[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 75 (Monday, April 19, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20890-20895]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8791]



[[Page 20890]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Office of Community Services; Funding Opportunity: Compassion 
Capital Fund Targeted Capacity Building Program

    Announcement Type: Competitive Grant-Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2004-ACF-OCS-EJ-0008.
    CFDA Number: 93.647.
    Dates: May 19, 2004.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of 
Community Services (OCS) announces that competing applications will be 
accepted for new grants pursuant to the U.S. Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS) Secretary's Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) 
authorized under section 1110 of the Social Security Act governing 
Social Services Research and Demonstration activities and the 
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and 
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004, P.L. 107-116, Title II. 
Pursuant to this announcement, OCS will award funds to faith-based and 
community organizations that address the needs of either at-risk youth; 
the homeless; or provide marriage education and preparation services to 
help couples who choose marriage for themselves develop the skills and 
knowledge to form and sustain healthy marriages; or provide social 
services to those living in rural communities.

A. Background

    Faith-based and community organizations have a long history of 
providing an array of important services to people and communities in 
need of charitable services in the United States. These groups have 
unique strengths that government cannot duplicate. They hold the trust 
of their community neighbors and leaders and have great understanding 
of the needs of the community and its systems. As a result, they are 
well positioned to understand the unique needs of at-risk youth, the 
homeless, those choosing to develop the skills and knowledge to form 
and sustain healthy marriages, and those living in rural communities in 
need of social services. Furthermore, the sense of mission from which 
these organizations work often translates into a unique approach to 
service delivery, a dedication of service to others, and a cultural 
awareness specific to their surrounding communities.
    In recognition of this history and ability, President Bush believes 
it is in the public's interest to broaden Federal efforts to work with 
faith-based and community organizations, and he has made it a priority 
to ensure that these groups are treated equally with other 
organizations that apply for Federal funding. A key part of this effort 
to enhance and expand the participation of faith-based and community 
groups in serving those in need is the Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) 
Targeted-Capacity Building program described in this announcement.

B. Program Purpose and Objectives

    The purpose of the CCF Targeted Capacity Building awards is to 
build the capacity of faith-based and community organizations that 
address one of the following four priority areas:
     At-risk youth;
     Homeless;
     Marriage education and preparation services to 
help couples who choose marriage for themselves develop the skills and 
knowledge to form and sustain healthy marriages;
     Social services to those living in rural 
communities. (See Section III. Eligibility Information for more 
information on rural communities)
    CCF Capacity-Building awards will assist faith-based and community 
organizations to improve their program effectiveness and sustainability 
enhance their ability to provide social services, expand the 
organization, diversify the funding sources, and emulate model programs 
and best practices. The goal is to help promising organizations bolster 
their sustainability and ultimately be able to serve more people on a 
continuing basis.
    Applicants must describe, in concrete terms, their plans for using 
funds to improve their organization in a sustainable way. Grantees must 
use these awards to increase efficiency and capacity; therefore, these 
awards cannot be used to augment or supplant direct service delivery 
funds. For example, an organization that distributes food to the poor 
will not receive a grant simply to purchase additional food. Nor, for 
example, will an organization that provides substance abuse treatment 
services receive additional funds simply to enable it to provide 
exactly the same services to more people. Although these awards might 
well enable these organizations to assist additional individuals, they 
would not serve to improve the organizations' sustainability, 
efficiency, or capacity. Rather, the organizations would simply use 
additional funds in the same way they use existing funds, without 
fundamentally changing or improving their services.

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated total Priority Area Funding: $5.0 million.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 100.
    Ceiling on amount of Individual Awards: $50,000.
    Floor on Individual Award Amounts: None.
    Average projected Award Amount: $50,000.
    Project Periods for Awards: This announcement is soliciting 
applications for a 12-month project period. Awards, on a competitive 
basis, will be for a 12-month budget period.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Non-profit organizations having a 501(c) (3) status with the 
Internal Revenue Code, other than institutions of higher education and 
Non-profit organizations that do not have a 501(c) (3) status with the 
Internal Revenue Code, other than institutions of higher education, and 
Native American Tribal governments (federally recognized). Faith-based 
organizations are eligible to apply for these grants.
    Additional Information on Eligibility: Per the Department of Health 
and Human Services' Rural Office of Health, the following explanation 
provides a definition of those organizations eligible under the social 
service priority area, Rural Communities. All organizations in Non-
Metropolitan counties as defined by the Office of Management and Budget 
are eligible for a grant under the social service priority area, Rural 
Communities. Due to the fact that entire counties are designated as 
Metropolitan when in fact, large parts of many counties may be rural in 
nature; ZIP Codes in Metropolitan counties that meet the criteria as 
defined by the Office of Rural Health are also eligible. To determine 
if a ZIP Code is defined as rural, please refer to the website at 
http://ruralhealth.hrsa.gov/funding/eligibilitytestv2.asp.
    To be eligible for funding, applicants must demonstrate proof of 
non-profit status and this proof must be included in their applications 
(see section IV. 2). 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.

[[Page 20891]]

    (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 a 
State or national parent organization and a statement singed by the 
parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-
profit affiliate.
    Fiscal year (FY) 2003 ACF Compassion Capital Fund Targeted Capacity 
Building grantees are eligible to apply for FY2004 funding as long as 
the social service priority area addressed by their FY2004 proposed 
project differs from the priority area addressed in their FY2003 
project.
    Applicants are cautioned that the ceiling for individual awards is 
$50,000.
    Applications exceeding the $50,000 threshold will be considered 
non-responsive and will not be eligible for funding under this 
announcement.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching: No

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.
    Applicants are cautioned that the ceiling for individual awards is 
$50,000. Applications exceeding the $50,000 threshold will be 
considered non-responsive and will not be eligible for funding under 
this announcement.
    Applications that do not follow the required format described in 
section IV.2 Application Requirements will be considered non-responsive 
and will not be eligible for funding under this announcement.

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 Community Services Operations 
Center, Compassion Capital Fund Targeted Capacity Building Program, 
1815 North Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22209, Attention: 
Eduardo Hernandez, Telephone: 1-800-281-9519, E-mail: [email protected].

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    An original and two copies of the complete application are 
required. The original and 2 copies must include all required forms, 
certifications, assurances, and appendices, be signed by an authorized 
representative, have original signatures, and 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.
    Applicants must demonstrate proof of non-profit status and this 
proof must be included in their applications. Please include 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 a 
State or national parent organization and a statement signed by the 
parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-
profit affiliate.
    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 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 
form 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
    While applicants may be working in more than one priority area, 
they must select one (1) area and label their application accordingly. 
The application must identify one of the following four priority areas:
     At-risk youth.
     Homeless.
     Healthy Marriage.
     Rural Communities.
    Applications proposing projects covering more than one priority 
area

[[Page 20892]]

will not be given a higher priority than those projects working in just 
one area.
    The application must be double-spaced and single-sided on 8\1/2\ x 
11 plain white paper, with 1'' margins on all sides. The application 
must use Times New Roman 12 point font or Arial 12 point font. All 
pages of the application (including appendices, resumes, charts, 
references/footnotes, tables, maps and exhibits) must be sequentially 
numbered. Each application may include only one proposed project.
    The Project Narrative including the Table of Contents must not 
exceed 8 pages. Pages submitted beyond the first 8 in the application 
Project Narrative section and Table of Contents will be removed prior 
to panel review. The Narrative Budget Justification, Standard Forms for 
Assurances, Certifications, Disclosures and appendices and the cost-
share letters are not included in this limitation, yet applicants are 
urged to be concise.
    Any additional supporting documentation, including letters of 
support and appendixes must not exceed 5 pages. Applicants are 
requested not to send pamphlets, brochures, or other printed material 
along with their applications as these pose copying difficulties. These 
materials, if submitted, will not be included in the review process.
    Forms and Certifications: 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 May 19, 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 
Community Services Operations Center, Compassion Capital Fund Targeted 
Capacity Building Program--(Applicant identifies one of the following 
priority areas: At-risk youth, Homeless, Healthy Marriage, or Rural 
Community), 1815 North Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 
22209, Attention: Barbara Ziegler Johnson, Telephone: 1-800-281-9519.
    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 5 p.m., EST, at the following address: U.S. Department of Health 
and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families 
Office of Community Services Operations Center, Compassion Capital Fund 
Targeted Capacity Building Program--(Applicant identifies one of the 
following priority areas: At-risk youth, Homeless, Healthy Marriage, or 
Rural Community), 1815 North Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 
22209, Attention: Barbara Ziegler Johnson, Telephone: 1-800-281-9519.
    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:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           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 424A, and SF 424B.......  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.htma.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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''.

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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           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. As of June 20, 2001, 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:
    All States and Territories except Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, 
Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, 
Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, 
Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, 
Virginia, Washington and Wyoming have elected to participate in the 
Executive Order process and have established Single Point of Contacts 
(SPOCs). Applicants from these twenty-five jurisdictions need take no 
action regarding Executive Order 12372.
    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 about 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.
    Comments should be submitted directly to Department of Health and 
Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of 
Grants Management, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant 
Promenade, SW., 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

Sub-Contracting or Delegating Projects
    OCS will not fund any project where the role of the applicant is 
primarily to serve as a conduit for funds to organizations other than 
the applicant. The applicant must have a substantive role in the 
implementation of the project for which funding is requested. This 
prohibition does not bar the making of sub-grants or sub-contracting 
for specific services or activities needed to conduct the project.
Number of Projects in Application
    Each application may include only one proposed project.
    Applicants are cautioned that the ceiling for individual awards is 
$50,000. Applications exceeding the $50,000 threshold will be 
considered non-responsive and will not be eligible for funding under 
this announcement.
    Fiscal year (FY) 2003 ACF Compassion Capital Fund Targeted Capacity 
Building grantees are eligible to apply for FY2004 funding as long as 
the social service priority area addressed by their FY2004 proposed 
project differs from the priority area addressed in their FY2003 
project.
    In cases where more applications are approved for funding than ACF 
can fund with the money available, the Grants Officer shall fund 
applications in their order of approval until funds run out. In this 
case, ACF has the option of carrying over the approved applications up 
to a year for funding consideration in a later competition of the same 
program. These applications need not be reviewed and scored again if 
the program's evaluation criteria have not changed. However, they must 
then be placed in rank order along with other applications in the later 
competition.

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 4:30 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 Community Services Operations Center, Compassion Capital Fund 
Targeted Capacity Building Program--(Applicant identifies one of the 
following priority areas: At-risk youth, Homeless, Healthy Marriage, or 
Rural Community), 1815 North Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 
22209, Attention: Barbara Ziegler Johnson, Telephone: 1-800-281-9519.
    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 
p.m. Eastern Standard Time on or before the closing date. Applications 
that are hand delivered will be accepted between the hours of 8 a.m. to 
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Applications may be delivered to: 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for 
Children and Families Office of Community Services Operations Center 
1815 North Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300 Arlington, VA 22209, Attention: 
Barbara Ziegler Johnson, Telephone: 1-800-281-9519.

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

General Instructions for the Uniform Project Description
    The following section provides a general overview of the 
recommended contents of each applicant's project narrative. Following 
this general description are criteria specific to the Compassion 
Capital Fund Targeted Capacity Building program.

[[Page 20894]]

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.
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 any other pertinent information. 
Any non-profit organization submitting an application must submit proof 
of its non-profit 501 (c) (3) status in its application at the time of 
submission.
Results or Benefits Expected
    Identify the results and benefits to be derived. For example, when 
applying for an award to expand program capacity, increase the types of 
services offered, increase access to funding from different sources and 
sectors, or improve staff capabilities, describe the goals and 
objectives of the activity and expected outcomes.
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. Demographic data and participant/
beneficiary information should be incorporated, 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.
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.
Evaluation Criterion I: Approach (Maximum: 30 points)
    Factors:
    (1) Capacity-Building Strategy (25 points). Applications will be 
evaluated based on the extent to which the capacity-building approach 
or strategy is logical, reasonable, and clearly linked to the desired 
results and benefits expected. Applications will also be evaluated on 
the extent to which the principles and conditions outlined in the 
Announcement are evident in the applicant's approach.
    (2) Geographic Location: (5 Points). Applications will be evaluated 
based on the extent to which they include a description of the precise 
region to be served, the rationale for proposing the region, and a 
detailed description of the population served in the proposed area, 
including statistics and facts that convey an understanding of the 
unique needs of the population in the area.
Evaluation Criterion II: Organizational Profiles (Maximum: 25 points)
    Factors:
    (1) Staff and Position Data: (10 Points). Applications will be 
evaluated on the extent to which they include a listing of key 
positions required to carry out the project, the individuals proposed 
to fill the positions, and a detailed description of the kind of work 
they will perform. Applications will also be evaluated on the extent to 
which evidence is provided demonstrating the staff's skill, knowledge, 
and experience in carrying out their assigned activities such as 
evidence that demonstrates not only staff's good technical skills, but 
also a clear record of working with faith-based and community 
organizations. Applications will also be evaluated on the extent to 
which the above information is provided with regard to consultants or 
staff from other organizations proposed to work on the project.
    (2) Past Experience Working in Priority Social Service Area (at-
risk youth, homeless, healthy marriage, or rural communities): (15 
Points). Applications will be evaluated on the extent to which the 
applicant demonstrates experience and a proven track record in 
addressing the needs of at-risk youth, or the homeless, or those who 
choose marriage for themselves develop the skills and knowledge to form 
and sustain healthy marriages, and or those living in rural communities 
who in are need of social services. The applicant will be also be 
evaluated on the extent to which the application includes concrete 
examples of services and/or programs.
Evaluation Criterion III: Results or Benefits Expected (Maximum: 20 
points)
    Applications will be evaluated on the extent to which the specific 
goals of the project and the results and benefits proposed by the 
applicant are reasonable and likely, quantified, clearly linked to and 
supported by the proposed capacity-building approach, and supportive of 
the stated goals under this announcement.
Evaluation Criterion IV: Objectives and Need for Assistance (Maximum: 
15 points)
    Applications will be evaluated on the extent to which the 
objectives of the proposed project are clearly stated and shown to 
address the needs of the organization. In addition, applications will 
be evaluated on the extent to which the applicant presents a compelling 
need in the community for an increase

[[Page 20895]]

or improvement in services and the extent to which the applicant 
demonstrates how the receipt of this Federal grant will enable the 
applicant to increase its capacity to address these vital needs.
Evaluation Criterion V: Budget and Budget Justification (Maximum: 10 
points)
    Applications will be evaluated based on the extent to which they 
include a budget that is clear, easy to understand, and that provides a 
detailed justification for the amount requested. Applicants should 
refer to the budget information presented in the Standard Forms 424 and 
424A and to the budget justification instructions in section C. General 
Instructions for the Uniform Project Description. Since non-Federal 
reviewers will be used in the review of applications, applicants may 
omit from the copies of the application submitted (not from the 
original), the specific salary rates or amounts for individuals in the 
application budget and instead provide only summary information. The 
application should also state the last two years' recent operating 
budgets of the applicant; however, details of the budget are not 
required.

2. Review and Selection Process

    Applications received by the due date will be reviewed and scored 
competitively. Experts in the field, generally persons from outside the 
Federal government, will use the evaluation criteria listed in Part V 
of this announcement to review and score the applications. The results 
of this review will be a primary factor in making funding decisions. 
ACF may also solicit comments from Regional Office staff and other 
Federal agencies. ACF may consider a variety of factors in addition to 
the review criteria identified above, including geographic diversity/
coverage and types of applicant organizations, in order to ensure that 
the interests of the Federal Government are met in making the final 
selections. Furthermore, ACF may limit the number of awards made to the 
same or affiliated organizations although they would serve different 
geographic areas. Please note that applicants that do not comply with 
the requirements in the section titled ``Eligible Applicants'' will not 
be included in the review process.
    Applications proposing projects in more than one area will not be 
given a higher priority than those working in only one priority area.
Legal Rules That Apply to Faith-Based Organizations That Receive 
Government Funds
    CCF monies shall not be used to support inherently religious 
practices such as religious instruction, worship, or proselytization. 
Grant or sub-award recipients, therefore, may not and will not be 
selected based on religious criteria. Neutral, non-religious criteria 
that neither favor nor disfavor religion must be employed in selection 
of a grantee and sub-award recipients under this announcement.
    Approved but Unfunded Applications: In cases where more 
applications are approved for funding than ACF can fund with the money 
available, the Grants Officer shall fund applications in their order of 
approval until funds run out. In this case, ACF has the option of 
carrying over the approved applications up to a year for funding 
consideration in a later competition of the same program. These 
applications need not be reviewed and scored again if the program's 
evaluation criteria have not changed. However, they must then be placed 
in rank order along with other applications in the later competition.

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.
    Organizations whose applications will not be funded will be 
notified in writing by the Office of Community Services.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

45 CFR Part 74 and 45 CFR Part 92
    Public reporting burden for this collection of information is 
estimated to average 25 hours per response, including the time for 
reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and 
reviewing the collection of information. Under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, Pub.L.104-13, the Department is required to submit to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval any 
reporting and record keeping requirements or regulations including 
program announcements. This program announcement does not contain 
information collection requirements beyond those approved for ACF grant 
applications under the Program Narrative Statement by OMB (Approval 
Number 0980-0204) 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.

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: Kelly Cowles, Office of Community Services, 
370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Suite 500 West, Aerospace Building, 
Washington, DC 20447-0002, E-mail: [email protected]. Telephone: (800) 
281-9519.
    Grants Management Office Contact: Barbara Ziegler, Office of Grants 
Management, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, 
SW. 4th Floor West, Aerospace Building, Washington, DC 20447-0002.
    E-mail: [email protected]. Telephone: (800) 281-9519.
    General: Office of Community Services Operations Center, Compassion 
Capital Fund Demonstration Program, 1815 North Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 
300, Arlington, VA 22209, Attention: Eduardo Hernandez, Telephone: 1-
800-281-9519.
    E-mail: [email protected].

VIII. Other Information

    Additional information about this program and its purpose can be 
located on the following Web sites: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccf/, http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/, http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccf.

    Dated: April 12, 2004.
Clarence Carter,
Director, Office of Community Services.
[FR Doc. 04-8791 Filed 4-16-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P