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Department of Health & Human Services
Administration for Children and Families
Federal Agency Name:
Administration for Children and
Families, Office of Refugee Resettlement.
Funding Opportunity Title: Standing Announcement for Services to Recently Arrived Refugees.
Announcement Type: Modification. This Standing Announcement for Services to Recently Arrived Refugees replaces ORR's previous Standing Announcement published in the Federal Register, May 9, 2001 (66 FR 23705). Please note that Priority Area 3 (Services for Arriving Refugees with Special Conditions) has been discontinued. Priority Area 3 is now Ethnic Community Self-Help.
Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2004-ACF-ORR-RE-0004
CFDA Number: 93.576
Due Date: for Applications: The Director will observe February 28, 2005, as the first closing date for applications. Thereafter the Director will observe February 28 of each year as the closing date for applications.
Executive Summary: The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) invites the submission of applications for funding, on a competitive basis, in three priority areas: Priority Area 1--Preferred Communities--to promote the increase of newly arrived refugees in preferred communities where they have ample opportunities for early employment and sustained economic independence and, to address special populations who need intensive case management, culturally and linguistically appropriate linkages and coordination with other service providers to improve their access to services; Priority Area 2--Unanticipated Arrivals--to provide services to arriving refugees or sudden large secondary migration of refugees where communities are not sufficiently prepared in terms of linguistic or culturally appropriate services; Priority Area 3--Ethnic Community Self-Help--to connect newcomer refugees and their communities with community resources.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Legislative Authority: This program is authorized by section
412(c)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)(8 U.S.C.
1522(c)(1)(A), as amended, which authorizes the Director ``to make
grants to, and enter into contracts with, public or private nonprofit
agencies for projects specifically designed--(i) to assist refugees in
obtaining the skills which are necessary for economic self-sufficiency,
including projects for job training, employment services, day care,
professional refresher training, and other recertification services;
(ii) to provide training in English where necessary (regardless of
whether the refugees are employed or receiving cash or other
assistance); and (iii) to provide where specific needs have been shown
and recognized by the Director, health (including mental health)
services, social services, educational and other services.''
Please note that this announcement is divided into three priority
areas: Priority Area 1 is on Preferred Communities. Priority Area 2 is
on Unanticipated Arrivals immediately follows part VIII Other
Information of the first priority area. Priority Area 3 is on Ethnic
Community Self-Help and immediately follows part VIII Other Information
of the second priority area. An applicant may submit more than one
application under this announcement, but must apply separately for each
priority area.
Priority Area 1: Preferred Communities
Description
Purpose and Objectives. The purpose and objectives of Priority Area
1, Preferred Communities, are to support resettlement of newly arriving
refugees with the best opportunities for their assimilation into new
communities, and to support refugees with special needs that require
more intensive case management. Applicants may apply to support
resettlement in new communities targeted to geographic sites or special
populations agreed to in consultation with the Department of State/
Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) and ORR.
This announcement retains the original purpose to support
resettlement of newly arriving refugees with the best opportunities for
their assimilation into new communities. This announcement is expanded
to include services to special populations in communities where
intensive case management needs can more appropriately be met through
services that are both culturally and linguistically competent and
promote access to mainstream services.
A preferred community should expect to receive a minimum of 100 new
refugees annually or expect to receive a proposed number of cases that
will need intensive case management. ORR will consider exceptions to
this standard where the applicant provides substantial justification
for the request and documents the community's history of arrivals, the
period of time needed to reach a level of 100 new refugees, and the
record of outcomes for achieving self-sufficiency soon after arrival.
Preferred community sites are those localities which support
populations where refugees have excellent opportunities to achieve
early employment and sustained economic independence without public
assistance. Preferred communities should have a history of low welfare
utilization by refugees. In addition, refugees should have the
potential for earned income at a favorable level relative to the cost
of living and to public assistance benefits. Characteristics of these
communities include: (1) A moderate cost of living; (2) excellent
employment opportunities in a strong, entry-level labor market; (3)
affordable housing and transportation accessible for employment; (4)
low secondary out-migration rates for refugees; (5) communities with
churches, mosques and synagogues that meet the religious needs of
arriving populations; (6) local community support and positive
reception for the refugees; (7) receptive school environments; and (8)
other related community features that contribute to a favorable quality
of life for arriving refugees.
To achieve the original objective of improved opportunities for
assimilation and self-sufficiency, the applicant should propose
communities that have been approved by PRM in the Reception and
Placement Cooperative Agreement. Communities should be selected where
there have not been large numbers of recent arrivals, but the prospects
for resettlement appear to be favorable for additional refugees. The
selected sites may be those with a history of successful refugee
placement or those where refugees have not previously been placed, but
which have all the elements of a successful refugee resettlement
community (as described above). ORR is interested in providing
resources for national voluntary agencies to cover the costs of
changing community placements so that refugees, including those with
special needs, are placed in a particular site where they have the best
chance for integration.
To support resettlement of refugees in communities where they will
have the best opportunities for assimilation and to provide support for
populations who have special needs, successful applicants may propose
additional or alternative communities in consultation with PRM and ORR.
ORR will grant approval for these sites in writing following the
consultation. With these funds, successful applicants will propose services
that need to be enhanced or increased in light of arriving populations.
The application must, for the first budget period, specify one or
more sites with a description of each site and the rationale for its
selection, or describe a population with special needs requiring more
intensive case management in a particular site. Applicants are
encouraged to include activities that assess and plan services for the
target populations to be resettled. For preferred community sites, such
activities would also assess each specified community's appropriateness
for additional arriving refugees and, if needed, continue to search for
additional communities for future preferred placement. Additional sites
and refugee populations with special conditions may be added by
submitting the revised plan and the site descriptions in the
continuation application.
ORR formula social service funds are awarded to States to provide
services proportionate to the number of refugee arrivals during the
previous three years. A year or more may lapse before newly arriving
refugees are included in the formula count. To maintain working
relationships and coordination with State governments, planning for the
application and implementation of Preferred Community Programs should
be done in consultation with the respective State Refugee Coordinator
and documented to assure an orderly transition and complement of
services until the proportion of new arrivals is accounted for in the
ORR formula awards. Applicants should view the Preferred Community
Program as a temporary solution to cover the costs of increased refugee
placements. Applicants should describe their coordination and planning
under the Approach review criteria.
If funding is requested in sites with alternative ``Wilson/Fish''
projects, applicants must demonstrate a strong rationale as to why
additional funds are needed in this community and document consultation
with the ``Wilson/Fish'' project.
In the last two Program Performance Reports, grantees will discuss
the transition of services indicating whether the services are now
supported by the State or Wilson/Fish project, other public or private
resources, or are no longer needed. These reports must provide
supporting information on the impact of the services on the target
population.
Examples of special populations needing intensive case management
may include, at a minimum, youth and young adults without parents or
permanent guardians who have spent an unusually long period under
refugee camp conditions; refugees experiencing social or psychological
conditions including emotional trauma resulting from war; refugees who
are HIV+; or other populations with physical disabilities or medical
conditions identified and determined by PRM and ORR as needing
intensive case management. Culturally and linguistically appropriate
linkages and coordination with other service providers is necessary to
improve access to services and enhance the likelihood of their
assimilation into new communities.
Allowable Activities. Allowable activities for local affiliates
include social services needed to achieve increased placements in the
preferred communities. Allowable activities for the national voluntary
agencies are those that assess the appropriateness of resettlement
communities for targeted refugees. The result of the assessment should
assure that the designated service providers in the preferred
communities provide services that create excellent opportunities to
assimilate the targeted groups of refugees and special populations.
As part of the application preparation, the applicant must: (1)
Consult with ORR about prospective preferred sites and the
appropriateness of those sites for the refugees; (2) coordinate with
their affiliates and other voluntary agencies whose local affiliates
place refugees in the same sites; (3) inform in writing and coordinate
with State governments for site selection, adequate services, and
program strategies to be developed; and (4) plan and coordinate locally
with existing community resources, such as schools and public health
agencies. In all instances, activities must be designed to supplement,
rather than to supplant, the existing array of services available in
the community for which refugees are eligible.
The additional services needed for special populations may include:
special medical care; physical therapy for disabled refugees;
independent living skills, social skills; and mental health services,
such as coping with the traumatic experiences of war.
Applications under this section should indicate how the grantee
will ensure that services are culturally and linguistically
appropriate.
II. Award Information
Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement.
Description of Federal Substantial Involvement With Cooperative
Agreement
ORR Responsibilities
a. ORR will consult with PRM and national voluntary agencies on
arriving populations with special needs and appropriate resettlement
sites for refugee populations. ORR will provide approval in writing to
the grantee following PRM and national voluntary agency consultation on
arriving populations with special needs.
b. ORR will provide written approval and funds to support the
approved grantee's activities and budget both for increased opportunity
and special needs.
National Voluntary Agency Responsibilities
a. Grantees will consult with PRM and ORR on appropriate
resettlement sites for refugees with special needs.
b. Grantees will propose a specified amount of funds for each
refugee with special needs.
c. Grantees will begin funding sites for special needs upon receipt
of written approval from ORR. If this need arises in the middle of a
budget year, the grantee will send a letter of request to ORR.
d. Grantees will consult with the State Refugee Coordinator in
planning and coordination of services.
e. Grantees will discuss, in the last two Program Performance
Reports, the transition of services indicating whether the services are
now supported by the State or Wilson/Fish project, other public or
private resources, or are no longer needed. These reports must provide
supporting information on the impact of the services provided on the
target population.
Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $960,000 per 12 months.
Anticipated Number of Awards: 10.
Ceiling of Individual Awards: $320,000 per 12 months.
The award amount is for planning purposes only.
Floor on Amount of Individual Awards: $50,000 per 12 months.
Average Anticipated Award Amount: $160,000 per 12 months.
Project Periods for Awards: Up to 36 months.
III. Eligibility Information
III.1. Eligible Applicants
County governments
City of township governments
Independent school districts
State controlled institutions of higher education
Native American tribal organizations (other Federally recognized tribal
governments)
Nonprofits having a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS, other than
institutions of higher education
Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS, other
than institutions of higher education
Additional Information on Eligibility
Eligible applicants are ten national voluntary agencies that
currently resettle refugees under a Reception and Placement Cooperative
Agreement with the Department of State or with the Department of
Homeland Security. Priority Area 1-Preferred Communities is restricted
to these agencies because placements of new arrivals occur under the
terms of the cooperative agreements, and no other agencies place new
arrivals or participate in determining their resettlement sites.
Non-Profit Status: Any non-profit organization submitting an
application must submit proof of its non-profit status in its
application at the time of submission. The non-profit agency can
accomplish this by providing (a) a reference to the applicant
organization's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most
recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in the IRS Code; (b)
a copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate; (c) a
statement from a State taxing body; State attorney general, or other
appropriate State official certifying that the applicant organization
has a non-profit status and that none of the net earnings accrue to any
private shareholders or individuals; (d) a certified copy of the
organization's certificate of incorporation or similar document that
clearly establishes non-profit status; (e) or any of the items
referenced above for a State or national parent organization and a
statement signed by the parent organization that the applicant
organization is a local non-profit affiliate.
Client Eligibility: Eligibility for refugee social services
includes: (1) Refugees; (2) asylees; (3) Cuban and Haitian entrants;
(4) certain Amerasians from Vietnam; including U.S. citizens; (5) for
eligibility for trafficking victims, refer to 45 CFR 400.43 and ORR
State Letter 01-13, http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ORR/policy/sl01-13.htm
as modified by ORR State Letter 02-01
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ORR/policy/sl02-01.htm on trafficking
victims. For convenience, the term ``refugee'' is used in this notice
to encompass all such eligible persons.
There are no pre-award additional requirements.
III.2. Cost-Sharing or Matching
Cost sharing or matching funds are not required for applications
submitted under this program announcement.
III.3. Other
There is no limit on the number of applications that an
organization can submit for this announcement.
All applicants must have a DUNS number. On June 27, 2003, the
Office of Management and Budget published in the Federal Register a new
Federal policy applicable to all Federal grant applicants. The policy
requires Federal grant applications to provide a Dun and Bradstreet
Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when applying for Federal
grants or cooperative agreements on or after October 1, 2003. The DUNS
number will be required whether an applicant is submitting a paper
application or using the government-wide electronic portal
(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 formal, entitlement and block grant
programs, submitted on or after October 1, 2003.
Please ensure that your organization has a DUNS number. You may
acquire a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free
DUNS number request line at 1-866-705-5711, or you may request a number
on-line at http://www.dnb.com.
Applications that fail to follow the required format described in
section IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission will be
considered non-responsive and will not be eligible for funding under
this announcement.
IV. Application and Submission Information
IV.1 Address To Request Application Package
Sue Benjamin, HHS, ACF, ORR/DCR, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 8th
Floor West, Washington, DC 20447, Telephone--202-401-4851, E-mail:
sbenjamin@acf.hhs.gov.
IV.2 Content and Form of Application Submission
The required application package will include the following:
Application Content
An original and two copies of the complete application are
required. The original and 2 copies must include all required forms,
certifications, assurances, and appendices, be signed by an authorized
representative, have original signatures. Each application must include
the following components:
1. Table of Contents
(a) Abstract of the Proposed Project--very brief, not to exceed 250
words, that would be suitable for use in an announcement that the
application has been selected for a grant award and which identifies
the type of project, the target population and the major elements of
the work plan.
(b) Completed Standard Form 424--that has been signed by an
Official of the organization applying for the grant who has authority
to obligate the organization legally.
(c) Standard Form 424A--Budget Information Non-Construction
Programs.
(d) Narrative Budget Justification--for each object class category
required under Section B., Standard Form 424A.
(e) Project Narrative--A narrative that addresses issues described
in the ``Application Review Information'' section of this announcement.
2. Application Format
Submit application materials on white 8\1/2\ x 11 inch paper only.
Do not use colored, oversized or folded materials.
Please do not include organizational brochures or other promotional
materials, slides, films, clip, etc.
The font size may be no smaller than 12 pitch and the margins must
be at least one inch on all sides.
Please present application materials either in loose-leaf notebooks
or in folders with pages two-hole punched at the top center and
fastened separately with a slide paper fastener.
Please do not include books or videotapes as they are not easily
reproduced and are, therefore, inaccessible to the reviewers.
3. Page Limitation
Each application narrative should not exceed 20 pages in a double
spaced 12 pitch font. Attachments and appendices should not exceed 25
pages and should be used only to provide supporting documentation such
as administration charts, position descriptions, resumes, and letters
of intent or partnership agreements. A table of contents and an
abstract should be included but will not count in the page limitations.
Each page should be numbered sequentially, including the attachments
and appendices. This limitation of 20 pages should be considered a
maximum, and not necessarily a goal. Application forms (including the
Narrative Budget Justification) are not to be counted in the page
limit. Any material submitted beyond the 20 pages will not be considered.
4. Forms and Certifications
Applicants requesting financial assistance for a non-construction
project must sign and return Standard Form 424B, Assurances: Non-
Construction Programs with their applications.
Applications must provide a Certification Regarding Lobbying. Prior
to receiving an award in excess of $100,000, applicants shall furnish
an executed copy of the lobbying certification. Applicants must sign
and return the certification with their application.
Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their
compliance with all Federal statues relating to nondiscrimination. By
signing and submitting the application, applicants are providing the
certification and need not mail back a certification form.
Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their
compliance with the requirements of the Pro-Children Act of 1994 as
outlined in Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke.
Private, non-profit organizations may voluntarily submit with their
applications the survey located under ``Grants Related Documents and
Forms'' titled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants'' at
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
You may submit your application to us in either electronic or paper
format. To submit an application electronically, please use the
http://www.Grants.gov apply site. If you use Grants.gov,
you will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete
it off-line, and then upload and submit the application via the
Grants.gov site. You may not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant
application to us.
Please note the following if you plan to submit your application
electronically via Grants.gov:
. Electronic submission is voluntary.
. When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find information
about submitting an application electronically through the site, as
well as the hours of operation. We strongly recommend that
you do not wait until the deadline date to begin the application
process through Grants.gov.
. To use Grants.gov, you, as the applicant, must have a DUNS
Number and register in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). You
should allow a minimum of five days to complete the CCR
registration.
. You will not receive additional point value because you submit
a grant application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you
if you submit an application in paper format.
. You may submit all documents electronically, including all
information typically included on the SF 424 and all necessary assurances
and certifications.
. Your application must comply with any page limitation requirements
described in this program announcement.
. After you electronically submit your application, you will receive
an automatic acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov
tracking number. The Administration for Children and Families will retrieve
your application from Grants.gov.
. We may request that you provide original signatures on forms at a
later date.
. You may access the electronic application for this program on http://www.Grants.gov.
. You must search for the downloadable application package by the CFDA number.
Please see Section V.1. Criteria, for instructions on preparing the
project summary/abstract and the full project description.
IV.3 Submission Date and Times
The closing date for receipt of applications is February 28, 2005
(and February 28 of each succeeding year). Mailed applications received
after 4:30 p.m. on the closing date will be classified as late. ACF
will send an acknowledgement of receipt of application to the
applicant.
Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting an announced
deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date at: U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children
and Families, Office of Grants Management, Division of Discretionary
Grants, Attention: Sylvia Johnson, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., 4th
Floor West, Washington, DC 20447.
Applicants are responsible for mailing applications well in
advance, when using all mail services, to ensure that the applications
are received on or before the deadline time and date.
Applications hand-carried by applicants, applicant couriers, or by
other representatives of the applicant shall be considered as meeting
an announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline
date, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., EST, at the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children
and Families, Office of Grants Management, Division of Discretionary
Grants, ACF Mailroom, 2nd Floor (near loading dock), Aerospace Center,
901 D Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024, between Monday and Friday
(excluding Federal holidays). The address must appear on the envelope/
package containing the application with the note ``Attention: Sylvia
Johnson. (Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services
do not always deliver as agreed.) ACF cannot accommodate transmission
of applications by fax or e-mail.
Late applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria
above are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late
applicant that its application will not be considered in the current
competition.
Extension of deadlines: ACF may extend application deadlines when
circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or
when there are widespread disruptions of mail service, or in other rare
cases. Determination to extend or waive deadline requirements rests
with the Chief Grants Management Officer.
Required Forms:
| What to submit | Required Content | Required Form or Format | When to Submit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Table of Contents | As described above. | Consistent with guidance in ``Application Content'' section of this announcement. | By 02/28/05 (and by 02/28 of every succeeding year). |
| Abstract of Proposed Project | Brief abstract that identifies the type of project, the target population and the major elements of the proposed project. | Consistent with guidance in ``Application Content'' section of this announcement. | By 02/28/05 (and by 02/28 of every succeeding year). |
Completed Standard Form 424 |
As described above and per required form. |
May be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/funding/ | By 02/28/05 (and by 02/28 of every succeeding year). |
|
Completed Standard Form 424A |
As described above and per required form. | May be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/funding/ | By 02/28/05 (and by 02/28 of every succeeding year). |
| Narrative Budget Justification | As described above | Consistent with guidance in ``Application Content'' section of this announcement. | By 02/28/05 (and by 02/28 of every succeeding year). |
| Project Narrative | A narrative that addresses issues described in the ``Application Review Information'' section |
Consistent with guidance in ``Application Content'' section
of this announcement. |
By 02/28/05 (and by 02/28 of every succeeding year). |
| Completed Standard Form 424B | Per required form. | May be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/funding/ | By 02/28/05 (and by 02/28 of every succeeding year). |
| Certification Regarding Lobbying | As described above and per required form. | May be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/funding/ | By 02/28/05 (and by 02/28 of every succeeding year). |
| Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke | As described above and per required form. | May be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/funding/ | By 02/28/05 (and by 02/28 of every succeeding year). |
Additional Forms:
Private non-profit organizations may voluntarily submit with their
applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents and
Forms'' titled ``Survey for Private, Nonprofit 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 on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants. | As described above and per required form. | May be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm. | By 02/28/05 (and by 02/28 of every succeeding year). |
IV.4 Intergovernmental Review
State Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
This program is covered under Executive Order 12372,
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' and 45 CFR Part 100,
``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services
Programs and Activities.'' Under the Order, States may design their own
processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance
under covered programs.
As of October 2003, of the most recent SPOC list, the following
jurisdictions have elected not to participate in the Executive Order
process. Applicants from these jurisdictions or for projects
administered by federally-recognized Indian Tribes need take no action
in regard to E.O. 12372: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado,
Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts,
Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma,
Oregon, Palau, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont,
Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.
Although the jurisdictions listed above no longer participate in
the process, entities which have met the eligibility requirements of
the program are still eligible to apply for a grant even if a State,
Territory, Commonwealth, etc. does not have a SPOC. All remaining
jurisdictions participate in the Executive Order process and have
established SPOCs. Applicants from participating jurisdictions should
contact their SPOCs a soon as possible to alert them of the prospective
applications and receive instructions. Applicants must submit any
required material to the SPOCs as soon as possible so that the program
office can obtain and review SPOC comments as part of the award
process. The applicant must submit all required materials, if any, to
the SPOC and indicate the date of this submittal (or the date of
contact if no submittal is required) on the Standard Form 424, item
16a. Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application
deadline to comment on proposed new or competing continuation awards.
SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the submission of routine
endorsements as official recommendations. Additionally, SPOCs are
requested to clearly differentiate between mere advisory comments and
those official State process recommendations which may trigger the
``accommodate or explain'' rule.
When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be
addressed to: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration
for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, Division of
Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC
20447.
The official list, including addresses, of the jurisdictions
elected to participate in E.O. 12372 can be found on the following URL:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.
IV.5 Funding Restrictions
Pre-award costs are not allowable charges to this program grant.
Construction is not an allowable activity or expenditure under this
solicitation.
IV.6 Other Submission Requirements
Electronic Address to Submit Applications: http://www.Grants.gov.
Please see Section IV.2. Content and Form of Application
Submission, for guidelines and requirements when submitting
applications electronically.
Submission by Mail: Applications shall be considered as meeting an
announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date
at: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for
Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, Division of
Discretionary Grants, Attention: Sylvia Johnson, 370 L'Enfant
Promenade, SW., 4th Floor West, Washington, DC 20447.
Hand Delivery: Applications hand-carried by applicants, applicant
couriers, or by other representatives of the applicant shall be
considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are received on or
before the deadline date, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.,
EST, at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration
for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, Division of
Discretionary Grants, ACF Mailroom, 2nd Floor (near loading dock),
Aerospace Center, 901 D Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024, between Monday
and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). The address must appear on the
envelope package containing the application with the note ``Attention:
Sylvia Johnson. (Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail
services do not always deliver as agreed.) ACF cannot accommodate
transmission of applications by fax or e-mail.
V. Application Review Information
V.1. Criteria
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13)
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is
estimated to average 25 hours per response, including the time for
reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed and
reviewing the collection information.
The project description is approved under OMB control number 0970-
0139 which expires 03/31/2004.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid OMB number.
Instructions: ACF Uniform Project Description (UPD)
The following are instructions and guidelines on how to prepare the
``project summary/abstract'' and ``Full Project Description'' sections
of the application. The generic UPD requirement is followed by the
evaluation criterion specific to the Standing Announcement for Services
to Recently Arrived Refugees Grant legislation.
Introduction
Applicants required to submit a full project description shall
prepare the project description statement in accordance with the
following instructions and the specified evaluation criteria. The
instructions give a broad overview of what your project description
should include while the evaluation criteria expands and clarifies more
program-specific information that is needed.
Project Summary/Abstract
Provide a summary of the project description (a page or less) with
reference to the funding request.
Objectives and Need for Assistance
Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial,
institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need
for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate
objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting
documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from
concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any
relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred
to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and
participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In developing the
project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to
provide information on the total range of projects currently being
conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may be
outside the scope of the program announcement.
Results or Benefits Expected
Identify the results and benefits to be derived.
Approach
Outline a plan of action which describes the scope and detail of
how the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions
or activities identified in the application. Cite factors which might
accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the
proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of
the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in
cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement.
Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such
terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities
accomplished. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or
function, list them in chronological order to show the schedule of
accomplishments and their target dates.
If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated,
clearance may be required from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget
(OMB). This clearance pertains to any ``collection of information that
is conducted or sponsored by ACF.''
List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key
individuals who will work on the project along with a short description
of the nature of their effort or contribution.
Staff and Position Data
Provide a biographical sketch for each key person appointed and a
job description for each vacant key position. A biographical sketch
will also be required for new key staff as appointed.
Organizational Profiles
Provide information on the applicant organization(s) and
cooperating partners such as organizational charts, financial
statements, audit reports or statements from CPAs/Licensed Public
Accountants, Employer Identification Numbers, names of bond carriers,
contact persons and telephone numbers, child care licenses and other
documentation of professional accreditation, information on compliance
with Federal/State/local government standards, documentation of
experience in the program area, and other pertinent information.
Any non-profit organization submitting an application must submit
proof of its non-profit status in its application at the time of
submission. The non-profit agency can accomplish this by providing a
copy of the applicant's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS)
most recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in Section
501(c)(3) of the IRS code, or by providing a copy of the currently
valid IRS tax exemption certificate, or by providing a copy of the
articles of incorporation bearing the seal of the State in which the
corporation or association is domiciled.
Third-Party Agreements
Include written agreements between grantees and sub-grantees or
subcontractors or other cooperating entities. These agreements must
detail scope of work to be performed, work schedules, remuneration, and
other terms and conditions that structure or define the relationship.
Letters of Support
Provide statements from community, public and commercial leaders
that support the project proposed for funding. All submissions should
be included in the application OR by application deadline.
Budget and Budget Justification
Provide line item detail and detailed calculations for each budget
object class identified on the Budget Information form. Detailed
calculations must include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs,
and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation
to be duplicated. The detailed budget must also include a breakout by
the funding sources identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the
categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness,
and allocability of the proposed costs.
General
The following guidelines are for preparing the budget and budget
justification. Both Federal and non-Federal resources shall be detailed
and justified in the budget and narrative justification. For purposes
of preparing the budget and budget justification, ``Federal resources''
refers only to the ACF grant for which you are applying. Non-Federal
resources are all other Federal and non-Federal resources. It is
suggested that budget amounts and computations be presented in a
columnar format: first column, object class categories; second column,
Federal budget; next column(s), non-Federal budget(s), and last column,
total budget. The budget justification should be a narrative.
Personnel
Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.
Justification: Identify the project director or principal
investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time
commitment to the project (in months), time commitment to the project
(as a percentage or full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant salary,
wage rates, etc. Do not include the costs of consultants or personnel
costs of delegate agencies or of specific project(s) or businesses to
be financed by the applicant.
Fringe Benefits
Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated as
part of an approved indirect cost rate.
Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages
that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA,
retirement insurance, taxes, etc.
Travel
Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the
applicant organization (does not include costs of consultant travel).
Justification: For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s),
travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if
privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs
and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend ACF-
sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.
Equipment
Description: ``Equipment'' means an article of nonexpendable,
tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year
and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of (a) the
capitalization level established by the organization for the financial
statement purposes, or (b) $5,000. (Note: Acquisition cost means the
net invoice unit price of an item of equipment, including the cost of
any modifications, attachments, accessories, or auxiliary apparatus
necessary to make it usable for the purpose for which it is acquired.
Ancillary charges, such as taxes, duty, protective in-transit
insurance, freight, and installation shall be included in or excluded
from acquisition cost in accordance with the organization's regular
written accounting practices.)
Justification: For each type of equipment requested, provide a
description of the equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units,
the total cost, and a plan for use on the project, as well as use or
disposal of the equipment after the project ends. An applicant
organization that uses its own definition for equipment should provide
a copy of its policy or section of its policy which includes the
equipment definition.
Supplies
Description: Costs of all tangible personal property other than
that included under the Equipment category.
Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their
costs. Show computations and provide other information which supports
the amount requested.
Contractual
Description: Costs of all contracts for services and goods except
for those which belong under other categories such as equipment,
supplies, construction, etc. Third-party evaluation contracts (if
applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient organizations,
including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or businesses to be
financed by the applicant, should be included under this category.
Justification: All procurement transactions shall be conducted in a
manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical, open and free
competition. Recipients and sub-recipients, other than States that are
required to use Part 92 procedures, must justify any anticipated
procurement action that is expected to be awarded without competition
and exceed the simplified acquisition threshold fixed at 41 U.S.C.
403(11). Recipients might be required to make available to ACF pre-
award review and procurement documents, such as request for proposals
or invitations for bids, independent cost estimates, etc. Note:
Whenever the applicant intends to delegate part of the project to
another agency, the applicant must provide a detailed budget and budget
narrative for each delegate agency, by agency title, along with the
required supporting information referred to in these instructions.
Other
Enter the total of all other costs. Such costs, where applicable
and appropriate, may include but are not limited to insurance, food,
medical and dental costs (non-contractual), professional services
costs, space and equipment rentals, printing and publication, computer
use, training costs, such as tuition and stipends, staff development
costs, and administrative costs.
Justification: Provide computations, a narrative description and a
justification for each cost under this category.
Indirect Charges
Description: Total amount of indirect costs. This category should
be used only when the applicant currently has an indirect cost rate
approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or
another cognizant Federal agency.
Justification: An applicant that will charge indirect costs to the
grant must enclose a copy of the current rate agreement. If the
applicant organization is in the process of initially developing or
renegotiating a rate, it should immediately upon notification that an
award will be made, develop a tentative indirect cost rate proposal
based on its most recently completed fiscal year in accordance with the
principles set forth in the cognizant agency's guidelines for
establishing indirect cost rates, and submit it to the cognizant
agency. Applicants awaiting approval of their indirect cost proposals
may also request indirect costs. It should be noted that when an
indirect cost rate is requested, those costs included in the indirect
cost pool should not also be charged as direct costs to the grant.
Also, if the applicant is requesting a rate which is less than what is
allowed under the program, the authorized representative of the
applicant organization must submit a signed acknowledgment that
the applicant is accepting a lower rate than allowed.
Program Income
Description: The estimated amount of income, if any, expected to be
generated from this project.
Justification: Describe the nature, source and anticipated use of
program income in the budget or refer to the pages in the application
which contain this information.
Nonfederal Resources
Description: Amounts of non-Federal resources that will be used to
support the project as identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
Justification: The firm commitment of these resources must be
documented and submitted with the application in order to be given
credit in the review process. A detailed budget must be prepared for
each funding source.
Evaluation Criteria
Criterion 1. Objectives and Need for Assistance--The applicant
demonstrates comprehensive understanding of refugee populations as new
members of the U.S. community. The applicant also demonstrates an
understanding of the activities that assist a community to prepare for
new refugee populations. The conditions in proposed resettlement
communities are clearly described. The need for additional services
leading to enhanced resettlement for arriving populations is
documented. The applicant provides a national placement plan that
documents understanding of the arriving refugee groups and their
characteristics. The applicant demonstrates a clear understanding of
the population to be served. The national voluntary agency documents
the number of special populations and the services needed. The number
of refugees projected to be served is reasonable in light of the
resettlement capacity. (25 points)
Criterion 2. Results or Benefits Expected--The applicant clearly
describes the results and benefits to be achieved. The applicant
proposes an increase in the actual number of free cases placed in the
specified community or, in the case of special populations, the
applicant clearly describes the additional program or services
appropriate to the needs of the group. Results or benefits are
described in terms of the opportunities provided for refugees. Proposed
outcomes are measurable and achievable within the grant project period
including special services and refugee self-sufficiency. The proposed
monitoring and information collection is adequately planned and can be
feasibly implemented within the proposed timelines. The applicant
clearly describes how the special population will benefit from proposed
services, e.g., enhanced case management, special medical care,
referrals and follow-up with culturally and linguistically appropriate
mainstream providers. The applicant describes how the impact of the
funds will be measured on key indicators associated with the purpose of
the project. Proposed outcomes are tangible and achievable within the
grant project period, and the proposed monitoring and information
collection are adequately planned. (25 points)
Criterion 3. Approach--The strategy and plan, including a
description of each proposed preferred community and an assessment of
appropriateness for placement, are likely to achieve increased
placement in preferred communities and excellent opportunities for
assimilation including specific discussion of special populations where
appropriate. The proposed activities and timeframes are reasonable and
feasible. The plan describes in detail how the proposed activities will
be accomplished as well as the potential for the project to achieve
economic independence for arriving refugees. The application includes a
clear and comprehensive description of the preferred sites proposed.
The application includes a clear and comprehensive description of the
national voluntary agency placement planning activities, including
meeting with the State Refugee Coordinator, documenting coordination
and outcomes, community preparation activities, and how they will be
impacted by this project. Assurance is provided that proposed services
will be delivered in a manner that is linguistically and culturally
appropriate to the target population. (20 points)
Criterion 4. Organizational Profiles--The administrative and
management features of the project, including a plan for fiscal and
programmatic management of each activity and planning activities, are
described in detail with proposed start-up times, ongoing timelines,
major milestones or benchmarks, a component/project organization chart,
management of affiliates, monitoring and a staffing chart of affiliate
network. The qualifications of project staff, both national applicant
and affiliate agencies, as well as any volunteers, are documented.
Discuss instances of managing grants of the same size as you are
requesting here. (15 points)
Criterion 5. Budget and Budget Justification--The budget and
narrative justification are reasonable, clearly presented, and cost-
effective in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated
results. The per capita budget is justified and reasonable. The
applicant clearly indicates how awarded funds will complement Reception
and Placement and other social services to achieve the objectives. (15
points)
V.2. Review and Selection Process
Each application submitted under this program announcement will
undergo a pre-review to determine that (1) the application was received
by the closing date and submitted in accordance with the instructions
in this announcement and (2) the applicant is eligible for funding. It
is necessary that applicants state specifically which priority area
they are applying for. Applications will be screened for priority area
appropriateness. Applications which pass the initial ACF screening will
be evaluated and rated by an independent review panel on the basis
specific evaluation criteria. The results of these reviews will assist
the Director and ORR program staff in considering competing
applications. Reviewers' scores will weigh heavily in funding decisions
but will not be the only factors considered. Applications will
generally be considered in order of the average scores assigned by
reviewers. However, highly ranked applications are not guaranteed
funding because other factors are taken into consideration. These
include, but are not limited to, the number of similar types of
existing grants or projects funded with ORR funds in the last five
years, comments of reviewers and government officials; staff evaluation
and input; geographic distribution; previous program performance of
applicants; compliance with grant terms under previous ORR grants;
audit reports; investigative reports; an applicants progress in
resolving any final audit disallowance on previous ORR or other Federal
agency grants. ORR will consider the geographic distribution of funds
among States and the relative proportion of funding among rural and
urban areas. The evaluation criteria were designed to assess the
quality of a proposed project, and to determine the likelihood of its
success. The evaluation criteria are closely related and are considered
as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application. Points are
awarded only to applications which are responsive to the evaluation
criteria within the context of this program announcement.
VI. Award Administration Information
VI.1. Award Notices
Successful applicants can expect notification no later than
September 30, 2005 (and September 30 of each succeeding year). A notice
of award signed by the grants management officer will be mailed to the
authorized representative. ORR will mail notification to the authorized
representative of unsuccessful applicants.
VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
45 CFR Part 74.
VI.3. Reporting Requirements
Programmatic Reports: Semi-Annually and a final report is due 90
days after the end of grant period.
Financial Reports: Semi-Annually and a final report is due 90 days
after the end of grant period.
There are no special reporting requirements.
Original reports and one copy should be mailed to the Grants
Management Contact listed in section VII Agency Contacts.
VII. Agency Contacts
Program Office Contacts
Priority Areas 1 and 2: Sue Benjamin, HHS, ACF, ORR/DCR, 370
L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 8th Floor West, Washington, DC 20447,
Telephone: 202-401-4851, E-mail: sbenjamin@acf.hhs.gov.
Priority Area 3: Mitiku Ashebir, HHS, ACF, ORR/DCR, 370 L'Enfant
Promenade, SW., 8th Floor West, Washington, DC 20447, Telephone: 202-
205-3602, E-mail: mashebir@acf.hhs.gov.
Grants Management Office Contact
Sylvia Johnson, Grants Officer, HHS, ACF, Office of Grants
Management, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade,
SW., 4th Floor West, Washington, DC 20447, Telephone: 202-401-4524, E-
mail: sjohnson@acf.hhs.gov.
VIII. Other Information
The Director reserves the right to award more, or less than the
funds described in this announcement. In the absence of worthy
applications, the Director may decide not to make an award if deemed in
the best interest of the Government. Funding for future years, under
this announcement, is at the Director's discretion and depends on the
availability of appropriated funds. The Director may invite
applications outside of the proposed closing date, if necessary, to
respond to the needs of an imminently arriving refugee population.
An applicant may submit more than one application under this
announcement, but must apply separately for each priority area.
Applications in Priority Area 1 are for project periods of up to
three years (36 months). Awards, on a competitive basis, will be for a
twelve (12) month budget period although project periods may be up to
thirty-six (36) months. Applications for continuation grants funded
under these awards, beyond the twelve (12) month budget period but
within the thirty-six (36) month project period, will be entertained in
subsequent years on a noncompetitive basis, subject to availability of
funds, satisfactory progress of the grantee and a determination that
continued funding would be in the best interest of the Government.
Dated: April 14, 2004.
Nguyen Van Hanh,
Director, Office of Refugee Resettlement.
[FR Doc. 04-9183 Filed 4-22-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P
