Section 555.40  Application Procedure

For purposes of this Part, the terms "proposal" and "application" shall have the same meaning.

a)         When State funding is available for grants under this Subpart A, the State Superintendent of Education shall issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) in order to solicit applications from eligible entities.

b)         The RFP shall describe the format that applicants will be required to follow and the information they will be required to submit, including, but not limited to, descriptive information about the district, demographic information about the student population, identification of the specific schools that will be served and their needs, a plan of work for the project, an evaluation plan, and information about any related efforts that have already been undertaken.

c)         The RFP shall indicate the amount or expected amount of the appropriation for the program and shall describe the allowable expenditures and the basis for awarding grants.

d)         The RFP shall require completion of a budget summary and payment schedule as well as a narrative budget breakdown, i.e., a detailed explanation of each line item of expenditure.

e)         The RFP shall identify the data recipients will be required to collect and report regarding the activities conducted with grant funds and the results of those activities, as well as the timelines for reporting and any required participation in technical assistance activities.

f)         The RFP shall include certification and assurance forms that the State Superintendent may require.

g)         The RFP shall specify the deadline for submission of proposals, which shall provide potential applicants with at least 30 days to respond.

h)         Separate applications shall be required for renewal of grant funding.  Each application for renewal shall include at least:

1)         a description of expenditures and activities during the year just concluded, demonstrating that the project has been implemented in conformance with the approved grant agreement and that the recipient continues to exhibit a need for grant funds for this purpose; and

2)         an updated budget summary and payment schedule for the renewal year, including a narrative budget breakdown.

i)          Incomplete proposals shall not be considered.