04-10087. Grants and Cooperative Agreements; Notice of Availability

Federal Agency Contact Name: Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services.

Funding Opportunity: The Community Services Block Grant Training and Technical Assistance Program—Homeland Security.

Announcement Type: Initial.

Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2004-ACF-OCS-ET-0011.

CFDA Number: 93.570.

Due Date for Applications: The due date for receipt of applications is June 3, 2004.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Sections 674(b)(2) and 678A(a)(1)(A) of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Act of 1981, (Pub. L. 97-35) as amended by the Community Opportunities, Accountability, Training and Education Services (COATES) Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 105-285), authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to use a percentage of appropriated funds for training, technical assistance, planning, evaluation, performance measurement, monitoring, to assist States in carrying out corrective actions and to correct programmatic deficiencies of eligible entities, and for reporting and data collection activities related to programs or projects carried out under the CSBG Act. The Secretary may administer these activities through grants, contracts or cooperative agreements with appropriate entities.

Definitions of Terms

The following definitions apply:

Community Action Agency (CAA)—refers to local-level organizations that are Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Eligible Entities. They provide a number of types of assistance with the goals of reducing poverty and enabling low-income families to become economically self-sufficient.

Community Services Network—refers to the various organizations involved in planning and implementing programs funded through the CSBG or providing training, technical assistance or support to them. The network includes local CAAs and other eligible entities; State CSBG offices and their national association; CAA State, regional and national associations; and related organizations that collaborate and participate with CAAs and other eligible entities in their efforts on behalf of low-income people.

Eligible Entities—[Section 673(1)(A)]—the term “eligible entity” means an entity that is an eligible entity described in section 673(1) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the COATES Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998) as of the day before such date of enactment or is designated by the process described in section 676A (including an organization serving migrant or seasonal farmworkers that is so described or designated); and has a tripartite board or other mechanism described in the Act. Special Note: Under the Act, CAAs are eligible entities, however not all eligible entities are CAAs. Throughout this announcement, the reference is to organizations defined in section 673(1)(A) of the CSBG Act whenever CAAs are mentioned.

Nationwide—refers to the scope of the technical assistance, training, data collection, or other capacity-building projects to be undertaken with grant funds. Nationwide projects must provide for the implementation of technical assistance, training or data collection for all or a significant number of States, and the CAAs and other local service providers who administer CSBG funds.

Non-profit Organization—refers to an organization, including faith-based and community-based, which meets the requirement for proof of non-profit status in the “Additional Information on Eligibility” section of this announcement and has demonstrated experience in providing training to individuals and organizations on methods of effectively addressing the needs of low-income families and communities.

Outcome Measures—are indicators that focus on the direct results one wants to have on customers and on communities.

Performance Measurement—is a tool used to assess how a program is accomplishing its mission through the delivery of products, services and activities.

Results-Oriented Management and Accountability (ROMA) System—ROMA is a system which provides a framework for focusing on results for local agencies funded by the CSBG Program. It involves setting goals and strategies and developing plans and techniques that focus on a result-oriented performance based model for management.

State—means all of the 50 States and the District of Columbia. Except where specifically noted, for purposes of this program announcement, it also includes Territories as defined below.

Technical assistance—is an activity, generally utilizing the services of an expert (often a peer), aimed at enhancing capacity, improving programs and systems, or solving specific problems. Such services may be provided proactively to improve systems or as an intervention to solve specific problems.

Territories—refers to Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Training—is an educational activity or event that is designed to impart knowledge, understanding or increase the development of skills. Such training activities may be in the form of assembled events such as workshops, seminars, conferences or programs of self-instructional activities.

Priority Area

Training and technical assistance for Community Action Agencies (CAAs) and other eligible entities concerning national security and anti-terrorism planning, response and communications.

Program Purpose, Scope and Focus

The purpose of this priority area is to improve the capacity of CAAs and other eligible entities to plan, administer and evaluate effective security and anti-terrorism community advocacy and communications strategies in urban and rural areas.

The grant will support four important component activities. The first is to provide training and technical assistance to CAA and other eligible entities staff and members of agency Boards of Directors for planning, administering and evaluating community strategies concerning national security and anti-terrorism planning. This will include providing training on a number of issues such as developing local communications centers and volunteer teams that will be vital for effective local-based security and anti-terrorism planning and communications in low-income communities.

The second is to provide training and technical assistance and other aid to help CAAs identify and mobilize human, financial and other resources for the benefit of low-income individuals, families and communities on issues concerning national security and anti-terrorism response.

The third component is to develop and produce manuals, publications and other informational and marketing materials on the topic of why it is vital for CAAs and other organizations that serve low-income communities to be part of local security and anti-terrorism planning and response.

Finally, the fourth component is to provide necessary equipment and staff to enable at least ten CAAs in urban and rural areas throughout the nation to develop a team of volunteers to mobilize the community concerning national security and anti-terrorism response.

II. Award Information

Funding Instrument Type: Grant.

Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $200,000 in FY2004.

Anticipated Number of Awards: One.

Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards: $200,000 per Budget Period.

An application that exceeds the upper value of the dollar range specified will be considered “non-responsive” and will be returned to the applicant without further review.

Floor of Individual Award Amounts: None.

Average Projected Award Amount: $200,000 per Budget Period.

Project Period for Award: This announcement is soliciting applications for project periods of up to two years. The initial grant award, on a competitive basis, will be for a 12-month budget period. The award of continuation funding beyond the first budget period will be subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress by the grantee and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interests of the government.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education. Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education. For-profit organizations other than small businesses. Faith-based and Community-based Organizations.

Additional Information on Eligibility: As prescribed by the Community Services Block Grant Act (Public Law 105-285, Section 678(c)(2), eligible applicants are eligible entities (see definitions), organizations, or associations with demonstrated expertise in providing training to individuals and organizations on methods of effectively addressing the needs of low income families and communities.

Proof of non-profit status is any one of the following:

(a) A reference to the applicant organization's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in the IRS code.

(b) A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate.

(c) A statement from a State taxing body, State Attorney General, or other appropriate State official certifying that the applicant organization has a non-profit status and that none of the net earnings accrue to any private shareholders or individuals.

(d) A certified copy of the organization's certificate of incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit status.

(e) Any of the items in the subparagraphs immediately above for a State or national parent organization and a statement signed by the parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-profit affiliate.

Private non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with their applications the survey located under “Grant Related Documents and Forms” titled “Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants” at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/​programs/​ofs/​forms.htm. Responding to this survey will have no effect upon receiving a grant award.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

None.

3. Other

On June 27, 2003, the Office of Management and Budget published in the Federal Register a new Federal policy applicable to all Federal grant applicants. The policy requires all Federal grant applicants to provide a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements on or after October 1, 2003. The DUNS number will be required whether an applicant is submitting a paper application or using the government-wide electronic portal (www.Grants.gov). A DUNS number will be required for every application for a new award or renewal/continuation of an award, including applications or plans under formula, entitlement and block grant programs, submitted on or after October 1, 2003.

Please ensure that your organization has a DUNS number. You may acquire a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS number request line on 1-866-705-5711 or you may request a number on-line at http://www.dnb.com.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

Margaret Washnitzer, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services Operations Center, 1815 Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22209, E-mail: www.Grants.gov,, Telephone: [phone].

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

1. Application Content

Each application must include the following components:

1. Table of Contents

2. Abstract of the Proposed Project—very brief, not to exceed 250 words, that would be suitable for use in an announcement that the application has been selected for a grant award and which identifies the type of project, the target population and the major elements of the work plan.

3. Completed Standard Form 424—that has been signed by an official of the organization applying for the grant who has authority to obligate the organization legally.

4. Standard Form 424A—Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs.

5. Narrative Budget Justification—for each object class category required under Section B, Standard Form 424A.

6. Project Narrative—A narrative that addresses issues described in the “Application Review Information” and the “Review and Selection Criteria” sections of this announcement.

2. Application Format

Each application should include one signed original application and two additional copies of the same application.

Submit application materials on white 81/2 x 11 inch paper only. Do not use colored, oversized or folded materials.

Please do not include organizational brochures or other promotional materials, slides, films, clips, etc.

The font size may be no smaller than 12 pitch and the margins must be at least one inch on all sides.

Number all application pages sequentially throughout the package, beginning with the abstract of the proposed project as page number one.

Please present application materials either in loose-leaf notebooks or in folders with pages two-hole punched at the top center and fastened separately with a slide paper fastener.

3. Page Limitation

The application package including sections for the Table of Contents, Project Abstract, Project and Budget Narratives and Business Plan must not exceed 65 pages. The page limitation does not include the following attachments and appendices: Standard Forms for Assurances, Certifications, Disclosures and appendices. The page limitation also does not apply to any supplemental documents as required in this announcement.

4. Required Standard Forms

Applicants requesting financial assistance for a non-construction project must sign and return Standard Form 424B, Assurances: Non-Construction Programs with their applications.

Applicants must provide a Certification Regarding Lobbying. Prior to receiving an award in excess of $100,000, applicants shall furnish an executed copy of the lobbying certification. Applicants must sign and return the certification with their applications.

Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their compliance with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. By signing and submitting the applications, applicants are providing the certification and need not mail back a certification form.

Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their compliance with the requirements of the Pro-Children Act of 1994 as outlined in Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke. By signing and submitting the applications, applicants are providing the certification and need not mail back a certification form.

You may submit your application to us in either electronic or paper format. To submit an application electronically, please use the www.Grants.gov site. If you use Grants.gov, you will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it off-line, and then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site. You may not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us.

Please note the following if you plan to submit your application electronically via Grant.gov:

Electronic submission is voluntary.

When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find information about submitting an application electronically through the site, as well as the hours of operation. We strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the application process through Grants.gov.

To use Grants.gov, you, as the applicant, must have a DUNS Number to register in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). You should allow a minimum of five days to complete the CCR registration.

You will not receive additional point value because you submit a grant application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you if you submit an application in paper format.

You may submit all documents electronically, including all information typically included on the SF 424 and all necessary assurance and certifications.

Your application must comply with any page limitation requirements described in this program announcement.

After you electronically submit your application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. The Administration for Children and Families will retrieve your application from Grant.gov.

We may request that you provide original signatures on forms at a later date.

You may access the electronic application for this program on www.Grants.gov.

You must search for the downloadable application package by the CFDA number.

Electronic Copy Address Submission: www.Grants.Gov.

3. Submission Date and Times

The closing time and date for receipt of applications is 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on June 3, 2004. Mailed or hand carried applications received after 4:30 p.m. on the closing date will be classified as late.

Deadline: Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline time and date at the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services Operations Center, 1815 Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22209 Attention: Barbara Ziegler Johnson. Applicants are responsible for mailing applications well in advance, when using all mail services, to ensure that the applications are received on or before the deadline time and date.

Applications hand carried by applicants, applicant couriers, other representatives of the applicant, or by overnight/express mail couriers shall be considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., EST, at the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services Operations Center, 1815 Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22209 Attention: Barbara Ziegler Johnson. This address must appear on the envelope/package containing the application. Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not always deliver as agreed.

Late applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria above are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late applicant that its application will not be considered in the current competition.

Extension of deadlines: ACF may extend application deadlines when circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or when there are widespread disruptions of mail services. Determinations to extend or waive deadline requirements rest with the Chief Grants Management Officer.

What to submit	Required content	Required form or format	When to submit
Table of Contents	As described above	Consistent with guidance in “Application Format” section of this announcement	By application due date.
Abstract of Proposed Project	Brief abstract that identifies the type of project, the target population and the major elements of the proposed project	Consistent with guidance in “Application Format” section of this announcement	By application due date.
Completed Standard Form	As described above and per required form	May be found on http://www.acf.hhs.gov/​programs/​ofs/​forms.htm	By application due date.
Completed Standard Form	As described above and per required form	May be found on http://www.acf.hhs.gov/​programs/​ofs/​forms.htm	By application due date.
Narrative Budget Justification	As described above	Consistent with guidance in “Application Format” section of this announcement	By application due date.
Project Narrative	A narrative that addresses issues described in the “Application Review Information” and the “Review and Selection Criteria” sections of this announcement	Consistent with guidance in “Application Format” section of this announcement	By application due date.
Certification regarding lobbying	As described above and per required form	May be found on http://www.acf.hhs.gov/​programs/​ofs/​forms.htm	By application due date.
Certification regarding environmental tobacco smoke	As described above and per required form	May be found on http://www.acf.hhs.gov/​programs/​ofs/​forms.htm	By application due date.

4. Intergovernmental Review

State Single Point of Contact (SPOC)

This program is covered under Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,” and 45 CFR part 100, “Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services Programs and Activities.” Under the Order, States may design their own processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance under covered programs. As of October 1, 2003, the following jurisdictions have elected not to participate in the Executive Order process. Applicants from these jurisdictions or for projects administered by federally-recognized Indian Tribes need take no action in regard to E.O. 12372:

All States and Territories except Arkansas, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, American Samoa, Guam, North Mariana, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands have elected not to participate in the Executive Order process and have established Single Points of Contact (SPOCs). Applicants from these thirty-one jurisdictions need take no action.

Although the jurisdictions listed above no longer participate in the process, entities which have met the eligibility requirements of the program are still eligible to apply for a grant even if a State, Territory, Commonwealth, etc. does not have a SPOC. All remaining jurisdictions participate in the Executive Order process and have established SPOCs. Applicants from participating jurisdictions should contact their SPOCs as soon as possible to alert them of the prospective applications and receive instructions. Applicants must submit any required material to the SPOCs as soon as possible so that the program office can obtain and review SPOC comments as part of the award process. The applicant must submit all required materials, if any, to the SPOC and indicate the date of this submittal (or the date of contact if no submittal is required) on the Standard Form 424, item 16a. Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application deadline to comment on proposed new or competing continuation awards.

SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the submission of routine endorsements as official recommendations. Additionally, SPOCs are requested to clearly differentiate between mere advisory comments and those official State process recommendations which may trigger the “accommodate or explain” rule.

When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be addressed to: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Mail Stop 6C-462, Washington, DC 20447.

A list of the Single Points of Contact for each State and Territory is included with the application materials for this announcement.

5. Funding Restrictions

Sub-Contracting or Delegating Projects

OCS will not fund any project where the role of the applicant is primarily to serve as a conduit for funds to organizations other than the applicant. The applicant must have a substantive role in the implementation of the project for which funding is requested. This prohibition does not bar the making of sub-grants or sub-contracting for specific services or activities needed to conduct the project.

Number of Projects in Application

Each application may include only one proposed project.

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13): Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13, the Department is required to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval of any reporting and record keeping requirements in regulations including program announcements. This program announcement does not contain information collection requirements beyond those approved for ACF grant applications under the Program Narrative Statement by OMB Approval Number 0970-0139.

Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated to average 25 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed and reviewing the collection of information.

The project description is approved under OMB control # 0970-0139.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Purpose

The project description provides a major means by which an application is evaluated and ranked to compete with other applications for available assistance. The project description should be concise and complete and should address the activity for which Federal funds are being requested. Supporting documents should be included where they can present information clearly and succinctly. In preparing your project description, all information requested through each specific evaluation criteria should be provided. Awarding offices use this and other information in making their funding recommendations. It is important, therefore, that this information be included in the application.

Introduction

Applicants required to submit a full project description shall prepare the project description statement in accordance with the following instructions and the specified evaluation criteria. The instructions give a broad overview of what your project description should include while the evaluation criteria expands and clarifies more program-specific information that is needed.

Project Summary/Abstract

Provide a summary of the project description (a page or less) with reference to the funding request.

Objectives and Need for Assistance

Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In developing the project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to provide information on the total range of projects currently being conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may be outside the scope of the program announcement.

Results or Benefits Expected

Identify the results and benefits to be derived. Explain how the project will reach the targeted population and how it will benefit participants or the community.

Approach

Outline a plan of action which describes the scope and detail of how the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions or activities identified in the application. Cite factors which might accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement.

Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in, for example, such terms as the “number of people served.” When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or function, list them in chronological order to show the schedule of accomplishments and their target dates.

If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated, clearance may be required from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This clearance pertains to any “collection of information that is conducted or sponsored by ACF.”

List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key individuals who will work on the project along with a short description of the nature of their effort or contribution.

Evaluation

Provide a narrative addressing how the results of the project and the conduct of the project will be evaluated. In addressing the evaluation of results, state how you will determine the extent to which the project has achieved its stated objectives and the extent to which the accomplishment of objectives can be attributed to the project. Discuss the criteria to be used to evaluate results, and explain the methodology that will be used to determine if the needs identified and discussed are being met and if the project results and benefits are being achieved. With respect to the conduct of the project, define the procedures to be employed to determine whether the project is being conducted in a manner consistent with the work plan presented and discuss the impact of the project's various activities on the project's effectiveness.

Organizational Profiles

Provide information on the applicant organization(s) and cooperating partners such as organizational charts, financial statements, audit reports, documentation of professional accreditation, information on compliance with Federal/State/local government standards, documentation of experience in the program area, and other pertinent information.

A non-profit agency can accomplish this by providing a copy of the applicant's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code, or by providing a copy of the currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate, or by providing a copy of the articles of incorporation bearing the seal of the State in which the corporation or association is domiciled.

Budget and Budget Justification

Provide line item detail and detailed calculations for each budget object class identified on the Budget Information form. Detailed calculations must include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated. The detailed budget must also include a breakout by the funding sources identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.

Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, and allocability of the proposed costs.

Evaluation Criterion I: Approach (Maximum: 35 Points)

Factors:

(1) The work program is results-oriented, approximately related to the legislative mandate and specifically related to the priority area under which funds are being requested. Application addresses the following: specific outcomes to be achieved; performance targets that the project is committed to achieving, including a discussion of and how the project will verify the achievement of these targets; critical milestones which must be achieved if results are to be gained; organizational support, the level of support from the applicant organization; past performance in similar work; and specific resources contributed to the project that are critical to success.

(2) The application defines the comprehensive nature of the project and methods that will be used to ensure that the results can be used to address a statewide or nationwide project as defined by the description of the particular priority area.

Evaluation Criterion II: Organizational Profiles (Maximum: 25 Points)

Factors:

(1) The application demonstrates that it has experience and a successful record of accomplishment relevant to the specific activities it proposes to accomplish.

(2) The application details the necessary abilities to provide the training and technical assistance on a nationwide basis. Information provided by the applicant should address related achievements and competence of each cooperating or sponsoring organization.

(3) The application fully describes, for example in a resume, the experience and skills of the proposed project director and primary staff showing specific qualifications and professional experiences relevant to the successful implementation of the proposed project.

(4) The application describes how it will involve partners in the Community Services Network in its activities. Where appropriate, application describes how it will interface with other related organizations.

(5) If subcontracts are proposed, the application documents the willingness and capacity of the subcontracting organization(s) to participate as described.

Evaluation Criterion III: Objectives and Need for Assistance (Maximum: 20 Points)

Factors:

(1) The application documents that the proposed project addresses vital needs related to the program purposes and provides statistics and other data and information in support of its contention.

(2) The application provides current supporting documentation or other testimonies regarding needs from State CSBG Directors, CAAs and local service providers and/or State and Regional organizations of CAAs and other local service providers.

Evaluation Criterion IV: Results or Benefits Expected (Maximum: 15 Points)

Factors:

(1) The application describes how the project will assure long-term program and management improvements for State CSBG offices, CAA State and/or regional associations, CAAs and/or other local providers of CSBG services and activities.

(2) The application indicates the types and amounts of public and/or private resources it will mobilize, how those resources will directly benefit the project, and how the project will ultimately benefit low-income individuals and families.

(3) If the applicant proposes a project with a training and technical assistance focus, the application indicates the number of organizations and/or staff that will benefit from those services.

(4) If the applicant proposes a project with a data collection focus, the application describes the mechanism it will use to collect data, how it can assure collections from a significant number of States, and the number of States willing to submit data to the applicant.

(5) If the applicant proposes to develop a symposium series or other policy-related project(s), the application identifies the number and types of beneficiaries.

(6) The application describes methods of securing participant feedback and evaluations of activities.

Criterion V: Budget and Budget Justification (Maximum: 5 Points)

Factors:

(1) The resources requested are reasonable and adequate to accomplish the project.

(2) Total costs are reasonable and consistent with anticipated results.

2. Review and Selection Process

Initial OCS Screening

Each application submitted to OCS will be screened to determine whether it was received by the closing date and time.

Applications received by the closing date and time will be screened for completeness and conformity with the following requirements. Only complete applications that meet the requirements listed below will be reviewed and evaluated competitively. Other applications will be returned to the applicants with a notation that they were unacceptable and will not be reviewed.

All applications must comply with the following requirements except as noted:

(a) The application must contain a signed Standard Form 424 Application for Federal Assistance, a Standard Form 424-A Budget Information and Standard Form 424B Assurance—Non-Construction Programs completed according to instructions provided in this Program Announcement. The forms SF-424 and the SF-424B must be signed by an official of the organization applying for the grant who has authority to obligate the organization legally. The applicant's legal name as required on the SF-424 (Item 5) must match that listed as corresponding to the Employer Identification Number (Item 6);

(b) The application must include a project narrative that meets requirements set forth in this announcement.

(c) The application must contain documentation of the applicant's tax-exempt status as indicated in the “Additional Information on Eligibility” section of this announcement.

OCS Evaluation of Applications

Applications that pass the initial OCS screening will be reviewed and rated by a panel based on the program elements and review criteria presented in relevant sections of this program announcement.

The review criteria are designed to enable the review panel to assess the quality of a proposed project and determine the likelihood of its success. The criteria are closely related to each other and are considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application. The review panel awards points only to applications that are responsive to the program elements and relevant review criteria within the context of this program announcement.

The OCS Director and program staff use the reviewer scores when considering competing applications. Reviewer scores will weigh heavily in funding decisions, but will not be the only factors considered.

Applications generally will be considered in order of the average scores assigned by the review panel. Because other important factors are taken into consideration, highly ranked applications are not guaranteed funding. These other considerations include, for example: the timely and proper completion by the applicant of projects funded with OCS funds granted in the last five (5) years; comments of reviewers and government officials; staff evaluation and input; amount and duration of the grant requested and the proposed project's consistency and harmony with OCS goals and policy; geographic distribution of applications; previous program performance of applicants; compliance with grant terms under previous HHS grants, including the actual dedication to a program of mobilized resources as set forth in project applications; audit reports; investigative reports; and applicant's progress in resolving any final audit disallowance on previous OCS or other Federal agency grants.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of the results of this grant competition within 90 days after the due date for receipt of applications. Following approval of the application selected for funding, ACF will mail a written notice of project approval and authority to draw down project funds. The official award document is the Financial Assistance Award that specifies the amount of Federal funds approved for use in the project, the project and budget period for which support is provided and the terms and conditions of the award. The notice of grant award signed by the Grants Officer is the authorizing document.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

45 CFR Part 74.

3. Reporting Requirements

Programmatic Reports: Semi-annually with a final report due 90 days from project end date.

Financial Reports: Semi-annually with a final report due 90 days from project end date.

4. Special Reporting Requirements

None.

VII. Agency Contacts

Program Office Contact

Margaret Washnitzer, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services Operations Center, 1815 Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22209, E-mail: [e-mail], Telephone: [phone].

Grants Management Office Contact

Barbara Ziegler-Johnson, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services Operations Center, 1815 Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22209, E-mail: [e-mail], Telephone: [phone].

VIII. Other Information

Applicants have the option of omitting from the application copies (not the original) specific salary rates or amounts for individuals specified in the application budget and Social Security Numbers. The copies may include summary salary information.

Electronic Link to Full Announcement: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/​programs/​ocs.

Dated: April 27, 2004.

Clarence Carter,

Director, Office of Community Services.