachment Name: Hub Contacts. A document listing the hub’s name and address, and the Hub Director’s name, e-mail address, and phone number. This document should also include the Grant Coordinator’s name, e-mail address, and phone number. Finally, this document should include a list of potential schools which might send a teacher to attend the 2021 training and a contact phone number for each.

3. Attachment Name: Support Letter. A signed support letter on official letterhead (internal) from physical site’s senior leadership, such as the University President or Vice- President.

4. Attachment Name: Post-Award Agreement. A signed letter of acknowledgement and agreement from the Hub Director on official College/University letterhead to provide MDA STEM with required post-award reporting. The letter should include MDA BEST Robotics Teacher Professional Development Survey, demographic information, information briefs, videos, and/or photographs.

5. Attachment Name: SAM Certification. A certification that SAM information for the associated HEA is current.

6. Attachment Name: WAWF Certification. A certification that a WAWF account for the associated HEA is current.

Items 1 – 6 should be submitted on grants.gov using the Attachments Form. Please use the appropriate attachment names. The SF424 (R&R) should be submitted separate from items 1 –

6. The RESEARCH & RELATED Personal Data form is an optional form to be completed by the Grant Coordinator.

When applications are submitted through grants.gov, the name of the organization's AOR that submitted the application is inserted into the signature line of the application, serving as the electronic signature. The EBiz POC must authorize individuals who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the organization as an AOR; this step is often missed and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

V. SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Grants.gov applicants can apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different webforms within an application. For each Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), you can create individual instances of a workspace.

For access to complete instructions on how to apply for opportunities, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html

For additional training resources, including video tutorials, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html

Grants.gov provides applicants 24/7 support via the toll-free number 1-800-518-4726 and email at support@grants.gov. For questions related to the specific grant opportunity, contact the number listed in the application package of the grant you are applying for.

VI. GRANT APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

MDA will evaluate proposals based upon the following areas – Efficiency and Commitment.

1. Efficiency (60%)

a. Is it evident by the amount, type, and description of the training objectives and modules provided that the hub will be effectively using the funds to train the proposed teachers?

b. Is it evident by the proposed training and material information that the hub will provide relevant and effective training to the proposed teachers?

c. Is it evident by the information provided that the training will be within the required time restraints?

2. Commitment (40%)

a. Is it evident in the support letters and contact information that the Hub is managed or works closely with Higher Education Agency (HEA)?

b. Is it evident that the hub’s reach supports the number of proposed teachers in attendance?

c. Is it evident by the information provided that the hub’s training is supported internally?

A single grant award for any hub will not exceed $2,980. Evaluation of proposals may result in funding levels lower than the proposed amount(s).

VII. AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

1. Acceptance Notices

Selected proposers will receive an acceptance notice stating that an application has been selected and instructions for the next steps in the acquisition process. The notification letter or e-mail must not be regarded as an authorization to commit or expend funds. The Government is not obligated to provide any funding until a Government Grants Officer and the appropriate official from the selected entity sign the resulting grant agreement. Events taking place before the grant agreement is fully executed are not reimbursable. Award notification letters should be sent to all applicants no later than August 13, 2021.

2. Reporting

On or before October 31, 2021, awarded hubs must collect and submit, from each teacher for which the grant was awarded, a completed Missile Defense Agency BEST https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html mailto:support@grants.gov

Robotics Teacher Professional Development Survey. The lack of completion and/or submission of these surveys can result in delayed payment. If the training consists of more than one day, a receipt of lodging expenses must also be submitted for each teacher for which the grant was awarded. Surveys and receipts should be submitted collectively to MDA STEM at STEM@mda.mil, with the e-mail subject as “MDA STEM Outreach BEST Robotics Grant HTPD 2021 – hub name and grant number”.

3. Invoicing

The MDA BEST Robotics grant is limited to teacher professional development offered by local BEST Robotics hubs. The associated HEAs must provide receipts, expense documents, and/or invoices to support items reimbursable (fully or partially) through the grant fixed supplementary stipend. Invoices must be separated by category; Materials Lodging, Travel, Meals and Incidental Expenses.

Grant recipient hubs shall submit a request for payment in PIEE which:

1. Is for an amount that does not exceed the amount identified in the grant agreement;

2. Is documented by the invoice(s);

3. Occurs after the deliverables, outlined in the above Paragraph 2., are received by

MDA STEM;

4. Occurs after the hub receives an approval e-mail from MDA STEM for the deliverables; and

5. Occurs prior to the grant agreement end date.

Requests for payments shall be submitted directly in PIEE, as a cost voucher. A completed SF 270 form with the College/University invoice(s) for travel and lodging (if applicable) must be submitted as an attachment to the cost voucher.

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) will serve as the administrative office (Grant Agreement, Block 6). ONR will approve the voucher and supporting documents. Visit the ONR web site (http://www.onr.navy.mil/) for more information on electronic payments for grants.

After ONR approves the voucher and supporting documents, ONR will forward the information to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) for payment. DFAS is the payment office (Grant Agreement, Block 12).

Both ONR and DFAS are completely separate entities from MDA. Awarded hubs must:

a. Include MDA in all communications with ONR regarding payments;

b. Include MDA in all communications with DFAS, if applicable;

c. Forward to MDA e-mail confirmations regarding invoice submissions (whether rejected or approved) from ONR; and

d. Provide to MDA a copy of all invoice documents and supporting receipts.

This will help MDA STEM provide assistance with any issues that might arise in the payment process.

VIII. AGENCY CONTACTS

mailto:STEM@mda.mil http://www.onr.navy.mil/ http://www.onr.navy.mil/Contracts-Grants/manage-grant/grants-payment/electronic-payment.aspx

Questions about this grant opportunity should be directed to the MDA Grants Officer, Luisa Martinez-Medina, luisa.martinez-medina@mda.mil.

Questions about the grant implementation or post-award documentation should be directed to MDA STEM, STEM@mda.mil.

IX. FORM ASSISTANCE

All forms below are for sample purposes and are not for submission.

1. SF424 (R&R): This is a required grants.gov form; no special directions are required.

2. Attachments Form:

3. RESEARCH & RELATED Personal Data mailto:luisa.martinez-medina@mda.mil mailto:STEM@mda.mil