[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 11, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18456-18459]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-8786]
[[Page 18455]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part III
Department of Housing and Urban Development
_______________________________________________________________________
Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program; Notice of Funding
Availability for FY 1995
Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 11, 1995 /
Notices
[[Page 18456]]
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and
Development
[Docket No. N-95-3899; FR-3894-N-01]
Notice of Funding Availability for FY 1995 Historically Black
Colleges and Universities Program
AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and
Development, HUD.
ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Fiscal Year (FY)
1995.
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SUMMARY: This NOFA announces up to $4.0 million of FY 1995 funding for
the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Program plus
any recaptured funds from prior appropriations. In the body of this
document is information concerning the following:
a. The purpose of the NOFA and information regarding available
amounts, objectives, eligibility and selection criteria;
b. Application processing, including how, where and when to apply
and how selections will be made.
DATES: No applications will be accepted after 4:30 p.m. on August 9,
1995. This application deadline is 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. Applications may not be submitted by facsimile (FAX).
ADDRESSES: For an application kit contact: Processing and Control
Branch, Office of Community Planning and Development, Department of
Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street, SW., Room 7255,
Washington, DC, 20410-3500. Attn: HBCU Program. Requests must be in
writing and may be sent to this address or may be made by facsimile
machine to the following number: (202) 708-3363. The TDD number for the
hearing impaired is (202) 708-2565. (This is not a toll-free number.)
When requesting an application kit, please refer to document FR-3894,
and provide your name, address (including zip code), and telephone
number (including area code). Requests for HBCU application packages
should be made immediately. HUD will distribute application packages as
soon as they become available.
Application Submission: An original and three copies of the
completed application should be submitted to the following address:
Processing and Control Branch, Office of Community Planning and
Development, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th
Street, SW., Room 7255, Washington, DC, 20410-3500. Attn: HBCU Program.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. James Turk, Office of Technical
Assistance, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th
Street, SW., Room 7253, Washington, DC 20410. Telephone Number: (202)
708-3176. The TDD number for the hearing impaired is (202) 708-2565.
(These are not toll-free numbers.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Paperwork Reduction Act Statement
The information collection requirements contained in this notice
have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520). The control
number for information described in this document is 2506-0122.
I. Purpose and Substantive Description
Purpose. This program is designed to assist HBCUs to expand their
role and effectiveness in addressing community development in their
localities. For the purposes of this program, the term ``locality''
includes any city, county, town, township, parish, village, or other
general political subdivision of a State within which an HBCU is
located. An HBCU located in a metropolitan statistical area (MSA), as
established by the Office of Management and Budget, may consider its
locality to be one or more of these entities within the entire MSA. The
nature of the locality for each HBCU may, therefore, differ depending
on its location.
Objectives. The objectives of this program are:
1. To help HBCUs expand their role and effectiveness in addressing
community development needs in their localities, including neighborhood
revitalization, housing, and economic development, consistent with the
purposes of title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of
1974; and
2. To help HBCUs address the needs of their locality(ies) while
furthering the following HUD values:
A Commitment to Community;
A Commitment to Support Families;
A Commitment to Economic Lift;
A Commitment to Reciprocity and to Balancing Individual
Rights and Responsibilities.
A Commitment to Reducing the Separations by Race and
Income in American Life.
3. Consistent with section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development
Act of 1968, it is HUD's policy to encourage and ensure that the
employment and other economic opportunities generated by Federal
financial assistance for housing and community development programs
shall, to the greatest extent feasible, be directed toward low- and
very low-income persons, particularly those who are recipients of
government assistance for housing.
Applicants must address objective 1 by successfully demonstrating
how the proposed activities will expand the role of the HBCU in meeting
local community economic development and/or housing needs while
furthering HUD's values identified in objective 2.
A. Authority
This program is authorized under section 107(b)(3) of the Housing
and Community Development Act of 1974 (the 1974 Act), which was added
by section 105 of the HUD Reform Act of 1989. The program is governed
by regulations contained in 24 CFR 570.201 through 570.207, 24 CFR
570.400, 570.404 and 24 CFR part 570, subparts A, C, J, K and O.
B. Allocation Amounts and Form
The Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban
Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act 1995 (approved
September 28, 1994, Pub. L. 103-327) (1995 App. Act) appropriated
$44,000,000 for special purpose grants pursuant to section 107 of the
Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. This notice announces
HUD's intention to award up to $4.0 million from these FY 1995 funds
(plus any additional recaptured funds from prior appropriations) to
fund HBCU projects. The maximum amount awarded to any applicant will be
$500,000. The awards will be made in the form of grants.
C. Eligibility
1. Eligible Applicants. Only HBCUs as determined by the Department
of Education in 34 CFR 608.2 in accordance with that Department's
responsibilities under Executive Order 12677, dated April 28, 1989, are
eligible to submit applications.
2. Eligible Activities. Activities that may be funded under this
NOFA are those activities eligible for Community
[[Page 18457]] Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. They are listed
in 24 CFR 570.201 through 570.206. Basic eligible activities include:
a. Identifying specific needs for affordable housing and increasing
housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income persons throughout
the locality;
b. Providing adequate infrastructure to support housing and
economic development;
c. Meeting environmental review requirements to permit economic
growth;
d. Supporting community design projects with amenities to improve
living conditions and to create a climate which invites investment;
e. Forming partnerships with the State and local government to
address the physical, social and economic needs of the community in a
comprehensive manner;
f. Developing programs that provide a continuum of care for the
homeless;
g. Working with local groups and organizations to combat
discrimination in housing, mortgage credit and insurance, and to
further fair housing;
h. Promoting opportunities for the creation and expansion of small
businesses and minority enterprises;
i. Providing technical assistance and opportunities for
homeownership;
j. Providing assistance to preserve the inventory of low-income
housing in the locality through rehabilitation and preservation
efforts; and
k. Promoting opportunities for training and employment of low-
income residents in connection with HUD and other Federally-assisted
projects and activities.
Those applicants planning to use funds for the provision of public
services are bound by the statutory requirement that not more than 15%
of the total grant amount be used for public service activities.
3. Environmental Review. If the applicant proposes activities
involving rehabilitation of structures or construction of buildings, an
environmental review by HUD is required and the proposed project must
pass an environmental review in accordance with 24 CFR part 50,
including the authorities at Sec. 50.4. If the requirements of part 50
are not met, HUD reserves the right to terminate all or portions of the
award. The grantee is not authorized to proceed with any activity
requiring such approval until written approval is received from the HUD
State environmental office in your area certifying that the project has
been approved.
D. Selection Criteria/Rating Factors
An applicant must demonstrate that it meets the objectives of this
HBCU program by scoring at least 12 of the possible 20 points on rating
factor 1 (addressing the objectives) in order to qualify for funding.
Applicants must also receive a minimum score of 70 out of the total of
100 points to be considered eligible for funding. Activities which are
not eligible for funding under this program (see 24 CFR 570.207) will
not be funded. If more than 50 percent of the amount requested in the
application is for ineligible activities, the application will not be
funded.
Applications for funding under this Notice will be evaluated
competitively, and awarded points based on the factors identified
below. The Department will rank the applications in descending order
according to score. Applications meeting the minimum threshold
requirements will be funded in rank order, until all available funds
have been obligated, or until there are no acceptable applications.
Negotiations. After all applications have been rated and ranked and
a determination of successful applicants has been made, HUD requires
that all successful applicants participate in negotiations to determine
the specific terms of the Statement of Work and grant budget. In cases
where HUD cannot successfully conclude negotiations, awards will not be
made. In such instances, HUD may elect to offer an award (in an amount
not to exceed the amount of remaining funds available for the
competition) to the next highest ranking applicant and proceed with
negotiations as described above.
Optional Match. Although match is not required to qualify for
funding, the Department wishes to stress that applicants that evidence
a commitment of matching funds, in accordance with Rating Factor 4.b.,
below, are eligible for more rating points than those not having a
match. The maximum number of rating points an applicant can receive for
matching funds is 7 points out of the 100 point total. Applicants
having a cash match will receive a higher number of points than those
only providing in-kind services or not providing any match for program
activities. Matching funds may be in the form of cash and/or in-kind
goods or services.
Rating Factors. The factors set forth below will be used by the
Department to evaluate applications. Each application must contain
sufficient information to be reviewed for its merits. The score of each
factor will be based on the qualitative and quantitative aspects
demonstrated for each factor in an application. The factors, and the
maximum number of points for each factor (out of a total of 100
points), are as follows:
1. Addressing the Objectives. (maximum points: 20)
The extent to which the applicant addresses the objectives of this
program is examined by this factor. Applicants must address objective
i. by successfully demonstrating how the proposed activities will
expand the role of the HBCU in meeting local community economic
development and/or housing needs while furthering HUD's values
identified in objective ii.
a. The objectives of this program are:
i. To help HBCUs expand their role and effectiveness in addressing
community development needs in their localities, including neighborhood
revitalization, housing, and economic development, consistent with the
purposes of the 1974 Act; and
ii. To help HBCUs address the needs of their localities in meeting
the following HUD values:
A Commitment to Community;
A Commitment to Support Families;
A Commitment to Economic Lift;
A Commitment to Reciprocity and to Balancing Individual
Rights and Responsibilities.
A Commitment to Reducing the Separations by Race and
Income in American Life.
iii. Consistent with section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development
Act of 1968, it is HUD's policy to encourage and ensure that the
employment and other economic opportunities generated by Federal
financial assistance for housing and community development programs
shall, to the greatest extent feasible, be directed toward low- and
very low-income persons, particularly those who are recipients of
government assistance for housing.
b. In rating this factor, the Department will consider:
i. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that the proposed
activities and program will expand its role and effectiveness in
addressing community development needs in its locality(ies), in
accordance with the objective specified in section I.D.1.a.i. of this
NOFA, above; and
ii. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that the
proposed activities will further one or more of the HUD values
specified in section I.D.1.a.ii. of this NOFA, above.
iii. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that it will
provide to the greatest extent feasible, and consistent
[[Page 18458]] with existing Federal, State, and local laws and
regulations, job training, employment, contracting and other economic
opportunities to section 3 residents and section 3 business concerns.
2. Substantial Impact in Achieving Objectives. (maximum points: 25)
The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that the proposed
activities would have a substantial impact in achieving the objectives
in sections I.D.1.a.i. and ii of this NOFA, above, is examined by this
factor. In rating this factor the Department will consider:
a. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates how the proposed
activities will address high priority needs identified in each
locality's community development plan or program, or HUD-approved
Consolidated Plan in accordance with 24 CFR part 91.
b. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates how the proposed
activities will substantially address the needs of the locality within
the framework of HUD's values.
3. Special Needs of Applicant or Locality. (maximum points: 10)
The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that the locality
has special needs which will be addressed or met by the proposed
activities, particularly with respect to benefitting low- and moderate-
income persons, including minorities, is examined by this factor. In
rating this factor, HUD will consider the urgency of the special need
in the locality, particularly with respect to low- and moderate-income
persons, including minorities.
4. Technical and Financial Feasibility and Match. (maximum points:
25)
The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the technical and
financial feasibility for achieving the objectives, including local
support for the activities proposed to be carried out in the locality
and any matching funds proposed to be provided from sources other than
the applicant, is examined by this factor. In rating this factor, the
Department will consider:
a. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the technical
feasibility for achieving the objectives within the program period
proposed;
b. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the financial
feasibility and local support for the activities to be carried out in
the locality, as evidenced by the commitment, from sources other than
the applicant, of matching funds, staffing, services, or other in-kind
resources. (Applicants that evidence such a commitment of matching
funds are eligible to receive a higher score than those not having a
match. See the discussion under the heading Optional Match in this
section I.D., above.)
5. Capacity. (maximum points: 20)
The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the capacity to
carry out satisfactorily the proposed activities in a timely fashion,
including satisfactory performance in carrying out any prior HUD-
assisted projects or activities, is examined by this factor. In rating
this factor, the Department will consider:
a. The extent to which the applicant's proposed management plan:
i. Clearly delineates staff responsibilities and accountability for
all work required;
ii. Presents a work plan with a clear and feasible schedule for
conducting all project tasks; and
iii. Presents a reasonable and adequate planned budget as reflected
in the budget-by-task and supporting rationale and justification for
the budget.
b. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the recent and
relevant work experience of the staff proposed to undertake the
activities described in the Statement of Work.
c. The extent to which the applicant can demonstrate that its past
and current projects funded by HUD and/or other Federal or private
sector sources are or have been completed on schedule and have met or
are meeting goals established for addressing local needs.
d. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the proposed
program manager's capacity, background and experience to carry out the
proposed activities in a satisfactory and timely fashion, as evidenced
by recent work experience in managing projects of the same or similar
size, dollar amount, and types of activities as those proposed in the
application.
II. Application Submission Requirements
Applicants must complete and submit applications for HBCU grants in
accordance with instructions contained in the FY 1995 Historically
Black Colleges and Universities Program application package. The
application package will request information in sufficient detail for
HUD to determine whether the proposed activities are feasible and meet
all the requirements of applicable statutes and regulations. The
application package requires a Statement of Work which clearly
identifies the proposed activities, a narrative response to the Rating
Factors identified in section I.D. of this NOFA, a schedule for the
program, budgets, and a description of any other public or private
resources proposed to be used in the program. The application package
also contains certifications that the applicant will comply with fair
housing and civil rights requirements, program regulations, regulations
in 24 CFR part 135 with regard to economic opportunities for low-income
persons and business concerns, and other Federal requirements.
Applicants should refer to the HBCU application package for further
instructions.
III. Corrections to Deficient Applications
Immediately after the deadline for submission of applications,
applications will be screened to determine whether all items were
submitted. If the applicant fails to submit certain technical items, or
the application contains a technical mistake, such as an incorrect
signatory, the Department shall notify the applicant in writing that
the applicant has 14 calendar days from the date of the written
notification to submit the missing item, or correct the technical
mistake. If the applicant does not submit the missing item within the
required time period, the application will be ineligible for further
processing.
The 14-day cure period pertains only to non-substantive technical
deficiencies or errors. Technical deficiencies relate to items that:
1. Are not necessary for HUD review under selection criteria/rating
factors; and
2. Would not improve the substantive quality of the proposal.
IV. Other Matters
(a) Environmental Impact. A Finding of No Significant Impact with
respect to the environment has been made in accordance with the
Department's regulations at 24 CFR Part 50 which implement Section
102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.
4332). The Finding of No Significant Impact is available for public
inspection between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. weekdays at the Office of
the Rules Docket Clerk, Room 10276, Department of Housing and Urban
Development, 451 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20410.
(b) Federalism, Executive Order 12612. 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 NOFA will not have substantial direct effects on States or
their political subdivisions, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Specifically,
the NOFA solicits HBCU applicants to expand their role in addressing
[[Page 18459]] community development needs in their localities and does
not impinge upon the relationships between the Federal government, and
State and local governments.
(c) Family, Executive Order 12606. The General Counsel, as the
Designated Official under Executive Order 12606, The Family, has
determined that this document does not have potential for significant
impact on family formation, maintenance, and general well-being. The
notice only solicits HBCUs to apply for funding to address community
development needs in their locality. Any impact on the family will be
indirect and beneficial in that better planning of community
development needs should result.
(d) 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) (The
``Byrd Amendment'') 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.
(e) Section 102 HUD Reform Act; Documentation and Public Access
Requirements. HUD will ensure that 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.)
(f) Section 103 HUD Reform Act. HUD's regulation implementing
section 103 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform
Act of 1989 was published May 13, 1991 (56 FR 22088) and became
effective on June 12, 1991. That regulation, 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 limited 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. (This is not a toll-free number.) 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 Regional or Field
Office Counsel, or Headquarters counsel for the program to which the
question pertains.
(g) Section 112 HUD Reform Act. Section 13 of the Department of
Housing and Urban Development Act 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.
Section 13 was implemented by final rule published in the Federal
Register on May 17, 1991 (56 FR 22912). If readers are involved in any
efforts to influence the Department in these ways, they are urged to
read the final rule, particularly the examples contained in Appendix A
of the rule.
Authority: Title I, Housing and Community Development Act of
1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301-5320); sec. 7(d), Department of Housing and
Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3535(d); 24 CFR 570.404.
Dated: March 15, 1995.
Andrew Cuomo,
Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development.
[FR Doc. 95-8786 Filed 4-10-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-29-P
