[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 9, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6879-6888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-2512]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Office of Community Services Funding Opportunity

    Funding Opportunity Title: Assets for Independence Demonstration 
Program.
    Announcement Type: Grant-Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2005-ACF-OCS-EI-0053.
    CFDA Number: 93.602.
    Category of Funding Activity: Income Security and Social Services.

[[Page 6880]]

    Executive Summary:
    The Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community 
Services (OCS) will accept applications for financial assistance to 
establish and administer Assets for Independence (AFI) Projects. These 
projects assist low-income people in becoming economically self-
sufficient. They do so by teaching project participants about economic 
and consumer issues and enabling them to establish matched savings 
accounts called Individual Development Accounts (IDA) in order to save 
for a first home, a business or higher education. Grantees must 
participate in an on-going national evaluation of the impact of AFI 
Projects and IDAs.
    This is a standing announcement. It is effective until canceled or 
changed by the Office of Community Services. Applicants may submit 
applications at any time throughout the year. OCS will review and make 
funding decisions about applications submitted by any of three due 
dates: March 15, June 15 and November 1. (If a date falls on a weekend, 
the due date will be the following Monday.) For example, starting in 
mid-March annually, OCS will review all applications submitted November 
2 through March 15. Starting in early June, OCS will review all 
applications submitted March 16 through June 15. And, starting in early 
November, OCS will review all applications submitted June 16 through 
November 1. Unsuccessful applicants may submit a new application in any 
succeeding application period.
    Grantees must comply with terms of the Assets for Independence Act 
(AFIA) (Title IV of the Community Opportunities, Accountability, and 
Training and Educational Services Act of 1998, as amended, Public Law 
105-285, 42 U.S.C. 604 note) in submitting an application and 
administering an AFI Project.
    The OCS Asset Building Web site (at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/assetbuilding) includes information about the AFI Program. The Web site 
presents a wealth of ideas and suggestions for developing and managing 
an AFI Project. In particular, it includes downloadable text of the AFI 
Act and a synopsis of grantee responsibilities imposed by the Act. It 
also features a downloadable guidebook, The AFI Project Builder that 
covers many topics and includes suggestions and best practices for 
planning, starting and implementing an AFI Project. Applicants can 
visit the website to obtain more in-depth information regarding the 
requirements for applying for and implementing an AFI Project.

Priority Area 1

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community 
Services (OCS) will accept applications for financial assistance to 
establish and administer Assets for Independence (AFI) Projects. These 
projects assist low-income people in becoming economically self-
sufficient. They do so by teaching project participants about economic 
and consumer issues and enabling them to establish matched savings 
accounts called Individual Development Accounts (IDA) in order to save 
for a first home, a business or higher education. Grantees must 
participate in an on-going national evaluation of the impact of AFI 
Projects and IDAs.
    This is a standing announcement. It is effective until canceled or 
changed by the Office of Community Services. Applicants may submit 
applications at any time throughout the year. OCS will review and make 
funding decisions about applications submitted by any of three due 
dates: March 15, June 15, and November 1. (If a date falls on a 
weekend, the due date will be the following Monday.) For example, 
starting in mid-March annually, OCS will review all applications 
submitted November 2 through March 15. Starting in early June, OCS will 
review all applications submitted March 16 through June 15. And, 
starting in early November, OCS will review all applications submitted 
June 16 through November 1. Unsuccessful applicants may submit a new 
application in any succeeding application period.
    Grantees must comply with terms of the Assets for Independence Act 
(AFIA) (Title IV of the Community Opportunities, Accountability, and 
Training and Educational Services Act of 1998, as amended, Public Law 
105-285, 42 U.S.C. 604 note) in submitting an application and 
administering an AFI Project.
    The OCS Asset Building Web site (at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/assetbuilding) includes additional information about the AFI Program. 
The website includes a wealth of ideas and suggestions for developing 
and managing an AFI Project. In particular, it includes downloadable 
text of the AFI Act and a synopsis of grantee responsibilities imposed 
by the Act. It also features a downloadable guidebook, The AFI Project 
Builder that covers many topics and includes suggestions and best 
practices for planning, starting and implementing an AFI Project. 
Applicants can visit the website to obtain more in-depth information 
regarding the requirements for applying for and implementing and AFI 
Project.

Program Purpose and Scope

    The purpose of the Assets for Independence Program is to 
demonstrate and evaluate the effectiveness of asset-building projects 
that assist low-income people in becoming economically self-sufficient 
by teaching them about economic and consumer issues and enabling them 
to establish matched savings accounts called Individual Development 
Accounts (IDA). The program is demonstrating and evaluating the effects 
of AFI projects and IDAs in terms of increasing the economic self-
sufficiency of low-income families; promoting savings for first-time 
homeownership, post-secondary education, and small business or micro-
enterprise development; and stabilizing and improving families and 
communities.
    OCS seeks to support innovative AFI Projects administered by 
national, State-wide, regional and community-based organizations. 
Organizations that may apply include, but are not limited to, Community 
Action Agencies; community development corporations; financial 
institutions such as banks, credit unions, and community development 
financial institutions; faith-based and community organizations; State 
and local government agencies; and other organizations such as marriage 
strengthening coalitions; service and fraternal organizations; schools, 
colleges and universities; and consortia or groups of organizations 
that collaborate to administer an AFI Project.
    A broad range of organizations may be eligible for AFI Project 
funding, including the following:
--Organizations with projects that serve communities and groups that 
are less represented among the current AFI Projects such as residents 
of rural areas and Native American individuals or communities.
--Organizations with projects involving schools, colleges or 
universities to provide services to youth who are saving to attend 
higher education.
--Organizations with projects involving area businesses to provide 
services to the employees of those businesses. This may include local 
government agencies that seek to provide an IDA benefit for their 
employees.
--Organizations with projects involving the agency that manages the 
local welfare (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families--TANF) program; 
other offices that manage employment, education, and training

[[Page 6881]]

initiatives; and agencies that manage child support enforcement.
--Organizations with projects administered by a consortium or network 
of organizations including a lead organization and one or more 
subsidiary organizations. In this arrangement, a lead organization 
receives the OCS funding and administers the overall AFI Project 
including the financial accounting services for the project, while the 
subsidiary organizations provide services to project participants in a 
defined locality or a certain target population in a region, State, 
city or other geographic area. OCS believes such consortia or network 
arrangements may be particularly cost effective and efficient.
--Organizations with projects involving family strengthening coalitions 
and related organizations in an effort to integrate asset-building work 
with activities that promote healthy marriage and family formation. 
These activities may include, for example, communication skills 
training, marriage-oriented financial education, family budgeting, and 
marriage enrichment training. The goal for integrating asset building 
with healthy marriage projects is to link financial education with 
family budgeting abilities and marital communication skills that help 
to strengthen families and improve the communities in which families 
live.

    OCS encourages and will provide preference to applicants that:

--Propose projects that will enroll participants from households with 
children;
--Propose projects that will enroll individuals residing within 
relatively well-defined neighborhoods or communities that experience 
high rates of poverty or unemployment; or
--Propose projects with a proportionally greater amount of funds 
committed from private sector sources.

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated total priority area funding: $18,000,000.
    Anticipated number of awards: 50 to 60.
    Average Projected Award Amount per project period: $327,273.
    Length of Project Periods: Other.
    Explanation of other: 5 year (60 months) project period with 5 year 
(60 months) budget period.
    Ceiling of Individual Awards per project period: $1,000,000.
    Floor on amount of individual awards per project period: None.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    State governments;
    County governments;
    City or township governments;
    Special district governments;
    Independent school districts;
    State controlled institutions of higher education;
    Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized);
    Public Housing authorities/Indian housing authorities;
    Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally 
recognized tribal governments); and
    Non-profits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than 
institutions of higher education.
    Additional Information on Eligibility:
    Both Faith and Community-based organizations having 501(c)(3) 
status with the Internal Revenue Service are eligible to apply.
    State, tribal, county, or local governments; school districts; 
public housing authorities; and other governments or agencies are 
eligible only as joint-applicants with a non-profit organization having 
501(c)(3) status.
    Low-Income Credit Unions and Community Development Financial 
Institutions are eligible only if they demonstrate a strong 
collaborative relationship with one or more local community-based 
organization(s) that seek to address poverty and the economic needs of 
community residents. Such community-based organizations may be any 
number of types of entities such as philanthropic foundations, 
community foundations, for-profit organizations, or non-profit 
organizations. If a non-profit, they are not required to have 501(c)(3) 
status.
    Applicant Low-Income Credit Unions and Community Development 
Financial Institutions may be a subsidiary of or otherwise affiliated 
with a State, local or Tribal government, or any non-profit or for-
profit organization.
    Applicant Low-Income Credit Unions must submit official 
documentation that the National Credit Union Administration has 
designated the organization as such. For information about Low-Income 
Credit Unions, see http://www.ncua.gov.
    Applicant Community Development Financial Institutions must submit 
official documentation that the U.S. Department of the Treasury has 
designated the organization as such. For information about Community 
Development Financial Institutions, go to http://www.cdfifund.gov.
    Applications submitted by joint applicants, for example, by a 
State, local or Tribal government agency and a non-profit organization, 
must clearly identify the organizations that are the joint applicants. 
The required Standard Form 424 ``Application for Federal Assistance'' 
must be signed by an authorized representative of the one joint 
applicant that will be responsible for grant administration and AFI 
Project implementation. The responsible applicant may be either the 
government agency or the non-profit organization.
    Current AFI Project grantees may submit funding applications for 
new five-year projects. They will be reviewed competitively with all 
other applications.
    Please see Section IV, for required documentation supporting 
eligibility and/or funding restrictions.

2. Cost Sharing/Matching

    Cost Sharing/Matching: Yes.
Matching/Cost-Sharing
    Grantees are required to meet a non-Federal share of project costs 
in accordance with Section 406(b) of the Assets for Independence Act. 
Grantees must provide at least 50 percent of the total approved cost of 
the project. The total approved cost of the project is the sum of the 
ACF share and the non-Federal share. The non-Federal share may be met 
by cash contributions only. Therefore, a project requesting $350,000 in 
Federal funds (based on an award of $350,000 per budget period) must 
provide a match of at least $350,000 (50 percent of the total approved 
project costs). Grantees will be held accountable for commitments of 
non-Federal resources even if over the amount of the required match. 
Failure to provide the amount will result in disallowance of Federal 
funds. Lack of supporting documentation at the time of application will 
not impact the responsiveness of the application for competitive 
review.
    Please note however that although applications that fail to provide 
such documentation at the time of application submission will not be 
barred from competitive review, matching/cost sharing will be used as 
an evaluation and/or preference criterion. Please see Section I. 
Funding Opportunity Description for a description of the matching/cost 
share requirement as a preference criterion. Please also see Section 
V.1 Budget and Budget Justification for the specific matching/cost 
sharing criterion that will be evaluated to support this preference.

3. Other

    All applicants must have a Dun & Bradstreet Number. On June 27, 
2003

[[Page 6882]]

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.
    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 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.
     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.
    (The Only Applicable Methods For the Assets For Independence 
Program Are the First and Second Bulleted Items. The Applicant Should 
Disregard the Other Areas Listed.)
    When applying electronically we strongly suggest that you attach 
proof of non-profit status with your electronic application.
    Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with 
their applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents 
and Forms,'' ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants,'' 
titled, ``Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants,'' at: 
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Disqualification Factors
    Applications that exceed the ceiling amount will be considered non-
responsive and will not be eligible for funding under this 
announcement.
    Any application post-marked after 4:30 p.m. eastern time on the 
deadline date will not be considered for competition.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    Office of Community Services, ATTN: Assets for Independence 
Program, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 500 West, Washington, DC 
20447, Phone: 202-401-4626, Fax: 202-401-5718, E-mail: 
[email protected], URL: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/HHS-2005-ACF-OCS-EI-0053.html.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Application Format
    You may submit your application in either electronic or paper 
format.
    To submit an application electronically, please use the http://www.Grants.gov/Apply site. If you use Grants.gov, you will be able to 
download a copy of the application package, complete it off-line, and 
then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site. ACF 
will not accept grant applications via e-mail or facsimile 
transmission.
    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 to begin the application 
process through Grants.Gov.
     We recommend you visit Grants.Gov at least 30 days prior 
to filling your application to fully understand the process and 
requirements. We encourage applicants who submit electronically to 
submit well before the closing date and time so that if difficulties 
are encountered an applicant can still send in a hard copy overnight. 
If you encounter difficulties, please contact the Grants.Gov Help Desk 
at 1-800-518-4726 to report the problem and obtain assistance with the 
system.
     To use Grants.Gov you as the applicant, must have a DUNS 
Number and register in the Central Contact 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 the 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 http://www.grants.gov.
     You must search for the downloadable application package 
by the CFDA number.
    An original and two copies of the complete application are 
required. The original and each of the two copies must include all 
required forms, certifications, assurances, and appendices, be signed 
by an authorized representative, have original signatures, and be 
submitted unbound.
    Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with 
their applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents 
and Forms,'' ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants,'' 
titled, ``Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants,'' at: 
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Number of Pages in Application Package
    Please number all application pages sequentially, beginning with 
the proposal abstract as page number one. Include page numbers for 
supplemental documents including appendices. Please do not include 
organizational brochures or other promotional materials, slides, films, 
newspaper clips, and so forth.
    Applications should be thorough yet concise. We suggest up to 40 
pages for the table of contents, project abstract

[[Page 6883]]

and project narrative, and any number of additional pages for required 
standard forms, assurances, certifications, disclosures, appendices, 
and supplemental documents.
Proof of Non-Profit Status
    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 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.
     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.
    (The Only Applicable Methods for the Assets for Independance 
Program Are the First and Second Bulleted Items. The Applicant Should 
Disregard the Other Areas Listed.)
Proof of Low Income Credit Union Status
    Applicant Low-Income Credit Unions must submit official 
documentation that the National Credit Union Administration has 
designated the organization as such. For information about Low-Income 
Credit Unions, see http://www.ncua.gov.
Proof of Community Development Financial Institution Status
    Applicant Community Development Financial Institutions must submit 
official documentation that the U. S. Department of the Treasury has 
designated the organization as such. For information about Community 
Development Financial Institutions, go to http://www.cdfifund.gov.
Standard Forms and Certifications
    The project description should include all the information 
requirements described in the specific evaluation criteria outlined in 
the program announcement under Section V Application Review 
Information. In addition to the project description, the applicant 
needs to complete all the standard forms required for making 
applications for awards under the announcement.
    Applicants seeking financial assistance under this announcement 
must file the Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal 
Assistance; Standard Form 424A. Budget Information-Non-Construction 
Programs; Standard Form 424B, Assurances: Non-Construction Programs. 
The forms may be reproduced for use in submitting applications. 
Applicants must sign and return the standard forms with their 
application.
    Applicants must furnish prior to award an executed copy of the 
Standard Form LLL, Certification Regarding Lobbying, when applying for 
an award in excess of $100,000. Applicants who have used non-Federal 
funds for lobbying activities in connection with receiving assistance 
under this announcement shall complete a disclosure form, if 
applicable, with their applications (approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget under control number 0348-0046). Applicants must 
sign and return the certification with their application.
    Applicants must also understand that they will be held accountable 
for the smoking prohibition included within Public Law 103-227. Title 
XII Environmental Tobacco Smoke (also known as the PRO-KIDS ACT of 
1994). A copy of the Federal Register notice which implements the 
smoking prohibition is included with forms. By signing and submitting 
the application, applicants are providing certification and need not 
mail back the certification with the application.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their 
compliance with all Federal statutes related to nondiscrimination. By 
signing and submitting the applications, applicants are providing 
certification and need not mail back the certification form. Complete 
the standard forms and the associated certifications and assurances 
based on the instructions on the forms. The forms and certifications 
may be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
    Please see Section V.1. Criteria, for instructions on preparing the 
full project description.

3. Submission Dates and Times

Explanation of Due Dates
    The closing time and date for receipt of applications is referenced 
above. Mailed applications postmarked after the closing date will be 
classified as late.
    Deadline: Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an 
announced deadline if they are either received on or before the 
deadline date or sent on or before the deadline date and received by 
ACF in time for the independent review referenced in Section IV.6.
    Applicants must ensure that a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service 
postmark or a legibly dated, machine produced postmark of a commercial 
service is affixed to the envelope/package containing the 
application(s). To be acceptable of proof of timely mailing, a postmark 
from a commercial mail service must include the logo/emblem of the 
commercial mail service company from the applicant. Private Metered 
postmarks shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing. 
(Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not 
always deliver as agreed.)
    Applicants hand carried by applicants, applicant couriers, or by 
other representatives of the applicants 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., e.t., at the address 
referenced in Section IV.6., between Monday and Friday (excluding 
Federal holidays). Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail 
services do not always deliver as agreed.
    ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax. 
Therefore, applications transmitted to ACF by fax will not be accepted 
regardless of date or time of submission and time of receipt.
    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 (flood, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or 
when there are widespread disruptions of mail service, or in other rare 
cases. Determination to extend or waive deadline requirements rest with 
the Chief Grants Management Officer.
Checklist
    You may use the checklist below as a guide when preparing your 
application package.

[[Page 6884]]



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                                                           Required form or
        What to submit             Required content             format                   When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project Abstract..............  See Section IV and V..  Format described in IV  By application due date.
                                                         and V.
Project Narrative.............  See Section IV and V..  Format described in IV  By application due date.
                                                         and V.
Budget Narrative/Justification  See Section IV and V..  Format described in     By application due date.
                                                         IV.2 and V...
SF424.........................  See Section IV........  Format described in IV  By application due date.
SF424A........................  See Section IV........  Format described in IV  By application due date.
SF424B........................  See Section IV........  Format described in IV  By application due date.
Certification regarding         See Section IV........  Format described in     By Time of Award.
 lobbying.                                               http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Certification regarding         See Section IV........  Format described in     By Time of Award.
 environmental tobacco smoke.                            http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Proof of Non-Profit Status....  See Section III and IV  Format described in     By Time of Award.
                                                         III and IV..
Proof of Low Income Credit      See Section III and IV  Format described in     By Time of Award.
 Union Status (if applicable).                           III and IV.
Proof of Community Development  See Section II and IV.  Format described in     By Time of Award.
 Financial Institution Status                            III and IV.
 (if applicable).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Forms

    Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with 
their applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents 
and Forms,'' ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants,'' 
titled, ``Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants,'' at: 
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

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

4. Intergovernmental Review

State Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
    This program is covered under Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' and 45 CFR Part 100, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services 
Programs and Activities.'' Under the Order, States may design their own 
processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance 
under covered programs.
    As of October 1, 2004, the following jurisdictions have elected to 
participate in the Executive Order process: Arkansas, California, 
Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, 
Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, 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 Islands, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands. As these 
jurisdictions have elected to participate in the Executive Order 
process, they have established SPOCs. Applicants from participating 
jurisdictions should contact their SPOC, as soon as possible, to alert 
them of prospective applications and receive instructions. Applicants 
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 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, 
Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW., 4th 
floor, Washington, DC 20447.
    Although the remaining jurisdictions have chosen not to participate 
in the process, entities that meet 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. Therefore, 
applicants from these jurisdictions, or for projects administered by 
federally-recognized Indian Tribes, need take no action in regard to 
E.O. 12372.
    The official list, including addresses, of the jurisdictions 
elected to participate in E.O. 12372 can be found on the following URL: 
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.
    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

    Grant awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-award costs.
    Grantees must comply with terms of the Assets for Independence Act 
(AFIA) (Title IV of the Community Opportunities, Accountability, and 
Training and Educational Services Act of 1998, as amended, Public Law 
105-285, 42 U.S.C. 604 note) in submitting an application and 
administering an AFI Project. Prior to award of project funds, OCS may 
communicate with potential grantees to ensure that the proposed 
projects conform to the AFI.
    Due to statutory limitations, OCS may not award any single AFI 
Program grant of more than $1,000,000.00.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    Submission by Mail: An applicant must provide an original 
application with all attachments, signed by an authorized 
representative and two copies. Please see Section IV.3 for an

[[Page 6885]]

explanation of due dates. Applications should be mailed to: Office of 
Community Services Operations Center, Assets for Independence Program, 
1515 Wilson Blvd, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22209, Attention: 
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services, 
Assets for Independence Program.
    Hand Delivery: An applicant must provide an original application 
with all attachments signed by an authorized representative and two 
copies. Please see Section IV.3 for an explanation of due dates. 
Applications should be delivered to: Office of Community Services 
Operations Center, Assets for Independence Program, 1515 Wilson Blvd, 
Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22209. Attention: Administration for Children 
and Families, Office of Community Services, Assets for Independence 
Program.
    Electronic Submission: http://www.grants.gov/. Please see Section 
IV. 2 Content and Form of Application Submission, for guidelines and 
requirements when submitting applications electronically.

V. Application Review Information

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13)

    Public reporting burden for this collection of information is 
estimated to average 30 hours per response, including the time for 
reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed and 
reviewing the collection information.
    The project description is approved under OMB control number 0970-
0139 which expires 4/30/2007.
    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.
    The following are instructions and guidelines on how to prepare the 
``Project Summary / Abstract'' and ``Full Project Description'' 
sections of the application. Under the evaluation criteria section, 
note that each criterion is preceded by the generic evaluation 
requirement under the ACF Uniform Project Description (UPD).

1. Criteria

Project Summary/Abstract
    Provide a summary of the project description (a page or less) with 
reference to the funding request.
Objectives and Need for Assistance
    Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, 
institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need 
for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate 
objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting 
documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from 
concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any 
relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred 
to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and 
participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In developing the 
project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to 
provide information on the total range of projects currently being 
conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may be 
outside the scope of the program announcement.
Results or Benefits Expected
    Identify the results and benefits to be derived.
Approach
    Outline a plan of action that 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 that might 
accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the 
proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of 
the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in 
cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement. 
Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the 
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such 
terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities 
accomplished.
    When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or function, 
list them in chronological order to show the schedule of 
accomplishments and their target dates. If any data is to be collected, 
maintained, and/or disseminated, clearance may be required from the 
U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This clearance pertains to 
any ``collection of information that is conducted or sponsored by 
ACF.'' List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other 
key individuals who will work on the project along with a short 
description of the nature of their effort or contribution.
Evaluation
    Provide a narrative addressing how the conduct of the project and 
the results 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. If the 
applicant is a non-profit organization, submit proof of non-profit 
status in its application. The non-profit agency can accomplish this by 
providing: (a) A reference to the applicant organization's listing in 
the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt 
organizations described in the IRS Code; (b) a copy of a currently 
valid IRS tax exemption certificate, (c) a statement from a State 
taxing body, State attorney general, or other appropriate State 
official certifying that the applicant organization has a non-profit 
status and that none of the net earnings accrue to any private 
shareholders or individuals; (d) a certified copy of the organization's 
certificate of incorporation or similar document that clearly 
establishes non-profit status, (e) any of the items 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.
Budget and Budget Justification
    Provide a budget with 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

[[Page 6886]]

other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to be 
duplicated. 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 Criteria: Members of proposal review panels will score 
applications based on the following criteria, some of which include 
factors and sub-factors.
Approach 50 Points
    Factor: Work Plan and Timeline (25 points).
    The extent to which the applicant provides a clear work plan for 
day-to-day operations, including responsibilities of the applicant and 
those of all participating organizations and financial institutions. 
The extent to which the work plan describes all significant activities 
anticipated for the entire 60-month project period such as: (a) 
Selecting and training key staff for the project; (b) Developing strong 
collaborations with key government agencies, faith-based organizations, 
and non-profit and for-profit organizations that will support the 
overall asset-building strategy; (c) Establishing and maintaining the 
Project Reserve Account; (d) Developing protocols for managing the 
Project Reserve Account including a system for allocating interest 
income for project administration and to project participants; (e) 
Establishing strong working relationships with one or more financial 
institution(s) that will participate in the project; (f) Reaching out 
to community residents, employers, and other key institutions about 
asset-building strategies in general and the IDA program in particular; 
(g) Recruiting, screening, and selecting project participants; (h) 
Determining the unique needs of each participant or group of 
participants including their needs for economic education, credit 
repair, and other assistance, as well as determining their particular 
strengths; (i) Providing economic education, credit repair, asset-
specific information and other training or supportive services to 
participants; (j) Developing savings plans with participants and 
working with them to save accordingly; (k) Providing payments to 
project participants' IDAs as match for savings; (l)Establishing and 
maintaining IDAs for each participant including specific arrangements 
concerning the accounts with financial institutions or others; (m) 
Assisting participants who have difficulty completing the economic 
education or abiding with the terms of their savings plan; (n) Ensuring 
that participants use IDAs only as appropriate, including for emergency 
expenses; (o) Ensuring that participants purchase an eligible, 
appreciable long-term asset within the program timeframes; (p) 
Providing follow-up assistance to participants, if needed; (q) 
Providing required financial and programmatic reports to OCS; (r) 
Participating actively in the national evaluation of the demonstration 
program including providing data and other information as required; and 
(s) Managing periodic internal program reviews concerning staffing, 
participant successes, and other issues to be addressed.
    Factor: Tax Services (3 points).
    The extent to which the applicant proposes to provide tax 
preparation assistance and assistance for claiming refundable tax 
credits such as Federal and State Earned Income Tax Credit and the 
Child Tax Credit for project participants as part of the overall 
program.
    Factor: IDA Match Rate (5 points).
    The extent to which the applicant proposes a clear and reasonable 
match rate or a menu of match rates for participants' IDAs that reflect 
the costs of eligible assets in the target community(ies).
    Factor: Innovation (5 points).
    The extent to which the applicant proposes any innovative 
strategies for vital program issues such as recruiting participants; 
working with local partners such as employers and financial 
institutions; enhancing financial education and financial literacy 
strategies; building partnerships with other organizations; using 
information technology, and so forth. The extent to which the applicant 
proposes a project that will be a component of other significant and 
comprehensive neighborhood change projects such as Empowerment Zone, 
Enterprise Community, Renewal Community projects, Weed and Seed 
projects, and so forth. The extent to which the applicant proposes a 
project that will integrate asset-building work with other related 
vital activities such as promoting healthy marriage and family 
formation as a means of achieving safety, permanency, and well-being 
for children and families.
    Factor: Partners/Collaborations (12 points).
    The extent to which the applicant provides a thorough and realistic 
plan for collaborating with an array of public and private 
organizations that will be involved in administering the project, 
describing the roles and responsibilities of each, their capacity to 
participate in this project, and the process for recruiting additional 
partners throughout the project period. If the applicant is the lead 
organization of a collaborative or group of organizations that will 
administer the project, the extent to which the applicant clearly 
describes its capacity and experience in managing multi-agency projects 
and the roles and responsibilities of each participating organization. 
The extent to which the applicant presents a well conceived partnership 
including documentation of a strong relationship with one or more 
Federally insured financial institution(s) where the Project Reserve 
Account and participant Individual Development Accounts will be 
established and maintained. The extent to which the applicant will 
secure cost-share funds from private sector sources.
Organizational Profiles 17 Points
    The extent to which the applicant provides clear and convincing 
information that it has the capacity and relevant experience in 
developing and operating successful programs or initiatives, including 
but not limited to efforts for addressing the causes and effects of 
poverty. The extent to which the applicant identifies a Project 
Director and staff with relevant experience including specific 
experience with the target population, working with financial 
institutions and partners, and implementing successful asset-building 
approaches and IDA programs.
Results or Benefits Expected 10 Points
    The extent to which the applicant presents clear outcome and output 
statements that indicate progress in achieving the objectives (as 
stated in the Objectives and Need for Assistance criteria section) for 
delivering asset-building services and affecting the economic status of 
project participants.
Objectives and Need for Assistance 10 Points
    Factor: Goal and Objectives Statements (5 points).
    The extent to which the applicant presents clear program goal(s) 
supporting asset-building in general and IDAs in particular. The extent 
to which the applicant presents a small number of clear objective 
statements that describe anticipated targets or results of the project, 
such as the following three objectives that are linked to the national 
AFI Program goals: (1) The increase in the percentage of project 
participants who are homeowners; (2) The increase in the percentage of 
project participants

[[Page 6887]]

who acquire postsecondary education; and (3) The increase in the 
percentage of project participants who create or expand a micro-
enterprise. The extent to which the program goal(s) and objectives 
relate to the needs for assistance and strengths identified. The extent 
to which the applicant's goal(s) and objectives reflect a commitment to 
the AFI Program and IDAs as tools for reducing poverty.
    Factor: Needs for Assistance and Strengths (5 points).
    The extent to which the applicant clearly identifies the needs and 
strengths of the target population and community(ies) or 
neighborhood(s), in terms of the geographic area, potential participant 
income, and other compelling information such as demographics, savings/
assets acquisition, or other factors. The extent to which the applicant 
proposes a well-conceived project that will target households with 
children. The extent to which the applicant proposes a well-conceived 
project that will enroll individuals residing within relatively well-
defined neighborhoods or communities that experience high rates of 
poverty or unemployment.
Budget and Budget Justification 5 Points.
    The extent to which the applicant presents a clear and realistic 
budget and justification with reasonable amounts allocated for 
essential outcome-oriented activities such as program administration, 
economic education and other training and services for project 
participants. The extent to which the applicant presents clear 
evidence, in the form of letters or other documents, that the project 
will be supported with substantial amounts of non-federal cash funding 
(no less than the amount of the requested AFI Program grant).
Evaluation 5 Points
    The extent to which the applicant presents a clear strategy for 
using an electronic information system to manage the overall project; 
to manage data about the status of project participants, their savings, 
and so forth; and to produce semi-annual and annual reports. The extent 
to which the applicant presents a clear commitment to participate 
actively in the national evaluation of the overall AFI Program by 
providing relevant and timely data to OCS and by collaborating with OCS 
on evaluation activities throughout the five-year project period.
Project Summary and Abstract 3 Points
    The extent to which the applicant presents a clear one-page 
document that summarizes key features of the proposed project such as: 
goals and objectives; information about target community(ies); account 
structure and program design; partner organizations; locations of 
service sites; and non-federal funding and other support.

2. Review and Selection Process

    Since ACF will be using non-Federal reviewers in the review 
process, 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.
    No grant award will be made on the basis of an incomplete 
application.

OCS Evaluation of Applications

    Applications that comply with required procedures (e.g., those that 
are submitted timely by an eligible applicant) will be reviewed and 
rated by a panel based on the evaluation criteria stated in this 
announcement. OCS will make funding decisions based in part on the 
review panel scores and in part on other factors. The other factors may 
include: geographic distribution of AFI Projects; the applicant's 
record regarding timely and proper completion of federally funded 
projects; audit and investigative findings and issues; the applicant's 
progress in resolving any final audit disallowance on Federal funding; 
and information collected during pre-award site visits by OCS staff or 
representatives of OCS.
    OCS encourages and will provide preference to applicants that:

--Propose projects that will enroll participants from households with 
children;
--Propose projects that will enroll individuals residing within 
relatively well-defined neighborhoods or communities that experience 
high rates of poverty or unemployment; or
--Propose projects with a proportionately greater amount of funds 
committed from private sector sources.

    Please see Section V.1 for the specific evaluation criteria that 
relate to these preferences.
Approved But Unfunded Applications
    In cases where more applications are approved for funding than ACF 
can fund with the money available, the Grants Officer shall fund 
applications in their order of approval until funds run out. In this 
case ACF has the option of carrying over approved applications up to a 
year for funding consideration in a later competition of the same 
program. These applications need not be reviewed and scored again if 
the program's evaluation criteria have not changed. However, they must 
then be placed in rank order along with other applications in later 
competition.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    ACF anticipates to award funds in the third and fourth quarters of 
the fiscal year.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

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

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    45 CFR Part 74
    45 CFR Part 92
    Grantees are subject to the requirements in 45 CFR Part 74 (non-
governmental) or 45 CFR Part 92 (governmental) organizations.

3. Reporting Requirements

    Programmatic Reports: Semi-Annually
    Financial Status Reports: Semi-Annually
    All grantees are required to submit semi-annual and annual program 
reports; grantees are also required to submit semi-annual and annual 
expenditure reports using the required financial standard report (SF-
269) which can be found at the following URL: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

VII. Agency Contacts

    Program Office Contact: James Gatz, Manager, Assets for 
Independence Program, Office of Community Services, 370 L'Enfant 
Promenade, SW., Suite 500 West, Washington, DC 20008, Phone: 202-401-
4626, Fax: 202-401-5718, E-mail: [email protected].
    Grants Management Office Contact: Barbara Ziegler Johnson, Office 
of

[[Page 6888]]

Grants Management, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant 
Promenade, SW., Aerospace Building, Washington, DC 20447, Phone: 800-
281-9519, E-mail: [email protected].

VIII. Other Information

    Beginning with FY 2006, the Administration for Children and 
Families (ACF) will no longer publish grant announcements in the 
Federal Register. Beginning October 1, 2005 applicants will be able to 
find a synopsis of all ACF grant opportunities and apply electronically 
for opportunities via: http://www.Grants.gov. Applicants will also be 
able to find the complete text of all ACF grant announcements on the 
ACF Web site located at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/index.html.
    Please visit the OCS Asset Building Web page at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/assetbuilding for additional information about this 
program. The Web site includes a wealth of ideas and suggestions for 
developing and managing an AFI Project. In particular, it includes 
downloadable text of the AFI Act and a synopsis of grantee 
responsibilities imposed by the Act. It also includes a downloadable 
guidebook, The AFI Project Builder, which includes many tips, 
suggestions and best practices for planning, starting and implementing 
an AFI Project. Applicants can visit the site for in-depth information 
regarding the requirements for applying for and implementing an AFI 
Project.
    Applicants will be sent acknowledgements of received applications.

    Dated: February 4, 2005.
Clarence H. Carter,
Director, Office of Community Services.
[FR Doc. 05-2512 Filed 2-8-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P