80 FR 13386 - Applications for New Awards; National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research-Small Business Innovation Research Program-Phase I

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Community Living

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 49 (March 13, 2015)

Page Range		13386-13390
FR Document		2015-05329

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 49 (Friday, March 13, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 49 (Friday, March 13, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13386-13390]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-05329]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Community Living

Applications for New Awards; National Institute on Disability,
Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research--Small Business
Innovation Research Program--Phase I

AGENCY: Administration for Community Living, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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Overview Information

National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and
Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) Small Business Innovation Research
Program (SBIR)--Phase I.
Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY)
2015.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.133S-1.

DATES:
Applications Available: March 13, 2015.

Note: On July 22, 2014, President Obama signed the Workforce
Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA). WIOA was effective immediately.
One provision of WIOA transferred the National Institute on
Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) from the Department
of Education to the Administration for Community Living (ACL) in the
Department of Health and Human Services. In addition, NIDRR's name
was changed to the Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and
Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). For FY 2015, all NIDILRR priority
notices will be published as ACL notices, and ACL will make all
NIDILRR awards. During this transition period, however, NIDILRR will
continue to review grant applications using Department of Education
tools. NIDILRR will post previously-approved application kits to
grants.gov, and NIDILRR applications submitted to grants.gov will be
forwarded to the Department of Education's G-5 system for peer
review. We are using Department of Education application kits and
peer review systems during this transition year in order to provide
for a smooth and orderly process for our applicants.

Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 12, 2015.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Purpose of Program: The purpose of the SBIR program is four-fold:
Stimulate technological innovation.
Foster and encourage participation in innovation and
entrepreneurship by socially and economically disadvantaged small
businesses (SDBs), and by women-owned small businesses.
Strengthen the role of small business in meeting Federal
research and development (R&D) needs.
Increase private-sector commercialization of innovations
derived from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Department)
R&D funding, thereby increasing competition, productivity, and economic
growth.

Background

The Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982 (Act), Pub.
L. 97-219, established the SBIR program. The Act requires certain
agencies, including the Department, to reserve a statutory percentage
of their extramural R&D budgets for two phases of the three-phase SBIR
program (see http://sbir.gov/about/about-sbir for more information on
the program).
Phase I awards are to determine, insofar as possible, the
scientific or technical merit, feasibility, and commercial potential of
R&D projects submitted under the SBIR program. Phase I awards are for
amounts up to $75,000 and for a period of up to six months. Phase II
projects continue the development of Phase I projects. Funding is based
on the results achieved in Phase I and the scientific and technical
merit and commercial potential of the proposed Phase II project. Only
Phase I grantees are eligible to apply for Phase II funding. Phase II
awards are for amounts up to $575,500 over a period of two years.
In Phase III, the small business grantee pursues commercial
applications of the Phase I and II R&D. The SBIR program does not fund
Phase III.
All SBIR projects funded by NIDILRR must address the needs of
individuals with disabilities. (See 29 U.S.C. 760.) Project activities
may include:
Conducting manufacturing-related R&D that encompasses
improvements in existing methods or processes, or wholly new processes,
machines, or systems, that benefit individuals with disabilities;
Exploring the uses of technology to ensure equal access to
education, employment, community environments, and information for
individuals with disabilities; and
Improving the quality and utility of disability and
rehabilitation research.

Note: An applicant should consult NIDRR's Long-Range Plan for
Fiscal Years 2013-2017 (78 FR 20299, published April 4, 2013) (the
Plan) when preparing its application. The Plan is organized around
the following research domains: (1) Community Living and
Participation; (2) Health and Function; and (3) Employment.

Priorities: Under this competition we are particularly interested
in applications that address one or more of the following five program
priorities.
Invitational Priorities: For FY 2015 and any subsequent year in
which we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this
competition, these priorities are invitational priorities. We do not
give an application that meets one of these invitational priorities a
competitive or absolute preference over other applications.
Each of the following invitational priorities relates to innovative
research utilizing new technologies to address the needs of individuals
with disabilities. These priorities are:
(1) Increased independence of individuals with disabilities in
community settings, including educational settings, through the
development of technology to support access to these settings and
promote integration of individuals with disabilities.
(2) Enhanced sensory or motor function of individuals with
disabilities through the development of technology to support improved
functional capacity.
(3) Enhanced workforce participation through the development of
technology to increase access to employment, promote sustained
employment, and support employment advancement for individuals with
disabilities.
(4) Enhanced community living and participation for individuals
with disabilities through the development of accessible information
technology including cloud computing, software, systems, and devices
that promote access to information in educational, employment, and
community settings, and voting technology that improves access for
individuals with disabilities.
(5) Improved health-care interventions and increased use of related
resources through the development of technology to support

[[Page 13387]]

independent access to community health-care services for individuals
with disabilities.
Applicants should describe the approaches they expect to use to
collect empirical evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of the
technology they are proposing. This empirical evidence should
facilitate the assessment of the efficacy and usefulness of the
technology.

Note: In responding to all invitational priorities, NIDILRR
encourages applicants to adhere to universal design principles and
guidelines. The term ``universal design'' is defined as ``the design
of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the
greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or
specialized design'' (The Center for Universal Design, 1997).
Universal design of consumer products minimizes or alleviates
barriers that reduce the ability of individuals with disabilities to
effectively or safely use standard consumer products. (For more
information see: www.trace.wisc.edu/docs/consumer_product_guidelines/consumer.pcs/disabil.htm).

Program Authority: The Small Business Innovation Development Act
of 1982, Pub. L. 97-219, as amended (15 U.S.C. 631 and 638), and
title II of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C.
760 et seq.).

Applicable Regulations: (a) The Department of Health and Human
Services General Administrative Regulations in 45 CFR part 75 (b) Audit
Requirements for Federal Awards in 45 CFR part 75 Subpart F; (c) 45 CFR
part 75 Non-procurement Debarment and Suspension; (d) 45 CFR part 75
Requirement for Drug-Free Workplace (Financial Assistance).

II. Award Information

Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds: $750,000.
Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2015 and any
subsequent year from the list of unfunded applicants from this
competition.
Estimated Range of Awards: $70,000-$75,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $75,000.
Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a
budget exceeding $75,000 for a single budget period of up to six
months. The Administrator of the Administration for Community Living
may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal
Register.

Note: The maximum award amount includes direct and indirect
costs and fees.

Estimated Number of Awards: 10.

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

Project Period: Up to 6 months. We will reject any application that
proposes a project period that exceeds a single budget period of up to
six months. The Administrator of the Administration for Community
Living may change the project period through a notice published in the
Federal Register.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants: Entities that are, at the time of award,
small business concerns as defined by the Small Business Administration
(SBA). This definition is included in the application package.
If it appears that an applicant organization does not meet the
eligibility requirements, we will request an evaluation by the SBA.
Under circumstances in which eligibility is unclear, we will not make
an SBIR award until the SBA makes a determination that the applicant is
eligible under its definition of small business concern.
Technology, science, and engineering firms with strong research
capabilities in any of the priority areas listed in this notice are
encouraged to participate. Consultative or other arrangements between
these firms and universities or other nonprofit organizations are
permitted, but the small business concern must serve as the grantee.
For Phase I projects, at least two-thirds of the research or analytic
activities must be performed by the small business concern grantee.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost
sharing or matching.
3. Other: The total of all consultant fees, facility leases or
usage fees, and other subcontracts or purchase agreements may not
exceed one-third of the total funding award.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package: You can obtain an
application package via grants.gov, or by contacting Patricia Barrett:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 400 Maryland Avenue SW.,
Room 5142, PCP, Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245-6211 or
by email: patricia.barrett@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
telephone (TTY), call, toll free: 1-877-576-7734.
If you request an application from Patricia Barrett, be sure to
identify this competition as follows: CFDA number 84.133S-1.
2. a. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you
must submit, are in the application package for this competition.
Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, the applicant,
address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your
application. You must limit the application narrative to the equivalent
of no more than 50 pages, using the following standards:
A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1''
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch)
all text in the application narrative. You are not required to double
space titles, headings, footnotes, references, captions, or text in
charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier,
Courier New, or Arial.
The page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the budget
section, including the narrative budget justification; the assurances
and certifications; the one-page abstract, the resumes, the
bibliography, or the letters of support; related applications or
awards; or the documentation of previous Phase II awards (required only
if the small business concern has received more than 15 Phase II awards
in the prior five fiscal years). However, the page limit does apply to
all of the application narrative section.
We will reject your application if you exceed the page limit or if
you apply other standards and exceed the equivalent of the page limit.

Note: Please submit an appendix that lists every collaborating
organization and individual named in the application, including
staff, consultants, contractors, advisory board member, and anyone
else whose selection as a peer reviewer might constitute a conflict
of interest. We will use this information to help us screen for
conflicts of interest with our reviewers.

b. Submission of Proprietary Information:

Given the types of projects that may be proposed in applications
for the SBIR program, your application may include trade secrets or
confidential commercial and financial information that you consider
proprietary. The Department's regulations define ``trade secrets of
confidential commercial and financial information'' in 45 CFR 5.65.
Consistent with E. O. 12600, please designate in your application
any information that you feel is exempt from

[[Page 13388]]

disclosure under Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act. In the
appropriate Appendix section of your application, under ``Other
Attachments Form,'' please list the page number or numbers on which we
can find this information. For additional information please see 45 CFR
5.65.
3. Submission Dates and Times:
Applications Available: March 13, 2015.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 12, 2015.
Applications for grants under this program must be submitted
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov). For
information (including dates and times) about how to submit your
application electronically, or in paper format by mail if you qualify
for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, please refer
to section IV. Other Submission Requirements of this notice.
We do not consider an application that does not comply with the
deadline requirements.
Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or
auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII
of this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or
auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the
application process, the individual's application remains subject to
all other requirements and limitations in this notice.
5. Intergovernmental Review: This program is not subject to E. O.
12372.
6. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
7. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification
Number, and System for Award Management: To do business with the
Department of Education, you must--
a. Have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and a
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN);
b. Register both your DUNS number and TIN with the System for Award
Management (SAM) (formerly the Central Contractor Registry (CCR)), the
Government's primary registrant database;
c. Provide your DUNS number and TIN on your application; and
d. Maintain an active SAM registration with current information
while your application is under review by the Department and, if you
are awarded a grant, during the project period.
You can obtain a DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet. A DUNS number
can be created within one-to-two business days.
If you are a corporate entity, agency, institution, or
organization, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal Revenue Service.
If you are an individual, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal
Revenue Service or the Social Security Administration. If you need a
new TIN, please allow 2-5 weeks for your TIN to become active.
The SAM registration process can take approximately seven business
days, but may take upwards of several weeks, depending on the
completeness and accuracy of the data entered into the SAM database by
an entity. Thus, if you think you might want to apply for Federal
financial assistance under a program administered by the Department,
please allow sufficient time to obtain and register your DUNS number
and TIN. We strongly recommend that you register early.

Note: Once your SAM registration is active, you will need to
allow 24 to 48 hours for the information to be available in
Grants.gov. and before you can submit an application through
Grants.gov.

If you are currently registered with SAM, you may not need to make
any changes. However, please make certain that the TIN associated with
your DUNS number is correct. Also note that you will need to update
your SAM registration annually. This may take three or more business
days.
Information about SAM is available at www.SAM.gov. To further
assist you with obtaining and registering your DUNS number and TIN in
SAM or updating your existing SAM account, we have prepared a SAM.gov
Tip Sheet, which you can find at: http://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/sam-faqs.html.
In addition, if you are submitting your application via Grants.gov,
you must (1) be designated by your organization as an Authorized
Organization Representative (AOR); and (2) register yourself with
Grants.gov as an AOR. Details on these steps are outlined at the
following Grants.gov Web page: www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp.
8. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under
this competition must be submitted electronically unless you qualify
for an exception to this requirement in accordance with the
instructions in this section.

a. Electronic Submission of Applications

Applications for grants under the SBIR Program, CFDA number
84.133S-1, must be submitted electronically using the Government-wide
Grants.gov Apply site at www.Grants.gov. Through this site, you will be
able to download a copy of the application package, complete it
offline, and then upload and submit your application. You may not email
an electronic copy of a grant application to us.
We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format
unless, as described elsewhere in this section, you qualify for one of
the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no
later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written
statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these
exceptions. Further information regarding calculation of the date that
is two weeks before the application deadline date is provided later in
this section under Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement.
You may access the electronic grant application for the SBIR
Program at www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable
application package for this competition by the CFDA number. Do not
include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for
84.133, not 84.133S).
Please note the following:
When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find
information about submitting an application electronically through the
site, as well as the hours of operation.
Applications received by Grants.gov are date and time
stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted and must
be date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30:00
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as
otherwise noted in this section, we will not accept your application if
it is received--that is, date and time stamped by the Grants.gov
system--after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application
deadline date. We do not consider an application that does not comply
with the deadline requirements. When we retrieve your application from
Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application
because it was date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system after
4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date.
The amount of time it can take to upload an application
will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the
application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we
strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline
date to begin the submission process through Grants.gov.

[[Page 13389]]

You should review and follow the Education Submission
Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are
included in the application package for this program to ensure that you
submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov system.
You can also find the Education Submission Procedures pertaining to
Grants.gov under News and Events on the Department's G5 system home
page at www.G5.gov.
You will not receive additional point value because you
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission
requirement, as described elsewhere in this section, and submit your
application in paper format.
You must submit all documents electronically, including
all information you typically provide on the following forms: the
Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), the Department of
Education Supplemental Information for SF 424, Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and
certifications.
You must upload any narrative sections and all other
attachments to your application as files in a PDF (Portable Document)
read-only, non-modifiable format. Do not upload an interactive or
fillable PDF file. If you upload a file type other than a read-only,
non-modifiable PDF or submit a password-protected file, we will not
review that material. Additional, detailed information on how to attach
files is in the application instructions.
Your electronic application must comply with any page-
limit requirements described in this notice.
After you electronically submit your application, you will
receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that
contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates
receipt by Grants.gov only, not receipt by the Department.) The
Department then will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send
a second notification to you by email. This second notification
indicates that the Department has received your application and has
assigned your application a PR/Award number (an ED-specified
identifying number unique to your application).
We may request that you provide us original signatures on
forms at a later date.
Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical Issues
with the Grants.gov System: If you are experiencing problems submitting
your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov
Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a
Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it.
If you are prevented from electronically submitting your
application on the application deadline date because of technical
problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension
until 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to
enable you to transmit your application electronically or by hand
delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing
instructions described elsewhere in this notice.
If you submit an application after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC
time, on the application deadline date, please contact the person
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this
notice and provide an explanation of the technical problem you
experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk
Case Number. We will accept your application if we can confirm that a
technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that the
problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30:00
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The
Department will contact you after a determination is made on whether
your application will be accepted.

Note: The extensions to which we refer in this section apply
only to the unavailability of, or technical problems with, the
Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed
to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before
the application deadline date and time or if the technical problem
you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system.

9. Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement: You qualify for
an exception to the electronic submission requirement, and may submit
your application in paper format, if you are unable to submit an
application through the Grants.gov system because--
You do not have access to the Internet; or
You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to
the Grants.gov system; and
No later than two weeks before the application deadline
date (14 calendar days or, if the fourteenth calendar day before the
application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, the next business
day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement
to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception
prevents you from using the Internet to submit your application.
If you mail your written statement to the Department, it must be
postmarked no later than two weeks before the application deadline
date. If you fax your written statement to the Department, we must
receive the faxed statement no later than two weeks before the
application deadline date.
Address and mail or fax your statement to: Patricia Barrett, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room
5142, Potomac Center Plaza (PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2700. FAX: (202)
245-7323.
Your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the
mail instructions described in this notice.

b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail

If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission
requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a
commercial carrier) your application to the Department. You must mail
the original and two copies of your application, on or before the
application deadline date, to the Department at the following address:
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention:
(CFDA Number 84.133S-1), LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20202-4260.
You must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:
(1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.
(2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the
U.S. Postal Service.
(3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial
carrier.
(4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Administrator of
the Administration for Community Living of the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services.
If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do
not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
(1) A private metered postmark.
(2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.
If your application is postmarked after the application deadline
date, we will not consider your application.

Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated
postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your
local post office.

1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are
from 34 CFR 350.54 and are listed in the application package.

[[Page 13390]]

2. Review and Selection Process: Final award decisions will be made
by the Administrator, ACL. In making these decisions, the Administrator
will take into consideration: ranking of the review panel; reviews for
programmatic and grants management compliance; the reasonableness of
the estimated cost to the government considering the available funding
and anticipated results; and the likelihood that the proposed project
will result in the benefits expected. Under section 75.205, item (3)
history of performance is an item that is reviewed.
In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Administrator
of the Administration for Community Living also requires various
assurances including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws that
prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving Federal
financial assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services
45 CFR part 75.
3. Special Conditions: Under 45 CFR part 75, the Administrator of
the Administration for Community Living may impose special conditions
on a grant if the applicant or grantee is not financially stable; has a
history of unsatisfactory performance; has a financial or other
management system that does not meet the standards in 45 CFR part 75,
as applicable; has not fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is
otherwise not responsible.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we send you a
Notice of Award (NOA); or we may send you an email containing a link to
access an electronic version of your NOA. 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.
We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and
include these and other specific conditions in the NOA. The NOA also
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding
commitments under the grant.
3. 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 45 CFR part 75
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply
if you have an exception under 45 CFR part 75.
(b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final
performance report, including financial information, as directed by the
Administrator of the Administration for Community Living. If you
receive a multi-year award, you must submit an annual performance
report that provides the most current performance and financial
expenditure information as directed by the Administrator of the
Administration for Community Living under 45 CFR part 75. The
Administrator of the Administration for Community Living may also
require more frequent performance reports under 45 CFR part 75. For
specific requirements on reporting, please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
4. Performance Measures: To evaluate the overall success of its
research program, NIDILRR assesses the quality of its funded projects
through a review of grantee performance and accomplishments. Each year,
NIDILRR examines a portion of its grantees to determine:
The number of products (e.g., new or improved tools,
methods, discoveries, standards, interventions, programs, or devices
developed or tested with NIDILRR funding) that have been judged by
expert panels to be of high quality and to advance the field.

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Barrett, U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5142, PCP,
Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245-6211 or by email:
patricia.barrett@ed.gov.
If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the Federal Relay Service (FRS),
toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.

VIII. Other Information

Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this
document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free
Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the
Code of Federal Regulations is available via the Federal Digital System
at: www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys. At this site you can view this document, as well
as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal
Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF
you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the
site.
You may also access documents of the Department published in the
Federal Register by using the article search feature at:
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published
by the Department.

Dated: March 3, 2015.
John Tschida,
Director, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and
Rehabilitation Research.
[FR Doc. 2015-05329 Filed 3-12-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4154-01--P

13386 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 49 / Friday, March 13, 2015 / Notices

proposed collection of information; (c) Education application kits and peer review wholly new processes, machines, or
the quality, utility, and clarity of the systems during this transition year in order systems, that benefit individuals with
information to be collected; and (d) to provide for a smooth and orderly process disabilities;
ways to minimize the burden of the for our applicants. • Exploring the uses of technology to
collection of information on Deadline for Transmittal of ensure equal access to education,
respondents, including through the use Applications: May 12, 2015. employment, community environments,
of automated collection techniques or and information for individuals with
Full Text of Announcement disabilities; and
other forms of information technology.
Consideration will be given to I. Funding Opportunity Description • Improving the quality and utility of
comments and suggestions submitted disability and rehabilitation research.
Purpose of Program: The purpose of
within 60 days of this publication. the SBIR program is four-fold: Note: An applicant should consult NIDRR’s
Karl Koerper, • Stimulate technological innovation. Long-Range Plan for Fiscal Years 2013–2017
• Foster and encourage participation (78 FR 20299, published April 4, 2013) (the
Reports Clearance Officer. Plan) when preparing its application. The
[FR Doc. 2015–05776 Filed 3–12–15; 8:45 am]
in innovation and entrepreneurship by Plan is organized around the following
socially and economically research domains: (1) Community Living and
BILLING CODE 4184–09–P
disadvantaged small businesses (SDBs), Participation; (2) Health and Function; and
and by women-owned small businesses. (3) Employment.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND • Strengthen the role of small
Priorities: Under this competition we
HUMAN SERVICES business in meeting Federal research
are particularly interested in
and development (R&D) needs.
applications that address one or more of
Administration for Community Living • Increase private-sector
the following five program priorities.
commercialization of innovations Invitational Priorities: For FY 2015
Applications for New Awards; National derived from U.S. Department of Health and any subsequent year in which we
Institute on Disability, Independent and Human Services (Department) R&D make awards from the list of unfunded
Living, and Rehabilitation Research— funding, thereby increasing applicants from this competition, these
Small Business Innovation Research competition, productivity, and priorities are invitational priorities. We
Program—Phase I economic growth. do not give an application that meets
AGENCY: Administration for Community Background one of these invitational priorities a
Living, HHS. competitive or absolute preference over
The Small Business Innovation
ACTION: Notice. other applications.
Development Act of 1982 (Act), Pub. L. Each of the following invitational
97–219, established the SBIR program. priorities relates to innovative research
Overview Information The Act requires certain agencies, utilizing new technologies to address
National Institute on Disability, including the Department, to reserve a the needs of individuals with
Independent Living, and Rehabilitation statutory percentage of their extramural disabilities. These priorities are:
Research (NIDILRR) Small Business R&D budgets for two phases of the three- (1) Increased independence of
Innovation Research Program (SBIR)— phase SBIR program (see http://sbir.gov/ individuals with disabilities in
Phase I. about/about-sbir for more information community settings, including
Notice inviting applications for new on the program). educational settings, through the
awards for fiscal year (FY) 2015. Phase I awards are to determine, development of technology to support
insofar as possible, the scientific or access to these settings and promote
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
(CFDA) Number: 84.133S–1.
technical merit, feasibility, and integration of individuals with
commercial potential of R&D projects disabilities.
DATES: submitted under the SBIR program. (2) Enhanced sensory or motor
Applications Available: March 13, Phase I awards are for amounts up to function of individuals with disabilities
2015. $75,000 and for a period of up to six through the development of technology
Note: On July 22, 2014, President Obama months. Phase II projects continue the to support improved functional
signed the Workforce Innovation development of Phase I projects. capacity.
Opportunity Act (WIOA). WIOA was Funding is based on the results (3) Enhanced workforce participation
effective immediately. One provision of achieved in Phase I and the scientific through the development of technology
WIOA transferred the National Institute on and technical merit and commercial to increase access to employment,
Disability and Rehabilitation Research potential of the proposed Phase II promote sustained employment, and
(NIDRR) from the Department of Education to project. Only Phase I grantees are
the Administration for Community Living
support employment advancement for
eligible to apply for Phase II funding. individuals with disabilities.
(ACL) in the Department of Health and
Human Services. In addition, NIDRR’s name
Phase II awards are for amounts up to (4) Enhanced community living and
was changed to the Institute on Disability, $575,500 over a period of two years. participation for individuals with
Independent Living, and Rehabilitation In Phase III, the small business disabilities through the development of
Research (NIDILRR). For FY 2015, all grantee pursues commercial accessible information technology
NIDILRR priority notices will be published as applications of the Phase I and II R&D. including cloud computing, software,
ACL notices, and ACL will make all NIDILRR The SBIR program does not fund Phase systems, and devices that promote
awards. During this transition period,
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III. access to information in educational,
however, NIDILRR will continue to review All SBIR projects funded by NIDILRR employment, and community settings,
grant applications using Department of must address the needs of individuals
Education tools. NIDILRR will post
and voting technology that improves
previously-approved application kits to
with disabilities. (See 29 U.S.C. 760.) access for individuals with disabilities.
grants.gov, and NIDILRR applications Project activities may include: (5) Improved health-care
submitted to grants.gov will be forwarded to • Conducting manufacturing-related interventions and increased use of
the Department of Education’s G–5 system R&D that encompasses improvements in related resources through the
for peer review. We are using Department of existing methods or processes, or development of technology to support

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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 49 / Friday, March 13, 2015 / Notices 13387

independent access to community Project Period: Up to 6 months. We the content of an application, together
health-care services for individuals with will reject any application that proposes with the forms you must submit, are in
disabilities. a project period that exceeds a single the application package for this
Applicants should describe the budget period of up to six months. The competition.
approaches they expect to use to collect Administrator of the Administration for Page Limit: The application narrative
empirical evidence demonstrating the Community Living may change the is where you, the applicant, address the
effectiveness of the technology they are project period through a notice selection criteria that reviewers use to
proposing. This empirical evidence published in the Federal Register. evaluate your application. You must
should facilitate the assessment of the limit the application narrative to the
efficacy and usefulness of the III. Eligibility Information equivalent of no more than 50 pages,
technology. 1. Eligible Applicants: Entities that using the following standards:
Note: In responding to all invitational are, at the time of award, small business • A ‘‘page’’ is 8.5″ x 11″, on one side
priorities, NIDILRR encourages applicants to concerns as defined by the Small only, with 1″ margins at the top, bottom,
adhere to universal design principles and Business Administration (SBA). This and both sides.
guidelines. The term ‘‘universal design’’ is definition is included in the application • Double space (no more than three
defined as ‘‘the design of products and package. lines per vertical inch) all text in the
environments to be usable by all people, to If it appears that an applicant application narrative. You are not
the greatest extent possible, without the need organization does not meet the required to double space titles,
for adaptation or specialized design’’ (The eligibility requirements, we will request headings, footnotes, references,
Center for Universal Design, 1997). Universal
design of consumer products minimizes or
an evaluation by the SBA. Under captions, or text in charts, tables,
alleviates barriers that reduce the ability of circumstances in which eligibility is figures, and graphs.
individuals with disabilities to effectively or unclear, we will not make an SBIR • Use a font that is either 12 point or
safely use standard consumer products. (For award until the SBA makes a larger or no smaller than 10 pitch
more information see: www.trace.wisc.edu/ determination that the applicant is (characters per inch).
docs/consumer_product_guidelines/ eligible under its definition of small • Use one of the following fonts:
consumer.pcs/disabil.htm). business concern. Times New Roman, Courier, Courier
Technology, science, and engineering New, or Arial.
Program Authority: The Small Business The page limit does not apply to the
Innovation Development Act of 1982, Pub. L.
firms with strong research capabilities
97–219, as amended (15 U.S.C. 631 and 638), in any of the priority areas listed in this cover sheet; the budget section,
and title II of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, notice are encouraged to participate. including the narrative budget
as amended (29 U.S.C. 760 et seq.). Consultative or other arrangements justification; the assurances and
between these firms and universities or certifications; the one-page abstract, the
Applicable Regulations: (a) The
other nonprofit organizations are resumes, the bibliography, or the letters
Department of Health and Human
permitted, but the small business of support; related applications or
Services General Administrative
concern must serve as the grantee. For awards; or the documentation of
Regulations in 45 CFR part 75 (b) Audit
Phase I projects, at least two-thirds of previous Phase II awards (required only
Requirements for Federal Awards in 45
the research or analytic activities must if the small business concern has
CFR part 75 Subpart F; (c) 45 CFR part
be performed by the small business received more than 15 Phase II awards
75 Non-procurement Debarment and
concern grantee. in the prior five fiscal years). However,
Suspension; (d) 45 CFR part 75
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This the page limit does apply to all of the
Requirement for Drug-Free Workplace
program does not require cost sharing or application narrative section.
(Financial Assistance). We will reject your application if you
matching.
II. Award Information 3. Other: The total of all consultant exceed the page limit or if you apply
Type of Award: Discretionary grants. fees, facility leases or usage fees, and other standards and exceed the
Estimated Available Funds: $750,000. other subcontracts or purchase equivalent of the page limit.
Contingent upon the availability of agreements may not exceed one-third of Note: Please submit an appendix that lists
funds and the quality of applications, the total funding award. every collaborating organization and
we may make additional awards in FY individual named in the application,
IV. Application and Submission
2015 and any subsequent year from the including staff, consultants, contractors,
Information advisory board member, and anyone else
list of unfunded applicants from this
competition. 1. Address to Request Application whose selection as a peer reviewer might
Package: You can obtain an application constitute a conflict of interest. We will use
Estimated Range of Awards: $70,000– this information to help us screen for
$75,000. package via grants.gov, or by contacting
Patricia Barrett: U.S. Department of conflicts of interest with our reviewers.
Estimated Average Size of Awards:
$75,000. Health and Human Services, 400
b. Submission of Proprietary
Maximum Award: We will reject any Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5142,
Information:
application that proposes a budget PCP, Washington, DC 20202–2700.
exceeding $75,000 for a single budget Telephone: (202) 245–6211 or by email: Given the types of projects that may
period of up to six months. The patricia.barrett@ed.gov. be proposed in applications for the SBIR
Administrator of the Administration for If you use a telecommunications program, your application may include
Community Living may change the device for the deaf (TDD) or a text trade secrets or confidential commercial
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maximum amount through a notice telephone (TTY), call, toll free: 1–877– and financial information that you
published in the Federal Register. 576–7734. consider proprietary. The Department’s
If you request an application from regulations define ‘‘trade secrets of
Note: The maximum award amount
includes direct and indirect costs and fees.
Patricia Barrett, be sure to identify this confidential commercial and financial
competition as follows: CFDA number information’’ in 45 CFR 5.65.
Estimated Number of Awards: 10. 84.133S–1. Consistent with E. O. 12600, please
Note: The Department is not bound by any 2. a. Content and Form of Application designate in your application any
estimates in this notice. Submission: Requirements concerning information that you feel is exempt from

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Document Created: 2015-12-18 11:41:36
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 11:41:36

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		Applications Available: March 13, 2015.
Contact		Patricia Barrett, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5142, PCP, Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245-6211 or by email: [email protected]
FR Citation		80 FR 13386

80 FR 13386 - Applications for New Awards; National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research-Small Business Innovation Research Program-Phase I

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESAdministration for Community Living

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 49 (March 13, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Community Living