This is a message from CTLS-L. Selecting "Reply" will send a message to the originator. Selecting "Reply to All" will send a message to the entire list. --------------------------------------------------------- SUBJECT:
Request for Application (RFA) #701-04-044-R Collaborative Community Network
Enhancement Grant Eligible
Applicants The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is
requesting applications under Request for Application (RFA) #701-04-044-R from
any new or existing Collaborative Community Networks (CCN) in the Geographic
Limitation in which a public school district, open enrollment charter school,
public library, not-for-profit health care facility, or an institution of
higher education serves or served as the fiscal agent of a CCN. Applicants must
use RFA #701-04-044-R and its associated forms. Applications that use the old
version of the RFA (i.e. #701-04-044) will be REJECTED. Description
of Program The Texas Education Agency, through a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Texas Workforce Commission, as
successor in interest of the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board, will
administer a $3,000,000 grant program to assist in enhancing collaborative
community networks (CCNs) in the geographic areas identified as “Geographic
Limitation” set forth in Exhibit A of this application. Funds have been
provided by the settlement agreement in Jose Mireles, et al., vs. Southwestern
Bell Telephone Company, No. 98-07-3003-E, in the District Court of Cameron
County, Texas 357th Judicial District, attached as Exhibit B, as clarified by
the court’s order of September 23, 2004, attached as Exhibit C. In the event of
any conflict between this document and Exhibits B and C, the exhibits prevail.
For purposes of this grant program, a CCN means an online Internet-based
network that provides access to information and electronic resources for a
community and surrounding area. A CCN may provide access to this information
through public access points, community technology centers, public libraries or
schools. The CCN sites will contain information that would make them
appropriate home pages for schools and libraries throughout Texas. The sites
would provide public access to key regional information regarding schools, real
estate and chambers of commerce as well as social services, civil justice
programs, public housing and job openings and training. In addition, some or
all of the CCNs may provide additional kiosks and other public access points to
the Internet. A CCN may also provide access to discussion boards, listservs,
and webpages for citizens of the community, plus instruction and training in
the use of its resource. Project Funding The
Collaborative Community Network Enhancement Grants will be implemented during
the 2005 - 2006 school year(s). Applicants should plan for a starting date of
no earlier than February 1, 2005, and an ending date of no later than August 31,
2006. It is anticipated that a sufficient number of grants will be awarded to
achieve geographic distribution across the state, if possible. Applicants may
apply for an amount sufficient to meet the goals of the program. In addition,
the CCNs selected will be eligible to receive a portion of approximately $4.3
million in Net Service Credits from SBC. Selection Criteria Applications
will be selected based on the independent reviewers' assessment of each
applicant's ability to carry out all requirements contained in the RFA.
Reviewers will evaluate applications based on the overall quality and validity
of the proposed grant programs and the extent to which the applications address
the primary objectives and intent of the project. Applications must address
each requirement as specified in the RFA to be considered for funding. Special
consideration (or priority) will be given to applicants that serve a community
within the Geographic Limitation with the highest degree of poverty and/or
serve a community within the Geographic Limitation with a lack of access to
advanced broadband services. The TEA reserves the right to select from the
highest-ranking applications those that address all requirements in the RFA and
that are most advantageous to the project. The TEA is not
obligated to approve an application, provide funds, or endorse any application
submitted in response to this RFA. This RFA does not commit TEA to pay any
costs before an application is approved. The issuance of this RFA does not
obligate TEA to award a grant or pay any costs incurred in preparing a
response. Requesting the
Application A complete copy
of RFA #701-04-044-R may be obtained by writing the Document Control Center,
Room 6-108, Texas Education Agency, William B. Travis Building, 1701 N. Congress
Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701; by calling (512) 463-9304; by faxing (512)
463-9811; or by e-mailing mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]. Please
refer to the RFA number and title in your request. Provide your name, complete
mailing address, and telephone number including area code. The RFA will also be
posted on the TEA website at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/opge/disc/ccn/
for viewing and downloading. Applicants Conference Prospective
applicants will be provided an opportunity to receive general and clarifying
information from the TEA about the scope of the Collaborative Community Network Enhancement Grants RFA #701-04-044-R.
This Applicant's Conference will be on Tuesday, October 26, 2004,
from 1:30 PM until 3:30 PM in Room 1-110 of the William B. Travis State Office
Building, 1701 North Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas. The conference
will be presented by videoconference over the TETN network. Applicants may
attend the videoconference at one of the 20 Regional Education Service Centers.
Please contact your ESC for information regarding seating availability. For Further Information For clarifying
information about the RFA, contact Richard LaGow, Division of Curriculum,
Educational Technology Unit, TEA, (512) 463-9400 or mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]. In order to
assure that no prospective applicant may obtain a competitive advantage because
of acquisition of information unknown to other prospective applicants, any
additional information, that is different from or in addition to, information
provided in the RFA will be provided only in response to written inquiries.
Copies of all such inquiries and the written answers thereto will be posted on
the TEA website in the format of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/opge/disc/index.html. Deadline for Receipt of Applications Applications
must be received in the Document Control Center of TEA by 5:00 PM (Central
Time), Tuesday, November 16, 2004
to be eligible to be considered for funding. Sincerely, Susan Barnes Associate Commissioner for Standards and
Programs |
