[Federal Register: March 19, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 54)]
[Notices]
[Page 13047-13055]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19mr04-59]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
Compassion Capital Fund Demonstration Program
Federal Agency Name: Administration for Children and Families,
Office of Community Services.
Funding Opportunity Title: Compassion Capital Fund Demonstration
Program.
Announcement Type: Competitive Grant--Initial.
Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2004-EJ-0002.
CFDA Number: 93.647.
DATES: May 18, 2004.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of
Community Services (OCS) announces that competing applications will be
accepted for new grants pursuant to the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS) Secretary's Compassion Capital Fund (CCF)
authorized under section 1110 of the Social Security Act governing
Social Services Research and Demonstration activities and the
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004, Pub. L. 107-116, Title II.
Pursuant to this announcement, OCS will award funds to experienced
intermediary organizations to deliver training and technical assistance
to small faith-based and community organizations. Intermediaries will
assist these organizations to increase their effectiveness, enhance
their ability to provide social services, expand their organizations,
diversify their funding sources, and create collaborations to better
serve those most in need. In addition, recipients of awards under this
announcement must issue sub-awards to a number of qualified faith-based
and community organizations for a variety of capacity-building
purposes.
A. Background
Faith-based and community organizations have a long history of
providing an array of important services to people in need in the
United States. These organizations possess unique strengths that the
government cannot duplicate. As a result, they are well positioned to
assist individuals and families with the most pressing needs, such as
the homeless, prisoners reentering the community, children of
prisoners, at-risk youth, addicts, elders in need, and families in
transition from welfare to work. In addition, faith-based and community
organizations provide marriage education and preparation services to
help couples who choose marriage for themselves develop the skills and
knowledge to form and sustain healthy marriages.
In recognition of this history and ability, President Bush believes
it is in the public's interest to broaden Federal efforts to work with
faith-based and community organizations and has made improving funding
opportunities for such organizations a priority. CCF is a key part of
the effort to enhance and expand the participation of faith-based and
community groups serving those in need. Intermediary organizations
awarded funds under this announcement will serve as partners to both
the Federal government and to the faith-based and community
organizations that they assist. The intermediaries will represent a
diverse set of affiliations, and will assist community-level
organizations that have a range of service goals, target populations,
affiliations, and beliefs.
B. Program Purpose and Objectives
The goal of CCF is to assist faith-based and community
organizations to increase their effectiveness, enhance their ability to
provide social services, expand their organizations, diversify their
funding sources, and create collaborations to better serve those most
in need. This will be accomplished through the funding of experienced
intermediary organizations in well-defined geographic locations with a
proven track record of providing technical assistance to smaller faith-
based and community organizations in their communities. These
intermediary organizations will serve as a bridge between the Federal
government and the faith-based and community organizations that this
program is designed to assist.
Intermediary organizations will provide two services within their
communities:
1. Technical assistance to faith-based and community organizations;
and
2. Financial support--through sub-awards--to some subset of the
faith-based and community organizations in their communities.
Technical Assistance
ACF seeks intermediary organizations with demonstrated expertise
and a proven track record in working with and providing technical
assistance to faith-based and community organizations in a variety of
areas. Technical assistance activities funded under CCF are to be
conducted at no cost to interested faith-based and community
organizations. Applicants must have demonstrated experience in the
delivery of capacity-building assistance to smaller organizations in
several of the following areas: strategic planning, financial
management, board development, fund-development, and outcome
measurement. Additionally, there is a range of other needs that may
appropriately be provided by the intermediary organizations awarded
funds under this announcement. The following list is meant to be
illustrative, not exhaustive.
Legal assistance in various areas such as the
process of incorporation or obtaining tax-exempt status;
Needs assessments to identify internal areas
needing improvement or areas in which to develop or expand community
services to address service gaps;
Development of internal operating controls and
procedures related to all aspects of business management;
Facilitation of networks, service coordination,
and resource sharing among organizations;
Incorporation of ``best practices'' in priority
social service areas;
Expanding outreach and client screening, intake
or tracking methods;
Volunteer management;
Human resources.
In addition, intermediaries must be established organizations with
well-developed connections to and working relationships with faith-
based and community organizations in well-defined geographic locations.
Typically, these intermediary organizations will be located in the same
communities as the faith-based and community organizations that they
serve.
[[Page 13048]]
Technical assistance should be provided on a long-term, on-going
basis to smaller organizations, rather than through single or short-
term contacts (such as a nationwide series of seminars or conferences).
Sub-Awards
The program goals will be further accomplished through the issuance
of sub-awards by the funded intermediary organizations to a diverse set
of small faith-based and community organizations that seek to increase
program and organizational effectiveness for a 12-month period. The
total amount of sub-awards proposed in an intermediary's application
must represent at least one-quarter or 25 percent of the total Federal
funds. The issuance of sub-awards must be consistent with the following
principles:
Sub-award recipients must be chosen through a
fair and open competitive process.
Sub award recipients may not be pre-selected.
The awarding process must be a fair and open
competition and include outreach to both faith-based and community
organizations.
Intermediary organizations must provide on-going
technical assistance and capacity-building support to the organizations
to which they issue sub-awards.
The criteria for selection of sub-awardees must
not include consideration of the religious nature of a group or the
religious nature of the program it offers.
Priority for sub-awards should be given to
organizations that historically have not received grants from the
Federal government.
Priority for sub-awards should be given to
organizations implementing program(s) in several priority areas
including: the homeless, elders in need, at-risk youth, families in
transition from welfare to work, those in need of intensive
rehabilitation such as addicts or prisoners, and organizations that
provide marriage education and preparation services to help couples who
choose marriage for themselves develop the skills and knowledge to form
and sustain healthy marriages.
Intermediaries must not require sub-award
applicants to provide matching funds or give them a preference in the
selection process if they offer matching funds in their applications.
Intermediaries must not require sub-award
applicants to have 501(c)(3) status or to identify a sponsoring
organization with 501(c)(3) status.
Organizations that partner with an intermediary
to deliver technical assistance or provide cost-sharing funds for the
proposed project are not to be eligible for sub-awards, unless approved
by the Administration for Children and Families.
Sub-awards must be in amounts manageable for a
small organization.
The central focus of an intermediary's proposed
sub-award concept must be capacity-building activities that further the
sustainability of sub-awardees' social service efforts. Sub-awards
should be used to assist organizations in differing stages of
development. For example, funds may be provided to fledgling
organizations to improve their basic functions, such as attaining
501(c)(3) status or developing sound financial systems. Sub-awards may
also be provided to promising organizations to expand the reach of
existing programs. Such funding would allow a promising organization to
move to a higher level of service, where it is able to assist more
people on a sustainable basis. Uses for such funding might include:
employing a key additional staff person, moving to a larger or better-
equipped facility, upgrading case management or informational
technology capabilities, or supporting a new social service.
Sub-awards must not be used to provide direct
services, but rather improve the sub-awardee's efficiency and capacity.
For example, an organization that distributes food to the poor should
not receive a sub-award to purchase additional food. Nor, for example,
should an organization that provides substance abuse treatment services
use additional funds to provide the same services to more people.
Although using the sub-awards for direct service would enable
organizations to assist additional individuals, they would not further
the goals of improving an organization's sustainability, efficiency, or
capacity. Rather, the organizations would simply use additional funds
in the same way they used existing funds, without fundamentally
changing or improving their services.
Plan For Providing Technical Assistance and Sub-Awards
As part of its application to ACF, each applicant must submit a
basic outline of its sub-award approach, describing the kinds of
organizations in its community that would benefit and examples of
activities that it expects these groups will undertake with sub-award
funding. Intermediary organizations that receive CCF awards will be
required to develop, with guidance from and in consultation with ACF, a
detailed plan for this process within 60 days of receipt of an award
under this announcement. ACF must review and approve this plan prior to
the issuance of any sub-awards using Federal funds awarded under this
announcement. Intermediary organizations must report on the use of
funds for sub-awards as they do for other types of expenditures of
Federal funds received as a result of an award under this announcement
and as specified in the Cooperative Agreement. Intermediary
organizations will also be required to develop, with guidance from and
in consultation with ACF, a plan within six months of receipt of an
award for working with sub-awardees to develop outcome measures and to
evaluate the activities supported by the sub-awards.
Applicants must coherently describe their plan both for providing
technical assistance and sub-awards. In providing technical assistance
and in making sub-awards, these plans must provide for the
establishment of ongoing supportive relationships with those faith-
based and community organizations served, rather than single or short-
term interactions. Technical assistance conferences and workshops may
be parts of an applicant's plan, but they must not be its sole focus.
The plan must also describe how applicants will develop and build upon
existing long-term supportive relationships with the faith-based and
community organizations within their communities.
Furthermore, approved applicants must be willing to work closely
with ACF, and any entities funded by ACF, to coordinate, assist, or
evaluate the activities of the intermediary organizations providing
technical assistance and issuing sub-awards. Proposed budgets should
include the cost of travel-related expenses for two key personnel with
responsibility for the CCF award to attend a two-day orientation
workshop with Federal officials in Washington, DC. This meeting will
focus on orientation to Federal objectives for the project, information
about related activities supported by HHS and other Federal agencies,
Federal grants management requirements, and coordination between and
among the approved intermediary organizations and other entities funded
by ACF to be involved in the CCF initiative.
ACF expects to work closely with organizations that receive funding
to ensure that CCF monies are used appropriately and in the most
effective manner possible. It has also entered into a contract with an
organization that serves as the National Resource Center
[[Page 13049]]
(herein also referred to as the National Center) for these
intermediaries. Under this contract, the National Center provides CCF
intermediaries with support and technical assistance. Funded
organizations must expect to interact with both ACF and the National
Center on an on-going basis and modify their technical assistance and
sub-award plans in coordination with ACF to address barriers to faith-
based participation in Federally-sponsored programs.
II. Award Information
Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement.
Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $7.0 million.
Anticipated Number of Awards: 12 per budget period.
Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards: $1,000,000 per budget
period.
Floor on Individual Award Amounts: none.
Average Projected Award Amount: $400,000-$800,000 per budget
period.
Project Periods for Awards: This announcement is inviting
applications for project periods up to three years. Awards, however,
will be made on a competitive basis, for a one-year budget period.
Applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond
the one-year budget period but within the three-year project period
will be entertained in subsequent years on a noncompetitive basis,
subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the grantee
and a determination that continued funding would be in the best
interest of the Government.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
County governments, City or township governments, Special district
governments, State controlled institutions of higher education, Native
American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Non-profit
organizations having a 501(c) (3) status with the Internal Revenue
Code, other than institutions of higher education, Non-profit
organizations that do not have 501 (c) (3) status with the Internal
Revenue Code, other than institutions of higher education, Private
institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than
small businesses, Small businesses, and faith-based organizations.
Additional Information on Eligibility: Faith-based and community
organizations are eligible to apply for these grants. ACF invites
applications from a wide variety of organizations or entities with
demonstrated knowledge and experience in the provision of the types of
technical assistance described herein to a broad spectrum of faith-
based and community organizations. We particularly encourage
organizations and entities with demonstrated experience working with
organizations representing a range of beliefs and practices or which
can demonstrate the capacity to work with such diverse organizations.
Further, ACF encourages applications from applicants that propose
to work with and have experience working with faith-based and community
organizations that historically have not been well served or supported
by governmental funds. If organizations propose to collaborate to
provide Compassion Capital Fund intermediary services, they should have
well-developed working relationships and a history of working together
prior to announcement of this funding opportunity.
Any non-profit organization submitting an application must include
proof of its non-profit status in its application at the time of
submission. The non-profit agency can accomplish this by providing 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 singed by the
parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-
profit affiliate.
Fiscal year (FY) 2002 ACF Compassion Capital Fund grantees who
received (FY) 2003 continuation funds and (FY) 2003 ACF Compassion
Capital Fund grantees are ineligible to apply. Additionally, Federal
funds received as a result of this announcement cannot be paid as
profit to grantees or sub-grantees, i.e., any amount in excess of
allowable direct and indirect costs of the recipient (45 CFR 74.81).
Applicants are cautioned that the ceiling for individual awards is
$1,000,000.
Applications exceeding the $1,000,000 threshold will be considered
non-responsive and will not be eligible for funding under this
announcement.
Applications that fail to include the required amount of cost-
sharing will be considered non-responsive and will not be eligible for
funding under this announcement.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
Grantees must provide at least 20 percent of the total approved
cost of the project. The total approved cost of the project is the sum
of the ACF share and the non-Federal share. The non-Federal share may
be met by cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are
encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions.
For example, in order to meet the match requirements, a project with a
total approved cost of $625,000, requesting $500,000 in ACF funds, must
provide a non-Federal share of at least $125,000 (20% of total approved
project cost of $625,000). Grantees will be held accountable for
commitments of non-Federal resources even if over the amount of the
required match. Failure to provide the amount will result in
disallowance of Federal funds.
The basis for an applicant's meeting its cost sharing commitments
must be firm, and cannot be speculative. Applications without a firm
cost share commitment will not be evaluated. Cash commitments to meet
the cost sharing requirement are preferable to in-kind commitments.
Applications that fail to include the required amount of cost-
sharing will be considered non-responsive and will not be eligible for
funding under this announcement.
3. Other (If Applicable)
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 (http://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,
[[Page 13050]]
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.
Applicants are cautioned that the ceiling for individual awards is
$1,000,000. Applications exceeding the $1,000,000 threshold will be
considered non-responsive and will not be eligible for funding under
this announcement.
Applications that fail to include the required amount of cost-
sharing will be considered non-responsive and will not be eligible for
funding under this announcement.
Applications that do not follow the required format described in
section IV.2 Application Requirements will be considered non-responsive
and will not be eligible for funding under this announcement.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address To Request Application Package
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS),
Administration for Children and Families Office of Community
Services Operations Center, Compassion Capital Fund Demonstration
Program, 1815 North Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22209,
Attention: Eduardo Hernandez, Telephone: 1-800-281-9519,
E-mail: OCS@LCGNET.COM.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
An original and two copies of the complete application are
required. The original and 2 copies must include all required forms,
certifications, assurances, and appendices, be signed by an authorized
representative, have original signatures, and be submitted unbound.
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.
You may submit your application to us either in electronic or paper
format. To submit an application electronically, please use the http://www.Grants.gov
apply 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 Grants. 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 and 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 paper format.
You may submit all documents electronically,
including all information typically included on the SF424 and all
necessary assurances 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 Grants.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 http://www.Grants.gov. You must search for the
downloadable application package by the CFDA number.
Application Requirements
The application must be double-spaced and single-sided on 8\1/2\ x
11 plain white paper, with 1'' margins on all sides. The application
must use Times New Roman 12 point font or Arial 12 point font. All
pages of the application (including appendices, resumes, charts,
references/footnotes, tables, maps and exhibits) must be sequentially
numbered. Applications that do not follow the aforementioned stated
criteria will be considered non-responsive and will not be eligible for
funding under this announcement.
Each application may include only one proposed project.
The Project Narrative including the Table of Contents must not
exceed 25 pages. Pages submitted beyond the first 25 in the application
project narrative section will be removed prior to panel review. The
Narrative Budget Justification, Standard Forms for Assurances,
Certifications, Disclosures and appendices and the cost-share letters
are not included in this limitation, yet applicants are urged to be
concise.
There is a 5-page limit to any additional supporting documentation,
including letters of support. Applicants are requested not to send
pamphlets, brochures, or other printed material along with their
applications as these pose copying difficulties. These materials, if
submitted, will not be included in the review process. In addition,
applicants should not submit any additional letters of endorsement
beyond any that may be required.
If the applicant is submitting letters documenting cost-share
commitments from collaborating partners, state, or local governments or
philanthropic organizations, the cost-share letters must clearly state
that these organizations are committed to providing the funds to the
organizations should the applicant be awarded a grant. Commitments in
excess of the 20 percent threshold will not receive extra points,
though applicants should note that applicants will be held accountable
for all cost-share included. Failure to provide the full amount
committed in the grant award may result in disallowance of Federal
match.
Applicants must demonstrate proof of non-profit status and this
proof must be included in their applications. Applicants must include
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 singed by the
parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-
profit affiliate.
Forms and Certifications: The project description should include
all the information requirements described in the specific evaluation
criteria outlined in the program announcement under
[[Page 13051]]
Part V. In addition to the project description, the applicant needs to
complete all the standard forms required for making applications for
awards under this announcement. Applicants requesting financial
assistance for non-construction projects must file the Standard Form
424B, ``Assurances: Non-Construction Programs.'' Applicants must sign
and return the Standard Form 424B with their applications. Applicants
must provide a certification regarding lobbying when applying for an
award in excess of $100,000. Applicants must sign and return the
certification with their applications. Applicants must disclose
lobbying activities on the Standard Form LLL when applying for an award
in excess of $100,000. Applicants who have used non-Federal funds for
lobbying activities in connection with receiving assistance under this
announcement shall complete a disclosure form, if applicable, with
their applications. The forms (Forms 424, 424A-B; and Certifications
may be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm under
new announcements. Fill out Standard Forms 424 and 424A and the
associated certifications and assurances based on the instructions on
the forms.
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.''
The forms are located on the web at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm
.
3. Submission Dates and Times
The closing time and date for receipt of applications is 4:30 p.m.
(Eastern Time Zone) on May 18, 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 following address:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration
for Children and Families Office of Community Services Operations
Center, Compassion Capital Fund Demonstration Program, 1815 North Fort
Meyer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22209, Attention: Barbara Ziegler
Johnson, Telephone: 1-800-281-9519.
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 8:00 a.m.
and 4:30 p.m., EST, at the following address:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration
for Children and Families Office of Community Services Operations
Center, Compassion Capital Fund Demonstration Program, 1815 North Fort
Meyer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22209, Attention: Barbara Ziegler
Johnson, Telephone: 1-800-281-9519.
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 service. Determinations
to extend or waive deadline requirements rest with the Chief Grants
Management Officer.
Required Forms:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What to submit Required content Required form or format When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Narrative.......................... Described in Section v Format described in Section By application due
of this Announcement. V. date.
SF 424, SF 424A, and SF 424B....... Per required form..... May be found at http:// By application due
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ date.
ofs/forms.htm.
Certification regarding Lobbying Per required form..... May be found at http:// By application due
and associated Disclosure of http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ date.
Lobbying Activities (SF LLL). ofs/forms.htm.
Environmental Tobacco Smoke Per required form..... May be found at http:// By application due
Certification. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ date.
ofs/forms.htm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional Forms: Private-non-profit organizations are encouraged
to submit with their applications the additional survey located under
``Grant Related Documents and Forms'' titled ``Survey for Private, Non-
Profit Grant Applicants''.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What to submit Required content Required form or format When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Survey for Private, Non-Profit Per required form..... May be found on http:// By application due
Grant Applicants. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ date.
ofs/form.htm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Alabama, Alaska, Arizona,
Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana,
Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma,
[[Page 13052]]
Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, and Virginia.
Applicants from these jurisdictions need not take 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., 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.
Applicants are cautioned that the ceiling for individual awards is
$1,000,000. Applications exceeding the $1,000,000 threshold will be
considered non-responsive and will not be eligible for funding under
this announcement.
Applications that fail to include the required amount of cost-
sharing will be considered non-responsive and will not be eligible for
funding under this announcement.
Fiscal year (FY) 2002 ACF Compassion Capital Fund grantees who
received FY 2003 continuation funds and (FY) 2003 ACF Compassion
Capital Fund grantees are ineligible to apply and will not be funded
under this announcement. Additionally, Federal funds received as a
result of this announcement cannot be paid as profit to grantees or
sub-grantees, i.e., any amount in excess of allowable direct and
indirect costs of the recipient (45 CFR 74.81).
In cases where more applications are approved for funding than ACF
can fund with the money available, the Grants Officer shall fund
applications in their order of approval until funds run out. In this
case, ACF has the option of carrying over the approved applications up
to a year for funding consideration in a later competition of the same
program. These applications need not be reviewed and scored again if
the program's evaluation criteria have not changed. However, they must
then be placed in rank order along with other applications in the later
competition.
6. Other Submission Requirements
Submission by Mail: An Applicant must provide an original
application with all attachments, signed by an authorized
representative and two copies. The Application must be received at the
address below by 4:30 PM Eastern Standard Time on or before the closing
date. Applications should be mailed to: U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families Office
of Community Services Operations Center, Compassion Capital Fund
Demonstration Program, 1815 North Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300,
Arlington, VA 22209, Attention: Barbara Ziegler Johnson, Telephone: 1-
800-281-9519.
Hand Delivery: An Applicant must provide an original application
with all attachments signed by an authorized representative and two
copies. The application must be received at the address below by 4:30
p.m. Eastern Standard Time on or before the closing date. Applications
that are hand delivered will be accepted between the hours of 8 a.m. to
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Applications may be delivered to:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for
Children and Families Office of Community Services Operations Center
1815 North Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300 Arlington, VA 22209, Attention:
Barbara Ziegler Johnson, Telephone: 1-800-281-9519.
Electronic Submission: Please see section IV. 2 Content and Form of
Application Submission, for guidelines and requirements when submitting
applications electronically.
V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
General Instructions for the Uniform Project Description
The following are instructions and guidelines on how to prepare the
``project summary/abstract'' and ``Full Project Description'' sections
of the application. Under the evaluation criteria section, note that
each criterion is preceded by the generic evaluation requirement under
the ACF Uniform Project Description (UPD). Public Reporting for this
collection of information is estimated to average 25 hours per
response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and reviewing the collection information.
The project description is approved under OMB Control Number 0970-
0139 which expires 3/31/2004.
An agency may nor 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.
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 such
terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities
accomplished. When accomplishments
[[Page 13053]]
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.
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.
Organizational Profiles
Provide information on the applicant organization(s) and
cooperating partners, such as organizational charts, financial
statements, audit reports or statements from CPAs/Licensed Public
Accountants, Employer Identification Numbers, names of bond carriers,
contact persons and telephone numbers, child care licenses and other
documentation of professional accreditation, information on compliance
with Federal/State/local government standards, documentation of
experience in the program area, and other pertinent information. Any
non-profit organization submitting an application must submit proof of
its non-profit status in its application at the time of submission.
Results or Benefits Expected
Identify the results and benefits to be derived. For example,
describe how the intermediary's assistance to faith-based and community
organizations will increase their effectiveness, enhance their ability
to provide social services, diversify their funding sources, and create
collaborations to better serve those most in need.
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) Technical Assistance Strategy (15 points).
Applications will be evaluated based on the extent to which the
technical assistance strategy uses applicable methods and is logical,
reasonable, well-conceived, and linked to the results and benefits
expected. Applications will also be evaluated on the following factors:
The extent to which the approach to reach out to faith-based and
community organizations in the targeted geographic area is extensive;
the extent to which the range and delivery approach of technical
assistance to be provided serves to increase organizations'
effectiveness, enhance their ability to provide social services, expand
their organizations, diversify their funding sources, and create
collaborations to better serve those most in need; and the extent to
which the proposed schedule for accomplishing the activities planned is
logical and attainable. Furthermore, applications will be evaluated on
the extent to which the principles and conditions outlined in this
Announcement regarding technical assistance are evident in the
applicant's approach.
(2) Sub-award Strategy (15 points). Applications will be evaluated
on the extent to which the sub-award strategy is logical, reasonable,
and well-conceived. Applications will also be evaluated on the extent
to which the plan is comprehensive, describes the process that the
applicant will employ to identify and select organizations to receive
sub-awards, and estimates the types and number of organizations
expected to receive funding and the purposes to which sub-awards may be
used. Furthermore, applications will also be evaluated on the extent to
which the principles and conditions outlined in the Announcement
regarding sub-awards are evident in the applicant's approach.
(3) Geographic Location (5 Points). Applications will be evaluated
based on the extent to which they include a description of the precise
region to be served, the rationale for proposing the region, and a
detailed description of the population served by faith-based and
community organizations in the proposed area, including statistics and
facts that convey an understanding of the unique needs of the
population in the area.
Evaluation Criterion II: Objectives and Need for Assistance (Maximum:
10 points)
Factors: (1) Needs of faith-based and community organizations to be
served (5 points). Applications will be evaluated on the extent to
which the objectives of the proposed project are clearly stated and
shown to address the needs of the faith-based and community
organizations to be served through training, technical assistance, and
sub-awards.
(2) Needs of communities served (5 points). Applications will be
evaluated on the extent to which the faith-based and community
organizations that will receive training, technical assistance, and
sub-awards serve vital needs in their communities.
Evaluation Criterion III: Organizational Profiles (Maximum: 25 points)
Factors: (1) Staff and Position Data (10 Points). Applications will
be evaluated on the extent to which they include a listing of key
positions required to carry out the project, the individuals proposed
to fill the positions, and a detailed description of the kind of work
they will perform. Applications will also be evaluated on the extent to
which evidence is provided demonstrating the staff's skill, knowledge,
and experience in carrying out their assigned activities such as
evidence that demonstrates not only staff's good technical skills, but
also a clear record of working with faith-based and community
organizations. Applications will also be evaluated on the extent to
which the above information is provided with regard to consultants or
staff from other organizations proposed to work on the project.
(2) Past Experience (15 Points). Applications will be evaluated on
the extent to which the applicant demonstrates experience and a proven
track record in providing technical
[[Page 13054]]
assistance to faith-based and community organizations, including
concrete examples of technical assistance the applicant has provided to
these organizations, citing dates, names of groups assisted, and the
kind of technical assistance provided.
Evaluation Criterion IV: Results or Benefits Expected (Maximum: 20
points)
Applications will be evaluated on the extent to which the specific
goals of the project and the results and benefits proposed by the
applicant are reasonable and likely, quantified, clearly linked to and
supported by the proposed capacity-building technical assistance
approach, and supportive of the stated goals under this announcement.
Evaluation Criterion V: Budget and Budget Justification (Maximum: 10
points)
Applications will be evaluated based on the extent to which they
include a budget that is clear, easy to understand, and provides a
detailed justification for the amount requested. Applicants should
refer to the budget information presented in the Standard Forms 424 and
424A and to the budget justification instructions in section V. General
Instructions for the Uniform Project Description. Given that non-
Federal reviewers will be used in the review of applications,
applicants may omit from the submitted copies of the application, (not
from the original), the specific salary rates or amounts for
individuals in the application budget and instead provide only summary
information.
Applications will also be evaluated to the extent that they include
the last two year's recent operating budgets of the applicant. Details
of the budget are not required. The application will be evaluated based
on the extent to which the amount requested under the funding
announcement is proportional to the recent size of the applicant's
operating budget. For example, it would be inappropriate for an
organization that operated with $100,000 in 2002 and $110,000 in 2003
to request $1 million in Federal funds.
2. Review and Selection Process
Applications received by the due date will be reviewed and scored
competitively. Experts in the field, generally persons from outside the
Federal government, will use the evaluation criteria listed in Part V
of this announcement to review and score the applications. The results
of this review will be a primary factor in making funding decisions.
ACF may also solicit comments from Regional Office staff and other
Federal agencies. ACF may consider a variety of factors in addition to
the review criteria identified above, including geographic diversity/
coverage and types of applicant organizations, in order to ensure that
the interests of the Federal Government are met in making the final
selections. Furthermore, ACF may limit the number of awards made to the
same or affiliated organizations although they would serve different
geographic areas. In this way, ACF may increase opportunities for
learning about different ways to provide technical assistance and
support to faith-based and community organizations. Please note that
applicants that do not comply with the requirements in the section
titled ``Eligible Applicants'' will not be included in the review
process.
Legal Rules That Apply to Faith-Based Organizations That Receive
Government Funds
CCF monies shall not be used to support inherently religious
practices such as religious instruction, worship, or proselytization.
Grant or sub-award recipients, therefore, may not and will not be
selected based on religious criteria. Neutral, non-religious criteria
that neither favor nor disfavor religion must be employed in selection
of a grantee and sub-award recipients under this announcement.
Approved but Unfunded Applications: In cases where more
applications are approved for funding than ACF can fund with the money
available, the Grants Officer shall fund applications in their order of
approval until funds run out. In this case, ACF has the option of
carrying over the approved applications up to a year for funding
consideration in a later competition of the same program. These
applications need not be reviewed and scored again if the program's
evaluation criteria have not changed. However, they must then be placed
in rank order along with other applications in the later competition.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
The successful applicants will be notified through the issuance of
a Financial Assistance Award document which sets forth the amount of
funds granted, the terms and conditions of the grant, the effective
date of the grant, the budget period for which initial support will be
given, the non-Federal share to be provided, and the total project
period for which support is contemplated. The Financial Assistance
Award will be signed by the Grants Officer and transmitted via postal
mail.
Organizations whose applications will not be funded will be
notified in writing by the Office of Community Services.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
45 CFR part 74 and 45 CFR part 92.
Conditions for the Cooperative Agreement
Organizations selected to receive an award will be responsible for
implementing activities described in the project description of the
approved application; developing and implementing work plans that will
ensure that the services and activities included in the approved
application address the needs of faith-based and community
organizations in an efficient, effective, and timely manner; submitting
for Federal review and approval, within 60 days of receipt of the
Financial Assistance Award and prior to the issuance of any such sub-
awards, plans and procedures for the issuance of sub-awards; submitting
regular semi-annual financial status and progress reports that describe
project activities; working cooperatively and collaboratively with ACF
officials, other Federal agency officials conducting related
activities, the other intermediary organizations approved under the CCF
program, and other entities or organizations contracted by ACF to
assist in carrying out the purposes of the Compassion Capital Fund
program; ensuring that key staff attend and participate in ACF
sponsored workshops and meetings, including the initial orientation
meeting; and ensuring that Compassion Capital Funds are not used to
support religious practices such as religious instruction, worship, or
prayer.
3. Reporting
Programmatic Reports: Semi-annually.
Financial Reports: Semi-annually.
Special Reporting Requirements: None.
All grantees are required to submit semi-annual program reports;
grantees are also required to submit semi-annual expenditure reports
using the required financial standard form (SF-269) which is located on
the Internet at: http://forms.psc.gov/forms/sf/SF-269.pdf. A suggested
format for the program report will be sent to all grantees after the
awards are made.
VII. Agency Contacts
Program Office Contact: Kelly Cowles, Office of Community Services,
370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Suite 500
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West, Aerospace Building, Washington, DC 20447-0002, E-mail:
OCS@LCGNET.COM, Telephone: (800) 281-9519.
Grants Management Office Contact: Barbara Ziegler, Office of Grants
Management, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade,
SW., 4th Floor West, Aerospace Building, Washington, DC 20447-0002, E-
mail: OCS@LCGNET.COM, Telephone: (800) 281-9519.
General: Office of Community Services Operations Center, Compassion
Capital Fund Demonstration Program, 1815 North Fort Meyer Drive, Suite
300, Arlington, VA 22209, Attention: Eduardo Hernandez, Telephone: 1-
800-281-9519, E-mail: OCS@LCGNET.COM.
VIII. Other Information
Additional information about this program and its purpose can be
located on the following Web sites: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccf/, http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/, http://www.acf.hhs.gov/
cf.hhs.gov/
programs/ccf.
Dated: March 15, 2004.
Clarence Carter,
Director, Office of Community Services.
[FR Doc. 04-6204 Filed 3-18-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P