[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 65 (Monday, April 5, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17692-17700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7541]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Office of Refugee Resettlement; Wilson/Fish Discretionary Grant 
Program

    Funding Opportunity Title: Wilson/Fish Discretionary Grant Program.
    Announcement Type: Standing.
    Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2004-ACF-ORR-RW-0005.
    Category of Funding Activity: ISS Income Security and Social 
Services.
    CFDA Number: 93.583.
    Due Dates for Applications: This is a standing announcement 
applicable from the date of publication until canceled or modified by 
the Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement. The closing date 
for new projects is January 31 of each year. The closing date for 
existing projects that are applying to begin a new project period is 
April 30 of each year. Under Category One, if a State withdraws from 
the program, the Director may invite applications outside of the 
proposed closing date, if necessary, to respond to the needs of the 
State's refugee population.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Executive Summary: The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) 
announces that applications will be accepted from public and private 
non-profit organizations, including faith-based and community 
organizations, under a standing announcement for Wilson/Fish projects 
which propose alternative approaches to serving refugees.\1\ The 
purpose of Wilson/Fish projects is to provide integrated services and 
cash assistance to refugees in order to increase refugees' prospects 
for early employment and self-sufficiency, reduce their level of 
welfare dependence and promote coordination among voluntary 
resettlement agencies and service providers. Projects will be accepted 
under either of two categories: (1) Projects to establish or maintain a 
refugee program in a State where the State is not participating in the 
refugee program or is withdrawing from the refugee program or a portion 
of the program; and (2) projects to provide an alternative to the 
existing system of assistance and services to refugees. Funding is 
available to these projects under the ``Wilson/Fish'' authority. This 
notice replaces the notice published in the Federal Register of April 
22, 1999 (64 FR 19793).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Eligibility for Wilson-Fish includes refugees, asylees, 
Cuban and Haitian entrants, certain Amerasians from Vietnam who are 
admitted to the U.S. as immigrants, certain Amerasians from Vietnam 
who are U.S. citizens, and victims of a severe form of trafficking 
who receive certification or eligibility letters from ORR. (See Part 
I of this notice on ``Legislative Authority,'' and refer to 45 CFR 
400.43 and the ORR State Letter 01-13 on the Trafficking 
Victims Protection Act dated May 3, 2001, located at http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/orr/policy/sl01-13.htm, as modified by ORR 
State Letter 02-01 dated January 4, 2002, located at http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/orr/policy/sl02-01.htm). The term 
``refugee,'' used in this notice for convenience, is intended to 
encompass these additional persons who are eligible to participate 
in refugee program services, including the Wilson-Fish program.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) announces that 
applications will be accepted from public and private non-profit 
organizations including faith-based and community organizations, under 
this standing announcement for Wilson/Fish projects which propose 
alternative approaches to serving refugees. Projects will be accepted 
under either of two categories: (1) Projects to establish or maintain a 
refugee program in a State where the State is not participating in the 
refugee program or is withdrawing from the refugee program or a portion 
of the program; and (2) projects to provide an alternative to the 
existing system of assistance and services to refugees.
    Category One of this announcement provides an opportunity for an 
applicant(s) to continue the provision of refugee program services and 
assistance, including refugee cash and medical assistance, employment 
and other social services and targeted assistance in a State when the 
State elects to discontinue participation in the program or is not 
currently participating in the program. This category may also be used 
when a State elects to cease participation in all of the above 
components except for medical assistance and preventive health and 
where the Director of ORR believes that continued resettlement of 
refugees in that State is in the best interests of the government. A 
consortium of voluntary agencies, a lead voluntary agency, or another 
public or private non-profit agency may apply to administer and provide 
services and assistance to refugees in the State or local geographic 
area.
    Category Two provides interested applicants an opportunity to 
implement alternative projects to promote refugee self-sufficiency. 
Some examples include: (1) Where assistance and services for refugees 
receiving refugee cash assistance (RCA) and those receiving Temporary 
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) could be provided in a better 
coordinated, effective, and efficient manner; (2) where TANF-eligible 
refugees may not have access to timely, culturally and linguistically 
compatible services or employment and training programs; (3) where the 
regulatory options for delivery of services and assistance to refugees 
do not present the most effective resettlement in that location, and 
where resettlement could be made more effective through the 
implementation of an alternative project; (4) where refugees, 
particularly in two-parent families, are in danger of becoming 
dependent upon welfare and using the full-time period of assistance 
allowed under the TANF program in a State, thereby removing the ability 
of the family to access TANF as a safety net in the future; (5) where 
the continuity of services from the time of arrival until the 
attainment of self-sufficiency needs to be strengthened; or (6) where 
it is in the best interest of refugees to receive assistance and 
services outside the traditional welfare system.
    At a minimum, applicants are expected to propose a range of 
services and financial assistance generally comparable to those 
currently available to eligible refugees in the State. Applicants in 
Category One may propose to transfer and serve in the Wilson/Fish 
project those clients who have not completed their period of 
eligibility under the existing RCA program. Applicants in Category Two

[[Page 17693]]

must propose an alternative project for refugees in one or more 
geographic areas and cover, at a minimum, all newly arriving refugees 
in a geographic area of the cash assistance type proposed, e.g., all 
refugees otherwise eligible for RCA and/or TANF (referred to as ``RCA-
type'' or ``TANF-type'' refugees). No projects in either category may 
propose transferring to the Wilson/Fish project refugees who are 
already enrolled in the TANF program.
    Services and assistance under these awards are intended to help 
refugees attain self-sufficiency within the period of support defined 
by 45 CFR 400.211. This period is currently eight months after arrival. 
We expect that most funded projects funded will provide services and 
assistance to refugees for this period of time, as needed.
    ORR will entertain proposals, subject to the availability of 
appropriated funds, to provide interim cash support to refugees who 
would otherwise be eligible for the Temporary Assistance for Needy 
Families (TANF) program, in addition to those refugees who would 
otherwise be eligible for the Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) program.
    Consistent with section 412(e)(7)(B) of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (INA), refugees in projects funded under this 
announcement will be precluded from receiving cash assistance under the 
TANF program or the RCA program during the period of support provided 
under the Wilson/Fish project. If alternative medical assistance is 
included, participants will be precluded from receiving RMA or Medicaid 
during the period of support provided under the Wilson/Fish project.
    Applications will be screened and evaluated as indicated in this 
program announcement. Awards will be contingent on the outcome of the 
competition and the availability of funds.
    ORR encourages prospective applicants to consult with ORR during 
the development of the application.

Program Purpose

    The purpose of the announcement is to enable applicants to 
implement alternative projects under one of two categories in order to 
provide interim financial assistance, social services and case 
management to refugees in a manner that encourages self-sufficiency, 
reduces the likelihood of welfare dependency and fosters greater 
coordination among resettlement agencies and services providers in a 
community. ORR is interested in projects which optimize all available 
resources--from Federal and State governments and the community--to 
make the resettlement period as beneficial as possible. An integrated 
system of assistance and services is an essential characteristic of a 
Wilson/Fish project.
    Although ORR has included the provision of medical assistance as an 
allowable activity under this announcement, the best medical assistance 
option available in most circumstances is the existing State-
administered program of refugee medical assistance or Medicaid. The 
option to provide medical assistance under this announcement is 
available under two circumstances: (a) Primarily for Category One 
projects where a State chooses to discontinue participation in all 
areas of the refugee program, including the provision of refugee 
medical assistance; and (b) under Category Two, in the event that there 
are significant problems in the provision of medical assistance to 
refugees in a State and where an alternative private medical assistance 
plan or provider is available which is able to provide a more 
appropriate and a timely range of services for refugees at an 
affordable cost.
    In the case where an alternative medical assistance system is 
approved, refugee participants would not be permitted to receive 
Medicaid or RMA during the period of support provided under the Wilson/
Fish project because they would be receiving comparable medical 
assistance.

Legislative Authority

    In October, 1984, Congress amended the Immigration and Nationality 
Act to provide authority for the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
to implement alternative projects for refugees. This provision, known 
as the Wilson/Fish Amendment, 8 U.S.C. 1522(e)(7), provided:

    (7)(A) The Secretary shall develop and implement alternative 
projects for refugees who have been in the United States less than 
thirty-six months, under which refugees are provided interim 
support, medical services, support services, and case management, as 
needed, in a manner that encourages self-sufficiency, reduces 
welfare dependency, and fosters greater coordination among the 
resettlement agencies and service providers * * *.
    (B) Refugees covered under such alternative projects shall be 
precluded from receiving cash or medical assistance under any other 
paragraph of this subsection or under title XIX or part A of title 
IV of the Social Security Act * * *.
    (D) To the extent that the use of such funds is consistent with 
the purposes of such provisions, funds appropriated under section 
414(a) of this Act, part A of title IV of the Social Security Act, 
or title XIX of such Act, may be used for the purpose of 
implementing and evaluating alternative projects under this 
paragraph.

Funding Availability

    ORR will consider requests for funding based on the merits of the 
proposals. Requests do not have to be limited to the amount being spent 
for current assistance and services, but such amounts will be one of 
the measures used in considering the reasonableness of the request.
    Interim cash and medical assistance under the Wilson/Fish program 
will be provided from funds appropriated under the Transitional 
Assistance and Medical Services (TAMS) line item. Funds for social 
services under the Wilson/Fish program will be provided separately 
through the formula refugee social services grant. Social services 
funding will be based upon each State's allocation listed in the Final 
Social Services Notice.
    Applicants are encouraged to cover all or a portion of the costs of 
interim financial support in this program for TANF-eligible refugees by 
either seeking a relevant portion of State and Federal TANF funds from 
the State TANF agency, or seeking State-only funds which may be counted 
under certain circumstances toward the State's maintenance of effort 
(MOE) requirement. Those refugees supported by Federal or State TANF 
funds would be subject to TANF participation and work requirements, 
while refugees supported with State-only funds would not be subject to 
TANF rules. Medical services for TANF-eligible refugees must be charged 
to the State Medicaid program if otherwise eligible.

Definition of Terms

    Interim Financial Support: To provide financial assistance adequate 
to meet the basic needs of refugees otherwise eligible for RCA and/or 
for TANF at a level generally comparable to assistance allowable under 
those programs. The greater part of this assistance is expected to be 
provided in the form of cash payments to refugees, but may also include 
incentive bonuses for early employment or payment for work-related 
expenses such as transportation or tools.

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement.
    Description of Federal Substantial Involvement with Cooperative 
Agreement: Under the cooperative agreement, the grantee will be 
expected to submit for Federal review and approval the:

[[Page 17694]]

    (1) Design of the service delivery model and amendments to the 
model.
    (2) Policy manual and proposed amendments to manual.
    (3) Staffing component and grantee is to promptly notify ORR of any 
changes regarding top level staff.
    (4) Quarterly performance and expenditure reports.
    (5) Schedule for monitoring sub-grantees (if applicable) with 
respect to location, dates and topics.
    (6) Reports following site visits.
    Anticipated Total Funding Amount: $22,000,000 annually.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 11-13.
    Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards: none.
    Floor on Amount of individual awards: none.
    Average Anticipated Award Amount: $1,600,000 per budget period.
    Length of Project Period: Five years, funded in five 12-month 
budget periods.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: State governments;
    County governments;
    Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than 
institutions of higher education;
    Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other 
than institutions of higher education;
    Others.
    Additional Information of Eligibility:
    In addition to persons who meet all requirements of 45 CFR 400.43, 
``Requirements for documentation of refugee status'', eligibility for 
refugee program services and assistance also includes: (1) Asylees \2\ 
admitted under section 208 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (2) 
Cuban and Haitian entrants under section 501 of the Refugee Education 
Assistance Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-422); (3) certain Amerasians from 
Vietnam who are admitted to the U.S. as immigrants under section 584 of 
the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Program 
Appropriations Act, 1988, as included in the FY 1988 Continuing 
Resolution (Pub. L. 100-202); (4) certain Amerasians from Vietnam, 
including U.S. citizens, under title II of the Foreign Operations, 
Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Acts, 1989 (Pub. 
L. 100-461), 1990 (Pub. L. 101-167), and 1991 (Pub. L. 101-513); and 
(5) victims of a severe form of trafficking as required by section 
107(b)(1)(A) of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act 
of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-386) (22 U.S.C. 7105(b)(1)(A). For convenience, 
the term ``refugee'' is used in this notice to encompass all such 
eligible persons unless the specific context indicates otherwise.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ The time-eligibility for ORR assistance and services begins 
from the date asylum is granted (see ORR State Letter 00-12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proof of non-profit status is any one of the following:
    (a) A reference to the applicant organization's listing in the 
Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt 
organizations described in the IRS code.
    (b) A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate.
    (c) A statement from a State taxing body, State Attorney General, 
or other appropriate State official certifying that the applicant 
organization has a non-profit status and that none of the net earnings 
accrue to any private shareholders or individuals.
    (d) A certified copy of the organization's certificate of 
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit 
status.
    (e) Any of the items in the subparagraphs immediately above for an 
agency or national parent organization and a statement signed by the 
parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-
profit affiliate.
    Because a Wilson/Fish project will have a potential impact on a 
State's or locality's budgetary needs for cash assistance and/or 
medical assistance, as well as social services, a non-State applicant 
must coordinate its activities with the State Refugee Coordinator in 
the development and implementation of an alternative project under 
Category Two of this announcement. State applicants should also 
coordinate their proposed activities with other participants in refugee 
resettlement such as voluntary resettlement agencies, mutual assistance 
associations, community and faith-based organizations, if applicable.
    2. Cost Sharing and Matching: Cost sharing or matching funds are 
not required for applications submitted under this program 
announcement.
    3. Other: On June 27, 2003, the Office of Management and Budget 
published in the Federal Register a new Federal policy applicable to 
all Federal grant applicants. The policy requires all Federal grant 
applicants to provide a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering 
System (DUNS) number when applying for Federal grants or cooperative 
agreements on or before October 1, 2003. The DUNS number will be 
required whether an applicant is submitting a paper application or 
using the government-wide electronic portal (http://www.Grants.gov). A 
DUNS number will be required for every application for a new award or 
renewal/continuation of an award, including applications or plans under 
formula, entitlement and block grant programs, submitted on or after 
October 1, 2003.
    Please ensure that your organization has a DUNS number. You may 
acquire a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free 
DUNS number request line on 1-866-705-5711 or you may request a number 
on-line at http://www.dnb.com.
    Eligible applicants include public and private non-profit 
organizations, such as States, private voluntary resettlement agencies, 
a consortium of agencies, local government entities, refugee mutual 
assistance associations, community and faith-based organizations.
    Private, nonprofit organizations are encouraged to submit with 
their applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents 
and Forms'' titled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants'' 
at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    Carl Rubenstein, Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for 
Children and Families, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW., 8th Floor West, 
Washington, DC 20447, E-mail: [email protected], Telephone: (202) 
205-5933, URL: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/funding/akit.htm.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Application Content
    Each application must include the following components:
    1. Table of Contents.
    2. Project Summary/Abstract of the Proposed Project--very brief, 
not to exceed one page, that would be suitable for use in an 
announcement that the application has been selected for a grant award 
and which identifies the type of project, the target population and the 
major elements of the work plan.
    3. Completed Standard Form 424--that has been signed by an 
Authorized Official of the organization applying for the grant who has 
the authority to obligate the organization legally.
    4. Standard Form 424A--Budget Information-Non-Construction 
Programs.

[[Page 17695]]

    5. Narrative Budget Justification--for each object class category 
required under Section B, Standard Form 424A.
    6. Project Narrative--A narrative that addresses issues described 
in the ``Application Review Information'' and the ``Review and 
Selection Criteria'' sections of this announcement.
Application Format
    Each application should include one signed original and two 
additional copies. Faxed applications are not acceptable. Applications 
should be submitted on white 8.5 x 11 inch paper only. Do not use 
colored, oversized or folded materials. The font size may be no smaller 
than 12 pitch and the margins must be at least one inch on all sides. 
Attachment and appendices should be used only to provide supporting 
documentation such as maps, administration charts, position 
descriptions, resumes, and letters of intent for partnership 
agreements. Please do not include books or video tapes as they are not 
easily reproduced and are therefore inaccessible to the reviewers. Each 
page should be numbered sequentially, including the attachments or 
appendices.
Required Standard 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. An application with an original 
signature and two copies is required.
    Applicants must provide a certification concerning lobbying. Prior 
to receiving an award in excess of $100,000, applicants should 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 also understand they will be held accountable for 
the smoking prohibition included within Public Law 103-227, Title XII 
Environmental Tobacco Smoke (also known as the PRO-KIDS Act of 1994). A 
copy of the Federal Register notice which implements the smoking 
prohibition is included with forms. 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 of their 
compliance with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. By 
signing and submitting the applications, applicants are providing the 
certification and need not mail back the certification form.
    Applicants have the option of omitting from the application copies 
(not to original) specific salary rates or amounts for individuals 
specified in the application budget and Social Security Numbers. The 
copies may include summary salary information.
    You may submit your application to us in either electronic or paper 
format.
    To submit an application electronically, please use the 
www.Grants.gov apply site. If you use Grants.gov, you will be able to 
download a coy of the application package, complete it off-line, and 
then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site. You may 
not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us.
    Please note the following if you plan to submit your application 
electronically via Grants.gov:
     Electronic submission is voluntary;
     When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will 
find information about submitting an application electronically through 
the site, as well as the hours of operation. We strongly recommend that 
you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the 
application process through Grants.gov.
     To use Grants.gov, you, as the applicant, must 
have a DUNS Number and register in the Central Contractor Registry 
(CCR). You should allow a minimum of five days to complete the CCR 
registration.
     You will not receive additional point value 
because you submit a grant application in electronic format, nor will 
we penalize you if you submit an application in paper format.
     You may submit all documents electronically, 
including all information typically included on the SF 424 and all 
necessary assurances and certifications.
     Your application must comply with any page 
limitation requirements described in this program announcement.
     After you electronically submit your 
application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgement from 
Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. The 
Administration for Children and Families will retrieve your application 
from Grants.
     We may request that you provide original 
signatures on forms at a later date.
     You may access the electronic application for 
this program on www.Grants.gov.
     You must search for the downloadable application 
package by the CFDA number.
    Private non-profit organizations may voluntarily submit with their 
applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents and 
Forms'' titled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants'' at 
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
    Please see Section V. 1. Criteria, for instructions on preparing 
the project summary/abstract and the full project description.

3. Submission Dates and Times

    The closing time and date for receipt of applications is 4:30 p.m. 
(Eastern Time Zone) on the date noted above. Mailed or hand carried 
applications received after 4:30 p.m. on the closing date 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 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, 
Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 
Washington, DC 20447. 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 hand-carried by applicants, applicant couriers, 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., EST, at the U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants 
Management, Division of Discretionary Grants, ACF Mailroom, 2nd Floor 
(near loading dock), Aerospace Building, 901 D Street, SW., Washington, 
DC 20024, between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). This 
address must appear on the envelope/package containing the application 
with the note. Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail 
services do not always deliver as agreed.
    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.
    Any application received after 4:30 p.m. on the deadline date will 
not be considered for competition. Applicants

[[Page 17696]]

using express/overnight mail services should allow two working days 
prior to the deadline date for receipt of applications. (Applicants are 
cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not always deliver as 
agreed).
    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, or in other rare 
cases. A determination to extend or waive deadline requirements rests 
with the Chief Grants Management Officer.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           What to submit               Required content       Required form or format        When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table of Contents..................  As described above....  Consistent with guidance in  By application due
                                                              ``Application Format''       date.
                                                              section of this
                                                              announcement.
Project Summary/Abstract...........  Summary of application  ......Do...................   Do.
                                      request.
SF424,SF424A, SF424B...............  Per required form.....  May be found at http://       Do.
                                                              www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/
                                                              orr/funding/akit.htm.
Narrative Budget Justification.....  As described above....  Consistent with guidance in   Do.
                                                              ``Application Format''
                                                              section of this
                                                              announcement.
Project Narrative..................  A Narrative that        ......Do...................   Do.
                                      addresses issues
                                      described in the
                                      ``Application Review
                                      Information'' and the
                                      ``Review and
                                      Selection Criteria''
                                      sections of this
                                      announcement.
Certification regarding lobbying...  Per required form.....  May be found at http://       Do.
                                                              www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/
                                                              orr/funding/akit.htm.
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities    ......Do..............  ......Do...................   Do.
 (SF-LLL).
Environmental Tobacco Smoke          ......Do..............  ......Do...................   Do.
 Certification.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Forms
    Private-non-profit organizations may submit with their applications 
the additional survey located under ``Grant Related Documents and 
Forms'' titled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants''.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           What to submit               Required content       Required form or format        When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Survey for Private, Non-Profit       Per form..............  May be found on http://      By application due
 Applicants.                                                  www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/    date.
                                                              ofs/forms.htm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Intergovernmental Review

State Single Point of Contact (SPOC), Notification Under Executive 
Order 12372
    This program is covered under Executive Order (E.O.) 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 January, 2003, of the most recent SPOC list, 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 E.O. 12372: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, 
Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, 
Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, 
Oregon, Palau, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, 
Virginia, Washington and Wyoming.
    Although the jurisdictions listed above no longer participate in 
the process, entities which have met the eligibility requirements of 
the program are still eligible to apply for a grant even if a State, 
Territory, Commonwealth, etc. does not have a 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 which 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, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 
L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Mail Stop 6C-462, Washington, DC 20447. The 
official list, including addresses, of the jurisdictions elected to 
participate in E.O. 12372 can be found at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

[[Page 17697]]

    A list of the Single Points of Contact for each State and Territory 
is included with the application materials in this announcement.

5. Funding Restrictions

    Pre-award costs cannot be charged to this grant.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    Electronic Address to Submit Applications: www.Grants.Gov.
    Submission by Mail: Mailed applications shall be considered as 
meeting the announced deadline if they are received on or before the 
deadline time and date at the U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services, Administration for Children and Families, Division of 
Discretionary Grants, Attention: Sylvia Johnson, Division of 
Discretionary Grants, ACF, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 
20447. 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.
    Hand Delivery: Applications hand carried by applicants, applicant 
couriers, 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., EST, at the U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, 
Division of Discretionary Grants ACF Mailroom, 2nd Floor (near loading 
dock), Aerospace Center, 901 D Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024, 
between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). This address 
must appear on the envelope/package containing the application with the 
note ``Attention: Sylvia Johnson, Division of Discretionary Grants''. 
Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not 
always deliver as agreed.
    ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax.
    Electronic Submission: Please see Section IV. 2. Content and Form 
of Application Submission, for guidelines and requirements when 
submitting applications electronically.

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

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

    Public reporting burden for this collection of information is 
estimated to average 20 hours per overall 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: The Uniform Project Description is approved under OMB 
control number 0970-0139, which expires 3/31/2004.
    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.
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.

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. All applicants 
will be required to establish proposed performance goals for each of 
the six ORR performance outcome measures for the upcoming Federal 
fiscal year. Proposed performance goals must be included in the 
application for each performance measure. The six ORR performance 
measures are: entered employments, cash assistance reductions due to 
employment, cash assistance terminations due to employment, 90-day 
employment retentions, average wage at placement, and entered 
employments with available health benefits. Wilson/Fish program 
activity and progress achieved toward meeting performance outcome goals 
are to be reported quarterly on the ORR-6, the ``Quarterly Performance 
Report.'' Identify other benefits refugees will realize as a result of 
the Wilson/Fish project, including enhanced acculturation and other 
social adjustment measures. Describe how and what data will be 
collected and how this data will be used to analyze project results. 
Describe the plan and schedule for project monitoring.
Approach
    Outline a plan of action which describes the scope and detail of 
how

[[Page 17698]]

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 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.
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.
Additional Information
    Following are requests for additional information that need to be 
included in the application:
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 sub-grantees 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.

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation Criteria I: Approach (Maximum: 30 points)
    The proposed project design is clear, logical, complete and 
reasonable in terms of (a) the proposed strategies related to the 
target population, the geographic area to be covered, the adequacy of 
the system, the policies and administration of interim cash support; 
(b) the likelihood that the relationship between the interim support 
and services described will result in a program which delivers quality 
resettlement; and (c) the adequacy of the cash assistance policies and 
procedures for appeals and fair hearings. The application has included 
adequate evidence of consultation with other relevant agencies and 
actors, e.g., the State Coordinator in a non-State application and the 
voluntary agencies and refugee service providers in a State 
application. The application will be evaluated on the extent to which 
it addresses the following:
    a. The target population (numbers, ethnicity, and other 
characteristics such as age, family composition, ability to speak 
English, and labor skills); and the targeted populations by the 
anticipated category of public assistance for which the population may 
otherwise be eligible.
    b. The proposed management plan indicating who has fiscal and 
programmatic responsibility for the overall project and for individual 
components. Applicant identifies the organizational structure and 
includes a staffing pattern and key position descriptions. Sources and 
allocation of funds for administration and staffing should be detailed 
and clearly shown for each position and activity.
    c. The proposed services and how they will be provided, e.g., 
employment and case management services.
    d. The proposed system for providing cash support, including: (i) 
The income standards for cash assistance eligibility; (ii) payment 
levels to be used to provide cash assistance to eligible refugees; 
(iii) assurance that the payment levels established are not lower than 
the State TANF amount; (iv) a detailed description of how benefit 
payments will be structured, including the employment incentives and/or 
income disregards to be used, if any; (v) a description of how refugees 
residing within the project area will have appropriate access to cash 
assistance and services; (vi) a description of the eligibility 
criteria; (vii) a description of provisions for sanctions for non-
cooperation as required by section 412(e)(2) of the INA; (viii) a 
description of the constitutionally required due process procedures to 
be used to ensure appropriate protections and due process for refugees, 
such as notice of adverse action and the right to mediation (in the 
case of a failure to accept employability services), a predetermination 
hearing, and an appeal to an independent entity; and (ix) a description 
of the procedures to be used to safeguard the disclosure of information 
on refugee clients.
    e. The proposed system for providing alternative medical 
assistance, if applicable, including: (a) The type and range of 
services to be made available (e.g., physician, inpatient, 
prescription, surgical, emergency, dental, etc.); (b) a comparison of 
the system and range of medical services proposed to the currently 
available RMA and Medicaid system and services; (c) the type of 
provider proposed and history of the proposed provider, especially in 
providing services to low-income and ethnically diverse communities; 
(d) a description of how refugees, especially those who do not speak 
English or who have limited English skills, will have equal, easy, and 
timely access to medical assistance; (e) variables which will affect 
the cost of this assistance. Include a comparison of current costs with 
proposed costs. A description of

[[Page 17699]]

the constitutionally required due process procedures described in 
d(viii), above, must also be included for medical assistance 
alternative projects.
    f. Assurances that the written policies of the alternative project 
will be made available to refugee clients, including agency eligibility 
standards, duration and amount of cash assistance payments and medical 
assistance (if applicable), the requirements for participation in 
services, the penalties for non-cooperation, and client rights and 
responsibilities to ensure that refugees understand what they are 
eligible for, what is expected of them, and what protections are 
available to them. Assurance that agency policy materials will be made 
available to refugee clients in English and in their own language.
    g. How all activities of the project will be coordinated among 
resettlement agencies and service providers in the community, and how 
refugees will have access to other programs in the community, such as 
the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), child care services, 
and other support programs for working families and individuals.
Evaluation Criteria II: Objectives and Need for Assistance (Maximum: 20 
points)
    The improvements proposed to be implemented by the project are 
based on a thorough review and description of the current resettlement 
system in the geographic area to be covered, in terms of the services 
and assistance available; the ability of refugees to access culturally 
and linguistically appropriate services; the employment outcomes 
achieved (types of jobs currently available and length of time after 
arrival required to obtain these jobs); and the post-employment 
services available. The application will be evaluated on the extent to 
which it clearly describes:
    a. The improvements to be made by the alternative strategy, stated 
in terms of the population to be served, assistance and services to be 
provided, and outcomes to be achieved.
    b. The planning and preparation for the project, including the 
primary participants involved in planning for this project and those 
institutions and organizations consulted, such as the State (if the 
applicant is applying under category two), refugee mutual assistance 
associations, local community and faith-based agencies, national 
voluntary organizations, and other agencies that serve refugees.
Evaluation Criteria III: Organizational Profiles (Maximum: 20 points)
    The application must demonstrate that the organization as described 
has the capacity and resources for effective administration and 
management of the project, project staff are qualified and have the 
necessary expertise to manage the project and to deliver bilingual and 
bicultural services and assistance to refugees in the manner described. 
The application must describe a system for monitoring and reporting 
that is attainable and adequate considering the organizational capacity 
and resources described.
Evaluation Criteria IV: Results or Benefits Expected (Maximum: 15 
points)
    The outcomes proposed are reasonable, and the methodology for 
collecting outcome and other data are clearly described and adequate. 
The application establishes proposed performance goals using the six 
Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) measures currently in use 
in the refugee resettlement program. The six ORR performance measures 
are: The number of employable refugees in the caseload, the number of 
entered employments, the number of cash assistance reductions due to 
employment, the number of cash assistance terminations due to 
employment, the average hourly wage at entered employment, the number 
of 90-day employment retentions, and the number of entered employments 
with health benefits available. The application identifies other 
benefits refugees will realize as a result of the Wilson/Fish project, 
including enhanced acculturation and other social adjustment measures.
Evaluation Criteria V: Budget and Budget Justification (Maximum: 15 
points)
    The budget is clear, logical, complete, and reasonable in relation 
to the expected activities and outcomes. The line-item budget narrative 
is understandable and adequately justifies the costs proposed. The data 
provided to justify the budget are consistently and logically presented 
in terms of the population to be served. ORR is also interested in the 
following:
    1. A client loading chart showing the anticipated arrival of 
clients over the budget period and the projected interim assistance 
(and medical assistance, if applicable) needed on a monthly basis 
throughout the year to assist those refugees. Provide assumptions about 
the length of time clients are expected to need that assistance.
    2. Identification of administrative costs required for the 
provision of interim cash assistance and for services separately from 
those costs projected as part of the overall role of coordinating the 
refugee program in the geographic area.
    3. The amount and source of any additional funding, including in-
kind contributions, that will help support the project.
    4. If medical assistance is proposed, provide a detailed budget and 
a narrative concerning the underlying assumptions used in developing 
the budget, such as the system for co-payments and the proposed amounts 
of co-payments, if applicable, and other variables such as deductibles, 
premium amounts, prescription costs, etc.

2. Review and Selection Process

Initial ORR Screening
    Each application submitted under this program announcement will 
undergo a pre-review to determine that (1) the application was received 
by the applicable closing date and submitted in accordance with the 
instructions in this announcement; and (2) the applicant is an eligible 
public or private non-profit agency, and/or a faith-based or community 
organization, and therefore eligible for funding. ORR will return to 
the applicant those applications which are found not eligible or 
incomplete.
Competitive Review and Evaluation Criteria
    Applications which pass the initial ORR 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 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 that are responsive to the 
evaluation criteria within the context of this program announcement.
Non-Federal Reviewers
    ORR may use Federal as well as non-Federal reviewers. Therefore, 
applicants have the option of omitting from the application copies (not 
the original) of specific salary rates or amounts of individuals 
specified in the application budget and Social Security Numbers. The 
copies may include summary salary information.

[[Page 17700]]

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    ORR anticipates that successful and unsuccessful applicants will be 
notified of the results of this grant competition within 90 days of the 
application deadline date.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    Successful applicants will receive, by postal mail, a cover letter 
signed by the ORR Director, attaching the official notice of award, the 
Financial Assistance Award (FAA) notice, which is signed by the grants 
management officer. As indicated in part V.3. above, ORR anticipates 
that successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of the 
results of this grant competition within 90 days of the application 
deadline.
    Organizations whose applications will not be funded will be 
notified in writing.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    45 CFR Part 74
    45 CFR Part 92
    45 CFR Part 400, where applicable.

3. Reporting Requirements

    A. Programmatic Reports: Quarterly
    B. Financial Reports: Quarterly
    C. Special Reporting Requirements:

    Grantees are required to file the Financial Status Report (SF-269) 
and the Program Progress Reports on a quarterly basis. Funds issued 
under these awards must be accounted for and reported upon separately 
from all other grant activities. A final Financial Status Report and 
Program Progress Report shall be due 90 days after the project period 
end date. Grantees must maintain adequate records to track and report 
on project outcomes and expenditures by budget line item.
    The official receipt point for the original of all reports and 
correspondence is the ORR Grants Officer. An original and one copy of 
each report shall be submitted within 30 days of the end of each 
reporting period: the original addressed to the Grants Officer, Office 
of Grants Management; a copy addressed to the ORR Project Officer, 
Office of Refugee Resettlement (see section VII below for contact 
information).

VII. Agency Contacts

    Program Office Contact: Carl Rubenstein, Office of Refugee 
Resettlement, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW. 8th Floor West, Aerospace 
Building, Washington, DC 20447-0002, E-mail: [email protected], 
Telephone: (202) 205-5933.
    Grants Management Office Contact: Sylvia Johnson, Office of Grants 
Management, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade 
SW. 4th Floor, Aerospace Building, Washington, DC 20447-0002, E-mail: 
[email protected], Telephone: (202) 401-4524.

VIII. Other Information

    None.

    Dated: March 23, 2004.
Nguyen Van Hanh,
Director, Office of Refugee Resettlement.
[FR Doc. 04-7541 Filed 4-2-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P