PKG00265081-instructions.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE)

Washington, DC

FISCAL YEAR 2021

APPLICATION PACKAGE

FOR THE NATIVE HAWAIIAN CAREER AND

TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (NHCTEP)

Assistance Listing Number (CFDA No.): 84.259A

OMB Control Number: 1830-0564

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE: MARCH 22, 2021

Dear Applicant:

Thank you for your interest in the Native Hawaiian Career and Technical Education Program

(NHCTEP). The NHCTEP is authorized under section 116 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and

Technical Education Act of 2006, as amended by the Strengthening Career and Technical

Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V). With this new authority, Perkins V authorizes the Secretary to award grants to community-based organizations primarily serving and representing Native Hawaiians to plan, conduct, and administer programs, or portions of programs, that are for the benefit of Native Hawaiians and authorized by and consistent with

Perkins V.

Please take time to review the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA)

(https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/19/2021-00809/applications-for-new-awards-native-hawaiian-career-and-technical-education-program-nhctep) published in the

Federal Register on January 19, 2021, and this application package thoroughly. You will need a clear understanding of the program background, absolute priority, competitive preference priority, program and application requirements, definitions, selection criteria, and all the application instructions. An application will not be evaluated for funding if the applicant does not comply with all the procedural rules that govern the submission of the application or if the application does not contain the information required under the program (EDGAR §75.216 (b)-

(c)).

For this competition, it is mandatory for applicants to use the government-wide website, Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) to apply. Be sure to read the Grants.gov Submission

Procedures and Tips for Applicants in this application package for more information. We strongly urge you to familiarize yourself with Grants.gov and recommend that you register and submit your application early.

The Department expects to award nine new grants under this competition for up to 60 months, subject to the availability of funds and a grantee’s demonstrated progress in achieving its project objectives. We invite you to attend a pre-application webinar on Tuesday, February 2, 2021, at

2:00 p.m. ET. You will find registration information in this application package. Please email

NHCTEPgrant@ed.gov if you have other questions. Again, thank you for your interest in this grant program and your commitment to improving the quality of CTE programming and student learning.

Sincerely, Sharon Lee Miller

Director, Division of Academic and Technical Education

Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education

U. S. Department of Education https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/19/2021-00809/applications-for-new-awards-native-hawaiian-career-and-technical-education-program-nhctep https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/19/2021-00809/applications-for-new-awards-native-hawaiian-career-and-technical-education-program-nhctep http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:NHCTEPgrant@ed.gov

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Relevant Dates Getting Started

Pre-Application Webinar Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply Completing and Submitting Your Application Tips for Submitting Your Application Deadline for Transmittal of Applications

Addressing Your Questions

II. THE NHCTEP GRANT COMPETITION

Notice Inviting Applications

Award Information Program Authority Program Purpose

Absolute and Competitive Preference Priority Requirements Eligibility Information

Application and Submission Information Application Review Information

Award Administration Information

III. THE APPLICATION

Required Forms

Abstract and Project Narratives

Budget Summary and Narrative Other Attachments Form

IV. APPLICATION SUBMISSION PROCEDURES

To-Do Before Submission Important Tips and Reminders

Attaching Files Register, Submit, and Verify

V. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

I. A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS

The following is a brief overview of the application process for the FY 2021 NHCTEP Grant

Competition.

RELEVANT DATES

• NHCTEP (84.259A) Application available: January 19, 2021

• Pre-application Information Webinar for potential applicants: February 2, 2021

• Intent to Apply: February 19, 2021

• Deadline for Transmitting Applications: March 22, 2021

• Estimated Award Announcement: July 30, 2021

GETTING STARTED

All interested applicants should first thoroughly review the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for the

FY 2021 Native Hawaiian Career and Technical Program (NHCTEP) published in the Federal Register on January 19, 2021 and posted on the Department’s website at https://cte.ed.gov/grants/funding-opportunities.

This Application Package does not contain the full text of the NIA, and it should only be used as a guide when completing and submitting your NHCTEP grant application. The NIA is the authoritative source for the rules, priorities, and selection criteria for this competition, and in any place where the Application Package and NIA conflict, the NIA takes precedence. Therefore, the NIA will orient applicants by providing full details associated with the following categories:

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Purpose of Program

Background

Statutory Changes Affecting NHCTEP

Requirements and Selection Criteria

Absolute Priority

Competitive Preference Priority

Requirements

Definitions

Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking

Program Authority

Applicable Regulations

II. Award Information

Type of Award

Estimated Available Funds

Estimated Range of Awards

Estimates Average Size of Awards

Estimated Number of Awards

Project Period

III. Eligibility Information https://cte.ed.gov/grants/funding-opportunities

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Cost Sharing or Matching and Supplement-Not-Supplant

3. Subgrantees

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Application Submission Instructions

2. Submission of Proprietary Information

3. Intergovernmental Review

4. Funding Restrictions

5. Recommended Page Limit

6. Notice of Intent to Apply

V. Application Review Information

1. Selection Criteria

2. Review and Selection Process

3. Risk Assessment and Special Conditions

4. Integrity and Performance System

5. In General

6. Recommended Scoring Rubric

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

3. Open Licensing Requirement

4. Reporting

5. Performance Measures

6. Continuation Awards

VII. Other Information

Accessible Format

Electronic Access to This Document

PRE-APPLICATION WEBINAR

The Department will host an informational session online, designed to help interested applicants with the application process on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 2 p.m. ET. We encourage interested applicants to attend this pre-application webinar, but participation is voluntary. The

Pre-application Webinar link will be posted on the Perkins Collaborative Resource Network

(PCRN) Funding Opportunities webpage (https://cte.ed.gov/grants/funding-opportunities) no later than 48 hours before the event. For those who are not able to attend, the training will be available via a link posted on the same PCRN website.

DEADLINE FOR NOTICE OF INTENT TO APPLY

The Department can develop a more efficient process for reviewing grant applications if it has a better understanding of the number of entities that intend to apply for funding under this competition. As such, you are strongly encouraged to notify the Department of your intent to apply by sending a short email message with your organization’s name and a contact person’s name and email address to NHCTEPgrant@ed.gov. Title the Subject Line with “Intent to mailto:NHCTEPgrant@ed.gov

Apply” and do so by February 19, 2021. Applicants who do not provide this email notification may still apply for funding.

COMPLETING AND SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

A complete application consists of the following elements:

• Project Abstract, in which applicants provide a brief overview of the proposed project including primary goal(s), key objectives, and activities;

• Project Narrative, in which applicants address any priorities, application requirements, program requirements, and selection criteria;

• Budget Narrative, in which applicants provide an itemized breakdown and narratives for project costs; and

• Required Forms, Standard Forms as well as Assurances and Certifications

Appendices may include the following:

• Resumes of Project Director and Key Personnel;

• Negotiated Restricted Indirect Cost Rate Agreement;

• List of proprietary information found in the application, if applicable; and

• Letters of support from key partners, if applicable.

Once the application is complete, it must be submitted electronically using the https://www.grants.gov/ system.

TIPS FOR SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

• Thoroughly review the section IV. Application Submission Procedures of this Application

Package.

• Before you are ready to submit your application, and as early as possible, familiarize yourself with https://www.grants.gov/.

• Please ensure proper browser support. The latest versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE), Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Apple Safari are supported for use with https://www.grants.gov/. However, since these web browsers undergo frequent changes and updates, we recommend you use the latest version when submitting your application. Legacy versions of these web browsers may be functional, but you may experience issues. For additional information or updates, review the information located in the Applicant FAQs at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html#browser.

DEADLINE FOR TRANSMITTAL OF APPLICATIONS

Do not wait until the last day to submit your application. The time it takes to upload the narratives for your application will vary depending on several factors, including the size of your files and the speed of your internet connection. If you try to submit your application after 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date, the https://www.grants.gov/ system will not accept it.

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html#browser https://www.grants.gov/

Your application must be fully uploaded, submitted, and date/time stamped by the https://www.grants.gov/ system no later than Monday, March 22, 2021 at 11:59:59 p.m.

(Eastern Time), which is the application deadline.

Late applications will not be accepted. No changes or additions to an application will be accepted after the deadline. The Department is required to enforce the established deadline to ensure fairness to all applicants.

ADDRESSING YOUR QUESTIONS

The Department provides an avenue for you to ask questions to clarify your understanding of the

NHCTEP grant competition and process. Do keep in mind the Department cannot provide guidance or recommendations about proposed approaches, plans, responses to priorities, program requirements, and/or selection criteria. Feel free to send all other questions to NHCTEPgrant@ed.gov.

mailto:NACTEP@ed.gov

II. THE NHCTEP GRANT COMPETITION

NOTICE INVITING APPLICATIONS .

The Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for the NHCTEP grant competition was published in the

Federal Register on January 19, 2021. The link is:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/19/2021-00809/applications-for-new-awards-native-hawaiian-career-and-technical-education-program-nhctep.

AWARD INFORMATION

Estimated Available Funds: $3,176,000.

Estimated Range of Awards: $250,000 to $500,000.

Estimated Average Size of Awards: $350,000.

Estimated Number of Awards: 9-10.

Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates.

Project Period: Up to 60 months.

PROGRAM AUTHORITY

20 U.S.C. 2301, et seq., particularly 2326(a)–(h).

Link: https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/20/2301?type=usc&year=mostrecent&link-type=html

PROGRAM PURPOSE

NHCTEP provides grants to improve Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that are consistent with the purposes of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, as amended by the enactment of the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st

Century Act (Perkins V) and that benefit Native Hawaiians. Section 116(e)of Perkins V provides that programs, services, and activities funded under NHCTEP must support and improve career and technical education programs. (20 U.S.C. 2326(e))

ABSOLUTE AND COMPETITIVE PREFERENCE PRIORITY

This competition includes one absolute priority and one competitive preference priority. The absolute priority is from the notice of final priorities for discretionary grant programs, published in the Federal Register on March 9, 2020 (85 FR 13640) (Administrative Priorities). The competitive preference priority is from the Secretary’s notice of final supplemental priorities and definitions, published in the Federal Register on March 2, 2018 (83 FR 9096) (Supplemental

Priorities).

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/19/2021-00809/applications-for-new-awards-native-hawaiian-career-and-technical-education-program-nhctep https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/19/2021-00809/applications-for-new-awards-native-hawaiian-career-and-technical-education-program-nhctep https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/20/2301?type=usc&year=mostrecent&link-type=html https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/20/2301?type=usc&year=mostrecent&link-type=html

Absolute Priority: For FY 2021, and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34

CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet the absolute priority.

This priority is Demonstrates a Rationale.

Under this priority, an applicant proposes a project that demonstrates a rationale (as defined in the NIA).

Note: Applicants may wish to review the following technical assistance resources on evaluation and logic models:

(1) The Logic Model Workshop Toolkit developed by the Institute of Education Sciences:

https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/northeast/pdf/REL_2015057.pdf;

(2) The Ideas that Work website hosted by the Office of Special Education Programs:

https://osepideasthatwork.org/evaluation. This page includes additional resources on planning and conducting evaluation activities and developing logic models and high-quality objectives and performance measures.

Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2021, and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, this priority is a competitive preference priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award up to an additional five points to an application, depending on how well the application meets this competitive preference priority.

If an applicant chooses to address this competitive preference priority, the project narrative section of its application must identify its response to the competitive preference priority.

This competitive preference priority is promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math

(STEM) Education, with a particular focus on Computer Science. Projects that are designed to improve student achievement or other educational outcomes in one or more of the following areas: Science, technology, engineering, math, or computer science (as defined in the NIA).

These projects must address increasing access to STEM coursework, including computer science, and hands-on learning opportunities, such as through expanded course offerings, dual0enrollment, high-quality online coursework, or other innovative delivery mechanisms.

REQUIREMENTS

This competition has five requirements.

1. Requirement 1 – Authorized Programs

(a) Section 116 of Perkins V requires the Secretary to ensure that activities funded under

NHCTEP “will improve career and technical education programs” (20 U.S.C. 2326(e)), as the term “career and technical education” is defined by Perkins V (20 U.S.C. 2302(5)).

Therefore, under NHCTEP, the Assistant Secretary will award grants to carry out projects that--

(1) Propose organized educational activities offering a sequence of courses that--

(A) Provide individuals with rigorous academic content and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in current or emerging https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/northeast/pdf/REL_2015057.pdf https://osepideasthatwork.org/evaluation professions, which may include high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations, which shall be, at the secondary level, aligned with the challenging State academic standards adopted by a State under section 1111(b)(1) of the ESEA;

(B) Provide technical skill proficiency or a recognized postsecondary credential, which may include an industry-recognized credential, a certificate, or an associate degree; and

(C) May include prerequisite courses that meet the requirements of this subparagraph;

(2) Include competency-based, work-based, or other applied learning that supports the development of academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of an industry, including entrepreneurship, of an individual;

(3) To the extent practicable, coordinate between secondary and postsecondary education programs through programs of study, which may include coordination through articulation agreements, early college high school programs, dual or concurrent enrollment program opportunities, or other credit transfer agreements that provide postsecondary credit or advanced standing; and

(4) May include career exploration at the high school level or as early as the middle grades (as such term is defined in section 8101 of ESEA).

(b) Special rule. Notwithstanding section 3(5)(A)(iii) of the Perkins V, which excludes remedial courses from the definition of “career and technical education,” funds made available under NHCTEP for CTE may be used to provide preparatory, refresher, and remedial education services that are designed to enable students to achieve success in CTE programs or programs of study.

2. Requirement 2 – Evaluation

To help ensure the high quality of NHCTEP projects and the achievement of the goals and purposes of section 116 of the Act, each grantee must budget for and conduct an ongoing evaluation of its NHCTEP project. An independent evaluator must conduct the evaluation.

The evaluation must be appropriate for the project and be both formative and summative in nature.

3. Requirement 3 – Student Stipends

A portion of an award under this program may be used to provide stipends to students who are enrolled in a CTE project funded under this program and who have acute economic needs which cannot be met through work-study programs. (See NIA for further details.)

4. Requirement 4 – Direct Assistance to Students

A grantee may provide direct assistance to students if certain conditions are met. (See NIA for further details.)

5. Requirement 5 – Career and Technical Education Memorandum of Understanding

Any applicant that is not proposing to provide CTE directly to Native Hawaiian students and proposes instead to pay one or more qualified educational entities to provide such CTE to

Native Hawaiian students must include with its application a signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the applicant and the educational entity. (See NIA for further details.)

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants: The following entities are eligible to apply under this competition:

(a) Community-based organizations primarily serving and representing Native

Hawaiians. For purposes of the NHCTEP, a community-based organization means a public or private organization that provides career and technical education, or related services, to individuals in the Native Hawaiian community.

(b) Any community-based organization may apply individually or as part of a consortium with one or more eligible community-based organizations. (Eligible applicants seeking to apply for funds as a consortium must meet the requirements in 34 CFR 75.127–

75.129.).

Note: If you are a nonprofit organization, under 34 CFR 75.51, you may demonstrate your nonprofit status by providing: (1) proof that the Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a statement from a State taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private shareholder or individual; (3) a certified copy of the applicant’s certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or (4) any item described above if that item applies to a State or national parent organization, together with a statement by the State or parent organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost sharing or matching.

b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This competition involves supplement-not-supplant funding requirements. In accordance with section 211(a) of Perkins V (20 U.S.C. 2391(a)), funds under this program may not be used to supplant non-Federal funds used to carry out CTE activities.

We caution applicants not to plan to use funds under NHCTEP to replace otherwise available non-Federal funding for direct assistance to students and family assistance programs. For example, NHCTEP funds must not be used to supplant other non-Federal funds with Federal funds in order to pay the costs of students' tuition, dependent care, transportation, books, supplies, and other costs associated with participation in a CTE program.

Funds under NHCTEP should not be used to replace Federal student financial aid.

Perkins V does not authorize the Secretary to fund projects that serve primarily as entities through which students may apply for and receive tuition and other financial assistance.

c. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses a restricted indirect cost rate. For more information regarding indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please see www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/intro.html.

d. Administrative Cost Limitation: This program does not include any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. All administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform Guidance.

e. Limitation on Services: Section 215 of Perkins V (20 U.S.C. 2395) forbids the use of

Perkins funds for the education of students prior to the middle grades. The term middle grades refer to grades 5 through 8, as defined in Section 8101 of ESEA.

3. Subgrantees

Under 34 CFR 75.708 (b) and (c) a grantee under this competition may award subgrants--to directly carry out project activities described in its application--to the following types of entities: institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, local educational agencies.

The grantee may award subgrants to entities it has identified in an approved application or that it selects through a competition under procedures established by the grantee.

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to follow the Common

Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768) and available at www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf, which contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.

2. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of projects that may be proposed in applications for the NHCTEP program, your application may include business information that you consider proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11 we define “business information” and describe the process we use in determining whether any of that information is proprietary and, thus, protected from disclosure under Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C.

552, as amended). Because we plan to make successful applications available to the public on the Department's website, you may wish to request confidentiality of business information.

(See NIA for further details.)

3. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal

Programs under Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this competition.

4. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding restrictions in the

Applicable Regulations section of the NIA.

5. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. We recommend that you

(1) limit the application narrative to 35 pages. (See NIA for further details.)

6. Notice of Intent to Apply: The Department will be able to review grant applications more efficiently if we know the approximate number of applicants that intend to apply for funding under this competition. Therefore, we strongly encourage each potential applicant to notify us of their intent to submit an application. (See NIA for further details.)

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are from 34 CFR 75.210 or are established in accordance with section 437(d)(1) of GEPA. The maximum score of each criterion is indicated in parentheses. In evaluating an application, the Secretary considers the following criteria:

a. Quality of the project design (Up to 50 points).

1. The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed project will create and offer activities that focus on enabling participants to obtain the skills necessary to gain employment in high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand occupations in emerging fields or in a specific career field. (Up to 20 points).

2. The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed project reflect up-to-date knowledge from research and effective practice. (Up to 15 points).

3. The extent to which the proposed project is appropriate to, and will successfully address, the needs of the target population or other identified needs. (Up to 5 points).

4. The extent to which the proposed project will integrate with or build on similar or related efforts to improve relevant outcomes (as defined in 34 CFR

77.1(c)), using existing funding streams from other programs or policies supported by community, State, and Federal Resources. (Up to 5 points).

5. The extent to which the training or professional development services to be provided by the proposed project are of sufficient quality, intensity, and duration to lead to improvements in practice among the recipients of those services. (Up to 5 points).

b. Quality of the management plan and project personnel (Up to 25 points)

1. The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly defined responsibilities, timelines, and the milestones for accomplishing the project tasks. (Up to 10 points).

2. The extent to which the applicant encourages applications for employment from persons who are members of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. (Up to 5 points).

3. The extent to which the time commitments of the project director and principal investigator and other key project personnel are appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed project. (Up to 5 points).

4. The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of the project director or principal investigator, key project personnel, and project consultants or subcontractors. (Up to 5 points).

c. Adequacy of resources (Up to 10 points)

1. The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment, supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the lead applicant organization.

(Up to 2 points).

2. The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the proposed project and the costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project (Up to 5 points).

3. The relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in the proposed project to the implementation and success of the project. (Up to 3 points).

d. Quality of the project evaluation (Up to 10 points)

1. The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and qualitative data to the extent possible. (Up to 5 points).

2. The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward achieving intended outcomes. continuous improvement toward achieving intended outcomes. (Up to 5 points).

2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR

75.217(d)(3), the past performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as the applicant’s use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and compliance with grant conditions. (See NIA for further details.)

3. Risk Assessment and Special Conditions: The Department conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. (See NIA for further details.)

4. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this competition to receive an award that over the course of the project period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), under 2 CFR 200.205(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards. (See NIA for further details.)

5. In General: In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s guidance located at 2

CFR part 200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department will review and consider applications for funding pursuant to this notice inviting applications. (See NIA for further details.)

6. Recommended Scoring Rubric (Advisory) The following information will be provided to peer reviewers to assist in the reviewing and scoring of the eligible applicant’s response to the Selection Criteria. It is included here for the applicants’ reference.

All applicants are required to respond to each of the Selection Criteria published in the NIA published in the Federal Register on January 19, 2021. Please assess applications based on the Selection Criteria. No outside factors, such as personal knowledge of past performance, or subjective judgments about what an application should contain may be considered. The application should be a comprehensive design for the proposed project and desired outcomes.

Therefore, it is imperative that reviewers read the application in its entirety to determine the overall quality of the proposed project and the quality of the applicant’s response to each

Selection Criterion.

The numerical scores assigned to an applicant’s response to the Selection Criteria must be consistent with the comments written. Comments and scores should reflect the same overall assessment of the quality of the response. It is important that you do not pair a negative comment with a positive score and vice versa. Comments indicate why the applicant’s response to each Selection Criterion is exemplary, adequate, poor, or not addressed. Scores indicate how well or poorly the applicant responded to a Selection Criterion. Shown below are suggested point ranges for an evaluation of exemplary, adequate, poor, or not addressed, for each of the Selection Criteria.

For this competition, we recommend (but do not require) that peer reviewers:

• Start at zero (0) and add points based on the applicant’s response to each criterion.

▪ A zero score is only given if no answer is provided.

▪ A minimum score reflects there is a response, regardless of its strength.

▪ A maximum score should only reference strengths, no weaknesses.

o Your comments must align with and justify your numeric scores.

o Use the recommended ranges for scoring applications.

SUGGESTED SCORING RUBRIC

Maximum

Point Value

Quality of Response Per Sub-criterion

No Response Inadequate Partially

Developed

Good to

Excellent

2 0 1 1 2

3 0 1 2 3

5 0 1 2 – 3 4 – 5

10 0 1 – 5 6 – 8 9 – 10

20 0 1 – 10 11 – 15 16 – 20

AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your U.S. Representative and

U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award Notification (GAN), or we may send you an email containing a link to access an electronic version of your GAN. We may notify you informally, also. If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, we notify you.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify administrative and national policy requirements in the application package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice. (See NIA for further details.)

3. Open Licensing Requirement: Unless an exception applies, if you are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in part, with Department grant funds. (See NIA for further details.)

4. Reporting:

a. If you apply for a grant under this competition, you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).

b. At the end of your project period, you must submit a final performance report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual performance report that provides the most current performance and financial expenditure information as directed by the

Secretary under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.

c. Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may provide a grantee with additional funding for data collection analysis and reporting. In this case the Secretary establishes a data collection period.

http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html

5. Performance Measures: Pursuant to GPRA, the Department has established the following performance measures for purposes of GPRA and for Department reporting under 34 CFR

75.110, which it will use to evaluate the overall performance of the grantees project as well as NHCTEP as a whole:

a. At the secondary level: An increase in—

1. The percentage of CTE concentrators who graduate high school, as measured by—

A. The four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate (defined in section 8101 of ESEA); and

B. At the grantee's discretion, the extended-year adjusted cohort graduation rate (defined in section 8101 of ESEA);

2. The percentage of CTE concentrators graduating from high school having attained postsecondary credits in the relevant CTE program earned through a dual or concurrent enrollment program or another credit transfer agreement;

3. The percentage of CTE concentrators graduating from high school having participated in work-based learning;

4. The percentage of CTE concentrators graduating from high school having attained a recognized postsecondary credential; and

5. The percentage of CTE concentrators who, after exiting from secondary education, are in postsecondary education or advanced training, military service, or a service program, or are employed.

b. At the postsecondary level: An increase in—

1. The percentage of CTE concentrators who remain enrolled in postsecondary education, are in advanced training, military service, or a service program, or are employed; and

2. The percentage of CTE concentrators who receive a recognized postsecondary credential.

Project-Specific Performance Measures: In addition to these measures, applicants may propose project-specific performance measures and performance targets consistent with the objectives of the proposed project. Examples of such project-specific performance measures could include student recruitment, student participation in work-based learning at the postsecondary level, and teacher and faculty participation in professional development.

Note: All grantees will be expected to submit a semi-annual and an annual performance report addressing these performance measures, to the extent that these performance measures apply to each grantee’s NACTEP project.

6. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR 75.253, the Secretary considers, among, among other things: whether a grantee has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is consistent with its approved application and budget; and, if the Secretary has established performance measurement requirements, the performance targets in the grantee’s approved application. (See NIA for further details.)

III. THE APPLICATION

REQUIRED FORMS

Applicants must submit the required standard forms, assurances, and certifications included in the list below.

• Application for Federal Assistance (Form SF 424)

▪ Do not attach any narratives, supporting files, or application components to the

Standard Form (SF 424). Although this form accepts attachments, the Department of

Education will review only materials/files attached to the section labeled “Other

Attachments Form.”

• Department of Education Supplemental Information form for SF 424

• Standard Budget Sheet (ED Form 524)

• Assurances Non-Construction Programs (SF 424B), completed in SAM.

• Disclosure Of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)

• ED GEPA 427 Form

• Grants.gov Lobbying Form

• ED Abstract Narrative Form

• Project Narrative Form

• Budget Narrative Form

• Grant Application Form for Project Objectives and Performance Measures Information

• Other Attachments Form

Electronic copies and instructions for the required forms can be downloaded at the following address: https://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.

ABSTRACT AND PROJECT NARRATIVES

The NHCTEP grant application uses https://www.grants.gov/ Narrative Forms. Each form is identified below along with application instructions.

ED Abstract Narrative Form Instructions

Your project abstract should be attached as a single document to the Abstract Attachment Form in accordance with the instructions found at https://www.grants.gov/, and it should be no more than two paragraphs, not exceeding 2000 characters, and include the following items:

• The primary goal of the project.

• A succinct description of the key project objectives and activities;

• A brief description of the key uses of grant funds; and

• A list of participating partners in the project, if applicable.

Project Narrative Form Instructions

Your project narrative should be attached as a single document to the Project Narrative

Attachment Form in accordance with the instructions found at https://www.grants.gov/, and it should include the following parts in order to expedite the review process:

https://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html https://www.grants.gov/

• Table of Contents;

• Description of the Proposed Project.

• Response to the Selection Criteria;

• Response to the Absolute Priority

• Response to the Competitive Preference Priority (if selected); and

• Response to the Application and Program Requirements.

Your project narrative should, as a general matter, follow the order of the selection criteria. It should contain clear headings to help the Department staff and peer reviewers match the narrative with the selection criteria since the application will be evaluated and scored against these criteria. When addressing the criteria, you are encouraged to make explicit connections to the Competitive Preference Priority (if selected) and requirements.

We suggest that you limit the project narrative to 35 pages, double-spaced and numbered consecutively. Please provide any charts, graphs, citations, or examples within the 35 pages of the project narrative.

BUDGET SUMMARY AND NARRATIVE

The budget summaries of federal and non-federal funds, and accompanying budget narrative, should project all costs of the proposed project and reflect an annual budget for all five years of the proposed project. Your application must include three budget elements:

• ED 524 Section A – Budget Summary of US Department of Education Funds;

• ED 524 Section B – Budget Summary of Non-Federal Funds; and

• ED 524 Section C – Budget Narrative, as a separate attachment.

ED 524 Section C Budget Narrative Form Instructions

In a single document attached to the Budget Narrative Attachment Form, you must address your proposed use of federal and non-federal funds. To meet the requirements of ED 524 Section C, you should provide sufficient details to:

• Give an itemized budget breakdown for each year of the proposed project (60 months);

• Show the basis for estimating the costs of personnel salaries, benefits, project staff travel, materials and supplies, consultants and subcontracts, indirect costs and any other projected expenditures. .

• Show the relationship between all budgeted funds and project activities and outcomes.

• Show the total amount that will be expended as shown in the ED 524; and

• Enable reviewers and project staff to understand how grant funds and non-federal funds/in-kind resources in ED 524 (if applicable) will be used.

Helpful Suggestions for Completing ED 524 Section C

Though not required, you are encouraged to address each budget category in your narrative for each year of the project.

1. Personnel

• Provide the title and duties of each position to be compensated under this project and the importance of each position to the success of the project.

• Provide the salary for each position under this project.

• Provide the amount of time (such as hours or percentage of time) to be spent by each position on this project.

• Provide the basis for cost estimates or computations.

• Fees and expenses for consultants, if included, should be included under Contractual (line

6).

2. Fringe Benefits

• Give the fringe benefit percentages of all personnel included under Personnel.

• Provide the rate and base on which fringe benefits are calculated.

• Do not include fringe benefits for salaries and wages that are treated as part of the indirect cost.

• Leave the line blank if needed.

3. Travel

• Explain the purpose of the travel, how it aligns to the project goals and objectives, and who will travel.

• Provide an estimate for the number of trips and points of origin and destination.

• Provide an estimated cost for each trip.

• Travel for consultants or contractors should be included under Contractual (line 6).

4. Equipment

• Indicate the cost of tangible, non-expendable personal property that has a usefulness greater than one year and acquisition costs that are the lesser of the capitalization level established by the applicant entity for financial statement purposes or $5,000 per article.

Lower limits may be established to maintain consistency with the applicant’s purchasing policy.

• Indicate the type and estimated unit cost for each item to be purchased.

• Provide strong justification of the need for items of equipment to be purchased.

• Provide the basis for cost estimates or computations.

5. Supplies

• Supplies purchased with grant funds should directly benefit the project and be necessary for achieving project goals.

• Direct supplies and materials differ from equipment in that they are consumable, expendable, and of a relatively low unit cost. Provide an estimate of supplies by nature of expense or general category (e.g., instructional materials, office supplies, etc.).

• Explain the purpose of the supplies and how they relate to project success.

• Provide the basis for cost estimates or computations.

• Individual pieces of equipment that are under $5,000 per unit are generally considered supplies. However, as noted in the example under Equipment, an applicant’s organization may have a different equipment policy.

6. Contractual

• The contractual category should include all costs specifically incurred with actions that the applicant takes in conjunction with an established internal procurement system.

Include consultant fees, expenses, and travel costs in this category if the consultant’s services are obtained through a written binding agreement or contract.

• Describe the products to be acquired, and/or the professional services to be provided.

• Provide the purpose of the product(s) and/or services and their relation to project success.

• Contractors are not to be named in an application since contracts will be competed following the award of a grant. If an applicant proposes in its application to use an existing contract or prior selection of any vendor for any activities to be supported with

NHCTEP funds (Federal or other Federal grant funds), you must be prepared to demonstrate how it is in compliance with the "Procurement Practices" described in the

“Application Information” section of this Application Package. Additionally, if you intend to take advantage of the flexibility allowed in 34 C.F.R. 75.135 in order to use small purchase procurement procedures for contracts for data collection, data analysis, evaluation services or essential services, you should carefully review the requirements in

34 C.F.R. 75.135 to ensure all required information is included in the application and budget narrative.

• Provide the projected cost per contractor and basis for cost estimates.

• For professional services contracts, provide the amounts of time to be devoted to the project, including the costs to be charged to this proposed grant award.

7. Construction

• Not applicable

8. Other

• Indicate all direct costs not covered on lines 1-6. Do not include costs that are included in the indirect cost rate.

• List and identify items by major type or category (e.g., communications, printing, etc.).

• Provide the purpose for the expenditures and their relation to the proposed comprehensive strategy that will be implemented during the project period.

• Provide the cost per item (printing = $500, postage = $150) and the basis for cost estimates or computations.

9. Total Direct Costs

• The sum of all direct expenditures, per budget category, of lines 1-8.

10. Indirect Costs

• In accordance with section 211(a) of Perkins V, funds under this program must be used to supplement, not supplant, non-Federal funds used to carry out career and technical education activities. The prohibition against supplanting means that grantees will be required to use their negotiated restricted indirect cost rate under this program, as noted in 34 CFR 75.563.

• In the absence of a negotiated restricted indirect cost rate, indirect cost can be recovered using eight percent (8%) of MTDC in compliance with 34 CFR 75.562(c)(2).

11. Training Stipends

• The training stipend line item only pertains to costs associated with long-term training programs and college or university coursework, not workshops or short-term training or professional development offerings.

• Costs associated with professional development should be included under Other (line 8).

12. Total Costs

• Sum of direct costs, indirect costs, and stipends.

• Provide total costs for each year and for the entire project period (60 months).

Cost Analysis

In accordance with 34 CFR 75.232, Department of Education staff will perform a cost analysis of each project recommended for funding to ensure that costs relate to the activities and objectives of the project are reasonable, allowable, and allocable. Therefore, the proposed budget should only include costs that are reasonable, allowable, and necessary for carrying out the objectives of your NHCTEP project. Rules about allowable costs are set out in 2 CFR part

200, as adopted by the Department at 2 CFR 3474. We may delete or reduce costs from your proposed budget during this review. The annual budget period for Year 1 will be October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022. For Years 2, 3, 4, and 5, the budget period should include the estimated costs from October 1 to September 30 for each year.

OTHER ATTACHMENTS FORM

Attach all other information, including required items as appendices using the Other Attachments

Form. For each appendix, provide PDF documents only. Label each file with the Appendix name and upload the file to the Other Attachments Form. The Other Attachments Form can support up to ten attachments.

You are encouraged to follow the order below when uploading information to the Appendix:

• Appendix 1 – Individual Resumes for Project Director and Key Personnel

• Appendix 2 – Restricted Indirect Cost Rate Agreement

• Appendix 3 – List of proprietary information found in the application, if applicable

Tips for Submitting the Narratives and Appendices

• When attaching files, applicants should limit the size of their file names. Lengthy file names could result in difficulties with opening and processing your application. We recommend your file names be less than 50 characters. Please note that https://www.grants.gov/ cannot process an application that includes two or more files that have the same name within a grant submission.

• Please ensure that only U.S. Department of Education approved file types are attached. See the NIA for a detailed description of these files (read-only, non-modifiable .pdf files). Also, do not upload any password-protected files to your application. Lengthy file names could result in difficulties with opening and processing your application.