[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 97 (Wednesday, May 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27735-27742]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13434]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Notice of Availability of Funding To Provide Community Service 
Employment Opportunities for Refugees Who Have Experienced Long-term 
Difficulties in Assimilation

AGENCY: Office of Refugee Resettlement, ACF, DHHS.

ACTION: Request for applications for projects to provide community 
service employment opportunities for refugees who have experienced 
long-term difficulties in assimilation.

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SUMMARY: This program announcement governs the availability of social 
services funds and award procedures for $16 million in FY 1998 
discretionary grants for community service employment for refugees 
under the Refugee Resettlement Program. These grants, which will be 
awarded on a competitive basis, are for localities with large 
concentrations of refugees who have experienced difficulty integrating 
socially and economically into local communities. Refugees are eligible 
to participate in these projects regardless of the length of time they 
have resided in the U.S. Applications may include requests for project 
periods of up to three years, with an initial budget period of one 
year. Where awards are made for multiple year project periods, 
continuation grant applications will be entertained in subsequent years 
on a non-competitive basis, subject to the availability of funds, 
successful progress of the project, and ACF/ORR's determination that 
this would be in the best interest of the government.
    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number assigned 
to this announcement is 93.576.

DATE: The closing date for receipt of applications is July 20, 1998.

ADDRESS: Address applications to: Office of Refugee Resettlement, 
Division of Community Resettlement, 6th Floor East, Aerospace Building, 
370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW, Washington, DC 20447

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nguyen T. Kimchi at (202) 401-4556, e-
mail: N[email protected], or send correspondence to the above listed 
address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Part I. General Information

A. Background

    There are communities across this country with large concentrations 
of refugees 1, many of whom entered the United States over a 
decade ago. For some refugees, language skills, cultural barriers, the 
lack of financial resources, and years of relying on public assistance, 
have isolated them from the mainstream, limited their employment 
opportunities and hindered integration into American communities. Their 
rate of assimilation has been documented in many localities on such key 
indicators as poverty levels, welfare utilization, car and home 
ownership, high school completion, college attendance or graduation, 
language fluency, employment rates, household income, per capita 
income, and naturalization rates. Prior to their arrival in the U.S., 
some refugees have experienced torture, starvation or prolonged 
malnutrition, which have exacerbated their isolation and difficulty in 
adapting to life in the United States.
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    \1\ In addition to persons who meet all requirements of 45 CFR 
400.43, ``Requirements for documentation of refugee status,'' 
eligibility for targeted assistance includes: (1) Cuban and Haitian 
entrants, under section 501 of the Refugee Education Assistance Act 
of 1980 (Pub. L. No. 96-422); (2) certain Amerasians from Vietnam 
who are admitted to the U.S. as immigrants under section 584 of the 
Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs 
Appropriations Act, 1988, as included in the FY 1988 Continuing 
Resolution (Pub. L. No. 100-202); and (3) certain Amerasians from 
Vietnam, including U.S. citizens, under title II of the Foreign 
Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations 
Acts, 1989 (Pub. L. No. 100-461), 1990 (Pub. L. No. 101-167), and 
1991 (Pub. L. No. 101-513). For convenience, the term ``refugee'' is 
used in this notice to encompass all such eligible persons unless 
the specific context indicates otherwise.
    Refugees admitted to the U.S. under admissions numbers set aside 
for private-sector-initiative admissions are not eligible to be 
served under the targeted assistance program (or under other 
programs supported by Federal refugee funds) during their period of 
coverage under their sponsoring agency's agreement with the 
Department of State--usually two years from their date of arrival or 
until they obtain permanent resident alien status, whichever comes 
first.
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    In some of these communities, refugees represent a significant 
percentage of the population and, relative to non-refugee groups, have 
a sizeable impact on local services, medical clinics, and school 
systems.
    The purpose of this announcement is to improve refugee rates of 
assimilation in heavily impacted communities by providing funding for 
workforce experience and training, earned income for refugees and their 
families, and access to needed services for refugee communities.

Statutory and Regulatory Authority

    The FY 1998 House Appropriations Committee Report (H.R. Rept. No. 
105-205) stated that: ``The Committee has set-aside $16,000,000 for 
increased support to communities with large

[[Page 27736]]

concentrations of refugees whose cultural differences made assimilation 
especially difficult justifying a more intense level and longer 
duration of Federal assistance.'' Accordingly, ORR has announced in the 
Notice of Proposed FY 1998 Refugee Social Service Allocations, 
published in the Federal Register, February 13, 1998, that these funds 
will be made available through discretionary grants for which this 
announcement solicits applications.
    Section 412(c)(1)(A) of the INA authorizes the Director of ORR ``to 
make grants to, and enter into contracts with, public or private 
nonprofit agencies for projects specifically designed--(i) to assist 
refugees in obtaining the skills which are necessary for economic self-
sufficiency, including projects for job training, employment services, 
day care, professional refresher training, and other recertification 
services * * *''
    Grant awards are also subject to the following federal regulations: 
45 CFR part 74--Uniform administrative requirements for awards and 
subawards to institutions of higher education, hospitals, other 
nonprofit organizations, and commercial organizations; and certain 
grants and agreements with States, local governments and Indian tribal 
governments and 45 CFR part 92, Uniform administrative requirements for 
grants and cooperative agreements to State and local governments.

B. Purpose and Scope

    Under this announcement, the Office of Refugee Resettlement 
solicits applications from eligible applicants who wish to compete for 
funds to provide community employment services for refugees who have 
experienced long-term difficulties in assimilation into American 
communities.
    One of the most effective methods to help refugees obtain 
employment and achieve economic self-sufficiency is through employment 
experience. Employment through community service offers a job for the 
individual, household income for refugee families, community 
participation, cross-cultural exposure for public and private agencies, 
and access to community services for refugee communities. For these 
reasons, ORR is providing funding under this announcement to be 
primarily for employer subsidies to create or increase the number of 
community work experience jobs for refugees.
    Community service employment may be in the public or private 
sector; however, given the emphasis in this announcement on gaining 
refugee access to community services, ORR anticipates that most 
successful applicants will target these subsidies to public and private 
non-profit organizations that may not otherwise have the resources to 
provide this type of employment.
    Some examples of positions in agencies which may benefit from 
community work experience subsidies are: interpreters and aides in 
community health and maternal care clinics, classroom aides and 
teachers in elementary schools, police and law enforcement assistants 
for such programs as neighborhood watch, and police storefronts, 
outreach workers for mental health agencies, aides in local services to 
the elderly or at satellite centers located in areas with large 
concentration of elderly refugees, and caseworker assistants in public 
welfare offices.
    Accordingly, this grant announcement makes available $16 million 
for community service employment to assist communities with large 
concentrations of refugees who are experiencing difficulty assimilating 
into local communities.

C. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible grantees are private, non-profit organizations and 
agencies of State governments that are responsible for the refugee 
program under 45 CFR 400.5.

D. Eligible Refugees

    Refugees eligible to participate in projects funded under this 
announcement must be at least 21 years of age, unemployed, or without 
earned income, or members of families receiving public assistance.
    All eligible refugees must be residents of their respective 
communities for at least six months. Priority will be given to those 
refugees who are able to work but unable to find employment. ORR 
anticipates that refugees targeted for these positions may be long-term 
welfare recipients (12 months or more) or those who face termination 
from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) within the 12 month 
period following enrollment in this project.

E. Available Funds

    Approximately $16 million will be available for awards. It is 
expected that most grant awards will be between $1 million and $5 
million. ORR anticipates making 4-5 awards with these funds for 
projects that will secure employment for a minimum of 100 eligible 
participants.
    The Director of ORR will make final award decisions based on such 
factors as: the geographic distribution of the competitive 
applications; the extent to which the grants reflect a reasonable 
distribution of funds across the areas impacted by refugees, and the 
availability of funds.

F. Use of Funds

    Successful applicants will receive grants to identify and develop, 
as necessary, community service employment positions for low-income or 
unemployed refugees at local public or private nonprofit organizations. 
Applicants must demonstrate a specific need for supplementation of 
available resources to provide these services for refugees. Projects 
funded under this announcement will be designed to (a) provide income 
to refugees and their households, employment experience, and eventual 
transition to unsubsidized employment; and (b) through the presence and 
assistance of a refugee employee in these agencies, give refugee 
communities greater access to local community services.
    Grantees must establish a network of relationships with appropriate 
public or private, non-profit employers to identify and develop 
suitable subsidized community service employment positions. Grant funds 
may be used to reimburse employers for up to 100% of the employment 
wage, for a maximum of 12 months, under the terms of a contract in 
which, in exchange for the salary subsidy, the employer agrees to 
provide the refugee employee additional supervisory assistance in 
learning and retaining the job. Employers are expected to retain the 
refugee employee in this position after the wage subsidy has ended, if 
the refugee has performed satisfactorily, or, if insufficient funds are 
available, to assist the refugee employee in securing other employment.
    Refugee employees should be eligible for all benefits available to 
all other employees at the work site. Applicants should identify the 
types and number of community service employment positions targeted in 
their project, including job descriptions, qualifications, and salary 
levels. Project participants must be paid an hourly wage equal to the 
prevailing rates of pay for persons employed in similar occupations by 
the same employer. In no event should the wage be lower than the 
federal minimum wage.
    Approximately 75-80% of grant funds are to be designated for salary 
subsidies. Applicants may designate up to 5% for employer incentives.
    Grantees should provide supportive services to assist project 
participants in retaining successful community service employment. Such 
supportive services

[[Page 27737]]

may include: on-site technical assistance; employment counseling; work-
related incidental expenses for such items as work shoes, uniforms, 
glasses, public transportation passes, etc. if these are not available 
from other sources.
    Whether the applicant is a State refugee agency or a non-profit 
organization, projects proposed for funding under this announcement 
must be designed and implemented by coalitions of local community 
agencies and refugee organizations. These coalitions must identify 
clear respective roles and responsibilities for each participating 
agency within the coalition, expressed in a signed written agreement 
which describes the purpose and activities of each. The extent of local 
collaboration will be an important factor in the review of the strength 
of the proposal.
    Applicants must also provide for the creation of an Advisory Board, 
delineating the roles and responsibilities of each member, 
compensation, if any, to members, a definitive and measurable work 
plan, and schedule of meetings.

G. Restrictions

    Funds may not be used for lobbying, union-related activities, 
politically-related employment as a form of political patronage. Wage 
subsidies must be used for a net increase in the number of positions 
within a given agency, not to replace currently funded positions. 
Refugees employed as a result of this project may not displace employed 
workers or workers on lay-off.

Part II. The Project Description

    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. Applicants are encouraged 
to provide information on their organizational structure, staff, 
related experience, and other information considered to be relevant. 
The Office of Refugee Resettlement uses this and other information to 
determine whether the applicant has the capability and resources 
necessary to carry out the proposed project. It is important, 
therefore, that this information be included in the application. 
However, in the narrative the applicant must distinguish between 
resources directly related to the proposed project from those that will 
not be used in support of the specified project for which funds are 
requested.

A. Statement of Need

    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.
    The Office of Refugee Resettlement is particularly interested in 
the following:
    A description, with documentation, of the need for services within 
the proposed target area, including documentation of the number of 
refugees in the target area and the ratio between refugees to the non-
refugee population in the community.
    Data and analyses of family and community needs, including the 
implications of welfare reform and employment patterns on family needs 
for child care and other support services.
    A discussion of how the targeted refugees have the most need of the 
proposed services. Submit evidence of poor assimilation of refugees 
relative to the community at-large. Indicators may include: poverty 
levels, public assistance utilization, unemployment, rates of high 
school completion, college attendance, car and homeownership, and 
attainment of citizenship.

B. Design and Approach

    Outline a plan of action which describes the scope and detail of 
how the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions 
or activities identified in the application. Cite factors which might 
accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the 
proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of 
the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in 
cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement.
    Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the 
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such 
terms as the number of people to be served. When accomplishments cannot 
be quantified by activity or function, list them in chronological order 
to show the schedule of accomplishments and their target date.
    Identify the kinds of data to be collected, maintained and/or 
disseminated. Note that clearance from the U.S. Office of Management 
and Budget might be needed prior to a ``collection of information'' 
that is ``conducted or sponsored'' by ACF/ORR. List organizations, 
cooperating entities, consultants, or other key individuals who will 
work on the project along with a short description of the nature of 
their effort or contribution.
    The Office of Refugee Resettlement is particularly interested in 
the following:
    The applicant's plans for delivering effective services to refugees 
in all areas of service and program management.
    A description of the proposed target area(s) for services, 
recruitment strategies, and priorities for selecting refugee clients 
for participation.
    A description of the services and resources of other local refugee 
employment service and community agencies.
    A plan to identify potential employment, to recruit eligible 
refugees and begin services as soon as possible.
    Describe how community service employment positions will be 
developed with local employers; how these employers will be encouraged 
to customize the jobs and provide supervisory support to the employees 
under this project; identify any local employers who have made 
commitments to the project and describe them (e.g., number and types of 
jobs, supportive services and training; etc.)

    Note: ORR expects that all applicants funded under this 
announcement will begin serving refugees and their families no later 
than March, 1999.

    A description of the types and number of community service 
employment positions targeted for the project including job 
descriptions, qualifications and salary levels.
    Documentation of cooperative arrangements with other public or 
private agencies to assist the applicant in providing effective 
employment services. Such cooperative arrangements must include a plan 
to coordinate the funds as appropriate.

C. Results or Benefits Expected

    Identify the results and benefits to be derived for refugees and 
their families as well as for the community. Based on the stated 
program objectives, a discussion of the specific results or benefits 
that could be expected for the refugees and families participating in 
the program. A discussion of the

[[Page 27738]]

specific community-wide results or benefits including those resulting 
from collaborative partnership with other community agencies including 
the agencies which employ refugees. The qualitative and quantitative 
data the program will collect to measure progress towards the stated 
results or benefits. A discussion of how the program will determine the 
extent to which it has achieved its stated objectives.
    Applicants are encouraged to use ORR standards under the Government 
Performance and Result Act (GPRA) to measure project results. These 
are:
     The number of refugees who entered employment.
     Cash assistance terminations due to earnings.
     Average hourly wage at placement.
     Employment retention.
     Employment with health benefits.
    The Office of Refugee Resettlement is particularly interested in 
the following:
    Numbers, types and average salaries of refugees to be employed in 
community service employment positions; the degree to which employee 
benefits, including medical coverage, are available for these jobs; 
expectations for job or employment retention after one year; expected 
average earnings one year after placement into subsidized employment; 
cost per placement into subsidized community service employment.
    The application may include other performance outcomes, as 
appropriate.

D. Project Management and Implementation

    Describe the staff and systems capacity for managing the project, 
to include: key staff resumes or position descriptions; a project 
organizational chart identifying all agencies involved in the project 
and their respective roles and responsibilities; Identify the critical 
activities, time frames, and responsibilities for implementing the 
project.
Local Collaboration and Sustainability
    Identify a coalition of key agencies, respective roles and 
responsibilities, and agreements. Describe the local partnerships and 
each member's contribution to the project; the extent to which the 
project is coordinated with key community activities; the commitment 
and integration of other community resources; any involvement of, or 
participation by, local employers; and the extent to which the 
community and the coalition have developed plans to maintain and expand 
the capacity to serve the targeted refugee population;
Advisory Board
    Identify and submit position descriptions or resumes for Advisory 
Board positions.
    The Office of Refugee Resettlement is particularly interested in 
the following:
    Evidence of the applicant's ability and experience to administer an 
employment program and to manage a community service employment 
program. Include a discussion of any proposed changes and improvements 
in program management.
    A description of the applicant's experience in management of 
employment services for refugees who have had a protracted history of 
unemployment. A description of the applicant's experience in management 
of community, State and Federal partnerships. A description of the 
applicant's history and relationship with the target community. Include 
a complete discussion of the program's financial status and program 
operations. Include an organizational chart of the program.
    A description of the mechanisms for recruiting and hiring well-
trained and appropriately credentialed staff members.
    A discussion of all proposed key staff or managerial positions, 
their proposed salary rates, the length of time they would be employed 
each year and the applicant's plans for ongoing monitoring and 
supervision of other staff including refugees employed under the 
community employment service program if appropriate.
    Applicants who are electing to create partnerships with other 
agencies, providers, or funding sources should provide:
    Letters of commitment from partner agencies and providers, 
including documentation of any additional resources such as child care, 
health care or transportation subsidies, etc. that will enhance the 
program. Explain and itemize these resources or services, and state 
whether or not these costs are included as part of the non-Federal 
share.
    Plans for managing, coordinating or monitoring, and assisting the 
efforts of partnering agencies and other forms of collaborative 
arrangements in meeting the goals of the project.
    A description of the experience of the applicant and the proposed 
partnering agencies in collaborating to deliver effective employment 
services and in managing multiple sources of funding.
    A description of how the applicant will track, manage and account 
for refugee employment costs and, if applicable, the availability of 
other funding sources.

E. Budget and Budget Justification

    Provide line item detail and detailed calculations for each budget 
object class identified on the Budget Information form. Detailed 
calculations must include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, 
and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to 
be duplicated. The detailed budget must also include a breakout by the 
funding sources identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
    Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the 
categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, 
and allocability of the proposed costs.
    The Office of Refugee Resettlement is particularly interested in 
the following:
    A description of how your proposed budget is reasonable, 
appropriate and cost effective in view of the proposed services, 
strategies and anticipated outcomes.
    A description of the extent to which your proposal includes 
significant other resources to complement the ORR funds.

General Instructions

    ORR is particularly interested in specific factual information and 
statements of measurable goals in quantitative terms. Project 
descriptions are evaluated on the basis of substance, not length. 
Extensive exhibits are not required. (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.
    The Office of Refugee Resettlement is also requesting that 
applicants provide a summary of the project description which includes:
     The name and address of the applicant agency.
     The total number of employment placements when the program 
is completed.
     The total ORR funds requested for a 12 month period.
     The amount and source of any additional funding that will 
help support the project (i.e., funds that are in addition to Federal 
ORR funds.)
     The community to be served (name of town(s), city(ies) and 
county(ies) and the targeted refugee groups.
     The proposed type of jobs, hours per week and wages.
     The target date for beginning full services to refugees.

[[Page 27739]]

Additional Information

    Following is a description of additional information that should be 
placed in the appendix of the application.
    1. Staff and Position Data
    Provide a biographical sketch for each key person appointed and a 
job description for each vacant position. A biographical sketch will 
also be required for new key staff as appointed.
    2. Organizational Profile
    Provide information on the applicant organization and cooperating 
partners such as organizational charts, financial statements, audit 
reports or statements from CPAs/Licensed Public Accountants, Employer 
Identification Numbers, contact persons and telephone numbers, 
documentation of experience in the program area, and other pertinent 
information. Any non-profit organization submitting an application must 
submit proof of its non-profit status in its application at the time of 
submission. The non-profit agency can accomplish this by providing a 
copy of the applicant's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) 
most recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in section 
501(c)(3) of the IRS code, or by providing a copy of the currently 
valid IRS tax exemption certificate, or by providing a copy of the 
articles of incorporation bearing the seal of the State in which the 
corporation or association is domiciled.

Part III. Criteria for Review and Evaluation of the Grant 
Application

    Information provided in response to Part II of this announcement 
will be used to review and evaluate applications using the following 
criteria:

A. Need for Assistance to Increase Assimilation (30 points)

    Quality of description and documentation with regard to refugee 
assimilation and impact on the community.

B. Program Design and Approach (20 points)

    Soundness of and innovation in program design and methodology for 
securing community service employment for refugees, including evidence 
of collaboration through coalitions of local community agencies and 
refugee organizations.

C. Results and Benefits (20 points)

    Providing effective and responsive services to targeted refugees 
and families. Employment results which are timely, appropriate, and 
measurable using ORR standards for outcome performance under GPRA.

D. Project Management and Implementation (15 points)

    The extent of demonstrated capacity of the applicant organization, 
key leaders and managers and, where appropriate, proposed partnering 
organizations in:
    Managing the proposed community employment services in a timely, 
cost-effective manner.
    Working successfully in partnership with the targeted refugee 
communities, families, and other community organizations, institutions, 
and agencies.

E. Cost Effectiveness and Budget Appropriateness (15 points)

    The extent to which the project's costs are reasonable and cost-
effective in view of the activities to be carried out and the 
anticipated outcomes.
    The extent to which proposed salaries and fringe benefits reflect 
appropriate levels of compensation for the responsibilities of staff.
    The extent to which costs for refugee wages in community employment 
are reasonable and equitable.

Part IV. The Application Process

A. Required Forms

    Applicants interested in applying for funds must submit a complete 
application including the required forms--Standard Form 424 and 
attachments. In order to be considered for a grant under this 
announcement, an application must be submitted on the Standard Form 424 
(approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under Control 
Number 0348-0043), a copy of which was published by ORR in the Federal 
Register, Volume 62, No. 236. pages 64870-64883. SF-424 is also 
available through the Administration for Children and Families website 
at: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov (at ``Select a Topic'' choose Grant Related 
Forms and Documents). Each application must be signed by an individual 
authorized to act for the applicant and to assume responsibility for 
the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award. 
Applicants requesting financial assistance for non-construction 
projects must file the Standard Form 424B, Assurances: Non-Construction 
Programs (approved by the Office of Management and Budget under Control 
Number 0348-0040). Applicants must sign and return the Standard Form 
424B with their application. Applicants must provide a certification 
concerning lobbying. Applicants must provide information consistent 
with ACF's approved Uniform Project Description (OMB # 0970-0139), as 
found in Part II of this Program Announcement. Prior to receiving an 
award in excess of $100,000, applicants shall furnish an executed copy 
of the lobbying certification (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 make the appropriate certification of their 
compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. 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 that they are not 
presently debarred, suspended or otherwise ineligible for award. By 
signing and submitting the application, applicants are providing the 
certification and need not mail back the certification with the 
application. Applicants must also understand that they will be held 
accountable for the smoking prohibition included within Pub. L. 103-
227, Part C Environmental Tobacco Smoke (also known as Pro-Children's 
Act of 1994). A copy of the Federal Register notice which implements 
the smoking prohibition is included with the forms. By signing and 
submitting the application, applicants are providing the certification 
and need not mail back the certification with the application.

B. Application Submission

    Applicants submitting proposals should use the following format 
guidelines: Proposals should be organized according to the evaluation 
criteria located in Part III. For each of the five specified criteria, 
applicants should provide information in response to the application 
requirements described in Part II of this announcement.
    One signed original and two complete copies of the grant 
application, including all attachments, are required. Each application 
must be limited to no more than 25 double-spaced pages of program 
narrative (not including the Project Summary and the forms which make 
up the SF-424A and Budget Justification).
    If the narrative portion of the application is more than 25 double-
spaced pages, the other pages will be removed from the application and 
not considered by the reviewers. The attachments/appendices to each 
application must be limited to no more than 25 pages, (in addition to 
the 25

[[Page 27740]]

pages permitted for the narrative portion of the application). If the 
attachments/appendices to each application are more than 25 pages, the 
other pages will be removed from the application and not considered by 
the reviewers.

C. Application Considerations

    Applicants will be scored against the evaluation criteria described 
above. The review will be conducted by a panel consisting of experts in 
the areas of refugee and employment services.
    The results of the competitive review will be taken into 
consideration by the Director, Office of Refugee Resettlement, in 
determining the projects to be funded. The Director of ORR will make 
the final selection of the applicants to be funded. An application may 
be funded in whole or in part, depending on the relative need for 
services, applicant ranking, geographic location, proposed costs, and 
funds available.
    Successful applicants will be notified through the issuance of a 
Financial Assistance Award 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 support is given, and the total 
project period for which support is provided.

D. Checklist for a Complete Application

    A complete application consists of the following items in this 
order:
    Introductory Material:
     Cover letter.
     Table of Contents.
     Project Description Summary.
    (1) Application for Federal Assistance (SF424).
    (2) Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (SF424A&B).
    (3) Budget Justification.
    (4) Project Description and Appendices.
    (5) Proof of non-profit status as appropriate.
    (6) Assurances Non-Construction Programs.
    (7) Certification Regarding Lobbying.
    (8) Where appropriate, a completed SPOC certification with the date 
of SPOC contact entered in line 16, page 1 of the SF 424.
    Applicants are reminded that the narrative portion of the 
application cannot exceed 25 double-spaced pages in a 12-pitch font 
with 1-\1/2\ inch margins at the top and 1 inch at the bottom and both 
sides and that attachments/Appendices to the application can not exceed 
25 pages. Attachments and appendices should be used only to provide 
supporting documentation such as maps, administration charts, position 
descriptions, resumes, and letters of intent/agreement. Please do not 
include books or video tapes as they are not easily reproduced and are, 
therefore, inaccessible to the reviewers. Each page should be numbered 
sequentially.
    GENERAL--The following guidelines are for preparing the budget and 
budget justification. Both Federal and non-Federal resources shall be 
detailed and justified in the budget and narrative justification. 
According to the instructions for completing the SF-424A and the 
preparation of the budget and budget justification, ``Federal 
resources'' refers only to the ACF/ORR grant for which you are 
applying. Non-Federal resources are all other Federal and non-Federal 
resources. It is suggested that budget amounts and computations be 
presented in a columnar format: first column, object class categories; 
second column, Federal budget; next column(s), non-Federal budget(s), 
and last column, total budget. The budget justification should be a 
narrative.
    Personnel: Costs of employee salaries and wages. Justification--
Identify the project director and 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.
    Fringe Benefits: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated 
as part of 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: 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/
ORR-sponsored meetings should be detailed in the budget.
    Equipment: Costs of tangible, non-expendable, personal property, 
having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of 
$5,000 or more per unit.
    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.
    Supplies: Costs of all tangible personal property other than that 
included under the Equipment category.
    Justification--Specify general categories of supplies and their 
costs. Show computations and provide other information which supports 
the amount requested.
    Contractual: Costs of all contracts for services and goods except 
for those which belong under other categories such as equipment, 
supplies, etc. Contracts with secondary recipient organizations, 
including delegate agencies (if applicable), should be included under 
this category.
    Justification--All procurement transactions shall be conducted in a 
manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical, open and free 
competition. If procurement competitions were held or if procurement 
without competition is being proposed, attach a list of proposed 
contractors, indicating the names of the organizations, the purposes of 
the contracts, the estimated dollar amounts, and the award selection 
process. Justify any anticipated procurement action that is expected to 
be awarded without competition and to exceed the simplified acquisition 
threshold fixed at 41 USC 403(11). Recipients might be required to make 
available to ACF pre-award review and procurement documents, such as 
requests for proposal 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, professional services costs, space and equipment rentals, 
printing and publication, computer use, training costs, such as tuition 
and stipends, staff development, and administrative costs.
    Justification--Provide computations, a narrative description and a 
justification for each cost under this category.
    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 or another cognizant Federal 
agency.
    Justification--An applicant proposing to charge indirect costs to 
the grant must enclose a copy of the current rate

[[Page 27741]]

agreement. If the applicant organization is in the process of initially 
developing or renegotiating a rate, it should immediately upon 
notification that an award will be made, develop a tentative indirect 
cost rate proposal based on its most recently completed fiscal year in 
accordance with the principles set forth in 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. It should be noted that 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 agreement, the authorized representative of 
the applicant organization must submit a signed acknowledgement that 
the applicant is accepting a lower rate than allowed.
    Program Income: 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.
    Non-Federal Resources: 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 in order to be given 
credit in the review process.

E. Due Date for the Receipt of Applications

    Deadlines: The closing date for submission of applications is 4:30 
p.m. (EDT) on July 20, 1998. Mailed applications shall be considered as 
meeting the deadline if they are either received on or before the 
deadline date or sent on or before the deadline date and received by 
ORR in time for the independent review. Applications should be mailed 
to: Division of Community Resettlement, Office of Refugee Resettlement, 
6th Floor East, Aerospace Building 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 
Washington, DC 20447.
    Applicants are cautioned to request a legibly dated U.S. Postal 
Service postmark or to obtain a legibly dated receipt from a commercial 
carrier or U.S. Postal Service. Private metered postmarks shall not be 
acceptable as proof of timely mailing.
    Applications hand carried by applicants, courier services, or by 
overnight/express mail couriers shall be considered as meeting the 
announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date, 
between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., at the above stated address, 
between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). (Applicants are 
cautioned that express/overnight mail services may not always deliver 
as agreed. In addition, some non-postal service carriers will only 
deliver to ORR's street address which is 901 D Street SW. instead of 
370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW.) ORR cannot accommodate transmission of 
applications by fax or through other electronic media. Therefore, 
applications transmitted to ORR electronically will not be accepted 
regardless of date or time of submission and time of receipt.
    Late applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria 
above are considered late applications. ORR shall notify each late 
applicant that its application will not be considered.
    Extension of deadlines: ORR may extend the deadline for all 
applicants because of acts of God such as floods, hurricanes, etc., or 
when there is a widespread disruption of the mails. However, if ORR 
does not extend the deadline for all applicants, it may not waive or 
extend the deadline for any applicants. A determination to waive or 
extend deadline requirements rests with the Chief Grants Management 
Officer.

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

    All information collections within this Program Announcement are 
approved under the following currently valid OMB control numbers: 424, 
(0348-0043); 424A (0348-0044); 424B (0348-0040); Disclosure of Lobbying 
Activities (0348-0046); Uniform Project Description (0970-0139), 
Expiration date 10/31/2000. Financial Status Report (SF-269) (0348-
0039) and ORR Program Performance Report (0970-0036).
    Public reporting burden for this collection of information is 
estimated to average 80 hours per response, including the time for 
reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and 
reviewing the collection of information.
    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.

G. Executive Order 12372--Notification Process

    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.
    All States and territories except Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, 
Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, 
Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, 
Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, 
American Samoa, and Palau have elected to participate in the Executive 
Order process and have established Single Points of Contact (SPOCs). 
Applicants from these twenty-four jurisdictions need not take action 
regarding Executive Order 12372.
    Applicants should contact their SPOC as soon as possible to alert 
them to the prospective application and to receive any necessary 
instructions. Applicants must submit any required material to the SPOC 
as early as possible so that the program office can obtain and review 
SPOC comments as part of the award process. It is imperative that the 
applicant submit all required materials, if any, to the SPOC and 
indicate the date of this submittal (or 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 the ORR, they should be 
addressed to: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration 
for Children and Families, Office of Refugee Resettlement, 6th Floor 
East, Aerospace Building, 370 Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 
20447.
    Reporting Requirements--Grantees are required to file the Financial 
Status Report (SF-269) semi-annually and Program Progress Reports on a 
quarterly basis.
    Although ORR does not expect the proposed components/projects to 
include evaluation activities, it does expect grantees to maintain 
adequate records to track and report on expenditures by budget line 
item,

[[Page 27742]]

project outcomes and participant demographics information which may 
include but is not limited to: date of birth, sex, country of birth, 
date of entry, education, employment history, marital status and number 
of children.
    The official receipt point for all reports and correspondence is 
the ORR Division of Community Resettlement. An original and one copy of 
each report shall be submitted within 30 days of the end of each 
reporting period directly to the Project Officer named in the award 
letter. The mailing address is: Division of Community Resettlement, 
Office of Refugee Resettlement, Sixth Floor East, Aerospace Building, 
370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447.
    A final Financial and Program Report shall be due 90 days after the 
budget expiration date or termination of grant support.

    Dated: May 14, 1998.
Lavinia Limon,
Director, Office of Refugee Resettlement.
[FR Doc. 98-13434 Filed 5-19-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P