[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 101 (Tuesday, May 27, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28706-28711]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-13771]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the Secretary
Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Notice Inviting
Applications for New Award for Fiscal Year 1997
AGENCY: The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and
Evaluation (ASPE) and the Administration for Children and Families
(ACF) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
ACTION: Announcement of the availability of funds and request for
applications to research and analyze the economic and health status of
immigrants, their communities and the organizations that serve them.
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SUMMARY: The purpose of this project is to describe the economic and
health status of immigrants, their communities and the organizations
that serve them. Given the recent change in law related to immigrants,
(to the extent possible) the project should seek to describe the
effects of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) on low-income immigrants, their communities
and the organizations that serve them, and describe how each of these
groups or organizations have adapted to the new law. Eligible projects
should focus on at least two communities with a high concentration of
immigrants.
ASPE and ACF with support from the Health Care Financing
Administration and the Food and Consumer Service intend to fund this
project for a period of three years. We anticipate total funding of
approximately $2.5 million over the three-year funding period. This
project will be funded through a cooperative agreement with the
Awardee. Cooperative agreements allow for more involvement and
collaboration by the government in the affairs of the project than
other grants but it provides less direction of project activities than
a contract. Although we will entertain either a new community level
study or an add-on to an existing study in which the Department's funds
are utilized for the specific purposes outlined in this Announcement,
we anticipate that it is more likely that we will add-on to an existing
study. The Terms of Award are in addition to, not in lieu of, otherwise
applicable guidelines and procedures.
DATES: The deadline for submission of applications under this
announcement is July 22, 1997.
MAILING ADDRESS: Application instructions and forms should be requested
from and submitted to: Grants Officer, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Department of Health and Human
Services, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 405F, Hubert H. Humphrey
Building, Washington, D.C. 20201, Telephone: (202) 690-8794. Requests
for forms and questions (administrative and technical) will be accepted
and responded to up to 30 days prior to closing date of receipt of
Applications. Application submissions may not be faxed.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical questions should be directed
to Jason Cohen, DHHS, ASPE, Telephone, 202-690-5880. Questions may also
be faxed to 202-690-6562. Written technical questions should be
addressed to Mr. Cohen at the following address. Office of the
Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Department of Health
and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 404E, Hubert H.
Humphrey Building, Washinton, D.C. 20201, Telephone (202) 690-5880.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Part I
Legislative Authority
This cooperative agreement is authorized by the Head Start Act, the
Older Americans Act of 1965, Section 241 of the Public Health Services
Act and Section 1110 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1310) and
awards will be made from funds appropriated under Public Law 104-208
Omnibus Consolidated Appropriation Act for FY 1997.
Eligible Applicants
Pursuant to section 1110 of the Social Security Act, any public or
private nonprofit organizations including universities and other
institutions of higher education, may apply. Applications may also be
submitted by private for-profit organizations. However, for-profit
organizations are advised that cooperative agreement funds may not be
paid as profit to any recipient of a grant or subgrant. Profit is any
amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs of the
recipient.
[[Page 28707]]
Available Funds
1. ASPE and ACF anticipate providing $2.5 million over three years
pursuant to this announcement.
2. Applications are to include separate estimates for each of the
three years, if funding levels are expected to be substantially
different in subsequent years.
3. Funding for the second and third years of this project is
subject to future appropriations and approval of the Assistant
Secretary. ASPE and ACF expect, however, that this project will be
supported during future fiscal years so that the total award is
approximately $2.5 million. Although a single award is anticipated,
nothing in this announcement restricts the ability of the Assistant
Secretary for Planning and Evaluation to make more than one award or to
make an award for less money.
Background
There is a critical need for better information regarding
immigrants' use of benefits and services, especially better data on the
economic and health status of immigrant families with children and
their communities. This project will establish new data and analysis on
the economic and health conditions of immigrants and their communities,
and will begin to evaluate the effects of recent changes in legal
immigrant eligibility for assistance.
Each of the major data sources is currently inadequate to fully
estimate the economic and health status of immigrants, or to analyze
immigrants' utilization of benefits and services. For example, most
survey based data--including the 1990 Decennial Census, Current
Population Survey (CPS), the Survey on Income and Program Participation
(SIPP), and the Panel Survey on Income Dynamics (PSID)--do not provide
enough detail regarding noncitizen status to differentiate among
immigrant categories (e.g., legal permanent residents, refugees/
asylees, parolees, illegal immigrants, temporary residents, etc.).
Information that differentiates immigrants by their immigration or
citizenship status is critical. For example, under PRWORA certain
noncitizens such as refugees and asylees retain some eligibility for
federal and state benefits while other non-citizens including illegal
immigrants have never been eligible for most benefits.
Another limitation of the CPS, SIPP, and PSID surveys are that due
to sample size they can only provide reliable national level estimates
that do not permit subgroup analysis for different categories of
immigrants. While both the Census and CPS gather health insurance
information that distinguish between Medicare, Medicaid, and state
health insurance program participation comparisons with Administrative
data suggest that there are some limitations to these health coverage
estimates. The SIPP and PSID longitudinal surveys contain detailed and
useful information on individual and family income and program
participation. However, both surveys provide only national estimates.
The CPS, SIPP and PSID have recently added additional questions that
should provide better estimates of types of noncitizens in the near
future.
While the 1990 Decennial Census has noncitizen sample sizes
sufficient to generate state and local level estimates, its measurement
of cash ``public assistance'' combines Aid to Families with Dependent
Children (AFDC), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and state/local
general assistance. Moreover, the 1990 Decennial Census data lack
information on non-cash assistance, including food stamp benefits.
Finally, major health-related surveys such as the National Health
Interview Survey (NHIS) and the new Medical Expenditure Panel Survey
(MEPS) do not include citizenship and immigration status variables.
In contrast to these survey-based data sources, there are some
administrative data sources that provide information about immigrant
benefit utilization. The principal advantages of these data sets are
that they provide a more reliable estimate of individuals receiving
benefits compared to survey data, and they differentiate among
different types of immigrants. In particular, SSI administrative data
are useful in estimating the receipt of SSI by different immigrants
(i.e., naturalized citizens, legal permanent residents, refugees,
asylees, parolees, etc.). Similarly, AFDC and Food Stamp Quality
Control (QC) administrative data provide estimates of different types
of immigrants. However, AFDC and Food Stamps data are not as reliable
as SSI data since they are based on smaller samples of administrative
data collected by states. All of these administrative data sets do not
account accurately for changes in immigrants' status--either to another
immigration status, or to naturalized citizen. In addition, they only
yield reliable state level immigrant estimates for states with a large
number of immigrants receiving benefits. Also, administrative data
sources only provide data on program participants. Information
regarding non-citizens that become ineligible for benefits will not
longer be captured by administrative data.
While documenting the economic and health status of immigrants
would prove valuable even in the absence of recent legislation, the new
welfare law makes additional data collection and analysis describing
the condition of this population imperative. In the past, immigration
legislation has regulated immigration by limiting the types and number
of immigrants allowed entry; PRWORA however, marks a new direction in
modern U.S. immigrant policies by establishing a federal policy that
excludes many newcomers from major assistance programs based solely on
their immigrant status.
The immigrant eligibility provisions within PRWORA are very
complex. After August 1997, legal permanent resident aliens currently
receiving SSI and food stamp benefits residing in the U.S. prior to
passage of PRWORA on August 22, 1996 will lose eligibility unless they
become U.S. citizens, can show proof that they were admitted as a
refugee or an asylee within the past five years, have worked for 10
years in this country (or were married to a worker or the minor child
of a worker) or have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. New applicants
lost eligibility for SSI and food stamps in September 1996, unless they
met one of the criteria listed above. Legal immigrants admitted after
September 1996 are barred from a variety of other Federal and State
benefits. States also have the option of barring legal permanent
resident aliens from TANF and Medicaid.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated that nearly
one-half of the savings, or $23.8 billion, from welfare reform will be
due to the immigrant eligibility restrictions. While the numbers of
immigrants losing benefits from TANF and Medicaid are uncertain because
it is not known which States will provide these benefits to legal
resident aliens, CBO estimated that by August 22, 1997 half a million
elderly and disabled beneficiaries will be terminated from the SSI
program; almost a million immigrants will lose food stamps.
At the time of this writing, a tentative budget agreement has been
reached that would restore benefits to some immigrants. While the
particular policy details have not yet been totally resolved, it
appears that at a minimum, current recipients, children and those with
old affidavits of support who are disabled after entry will remain
eligible to receive SSI and Medicaid. In addition, refugees and asylees
will remain eligible for SSI and Medicaid for seven years. While this
agreement would restore benefits for some immigrants, there would
remain many
[[Page 28708]]
immigrants whose eligibility for benefits would be in jeopardy.
The limitations of both administrative and survey data described
above indicate the critical need for additional information on
immigrants and their communities, particularly information which can
differentiate among different types of immigrants, describe their
health and economic status, and provide estimates of benefit
utilization and health insurance status. This project would provide
useful data for researchers to conduct secondary analysis and critical
information to policy makers as they consider policies regarding this
population in the future. The significant change in law with respect to
immigrants makes it even more important that this information be
gathered and analyzed quickly. As noted above, many of the provisions
related to immigrants are already in effect making it even more
important to gather information regarding immigrants' economic and
health status as the law becomes fully implemented and to examine how
conditions change as a result of the new law.
This project should also measure the food security of immigrants.
For many immigrants, the loss of cash assistance and food stamps may
lead to increased hardship in meeting their economic and food needs.
The Food and Consumer Service has coordinated the development of a
standardized national survey instrument for measuring the prevalence
and severity of food insecurity and hunger in U.S. households. These
concepts have evolved into widely accepted definitions within the
scientific and food policy communities in recent years and these
questions are now being used in the national surveys described above.
It is also important to describe how immigrant families interact
with community organizations and service providers. Many of these
organizations currently play a vital role in providing support to
immigrant families and may be called upon for additional support in the
aftermath of the new welfare law. For example, since many legal
immigrants may no longer be eligible for regular Medicaid health
coverage it will be important to understand the impact on hospitals and
other service providers, how they react in response to the change in
law and how it affects the health of immigrants themselves. Similarly,
community organizations (e.g., mutual assistance associations) and
religious institutions often play an important role in the lives of
immigrant families. This project will seek to improve our understanding
of that role and how it is affected by the change in law.
Part II--Purpose and Responsibilities
Purpose
The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to fund a research
project that will describe the economic and health status of
immigrants, their communities and the organizations that serve them.
The project should also (to the extent possible) describe the effects
of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act
(PRWORA) on low-income immigrant families with children, their
communities, and the health and human service organizations serving
them and describe how each is adapting to welfare reform.
Grantee Responsibilities
1. The Grantee should propose a project that will be able to
describe conditions within the topic areas underlined below. The
project should explore the relationships among immigrant families
(including children and the elderly), service providers, and community
organizations within each topic. Questions listed next to each topic
suggest the type of information in which ASPE and ACF have particular
interest. To the extent possible, the project should also examine
PRWORA's impact on each of these areas.
Employment: More specific research questions could include
the following: What type of jobs do immigrants hold? How long do they
stay in their jobs? What level of wages do they receive and how much do
they receive in total earnings? What fringe benefits do they receive
from their employers? What are the child care arrangements for employed
immigrants?
Immigrants' Income/Assistance: What are their sources of
income and how much do they receive from each source? What means-tested
and other public benefits and assistance do they receive? What is the
ratio of assistance to total income? What types of assistance and
services are received and from whom (public or private service
providers, friends, family, etc.)?
Immigrant Service Provider Financing: How has service
provider financing been affected by changes in immigrants' eligibility
for services, such as Medicaid, and has this affected service delivery
and if so, how?
Health Status: What is the health status of immigrants
within each community? How do adult and child immigrants fare on the
major health indicators? What types of health insurance coverage are
available to and accessed by immigrants and their families?
Access to Services: Do immigrants have adequate access to
health and human services? Are there any unmet needs due to access
limitations? To what extent is access to services determined by
eligibility for benefits?
Food Security: What is the level of food insecurity and
hunger among immigrants? What is the demand for community-based food
assistance? What sources do immigrants turn to in order to meet their
food needs?
Role of Community Organizations: What type and how much
assistance do immigrants receive from community organizations including
religious institutions? How have these organizations helped immigrants
adapt to the new welfare law?
There is reason to believe that PRWORA may significantly affect
immigrants' economic and health status making it even more important to
examine how their conditions change as the law becomes fully
implemented. Special consideration will be given to projects that
demonstrate that they will make a concerted effort to examine the
impact of the new law on immigrants and their service providers. ASPE
and ACF are particularly interested in immigrant households that
received SSI, Medicaid, and/or food stamps prior to enactment of PRWORA
but have since become ineligible for benefits due to the new law.
Eligible projects should focus on at least two communities with
high densities of immigrants. It is desirable to understand the
conditions and adaptation to the new law of as many different immigrant
groups as possible given the constraints of available funds. Selecting
sites with different local welfare reform policies regarding immigrants
is encouraged.
The project should attempt to describe conditions for all members
of the immigrants' household and should distinguish household members'
conditions by immigration and citizenship status as well as length of
stay in this country. To the extent possible, information on
immigration status should include information on the immigrant's
sponsors, if applicable.
The project should also answer the relevant research questions
above from the standpoint of service providers and community
organizations. This could be accomplished either through an
ethnographic study, conducting interviews or by examining
administrative records. These organizations could include, but are not
limited to, hospitals, clinics, Head Start centers, social service
providers, child
[[Page 28709]]
care facilities, Mutual Assistance Associations and public health
authorities. Information from these organizations should describe the
relationship between immigrant families and the community, the types of
support community organizations provide to immigrant families, and, to
the extent possible, how these organizations respond to PRWORA
including outreach efforts to explain changes in law to beneficiaries.
2. In the spirit of the cooperative agreement, the Grantee should
provide monthly updates to inform the Federal Project Officer of
research developments and the status of project activities.
3. With input from the Federal Project Officer, the Grantee should
select an Advisory Panel to provide guidance in project development.
The Advisory Panel may participate in subsequent meetings between the
Federal Project Officer and the Grantee. The Grantee may be responsible
for the Advisory Board's travel and related expenses, if any.
4. Prior to completion of the work plan (analysis plan), the
Grantee should meet with relevant federal personnel in Washington, D.C.
to discuss the preliminary methodology and design of the research
project including what research questions will be answered and what
methodology the Grantee will employ to answer the questions. Federal
personnel will have the opportunity to provide input and suggestions in
these areas. If this project is an add-on to an existing project, the
Federal Project Officer should be invited to participate in other
meetings in which the Grantee is involved in discussions regarding
critical aspects of the project with other funders.
5. After consultation, the Grantee should submit a final work plan
that is based on and updates the work plan submitted in the original
application. The plan should include the following:
(a) Complete list of research questions the project will answer and
the variables that will be used to answer each question. These
variables could include (but are not limited to) immigration status and
demographic information for all members of the household including
family structure; income level and source; benefit eligibility and
history, employment history; health status, health insurance.
(b) Identify and describe the methodology used to gather
information on immigrants and communities with respect to these
variables and the analysis to be performed.
(c) Identify how the proposed variables and data sets will be used
by the Grantee to answer the research questions described in the work
plan.
(d) Identify the methodology the Grantee will use to analyze the
effect of local economic, demographic and programmatic changes on
immigrants' economic and health conditions.
(e) Identify important questions/issues for which data currently
are not available, and strategies for dealing with this lack of data
when it pertains to the research questions in the work plan.
(f) Describe the results that will be produced and construct table
shells illustrating how these results will be presented.
6. Once initial data analyses have been conducted, the Grantee
should meet with relevant federal personnel in Washington, D.C. to
discuss preliminary findings and the format for the final report. In
the spirit of a cooperative agreement, the Grantee should work with
Federal personnel to determine the need for additional data collection
or analysis.
7. After completing their analysis, the Grantee will prepare a
final report describing the procedures used to conduct the analysis,
barriers encountered in completing the project and the results of their
analysis. A draft of this report should be delivered to the Federal
project officer before the completion of the project. The Federal
Project Officer will return comments on the draft report to the Grantee
and a final report that reflects the comments of the Federal Project
Officer should be delivered to the Grants Officer before the completion
of the project. The report should be provided to the Grants Officer
both in hard copy and on 3.5'' floppy disk in a format that is agreed
upon by both parties.
8. Following the completion of the final report, the Grantee should
conduct a briefing in Washington, D.C. for Federal personnel regarding
the results of the analyses. The Grantee should be responsible for
assembling and copying any necessary briefing materials. The briefing
should take place before the completion of the project.
9. The Grantee will make data and analysis completed as a result of
this project available to the research community and the government
through a public-use data file.
ASPE Responsibilities
1. Provide input into the final work plan, including methodology,
design, and dissemination plan.
2. Provide consultation and technical assistance in planning, and
operating program activities.
3. Work with the Grantee to determine appropriate data analysis.
4. Assist in the transfer of information to appropriate Federal,
state and local entities.
5. Review Grantee activities and provide feedback to ensure that
objectives and award conditions are being met. ASPE retains the right
to withhold future year funding if technical performance requirements
are not met.
Part III--Application Preparation and Evaluation Criteria
This section contains information on the preparation of
applications for submission under this announcement, on the forms
necessary for submission, and on the evaluation criteria under which
the applications will be reviewed. Potential applicants should read
this section carefully in conjunction with the information provided
above. The application must contain the required Federal forms, title
page, table of contents, and the sections listed below. All pages of
the narrative should be numbered.
The application should include the following elements:
1. Abstract: A one page summary of the proposed project.
2. Goals and objective of the project: An overview that describes
(1) the project, (2) the specific research questions to be
investigated, (3) proposed accomplishments, and (4) knowledge and
information to be gained from the project by the applicant, the
government, and the research community.
3. Methodology and Design: Provide a description and justification
of how the proposed research project will be implemented, including
methodologies, chosen approach, data, expected legal and immigrant
status of the population studied, and proposed research and analytic
plans. Describe how the design will distinguish information by
immigrant and citizenship status.
Identify theoretical or empirical basis for the methodology and
approach proposed. Explain how results will be compared across sites
and to the overall population. Specify how the study will protect the
confidentiality of subjects (including legal and illegal) and the
information they provide. Describe how the project will address
potential difficulties in studying the immigrant population such as
recruitment challenges and language and cultural differences, if
applicable.
4. Experience, capacity, qualifications, and use of staff: Briefly
describe the applicant's organizational capabilities and experience in
conducting pertinent research projects. Identify the key staff who are
expected
[[Page 28710]]
to carry out the research project and provide a curriculum vitae for
each person. Provide a discussion of how key staff will contribute to
the success of the project. Demonstrate an ability to address language
and cultural issues that may arise in working with nonnative
populations.
Applicants may also choose to work with other researchers with a
particular desired expertise such as health services researchers. If
the applicant plans to contract for outside staff for this project, the
relationship and commitment of these people to the applicant
organization should be demonstrated.
Applicants should demonstrate access to computer hardware and
software for storing and analyzing the data necessary to complete this
project.
5. Work plan: A work plan should be included which describes the
start and end dates of the project, the responsibilities of each of the
key staff, and a time line which indicates the sequence of tasks
necessary for the completion of the project. It should identify other
time commitments of key staff members such as other projects and/or
teaching or managerial responsibilities. The work plan should include a
discussion of plans for dissemination of the results of the study,
e.g., articles in journals and presentations at conferences.
6. Budget: Applicants must submit a request for federal funds using
Standard Form 424A and include a detailed breakdown of all Federal line
items. A narrative explanation of the budget should be included which
explains fund usage in more detail. The applicant should clearly state
how the funds associated with this announcement will be used and
describe the extent to which these funds will be used for purposes that
would not otherwise be incorporated within the project. The applicant
should also document the level of funding from other sources and
describe how these funds will be utilized.
Review Process and Funding Information
A Federal panel will review and score all applications that are
submitted by the deadline date and which meet the screening criteria
(all information and documents as required by this Announcement.) The
panel will review the applications using the evaluation criteria listed
below to score each application. These review results will be the
primary element used by the ASPE in making funding decisions. The
Department reserves the option to discuss applications with other
Federal or State staff, specialists, experts and the general public.
Comments from these sources, along with those of the reviewers, will be
kept from inappropriate disclosure and may be considered in making an
award decision.
State Single Point of Contact (E.O. No. 12372)
DHHS has determined that this program is not subject to Executive
Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''
Applicants are not required to seek intergovernmental review of their
applications within the constraints of E.O. 12372.
Deadline for Submission of Applications
The closing date for submittal of applications under this
announcement is July 22, 1997. Hand-delivered applications will be
accepted Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays during the
working hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Hubert H.
Humphrey building located at 200 Independence Avenue, SW. in
Washington, DC. When hand-delivering an application, call (202) 690-
8794 from the lobby for pick up. A staff person will be available to
receive applications. Faxed applications will not be accepted.
An application will be considered as meeting the deadline if it is
either (1) received at, or hand-delivered to, the mailing address on or
before July 22, 1997, or (2) postmarked before midnight July 22, 1997
and received in time to be considered during the competitive review
process (within two weeks of the deadline date).
When mailing applications, applicants are strongly advised to
obtain a legibly dated receipt from a commercial carrier (such as UPS,
Federal Express, etc.) or from the U.S. Postal Service as proof of
mailing by the deadline date. If there is a question as to when an
application was mailed, applicants will be asked to provide proof of
mailing by the deadline date. When proof is not provided, an
application will not be considered for funding. Private metered
postmarks are not acceptable as proof of timely mailing.
Applications which do not meet the deadline are considered late
applications and will not be considered or reviewed in the current
competition. DHHS will send a letter to this effect to each late
applicant.
DHHS reserves the right to extend the deadline for all proposals
due to natural disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, or earthquakes;
or if there is a widespread disruption of the mail; or if DHHS
determines a deadline extension to be in the best interest of the
government. However, DHHS will not waive or extend the deadline for any
applicant unless the deadline is waived or extended for all applicants.
Application Forms
Copies of applications should be requested from and submitted to:
Grants Officer, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and
Evaluation, Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence
Avenue, SW., Room 405F, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, Washington, D.C.
20201, Telephone: (202) 690-8794. Requests for forms and questions
(administrative and technical) will be accepted and responded to up to
30 days prior to closing date of receipt of applications. Applications
will not be faxed.
Also see section entitled ``Components of a Complete Application.''
All of these documents must accompany the application package.
Length of Application
Applications should be as brief as possible but should assure
successful communication of the applicant's proposal to the reviewers.
In no case shall an application (excluding the resumes, appendix and
other appropriate attachments) be longer than 30 single spaced pages.
Applications should be neither unduly elaborate nor contain voluminous
supporting documentation.
Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria
Selection of the successful applicant will be based on the
technical and financial criteria described in this announcement.
Reviewers will determine the strengths and weaknesses of each
application in terms of the evaluation criteria listed below, provide
comments and assign numerical scores. The review panel will prepare a
summary of all applicant scores and strengths/weaknesses and
recommendations and submit it to the ASPE for final decisions on the
award.
The point value following each criterion heading indicates the
maximum numerical weight that each section will be given in the review
process. An unacceptable rating on any individual criterion may render
the application unacceptable. Consequently, applicants should take care
to ensure that all criteria are fully addressed in the applications.
Applications will be reviewed as follows:
Three (3) copies of each application are required. Applicants are
encouraged to send an additional seven (7) copies of
[[Page 28711]]
their application to ease processing, but applicants will not be
penalized if these extra copies are not included.
Applications will be judged according to the criteria set forth
below:
1. Goals, Objectives, and Potential Usefulness of the Analyses (20
points). The potential usefulness of the objectives and how the
anticipated results of the proposed project will advance policy
knowledge and development. Applicants will be judged on the extent to
which the proposed research questions address the required topics
listed in this announcement and whether answers to these questions will
effectively describe the economic and health status of immigrants,
their communities and the organizations that serve them. Special
consideration will be given to projects that demonstrate that they will
make a concerted effort to describe economic and health status changes,
if any, in the aftermath of the new law.
2. Quality and Soundness of Methodology and Design (40 points). The
appropriateness, soundness, and cost-effectiveness of the methodology,
including the research design, statistical techniques, analytical
strategies, selection of existing data sets, and other procedures.
Reviewers will evaluate the sites selected for the study on the basis
of the concentration of immigrants living there, the diversity of the
immigrant population both in country of origin and their immigration
status, and in diversity between sites in terms of local welfare reform
policies. Special consideration will be granted to proposals that seek
to examine more sites with a greater diversity of immigrants and
greater variation in local policy parameters without compromising the
research questions to be answered or the methodology to be employed.
Reviewers will also judge whether the proposed methodology is
likely to accurately describe immigrants' status as suggested by the
topics listed in Part II of this announcement and provide descriptions
by immigrant and citizenship status. Reviewers will rate the extent to
which the methodology employs standard definitions and variables for
answering our research questions that are comparable to definitions and
variables used in nationally recognized assessment tools such as the
CPS, SIPP, NHIS, and MEPS. Reviewers will also examine whether the
proposed methodology will accurately describe the interaction between
immigrants, their communities and service providers. To the extent that
projects seek to examine the effects of PRWORA, reviewers will also
judge the ability of the applicant's proposed methodology to reliably
attribute impacts.
3. Qualifications of Personnel and Organizational Capability. (20
points). The qualifications of the project personnel for conducting the
proposed research as evidenced by professional training and experience,
and the capacity of the organization to provide the infrastructure and
support necessary for the project. Reviewers will evaluate the
applicant's principal investigator and staff on research experience and
demonstrated research skills. Ratings may consider references on prior
research projects. Principal investigator and staff time commitments
also will be a factor in the evaluation. Special consideration will be
given to applicants that collaborate with organizations that frequently
work with immigrant populations. Reviewers will rate the applicant's
pledge and ability to work in collaboration with other scholars or
organizations in search of similar goals. Reviewers also will evaluate
the applicant's demonstrated capacity to work with a range of
government agencies.
4. Ability of the Work Plan and Budget to Successfully Achieve the
Project's Objectives. (20 points). Reviewers will examine if the work
plan and budget are reasonable and sufficient to ensure timely
implementation and completion of the study and whether the applicant
demonstrates an adequate level of understanding by the applicant of the
practical problems of conducting such a project. Reviewers will judge
whether there is an ``added benefit'' from providing these funds. In
other words, is the applicant using federal funds for purposes that
would not otherwise be funded. Reviewers will also consider whether the
budget assures an efficient and effective allocation of funds to
achieve the objectives of this solicitation and whether the application
has additional funding from other sources. Eligible projects must have
at least $500,000 from other sources and document the source(s) of
these funds (certification, letter of intent, etc.). Applicants without
these funds or the documentation that certifies these funds will be
ineligible to receive any points in this category.
Disposition of Applications
1. Approval, Disapproval, or Deferral
On the basis of the review of the application, the Assistant
Secretary will either (a) approve the application as a whole or in
part; (b) disapprove the application; or (c) defer action on the
application for such reasons as lack of funds or a need for further
review.
2. Notification of Disposition
The Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation will notify the
applicants of the disposition of their applications. If approved, a
signed notification of the award will be sent to the business office
named in the ASPE checklist.
Components of a Complete Application
A complete application consists of the following items in this
order:
1. Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424);
2. Budget Information--Non-construction Programs (Standard Form
424A);
3. Assurances--Non-construction Programs (Standard Form 424B);
4. Table of Contents;
5. Budget Justification for Section B Budget Categories;
6. Proof of Non-profit Status, if appropriate;
7. Copy of the applicant's Approved Indirect Cost Rate Agreement,
if necessary;
8. Project Narrative Statement;
9. Any appendices or attachments;
10. Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace;
11. Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, or other
Responsibility Matters;
12. Certification and, if necessary, Disclosure Regarding Lobbying;
13. Supplement to Section II--Key Personnel;
14. Application for Federal Assistance Checklist.
Dated: May 20, 1997.
David F. Garrison,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.
[FR Doc. 97-13771 Filed 5-23-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4151-04-P
