24 Comments

1. May we combine the activities from this grant with those of the SPDG grant in our state?

   • The grants may not be combined. However, the activities for the proposed project may be aligned and coordinated with those of a State Personnel Development Grant (CFDA 84.323A) awarded to a State. In doing so, it would be important that the applicant clearly delineate how the goals, objectives, activities, intended outcomes, and use of funds on the proposed project relate the scope of work, intended outcomes, and funding of the other project.

2. There is great need in Part B and Part C for leadership personnel in our state. May we submit one application that includes both Parts B and C. Would a proposal be considered weaker or stronger if it includes both (even though there are different lead agencies)?

   • Yes; a joint application is eligible for review under this Notice Inviting Applications (NIA), although it is not required. If both Parts B and C programs are administered by the State educational agency (SEA), the SEA may submit one application. If these programs are administered by different agencies that are applying jointly, one agency would submit the application and serve as the fiscal agent; the other agency would be a partner. Alternatively, each agency is eligible to apply independently.

     Please note that the maximum award for any proposed project will not exceed $200,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. Each partner may contribute non-federal funds to support the proposed project.

     Applications are reviewed based on the selection criteria outlined in the NIA to address the Absolute Priority.

3. What is the definition of an Institute of Higher Education (IHE) for purposes of this grant? For example, if an organization is approved in our state as an Educator Preparation Provider by functioning as an Alternate Route Organization or Institution (coursework leads to state approved teaching or administrative credentials), would this meet the definition of IHE? Or, does the IHE referenced in this grant mean that it must be a post-secondary degree-awarding institution?

   • Institute of Higher Education (IHE) is defined in 20 U.S.C. 1001 under general definitions. As used in this Notice Inviting Applications (NIA), an IHE is intended to be a post-secondary degree-awarding institution. If the organization approved in your state as an Educator Preparation Provider by functioning as an Alternate Route Organization or Institution (coursework leads to state approved teaching or administrative credentials) does not meet the definition of IHE, it could serve as a partner on the project with an IHE.

4. The RFP indicates that no work can be subcontracted out. Is this accurate? If so, how can the state develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with an institution of Higher Education (IHE) or other organization to support the work of the grant?

   • No. In the Notice Invitation Applications (NIA), under III. Eligibility Information, 3. Subgrantees, it states that “a grantee under this competition may not award subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities described in its application. Under 34 CFR 75.708(e), a grantee may contract for supplies, equipment, and other services in accordance with 2 CFR part 200.” That is, a grantee may award subcontracts with an IHE and other organizations but may not award subgrants.
     Also note that the NIA requires a “proposed plan for partnering with diverse stakeholders …” and that “stakeholders must include, at a minimum, representatives specifically identified from IHEs” (see I. Funding Opportunity Description, (b) Quality of project services” (4)(i) for details).

5. Where can I find additional information on matching support?

   • See 2 CFR 200.306 and 2 CFR 200.434 for additional guidance.

     https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=c16296aecfef71d582e0634cf6658cf1&node=2:1.1.2.2.1.4.29.7&rgn=div8
     https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=17ffe4e8d245e357f17346bf3fed7dbe&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1434&rgn=div8

     Unrecovered indirect costs cannot be used for non-Federal matching support.

6. What is the application deadline?

   • Applicants must submit successfully to Grants.gov before 11:59:59 Eastern Time on the competition closing date, September 9, 2019. We strongly recommend that you do not wait until the last day to submit your application. Grants.gov will put a date/time stamp on your application and then process it after it is fully uploaded. The time it takes to upload an application will vary depending on a number of factors, including the size of the application, the speed of your Internet connection, and the time it takes Grants.gov to process the application.

7. May an institution of higher education apply

   • No; only SEAs, State Departments of Education, and Part C lead agencies are eligible to apply. An eligible applicant must submit the application and will serve as the fiscal agent for the grant.
     Also note that the NIA requires a “proposed plan for partnering with diverse stakeholders …” and that “stakeholders must include, at a minimum, representatives specifically identified from IHEs” (see I. Funding Opportunity Description, (b) Quality of project services” (4)(i) for details).

8. Who is eligible to apply?

   • The eligible applicants for this grant competition are: (a) State educational agencies (SEAs); b) State departments of education; or (c) Part C lead agencies in each State and territory. The Part C lead agency in some States is the Department of Education. However, in other States and territories it is the State Department of Health, the Department of Health and Social Services, the Department of Family and Social Services, or another. The OSEP-funded technical assistance center, Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA) Center, provides a list of the Part C Lead Agencies where you can search for your State.

9. What start date should be used for budgeting purposes?

   • Awardees may start as early October 1, 2019, but must start by January 1, 2020

10. The grant application is due by Sept. 9, 2019. What is the estimated timeline for hearing back from the Department as to whether or not we are an awardee? And if we do become an awardee, what is the estimated date by which funds would be available to commence our project? This information will be very helpful to our organization as we build a proposed timeline for implementation. Thank you.

    • New awards will be made no later than September 30, 2019. Applicants recommended for funding will be notified prior to that time. All applicants will be notified within 30 days of new awards and receive a copy of the scores and comments from the technical review of their application.

      The award start date and first budget period may begin as early October 1, 2019 but no later than January 1, 2020. Federal funds will be available on the date of the first budget period and may be used to reimburse costs associated with an approved grant project within 90 prior to the first budget period and award start date. A timeline for the proposed project should be included in the application and may be negotiated with the Department upon notification of funding.

11. The Award Information section of the grant announcement makes the following statements:
    “Estimated Average Size of Awards: $200,000”
    “We will not make an award exceeding $200,000 for a single budget period of 12 months.”
    “Project Period: 60 months.”
    Question: Does this mean a single awardee may be given up to $200,000 each year for five years? Or does this mean the awardee will be given a one-time sum of up to $200,000, with no additional funds coming in subsequent years of the 5-year implementation period? Please clarify. Thank you.

    • The maximum budget is $200,000 for each 12-month period; not to exceed 60 months total (or 5 years). Federal funding is awarded annually; awards could total up to $1,000,000 over a 5-year period for this grant program.

12. I can’t seem to get details on the grant 84.325; would you be so kind to send a full description of this rfp? An inquiry I have is if the project can have a global impact or if it’s solely US based. Thank you.

    • A listing of OSEP discretionary funding opportunities is available at the link below, and it includes 84.325L – Increasing the Capacity of Leaders to Strengthen Systems Serving Children with Disabilities. There you will find the CFDA #, competition title, dates, and the application package, which contains the Notice Inviting Applications and the instructions for submitting an application.

      https://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/osep/new-osep-grants.html

      A non-U.S. applicant is not eligible for this grant program. To qualify for the grant an applicant must either be a State educational agency (SEA), the State department of education, or the State’s Part C lead agency. The Part C lead agency in some States is the Department of Education. However, in other States and territories it is the State Department of Health, the Department of Health and Social Services, the Department of Family and Social Services, or another. The OSEP-funded technical assistance center, Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA) Center, provides a list of the Part C Lead Agencies where you can search for your State.

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