[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 4, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24616-24622]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-10087]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Grants and Cooperative Agreements; Notice of Availability

    Federal Agency Contact Name: Administration for Children and 
Families, Office of Community Services.
    Funding Opportunity: The Community Services Block Grant Training 
and Technical Assistance Program--Homeland Security.
    Announcement Type: Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2004-ACF-OCS-ET-0011.
    CFDA Number: 93.570.
    Due Date for Applications: The due date for receipt of applications 
is June 3, 2004.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Sections 674(b)(2) and 678A(a)(1)(A) of the Community Services 
Block Grant (CSBG) Act of 1981, (Pub. L. 97-35) as amended by the 
Community Opportunities, Accountability, Training and Education 
Services (COATES) Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 105-285), authorizes the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services to use a percentage of 
appropriated funds for training, technical assistance, planning, 
evaluation, performance measurement, monitoring, to assist States in 
carrying out corrective actions and to correct programmatic 
deficiencies of eligible entities, and for reporting and data 
collection activities related to programs or projects carried out under 
the CSBG Act. The Secretary may administer these activities through 
grants, contracts or cooperative agreements with appropriate entities.

Definitions of Terms

    The following definitions apply:
    Community Action Agency (CAA)--refers to local-level organizations 
that are Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Eligible Entities. They 
provide a number of types of assistance with the goals of reducing 
poverty and enabling low-income families to become economically self-
sufficient.
    Community Services Network--refers to the various organizations 
involved in planning and implementing programs funded through the CSBG 
or providing training, technical assistance or support to them. The 
network includes local CAAs and other eligible entities; State CSBG 
offices and their national association; CAA State, regional and 
national associations; and related organizations that collaborate and 
participate with CAAs and other eligible entities in their efforts on 
behalf of low-income people.
    Eligible Entities--[Section 673(1)(A)]--the term ``eligible 
entity'' means an entity that is an eligible entity described in 
section 673(1) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of 
the COATES Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998) as of the day 
before such date of enactment or is designated by the process described 
in section 676A (including an organization serving migrant or seasonal 
farmworkers that is so described or designated); and has a tripartite 
board or other mechanism described in the Act. Special Note: Under the 
Act, CAAs are eligible entities, however not all eligible entities are 
CAAs. Throughout this announcement, the reference is to organizations 
defined in section 673(1)(A) of the CSBG Act whenever CAAs are 
mentioned.
    Nationwide--refers to the scope of the technical assistance, 
training, data collection, or other capacity-building projects to be 
undertaken with grant funds. Nationwide projects must provide for the 
implementation of technical assistance, training or data collection for 
all or a significant number of States, and the CAAs and other local 
service providers who administer CSBG funds.
    Non-profit Organization--refers to an organization, including 
faith-based and community-based, which meets the requirement for proof 
of non-profit status in the ``Additional Information on Eligibility'' 
section of this announcement and has demonstrated experience in 
providing training to individuals and organizations on methods of 
effectively addressing the needs of low-income families and 
communities.
    Outcome Measures--are indicators that focus on the direct results 
one wants to have on customers and on communities.
    Performance Measurement--is a tool used to assess how a program is 
accomplishing its mission through the delivery of products, services 
and activities.
    Results-Oriented Management and Accountability (ROMA) System--ROMA 
is a system which provides a framework for focusing on results for 
local agencies funded by the CSBG Program. It involves setting goals 
and strategies and developing plans and techniques that focus on a 
result-oriented performance based model for management.
    State--means all of the 50 States and the District of Columbia. 
Except where specifically noted, for purposes of this program 
announcement, it also includes Territories as defined below.
    Technical assistance--is an activity, generally utilizing the 
services of an expert (often a peer), aimed at enhancing capacity, 
improving programs and systems, or solving specific problems. Such 
services may be provided proactively to improve systems or as an 
intervention to solve specific problems.
    Territories--refers to Guam, American Samoa, the United States 
Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
    Training--is an educational activity or event that is designed to 
impart knowledge, understanding or increase the development of skills. 
Such training activities may be in the form of assembled events such as 
workshops, seminars, conferences or programs of self-instructional 
activities.

[[Page 24617]]

Priority Area

    Training and technical assistance for Community Action Agencies 
(CAAs) and other eligible entities concerning national security and 
anti-terrorism planning, response and communications.

Program Purpose, Scope and Focus

    The purpose of this priority area is to improve the capacity of 
CAAs and other eligible entities to plan, administer and evaluate 
effective security and anti-terrorism community advocacy and 
communications strategies in urban and rural areas.
    The grant will support four important component activities. The 
first is to provide training and technical assistance to CAA and other 
eligible entities staff and members of agency Boards of Directors for 
planning, administering and evaluating community strategies concerning 
national security and anti-terrorism planning. This will include 
providing training on a number of issues such as developing local 
communications centers and volunteer teams that will be vital for 
effective local-based security and anti-terrorism planning and 
communications in low-income communities.
    The second is to provide training and technical assistance and 
other aid to help CAAs identify and mobilize human, financial and other 
resources for the benefit of low-income individuals, families and 
communities on issues concerning national security and anti-terrorism 
response.
    The third component is to develop and produce manuals, publications 
and other informational and marketing materials on the topic of why it 
is vital for CAAs and other organizations that serve low-income 
communities to be part of local security and anti-terrorism planning 
and response.
    Finally, the fourth component is to provide necessary equipment and 
staff to enable at least ten CAAs in urban and rural areas throughout 
the nation to develop a team of volunteers to mobilize the community 
concerning national security and anti-terrorism response.

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $200,000 in FY2004.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: One.
    Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards: $200,000 per Budget Period.
    An application that exceeds the upper value of the dollar range 
specified will be considered ``non-responsive'' and will be returned to 
the applicant without further review.
    Floor of Individual Award Amounts: None.
    Average Projected Award Amount: $200,000 per Budget Period.
    Project Period for Award: This announcement is soliciting 
applications for project periods of up to two years. The initial grant 
award, on a competitive basis, will be for a 12-month budget period. 
The award of continuation funding beyond the first budget period will 
be subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress by the 
grantee and a determination that continued funding would be in the best 
interests of the government.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    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. 
For-profit organizations other than small businesses. Faith-based and 
Community-based Organizations.
    Additional Information on Eligibility: As prescribed by the 
Community Services Block Grant Act (Public Law 105-285, Section 
678(c)(2), eligible applicants are eligible entities (see definitions), 
organizations, or associations with demonstrated expertise in providing 
training to individuals and organizations on methods of effectively 
addressing the needs of low income families and communities.
    Proof of non-profit status is any one of the following:
    (a) A reference to the applicant organization's listing in the 
Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt 
organizations described in the IRS code.
    (b) A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate.
    (c) A statement from a State taxing body, State Attorney General, 
or other appropriate State official certifying that the applicant 
organization has a non-profit status and that none of the net earnings 
accrue to any private shareholders or individuals.
    (d) A certified copy of the organization's certificate of 
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit 
status.
    (e) Any of the items in the subparagraphs immediately above for a 
State or national parent organization and a statement signed by the 
parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-
profit affiliate.
    Private non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with 
their applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents 
and Forms'' titled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants'' 
at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm. Responding to this 
survey will have no effect upon receiving a grant award.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    None.

3. Other

    On June 27, 2003, the Office of Management and Budget published in 
the Federal Register a new Federal policy applicable to all Federal 
grant applicants. The policy requires all Federal grant applicants to 
provide a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) 
number when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements on or 
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 formula, entitlement and 
block grant programs, submitted on or after October 1, 2003.
    Please ensure that your organization has a DUNS number. You may 
acquire a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free 
DUNS number request line on 1-866-705-5711 or you may request a number 
on-line at http://www.dnb.com.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    Margaret Washnitzer, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services 
Operations Center, 1815 Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, 
Virginia 22209, E-mail: www.Grants.gov, Telephone: (800) 281-9519.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    1. Application Content
    Each application must include the following components:

    1. Table of Contents
    2. 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.

[[Page 24618]]

    3. 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.
    4. Standard Form 424A--Budget Information-Non-Construction 
Programs.
    5. Narrative Budget Justification--for each object class category 
required under Section B, Standard Form 424A.
    6. Project Narrative--A narrative that addresses issues described 
in the ``Application Review Information'' and the ``Review and 
Selection Criteria'' sections of this announcement.
2. Application Format
    Each application should include one signed original application and 
two additional copies of the same application.
    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.
    Number all application pages sequentially throughout the package, 
beginning with the abstract of the proposed project as page number one.
    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.
3. Page Limitation
    The application package including sections for the Table of 
Contents, Project Abstract, Project and Budget Narratives and Business 
Plan must not exceed 65 pages. The page limitation does not include the 
following attachments and appendices: Standard Forms for Assurances, 
Certifications, Disclosures and appendices. The page limitation also 
does not apply to any supplemental documents as required in this 
announcement.
4. Required Standard Forms
    Applicants requesting financial assistance for a non-construction 
project must sign and return Standard Form 424B, Assurances: Non-
Construction Programs with their applications.
    Applicants 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 applications.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their 
compliance with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. By 
signing and submitting the applications, applicants are providing the 
certification and need not mail back 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. By 
signing and submitting the applications, applicants are providing the 
certification and need not mail back a certification form.
    You may submit your application to us in either electronic or paper 
format. To submit an application electronically, please use the 
www.Grants.gov 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 Grant.gov:
    Electronic submission is voluntary.
    When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find information about 
submitting an application electronically through the site, as well as 
the hours of operation. We strongly recommend that you do not wait 
until the application deadline date to begin the application process 
through Grants.gov.
    To use Grants.gov, you, as the applicant, must have a DUNS Number 
to 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 
assurance 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 Grant.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 
www.Grants.gov.
    You must search for the downloadable application package by the 
CFDA number.
    Electronic Copy Address Submission: www.Grants.Gov.

3. Submission Date and Times

    The closing time and date for receipt of applications is 4:30 p.m. 
Eastern Standard Time (EST) on June 3, 2004. Mailed or hand carried 
applications received after 4:30 p.m. on the closing date will be 
classified as late.
    Deadline: Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an 
announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline time 
and date at the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration 
for Children and Families, Office of Community Services Operations 
Center, 1815 Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22209 
Attention: Barbara Ziegler Johnson. Applicants are responsible for 
mailing applications well in advance, when using all mail services, to 
ensure that the applications are received on or before the deadline 
time and date.
    Applications hand carried by applicants, applicant couriers, other 
representatives of the applicant, or by overnight/express mail couriers 
shall be considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are 
received on or before the deadline date, between the hours of 8 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m., EST, at the Department of Health and Human Services, 
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services 
Operations Center, 1815 Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, 
Virginia 22209 Attention: Barbara Ziegler Johnson. This address must 
appear on the envelope/package containing the application. Applicants 
are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not always 
deliver as agreed.
    Late applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria 
above are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late 
applicant that its application will not be considered in the current 
competition.
    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 services. Determinations 
to extend or waive deadline requirements rest with the Chief Grants 
Management Officer.

[[Page 24619]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Required form or
         What to submit             Required content          format                   When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table of Contents...............  As described above.  Consistent with      By application due date.
                                                        guidance in
                                                        ``Application
                                                        Format'' section
                                                        of this
                                                        announcement.
Abstract of Proposed Project....  Brief abstract that  Consistent with      By application due date.
                                   identifies the       guidance in
                                   type of project,     ``Application
                                   the target           Format'' section
                                   population and the   of this
                                   major elements of    announcement.
                                   the proposed
                                   project.
Completed Standard Form.........  As described above   May be found on      By application due date.
                                   and per required     http://
                                   form.                www.acf.hhs.gov/
                                                        programs/ofs/
                                                        forms.htm.
Completed Standard Form.........  As described above   May be found on      By application due date.
                                   and per required     http://
                                   form.                www.acf.hhs.gov/
                                                        programs/ofs/
                                                        forms.htm.
Narrative Budget Justification..  As described above.  Consistent with      By application due date.
                                                        guidance in
                                                        ``Application
                                                        Format'' section
                                                        of this
                                                        announcement.
Project Narrative...............  A narrative that     Consistent with      By application due date.
                                   addresses issues     guidance in
                                   described in the     ``Application
                                   ``Application        Format'' section
                                   Review               of this
                                   Information'' and    announcement.
                                   the ``Review and
                                   Selection
                                   Criteria''
                                   sections of this
                                   announcement.
Certification regarding lobbying  As described above   May be found on      By application due date.
                                   and per required     http://
                                   form.                www.acf.hhs.gov/
                                                        programs/ofs/
                                                        forms.htm.
Certification regarding           As described above   May be found on      By application due date.
 environmental tobacco smoke.      and per required     http://
                                   form.                www.acf.hhs.gov/
                                                        programs/ofs/
                                                        forms.htm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Intergovernmental Review

State Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
    This program is covered under Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' and 45 CFR part 100, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services 
Programs and Activities.'' Under the Order, States may design their own 
processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance 
under covered programs. As of October 1, 2003, the following 
jurisdictions have elected not to participate in the Executive Order 
process. Applicants from these jurisdictions or for projects 
administered by federally-recognized Indian Tribes need take no action 
in regard to E.O. 12372:
    All States and Territories except Arkansas, California, Delaware, 
District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, 
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, 
Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Rhode 
Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, American 
Samoa, Guam, North Mariana, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands have 
elected not to participate in the Executive Order process and have 
established Single Points of Contact (SPOCs). Applicants from these 
thirty-one jurisdictions need take no action.
    Although the jurisdictions listed above no longer participate in 
the process, entities which have met the eligibility requirements of 
the program are still eligible to apply for a grant even if a State, 
Territory, Commonwealth, etc. does not have a SPOC. All remaining 
jurisdictions participate in the Executive Order process and have 
established SPOCs. Applicants from participating jurisdictions should 
contact their SPOCs as soon as possible to alert them of the 
prospective applications and receive instructions. Applicants must 
submit any required material to the SPOCs as soon as possible so that 
the program office can obtain and review SPOC comments as part of the 
award process. The applicant must submit all required materials, if 
any, to the SPOC and indicate the date of this submittal (or the date 
of contact if no submittal is required) on the Standard Form 424, item 
16a. Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application 
deadline to comment on proposed new or competing continuation awards.
    SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the submission of routine 
endorsements as official recommendations. Additionally, SPOCs are 
requested to clearly differentiate between mere advisory comments and 
those official State process recommendations which may trigger the 
``accommodate or explain'' rule.
    When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be 
addressed to: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration 
for Children and Families, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 
L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Mail Stop 6C-462, Washington, DC 20447.
    A list of the Single Points of Contact for each State and Territory 
is included with the application materials for this announcement.

5. Funding Restrictions

Sub-Contracting or Delegating Projects
    OCS will not fund any project where the role of the applicant is 
primarily to serve as a conduit for funds to organizations other than 
the applicant. The applicant must have a substantive role in the 
implementation of the project for which funding is requested. This 
prohibition does not bar the making of sub-grants or sub-contracting 
for specific services or activities needed to conduct the project.
Number of Projects in Application
    Each application may include only one proposed project.

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

    Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13): Under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13, the Department is 
required to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 
review and approval of any reporting and record keeping requirements in 
regulations including program announcements. This program announcement 
does not contain information collection requirements

[[Page 24620]]

beyond those approved for ACF grant applications under the Program 
Narrative Statement by OMB Approval Number 0970-0139.
    Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated to average 
25 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, 
gathering and maintaining the data needed and reviewing the collection 
of information.
    The project description is approved under OMB control  
0970-0139.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number.
Purpose
    The project description provides a major means by which an 
application is evaluated and ranked to compete with other applications 
for available assistance. The project description should be concise and 
complete and should address the activity for which Federal funds are 
being requested. Supporting documents should be included where they can 
present information clearly and succinctly. In preparing your project 
description, all information requested through each specific evaluation 
criteria should be provided. Awarding offices use this and other 
information in making their funding recommendations. It is important, 
therefore, that this information be included in the application.
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. Explain how the 
project will reach the targeted population and how it will benefit 
participants or the community.
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, for 
example, such terms as the ``number of people served.'' 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.
Evaluation
    Provide a narrative addressing how the results of the project and 
the conduct of the project will be evaluated. In addressing the 
evaluation of results, state how you will determine the extent to which 
the project has achieved its stated objectives and the extent to which 
the accomplishment of objectives can be attributed to the project. 
Discuss the criteria to be used to evaluate results, and explain the 
methodology that will be used to determine if the needs identified and 
discussed are being met and if the project results and benefits are 
being achieved. With respect to the conduct of the project, define the 
procedures to be employed to determine whether the project is being 
conducted in a manner consistent with the work plan presented and 
discuss the impact of the project's various activities on the project's 
effectiveness.
Organizational Profiles
    Provide information on the applicant organization(s) and 
cooperating partners such as organizational charts, financial 
statements, audit reports, documentation of professional accreditation, 
information on compliance with Federal/State/local government 
standards, documentation of experience in the program area, and other 
pertinent information.
    A 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.
Budget and Budget Justification
    Provide line item detail and detailed calculations for each budget 
object class identified on the Budget Information form. Detailed 
calculations must include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, 
and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to 
be duplicated. The detailed budget must also include a breakout by the 
funding sources identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
    Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the 
categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, 
and allocability of the proposed costs.
Evaluation Criterion I: Approach (Maximum: 35 Points)
    Factors:
    (1) The work program is results-oriented, approximately related to 
the legislative mandate and specifically related to the priority area 
under which funds are being requested. Application addresses the 
following: specific outcomes to be achieved; performance targets that 
the project is committed to achieving, including a discussion of and

[[Page 24621]]

how the project will verify the achievement of these targets; critical 
milestones which must be achieved if results are to be gained; 
organizational support, the level of support from the applicant 
organization; past performance in similar work; and specific resources 
contributed to the project that are critical to success.
    (2) The application defines the comprehensive nature of the project 
and methods that will be used to ensure that the results can be used to 
address a statewide or nationwide project as defined by the description 
of the particular priority area.
Evaluation Criterion II: Organizational Profiles (Maximum: 25 Points)
    Factors:
    (1) The application demonstrates that it has experience and a 
successful record of accomplishment relevant to the specific activities 
it proposes to accomplish.
    (2) The application details the necessary abilities to provide the 
training and technical assistance on a nationwide basis. Information 
provided by the applicant should address related achievements and 
competence of each cooperating or sponsoring organization.
    (3) The application fully describes, for example in a resume, the 
experience and skills of the proposed project director and primary 
staff showing specific qualifications and professional experiences 
relevant to the successful implementation of the proposed project.
    (4) The application describes how it will involve partners in the 
Community Services Network in its activities. Where appropriate, 
application describes how it will interface with other related 
organizations.
    (5) If subcontracts are proposed, the application documents the 
willingness and capacity of the subcontracting organization(s) to 
participate as described.
Evaluation Criterion III: Objectives and Need for Assistance (Maximum: 
20 Points)
    Factors:
    (1) The application documents that the proposed project addresses 
vital needs related to the program purposes and provides statistics and 
other data and information in support of its contention.
    (2) The application provides current supporting documentation or 
other testimonies regarding needs from State CSBG Directors, CAAs and 
local service providers and/or State and Regional organizations of CAAs 
and other local service providers.
Evaluation Criterion IV: Results or Benefits Expected (Maximum: 15 
Points)
    Factors:
    (1) The application describes how the project will assure long-term 
program and management improvements for State CSBG offices, CAA State 
and/or regional associations, CAAs and/or other local providers of CSBG 
services and activities.
    (2) The application indicates the types and amounts of public and/
or private resources it will mobilize, how those resources will 
directly benefit the project, and how the project will ultimately 
benefit low-income individuals and families.
    (3) If the applicant proposes a project with a training and 
technical assistance focus, the application indicates the number of 
organizations and/or staff that will benefit from those services.
    (4) If the applicant proposes a project with a data collection 
focus, the application describes the mechanism it will use to collect 
data, how it can assure collections from a significant number of 
States, and the number of States willing to submit data to the 
applicant.
    (5) If the applicant proposes to develop a symposium series or 
other policy-related project(s), the application identifies the number 
and types of beneficiaries.
    (6) The application describes methods of securing participant 
feedback and evaluations of activities.
Criterion V: Budget and Budget Justification (Maximum: 5 Points)
    Factors:
    (1) The resources requested are reasonable and adequate to 
accomplish the project.
    (2) Total costs are reasonable and consistent with anticipated 
results.

2. Review and Selection Process

Initial OCS Screening
    Each application submitted to OCS will be screened to determine 
whether it was received by the closing date and time.
    Applications received by the closing date and time will be screened 
for completeness and conformity with the following requirements. Only 
complete applications that meet the requirements listed below will be 
reviewed and evaluated competitively. Other applications will be 
returned to the applicants with a notation that they were unacceptable 
and will not be reviewed.
    All applications must comply with the following requirements except 
as noted:
    (a) The application must contain a signed Standard Form 424 
Application for Federal Assistance, a Standard Form 424-A Budget 
Information and Standard Form 424B Assurance--Non-Construction Programs 
completed according to instructions provided in this Program 
Announcement. The forms SF-424 and the SF-424B must be signed by an 
official of the organization applying for the grant who has authority 
to obligate the organization legally. The applicant's legal name as 
required on the SF-424 (Item 5) must match that listed as corresponding 
to the Employer Identification Number (Item 6);
    (b) The application must include a project narrative that meets 
requirements set forth in this announcement.
    (c) The application must contain documentation of the applicant's 
tax-exempt status as indicated in the ``Additional Information on 
Eligibility'' section of this announcement.
OCS Evaluation of Applications
    Applications that pass the initial OCS screening will be reviewed 
and rated by a panel based on the program elements and review criteria 
presented in relevant sections of this program announcement.
    The review criteria are designed to enable the review panel to 
assess the quality of a proposed project and determine the likelihood 
of its success. The criteria are closely related to each other and are 
considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application. 
The review panel awards points only to applications that are responsive 
to the program elements and relevant review criteria within the context 
of this program announcement.
    The OCS Director and program staff use the reviewer scores when 
considering competing applications. Reviewer scores will weigh heavily 
in funding decisions, but will not be the only factors considered.
    Applications generally will be considered in order of the average 
scores assigned by the review panel. Because other important factors 
are taken into consideration, highly ranked applications are not 
guaranteed funding. These other considerations include, for example: 
the timely and proper completion by the applicant of projects funded 
with OCS funds granted in the last five (5) years; comments of 
reviewers and government officials; staff evaluation and input; amount 
and duration of the grant requested and the proposed project's 
consistency and harmony with OCS goals and policy; geographic 
distribution of applications; previous program performance of 
applicants; compliance with grant terms

[[Page 24622]]

under previous HHS grants, including the actual dedication to a program 
of mobilized resources as set forth in project applications; audit 
reports; investigative reports; and applicant's progress in resolving 
any final audit disallowance on previous OCS or other Federal agency 
grants.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of the 
results of this grant competition within 90 days after the due date for 
receipt of applications. Following approval of the application selected 
for funding, ACF will mail a written notice of project approval and 
authority to draw down project funds. The official award document is 
the Financial Assistance Award that specifies the amount of Federal 
funds approved for use in the project, the project and budget period 
for which support is provided and the terms and conditions of the 
award. The notice of grant award signed by the Grants Officer is the 
authorizing document.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    45 CFR Part 74.

3. Reporting Requirements

    Programmatic Reports: Semi-annually with a final report due 90 days 
from project end date.
    Financial Reports: Semi-annually with a final report due 90 days 
from project end date.

4. Special Reporting Requirements

    None.

VII. Agency Contacts

Program Office Contact

Margaret Washnitzer, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services 
Operations Center, 1815 Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, 
Virginia 22209, E-mail: [email protected], Telephone: (202) 401-9343.

Grants Management Office Contact

Barbara Ziegler-Johnson, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services 
Operations Center, 1815 Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, 
Virginia 22209, E-mail: [email protected], Telephone: (202) 
401-4646.

VIII. Other Information

    Applicants have the option of omitting from the application copies 
(not the original) specific salary rates or amounts for individuals 
specified in the application budget and Social Security Numbers. The 
copies may include summary salary information.
    Electronic Link to Full Announcement: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs.

    Dated: April 27, 2004.
Clarence Carter,
Director, Office of Community Services.
[FR Doc. 04-10087 Filed 5-3-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P