Request for Applications #701-18-103 2018–2019 Technology Lending Grant

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December 12, 2017

TO THE ELIGIBLE APPLICANT ADDRESSED:

SUBJECT: Request for Applications #701-18-103 2018–2019 Technology Lending Grant

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is requesting applications under Request for Applications (RFA) #701-18-103, 2018–2019 Technology Lending Grant.

Purpose of Program
Texas Education Code, §32.301 authorizes the TEA to establish the Technology Lending Grant. The program awards grants to LEAs to implement a technology lending program to loan students the equipment necessary to access and use digital instructional materials. With the Technology Lending Grant, LEAs can continue using digital instructional materials while ensuring equitable access for students through loaned equipment for learning off campus.

For the purposes of the 2018–2019 Technology Lending Grant, “equipment” means personal, portable wireless devices such as laptops, tablets, or other technological devices that provide access to those digital materials required to meet the objectives of the district’s or charter school’s technology plan. The purchase of equipment includes an operating system and productivity software, where applicable.

Eligible Applicants
TEA is requesting applications under Request for Applications (RFA) #701-18-103 from eligible applicants, which include local education agencies (LEAs) that have (1) an enrollment of at least 40% economically disadvantaged students at the participating campus(es), as determined using the 2016–17 Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) Campus Report data from the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS); and (2) a district technology plan on file with the TEA for the 2016–17 school year or that show evidence of a current local technology plan at the participating campus(es).

Project Funding
Currently, $10,000,000 is appropriated for the Technology Lending Grant. It is anticipated that approximately 140 grants will be awarded ranging in amounts from $50,000 to $150,000. This project is funded 100 percent with state funds.

Project Period
The 2018–2019 Technology Lending Grant will be implemented beginning in the 2018–19 school year. Applicants should plan for a starting date of no earlier than May 1, 2018, and an ending date of no later than August 31, 2019.

Selection Criteria
Applications will be selected based on the ability of each applicant 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. TEA reserves the right to select from the highest-ranking applications those that address all requirements in the RFA.

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.

How to Apply
The complete RFA will be posted on the TEA Grant Opportunities web page for viewing and downloading. In the "Search Options" box, select the name of the RFA from the drop-down list. Scroll down to the "Application and Support Information" section to view and download all documents that pertain to this RFA.

For Further Information
To make sure that no prospective applicant obtains a competitive advantage because of acquisition of information unknown to other prospective applicants, all questions must be submitted in writing to techlending@tea.texas.gov, the TEA email address identified in the program guidelines of the RFA, no later than Friday, December 22, 2017. All questions and the written answers will be posted on the TEA Grant Opportunities web page in the format of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) by Wednesday, January 10, 2018. In the "Search Options" box, select the name of the RFA from the drop-down list. Scroll down to the "Application and Support Information" section to view and download all documents that pertain to this RFA.

Deadline for Receipt of Applications
Applications must be received in the TEA Document Control Center by 5:00 p.m. (Central Time), Tuesday, February 6, 2018, to be eligible to be considered for funding. TEA will not accept applications by email. Applications may be delivered to the TEA visitors' reception area on the second floor of the William B. Travis Building, 1701 North Congress Avenue (at 17th Street and North Congress, two blocks north of the Capitol), Austin, Texas 78701 or mailed to Document Control Center, Grants Administration Division, Texas Education Agency, 1701 North Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701-1494.

Sincerely,

Monica Martinez
Associate Commissioner
Standards and Support Services

MM/kf