[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 189 (Friday, September 29, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50694-50697]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-24200]
[[Page 50693]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part V
Department of Housing and Urban Development
_______________________________________________________________________
Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program; Funding
Availability for FY 1995; Notice
Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 189 / Friday, September 29, 1995 /
Notices
[[Page 50694]]
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and
Development
[Docket No. FR-3945-N-01]
Notice of Funding Availability for FY 1995 Historically Black
Colleges and Universities Program
AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and
Development, HUD.
ACTION: Notice of funding availability (NOFA) for fiscal year (FY)
1995.
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SUMMARY: This NOFA announces up to $1.5 million of FY 1995 funding for
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) to undertake
jointly funded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) projects with
units of general local government. In the body of this document is
information concerning the following:
a. information regarding the purpose of the NOFA and available
funds, objectives, eligibility and selection criteria; and
b. Application processing, including how, where and when to apply
and how selections will be made.
DATES: No applications will be accepted after 4:30 pm on November 28,
1995. This application deadline is firm as to date and hour. In the
interest of fairness to all competing applicants, the Department will
treat as ineligible for consideration any application that is received
after the deadline. Applicants should take this practice into account
and make early submission of their materials to avoid any risk of loss
of eligibility brought about by unanticipated delays or other delivery-
related problems. Applications may not be submitted by facsimile (FAX).
ADDRESSES: For an application kit contact: Processing and Control
Branch, Office of Community Planning and Development, Department of
Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW, Room 7255,
Washington, DC, 20410-3500. ATTN: HBCU Program. Requests must be in
writing and may be sent to this address or may be made by facsimile
machine to the following number: (202) 708-3363. The TDD number for the
hearing impaired is (202) 708-2565. (This is not a toll-free number.)
When requesting an application kit, please refer to document FR- , and
provide your name, address (including zip code), and telephone number
(including area code). Requests for HBCU application packages should be
made immediately. HUD will distribute application packages as soon as
they become available.
Application Submission: An original and three copies of the
completed application should be submitted to the following address:
Processing and Control Branch, Office of Community Planning and
Development, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th
Street SW, Room 7255, Washington, DC, 20410-3500. ATTN: HBCU Program.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. James Turk, Office of Technical
Assistance, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street
SW, Room 7253, Washington, DC 20410. Telephone Number: (202) 708-3176.
The TDD number for the hearing impaired is (202) 708-2565. (These are
not toll-free numbers.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Paperwork Reduction Act Statement
The information collection requirements contained in this notice
have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for
review under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).
The control number for information described in this document is 2506-
0122.
I. Purpose and Substantive Description
Funding is being made available under this NOFA to assist HBCUs in
forming partnerships with units of general local governments to conduct
joint program efforts. These partners will undertake joint projects to
establish multiple use community services facilities on HBCU campuses
that will benefit low-income and subsidized housing residents, senior
citizens, and the HBCUs.
A. Authority
This program is authorized under section 107(b)(3) of the Housing
and Community Development Act of 1974 (the 1974 Act), which was added
by section 105 of the HUD Reform Act of 1989. The program is governed
by regulations contained in 24 CFR 570.201 through 207, 24 CFR 570.400,
570.404 and 24 CFR part 570, subparts A, C, J, K, and O.
B. Allocation Amounts and Form
The Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban
Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act 1995,
(approved September 28, 1994, Pub. L. 103-327), (95 App. Act)
appropriated $44,000,000 for special purpose grants pursuant to section
107 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. This notice
announces HUD's intention to award up to $1.5 million from these FY 95
funds for partnership projects between units of local government and
HBCUs. The maximum amount awarded to any applicant will be $500,000.
The awards will be made in the form of grants.
C. Eligibility
1. Eligible Applicants. Only HBCUs as determined by the Department
of Education in 34 CFR 608.2 in accordance with that Department's
responsibilities under Executive Order 12677, dated April 28, 1989, are
eligible to submit applications.
2. Eligible Activities. Funds are being made available under this
NOFA for HBCUs and units of general local government to undertake
jointly-funded projects to establish multiple use community services
facilities. Examples of such facilities include Counseling and Skills
Development Centers, Cultural Art Centers, and Elderly Housing Centers
to provide activities such as: Adult basic education classes; GED
preparation and testing; job and career counseling and assessment; job
readiness and placement assistance; cultural and recreational
activities that include dancing lessons, art classes and other support
activities for youth, senior citizens and other low and moderate income
residents; day care services; and social and medical services.
Activities under this NOFA must not be inconsistent with the
locality's community development plan or program, or its HUD-approved
consolidated plan in accordance with 24 CFR Part 91. For the purposes
of this program, the term ``locality'' includes any city, local
government, county, town, township, parish, village, or other unit of
general local government of a State within which an HBCU is located. An
HBCU located in a metropolitan statistical area (MSA), as established
by the Office of Management and Budget, may consider its locality to be
one or more of these entities within the entire MSA. The nature of the
locality for each HBCU may, therefore, differ depending on its
location.
Those applicants planning to use funds for the provision of public
services are bound by the statutory requirement that not more than 15%
of the total grant amount be used for public service activities.
3. Environmental Review. If the applicant proposes activities
involving rehabilitation of structures or construction of buildings, an
environmental review is required and
[[Page 50695]]
the proposed project must pass an environmental review in accordance
with 24 CFR part 50. If the requirements of part 50 are not met, HUD
reserves the right to terminate all or portions of the award. The
grantee is not authorized to proceed with any activity requiring such
approval until written approval is received from the HUD environmental
office in your area certifying that the project has been approved.
In accordance with the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (16 U.S.C.
3601), HUD will not approve applications for any activities that would
be located or carried out in the Coastal Barrier Resources System.
D. Selection Criteria/Ranking Factors
An applicant must demonstrate that it meets the objectives of this
HBCU program by scoring at least 12 of the possible 20 points on
ranking factor 1 (addressing the objectives) in order to qualify for
funding. Applicants must also receive a minimum score of 70 out of the
total of 105 points to be considered eligible for funding. Activities
which are not eligible for funding under this program (see 24 CFR
570.207) will not be funded. If more than 50 percent of the amount
requested in the application is for ineligible activities, the
application will not be funded.
Applications for funding under this Notice will be evaluated
competitively, and awarded points based on the factors identified
below. The Department will rank the applications in descending order
according to score. Applications meeting the minimum threshold
requirements will be funded in rank order, until all available funds
have been obligated, or until there are no acceptable applications.
Negotiations. After all applications have been rated and ranked and
a determination of successful applicants has been made, HUD requires
that all successful applicants participate in negotiations to determine
the specific terms of the Statement of Work and grant budget. In cases
where HUD cannot successfully conclude negotiations, awards will not be
made. In such instances, HUD may elect to offer an award (in an amount
not to exceed the amount of remaining funds available for the
competition) to the next highest ranking applicant and proceed with
negotiations as described above.
Match. The Department will accept only those applications which
demonstrate that the HBCU and unit of government have both agreed to
contribute matching funds to undertake a joint project on the HBCU
campus. Each HBCU applying under this competition must include a letter
from the Chief Executive Officer of the participating unit of
government certifying that it has formed a partnership with the HBCU to
undertake a jointly funded CDBG project using both the HBCU funds of
this award and local funds to conduct projects on HBCU campuses. The
letter from the unit of local government must certify that they are
contributing local funds. Matching funds may be in the form of local
Community Development Block Grant Funds.
Rating Factors. The factors set forth below will be used by the
Department to evaluate applications. Each application must contain
sufficient information to be reviewed for its merits. The score of each
factor will be based on the qualitative and quantitative aspects
demonstrated for each factor in an application. The factors, and the
maximum number of points for each factor (out of a total of 105 points,
which includes up to 5 bonus points), are as follows:
1. Addressing the Objectives. (maximum points: 20)
The extent to which the applicant addresses the objectives of this
program is examined by this factor. Applicants must address objective
i.A., below, by demonstrating how the proposed joint activities between
them and the unit of government will expand the role of the HBCU in
meeting local community economic development and/or housing needs while
furthering HUD's priorities identified in objective i.B., below.
i. The objectives of this program are:
A. To help HBCUs in undertaking joint activities between them and
the unit of local government to establish multiple use community
services facilities on HBCU campuses that will benefit low-income and
subsidized housing residents, senior citizens, and the HBCU, consistent
with the purposes of title I of the Housing and Community Development
Act of 1974; and
B. To help HBCUs through joint projects with units of government
address the needs of their localities in supporting the following HUD
values:
* A Commitment to Community;
* A Commitment to Support Families;
* A Commitment to Economic Lift;
* A Commitment to Reciprocity and to Balancing Individual Rights
and Responsibilities.
* A Commitment to Reducing the Separations by Race and Income in
American Life.
ii. In rating this factor, the Department will consider:
A. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that the proposed
joint activities to be carried out in the multiple use community
services facilities to be established on HBCU campuses with units of
government will expand its role and effectiveness in addressing
community development needs in its locality(ies), in accordance with
objective i.A., above;
B. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that the proposed
joint activities will further one or more of the (5) HUD values
specified in objective i.B., above;
C. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that it will
provide to the greatest extent feasible, and consistent with existing
Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, job training,
employment, contracting and other economic opportunities to section 3
residents and section 3 business concerns.
2. Substantial Impact in Achieving Objectives. (maximum points: 25)
The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that the proposed
jointly-funded activities to be carried out in the multiple use
community facilities would have a substantial impact in achieving the
overall objectives of this NOFA. In rating this factor the Department
will consider:
a. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates how the proposed
joint activities to be carried out will address needs that were
identified as high priorities in each locality's HUD-approved
Consolidated Plan in accordance with 24 CFR part 91.
b. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates how the proposed
joint activities to be carried out in the multiple use community
facilities will impact the low income and elderly residents of the
community which the HBCU serves; the applicant should cite specific
impacts anticipated.
3. Special Needs of Applicant or Locality. (maximum points: 10)
This factor examines the extent to which the applicant demonstrates
that the jointly funded activities, to be carried out in the multiple
use community services facilities being proposed by the HBCU and the
unit of local government, address special needs of the applicant or the
locality. In rating this factor, HUD will consider the degree to which
the applicant identifies specific groups or neighborhoods to be served,
and how the facilities will meet the identified needs of those groups
or neighborhoods. More points will be given to applications which
target assistance to public housing residents and the elderly.
[[Page 50696]]
4. Technical and Financial Feasibility and Match. (maximum points:
25)
This factor examines the extent to which the applicant demonstrates
the technical and financial feasibility of achieving the objectives,
the local support by the unit of government for the activities proposed
to be carried out in the locality, and the required matching funds
proposed to be provided from sources other than the applicant. In
rating this factor, the Department will consider:
a. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the technical
feasibility of achieving the objectives within the program period
proposed;
b. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the financial
feasibility of, and local support by the participating unit of
government for, the activities to be carried out in the locality, as
evidenced by the commitment, from sources other than the applicant, of
matching funds, staffing, services, or other in-kind resources.
5. Capacity. (maximum points: 20)
This factor examines the extent to which the applicant demonstrates
the capacity to carry out satisfactorily the proposed activities in a
timely fashion, including consideration of satisfactory performance in
carrying out any previous HUD-assisted projects or activities. In
rating this factor, the Department will consider:
i. The extent to which the applicant's proposedmanagement plan:
A. Clearly delineates staff responsibilities of the HBCU and local
government partners and accountability for all work required;
B. Presents a Statement of Work with a clear and feasible schedule
for conducting all project tasks; and
C. Presents a reasonable and adequate budget as reflected in the
budget-by-task and supporting justification for the budget. The budget
should identify matching dollars and/or in-kind service contributions
that have been equated to dollars. The budget should break these out to
indicate match versus HUD funds.
ii. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the recent and
relevant work experience of the staff proposed to undertake the
activities described in the Statement of Work.
iii. The extent to which the applicant can demonstrate that its
past and current projects funded by HUD and/or other Federal or private
sector sources are or have been completed on schedule and have met or
are meeting goals established for addressing local needs.
iv. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the proposed
program manager's capacity, background and experience to carry out the
proposed activities in a satisfactory and timely fashion, as evidenced
by recent work experience in managing projects of the same or similar
size, dollar amount, and types of activities as those proposed in the
application.
Bonus Points. Applicants that undertake joint construction projects
on HBCU campuses with units of local governments in a Federally-
designated Empowerment Zone, Urban Supplemental Empowerment Zone,
Enterprise Community, or Urban Enhanced Enterprise Community will
receive a maximum of 5 bonus points. To receive these bonus points
applicants must submit with the application package a certification
from the authorized representative of the local government that the
HBCU is located within the zone.
II. Application Submission Requirements
Complete application submission requirements are contained in the
FY 1995 Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program
application package. The application package will request information
in sufficient detail for HUD to determine whether the proposed
activities are feasible and meet all the requirements of applicable
statutes and regulations.
III. Corrections to Deficient Applications
Immediately after the deadline for submission of applications,
applications will be screened to determine whether all required items
were submitted. If the applicant fails to submit certain technical
items, or the application contains a technical mistake, such as an
incorrect signatory, the Department shall notify the applicant in
writing that the applicant has 14 calendar days from the date of the
written notification to submit the missing item, or correct the
technical mistake. If the applicant does not submit the missing item
within the required time period, the application will be ineligible for
further processing.
The 14-day cure period pertains only to non-substantive technical
deficiencies or errors. Technical deficiencies relate to items that:
1. Are not necessary for HUD review under selection criteria/
ranking factors; and
2. Would not improve the substantive quality of the proposal.
IV. Other Matters
(a) Environmental Impact. A Finding of No Significant Impact with
respect to the environment has been made in accordance with the
Department's regulations at 24 CFR Part 50 which implement Section
102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.
4332). The Finding of No Significant Impact is available for public
inspection between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. weekdays at the Office of
the Rules Docket Clerk, Room 10276, Department of Housing and Urban
Development, 451 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20410.
(b) Federalism, Executive Order 12612. The General Counsel, as the
Designated Official under section 6(a) of Executive Order 12612,
Federalism, has determined that the policies and procedures contained
in this NOFA will not have substantial direct effect on States or their
political subdivisions, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Specifically,
the NOFA solicits HBCU applicants to expand their role in addressing
community development needs in their localities and does not impinge
upon the relationships between the Federal government, and State and
local governments.
(c) Family, Executive Order 12606. The General Counsel, as the
Designated Official under Executive Order 12606, The Family, has
determined that this document does not have potential for significant
impact on family formation, maintenance, and general well-being. The
notice only solicits HBCUs to apply for funding to address community
development needs in their locality. Any impact on the family will be
indirect and beneficial in that better planning of community
development needs should result.
(d) Prohibition Against Lobbying Activities. The use of funds
awarded under this NOFA is subject to the disclosure requirements and
prohibitions of section 319 of the Department of the 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
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on lobbying activities in connection with the assistance.
(e) Section 102 HUD Reform Act; Documentation and Public Access
Requirements. HUD will ensure that documentation and other information
regarding each application submitted pursuant to this NOFA are
sufficient to indicate the basis upon which assistance was provided or
denied. This material, including any letters of support, will be made
available for public inspection for a five-year period beginning not
less than 30 days after the award of the assistance. Material will be
made available in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (5
U.S.C. 552) and HUD's implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 15. In
addition, HUD will include the recipients of assistance pursuant to
this NOFA in its Federal Register notice of all recipients of HUD
assistance awarded on a competitive basis. (See 24 CFR 12.14(a) and
12.16(b), and the notice published in the Federal Register on January
16, 1992 (57 FR 1942), for further information on these requirements.)
(f) Section 103 HUD Reform Act. HUD's regulation implementing
section 103 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform
Act of 1989 was published May 13, 1991 (56 FR 22088) and became
effective on June 12, 1991. That regulation, codified as 24 CFR Part 4,
applies to the funding competition announced today. The requirements of
the rule continue to apply until the announcement of the selection of
successful applicants.
HUD employees involved in the review of applications and in the
making of funding decisions are limited by Part 4 from providing
advance information to any person (other than an authorized employee of
HUD) concerning funding decisions, or from otherwise giving any
applicant an unfair competitive advantage. Persons who apply for
assistance in this competition should confine their inquiries to the
subject areas permitted under 24 CFR Part 4.
Applicants who have questions should contact the HUD Office of
Ethics (202) 708-3815. (This is not a toll-free number.) The Office of
Ethics can provide information of a general nature to HUD employees, as
well. However, a HUD employee who has specific program questions, such
as whether particular subject matter can be discussed with persons
outside the Department, should contact his or her Field Office Counsel,
or Headquarters counsel for the program to which the question pertains.
(g) Section 112 HUD Reform Act. Section 13 of the Department of
Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3537b) contains two
provisions dealing with efforts to influence HUD's decisions with
respect to financial assistance. The first imposes disclosure
requirements on those who are typically involved in these efforts--
those who pay others to influence the award of assistance or the taking
of a management action by the Department and those who are paid to
provide the influence. The second restricts the payment of fees to
those who are paid to influence the award of HUD assistance, if the
fees are tied to the number of housing units received or are based on
the amount of assistance received, or if they are contingent upon the
receipt of assistance.
Section 13 was implemented by final rule published in the Federal
Register on May 17, 1991 (56 FR 22912). The final rule was codified as
24 CFR part 86. If readers are involved in any efforts to influence the
Department in these ways, they are urged to read part 86, particularly
the examples contained in Appendix A of the regulation.
Any questions about the rule should be directed to the Office of
Ethics, room 2158, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451
Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20410-3000. Telephone: (202)
708-3815; TDD: (202) 708-1112. (These are not toll-free numbers.) Forms
necessary for compliance with the rule may be obtained from the local
HUD office.
Authority: Title I, Housing and Community Development Act of
1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301-5320); sec. 7(d), Department of Housing and
Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3535(d); 24 CFR 570.404.
Dated: September 21, 1995.
Mark C. Gordon,
General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and
Development.
[FR Doc. 95-24200 Filed 9-27-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-29-P
