[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 4, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38506-38513]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-13891]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[CFDA Number: 93.576]


Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Announcement for Services to 
Refugees \1\
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    \1\ Eligibility for refugee social services is limited to 
persons who meet all requirements of 45 CFR 400.43 (as amended by 65 
F.R. 1540, March 22, 2000) including: (1) Cuban and Haitian entrants 
under section 501 of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980 
(Pub. L. 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, as included in the FY 1988 Continuing Resolution (Pub. L. 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 Act of 1989 (Pub. L. 
100-461), 1990 (Pub. L. 101-167), and 1991 (Pub. L. 101-513). For 
convenience, the term ``refugee'' is used in this notice to 
encompass all such eligible persons.
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AGENCY: Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), ACF, DHHS.

ACTION: Request for applications for projects to support services for 
recently arrived refugees and ethnic community organizations. This 
notice announces two of the four Categories of the ORR Standing 
Announcement for Services to Recently Arrived Refugees published in the 
Federal Register on May 9, 2001 (66 FR 23705).

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SUMMARY: This ORR Announcement invites submission of grant applications 
for funding, on a competitive basis, in two categories of the ORR 
Standing Announcement for Services to Recently Arrived Refugees: 
Category 2--Unanticipated Arrivals, to provide services to 
unanticipated arrivals, i.e., refugees who have been resettled in 
unexpected numbers in communities where linguistically or culturally 
appropriate services for these refugees do not exist and Category 4--
Ethnic Community Self-Help to connect refugees and their communities 
with community resources.

DATE: The closing date for applications is July 5, 2002.
    Announcement Availability: The program announcement and the 
application materials are available from Sue Benjamin and Marta 
Brenden, Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), 370 L'Enfant Promenade 
SW., Washington, DC 20447 and from the ORR Web site at 
www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/orr.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Category 2--Sue Benjamin at (202) 401-
4851 or [email protected] and Category 4--Marta Brenden at (202) 
205-3589 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This program announcement consists of four 
parts:
    Part I: Background, legislative authority, funding availability, 
CFDA Number, eligible applicants, project and budget periods, and for 
each of the four categories--program purpose and objectives, allowable 
activities, and review criteria.
    Part II: The Review Process--intergovernmental review, initial ACF 
screening, competitive review and evaluation criteria.
    Part III: The Application--application forms, application 
submission and deadlines, certifications, assurances and disclosures 
required for non-construction programs, general instructions for 
preparing a full project description, and length of applications.
    Part IV: Post-award--applicable regulations, treatment of program 
income, and reporting requirements.
    Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13): Public reporting 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 16 
hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, 
gathering and maintaining the data needed, and reviewing the collection 
of information. The following information collections are included in 
the program announcement: OMB Approval No. 0970-0139, ACF UNIFORM 
PROJECT DESCRIPTION (UPD) attached as Appendix A, which expires 12/30/
03 and OMB Approval No. 0970-0036, ORR Quarterly Performance Report 
(QPR) and Schedule C which expire 7/31/02. 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.

Part I: Background

    The ORR Director, as stated in the Standing Announcement for 
Services to Recently Arrived Refugees notice published in the Federal 
Register on May 9, 2001 (66 FR 23705), may invite applications outside 
of the proposed closing dates, if necessary, to respond to the needs of 
an imminently arriving refugee population. For this reason, the ORR 
Director intends to support under this announcement unanticipated 
arrivals of refugees in U.S. communities. The ORR Director also intends 
to support refugee ethnic community and faith-based organizations with 
this announcement.

[[Page 38507]]

Legislative Authority

    This program is authorized by section 412(c)(1)(A) of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)(8 U.S. C. 1522(b)(5)), as 
amended, which authorizes the Director ``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; (ii) to provide training 
in English where necessary (regardless of whether the refugees are 
employed or receiving cash or other assistance); and (iii) to provide 
where specific needs have been shown and recognized by the Director, 
health (including mental health) services, social services, educational 
and other services.''

Funding Availability

    ORR expects to award a total of $500,000 in discretionary social 
service funds through approximately three to five projects under 
Category 2--Unanticipated Arrivals ranging from $100,000 to $200,000 
for a total of $500,000; and 6 to 12 projects under Category 4--Ethnic 
Community Self-Help ranging from $50,000 to $300,000 for a total of 
$3,000,000.
    The Director of ORR reserves the right to award less, or more than 
the funds described in this announcement. In the absence of worthy 
applications, the Director may decide not to make an award if deemed in 
the best interest of the government. Funding availability for future 
years is at the Director's discretion.
CFDA Number--93.576

Eligible Applicants

    For Categories 2 and 4, public and private nonprofit organizations 
are eligible to apply. Faith-based organizations are also eligible to 
apply under Categories 2 and 4. ORR expects that applicants in these 
Categories will coordinate in partnerships with other local 
organizations in considering projects and proposing services. Any 
private nonprofit organization submitting an application must submit 
proof of its nonprofit status at the time of submission. A 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 or by providing a copy of the currently valid 
IRS tax exemption certificate.
    An applicant may submit more than one application under this 
announcement, but must apply separately for each category.

Project and Budget Periods

    ORR invites applications under Category 2 for a single 17-month 
budget period. Applicants should view these resources as a temporary 
solution to an immediate need created by unanticipated arrivals.
    ORR invites applications under Category 4 for project periods of up 
to three years. Awards, on a competitive basis, will be for one-year 
budget periods. Applications for continuation grants, to extend 
activities beyond the one-year budget period, will be entertained on a 
noncompetitive basis, subject to availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress of the grantee, and a determination that continued funding 
would be in the best interest of the Government.

Category 2--Unanticipated Arrivals

Purpose and Objectives

    The purpose ORR seeks to achieve through Category 2, Unanticipated 
Arrivals, is to provide additional resources to communities where the 
arrival of refugees is not anticipated and the refugee services are 
insufficient. Under these circumstances, resources are needed to 
provide additional service capacity to accommodate the additional 
refugees. Through Category 2--Unanticipated Arrivals--ORR intends to 
offer to communities the resources to respond to the unanticipated 
arrivals with adequate and culturally and linguistically appropriate 
social services.
    Under Category 2, ORR invites applications that propose seventeen-
month projects for a minimum of 100 refugees annually. Examples of 
situations for which applicants may request funds for grants under 
Category 2 are as follows: (1) The existing service system does not 
have culturally and linguistically compatible staff; (2) refugee 
services do not presently exist; or (3) the service capacity is not 
sufficient to accommodate significant increases in arrivals.
    This grant program is intended to provide for services that respond 
to the needs of new refugee populations shortly after arrival into the 
community. Grantees should view these resources, therefore, as a 
temporary solution to insufficient services necessitating program 
adjustment because of the unanticipated arrival of a refugee population 
in a specific community. Therefore, planning for the application and 
implementation of the program must be done in concert with the State 
Refugee Coordinator to assure an orderly transition and complement of 
services. ORR's expectation is that, by the end of the grant project 
period, the State government will have incorporated services for these 
new populations into its refugee services network funded by ORR formula 
social service dollars. The transition of the services should be 
described in the last two quarterly performance reports.

Allowable Activities

    Allowable activities in the unanticipated arrivals program are 
social services for refugees that are appropriate and accessible in 
language and culture. Services provided by all grantees, whether 
private or public, must comply with the regulations at 45 CFR 400.147, 
400.150 (a), and 400.154-156 regarding priorities for services, 
eligibility for services, scope of services, and service requirements.
    Applications under this section should indicate how the grantee 
will ensure that services are appropriate and accessible in language 
and culture.

Review Criteria

    1. Objectives and Need--The application establishes that the 
unanticipated number of at least 100 refugees or more is significant 
relative to the resident population. The applicant documents the most 
recent 12-month period of refugee arrivals, both anticipated and 
unanticipated. The application includes a description of the need for 
services and how funding through the Unanticipated Arrivals program 
would meet those needs. The application, supported by a letter from the 
relevant voluntary agency headquarters, documents the planned 
projections of refugees for the next 12 months. (25 points)
    2. Approach--The strategy and plan are likely to achieve the 
proposed results; the proposed activities and timeframes are reasonable 
and feasible. The plan describes in detail how the proposed activities 
will be accomplished as well as the potential for the project to 
increase the available services for unanticipated arriving refugees. 
Assurance is provided that proposed services will be delivered in a 
manner that is linguistically and culturally appropriate to the target 
population. Where coalition partners are proposed, the applicant has 
described each partner agency's respective role and financial 
responsibilities, and how the coalition will enhance the accomplishment 
of the project goals. The applicant has described the

[[Page 38508]]

planning consultation efforts undertaken. The State Refugee Coordinator 
indicated an interest in continuing these services to the Unanticipated 
Arrivals through their State formula social service funds. (20 points)
    3. Results or Benefits Expected--The application clearly describes 
the project goals; appropriateness of the performance measures to the 
project activities; appropriateness of the performance outcomes and the 
results and benefits to be achieved. The application describes how the 
impact of the funds will be measured on key indicators associated with 
the purpose of the project. Proposed outcomes are measurable and 
achievable within the grant project period, and the proposed monitoring 
and information collection is adequately planned. (20 points)
    4. Organizational Profiles--Individual organization staff, 
including volunteers, are well qualified. The administrative and 
management features of the project, including a plan for fiscal and 
programmatic management of each activity, is described in detail with 
proposed start-up times, ongoing timelines, major milestones or 
benchmarks, a component/project organization chart, and a staffing 
chart. The applicant has provided a copy of its most recent audit 
report. Evidence of commitment of any coalition partners in 
implementing the activities is demonstrated, e.g., by Memorandum of 
Understandings (MOUs) among participants. (20 points)
    5. Budget and Budget Justification--The budget and narrative 
justification are reasonable, clearly presented, and cost-effective in 
relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. (15 
points)

Category 4--Ethnic Community Self-Help

Purpose and Objectives

    This program is to provide assistance to organized ethnic 
communities comprised of and representative of refugee populations. 
ORR's intended purpose is to build bridges among refugee communities 
and community resources. ORR is interested in applications from 
national, regional (multi-state), or local levels that address 
community building, cultural adjustment orientation, and mutually 
supportive functions such as information exchange, civic participation, 
and resource enhancement.
    Respondents to this program category will be of two general types:
    (1) Multi-site or national ethnic organizations which propose to 
develop or strengthen local ethnic groups and/or a national network of 
ethnic community entities for purposes of linking refugees to community 
resources; or,
    (2) Emerging local ethnic communities which seek to function as 
bridges between refugees and mainstream local resources and 
organizations.
    A community is self-sufficient when it has the capacity to generate 
and control its own resources, determine its own goals, set priorities, 
plan and mobilize community members, including the elderly, women and 
youth, to work together to achieve these goals, and to create 
collaborations with others from within and outside the community to 
further these goals.
    ORR recognizes that one key to strengthening communities is the 
development of strong community based organizations (CBOs). A strong 
ethnic organization can tap into the community's desire for self-help, 
improve services, support leaders, attract various resources, explore 
housing and economic opportunities, collaborate with mainstream 
agencies and groups, and at the same time, remain accountable to the 
community.
    Strong CBOs can also facilitate positive interaction between 
refugees and established residents in mainstream communities. The 
ability to organize and to voice their concerns collectively gives 
refugees a better sense of identity and hope for their own and their 
community's future. Refugee self-help groups can be important building 
blocks for effective resettlement and can function as bridges between 
the refugee community and local resources.
    Many refugees who arrived in this country during the past century 
organized themselves around self-help in order to assist their own 
members, to foster long term community growth, to preserve their 
cultural heritage, and to assist community members in securing 
employment and other social services. Many refugees who have come to 
the United States in recent years have not yet organized; consequently, 
they may be experiencing barriers to accessing mainstream resources and 
full participation in the economic, social, and civic activities of the 
larger community. They are distinguished in part by a lack of 
information about the process of community organizing for self-help.
    ORR has found that effective refugee self-help groups result in:
    [cir] A shared, dynamic vision of the community's future which 
inspires members to work together to secure that future;
    >< A 
perception of refugees not as needy recipients but as active partners 
in their integration into their communities;
    >< A 
link between individual self-sufficiency and community self-reliance;
    >< 
Local communities which apply their own cultural, civic, and socio-
economic values to long term strategies and programs;
    >< A 
role for refugees as decision-makers on community needs, program 
responses, and service delivery systems;
    >< 
Local resources (generated through service delivery or economic 
development) that stay within the community; and
    >< 
Collaboration among refugee and mainstream service providers, policy 
makers, and public and private institutions.
    In recognition of the special vulnerability of newly arrived 
populations, ORR intends to provide support to refugee ethnic 
communities who have achieved significant populations in the United 
States within the last ten years. Awards will be based on the 
applicant's justification and documentation, including such factors as 
community service needs and available resources.
    ORR expects applicants to match federal funds and to consider how 
they might document proposed receipt of funds from other (non-ORR) 
sources toward cost sharing of the project.\2\ The requirement will be 
not less than 10% of the requested funding for the first year award, 
15% for the second year award, and 25% for the third year award.
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    \2\ ``Cost-sharing'' is used here to refer to any situation in 
which the grantee shares in the costs of a project. The term 
``recipient contributions'' refers to costs borne by the grantee, 
either through cash outlay or the provision of services. ``In-kind 
contributions'' means the value of goods and/or services donated by 
third parties. Grantees are not considered as providing in-kind 
contributions. The cost-sharing or in-kind contribution costs are 
subject to the rules governing allowability in 45 CFR 74.23 or 
92.24, including allowability under the applicable cost principles 
and conformance with other terms and conditions of the award that 
govern the expenditure of Federal funds.
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Allowable Activities

    Successful national organization applicants to this notice may 
propose activities that may include, but are not limited to, the 
following:
     Organizing for self-help, leadership development and civic 
participation;
     Inspiring self-determination;
     Linking technical assistance and resources to local ethnic 
communities;

[[Page 38509]]

     Supporting public education and agency linkage through an 
Internet site;
     Facilitating information dissemination on ethnic-specific 
issues; or
     Convening of national or regional meetings.
    Successful local ethnic self-help applicants to this notice may 
propose any of the following activities:
     Public education activities designed to inform the refugee 
community about issues essential to functioning effectively in the new 
society;
     Orientation and assistance to parents in connecting with 
school systems and other local public or private institutions;
     Dissemination of information on access to community health 
and mental health services, including health care for the uninsured, 
health insurance, health maintenance organizations, the importance of 
preventive health, required immunizations, and available universal 
coverage;
     Pairing refugee individuals or families with community 
volunteers;
    Information and training on the roles of men and women in the U.S. 
culture; such as:
     Information on healthy marriage education programs and 
partnerships with healthy marriage community and faith-based programs;
     Information on laws regarding child welfare, child abuse 
and neglect;
     Information on sexual harassment and coercion, and 
domestic violence;
     Bilingual staff assistance for women's shelters, and
     Techniques for self-protection;
     Activities designed to improve relations between refugees 
and the law enforcement communities;
     Community training for such activities as civic 
organizing, resource strategies, and non-profit management.
     Employment and training related services.
    The above are examples of services. Applicants may propose other 
relevant services and may request funds to cover core or general 
operating expenses. In all instances, however, activities must be 
designed to supplement, rather than to supplant, the existing array of 
refugee services available in the community.
    Applicants must give assurance that their governing bodies, boards 
of directors, or advisory bodies are knowledgeable and responsive to 
refugee concerns. This can be demonstrated through majority refugee 
representation on these bodies or through some other way. Women should 
be included on these representative bodies, as well.
    Planning and coalition-building should be guided by the overarching 
goal of improving the economic condition of refugee families and of 
giving them the information needed to achieve social and civic 
integration into their new country and their new communities.

Non-Allowable Activities

    Funds will not be awarded to applicants for the purpose of engaging 
in activities of a distinctly political nature, activities designed 
exclusively to promote the preservation of a specific cultural 
heritage, or activities with an international objective (i.e., 
activities related to events in the refugees' country of origin).
Review Criteria--Listed According to UPD Order
    1. Objectives and Need for Assistance--The applicant clearly 
describes the need for ethnic organizing in the community proposed and 
documents an understanding of the distinguishing characteristics of the 
relevant ethnic group. The principal and subordinate objectives are 
clearly stated; supporting documentation, such as letters of support 
from concerned interests are included. The applicant describes in 
detail how the ethnic community has been involved in the project 
planning, how project participants are identified, and provides 
evidence of their support for the plan of action. Planning studies 
incorporating demographic data and participant information are 
referenced or included as needed. (15 points)
    2. Approach--The strategy and plan is likely to achieve the 
proposed results; the proposed activities and timeframes are reasonable 
and feasible. The reason for taking the proposed approach to community 
organizing is adequately described. Proposed activities are likely to 
lead to desired outcomes, and the project is likely to lead to 
increased ethnic community self-help. (25 points)
    3. Results or Benefits Expected--The applicant describes outcomes 
which are likely to be reached through community organizing. Two or 
more key indicators associated with ethnic community self-help are 
provided as measures of the impact of the proposed project. Proposed 
outcomes are measurable and achievable within the grant project period, 
and the proposed monitoring, information collection, and documentation 
are adequately planned. (20 points)
    4. Organizational Profiles--Individual organization staff, 
including volunteers, proposed partners and consultants, if any, are 
well qualified. The administrative and management features of the 
project, including a plan for fiscal and programmatic management of 
each activity, is described in detail with proposed start-up times, 
ongoing timelines, major milestones or benchmarks, a component/project 
organization chart, and a staffing chart. The applicant has provided a 
copy of its most recent audit report or fiscal management plan. If 
appropriate, written agreements between grantees and sub-grantees or 
other cooperating entities, detailing work to be performed, 
remuneration, and other terms and conditions that structure or define 
the relationship to this project, are provided. (25 points)
    5. Budget and Budget Justification--The budget and narrative 
justification are reasonable, clearly presented, and cost-effective in 
relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The cost-
sharing plan is likely to be achieved and is appropriate to the overall 
funding request, and the level of activity--national or local. (15 
points)

Part II: The Review Process

    Intergovernmental Review--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, Arizona, 
Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, 
Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, 
Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, 
Virginia, Washington, Wyoming, 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-eight 
jurisdictions need take no action regarding E.O. 12372. Applicants for 
projects to be administered by Federally-recognized Indian Tribes are 
also exempt from the requirements of E.O. 12372. Otherwise, applicants 
should contact their SPOCs as soon as possible to alert them of the 
prospective applications and receive any necessary instructions. 
Applicants must submit any required material to the SPOCs as soon 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

[[Page 38510]]

of this submittal (or indicate ``not applicable'' if no submittal is 
required) on the Standard Form 424, item 16a.
    Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application 
deadline to comment on proposed new or competing continuation awards.
    SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the submission of routine 
endorsements as official recommendations.
    Additionally, SPOCs are requested to clearly differentiate between 
mere advisory comments and those official State process recommendations 
which may trigger the ``accommodate or explain'' rule.
    When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be 
addressed to: ORR Grants Officer, U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants 
Management, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW., 4th floor, Washington, DC 
20447.
    A list of the Single Points of Contact for each participating State 
and Territory can be found on the web at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/index.html.
    Initial ACF Screening--Each application submitted under this 
program announcement will undergo a pre-review to determine that (1) 
the application was received by the closing date and submitted in 
accordance with the instructions in this announcement and (2) the 
applicant is eligible for funding.
    Competitive Review and Evaluation Criteria--Applications which pass 
the initial ACF screening will be evaluated and rated by an independent 
review panel on the basis of evaluation criteria specified in Part I. 
The evaluation criteria were designed to assess the quality of a 
proposed project, and to determine the likelihood of its success. The 
evaluation criteria are closely related and are considered as a whole 
in judging the overall quality of an application. Points are awarded 
only to applications which are responsive to the evaluation criteria 
within the context of this program announcement.
    Applications received for each Category will be scored and ranked 
only within the Category designated on the SF 424, e.g. in one of the 
two program areas.

Part III: The Application

    In order to be considered for a grant under this program 
announcement, an application must be submitted on the forms supplied 
and in the manner prescribed by ACF. Selected elements of the ACF 
Uniform Project Description (UPD) relevant to this program announcement 
are attached as Appendix A.
    Application Forms--Applicants for financial assistance under this 
announcement must file the Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for 
Federal Assistance; SF 424A, Budget Information'Non-construction 
Programs; SF 424B, Assurances'Non-Construction Programs. The forms may 
be reproduced for use in submitting applications. Application materials 
including forms and instructions are available from the Contact named 
in the preamble of this announcement and from the ORR website.
    Application Submission And Deadlines--An application with an 
original signature and two clearly identified copies is required. 
Applicants must clearly indicate on the SF424 the Category under which 
the application is submitted.
    The closing date for submission of applications is July 5, 2002.
    Mailed applications postmarked after the closing date will be 
classified as late. 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: U.S. Department of Health 
and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of 
Grants Management, Attention: Daphne Weeden, Grants Officer, 370 
L'Enfant Promenade SW., 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20447.
    Applicants must ensure that a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service 
postmark or a legibly dated, machine produced postmark of a commercial 
mail service is affixed to the envelope/package containing the 
application(s). To be acceptable as proof of timely mailing, a postmark 
from a commercial mail service must include the logo/emblem of the 
commercial mail service company and must reflect the date the package 
was received by the commercial mail service company from the applicant. 
Private Metered postmarks shall not be acceptable as proof of timely 
mailing. (Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services 
do not always deliver as agreed.)
    Applications hand-carried by applicants, applicant couriers, or by 
other representatives of the applicant 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., EST, at the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children 
and Families, Office of Grants Management, 4th Floor, Aerospace 
Building, 901 D Street, SW., Washington, DC 20447 between Monday and 
Friday (excluding Federal holidays). The address must appear on the 
envelope/package containing the application with the note ``Attention: 
Grants Officer.'' (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 application will not be considered in the current 
competition.
    Extension of deadlines: ACF may extend application deadlines when 
circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or 
when there are widespread disruptions of mail service. Determinations 
to extend or waive deadline requirements rest with the Chief Grants 
Management Officer.
    For Further Information on Application Deadlines Contact: Daphne 
Weeden, Grants Officer, Administration for Children and Families, 
Office of Grants Management, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW., 4th Floor, 
Washington, DC 20447, Telephone: (202) 401-4577.
    Certifications, Assurances, And Disclosure Required For Non 
Construction Programs--Applicants requesting financial assistance for 
non-construction projects must file the Standard Form 424B, 
``Assurances: Non-Construction Programs.'' Applicants must sign and 
return the Standard Form 424B with their applications.
    Applicants must provide a signed certification regarding lobbying 
with their applications, when applying for an award in excess of 
$100,000. Applicants who have used non-Federal funds for lobbying 
activities in connection with receiving assistance under this 
announcement shall complete a disclosure form to report lobbying.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their 
compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988. By signing and 
submitting the application, the applicant is providing the 
certification and need not mail back the certification with the 
applications.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification that they are 
not presently debarred, suspended or otherwise ineligible for an award. 
By signing and submitting the application, the applicant is providing 
the certification

[[Page 38511]]

need not mail back the certification with the applications.

General Instructions for Preparing a Full 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 relevant. Awarding 
offices use this and other information to determine whether the 
applicant has the capability and resources necessary to carry out the 
proposed project. It is important, 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 specific 
project for which funds are requested. Please refer to the UPD sections 
in the appendix.
    Length of Applications--Each application narrative should not 
exceed 20 pages in a 12-pitch font. Attachments and appendices should 
not exceed 25 pages and should be used only to provide supporting 
documentation such as administration charts, position descriptions, 
resumes, and letters of intent or partnership agreements. A table of 
contents and an executive summary should be included but will not count 
in the page limitations. Each page should be numbered sequentially, 
including the attachments or appendices. This limitation of 20 pages 
per program area should be considered as a maximum, and not necessarily 
a goal. Application forms are not to be counted in the page limit.
    Please do not include books or videotapes as they are not easily 
reproduced and are, therefore, inaccessible to the reviewers.

Part IV: Post-Award

    Applicable Regulations--Applicable DHHS regulations can be found in 
45 CFR part 74 or 92.
    Treatment of Program Income--Program income from activities funded 
under this program may be retained by the recipient and added to the 
funds committed to the project, and used to further program objectives.
    Reporting Requirements--Grantees are required to file the Financial 
Status Report (SF-269) semi-annually and the Program Performance 
Reports submitted semi-annually, along with the Schedule C of the ORR 
Performance Report. Category Four grantees should note that Program 
Performance Reports are due quarterly.
    Funds issued under these awards must be accounted for and reported 
under the distinct grant number ascribed. Although ORR does not expect 
the proposed projects to include evaluation activities, it does expect 
grantees to maintain adequate records to track and report on project 
outcomes and expenditures. The official receipt point for all reports 
and correspondence is the ORR Grants Officer, Administration for 
Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, 370 L'Enfant 
Promenade SW., 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20447, Telephone: (202) 401-
4577. An original and one copy of each report shall be submitted within 
30 days of the end of each reporting period directly to the Grants 
Officer.
    A final Financial and Program Report shall be due 90 days after the 
project expiration date or termination of Federal budget support.

    Dated: May 22, 2002.
Nguyen Van Hanh,
Director, Office of Refugee Resettlement.

Appendix A--Uniform Project Description OMB No. 0970-0139

    The project description is approved under OMB control number 
0970-0139 which expires 12/31/03.

Part I: 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 easy reference.

Part II: General Instructions for Preparing a Full Project Description

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 your project description 
should include while the evaluation criteria expands and clarifies 
more program-specific information that is needed.

Project Summary/Abstract

    Provide a summary of the project description (a page or less) 
with reference to the funding request.

Objectives and Need for Assistance

    Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, 
institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The 
need for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and 
subordinate objectives of the project must be clearly stated; 
supporting documentation, such as letters of support and 
testimonials from concerned interests other than the applicant, may 
be included. Any relevant data based on planning studies should be 
included or referred to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate 
demographic data and participant/beneficiary information, as needed. 
In developing the project description, the applicant may volunteer 
or be requested to provide information on the total range of 
projects currently being conducted and supported (or to be 
initiated), some of which may be outside the scope of the program 
announcement.

Results or Benefits Expected

    Identify the results and benefits to be derived.

Approach

    Outline a plan of action 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.

[[Page 38512]]

    If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated, 
clearance may be required from the U.S. Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB). This clearance pertains to any ``collection of 
information that is conducted or sponsored by ACF.''
    List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other 
key individuals who will work on the project along with a short 
description of the nature of their effort or contribution.

Staff and Position Data

    Provide a biographical sketch for each key person appointed and 
a job description for each vacant key position. A biographical 
sketch will also be required for new key staff as appointed.

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 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.

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.

Letters of Support

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

Budget and Budget Justification

    Provide 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.

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.

Personnel

    Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.
    Justification: Identify the project director or principal 
investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, 
time commitment to the project (in months), time commitment to the 
project (as a percentage or full-time equivalent), annual salary, 
grant salary, wage rates, etc. Do not include the costs of 
consultants or personnel costs of delegate agencies or of specific 
project(s) or businesses to be financed by the applicant.

Fringe Benefits

    Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated as 
part of an approved indirect cost rate.
    Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and 
percentages that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health 
insurance, FICA, retirement insurance, taxes, etc.

Travel

    Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the 
applicant organization (does not include costs of consultant 
travel).
    Justification: For each trip, show the total number of 
traveler(s), travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage 
allowances, if privately owned vehicles will be used, and other 
transportation costs and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for 
key staff to attend ACF-sponsored workshops should be detailed in 
the budget.

Equipment

    Description: ``Equipment'' means an article of nonexpendable, 
tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one 
year and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of 
(a) the capitalization level established by the organization for the 
financial statement purposes, or (b) $5,000. (Note: Acquisition cost 
means the net invoice unit price of an item of equipment, including 
the cost of any modifications, attachments, accessories, or 
auxiliary apparatus necessary to make it usable for the purpose for 
which it is acquired. Ancillary charges, such as taxes, duty, 
protective in-transit insurance, freight, and installation shall be 
included in or excluded from acquisition cost in accordance with the 
organization's regular written accounting practices.) Justification: 
For each type of equipment requested, provide a description of the 
equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units, the total cost, 
and a plan for use on the project, as well as use or disposal of the 
equipment after the project ends. An applicant organization that 
uses its own definition for equipment should provide a copy of its 
policy or section of its policy which includes the equipment 
definition.

Supplies

    Description: Costs of all tangible personal property other than 
that included under the Equipment category.
    Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their 
costs. Show computations and provide other information which 
supports the amount requested.

Contractual

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

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

Other

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

Indirect Charges

    Description: Total amount of indirect costs. This category 
should be used only when the applicant currently has an indirect 
cost rate approved by the Department of Health and Human Services 
(HHS) or another cognizant Federal agency.

[[Page 38513]]

    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.

Program Income

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

Nonfederal Resources

    Description: Amounts of non-Federal resources that will be used 
to support the project as identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
    Justification: The firm commitment of these resources must be 
documented and submitted with the application in order to be given 
credit in the review process. A detailed budget must be prepared for 
each funding source.

Total Direct Charges, Total Indirect Charges, Total Project Costs.

    [Self-explanatory]

[FR Doc. 02-13891 Filed 6-3-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P