[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 32 (Thursday, February 17, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8093-8102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-3090]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Office of Child Support Enforcement; Special Improvement Project 
(SIP) Grants

    Announcement Type: Initial--Grant.
    Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2005-ACF-OCSE-FI-0005.
    CFDA Number: 93.601.
    Due Date for Applications: Application is due May 3, 2005.
    Executive Summary: The Administration for Children and Families 
(ACF), Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) invites eligible 
applicants to submit competitive grant applications for special 
improvement projects, which further the national child support mission, 
vision, and goals. For FY 2005, OCSE is looking for projects that 
reflect the goals of the new FY 2005-2009 strategic plan including the 
goals that all children have parentage established; and all children in 
IV-D (child support) cases have support orders established, have 
medical coverage and receive financial support from parents as ordered. 
The last goal of the strategic plan is that the IV-D program will be 
efficient and responsive in its operations. Applications will be 
screened and evaluated as indicated in this program announcement. 
Awards will be contingent upon the outcome of the competition and the 
availability of funds. For FY 2005, approximately $1.8 million is 
available for all priority areas. A non-Federal match is not required. 
The anticipated start date for the new awards is August 1, 2005; 
projects under Priority 1 may run through December 31, 2006, for a 
period of up to 17 months; projects under Priorities 2, 4 and 5 may run 
through July 31, 2007, for a period of up to 24 months and projects 
under Priority 3 may run through July 31, 2008, for a period of up to 
36 months.
    Legislative Authority: Section 452(j) of the Social Security Act, 
42 U.S.C. 652(j), provides Federal funds for information dissemination 
and technical assistance to States, training of Federal and State staff 
to improve child support programs, and research, demonstration, and 
special projects of regional or national significance relating to the 
operation of State child support enforcement programs.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Program Purpose and Objectives. To fund a number of special 
improvement projects, which further the national child support mission 
to ensure that all children receive financial and medical support from 
their parents and which strengthen the ability of the nation's child 
support programs to collect

[[Page 8094]]

support on behalf of children and families. For FY 2005, OCSE is 
looking for projects that reflect the goals of the new FY 2005-2009 
strategic plan including the goals that all children have parentage 
established; and all children in IV-D (child support) cases have 
support orders established, have medical coverage, and receive 
financial support from parents as ordered. The last goal of the 
strategic plan is that the IV-D program will be efficient and 
responsive in its operations. The national strategic plan reflects more 
than 10 years of child support professionals' brainstorming and 
consensus building among various branches and levels of government. 
OCSE is looking for innovative projects which promote some of the basic 
themes of the national strategic plan in that child support should be a 
reliable source of income for families; that the child support system 
should help secure children's health care coverage; and that child 
support agencies should use early prevention strategies to help build a 
culture of compliance in which parents will support their children 
voluntarily and reliably. We invite applications for partnerships with 
entities such as courts and/or tribunals and community- and faith-based 
organizations, which have the ability to address the needs of harder-
to-serve populations, such as low-income non-custodial parents and 
culturally diverse populations. Applicants should understand that OCSE 
will not award grants for special improvement projects which (a) 
duplicate automated data processing and information retrieval system 
requirements or enhancements and associated tasks which are specified 
in the Social Security Act; or (b) which cover costs for routine 
activities that would normally be reimbursed under the Child Support 
Program (e.g., adding staff positions to perform routine CSE tasks), or 
by other Federal funding sources. Proposals and their accompanying 
budgets will be reviewed from this perspective.
    Over the past five years, OCSE has awarded an average of 11 grants 
per year, totaling approximately $1.3 million per year. All grant 
awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds. A non-
Federal match is not required. The anticipated start date for the new 
awards is August 1, 2005; projects under Priority 1 may run through 
December 31, 2006, for a period of up to 17 months; projects under 
Priorities 2, 4 and 5 may run through July 31, 2007, for a period of up 
to 24 months; and projects under Priority 3 may run through July 31, 
2008, for a period of up to 36 months.
    The Federal OCSE will provide the State CSE agency the opportunity 
to comment on the merits of local CSE agency applications before final 
award. Given that the purpose of these projects is to improve child 
support enforcement programs, it is critical that applicants have the 
cooperation of IV-D agencies to operate these projects. Preference will 
be given to applicants representing CSE agencies and applicant 
organizations which have letters of commitment or cooperative 
agreements with CSE agencies. All applications developed jointly by 
more than one agency/organization must identify a single lead 
organization as the official applicant. The lead organization will be 
the recipient of the grant award. Participating agencies and 
organizations can be included as co-participants, subgrantees, or 
subcontractors with their written authorization.
    On October 21, 2004, OCSE conducted an audio conference call on 
``Writing a Grant Application Made Easy.'' The material presented 
covered major differences between Section 1115 and Special Improvement 
Project (SIP) grant programs, key elements of the evaluation criteria, 
and advice on what to include and common mistakes to avoid. It did not 
cover the details of the published announcement or discuss the specific 
priority areas. The recorded tape of this call is available through 
March 31, 2005, toll free at 1-866-442-8065.

Priority Area 1

Customizing Approaches for Improved Customer Service
    1. Description: Under this solicitation, projects would design and 
implement customized child support enforcement strategies to improve 
services in specific sites such as, urban areas or multi-state metro 
areas, or for specific populations (e.g., incarcerated or formerly 
incarcerated parents or TANF recipients). Strategies may include, but 
are not limited to, two or more of the following customized service 
approaches: distinguishing between those who refuse to pay (e.g., 
denial/revocation of licenses and other remedies) and those who cannot 
pay (e.g., referral to workforce investment agency activities); working 
with TANF recipients nearing end of receipt of public assistance to 
help them get child support more regularly; using software to collect 
and target data for improved case management (however, SIP grant funds 
may not be used for substantial systems development or design); 
preventing the build-up of arrears through proactive early 
intervention; or co-location of staff to enhance inter-jurisdictional 
case processing.

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $600,000 per project 
period.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 3.
    Ceiling of Individual Awards: $200,000 per project period.
    Floor on Amount of Individual Awards: None.
    An application that exceeds the upper value of the dollar range 
specified will be considered non-responsive.
    Average Projected Award Amount: $200,000 per project period.
    Length of Project Periods: 17 months.

Priority Area 2

Improving Judicial/Administrative Child Support Enforcement Processes
    1. Description: Under this solicitation, OCSE is looking for 
projects that design and implement approaches, which lead to the 
establishment of child support orders that more appropriately address 
circumstances of both parents. Such approaches could include better 
service of process, use of stipulated (voluntary) agreements between 
both parents on child support and related matters, improved court 
processes, along with using more culturally sensitive materials for 
diverse populations (such as tribal, ethnic groups, those with low 
literacy, etc.), as appropriate. Approaches should also address 
perceived obstacles to payment, including affordability of orders, 
matters of procedural justice and/or access to children.

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $375,000 per project 
period.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 2.
    Ceiling of Individual Awards: $187,500 per project period.
    Floor on Amount of Individual Awards: None.
    An application that exceeds the upper value of the dollar range 
specified will be considered non-responsive.
    Average Projected Award Amount: $187,500 per project period.
    Length of Project Periods: 24 months with two 12-month budget 
periods.
    OCSE is providing $150,000 for the first 12-month budget period and 
$37,500 for the second 12-month budget period to provide sufficient 
time for these projects to finalize activities and evaluation reports.

[[Page 8095]]

Priority Area 3

Improving Child Support and Marriage Education Services for Ethnic and 
Culturally Diverse Populations
    1. Description: Under this solicitation, projects would target 
underserved ethnic and culturally diverse populations, including, but 
not limited to, the Hispanic/Latino community, the Asian-American and 
Pacific Islander community, the African-American community, and Native 
Americans, American Indians, and Alaskan Natives so that they will 
receive more effective child support enforcement services and 
appropriate healthy marriage education. In addition, projects would 
identify and eliminate barriers that make it harder for ethnic and 
culturally diverse populations to establish paternity, seek child 
support assistance and to form and sustain healthy marriages. OCSE is 
looking for projects which implement strategies to improve and 
strengthen family stability by providing a combination of child support 
and marriage education services to ethnic and culturally diverse non-
married, custodial, and non-custodial parents. We are interested in 
collaborative approaches between State/local/tribal governments and/or 
courts/tribunals with community-based, faith-based organizations, or 
education institutions and universities (including Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities) to offer model service approaches (not 
outreach campaigns) which reduce identified barriers and implement new 
service delivery strategies within the community. These service 
approaches should demonstrate the impact on child support outcomes such 
as paternity establishment, orders established, collections, and 
healthy marriage formation. This solicitation is not designed to 
provide funding for the development and implementation of Tribal child 
support enforcement programs since these provisions are being addressed 
through Federal regulation. As noted under ``III. Eligibility 
Information'' below, Tribes and Tribal Organizations are eligible to 
apply for any of the SIP priority areas described in this announcement.

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $1,500,000 per project 
period.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 5.
    Ceiling of Individual Awards: $300,000 per project period.
    Floor on Amount of Individual Awards: None.
    An application that exceeds the upper value of the dollar range 
specified will be considered non-responsive.
    Average Projected Award Amount: $300,000 per project period.
    Length of Project Periods: 36 months with three 12-month budget 
periods.

Priority Area 4

Improving Health Care Coverage for Children in Child Support Cases
    1. Description: Under this solicitation, OCSE is looking for 
projects that develop and test creative strategies to improve medical 
support coverage for children in child support cases. Sufficient health 
care coverage for children is a primary consideration for the child 
support enforcement program. Strategies may include, but are not 
limited to, approaches which would improve employer and health 
insurance plan administrator compliance with the National Medical 
Support Notice (NMSN); encourage employers to provide information to 
CSE agencies about their health insurance providers so CSE agencies 
could better track and monitor medical support coverage; develop 
information that could be replicated in other communities for custodial 
and non-custodial parents about low-cost health insurance available at 
the local level; or improve data interfaces and other information 
exchanges between State/local CSE agencies and agencies administering 
Medicaid and SCHIP programs.

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $250,000 per project 
period.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 2.
    Ceiling of Individual Awards: $125,000 per project period.
    Floor on Amount of Individual Awards: None.
    An application that exceeds the upper value of the dollar range 
specified will be considered non-responsive.
    Average Projected Award Amount: $125,000 per project period.
    Length of Project Periods: 24 months with two 12-month budget 
periods.
    OCSE is providing $100,000 for the first 12-month budget period and 
$25,000 for the second 12-month budget period to provide sufficient 
time for these projects to finalize activities and evaluation reports.

Priority Area 5

Improving Local Collaboration Strategies Between Child Support 
Enforcement and Community Agencies
    1. Description: Under this solicitation, OCSE is interested in 
collaboration strategies between local CSE agencies and community- and 
faith-based organizations, health clinics, birthing centers, 
educational institutions and universities (including Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities) or public agencies such as Head Start, 
Medicaid, and TANF, that serve child support clients. Projects would 
demonstrate innovative strategies to educate parents, especially low-
income, unwed parents, about child support enforcement policies in 
order to expedite the establishment of parentage, and encourage parents 
to meet their child support and parental responsibilities. OCSE has 
funded a number of projects designed to provide mentoring and 
employment services to non-custodial parents to increase child support 
outcomes. Although these types of projects provided valuable services 
to non-custodial parents, they generally did not produce significant 
child support outcomes. Thus, under this solicitation OCSE is looking 
for innovative collaboration strategies that are primarily intended to 
improve child support performance in paternity establishment, support 
order establishment, payment of current or overdue support and 
additionally, help increase healthy marriage formation.

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $250,000 per project 
period.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 2.
    Ceiling of Individual Awards: $125,000 per project period.
    Floor on Amount of Individual Awards: None.
    An application that exceeds the upper value of the dollar range 
specified will be considered non-responsive.
    Average Projected Award Amount: $125,000 per project period.
    Length of Project Periods: 24 months with two 12-month budget 
periods.
    OCSE is providing $100,000 for the first 12-month budget period and 
$25,000 for a second 12-month budget period to provide sufficient time 
for these projects to finalize activities and evaluation reports.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants for these special improvement project grants 
are State (including District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the 
Virgin Islands) Human Services Umbrella agencies, other State agencies 
(including State IV-D agencies), Tribes and Tribal Organizations, local 
public agencies (including IV-D agencies), non-profit

[[Page 8096]]

organizations (including faith-based and community-based organizations 
and universities such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities) 
and consortia of State and/or local public agencies.
    Non-profit organizations applying for funding are required to 
submit proof of their non-profit status. Documentation of non-profit 
status must be submitted by time of award. 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 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.
Additional Information on Eligibility
    The applicant should clearly indicate in its application(s) for 
which specific priority area it is applying. Applicants may submit 
different applications covering different priority areas or they may 
submit different applications for different projects under one priority 
area; however, they may not submit one application for the same project 
covering multiple priority areas.

2. Cost Sharing/Matching

    No.

3. Other Eligibility Information

    No grant award will be made under this announcement on the basis of 
an incomplete application.
    All applicants must have a Dun & Bradstreet Universal Numbering 
System (DUNS) number. On June 27, 2003, the Office of Management and 
Budget published in the Federal Register a new Federal policy 
applicable to all Federal grant applicants. The policy requires all 
Federal grant applicants to provide a Dun & 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.
    Disqualification Factors: An application that exceeds the upper 
value of the dollar range specified will be considered non-responsive.
    Late applications will be rejected and will not receive further 
consideration.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    ATTN: Jean Robinson, Program Analyst, Administration for Children 
and Families, Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE), Division of 
State, Tribal and Local Assistance, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 4th 
Floor, East Wing, Washington, DC 20447. Phone: 202-401-5330. E-mail: 
[email protected].

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    You may submit your application to us in either electronic or paper 
format.
    To submit an application electronically, please use the http://www.Grants.gov/Apply site. If you use Grants.gov, you will be able to 
download a copy of the application package, complete it off-line, and 
then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site. ACF 
will not accept grant applications submitted via e-mail or fax.
    Please note the following if you plan to submit your application 
electronically via Grants.gov:
     Electronic submission is voluntary, but strongly 
encouraged.
     When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find 
information about submitting an application electronically through the 
site, as well as the hours of operation. We strongly recommend that you 
do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the 
application process through Grants.gov.
     To use Grants.gov, you, as the applicant, must have a DUNS 
Number and register in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). You 
should allow a minimum of five days to complete the CCR registration.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit a grant application in electronic format, nor will we penalize 
you if you submit an application in paper format.
     You may submit all documents electronically, including all 
information typically included on the SF 424 and all necessary 
assurances and certifications.
     Your application must comply with any page limitation 
requirements described in this program announcement.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive an automatic acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains a 
Grants.gov tracking number. The Administration for Children and 
Families will retrieve your application from Grants.gov.
     We may request that you provide original signatures on 
forms at a later date.
     You may access the electronic application for this program 
on http://www.Grants.gov.
     You must search for the downloadable application package 
by the CFDA number.
    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 on the 
original, and be submitted unbound.
    Private non-profit organizations need to submit proof of their non-
profit status as described above under ``Eligibility Information'' and 
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.
    The applicant should clearly indicate in its application(s) for 
which specific priority area it is applying. Applicants may submit 
different applications covering different priority areas or they may 
submit different applications for different projects under one priority 
area; however, they may not submit one application for the same project 
covering multiple priority areas. The

[[Page 8097]]

length of the application, excluding the required application forms, 
certifications, and resumes, should be no more than 20 to 25 pages, 
double-spaced format preferred. A page is a single-side of an 8\1/2\'' 
x 11'' sheet of plain white paper. (Applicants are requested not to 
send pamphlets, maps, brochures or other printed material along with 
their application as these are difficult to photocopy. These materials, 
if submitted, will not be included in the review process.) The project 
description should include all the information requirements described 
in the specific evaluation criteria outlined in this program 
announcement under Part V.
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 this announcement.
    Applicants seeking financial assistance under this announcement 
must file the Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal 
Assistance; SF-424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs; SF-
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 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 the certification and need not 
mail back the certification with the application.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their 
compliance with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. By 
signing and submitting the applications, applicants are providing the 
certification and need not mail back 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

    Due Date: Application is due May 3, 2005.
Explanation of Due Dates
    The closing time and date for the receipt of applications is 4:30 
p.m., eastern time, referenced above. Mailed or hand-delivered 
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 Grants Management, 
Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 
Washington, DC 20447, between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal 
holidays). This address must appear on the envelope/package containing 
the application with the note ``Attention: Sylvia M. Johnson.'' 
Applicants are responsible for mailing applications well in advance, 
when using all mail services, to ensure that the applications are 
received on or before the deadline time and date.
    Applications hand carried by applicants, applicant couriers, other 
representatives of the applicant, or by overnight/express mail couriers 
shall be considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are 
received on or before the deadline date, between the hours of 8 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m., eastern time, at the address referenced in Section 
IV.6., between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays).
    ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by facsimile. 
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 that 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.
    Any application received after 4:30 p.m., eastern time, on the 
deadline date will not be considered for competition.
    Applicants using express/overnight mail services should allow two 
working days prior to the deadline date for receipt of applications. 
See Section IV.6. for more detailed information on submission 
requirements.
    Extension of deadlines: ACF may extend application deadlines when 
circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or 
when there are widespread disruptions of mail service, or in other rare 
cases. A determination to extend or waive deadline requirements rests 
with the Chief Grants Management Officer.
Checklist
    You may use the checklist below as a guide when preparing your 
application package.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           What to submit               Required content       Required form or format        When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table of Contents..................  As described in         Consistent with guidance in  By application due
                                      Section IV.2.           ``Content and Form of        date.
                                                              Application Submission''
                                                              section of this
                                                              announcement.
Abstract of Proposed Project.......  As described in         Consistent with guidance in  By application due
                                      Section IV.2.           ``Content and Form of        date.
                                                              Application Submission''
                                                              section of this
                                                              announcement.
Completed Standard Form 424........  As described in         May be found on http://      By application due
                                      Section IV.2.           www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/    date.
                                                              ofs/forms.htm.
Completed Standard Form 424A.......  As described in         May be found on http://      By application due
                                      Section IV.2.           www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/    date.
                                                              ofs/forms.htm.
Narrative Budget Justification.....  As described in         Consistent with guidance in  By application due
                                      Section IV.2..          ``Content and Form of        date.
                                                              Application Submission''
                                                              section of this
                                                              announcement.
Project Narrative..................  As described in         Consistent with guidance in  By application due
                                      Section IV.2.           ``Content and Form of        date.
                                                              Application Submission''
                                                              section of this
                                                              announcement.

[[Page 8098]]

 
Proof of Non-Profit Status.........  As described in         May be found in Section      By time of award.
                                      Section III.1.          III. Eligibility
                                                              Information.
Certification regarding lobbying...  As described in         May be found on http://      By time of award.
                                      Section IV.2.           www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/
                                                              ofs/forms.htm.
Certification regarding              As described in         May be found on http://      by time fo award.
 environmental tobacco smoke.         Section IV.2.           www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/
                                                              ofs/forms.htm.
Certification regarding non-         As described in         May be found on http://      By time of award.
 construction programs.               Section IV.2.           www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/
                                                              ofs/forms.htm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

4. Intergovernmental Review

State Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
    This program is covered under Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' and 45 CFR part 100, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services 
Programs and Activities.'' Under the Order, States may design their own 
processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance 
under covered programs.
    As of October 1, 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.

5. Funding Restrictions

    Construction is not an allowable activity or expenditure under this 
solicitation.
    Grant awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-award costs.
Number of Projects in Application
    Applicants may submit different applications covering different 
priority areas or they may submit different applications for different 
projects under one priority area; however, they may not submit one 
application for the same project covering multiple priority areas.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    Submission by Mail: An applicant must provide an original 
application with all attachments signed by an authorized representative 
and two copies. The application must be received at the address below 
by 4:30 p.m., eastern time, on or before the closing date.
    Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants 
Management, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, 
SW., 4th Floor West, Washington, DC 20447. ATTN: Sylvia M. Johnson, SIP 
Application.
    Hand Delivery: An applicant must provide an original application 
with all attachments signed by an authorized representative and two 
copies. The application must be received at the address below by 4:30 
p.m., eastern time, on or before the closing date. Applications that 
are hand delivered will be accepted between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 
p.m., eastern time, Monday through Friday (excluding Federal holidays). 
Applications may be delivered to: ACF Mailroom, 2nd Floor (near loading 
dock), Aerospace Building, 901 D Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024.
    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 15 hours per response, including the time for 
reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining

[[Page 8099]]

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.

1. Criteria

    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).
Part 1 The Project Description Overview
    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 
criterion 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.
Part II General Instructions for Preparing a Full Project Description
    Introduction. Applicants required to submit a full project 
description shall prepare the project description statement in 
accordance with the following instructions while being aware of the 
specified evaluation criteria. The text options give a broad overview 
of what your project description should include while the evaluation 
criteria identifies the measures that will be used to evaluate 
applications.
    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.
    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. For example, increased use of an interstate child support 
enforcement remedy (such as income withholding, tax refund offset) is 
projected to have quarterly results of a 5% increase in income 
withholding collections and a 5% increase in automated enforcement 
collections. 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.
    Additional Information. Following are requests for additional 
information that need to be included in the application:
    Staff and Position Data. Provide a biographical sketch and job 
description for each key person appointed. Job descriptions for each 
vacant key position should be included as well. As new key staff is 
appointed, biographical sketches will also be required.
    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 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.
    General. Use the following guidelines for preparing the budget and 
budget justification. Both Federal and non-Federal resources shall be 
detailed and justified in the budget and narrative justification. 
``Federal resources'' refers only to the ACF grant for which you are 
applying. ``Non-Federal resources'' are all other Federal and non-
Federal resources. It is suggested that budget amounts and computations 
be presented in a columnar format: first column, object class 
categories; second column, Federal budget; next column(s), non-Federal 
budget(s), and last column, total budget. The budget justification 
should be a narrative.
    Personnel. Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.
    Justification: Identify the project director or principal 
investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time 
commitment to the project (in months), time commitment to the

[[Page 8100]]

project (as a percentage or full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant 
salary, wage rates, etc. Do not include the costs of consultants or 
personnel costs of delegate agencies or of specific project(s) or 
businesses to be financed by the applicant.
    Fringe Benefits. Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits 
unless treated as part of an approved indirect cost rate.
    Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages 
that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, 
retirement insurance, taxes, etc.
    Travel. Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees 
of the applicant organization (does not include consultant travel).
    Justification: For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s), 
travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if 
privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs 
and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend ACF-
sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.
    Equipment. Description: ``Equipment'' means an article of 
nonexpendable, tangible personal property having a useful life of more 
than one year and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the 
lesser of (a) the capitalization level established by the organization 
for the financial statement purposes, or (b) $5,000. (Note: Acquisition 
cost means the net invoice unit price of an item of equipment, 
including the cost of any modifications, attachments, accessories, or 
auxiliary apparatus necessary to make it usable for the purpose for 
which it is acquired. Ancillary charges, such as taxes, duty, 
protective in-transit insurance, freight, and installation shall be 
included in or excluded from acquisition cost in accordance with the 
organization's regular written accounting practices.)
    Justification: For each type of equipment requested, provide a 
description of the equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units, 
the total cost, and a plan for use on the project, as well as use or 
disposal of the equipment after the project ends. An applicant 
organization that uses its own definition for equipment should provide 
a copy of its policy or section of its policy, which includes the 
equipment definition.
    Supplies. Description: Costs of all tangible personal property 
other than that included under the Equipment category.
    Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their 
costs. Show computations and provide other information, which supports 
the amount requested.
    Contractual. Description: Costs of all contracts for services and 
goods except for those that belong under other categories such as 
equipment, supplies, construction, etc. Include third-party evaluation 
contracts (if applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient 
organizations, including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or 
businesses to be financed by the applicant.
    Justification: Demonstrate that all procurement transactions will 
be conducted in a manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical, 
open and free competition. Recipients and subrecipients, other than 
States that are required to use part 92 procedures, must justify any 
anticipated procurement action that is expected to be awarded without 
competition and exceed the simplified acquisition threshold fixed at 41 
U.S.C. 403(11) (currently set at $100,000). Recipients might be 
required to make available to ACF pre-award review and procurement 
documents, such as request for proposals or invitations for bids, 
independent cost estimates, etc.


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


    Other. Description: Costs of all contracts for services and goods 
except for those that belong under other categories such as equipment, 
supplies, construction, etc. Include third-party evaluation contracts 
(if applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient organizations, 
including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or businesses to be 
financed by the applicant.
    Justification: Provide computations, a narrative description and a 
justification for each cost under this category.
    Total Direct Charges, Total Indirect Charges, Total Project Costs. 
(Self-explanatory.)
    Evaluation Criteria: The following evaluation criteria appear in 
weighted descending order. The corresponding score values indicate the 
relative importance that ACF places on each evaluation criterion.
    In considering how applicants will carry out the responsibilities 
addressed under this announcement, competing applications for financial 
assistance will be reviewed and evaluated against the following 
criteria:
Objectives and Need for Assistance 30 Points
    The application should demonstrate a thorough understanding and 
analysis of the problem(s) being addressed in the project, the need for 
assistance, and the importance of addressing these problems in 
improving the effectiveness of the child support program. The applicant 
should describe how the project will address this problem(s) through 
implementation of changes, enhancements, and innovative efforts and 
specifically, how this project will improve program results. The 
applicant should address one or more of the strategies or approaches 
described under the specific priority area they are applying for (refer 
to Part I. Priority Areas). The applicant should identify the key goals 
and objectives of the project; describe the conceptual framework of its 
approach to resolve the identified problem(s); and provide a rationale 
for taking this approach as opposed to others.
Approach 30 Points
    A well thought-out and practical management and staffing plan is 
mandatory. The application should include a detailed management plan 
that includes timelines and detailed budgetary information. The main 
concern in this criterion is that the applicant should demonstrate a 
clear idea of the project's goals, objectives, and tasks to be 
accomplished. The plan to accomplish the goals and tasks should be set 
forth in a logical framework. The plan should identify what tasks are 
required of any contractors and specify their relevant qualifications 
to perform these tasks. Staff to be committed to the project (including 
supervisory and management staff) at the state and/or local levels must 
be identified by their role in the project along with their 
qualifications and areas of particular expertise. In addition, for any 
technical expertise obtained through a contract or subgrant, the 
desired technical expertise and skills of proposed positions should be 
specified in detail. The applicant should demonstrate that persons with 
the skills needed to operate the project are on board or can be 
obtained within a reasonable time.
Evaluation 25 Points
    The application should describe how the success of this project can 
be measured and how the success of this project has broader application 
in contributing to child support enforcement policies, practices, and/
or providing solutions that could be

[[Page 8101]]

adapted by other states/jurisdictions. The application should describe 
the specific results/products that will be achieved; as appropriate, 
identify the kinds of data to be collected and maintained; describe 
procedures for informed consent of participants, where applicable, and 
discuss the criteria to be used to evaluate the results of the project. 
The application should describe the evaluation methodology to be used 
to determine if the process proposed was implemented and if the project 
goals/objectives were achieved. Sound evaluations to determine whether 
or not project goals have been realized are of importance to child 
support enforcement policy makers and administrators. Thus, the 
proposal should include a process evaluation component and comparison 
of before/and after the project site(s)' experience, as appropriate, to 
demonstrate the results achieved.
Budget and Budget Justification 10 Points
    The project costs need to be reasonable in relation to the 
identified tasks, including the evaluation component. A detailed budget 
(e.g., the staff required, equipment and facilities that would be 
leased or purchased) should be provided identifying all agency and 
other resources (i.e., state, community, or other programs such as TANF 
or Head Start) that will be committed to the project. Consultant or 
contractor personnel costs should also be delineated. Although the 
general rule stated above under the heading TRAVEL suggests otherwise, 
applicants should NOT include funds for trips to conferences or to 
OCSE's Central Office in Washington, DC. If OCSE requests such visits, 
it will reimburse the grantee for them. Grant funds cannot be used for 
capital improvements or the purchase of land or buildings. Explain why 
this project's resource requirements cannot be met by the state/local 
agency's regular program operating budget.
Preferences 5 Points
    Preference will be given to those grant applicants representing IV-
D agencies and applicant organizations who have documented IV-D agency 
commitment to the project, either through a cooperative agreement or 
letter of commitment, which needs to be signed and attached to the 
application.

2. Review and Selection Process

    Each application submitted under this program announcement will 
undergo a pre-review to determine that (1) the application was received 
by the closing date and submitted in accordance with the instructions 
in this announcement and (2) the applicant is eligible for funding. It 
is necessary that applicants state specifically which priority area 
they are applying for.
    Applications will be screened for priority area appropriateness. If 
applications do not clearly select a priority area, or if an 
application for a single project covers multiple priority areas (see 
Section IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission), applicants 
will be contacted by staff to provide verbal approval of priority area 
selection.
    Applications that pass the initial ACF screening will be evaluated 
and rated by an independent review panel on the basis of specific 
evaluation criteria. The results of these reviews will assist the 
Commissioner and OCSE program staff in considering competing 
applications. Reviewers' 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 
reviewers. However, highly ranked applications are not guaranteed 
funding because other factors are taken into consideration. These 
include, but are not limited to, the number of similar types of 
existing grants or projects funded with OCSE funds in the last five 
years; comments of reviewers and government officials; staff evaluation 
and input; geographic distribution; previous program performance of 
applicants; compliance with grant terms under previous DHHS grants; 
audit reports; investigative reports; an applicant's progress in 
resolving any final audit disallowance on previous OCSE or other 
Federal agency grants. OCSE will consider the geographic distribution 
of funds among States and the relative proportion of funding among 
rural and urban areas. The evaluation criteria were designed to assess 
the quality of a proposed project, and to determine the likelihood of 
its success. The evaluation criteria are closely related and are 
considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application. 
Points are awarded only to applications that are responsive to the 
evaluation criteria within the context of this program announcement.
    Federal reviewers will be used for the review process; however, we 
may also use consultants. 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.
Approved but Unfunded Applications
    In cases where more applications are approved for funding than ACF 
can fund with the money available, the Grants Officer shall fund 
applications in their order of approval until funds run out. In this 
case, ACF has the option of carrying over the approved applications up 
to a year for funding consideration in a later competition of the same 
program. These applications need not be reviewed and scored again if 
the program's evaluation criteria have not changed. However, they must 
then be placed in rank order along with other applications in later 
competition.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    The anticipated start date for the new awards is August 1, 2005. 
Projects under Priority 1 may run through December 31, 2006, for a 
period of up to 17 months; projects under Priorities 2, 4 and 5 may run 
through July 31, 2007, for a period of up to 24 months; and projects 
under Priority 3 may run through July 31, 2008, for a period of up to 
36 months.

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 budget period 
for which initial support will be given, the non-Federal share to be 
provided, and the total project period for which support is 
contemplated. The Financial assistance Award will be signed by the 
Grants Officer and transmitted via postal mail.
    Organizations whose applications will not be funded will be 
notified in writing.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

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

3. Reporting Requirements

    All grantees are required to submit quarterly program reports; 
grantees are also required to submit quarterly expenditure reports 
using the required financial standard form (SF-269) which can be found 
at the following URL: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm 
Final reports are due 90 days after the end of the grant period. A 
suggested format for the program report will be sent to all grantees 
after the awards are made.

[[Page 8102]]

VII. Agency Contacts

Program Office Contact

    For questions regarding application development, forms, or program 
concerns regarding the announcement contact: Susan Greenblatt, Deputy 
Director, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child 
Support Enforcement (OCSE), Division of State, Tribal and Local 
Assistance, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 4th Floor, East Wing, 
Washington, DC 20447. Phone: 202-401-4849. E-mail: 
[email protected].

Grants Management Office Contact

    Sylvia M. Johnson, Office of Grants Management, Division of 
Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Suite 500 West, 
Aerospace Building, Washington, DC 20447. Phone: 202-401-4524. E-mail: 
[email protected].

VIII. Other Information

    ACF will not send applicants an acknowledgement of receipt for 
applications received during the application period.
    Additional information about this program and its purpose can be 
located on the following Web site: URL: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/.

    Dated: February 11, 2005.
David H. Siegel,
Acting Commissioner, Office of Child Support Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 05-3090 Filed 2-16-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P