[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 110 (Friday, June 7, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39556-39561]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14318]



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Part III





Department of Health and Human Services





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Office of Community Services



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Research and Studies Related to Social Services and Compassion Capital 
Fund Demonstration Program; Notices

  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 110 / Friday, June 7, 2002 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of Community Services

[Program Announcement No. 2002-15]


Research and Studies Related to Social Services Provided by 
Faith-Based and Community-Based Organizations

AGENCY: The Office of Community Services (OCS), Administration for 
Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Announcement of the request for applications and the 
availability of funds for research and studies related to social 
services provided by faith-based and community-based organizations.

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SUMMARY: The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announces 
that competing applications are being accepted for grant funding to 
stimulate research and support a range of studies and analyses to 
examine the role and promising and ``best practices'' of faith- and 
community-based organizations providing services in targeted study 
areas. The priority study areas are: Homelessness, hunger, at-risk 
children and youth, transition from welfare to work, or intensive 
rehabilitation services for those most in need such as addicts and 
prisoners.

DATES: The closing date for submitting applications under this 
announcement is July 22, 2002. Mailed applications received after the 
closing date will be classified as late. See Part IV of this 
announcement for more information on submitting applications.
    In order to determine the number of expert reviewers that will be 
necessary, if you plan to submit an application, you are requested to 
mail or fax written notification of your intentions at least 30 
calendar days prior to the submission deadline date. Send the 
notification with the name, address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-
mail address of the project director and the name of the applicant 
organization to: OCS Operations Center, 1815 North Fort Myer Drive, 
Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22202 or fax to (703) 248-8765 or email 
to [email protected]. Label all submissions as follows: Intent to Apply 
for Research Under the Compassion Capital Fund.

ADDRESSES: Mailed applications should be sent to: OCS Operations 
Center, 1815 North Fort Myer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 
22202, and labeled as follows: ``Application for Research Under the 
Compassion Capital Fund.''
    Hand delivered, courier or overnight delivery applications are 
accepted during the normal working hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday (excluding Federal holidays), on or prior to the 
established closing date. All packages should be clearly labeled as 
follows: Application for Research Under the Compassion Capital Fund. 
The address for these applications is: OCS Operations Center, 1815 
North Fort Myer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22202, telephone: 
1-800-281-9519.
    The printed Federal Register notice is the only official program 
announcement. Any corrections to this announcement will be published in 
the Federal Register as well as published on the ACF World Wide Web 
Pages. The Web Site is: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/opre/frpa.htm.
    Although reasonable efforts are taken to assure that the files on 
the ACF World Wide Web Pages containing electronic copies of this 
Program Announcement are accurate and complete, they are provided for 
information only. The applicant bears sole responsibility to assure 
that the copy downloaded and/or printed from any other source is 
accurate and complete.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT : LCG OCS Operations Center, 1-800-281-
9519; email: [email protected].
    Required application forms are available at: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This program announcement consists of four 
parts. Part I: Background and Program Purpose--background, legislative 
authority, project purpose, funding availability and instruments, 
project and budget periods. Part II: Project and Applicant Eligibility-
-eligible applicants. Part III: The Review Process--intergovernmental 
review, initial ACF screening, general instructions for the Uniform 
Project Description, competitive review and evaluation criteria, and 
the review process. Part IV: The Application Process--required forms, 
application limits, checklist for a complete application, closing date 
for receipt of applications, and Paperwork Reduction Act.

Part I. Background and Program Purpose

A. Background

    Faith- and community-based organizations play a major role in 
aiding and supporting individuals, families, and communities in need. 
Often, these organizations have a long history of service in their 
communities, are well known and trusted by local residents, and have a 
stake in the communities they serve. In recognition of the unique 
contribution that these organizations can make in meeting an array of 
special needs within their communities, there have been important new 
steps taken to assist faith- and community-based organizations to 
further develop their capacity and capabilities for delivering services 
and assistance to individuals, families and communities in need. In 
federal fiscal year 2002, in an effort to broaden Federal efforts to 
work with faith-based and community-based organizations, the Congress 
appropriated funds for the Compassion Capital Fund to provide technical 
assistance to faith-based and community-based organizations to address 
an array of issues to help them build their capacity and expand and 
replicate model programs. The funds are also to be used to support 
research on the ``best practices'' of faith- and community-based 
organizations. This announcement is one part of the strategy within the 
Compassion Capital Fund and it will support research regarding the 
roles and promising approaches, ``best practices,'' and model programs 
operated by faith- and community-based organizations in five target 
areas: homelessness, hunger, at-risk children, transition from welfare 
to work, and intensive rehabilitation services for those most in need 
such as addicts and prisoners.

B. Legislative Authority

    This announcement is authorized by Section 1110 of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1310). (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 
93.647) and the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and 
Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002, Public Law 
107-116, Title II (2002).

C. Project Purpose

    The primary purpose of this announcement is to build knowledge 
regarding the roles and promising approaches by diverse types of faith- 
and community-based organizations to provide services within five 
priority areas: homelessness, hunger, at-risk children, the transition 
from welfare to work, and intensive services for those most in need 
such as addicts and prisoners. Approved studies must utilize sound 
analytical methods to address important research questions related to 
the priority study areas. Applications for research related to study 
areas not included in this announcement may be considered by ACF but 
will not be given priority. Given the important contribution that

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new research can make in the study areas and the need for information, 
ACF is supporting short-term research and data analysis projects that 
are designed to be completed within 12-17 months.

D. Funding Availability and Instruments

    ACF will issue the Financial Assistance Awards under this 
announcement as grants. Approximately $1 million is expected to be 
available from ACF in funds appropriated for fiscal year 2002. We 
estimate that this level of funding will support between 5 and 8 awards 
with total budgets (including indirect costs) ranging from $125,000 to 
about $250,000 for short-term projects. These figures are provided as 
guidance and do not constitute minimum or maximum limits.
    No Federal funds received as a result of this announcement can be 
used to purchase computer equipment and no funds may be paid as profit 
to grantees or sub-grantees (i.e., any amount in excess of allowable 
direct and indirect costs of the recipient (45 CFR 74.81)). Further, 
funds may not be used to support the provision of services. The funding 
is intended to sponsor research and analytic work.
    Grantees should provide at least five percent of the total approved 
cost of the project. The total approved cost of the project is the sum 
of the Federal 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 the cost share through cash contributions. As an 
example of cost sharing, a project requesting $200,000 in Federal funds 
would include a cost share of at least $10,526 (because $200,000 is 95% 
of $210,526).

E. Project and Budget Periods

    This announcement is inviting applications for short-term projects 
with project and budget periods up to 17 months.

Part II. Project and Applicant Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

    Pursuant to section 1110 of the Social Security Act, any public 
organization, including state and local governments, and private 
nonprofit organizations, including universities and other institutions 
of higher education, as well as faith-based organizations, may apply. 
Applications may also be submitted by private for-profit organizations. 
However, no grant funds may be paid as profit, i.e., any amount in 
excess of allowable direct and indirect costs of the recipient (45 CFR 
74.81).

Part III. The Review Process

A. 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.
    As of April 8, 2002, the following jurisdictions have elected not 
to participate in the Executive Order process. Applicants from these 
jurisdictions or for projects administered by federally recognized 
Indian Tribes need take no action in regard to Executive Order 12372:
    Alabama; Alaska; Arizona; Colorado; Connecticut; Kansas; Hawaii; 
Idaho; Indiana; Louisiana; Massachusetts; Minnesota; Montana; Nebraska; 
New Jersey; New York; Ohio; Oklahoma; Oregon; Palau; Pennsylvania; 
South Dakota; Tennessee; Vermont; Virginia; Wyoming; and Washington.
    Although the jurisdictions listed above no longer participate in 
the process, grant applicants are still eligible to apply for a grant 
even if a state, territory, commonwealth, etc. does not have a Single 
Point of Contact (SPOC). All remaining jurisdictions participate in the 
Executive Order process and have established SPOCs. Applicants from 
participating jurisdictions should contact their SPOCs as soon as 
possible to alert them of the prospective applications and receive 
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. The applicant must submit 
all required materials, if any, to the SPOC and indicate the date of 
this submittal (or the date of contact if no submittal is required) on 
the Standard Form 424, item 16a. Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 
60 days from the application deadline to comment on proposed new or 
competing continuation awards.
    SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the submission of routine 
endorsements as official recommendations. Additionally, SPOCs are 
requested to clearly differentiate between mere advisory comments and 
those official state process recommendations that may trigger the 
``accommodate or explain'' rule.
    When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be 
addressed to: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration 
for Children and Families Office of Grants Management, Division of 
Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 4th floor West, 
Washington, D.C. 20447.
    A list of the Single Points of Contact for each participating State 
and Territory is included with the application materials for this 
program announcement. The list can also be found on the following web 
site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

B. 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.

C. General Instructions for the Uniform Project Description:

    The following ACF Uniform Project Description has been approved 
under OMB Control Number 0970-0139, which expires 12/31/2003. This 
format is to be used to submit an application under this announcement. 
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. Consistent with the Uniform Project 
Description format, the specific criteria applicable to this program 
follows in section D.
    1. 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.
    2. Results or Benefits Expected: Identify the results and benefits 
to be derived. For example, when applying for a grant to analyze the 
role of

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government funding in the services offered by faith- and community-
based organizations, describe the ways in which this information will 
be useful to various interested parties (e.g., government officials, 
faith-based providers of services).
    3. 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. 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 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.
    4. 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.
    5. 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.
    6. 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.
    Budget and Budget Justification Guidelines: 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 that 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 U.S.C. 
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,

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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.

Construction
    N/A.
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.
    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 acknowledgment 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.
Non-Federal Resources
    Description: Amounts of non-Federal resources that will be used to 
support the project as identified in Block 15 of the SF424.
    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.

    Note: In the SF424A, Section B, Budget Categories, list in 
column 2 non-federal resources separately from federal resources, 
which must be listed in column 1.

D. Competitive Review and Evaluation Criteria

    Applications which pass the initial ACF pre-review screening will 
be evaluated and rated by an independent review panel on the basis of 
specific evaluation criteria. The evaluation criteria were designed to 
assess the quality of the 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 that are 
responsive to the evaluation criteria within the context of this 
program announcement.
    Narrative sections of the application should follow the outline 
(headings) of the Uniform Project Description as presented above and 
address the criteria below.
    Proposed projects will be reviewed using the following evaluation 
criteria:
(1) Approach: (40 points)
    The application should describe in detail the proposed methods for 
answering the research questions proposed or otherwise carrying out the 
study and explain why the methods proposed are adequate to address the 
research questions and study objectives. The application should discuss 
the evidentiary basis that will be used to support a classification of 
approaches by faith- and community-based organizations as a ``best 
practice'' or promising approach. The application should note any 
weaknesses in the proposed research design and what will be done to 
compensate for those weaknesses. The application should discuss the 
type of data to be used in the study, the sources of data, the 
availability of and access to needed data, and any issues related to 
data quality and how such issues will be addressed. As a part of the 
proposed approach, the application should identify the key, relevant 
organizations that will be involved in project activity and generally 
describe operational relationships that exist or will be put into place 
among relevant organizations for the conduct of the study.
    The application will be judged on the extent to which the data to 
be used, proposed project design (methods), and approaches to project 
activities are adequate and appropriate to accomplish the objectives 
set out within the time specified.
(2) Results or Benefits Expected: (20 points)
    The application should describe who the results will benefit (e.g., 
various levels of government, direct service providers), how the 
results may benefit such individuals or organizations, and why the 
results would be expected to be beneficial.
    The application will be judged on the extent to which the results 
are likely to be beneficial (e.g., provide policy or program guidance) 
to clearly identifiable parties (i.e., governmental agencies, direct 
providers).
(3) Objectives and Need for Assistance: (15 points)
    The application must include the principal questions to be 
addressed by the study and the research hypotheses related to those 
questions, if appropriate, and indicate why the applicant believes the 
questions are important and what contribution the work will make. If 
the application to ACF is for funding of a particular component of a 
larger study, the applicant should describe the objective of the entire 
study and explain in detail the questions to be addressed by the 
activities for which ACF funding is requested.
    The application will be judged on the extent to which the questions 
identified include important unanswered questions about the priority 
study areas and about which additional information is most critically 
needed and which will discern the best practices of charitable 
organizations. Applications will be judged on the relevance of the 
proposed work to the program objectives set out within this 
announcement. The application will be judged on the extent to which the 
proposed study will help to build the knowledge base and have wide 
applicability or relevance.
(4) Staff and Position Data: (10 Points)
    The application should list key individuals who will work on the 
project along with a description of the nature of their contribution. 
The application should provide evidence of

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the key staff's experience in conducting the sort of study or research 
proposed and describe their relevant academic training. The application 
should also describe the organizational support that will be available 
to carry out the work proposed.
    The application will be judged on the extent to which proposed 
staff has relevant experience and expertise for carrying out the 
overall work proposed and for conducting the specific activities or 
types of analysis to be assigned to them. The application will be 
judged on the appropriateness of the management plan to ensure that the 
work is accomplished as proposed and on schedule.
(5) Budget and Budget Justification: (10 points)
    The application must include a narrative description and 
justification for proposed budget line items (as described in the 
detailed budget instructions included above) and demonstrate that the 
project's costs are adequate, reasonable and necessary for the 
activities or personnel to be supported. The application will be judged 
on the extent to which the budget is necessary and reasonable for the 
proposed set of activities.
    (Applicants should refer to the budget information presented in the 
Standard Forms 424 and 424A and to the budget justification 
instructions in section C. General Instructions for the Uniform Project 
Description. Since non-Federal reviewers will be used in the review of 
applications, applicants may omit from the copies of the application 
submitted (not from the original), the specific salary rates or amounts 
for individuals in the application budget and instead provide only 
summary information. )
(6) Geographic Location: (5 points)
    The application should include a brief discussion of the geographic 
location relevant to the study proposed. The application will be judged 
on the extent to which the geographic area proposed is reasonable given 
the proposed study approach.

E. The Review Process

    Applications received by the due date will be reviewed and scored 
competitively. Experts in the subject and technical areas will use the 
evaluation criteria listed in Part III of this announcement to review 
and score the applications. The results of this review are a primary 
factor in making funding decisions. ACF may also solicit comments from 
Regional Office staff and other Federal agencies. The Assistant 
Secretary may also consider a variety of factors in funding decisions, 
including variation in geographic regions of study, type of applicant 
organization, or approaches or data sources for the studies.
    Please note that applicants that do not comply with the 
requirements in the section on ``Eligible Applicants'' will not be 
included in the review process.

Part IV. The Application Process

A. Required Forms

    Eligible applicants interested in applying for funds must submit a 
complete application including the required forms. All necessary forms 
are available at: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
    In order to be considered for a grant under this announcement, an 
application must be submitted on the Standard Form 424 approved by the 
Office of Management and Budget under Control Number 0348-0043. A copy 
has been provided. Each application must be signed by an individual 
authorized to act for the applicant and to assume responsibility for 
the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award. 
Applicants requesting financial assistance for non-construction 
projects must file the Standard Form 424B, Assurances: Non-Construction 
Programs (approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control 
number 0348-0040). Applicants must sign and return the Standard Form 
424B with their application.
    Applicants must provide a certification concerning lobbying. Prior 
to receiving an award in excess of $100,000, applicants shall furnish 
an executed copy of the lobbying certification (approved by the Office 
of Management and Budget under control number 0348-0046). Applicants 
must sign and return the certification with their application.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their 
compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. By signing and 
submitting the application, applicants are providing the certification 
and need not mail back the certification with the application.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification that they are 
not presently debarred, suspended or otherwise ineligible for award. By 
signing and submitting the application, applicants are providing the 
certification and need not mail back the certification with the 
application.

B. Application Limits

    The application should be double-spaced and single-sided on 8 \1/
2\'' x 11'' plain white paper, with 1'' margins on all sides. Use only 
a standard size font no smaller than 12 pitch throughout the 
application. All pages of the application (including appendices, 
resumes, charts, references/footnotes, tables, maps and exhibits) must 
be sequentially numbered, beginning on the first page after the budget 
justification, the principal investigator contact information and the 
Table of Contents. Although there is no limitation regarding number of 
pages, applicants are urged to be concise and limit applications to no 
more than 25 pages. Applicants are requested not to send pamphlets, 
brochures, or other printed material along with their applications as 
these pose copying difficulties. These materials, if submitted, will 
not be included in the review process. In addition, applicants must not 
submit any additional letters of endorsement beyond any that may be 
required. Applicants are encouraged to submit curriculum vitae in a 
biographical format.

C. Checklist for a Complete Application

    The checklist below is for your use to ensure that the application 
package has been properly prepared.

--One original, signed and dated application plus two copies.
--Attachments/Appendices, when included, should be used only to provide 
supporting documentation such as resumes, and letters of agreement/
support.

    (1) Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424, Rev. 7-97)
    (2) Budget information-non-construction programs (SF424A&B)
    (3) Budget Justification, including subcontract agency budgets
    (4) Application Narrative and Appendices
    (5) Assurances Non-Construction Program
    (6) Certification Regarding Lobbying
    (7) If appropriate, a completed SPOC certification with the date of 
SPOC contact entered in line 16, page 1 of the SF-424, REV. 7-97

D. Closing Date for Receipt of Applications

    The closing (deadline) time and date for receipt of applications is 
4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time Zone) on the date indicated under DATES at the 
beginning of this announcement. Applications received after 4:30 p.m. 
will be classified as late.
    Deadline: Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an 
announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline time 
and date at: OCS Operations Center, 1815 North Fort

[[Page 39561]]

Myer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22202 and labeled: 
Application for Research Under the Compassion Capital Fund. Applicants 
are responsible for mailing applications well in advance, when using 
all mail services, to ensure that the applications are received on or 
before the deadline time and date.
    Applications handcarried by applicants, applicant couriers, or 
other representatives of the applicant 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 
a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at: OCS Operations Center, 1815 North Fort Myer 
Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22202 and labeled: Application 
for Research Under the Compassion Capital Fund. Applicants are 
cautioned that express/overnight mail services may not always deliver 
as agreed.
    ACF cannot accommodate the 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 that do not meet the criteria 
stated above are considered late applications. ACF will notify each 
late applicant that its application 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.

E. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, the 
Department is required to submit to OMB for review and approval any 
reporting and record keeping requirements in regulations including 
program announcements. All information collections within this program 
announcement are approved under the following current valid OMB control 
numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 034800040, 0348-0046, 0925-0418 and 0970-
0139.
    Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated 10 hours 
per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering 
and maintaining the data needed and reviewing the collection of 
information.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number.

    Dated: May 31, 2002.
Wade F. Horn,
Assistant Secretary for Children & Families.
[FR Doc. 02-14318 Filed 6-6-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P