[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 79 (Friday, April 23, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22276-22298]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-9183]



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Part III





Department of Health and Human Services





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Office of Refugee Resettlement



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Grants and Cooperative Agreements; Notice of Availability; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 79 / Friday, April 23, 2004 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of Refugee Resettlement


Grants and Cooperative Agreements; Notice of Availability

    Funding Agency Contact Name: Administration for Children and 
Families, Office of Refugee Resettlement.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Standing Announcement for Services to 
Recently Arrived Refugees.
    Announcement Type: Modification. This Standing Announcement for 
Services to Recently Arrived Refugees replaces ORR's previous Standing 
Announcement published in the Federal Register, May 9, 2001 (66 FR 
23705). Please note that Priority Area 3 (Services for Arriving 
Refugees with Special Conditions) has been discontinued. Priority Area 
3 is now Ethnic Community Self-Help.
    Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2004-ACF-ORR-RE-0004.
    CFDA Number: 93.576.
    Due Date for Applications: The Director will observe February 28, 
2005, as the first closing date for applications. Thereafter the 
Director will observe February 28 of each year as the closing date for 
applications.
    Executive Summary: The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) invites 
the submission of applications for funding, on a competitive basis, in 
three priority areas: Priority Area 1--Preferred Communities--to 
promote the increase of newly arrived refugees in preferred communities 
where they have ample opportunities for early employment and sustained 
economic independence and, to address special populations who need 
intensive case management, culturally and linguistically appropriate 
linkages and coordination with other service providers to improve their 
access to services; Priority Area 2--Unanticipated Arrivals--to provide 
services to arriving refugees or sudden large secondary migration of 
refugees where communities are not sufficiently prepared in terms of 
linguistic or culturally appropriate services; Priority Area 3--Ethnic 
Community Self-Help--to connect newcomer refugees and their communities 
with community resources.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Legislative Authority: This program is authorized by section 
412(c)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)(8 U.S.C. 
1522(c)(1)(A), as amended, which authorizes the Director ``to make 
grants to, and enter into contracts with, public or private nonprofit 
agencies for projects specifically designed--(i) to assist refugees in 
obtaining the skills which are necessary for economic self-sufficiency, 
including projects for job training, employment services, day care, 
professional refresher training, and other recertification services; 
(ii) to provide training in English where necessary (regardless of 
whether the refugees are employed or receiving cash or other 
assistance); and (iii) to provide where specific needs have been shown 
and recognized by the Director, health (including mental health) 
services, social services, educational and other services.''
    Please note that this announcement is divided into three priority 
areas: Priority Area 1 is on Preferred Communities. Priority Area 2 is 
on Unanticipated Arrivals immediately follows part VIII Other 
Information of the first priority area. Priority Area 3 is on Ethnic 
Community Self-Help and immediately follows part VIII Other Information 
of the second priority area. An applicant may submit more than one 
application under this announcement, but must apply separately for each 
priority area.

Priority Area 1: Preferred Communities

Description
    Purpose and Objectives. The purpose and objectives of Priority Area 
1, Preferred Communities, are to support resettlement of newly arriving 
refugees with the best opportunities for their assimilation into new 
communities, and to support refugees with special needs that require 
more intensive case management. Applicants may apply to support 
resettlement in new communities targeted to geographic sites or special 
populations agreed to in consultation with the Department of State/
Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) and ORR.
    This announcement retains the original purpose to support 
resettlement of newly arriving refugees with the best opportunities for 
their assimilation into new communities. This announcement is expanded 
to include services to special populations in communities where 
intensive case management needs can more appropriately be met through 
services that are both culturally and linguistically competent and 
promote access to mainstream services.
    A preferred community should expect to receive a minimum of 100 new 
refugees annually or expect to receive a proposed number of cases that 
will need intensive case management. ORR will consider exceptions to 
this standard where the applicant provides substantial justification 
for the request and documents the community's history of arrivals, the 
period of time needed to reach a level of 100 new refugees, and the 
record of outcomes for achieving self-sufficiency soon after arrival.
    Preferred community sites are those localities which support 
populations where refugees have excellent opportunities to achieve 
early employment and sustained economic independence without public 
assistance. Preferred communities should have a history of low welfare 
utilization by refugees. In addition, refugees should have the 
potential for earned income at a favorable level relative to the cost 
of living and to public assistance benefits. Characteristics of these 
communities include: (1) A moderate cost of living; (2) excellent 
employment opportunities in a strong, entry-level labor market; (3) 
affordable housing and transportation accessible for employment; (4) 
low secondary out-migration rates for refugees; (5) communities with 
churches, mosques and synagogues that meet the religious needs of 
arriving populations; (6) local community support and positive 
reception for the refugees; (7) receptive school environments; and (8) 
other related community features that contribute to a favorable quality 
of life for arriving refugees.
    To achieve the original objective of improved opportunities for 
assimilation and self-sufficiency, the applicant should propose 
communities that have been approved by PRM in the Reception and 
Placement Cooperative Agreement. Communities should be selected where 
there have not been large numbers of recent arrivals, but the prospects 
for resettlement appear to be favorable for additional refugees. The 
selected sites may be those with a history of successful refugee 
placement or those where refugees have not previously been placed, but 
which have all the elements of a successful refugee resettlement 
community (as described above). ORR is interested in providing 
resources for national voluntary agencies to cover the costs of 
changing community placements so that refugees, including those with 
special needs, are placed in a particular site where they have the best 
chance for integration.
    To support resettlement of refugees in communities where they will 
have the best opportunities for assimilation and to provide support for 
populations who have special needs, successful applicants may propose 
additional or alternative communities in consultation with PRM and ORR. 
ORR will grant

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approval for these sites in writing following the consultation. With 
these funds, successful applicants will propose services that need to 
be enhanced or increased in light of arriving populations.
    The application must, for the first budget period, specify one or 
more sites with a description of each site and the rationale for its 
selection, or describe a population with special needs requiring more 
intensive case management in a particular site. Applicants are 
encouraged to include activities that assess and plan services for the 
target populations to be resettled. For preferred community sites, such 
activities would also assess each specified community's appropriateness 
for additional arriving refugees and, if needed, continue to search for 
additional communities for future preferred placement. Additional sites 
and refugee populations with special conditions may be added by 
submitting the revised plan and the site descriptions in the 
continuation application.
    ORR formula social service funds are awarded to States to provide 
services proportionate to the number of refugee arrivals during the 
previous three years. A year or more may lapse before newly arriving 
refugees are included in the formula count. To maintain working 
relationships and coordination with State governments, planning for the 
application and implementation of Preferred Community Programs should 
be done in consultation with the respective State Refugee Coordinator 
and documented to assure an orderly transition and complement of 
services until the proportion of new arrivals is accounted for in the 
ORR formula awards. Applicants should view the Preferred Community 
Program as a temporary solution to cover the costs of increased refugee 
placements. Applicants should describe their coordination and planning 
under the Approach review criteria.
    If funding is requested in sites with alternative ``Wilson/Fish'' 
projects, applicants must demonstrate a strong rationale as to why 
additional funds are needed in this community and document consultation 
with the ``Wilson/Fish'' project.
    In the last two Program Performance Reports, grantees will discuss 
the transition of services indicating whether the services are now 
supported by the State or Wilson/Fish project, other public or private 
resources, or are no longer needed. These reports must provide 
supporting information on the impact of the services on the target 
population.
    Examples of special populations needing intensive case management 
may include, at a minimum, youth and young adults without parents or 
permanent guardians who have spent an unusually long period under 
refugee camp conditions; refugees experiencing social or psychological 
conditions including emotional trauma resulting from war; refugees who 
are HIV+; or other populations with physical disabilities or medical 
conditions identified and determined by PRM and ORR as needing 
intensive case management. Culturally and linguistically appropriate 
linkages and coordination with other service providers is necessary to 
improve access to services and enhance the likelihood of their 
assimilation into new communities.
    Allowable Activities. Allowable activities for local affiliates 
include social services needed to achieve increased placements in the 
preferred communities. Allowable activities for the national voluntary 
agencies are those that assess the appropriateness of resettlement 
communities for targeted refugees. The result of the assessment should 
assure that the designated service providers in the preferred 
communities provide services that create excellent opportunities to 
assimilate the targeted groups of refugees and special populations.
    As part of the application preparation, the applicant must: (1) 
Consult with ORR about prospective preferred sites and the 
appropriateness of those sites for the refugees; (2) coordinate with 
their affiliates and other voluntary agencies whose local affiliates 
place refugees in the same sites; (3) inform in writing and coordinate 
with State governments for site selection, adequate services, and 
program strategies to be developed; and (4) plan and coordinate locally 
with existing community resources, such as schools and public health 
agencies. In all instances, activities must be designed to supplement, 
rather than to supplant, the existing array of services available in 
the community for which refugees are eligible.
    The additional services needed for special populations may include: 
special medical care; physical therapy for disabled refugees; 
independent living skills, social skills; and mental health services, 
such as coping with the traumatic experiences of war.
    Applications under this section should indicate how the grantee 
will ensure that services are culturally and linguistically 
appropriate.

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement.

Description of Federal Substantial Involvement With Cooperative 
Agreement

ORR Responsibilities
    a. ORR will consult with PRM and national voluntary agencies on 
arriving populations with special needs and appropriate resettlement 
sites for refugee populations. ORR will provide approval in writing to 
the grantee following PRM and national voluntary agency consultation on 
arriving populations with special needs.
    b. ORR will provide written approval and funds to support the 
approved grantee's activities and budget both for increased opportunity 
and special needs.
National Voluntary Agency Responsibilities
    a. Grantees will consult with PRM and ORR on appropriate 
resettlement sites for refugees with special needs.
    b. Grantees will propose a specified amount of funds for each 
refugee with special needs.
    c. Grantees will begin funding sites for special needs upon receipt 
of written approval from ORR. If this need arises in the middle of a 
budget year, the grantee will send a letter of request to ORR.
    d. Grantees will consult with the State Refugee Coordinator in 
planning and coordination of services.
    e. Grantees will discuss, in the last two Program Performance 
Reports, the transition of services indicating whether the services are 
now supported by the State or Wilson/Fish project, other public or 
private resources, or are no longer needed. These reports must provide 
supporting information on the impact of the services provided on the 
target population.
    Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $960,000 per 12 months.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 10.
    Ceiling of Individual Awards: $320,000 per 12 months.
    The award amount is for planning purposes only.
    Floor on Amount of Individual Awards: $50,000 per 12 months.
    Average Anticipated Award Amount: $160,000 per 12 months.
    Project Periods for Awards: Up to 36 months.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

County governments
City of township governments

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Independent school districts
State controlled institutions of higher education
Native American tribal organizations (other Federally recognized tribal 
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
Additional Information on Eligibility
    Eligible applicants are ten national voluntary agencies that 
currently resettle refugees under a Reception and Placement Cooperative 
Agreement with the Department of State or with the Department of 
Homeland Security. Priority Area 1-Preferred Communities is restricted 
to these agencies because placements of new arrivals occur under the 
terms of the cooperative agreements, and no other agencies place new 
arrivals or participate in determining their resettlement sites.
    Non-Profit Status: 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) 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) or any of the items 
referenced 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.
    Client Eligibility: Eligibility for refugee social services 
includes: (1) Refugees; (2) asylees; (3) Cuban and Haitian entrants; 
(4) certain Amerasians from Vietnam; including U.S. citizens; (5) for 
eligibility for trafficking victims, refer to 45 CFR 400.43 and ORR 
State Letter 01-13, http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/policy/sl01-13.htm as modified by ORR State Letter 02-01 
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/policy/sl02-01.htm on trafficking 
victims. For convenience, the term ``refugee'' is used in this notice 
to encompass all such eligible persons.
    There are no pre-award additional requirements.

III.2. Cost-Sharing or Matching

    Cost sharing or matching funds are not required for applications 
submitted under this program announcement.

III.3. Other

    There is no limit on the number of applications that an 
organization can submit for this announcement.
    All applicants must have a DUNS number. 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 Federal grant applications 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 
(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 formal, 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 at 1-866-705-5711, or you may request a number 
on-line at http://www.dnb.com.
    Applications that fail to follow the required format described in 
section IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission will be 
considered non-responsive and will not be eligible for funding under 
this announcement.

IV. Application and Submission Information

IV.1 Address To Request Application Package

    Sue Benjamin, HHS, ACF, ORR/DCR, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 8th 
Floor West, Washington, DC 20447, Telephone--202-401-4851, E-mail: 
[email protected].

IV.2 Content and Form of Application Submission

    The required application package will include the following:
Application Content
    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. Each application must include 
the following components:
1. Table of Contents
    (a) Abstract of the Proposed Project--very brief, not to exceed 250 
words, 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.
    (b) Completed Standard Form 424--that has been signed by an 
Official of the organization applying for the grant who has authority 
to obligate the organization legally.
    (c) Standard Form 424A--Budget Information Non-Construction 
Programs.
    (d) Narrative Budget Justification--for each object class category 
required under Section B., Standard Form 424A.
    (e) Project Narrative--A narrative that addresses issues described 
in the ``Application Review Information'' section of this announcement.
2. Application Format
    Submit application materials on white 8\1/2\ x 11 inch paper only. 
Do not use colored, oversized or folded materials.
    Please do not include organizational brochures or other promotional 
materials, slides, films, clip, etc.
    The font size may be no smaller than 12 pitch and the margins must 
be at least one inch on all sides.
    Please present application materials either in loose-leaf notebooks 
or in folders with pages two-hole punched at the top center and 
fastened separately with a slide paper fastener.
    Please do not include books or videotapes as they are not easily 
reproduced and are, therefore, inaccessible to the reviewers.
3. Page Limitation
    Each application narrative should not exceed 20 pages in a double 
spaced 12 pitch font. Attachments and appendices should not exceed 25 
pages and should be used only to provide supporting documentation such 
as administration charts, position descriptions, resumes, and letters 
of intent or partnership agreements. A table of contents and an 
abstract should be included but will not count in the page limitations. 
Each page should be numbered sequentially, including the attachments 
and appendices. This limitation of 20 pages should be considered a 
maximum, and not necessarily a goal. Application forms (including the 
Narrative Budget Justification) are not to be counted in the page 
limit. Any material submitted

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beyond the 20 pages will not be considered.
4. Forms and Certifications
    Applicants requesting financial assistance for a non-construction 
project must sign and return Standard Form 424B, Assurances: Non-
Construction Programs with their applications.
    Applications must provide a Certification Regarding Lobbying. Prior 
to receiving an award in excess of $100,000, applicants shall furnish 
an executed copy of the lobbying certification. Applicants must sign 
and return the certification with their application.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their 
compliance with all Federal statues relating to nondiscrimination. By 
signing and submitting the application, applicants are providing the 
certification and need not mail back a certification form.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their 
compliance with the requirements of the Pro-Children Act of 1994 as 
outlined in Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke.
    Private, non-profit organizations may voluntarily submit with their 
applications the survey located under ``Grants Related Documents and 
Forms'' titled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants'' at 
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
    You may submit your application to us in either 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 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.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.
    Please see Section V.1. Criteria, for instructions on preparing the 
project summary/abstract and the full project description.

IV.3 Submission Date and Times

    The closing date for receipt of applications is February 28, 2005 
(and February 28 of each succeeding year). Mailed applications received 
after 4:30 p.m. on the closing date will be classified as late. ACF 
will send an acknowledgement of receipt of application to the 
applicant.
    Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting an announced 
deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date at: U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children 
and Families, Office of Grants Management, Division of Discretionary 
Grants, Attention: Sylvia Johnson, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., 4th 
Floor West, 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, or by 
other representatives of the applicant shall be considered as meeting 
an announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline 
date, between the hours of 8 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 Center, 
901 D Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024, between Monday and Friday 
(excluding Federal holidays). The address must appear on the envelope/
package containing the application with the note ``Attention: Sylvia 
Johnson. (Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services 
do not always deliver as agreed.) ACF cannot accommodate transmission 
of applications by fax or e-mail.
    Late applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria 
above are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late 
applicant that its application will not be considered in the current 
competition.
    Extension of deadlines: ACF may extend application deadlines when 
circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or 
when there are widespread disruptions of mail service, or in other rare 
cases. Determination to extend or waive deadline requirements rests 
with the Chief Grants Management Officer.

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            What to submit                 Required content     Required form or format       When to submit
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Table of Contents....................  As described above.....  Consistent with          By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
                                                                 guidance in              28 of every succeeding
                                                                 ``Application            year).
                                                                 Content'' section of
                                                                 this announcement..
Abstract of Proposed Project.........  Brief abstract that      Consistent with          By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
                                        identifies the type of   guidance in              28 of every succeeding
                                        project, the target      ``Application            year).
                                        population and the       Content'' section of
                                        major elements of the    this announcement.
                                        proposed project.
Completed Standard Form 424..........  As described above and   May be found on http://  By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
                                        per required form.       www.acf.hhs.gov/         28 of every succeeding
                                                                 programs/orr/funding.    year).

[[Page 22280]]

 
Completed Standard Form 424A.........  As described above and   May be found on http://  By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
                                        per required form.       www.acf.hhs.gov/         28 of every succeeding
                                                                 programs/orr/funding.    year).
Narrative Budget Justification.......  As described above.....  Consistent with          By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
                                                                 guidance in              28 of every succeeding
                                                                 ``Application            year).
                                                                 Content'' section of
                                                                 this announcement.
Project Narrative....................  A narrative that         Consistent with          By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
                                        addresses issues         guidance in              28 of every succeeding
                                        described in the         ``Application            year).
                                        ``Application Review     Content'' section of
                                        Information'' section    this announcement.
                                        of this announcement.
Completed Standard Form 424B.........  As described above and   May be found on http://  By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
                                        per required form.       www.acf.hhs.gov/         28 of every succeeding
                                                                 programs/orr/funding.    year).
Certification Regarding Lobbying.....  As described above and   May be found on http://  By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
                                        per required form.       www.acfhhs.gov/          28 of every succeeding
                                                                 programs/orr/funding.    year).
Certification Regarding Environmental  As described above and   May be found on http://  By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
 Tobacco Smoke.                         per required form.       www.acf.hhs.gov/         28 of every succeeding
                                                                 programs/orr/funding.    year).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additional Forms: Private, non-profit organizations may voluntarily 
submit with their applications the survey located under ``Grants 
Related Documents and Forms'' titled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit 
Grant Applicants'' at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

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Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity   As described above and   May be found on http://  By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
 for Applicants.                        per required form.       www.acf.hhs.gov/         28 of every succeeding
                                                                 programs/ofs/forms.htm.  year).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV.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 October 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 a 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, Office of Grants Management, Division of 
Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 
20447.
    The official list, including addresses, of the jurisdictions 
elected to participate in E.O. 12372 can be found on the following URL: 
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

IV.5 Funding Restrictions

    Pre-award costs are not allowable charges to this program grant.
    Construction is not an allowable activity or expenditure under this 
solicitation.

IV.6 Other Submission Requirements

    Electronic Address to Submit Applications: http://www.Grants.gov.
    Please see Section IV.2. Content and Form of Application 
Submission, for guidelines and requirements when submitting 
applications electronically.
    Submission by Mail: Applications shall be considered as meeting an 
announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date 
at: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for 
Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, Division of 
Discretionary Grants, Attention: Sylvia Johnson, 370 L'Enfant 
Promenade, SW., 4th Floor West, Washington, DC 20447.
    Hand Delivery: Applications hand-carried by applicants, applicant 
couriers, or by other representatives of the applicant shall be 
considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are received on or 
before the deadline

[[Page 22281]]

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 Center, 
901 D Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024, between Monday and Friday 
(excluding Federal holidays). The address must appear on the envelope/
package containing the application with the note ``Attention: Sylvia 
Johnson. (Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services 
do not always deliver as agreed.) ACF cannot accommodate transmission 
of applications by fax or e-mail.

V. Application Review Information

V.1. Criteria

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13)
    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 information.
    The project description is approved under OMB control number 0970-
0139 which expires 03/31/2004.
    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 number.
Instructions: ACF Uniform Project Description (UPD)
    The following are instructions and guidelines on how to prepare the 
``project summary/abstract'' and ``Full Project Description'' sections 
of the application. The generic UPD requirement is followed by the 
evaluation criterion specific to the Standing Announcement for Services 
to Recently Arrived Refugees Grant legislation.
Introduction
    Applicants required to submit a full project description shall 
prepare the project description statement in accordance with the 
following instructions and the specified evaluation criteria. The 
instructions give a broad overview of what your project description 
should include while the evaluation criteria expands and clarifies more 
program-specific information that is needed.
Project Summary/Abstract
    Provide a summary of the project description (a page or less) with 
reference to the funding request.
Objectives and Need for Assistance
    Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, 
institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need 
for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate 
objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting 
documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from 
concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any 
relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred 
to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and 
participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In developing the 
project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to 
provide information on the total range of projects currently being 
conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may be 
outside the scope of the program announcement.
Results or Benefits Expected
    Identify the results and benefits to be derived.
Approach
    Outline a plan of action which describes the scope and detail of 
how the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions 
or activities identified in the application. Cite factors which might 
accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the 
proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of 
the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in 
cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement.
    Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the 
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such 
terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities 
accomplished. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or 
function, list them in chronological order to show the schedule of 
accomplishments and their target dates.
    If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated, 
clearance may be required from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB). This clearance pertains to any ``collection of information that 
is conducted or sponsored by ACF.''
    List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key 
individuals who will work on the project along with a short description 
of the nature of their effort or contribution.
Staff and Position Data
    Provide a biographical sketch for each key person appointed and a 
job description for each vacant key position. A biographical sketch 
will also be required for new key staff as appointed.
Organizational Profiles
    Provide information on the applicant organization(s) and 
cooperating partners such as organizational charts, financial 
statements, audit reports or statements from CPAs/Licensed Public 
Accountants, Employer Identification Numbers, names of bond carriers, 
contact persons and telephone numbers, child care licenses and other 
documentation of professional accreditation, information on compliance 
with Federal/State/local government standards, documentation of 
experience in the program area, and other pertinent information.
    Any non-profit organization submitting an application must submit 
proof of its non-profit status in its application at the time of 
submission. The non-profit agency can accomplish this by providing a 
copy of the applicant's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) 
most recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in Section 
501(c)(3) of the IRS code, or by providing a copy of the currently 
valid IRS tax exemption certificate, or by providing a copy of the 
articles of incorporation bearing the seal of the State in which the 
corporation or association is domiciled.
Third-Party Agreements
    Include written agreements between grantees and 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.
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

[[Page 22282]]

include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar 
quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated. 
The detailed budget must also include a breakout by the funding sources 
identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
    Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the 
categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, 
and allocability of the proposed costs.
General
    The following guidelines are for preparing the budget and budget 
justification. Both Federal and non-Federal resources shall be detailed 
and justified in the budget and narrative justification. For purposes 
of preparing the budget and budget justification, ``Federal resources'' 
refers only to the ACF grant for which you are applying. Non-Federal 
resources are all other Federal and non-Federal resources. It is 
suggested that budget amounts and computations be presented in a 
columnar format: first column, object class categories; second column, 
Federal budget; next column(s), non-Federal budget(s), and last column, 
total budget. The budget justification should be a narrative.
Personnel
    Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.
    Justification: Identify the project director or principal 
investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time 
commitment to the project (in months), time commitment to the project 
(as a percentage or full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant salary, 
wage rates, etc. Do not include the costs of consultants or personnel 
costs of delegate agencies or of specific project(s) or businesses to 
be financed by the applicant.
Fringe Benefits
    Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated as 
part of an approved indirect cost rate.
    Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages 
that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, 
retirement insurance, taxes, etc.
Travel
    Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the 
applicant organization (does not include costs of consultant travel).
    Justification: For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s), 
travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if 
privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs 
and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend ACF-
sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.
Equipment
    Description: ``Equipment'' means an article of nonexpendable, 
tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year 
and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of (a) the 
capitalization level established by the organization for the financial 
statement purposes, or (b) $5,000. (Note: Acquisition cost means the 
net invoice unit price of an item of equipment, including the cost of 
any modifications, attachments, accessories, or auxiliary apparatus 
necessary to make it usable for the purpose for which it is acquired. 
Ancillary charges, such as taxes, duty, protective in-transit 
insurance, freight, and installation shall be included in or excluded 
from acquisition cost in accordance with the organization's regular 
written accounting practices.)
    Justification: For each type of equipment requested, provide a 
description of the equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units, 
the total cost, and a plan for use on the project, as well as use or 
disposal of the equipment after the project ends. An applicant 
organization that uses its own definition for equipment should provide 
a copy of its policy or section of its policy which includes the 
equipment definition.
Supplies
    Description: Costs of all tangible personal property other than 
that included under the Equipment category.
    Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their 
costs. Show computations and provide other information which supports 
the amount requested.
Contractual
    Description: Costs of all contracts for services and goods except 
for those which belong under other categories such as equipment, 
supplies, construction, etc. Third-party evaluation contracts (if 
applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient organizations, 
including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or businesses to be 
financed by the applicant, should be included under this category.
    Justification: All procurement transactions shall be conducted in a 
manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical, open and free 
competition. Recipients and sub-recipients, other than States that are 
required to use Part 92 procedures, must justify any anticipated 
procurement action that is expected to be awarded without competition 
and exceed the simplified acquisition threshold fixed at 41 U.S.C. 
403(11). Recipients might be required to make available to ACF pre-
award review and procurement documents, such as request for proposals 
or invitations for bids, independent cost estimates, etc. Note: 
Whenever the applicant intends to delegate part of the project to 
another agency, the applicant must provide a detailed budget and budget 
narrative for each delegate agency, by agency title, along with the 
required supporting information referred to in these instructions.
Other
    Enter the total of all other costs. Such costs, where applicable 
and appropriate, may include but are not limited to insurance, food, 
medical and dental costs (non-contractual), professional services 
costs, space and equipment rentals, printing and publication, computer 
use, training costs, such as tuition and stipends, staff development 
costs, and administrative costs.
    Justification: Provide computations, a narrative description and a 
justification for each cost under this category.
Indirect Charges
    Description: Total amount of indirect costs. This category should 
be used only when the applicant currently has an indirect cost rate 
approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or 
another cognizant Federal agency.
    Justification: An applicant that will charge indirect costs to the 
grant must enclose a copy of the current rate agreement. If the 
applicant organization is in the process of initially developing or 
renegotiating a rate, it should immediately upon notification that an 
award will be made, develop a tentative indirect cost rate proposal 
based on its most recently completed fiscal year in accordance with the 
principles set forth in the cognizant agency's guidelines for 
establishing indirect cost rates, and submit it to the cognizant 
agency. Applicants awaiting approval of their indirect cost proposals 
may also request indirect costs. It should be noted that when an 
indirect cost rate is requested, those costs included in the indirect 
cost pool should not also be charged as direct costs to the grant. 
Also, if the applicant is requesting a rate which is less than what is 
allowed under the program, the authorized representative of the 
applicant organization must submit a signed acknowledgment that

[[Page 22283]]

the applicant is accepting a lower rate than allowed.
Program Income
    Description: The estimated amount of income, if any, expected to be 
generated from this project.
    Justification: Describe the nature, source and anticipated use of 
program income in the budget or refer to the pages in the application 
which contain this information.
Nonfederal Resources
    Description: Amounts of non-Federal resources that will be used to 
support the project as identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
    Justification: The firm commitment of these resources must be 
documented and submitted with the application in order to be given 
credit in the review process. A detailed budget must be prepared for 
each funding source.
Evaluation Criteria
    Criterion 1. Objectives and Need for Assistance--The applicant 
demonstrates comprehensive understanding of refugee populations as new 
members of the U.S. community. The applicant also demonstrates an 
understanding of the activities that assist a community to prepare for 
new refugee populations. The conditions in proposed resettlement 
communities are clearly described. The need for additional services 
leading to enhanced resettlement for arriving populations is 
documented. The applicant provides a national placement plan that 
documents understanding of the arriving refugee groups and their 
characteristics. The applicant demonstrates a clear understanding of 
the population to be served. The national voluntary agency documents 
the number of special populations and the services needed. The number 
of refugees projected to be served is reasonable in light of the 
resettlement capacity. (25 points)
    Criterion 2. Results or Benefits Expected--The applicant clearly 
describes the results and benefits to be achieved. The applicant 
proposes an increase in the actual number of free cases placed in the 
specified community or, in the case of special populations, the 
applicant clearly describes the additional program or services 
appropriate to the needs of the group. Results or benefits are 
described in terms of the opportunities provided for refugees. Proposed 
outcomes are measurable and achievable within the grant project period 
including special services and refugee self-sufficiency. The proposed 
monitoring and information collection is adequately planned and can be 
feasibly implemented within the proposed timelines. The applicant 
clearly describes how the special population will benefit from proposed 
services, e.g., enhanced case management, special medical care, 
referrals and follow-up with culturally and linguistically appropriate 
mainstream providers. The applicant describes how the impact of the 
funds will be measured on key indicators associated with the purpose of 
the project. Proposed outcomes are tangible and achievable within the 
grant project period, and the proposed monitoring and information 
collection are adequately planned. (25 points)
    Criterion 3. Approach--The strategy and plan, including a 
description of each proposed preferred community and an assessment of 
appropriateness for placement, are likely to achieve increased 
placement in preferred communities and excellent opportunities for 
assimilation including specific discussion of special populations where 
appropriate. The proposed activities and timeframes are reasonable and 
feasible. The plan describes in detail how the proposed activities will 
be accomplished as well as the potential for the project to achieve 
economic independence for arriving refugees. The application includes a 
clear and comprehensive description of the preferred sites proposed. 
The application includes a clear and comprehensive description of the 
national voluntary agency placement planning activities, including 
meeting with the State Refugee Coordinator, documenting coordination 
and outcomes, community preparation activities, and how they will be 
impacted by this project. Assurance is provided that proposed services 
will be delivered in a manner that is linguistically and culturally 
appropriate to the target population. (20 points)
    Criterion 4. Organizational Profiles--The administrative and 
management features of the project, including a plan for fiscal and 
programmatic management of each activity and planning activities, are 
described in detail with proposed start-up times, ongoing timelines, 
major milestones or benchmarks, a component/project organization chart, 
management of affiliates, monitoring and a staffing chart of affiliate 
network. The qualifications of project staff, both national applicant 
and affiliate agencies, as well as any volunteers, are documented. 
Discuss instances of managing grants of the same size as you are 
requesting here. (15 points)
    Criterion 5. Budget and Budget Justification--The budget and 
narrative justification are reasonable, clearly presented, and cost-
effective in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated 
results. The per capita budget is justified and reasonable. The 
applicant clearly indicates how awarded funds will complement Reception 
and Placement and other social services to achieve the objectives. (15 
points)

V.2. Review and Selection Process

    Each application submitted under this program announcement will 
undergo a pre-review to determine that (1) the application was received 
by the closing date and submitted in accordance with the instructions 
in this announcement and (2) the applicant is eligible for funding. It 
is necessary that applicants state specifically which priority area 
they are applying for. Applications will be screened for priority area 
appropriateness. Applications which pass the initial ACF screening will 
be evaluated and rated by an independent review panel on the basis 
specific evaluation criteria. The results of these reviews will assist 
the Director and ORR program staff in considering competing 
applications. Reviewers' scores will weigh heavily in funding decisions 
but will not be the only factors considered. Applications will 
generally be considered in order of the average scores assigned by 
reviewers. However, highly ranked applications are not guaranteed 
funding because other factors are taken into consideration. These 
include, but are not limited to, the number of similar types of 
existing grants or projects funded with ORR funds in the last five 
years, comments of reviewers and government officials; staff evaluation 
and input; geographic distribution; previous program performance of 
applicants; compliance with grant terms under previous ORR grants; 
audit reports; investigative reports; an applicants progress in 
resolving any final audit disallowance on previous ORR or other Federal 
agency grants. ORR will consider the geographic distribution of funds 
among States and the relative proportion of funding among rural and 
urban areas. The evaluation criteria were designed to assess the 
quality of a proposed project, and to determine the likelihood of its 
success. The evaluation criteria are closely related and are considered 
as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application. Points are 
awarded only to applications which are responsive to the evaluation 
criteria within the context of this program announcement.

[[Page 22284]]

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1. Award Notices

    Successful applicants can expect notification no later than 
September 30, 2005 (and September 30 of each succeeding year). A notice 
of award signed by the grants management officer will be mailed to the 
authorized representative. ORR will mail notification to the authorized 
representative of unsuccessful applicants.

VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    45 CFR Part 74.

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    Programmatic Reports: Semi-Annually and a final report is due 90 
days after the end of grant period.
    Financial Reports: Semi-Annually and a final report is due 90 days 
after the end of grant period.
    There are no special reporting requirements.
    Original reports and one copy should be mailed to the Grants 
Management Contact listed in section VII Agency Contacts.

VII. Agency Contacts

Program Office Contacts

    Priority Areas 1 and 2: Sue Benjamin, HHS, ACF, ORR/DCR, 370 
L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 8th Floor West, Washington, DC 20447, 
Telephone: 202-401-4851, E-mail: [email protected].
    Priority Area 3: Mitiku Ashebir, HHS, ACF, ORR/DCR, 370 L'Enfant 
Promenade, SW., 8th Floor West, Washington, DC 20447, Telephone: 202-
205-3602, E-mail: [email protected].

Grants Management Office Contact

    Sylvia Johnson, Grants Officer, HHS, ACF, Office of Grants 
Management, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, 
SW., 4th Floor West, Washington, DC 20447, Telephone: 202-401-4524, E-
mail: [email protected].

VIII. Other Information

    The Director reserves the right to award more, or less than the 
funds described in this announcement. In the absence of worthy 
applications, the Director may decide not to make an award if deemed in 
the best interest of the Government. Funding for future years, under 
this announcement, is at the Director's discretion and depends on the 
availability of appropriated funds. The Director may invite 
applications outside of the proposed closing date, if necessary, to 
respond to the needs of an imminently arriving refugee population.
    An applicant may submit more than one application under this 
announcement, but must apply separately for each priority area.
    Applications in Priority Area 1 are for project periods of up to 
three years (36 months). Awards, on a competitive basis, will be for a 
twelve (12) month budget period although project periods may be up to 
thirty-six (36) months. Applications for continuation grants funded 
under these awards, beyond the twelve (12) month budget period but 
within the thirty-six (36) month project period, will be entertained in 
subsequent years on a noncompetitive basis, subject to availability of 
funds, satisfactory progress of the grantee and a determination that 
continued funding would be in the best interest of the Government.

Priority Area 2: Unanticipated Arrivals

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Legislative Authority: This program is authorized by section 
412(c)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)(8 U.S.C. 
1522(c)(1)(A), as amended, which authorizes the Director ``to make 
grants to, and enter into contracts with, public or private nonprofit 
agencies for projects specifically designed--(i) to assist refugees in 
obtaining the skills which are necessary for economic self-sufficiency, 
including projects for job training, employment services, day care, 
professional refresher training, and other recertification services; 
(ii) to provide training in English where necessary (regardless of 
whether the refugees are employed or receiving cash or other 
assistance); and (iii) to provide where specific needs have been shown 
and recognized by the Director, health (including mental health) 
services, social services, educational and other services.''

Description

Purpose and Objectives
    Under Priority Area 2, ORR invites applications that propose 
seventeen (17) month projects for a minimum of 100 refugees annually. 
Examples of situations for which applicants may request funds for 
grants under Priority Area 2 are as follows: (1) The existing service 
system does not have culturally and linguistically compatible staff; 
and (2) refugee services do not presently exist or the service capacity 
is not sufficient to accommodate significant increases in arrivals.
    The purpose and objectives ORR seeks to achieve through Priority 
Area 2, Unanticipated Arrivals, are to provide additional resources to 
communities where the arrival of refugees is not anticipated and the 
refugee services are insufficient. Under these circumstances, resources 
are needed to provide additional service capacity to accommodate an 
increase of refugees. Through Priority Area 2--Unanticipated Arrivals, 
ORR intends to offer to communities the resources to respond to the 
unanticipated arrivals with adequate and culturally and linguistically 
appropriate social services.
    This grant program is intended to provide for services that respond 
to the needs of new refugee populations shortly after arrival into the 
community. Applicants should view these resources, therefore, as a 
temporary solution to insufficient services necessitating program 
adjustment because of the unanticipated arrival of a refugee population 
in a specific community. Planning for the application and 
implementation of the program must be done in concert with the State 
Refugee Coordinator to assure an orderly transition and complement of 
services. ORR's expectation by the end of the grant project period is 
that the State government will have incorporated services for these new 
populations into its refugee services network funded and described in 
the last semi-annual performance report. ORR expects that applicants 
will coordinate with other local organizations in considering projects 
and proposing services.
Allowable Activities
    Allowable activities in the unanticipated arrivals program are 
social services for refugees that are appropriate and accessible in 
language and culture. Services provided by all grantees, whether 
private, not-for-profit or public agencies, must comply with the 
regulations at 45 CFR sections 400.147, 400.150(a), and 400.154-156 
regarding priorities for services, eligibility for services, scope of 
services, and service requirements.
    Applications under this section should indicate how the grantee 
will ensure that (1) services are appropriate and accessible in 
language and culture, and (2) an orderly transition is achieved whereby 
services for the new populations will be incorporated into the State's 
refugee services network.

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $630,000 up to every 17 
months.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 15.

[[Page 22285]]

    Ceiling of Individual Awards: $210,000 up to every 17 months.
    The award amount is for planning purposes only.
    Floor on Amount of Individual Awards: $50,000 up to every 17 
months.
    Average Projected Award Amount: $115,000 up to every 17 months.
    Project Periods for Awards: Up to 17 months.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

County governments
City of township governments
Independent school districts
State controlled institutions of higher education
Native American tribal organizations (other Federally recognized tribal 
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
Faith-based non-profit organizations
Additional Information on Eligibility
    Non-Profit Status: 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) 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) or any of the items 
referenced 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.
    Client Eligibility: Eligibility for refugee social services 
includes: (1) Refugees; (2) asylees; (3) Cuban and Haitian entrants; 
(4) certain Amerasians from Vietnam; including U.S. citizens; (5) for 
eligibility for trafficking victims, refer to 45 CFR 400.43 and ORR 
State Letter 01-13, http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/policy/sl01-13.htm as modified by ORR State Letter 02-01 
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/policy/sl02-01.htm on trafficking 
victims. For convenience, the term ``refugee'' is used in this notice 
to encompass all such eligible persons.
    There are no pre-award additional requirements.

III.2. Cost-Sharing or Matching

    Cost sharing or matching funds are not required for applications 
submitted under this program announcement.

III.3. Other

    There is no limit on the number of applications that an 
organization can submit for this announcement.
    All applicants must have a DUNS number. 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 Federal grant applications 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 
(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 formal, 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 at 1-866-705-5711, or you may request a number 
on-line at http://www.dnb.com.
    Applications that fail to follow the required format described in 
section IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission will be 
considered non-responsive and will not be eligible for funding under 
this announcement.

IV. Application and Submission Information

IV.1 Address To Request Application Package

    Sue Benjamin, HHS, ACF, ORR/DCR, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 8th 
Floor West, Washington, DC 20447, Telephone--202-401-4851, or E-mail: 
[email protected].

IV.2 Content and Form of Application Submission

    The required application package will include the following:
Application Content
    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. Each application must include 
the following components:
1. Table of Contents
    (a) Abstract of the Proposed Project--very brief, not to exceed 250 
words, 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.
    (b) Completed Standard Form 424--that has been signed by an 
Official of the organization applying for the grant who has authority 
to obligate the organization legally.
    (c) Standard Form 424A--Budget Information Non-Construction 
Programs.
    (d) Narrative Budget Justification--for each object class category 
required under Section B, Standard Form 424A.
    (e) Project Narrative--A narrative that addresses issues described 
in the ``Application Review Information'' section of this announcement.
    Please see Section V.1. Criteria, for instructions on preparing the 
project summary/abstract and the full project description.
2. Application Format
    Submit application materials on white 8\1/2\ x 11 inch paper only. 
Do not use colored, oversized or folded materials.
    Please do not include organizational brochures or other promotional 
materials, slides, films, clip, etc.
    The font size may be no smaller than 12 pitch and the margins must 
be at least one inch on all sides.
    Please present application materials either in loose-leaf notebooks 
or in folders with pages two-hole punched at the top center and 
fastened separately with a slide paper fastener.
    Please do not include books or videotapes as they are not easily 
reproduced and are, therefore, inaccessible to the reviewers.
3. Page Limitation
    Each application narrative should not exceed 20 pages in a double 
spaced 12 pitch font. Attachments and appendices should not exceed 25 
pages and should be used only to provide supporting documentation such 
as administration charts, position descriptions, resumes, and letters 
of intent or partnership agreements. A table of contents and an

[[Page 22286]]

executive summary should be included but will not count in the page 
limitations. Each page should be numbered sequentially, including the 
attachments and appendices. This limitation of 20 pages should be 
considered a maximum, and not necessarily a goal. Application forms 
(including the Narrative Budget Justification) are not to be counted in 
the page limit. Any material submitted beyond the 20 pages will not be 
considered.
4. Forms and Certifications
    Applicants requesting financial assistance for a non-construction 
project must sign and return Standard Form 424B, Assurances: Non-
Construction Programs with their applications.
    Applications must provide a Certificate Regarding Lobbying. Prior 
to receiving an award in excess of $100,000, applicants shall furnish 
an executed copy of the lobbying certification. Applicants must sign 
and return the certification with their application.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their 
compliance with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. By 
signing and submitting the application, applicants are providing the 
certification and need not mail back a certification form.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their 
compliance with the requirements of the Pro-Children Act of 1994 as 
outlined in Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke.
    Private, non-profit organizations may voluntarily submit with their 
applications the survey located under ``Grants Related Documents and 
Forms'' titled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants'' at 
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
    You may submit your application to us in either 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 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.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.

IV.3 Submission Date and Time

    The closing date for receipt of applications is February 28, 2005 
(and February 28 of each succeeding year). Mailed applications received 
after 4:30 p.m. on the closing date will be classified as late. ACF 
will send an acknowledgement of receipt of application to the 
applicant.
    Deadline: Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an 
announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date 
at: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for 
Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, Division of 
Discretionary Grants, Attention: Sylvia Johnson, 370 L'Enfant 
Promenade, SW., 4th Floor West, 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, or by 
other representatives of the applicant shall be considered as meeting 
an announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline 
date, between the hours of 8 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 Center, 
901 D Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024, between Monday and Friday 
(excluding Federal holidays). The address must appear on the envelope/
package containing the application with the note ``Attention: Sylvia 
Johnson. (Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services 
do not always deliver as agreed.) ACF cannot accommodate transmission 
of applications by fax or e-mail.
    Late applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria 
above are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late 
applicant that its application will not be considered in the current 
competition.
    Extension of deadlines: ACF may extend application deadlines when 
circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or 
when there are widespread disruptions of mail service, or in other rare 
cases. 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          By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
                                                                 guidance in              28 of every succeeding
                                                                 ``Application            year).
                                                                 Content'' section of
                                                                 this announcement.
Abstract of Proposed Project.........  Brief abstract that      Consistent with          By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
                                        identifies the type of   guidance in              28 of every succeeding
                                        project, the target      ``Application            year).
                                        population and the       Content'' section of
                                        major elements of the    this announcement.
                                        proposed project.

[[Page 22287]]

 
Completed Standard Form 424..........  As described above and   May be found on http://  By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
                                        per required form.       www.acf.hhs.gov/         28 of every succeeding
                                                                 programs/orr/funding.    year).
Completed Standard Form 424A.........  As described above and   May be found on http://  By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
                                        per required form.       www.acf.hhs.gov/         28 of every succeeding
                                                                 programs/orr/funding.    year).
Narrative Budget Justification.......  As described above.....  Consistent with          By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
                                                                 guidance in              28 of every succeeding
                                                                 ``Application            year).
                                                                 Content'' section of
                                                                 this announcement.
Project Narrative....................  A narrative that         Consistent with          By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
                                        addresses issues         guidance in              28 of every succeeding
                                        described in the         ``Application            year).
                                        ``Application Review     Content'' section of
                                        Information'' section    this announcement.
                                        of this announcement.
Completed Standard Form 424B.........  As described above and   May be found on http://  By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
                                        per required form.       www.acf.hhs.gov/         28 of every succeeding
                                                                 programs/orr/funding.    year).
Certification Regarding Lobbying.....  As described above and   May be found on http://  By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
                                        per required form.       www.acf.hhs.gov/         28 of every succeeding
                                                                 programs/orr/funding.    year).
Certification Regarding Environmental  As described above and   May be found on http://  By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
 Tobacco Smoke.                         per required form.       www.acf.hhs.gov/         28 of every succeeding
                                                                 programs/orr/funding.    year).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additional Forms: Private, non-profit organizations may voluntarily 
submit with their applications the survey located under ``Grants 
Related Documents and Forms'' titled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit 
Grant Applicants'' at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity   As described above and   May be found on http://  By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
 for Applicants.                        per required form.       www.acf.hhs.gov/         28 of every succeeding
                                                                 programs/ofs/forms.htm.  year).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV.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 October 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 a 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, Office of Grants Management, Division of 
Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 
20447.
    The official list, including addresses, of the jurisdictions 
elected to participate in E.O. 12372 can be found on the following URL: 
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

IV.5 Funding Restrictions

    Pre-award costs are not allowable charges to this program grant.
    Construction is not an allowable activity or expenditure under this 
solicitation.

IV.6 Other Submission Requirements

    Electronic Address to Submit Applications: www.Grants.gov. Please 
see Section IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission, for 
guidelines and requirements when submitting applications 
electronically.
    Submission by Mail: Mailed applications shall be considered as 
meeting an announced deadline if they are received on or before the 
deadline date at: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, 
Division of Discretionary Grants, Attention: Sylvia Johnson, 370

[[Page 22288]]

L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 4th Floor West, 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, or by other representatives of the applicant shall be 
considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are received on or 
before the deadline date, between the hours of 8 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 Center, 901 D Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024, 
between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). The address 
must appear on the envelope/package containing the application with the 
note ``Attention: Sylvia Johnson. (Applicants are cautioned that 
express/overnight mail services do not always deliver as agreed.) ACF 
cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax or e-mail.

V. Application Review Information

V.1. Criteria

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub.L. 104-13)
    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 information.
    The project description is approved under OMB control number 0970-
0139 which expires 03/31/2004.
    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 number.
Instructions: ACF Uniform Project Description (UPD)
    The following are instructions and guidelines on how to prepare the 
``project summary/abstract'' and ``Full Project Description'' sections 
of the application. The generic UPD requirement is followed by the 
evaluation criterion specific to the Standing Announcement for Services 
to Recently Arrived Refugees Grant legislation.
Introduction
    Applicants required to submit a full project description shall 
prepare the project description statement in accordance with the 
following instructions and the specified evaluation criteria. The 
instructions give a broad overview of what your project description 
should include while the evaluation criteria expands and clarifies more 
program-specific information that is needed.
Project Summary/Abstract
    Provide a summary of the project description (a page or less) with 
reference to the funding request.
Objectives and Need for Assistance
    Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, 
institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need 
for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate 
objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting 
documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from 
concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any 
relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred 
to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and 
participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In developing the 
project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to 
provide information on the total range of projects currently being 
conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may be 
outside the scope of the program announcement.
Results or Benefits Expected
    Identify the results and benefits to be derived.
Approach
    Outline a plan of action which describes the scope and detail of 
how the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions 
or activities identified in the application. Cite factors which might 
accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the 
proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of 
the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in 
cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement.
    Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the 
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such 
terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities 
accomplished. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or 
function, list them in chronological order to show the schedule of 
accomplishments and their target dates.
    If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated, 
clearance may be required from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB). This clearance pertains to any ``collection of information that 
is conducted or sponsored by ACF.''
    List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key 
individuals who will work on the project along with a short description 
of the nature of their effort or contribution.
Staff and Position Data
    Provide a biographical sketch for each key person appointed and a 
job description for each vacant key position. A biographical sketch 
will also be required for new key staff as appointed.
Organizational Profiles
    Provide information on the applicant organization(s) and 
cooperating partners such as organizational charts, financial 
statements, audit reports or statements from CPAs/Licensed Public 
Accountants, Employer Identification Numbers, names of bond carriers, 
contact persons and telephone numbers, child care licenses and other 
documentation of professional accreditation, information on compliance 
with Federal/State/local government standards, documentation of 
experience in the program area, and other pertinent information.
    Any non-profit organization submitting an application must submit 
proof of its non-profit status in its application at the time of 
submission. Any non-profit organization submitting an application must 
submit proof of its non-profit status in this 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

[[Page 22289]]

terms and conditions that structure or define the relationship.
Letters of Support
    Provide statements from community, public and commercial leaders 
that support the project proposed for funding. All submissions should 
be included in the application OR by application deadline.
Budget and Budget Justification
    Provide line item detail and detailed calculations for each budget 
object class identified on the Budget Information form. Detailed 
calculations must include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, 
and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to 
be duplicated. The detailed budget must also include a breakout by the 
funding sources identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
    Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the 
categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, 
and allocability of the proposed costs.
General
    The following guidelines are for preparing the budget and budget 
justification. Both Federal and non-Federal resources shall be detailed 
and justified in the budget and narrative justification. For purposes 
of preparing the budget and budget justification, ``Federal resources'' 
refers only to the ACF grant for which you are applying. Non-Federal 
resources are all other Federal and non-Federal resources. It is 
suggested that budget amounts and computations be presented in a 
columnar format: first column, object class categories; second column, 
Federal budget; next column(s), non-Federal budget(s), and last column, 
total budget. The budget justification should be a narrative.
Personnel
    Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.
    Justification: Identify the project director or principal 
investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time 
commitment to the project (in months), time commitment to the project 
(as a percentage or full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant salary, 
wage rates, etc. Do not include the costs of consultants or personnel 
costs of delegate agencies or of specific project(s) or businesses to 
be financed by the applicant.
Fringe Benefits
    Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated as 
part of an approved indirect cost rate.
    Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages 
that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, 
retirement insurance, taxes, etc.
Travel
    Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the 
applicant organization (does not include costs of consultant travel).
    Justification: For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s), 
travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if 
privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs 
and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend ACF-
sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.
Equipment
    Description: ``Equipment'' means an article of nonexpendable, 
tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year 
and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of (a) the 
capitalization level established by the organization for the financial 
statement purposes, or (b) $5,000. (Note: Acquisition cost means the 
net invoice unit price of an item of equipment, including the cost of 
any modifications, attachments, accessories, or auxiliary apparatus 
necessary to make it usable for the purpose for which it is acquired. 
Ancillary charges, such as taxes, duty, protective in-transit 
insurance, freight, and installation shall be included in or excluded 
from acquisition cost in accordance with the organization's regular 
written accounting practices.)
    Justification: For each type of equipment requested, provide a 
description of the equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units, 
the total cost, and a plan for use on the project, as well as use or 
disposal of the equipment after the project ends. An applicant 
organization that uses its own definition for equipment should provide 
a copy of its policy or section of its policy which includes the 
equipment definition.
Supplies
    Description: Costs of all tangible personal property other than 
that included under the Equipment category.
    Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their 
costs. Show computations and provide other information which supports 
the amount requested.
Contractual
    Description: Costs of all contracts for services and goods except 
for those which belong under other categories such as equipment, 
supplies, construction, etc. Third-party evaluation contracts (if 
applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient organizations, 
including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or businesses to be 
financed by the applicant, should be included under this category.
    Justification: All procurement transactions shall be conducted in a 
manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical, open and free 
competition. Recipients and sub-recipients, other than States that are 
required to use Part 92 procedures, must justify any anticipated 
procurement action that is expected to be awarded without competition 
and exceed the simplified acquisition threshold fixed at 41 U.S.C. 
403(11). Recipients might be required to make available to ACF pre-
award review and procurement documents, such as request for proposals 
or invitations for bids, independent cost estimates, etc.

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

Other
    Enter the total of all other costs. Such costs, where applicable 
and appropriate, may include but are not limited to insurance, food, 
medical and dental costs (non-contractual), professional services 
costs, space and equipment rentals, printing and publication, computer 
use, training costs, such as tuition and stipends, staff development 
costs, and administrative costs.
    Justification: Provide computations, a narrative description and a 
justification for each cost under this category.
Indirect Charges
    Description: Total amount of indirect costs. This category should 
be used only when the applicant currently has an indirect cost rate 
approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or 
another cognizant Federal agency.
    Justification: An applicant that will charge indirect costs to the 
grant must enclose a copy of the current rate agreement. If the 
applicant organization is in the process of initially developing or 
renegotiating a rate, it should immediately upon notification that an 
award will be made, develop a tentative

[[Page 22290]]

indirect cost rate proposal based on its most recently completed fiscal 
year in accordance with the principles set forth in the cognizant 
agency's guidelines for establishing indirect cost rates, and submit it 
to the cognizant agency. Applicants awaiting approval of their indirect 
cost proposals may also request indirect costs. It should be noted that 
when an indirect cost rate is requested, those costs included in the 
indirect cost pool should not also be charged as direct costs to the 
grant. Also, if the applicant is requesting a rate which is less than 
what is allowed under the program, the authorized representative of the 
applicant organization must submit a signed acknowledgment that the 
applicant is accepting a lower rate than allowed.
Program Income
    Description: The estimated amount of income, if any, expected to be 
generated from this project.
    Justification: Describe the nature, source and anticipated use of 
program income in the budget or refer to the pages in the application 
which contain this information.
Nonfederal Resources
    Description: Amounts of non-Federal resources that will be used to 
support the project as identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
    Justification: The firm commitment of these resources must be 
documented and submitted with the application in order to be given 
credit in the review process. A detailed budget must be prepared for 
each funding source.
Evaluation Criteria
    Criterion 1. Objectives and Need--The application establishes that 
the unanticipated number of at least 100 refugees or more is 
significant relative to the resident population. The applicant 
documents the most recent 12-month period of refugee arrivals, both 
anticipated and unanticipated. The application includes a description 
of the need for services and how funding through the Unanticipated 
Arrivals program would meet those needs. The application, supported by 
a letter from the relevant voluntary agency, documents the planned 
projections of refugees for the next 12 months. (25 points)
    Criterion 2. Results or Benefits Expected--The application clearly 
describes the project goals; appropriateness of the performance 
measures to the project activities; appropriateness of the performance 
outcomes and the results and benefits to be achieved. The application 
describes how the impact of the funds will be measured on key 
indicators associated with the purpose of the project. Proposed 
outcomes are measurable and achievable within the grant project period, 
and the proposed monitoring and information collection is adequately 
planned and can be feasibly implemented within the proposed timelines. 
(25 points)
    Criterion 3. Approach--The strategy and plan are likely to achieve 
the proposed results; the proposed activities and timeframes are 
reasonable and feasible. The plan describes in detail how the proposed 
activities will be accomplished as well as the potential for the 
project to increase the available services for unanticipated arriving 
refugees. Assurance is provided that proposed services will be 
delivered in a manner that is linguistically and culturally appropriate 
to the target population. Where coalition partners are proposed, the 
applicant has described each partner agency's respective role and 
financial responsibilities, and how the activities to be implemented by 
the coalition will enhance the accomplishment of the project goals. The 
applicant documents the planning consultation efforts and activities 
undertaken to achieve an orderly transition of services for these new 
populations. The State Refugee Coordinator indicates an interest in 
continuing these services to the Unanticipated Arrivals through their 
State formula social service funds. (20 points)
    Criterion 4. Organizational Profiles--Individual organization 
staff, including volunteers, are well qualified. The administrative and 
management features of the project, including a plan for fiscal and 
programmatic management of each activity, are described in detail with 
proposed start-up times, ongoing timelines, major milestones or 
benchmarks, a component/project organization chart, and a staffing 
chart. Evidence of commitment of any coalition partners in implementing 
the activities is demonstrated, e.g., by Memorandums of Understanding 
(MOUs) among participants. Discuss instances of managing grants of the 
same size as you are requesting here. (15 points)
    Criterion 5. Budget and Budget Justification--The budget and 
narrative justification are reasonable, clearly presented, and cost-
effective in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated 
results. (15 points)

V.2. Review and Selection Process

    Each application submitted under this program announcement will 
undergo a pre-review to determine that (1) the application was received 
by the closing date and submitted in accordance with the instructions 
in this announcement and (2) the applicant is eligible for funding. It 
is necessary that applicants state specifically which priority area 
they are applying for. Applications will be screened for priority area 
appropriateness. If applications are found to be inappropriate for the 
priority area in which they are submitted, applicants will be contacted 
for verbal approval of redirection to a more appropriate priority area. 
Applications which pass the initial ACF screening will be evaluated and 
rated by an independent review panel on the basis specific evaluation 
criteria. The results of these reviews will assist the Director and ORR 
program staff in considering competing applications. Reviewers' scores 
will weigh heavily in funding decisions but will not be the only 
factors considered. Applications will generally be considered in order 
of the average scores assigned by reviewers. However, highly ranked 
applications are not guaranteed funding because other factors are taken 
into consideration. These include, but are not limited to, the number 
of similar types of existing grants or projects funded with ORR funds 
in the last five years, comments of reviewers and government officials; 
staff evaluation and input; geographic distribution; previous program 
performance of applicants; compliance with grant terms under previous 
ORR grants; audit reports; investigative reports; an applicants 
progress in resolving any final audit disallowance on previous ORR or 
other Federal agency grants. ORR will consider the geographic 
distribution of funds among States and the relative proportion of 
funding among rural and urban areas. The evaluation criteria were 
designed to assess the quality of a proposed project, and to determine 
the likelihood of its success. The evaluation criteria are closely 
related and are considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of 
an application. Points are awarded only to applications which are 
responsive to the evaluation criteria within the context of this 
program announcement.

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1. Award Notices

    Successful applicants can expect notification no later than 
September 30, 2005 (and September 30 of each succeeding year). A notice 
of award signed by the grants management officer will be mailed to the 
authorized representative. ORR will mail

[[Page 22291]]

notification to the authorized representative of unsuccessful 
applicants.

VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    45 CFR Part 74.

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    Programmatic Reports: Semi-Annually and a final report is due 90 
days after the end of grant period.
    Financial Reports: Semi-Annually and a final report is due 90 days 
after the end of grant period.
    There are no special reporting requirements.
    Original reports and one copy should be mailed to the Grants 
Management Contact listed in section VII Agency Contacts.

VII. Agency Contacts

Program Office Contacts

    Priority Areas 1 and 2: Sue Benjamin, HHS, ACF, ORR/DCR, 370 
L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 8th Floor West, Washington, DC 20447, 
Telephone: 202-401-4851, E-mail: [email protected].
    Priority Area 3: Mitiku Ashebir, HHS, ACF, ORR/DCR, 370 L'Enfant 
Promenade, SW., 8th Floor West, Washington, DC 20447, Telephone: 202-
205-3602, E-mail: [email protected].

Grants Management Office Contact

    Sylvia Johnson, Grants Officer, HHS, ACF, Office of Grants 
Management, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, 
SW., 4th Floor West, Telephone: 202-401-4524, Washington, DC 20447, E-
mail: [email protected].

VIII. Other Information

    The Director reserves the right to award more, or less than the 
funds described in this announcement. In the absence of worthy 
applications, the Director may decide not to make an award if deemed in 
the best interest of the Government. Funding for future years, under 
this announcement, is at the Director's discretion and depends on the 
availability of appropriated funds. The Director may invite 
applications outside of the proposed closing date, if necessary, to 
respond to the needs of an imminently arriving refugee population.
    An applicant may submit more than one application under this 
announcement, but must apply separately for each priority area.
    Applications in Priority Area 2 are for project periods and budget 
periods of up to seventeen (17) months.

Priority Area 3: Ethnic Community Self-Help

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Legislative Authority: This program is authorized by section 
412(c)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. 
1522(c)(1)(A)), as amended, which authorizes the Director ``to make 
grants to, and enter into contracts with, public or private nonprofit 
agencies for projects specifically designed--(i) to assist refugees in 
obtaining the skills which are necessary for economic self-sufficiency, 
including projects for job training, employment services, day care, 
professional refresher training, and other recertification services; 
(ii) to provide training in English where necessary (regardless of 
whether the refugees are employed or receiving cash or other 
assistance); and (iii) to provide where specific needs have been shown 
and recognized by the Director, health (including mental health) 
services, social services, educational and other services.''

Description

Purpose and Objectives
    The objective of this program is to provide assistance to organized 
ethnic communities comprised and representative of refugee populations. 
ORR's intended purpose is to build bridges among refugee communities 
and community resources. ORR is interested in applications from 
national, regional (multi-state), or local refugee community 
organizations that address community building, facilitate cultural 
adjustment and integration of refugees, and deliver mutually supportive 
functions such as information exchange, civic participation, resource 
enhancement, orientation and support to newly arriving refugees and 
public education to the larger community on the background, needs and 
potential of refugees.
    Respondents to this program category will be of two general types:
    (1) Multi-site or national ethnic organizations which propose to 
develop or strengthen local ethnic groups and/or a national network of 
ethnic entities for purposes of linking refugees to community resources 
and promoting and strengthening community participation; or,
    (2) Emerging local ethnic communities which seek to function as 
bridges between newly arrived refugees and mainstream local resources 
and organizations.
    A robust community is one that has the capacity to generate and 
control its own resources, determine its own goals, set priorities, 
plan and mobilize a cross-section of community members, including the 
elderly, women and youth, to work together to achieve these goals and 
to create collaborations with others from within and outside the 
community to further these goals.
    ORR recognizes that one key factor in strengthening communities is 
the development of strong community-based organizations (CBOs). A 
strong ethnic organization can tap into the community's interest in 
self-help, improving services, supporting community leaders, attracting 
resources by exploring various opportunities and collaborating with 
mainstream agencies and groups, and at the same time, remain 
accountable to the community. These community based ethnic 
organizations may be faith-based.
    Strong CBOs can also facilitate positive interaction between 
refugees and established residents in mainstream communities. The 
ability to organize and to voice their concerns collectively gives 
refugees a better sense of identity and hope for their own and their 
community's future. Refugee self-help groups can be important building 
blocks for effective resettlement and can function as bridges between 
the refugee community and local resources by paving the way for smooth 
integration and positive and productive community relations.
    Many refugees who arrived in this country during the past century 
organized themselves around self-help in order to assist their own 
members, to foster long-term community growth, to preserve their 
cultural heritage, and to assist community members in securing 
employment and other social services. Many refugees who have come to 
the United States in recent years have not yet organized; consequently, 
they may be experiencing barriers to accessing mainstream resources and 
to participating fully in economic, social, and civic activities in the 
larger community.
    ORR has found that effective refugee self-help groups result in: a 
shared vision of the community's future which inspires members to work 
together to secure that future; a perception of refugees not as needy 
recipients but as active partners in their integration into their 
communities; a link between individual self-sufficiency and community 
self-reliance; local communities which apply their own cultural, civic 
and socio-economic values to long-term strategies and programs; a role 
for refugees as decision-makers on community needs, program responses, 
and service delivery systems; local resources that stay within

[[Page 22292]]

the community; collaboration among refugee and mainstream service 
providers, policy makers, and public and private institutions.
    In recognition of the special vulnerability of newly arrived 
populations, ORR intends to provide support to refugee ethnic 
communities who have significant populations in the United States 
within the last ten years. Awards will be based on the applicant's 
documentation and justification of such factors as community service 
needs and sound organizational and service delivery systems and 
available resources or a plan for such, aimed at mutual assistance in 
the community.
Allowable Activities
    1. National organization applicants to this notice may propose 
activities that may include, but are not limited to, the following: 
organizing newly arriving refugees for self-help and mutual assistance, 
organizational and leadership development, civic participation; 
inspiring self-determination; linking technical assistance and 
resources for local ethnic communities; orientation on the background 
and potential of refugees to the larger community, establishing and 
strengthening links with institutions such as schools, crime prevention 
and law enforcement entities promoting mediation and constructive 
conflict resolution, promoting health and mental health services and 
augmenting agency linkages via internet connections; facilitating 
information dissemination on ethnic-specific issues; or convening of 
national or regional meetings and/or conference calls.
    2. Local ethnic self-help applicants to this notice may propose any 
of the following activities: self-help organizing efforts, orientation 
designed to inform the refugee community about issues essential to 
functioning effectively in the new society; focused orientation and 
assistance to parents in connecting with school systems; dissemination 
of information on access to community health and mental health 
services, including health care for the uninsured, health insurance, 
health maintenance organizations, the importance of preventive health, 
required immunizations, and available universal coverage; pairing 
refugee individuals or families with community volunteers; enhancing 
and facilitating refugee rural resettlement efforts, information and 
training on the roles of men and women in the U.S. culture, such as, 
information on healthy marriage education programs and partnerships 
with healthy marriage community and faith-based programs; information 
on laws regarding child welfare, child abuse and neglect; information 
on sexual harassment and coercion, and domestic violence; bilingual 
staff assistance for women's shelters, and techniques for self-
protection and safety; activities designed to improve relations between 
refugees and law enforcement entities; community training for such 
activities as civic organizing, resource strategies, and non-profit 
management and accountability.
    The above are examples of services. Applicants may propose other 
relevant services and may request funds to cover core or general 
operating expenses. In all instances, however, activities must be 
designed to supplement, rather than to supplant or duplicate, the 
existing array of refugee services available in the community.
    Planning and coalition-building should be guided by the overarching 
goal of improving the economic condition of refugee families and of 
giving them the information needed to achieve economic self-sufficiency 
and social and civic integration into their new country and their new 
communities.
Non-Allowable Activities
    Funds will not be awarded to applicants for the purpose of engaging 
in activities of a distinctly political nature, activities designed 
exclusively to promote the preservation of a specific cultural 
heritage, or activities with an international objective (i.e., 
activities related to events in the refugees' country of origin).

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $1,400,000 per 12 months.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 15-20.
    Ceiling of Individual Awards: $200,000 per 12 months.
    The award amount is for planning purposes only.
    Floor on Amount of Individual Awards: $100,000 per 12 months.
    Average Projected Award Amount: $130,000 per 12 months.
    Project Periods for Awards: Up to 36 months.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

County governments
City of township governments
Independent school districts
State controlled institutions of higher education
Native American tribal organizations (other Federally recognized tribal 
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
Faith-based non-profit organizations
Additional Information on Eligibility
    Non-Profit Status: 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) 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) or any of the items 
referenced 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.
    Client Eligibility: Eligibility for refugee social services 
includes: (1) Refugees; (2) asylees; (3) Cuban and Haitian entrants; 
(4) certain Amerasians from Vietnam; including U.S. citizens; (5) for 
eligibility for trafficking victims refer to 45 CFR 400.43 and ORR 
State Letter 01-13, http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/policy/sl01-13.htm as modified by ORR State Letter 02-01 
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/policy/sl02-01.htm on trafficking 
victims. For convenience, the term ``refugee'' is used in this notice 
to encompass all such eligible persons.
    There are no pre-award additional requirements.

III.2. Cost-Sharing or Matching

    Cost sharing or matching funds are not required for applications 
submitted under this program announcement.

III.3. Other

    There is no limit on the number of applications that an 
organization can submit for this announcement.
    All applicants must have a DUNS number. 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 Federal

[[Page 22293]]

grant applications 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 (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 
formal, 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 at 1-866-705-5711, or you may request a number 
on-line at http://www.dnb.com.
    Applications that fail to follow the required format described in 
section IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission will be 
considered non-responsive and will not be eligible for funding under 
this announcement.

IV. Application and Submission Information

IV.1 Address To Request Application Package

    Mitiku Ashebir, HHS, ACF, ORR/DCR, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 8th 
Floor West, Washington, DC 20447, Telephone--202-401-4851, E-mail: 
[email protected].

IV.2 Content and Form of Application Submission

    The required application package will include the following:
Application Content
    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. Each application must include 
the following components:
1. Table of Contents
    (a) Abstract of the Proposed Project--very brief, not to exceed 250 
words, 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.
    (b) Completed Standard Form 424--that has been signed by an 
Official of the organization applying for the grant who has authority 
to obligate the organization legally.
    (c) Standard Form 424A--Budget Information Non-Construction 
Programs.
    (d) Narrative Budget Justification--for each object class category 
required under Section B., Standard Form 424A.
    (e) Project Narrative--A narrative that addresses issues described 
in the ``Application Review Information'' section of this announcement.
    Please see Section V.1. Criteria, for instructions on preparing the 
project summary/abstract and the full project description.
2. Application Format
    Submit application materials on white 8\1/2\ x 11 inch paper only. 
Do not use colored, oversized or folded materials.
    Please do not include organizational brochures or other promotional 
materials, slides, films, clips, etc.
    The font size may be no smaller than 12 pitch and the margins must 
be at least one inch on all sides.
    Please present application materials either in loose-leaf notebooks 
or in folders with pages two-hole punched at the top center and 
fastened separately with a slide paper fastener.
    Please do not include books or videotapes as they are not easily 
reproduced and are, therefore, inaccessible to the reviewers.
3. Page Limitation
    Each application narrative should not exceed 20 pages in a double 
spaced 12 pitch font. Attachments and appendices should not exceed 25 
pages and should be used only to provide supporting documentation such 
as administration charts, position descriptions, resumes, and letters 
of intent or partnership agreements. A table of contents and an 
executive summary should be included but will not count in the page 
limitations. Each page should be numbered sequentially, including the 
attachments and appendices. This limitation of 20 pages should be 
considered a maximum, and not necessarily a goal. Application forms 
(including the Narrative Budget Justification) are not to be counted in 
the page limit. Any material submitted beyond the 20 pages will not be 
considered.
4. Forms and Certifications
    Applicants requesting financial assistance for a non-construction 
project must sign and return Standard Form 424B, Assurances: Non-
Construction Programs with their applications.
    Applications must provide a Certificate Regarding Lobbying. Prior 
to receiving an award in excess of $100,000, applicants shall furnish 
an executed copy of the lobbying certification. Applicants must sign 
and return the certification with their application.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their 
compliance with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. By 
signing and submitting the application, applicants are providing the 
certification and need not mail back a certification form.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their 
compliance with the requirements of the Pro-Children Act of 1994 as 
outlined in Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke.
    Private, non-profit organizations may voluntarily submit with their 
applications the survey located under ``Grants Related Documents and 
Forms'' titled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants'' at 
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
    You may submit your application to us in either 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 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

[[Page 22294]]

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.

IV.3 Submission Date and Time

    The closing date for receipt of applications is February 28, 2005 
(and February 28 of each succeeding year). Mailed applications received 
after 4:30 p.m. on the closing date will be classified as late. ACF 
will send an acknowledgement of receipt of application to the 
applicant.
    Deadline: Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an 
announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date 
at: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for 
Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, Division of 
Discretionary Grants, Attention: Sylvia Johnson, 370 L'Enfant 
Promenade, SW., 4th Floor West, 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, or by 
other representatives of the applicant shall be considered as meeting 
an announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline 
date, between the hours of 8 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 (near loading dock), Aerospace Center, 901 D Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20024, between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal 
holidays). The address must appear on the envelope/package containing 
the application with the note ``Attention: Sylvia Johnson.'' 
(Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not 
always deliver as agreed.) ACF cannot accommodate transmission of 
applications by fax or e-mail.
    Late applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria 
above are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late 
applicant that its application will not be considered in the current 
competition.
    Extension of deadlines: ACF may extend application deadlines when 
circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or 
when there are widespread disruptions of mail service, or in other rare 
cases. 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          By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
                                                                 guidance in              28 of every succeeding
                                                                 ``Application            year).
                                                                 Content'' section of
                                                                 this announcement.
Abstract of Proposed Project.........  Brief abstract that      Consistent with          By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
                                        identifies the type of   guidance in              28 of every succeeding
                                        project, the target      ``Application            year).
                                        population and the       Content'' section of
                                        major elements of the    this announcement.
                                        proposed project.
Completed Standard Form 424..........  As described above and   May be found on http://  By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
                                        per required form.       www.acf.hhs.gov/         28 of every succeeding
                                                                 programs/orr/funding.    year).
Completed Standard Form 424A.........  As described above and   May be found on http://  By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
                                        per required form.       www.acf.hhs.gov/         28 of every succeeding
                                                                 programs/orr/funding.    year).
Narrative Budget Justification.......  As described above.....  Consistent with          By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
                                                                 guidance in              28 of every succeeding
                                                                 ``Application            year).
                                                                 Content'' section of
                                                                 this announcement.
Project Narrative....................  A narrative that         Consistent with          By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
                                        addresses issues         guidance in              28 of every succeeding
                                        described in the         ``Application            year).
                                        ``Application Review     Content'' section of
                                        Information'' section    this announcement.
                                        of this announcement.
Completed Standard Form 424B.........  As described above and   May be found on http://  By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
                                        per required form.       www.acf.hhs.gov/         28 of every succeeding
                                                                 programs/orr/funding.    year).
Certification Regarding Lobbying.....  As described above and   May be found on http://  By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
                                        per required form.       www.acf.hhs.gov/         28 of every succeeding
                                                                 programs/orr/funding.    year).
Certification Regarding Environmental  As described above and   May be found on http://  By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
 Tobacco Smoke.                         per required form.       www.acf.hhs.gov/         28 of every succeeding
                                                                 programs/orr/funding.    year).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additional Forms: Private, non-profit organizations may voluntarily 
submit with their applications the survey located under ``Grants 
Related Documents and Forms'' titled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit 
Grant Applicants'' at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity   As described above and   May be found on http://  By 02/28/05 (and by 02/
 for Applicants.                        per required form.       www.acf.hhs.gov/         28 of every succeeding
                                                                 programs/ofs/forms.htm.  year).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 22295]]

IV.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 October 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 a 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, Office of Grants Management, Division of 
Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 
20447.
    The official list, including addresses, of the jurisdictions 
elected to participate in E.O. 12372 can be found on the following URL: 
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

IV.5 Funding Restrictions

    Pre-award costs are not allowable charges to this program grant. 
Construction is not an allowable activity or expenditure under this 
solicitation.

IV.6 Other Submission Requirements

    Electronic Address to Submit Applications: www.Grants.gov.
    Please see Section IV.2. Content and Form of Application 
Submission, for guidelines and requirements when submitting 
applications electronically.
    Submission by Mail: Mailed applications shall be considered as 
meeting an announced deadline if they are received on or before the 
deadline date at: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, 
Division of Discretionary Grants, Attention: Sylvia Johnson, 370 
L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 4th Floor West, 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, or by other representatives of the applicant shall be 
considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are received on or 
before the deadline date, between the hours of 8 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 Center, 901 D Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024, 
between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). The address 
must appear on the envelope/package containing the application with the 
note ``Attention: Sylvia Johnson. (Applicants are cautioned that 
express/overnight mail services do not always deliver as agreed.) ACF 
cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax or e-mail.

V. Application Review Information

V.1. Criteria

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13)
    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 information.
    The project description is approved under OMB control number 0970-
0139 which expires 03/31/2004.
    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 number.
Instructions: ACF Uniform Project Description (UPD)
    The following are instructions and guidelines on how to prepare the 
``project summary/abstract'' and ``Full Project Description'' sections 
of the application. The generic UPD requirement is followed by the 
evaluation criterion specific to the Standing Announcement for Services 
to Recently Arrived Refugees Grant legislation.
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

[[Page 22296]]

developing the project description, the applicant may volunteer or be 
requested to provide information on the total range of projects 
currently being conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of 
which may be outside the scope of the program announcement.
Results or Benefits Expected
    Identify the results and benefits to be derived.
Approach
    Outline a plan of action which describes the scope and detail of 
how the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions 
or activities identified in the application. Cite factors which might 
accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the 
proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of 
the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in 
cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement.
    Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the 
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such 
terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities 
accomplished. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or 
function, list them in chronological order to show the schedule of 
accomplishments and their target dates.
    If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated, 
clearance may be required from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB). This clearance pertains to any ``collection of information that 
is conducted or sponsored by ACF.''
    List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key 
individuals who will work on the project along with a short description 
of the nature of their effort or contribution.
Staff and Position Data
    Provide a biographical sketch for each key person appointed and a 
job description for each vacant key position. A biographical sketch 
will also be required for new key staff as appointed.
Organizational Profiles
    Provide information on the applicant organization(s) and 
cooperating partners such as organizational charts, financial 
statements, audit reports or statements from CPAs/Licensed Public 
Accountants, Employer Identification Numbers, names of bond carriers, 
contact persons and telephone numbers, child care licenses and other 
documentation of professional accreditation, information on compliance 
with Federal/State/local government standards, documentation of 
experience in the program area, and other pertinent information.
    Any non-profit organization submitting an application must submit 
proof of its non-profit status in its application at the time of 
submission. The non-profit agency can accomplish this by providing a 
copy of the applicant's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) 
most recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in Section 
501(c)(3) of the IRS code, or by providing a copy of the currently 
valid IRS tax exemption certificate, or by providing a copy of the 
articles of incorporation bearing the seal of the State in which the 
corporation or association is domiciled.
Third-Party Agreements
    Include written agreements between grantees and 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.
Budget and Budget Justification
    Provide line item detail and detailed calculations for each budget 
object class identified on the Budget Information form. Detailed 
calculations must include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, 
and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to 
be duplicated. The detailed budget must also include a breakout by the 
funding sources identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
    Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the 
categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, 
and allocability of the proposed costs.
General
    The following guidelines are for preparing the budget and budget 
justification. Both Federal and non-Federal resources shall be detailed 
and justified in the budget and narrative justification. For purposes 
of preparing the budget and budget justification, ``Federal resources'' 
refers only to the ACF grant for which you are applying. Non-Federal 
resources are all other Federal and non-Federal resources. It is 
suggested that budget amounts and computations be presented in a 
columnar format: First column, object class categories; second column, 
Federal budget; next column(s), non-Federal budget(s), and last column, 
total budget. The budget justification should be a narrative.
Personnel
    Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.
    Justification: Identify the project director or principal 
investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time 
commitment to the project (in months), time commitment to the project 
(as a percentage or full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant salary, 
wage rates, etc. Do not include the costs of consultants or personnel 
costs of delegate agencies or of specific project(s) or businesses to 
be financed by the applicant.
Fringe Benefits
    Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated as 
part of an approved indirect cost rate.
    Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages 
that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, 
retirement insurance, taxes, etc.
Travel
    Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the 
applicant organization (does not include costs of consultant travel).
    Justification: For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s), 
travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if 
privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs 
and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend ACF-
sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.
Equipment
    Description: ``Equipment'' means an article of nonexpendable, 
tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year 
and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of (a) the 
capitalization level established by the organization for the financial 
statement purposes, or (b) $5,000. (Note: Acquisition cost means the 
net invoice unit price of an item of equipment, including the cost of 
any modifications, attachments, accessories, or auxiliary apparatus 
necessary to make it usable for the purpose for which it is acquired. 
Ancillary charges, such as taxes, duty, protective in-transit 
insurance, freight,

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and installation shall be included in or excluded from acquisition cost 
in accordance with the organization's regular written accounting 
practices.)
    Justification: For each type of equipment requested, provide a 
description of the equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units, 
the total cost, and a plan for use on the project, as well as use or 
disposal of the equipment after the project ends. An applicant 
organization that uses its own definition for equipment should provide 
a copy of its policy or section of its policy which includes the 
equipment definition.
Supplies
    Description: Costs of all tangible personal property other than 
that included under the Equipment category.
    Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their 
costs. Show computations and provide other information which supports 
the amount requested.
Contractual
    Description: Costs of all contracts for services and goods except 
for those which belong under other categories such as equipment, 
supplies, construction, etc. Third-party evaluation contracts (if 
applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient organizations, 
including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or businesses to be 
financed by the applicant, should be included under this category.
    Justification: All procurement transactions shall be conducted in a 
manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical, open and free 
competition. Recipients and sub-recipients, other than States that are 
required to use Part 92 procedures, must justify any anticipated 
procurement action that is expected to be awarded without competition 
and exceed the simplified acquisition threshold fixed at 41 U.S.C. 
403(11). Recipients might be required to make available to ACF pre-
award review and procurement documents, such as request for proposals 
or invitations for bids, independent cost estimates, etc. Note: 
Whenever the applicant intends to delegate part of the project to 
another agency, the applicant must provide a detailed budget and budget 
narrative for each delegate agency, by agency title, along with the 
required supporting information referred to in these instructions.
Other
    Enter the total of all other costs. Such costs, where applicable 
and appropriate, may include but are not limited to insurance, food, 
medical and dental costs (non-contractual), professional services 
costs, space and equipment rentals, printing and publication, computer 
use, training costs, such as tuition and stipends, staff development 
costs, and administrative costs.
    Justification: Provide computations, a narrative description and a 
justification for each cost under this category.
Indirect Charges
    Description: Total amount of indirect costs. This category should 
be used only when the applicant currently has an indirect cost rate 
approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or 
another cognizant Federal agency.
    Justification: An applicant that will charge indirect costs to the 
grant must enclose a copy of the current rate agreement. If the 
applicant organization is in the process of initially developing or 
renegotiating a rate, it should immediately upon notification that an 
award will be made, develop a tentative indirect cost rate proposal 
based on its most recently completed fiscal year in accordance with the 
principles set forth in the cognizant agency's guidelines for 
establishing indirect cost rates, and submit it to the cognizant 
agency. Applicants awaiting approval of their indirect cost proposals 
may also request indirect costs. It should be noted that when an 
indirect cost rate is requested, those costs included in the indirect 
cost pool should not also be charged as direct costs to the grant. 
Also, if the applicant is requesting a rate which is less than what is 
allowed under the program, the authorized representative of the 
applicant organization must submit a signed acknowledgment that the 
applicant is accepting a lower rate than allowed.
Program Income
    Description: The estimated amount of income, if any, expected to be 
generated from this project.
    Justification: Describe the nature, source and anticipated use of 
program income in the budget or refer to the pages in the application 
which contain this information.
Nonfederal Resources
    Description: Amounts of non-Federal resources that will be used to 
support the project as identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
    Justification: The firm commitment of these resources must be 
documented and submitted with the application in order to be given 
credit in the review process. A detailed budget must be prepared for 
each funding source.
Evaluation Criteria
    Criterion 1. Organizational Profiles--Individual organization 
staff, including volunteers, proposed partners and consultants, if any, 
are well qualified. The administrative and management features of the 
project, including a plan for fiscal and programmatic management of 
each activity, is described in detail with proposed start-up times, 
ongoing timelines, major milestones or benchmarks, a component/project 
organization chart, and a staffing chart. If appropriate, written 
agreements between grantees and sub-grantees or other cooperating 
entities, detailing work to be performed, remuneration, and other terms 
and conditions that structure or define the relationship to this 
project, are provided. Discuss instances of managing grants of the same 
size as you are requesting here. (25 points)
    Criterion 2. Approach--The strategy and plan are likely to achieve 
the proposed results; the proposed activities, timeframes and 
benchmarks are meaningful, reasonable and feasible. The reason for 
taking the proposed approach to community organizing and support 
activities is adequately described. Proposed activities are likely to 
lead to desired outcomes, and the project is likely to lead to 
increased ethnic community self-help and participation in the 
community. (25 points)
    Criterion 3. Results or Benefits Expected--The applicant describes 
outcomes which are likely to be reached through community organizing 
and the projected program activity. Two or more key indicators 
associated with ethnic community self-help are provided as measures of 
the impact of the proposed project. Proposed outcomes are measurable 
and achievable within the grant project period, and the proposed 
monitoring, information collection, and documentation activities are 
adequately planned. (20 points)
    Criterion 4. Objectives and Need for Assistance--The applicant 
clearly describes the need for ethnic organizing in the community 
proposed and documents an understanding of the distinguishing 
characteristics of the relevant ethnic group. The principal and 
subordinate objectives are clearly stated; supporting documentation, 
such as letters of support from concerned interests are included. The 
applicant describes in detail how the ethnic community has been 
involved in the project planning, how project participants are 
identified, and provides evidence of their support for the plan of 
action and involvement as the project

[[Page 22298]]

becomes operational. Planning studies incorporating demographic data 
and participant information are referenced or included as needed. (15 
points)
    Criterion 5. Budget and Budget Justification--The budget and 
narrative justification are reasonable, clearly presented, and cost-
effective in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated 
results. (15 points)

V.2. Review and Selection Process

    Each application submitted under this program announcement will 
undergo a pre-review to determine that (1) the application was received 
by the closing date and submitted in accordance with the instructions 
in this announcement and (2) the applicant is eligible for funding. It 
is necessary that applicants state specifically which priority area 
they are applying for. Applications will be screened for priority area 
appropriateness. If applications are found to be inappropriate for the 
priority area in which they are submitted, applicants will be contacted 
for verbal approval of redirection to a more appropriate priority area. 
Applications which pass the initial ACF screening will be evaluated and 
rated by an independent review panel on the basis specific evaluation 
criteria. The results of these reviews will assist the Director and ORR 
program staff in considering competing applications. Reviewers' scores 
will weigh heavily in funding decisions but will not be the only 
factors considered. Applications will generally be considered in order 
of the average scores assigned by reviewers. However, highly ranked 
applications are not guaranteed funding because other factors are taken 
into consideration. These include, but are not limited to, the number 
of similar types of existing grants or projects funded with ORR funds 
in the last five years, comments of reviewers and government officials; 
staff evaluation and input; geographic distribution; previous program 
performance of applicants; compliance with grant terms under previous 
ORR grants; audit reports; investigative reports; an applicants 
progress in resolving any final audit disallowance on previous ORR or 
other Federal agency grants. ORR will consider the geographic 
distribution of funds among States and the relative proportion of 
funding among rural and urban areas. The evaluation criteria were 
designed to assess the quality of a proposed project, and to determine 
the likelihood of its success. The evaluation criteria are closely 
related and are considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of 
an application. Points are awarded only to applications which are 
responsive to the evaluation criteria within the context of this 
program announcement.

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1. Award Notices

    Successful applicants can expect notification no later than 
September 30, 2005 (and September 30 of each succeeding year). A notice 
of award signed by the grants management officer will be mailed to the 
authorized representative. ORR will mail notification to the authorized 
representative of unsuccessful applicants.

VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    45 CFR Part 74.

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    Programmatic Reports: Semi-Annually and a final report is due 90 
days after the end of grant period.
    Financial Reports: Semi-Annually and a final report is due 90 days 
after the end of grant period.
    There are no special reporting requirements.
    Original reports and one copy should be mailed to the Grants 
Management Contact listed in section VII Agency Contacts.

VII. Agency Contacts

Program Office Contacts

    Priority Areas 1 and 2: Sue Benjamin, HHS, ACF, ORR/DCR, 370 
L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 8th Floor West, Washington, DC 20447, 
Telephone: 202-401-4851, E-mail: [email protected].
    Priority Area 3: Mitiku Ashebir, HHS, ACF, ORR/DCR, 370 L'Enfant 
Promenade, SW., 8th Floor West, Washington, DC 20447, Telephone: 202-
205-3602, E-mail: [email protected].

Grants Management Office Contact

    Sylvia Johnson, Grants Officer, HHS, ACF, Office of Grants 
Management, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, 
SW., 4th Floor West, Telephone: 202-401-4524, Washington, DC 20447, E-
mail: [email protected].

VIII. Other Information

    The Director reserves the right to award more, or less than the 
funds described in this announcement. In the absence of worthy 
applications, the Director may decide not to make an award if deemed in 
the best interest of the Government. Funding for future years, under 
this announcement, is at the Director's discretion and depends on the 
availability of appropriated funds. The Director may invite 
applications outside of the proposed closing date, if necessary, to 
respond to the needs of an imminently arriving refugee population.
    Applications in Priority Area 3 are for project periods of up to 
thirty six (36) months. Awards, on a competitive basis, will be for a 
twelve (12) month budget period although project periods may be up to 
thirty-six (36) months. Applications for continuation grants funded 
under these awards, beyond the twelve (12) month budget period but 
within the thirty-six (36) month project period, will be entertained in 
subsequent years on a noncompetitive basis, subject to availability of 
funds, satisfactory progress of the grantee and a determination that 
continued funding would be in the best interest of the Government.

    Dated: April 14, 2004.
Nguyen Van Hanh,
Director, Office of Refugee Resettlement.
[FR Doc. 04-9183 Filed 4-22-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P