For any fiscal year, beginning with fiscal year 2015, the Secretary shall first reserve not less than 1.8 percent and not more than 2 percent of funds appropriated and made available to carry out this chapter to provide training and technical assistance to DSAs, or other providers of independent living services for older individuals who are blind, that are funded under this chapter for such fiscal year.

(a) The Secretary uses these funds to provide training and technical assistance, either directly or through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements with State and public or non-profit agencies and organizations and institutions of higher education that have the capacity to provide technical assistance and training in the provision of independent living services for older individuals who are blind.

(b) An entity receiving assistance in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section shall provide training and technical assistance to DSAs or other service providers to assist them in improving the operation and performance of programs and services for older individuals who are blind resulting in their enhanced independence and self-sufficiency.

(a) To be eligible to receive a grant or enter into a contract or cooperative agreement under section 751A of the Act and this subpart, an applicant shall submit an application to the Secretary containing a proposal to provide training and technical assistance to DSAs or other service providers of IL services to older individuals who are blind and any additional information at the time and in the manner that the Secretary may require.

(b) The Secretary shall provide for peer review of applications by panels that include persons who are not Federal or State government employees and who have experience in the provision of services to older individuals who are blind.

The Secretary shall conduct a survey of DSAs that receive grants under section 752 regarding training and technical assistance needs in order to inform funding priorities for such training and technical assistance.

(a) The Secretary evaluates each application for a grant, cooperative agreement or contract under this subpart on the basis of the selection criteria chosen from the general selection criteria found in EDGAR regulations at 34 CFR 75.210.

(b) If using a contract to award funds under this subpart, the Secretary may conduct the application process and make the subsequent award in accordance with 34 CFR part 75.