[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 71 (Thursday, April 12, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18947-18957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8994]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[Program Announcement No. ACYF-PA-CCB-2001-02]


Technical Assistance Child Care Grant

AGENCY: Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), ACF, 
DHHS.

ACTION: Announcement of availability of competitive financial 
assistance for private, nonprofit intermediaries to demonstrate the 
provision of technical assistance to child care providers to improve 
the quality and supply of child care facilities.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this program announcement is to announce the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 2001 funds, authorized under the FY 
2001 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Pub. L. 106-554), for grants to 
qualified private, nonprofit intermediaries to increase the quality and 
supply of child care facilities in low-income communities. Eligible 
intermediaries are private, nonprofit intermediary organizations that 
have demonstrated experience and results in providing technical 
assistance to child care providers in the renovation or construction of 
facilities and in securing private sources for capital financing of 
child care facilities in low-income communities.

DATES: The closing date for submission of applications is June 11, 
2001. Mailed applications postmarked after the closing date will be 
classified as late.
    Deadline: Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an 
announced deadline if they are either received on or before the 
deadline date, or sent on or before the deadline date, and received by 
ACF in time for the independent review to: Administration on Children, 
Youth and Families, Child Care Bureau Program Announcement No. ACYF-PA-
CCB-2001-02, 1815 North Fort Myer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 
22209.
    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, applicant couriers, or by 
overnight/express mail couriers shall be considered as meeting an 
announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date, 
between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., at the

[[Page 18948]]

Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Child Care Bureau 
Program Announcement, 1815 North Fort Myer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, 
VA 22209, between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). 
(Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not 
always deliver as agreed.)
    ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax or 
through other electronic media. Therefore, applications transmitted to 
ACF 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. ACF shall notify each late 
applicant that its applications will not be considered in the current 
competition.
    Extension of Deadlines: ACF may extend an application deadline for 
applicants affected by acts of God such as floods and hurricanes, when 
there is widespread disruption of mail service, or for other 
disruptions of services, such as a prolonged blackout, that affect the 
public at large. A determination to waive or extend deadline 
requirements rests with the Chief Grants Management Officer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eleanor M. Wagoner, Administration for 
Children and Families, Child Care Bureau, Room 2313, Mary E. Switzer 
Building, 330 C Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20447, Phone: (202) 205-
8087, Fax: (202) 690-5600, E-mail: [email protected]
    Notice of Intent to Submit Application:
    If you intend to submit an application, please contact ACYF's 
Operations Center at 1-800-351-2293 with the following information: the 
number and title of this announcement; your organization's name and 
address; and your contact person's name, phone number, fax number, and 
e-mail address. This information will be used to determine the number 
of expert reviewers needed to evaluate applications and to update the 
mailing list for program announcements.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ACF Uniform Discretionary Grant 
Application Form covering all ACF announcements, contained in the 
Application Kit, and this Supplementary Information section contain all 
the forms and instructions needed to apply for a grant under this 
announcement. No additional application materials are needed.
    The Supplementary Information section consists of seven parts. Part 
I provides general information about funding requirements, and 
application procedures for child care grants under this program 
announcement. Part II provides background information on the Child Care 
Bureau, and the context for the work to be accomplished by this grant. 
Part III describes child care goals and priorities related to this 
announcement. Part IV provides instructions for the Uniform Project 
Description. Part V describes the evaluation criteria and selection 
process. Part VI describes the application process. Part VII provides 
information on the content of the application and submission 
instructions. The contents are outlined below:

Table of Contents

Part I. General Information
    A. Purpose
    B. Citations
    C. Number of Awards
    D. Project Duration
    E. Funding Levels and Budget Periods
    F. Non-Federal Share of Project Costs
    G. Eligibility
Part II. Background and Context
    A. The Child Care Bureau
    B. Current Availability of Affordable Child Care in Low-Income 
Communities
    C. Need for Technical Assistance
    D. Definitions
Part III. Child Care Grants: Goals and Priorities
    A. Regulatory and Statutory Requirements
    B. Coordination
    C. Public Participation
    D. Services to a Range of Providers
    E. Replicability and Sustainability of Project
    F. Allowable Use of Funds
Part IV. General Instructions for the Uniform Project Description
    The Project Description Overview
    Purpose
    General Instructions
    Instructions for Preparing a Full Project Description
    A. Introduction
    B. Project Summary/Abstract
    C. Objectives and Need for Assistance
    D. Results or Benefits Expected
    E. Approach
    F. Evaluation
    G. Geographic Location
    H. Additional Information
Part V. Evaluation Criteria and Selection Process
    A. Evaluation Criteria
    B. The Selection Process
    C. Funding Date
Part VI. Application Process
    A. Assistance of Prospective Grantees
    B. Application Requirements
    C. Paperwork Reduction Act
    D. Notification Under Executive Order 12372
    E. Availability of Forms and Other Materials
    F. Application Consideration
Part VII. Application Content and Submission Instructions
    A. Application Content
    B. Application Submission

Part I. General Information

A. Purpose

    The purpose of this program announcement is to provide funding for 
ten or more private, nonprofit intermediaries \1\ for the provision of 
technical assistance to child care providers to improve the quality and 
supply of child care facilities in low-income communities and to 
document the changes.
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    \1\ Intermediaries are organizations that offer a broad range of 
entrepreneurial training and technical assistance to child care 
providers to enable them to become ``loan ready'' for the 
establishment or renovation of child care facilities. Intermediary 
organizations may be banks, collaboratives, investment funds, 
foundations, or other entities with the capacity to serve as 
intermediaries between child care providers and financing entities.
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B. Citations

1. Sponsorship
    Grants being awarded under this announcement are sponsored by the 
Child Care Bureau (the Bureau) of the Administration on Children, Youth 
and Families (ACYF) in the Administration for Children and Families 
(ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The Bureau 
will manage the projects.
2. Funding Authority
    Funding is being provided by ACF, authorized under the Fiscal Year 
2001 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Pub. L. 106-554). The estimated 
total funding available under this announcement is $2,500,000.
3. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number is 93.647.

C. Number of Awards

    Ten or more projects will be funded in fiscal year 2001 (awards 
will be dated September 30, 2001), subject to the availability of funds 
and results of the application review process. At least one grant of up 
to $250,000 may be made to an applicant who targets the proposed 
technical assistance project to serve tribes and tribal organizations, 
on a national basis.

D. Project Duration

    The total project period will be 17 months.

E. Funding Levels and Budget Periods

    Awards will be for a 17-month budget and project period. Amounts 
will range

[[Page 18949]]

between $150,000 and $250,000 for a budget period of 17 months.

F. Non-Federal Share of Project Costs

    Grantees must provide at least 20 percent of the total approved 
cost of the project. The total approved cost of the project is the sum 
of the ACF share and the non-Federal share. The non-Federal share may 
be met by cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are 
encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions. 
Therefore, a project requesting $250,000 in Federal funds must provide 
a match of at least $62,500 (20% total approved project cost). Grantees 
will be held accountable on the grant award for match commitments of 
non-Federal resources even if the approved amount exceeds the minimum 
match required. Failure to provide the match commitment amount 
specified on the grant award can result in a disallowance of Federal 
funds.

G. Eligibility

    Private nonprofit intermediary organizations that have demonstrated 
experience and results in providing training and technical assistance 
to child care providers in low-income communities in one or more of the 
following areas are eligible to apply for funding under this program 
announcement:
    (1) Renovating and/or constructing child care or other public 
facilities using a variety of funding sources;
    (2) Generating revenue from public and private sources for capital 
financing of public projects (such as child care facilities); and
    (3) Increasing the skills of child care providers to develop and 
access new funding sources.
    Priority consideration will be given to applications that target 
recipients for technical assistance to:
    (1) Those in low-income communities\2\ (i.e., localities in which 
the median family income is no more than 85% of the Statewide median); 
or
    (2) Those child care providers who serve a minimum of 25% low-
income children (i.e., children eligible for Federal Child Care and 
Development Fund or other State or Federal child care subsidies, 
including Head Start).
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    \2\ Information on community income levels, based on 1990 census 
figures, is available on the Census Bureau website at: 
www.census.gov.people.income.
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    Primary recipients of technical assistance provided by grantees 
funded under this project may be nonprofit or for profit providers of 
child care services. Additional recipients could be community 
stakeholders with a vested interest in the availability and provision 
of quality child care services in the community. Potential stakeholders 
include, but are not limited to, parents, employers, educators, 
representatives of financial institutions, civic and business leaders, 
child and family advocates, housing experts, and representatives of 
local, State, and tribal governments.
    Every effort should be made to inform the State lead agency for the 
Child Care and Development Fund, and, if different, the State agency 
responsible for licensing child care facilities, of the communities and 
programs targeted for technical assistance under this announcement and 
to invite their participation, as appropriate.
    Any nonprofit organization submitting an application must submit 
proof of its nonprofit status in its application at the time of 
submission. The nonprofit agency can accomplish this by: (1) 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 (2) providing a copy of the currently 
valid IRS tax exemption certificate, or (3) providing a copy of the 
articles of incorporation bearing the seal of the State in which the 
corporation or association is domiciled.

Part II. Background and Context

A. The Child Care Bureau

    The Child Care Bureau was established in 1994 to provide leadership 
into efforts to enhance the quality, affordability, and supply of child 
care available for all families. The Child Care Bureau administers the 
Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), which includes $4.5 billion for 
child care subsidies and activities to improve the quality and 
availability of child care. CCDF was created after later amendments to 
ACF child care programs by Title VI of the Personal Responsibility and 
Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 which consolidated the 
Federal funding from the former AFDC/JOBS Child Care, Transitional 
Child Care, and At-Risk Child Care and subjected it to the requirements 
of the Child Care and Development Block Grant.
    The Child Care Bureau and ACF Regions work closely with States, 
Territories and Tribes to assist with, oversee, and document 
implementation of new policies and programs in support of State, local 
and private sector administration of child care services and systems. 
In addition, the Bureau collaborates extensively with other offices 
throughout the Federal government to promote integrated, family-focused 
services and coordinated child care delivery systems. In all of these 
activities, the Bureau seeks to enhance the quality, availability, and 
affordability of child care services, support children's healthy growth 
and development in safe child care environments, enhance parental 
choice and involvement in their children's care, and facilitate the 
linkage of child care with other community services.

B. Current Availability of Affordable Child Care in Low-Income 
Communities

    Having access to high-quality child care is a critical factor in 
enabling moderate and low-income families to be gainfully employed and, 
in some cases, to exit the welfare system. The scarcity of child care 
in low-income communities is consistently identified as one of the 
principal barriers to employment. Regular child care arrangements are 
often beyond the reach of working poor families. Recent research 
confirms that family and center-based care is far more available in 
affluent communities than in low-income areas. Further, the Government 
Accounting Office has determined that child care services in low-income 
communities do not meet the level necessary to serve the families 
required to exit the welfare caseload. In a 1999 publication on 
``Access to Child Care for Low-Income Working Families,'' the ACF 
concluded that, while the child-care picture varies from State to 
State, it is clear that there is a large unmet need for child care 
assistance throughout the country.
    Although States are fully utilizing Federal child care assistance 
from the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) and from State sources, 
only a small percentage of children eligible under Federal guidelines 
are actually being served. As a result, child care consumes a major 
portion of many low-income families' budgets; parents are unable to 
work productively or take better paying jobs that require longer 
working hours; and children's health, as well as their social, 
emotional, and cognitive development suffer when parents are forced to 
accept inadequate arrangements.
    Compounding the child care problem for low-income families is the 
fact that low-income communities also face a severe shortage of quality 
child care. The need in low-income communities is expected to worsen as 
increasing numbers of welfare recipients enter the workforce. Research 
has shown that low-income communities are significantly underserved by 
licensed home-based child care providers, and

[[Page 18950]]

are twice as likely as higher income communities to have no center-
based child care at all. Moreover, providers in low-income communities 
lack access to the technical and financial resources they need to 
appropriately expand the capacity and quality of their programs by 
addressing their physical capital needs.\3\
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    \3\ Fuller, B. and Kagan, S., Remember the Children: Mothers 
Balance Work and Child Care Under Welfare Reform--A Growing Up In 
Project, Wave 1 Findings, February, 2000.
    Stokeley, J., Early Childhood Facilities Development and Finance 
in Low-Income Neighborhoods, National Economic Development and Law 
Center, 1995.
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C. Need for Technical Assistance

    Although child care providers often have training in early 
childhood development and in caring for young children, they are much 
less likely to have had training, or be knowledgeable, in the 
principles of financial management, fundraising, or facility renovation 
or construction of the child care facilities in which they provide 
services. This is especially true in low-income communities. Thus, 
there is a critical need for child care providers in low-income 
communities to receive appropriate technical assistance if the 
availability of quality child care in low-income communities is to be 
increased.
    Most large or small businesses are typically able to borrow funds 
when they need to improve or expand their facilities. However, child 
care businesses often have trouble securing loans. This is especially 
true of the child care programs located in low-income neighborhoods. 
Recent research indicates that there are clear reasons why these 
problems exist. Many child care providers may be uncomfortable in the 
world of finance, renovation, and facility construction. Moreover, many 
child care programs often do not have the equity necessary to secure a 
loan.\4\ Further, the facilities are designed for the very specific 
purpose of accommodating young children, and as a result they may not 
appraise well.\5\ Thus, for these and other reasons, child care 
programs, especially those in low-income neighborhoods, simply do not 
have the assets--technically or financially--to secure the capital they 
need to expand or improve the quality of their facilities.
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    \4\ ``The Business Need of Child Care: An Analysis of the 
Financing and Technical Assistance Needs of North Carolina's Child 
Care Providers,'' Center for Community Self-Help, Durham, NC, April 
1994.
    ``The Capital Needs of North Carolina's Head Start Programs: 
Results of a 1995 Survey Co-sponsored by the NC Dept of Human 
Resources and the NC Head Start Association.'' Center for Community 
Self-Help, Durham, NC, March, 1996.
    R. Ferlato, C. Owen, D. Solomon, ``The Child Care Credit Crunch: 
A Survey of Lending for Child Care Facilities'', Center for Policy 
Alternatives. Washington, DC, June 1993.
    Hoskins, A. ``Reinvesting in Child Care: Opportunities and 
Responsibilities for Banks in New York State''. Center for Policy 
Alternatives. Washington DC, November 1990.
    ``Financing Early Childhood Facilities: Investment Strategies 
for California's Low-Income Communities'' National Economic 
Development and Law Center, January 1996.
    Kershaw, A. ``Making Space for Children: A Toolkit for Starting 
a Child Care Facilities Fund'' Washington, DC: The Finance Project. 
In press.
    \5\ Stoney, L. ``Moving Toward Solutions: Breaking the Barriers 
to Facilities Expansion,'' a paper prepared for the New York City 
Expanding Child Care Opportunities initiative, November, 1997.
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    In recent years, a tested strategy for addressing the child care 
problems in low-income communities has begun to emerge, based on 
related efforts to stimulate economic development activities in the 
nation's most distressed communities. Nonprofit community development 
organizations, in concert with nonprofit ``intermediaries,'' have 
become successful at using government and philanthropic grants to 
leverage significant private sector capital investments in housing, 
community facilities, and commercial enterprises. Some efforts have 
begun to be made to strengthen the child care industry in these 
communities. By broadening the investment in experienced intermediary 
institutions through public-private partnerships, community development 
organizations are able to expand and strengthen the availability of 
quality child care in low-income communities.
    Consistent with this emerging strategy for addressing the severe 
shortage of adequate child care space in low-income communities, the FY 
2001 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Pub. L. 106-554) allocated $2.5 
million ``for grants to qualified private, nonprofit intermediaries to 
demonstrate the provision of technical assistance to child care 
providers to improve the quality and supply of child care facilities in 
low-income communities and to document the changes.'' The remainder of 
this Announcement sets out the application requirements and other 
relevant information necessary for qualified private intermediaries to 
apply for a technical assistance grant under the provisions of Public 
Law 106-554.

D. Definitions

    This program announcement is based on the following definitions:
    Categories of Care--Center-based child care, group home child care, 
and family child care.
    Center-Based Child Care Provider--under applicable State or local 
law, a provider licensed or otherwise authorized to provide child care 
services for fewer than 24 hours per day per child in a non-residential 
setting, unless care in excess of 24 hours is due to the nature of the 
parent(s)' work.
    Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)--the child care programs 
conducted under the provisions of the Child Care and Development Block 
Grant Act, as amended.
    Child Care Facilities--real property or modular units appropriate 
for use by a grantee to carry out a child care program, that meets 
State and local health and safety standards.
    Child Care Providers--a center-based child care provider, a group 
home child care provider, or a family child care provider for 
compensation that is licensed, regulated, or registered under 
applicable State or local law as described in 45 CFR 98.40; and 
satisfies State and local requirements, including those referred to in 
45 CFR 98.41, applicable to the child care services it provides.
    Construction--the erection of a facility that does not currently 
exist.
    Discretionary Funds--the funds authorized under the FY 2001 
Consolidated Appropriations Act (Pub. L. 106-554).
    Family Child Care Provider--one individual who provides child care 
services, under applicable State or local law, for fewer than 24 hours 
per day per child, as the sole caregiver, in a private residence other 
than the child's residence, unless care in excess of 24 hours is due to 
the nature of the parent(s)' work.
    Group Home Child Care Provider--two or more individuals who provide 
child care services, under applicable State or local law, for fewer 
than 24 hours per day per child, in a private residence other than the 
child's residence, unless care in excess of 24 hours is due to the 
nature of the parent(s)' work.
    Indian Tribe--any Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized 
group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or 
village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska 
Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. section 1601 et seq.) that is 
recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided 
by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.
    Intermediaries--private nonprofit organizations that serve as 
intermediaries between child care providers and financing entities and 
have experience in providing training and technical assistance for the 
construction and renovation of physical facilities, and for the 
development of investment partnerships for the

[[Page 18951]]

financing of child care facilities or other public facilities in low-
income communities.
    Licensing or Regulatory Requirements--requirements necessary for a 
provider to legally provide child care services in a State or locality, 
or for the facility in which such services are provided.
    Major Renovation--(1) Structural changes to the foundation, roof, 
floor, exterior or load-bearing walls of a facility, or the extension 
of a facility to increase its floor area; or (2) extensive alteration 
of a facility such as to significantly change its function and purpose, 
even if such renovation does not include any structural change.
    Provider--the individual 18 years of age or older, or organization 
providing child care services.

Part III. Child Care Grants: Goals and Priorities

A. Regulatory and Statutory Requirements

    In designing a project under this announcement, the applicant 
should consider the goals of the amended Child Care and Development 
Block Grant Act, provided at 45 CFR 98.1.
    Grants awarded under this announcement in conformance with 
statutory requirements, are for the provision of technical assistance 
leading to an increase in the availability and quality of child care 
facilities by:
    (1) Establishing new quality child care facilities in low-income 
areas that have been previously underserved and/or have unmet needs;
    (2) Improving existing facilities to meet State and local health, 
safety, and licensing standards; and
    (3) Building the capacity of child care providers to create new 
funding partnerships, leverage private funds and resources, and 
increase the supply of child care in rural and low-income communities.
    In addition, the Child Care Bureau is especially interested in 
projects that will increase the availability of services for infants 
and toddlers and children with special needs.

B. Allowable Use of Funds

    Grants awarded in accordance with this program announcement will be 
subject to the uniform administrative requirements found at 45 CFR Part 
74 (nonprofits). Additional requirements will be specified in the terms 
and conditions, reporting requirements, and other materials that 
accompany the award notice. Intermediaries that receive funds under 
this grant announcement may use the funds to provide technical 
assistance in areas that result in improvements to child care 
facilities. Such areas may include: facilities assessment, feasibility 
studies, cost estimating, and market needs assessment studies. 
Assisting communities to establish referral services for child care 
providers to resources that help purchase buildings or building space, 
relocate programs, expand facilities, or make capital improvements to 
building or playground areas is another acceptable use of these funds.
    By drawing upon the knowledge of child care and community experts, 
the grantees(s) may provide technical assistance to child care 
providers and appropriate stakeholders in a variety of areas including, 
but not limited to:
     establishing facilities and business development 
partnerships;
     helping organizations seeking to build or expand child 
care facilities to put together a comprehensive financing package;
     assisting child care providers to become ``loan ready;'' 
and
     other areas that will ensure the improvement of the 
quality and supply of child care facilities in low-income communities 
(e.g., community planning for child care development; creating 
statewide policy collaborations for child care facilities and business 
development; etc.).
    Grant award funds under this announcement may not be used for the 
actual construction or renovation of child care facilities, or for 
making direct loans for these purposes.

C. Coordination

    The applicant must describe how it will coordinate the delivery of 
technical assistance services to child care providers, and, if 
applicable, other State and local child care, early childhood 
development programs, and before- and after-school care services. It is 
also important that the applicant describe how it will coordinate with 
and inform the State lead agency for the Child Care and Development 
Fund, and, if different, the State agency responsible for licensing 
child care facilities, about the technical assistance being offered, 
the communities targeted for assistance, and the child care providers 
participating as recipients of the technical assistance. The technical 
assistance must assist the participants in developing linkages with 
funding and resource sources in the community, who will be willing to 
engage in partnerships for increasing the quality and supply of child 
care facilities in low-income communities.

D. Public Participation

    The applicant, if awarded a grant under this announcement, is 
encouraged to engage in a planning process that includes parents, 
providers, and other relevant stakeholders in the community to be 
served. Following the grant award, the applicant should provide public 
notice to child care providers, families in need of child care 
services, and other community stakeholders who may be able to 
contribute to the success of the project. Such public notice should 
include information that the technical assistance project will be 
provided in the targeted community and should also include language 
encouraging interested parties to participate in the technical 
assistance training project.

E. Services to a Range of Providers

    One of the goals of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act 
is ``to promote parental choice to empower working parents to make 
their own decisions on the child care that best suits their family's 
needs.'' In support of this goal, the applicant is encouraged to design 
and implement a technical assistance project to increase the 
availability of child care that promotes parental choice in selecting 
CCDF-funded child care providers, and addresses the child care needs of 
families for infant-care, or care for children with special needs.

F. Replicability and Sustainability of Project

    To maximize the Federal investment in providing technical 
assistance to improve the quality and supply of child care facilities 
in low-income communities, the applicant must provide information to 
demonstrate how the results of the project will have a lasting impact 
in the community beyond the 17-month project period.
General Instructions for the Uniform Project Description
    The applicant is required to submit a full project description and 
shall prepare the project description statement in accordance with the 
following instructions. The pages should be numbered and be limited to 
50 type-written pages, printed on one side with one inch margins, and 
using a standard font-size that is no smaller than 12. A table of 
contents must be included for easy reference.
    The evaluation criteria listed in Part V of this Application 
Package should be used as a way to organize the uniform project 
description, by providing specific information that addresses, under 
the appropriate corresponding

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heading in the application, all components of each criterion (i.e., 
Objectives and Need for Assistance; Results or Benefits Expected; 
Approach; Staff and Position Data and Organizational Profiles; and 
Budget).
    It is in the applicant's best interest to ensure that the project 
description is easy to read, logically developed in accordance with the 
evaluation criteria and adheres to page limitations. In addition, the 
applicant should be mindful of the importance of preparing and 
submitting applications using language, terms, and concepts that are 
generally known to the child care and early childhood fields.
    The following ACF Uniform Project Description has been approved 
under OMB Control Number 0970-0139. This format is to be used to submit 
an application under this announcement.
The Project Description Overview
    Purpose: The project description provides a major means by which an 
application is evaluated and ranked to compete with other applications 
for available assistance. The project description should be concise and 
complete and should address the activity for which Federal funds are 
being requested. Supporting documents should be included where they can 
present information clearly and succinctly.
    In preparing your project description, all information requested 
through each specific evaluation criteria should be provided. Awarding 
offices use this and other information in making their funding 
recommendations. It is important, therefore, that this information be 
included in the application.
    General Instructions: ACF 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. Cross referencing 
should be used rather than repetition. Supporting information 
concerning activities that will not be directly funded by the grant or 
information that does not directly pertain to an integral part of the 
grant funded activity should be placed in an appendix.
    Pages should be numbered and a table of contents should be included 
for each reference.
A. Introduction
    Applicants required to submit a full project description shall 
prepare the project description statement in accordance with the 
following instructions and the specified evaluation criteria. The 
instructions give a broad overview of what the project description 
should include while the evaluation criteria expands and clarifies more 
program-specific information that is needed.
B. Project Summary/Abstract
    Provide a summary of the project description (a page or less) with 
reference to the funding request.
C. Objectives and Need for Assistance
    Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, 
institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need 
for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate 
objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting 
documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from 
concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any 
relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred 
to in the endnotes/footnotes.
    Incorporate demographic data and participant/beneficiary 
information, as needed. In developing the project description, the 
applicant may volunteer or be requested to provide information on the 
total range of projects currently being conducted and supported (or to 
be initiated), some of which may be outside the scope of the program 
announcement.
D. Results or Benefits Expected
    Identify the results and benefits to be derived. For example, 
describe the improvements that will be made to the quality and supply 
of specified child care facilities in the community or communities in 
which the technical assistance is provided. Specify who will receive 
technical assistance, and where and how technical assistance will be 
provided. Describe how the technical assistance services will benefit 
the child care providers, children, families, and community, and result 
in improvement to the quality and supply of child care services in the 
communities in which the technical assistance is provided. Describe the 
ways in which the technical assistance provided will result in the 
development of capacity building skills in the child care community.
E. 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 and the number of activities 
accomplished. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or 
function, list them in chronological order to show the schedule of 
accomplishments and their target dates.
    If any data are to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated, 
clearance may be required from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB). This clearance pertains to any ``collection of information that 
is conducted or sponsored by ACF.''
    List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key 
individuals who will work on the project along with a short description 
of the nature of their effort or contribution.
F. Evaluation
    Provide a narrative addressing how the results of the project and 
the conduct of the project will be evaluated. In addressing the 
evaluation of results, state how you will determine the extent to which 
the project has achieved its stated objectives and the extent to which 
the accomplishment of objectives can be attributed to the project. 
Discuss the criteria to be used to evaluate results, and explain the 
methodology that will be used to determine if the needs identified and 
discussed are being met and if the project results and benefits are 
being achieved. With respect to the conduct of the project, define the 
procedures to be employed to determine whether the project is being 
conducted in a manner consistent with the work plan presented and 
discuss the impact of the project's various activities on the project's 
effectiveness.
G. Geographic Location
    Describe the precise location of the project and boundaries of the 
area to be served by the proposed project. Maps or other graphic aids 
may be attached.
H. Additional Information
    Following are requests for additional information that need to be 
included in the application:
1. Staff and Position Data
    Provide a biographical sketch for each key person appointed and a 
job

[[Page 18953]]

description for each vacant key position. A biographical sketch will 
also be required for new key staff as appointed.
2. Plan for Project Continuance Beyond Grant Support
    Provide a plan for securing resources and continuing project 
activities after Federal assistance has ceased.
3. Organizational Profiles
    Provide information on the applicant organization(s) and 
cooperating partners such as organizational charts, financial 
statements, audit reports or statements from CPAs/Licensed Public 
Accountants, Employer Identification Numbers, names of bond carriers, 
contact persons and telephone numbers, child care licenses and other 
documentation of professional accreditation, information on compliance 
with Federal/State/local government standards, documentation of 
experience in the program area, and other pertinent information. Any 
nonprofit organization submitting an application must submit proof of 
its nonprofit status in its application at the time of submission.
    The nonprofit 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.
4. Dissemination Plan
    Provide a plan for distributing reports and other project outputs 
to colleagues and the public. Applicants must provide a description of 
the kind, volume and timing of distribution.
5. Third-Party Agreements
    Include written agreements between grantees and subgrantees or 
subcontractors or other cooperating entities. These agreements must 
detail scope of work to be performed, work schedules, remuneration, and 
other terms and conditions that structure or define the relationship.
6. Letters of Support
    Provide statements from community, public and commercial leaders 
that support the project proposed for funding. All submissions should 
be included in the application OR by application deadline.
7. 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.
a. 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. For purposes 
of preparing the budget and budget justification, ``Federal resources'' 
refers only to the ACF grant for which you are applying. Non-Federal 
resources are all other Federal and non-Federal resources. It is 
suggested that budget amounts and computations be presented in a 
columnar format: first column, object class categories; second column, 
Federal budget; next column(s), non-Federal budget(s), and last column, 
total budget. The budget justification should be a narrative.
b. Personnel
    Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.
    Justification: Identify the project director or principal 
investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time 
commitment to the project (in months), time commitment to the project 
(as a percentage or full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant salary, 
wage rates, etc. Do not include the costs of consultants or personnel 
costs of delegate agencies or of specific project(s) or businesses to 
be financed by the applicant.
c. Fringe Benefits
    Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated as 
part of an approved indirect cost rate.
    Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages 
that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, 
retirement insurance, taxes, etc.
d. Travel
    Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the 
applicant organization (does not include costs of consultant travel).
    Justification: For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s), 
travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if 
privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs 
and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend ACF-
sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.
e. Equipment
    Description: ``Equipment'' means an article of non-expendable, 
tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year 
and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of (a) the 
capitalization level established by the organization for the financial 
statement purposes, or (b) $5,000. (Note: Acquisition cost means the 
net invoice unit price of an item of equipment, including the cost of 
any modifications, attachments, accessories, or auxiliary apparatus 
necessary to make it usable for the purpose for which it is acquired. 
Ancillary charges, such as taxes, duty, protective in-transit 
insurance, freight, and installation shall be included in or excluded 
from acquisition cost in accordance with the organization's regular 
written accounting practices.)
    Justification: For each type of equipment requested, provide a 
description of the equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units, 
the total cost, and a plan for use on the project, as well as use or 
disposal of the equipment after the project ends. An applicant 
organization that uses its own definition for equipment should provide 
a copy of its policy or section of its policy which includes the 
equipment definition.
f. Supplies
    Description: Costs of all tangible personal property other than 
that included under the Equipment category.
    Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their 
costs. Show computations and provide other information which supports 
the amount requested.
g. Contractual
    Description: Costs of all contracts for services and goods except 
for those which belong under other categories such as equipment, 
supplies, construction, etc. Third-party evaluation contracts (if 
applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient organizations, 
including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or businesses to be 
financed by the applicant, should be included under this category.

[[Page 18954]]

    Justification: All procurement transactions shall be conducted in a 
manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical, open and free 
competition. Recipients and sub-recipients, other than States that are 
required to use Part 92 procedures, must justify any anticipated 
procurement action that is expected to be awarded without competition 
and exceed the simplified acquisition threshold fixed at 41 USC 403(11) 
(currently set at $100,000). Recipients might be required to make 
available to ACF such pre-award review and procurement documents as 
requests for proposals or invitations for bids, independent cost 
estimates, etc.

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

h. Other
    Enter the total of all other costs. Such costs, where applicable 
and appropriate, may include but are not limited to insurance, food, 
medical and dental costs (non-contractual), professional services 
costs, space and equipment rentals, printing and publication, computer 
use, training costs, such as tuition and stipends, staff development 
costs, and administrative costs.
    Justification: Provide computations, a narrative description and a 
justification for each cost under this category.
i. Indirect Charges
    Description: Total amount of indirect costs. This category should 
be used only when the applicant currently has an indirect cost rate 
approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or 
another cognizant Federal agency. Justification: An applicant that will 
charge indirect costs to the grant must enclose a copy of the current 
rate agreement. If the applicant organization is in the process of 
initially developing or renegotiating a rate, 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 program, the authorized representative of the 
applicant organization must submit a signed acknowledgement that the 
applicant is accepting a lower rate than allowed.
j. Program Income
    Description: The estimated amount of income, if any, expected to be 
generated from this project.
    Justification: Describe the nature, source and anticipated use of 
program income in the budget or refer to the pages in the application 
which contain this information.
k. Non-Federal Resources
    Description: Amounts of non-Federal resources that will be used to 
support the project as identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
    Justification: The firm commitment of these resources must be 
documented and submitted with the application in order to be given 
credit in the review process. A detailed budget must be prepared for 
each funding source.
l. Total Direct Charges, Total Indirect Charges, Total Project Costs.
[Self-explanatory]

Part V. Evaluation Criteria and Selection Process

    The five criteria that follow will be used to review and evaluate 
each application. Each of these criterion should be addressed in the 
project description section of the application. The point values 
indicate the maximum numerical weight each criterion will be accorded 
in the review process. Note that the highest possible score an 
application can receive is 100 points.

A. Evaluation Criteria

Criterion 1. Objectives and Need for Assistance (10 Points)
    The applicant must:
    1. Specify the goals and objectives of the project and how 
implementation will fulfill the purposes of the ``Technical Assistance 
Grants'' provision in the FY 2001 Consolidated Appropriations Act 
(i.e., ``for grants to demonstrate the provision of technical 
assistance to child care providers to improve the quality and supply of 
child care facilities in low-income communities and to document the 
changes.'').
    2. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the purposes of the 
Child Care and Development Fund, and the federal regulations that apply 
to CCDF grants administered by the Child Care Bureau.
    3. State the need for assistance by identifying and discussing the 
critical issues impacting the availability of quality child care in 
low-income communities and the impact this has on families moving 
toward economic self-sufficiency.
    4. Describe the communities targeted for technical assistance, and 
indicate the current status of child care facilities in those locations 
and demonstrate knowledge of potential resources that may be targeted 
for partnerships in increasing the quality and supply of child care 
facilities. Maps and other demographic aids may be attached.
Criterion 2. Results and Benefits Expected (30 Points)
    The applicant must:
    1. Describe the results and benefits expected from the technical 
assistance to be provided to child care providers and other 
stakeholders in one or more low-income community(ies). The description 
must include:
    (a) Identifying information about the community(ies) and 
facility(ies) that are expected to benefit;
    (b) A description of the capacities and skills recipients of the 
technical assistance will develop;
    (c) Detailed information about the specific results and benefits 
expected to be made to the facility(ies) with respect to expansion or 
improvement of quality child care space and services, including the use 
of quantitative outcome measures.
    2. Describe the criteria to be used to evaluate the results of the 
technical assistance effort, in terms of:
    (a) The specified public and private agencies that have become 
involved in a partnership whose mission is directed, in whole or in 
part, at developing, expanding, or improving quality child care 
facilities in low-income communities;
    (b) The amount of State, local and private resources (financial and 
other) that have been generated; and.
    (c) The written plans (with timelines) to actually demonstrate an 
increase in the supply and/or quality of available child care services 
in communities receiving technical assistance under this grant award, 
as a result of that assistance.
Criterion 3. Approach (30 Points)
    The applicant must:
    1. Include a detailed plan that identifies goals and objectives, 
and provide a work plan identifying specific activities necessary to 
accomplish the stated goals and objectives and the

[[Page 18955]]

communities targeted for technical assistance, including any factors 
which may accelerate or decelerate the work. Include a timeline that 
will ensure completion of the project within the 17-month project 
period.
    2. Include participant and beneficiary information, and address how 
technical assistance will develop the capacity of child care providers 
to create partnerships leading to the generation of revenue for 
improving the quality and supply of child care facilities. The 
following information must be included:
    (a) The types of technical assistance to be provided;
    (b) The recipients (e.g., child care providers, parents, business 
and professional members of the community, etc) who are targeted for 
technical assistance;
    (c) The ways in which the technical assistance will develop the 
capacity of recipients to improve the quality and supply of child care 
facilities in low income communities;
    (d) How the technical assistance will help child care providers 
assess their community's need for additional or improved services, 
select suitable sites, leverage funding, and increase the affordability 
of child care for low-income families; and
    (e) The plan for compiling and distributing reports and lessons 
learned from this project to colleagues and the public.
    3. Describe how the applicant will coordinate the delivery of 
technical assistance to child care providers who will serve children 
who are eligible to receive CCDF subsidies, and the extent to which 
other Federal, State, and local public and private businesses, 
organizations, and parent consumers may be included as technical 
assistance service recipients. Supporting documentation of need, 
interest, and participation from community groups may be included. 
Priority consideration will be given to applications that include a 
statement from the State Child Care lead agency administrator 
supporting the proposed project in the targeted community(ies).
    4. Describe how the applicant will coordinate with and inform the 
State lead agency for the Child Care and Development Fund, and, if 
different, the State agency responsible for licensing child care 
facilities, about the technical assistance being offered, the 
communities targeted for assistance, and the child care providers 
participating as recipients of the technical assistance. Also describe 
the extent, if any, to which the Lead Agency may participate in the 
grantee's technical assistance project.
    5. Explain how the applicant will address the facility 
requirements, accommodations, supply, and program needs for infants and 
children with special needs.
    6. Describe how the applicant will develop and implement technical 
assistance leading to collaboration between child care providers, Head 
Start programs, other early childhood programs, and traditional and 
non-traditional community organizations, regarding--(a) the need for 
new or improved child care facilities and options; (b) why new 
partnerships are in the best interests of families and the community; 
and (c) the initiation of agreements among partners leading to 
commitments of support.
    7. Describe how the technical assistance activities implemented 
under this project will be continued once Federal funding for the 
project has ended. In the event the applicant cannot obtain new 
operating funds at the end of the 17-month project period the 
application must describe the need and specific plans for accomplishing 
program phase-out, including plans for engaging public and private 
partners to ensure the sustainability of the project.
Criterion 4. Staff and Position Data and Organizational Profiles (20 
Points)
    The applicant must:
    1. Discuss its organizational experience in the provision of 
technical assistance in low-income communities on such topics as 
partnership development, fund raising activities, financing strategies, 
and facility construction and renovation.
    2. Have demonstrated staff and organizational experience in working 
with child care providers, educators, parents, families, and community 
leaders to develop partnerships and commitments, based on written 
agreements, memoranda of understanding, and similar enforceable 
instruments.
    3. Include the following:
    (a) Information on the skills, knowledge and experience of the 
project director and key project staff, including brief resumes of 
current and proposed staff, as well as job descriptions. Resumes must 
indicate what position key individuals will fill, and position 
descriptions must specifically describe the job as it relates to the 
proposed project.
    (b) A list of organizations and consultants who will work on the 
program, along with a short description of the nature of their effort 
or contribution.
    (c) Information on plans for training project staff as well as 
staff of cooperating individuals and organizations.
    4. Demonstrate the ability of the organization to effectively 
manage the technical assistance project. Provide (a) a short 
description of the applicant agency's organization; the types, 
quantities and costs of services it provides, and (b) identify and 
discuss the role of other organizations or multiple sites of the agency 
that will be involved in the provision of technical assistance through 
this grant. List all these sites, including addresses, phone numbers 
and staff contact names if different than those on the SF 424.

    Note: If the agency is a recipient of funds from the 
Administration on Children, Youth and Families for services to 
children and families, or for programs other than that applied for 
in this application (e.g., Head Start, Child Welfare Services), show 
how the services supported by these funds are--or will be--different 
from the services already being offered. Organizational charts may 
be provided.

    5. Provide an annotated listing of the applicant's funding sources 
and contractual agreements and other relationships that support or 
complement the provision of technical assistance to child care 
programs.
Criterion 5. Budget and Budget Justification (10 Points)
    A. The applicant must:
    1. Show the extent to which the funds requested will be used for 
the provision of technical assistance to child care service providers 
and other public and private organizations under this grant. Discussion 
must refer to--(a) the budget information presented on Standard Forms 
424 and 424A and the applicant's budget justification; (b) the cash or 
in-kind match of 20% of the total grant amount consistent with the 
requirements in Part I, F, Non-Federal Share of Project Costs; and (c) 
the results or benefits identified under Criterion 2 above.
    2. Describe the fiscal control and accounting procedures that will 
be used to ensure prudent use, proper disbursement and accurate 
accounting of funds.

B. The Selection Process

    The Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth and 
Families, will make the final selection of the applicants to be funded. 
Applications may be funded in whole or in part depending on: (1) The 
ranked order of applicants resulting from the competitive review; (2) 
staff review and consultations; (3) the combination of projects that 
best meets the Bureau's objectives; (4) the funds available; and (5) 
other relevant considerations.

[[Page 18956]]

    Selected applicants will be notified through the issuance of a 
Financial Assistance Award that sets forth the amount of funds granted, 
the terms and conditions of the grant award, the effective date of the 
award, the budget period for which support is given, and the total 
project period for which support is provided.

C. Funding Date

    It is anticipated that successful applications will be funded in 
the fourth quarter of FY 2001 (July through September 2001).

Part VI. Application Process

A. Assistance to Prospective Grantees

    Potential grantees may direct questions about application forms to 
the Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Child Care Bureau 
Program Announcement, 1815 North Fort Myer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, 
VA 22209; Telephone: 1-800-351-2293; electronic mail: [email protected]. 
Questions about program requirements may be directed to Eleanor 
Wagoner, Child Care Bureau; Telephone 202-205-8087; electronic mail: 
[email protected].

B. Application Requirements

    To be considered for a grant, each application must be submitted on 
the forms provided in the Application Kit and in accordance with the 
guidance provided below. The application must be signed by an 
individual authorized to act for the applicant agency and to assume 
responsibility for the obligations imposed by terms and conditions of 
the grant award. If more than one agency is involved in submitting a 
single application, one entity must be identified as the applicant 
organization that will have legal responsibility for the grant.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13)

    Public reporting burden for this collection of information is 
estimated to average 20 hours per response, including the time for 
reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and 
reviewing the collection of information.
    The project description is approved under OMB control number 0970-
0139 which expires 12/31/2003.
    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.

D. Notification Under Executive Order 12372

    This program announcement is not covered under Executive Order 
12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' and 45 CFR Part 
100, ``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human 
Services Program and Activities.''

E. Availability of Forms and Other Materials

    A copy of the forms that must be submitted as part of an 
application and instructions for completing the application are 
provided in the Application Kit. Legislation referenced in Part I, 
section B.2 of this announcement and the CCDF Final Rule (45 CFR parts 
98 and 99) may be found in major public libraries and on the Child Care 
Bureau's web site at http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ccb/policy1/index.htm. Additional copies of this announcement may be obtained by 
calling 1-800-351-2293. Many standard forms can also be downloaded and 
printed from the following ACF webpage: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/oa/form.htm. An Application Kit containing the necessary forms 
may be obtained from: Department of Health and Human Services, 
Administration for Children and Families, Child Care Bureau, Room 2313; 
Mary E. Switzer Building, 330 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20447, 
Attention: ACYF-PA-CCB-2001-02, Telephone: (202) 205-8087

F. Application Consideration

    All applications that are complete and conform to the requirements 
of this program announcement will be subject to a competitive review 
and evaluation against the specific competitive grant area criteria 
outlined in Part V of this announcement. This review will be conducted 
in Washington, DC, by panels of non-Federal experts knowledgeable in 
the areas of quality child care, facility development and improvement, 
innovative funding practices and partnerships, and other relevant 
areas.
    Application review panels will assign a score to each application, 
identifying its strengths and weaknesses. Both Central and Regional Hub 
office staff will conduct administrative reviews of the applications 
and the results of the competitive review panels and will recommend 
applications for funding to the Commissioner, ACYF.
    The Commissioner will make the final selection of the applications 
to be funded. The Commissioner may also elect not to fund any 
applicants having known management, fiscal, reporting, program, or 
other problems which make it unlikely that they would be able to 
provide effective services. Successful applicants will be notified 
through the issuance of a Financial Assistance Award which will set 
forth the amount of funds granted, the terms and conditions of the 
grant, the effective date of the grant, and the budget period for which 
initial support will be given.
    Organizations whose applications will not be funded will be 
notified in writing by the Commissioner of the Administration on 
Children, Youth and Families. Every effort will be made to notify all 
unsuccessful applicants as soon as possible after final decisions are 
made.

Part VII. Application Content and Submission Instructions

    A. Application Content: Each application must contain the following 
items in the order listed:
    1. Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424, REV 4-
92). Follow the instructions in the Application Kit. In Item 8 of Form 
424, check ``New.'' In Item 10 of the 424, clearly identify the Catalog 
of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) program title and number: Child 
Care and Development Block Grant, 93.647
    2. Budget and Budget Justification (Standard Form 424A, REV 4-92). 
Follow the instructions in the Application Kit. The budget 
justification should be typed on standard size plain white paper, 
provide breakdowns for major budget categories and justify significant 
costs. List amounts and sources of all funds, both Federal and non-
Federal, to be used for this project.
    3. Project Summary/Abstract (one page maximum). Clearly mark this 
page with the applicant name as shown on item 5 of the SF 424, identify 
the title of the proposed project as shown in item 11 and the service 
area as shown in item 12 of the SF 424. The summary description should 
not exceed 300 words.
    Care should be taken to produce a summary which accurately and 
concisely reflects the proposed Project. It should describe the 
objectives of the project, the approach to be used and the results and 
benefits expected.
    4. Assurances/Certifications. The applicant must certify its 
compliance with: (1) Drug-Free Workplace Requirements; (2) Debarment 
and Other Responsibilities; and (3) Pro-Children Act of 1994 
(Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke). A signature on 
the SF 424 indicates compliance with the Drug Free Workplace.

[[Page 18957]]

    Applicants must provide a certification concerning Lobbying. Prior 
to receiving an award in excess of $100,000, applicants shall furnish 
an executed copy of the lobbying certification. Applicants must sign 
and return the certification with their applications.
    Requirements, Debarment and Other Responsibilities and 
Environmental Tobacco Smoke Certifications. A signature on the 
application constitutes an assurance that the applicant will comply 
with the pertinent Departmental regulations contained in 45 CFR part 
74.
    5. Documents of Support. The maximum number of pages for supporting 
documentation is 10 pages, double-spaced, exclusive of letters of 
support or agreement. These documents must be numbered and might 
include resumes, photocopies of news clippings, evidence of the 
program's efforts to coordinate child care services at the local level, 
etc. Documentation over the ten-page limit will not be reviewed. The 
applicant may, however, include as many letters of support or agreement 
as are appropriate.
    B. Application Submission: To be considered for funding, the 
applicant must submit one signed original and two additional copies of 
the application, including all attachments, to the application receipt 
point specified above. The original copy of the application must have 
original signatures, signed in black ink. Each copy must be stapled 
(back and front) in the upper left corner. All copies of an application 
must be submitted in a single package.
    Because each application will be duplicated, do not use or include 
separate covers, binders, clips, tabs, plastic inserts, maps, brochures 
or any other items that cannot be processed easily on a photocopy 
machine with an automatic feed. Do not bind, clip, staple, or fasten in 
any way separate subsections of the application, including supporting 
documentation. Applicants are advised that the copies of the 
application submitted, not the original, will be reproduced by the 
Federal government for review.

    Dated: April 5, 2001.
James A. Harrell,
Acting Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
[FR Doc. 01-8994 Filed 4-11-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P