[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 72 (Wednesday, April 14, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19865-19871]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8416]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Grants and Cooperative Agreements; Notice of Availability of 
Funds

    Federal Agency Name: Administration for Children and Families, 
Office of Family Assistance.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Healthy Marriage Resource Center.
    Announcement Type: Competitive Grant-Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2004-ACF-OFA-FM-0001.
    CFDA Number: 93.647.
    Dates: Applications are due June 14, 2004. Letters of Intent are 
due May 4, 2004.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of 
Family Assistance (OFA), announces the availability of funds for a 
Healthy Marriage Resource Center (HMRC). The HMRC will serve as a 
national repository and distribution center for information and 
research relating to healthy marriage for educators, practitioners, 
individuals, and other interested entities. In addition, the HMRC will 
provide individuals with information on locally run healthy marriage 
programs. Further, the HMRC will develop resource materials to promote 
the objectives of the ACF Healthy Marriage Initiative, including but 
not limited to, syntheses of research and evaluation findings, 
summaries of relevant information about best practices, and products 
(tools) and services to help interested persons and entities learn 
about effective approaches to developing and implementing innovative 
programs in accordance with Temporary Assistance to Needy Families 
(TANF) purposes two through

[[Page 19866]]

four listed below, as stated in the Social Security Act, Section 
401(a), and the Code of Federal Regulations at 45 CFR 260.20:
    (2) End dependency of needy parents on government benefits by 
promoting job preparation, work, and marriage;
    (3) Prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies 
and establish annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the 
incidence of these pregnancies; and
    (4) Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

Background

    In recognition of the importance of healthy married families on 
child well-being, Congress included the formation and maintenance of 
two parent families as one of the primary goals of the Temporary 
Assistance for Needy Families Program when it was signed into law by 
President Clinton in 1996. In recent years, a number of states have 
begun to implement various healthy marriage activities. For example, in 
2004, 70 cities across the United States celebrated Black Marriage Day, 
many for the first time; 26 states attended events hosted by ACF on 
developing healthy marriage initiatives; and federally sponsored peer 
requests by states to learn of existing healthy marriage initiatives 
increased fourfold. In addition, ACF has funded over 65 healthy 
marriage grants in the past two years. A central repository containing 
information, program listings, and other resources for entities and 
individuals is needed to help support emerging healthy marriage 
activities, and to provide state and local administrators with 
information about what does and does not work in promoting healthy 
marriages.
ACF Programs Funding the Healthy Marriage Resource Center
     The Office of Family Assistance (OFA) 
administers the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, 
under title IV-A of the Social Security Act. TANF is a State/Federal 
partnership that provides temporary assistance and promotes economic 
self-sufficiency and family strengthening, including healthy marriages, 
to States, Territories, Indian Tribes, Native American organizations, 
localities and community groups. Statutory Authority: Section 1110 of 
the Social Security Act governing Social Services Research and 
Demonstration activities.
     The Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation 
(OPRE) provides research, evaluation, and data analysis in support of 
ACF programs. The HMRC is one of several projects designed to develop 
and disseminate knowledge on program practices that improve economic 
and family outcomes and child well-being, including programs to support 
the formation and stability of healthy marriages. Statutory Authority: 
Section 1110 of the Social Security Act governing Social Services 
Research and Demonstration activities.
     The Children's Bureau supports a range of child 
welfare programs that increase the strength and stability of families, 
protect children from abuse and neglect, and lead to permanent 
placements for children who cannot safely return to their homes, 
including programs that seek to integrate supports for healthy 
marriages and family formation into the child welfare system. Statutory 
Authority: Title IV-B, Subpart 2 of the Social Security Act, Promoting 
Safe and Stable Families.
     The Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) 
provides for the location of non-custodial parents, establishing 
paternity, obtaining child support orders, and enforcing support 
obligations of non-custodial parents. OCSE also funds demonstration 
projects that seek to integrate supports for healthy marriages and 
family formation into the existing array of child support enforcement 
activities. Statutory Authority: Section 452(j) of the Social Security 
Act.
    Ten percent of the funding for the HMRC will be set aside for an 
informational database for individuals and interested parties and a 
clearinghouse for information to support State-run healthy marriage 
demonstration programs funded through Title IV-D (Child Support 
Enforcement) of the Social Security Act.
    Ten percent of the funding for the HMRC also will be set aside for 
an informational database for individuals and interested parties and a 
clearinghouse for information to support healthy marriage programs and 
initiatives administered by States and Indian Tribes and funded through 
Title IV-B (Child Welfare) of the Social Security Act.
Purpose
    Healthy marriage is important to society. On average, men and women 
in healthy marriages are more likely to build wealth, have better 
health, experience emotional well-being and live longer. Even more 
importantly, children who grow up in healthy married families do better 
on a host of outcomes than those who grow up in unhealthy married 
households. For example, children in healthy married households are at 
less risk for substance abuse, emotional distress and mental illness, 
suicide, criminal behavior, educational decline, poverty, child abuse 
and neglect. Further, children raised in healthy married households are 
more likely to develop better relationships with their parents, develop 
stable marriages and families themselves, experience greater economic 
security, perform better academically and later in occupational 
settings, and have better physical health.
    The HMRC is one of ACF's efforts to support and promote healthy 
marriages. ACF has undertaken crosscutting program and field activities 
to strengthen healthy marriages, including engaging States, 
communities, and faith-based organizations in partnerships to develop 
local healthy marriage initiatives. ACF has awarded numerous grants to 
support the integration of healthy marriage programs and services into 
the broad array of existing public sector social service programs 
including child support enforcement, child welfare, refugee 
resettlement, and community services. ACF also launched a research and 
evaluation agenda that includes large-scale evaluations of multi-site 
interventions as well as smaller research projects. The HMRC will help 
disseminate relevant information to practitioners, educators, other 
interested stakeholders, and to individuals seeking both national and 
local information about existing activities. The HMRC will be an 
important addition to help ACF more effectively improve the well-being 
of children.
    The HMRC will have multiple functions which will fall under the 
following broad activities:
     Maintain a website clearinghouse on information 
related to the federal Healthy Marriage Initiative. HMRC will serve as 
a national repository and distribution center for information and 
research relating to healthy marriage programs, initiatives, and 
activities.
     Maintain a database of local healthy marriage 
programs for use by educators, practitioners, government officials and 
individuals.
     Provide a forum for dissemination of research 
and information and public discussion on healthy marriages. Efforts to 
promote the objectives of the healthy marriage initiative will include 
(but are not limited to) a speakers bureau, an inquiry response system, 
email and mailing lists, web casts, conference calls and newsletters. 
The HMRC will be responsible for developing effective resource 
materials about healthy marriages to support entities developing and 
implementing innovative programs

[[Page 19867]]

to accomplish the goals of the healthy marriage initiative.
    A key staff person from the project must attend an annual meeting 
with the HMRC project leadership (to be determined by the Office of 
Family Assistance) in Washington, D.C. and a ``kick-off'' meeting 
following award (if specified in the Priority Area). Substantial 
involvement is expected between ACF and the recipient when carrying out 
the activity contemplated in the cooperative agreement.

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement.
    The cooperative agreement will require a close working relationship 
between ACF and the successful applicant for the HMRC. It will be 
necessary for ACF to collaborate with the HMRC to facilitate 
relationships and the exchange of information necessary to build the 
website, and work with the applicant to identify technical assistance 
and training needs, emerging issues, research findings, available 
resources, and model programs. ACF will work closely with the HMRC to 
identify the types of technical assistance and training to be made 
available to interested entities, and the areas of research and 
information to be disseminated. ACF, together with the HMRC, will 
sponsor appropriate meetings to promote coordination, information 
sharing and access to resources, training and learning opportunities. 
ACF will work together with the HMRC to address issues or problems with 
regard to the applicant's ability to carry out the full range of 
activities effectively and efficiently under the HMRC included in the 
applicant's proposal.
    Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $900,000 per budget 
period.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 1 per budget period.
    Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards: $900,000 per budget period.
    Floor on Individual Award Amounts: $900,000 per budget period.
    Average Projected Award Amount: $900,000 per budget period.
    Project Periods for Awards: Possible funding up to $900,000 per 
year over a 5 year period. The initial funding award will be for a 12-
month budget period. The award of continuation funding beyond the 
initial 12-month budget period will be subject to the availability of 
funds, satisfactory progress on the part of the applicant, and a 
determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of 
the government.(Subject to Congressional appropriations.)
    ACF plans to award $900,000 for the first year and $4,500,000 over 
a 5 year period. OFA reserves the right to award less, or more, than 
the funds described, in the absence of worthy applications, or under 
such other circumstances as may be deemed to be in the best interest of 
the government.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    County governments, City or township governments, Special district 
governments, State controlled institutions of higher education, Native 
American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Non-profit 
organizations having a 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue 
Service, other than institutions of higher education, Private 
institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than 
small businesses, Small businesses, and faith-based organizations.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching--Yes

    The grantee must provide at least 10 percent of the total approved 
cost of the project (see section V. Evaluation Criteria). The total 
approved cost of the project is $1,000,000 per year which is the sum of 
the ACF share and the non-Federal share. The non-Federal share may be 
met by cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are 
encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions. 
Since the federal funds authorized for the HMRC are $900,000 per year, 
applicants are expected to match a total of $100,000 per 12 month 
budget period. The grantee will be held accountable for commitments of 
non-Federal resources even if over the amount of the required match. 
Failure to provide the matching share will result in disallowance of 
Federal dollars. These commitments must be bona fide funding 
commitments, subject to scrutiny by ACF.
    Applications that fail to include the required amount of cost-
sharing will be considered non-responsive and will not be eligible for 
funding under this announcement.

3. Other (If Applicable)

    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 
after 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.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration 
for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, Healthy 
Marriage Resource Center Program, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 5th 
Floor, East Side, Washington, DC 20447, Telephone: (202) 401-5438, 
Attention: Paul Maiers.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Electronic Format
    You may submit your application to us either in electronic or paper 
format. To submit an application electronically, please use the http://www.Grants.gov apply site. If you use Grants.gov you will be able to 
download a copy 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 paper format.
     You may submit all documents electronically, 
including all information

[[Page 19868]]

typically included on the SF424 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.gov.
     We may request that you provide original 
signatures on forms at a later date.
     You may access the electronic application for 
this program on http://www.Grants.gov. You must search for the 
downloadable application package by the CFDA number.
Application Requirements
    An original and two copies of the complete application are 
required. The original copy must include all required forms, 
certifications, assurances, and appendices, be signed by an authorized 
representative, have original signatures, and be submitted unbound. The 
two additional copies of the complete application must include all 
required forms, certifications, assurances, and appendices and must 
also be submitted unbound. Applicants have the option of omitting from 
the application copies (not the original) specific salary rates or 
amounts for individuals specified in the application budget.
    The proposal should be double-spaced and single sided on 8'' x 11'' 
plain white paper, with 1'' margins on all sides. Use only a standard 
size font (such as Times New Roman or Arial) 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. Applicants are urged to be 
concise and limit applications to no more than 25 pages. This limit of 
25 pages applies to the narrative portion of the application only. 
There is an additional limit of 15 pages for all supporting documents 
for a total of no more than 40 pages. The supporting documents may 
include resumes, letters of recommendation, and any other documents 
that relate to the program announcement's evaluation criteria. Any 
proposals over this limit will be removed and not be reviewed.
    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. 
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.
    Forms and Certifications: Eligible applicants applying for funds 
must submit a complete application, including the required forms, 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.) 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.
    The project description should include all the information 
requirements described in the specific evaluation criteria outlined in 
the program announcement under Part V. In addition to the project 
description, the applicant needs to complete all the standard forms 
required for making applications for awards under this announcement. 
Applicants requesting financial assistance for non-construction 
projects must file the Standard Form 424B, ``Assurances: Non-
Construction Programs.'' Applicants must sign and return the Standard 
Form 424B with their applications. Applicants must provide a 
certification regarding lobbying when applying for an award in excess 
of $100,000. Applicants must sign and return the certification with 
their applications. Applicants must disclose lobbying activities on the 
Standard Form LLL when applying for an award in excess of $100,000. 
Applicants who have used non-Federal funds for lobbying activities in 
connection with receiving assistance under this announcement shall 
complete a disclosure form, if applicable, with their applications. The 
forms (Forms 424, 424A-B; and Certifications may be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm under new announcements. Fill 
out Standard Forms 424 and 424A and the associated certifications and 
assurances based on the instructions on the forms.
    Private, non-profit 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.'' 
The forms are located on the web at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

3. Submission Dates and Times

    The closing time and date for receipt of applications is 4:30 p.m. 
(Eastern Time Zone) on June 14, 2004. 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 following address:
    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration 
for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, 370 L'Enfant 
Promenade, SW., 4th Floor, West Side, Washington, DC 20447, ATTN: 
Barbara Ziegler Johnson, Telephone: (202) 401-4646.
    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 following address:
    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration 
for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, 370 L'Enfant 
Promenade, SW., 4th Floor, West Side, Washington, DC 20447, ATTN: 
Barbara Ziegler Johnson, Telephone: (202) 401-4646.
    Late applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria 
above are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late 
applicant that its application will not be considered in the current 
competition.
    Extension of deadlines: ACF may extend application deadlines when 
circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or 
when there are widespread disruptions of mails service. Determinations 
to extend or waive deadline requirements rest with the Chief Grants 
Management Officer.
    Required Forms:

[[Page 19869]]



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           What to submit               Required content       Required form or format        When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Narrative..........................  Described in Section V  Format described in Section  By application due
                                      of this Announcement.   V.                           date.
SF 424, SF 424 A, and SF 424 B.....  Per required form.....  May be found at http://      By application due
                                                              www.acf.hhs.gov/ programs/   date.
                                                              ofs/forms.htm.
Certification regarding Lobbying     Per required form.....  May be found at http://      By application due
 and associated Disclosure of                                 www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/    date.
 Lobbying Activities (SF LLL).                                ofs/forms.htm.
Environmental Tobacco Smoke          Per required form.....  May be found at http://      By application due
 Certification.                                               www.acf.hhs.gov/ programs/   date.
                                                              ofs/forms.htm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 required form.....  May be found on http://      By application due
 Grant Applicants.                                            www.acf.hhs.gov/ programs/   date.
                                                              ofs/form.htm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Intergovernmental Review

State Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
    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.
    Applicants from jurisdictions that have elected not to participate 
in the Executive Order process or for projects administered by 
federally-recognized Indian Tribes need take no action in regard to 
E.O. 12372. As of October 1, 2003, the following jurisdictions have 
elected not to participate in the Executive Order process:

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Colorado
Connecticut
Hawaii
Idaho
Indiana
Kansas
Louisiana
Minnesota
Montana
Nebraska
New Jersey
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Dakota
Tennessee
Vermont
Virginia

    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. Washington, DC 20447.
    A list of the Single Points of Contact for each State and Territory 
is included with the application materials for this announcement.

5. Funding Restrictions

    Applicants are cautioned that the ceiling for individual awards is 
$900,000. Applications exceeding the $900,000 threshold will be 
considered non-responsive and will not be eligible for funding under 
this announcement.
    Applicants that fail to include the required amount of cost share 
will be considered non-responsive and will not be eligible for funding 
under this announcement.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    Submission by Mail: An Applicant must provide an original 
application with all attachments, signed by an authorized 
representative and two copies. The Application must be received at the 
address below by 5 PM Eastern Standard Time on or before the closing 
date. Applications should be mailed to:
    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration 
for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, 370 L'Enfant 
Promenade, SW., 4th Floor, West Side, Washington, DC 20447, ATTN: 
Barbara Ziegler Johnson, Telephone: (202) 401-4646.
    Hand Delivery: An Applicant must provide an original application 
with all attachments signed by an authorized representative and two 
copies. The application must be received at the address below by 4:30 
PM Eastern Standard Time on or before the closing date. Applications 
that are hand delivered will be accepted between the hours of 8 AM to 
4:30 PM, Monday

[[Page 19870]]

through Friday. Applications may be delivered to: U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and 
Families, Office of Family Assistance, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 4th 
Floor, West Side, Washington, DC 20447, ATTN: Barbara Ziegler Johnson, 
Telephone: (202) 401-4646.
    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

General Instructions for the Uniform Project Description
    The following are instructions and guidelines on how to prepare the 
``project summary/abstract'' and ``Full Project Description'' sections 
of the application. Under the evaluation criteria section, note that 
each criterion is preceded by the generic evaluation requirement under 
the ACF Uniform Project Description (UPD). Public Reporting for this 
collection of information is estimated to average 40 hours per 
response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and reviewing the collection information.
    The project description is approved under OMB Control Number 0970-
0139. 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.
Approach
    Outline a plan of action which describes the scope and detail of 
how the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions 
or activities identified in the application. Cite factors which might 
accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the 
proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of 
the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in 
cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement. 
Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the 
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such 
terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities 
accomplished. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or 
function, list them in chronological order to show the schedule of 
accomplishments and their target dates.
    If any data 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.
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.
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.
Results or Benefits Expected
    Identify the results and benefits to be derived. For example, 
describe how the intermediary's assistance to faith-based and community 
organizations will increase their effectiveness, enhance their ability 
to provide social services, diversify their funding sources, and create 
collaborations to better serve those most in need.
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.

Objectives (15 points)

     The objectives are clearly stated, necessary and 
relevant to the Healthy Marriage Initiative.
     Stated objectives are sufficient for 
accomplishing the goals of the project.
     The objectives will broaden the information base 
available to interested entities on healthy marriage programs.
     The objectives address the vital needs related 
to program purposes and provide data and information to support its 
claim.

Approach (35 points)

     The proposal specifies the activities to be 
completed and the scope of these activities.
     The scope of activities is appropriate and 
sufficient for addressing the objectives of the Healthy Marriage 
Resource Center.
     The extent to which the focus of the activities 
helps couples and individuals, on a voluntary basis, gain access to the 
skills and information that can increase their chances of forming and 
sustaining healthy marriages.
     The proposal clearly articulates the extent to 
which the applicant is qualified to undertake this work based on a 
demonstrated history of doing related work.
     The application includes a detailed description 
of the HMRC's targeted audience and the Center's functions related to 
each of these groups.
     The extent to which the activities and analyses 
reflect knowledge of web-based clearing houses and use of state-of-the-
art technology to support such a clearing house.
     The scope of the project is reasonable for the 
funds available for the cooperative agreement.
     The proposed project plan includes specific 
dates for various phases of the project including start-up, initial

[[Page 19871]]

implementation, and full implementation of the complete project and is 
reasonable given the proposed staffing, timeline, and budget.

Staff and Position Data (30 points)

     The project director and staff have demonstrated 
expertise in issues relating to healthy marriages, marriage education 
and implementation practices to conduct the activities described in the 
application.
     The proposed staff experience reflects an 
understanding of and sensitivity to the issues of working with States, 
localities, governments, for-profit and non-profit providers, and ACF 
programs.
     The time that will be devoted to this project by 
the project director and other key staff is adequate to ensure a high 
level of professional input and attention.

Budget (20 points)

     The predominance of funding is for program-
related costs, with a minimal amount dedicated for administrative 
costs.
     The budget presentation is clear and detailed, 
and justifies funding uses.
     Applicants have provided a plan for project 
continuance beyond the duration of the grant support.

2. Review and Selection Process

Initial OFA Screening
    Each application submitted to OFA will be screened to determine 
whether it was received by the closing date and time.
    Applications received by the closing date and time will be screened 
for completeness and conformity with the requirements outlined in 
Section III and IV of this announcement. Only complete applications 
that meet the requirements listed below will be reviewed and evaluated 
competitively. Other applications will be returned to the applicants 
with a letter stating that they were unacceptable and will not be 
reviewed.
Review Process
    Applications that pass the initial OFA screening will be reviewed 
and rated by a panel of experts based on the program elements and 
review criteria presented in relevant sections of this program 
announcement. The review criteria are designed to enable the review 
panel to assess the quality of a proposed project and determine the 
likelihood of its success. The criteria are closely related to each 
other and are considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of 
an application. The review panel awards points only to applications 
that are responsive to the program elements and relevant review 
criteria within the context of this program announcement.
    The OFA Director and program staff will use the reviewer scores 
when considering competing applications. Reviewer scores will weigh 
heavily in funding decisions, but will not be the only factors 
considered.
    Applications generally will be considered in order of the average 
scores assigned by the review panel. Because other important factors 
are taken into consideration, highly ranked applications are not 
guaranteed funding. These other considerations include, for example: 
the timely and proper completion by the applicant of projects funded 
with Federal funds granted in the last five (5) years; comments of 
reviewers and government officials; staff evaluation and input; amount 
and duration of the grant requested and the proposed project's 
consistency and harmony with OFA goals and policy; geographic 
distribution of applications; previous program performance of 
applicants; compliance with grant terms under previous Federal grants, 
including the actual dedication to program of mobilized resources as 
set forth in project applications; audit reports; investigative 
reports; and applicant's progress in resolving any final audit 
disallowance on previous Federal agency grants.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    The successful applicants will be notified through the issuance of 
a Financial Assistance Award document which sets forth the amount of 
funds granted, the terms and conditions of the grant, the effective 
date of the grant, the budget period for which initial support will be 
given, the non-Federal share to be provided, and the total project 
period for which support is contemplated. The Financial Assistance 
Award will be signed by the Grants Officer and transmitted via postal 
mail.
    Organizations whose applications will not be funded will be 
notified in writing by the Office of Family Assistance.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

45 CFR Part 74 and 45 CFR Part 92.

Conditions for the Cooperative Agreement
    The HMRC applicant will develop and implement work plans to ensure 
that the services and activities included in the approved proposal 
address the needs of the HMRC in an efficient, effective and timely 
manner. ACF will closely review and monitor all of these work products. 
The HMRC applicant will submit for ACF approval plans and procedures 
for the issuance of contracts awarded for activities under this 
announcement prior to the issuance of any contracts. The HMRC will 
submit regular reports, no less frequently than semi-annually, on the 
name and description of the organization receiving any contracts, 
summary and purpose of the contracts, the amount of the contract, and 
proposed plan for outcome measurements. The HMRC will work 
collaboratively with ACF and ACF partners to assist in carrying out the 
purposes of the HMRC.

3. Reporting

    Programmatic Reports: Semi-annually.
    Financial Reports: Semi-annually.
    Special Reporting Requirements: None.
    All grantees are required to submit semi-annual program reports; 
grantees are also required to submit semi-annual expenditure reports 
using the required financial standard form (SF-269) which is located on 
the Internet at: http://forms.psc.gov/forms/sf/SF-269.pdf. A suggested 
format for the program report will be sent to all grantees after the 
awards are made.

VII. Agency Contacts

    Program Office Contact: Paul Maiers, U.S. Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families, Office 
of Family Assistance, Marriage Resource Center Program, 370 L'Enfant 
Promenade, SW., 5th Floor, East Side, Washington, DC 20447, Telephone: 
(202) 401-5438.
    Grants Management Office Contact: Barbara Ziegler Johnson, Office 
of Grants Management, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant 
Promenade, SW., 4th Floor West, Aerospace Building, Washington, DC 
20447-0002, Telephone: Telephone: (202) 401-4646.

VIII. Other Information

    Additional information about this program and its purpose can be 
located on the following Web site: http://intranet.acf.dhhs.gov/.

Wade F. Horn,
Assistant Secretary for Children and Families.
[FR Doc. 04-8416 Filed 4-13-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P