Located in:
- III. Operational Planning Elements
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that supports the State’s strategy and the system-wide vision described in Section II(c) above. Unless otherwise noted, all Operational Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs. This section must include—
- b. State Operating Systems and Policies
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include a description of the State operating systems and policies that will support the implementation of the State strategy described in section II Strategic Elements. This includes—
- 5. Distribution of Funds for Core Programs
Describe the methods and factors the State will use in distributing funds under the core programs in accordance with the provisions authorizing such distributions.
- 5. Distribution of Funds for Core Programs
- b. State Operating Systems and Policies
III. b. 5. B. ii. Describe how the eligible agency will ensure direct and equitable access to all eligible providers to apply and compete for funds and how the eligible agency will ensure that it is using the same grant or contract announcement and application procedure for all eligible providers.
Current Narrative:
Nebraska Adult Education will ensure that all eligible providers have direct and equitable access to apply and compete for grants by issuing a request for proposals announcement through various media sources that are accessible by all applicants, to include newspapers, State-sponsored social media and the Nebraska Department of Education website. Announcement of funding opportunity will not be sent to single sources or through other means during the competitive process. Requests for additional information or requests for grant applications will be directed to only those announcements to maintain direct and equitable access and to ensure fairness in the application process. All Nebraska Adult Education staff will be given specific instructions to follow during the competitive process.
During the competitive process, interested eligible providers will have the opportunity to submit an intent to apply notice via email to the Nebraska Department of Education. The intent to apply period is open for a period of weeks with official start and end dates published in the formal announcement, allowing for ample time for interested applicants to request an application for consideration of funding. Upon receipt of the intent to apply email at the agency, Nebraska Adult Education will send the full grant application package via email, which includes the application, information document and the Excel budget workbook to the applicant. The same grant application package is emailed to each applicant directly to ensure that only the same, unaltered application document is used by all applicants and that receipt can be tracked by the state agency. Once the intent to apply period closes, applications will no longer be available from the state agency and interested parties will not be considered for funding. Eligible applicants will submit the appropriate application for each funding source for which they are applying.