FR Doc 05-8133

[Federal Register: April 25, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 78)]
[Notices]
[Page 21229-21238]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25ap05-49]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

Office of Community Services

Funding Opportunity Title: Community Services Block Grant--Rural
Community Development Activities Program

Announcement Type: Initial.
Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2005-ACF-OCS-EF-0030.
CFDA Number: 93.570.
Due Date for Applications: June 24, 2005.

Summary

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 Secretary's discretionary
authority. The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Act of 1981; as
amended (Section 680(a)(3)(B) of the Community Opportunities,
Accountability, and Training and Educational Services Act of 1998),
authorizes the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) to provide assistance for rural community development
activities, which shall include providing grants to multi-state,
regional, private, non-profit organizations to enable the organizations
to provide training and technical assistance to small, rural
communities concerning meeting their community facilities needs.
Awards will be contingent on the outcome of the competition and the
availability of funds. This announcement is inviting applications for a
12-month budget period and a 60-month project period. Applications for
continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the one-year
budget period but within the five-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 will be in the best interest of
the Government.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Act of 1981, as amended
(Section 680(a)(3)(B) of the Community Opportunities, Accountability,
and Training and Educational Services Act of 1998), authorizes the
Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to
provide assistance for rural community development activities, which
shall include providing grants to multi-state, regional, private, non-
profit organizations to enable the organizations to provide training
and technical assistance to small, rural communities concerning meeting
their community facility needs. Pursuant to this announcement, the
Office of Community Services (OCS) will award grants to private non-
profits to provide training and technical assistance on water and waste
water management systems for small, rural low-income communities. The
low-income beneficiaries to this program are those who are determined
to be living in poverty as determined by the HHS Guidelines on Poverty
(See Appendix A).

Program Evaluation

Pursuant to the requirement of Section 680(b) of the COATES Act,
OCS will provide funds to an independent third party research
organization to evaluate the effectiveness of the programs and services
carried out by the grantees funded pursuant to this announcement,
individually and as an overall strategy for improving the quality of
life and economic well-being of residents in small, rural communities,
particularly as they affect low-income residents of those communities
and contribute to developing and sustaining healthy rural communities.
Pursuant to that requirement, approximately $200,000 in FY 2005
funds will be made available for developing an evaluation design.

Project Goals

[[Page 21230]]

develop the capacity and expertise to establish and/or maintain needed
community facilities, which include: (a) Affordable, adequate and safe
water and waste water treatment facilities; (b) increasing the
community capacity building skills; and (c) assisting the communities
with developing community leadership skills.
2. To improve the coordination of Federal, State and local
agencies' funding resources to assist with: (a) Water and waste water
management systems; (b) community capacity building; and (c) developing
community leadership skills.
3. To provide data and information needed for the evaluation of the
projects to demonstrate the effectiveness of these activities and
interventions and of the project designs through which they were
implemented; and to cooperate with the third-party entity carrying out
evaluation of the programs; and
4. To distribute information to low-income rural communities on
available Federal assistance to support these activities and contribute
to developing and sustaining healthy rural communities.

Program Priority Areas

There is only one program priority area in this announcement.

Definition of Terms

For the purposes of this announcement:
1. Budget Period: The time intervals into which a project period is
divided for budgetary and funding purposes.
2. Cash Contributions: The cash outlay including the money
contributed to the project or program by the recipient and third
parties.
3. Community Economic Development (CED): A process by which a
community uses resources to attract capital and increase physical,
commercial, and business development and job opportunities for its
residents.
4. Distressed Community: An urban neighborhood or rural community
of high unemployment and pervasive poverty.
5. Eligible Applicant: A multi-state, regional, private non-profit
organization that can provide training and technical assistance to
small, rural communities concerning their community facility needs.
Faith-based organizations that meet the above requirements are eligible
to apply.
6. Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities (EZ/EC): Those
communities designated as such by the Secretaries of Agriculture or
Housing and Urban Development.
7. Faith-based Organizations: Faith-based organizations that are
exempt from taxation under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 by reason of paragraph (3) or (4) of Section 501(c) of such Code
and private non-profit corporations or organizations are also eligible
to apply for funds under this program announcement.
8. Indian Tribe: An Indian tribe or a private, non-profit
corporation or organization.
9. Job Creation: Jobs that were not in existence before the start
of the project.
10. Job Placement: Placing a person in an existing vacant job of a
business, service, or commercial activity not related to new
development or expansion activity.
11. Poverty Income Guidelines: Guidelines published annually by the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that establish the level
of poverty defined as low-income for individuals and their families.
12. Program Income: Gross income earned by the grant recipient that
is directly generated by an activity supported with grant funds.
13. Project Period: The total time for which a project is approved
for OCS support, including any approved extensions.
14. Rural Community: A community or defined rural area with a
population under 10,000, although most activities of the Rural
Community Assistance Program are carried out in rural areas with
populations of 2,000 or less.
15. Secretary: The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting
through the Director of the Office of Community Services.
16. Self-Sufficiency: A condition where an individual or family
neither needs nor is eligible for public assistance.
17. Technical Assistance: A problem-solving event or intervention
utilizing the services of an expert. Such services may be provided on-
site, by telephone, or by other communications. These services address
specific problems and are intended to assist in immediately resolving a
given problem or set of problems.
18. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): Title I of the
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996
(Pub. L. 104-193) created the TANF program that transformed welfare
into a system that requires work in exchange for time-limited
assistance.
19. Third Party: Any individual organization, or business entity
that is not the direct recipient of grant funds.
20. Third Party In-kind Contributions: The value of non-cash
contributions provided by non-federal third parties in the form of real
property, equipment, supplies, and other expendable property, and the
value of goods and services directly benefiting and specifically
identifiable to the project or programs.
Awards will be contingent on the outcome of the competition and the
availability of funds.

Priority Area: Rural Community Development Activities Program

1. Description:
The project description provides the major means by which an
application is evaluated and ranked to compete with other applications
for available assistance. The project description should be concise,
complete, and address the activity for which Federal funds are being
requested. Supporting documents should present information clearly and
succinctly. Applicants are required to provide information on their
organizational structure, staff, related experience, and other relevant
information. Awarding offices use this and other information to
determine whether the applicant has the capability and resources
necessary to carry out the proposed project. It is important, to
include this information in the application. However, in the narrative,
the applicant must distinguish resources directly related to the
proposed project from those that will not be used specifically to
support the project for which funds are requested.
The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Act of 1981, as amended
(Section 680(a)(3)(B) of the Community Opportunities, Accountability,
and Training and Educational Services Act of 1998), authorizes the
Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to
provide assistance for rural community development activities, which
shall include providing grants to multi-state, regional, private, non-
profit organizations to enable the organizations to provide training
and technical assistance to small, rural communities concerning meeting
their community facility needs. Pursuant to this announcement, the
Office of Community Services (OCS) will award grants to multi-state,
regional, private, non-profit organizations to provide training and
technical assistance to rural low-income communities in the development
of community facilities. The low-income community beneficiaries to this
program are those who are determined to be living in poverty as
determined by the HHS Guidelines on Poverty (See Appendix A).

[[Page 21231]]

Project Goals

The ultimate goals of the projects to be funded under this program
are:
1. To provide training and technical assistance in developing and
managing community facilities in rural areas that will help low-income
communities develop the capability and expertise to establish and/or
maintain needed community facilities, which may include: (a)
Affordable, adequate, and safe water and waste water treatment
facilities; (b) increasing the community capacity building skills; and
(c) developing leadership skills.
2. To improve the coordination of Federal, State and local
agencies' funding resources to assist with: (a) water and waste water
management systems; (b) community capacity building; and (c) developing
community leadership skills.
3. To provide data and information needed for the evaluation of the
projects to demonstrate the effectiveness of these activities and
interventions and of the project designs through which they were
implemented; and to cooperate with the third-party entity carrying out
evaluation of the programs;and
4. To distribute information to low-income rural communities on
available Federal assistance to support these activities and contribute
to developing and sustaining healthy rural communities.

Attendance of Technical Assistance and Evaluation Workshops/
Conferences.

OCS will sponsor at least one national evaluation workshop in
Washington, DC or in other locations, if necessary, during the course
of the project period. Project Directors will be expected to attend
such workshops and should include the expenses of attending as a part
of their original budget request.

II. Award Information

Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $6,719,000.
Anticipated Number of Awards: 6 to 7.
Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards: $1,000,000 per budget
period.
Floor on Amount of Individual Awards: $719,000 per budget period.
Average Projected Award Amount: $1,000,000 per budget period.
Length of Project Periods: 5 year project period with 12 month
budget periods
This announcement invites applications for project periods up to
five years. Awards, on a competitive basis, will be for a one-year
budget period, although project periods may be for five years.
Applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond
the one-year budget period but within the five-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 will be in the best interest of
the Government.
An application that exceeds the upper value of the dollar range
specified will be considered non-responsive and will not be eligible
for funding under this announcement.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants: Non-profits having a 501(c)(3) status with
the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with
their applications the optional survey located under ``Grant Manuals &
Forms 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

1. Multi-state, regional, private, non-profit organizations that
can provide training and technical assistance to small, rural
communities concerning their community facility needs.
2. Faith-based organizations that meet the program requirements.
2. Cost Sharing/Matching: None.
Please refer to Section IV. for any pre-award requirements.
3. Other:
1. Must be multi-state, regional, private, nonprofit organizations
that can provide training and technical assistance to small, rural
communities concerning their community facility needs.
2. Faith-based organizations that meet the program requirements.
All Applicants must have a Dun & Bradstreet 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 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.

Non-profit organizations applying for funding are required to
submit proof of their non-profit status.
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
earning 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.

(The only applicable methods for the rural facilities program are the
first and second items. The applicant should disregard the other areas
listed).

Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with
their applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents
and Forms,'' ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants,''
titled, ``Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants,'' at:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

Disqualification Factors

Applications that exceed the ceiling amount will be considered non-
responsive and will not be eligible for funding under this
announcement.
Any application received after 4:30 p.m. eastern time on the
deadline date will not be considered for competition.
No award will be made under this announcement on the basis of an
incomplete application.

[[Page 21232]]

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package: Veronica Terrell,
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services'
Operation Center, 1515 Wilson Blvd., Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22209;
Phone: 1-800-281-9519; E-mail: OCS@lcgnet.com.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Application pages
should be numbered sequentially throughout the application package,
beginning with a Summary/Abstract of the proposed project as page
number one; and each application must include all of the following:
1. Project Summary/Abstract-brief, not to exceed one page on the
applicant's letterhead (that will not be counted as part of the Project
Narrative/Description) and that includes the following information;
2. Table of Contents;
3. A completed Standard Form 424 which has been signed by an
official of the organization applying for the grant who has authority
to obligate the organization legally;
4. A completed Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs (SF-
424A);
5. A Budget Justification, including narrative budget justification
for each object class category;
6. Proof of current non-profit status of applicant;
7. A Project Narrative, limited to 30 pages;
8. Appendices, which should include the following: (a) All the
Assurances--Non-Construction; (b) resumes and/or position descriptions;
(e) any letters and/or supporting documents from collaborating or
partnering agencies in the target communities; (f) single point of
contact comments.

List of Attachments

A. Income Poverty Guidelines
B. Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424)
C. Budget Information--Non Construction Programs (SF 424A)
D. Assurances--Non Construction Programs (SF 424B)
E. Certification Regarding Lobbying
F. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities
G. Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke

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 via e-mail or facsimile
transmission.
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, and be
submitted unbound.
Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with
their applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents
and Forms,'' ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants,''
titled, ``Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants,'' at:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

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.

[[Page 21233]]

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.
3. Submission Dates and Times: Explanation of Due Dates: The
closing date for submission of applications is referenced above.
Applications received after 4:30 eastern time on the closing date will
be classified as late.
Deadline: Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an
announced deadline if they are either received on or before the
deadline time and date referenced in Section IV.6. Applicants are
responsible for ensuring applications are mailed or submitted
electronically well in advance of the application due 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.
Receipt acknowledgement for application packages will not be
provided to applicants who submit their package via mail, courier
services, or by hand delivery. Applicants will receive an electronic
acknowledgement for applications that are submitted via Grants.gov.
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.
Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not
always deliver as agreed.
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.................... See Section IV.2....... Format described in By application due
IV.2. date.
Project Abstract..................... See Section IV.2....... Format described in V.. By application due
date.
Project Narrative.................... See Section IV.2....... Format described in V.. By application due
date.
SF424................................ See Section IV.2....... Format described in V.. By application due
date.
Assurances and Certifications........ See Section IV.2....... Format described in By application due
IV.2. date.
Non-Federal Commitment Letters....... See Section V.......... Format described in V.. By application due
date.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Forms: Private, nonprofit 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.

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

programs/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.
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.
Although the remaining jurisdictions have chosen not to participate
in the process, entities that meet the eligibility

[[Page 21234]]

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: Grant awards will not allow reimbursement
of pre-award costs.
An application that is received after the deadline date or exceeds
the upper value of the dollar range specified will not be considered
non-responsive and will not be eligible for funding under this
announcement.
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. Applications should be mailed to: Administration for
Children and Families, Office of Community Services' Operation Center,
1515 Wilson Blvd., Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22209, Attention: Veronica
Terrell.
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. Applications should be
delivered to: Administration for Children and Families, Office of
Community Services' Operation Center, 1515 Wilson Blvd., Suite 100,
Arlington, VA 22209, Attention: Veronica Terrell.
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 10 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 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:

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, information responsive to each of the requested evaluation
criteria must 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 in a
manner that is clear and complete.

General Instructions

ACF is particularly interested in specific project descriptions
that focus on outcomes and convey strategies for achieving intended
performance. Project descriptions are evaluated on the basis of
substance and measurable outcomes, not length. Extensive exhibits are
not required. Cross-referencing should be used rather than repetition.
Supporting information concerning activities that will not be directly
funded by the grant or information that does not directly pertain to an
integral part of the grant funded activity should be placed in an
appendix. Pages should be numbered and a table of contents should be
included for easy reference.

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.

Results or Benefits Expected

Identify the results and benefits to be derived.

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.
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

[[Page 21235]]

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.

Geographic Location

Describe the precise location of the project and boundaries of the
area to be served by the proposed project. Maps or other graphic aids
may be attached.

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.

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. If the
applicant is a non-profit organization, submit proof of non-profit
status in its application. The non-profit agency can accomplish this by
providing: (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; and (e) any of the items 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.

Dissemination Plan

Provide a plan for distributing reports and other project outputs
to colleagues and the public. Applicants must provide a description of
the kind, volume and timing of distribution.

Third-Party Agreements

Provide written and signed agreements between grantees and sub-
grantees or subcontractors or other cooperating entities. These
agreements must detail scope of work to be performed, work schedules,
remuneration, and other terms and conditions that structure or define
the relationship.

Letters of Support

Provide statements from community, public and commercial leaders
that support the project proposed for funding. All submissions should
be included in the application OR by application deadline.

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 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 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 costs of 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

[[Page 21236]]

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.
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 required supporting information referred to in
these instructions.

Other

Enter the total of all other costs. Such costs, where applicable
and appropriate, may include but are not limited to insurance, food,
medical and dental costs (noncontractual), professional services costs,
space and equipment rentals, printing and publication, computer use,
training costs, such as tuition and stipends, staff development costs,
and administrative costs. Justification: Provide computations, a
narrative description and a justification for each cost under this
category.

Indirect Charges

Description: Total amount of indirect costs. This category should
be used only when the applicant currently has an indirect cost rate
approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or
another cognizant Federal agency. Justification: An applicant that will
charge indirect costs to the grant must enclose a copy of the current
rate agreement. If the applicant organization is in the process of
initially developing or renegotiating a rate, upon notification that an
award will be made, it should immediately develop a tentative indirect
cost rate proposal based on its most recently completed fiscal year, in
accordance with the cognizant agency's guidelines for establishing
indirect cost rates, and submit it to the cognizant agency. Applicants
awaiting approval of their indirect cost proposals may also request
indirect costs. When an indirect cost rate is requested, those costs
included in the indirect cost pool should not also be charged as direct
costs to the grant. Also, if the applicant is requesting a rate which
is less than what is allowed under the program, the authorized
representative of the applicant organization must submit a signed
acknowledgement that the applicant is accepting a lower rate than
allowed.

Program Income

Description: The estimated amount of income, if any, expected to be
generated from this project. Justification: Describe the nature, source
and anticipated use of program income in the budget or refer to the
pages in the application which contain this information.

Nonfederal Resources

Description: Amounts of non-Federal resources that will be used to
support the project as identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
Justification: The firm commitment of these resources must be
documented and submitted with the application so the applicant is given
credit in the review process. A detailed budget must be prepared for
each funding source. Grantees will be held accountable for any non-
federal resources represented in their applications as committed to the
project.

Evaluation Criteria

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:

Approach 30 Points

Element I--Approach 1--Project Implementation--(Maximum: 20 Points)
The Work Plan is both sound and feasible. The project responds to
the needs identified in the Analysis of Need. It sets forth realistic
quarterly time targets for task completion. Critical issues or
potential problems that might impact negatively on the project are
defined and the project objectives can be reasonably attained despite
such potential problems.
Element II--Approach 2--Public Private Partnerships (Maximum: 10
Points)
The application documents that the applicant will mobilize from
public and/or private sources cash and/or in-kind contributions.
Applicants documenting that the fair value of such contributions will
at least equal the OCS funds requested will receive the maximum number
of points for this element. Applications proposing to mobilize
contributions that are valued less than the total amount of Federal
grant funds requested will receive prorated points in this element.

Staff and Position Data 15 Points

Element III--Staff Skills, Resources and Responsibilities (Sub-Rating
0-15 Points)
The application describes in brief resume form the experience and
skills of the Project Director who is not only well qualified, but
possesses professional capabilities relevant to successfully
implementing the project. If the key staff person has not yet been
identified, the application must contain a comprehensive position
description indicating the relevance of the responsibilities to be
assigned to the Project Director who will be successfully implementing
the project. The applicant has adequate facilities and resources (i.e.,
space and equipment) to successfully carry out the work plan. The
assigned responsibilities of the staff are appropriate to the tasks
identified for the project and sufficient time of senior staff will be
budgeted to assure timely implementation and cost-effective management
of the project.

Organizational Profiles 15 Points

Element IV--Organizational Experience of Program Area and Staff
Responsibilities (Maximum: 15 Points)
Documentation provided indicates that previous projects
were relevant and effective and provided permanent benefits to the low-
income population.

[[Page 21237]]

Organizations that propose providing training and
technical assistance have detailed competence in the specific program
priority area and as a deliverer with expertise in the fields of
training and technical assistance. If applicable, information provided
by these applicants also should address related achievements and
competence of each cooperating or sponsoring organization.

Results or Benefits Expected 15 Points

Element V--Results or Benefits Expected--Significant and Beneficial
Impact (Maximum: 15 Points)
The application contains a full and accurate description of the
proposed use of the requested financial assistance. The proposed
project will produce permanent and measurable results that will reduce
the incidence of poverty in the areas targeted and significantly
enhance the health of the communities served and the well-being of
their residents. Results are quantifiable in terms of program area
expectations, for example, number of water systems or waste water
treatment facilities begun, in construction, or completed; measurable
improvement in water quality and health of watershed; amount of
resources successfully mobilized for facilities improvement; and number
of communities provided assistance with community capacity building and
development of leadership skills. The OCS grant funds, in combination
with private and/or other public resources, are targeted into rural
low-income and/or designated empowerment zones and enterprise
communities.

Objectives and Need for Assistance 15 Points

Element VI--Analysis of Need (Maximum: 15 Points)
The application must precisely identify the target population(s)
and/or communities to be served. The geographic area to be impacted
should then be briefly described, citing the percentage of low-income
residents and/or communities that will be impacted and providing any
other data relevant to the project design. The applicant should
describe the needs of the communities and how they plan to address
these needs in each relevant area of activity-training and technical
assistance on water and waste water management systems, community
capacity building and developing leadership.

Budget and Budget Justification 5 Points

Element VII--Budget Appropriateness and Reasonableness (Maximum: 5
Points)
Funds requested are commensurate with the level of effort necessary
to accomplish the goals and objectives of the project. The application
includes a narrative detailed budget break-down for each of the budget
categories in the SF-424A. The applicant presents a reasonable
administrative cost. The estimated cost to the government of the
project also is reasonable in relation to the anticipated results.

Evaluation 5 Points

Element VIII--Cooperation With Project Evaluation (Maximum: 5 Points)
The applicant should provide a well thought through outline of a
plan for collecting, validating and reporting or providing data
concerning its activities, services and constituent services to
recipients. The applicant must indicate its willingness to cooperate
with the organization developing the national evaluation design in
identifying performance goals and measures. To be considered for
funding, the applicant must provide a signed statement agreeing to
cooperate with the organization evaluating the national program by
providing the data and information necessary for carrying out the
evaluation.
2. Review and Selection Process:

Initial OCS Screening

Each application submitted under this Program Announcement will
undergo a pre-review to determine that the application was received by
the closing date and submitted in accordance with the instructions in
this Announcement.
All applications that meet the published deadline requirements as
provided in this Program Announcement will be screened for completeness
and conformity with the following requirements.
The following requirements must be met by all Applicants except as
noted:
1. The application must contain a signed Standard Form 424
``Application of Federal Assistance'' (SF-424), a budget (SF-424A) and
signed ``Assurances'' (SF-424B) completed according to instructions.
The SF-424 and the SF-424B must be signed by an official of the
organization applying for the grant who has authority to obligate the
organization legally. Applicant's must also be aware that the
applicant's legal name as required on the SF-424 (Item 5) must match
that listed as corresponding to the Employer Identification Number
(Item 6).
2. A project narrative must also accompany the standard forms. OCS
requests that the narrative portion of the application be limited to 30
letter-size pages, numbered consecutively, and typewritten on one side
of the paper only with one-inch margins single spaced and type face no
smaller than 12 characters per inch or equivalent.
3. Application should contain documentation of the applicant's non-
profit status. Documentation must be provided before date of award.

Consideration of Applications

Applications which pass the initial OCS screening will be reviewed
and rated by an independent review panel on the basis of the specific
review criteria described in Priority Area I. The review criteria were
designed to assess the quality of proposed project, and to determine
the likelihood of its success. The review criteria are closely related
and are considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an
application. Points are awarded only to applications which are
responsive to the review criteria and program elements within the
context of this Program Announcement. The results of these reviews will
assist the Director and OCS 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, including, but not limited to, the timely and proper
completion of applicant of projects funded with OCS funds granted in
the last five (5) years; comments of reviewers and government
officials; staff evaluation, and input; the amount and duration of the
grant requested, the proposed project's consistency and harmony with
OCS goals and policy; geographic distribution of applications; previous
program performance of applicants; compliance with grant terms under
previous HHS grants, including the actual dedication to program of
mobilized resources as set forth in project applications; audit
reports; investigative reports; and applicant's progress in resolving
any final audit disallowances on previous OCS or other Federal agency
grants.
Since ACF will be using non-Federal reviewers in the process,
applicants have the option of omitting from the application copies (not
the original) specific salary rates or amounts for

[[Page 21238]]

individuals specified in the application budget and Social Security
Numbers, if otherwise required for individuals. The copies may include
summary salary information. OCS reserves the right to discuss
applications with other Federal or non-Federal funding sources to
verify the applicant's performance record and the documents submitted.

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.
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:
Programmatic Reports: Semi-Annually.
Financial Reports: Semi-Annually.
Grantees will be required to submit a semi-annual program progress
and financial report (SF 269) throughout the project period, as well as
a final program and financial report 90 days after the end of the
project period. Program progress and financial reports are due 30 days
after the reporting period.
Special Terms and Conditions of Awards:

Audit Requirements

Grantees are subject to the audit requirement in 45 CFR part 74
(non-profit organizations) or part 92 (governmental entities) which
require audits under OMB Circular A-133.

VII. Agency Contacts

Program Office Contact: Veronica Terrell, Administrative for
Children and Families Office of Community Services, Division of
Community and Discretionary Programs, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW.--5th
Floor West, 901 D Street, SW.--5th Floor West, Washington, DC 20447;
Phone: 202-401-5295; Fax: 202-205-5008 Email: vterrell@acf.hhs.gov.
Grants Management Office Contact: Barbara Ziegler-Johnson, Grants
Management Officer, Administration for Children and Families Office of
Grants Management Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant
Promenade, SW.--4th Floor West 901 D Street, SW.--4th Floor West,
Washington , DC 20447; Phone: 1-800-281-9519; Email: OCS@lcgnet.com.

VIII. Other Information

Notice: Beginning with FY 2006, The Administration for Children and
Families (ACF) will no longer publish grant announcements in the
Federal Register. Beginning October 1, 2005 applicants will be able to
find a synopsis of all ACF grant opportunities and apply electronically
for opportunities via: http://www.Grants.gov. Applicants will also be

able to find the complete text of all ACF grant announcements on the
ACF Web site located at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/index.html.

The FY 2006 President's budget does not include or propose funding
for the Rural Community Development Activities Program. Future funding
is based on the availability of Federal funds.
Direct Federal grants, subaward funds, or contracts under this
rural Community Development Activities Program shall not be used to
support inherently religious activities such as religious instruction,
worship, or proselytization. Therefore, organizations must take steps
to separate, in time or location, their inherently religious activities
from the services funded under this Program. Regulations pertaining to
the prohibition of Federal funds for inherently religious activities
can be found on the HHS Web site at http://www.os.dhhs.gov/fbci/waisgate21.pdf
.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Veronica Terrell (202) 401-5295,
vterrell@acf.hhs.gov, or Carol Watkins (202) 401-9356,
cwatkins@acf.hhs.gov. Web site address for reading and downloading
applications: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs_double click on

``Funding Opportunities.''

Dated: April 14, 2005.
Josephine B. Robinson,
Director, Office of Community Services.
[FR Doc. 05-8133 Filed 4-22-05; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4184-01-P