[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 80 (Wednesday, April 26, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20507-20511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-10270]
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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Immigration and Naturalization Service
[INS No. 1715-95]
RIN 1115-AE12
Naturalization Pilot Project; Availability of Funds; Solicitation
for Proposals
AGENCY: Immigration and Naturalization Service, Justice.
ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and solicitation for
applications for a cooperative agreement.
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SUMMARY: The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) announces the
availability of up to $500,000 for a cooperative agreement to conduct a
naturalization pilot project pursuant to the funding provisions of the
President's Immigration Initiative, Public Law 103-317 enacted August
26, 1994. See H.R. Conf. Rep. 103-708, 103d Cong., 2d Sess. (1994) at
23,26.
The Office of Justice Programs will award a cooperative agreement
on behalf of INS to an organization demonstrating a capacity to design
and successfully implement a program enhancing public awareness of
naturalization in urban and rural areas of Southern California.
The INS will accept proposals from organizations with the
experience, expertise and resources to prepare and disseminate
information, assist in the preparation of naturalization applications,
conduct or coordinate citizenship education programs and fully assist
INS in the naturalization process. The INS welcomes proposals from
nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) status), such as national and local
voluntary agencies, community-based organizations as well as ethnic,
civic, patriotic, educational and other immigrant interest
organizations.
APPLICATION DUE DATE: June 5, 1995.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E.B. Duarte, Jr., Director,
Examinations Operations Facilitation Program, Immigration and
Naturalization Service, 425 I Street, NW.; room 3214, Washington, DC
20536; telephone 202/307-3587.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The INS announces the availability of funds
to conduct a naturalization pilot project in urban and rural areas of
southern California. A cooperative agreement will be awarded to one
organization which may function by itself or as a principal
organization responsible for directing and coordinating a consortium of
affiliated entities. The organization may conduct the pilot project in
any one, two or all of the following INS jurisdictions: The district
offices of Los [[Page 20508]] Angeles and San Diego and the suboffice
of Fresno.
Background
Enhancing the naturalization process for all eligible immigrants is
an INS priority. The goal is to focus on lawful permanent residents who
gained their status in the 1980s through the legalization program and
are now becoming eligible to apply for naturalization, as well as those
permanent residents who have not yet chosen to become United States
citizens. The best public awareness program is the speedy, efficient
delivery of a quality product. The INS will implement an enhanced
program to process the additional filings resulting from awareness
activities and permanent residents motivated recently to seek
citizenship. A key element of the program is the naturalization pilot
project.
A cooperative agreement will be awarded to a nonprofit, voluntary
organization which, depending on the scope of its program, will work
closely with either or both district directors at Los Angeles and San
Diego and/or the officer-in-charge at Fresno and their appropriate
staffs. In cooperation and consultation with the INS field offices, the
organization will develop creative approaches to reach out to potential
naturalization applicants from a wide range of various ethnic groups
individually or en masse to complete and file their naturalization
applications.
The organization will also help applicants meet their English
language and civics requirements, assist the INS in the naturalization
process and provide follow-up educational programs on citizenship
responsibilities.
An objective of the cooperative agreement is to ensure the
provision of appropriate information and assistance to eligible
naturalization applicants.
Purpose
The INS intends to empower local community groups to develop a
viable programmatic relationship with INS field offices to provide
naturalization applicants from diverse groups with general information,
technical assistance and educational opportunities to complete their
applications and prepare for their naturalization interviews. To do so,
the INS seeks proposals from organizations that have experience in
developing creative and innovative approaches (utilizing various multi-
media packages and state-of-the-art information system technologies) of
screening and assisting eligible applicants in the immigration
application process, and can demonstrate accessible, credible
educational programs for required English and civics proficiencies.
Program Description
The pilot project is designed to develop and implement a program
enhancing public awareness of naturalization in urban and rural areas
of southern California. Organizations shall propose to conduct
programmatic activities in the following INS jurisdictions: only the
Los Angeles district, only the San Diego district, only the Fresno
suboffice, or any combination of two or all three of these
jurisdictions. Proposals should specify in which jurisdiction(s) the
organizations will conduct the pilot project and the strategies they
will pursue, and describe the level of effort they will exert in each
jurisdiction. Additionally, proposals should address the following
critical elements:
Part I: Targeted Population
Outreach efforts emphasizing naturalization under the cooperative
agreement shall be directed to a wide-range of ethnic groups or
particular classes of immigrants in urban and rural areas of the INS
jurisdictions stated above in which the organization will conduct pilot
project activities. Classes would include, for example: Those lawful
permanent residents who obtained status through the legislation or
special agricultural programs during the 1980s and are now becoming
eligible to apply for citizenship; lawful permanent residents from
particular ethnic groups who have not been fully motivated to apply for
naturalization; and elderly applicants from diverse ethnic groups who
may require special educational programs tailored to their needs.
Proposals should emphasize how the organization can develop effective
systems enabling applicants to electronically file their naturalization
applications with the INS field office(s), and may include a discussion
of how certified educational entities, if approved by the INS, would
test naturalization applicants on the English and civics requirements,
especially the ability to speak English words and phrases in ordinary
usage.
Proposals should define the characteristics of the targeted ethnic
groups or particular classes as well as the organization's
qualifications to reach large segments in a credible manner through
educational and public informational activities.
Part II: Pilot Project Strategies
Proposers are encouraged to develop creative approaches for
providing a comprehensive program that will assist the widest possible
targeted audiences. Proposals should discuss how the organization,
either functioning by itself or directing and coordinating a consortium
of entities, will develop strategies to implement the following
activities:
A. Make eligible persons from a wide-range of ethnic groups aware
of the naturalization process through general outreach projects such as
the production and distribution of brochures, flyers, posters, public
service and other media announcements/productions, public forums, media
events, and similar activities.
1. In consultation and cooperation with the INS, the organization
shall produce and disseminate the multi-media informational items to
the public.
2. Any media or multi-media promotional, educational or
instructional materials developed by the organization must be reviewed
and approved by the INS for technical accuracy and proper emphasis
prior to production.
3. All informational items disseminated shall mention INS as a
source for assistance, information and action, and shall include the
correct addresses of local INS office(s).
4. Upon request, the organization shall provide the INS with all
print mechanicals and master tapes of video/audio media items produced
under this agreement in a timely manner.
B. Assist persons individually or in groups to prepare and file
complete, fully-documented, naturalization applications with local INS
offices.
1. Screen applicants carefully to determine eligibility for
naturalization and reduce INS adjudication time,
2. Develop creative ways of assisting applicants in group
processing programs and assist INS, when necessary, in making
arrangements and performing other tasks related to group processing.
3. Develop innovative ways of filing naturalization applications,
making use to the fullest extent possible of state-of-the-art
electronic systems, in cooperation with local INS offices.
4. Develop and maintain records of individual naturalization
applicants, including those assisted to prepare and file their
applications at INS offices.
C. Assure that applicants meet the English, and United States
history and government knowledge requirements of the naturalization
law.
1. Screen applicants to determine if they can speak, read and write
English [[Page 20509]] in ordinary usage, have a general knowledge of
United States history and government, or meet the statutory exemptions
to these requirements.
2. Conduct English and civics classes for applicants and offer the
standardized citizenship test, or refer the applicants to educational
or community organizations that offer these services.
3. Encourage universities, colleges, high schools and adult
education programs to offer English, United States history and
government courses which could be recognized by the INS.
4. Develop and maintain accurate records tracking individual
applicant's progress through the educational programs.
D. Cooperate and coordinate with INS offices in the submission of
naturalization applications according to local procedures.
1. Assist, as needed, in the coordination of INS sponsored public
forums, off-site adjudication of naturalization applications, and other
activities related to both judicial and administrative oath ceremonies,
including leasing of appropriate facilities to conduct these
activities.
2. Ensure that arrangements made for oath ceremonies enhance the
patriotism and dignity of such ceremonies.
E. Provide follow-up education to newly naturalized Americans on
citizenship responsibilities, such as voter registration, serving on
juries, community and school involvement, anticrime efforts,
neighborhood improvements, and similar activities.
Proposals shall discuss how the various components of the pilot
project strategies will be implemented in the INS jurisdiction(s) based
on the organization's experience, expertise and resources. Discussions
of campaign strategies and supporting rationale should be clear and
concise, reflecting sound evidence and reasoning.
Part III: Conditions
Organizations should be aware of the following conditions affecting
the pilot project strategies:
A. Representation
In order to ensure competent assistance for naturalization
applicants, the organization, whether functioning alone or as a
consortium of affiliated entities assisting naturalization applicants
to prepare and file their applications, shall have attorneys or
accredited representatives on staff or as pro bono volunteers who are
responsible for directing, supervising or coordinating the
organization's counseling and representation activities in the
preparation of such applications in accordance with title 8, Code of
Federal Regulations, Sec. 292.2.
B. Prohibition on Assessing or Requesting Fees or Donations
The organization and its affiliated entities shall not request,
accept, or receive any fees or donations for any activities or services
described in this solicitation, and provided under the cooperative
agreement, such as, but not limited to, assisting applicants to prepare
and file naturalization applications, ancillary assistance such as
fingerprints and photographs, and rendering educational courses.
C. Progress and Other Reports
1. The organization shall submit progress reports to the INS on a
quarterly basis. Each report shall be typewritten as a narrative not
exceeding ten (10) pages, and shall describe pilot project strategies
developed and implemented in the INS jurisdiction(s) noted in the
cooperative agreement. The narrative shall summarize the following,
highlighting accomplishments, results and innovative approaches:
a. Specific outreach activities and events.
b. Statistics detailing the number of persons assisted to prepare
and file their naturalization applications, particularly in group
sessions; the number of persons who made an initial contact but did not
apply; the numbers by category of persons whose applications were
approved, denied, rescheduled, withdrawn or are pending; and the number
of persons sworn in as new citizens.
c. The use of innovative application filing procedures, such as
electronic systems.
d. Educational programs assisting applicants to meet the English
and civics requirements; various approaches and methodologies used; and
statistics by category of the number of applicants currently enrolled
in programs, and of those who were previously enrolled and whether they
passed, failed, or dropped out.
e. Special outreach and programmatic activities conducted with INS
offices.
f. Follow-up citizenship education programs.
2. Other reasonable work-flow reports as requested.
D. The organization will provide all staff, materials, supplies,
space, and equipment to provide naturalization applicants with general
information, technical assistance, and educational services to complete
and file their naturalization applications, prepare for their INS
interviews, and learn the scope of citizenship responsibilities.
E. The INS directly and through its official representatives will
monitor program activities of the organization and provide technical
assistance and INS forms to the organization and its affiliated
entities.
F. The INS recognizes that the organization may be engaged in a
wide range of other immigration related activities, such as general
immigration counseling, refugee resettlement, social services, etc. The
cooperative agreement does not in any way limit the organization's
performance of these services for the receipt of fees or donations. No
provision of the agreement shall be construed as a prohibition against
the performance of such other normal services, or other activities not
directly related to the agreement. Nonetheless, the organization shall
use any monies disbursed by INS under the agreement exclusively for
activities and services designated as part of the naturalization pilot
project.
Part IV: Program Management and Coordination
In order to insure effective implementation of the pilot project
activities, proposals shall describe how the organization plans to
manage and coordinate the pilot project strategies according to the
following guidance:
The organization, whether functioning alone or directing and
coordinating a consortium of entities, shall be primarily and
exclusively responsible for the performance of all pilot project
activities, including those implementing by its affiliated entities.
A. Appoint a Project Manager
1. Subject to the approval of INS, the organization shall appoint a
project manager with the authority and ability to carry out the pilot
project activities, and an alternate to act in the manager's absence.
The organization shall notify the INS in writing at least ten (10) days
in advance of any proposed changes in the persons designated for these
positions.
2. The project manager shall insure that adequate numbers of
trained staff are available to provide information and assist
applicants in completing the naturalization process and other related
activities without excessive delay.
3. The project manager and staff shall communicate regularly with
local INS officials to coordinate and facilitate the naturalization
process and other project activities.
4. The project manager shall respond to inquiries from the INS on
matters related to the cooperative agreement [[Page 20510]] requiring
immediate, follow-up or other relevant action in a timely manner.
B. Coordination of Consortium of Affiliated Entities
If functioning as a consortium, the organization, through its
project manager, will coordinate and be responsible for all pilot
project activities performed by its affiliated entities.
C. Establishment, Operation and Closing of Affiliated Entities
1. For the purpose of program coordination, the project manager
shall provide all INS offices in the jurisdictions served with the
complete names, addresses, and telephone numbers, of the persons in
charge of each affiliated entity participating in the consortium, as
well as the tasks to be performed by each entity in the respective
jurisdiction(s).
2. The project manager shall also perform the following
administrative responsibilities related to the consortium:
a. Consult with and provide the INS notification and written
justification three weeks prior to the recommended phasing-in or
removal of any affiliated entities. Obtain written approval from the
INS prior to their inclusion in the consortium. No unilateral phase-ins
will be permitted. The relationship of all affiliates will be approved
by the INS. Those affiliated entities approved in the application
process will have met this requirement.
b. Develop and submit for INS approval, written agreements with all
affiliated entities that incorporate all applicable programmatic and
budgetary provisions relating to the pilot project activities.
c. Monitor the activities of the affiliated entities and provide
required assistance to assure continued efficient operation of each
entity.
Part V. Financial Reporting and Records Retention
A. Financial Reporting
The organization awarded the cooperative agreement is required to
submit a financial status report reflecting financial information
related to Federal obligations and outlays. This report is required for
each active quarter on a calendar-quarterly basis. The report is due 45
days after the end of each calendar quarter. The final financial status
report is due 90 days after the end of the cooperative agreement period
or any extension thereof.
B. Records Retention
All financial records, supporting documents, statistical records,
and all other records pertinent to the aware shall be retained for at
least three years from the closed audit report date for purposes of
Federal examination. The retention requirement extends to books of
original entry, source documents, supporting accounting transactions,
the general ledger, subsidiary ledgers, personnel and payroll records,
cancelled checks, and related documents and records.
Part VI. Evaluation of Pilot Project Strategies
The central goal of this program is to determine which pilot
program strategies are most effective, and should therefore be included
in future INS naturalization outreach efforts. Therefore, it is crucial
that the methods of evaluating the strategies are accurately and
objectively described. The organization shall submit a full evaluation
of the project's effectiveness within 60 days of the conclusion of the
program.
Selection Criteria
The final selection for award of the cooperative agreement will be
made by the Executive Associate Commissioner, Programs, Immigration and
Naturalization Service.
Proposals will be submitted to a review panel. The INS anticipates
seeking assistance from sources with specialized knowledge in
naturalization and other immigration laws, and evaluating proposals,
including the Community Relations Service, Office of Special Counsel
for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices, Commission on
Immigration Reform, Office of Refugee Resettlement, and Commission on
Civil Rights. Each panelist will evaluate proposals for effectiveness
and efficiency, emphasizing the factors enumerated below. The panel's
results are advisory in nature and not binding on the INS. Letters of
support, endorsement or recommendation will not be accepted.
Organizations should be aware that the State of California is
planning to fund some educational programs focusing on naturalization
applicants. Unnecessary duplication of specific efforts under those
programs should be avoided.
To determine which organization should be awarded the cooperative
agreement, the INS will consider the following (based on a 200 point
scale):
A. Program Design (40 points)
Sound program design and cost effective strategies utilized to
increase awareness of naturalization are imperative. In developing
their proposals, organizations should demonstrate evidence of in-depth
knowledge of the goals and objectives of the project; identify INS
jurisdictions in which activities will be performed, and the
organization's qualifications to accomplish these goals effectively;
discuss a cost effective strategy to enhance public awareness of
naturalization, justifying planned programmatic strategies; and outline
the evaluation methods that will be used to measure the effectiveness
of the pilot project, and describe their precision in indicating to
what degree the program is successful.
Consequently, areas that will be closely examined in the program
design include the following elements:
1. Creative and innovative outreach approaches to make eligible
applicants aware of naturalization benefits. (5 points)
2. Experience and expertise in the areas necessary to screen and
assist eligible persons to prepare and file fully completed
naturalization applications, particularly in prompting, organizing and
conducting group processing sessions. (10 points)
3. Ability to assist diverse groups of naturalization applicants in
meeting the English and civics requirements through structured and
special educational programs, standardized citizenship testing, or
other innovative and measurable programs. (10 points)
4. Ability to cooperate with INS field office(s) in the submission
of naturalization applications; and on an as needed basis, test the
feasibility of filing applications electronically; assist in the
coordination of INS sponsored public forums, and off-site processing of
naturalization applicants, and implement various activities related to
both judicial and administrative oath ceremonies. (10 points)
5. Ability to provide follow-up education to recently naturalized
citizens on citizenship responsibilities, such as community and school
involvement, voter registration, serving on juries, anti-crime efforts
and similar civic activities. (5 points)
B. Administrative Capability (20 points)
Proposals will be rated in terms of capability of the organization
to implement the programmatic activities and evaluation components.
1. Evidence of proven ability to provide high quality results. (10
points)
2. Evidence that the organization can implement the campaign, and
complete the evaluation component within the time lines provided. (10
points) [[Page 20511]]
C. Staff Capability (20 points)
Proposals will be evaluated in terms of the degree to which:
1. The duties outlined for cooperative agreement positions appear
appropriate to the work that will be conducted under the award. (10
points)
2. The qualifications of the cooperative agreement-funded positions
appear to match the requirements of these positions. (10 points)
D. Previous Experience (20 points)
The proposals will be evaluated on the degree to which the
organization demonstrates that it has successfully carried out programs
or work similar to the overall pilot project strategies described in
this notice.
E. Jurisdictional Involvement (100 points)
During evaluation the panel will closely examine the proposals that
guarantee maximum exposure and implementation of the pilot project
strategies in the INS jurisdiction(s). Thus, a program designed to
reach a very large proportion of potential naturalization applicants in
the INS district of Los Angeles would take precedence over a program in
only the INS district of San Diego, or only the jurisdiction of the
Fresno suboffice. In keeping with the purpose of the pilot project to
reach naturalization applicants in urban and rural areas in southern
California, points will be awarded to those organizations that best
describe overall programmatic strategies and administrative
capabilities applicable to the following jurisdictions:
1. Los Angeles INS District which has the largest number of
potential applicants from diverse groups. (50 points)
2. Fresno INS Suboffice which has a significantly large rural area
and a large population of permanent residents who gained this status
through the Special Agricultural Worker (SAW) program during
legalization. (30 points)
3. San Diego INS district with significant urban and rural
constituencies. (20 points)
Eligible Organizations
This competition is open to nonprofit voluntary organizations
(501(c)(3) status) that customarily provide assistance with respect to
immigration benefits, including naturalization.
Period and Award Amount
An award of up to $500,000 will be made to one organization.
Publication of this announcement does not require that an
organization should be funded, or that the entire amount of funds
available, or any part thereof, be obligated for funding. The period of
performance will be from the date of the award until September 30,
1996, unless extended by mutual agreement between the awardee and the
INS.
Proposal Deadline
All proposals must be received by 5 p.m. EDT, June 5, 1995, at the
Naturalization Special Projects Branch, Adjudications Unit, room 3214,
Immigration and Naturalization Service, Washington, DC 20536. Proposals
submitted via facsimile machine will not be accepted or considered.
Proposal Requirements
Organizations should submit an original and two (2) copies of their
completed proposal by the deadline established above. All submissions
must contain the following items in the order listed below:
1. A completed and signed Application for Federal Assistance
(Standard Form 424) and Budget Information (Standard Form 424A).
2. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Form 4061/6
(Certification Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other
Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Work place requirements).
3. An abstract of the full proposal, not to exceed one page.
4. A program narrative of not more than twenty-five (25) double-
spaced typed pages which includes the following:
a. A clear statement describing the approaches and strategies to be
utilized to complete the tasks identified in the program description;
b. A clear statement of the proposed goals and objectives,
including a listing of the major events, activities, products and time-
tables for completion;
c. Description of how the project will be evaluated.
5. A proposed budget outlining all direct and indirect costs for
personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, subcontracts,
and a short narrative justification of each budgeted line item cost. If
an indirect cost rate is used in the budget, then a copy of a current
fully executed agreement between the applicant and the Federal
Cognizant Agency must accompany the budget.
6. Copies of resumes for the professional staff proposed in the
budget.
7. Detailed technical materials that support or supplement the
description of the proposed effort should be included in an appendix.
In order to facilitate handling, please do not use covers, binders
or tabs.
Proposal application forms may be obtained by writing or
telephoning: Examinations Operations Facilitation Program,
Adjudications Unit, Immigration and Naturalization Service, 425 I
Street, NW., room 3214, Washington, DC 20536, telephone 202/307-3587.
Dated: April 12, 1995.
Doris Meissner,
Commissioner, Immigration and Naturalization Service.
[FR Doc. 95-10270 Filed 4-25-95; 8:45 am]
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