96-16086. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing; Public and Indian Housing Drug Elimination Technical Assistance Program, Notice of Funding AvailabilityFY 1996  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 25, 1996)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 32902-32908]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-16086]
    
    
    
    
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    Part II
    
    
    
    
    
    Department of Housing and Urban Development
    
    
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    Fiscal Year 1996 Public and Indian Housing Drug Elimination Technical 
    Assistance Program; Notice of Funding Availability
    
    Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 123 / Tuesday, June 25, 1996 / 
    Notices
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
    
    [Docket No. FR-4046-N-01]
    
    
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing; 
    Public and Indian Housing Drug Elimination Technical Assistance 
    Program, Notice of Funding Availability--FY 1996
    
    AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian 
    Housing, HUD.
    
    ACTION: Public Housing Drug Elimination Technical Assistance Program 
    Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 1996.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: This notice announces the FY 1996 availability of $1.5 million 
    under the Public and Indian Housing Drug Elimination Technical 
    Assistance Program. The purpose of this program is to provide short-
    term technical assistance to public housing agencies (PHAs), Indian 
    housing authorities (IHAs), resident management corporations (RMCs), 
    and incorporated resident councils (RCs) that are combating drug-
    related crime and abuse of controlled substances in public and Indian 
    housing communities. These funds reimburse consultants who provide 
    expert advice and work with housing authorities or resident councils to 
    assist them in gaining skills and training to eliminate drug abuse and 
    related problems from public housing communities. This document 
    describes the purpose of the NOFA, applicant eligibility, selection 
    criteria, eligible and ineligible activities, application processing, 
    consultant eligibility, and consultant application processing. This 
    NOFA announces several new requirements for both consultants and 
    applicants. Both consultants and applicants are encouraged to read this 
    NOFA carefully and note all changes to the program before completing an 
    application for assistance.
    
    DATES: This NOFA is effective June 25, 1996. Technical assistance 
    applications and consultant application kits may be immediately 
    submitted to the address specified in the application kit. Applications 
    may be submitted anytime, up to August 16, 1996. Technical assistance 
    applications will be reviewed on a continuing basis until August 16, 
    1996, or until funds available under this NOFA are expended. There is 
    no application deadline for consultants.
    
    ADDRESSES: (a) An application kit may be obtained from the local HUD 
    Field Office with jurisdiction or by calling HUD's Drug Information and 
    Strategy Clearinghouse at (800) 578-3472; or for hearing- or speech-
    impaired persons (202) 708-0850 (TTY). (The TTY number is not a toll-
    free number.) The application kit contains information on all exhibits 
    and requirements of this NOFA.
        (b) An applicant must submit the application to the address 
    specified in the application kit.
        (c) In addition, applicants must simultaneously forward a copy of 
    these documents to the HUD Field Office (FO) or Office of Native 
    American Programs (ONAP) with jurisdiction over the relevant housing 
    authority. HUD might not consider the application until the appropriate 
    FO or ONAP has confirmed receipt with the appropriate office in 
    Washington, DC. This copy must be addressed to Director, Public Housing 
    Division, or Administrator, Office of Native American Programs, as 
    appropriate.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions regarding the Public 
    Housing Drug Elimination program contact Elizabeth Cocke, Crime 
    Prevention and Security Division (CPSD), Office of Community Relations 
    and Involvement (OCRI), Room 4112, telephone (202) 708-1197. For 
    questions regarding the Native American program contact Tracy Outlaw, 
    Office of Native American Programs (ONAP), Room B133, telephone (202) 
    755-0088.
        The address for the above persons is: Department of Housing and 
    Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20410. 
    Hearing- and speech-impaired persons may access the telephone numbers 
    via TTY by calling the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-
    8339. (With the exception of the ``800'' number, these are not toll-
    free numbers.)
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Paperwork Reduction Act Statement
    
        The information collection requirements contained in this Notice 
    have been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for a 
    temporary extension of the control number, in accordance with the 
    Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520). A notice 
    requesting public comment on this extension was published in the 
    Federal Register on June 6, 1996 (61 FR 28886). An agency may not 
    conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a 
    collection of information unless the collection displays a valid 
    control number. The OMB control number, when assigned, will be 
    announced by separate notice in the Federal Register.
    
    I. Purpose and Substantive Description
    
    (a) Purpose
    
        The TA program is intended to provide immediate, short-term (90 
    days for completion) training, recommendations, and assistance to 
    assess needs, train staff and residents, identify and design 
    appropriate strategies to eliminate drugs and drug-related crime, and 
    generally prepare and educate public housing and resident organization 
    staff and residents to address problems related to crime and the abuse 
    of controlled substances in public housing communities. HUD encourages 
    housing authorities and eligible resident organizations with or without 
    a drug elimination grant in their communities to use this resource. 
    Technical assistance is not intended for program implementation, the 
    financial support of existing programs, or programs requiring more than 
    30 billable days of technical assistance over a 90 day period.
    
    (b) Allocation Amounts
    
        The Omnibus Consolidated Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996 
    (Pub. L. 104-134, approved April 26, 1996) (OCRA) appropriated $290 
    million in FY 1996 funds for HUD's low-income housing drug elimination 
    programs. Of this amount, OCRA set aside $10 million for ``grants, 
    technical assistance, contracts and other assistance training, program 
    assessment and execution for or on behalf of public housing agencies 
    and resident organizations.'' This NOFA makes $1.5 million out of this 
    $10 million available under the Public and Indian Housing Drug 
    Elimination Technical Assistance program. Applications received from 
    HAs and qualified RCs, ROs, and RMCs are eligible for a maximum amount 
    of TA no greater than approximately $15,000. NOTE: The average amount 
    of TA provided any one application in this program has been 
    approximately $10,000. The amount of $15,000 is a maximum funding 
    ceiling and is not guaranteed. Only HUD-initiated TA is eligible for a 
    maximum of $25,000. NOTE: The TA program reserves the $25,000 maximum 
    for instances where HUD determines the circumstances to require levels 
    of assistance greater than $15,000.
    
    (c) Eligibility
    
        The following is a listing of eligible applicants, eligible 
    consultants, eligible activities, ineligible activities, and general 
    program requirements under this NOFA.
    
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    (1) Eligible Applicants
        (i) Public housing agencies (PHAs), Indian housing authorities 
    (IHAs), incorporated resident councils (RCs), resident organizations 
    (ROs) in the case of IHAs, and resident management corporations (RMCs) 
    are eligible to receive short-term technical assistance services under 
    this NOFA.
        (ii) An eligible RC or RO must be an incorporated nonprofit 
    organization or association that meets each of the following 
    requirements:
        (A) It must be representative of the residents it purports to 
    represent.
        (B) It may represent residents in more than one development or in 
    all of the developments of a PHA or IHA, but it must fairly represent 
    residents from each development that it represents.
        (C) It must adopt written procedures providing for the election of 
    specific officers on a regular basis (but at least once every three 
    years).
        (D) It must have a democratically elected governing board. The 
    voting membership of the board must consist of residents of the 
    development or developments that the resident organization or resident 
    council represents.
        (iii) An eligible RMC must be an entity that proposes to enter 
    into, or that enters into, a management contract with a PHA under 24 
    CFR part 964, or a management contract with an IHA. An RMC must have 
    each of the following characteristics:
        (A) It must be a nonprofit organization that is incorporated under 
    the laws of the State or Indian tribe in which it is located.
        (B) It may be established by more than one resident organization or 
    resident council, so long as each such organization or council:
        (1) Approves the establishment of the corporation; and
        (2) Has representation on the Board of Directors of the 
    corporation.
        (C) It must have an elected Board of Directors.
        (D) Its by-laws must require the Board of Directors to include 
    representatives of each resident organization or resident council 
    involved in establishing the corporation.
        (E) Its voting members must be residents of the development or 
    developments it manages.
        (F) It must be approved by the resident council. If there is no 
    council, a majority of the households of the development must approve 
    the establishment of such an organization to determine the feasibility 
    of establishing a corporation to manage the development.
        (G) It may serve as both the resident management corporation and 
    the resident council, so long as the corporation meets the requirements 
    of 24 CFR part 964 for a resident council. (In the case of a resident 
    management corporation for an Indian Housing Authority, it may serve as 
    both the RMC and the RO, so long as the corporation meets the 
    requirements of this NOFA for a resident organization.)
        (iv) Applicants are eligible to apply to receive technical 
    assistance if they are already receiving technical assistance under 
    this program, as long as the request creates no scheduling conflict 
    with other TA requests from the same applicant.
        (v) Applicants are eligible to apply to receive technical 
    assistance whether or not they are already receiving drug elimination 
    funds under the Public and Indian Housing Drug Elimination Program.
        (vi)(A) In circumstances determined by HUD to be crime and drug-
    related and to require immediate attention because of drug and crime 
    issues, eligible parties may receive technical assistance initiated and 
    approved by HUD. These circumstances may include, for example:
        (1) HAs unsuccessful in gaining Drug Elimination or Youth Sports 
    Program grants;
        (2) Applicants which have a demonstrated inability to explain their 
    local drug or crime circumstances;
        (3) Applicants with a demonstrated inability to identify or develop 
    potential solutions to their local drug or crime problem;
        (4) Applicants unable to develop local anti-drug, anti-crime 
    partnerships;
        (5) The need for training;
        (6) Pervasive drug-related violence; and
        (7) Disputes among tenants and disputes between tenants and 
    management that are related to these issues.
        (B) In instances of HUD-initiated TA, HUD staff requesting the TA 
    will be required to explain the situation of the targeted housing 
    authority or qualified resident council in terms of the three selection 
    criteria outlined in section I.(d) of this NOFA which will be 
    documented in the file, and used to choose a consultant and design and 
    target the TA.
        (vii) The applicant must have substantially complied with the laws, 
    regulations, and Executive Orders applicable to the Drug Elimination TA 
    Program, including applicable civil rights laws. Noncompliance may be 
    evidenced by:
        (A) An outstanding finding of civil rights noncompliance, unless 
    the applicant demonstrates that it is operating in compliance with a 
    HUD-approved compliance agreement designed to correct the area(s) of 
    noncompliance;
        (B) An adjudication of a civil rights violation in a civil action 
    brought against it by a private individual, unless the applicant 
    demonstrates that it is operating in compliance with a court order 
    designed to correct the area(s) of noncompliance;
        (C) A deferral of Federal funding based upon civil rights 
    violations; (D) A pending civil rights suit brought against it by the 
    Department of Justice; or
        (E) An unresolved charge of discrimination issued against it by the 
    Secretary under section 810(g) of the Fair Housing Act, as implemented 
    by 24 CFR 103.400.
    (2) Eligible Consultants
        Consultants who want to provide short-term technical assistance 
    services under this NOFA must be listed in the Consultant Database 
    approved by HUD's Crime Prevention and Security Division (CPSD). To be 
    included in that database, consultants must complete, in accordance 
    with the requirements of section I.(c)(2)(ii), below, of this NOFA, a 
    consultant application packet available from the Drug Information and 
    Strategy Clearinghouse at (800) 578-3472, or (202) 708-0850 (TTY), and 
    submit the packet to the address specified in the application kit. (The 
    TTY number is not a toll-free number.)
        (i) Consultant eligibility. HUD is seeking individuals or entities 
    who have experience working with public or Indian housing or other low-
    income populations to provide short-term technical assistance under 
    this NOFA. Consultants who have previously been deemed eligible and are 
    part of the TA Consultant Database need not reapply, but they are 
    encouraged to update their file with more recent experience and rate 
    justification. To qualify as eligible consultants, individuals or 
    entities should have experience in one or more of the following general 
    areas:
        (A) PHA/IHA-related experience with:
        (1) Agency organization and management;
        (2) Facility operations;
        (3) Program development; and
        (4) Experience working with residents and community organizations.
        (B) Anti-crime- and anti-drug related experience with:
        (1) Prevention/intervention programs;
        (2) Enforcement strategies; and
        (3) Alternative programs.
        (C) Experience as an independent consultant, or as a consultant 
    working
    
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    with a firm with related experience and understanding of on-site work 
    requirements, contractual, reporting and billing requirements.
        (D) HUD is especially interested in encouraging TA consultant 
    applications from persons who are qualified in the following 
    professional areas:
        (1) Lease, screening and grievance procedures;
        (2) Defensible space, security and environmental design;
        (3) Parenting, peer support groups and youth leadership;
        (4) Career planning, job training, tutoring and entrepreneurship;
        (5) Community policing, neighborhood watch and anti-gang work; and
        (6) Resident organizing, involvement, and relations with 
    management.
        (E) HUD especially encourages PHAs, IHAs, PHA/IHA employees, RMCs, 
    incorporated resident councils and resident organizations, and public 
    and Indian housing residents, with experience in the above areas, to 
    submit a consultant application for eligibility under this NOFA. 
    Eligible consultants will be entered into the Consultant Database for 
    possible recommendation to technical assistance applicants.
        (ii) Applying to be a consultant. Individuals or entities 
    interested in being listed in the TA Consultant Database should prepare 
    their applications and send them to the address specified in the 
    application kit. Before they can be entered into the Consultant 
    Database, consultants must submit an application that includes the 
    following information:
        (A) The Consultant Resource Inventory Questionnaire, including at 
    least three written references, all related to the general areas listed 
    above in sections I. (c)(2)(A)-(C). One or two of the written 
    references must relate to work for a public or Indian housing 
    authority, RC, RO or RMC;
        (B) A resume;
        (C) Evidence submitted by the consultant to HUD that documents the 
    standard daily fee previously paid to the consultant for technical 
    assistance services similar to those requested under this NOFA.
        (1) For consultants who can justify up to the equivalent of ES-IV 
    per day, this evidence may include an accountant's statement, W-2 Wage 
    Statements, or payment statements, and it should be supplemented with a 
    signed statement or other evidence from the employer of days worked in 
    the course of the particular project (for a payment statement) or the 
    tax year (for a W-2 Statement).
        (2) For consultants who can justify above the equivalent of ES-IV 
    per day, there must be three forms of documentation of the daily rate:
        (i) A previous invoice and payment statement showing the daily rate 
    charged and paid, or the overall amount paid and the number of days for 
    work of a similar nature to that offered in this TA program;
        (ii) A certified accountant's statement outlining the daily rate 
    with an explanation of how the rate was calculated by the accountant. 
    This should include at a minimum the total number of jobs of a similar 
    nature completed by the consultant in the past 12 months, an 
    explanation of the specific jobs used to calculate the rate, and the 
    daily rates for each of the jobs used to justify the rate; and
        (iii) A signed statement from the consultant that the certified 
    daily rate was charged for work of a nature similar to that being 
    provided for the Drug Elimination Technical Assistance Program. The 
    accountant must be able to demonstrate independence from the 
    consultant's business.
        (iii) Working and billing in the TA program. No one individual may 
    have active at one time any more than three contracts or purchase 
    orders. If an individual is working as a member of a multi-person firm, 
    the key individual for the specific contract must be listed on the 
    contract as the key point of contact. The key point of contact must be 
    on-site more hours than any other contracted staff billing to the 
    purchase order, and that individual may have no more than three 
    purchase orders active at the same time.
        (iv) Consultant payment. HUD will determine a specific fee to pay a 
    consultant under this NOFA based upon the evidence submitted in section 
    I(c)(2)(ii)(C), above, of this NOFA.
        (v) Conflicts of interest. In addition to the conflict of interest 
    requirements in 24 CFR part 85:
        (A) No person who is an employee, agent, officer, or appointed 
    official of the applicant may be funded as a consultant to the 
    applicant by this Drug Elimination Technical Assistance Program.
        (B) Consultants who wish to provide drug elimination technical 
    assistance services through this program may not have any involvement 
    in the preparation or submission of the TA proposal that requests their 
    services. Any involvement of the consultant will be considered a 
    conflict of interest, which makes the consultant ineligible for 
    providing consulting services to the applicant and could disqualify the 
    consultant from future consideration. This prohibition includes the 
    preparation and distribution of prepared generic or sample 
    applications, if HUD determines that any application by a HA, RC, RO or 
    RMC duplicates a sufficient amount of any prepared sample to raise 
    issues of possible conflict of interest.
        (C) Consultants may no longer be requested by name in any 
    application. HUD will recommend consultants considering at least three 
    elements including previous experience, proximity and cost. Section 
    I.(e)(2)(ii) of this NOFA explains this further.
    (3) Eligible Activities
        To assist the eligible applicants identified in section I.(c)(1), 
    above, of this NOFA, in responding immediately to drug-related problems 
    in public and Indian housing developments, HUD has supplemented the 
    Public and Indian Housing Drug Elimination Program (PHDEP) and Youth 
    Sports Program (YSP) with funds for short-term technical assistance. 
    Short-term technical assistance means that consultants shall only be 
    reimbursed for a maximum of 30 days of work, which must be completed in 
    less than 90 days from the date of the approved statement of work. The 
    TA program is intended to provide short-term, immediate assistance to 
    PHAs, IHAs, RMCs, RCs, and ROs in developing and/or implementing their 
    strategies to eliminate drugs and drug-related crime. The program will 
    fund the use of consultants who can provide the necessary consultation 
    and/or training for the types of activities outlined below. HUD will 
    fund the use of consultants who will assist the applicant in 
    undertaking a task such as program planning and development for future 
    strategies to eliminate drugs and drug-related crime, or conducting a 
    needs assessment or survey. The TA program also funds efforts in:
        (i) Assessing drug problems in public or Indian housing 
    development(s) and surrounding community(ies);
        (ii) Designing and identifying appropriate anti-crime- and anti-
    drug-related practices and programs in the following areas:
        (A) Law enforcement strategies, including negotiating with the 
    local police, working with Federal law enforcement, Operation Safe 
    Home, Weed and Seed, and other federal anti-crime efforts;
        (B) Resident involvement in all aspects of the local anti-drug, 
    anti-crime activities;
        (C) Youth initiatives;
        (D) Resident Patrols;
        (E) Security and physical design;
    
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        (F) Community organization and leadership development; and
        (G) Other areas that meet the purposes of eliminating drugs and 
    drug-related crime described in this NOFA, as determined by HUD.
        (iii) Training for housing authority staff and residents in anti-
    crime and anti-drug practices, programs, and management;
        (iv) Improving overall agency management, operations, and 
    programming so that the applicant can more effectively respond to crime 
    and drug problems in the targeted public housing development(s).
    (4) Ineligible Activities
        (i) Funding is not permitted for any type of monetary compensation 
    for residents unless the residents are listed in the TA Consultant 
    Database and are working as consultants.
        (ii) Funding is not permitted for any activity that is funded under 
    any other HUD program; including TA and training for the incorporation 
    of resident councils or RMCs, and other management activities.
        (iii) Funding is not permitted for salary or fees to the staff of 
    the applicant, or former staff of the applicant within a year of his or 
    her leaving the housing authority or resident organization.
        (iv) Funding is not permitted for underwriting conferences.
        (v) Funding is not permitted for conference speakers unless the 
    speaker will also be providing additional TA as outlined in the 
    eligible activities in sections I.(c)(3)(i)-(iv), above, of this NOFA.
        (vi) Funding is not permitted for program implementation, proposal 
    writing, the purchase of hardware or equipment, or any activities 
    deemed ineligible in the Drug Elimination Program, excluding 
    consultant's fees.
    (5) General Program Requirements
        (i) Applications for short-term technical assistance may be funded 
    up to $15,000 per request, with HUD providing payment directly to the 
    authorized consultant for the consultant's fee, travel, room and board, 
    and other approved costs.
        (ii) For technical assistance initiated by HUD, the TA may be for 
    any amount up to $25,000.
        (iii) Applicants that have not previously received technical 
    assistance under this program may submit only one application 
    initially. After the applicant's initial technical assistance report 
    has been received and reviewed by HUD or the contractor administering 
    the program, as appropriate, the applicant may submit multiple 
    applications. For TA initiated by HUD an applicant may have more than 
    one TA opportunity active at the same time.
        (iv) Applications must be signed and certified by both the 
    Executive Director and a resident leader, certifying the following:
        (A) That a copy of the application was sent to the local HUD Field 
    Office, Director of Public Housing Division, or Administrator, Office 
    of Native American Programs; and
        (B) That the application was reviewed by both the Housing Authority 
    Executive Director, and a resident leader.
    
    (d) Selection Criteria/Rating Factors
    
        An application must include the minimum required elements and 
    cannot request assistance for ineligible activities as listed in 
    section I.(c)(4), above, of this NOFA. If HUD receives more than one 
    application from a HA, or group of RCs, ROs, or RMCs in proximity to 
    one another, HUD may exercise discretion to consider any two or more 
    applications as one, recommending one or more consultants and executing 
    contracts for any combination of applications. As an example, if three 
    resident councils at one HA, or three HAs within one geographic area 
    submit three separate TA applications within the same period of time, 
    HUD may contract with one, two or three consultants to carry out the 
    work, as HUD determines the best use of HUD funds, and the best 
    outcomes for the applicants. Applications will be scored according to 
    the criteria outlined below. Applicants must address the specific 
    questions directly as listed below. This is a new requirement, and the 
    criteria require more specific information than applications in 
    previous years. Applicants are encouraged to review these criteria 
    carefully before submitting an FY 1996 TA application.
        (1)(i) The extent to which the applicant needs short-term technical 
    assistance. This will be measured by the applicant's discussion of the 
    problems that triggered the request for assistance under this NOFA. 
    (Maximum points: 5) For the maximum of five points allowed for this 
    criterion, the discussion must include answers to each of the following 
    questions:
        (A) What kind of drug-related crime problem do you see in your 
    community?
        (B) What types of drugs are being used or drug-related crimes are 
    being committed?
        (C) Are housing authority residents selling or using drugs, or 
    committing the crimes? What about non-residents?
        (D) What type of problems are you requesting assistance for in this 
    application?
        (E) How are those problems related to the drug and drug-related 
    crime problems outlined above?
        (ii) If the applicant cannot provide answers to each of these 
    questions, but wishes to receive the maximum of five points allowed for 
    this criterion, the applicant's discussion for this criterion must 
    include answers to each of the following questions:
        (A) What prevents you from identifying the problems?
        (B) What prevents you from describing the problems?
        (C) What prevents you from measuring the problems? (Maximum points: 
    5)
        (2) The extent to which the applicant clearly describes the kind of 
    technical assistance and skills needed to address the problems, and how 
    well the technical assistance requested will address the problems. To 
    receive the maximum of five points, the discussion for this criterion 
    must address each of the following:
        (i) Describe what you would like a consultant to do to help you 
    with the problems outlined in Factor One.
        (ii) Whom would you like the consultant to meet when the consultant 
    is on-site?
        (iii) What do you want the consultant to do when on-site?
        (iv) What do you want in place after the consultant is finished on-
    site? (Maximum points: 5)
        (3) The likelihood that the requested technical assistance will 
    assist the applicant's current strategy to eliminate drugs and drug-
    related crime, as described in the application; or, if the applicant 
    does not currently have a strategy, the extent to which the technical 
    assistance will help them develop a strategy to eliminate drugs and 
    drug-related crime. To receive the maximum of five points, the 
    discussion for this criterion must address each of the following:
        (i) Describe the steps you and your organization are currently 
    taking to measure, understand or address the drug-related crime problem 
    in your development or housing authority.
        (ii) How will the proposed assistance support these efforts?
        (iii) Describe how the proposed assistance will allow you to 
    develop an anti-drug, anti-crime strategy; or describe how the proposed 
    assistance fits into your current strategy. (Maximum points: 5)
    
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    (e) Application Review, Awards, and Payment
    
    (1) Application Review
         Applications for Technical Assistance will be reviewed and scored 
    as they are received. Consultant applications will be received 
    throughout the year with no deadline. A TA application must include 
    both the descriptive letter (or form provided in the application kit) 
    and certification statement (or form provided in the application kit) 
    to be eligible for funding. All applications that qualify on the basis 
    of the minimum required elements will be scored on the basis of the 
    selection criteria in section I.(d), above, of this NOFA. Applications 
    must receive a total of 8 or more points, with no less than 2 points in 
    any of the three selection criteria in section I.(d), above, of this 
    NOFA to be eligible for funding. Eligible applications will be funded 
    in the order in which negotiations for a statement of work are 
    completed between the consultant and the program administrator until 
    all funds are expended. The basis for each funding decision under this 
    section will be documented.
    (2) Application Awards
        (i) If the application includes the descriptive letter (or forms) 
    requesting eligible activities, the certification statements (or form), 
    and scores at least 8 points as described in section I.(e)(1), above, 
    of this NOFA, it is eligible for funding. If sufficient funds are 
    available to fund the technical assistance request, staff will confer 
    with the applicant to confirm the work requirements.
        (ii) If HUD receives more than one application from a HA, or group 
    of RCs, ROs or RMCs in proximity to one another, HUD may exercise 
    discretion to consider any two or more applications as one, 
    recommending consultants and executing contracts for any combination of 
    applications. The TA Consultant Database will be searched to choose at 
    least three consultants who: (1) have a principal place of business or 
    residence located within a reasonable distance from the applicant, as 
    determined by HUD or its agent; or (2) appear to have the requisite 
    knowledge and skills to assist the applicant in addressing its needs. 
    An employee of a housing agency (HA) may not serve as a consultant to 
    his or her employer. An HA employee who serves as a consultant to 
    someone other than his or her employer must be on annual leave to 
    receive the consultant fee. Applicants may not request any specific 
    consultant. A list of the suggested consultants will be forwarded to 
    the applicant. From this list, the applicant will recommend a 
    consultant to provide the requested technical assistance. Instructions 
    for consultants who wish to be included in the TA Consultant Database 
    are outlined above in section I.(c)(2)(ii) of this NOFA.
        (iii) The applicant must contact each TA consultant from the list 
    provided. HUD may request confirmation from each recommended consultant 
    to ensure that all consultants have been contacted by the applicant. If 
    HUD determines that any consultant was not contacted, HUD may consider 
    the recommendation by the applicant void, and can choose a consultant 
    independent of the applicant. After making contact with each 
    consultant, the applicant must send a written justification to HUD with 
    a list of the consultants in order of preference, indicating any that 
    are unacceptable, and stating the reasons for its preference. If the 
    applicant does not provide HUD the written justification of consultant 
    choice within the period requested, HUD will make its own choice of a 
    consultant and proceed to negotiate a statement of work with the 
    consultant. There is no guarantee that the applicant's first preference 
    will be approved. Consultants will only be approved for the TA if the 
    request is not in conflict with other requests for the consultant's 
    services.
        (iv) Staff designated by HUD will work with the consultant and 
    applicant to develop a statement of work that includes a timeline and 
    estimated budget. The statement of work should also include a 
    discussion of the kind of technical assistance and skills needed to 
    address the problem, and how the technical assistance requested will 
    address these needs; and a description of the current crime and drug 
    elimination strategy, and how the requested technical assistance will 
    assist that strategy. If the applicant does not currently have a 
    strategy, there should be a statement of how the technical assistance 
    will help them develop a crime and drug elimination strategy. When HUD 
    has completed the authorization to begin work, the consultant will be 
    contacted to start work. The consultant must receive written 
    authorization from HUD or its authorized agent before he or she can 
    begin to provide technical assistance under this NOFA. The applicant 
    and the relevant Field Office or Office of Native American Programs 
    will also be notified. Because this program is for short-term technical 
    assistance, consultants shall only be reimbursed for a maximum of 30 
    days of work, which must be completed in fewer than 90 days from the 
    date of the approved statement of work. Work begun before the 
    authorized date will be considered unauthorized work and may not be 
    compensated by the Department.
    (3) TA Consultant Work and Reports
        HUD is working to improve the quality of TA consultant reports and 
    invoices and has added requirements to improve the quality of reports 
    and invoices, both for the benefit of the applicant, and for a record 
    that will reflect the level of funds expended for the services. Reports 
    and invoices which do not include the new elements or meet the new 
    standard will be returned to the consultant. If HUD returns a 
    disapproved report or invoice to a consultant, HUD may withhold up to 
    25 percent of the payment requested by the consultant, or authorized in 
    the purchase order, for the related work. HUD may also deny further 
    work to the consultant in the TA program until the report or invoice is 
    accepted by HUD. Examples of reports and invoices considered reasonable 
    by HUD are available from the Drug Information and Strategy 
    Clearinghouse, at 1-800-578-3472. Consultants are encouraged to obtain 
    copies and use these as models before submitting an invoice or report 
    in FY 1996. Previously acceptable standards may no longer be accepted 
    by HUD.
    (4) Payment of TA Consultants
        The consultant must submit a report of its activities, findings and 
    recommendations, a fee invoice, and expenses and original receipts to 
    the address specified in the application kit. A copy of the report must 
    also be submitted to the applicant. A revised FY 1996 version of the 
    ``Guidelines for Consultants'' book, available from the Clearinghouse, 
    describes the required elements of these reports. These required 
    elements have changed from previous years and consultants are 
    encouraged to review them closely to make sure all invoices and reports 
    follow the new guidelines before submitting an invoice or report. After 
    the report and expenses have been approved, and a verbal or written 
    evaluation is received from the applicant, payment will be issued to 
    the consultant.
    
    II. Application Process
    
        (a) Application Kit. An application kit may be obtained from the 
    local HUD Field Office or Office of Native American Programs, or by 
    calling HUD's Drug Information and Strategy Clearinghouse at (800) 578-
    3472 or (202) 708-0850 (TTY) (The TTY number is not a toll-free 
    number). The
    
    [[Page 32907]]
    
    application kit contains information on all exhibits and requirements 
    of this NOFA. Requirements in the new FY 1996 Application Kit have 
    changed from previous years and applicants are encouraged to carefully 
    review the requirements to make sure that the application meets all 
    requirements before submission.
        (b) Application Submission. This NOFA is effective upon 
    publication. Short-term (90 days for completion) technical assistance 
    applications and consultant application kits may be immediately 
    submitted to the address specified in the application kit. The 
    application submission deadline for the short-term technical assistance 
    grants available under this NOFA is August 16, 1996. Technical 
    assistance applications will be reviewed on a continuing first-come, 
    first-served basis, until funds under this NOFA are no longer available 
    or until August 16, 1996. Applicants are encouraged to submit their 
    applications as early as possible in the fiscal year.
        (1) An applicant must submit the application and the necessary 
    assurances to the address specified in the application kit.
        (2) In addition, applicants must simultaneously forward a copy of 
    these documents to the HUD Field Office or Office of Native American 
    Programs with jurisdiction over the relevant housing authority. This 
    copy must be addressed to Director, Division of Public Housing, or 
    Administrator, Office of Native American Programs, as appropriate.
    
    III. Checklist of Application Submission Requirements
    
        Each application for a grant under this program must include the 
    following:
        (a) An application will not be considered for funding unless it 
    includes, at a minimum, the following elements:
        (1) An application letter of no more than four pages that responds 
    to each of the selection criteria in section I(d), above, of this NOFA, 
    or the completed application forms available in the application kit; 
    and
        (2) A certification statement, or the form provided in the 
    application kit, signed by the executive director of the housing 
    authority and the authorized representative of the RMC or incorporated 
    RC or RO, certifying that any technical assistance received will be 
    used in compliance with all requirements in the NOFA, including those 
    outlined in I(a)(3)-(4); and
        (b) A completed and signed HUD Form 2880.
    
    IV. Corrections to Deficient Applications
    
        (a) HUD will notify an applicant, in writing or by telephone, of 
    any curable technical deficiencies, such as a missing signature in the 
    application. A log of telephone notifications will be maintained. The 
    applicant must correct the deficiency in accordance with the 
    information specified in HUD's notification. The application will not 
    be given further consideration until the deficiency is corrected.
        (b) Curable technical deficiencies relate to items that are not 
    necessary to make a determination of an applicant's eligibility. The 
    items necessary for this determination are listed at section III.(a), 
    above, of this NOFA, although missing signatures on the application 
    letter, certification, or forms are curable.
    
    V. Other Matters
    
    (a) Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity
    
        The following nondiscrimination and equal opportunity requirements 
    apply:
        (1) The requirements of title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 
    (42 U.S.C. 3600-20) (Fair Housing Act) and implementing regulations 
    issued at subchapter A of title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 
    as amended by 54 FR 3232 (published January 23, 1989); Executive Order 
    11063 (Equal Opportunity in Housing) and implementing regulations at 24 
    CFR part 107; and title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 
    2000d-2000d-4) (Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs) and 
    implementing regulations issued at 24 CFR part 1;
        (2) The Indian Civil Rights Act (title II of the Civil Rights Act 
    of 1968) (25 U.S.C. 1301-1303) (ICRA) provides that no Indian tribe in 
    exercising powers of self-government shall deny to any person within 
    its jurisdiction the equal protection of its laws or deprive any person 
    of liberty or property without due process of law. The Indian Civil 
    Rights Act applies to any tribe, band, or other group of Indians 
    subject to the jurisdiction of the United States in the exercise of 
    recognized powers of self-government. The ICRA is applicable in all 
    cases where an IHA has been established by exercise of tribal powers of 
    self-government.
        (3) The prohibitions against discrimination on the basis of age 
    under the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6101-07) and 
    implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 146, and the prohibitions 
    against discrimination against individuals with disabilities under 
    section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) and 
    implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 8;
        (4) The requirements of Executive Order 11246 (Equal Employment 
    Opportunity) and the regulations issued under the Order at 41 CFR 
    Chapter 60;
        (5) The requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 
    (42 U.S.C. 12131) and implementing regulations at 29 CFR part 1640, 28 
    CFR part 35, and 28 CFR part 36.
        (6) The requirements of Executive Orders 11625, 12432, and 12138. 
    Consistent with HUD's responsibilities under these Orders, recipients 
    must make efforts to encourage the use of minority and women's business 
    enterprises in connection with funded activities.
    
    (b) Use of Debarred, Suspended, or Ineligible Contractors
    
        Applicants for short-term technical assistance under this NOFA are 
    subject to the provisions of 24 CFR part 24 relating to the employment, 
    engagement of services, awarding of contracts, or funding of any 
    contractors or subcontractors during any period of debarment, 
    suspension, or placement in ineligibility status.
    
    (c) Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988
    
        The requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and 
    implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 24, subpart F apply under this 
    notice.
    
    (d) Environmental Impact
    
        In accordance with 40 CFR 1508.4 of the regulations of the Council 
    on Environmental Quality and 24 CFR 50.20(b) of the HUD regulations, 
    the policies and procedures proposed in this document are determined 
    not to have the potential of having a significant impact on the quality 
    of the human environment, and therefore are categorically excluded from 
    the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. 
    Accordingly, a Finding of No Significant Impact is not required.
    
    (e) Family Impact
    
        The General Counsel, as the Designated Official for Executive Order 
    12606, The Family, has determined that the provisions of this NOFA have 
    the potential for a positive, although indirect, impact on family 
    formation, maintenance, and general well-being within the meaning of 
    the Order. The NOFA is designed to assist housing authorities and 
    resident organizations in their anti-drug-related efforts by providing 
    short-term technical assistance. HUD expects that the provision of such 
    assistance will better
    
    [[Page 32908]]
    
    prepare and educate housing authority and resident organization 
    officials to confront the widespread abuse of controlled substances in 
    public housing communities. This, in turn, would indirectly affect the 
    quality of life for housing residents.
    
    (f) Federalism Impact
    
        The General Counsel, as the Designated Official under section 6(a) 
    of Executive Order 12612, Federalism, has determined that the 
    provisions of this NOFA do not have federalism implications within the 
    meaning of the Order. The NOFA provides short-term technical assistance 
    to housing authorities and resident organizations to assist them in 
    their anti-drug efforts in public housing communities. The involvement 
    of resident organizations should greatly increase the success of the 
    anti-drug efforts under this technical assistance program and therefore 
    should have positive effects on the target population. As such, the 
    program helps housing authorities to combat serious drug problems in 
    their communities, but it does not have federalism implications.
    
    (g) Section 102 HUD Reform Act--Documentation and Public Access 
    Requirements; Applicant/Recipient Disclosures
    
        Disclosures. HUD will make available to the public for five years 
    all applicant disclosure reports (HUD Form 2880) submitted in 
    connection with this NOFA. Update reports (also Form 2880) will be made 
    available along with the applicant disclosure reports, but in no case 
    for a period less than three years. All reports--both applicant 
    disclosures and updates--will be made available in accordance with the 
    Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and HUD's implementing 
    regulations at 24 CFR part 15. (See 24 CFR subpart C, and the notice 
    published in the Federal Register on January 16, 1992 (57 FR 1942) for 
    further information on these disclosure requirements.)
        Public notice. HUD will include recipients that receive assistance 
    pursuant to this NOFA in its Federal Register notice of recipients of 
    all HUD assistance awarded on a competitive basis. (See 24 CFR 
    12.16(b), and the notice published in the Federal Register on January 
    16, 1992 (57 FR 1942) for further information on these requirements.)
    
    (h) 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 or employees who have ethics related questions should 
    contact the HUD Office of Ethics (202) 708-3815. (This is not a toll-
    free number.) For HUD employees who have specific program questions, 
    such as whether particular subject matter can be discussed with persons 
    outside HUD, the employee should contact the appropriate Field Office 
    Counsel, or Headquarters counsel for the program to which the question 
    pertains.
        (i) 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. Indian Housing Authorities established by an Indian Tribe 
    as a result of the exercise of their sovereign power are excluded from 
    coverage, but IHAs established under state law are not excluded from 
    coverage.
    
        Authority: Pub. L. 104-34, 110 Stat. 1321 (1996).
    
        Dated: April 25, 1996.
    Michael B. Janis,
    General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing.
    [FR Doc. 96-16086 Filed 6-24-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4210-33-P
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
6/25/1996
Published:
06/25/1996
Department:
Housing and Urban Development Department
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Public Housing Drug Elimination Technical Assistance Program Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 1996.
Document Number:
96-16086
Dates:
This NOFA is effective June 25, 1996. Technical assistance applications and consultant application kits may be immediately
Pages:
32902-32908 (7 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. FR-4046-N-01
PDF File:
96-16086.pdf