FR Doc 05-3090

[Federal Register: February 17, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 32)]
[Notices]
[Page 8093-8102]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17fe05-40]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

Office of Child Support Enforcement; Special Improvement Project
(SIP) Grants

Announcement Type: Initial--Grant.
Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2005-ACF-OCSE-FI-0005.
CFDA Number: 93.601.
Due Date for Applications: Application is due May 3, 2005.
Executive Summary: The Administration for Children and Families
(ACF), Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) invites eligible
applicants to submit competitive grant applications for special
improvement projects, which further the national child support mission,
vision, and goals. For FY 2005, OCSE is looking for projects that
reflect the goals of the new FY 2005-2009 strategic plan including the
goals that all children have parentage established; and all children in
IV-D (child support) cases have support orders established, have
medical coverage and receive financial support from parents as ordered.
The last goal of the strategic plan is that the IV-D program will be
efficient and responsive in its operations. Applications will be
screened and evaluated as indicated in this program announcement.
Awards will be contingent upon the outcome of the competition and the
availability of funds. For FY 2005, approximately $1.8 million is
available for all priority areas. A non-Federal match is not required.
The anticipated start date for the new awards is August 1, 2005;
projects under Priority 1 may run through December 31, 2006, for a
period of up to 17 months; projects under Priorities 2, 4 and 5 may run
through July 31, 2007, for a period of up to 24 months and projects
under Priority 3 may run through July 31, 2008, for a period of up to
36 months.
Legislative Authority: Section 452(j) of the Social Security Act,
42 U.S.C. 652(j), provides Federal funds for information dissemination
and technical assistance to States, training of Federal and State staff
to improve child support programs, and research, demonstration, and
special projects of regional or national significance relating to the
operation of State child support enforcement programs.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Program Purpose and Objectives. To fund a number of special
improvement projects, which further the national child support mission
to ensure that all children receive financial and medical support from
their parents and which strengthen the ability of the nation's child
support programs to collect

[[Page 8094]]

support on behalf of children and families. For FY 2005, OCSE is
looking for projects that reflect the goals of the new FY 2005-2009
strategic plan including the goals that all children have parentage
established; and all children in IV-D (child support) cases have
support orders established, have medical coverage, and receive
financial support from parents as ordered. The last goal of the
strategic plan is that the IV-D program will be efficient and
responsive in its operations. The national strategic plan reflects more
than 10 years of child support professionals' brainstorming and
consensus building among various branches and levels of government.
OCSE is looking for innovative projects which promote some of the basic
themes of the national strategic plan in that child support should be a
reliable source of income for families; that the child support system
should help secure children's health care coverage; and that child
support agencies should use early prevention strategies to help build a
culture of compliance in which parents will support their children
voluntarily and reliably. We invite applications for partnerships with
entities such as courts and/or tribunals and community- and faith-based
organizations, which have the ability to address the needs of harder-
to-serve populations, such as low-income non-custodial parents and
culturally diverse populations. Applicants should understand that OCSE
will not award grants for special improvement projects which (a)
duplicate automated data processing and information retrieval system
requirements or enhancements and associated tasks which are specified
in the Social Security Act; or (b) which cover costs for routine
activities that would normally be reimbursed under the Child Support
Program (e.g., adding staff positions to perform routine CSE tasks), or
by other Federal funding sources. Proposals and their accompanying
budgets will be reviewed from this perspective.
Over the past five years, OCSE has awarded an average of 11 grants
per year, totaling approximately $1.3 million per year. All grant
awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds. A non-
Federal match is not required. The anticipated start date for the new
awards is August 1, 2005; projects under Priority 1 may run through
December 31, 2006, for a period of up to 17 months; projects under
Priorities 2, 4 and 5 may run through July 31, 2007, for a period of up
to 24 months; and projects under Priority 3 may run through July 31,
2008, for a period of up to 36 months.
The Federal OCSE will provide the State CSE agency the opportunity
to comment on the merits of local CSE agency applications before final
award. Given that the purpose of these projects is to improve child
support enforcement programs, it is critical that applicants have the
cooperation of IV-D agencies to operate these projects. Preference will
be given to applicants representing CSE agencies and applicant
organizations which have letters of commitment or cooperative
agreements with CSE agencies. All applications developed jointly by
more than one agency/organization must identify a single lead
organization as the official applicant. The lead organization will be
the recipient of the grant award. Participating agencies and
organizations can be included as co-participants, subgrantees, or
subcontractors with their written authorization.
On October 21, 2004, OCSE conducted an audio conference call on
``Writing a Grant Application Made Easy.'' The material presented
covered major differences between Section 1115 and Special Improvement
Project (SIP) grant programs, key elements of the evaluation criteria,
and advice on what to include and common mistakes to avoid. It did not
cover the details of the published announcement or discuss the specific
priority areas. The recorded tape of this call is available through
March 31, 2005, toll free at 1-866-442-8065.

Priority Area 1

Customizing Approaches for Improved Customer Service
1. Description: Under this solicitation, projects would design and
implement customized child support enforcement strategies to improve
services in specific sites such as, urban areas or multi-state metro
areas, or for specific populations (e.g., incarcerated or formerly
incarcerated parents or TANF recipients). Strategies may include, but
are not limited to, two or more of the following customized service
approaches: distinguishing between those who refuse to pay (e.g.,
denial/revocation of licenses and other remedies) and those who cannot
pay (e.g., referral to workforce investment agency activities); working
with TANF recipients nearing end of receipt of public assistance to
help them get child support more regularly; using software to collect
and target data for improved case management (however, SIP grant funds
may not be used for substantial systems development or design);
preventing the build-up of arrears through proactive early
intervention; or co-location of staff to enhance inter-jurisdictional
case processing.

II. Award Information

Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $600,000 per project
period.
Anticipated Number of Awards: 3.
Ceiling of Individual Awards: $200,000 per project period.
Floor on Amount of Individual Awards: None.
An application that exceeds the upper value of the dollar range
specified will be considered non-responsive.
Average Projected Award Amount: $200,000 per project period.
Length of Project Periods: 17 months.

Priority Area 2

Improving Judicial/Administrative Child Support Enforcement Processes
1. Description: Under this solicitation, OCSE is looking for
projects that design and implement approaches, which lead to the
establishment of child support orders that more appropriately address
circumstances of both parents. Such approaches could include better
service of process, use of stipulated (voluntary) agreements between
both parents on child support and related matters, improved court
processes, along with using more culturally sensitive materials for
diverse populations (such as tribal, ethnic groups, those with low
literacy, etc.), as appropriate. Approaches should also address
perceived obstacles to payment, including affordability of orders,
matters of procedural justice and/or access to children.

II. Award Information

Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $375,000 per project
period.
Anticipated Number of Awards: 2.
Ceiling of Individual Awards: $187,500 per project period.
Floor on Amount of Individual Awards: None.
An application that exceeds the upper value of the dollar range
specified will be considered non-responsive.
Average Projected Award Amount: $187,500 per project period.
Length of Project Periods: 24 months with two 12-month budget
periods.
OCSE is providing $150,000 for the first 12-month budget period and
$37,500 for the second 12-month budget period to provide sufficient
time for these projects to finalize activities and evaluation reports.

[[Page 8095]]

Priority Area 3

Improving Child Support and Marriage Education Services for Ethnic and
Culturally Diverse Populations
1. Description: Under this solicitation, projects would target
underserved ethnic and culturally diverse populations, including, but
not limited to, the Hispanic/Latino community, the Asian-American and
Pacific Islander community, the African-American community, and Native
Americans, American Indians, and Alaskan Natives so that they will
receive more effective child support enforcement services and
appropriate healthy marriage education. In addition, projects would
identify and eliminate barriers that make it harder for ethnic and
culturally diverse populations to establish paternity, seek child
support assistance and to form and sustain healthy marriages. OCSE is
looking for projects which implement strategies to improve and
strengthen family stability by providing a combination of child support
and marriage education services to ethnic and culturally diverse non-
married, custodial, and non-custodial parents. We are interested in
collaborative approaches between State/local/tribal governments and/or
courts/tribunals with community-based, faith-based organizations, or
education institutions and universities (including Historically Black
Colleges and Universities) to offer model service approaches (not
outreach campaigns) which reduce identified barriers and implement new
service delivery strategies within the community. These service
approaches should demonstrate the impact on child support outcomes such
as paternity establishment, orders established, collections, and
healthy marriage formation. This solicitation is not designed to
provide funding for the development and implementation of Tribal child
support enforcement programs since these provisions are being addressed
through Federal regulation. As noted under ``III. Eligibility
Information'' below, Tribes and Tribal Organizations are eligible to
apply for any of the SIP priority areas described in this announcement.

II. Award Information

Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $1,500,000 per project
period.
Anticipated Number of Awards: 5.
Ceiling of Individual Awards: $300,000 per project period.
Floor on Amount of Individual Awards: None.
An application that exceeds the upper value of the dollar range
specified will be considered non-responsive.
Average Projected Award Amount: $300,000 per project period.
Length of Project Periods: 36 months with three 12-month budget
periods.

Priority Area 4

Improving Health Care Coverage for Children in Child Support Cases
1. Description: Under this solicitation, OCSE is looking for
projects that develop and test creative strategies to improve medical
support coverage for children in child support cases. Sufficient health
care coverage for children is a primary consideration for the child
support enforcement program. Strategies may include, but are not
limited to, approaches which would improve employer and health
insurance plan administrator compliance with the National Medical
Support Notice (NMSN); encourage employers to provide information to
CSE agencies about their health insurance providers so CSE agencies
could better track and monitor medical support coverage; develop
information that could be replicated in other communities for custodial
and non-custodial parents about low-cost health insurance available at
the local level; or improve data interfaces and other information
exchanges between State/local CSE agencies and agencies administering
Medicaid and SCHIP programs.

II. Award Information

Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $250,000 per project
period.
Anticipated Number of Awards: 2.
Ceiling of Individual Awards: $125,000 per project period.
Floor on Amount of Individual Awards: None.
An application that exceeds the upper value of the dollar range
specified will be considered non-responsive.
Average Projected Award Amount: $125,000 per project period.
Length of Project Periods: 24 months with two 12-month budget
periods.
OCSE is providing $100,000 for the first 12-month budget period and
$25,000 for the second 12-month budget period to provide sufficient
time for these projects to finalize activities and evaluation reports.

Priority Area 5

Improving Local Collaboration Strategies Between Child Support
Enforcement and Community Agencies
1. Description: Under this solicitation, OCSE is interested in
collaboration strategies between local CSE agencies and community- and
faith-based organizations, health clinics, birthing centers,
educational institutions and universities (including Historically Black
Colleges and Universities) or public agencies such as Head Start,
Medicaid, and TANF, that serve child support clients. Projects would
demonstrate innovative strategies to educate parents, especially low-
income, unwed parents, about child support enforcement policies in
order to expedite the establishment of parentage, and encourage parents
to meet their child support and parental responsibilities. OCSE has
funded a number of projects designed to provide mentoring and
employment services to non-custodial parents to increase child support
outcomes. Although these types of projects provided valuable services
to non-custodial parents, they generally did not produce significant
child support outcomes. Thus, under this solicitation OCSE is looking
for innovative collaboration strategies that are primarily intended to
improve child support performance in paternity establishment, support
order establishment, payment of current or overdue support and
additionally, help increase healthy marriage formation.

II. Award Information

Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $250,000 per project
period.
Anticipated Number of Awards: 2.
Ceiling of Individual Awards: $125,000 per project period.
Floor on Amount of Individual Awards: None.
An application that exceeds the upper value of the dollar range
specified will be considered non-responsive.
Average Projected Award Amount: $125,000 per project period.
Length of Project Periods: 24 months with two 12-month budget
periods.
OCSE is providing $100,000 for the first 12-month budget period and
$25,000 for a second 12-month budget period to provide sufficient time
for these projects to finalize activities and evaluation reports.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants for these special improvement project grants
are State (including District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the
Virgin Islands) Human Services Umbrella agencies, other State agencies
(including State IV-D agencies), Tribes and Tribal Organizations, local
public agencies (including IV-D agencies), non-profit

[[Page 8096]]

organizations (including faith-based and community-based organizations
and universities such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities)
and consortia of State and/or local public agencies.
Non-profit organizations applying for funding are required to
submit proof of their non-profit status. Documentation of non-profit
status must be submitted by time of award. Proof of non-profit status
is any one of the following:
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.
A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate.
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.
A certified copy of the organization's certificate of
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit
status.
Any of the items in the subparagraphs immediately above
for a State or national parent organization and a statement signed by
the parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-
profit affiliate.
Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with
their applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents
and Forms'' titled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants''
at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

Additional Information on Eligibility
The applicant should clearly indicate in its application(s) for
which specific priority area it is applying. Applicants may submit
different applications covering different priority areas or they may
submit different applications for different projects under one priority
area; however, they may not submit one application for the same project
covering multiple priority areas.

2. Cost Sharing/Matching

No.

3. Other Eligibility Information

No grant award will be made under this announcement on the basis of
an incomplete application.
All applicants must have a Dun & Bradstreet Universal Numbering
System (DUNS) number. 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 & 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, 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.

Disqualification Factors: An application that exceeds the upper
value of the dollar range specified will be considered non-responsive.
Late applications will be rejected and will not receive further
consideration.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

ATTN: Jean Robinson, Program Analyst, Administration for Children
and Families, Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE), Division of
State, Tribal and Local Assistance, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 4th
Floor, East Wing, Washington, DC 20447. Phone: 202-401-5330. E-mail:
jrobinson@acf.hhs.gov.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

You may submit your application to us in either 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. ACF
will not accept grant applications submitted via e-mail or fax.
Please note the following if you plan to submit your application
electronically via Grants.gov:
Electronic submission is voluntary, but strongly
encouraged.
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 electronic format, nor will we penalize
you if you submit an application in paper format.
You may submit all documents electronically, including all
information typically included on the SF 424 and all necessary
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.
An original and two copies of the complete application are
required. The original and each of the two copies must include all
required forms, certifications, assurances, and appendices, be signed
by an authorized representative, have original signatures on the
original, and be submitted unbound.
Private non-profit organizations need to submit proof of their non-
profit status as described above under ``Eligibility Information'' and
are encouraged to submit with their applications the survey located
under ``Grant Related Documents and Forms'' titled ``Survey for
Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants'' at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm
.

The applicant should clearly indicate in its application(s) for
which specific priority area it is applying. Applicants may submit
different applications covering different priority areas or they may
submit different applications for different projects under one priority
area; however, they may not submit one application for the same project
covering multiple priority areas. The

[[Page 8097]]

length of the application, excluding the required application forms,
certifications, and resumes, should be no more than 20 to 25 pages,
double-spaced format preferred. A page is a single-side of an 8\1/2\''
x 11'' sheet of plain white paper. (Applicants are requested not to
send pamphlets, maps, brochures or other printed material along with
their application as these are difficult to photocopy. These materials,
if submitted, will not be included in the review process.) The project
description should include all the information requirements described
in the specific evaluation criteria outlined in this program
announcement under Part V.
Standard Forms and Certifications
The project description should include all the information
requirements described in the specific evaluation criteria outlined in
the program announcement under Section V Application Review
Information. 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 seeking financial assistance under this announcement
must file the Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal
Assistance; SF-424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs; SF-
424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs. The forms may be
reproduced for use in submitting applications. Applicants must sign and
return the standard forms with their application.
Applicants must furnish prior to award an executed copy of the
Standard Form LLL, Certification Regarding Lobbying, 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 (approved by the Office of
Management and Budget under control number 0348-0046). Applicants must
sign and return the certification with their application.
Applicants must also understand they will be held accountable for
the smoking prohibition included within Public Law 103-227, Title XII
Environmental Tobacco Smoke (also known as the PRO-KIDS Act of 1994). A
copy of the Federal Register notice which implements the smoking
prohibition is included with forms. By signing and submitting the
application, applicants are providing the certification and need not
mail back the certification with the application.
Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their
compliance with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. By
signing and submitting the applications, applicants are providing the
certification and need not mail back the certification form. Complete
the standard forms and the associated certifications and assurances
based on the instructions on the forms. The forms and certifications
may be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

Please see Section V.1. Criteria, for instructions on preparing the
full project description.

3. Submission Dates and Times

Due Date: Application is due May 3, 2005.
Explanation of Due Dates
The closing time and date for the receipt of applications is 4:30
p.m., eastern time, referenced above. Mailed or hand-delivered
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 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management,
Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW.,
Washington, DC 20447, between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal
holidays). This address must appear on the envelope/package containing
the application with the note ``Attention: Sylvia M. Johnson.''
Applicants are responsible for mailing applications well in advance,
when using all mail services, to ensure that the applications are
received on or before the deadline time and date.
Applications hand carried by applicants, applicant couriers, other
representatives of the applicant, or by overnight/express mail couriers
shall be considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are
received on or before the deadline date, between the hours of 8 a.m.
and 4:30 p.m., eastern time, at the address referenced in Section
IV.6., between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays).
ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by facsimile.
Therefore, applications transmitted to ACF by fax will not be accepted
regardless of date or time of submission and time of receipt.
Late applications: Applications that 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.
Any application received after 4:30 p.m., eastern time, on the
deadline date will not be considered for competition.
Applicants using express/overnight mail services should allow two
working days prior to the deadline date for receipt of applications.
See Section IV.6. for more detailed information on submission
requirements.
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, or in other rare
cases. A determination to extend or waive deadline requirements rests
with the Chief Grants Management Officer.
Checklist
You may use the checklist below as a guide when preparing your
application package.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What to submit Required content Required form or format When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table of Contents.................. As described in Consistent with guidance in By application due
Section IV.2. ``Content and Form of date.
Application Submission''
section of this
announcement.
Abstract of Proposed Project....... As described in Consistent with guidance in By application due
Section IV.2. ``Content and Form of date.
Application Submission''
section of this
announcement.
Completed Standard Form 424........ As described in May be found on http:// By application due

Section IV.2. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ date.

ofs/forms.htm.
Completed Standard Form 424A....... As described in May be found on http:// By application due

Section IV.2. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ date.

ofs/forms.htm.
Narrative Budget Justification..... As described in Consistent with guidance in By application due
Section IV.2.. ``Content and Form of date.
Application Submission''
section of this
announcement.
Project Narrative.................. As described in Consistent with guidance in By application due
Section IV.2. ``Content and Form of date.
Application Submission''
section of this
announcement.

[[Page 8098]]

Proof of Non-Profit Status......... As described in May be found in Section By time of award.
Section III.1. III. Eligibility
Information.
Certification regarding lobbying... As described in May be found on http:// By time of award.

Section IV.2. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/
ofs/forms.htm.

Certification regarding As described in May be found on http:// by time fo award.

environmental tobacco smoke. Section IV.2. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/
ofs/forms.htm.

Certification regarding non- As described in May be found on http:// By time of award.

construction programs. Section IV.2. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/
ofs/forms.htm.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional 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''
at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

Grant Applicants. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ date.

ofs/forms.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, 2004, the following jurisdictions have elected to
participate in the Executive Order process: Arkansas, California,
Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa,
Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New
Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South
Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, American Samoa, Guam,
North Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands. As these
jurisdictions have elected to participate in the Executive Order
process, they have established SPOCs. Applicants from participating
jurisdictions should contact their SPOC, as soon as possible, to alert
them of prospective applications and receive instructions. Applicants
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 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management,
Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 4th
floor, Washington, DC 20447.
Although the remaining jurisdictions have chosen not to participate
in the process, entities that meet 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. Therefore,
applicants from these jurisdictions, or for projects administered by
federally-recognized Indian Tribes, need take no action in regard to
E.O. 12372.
The official list, including addresses, of the jurisdictions
elected to participate in E.O. 12372 can be found on the following URL:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

5. Funding Restrictions

Construction is not an allowable activity or expenditure under this
solicitation.
Grant awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-award costs.
Number of Projects in Application
Applicants may submit different applications covering different
priority areas or they may submit different applications for different
projects under one priority area; however, they may not submit one
application for the same project covering multiple priority areas.

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 p.m., eastern time, on or before the closing date.
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants
Management, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade,
SW., 4th Floor West, Washington, DC 20447. ATTN: Sylvia M. Johnson, SIP
Application.
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 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., eastern time, Monday through Friday (excluding Federal holidays).
Applications may be delivered to: ACF Mailroom, 2nd Floor (near loading
dock), Aerospace Building, 901 D Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024.
Electronic Submission: http://www.Grants.gov. Please see section

IV.2 Content and Form of Application Submission for guidelines and
requirements when submitting applications electronically.

V. Application Review Information

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13)

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is
estimated to average 15 hours per response, including the time for
reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining

[[Page 8099]]

the data needed and reviewing the collection information.
The project description is approved under OMB control number 0970-
0139 which expires 4/30/2007. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and
a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information
unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

1. Criteria

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).
Part 1 The Project Description Overview
Purpose. The project description provides a major means by which an
application is evaluated and ranked to compete with other applications
for available assistance. The project description should be concise and
complete and should address the activity for which Federal funds are
being requested. Supporting documents should be included where they can
present information clearly and succinctly. In preparing your project
description, all information requested through each specific evaluation
criterion should be provided. Awarding offices use this and other
information in making their funding recommendations. It is important,
therefore, that this information be included in the application.
Part II General Instructions for Preparing a Full Project Description
Introduction. Applicants required to submit a full project
description shall prepare the project description statement in
accordance with the following instructions while being aware of the
specified evaluation criteria. The text options give a broad overview
of what your project description should include while the evaluation
criteria identifies the measures that will be used to evaluate
applications.
Project Summary Abstract. Provide a summary of the project
description (a page or less) with reference to the funding request.
Objectives and Need for Assistance. Clearly identify the physical,
economic, social, financial, institutional, and/or other problem(s)
requiring a solution. The need for assistance must be demonstrated and
the principal and subordinate objectives of the project must be clearly
stated; supporting documentation, such as letters of support and
testimonials from concerned interests other than the applicant, may be
included. Any relevant data based on planning studies should be
included or referred to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate
demographic data and participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In
developing the project description, the applicant may volunteer or be
requested to provide information on the total range of projects
currently being conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of
which may be outside the scope of the program announcement.
Approach. Outline a plan of action that 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
that 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. For example, increased use of an interstate child support
enforcement remedy (such as income withholding, tax refund offset) is
projected to have quarterly results of a 5% increase in income
withholding collections and a 5% increase in automated enforcement
collections. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or
function, list them in chronological order to show the schedule of
accomplishments and their target dates.
If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated,
clearance may be required from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget
(OMB). This clearance pertains to any ``collection of information that
is conducted or sponsored by ACF.''
List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key
individuals who will work on the project, along with a short
description of the nature of their effort or contribution.
Evaluation. Provide a narrative addressing how the conduct of the
project and the results of the project will be evaluated. In addressing
the evaluation of results, state how you will determine the extent to
which the project has achieved its stated objectives and the extent to
which the accomplishment of objectives can be attributed to the
project. Discuss the criteria to be used to evaluate results, and
explain the methodology that will be used to determine if the needs
identified and discussed are being met and if the project results and
benefits are being achieved. With respect to the conduct of the
project, define the procedures to be employed to determine whether the
project is being conducted in a manner consistent with the work plan
presented and discuss the impact of the project's various activities on
the project's effectiveness.
Additional Information. Following are requests for additional
information that need to be included in the application:
Staff and Position Data. Provide a biographical sketch and job
description for each key person appointed. Job descriptions for each
vacant key position should be included as well. As new key staff is
appointed, biographical sketches will also be required.
Budget and Budget Justification. Provide a budget with 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.
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.
General. Use the following guidelines for preparing the budget and
budget justification. Both Federal and non-Federal resources shall be
detailed and justified in the budget and narrative justification.
``Federal resources'' refers only to the ACF grant for which you are
applying. ``Non-Federal resources'' are all other Federal and non-
Federal resources. It is suggested that budget amounts and computations
be presented in a columnar format: first column, object class
categories; second column, Federal budget; next column(s), non-Federal
budget(s), and last column, total budget. The budget justification
should be a narrative.
Personnel. Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.
Justification: Identify the project director or principal
investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time
commitment to the project (in months), time commitment to the

[[Page 8100]]

project (as a percentage or full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant
salary, wage rates, etc. Do not include the costs of consultants or
personnel costs of delegate agencies or of specific project(s) or
businesses to be financed by the applicant.
Fringe Benefits. Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits
unless treated as part of an approved indirect cost rate.
Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages
that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA,
retirement insurance, taxes, etc.
Travel. Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees
of the applicant organization (does not include consultant travel).
Justification: For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s),
travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if
privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs
and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend ACF-
sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.
Equipment. Description: ``Equipment'' means an article of
nonexpendable, tangible personal property having a useful life of more
than one year and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the
lesser of (a) the capitalization level established by the organization
for the financial statement purposes, or (b) $5,000. (Note: Acquisition
cost means the net invoice unit price of an item of equipment,
including the cost of any modifications, attachments, accessories, or
auxiliary apparatus necessary to make it usable for the purpose for
which it is acquired. Ancillary charges, such as taxes, duty,
protective in-transit insurance, freight, and installation shall be
included in or excluded from acquisition cost in accordance with the
organization's regular written accounting practices.)
Justification: For each type of equipment requested, provide a
description of the equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units,
the total cost, and a plan for use on the project, as well as use or
disposal of the equipment after the project ends. An applicant
organization that uses its own definition for equipment should provide
a copy of its policy or section of its policy, which includes the
equipment definition.
Supplies. Description: Costs of all tangible personal property
other than that included under the Equipment category.
Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their
costs. Show computations and provide other information, which supports
the amount requested.
Contractual. Description: Costs of all contracts for services and
goods except for those that belong under other categories such as
equipment, supplies, construction, etc. Include third-party evaluation
contracts (if applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient
organizations, including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or
businesses to be financed by the applicant.
Justification: Demonstrate that all procurement transactions will
be conducted in a manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical,
open and free competition. Recipients and subrecipients, other than
States that are required to use part 92 procedures, must justify any
anticipated procurement action that is expected to be awarded without
competition and exceed the simplified acquisition threshold fixed at 41
U.S.C. 403(11) (currently set at $100,000). Recipients might be
required to make available to ACF pre-award review and procurement
documents, such as request for proposals or invitations for bids,
independent cost estimates, etc.

Note: Whenever the applicant intends to delegate part of the
project to another agency, the applicant must provide a detailed
budget and budget narrative for each delegate agency, by agency
title, along with the same supporting information referred to in
these instructions.

Other. Description: Costs of all contracts for services and goods
except for those that belong under other categories such as equipment,
supplies, construction, etc. Include third-party evaluation contracts
(if applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient organizations,
including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or businesses to be
financed by the applicant.
Justification: Provide computations, a narrative description and a
justification for each cost under this category.
Total Direct Charges, Total Indirect Charges, Total Project Costs.
(Self-explanatory.)
Evaluation Criteria: The following evaluation criteria appear in
weighted descending order. The corresponding score values indicate the
relative importance that ACF places on each evaluation criterion.
In considering how applicants will carry out the responsibilities
addressed under this announcement, competing applications for financial
assistance will be reviewed and evaluated against the following
criteria:
Objectives and Need for Assistance 30 Points
The application should demonstrate a thorough understanding and
analysis of the problem(s) being addressed in the project, the need for
assistance, and the importance of addressing these problems in
improving the effectiveness of the child support program. The applicant
should describe how the project will address this problem(s) through
implementation of changes, enhancements, and innovative efforts and
specifically, how this project will improve program results. The
applicant should address one or more of the strategies or approaches
described under the specific priority area they are applying for (refer
to Part I. Priority Areas). The applicant should identify the key goals
and objectives of the project; describe the conceptual framework of its
approach to resolve the identified problem(s); and provide a rationale
for taking this approach as opposed to others.
Approach 30 Points
A well thought-out and practical management and staffing plan is
mandatory. The application should include a detailed management plan
that includes timelines and detailed budgetary information. The main
concern in this criterion is that the applicant should demonstrate a
clear idea of the project's goals, objectives, and tasks to be
accomplished. The plan to accomplish the goals and tasks should be set
forth in a logical framework. The plan should identify what tasks are
required of any contractors and specify their relevant qualifications
to perform these tasks. Staff to be committed to the project (including
supervisory and management staff) at the state and/or local levels must
be identified by their role in the project along with their
qualifications and areas of particular expertise. In addition, for any
technical expertise obtained through a contract or subgrant, the
desired technical expertise and skills of proposed positions should be
specified in detail. The applicant should demonstrate that persons with
the skills needed to operate the project are on board or can be
obtained within a reasonable time.
Evaluation 25 Points
The application should describe how the success of this project can
be measured and how the success of this project has broader application
in contributing to child support enforcement policies, practices, and/
or providing solutions that could be

[[Page 8101]]

adapted by other states/jurisdictions. The application should describe
the specific results/products that will be achieved; as appropriate,
identify the kinds of data to be collected and maintained; describe
procedures for informed consent of participants, where applicable, and
discuss the criteria to be used to evaluate the results of the project.
The application should describe the evaluation methodology to be used
to determine if the process proposed was implemented and if the project
goals/objectives were achieved. Sound evaluations to determine whether
or not project goals have been realized are of importance to child
support enforcement policy makers and administrators. Thus, the
proposal should include a process evaluation component and comparison
of before/and after the project site(s)' experience, as appropriate, to
demonstrate the results achieved.
Budget and Budget Justification 10 Points
The project costs need to be reasonable in relation to the
identified tasks, including the evaluation component. A detailed budget
(e.g., the staff required, equipment and facilities that would be
leased or purchased) should be provided identifying all agency and
other resources (i.e., state, community, or other programs such as TANF
or Head Start) that will be committed to the project. Consultant or
contractor personnel costs should also be delineated. Although the
general rule stated above under the heading TRAVEL suggests otherwise,
applicants should NOT include funds for trips to conferences or to
OCSE's Central Office in Washington, DC. If OCSE requests such visits,
it will reimburse the grantee for them. Grant funds cannot be used for
capital improvements or the purchase of land or buildings. Explain why
this project's resource requirements cannot be met by the state/local
agency's regular program operating budget.
Preferences 5 Points
Preference will be given to those grant applicants representing IV-
D agencies and applicant organizations who have documented IV-D agency
commitment to the project, either through a cooperative agreement or
letter of commitment, which needs to be signed and attached to the
application.

2. Review and Selection Process

Each application submitted under this program announcement will
undergo a pre-review to determine that (1) the application was received
by the closing date and submitted in accordance with the instructions
in this announcement and (2) the applicant is eligible for funding. It
is necessary that applicants state specifically which priority area
they are applying for.
Applications will be screened for priority area appropriateness. If
applications do not clearly select a priority area, or if an
application for a single project covers multiple priority areas (see
Section IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission), applicants
will be contacted by staff to provide verbal approval of priority area
selection.
Applications that pass the initial ACF screening will be evaluated
and rated by an independent review panel on the basis of specific
evaluation criteria. The results of these reviews will assist the
Commissioner and OCSE program staff in considering competing
applications. Reviewers' scores will weigh heavily in funding decisions
but will not be the only factors considered. Applications generally
will be considered in order of the average scores assigned by
reviewers. However, highly ranked applications are not guaranteed
funding because other factors are taken into consideration. These
include, but are not limited to, the number of similar types of
existing grants or projects funded with OCSE funds in the last five
years; comments of reviewers and government officials; staff evaluation
and input; geographic distribution; previous program performance of
applicants; compliance with grant terms under previous DHHS grants;
audit reports; investigative reports; an applicant's progress in
resolving any final audit disallowance on previous OCSE or other
Federal agency grants. OCSE will consider the geographic distribution
of funds among States and the relative proportion of funding among
rural and urban areas. The evaluation criteria were designed to assess
the quality of a proposed project, and to determine the likelihood of
its success. The evaluation criteria are closely related and are
considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application.
Points are awarded only to applications that are responsive to the
evaluation criteria within the context of this program announcement.
Federal reviewers will be used for the review process; however, we
may also use consultants. Since ACF will be using non-Federal reviewers
in the review process, 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.
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 later
competition.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

The anticipated start date for the new awards is August 1, 2005.
Projects under Priority 1 may run through December 31, 2006, for a
period of up to 17 months; projects under Priorities 2, 4 and 5 may run
through July 31, 2007, for a period of up to 24 months; and projects
under Priority 3 may run through July 31, 2008, for a period of up to
36 months.

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 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.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Grantees are subject to the requirements in 45 CFR part 74 (non-
governmental) or 45 CFR part 92 (governmental).

3. Reporting Requirements

All grantees are required to submit quarterly program reports;
grantees are also required to submit quarterly expenditure reports
using the required financial standard form (SF-269) which can be found
at the following URL: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm

Final reports are due 90 days after the end of the grant period. A
suggested format for the program report will be sent to all grantees
after the awards are made.

[[Page 8102]]

VII. Agency Contacts

Program Office Contact

For questions regarding application development, forms, or program
concerns regarding the announcement contact: Susan Greenblatt, Deputy
Director, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child
Support Enforcement (OCSE), Division of State, Tribal and Local
Assistance, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 4th Floor, East Wing,
Washington, DC 20447. Phone: 202-401-4849. E-mail:
sgreenblatt@acf.hhs.gov.

Grants Management Office Contact

Sylvia M. Johnson, Office of Grants Management, Division of
Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Suite 500 West,
Aerospace Building, Washington, DC 20447. Phone: 202-401-4524. E-mail:
SYJohnson@acf.hhs.gov.

VIII. Other Information

ACF will not send applicants an acknowledgement of receipt for
applications received during the application period.
Additional information about this program and its purpose can be
located on the following Web site: URL: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/.

Dated: February 11, 2005.
David H. Siegel,
Acting Commissioner, Office of Child Support Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 05-3090 Filed 2-16-05; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4184-01-P