 |
Department of Health & Human Services
Administration for Children and Families
Federal Agency Name
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services
Funding Opportunity Title: Compassion Capital Fund Targeted Capacity Building Program
Announcement Type: Competitive Grant-Initial.
Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2004-ACF-OCS-EJ-0008
CFDA Number: 93.647
Due Date: May 19, 2004.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of
Community Services (OCS) announces that competing applications will be
accepted for new grants pursuant to the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS) Secretary's Compassion Capital Fund (CCF)
authorized under section 1110 of the Social Security Act governing
Social Services Research and Demonstration activities and the
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004, P.L. 107-116, Title II.
Pursuant to this announcement, OCS will award funds to faith-based and
community organizations that address the needs of either at-risk youth;
the homeless; or provide marriage education and preparation services to
help couples who choose marriage for themselves develop the skills and
knowledge to form and sustain healthy marriages; or provide social
services to those living in rural communities.
A. Background
Faith-based and community organizations have a long history of
providing an array of important services to people and communities in
need of charitable services in the United States. These groups have
unique strengths that government cannot duplicate. They hold the trust
of their community neighbors and leaders and have great understanding
of the needs of the community and its systems. As a result, they are
well positioned to understand the unique needs of at-risk youth, the
homeless, those choosing to develop the skills and knowledge to form
and sustain healthy marriages, and those living in rural communities in
need of social services. Furthermore, the sense of mission from which
these organizations work often translates into a unique approach to
service delivery, a dedication of service to others, and a cultural
awareness specific to their surrounding communities.
In recognition of this history and ability, President Bush believes
it is in the public's interest to broaden Federal efforts to work with
faith-based and community organizations, and he has made it a priority
to ensure that these groups are treated equally with other
organizations that apply for Federal funding. A key part of this effort
to enhance and expand the participation of faith-based and community
groups in serving those in need is the Compassion Capital Fund (CCF)
Targeted-Capacity Building program described in this announcement.
B. Program Purpose and Objectives
The purpose of the CCF Targeted Capacity Building awards is to
build the capacity of faith-based and community organizations that
address one of the following four priority areas:
. At-risk youth;
. Homeless;
. Marriage education and preparation services to
help couples who choose marriage for themselves develop the skills and
knowledge to form and sustain healthy marriages;
. Social services to those living in rural
communities. (See Section III. Eligibility Information for more
information on rural communities)
CCF Capacity-Building awards will assist faith-based and community
organizations to improve their program effectiveness and sustainability
enhance their ability to provide social services, expand the
organization, diversify the funding sources, and emulate model programs
and best practices. The goal is to help promising organizations bolster
their sustainability and ultimately be able to serve more people on a
continuing basis.
Applicants must describe, in concrete terms, their plans for using
funds to improve their organization in a sustainable way. Grantees must
use these awards to increase efficiency and capacity; therefore, these
awards cannot be used to augment or supplant direct service delivery
funds. for example, an organization that distributes food to the poor
will not receive a grant simply to purchase additional food. Nor, for
example, will an organization that provides substance abuse treatment
services receive additional funds simply to enable it to provide
exactly the same services to more people. Although these awards might
well enable these organizations to assist additional individuals, they
would not serve to improve the organizations' sustainability,
efficiency, or capacity. Rather, the organizations would simply use
additional funds in the same way they use existing funds, without
fundamentally changing or improving their services.
II. Award Information
Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
Anticipated total Priority Area Funding: $5.0 million.
Anticipated Number of Awards: 100.
Ceiling on amount of Individual Awards: $50,000.
Floor on Individual Award Amounts: None.
Average projected Award Amount: $50,000.
Project Periods for Awards: This announcement is soliciting
applications for a 12-month project period. Awards, on a competitive
basis, will be for a 12-month budget period.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Non-profit organizations having a 501(c) (3) status with the
Internal Revenue Code, other than institutions of higher education and
Non-profit organizations that do not have a 501(c) (3) status with the
Internal Revenue Code, other than institutions of higher education, and
Native American Tribal governments (federally recognized). Faith-based
organizations are eligible to apply for these grants.
Additional Information on Eligibility: Per the Department of Health
and Human Services' Rural Office of Health, the following explanation
provides a definition of those organizations eligible under the social
service priority area, Rural Communities. All organizations in Non-
Metropolitan counties as defined by the Office of Management and Budget
are eligible for a grant under the social service priority area, Rural
Communities. Due to the fact that entire counties are designated as
Metropolitan when in fact, large parts of many counties may be rural in
nature; ZIP Codes in Metropolitan counties that meet the criteria as
defined by the Office of Rural Health are also eligible. To determine
if a ZIP Code is defined as rural, please refer to the website at
http://ruralhealth.hrsa.gov/funding/eligibilitytestv2.asp.
To be eligible for funding, applicants must demonstrate proof of
non-profit status and this proof must be included in their applications
(see section IV. 2). Proof of non-profit status is any one of the
following:
(a) A reference to the applicant organization's listing in the
Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt
organizations described in the IRS code.
(b) A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate.
(c) A statement from a State taxing body, State Attorney General,
or other appropriate State official certifying that the applicant
organization has a non-profit status and that none of the net earnings
accrue to any private shareholders or individuals.
(d) A certified copy of the organization's certificate of
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit
status.
(e) Any of the items in the subparagraphs immediately above for a
State or national parent organization and a statement singed by the
parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-
profit affiliate.
Fiscal year (FY) 2003 ACF Compassion Capital Fund Targeted Capacity
Building grantees are eligible to apply for FY2004 funding as long as
the social service priority area addressed by their FY2004 proposed
project differs from the priority area addressed in their FY2003
project.
Applicants are cautioned that the ceiling for individual awards is
$50,000.
Applications exceeding the $50,000 threshold will be considered
non-responsive and will not be eligible for funding under this
announcement.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: No
3. Other (If Applicable)
On June 27, 2003, the Office of Management and Budget published in
the Federal Register a new Federal policy applicable to all Federal
grant applicants. The policy requires all Federal grant applicants to
provide a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
number when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements on or
after October 1, 2003. The DUNS number will be required whether an
applicant is submitting a paper application or using the government-
wide electronic portal (http://www.Grants.gov). A DUNS number will be
required for every application for a new award or renewal/continuation
of an award, including applications or plans under formula, entitlement
and block grant programs, submitted on or after October 1, 2003.
Please ensure that your organization has a DUNS number. You may
acquire a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free
DUNS number request line on 1-866-705-5711 or you may request a number
on-line at http://www.dnb.com.
Applicants are cautioned that the ceiling for individual awards is
$50,000. Applications exceeding the $50,000 threshold will be
considered non-responsive and will not be eligible for funding under
this announcement.
Applications that do not follow the required format described in
section IV.2 Application Requirements will be considered non-responsive
and will not be eligible for funding under this announcement.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address To Request Application Package
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration
for Children and Families Office of Community Services Operations
Center, Compassion Capital Fund Targeted Capacity Building Program,
1815 North Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22209, Attention:
Eduardo Hernandez, Telephone: 1-800-281-9519, E-mail: ocs@lcgnet.com.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
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, and be submitted unbound.
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.
Applicants must demonstrate proof of non-profit status and this
proof must be included in their applications. Please include any one of
the following:
(a) A reference to the applicant organization's listing in the
Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt
organizations described in the IRS code.
(b) A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate.
(c) A statement from a State taxing body, State Attorney General,
or other appropriate State official certifying that the applicant
organization has a non-profit status and that none of the net earnings
accrue to any private shareholders or individuals.
(d) A certified copy of the organization's certificate of
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit
status.
(e) Any of the items in the subparagraphs immediately above for a
State or national parent organization and a statement signed by the
parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-
profit affiliate.
You may submit your application to us either in 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 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 paper format.
. You may submit all documents electronically,
including all information typically included on the SF424 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
form 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.
Application Requirements
While applicants may be working in more than one priority area,
they must select one (1) area and label their application accordingly.
The application must identify one of the following four priority areas:
. At-risk youth.
. Homeless.
. Healthy Marriage.
. Rural Communities.
Applications proposing projects covering more than one priority
area will not be given a higher priority than those projects working in just
one area.
The application must be double-spaced and single-sided on 8 1/2 x 11
plain white paper, with 1'' margins on all sides. The application
must use Times New Roman 12 point font or Arial 12 point font. All
pages of the application (including appendices, resumes, charts,
references/footnotes, tables, maps and exhibits) must be sequentially
numbered. Each application may include only one proposed project.
The Project Narrative including the Table of Contents must not
exceed 8 pages. Pages submitted beyond the first 8 in the application
Project Narrative section and Table of Contents will be removed prior
to panel review. The Narrative Budget Justification, Standard Forms for
Assurances, Certifications, Disclosures and appendices and the cost-
share letters are not included in this limitation, yet applicants are
urged to be concise.
Any additional supporting documentation, including letters of
support and appendixes must not exceed 5 pages. Applicants are
requested not to send pamphlets, brochures, or other printed material
along with their applications as these pose copying difficulties. These
materials, if submitted, will not be included in the review process.
Forms and Certifications: The project description should include
all the information requirements described in the specific evaluation
criteria outlined in the program announcement under Part V. 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 requesting financial assistance for non-
construction projects must file the Standard Form 424B, ``Assurances:
Non-Construction Programs.'' Applicants must sign and return the
Standard Form 424B with their applications. Applicants must provide a
certification regarding lobbying when applying for an award in excess
of $100,000. Applicants must sign and return the certification with
their applications. Applicants must disclose lobbying activities on the
Standard Form LLL when applying for an award in excess of $100,000.
Applicants who have used non-Federal funds for lobbying activities in
connection with receiving assistance under this announcement shall
complete a disclosure form, if applicable, with their applications. The
forms (Forms 424, 424A-B; and Certifications may be found at:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm
under new announcements. Fill out Standard Forms 424 and 424A and the associated certifications and
assurances based on the instructions on the 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.''
The forms are located on the web at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
3. Submission Dates and Times
The closing time and date for receipt of applications is 4:30 p.m.
(Eastern Time Zone) on May 19, 2004. Mailed or hand carried
applications received after 4:30 p.m. on the closing date will be
classified as late.
Deadline: Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an
announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline time
and date at the following address: U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families Office of
Community Services Operations Center, Compassion Capital Fund Targeted
Capacity Building Program--(Applicant identifies one of the following
priority areas: At-risk youth, Homeless, Healthy Marriage, or Rural
Community), 1815 North Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, VA
22209, Attention: Barbara Ziegler Johnson, Telephone: 1-800-281-9519.
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 5 p.m., EST, at the following address: U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families
Office of Community Services Operations Center, Compassion Capital Fund
Targeted Capacity Building Program--(Applicant identifies one of the
following priority areas: At-risk youth, Homeless, Healthy Marriage, or
Rural Community), 1815 North Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, VA
22209, Attention: Barbara Ziegler Johnson, Telephone: 1-800-281-9519.
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 mails service. Determinations
to extend or waive deadline requirements rest with the Chief Grants
Management Officer.
Required Forms:
| What to submit | Required Content | Required Form or Format | When to Submit |
|---|---|---|---|
Narrative |
Described in Section V of this announcement. | May be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm | By application due date. |
SF 424, SF 424 A, and SF 424 B |
Per required form. | May be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm | By application due date. |
Certification Regarding Lobbying and Disclosure of Lobbying
Activities (SF-LLL) |
Per required form. | May be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm | By application due date. |
Environmental Tobacco Smoke Certification |
Per required form. | May be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm | By application due date. |
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 for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants. | Per required form...... | May be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm. | By application due date. |
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 June 20, 2001, the following
jurisdictions have elected not to participate in the Executive Order
process. Applicants from these jurisdictions or for projects
administered by federally-recognized Indian Tribes need take no action
in regard to E.O. 12372:
All States and Territories except Alabama, Alaska, Arizona,
Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana,
Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio,
Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont,
Virginia, Washington and Wyoming have elected to participate in the
Executive Order process and have established Single Point of Contacts
(SPOCs). Applicants from these twenty-five jurisdictions need take no
action regarding Executive Order 12372.
Although the jurisdictions listed above no longer participate in
the process, entities which have met the eligibility requirements of
the program are still eligible to apply for a grant even if a State,
Territory, Commonwealth, etc. does not have a SPOC. All remaining
jurisdictions participate in the Executive Order process and have
established SPOCs.
Applicants from participating jurisdictions should contact their
SPOCs as soon as possible to alert them about 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.
Comments should be submitted directly 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.
A list of the Single Points of Contact for each State and Territory
is included with the application materials for this announcement.
5. Funding Restrictions
Sub-Contracting or Delegating Projects
OCS will not fund any project where the role of the applicant is
primarily to serve as a conduit for funds to organizations other than
the applicant. The applicant must have a substantive role in the
implementation of the project for which funding is requested. This
prohibition does not bar the making of sub-grants or sub-contracting
for specific services or activities needed to conduct the project.
Number of Projects in Application
Each application may include only one proposed project.
Applicants are cautioned that the ceiling for individual awards is
$50,000. Applications exceeding the $50,000 threshold will be
considered non-responsive and will not be eligible for funding under
this announcement.
Fiscal year (FY) 2003 ACF Compassion Capital Fund Targeted Capacity
Building grantees are eligible to apply for FY2004 funding as long as
the social service priority area addressed by their FY2004 proposed
project differs from the priority area addressed in their FY2003
project.
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 the later
competition.
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 PM Eastern Standard Time on or before the closing
date. Applications should be mailed to: U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families Office
of Community Services Operations Center, Compassion Capital Fund
Targeted Capacity Building Program--(Applicant identifies one of the
following priority areas: At-risk youth, Homeless, Healthy Marriage, or
Rural Community), 1815 North Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, VA
22209, Attention: Barbara Ziegler Johnson, Telephone: 1-800-281-9519.
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 Standard 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., Monday through Friday. Applications may be delivered to:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for
Children and Families Office of Community Services Operations Center
1815 North Fort Meyer Drive, Suite 300 Arlington, VA 22209, Attention:
Barbara Ziegler Johnson, Telephone: 1-800-281-9519.
V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
General Instructions for the Uniform Project Description
The following section provides a general overview of the
recommended contents of each applicant's project narrative. Following
this general description are criteria specific to the Compassion
Capital Fund Targeted Capacity Building program.
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.
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 any other pertinent information.
Any non-profit organization submitting an application must submit proof
of its non-profit 501 (c) (3) status in its application at the time of
submission.
Results or Benefits Expected
Identify the results and benefits to be derived. for example, when
applying for an award to expand program capacity, increase the types of
services offered, increase access to funding from different sources and
sectors, or improve staff capabilities, describe the goals and
objectives of the activity and expected outcomes.
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. Demographic data and participant/
beneficiary information should be incorporated, 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.
Budget and Budget Justification
Provide line item detail and detailed calculations for each budget
object class identified on the Budget Information form. Detailed
calculations must include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs,
and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to
be duplicated. The detailed budget must also include a breakout by the
funding sources identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the
categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness,
and allocability of the proposed costs.
Evaluation Criterion I: Approach (Maximum: 30 points)
Factors:
(1) Capacity-Building Strategy (25 points). Applications will be
evaluated based on the extent to which the capacity-building approach
or strategy is logical, reasonable, and clearly linked to the desired
results and benefits expected. Applications will also be evaluated on
the extent to which the principles and conditions outlined in the
Announcement are evident in the applicant's approach.
(2) Geographic Location: (5 Points). Applications will be evaluated
based on the extent to which they include a description of the precise
region to be served, the rationale for proposing the region, and a
detailed description of the population served in the proposed area,
including statistics and facts that convey an understanding of the
unique needs of the population in the area.
Evaluation Criterion II: Organizational Profiles (Maximum: 25 points)
Factors:
(1) Staff and Position Data: (10 Points). Applications will be
evaluated on the extent to which they include a listing of key
positions required to carry out the project, the individuals proposed
to fill the positions, and a detailed description of the kind of work
they will perform. Applications will also be evaluated on the extent to
which evidence is provided demonstrating the staff's skill, knowledge,
and experience in carrying out their assigned activities such as
evidence that demonstrates not only staff's good technical skills, but
also a clear record of working with faith-based and community
organizations. Applications will also be evaluated on the extent to
which the above information is provided with regard to consultants or
staff from other organizations proposed to work on the project.
(2) Past Experience Working in Priority Social Service Area (at-
risk youth, homeless, healthy marriage, or rural communities): (15
Points). Applications will be evaluated on the extent to which the
applicant demonstrates experience and a proven track record in
addressing the needs of at-risk youth, or the homeless, or those who
choose marriage for themselves develop the skills and knowledge to form
and sustain healthy marriages, and or those living in rural communities
who in are need of social services. The applicant will be also be
evaluated on the extent to which the application includes concrete
examples of services and/or programs.
Evaluation Criterion III: Results or Benefits Expected (Maximum: 20
points)
Applications will be evaluated on the extent to which the specific
goals of the project and the results and benefits proposed by the
applicant are reasonable and likely, quantified, clearly linked to and
supported by the proposed capacity-building approach, and supportive of
the stated goals under this announcement.
Evaluation Criterion IV: Objectives and Need for Assistance (Maximum:
15 points)
Applications will be evaluated on the extent to which the
objectives of the proposed project are clearly stated and shown to
address the needs of the organization. In addition, applications will
be evaluated on the extent to which the applicant presents a compelling
need in the community for an increase or improvement in services and the
extent to which the applicant demonstrates how the receipt of this Federal grant
will enable the applicant to increase its capacity to address these vital needs.
Evaluation Criterion V: Budget and Budget Justification (Maximum: 10
points)
Applications will be evaluated based on the extent to which they
include a budget that is clear, easy to understand, and that provides a
detailed justification for the amount requested. Applicants should
refer to the budget information presented in the Standard Forms 424 and
424A and to the budget justification instructions in section C. General
Instructions for the Uniform Project Description. Since non-Federal
reviewers will be used in the review of applications, applicants may
omit from the copies of the application submitted (not from the
original), the specific salary rates or amounts for individuals in the
application budget and instead provide only summary information. The
application should also state the last two years' recent operating
budgets of the applicant; however, details of the budget are not
required.
2. Review and Selection Process
Applications received by the due date will be reviewed and scored
competitively. Experts in the field, generally persons from outside the
Federal government, will use the evaluation criteria listed in Part V
of this announcement to review and score the applications. The results
of this review will be a primary factor in making funding decisions.
ACF may also solicit comments from Regional Office staff and other
Federal agencies. ACF may consider a variety of factors in addition to
the review criteria identified above, including geographic diversity/
coverage and types of applicant organizations, in order to ensure that
the interests of the Federal Government are met in making the final
selections. Furthermore, ACF may limit the number of awards made to the
same or affiliated organizations although they would serve different
geographic areas. Please note that applicants that do not comply with
the requirements in the section titled ``Eligible Applicants'' will not
be included in the review process.
Applications proposing projects in more than one area will not be
given a higher priority than those working in only one priority area.
Legal Rules That Apply to Faith-Based Organizations That Receive
Government Funds
CCF monies shall not be used to support inherently religious
practices such as religious instruction, worship, or proselytization.
Grant or sub-award recipients, therefore, may not and will not be
selected based on religious criteria. Neutral, non-religious criteria
that neither favor nor disfavor religion must be employed in selection
of a grantee and sub-award recipients under this announcement.
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 the later competition.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
The successful applicants will be notified through the issuance of
a Financial Assistance Award document which sets forth the amount of
funds granted, the terms and conditions of the grant, the effective
date of the grant, the budget period for which 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.
Organizations whose applications will not be funded will be
notified in writing by the Office of Community Services.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
45 CFR Part 74 and 45 CFR Part 92
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is
estimated to average 25 hours per response, including the time for
reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and
reviewing the collection of information. Under the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995, Pub.L.104-13, the Department is required to submit to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval any
reporting and record keeping requirements or regulations including
program announcements. This program announcement does not contain
information collection requirements beyond those approved for ACF grant
applications under the Program Narrative Statement by OMB (Approval
Number 0980-0204) which expires 3/31/2004. 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 control number.
3. Reporting
Programmatic Reports: Semi-annually.
Financial Reports: Semi-annually.
Special Reporting Requirements: None.
All grantees are required to submit semi-annual program reports;
grantees are also required to submit semi-annual expenditure reports
using the required financial standard form (SF-269) which is located on
the Internet at: http://forms.psc.gov/forms/sf/SF-269.pdf. A suggested
format for the program report will be sent to all grantees after the
awards are made.
VII. Agency Contacts
Program Office Contact: Kelly Cowles, Office of Community Services,
370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Suite 500 West, Aerospace Building,
Washington, DC 20447-0002, E-mail: ocs@lcgnet.com. Telephone: (800)
281-9519.
Grants Management Office Contact: Barbara Ziegler, Office of Grants
Management, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade,
SW. 4th Floor West, Aerospace Building, Washington, DC 20447-0002.
E-mail: ocs@lcgnet.com. Telephone: (800) 281-9519.
General: Office of Community Services Operations Center, Compassion
Capital Fund Demonstration Program, 1815 North Fort Meyer Drive, Suite
300, Arlington, VA 22209, Attention: Eduardo Hernandez, Telephone: 1-
800-281-9519.
E-mail: ocs@lcgnet.com.
VIII. Other Information
Additional information about this program and its purpose can be
located on the following Web sites: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccf/,
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/, http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccf.
Dated: April 12, 2004.
Clarence Carter,
Director, Office of Community Services.
[FR Doc. 04-8791 Filed 4-16-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P
