95-1417. Notice of Funding Availability for FY 1995; Community Development Work Study Program  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 13 (Friday, January 20, 1995)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 4338-4342]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-1417]
    
    
    
          
    
    [[Page 4337]]
    
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    Part VI
    
    
    
    
    
    Department of Housing and Urban Development
    
    
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    Notice of Funding Availability for Fiscal Year 1995; Community 
    Development Work Study Program; Notice
    
    Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 13 / Friday, January 20, 1995 / 
    Notices 
    [[Page 4338]] 
    
    DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
    
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research
    [Docket No. N-95-3855; FR-3843-N-01]
    
    
    Notice of Funding Availability for FY 1995; Community Development 
    Work Study Program
    
    AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and 
    Research, HUD.
    
    ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability.
    
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    SUMMARY: This notice invites applications from institutions of higher 
    education, area-wide planning organizations, and States for grants 
    under the Community Development Work Study Program (CDWSP). The CDWSP, 
    authorized by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as 
    amended, assists economically disadvantaged and minority students 
    participating in work study programs in such institutions. This notice 
    announces HUD's intention to award up to $3 million from FY 1995 
    appropriations (plus any additional funds recaptured from prior 
    appropriations) to fund work study programs to be carried out from 
    August, 1995 to September, 1997.
    
    DATES: Applications may be requested beginning January 30, 1995. 
    Applications must be physically received by the Office of University 
    Partnerships, in care of the Division of Budget, Contracts, and Program 
    Control, in Room 8230 by 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on March 31, 
    1995. This deadline is firm as to date, hour, and place. In the 
    interest of fairness to all competing applicants, the Department will 
    treat as ineligible for consideration any application that is received 
    after the deadline. Applicants should take this practice into account 
    and make early submissions of their materials to avoid any risk of loss 
    of eligibility brought about by unanticipated delays or other delivery-
    related problems.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Hartung, Office of University 
    Partnerships, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh 
    Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410, Telephone (202) 708-1537 (Voice). 
    The TDD number for the hearing impaired is (202) 708-1455. These are 
    not toll-free numbers. Application packages (requests for grant 
    application) may be obtained by written request from the following 
    address: HUD USER, ATTN: Community Development Work Study Program, P.O. 
    Box 6091, Rockville, MD 20850. Requests for application kits may be 
    faxed to: 301-251-5747 (this is not a toll-free number). Requests for 
    application kits must include the applicant's name, mailing address 
    (including zip code), telephone number (including area code), and must 
    refer to ``Document FR-3843.''
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    A. Background
    
        Section 107(c) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 
    1974, as amended (the Act), authorizes the CDWSP. Under this section, 
    HUD is authorized to provide grants to institutions of higher 
    education, either directly or through area-wide planning organizations 
    or States, for the purpose of providing assistance to economically 
    disadvantaged and minority students, including students with 
    disabilities, who participate in community development work study 
    programs and are enrolled in full-time graduate or undergraduate 
    programs in community or economic development, community planning, or 
    community management. Two-year institutions are not eligible applicants 
    for funding under this program. This notice announces HUD's intention 
    to award up to $3 million from FY 1995 appropriations (plus any 
    additional funds recaptured from prior appropriations). Awards will be 
    made under the HUD implementing regulations at 24 CFR 570.400 and 
    570.415 and the provisions of this Notice.
    
    B. Eligible Applicants
    
        The following are eligible to apply for assistance under the 
    program subject to the conditions noted below:
        1. Institutions of higher education offering graduate degrees in a 
    community development academic program.
        2. Institutions of higher education offering undergraduate degrees 
    in a community development academic program if no institutions of 
    higher education in the standard metropolitan statistical area (SMSA) 
    or non-SMSA area in which they are located offer graduate degrees in a 
    community development academic program. (NOTE: Two-year institutions of 
    higher education are not eligible applicants for funding under this 
    program.)
        3. Area-wide planning organizations (APOs) which apply on behalf of 
    two or more institutions of higher education located in the same SMSA 
    or non-SMSA area as the APO.
        4. States which apply on behalf of two or more institutions of 
    higher education located in the State. If a State is approved for 
    funding, institutions of higher education located in the State are not 
    eligible recipients. If an APO is approved for funding, institutions of 
    higher education located in the SMSA or non-SMSA non-metropolitan area 
    served by the APO are not eligible recipients.
    
    C. Threshold Requirements
    
        To be eligible for ranking, applications must meet each of the 
    following threshold requirements:
        1. The application must be filed in the application form prescribed 
    by HUD, and within the required time prescribed by the Request For 
    Grant Application (RFGA) released pursuant to this notice.
        2. The application must demonstrate that the applicant is eligible 
    to participate.
        3. The applicant must demonstrate that each institution of higher 
    education participating in the program as a recipient has the required 
    academic programs and faculty to carry out its activities under CDWSP. 
    Each work placement agency must have the required staff and community 
    development work study program to carry out its activities under CDWSP.
        4. Institutions of higher education, APOs, and States must maintain 
    at least a 50 percent rate of graduation of students from the FY 1992 
    funding round which covered school years September 1992 to September 
    1994 in order to participate in the current round of CDWSP funding. 
    Institutions of higher education, APOs, and States funded under the FY 
    1992 CDWSP funding round which did not maintain such a rate will be 
    excluded from participating in the FY 1995 funding round. Such 
    institutions, APOs, and States are eligible to participate in the FY 
    1996 round.
    
    D. Selection Factors for Institutions of Higher Education (110 
    points)
    
        The following factors will be considered by the Department in 
    evaluating applications received from institutions of higher education 
    in response to the solicitation.
        1. Academic Program (53 points, as allocated below)
        a. Relative quality of the academic program offered by the 
    institution of higher education.
        (1) Quality of the academic program in terms of community or 
    economic development, community planning, or community management 
    course offerings and academic requirements for students. (8 points)
        (2) Appropriateness of the curriculum to prepare students for 
    careers in community or economic development, [[Page 4339]] community 
    planning, or community management fields. (8 points)
        (3) Qualifications of the faculty and the percentage of time they 
    will teach in the academic area. (6 points)
        b. Qualifications of the academic supervisor and the percentage of 
    time he/she will commit to the students. (7 points)
        c. Amount of resources to be committed by the institution to the 
    academic program.
        (1) Appropriateness and adequacy of the resources (facilities and 
    equipment) that will be devoted to the academic area. (2 points)
        (2) The degree to which the applicant is able to contribute funds 
    to support the total cost of the project. (5 points)
        (3) The degree to which the applicant will use faculty and staff 
    administrators on staff. (7 points)
        d. The applicant's success rate in graduating students previously 
    enrolled in the HUD CDWSP or similar work study program. (10 points)
        2. Student Work Placement Assignment (9 points, as allocated below)
        a. The extent to which the participating students will receive a 
    sufficient number and variety of work placement assignments. (3 points)
        b. The extent to which the assignments will provide practical and 
    useful experience to students participating in the program. (3 points)
        c. The extent to which the assignments will further the 
    participating students' preparation for professional careers in 
    community or economic development, community planning, or community 
    management. (3 points)
        3. Seminars (4 points)
        The degree to which the proposed seminars will (a) relate the 
    experience provided under the work placement assignments with the 
    educational experience provided under the academic programs and (b) 
    address career planning and permanent job placement. (4 points)
        4. Placement Opportunities (13 points, as allocated below)
        a. Extent to which the institution's educational program (based on 
    past experience) leads directly and immediately to career opportunities 
    in the community or economic development, community planning, or 
    community management fields. (6 points)
        b. The applicant's success in assisting graduates of the HUD CDWSP 
    or similar work study program to find permanent employment in community 
    or economic development, community planning, or community management 
    agencies. (7 points)
        5. Program Coordination and Administration (16 points, as allocated 
    below)
        a. The applicant's ability to track and monitor the progress of the 
    students previously enrolled in the HUD or similar work study program, 
    including the students who drop out of the program. (4 points)
        b. The degree to which the Program Director has clear 
    responsibility, ample percentage of time, and sufficient institutional 
    or academic authority to coordinate the overall administration of the 
    program. (8 points)
        c. The adequacy of the applicant's plan for placing students in 
    work placement assignments and keeping track of the students. (4 
    points)
        6. Institution's Commitment (15 points, as allocated below)
        a. The extent to which the applicant has a recruitment program that 
    demonstrates an active, aggressive, and imaginative effort to identify 
    and attract qualified minorities and economically disadvantaged 
    students, including students with disabilities. (2 points)
        b. The success of past and current efforts in preparing these 
    students for careers in community or economic development, community 
    planning, or community management. (6 points)
        c. The extent to which the CDWSP award will result in a net 
    increase of these students in these academic areas. (3 points)
        d. The extent to which the CDWSP award will not result in a 
    decrease in the amount of the institution's own financial support 
    available for minority and economically disadvantaged students in the 
    academic areas or the institution as a whole. (2 points)
        e. The extent to which the applicant has provided reasonable 
    accommodations for students with disabilities to enable them to 
    participate in the college/university's academic and work-study 
    programs. (2 points)
    E. Selection Factors for Area-Wide Planning Organizations and States 
    (110 points)
        The following factors will be considered by the Department in 
    evaluating applications received from area-wide planning organizations 
    and States in response to this NOFA.
        1. Academic Program (53 points, as allocated below)
        a. Relative quality of the academic program offered by the 
    institutions of higher education.
        (1) Quality of the academic program in terms of community or 
    economic development, community planning, or community management 
    course offerings and academic requirements for students. (8 points)
        (2) Appropriateness of the curriculum to prepare students for 
    careers in community or economic development, community planning, or 
    community management fields. (8 points)
        (3) Qualifications of the faculty at each college/university listed 
    in the submission and the percentage of time they will teach in the 
    academic area. (6 points)
        b. Qualifications of the academic area supervisor at each college/
    university listed in the submission and the percentage of time he/she 
    will commit to the students. (7 points)
        c. The applicant's and institution's plan for the use of its 
    facilities, equipment and financial resources in support of the CDWSP. 
    (2 points)
        d. The degree to which each college/university listed in the 
    application is able to contribute funds to support the total cost of 
    the project. (5 points)
        e. The degree to which each college/university listed in the 
    application will utilize faculty and staff administrators on staff. (7 
    points)
        f. The success rate of each institution of higher education 
    applying under the applicant in graduating students previously enrolled 
    in the HUD CDWSP or similar work study program. (10 points)
        2. Student Work Placement Assignment (9 points, as allocated below)
        a. The extent to which the participating students will receive a 
    sufficient number and variety of work placement assignments. (3 points)
        b. The extent to which the assignments will provide practical and 
    useful experience to students participating in the program. (3 points)
        c. The extent to which the assignments will further the 
    participating students' preparation for professional careers in 
    community or economic development, community planning, or community 
    management. (3 points)
        3. Seminars (4 points)
        The degree to which the proposed seminars will (a) relate to the 
    experience provided under the work placement assignments with the 
    educational experience provided under the academic program and (b) 
    address career planning and permanent job placement.
        4. Placement Opportunities (13 points, as allocated below)
        a. The extent to which the educational program for each college/
    university listed in the application (based on past experience) leads 
    directly and immediately to career opportunities in 
    [[Page 4340]] community or economic development, community planning or 
    community management fields. (6 points)
        b. The applicant's success in assisting graduates of the HUD 
    Community Development Work Study Program (CDWSP) or similar work study 
    program to find permanent employment in community or economic 
    development, community planning, or community management agencies. (7 
    points)
        5. Program Coordination and Administration (16 points, as allocated 
    below)
        a. The extent to which the applicant has established a committee to 
    coordinate activities between program participants to advise the 
    recipient on policy matters, to assist the recipient in ranking and 
    selection of participating students, and to review disputes concerning 
    compliance with program agreements and performance. (8 points)
        b. The applicant's ability to track and monitor progress of 
    students enrolled in the program and those who drop out. (4 points)
        c. The adequacy of the applicant's plan for placing students in 
    work placement assignments and keeping track of the students. (4 
    points)
        6. Institution's Commitment (15 points, as allocated below)
        a. The extent to which the applicant has a recruitment program that 
    demonstrates an active, aggressive, and imaginative effort to identify 
    and attract qualified minorities and economically disadvantaged 
    students, including students with disabilities. (2 points)
        b. The success of past and current efforts of colleges/ 
    universities listed in the application in preparing these students for 
    careers in community or economic development, community planning, or 
    community management. (6 points)
        c. The extent to which the CDWSP award will result in a net 
    increase of these students in these academic areas. (3 points)
        d. The extent to which the CDWSP award will not result in a 
    decrease in the amount of the institutions's own financial support 
    available for minority and economically disadvantaged students in the 
    academic areas or the institution as a whole. (2 points)
        e. The extent to which the applicant has provided reasonable 
    accommodations for students with disabilities to enable them to 
    participate in the college/university academic and work-study program. 
    (2 points)
    
    F. Obtaining Application
    
        For an application kit, contact HUD USER, ATTN: Community 
    Development Work Study Program, P.O. Box 6091, Rockville, Maryland 
    20850. Applications may be requested beginning January 30, 1995. 
    Requests for application kits must be in writing, but may be faxed to 
    301-251-5747. (This is not a toll-free number). Please refer to FR-
    3843, and provide your name, address (including zip code) and telephone 
    number (including area code).
    
    G. Submitting Applications and Deadline Date
    
        Applications for funding under this NOFA must be complete and must 
    be physically received in the place designated in the application kit 
    for receipt, by 4:30 pm EST on March 31, 1995. The deadline date and 
    time will be firm as to date and hour. In the interest of fairness to 
    all competing applicants, the Department will treat as ineligible for 
    consideration any application that is received after the deadline. 
    Applicants should take this practice into account and make early 
    submission of their materials to avoid any risk of loss of eligibility 
    brought about by unanticipated delays or other delivery related 
    problems.
        Following the expiration of the application submission deadline, 
    HUD will review and rank applications in a manner consistent with the 
    procedures described in this Notice and the provisions of the program 
    regulations at 24 CFR 570.425.
        Applicants must complete and submit applications in accordance with 
    instructions contained in the application kit. The contents of the 
    application kit will include the following, as specified in the RFGA:
        (a) Transmittal letter.
        (b) A completed and signed Standard Form 424, Application For 
    Federal Assistance.
        (c) Abstract.
        (d) Table of Contents.
        (e) Proposal narrative statement addressing the factors for award.
        (f) Student/recipient binding agreement.
        (g) Recipient/student work placement agreement.
        (h) Management/Workplan.
        (i) Resumes of key staff and faculty.
        (j) Budget for resident and non-resident students.
        (k) Tuition and Fee Schedule.
        (l) Audit/financial management system information.
        (m) If applicable, document verifying a 50 per cent rate of 
    graduation of students from the FY 1992 funding round.
        (n) Certification by IPA or cognizant audit agency of applicant's 
    financial management system.
        (o) Drug-Free Workplace Certification.
        (p) Certification on HUD Form 2880, Applicant/Recipient Disclosure, 
    Update Report, disclosing receipt of at least $200,000 in covered 
    assistance during the fiscal year, pursuant to 24 CFR part 12, subpart 
    C, Accountability in the Provision of HUD Assistance.
        (q) Disclosure of Lobbying Activities on SF-LLL must be used to 
    disclose lobbying with other than Federally appropriated funds at the 
    time of application if the applicant deems it applicable.
    
    H. Corrections to Deficient Applications
    
        After the submission deadline date, HUD will screen each 
    application to determine whether it is complete. If an application 
    lacks certain technical items or contains a technical error, such as an 
    incorrect signatory, HUD will notify the applicant in writing that it 
    has 14 calendar days from the date of HUD's written notification to 
    cure the technical deficiency. If the applicant fails to submit the 
    missing material within the 14-day cure period, HUD will disqualify the 
    application.
        This 14-day cure period applies only to non-substantive 
    deficiencies or errors. Any deficiency capable of cure will involve 
    only items not necessary for HUD to assess the merits of an application 
    against the factors specified in this NOFA.
    
    I. Funding Highly Rated Applications
    
        HUD may provide assistance to support a number of students that is 
    less than the number requested under applications, in order to provide 
    assistance to as many highly rated applications as possible. In 
    addition, HUD may recommend a lower funding level than the requested 
    amount for tuition, work stipend, books and additional support.
    
    J. Other Matters
    
    1. Federalism Impact
    
        The General Counsel, as the Designated Official under section 6(a) 
    of Executive Order 12612, Federalism, has determined that the policies 
    and procedures contained in this notice will not have substantial 
    direct effects on States or their political subdivisions, or the 
    relationship between the federal government and the States, or on the 
    distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
    government. As a result, the notice is not subject to review under the 
    Order.
    
    2. Impact on the Family
    
        The General Counsel, as the Designated Official under Executive 
    Order 12606, The Family, has [[Page 4341]] determined that this notice 
    will likely have a beneficial impact on family formation, maintenance, 
    and general well-being. Accordingly, since the impact on the family is 
    beneficial, no further review is considered necessary.
    
    3. Accountability in the Provision of HUD Assistance
    
        HUD has promulgated a final rule to implement section 102 of the 
    Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989 (HUD 
    Reform Act). The final rule is codified at 24 CFR part 12. Section 102 
    contains a number of provisions that are designed to ensure greater 
    accountability and integrity in the provision of certain types of 
    assistance administered by HUD. On January 16, 1992, HUD published at 
    57 FR 1942, additional information that gave the public (including 
    applicants for, and recipients of, HUD assistance) further information 
    on the implementation, public access, and disclosure requirements of 
    section 102. The documentation, public access, and disclosure 
    requirements of section 102 are applicable to assistance awarded under 
    this NOFA as follows:
    a. Documentation and Public Access
        HUD will ensure documentation and other information regarding each 
    application submitted pursuant to this NOFA are sufficient to indicate 
    the basis upon which assistance was provided or denied. This material, 
    including any letters of support, will be made available for public 
    inspection for a five-year period beginning not less than 30 days after 
    the award of the assistance. Material will be made available in 
    accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and HUD's 
    implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 15. In addition, HUD will 
    include the recipients of assistance pursuant to this NOFA in its 
    Federal Register notice of all recipients of HUD assistance awarded on 
    a competitive basis. (See 24 CFR 12.14(a) and 12.16(b), and the notice 
    published in the Federal Register on January 16, 1992 (57 FR 1942), for 
    further information on these requirements.)
    b. HUD Responsibilities--Disclosures
        HUD will make available to the public for five years all applicant 
    disclosure reports (HUD Form 2880) submitted in connection with this 
    NOFA. Update reports (also Form 2880) will be made available along with 
    the applicant disclosure reports, but in no case for a period less than 
    three years. All reports, both applicant disclosures and updates, will 
    be made available in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (5 
    U.S.C. 552) and HUD's implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 15. (See 
    24 CFR part 12, subpart C, and the notice published in the Federal 
    Register on January 16, 1992 (57 FR 1942), for further information on 
    these disclosure requirements.)
    c. State Disclosures
        States receiving assistance under this NOFA must make all applicant 
    disclosure reports available to the public for three years. Required 
    update reports must be made available along with the applicant 
    disclosure reports, but in no case for a period less than three years. 
    Each State and unit of general local government may use HUD Form 2880 
    to collect the disclosures, or may develop its own form. (See 24 CFR 
    part 12, subpart C, and the notice published in the Federal Register on 
    January 16, 1992 (57 FR 1942) for further information on these 
    disclosure requirements.)
    
    4. Prohibition Against Advance Information on Funding Decisions
    
        HUD's regulation implementing section 103 of the HUD Reform Act, 
    codified as 24 CFR part 4, applies to the funding competition announced 
    today. The requirements of the rule continue to apply until the 
    announcement of the selection of successful applicants.
        HUD employees involved in the review of applications and in the 
    making of funding decisions are restrained by part 4 from providing 
    advance information to any person (other than an authorized employee of 
    HUD) concerning funding decisions, or from otherwise giving any 
    applicant an unfair competitive advantage. Persons who apply for 
    assistance in this competition should confine their inquiries to the 
    subject areas permitted under 24 CFR part 4.
        Applicants who have questions should contact the HUD Office of 
    Ethics (202) 708-3815 (voice), (202) 708-1112 (TDD). These are not 
    toll-free numbers. The Office of Ethics can provide information of a 
    general nature to HUD employees, as well. However, a HUD employee who 
    has specific program questions, such as whether particular subject 
    matter can be discussed with persons outside the Department, should 
    contact his or her field Office Counsel, or Headquarters counsel for 
    the program to which the question pertains.
    
    5. Prohibition Against Lobbying of HUD Personnel
    
        Section 112 of the HUD Reform Act added a new section 13 to the 
    Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3531 et 
    seq.). Section 13 contains two provisions dealing with efforts to 
    influence HUD's decisions with respect to financial assistance. The 
    first imposes disclosure requirements on those who are typically 
    involved in these efforts--those who pay others to influence the award 
    of assistance or the taking of a management action by the Department 
    and those who are paid to provide the influence. The second restricts 
    the payment of fees to those who are paid to influence the award of HUD 
    assistance, if the fees are tied to the number of housing units 
    received or are based on the amount of assistance received, or if they 
    are contingent upon the receipt of assistance.
        HUD regulations implementing Section 13 are at 24 CFR Part 86. If 
    readers are involved in any efforts to influence the Department in 
    these ways, they are urged to read the regulation, particularly the 
    examples contained in Appendix A of the rule.
        Any questions about the rule should be directed to the Office of 
    Ethics, Room 2158, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th 
    Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410-3000. Telephone: (202) 708-3815 
    (voice), (202) 708-1112 (TDD). (These are not toll-free numbers.) Forms 
    necessary for compliance with the rule may be obtained from the local 
    HUD office.
    
    6. Prohibition Against Lobbying Activities
    
        The use of funds awarded under this NOFA is subject to the 
    disclosure requirements and prohibitions of Section 319 of the 
    Department of Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for 
    Fiscal Year 1990 (31 U.S.C. 1352) and the implementing regulations at 
    24 CFR part 87. These authorities prohibit recipients of federal 
    contracts, grants, or loans from using appropriated funds for lobbying 
    the Executive or Legislative Branches of the Federal Government in 
    connection with a specific contract, grant, or loan. The prohibition 
    also covers the awarding of contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, 
    or loans unless the recipient has made an acceptable certification 
    regarding lobbying. Under 24 CFR part 87, applicants, recipients, and 
    subrecipients of assistance exceeding $100,000 must certify that no 
    federal funds have been or will be spent on lobbying activities in 
    connection with the assistance.
        7. The information collection requirements contained in this NOFA 
    have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget, under 
    section 3504(h) of the Paperwork Reduction Act [[Page 4342]] of 1980 
    (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520) and assigned OMB control number 2535-0084.
        8. The assistance under this NOFA is categorically excluded from 
    review under the National Environmental Policy Act, pursuant to 24 CFR 
    50.20(b).
    
    K. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program
    
        The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number is 14.234.
    
        Authority: 42 U.S.C. 5301-5320; 42 U.S.C. 3535(d); 24 CFR 
    570.402.
    
        Dated: January 5, 1995.
    Michael A. Stegman,
    Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research.
    [FR Doc. 95-1417 Filed 1-19-95; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4210-62-P