[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 97 (Wednesday, May 19, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28919-28928]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-11237]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Funding Opportunity: The Community Services Block Grant Program 
Community Economic Development Discretionary Grant Program--Priority 
Area: Planning Projects

AGENCY: Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community 
Services.
    Announcement Type: Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2004-ACF-OCS-ED-0026.
    CFDA Number: 93.570.
    Due Date for Applications: The due date for receipt of applications 
is July 19, 2004.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Act of 1981, as amended, 
(Section 680 of the Community Opportunities, Accountability, and 
Training and Educational Services Act of 1998), authorizes the 
Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to make 
grants to provide technical and financial assistance for economic 
development activities designed to address the economic needs of low-
income individuals and families by creating employment and business 
development opportunities. Pursuant to this Announcement OCS will award 
planning grants to Community Development Corporations (CDCs) that are 
less than three years old or inexperienced in implementing economic 
development projects. The primary purpose of this Priority Area is to 
assist eligible CDCs in planning, developing organizational capacity, 
identifying potential projects, mobilizing resources and developing a 
business plan to implement a project. Low-income beneficiaries of such 
projects include those who are determined to be living in poverty as 
determined by the HHS Guidelines on Poverty (See Appendix A). They may 
be unemployed, on public assistance, including Temporary Assistance for 
Needy Families (TANF), are at risk teenagers, custodial and non-
custodial parents, public housing residents, persons with disabilities 
and persons who are homeless.

Definitions of Terms

    The following definitions apply:
    Budget Period--The time interval into which a grant period is 
divided for budgetary and funding purposes.
    Business Start-up Period--Time interval within which the grantee 
completes preliminary project tasks. These tasks include but are not 
limited to assembling key staff, executing contracts, administering 
lease out or build-out of space for occupancy, purchasing plant and 
equipment and other similar activities. The Business Start-Up Period 
typically takes three to six months from the time OCS awards the grant 
or cooperative agreement.
    Cash contributions--The recipient's cash outlay, including the 
outlay of money contributed to the recipient by the third parties.
    Community Development Corporation (CDC)--A private non-profit 
corporation governed by a board of directors consisting of residents of 
the community and business and civic leaders, which has as a principal 
purpose planning, developing, or managing low-income housing or 
community development activities.
    Community Economic Development (CED)--A process by which a 
community uses resources to attract capital and increase physical, 
commercial, and business development, as well as job opportunities for 
its residents.
    Construction projects--Projects that involve land improvements and 
development or major renovation of (new or existing) facilities and 
buildings, fixtures, and permanent attachments.
    Developmental/Research Phase--The time interval during the Project 
Period that precedes the Operational Phase. Grantees accomplish 
preliminary activities during this phase including establishing third 
party agreements, mobilizing monetary funds and other resources, 
assembling, rezoning, and leasing of properties, conducting 
architectural and engineering studies, constructing facilities, etc.
    Displaced worker--An individual in the labor market who has been 
unemployed for six months or longer.
    Distressed community--A geographic urban neighborhood or rural 
community of high unemployment and pervasive poverty.
    Employment education and training program--A program that provides 
education and/or training to welfare recipients, at-risk youth, public 
housing tenants, displaced workers, homeless and low-income individuals 
and that has demonstrated organizational experience in education and 
training for these populations.
    Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community Project Areas (EZ/EC)--
Urban neighborhoods and rural areas designated as such by the 
Secretaries of Housing and Urban Development and Agriculture.

[[Page 28920]]

    Equity investment--The provision of capital to a business entity 
for some specified purpose in return for a portion of ownership using a 
third party agreement as the contractual instrument.
    Faith-Based Community Development Corporation--A community 
development corporation that has a religious character.
    Hypothesis--An assumption made in order to test a theory. It should 
assert a cause-and-effect relationship between a program intervention 
and its expected result. Both the intervention and its result must be 
measured in order to confirm the hypothesis. The following is a 
hypothesis: ``Eighty hours of classroom training will be sufficient for 
participants to prepare a successful loan application.'' In this 
example, data would be obtained on the number of hours of training 
actually received by participants (the intervention), and the quality 
of loan applications (the result), to determine the validity of the 
hypothesis (that eighty hours of training is sufficient to produce the 
result).
    Intervention--Any planned activity within a project that is 
intended to produce changes in the target population and/or the 
environment and that can be formally evaluated. For example, assistance 
in the preparation of a business plan is an intervention.
    Job creation--New jobs, i.e., jobs not in existence prior to the 
start of the project, that result from new business startups, business 
expansion, development of new services industries, and/or other newly-
undertaken physical or commercial activities.
    Job placement--Placing a person in an existing vacant job of a 
business, service, or commercial activity not related to new 
development or expansion activity.
    Letter of commitment--A signed letter or agreement from a third 
party to the applicant that pledges financial or other support for the 
grant activities contingent only on OCS accepting the applicant's 
project proposal.
    Loan--Money lent to a borrower under a binding pledge for a given 
purpose to be repaid, usually at a stated rate of interest and within a 
specified period.
    Non-profit Organization--An organization, including faith-based and 
community-based, that provides proof of non-profit status described in 
the ``Additional Information on Eligibility'' section of this 
announcement.
    Operational Phase--The time interval during the Project Period when 
businesses, commercial development or other activities are in 
operation, and employment, business development assistance, and so 
forth are provided.
    Outcome evaluation--An assessment of project results as measured by 
collected data that define the net effects of the interventions applied 
in the project. An outcome evaluation will produce and interpret 
findings related to whether the interventions produced desirable 
changes and their potential for being replicated. It should answer the 
question: Did this program work?
    Poverty Income Guidelines--Guidelines published annually by the 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that establish the level 
of poverty defined as low-income for individuals and their families. 
The guideline information is posted on the Internet at the following 
address: http://www.hhs.aspe.gov/poverty/
    Process evaluation--The ongoing examination of the implementation 
of a program. It focuses on the effectiveness and efficiency of the 
program's activities and interventions (for example, methods of 
recruiting participants, quality of training activities, or usefulness 
of follow-up procedures). It should answer the questions such as: Who 
is receiving what services and are the services being delivered as 
planned? It is also known as formative evaluation, because it gathers 
information that can be used as a management tool to improve the way a 
program operates while the program is in progress. It should also 
identify problems that occurred, how the problems were resolved and 
what recommendations are needed for future implementation.
    Pre-Development Phase--The time interval during the Project Period 
when an applicant or grantee plans a project, conducts feasibility 
studies, prepares a business or work plan and mobilizes non-OCS 
funding.
    Program income--Gross income earned by the grant recipient that is 
directly generated by an activity supported with grant funds.
    Project Period--The total time for which a project is approved for 
OCS support, including any approved extensions.
    Revolving loan fund--A capital fund established to make loans 
whereby repayments are re-lent to other borrowers.
    Self-employment--The employment status of an individual who engages 
in self-directed economic activities.
    Self-sufficiency--The economic status of a person who does not 
require public assistance to provide for his/her needs and that of his/
her immediate family.
    Sub-award--An award of financial assistance in the form of money, 
or property, made under an award by a recipient to an eligible sub-
recipient or by a sub-recipient to a lower tier sub-recipient. The term 
includes financial assistance when provided by any legal agreement, 
even if the agreement is called a contract, but does not include 
procurement of goods and services nor does it include any form of 
assistance which is excluded from the definition of ``award'' in 45 CFR 
Part 74. (Note: Equity investments and loan transactions are not sub-
awards.)
    Technical assistance--A problem-solving event generally using the 
services of a specialist. Such services may be provided on-site, by 
telephone or by other communications. These services address specific 
problems and are intended to assist with immediate resolution of a 
given problem or set of problems.
    Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)--The Federal block 
grant program authorized in Title I of the Personal Responsibility and 
Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-193). The 
TANF program transformed ``welfare'' into a system that requires work 
in exchange for time-limited assistance.
    Third party--Any individual, organization or business entity that 
is not the direct recipient of grant funds.
    Third party agreement--A written agreement entered into by the 
grantee and an organization, individual or business entity (including a 
wholly owned subsidiary), by which the grantee makes an equity 
investment or a loan in support of grant purposes.
    Third party in-kind contributions--Non-cash contributions provided 
by non-Federal third parties. These contributions may be in the form of 
real property, equipment, supplies and other expendable property, and 
the value of goods and services directly benefiting and especially 
identifiable to the project or program.

Project Goals

    CED projects should further HHS goals of strengthening American 
families and promoting their self-sufficiency, and OCS goals of 
promoting healthy families in healthy communities. The CED Program is 
particularly directed toward public-private partnerships that develop 
employment and business opportunities for low-income people and 
revitalize distressed communities.

Project Scope

    Planning grants may include three to five feasibility studies 
covering business startups, business expansions, development of new 
products and services, and other newly-undertaken

[[Page 28921]]

physical and commercial activities. Projects must result in a business 
plan that will provide for employment and business opportunities for 
low-income individuals. Each applicant must describe the project scope 
including the low-income community to be served, and capacity building 
activities to be undertaken.
Priority Area: Community Economic Development Program (CED)
Priority Area: Planning Projects (PP)
    Pursuant to this Program Announcement, OCS will award grants to 
CDCs that are inexperienced in implementing economic development 
projects. The primary purpose of this priority area is to assist 
eligible CDCs in planning, developing organizational capacity, 
identifying potential projects, mobilizing resources and developing a 
business plan to implement a project.
    Eligible applicants cannot be more than three years old, or if more 
than three years old, have no experience in implementing economic 
development projects. (For the latter type of applicant, a written 
assurance must be provided in the project narrative that states ``The 
applicant has no previous participation in economic development 
projects.'') The phrase ``no previous participation in economic 
development projects'' means an eligible applicant has not sponsored 
nor had any significant participation in projects that have provided 
employment or business development opportunities through business 
startups, expansions or development provision of financial services. In 
addition, applicants with housing experience must not have had primary 
responsibility in planning, developing, and managing housing projects.
    Under this priority area, applicants may incur costs to: (a) 
Evaluate the feasibility of potential economic development projects (b) 
Develop a business plan related to a chosen project; (c) Mobilize 
resources for the chosen project; and (d) Develop organizational 
capacity. Examples of activities under item (d) are hiring staff, 
training board members and staff, recruiting community volunteers and 
developing management information systems.
    The maximum CED award for a Planning Project cannot exceed $75,000, 
including the cost of travel for the program director to attend a two-
day workshop in Washington, DC. The project and budget period can be no 
longer than 12 months. The result of a planning project is a business 
and work plan for a specific project for which the applicant may seek 
other Priority Area funds.

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grants.
    Anticipated total Priority Area Funding: $750,000 in FY 2004.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 10-12.
    Ceiling on amount of individual Awards: $75,000 per budget/project 
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: $75,000 per budget/project period.
    Project Periods for Awards: 12 months.

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
Other Faith-based Organizations

    An applicant must be a private, non-profit Community Development 
Corporation (CDC) less than three years old or inexperienced in 
developing and managing economic development projects. For purposes of 
this grant program, the CDC must be governed by a Board of Directors 
consisting of residents of the community and business and civic 
leaders. The CDC must have as a principal purpose: planning, 
developing, or managing low-income housing or community development 
activities.
    Additional Information on Eligibility: Applicants that do not 
include proof of nonprofit status in the application will be 
disqualified.
    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 
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; a copy of a currently valid IRS tax 
exemption certificate; 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; a 
certified copy of the organization's certificate of incorporation or 
similar document that clearly establishes non-profit status; 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.
    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. Participation or lack 
of participation with this survey will not affect your application 
score nor your chance of receiving an award.
    Applications that do not include proof of CDC status in the 
application will be disqualified.
    An applicant must be a private, non-profit Community Development 
Corporation. For purposes of this grant program, the CDC must be 
governed by a Board of Directors consisting of residents of the 
community and business and civic leaders. The CDC must have as a 
principal purpose, planning, developing, or managing low-income housing 
or community development projects.
    Applicants must document their eligibility as a CDC for the 
purposes of this grant program. The application must include a list of 
governing board members along with their designation as a community 
resident, or business or civic leader. In addition, the application 
must include documentation that the organization has as a primary 
purpose planning, developing or managing low income housing or 
community development activities. This documentation may include 
incorporation documents or other official documents that identify the 
organization.
    Non-profit organizations applying for funding are required to 
submit proof of their non-profit status. 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.

[[Page 28922]]

    (d) A certified copy of the organization's certificate of 
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit 
status.
    (e) Any of the items in the subparagraphs immediately above for a 
State or national parent organization and a statement singed by the 
parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-
profit affiliate.

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 (http://www.Grants.gov). A DUNS number will be 
required for every application for a new award or renewal/continuation 
of an award, including applications or plans under formula, entitlement 
and block grant programs, submitted on or after October 1, 2003.
    Please ensure that your organization has a DUNS number. You may 
acquire a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free 
DUNS number request line on 1-866-705-5711 or you may request a number 
on-line at http://www.dnb.com.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    Office of Community Services, Operations Center, 1815 North Fort 
Meyer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22209, Email: 
[email protected], 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--one or two paragraphs, not to 
exceed 350 words, that describe the community in which the project will 
be implemented, beneficiaries to be served, type(s) of business(es) to 
be developed, type(s) of jobs to be created, projected cost-per-job, 
any land or building to be purchased or building constructed, resources 
leveraged and intended impact on the community.
    3. Completed Standard Form 424--that has been signed by an official 
of the organization applying for the grant who has legal authority to 
obligate the organization. Under Box 11. indicate the Priority Area for 
which the application is written.
    4. Standard Form 424A--Budget Information-Non-Construction 
Programs.
    5. Standard Form 424B--Assurances-Non-Construction Programs.
    6. Narrative Budget Justification--for each object class category 
required under Section B, Standard Form 424A.
    Applicants are encouraged to use job titles and not specific names 
in developing the application budget. However, the specific salary 
rates or amounts for staff positions identified must be included in the 
application budget.
    7. 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
    Submit application materials on white 8\1/2\ x 11 inch paper only. 
Do not use colored, oversized or folded materials.
    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.
    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.
    Each application should include one signed original and two 
additional copies.
3. Page Limitation
    The application package including sections for the Table of 
Contents, Project Abstract, Project and Budget Narratives, business and 
work plans must not exceed 60 pages. The page limitation does not 
include Standard Forms and Assurances, Certifications, Disclosures, 
appendices and any supplemental documents as required in this 
announcement.
    An application that exceeds the page limitation specified will be 
considered ``non-responsive'' and be returned to the applicant without 
further review.
4. Required Standard Forms
    Applicants must submit completed and signed SF 424 Application for 
Federal Assistance, SF 424A Budget Information--Non-Construction 
Programs, and Standard Form 424B, Assurances: Non-Construction 
Programs.
    Applicants must provide a certification regarding lobbying when 
applying for an award in excess of $100,000. Applicants must sign and 
return the certification with their applications.
    Applicants must disclose lobbying activities on the Standard Form 
LLL when applying for an award in excess of $100,000. Applicants who 
have used non-Federal funds for lobbying activities in connection with 
receiving assistance under this announcement shall complete a 
disclosure form to report lobbying. Applicants must sign and return the 
disclosure form, if applicable, with their applications.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their 
compliance with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. 
Applicants provide certification by signing the SF 424 and need not 
mail back the certification with the application.
    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. 
Applicants provide certification by signing the SF 424 and need not 
mail the application back with the application.
    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 coy of the application package, complete it off-line, and 
then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site. You may 
not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us.
    Please note the following if you plan to submit your application 
electronically via Grants.gov.
     Electronic submission is voluntary.
     When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find 
information about submitting an application electronically through the 
site, as well as the hours of operation. We strongly recommend that you 
do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the 
application process through Grants.gov.
     To use Grants.gov, you, as the applicant, must have a DUNS 
Number and register in the Central Contractor

[[Page 28923]]

Registry (CCR). You should allow a minimum of five days to complete the 
CCR registration.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit a grant application in electronic format, nor will we penalize 
you if you submit an application in paper format.
     You may submit all documents electronically, including all 
information typically included on the SF 424 and all necessary 
assurances and certifications.
     Your application must comply with any page limitation 
requirements described in this program announcement.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive an automatic acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains a 
Grants.gov tracking number. The Administration for Children and 
Families will retrieve your application from Grants.
     We may request that you provide original signatures on 
forms at a later date.
     You may access the electronic application for this program 
on http://www.Grants.gov.
     You must search for the downloadable application package 
by the CFDA number.
    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.

3. Submission Date and Times

    The closing time and date for receipt of applications is 4:30 p.m. 
Eastern Standard Time (EST) on July 19, 2004. Mailed or hand carried 
applications received after 4:30 p.m. on the closing date will be 
classified as late.
    Deadline: Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an 
announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline time 
and date at the U.S. 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: Operations Center. Applicants are responsible 
for mailing applications well in advance, when using all mail services, 
to ensure that the applications are received on or before the deadline 
time and date.
    Applications hand carried by applicants, applicant couriers, other 
representatives of the applicant, or by overnight/express mail couriers 
shall be considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are 
received on or before the deadline date, between the hours of 8 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m., EST, at the U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community 
Services' Operations Center, 1815 Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300, 
Arlington, Virginia 22209 Attention: Operations Center, between Monday 
and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). This address must appear on 
the envelope/package containing the application with the note: 
``Attention: Operations Center''. 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 and will not be considered. ACF 
shall notify each late applicant that its application will not be 
considered in the current competition.
    Extension of deadlines: ACF may extend application deadlines when 
circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or 
when there are widespread disruptions of mails service. Determinations 
to extend or waive deadline requirements rest with the Chief Grants 
Management Officer.

Required Forms

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           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..  Identifies project,     Consistent with         By application due date.
                                 the target population   guidance in
                                 and the major           ``Application
                                 elements of the         Format'' section of
                                 proposed project.       this announcement.
Completed Standard Form 424...  As described above and  May be found on http:// By application due date.
                                 per required form.      www.acf.hhs.gov/
                                                         programs/ofs/
                                                         forms.htm.
Completed Standard Form 424A..  As described above and  May be found on http:// By application due date.
                                 per required form.      www.acf.hhs.gov/
                                                         programs/ofs/
                                                         forms.htm.
Completed Standard Form 424B..  As described above and  May be found on http:// By application due date.
                                 per required 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 Review    Format'' section of
                                 Information'' and the   this announcement.
                                 ``Review and
                                 Selection Criteria''
                                 sections of this
                                 announcement.
Certification regarding         As described above and  May be found on http:// By application due date.
 lobbying.                       per required form.      www.acf.hhs.gov/
                                                         programs/ofs/
                                                         forms.htm.
Certification regarding         As described above and  May be found on http:// By application due date.
 environmental tobacco smoke.    per required form.      www.acf.hhs.gov/
                                                         programs/ofs/
                                                         forms.htm.
1. SF424......................  Per required form.....  May be found at http:// See application due date.
                                                         www.acf.hhs.gov/
                                                         programs/ofs/grants/
                                                         form.htm.
2. SF424A.....................  Per required form.....  May be found at  http:/ See application due date.
                                                         /www.acf.hhs.gov/
                                                         programs/ofs /grants/
                                                         form.htm.

[[Page 28924]]

 
3.a. SF424B...................  Per required form.....  May be found at http:// See application due date.
                                                         www.acf.hhs.gov/
                                                         programs/ofs/grants/
                                                         form.htm.
3.b. Certification regarding    Per required form.....  May be found at http:// See application due date.
 lobbying.                                               www.acf.hhs.gov/
                                                         programs/ofs/grants/
                                                         form.htm.
3.c. Disclosure of Lobbying     Per required form.....  May be found at http:// See application due date.
 Activities (SF-LLL).                                    www.acf.hhs.gov/
                                                         programs/ofs/grants/
                                                         form.htm.
4. Project Summary/Abstract...  Summary of application  See instructions in     See application due date.
                                 request.                this funding
                                                         opportunity
                                                         announcement.
5. Project Description........  Responsiveness to       See instructions in     See application due date.
                                 evaluation criteria.    this funding
                                                         opportunity
                                                         announcement.
6. Proof of non-profit status.  See above.............  See above.............  See application due date.
7. Indirect cost rate           See above.............  See above.............  See application due date.
 agreement.
8. Letters of agreement & MOUs  See above.............  See above.............  See application due date.
9. Letters of support.........  See above.............  See above.............  See application due date.
10. Sole source justification.  See above.............  See above.............  See application due date.
11. Non-Federal share letter..  See above.............  See above.............  See application due date.
Total application.............  See above.............  Application limit 90    See application due date.
                                                         pages total including
                                                         all forms and
                                                         attachments. Submit
                                                         one original and two
                                                         copies.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

4. Intergovernmental Review

State Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
    This program is covered under Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' and 45 CFR Part 100, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services 
Programs and Activities.'' Under the Order, States may design their own 
processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance 
under covered programs. As of 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 Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, 
Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, 
Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, 
Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, 
Washington, Wyoming and Palau have elected to participate in the 
Executive Order process and have established Single Points of Contact 
(SPOCs). Applicants from these twenty-six 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.

[[Page 28925]]

5. Funding Restrictions

Sub-Contracting or Delegating Projects
    OCS will not fund 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 
implement 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.
Prohibited Activities
    OCS will not consider applications that propose to establish Small 
Business Investment Corporations or Minority Enterprise Small Business 
Investment Corporations.
    OCS will not fund projects that are primarily education and 
training projects. In projects where participants must be trained, any 
funds proposed for training must be limited to specific job-related 
training to those individuals who have been selected for employment in 
the grant supported project. Projects involving training and placement 
for existing vacant positions will be disqualified from competition.
    OCS will not fund projects that would result in the relocation of a 
business from one geographic area to another resulting in job 
displacement.
    Pre-award costs will not be covered by an award.

6. Other Submission Requirements

Private Nonprofit Community Development Corporation
    Applicants must provide proof of nonprofit status and proof of 
status as a community development corporation as required by statute 
and as described under ``Additional Information on Eligibility.''
Sufficiency of Financial Management System
    Because CED funds are Federal, all grantees must be capable of 
meeting the requirements of 45 CFR Part 74 concerning their financial 
management system. To assure that the applicant has such capability, 
applications must include a signed statement from a Certified or 
Licensed Public Accountant as to the sufficiency of the CDCs financial 
management system in accordance with 45 CFR 74 and financial statements 
for the CDC for the prior three years. If such statements are not 
available because the CDC is a newly formed entity, the application 
must include a statement to this effect. The CDC grantee is responsible 
for ensuring that grant funds expended by it and the third party are 
expended in compliance with Federal regulations of 45 CFR, Part 74 and 
OMB Circular A-122.
Work Plan
    An applicant must include a detailed work plan covering the 
activities to be undertaken and benchmarks that demonstrate progress 
toward stated goals and measurable objectives.
Evaluation
    Applications must include provision for an independent, 
methodologically sound evaluation of the effectiveness of the 
activities carried out with the grant and their efficacy in creating 
new jobs and business ownership opportunities. There must be a well-
defined process evaluation, and an outcome evaluation whose design will 
permit tracking of project participants throughout the proposed project 
period. The evaluation must be conducted by an independent evaluator, 
i.e., a person with recognized evaluation skills who is 
organizationally distinct from, and not under the control of, the 
applicant. It is important that each successful applicant have a third-
party evaluator selected, and implement their role at the very latest 
by the time the work program of the project is begun, and if possible 
before that time so that he or she can participate in the design of the 
program, in order to assure that data necessary for the evaluation will 
be collected and available.

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 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 of information.
    The following information collections are included in the program 
announcement: The project description is approved under Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number 0970-0139.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number.
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. For example, 
describe the population to be served by the program and the number of 
new jobs that will be targeted to the target population. Explain how 
the project will reach the targeted population, how it will benefit 
participants including how it will

[[Page 28926]]

support individuals to become more economically self-sufficient.
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. Account for all functions or activities identified in the 
application. Cite factors that might accelerate or decelerate the work 
and state your reasons for taking the proposed approach rather than 
others. Describe any unusual features of the project such as design or 
technical 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 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.
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.

1. Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation Criteria for Review and Evaluation of Applications Submitted 
Under Priority Area 4--Planning Projects

Evaluation Criterion I: Approach (Maximum: 35 Points)
    The application describes the project, feasibility studies it 
proposes to conduct and organizational capacity building it proposes to 
undertake. (0-5 Points)
    The work plan is results-oriented and related to conducting 
feasibility studies that address job creation and business development 
opportunities for low-income individuals. The applicant addresses the 
following: Specific outcomes to be achieved; performance targets that 
the project is committed to achieving, including a discussion of how 
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. The planning 
project is able to be implemented soon after a grant award is made. (0-
15 Points)
    The work plan outlines realistic quarterly time schedules of work 
tasks by which the objectives (including the development of 
organizational capacity, a business plan and mobilization of resources) 
will be accomplished not withstanding any such potential problems. (0-5 
Points)
    The narrative describes the basis on which the applicant will 
determine the feasibility of a project and the determination of whether 
to pursue a business plan. (0-5 points)
    The work plan describes critical issues or potential problems that 
might impact negatively on the project and it indicates how the project 
objectives will be attained despite these issues or problems. (0-5 
points)
Evaluation Criterion II: Results and Benefits Expected (Maximum: 25 
Points)
    The applicant will conduct three to five feasibility studies of 
business development opportunities that may result in viable, full time 
permanent jobs. (0-5 points)
    The proposed businesses are in stable or growth industries that can 
be sustained over the long term in the community. (0-5 points)
    The business plan expected as a result of this project looks to be 
feasible based on the organizational capability and experience of the 
applicant's

[[Page 28927]]

organization, management and/or staff. (0-5 points)
    The applicant demonstrates capacity to mobilize resources from the 
private sector, public resources, corporations and foundations, if the 
proposed project is implemented. (0-10 points)
Evaluation Criterion III: Objectives and Need for Assistance (Maximum: 
10 Points)
    The applicant documents that the project addresses a vital need in 
a distressed community. ``Distressed community'' is defined as a 
geographic urban neighborhood or rural community with high unemployment 
and pervasive poverty. The application documents that both the 
unemployment rate and poverty level for the targeted neighborhood of 
community are equal to or greater than the state or national level. The 
applications cites the most recent available statistics from published 
sources, e.g. the recent U.S. Census or updates, the State, County, 
City election district and other information provided in support of its 
contention. (0-7 points)
    The applicant documents that it is an active partner in either a 
new or on-going comprehensive community revitalization project such as: 
A federally designated Empowerment Zone, Enterprise Community or 
Renewal Community project that has clear goals of strengthening 
economic and human development in target neighborhoods; a State or 
local-government supported comprehensive neighborhood revitalization 
project; or a privately supported community revitalization initiative. 
(0-3 points)
Evaluation Criterion IV: Objectives and Need for Assistance (Maximum: 
15 Points)
a. Organizational Profiles
    The applicant demonstrates that it has the management capacity, 
organizational structure and successful record of accomplishment 
relevant to community development and that it has the ability to 
mobilize other financial and in-kind resources. (0-10 points)
b. Staff Skills and Resources
    The application describes in brief resume form the experience and 
skills of the project director who is not only well qualified, but 
whose professional capabilities are relevant to the successful 
implementation of the project. If the key staff person has not yet been 
identified, the application contains a comprehensive position 
description that indicates that the responsibilities to be assigned to 
the project director are relevant to the successful implementation of 
the project. (0-5 points)
Evaluation Criterion V: Evaluation (Maximum: 10 Points)
    The application includes a self-evaluation component that describes 
criteria to be used to evaluate project results and explain the 
methodology to be used to determine whether criteria are met. (0-5 
points)
    The application defines procedures to be employed to determine 
whether the project is being conducted consistent with the work plans. 
(0-5 points)
Evaluation Criterion VI: Budget and Budget Justification (Maximum: 5 
Points)
    Funds requested are commensurate with the level of effort necessary 
to accomplish the goals and the objectives of the project. (0-5 Points)

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 ``SF-424'', a Standard Form 424-A 
Budget Information ``SF-424A'' and signed Standard Form 424B 
Assurance-- Non-Construction Programs ``SF-424B'' 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 for in this announcement.
    (c) The application must contain documentation of the applicant's 
tax-exempt and CDC statuses 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 the 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 under previous HHS grants, 
including the actual dedication to program of mobilized resources as 
set forth in project applications; audit reports; investigative 
reports; and applicant's progress in resolving any final audit 
disallowance on previous OCS or other Federal agency grants.
    In cases where more applications are approved for funding than ACF 
can fund with the money available, the Grants Officer shall fund 
applications in their order of approval until funds run out. In this 
case, ACF has the option of carrying over the approved applications up 
to a year for funding consideration in a later competition of the same 
program. These applications need not be reviewed and scored again if 
the program's evaluation criteria have not changed. However, they must 
then be

[[Page 28928]]

placed in rank order along with other applications in the later 
competition.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: 90 days after the due date of applications.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: 45 CFR Part 74.
    3. Reporting.
    Programmatic Reports: Semi-annually with final report due 90 days 
after project end date.
    Financial Reports: Semi-annually with final report due 90 days 
after project end date.
    Special Reporting Requirements: None.

VII. Agency Contacts

    Program Office Contact: Debbie Brown, Office of Community Services, 
370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW, Aerospace Building 5th Floor West, 
Washington, DC 20447, Email: [email protected]. Telephone: (202) 401-
3446.
    Grants Management Office Contact: Barbara Ziegler Johnson, Office 
of Grants Management, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant 
Promenade, SW., Aerospace Building 4th Floor West, Washington, DC 
20447-0002. Email: [email protected]. Telephone: (202) 401-
4646.

VIII. Other Information

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

    Dated: May 11, 2004.
Clarence H. Carter,
Director, Office of Community Services.
[FR Doc. 04-11237 Filed 5-18-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P