[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 46 (Thursday, March 7, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9258-9261]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5299]



      

[[Page 9257]]


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Part III





Department of Housing and Urban Development





_______________________________________________________________________



Office of the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and 
Development



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Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program; Expanding HUD 
Partnerships for Neighborhood Revitalization; Notice of FY 1996 Funding 
Availability

  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 46 / Thursday, March 7, 1996 / 
Notices  

[[Page 9258]]



DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and 
Development
[Docket No. FR-4014-N-01]


Notice of Funding Availability for FY 1996, Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities Program; Expanding HUD Partnerships for 
Neighborhood Revitalization

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and 
Development, HUD.

ACTION: Notice of funding availability (NOFA) for fiscal year (FY) 
1996.

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SUMMARY: This NOFA announces the expected availability of up to $6.5 
million (depending on final appropriations for FY 1996) of FY 1996 
funding for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) 
Program, including any recaptured funds from prior appropriations. This 
document contains the following information:
    a. The purpose of the NOFA and information regarding available 
amounts, objectives, eligibility, and selection criteria; and
    b. Application processing, including how, where, and when to apply 
and how selections will be made.
    The Congress has not yet enacted an FY 1996 appropriation for HUD. 
However, HUD is publishing this notice in order to give potential 
applicants adequate time to prepare applications. The amount of funds 
announced in this NOFA is an estimate of the amount that may be enacted 
in 1996. HUD is not bound by the estimate set forth in this notice.

DATES: Application kits may be requested immediately. HUD will 
distribute application kits as soon as they become available. Completed 
applications are due before midnight Eastern Time, on May 23, 1996. 
This application deadline is firm as to date and hour. In the interest 
of fairness to all competing applicants, HUD will treat as ineligible 
for consideration any application that is received after the deadline. 
Applicants should take this practice into account and make early 
submission of their materials to avoid any risk of loss of eligibility 
brought about by unanticipated delays or other delivery-related 
problems. Applications may not be submitted by facsimile (FAX).

ADDRESSES: For a copy of the application package and supplemental 
information, including an instructional video, please call Community 
Connections at 1-800-998-9999. Hearing- and speech-impaired persons may 
call the toll-free TDD number 1-800-877-8339. These materials, except 
the video, are also available on the Internet at gopher://
amcom.aspensys.com:75/11/funding. When requesting an application kit, 
please refer to document FR-4014, and provide your name, address 
(including zip code), and telephone number (including area code). 
Requests for HBCU application packages should be made immediately. HUD 
will distribute application packages as soon as they become available.
    Application Submission: An original and three copies of the 
completed application should be submitted to the following address: 
Processing and Control Branch, Office of Community Planning and 
Development, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th 
Street, SW., Room 7251, Washington, DC 20410-3500; ATTN: HBCU Program. 
HUD will accept only one application per HBCU. Applications may be 
submitted on 3.25'' diskette, clearly indicating the software program 
used and the computer environment in which it was created (Macintosh or 
IBM compatible).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Yvette Aidara (x140) or Ms. Delores Pruden (x139), Historically 
Black Colleges and Universities Program, Office of Community Planning 
and Development, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th 
St., SW., Washington, DC 20410; telephone (202) 401-8821 (this is not a 
toll-free number). Hearing- and speech-impaired persons may access this 
number via TDD by calling the Federal Information Relay Service toll-
free at 1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement

    The information collection requirements contained in this NOFA have 
been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-
3520), and assigned control number 2506-0122. An agency may not conduct 
or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of 
information unless the collection displays a valid control number.

I. Purpose and Substantive Description

    Purpose. The Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) 
Program is designed to assist HBCUs to expand their role and 
effectiveness in addressing community development in their localities. 
For the purposes of this program, the term ``locality'' includes any 
city, county, town, township, parish, village, or other general 
political subdivision of a State or the U.S. Virgin Islands within 
which an HBCU is located. An HBCU located in a metropolitan statistical 
area (MSA), as established by the Office of Management and Budget, may 
consider its locality to be one or more of these entities within the 
entire MSA. The nature of the locality for each HBCU may, therefore, 
differ depending on its location.
    This program is further designed to help HBCUs address the needs of 
their locality(ies) while furthering the following HUD values:
     A Commitment to Community;
     A Commitment to Support Families;
     A Commitment to Economic Lift;
     A Commitment to Reciprocity and to Balancing Individual 
Rights and Responsibilities; and
     A Commitment to Reducing the Separations by Race and 
Income in American Life.
    Objectives: The objectives of this program are:
    1. To help HBCUs expand their role and effectiveness in addressing 
community development needs in their localities, including neighborhood 
revitalization, housing, and economic development, consistent with the 
purposes of title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 
1974; and
    2. To encourage greater citizen participation in the local/
neighborhood planning process and, ultimately, in development of their 
localities' and States' Consolidated Plan for submission to HUD.
    Applicants must address the objectives by successfully 
demonstrating how the proposed activities will expand the role of the 
HBCU in meeting local community economic development and/or housing 
needs while furthering HUD's values identified in the purpose, above.

A. Authority

    This program is authorized under section 107(b)(3) of the Housing 
and Community Development Act of 1974 (the 1974 Act), which was added 
by section 105 of the HUD Reform Act of 1989. The program is governed 
by regulations contained in 24 CFR 570.400, 570.404 and 24 CFR part 
570, subparts A, C, J, K and O.

[[Page 9259]]

B. Allocation Amounts and Form

    This NOFA announces the availability of approximately $6.5 million 
of FY 1996 funding for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities 
(HBCU) Program, including any recaptured funds from prior 
appropriations. The actual amount that will be available is dependent 
upon final appropriations because Congress has not yet enacted a FY 
1996 appropriation for HUD. However, HUD is publishing this notice in 
order to give potential applicants adequate time to prepare 
applications. The amount of funds announced in this NOFA is an estimate 
of the amount that may be enacted in 1996. HUD is not bound by the 
estimate set forth in this notice. The estimated amount may be adjusted 
further based on the enacted 1996 appropriation.
    The maximum amount awarded to any applicant will be $500,000. HUD 
reserves the right to award funds for less than the maximum amount. The 
awards will be made in the form of grants.

C. Eligibility

    1. Eligible Applicants. Only HBCUs as determined by the Department 
of Education in 34 CFR 608.2 in accordance with that Department's 
responsibilities under Executive Order 12677, dated April 28, 1989, are 
eligible to submit applications.
    2. Eligible Activities. Activities that may be funded under this 
NOFA are those activities eligible for Community Development Block 
Grant (CDBG) funding. They are listed in 24 CFR 570, subpart C. 
Generally, activities that can be carried out with these funds include, 
but are not limited to:
    a. Acquisition of real property, relocation and demolition, 
rehabilitation of residential and nonresidential structures, water and 
sewer facilities, streets;
    b. Promoting opportunities for training and employment of low-
income residents in connection with HUD projects such as the ``Campus 
of Learners'' initiative and other Federally-assisted projects and 
activities;
    c. Forming partnerships with units of general local government to 
address the physical, social, and economic needs of the community in a 
comprehensive manner and in accordance with a HUD-approved Consolidated 
Plan;
    d. Developing programs that provide a continuum of care for the 
homeless;
    e. Neighborhood or community services facilities that provide 
activities such as adult basic education classes; GED preparation and 
testing; job and career counseling and assessment; citizen 
participation academics; public access telecommunications centers, 
neighborhood cultural and recreational activities that include dancing 
lessons, art classes and other support activities for youth, senior 
citizens and other low- and moderate-income residents; and social and 
medical services;
    f. Promoting opportunities for the creation and expansion of small 
businesses and minority enterprises; and
    g. Identifying specific needs for affordable housing and increasing 
housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income persons in the 
locality to be served.
    In annoucing the availability of Fiscal Year 1995 funding for this 
program, HUD published two separate NOFAs on September 29, 1995. One 
(60 FR 50694), announced the availability of funds to assist HBCUs in 
forming partnerships with units of general local government to conduct 
joint projects to establish multiple use community services facilities 
on HBCU campuses that would benefit low-income and subsidized housing 
residents, senior citizens, and the HBCUs. The second NOFA (60 FR 
50700) announced the availability of additional funds to assist HBCUs 
to form community development corporations (CDCs) to undertake eligible 
activities. While there will not be separate competitions for these two 
types of projects this fiscal year, both types of activities remain 
eligible for (and applicants are encouraged to seek) assistance under 
this competition.
    Applicants are encouraged to propose the use of grant funds, at 
reasonable levels, for the acquisition of computer hardware and 
software compatible with Internet access and HUD's Consolidated 
Planning and Community Connections software, if they do not currently 
have such capability.
    Those applicants planning to use funds for the provision of public 
services are generally bound by the statutory requirement that no more 
than 15 percent of the total grant amount be used for public service 
activities.
    3. Environmental Review. If the applicant proposes activities 
involving rehabilitation of structures or construction of buildings, an 
environmental review by HUD is required in accordance with 24 CFR part 
50, including the authorities in Sec. 50.4. If the requirements of part 
50 are not met, HUD reserves the right to terminate all or portions of 
the award. The grantee is not authorized to proceed with any activity 
requiring such approval until written approval is received from the HUD 
State environmental office in its area certifying that the project has 
been approved.

D. Selection Criteria/Rating Factors

    An applicant must demonstrate that it meets the objectives of this 
HBCU program by scoring at least 12 of the possible 20 points on rating 
factor 1 (addressing the objectives) in order to qualify for funding. 
Applicants must also receive a minimum score of 70 out of the total of 
105 points to be considered eligible for funding. Activities that are 
not eligible for funding under this program (see 24 CFR 570.204 and 
570.207) will not be funded. If more than 50 percent of the amount 
requested in the application is for ineligible activities, the 
application will not be funded.
    Applications for funding under this NOFA will be evaluated 
competitively, and awarded points based on the factors identified 
below. HUD will rank the applications in descending order according to 
score. Applications meeting the minimum threshold requirements will be 
funded in rank order, until all available funds have been obligated, or 
until there are no acceptable applications. HUD reserves the right to 
select lower rated projects if necessary to achieve geographic 
diversity.
    Negotiations. After all applications have been rated and ranked and 
a determination of successful applicants has been made, HUD requires 
that all successful applicants participate in negotiations to determine 
the specific terms of the Statement of Work and grant budget. In cases 
in which HUD cannot successfully conclude negotiations, awards will not 
be made. In such instances, HUD may elect to offer an award (in an 
amount not to exceed the amount of remaining funds available for the 
competition) to the next highest ranking applicant and proceed with 
negotiations as described above.
    Optional Match. Although matching funds are not required to qualify 
for funding, HUD wishes to stress that applicants that evidence a 
commitment of matching funds are eligible for more rating points than 
those not having a match. The maximum number of rating points an 
applicant can receive for matching funds is 7 points of the 25 points 
possible for Factor 4. To be eligible for match points, the applicant 
must provide evidence of a commitment of additional funds and/or 
resources from other Federal, State, local and/or private sources 
(including the applicant's own resources). The match may be in the form 
of cash and/or in-kind goods or services. Applicants having a cash 
match will receive a higher number of points than those only

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providing in-kind services. Applicants without a match will receive 
zero points out of the possible 7 points available for match.
    Rating Factors. The factors set forth below will be used by HUD to 
evaluate applications. Each application must contain sufficient 
information to be reviewed for its merits. The score of each factor 
will be based on the qualitative and quantitative aspects demonstrated 
for each factor in an application. The factors, and the maximum number 
of points for each factor (out of a total of 105 points), are as 
follows:
    1. Addressing the Objectives (maximum points: 20).
    The extent to which the applicant addresses the objectives of this 
program is examined by this factor. Applicants must address objective 
1, above, by successfully demonstrating how the proposed activities 
will expand the role of the HBCU in meeting local community economic 
development and/or housing needs while furthering HUD's values as 
identified in the Purpose section of this NOFA, above.
    2. Substantial Impact in Achieving Objectives (maximum points: 25).
    The extent to which the applicant demonstrates an innovative, 
creative, and holistic approach to addressing these objectives is 
examined by this factor.
    3. Special Needs (Distress) Applicant or Locality. (maximum points: 
10).
    The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the level of 
distress in the immediate community to be served by the project is 
examined by this factor. While the poverty rate is a strong indicator 
of distress levels, the applicant may demonstrate the level of distress 
with other factors indicative of distress such as income, unemployment, 
drug use, homelessness, and other generally accepted indicators of 
socio-economic distress and/or disinvestment.
    4. Technical and Financial Feasibility and Match. (maximum points: 
25).
    The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the technical and 
financial feasibility of achieving the objectives, including local 
support for the activities proposed to be carried out in the locality 
and any matching funds proposed to be provided from sources other than 
the applicant, is examined by this factor.
    5. Capacity. (maximum points: 20).
    The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the capacity to 
carry out satisfactorily the proposed activities in a timely fashion, 
including satisfactory performance in carrying out any prior HUD-
assisted projects or activities, is examined by this factor.
    6. Bonus Points. Applicants that propose implementing activities in 
a Federally-designated Urban or Rural Empowerment Zone, Urban 
Supplemental Empowerment Zone, Urban or Rural Enterprise Community, or 
Urban Enhanced Enterprise Community (EZ or EC) will receive a maximum 
of 5 bonus points. To receive these points, applicants must submit with 
the application package a certification from the authorized 
representative of the unit of local government that proposed activities 
will be carried out within the EZ or EC. An applicant may only receive 
bonus points under this factor if it receives a minimum score of 70 out 
of the total of 105 points available under actors 1 through 5, above.

II. Application Submission Requirements

    Applicants must complete and submit applications for HBCU grants in 
accordance with instructions contained in the FY 1996 Historically 
Black Colleges and Universities Program application kit. The 
application kit will request information in sufficient detail for HUD 
to determine whether the proposed activities are feasible and meet all 
the requirements of applicable statutes and regulations. The 
application package requires a Statement of Work that clearly 
identifies the proposed activities; a narrative response to the Rating 
Factors identified above; a schedule for the program; budgets; and a 
description of any other public or private resources proposed to be 
used in the program. The application package also contains 
certifications that the applicant will comply with fair housing and 
civil rights requirements, program regulations, regulations in 24 CFR 
part 135 with regard to economic opportunities for low-income persons 
and business concerns, and other Federal requirements. Applicants 
should refer to the HBCU application kit for further instructions.

III. Corrections to Deficient Applications

    Immediately after the deadline for submission of applications, 
applications will be screened to determine whether all items were 
submitted. If the applicant fails to submit certain technical items, or 
the application contains a technical mistake, such as an incorrect 
signatory, HUD shall notify the applicant in writing that the applicant 
has 14 calendar days from the date of the written notification to 
submit the missing item, or correct the technical mistake. If the 
applicant does not submit the missing item within the required time 
period, the application will be ineligible for further processing.
    The 14-day cure period pertains only to nonsubstantive technical 
deficiencies or errors. Technical deficiencies relate to items that:
    1. Are not necessary for HUD review under selection criteria/rating 
factors; and
    2. Would not improve the substantive quality of the proposal.

IV. Other Matters

    (a) Environmetnal Impact. A Finding of No Significant Impact with 
respect to the environment has been made in accordance with HUD's 
regulations at 24 CFR Part 50 which implement section 102(2)(C) of the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332). The Finding 
of No Significant Impact is available for public inspection between 
7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. weekdays at the Office of the Rules Docket 
Clerk, Room 10276, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410.
    (b) Federalism, Executive Order 12612. The General Counsel, as the 
Designated Official under section 6(a) of Executive Order 12612, 
Federalism, has determined that the policies contained in this NOFA 
will not have substantial direct effects on States or their political 
subdivisions, or the relationship between the Federal Government and 
the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among 
the various levels of government. Specifically, the NOFA solicits HBCU 
applicants to expand their role in addressing community development 
needs in their localities, and does not impinge upon the relationships 
between the Federal government, and State and local governments.
    (c) Family, Executive Order 12606. The General Counsel, as the 
Designated Official under Executive Order 12606, The Family, has 
determined that this document does not have potential for significant 
impact on family formation, maintenance, and general well-being. The 
NOFA solicits HBCUs to apply for funding to address community 
development needs in their locality. Any impact on the family will be 
indirect and beneficial in that better planning of community 
development needs should result.
    (d) Prohibition Against Lobbying Activities. The use of funds 
awarded under this NOFA is subject to the disclosure requirements and 
prohibitions of section 319 of the Department of Interior and Related 
Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 1990 (31 U.S.C. 1352) (The 
``Byrd

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Amendment'') and the implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 87. These 
authorities prohibit recipients of Federal contracts, grants, or loans 
from using appropriated funds for lobbying the executive or legislative 
branches of the Federal Government in connection with a specific 
contract, grant, or loan. The prohibition also covers the awarding of 
contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or loans unless the 
recipient has made an acceptable certification regarding lobbying. 
Under 24 CFR part 87, applicants, recipients, and subrecipients of 
assistance exceeding $100,000 must certify that no Federal funds have 
been or will be spent on lobbying activities in connection with the 
assistance.
    (e) Section 102 of the HUD Reform Act; Documentation and Public 
Access Requirements. HUD will ensure that documentation and other 
information regarding each application submitted pursuant to this NOFA 
are sufficient to indicate the basis upon which assistance was provided 
or denied. This material, including any letters of support, will be 
made available for public inspection for a 5-year period beginning not 
less than 30 days after the award of the assistance. Material will be 
made available in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (5 
U.S.C. 552) and HUD's implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 15. In 
addition, HUD will include the recipients of assistance pursuant to 
this NOFA in its Federal Register notice of all recipients of HUD 
assistance awarded on a competitive basis. (See 24 CFR 12.14(a) and 
12.16(b), and the notice published in the Federal Register on January 
16, 1992 (57 FR 1942), for further information on these requirements.)
    (f) Section 103 HUD Reform Act. HUD's regulation implementing 
section 103 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform 
Act of 1989, codified as 24 CFR part 4, applies to the funding 
competition announced today. The requirements of the rule continue to 
apply until the announcement of the selection of successful applicants. 
HUD employees involved in the review of applications and in the making 
of funding decisions are limited by part 4 from providing advance 
information to any person (other than an authorized employee of HUD) 
concerning funding decisions, or from otherwise giving any applicant an 
unfair competitive advantage. Persons who apply for assistance in this 
competition should confine their inquiries to the subject areas 
permitted under 24 CFR part 4.
    Applicants or employees who have ethics related questions should 
contact the HUD Office of Ethics (202) 708-3815. (This is not a toll-
free number.) For HUD employees who have specific program questions, 
such as whether particular subject matter can be discussed with persons 
outside HUD, the employee should contact the appropriate Regional or 
Field Office Counsel, or Headquarters counsel for the program to which 
the question pertains.

    Authority: Title I, Housing and Community Development Act of 
1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301-5320); sec. 7(d), Department of Housing and 
Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3535(d)): 24 CFR 570.404.

    Dated: February 28, 1996.
Andrew Cuomo,
Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development.
[FR Doc. 96-5299 Filed 3-6-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4014-01-M