Federal Register: June 26, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 123)
DOCID: FR Doc 03-16076
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Community Services Office
NOTICE: NOTICES
ACTION: Grants and cooperative agreements; availability, etc.:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Announcement of the request for competitive applications and the availability of Federal funding to intermediary organizations to provide
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Compassion Capital Fund Demonstration Program
DATES: The closing date for submission of applications is July 28, 2003. Applications received after the closing date will be classified as late. See Part IV of this announcement for more information on submitting applications.
In order to determine the number of expert reviewers that will be necessary, if you plan to submit an application, you are requested, but not required, to mail, fax, or email written notification of your intentions at least 15 calendar days prior to the submission deadline date. Send the notification, with the following information: The name, address, telephone and fax numbers, and email address of the project director and the name of the applicant to: OCS Operations Center, 1815 North Fort Myer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22202 or fax to (703) 2488765 or email to OCS@lcgnet.com. Label all submissions as follows: Intent to Apply for Compassion Capital Fund Demonstration Program.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
This program announcement announces the availability of funds for Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) awards. These awards provide experienced intermediary organizations with funds to deliver technical assistance to small faithbased and community organizations. Intermediaries will assist these small groups, for example, in their efforts to improve program effectiveness and organizational management, access funds from diverse sources and manage those funds, develop and train staff, expand the types and reach of social services programs in their communities and develop promising collaborations among organizations dedicated to social service delivery. In addition, recipients of awards under this announcement must issue subawards to a number of qualified faithbased and community organizations for a variety of capacitybuilding purposes.
To be eligible for CCF awards, intermediaries should have established relationships with grassroots faithbased and community organizations, as well as a proven track record in providing technical assistance to such groups.
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is the agency
designated to issue awards under the Fund. However, the work supported
through such awards is expected to address a broad array of services
and programs and to complement related activities in other parts of HHS
and other Federal departments. CCF will help further the President's
goals and objectives regarding faithbased and community organizations
and will enhance work being supported by multiple Federal agencies. ACF
estimates that the funds available under this announcement will support
an estimated 48 cooperative agreements \1\ with intermediary organizations.
\1\ A cooperative agreement allows substantial Federal
involvement in the activities undertaken with Federal financial support.
The Federal government wishes to partner with applicant organizations that share the same vision, have similar goals, and are able to share in the cost of this important set of activities. Therefore, ACF is seeking applicants who can provide funding for the proposed project equal to 25 percent of the amount of Federal funds requested (i.e., onefourth of the total budget. For example, an applicant requesting $500,000 in Federal funds would need to provide $125,000 to the total project. The total budget therefore would be $625,000. An applicant requesting $250,000 in Federal funds would need to provide $62,500. The total budget in this circumstance would therefore be $312,500).
SUMMARY:
Compassion Capital Fund Demonstration Program,
DOCUMENT BODY:
[[Page 38054]]
technical assistance to faithbased and community organizations.
CFDA Number: The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number is 93.647.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
This program announcement consists of four
parts: Part I: Background and Program Purposelegislative authority,
background, and program purpose and objectives; Part II: Project and
Applicant Eligibilityeligible applicants, funding availability and
instruments, cost sharing, and roles and responsibilities under the
cooperative agreement; Part III: The Review Processintergovernmental
review, initial ACF screening, general instructions for the Uniform
Project Description, competitive review and evaluation criteria, and
review process; and Part IV: The Application Processrequired forms,
application limits, checklist for complete application, application submission, and Paperwork Reduction Act.
Part I. Background and Program Purpose
A. Legislative Authority
Funding under this announcement is authorized by 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, 2003, Pub. L. 1087.
B. Background
Faithbased 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 are part of their communities and possess unique strengths that the government cannot duplicate. They hold the trust of their neighbors and leaders and have a keen understanding of the particular needs of the community and its systems. As a result, they are well positioned to assist individuals and families with the most pressing needs, such as the homeless, prisoners reentering the community, children of prisoners, atrisk youth, addicts, elders in need, and families moving from welfare to work. Faithbased and community organizations are also equipped to help couples who choose marriage for themselves, develop the skills and knowledge to form and sustain healthy marriages.
In recognition of this history and ability, President Bush believes it is in the public's interest to broaden Federal efforts to work with faithbased and community organizations and has made improving funding opportunities for such organizations a priority. A key part of the effort to enhance and expand the participation of faithbased and community groups serving those in need is CCF. Intermediary organizations awarded funds under this announcement will serve as partners to both the Federal government and to the faithbased and community organizations that they assist. The intermediaries will represent a diverse set of affiliations, and will assist community level organizations with a range of service goals, target populations, affiliations, and beliefs.
C. Program Purpose and Objectives
The goal of CCF is to assist faithbased and community
organizations in increasing their effectiveness, enhancing their
ability to provide social services, expanding their organizations,
diversifying their funding sources, and creating collaborations to
better serve those most in need. This will be accomplished through the
funding of established intermediary organizations in welldefined
geographic locations with a proven track record of providing technical
assistance to smaller organizations in their communities. These
intermediary organizations will serve as a bridge between the Federal government and the faithbased and
[[Page 38055]]
community organizations that this program is designed to assist.
Intermediary organizations will provide two services within their
communities: (1) Technical assistance to a diverse range of faithbased
and community organizations; and (2) technical assistance and financial
supportthrough subawardsto some subset of the faithbased and
community organizations in their communities. ACF's expectations for these two activities are described more fully below.
ACF expects to work closely with organizations that receive funding to ensure that CCF monies are used appropriately and in the most effective manner possible. It has also entered into a contract with an organization that serves as the National Resource Center (herein also referred to as the National Center) for these intermediaries. Under this contract, the National Center provides CCF intermediaries with support and assistance. Funded organizations must expect to interact with both ACF and the National Center on an ongoing basis and modify their technical assistance and subaward plans in coordination with ACF.
Technical Assistance. ACF seeks intermediary organizations with
demonstrated expertise and a proven track record in working with and
providing technical assistance to faithbased and community
organizations in a variety of areas. Technical assistance activities
funded under the CCF are to be conducted at no cost to interested
faithbased and community organizations. Applicants must have
demonstrated experience in the delivery of capacitybuilding assistance to smaller organizations in the following areas:
[sbull] Strategic planning;
[sbull] Financial management;
[sbull] Board development;
[sbull] Fundraising;
[sbull] Outcome measurement.
Additionally, there is a range of other needs that may
appropriately be provided by the intermediary organizations awarded
funds under this announcement. The following list is meant to be illustrative, and not exhaustive.
[sbull] Legal assistance in various areas such as the process of incorporation, and obtaining taxexempt status;
[sbull] Needs assessments to identify internal areas needing
improvement or areas in which to develop or expand community services to address service gaps;
[sbull] Development of internal operating controls and procedures related to all aspects of business management;
[sbull] Facilitation of networks, service coordination, and resource sharing among organizations;
[sbull] Incorporation of ``best practices'';
[sbull] Expanding outreach and client screening, intake or tracking methods;
[sbull] Volunteer management;
[sbull] Human resources.
Intermediaries must be established organizations with well developed connections to and working relationships with faithbased and community organizations in welldefined communities. Typically, these organizations will be located in the same communities as the faith based and community organizations that they serve. Organizations that provide technical assistance through single or shortterm contacts (such as a nationwide series of conferences) are not encouraged to apply.
SubAwards. The program goals will be further accomplished through
the issuance of subawards by the funded intermediary organizations to
a diverse set of small faithbased and community organizations that
seek to increase program and organizational effectiveness. The total
amount of subawards proposed in an intermediary's application must
represent at least onequarter or 25 percent of the total Federal
share, though applicants are encouraged to exceed this threshold, if
possible. Applicants must develop subaward plans that are consistent with the following principles:
[sbull] Participation in the CCF subaward program must be open to faithbased and communitybased organizations;
[sbull] Recipients of subawards must receive subawards through a competitive process and may not be preselected;
[sbull] The approach must include outreach to both faithbased and community organizations in a fair and open competition;
[sbull] Intermediary organizations must provide ongoing technical
assistance and capacitybuilding support to the organizations to which they issue subawards;
[sbull] The criteria for selection of subawardees shall not
include consideration of the religious nature of a group or the religious nature of the program it offers;
[sbull] Intermediaries shall not require subaward applicants to
provide matching funds or give them a preference in the selection
process if they offer matching funds in their applications;
[sbull] Intermediaries shall not require subaward applicants to
have 501(c)(3) status or to identify a sponsoring organization with 501(c)(3) status;
[sbull] As a general rule, organizations that partner with an
intermediary to deliver technical assistance or provide costsharing
funds for the proposed project shall not be eligible for subawards;
[sbull] Subawards should be in amounts that are manageable for a small organization;
[sbull] Priority for subawards should be given to organizations
implementing programs that address priority social service needs, such
as the homeless, elders in need, atrisk youth, families and
individuals in transition from welfare to work, those in need of
intensive rehabilitation such as addicts or prisoners, and
organizations that help couples who choose marriage for themselves, to
develop the skills and knowledge to form and sustain healthy marriages;
[sbull] The subaward plan should focus on organizations that
historically have not received grants from the Federal government; [sbull] Capacitybuilding activities that further the
sustainability of subawardees' social service efforts should form the
central focus of an intermediary's proposed subaward concept. Sub
awards should be used to assist organizations in differing stages of
development. For example, funds may be provided to fledgling
organizations to improve their basic functions, such as attaining
501(c)(3) status or developing sound financial systems. Subawards may
also be provided to promising organizations to expand the reach of
existing programs. Such funding would allow a promising organization to
move to a higher level of service, where it is able assist more people
on a sustainable basis. Uses for such funding might include employing a
key additional staff person; moving to a larger or betterequipped
facility; upgrading case management or informational technology capabilities; or supporting a new social service; and
[sbull] Subawards should not be used for ``direct'' services.
Rather, they should be used to improve the subawardees efficiency and
capacity. For example, an organization that distributes food to the
poor should not receive a subaward simply to purchase additional food.
Nor, for example, should 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 sub
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
[[Page 38056]]
that it used existing funds, without fundamentally changing or improving its services.
Plan for Providing Technical Assistance and SubAwards. As part of its application to ACF, each applicant must submit a basic outline of its subaward approach, describing the kinds of organizations in its community that would benefit and examples of activities that it expects these groups will undertake with subaward funding. Intermediary organizations that receive CCF awards will be required to develop, with guidance from and in consultation with ACF, a detailed plan for this process within 60 days of receipt of award under this announcement. ACF must review and approve this plan prior to the issuance of any sub awards using Federal funds awarded under this announcement. Intermediary organizations must report on the use of funds for sub awards as they do for other types of expenditures of Federal funds received as a result of an award under this announcement and as specified in the Cooperative Agreement. Intermediary organizations will also be required to develop, with guidance from and in consultation with ACF, a plan within six months of receipt of award for working with subawardees to develop outcome measures and to evaluate the activities supported by the subawards made with Federal funds under this announcement.
Applicants must coherently describe their plan both for providing
technical assistance and subawards. In providing technical assistance and in making subawards, these plans must provide for the
establishment of ongoing supportive relationships with those faith
based and community organizations served, rather than single or short
term interactions. Technical assistance conferences and workshops may
be parts of an applicant's plan, but they must not be its sole focus of
the plan. The plan must also describe how applicants will develop and
build upon existing longterm supportive relationships with the faith
based and community organizations within their communities.
Further, approved applicants must be willing to work closely with
ACF and any entities funded by ACF to coordinate, assist, or evaluate
the activities of the intermediary organizations providing technical
assistance and issuing subawards. Proposed budgets should include the
cost of travelrelated expenses for key personnel with responsibility
for the CCF award to attend two twoday meetings with Federal officials
and others in Washington, DC, shortly after awards are made under this
announcement. This meeting will focus on orientation to Federal
objectives for the project, information about related activities
supported by HHS and other Federal agencies,\2\ Federal grants
management requirements, and coordination between and among the
approved intermediary organizations and other entities funded by ACF to be involved in the CCF initiative.
\2\ Under the President's Faithbased and Community Initiative
program, Federal agencies have begun to provide technical assistance
and training services to faithbased and community organizations and
address barriers to their participation in Federally sponsored
programs. Successful applicants under this announcement must coordinate and not duplicate services.
Legal rules that apply to faithbased 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 subaward recipients, therefore, may not and will not be defined by reference to religion. Neutral, nonreligious criteria that neither favor nor disfavor religion must be employed in their selection.
Part II. Project and Applicant Eligibility
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) invites eligible entities to submit applications for the Compassion Capital Fund Demonstration Program. A. Eligible Applicants
ACF invites applications from a wide variety of organizations or entities with demonstrated knowledge and experience in the provision of the types of technical assistance described herein to a diverse group of faithbased and community organizations. Further, ACF encourages applications from applicants that propose to work with and have experience working with faithbased and community organizations that have not been well served or supported by governmental funds historically. If organizations propose to collaborate to provide Compassion Capital Fund intermediary services, they should have well developed working relationships and a history of working together prior to announcement of this funding opportunity.
Fiscal Year (FY) 2002 ACF Compassion Capital Fund grantees who received FY 2003 continuation funds are ineligible to apply.
Nongovernmental organizations, Tribal governmental organizations, nonprofit agencies (including faithbased organizations) public agencies, State and local governments, colleges and universities, and forprofit entities may submit applications under this announcement. It should be noted, however, that no Federal funds received as a result of this announcement can be paid as profit to grantees or subgrantees, i.e., any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs of the recipient (45 CFR 74.81).
Private, nonprofit organizations are encouraged to submit with their applications the optional survey located under ``Grant Manuals & Forms'' at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm B. Project and Budget Periods
This announcement is inviting applications for project periods up to three years (36 months). Awards, on a competitive basis, will be for a 12month budget period, although project periods may be for three years. Applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the one year budget period but within the 36month project period will be entertained in subsequent years on a noncompetitive basis, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress on the part of the grantee, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the Federal Government.
C. Type of Awards
This is a full and open competition for cooperative agreements to implement and operate CCF projects. A cooperative agreement is Federal assistance in which substantial Federal Involvement is anticipated. Responsibilities of Federal Staff and the successful applicants are negotiated prior to an award. The grantees funded under this announcement will work collaboratively with the CCF program office on the development of products and prior to finalization and dissemination will submit products such as subaward plans and subaward assessment plans to the CCF program office for review and approval.
D. Funding Availability
ACF will issue Financial Assistance Awards under this announcement
as cooperative agreements. ACF expects to award approximately
$4,200,000 in Fiscal Year 2003 for the CCF program and estimates that
48 intermediary organizations will receive awards to provide technical
assistance and make subawards to smaller faithbased and community
organizations. Applicants shall specify in their budget documents
estimates of the amount of funds to be used for each purpose (technical
assistance and subawards). The program goals will be further [[Page 38057]]
accomplished through the issuance of subawards by the funded
intermediary organizations to a diverse set of small faithbased and community organizations that seek to increase program and
organizational effectiveness. The total amount of subawards proposed
in an intermediary's application must represent at least 25 percent of the total Federal share requested.
ACF reserves the right to award less then the funds described, in the absence of worthy applications, or under such other circumstances as may be deemed to be in the best interest of the government. E. Cost Sharing
Applicants must provide a minimum cost share of twentyfive (25)
percent of the total Federal funds requested for each 12month budget period. The nonFederal share may be met by cash or inkind
contributions, although applicants are encouraged to meet the cost
share through cash contributions. For example, an applicant requesting
$500,000 in Federal funds would include a cost share of at least
$125,000. The total budget for the applicant's project would therefore
be $625,000. An applicant requesting $250,000 in Federal funds would
include a cost share of $62,500. The total budget for the applicant's project in this circumstance would therefore be $312,500.
F. Roles and Responsibilities Under the Cooperative Agreement Federal Officials' Minimum Responsibilities
1. Promote collaborative relationships and facilitate the exchange of information (e.g., identified technical assistance and training needs, emerging issues, research findings, available resources and model programs) among intermediary organizations funded under this announcement and between the funded intermediaries and other entities or organizations engaged by ACF for purposes related to the Compassion Capital Fund.
2. Provide consultation to each approved intermediary organization with regard to the development of work plans, special issues and concerns and approaches to address problems that arise, and identification of any special focus areas for technical assistance.
3. Sponsor meetings of all technical assistance providers funded under the Compassion Capital Fund demonstration program to promote coordination, information sharing, and access to resources, training, and learning opportunities.
4. Work together to address issues or problems identified by the intermediary organization, ACF, or others with regard to the applicant's ability to carry out the full range of activities included in the approved application in the most efficient and effective manner. Applicant's Minimum Responsibilities
1. Develop and implement work plans that will ensure that the services and activities included in the approved application address the needs of faithbased and community organizations in an efficient, effective, and timely manner.
2. Submit regular reports as requested by ACF, but no less frequently than every six months, on subawards made with Federal funds that include, at a minimum, the name and description of the organization receiving the subaward, summary of the purpose of the award (how the funds are to be used), the amount of the award, and the proposed plan for outcomes measurement and program evaluation of the activities that will be supported with subaward funds made with Federal funds awarded under this announcement.
3. Work collaboratively with ACF officials, other Federal agency officials conducting similar activities, the other intermediary organizations approved under this announcement, and other entities or organizations engaged by ACF to assist in carrying out the purposes of the Compassion Capital Fund program.
4. Ensure that key staff participate in ACF sponsored workshops and meetings.
5. Develop a reporting system and submit required semiannual progress and financial reports timely and completely. In addition to information about subawards as specified in item 2, above, the regular semiannual reports shall include, at a minimum, information about the technical assistance provided and unduplicated listings of the organizations receiving assistance during the period. Such listings shall include the organization name, type (e.g., faithbased, community), location, a brief description of the organization, and brief summary of the technical assistance provided.
6. Submit timely subaward plans for approval by Federal staff.
7. Develop, with guidance from and in consultation with ACF, a plan within six months of receipt of award for working with subawardees to develop outcome measures and to evaluate the activities supported by the subawards made with Federal funds under this announcement. Part III. The Review Process
A. Intergovernmental Review
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 applications for Federal assistance under covered programs.
As of April 8, 2002, the jurisdictions listed below 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 Executive Order 12372. Although the jurisdictions listed below no longer participate in the process, grant applicants are still eligible to apply for a grant even if a state, territory, commonwealth, etc. does not have a Single Point of Contact (SPOC).
Alabama; Alaska; Arizona; Colorado; Connecticut; Kansas; Hawaii; Idaho; Indiana; Louisiana; Massachusetts; Minnesota; Montana; Nebraska; New Jersey; New York; Ohio; Oklahoma; Oregon; Palau; Pennsylvania; South Dakota; Tennessee; Vermont; Virginia; Washington and Wyoming.
All remaining jurisdictions participate in the Executive Order process and have established SPOCs. Applicants from participating jurisdictions should contact their SPOCs as soon as possible to alert them of the prospective applications and receive instructions. The applicant must submit all required materials, if any, to the SPOC and indicate the date of the 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. Applicants must submit any required material to the SPOCs as soon as possible so that the Federal program office can obtain and review SPOC comments as part of the award process. A listing of the SPOC for each participating state and territory with contact and address information is available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html. [[Page 38058]]
B. Initial ACF Screening
Each application submitted under this program announcement will undergo a prereview 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. C. General Instructions for the Uniform Project Description The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 10413 the Department is required to submit to OMB for review and approval any reporting and record keeping requirements in regulations including program announcements. All information collections within this program announcement are approved under the following current valid OMB control numbers 03480043, 03480044, 034800040, 03480046, 09250418 and 0970 0139.
Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated to average 25 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed and reviewing the collection of information.
The project description is approved under OMB control
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.
Consistent with the Uniform Program Description format, the specific evaluation criteria applicable to this program follows in section D.
1. 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.
2. Results or Benefits Expected: Identify the results and benefits to be derived. For example, when applying for an award to provide technical assistance to community and faithbased charitable organizations, describe specific goals of the proposed technical assistance strategy; e.g., expansion of program capacity; increase in types of services offered; increased access to funding from different sources and sectors; improvement in staff capabilities; or replication of successful program models (``best practices'').
3. 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. Describe how the faithbased and community organizations with which they would work have been underserved by Federal and other resources in the past and the reasons why the applicant believes its services would benefit the types of faith and communitybased organizations intended to be served through the Compassion Capital Fund. Describe past experience working with faithbased and community organizations to address social needs.
Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in, for example, such terms as the average number of days of technical assistance to be provided, the number of faith and/or communitybased organizations to be provided services, or number of subawards to be issued to faith or communitybased organizations. 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 HHS.'' 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.
4. Geographic Location: Describe the precise location of the project and boundaries of the area to be served by the proposed project. Maps or other graphic aids may be attached.
5. 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.
6. Budget and Budget Justification: The following guidelines are for preparing the budget and budget justification. Both Federal and nonFederal 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. NonFederal resources are all other Federal and nonFederal 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), nonFederal budget(s), and last column, total budget. The budget justification should be a narrative.
General
The following guidelines are for preparing the budget and budget justification. Both Federal and nonFederal resources shall be detailed and justified in the budget and narrative justification. For purposes of preparing the budget and budget justification, ``Federal resources'' should refer only to the HHS grant for which you are applying. For these purposes, ``Nonfederal resources'' are all other resources. If other Federal resources will be used, they should be included under NonFederal for budget display purposes but other Federal resources may NOT be used to meet the cost sharing provision, as discussed in Part II, section D. 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), nonFederal budget(s), and last column, total budget. The budget justification should be a narrative.
Personnel
Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.
Justification: Identify the project director or principal
investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time
commitment to the project (in months), time commitment to the [[Page 38059]]
project (as a percentage or fulltime 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 projectrelated 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 HHS sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.
Equipment
Description: ''Equipment'' means an article of tangible, non expendable, 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 intransit 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. Thirdparty 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 subrecipients, other than States that are required to use Part 92 procedures, must justify any anticipated procurement action that is expected to be awarded without competition and exceed the simplified acquisition threshold fixed at 41 U.S.C. 403(11) (currently set at $100,000). Recipients might be required to make available to HHS preaward 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.
Construction
N/A.
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 (noncontractual), 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. Applicants without an approved indirect cost rate may charge related costs as direct costs.
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 nonFederal resources that will be used to support the project as identified in Block 15 of the SF424.
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.
Note: In the SF424A, Section B, Budget Categories, list in column 2 nonfederal resources separately from federal resources, which must be listed in column 1.
D. Competitive Review and Evaluation Criteria
Applications that have been determined to be eligible for funding
through the initial ACF prereview screening will be evaluated and rated by independent review panels on the basis
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of specific evaluation criteria. The evaluation criteria are designed
to assess the quality of the proposed project and to determine the
likelihood of its success. The evaluation criteria are closely related
and are considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an
application. Points are awarded only to applications that are
responsive to the evaluation criteria within the context of this program announcement.
There is a 25page limit for the application narrative. Pages submitted beyond the first 25 in the application narrative section will be removed prior to panel review. Applicants should strive to be concise and provide only the information requested and needed. The budget portion of the application is not subject to this limitation. There is no formal page limit for the budget portion of the application, including the letters detailing the costshare commitment, though applicants should take care to ensure that budgets are clear and easy to understand. Applicants should limit any supporting documentation to 5 pages. Supporting documentation, including letters of support, in excess of five pages will be removed prior to review.
Supplemental information (e.g., brochures, reports) not required in this announcement will not be reviewed. More information about application submission is provided under Part IV, below.
Proposed projects will be reviewed using the following evaluation criteria:
1. Approach: (45 Points)
Technical Assistance Strategy (15 points). The application should
describe how the intermediary's assistance to faithbased and community
groups will achieve the broad CCF goals of helping these organizations
improve efficiency and broaden their funding base. Applications should
describe a plan for delivering capacitybuilding assistance to smaller organizations in the following areas:
[sbull] Strategic planning;
[sbull] Financial management;
[sbull] Board development;
[sbull] Fundraising;
[sbull] Outcome measurement.
Applications should also describe any additional activities that
will serve to meet other needs of smaller organizations. Additional
activities may include (but are not limited to) the following:
[sbull] Legal assistance in various areas such as the process of incorporation, and obtaining taxexempt status;
[sbull] Needs assessments to identify internal areas needing
improvement or areas in which to develop or expand community services to address service gaps;
[sbull] Development of internal operating controls and procedures related to all aspects of business management;
[sbull] Facilitation of networks, service coordination, and resource sharing among organizations;
[sbull] Incorporation of ``best practices'';
[sbull] Expanding outreach and client screening, intake, or tracking methods;
[sbull] Volunteer management;
[sbull] Human resources development.
Applications should reflect the following additional considerations:
[sbull] An applicant's strategy should not focus on any single
technicalassistance activity, such as grants writing. The applicant
should instead describe how it will offer a range of technical
assistance services. Ideal approaches will be multitiered and focus on as many areas of need as is logical and achievable.
[sbull] Technical assistance should be provided on a longterm, on
going basis to smaller organizations, rather than through single or
shortterm contacts (such as a nationwide series of seminars or conferences).
[sbull] The application should describe the approach the
intermediary will employ to reach out to a diverse range of faithbased and community organizations needing assistance.
[sbull] Particular attention should be given to including groups
that address priority social service needs, such as the homeless,
prisoners reentering the community, children of prisoners, atrisk
youth, addicts, elders in need, families moving from welfare to work,
and groups that help couples who choose marriage for themselves, to
develop the skills and knowledge to form and sustain healthy marriages.
[sbull] The application should provide a proposed schedule for accomplishing the activities planned.
[sbull] The application should discuss factors that may negatively
affect the project and how those factors will be addressed.
[sbull] Technical assistance activities funded under the CCF are to
be conducted at no cost to interested faithbased and community organizations.
Subaward Strategy (15 points). The application should describe a
plan for making subawards to smaller faithbased and community
organizations. This plan should estimate the types and number of
organizations expected to receive funding and the purposes to which
subawards may be put. It should also describe the procedures the
applicant will employ to identify and select organizations to receive subawards.
[sbull] Intermediary organizations that receive CCF awards will
develop, with guidance from and in consultation with ACF, a final plan
for making subawards within 30 days of receipt of award under this
announcement. This final plan will be based upon the proposal in the
grantee's application, although it may not contain all proposed
elements. ACF must approve the plan prior to the issuance of any sub
awards using Federal funds awarded under this announcement. SubAward
Plans. The following principles underlying the CCF subaward component
must be evident in the applicant's approach. The total amount of sub
award funds proposed must represent at least onequarter the amount of
the total Federal funds requested, though applicants are encouraged to
exceed this 25 percent threshold, if possible. For example, an
applicant seeking $500,000 in Federal funds must propose to distribute
at least $125,000 in subawards and an applicant seeking $250,000 in
Federal funds must propose to distribute at least $62,500 in sub awards.
[sbull] Participation in the CCF subaward program must be open to faithbased and communitybased organizations;
[sbull] Recipients of subawards must receive subawards through a competitive process and may not be preselected;
[sbull] The approach must include outreach to both faithbased and community organizations in a fair and open competition.
[sbull] Intermediary organizations must provide ongoing technical
assistance and capacitybuilding support to the organizations to which they issue subawards;
[sbull] The criteria for selection of subawardees shall not
include consideration of the religious nature of a group or the religious nature of the program it offers;
[sbull] Intermediaries shall not require subaward applicants to
provide matching funds or give them a preference in the selection
process if they offer matching funds in their applications;
[sbull] Intermediaries shall not require subaward applicants to
have 501(c)(3) status or to identify a sponsoring organization with 501(c)(3) status;
[sbull] As a general rule, organizations that partner with an
intermediary to deliver technical assistance or provide costsharing
funds for the proposed project shall not be eligible for subawards;
[sbull] Subawards should be in amounts that are manageable for a small organization;
[sbull] Priority for subawards should be given to organizations implementing
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programs that address homelessness, elders in need, atrisk youth,
families and individuals in transition from welfare to work, those in
need of intensive rehabilitation such as addicts or prisoners, and
organizations that help couples, who choose marriage for themselves,
develop the skills and knowledge to form and sustain healthy marriages.
[sbull] The subaward plan should focus on organizations that
historically have not received grants from the federal government; [sbull] Capacitybuilding activities that further the
sustainability of subawardees' social service efforts should form the
central focus of an intermediary's proposed subaward concept. Sub
awards should be used to assist organizations in differing stages of
development. For example, funds may be provided to fledgling
organizations to improve their basic functions, such as attaining
501(c)(3) status or developing sound financial systems. Subawards may
also be provided to promising organizations to expand the reach of
existing programs. Such funding would allow a promising organization to
move to a higher level of service, where it is able assist more people
on a sustainable basis. Uses for such funding might include employing a
key additional staff person; moving to a larger or betterequipped
facility; upgrading case management or informational technology capabilities; or supporting a new social service; and
[sbull] Subawards should not be used for ``direct'' services.
Rather, they should be used to improve the subawardee's efficiency and
capacity. For example, an organization that distributes food to the
poor should not receive a subaward simply to purchase additional food.
Nor, for example, should 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 sub
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 used existing
funds, without fundamentally changing or improving their services.
Past Experience Working with FaithBased and Community Organizations to Address Social Needs (15 Points). CCF intermediary organizations are expected to be established organizations with well developed connections to and working relationships with faithbased and community organizations in welldefined communities. They should also have demonstrated experience and a proven track record in providing technical assistance to smaller organizations in their communities. The applicant should list recent examples of technical assistance it has provided to faithbased and community organizations, citing dates, names of groups assisted, and the kind of technical assistance provided. Closely related experience as a partner in a successful collaborative effort should be similarly detailed.
2. Budget and Budget Justification: (20 Points)
CCF Project Budget (10 points). The application should 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 nonFederal 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.)
Cost share (5 points). The basis for an applicant's meeting its cost sharing commitments must be firm, and cannot be speculative. Cash commitments to meet the cost sharing requirement are preferable to in kind commitments. If the applicant is submitting letters documenting costsshare commitments from collaborating partners, state, or local governments or philanthropic organizations, the costshare letters must clearly state that these organizations are committed to providing the funds to the organizations should the applicant be awarded a grant. Commitments in excess of the 25 percent threshold will not receive extra points, though applicants should note that applicants will be held accountable for all costshare included. Failure to provide the full amount committed in the grant award may result in disallowance of Federal match.
Recent Operating Budgets (5 points). The application should describe, in general, the recent operating budgets of the applicant. A detailed listing is not required, but the recent size of the applicant's operating budget should be proportional to the amount requested under the funding announcement. For example, it would be inappropriate for an organization that operated with $100,000 in 2001 and $110,000 in 2002 to request $1 million in Federal funds. Additionally, the applicant should briefly describe why the amount requested is logical, given the organization's recent operating budgets.
3. Objectives and Need for Assistance: (10 Points)
Need of faithbased and community organizations to be served (5 points). The application should describe how the project addresses vital needs of the faithbased and community organizations that will be provided subawards and technical assistance.
Need of communities served (5 points). The application should describe how the faithbased and community organizations that will receive technical assistance and subawards serve vital needs in their communities.
4. Geographic Location: (10 Points)
ACF envisions that most CCFfunded intermediary organizations will
be located in the same communities as the faithbased and community
organizations that they serve. Organizations that provide technical
assistance through single or shortterm contacts (such as a nationwide
series of conferences) are not encouraged to apply, and proposals for
nationwide projects are not recommended. The application should include:
[sbull] A description of the precise region to be served, including
the boundaries of the area, and the rationale for proposing the
geographic area. Maps or other graphic aids may be included.
[sbull] Information about the experience and capability of the
applicant to address the needs of faithbased and community organizations in the proposed region.
[sbull] A detailed description of the population served by faith
based and community organizations in the proposed area. The narrative
should display an intimate knowledge of the population in the target
area, including statistics and facts that convey an understanding of the unique needs of the population in the area.
5. Staff and Position Data: (10 Points)
The application should 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. The staff should have not only good technical skills, but also
a record of working with faithbased and community organizations. The
application should provide evidence of the staff's skill, knowledge and
experience in carrying out the sort of activities to be assigned to them and
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include their relevant experience. Similar information should be
provided with regard to consultants or staff from other organizations proposed to work on the project.
6. Results or Benefits Expected (5 Points)
The application will be judged on the extent to which the benefits proposed by the applicant are reasonable and likely, will support the stated goals under this announcement, and can be expected to have a positive impact on faithbased and community organizations, particularly very small organizations or those which have not traditionally been served by Federal and other resources. The application will also be judged on the extent to which the results are likely to be beneficial to a wide range of clearly identifiable parties.
E. The Review 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 III 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. In order to ensure that the interests of the Federal Government are met in making the final selections, in addition to the review criteria identified above, ACF may consider a variety of factors including geographic diversity/coverage and types of applicant organizations. Further, ACF may limit the number of awards made to the same or affiliated organizations although they would serve different geographic areas. In this way, ACF may increase opportunities for learning about different ways to provide technical assistance and support to faithbased and community organizations.
Please note that applicants that do not comply with the
requirements in the section on ``Eligible Applicants'' will not be included in the review process.
Part IV. The Application Process
A. Required Forms
Eligible applicants interested in applying for funds must submit a complete application including the required forms listed under the ``Checklist for complete application'' in Part IV of this announcement. All necessary forms are available at: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm .
In order to be considered for a grant under this announcement, an application must be submitted on the Standard Form 424 approved by the Office of Management and Budget under Control Number 03480043. Each application must be signed by an individual authorized to act for the applicant and to assume responsibility for the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award. Applicants requesting financial assistance for nonconstruction projects must file the Standard Form 424B, ``Assurances: NonConstruction Programs'' (approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 03480040). Applicants must sign and return the Standard Form 424B with their application.
Applicants must provide a certification regarding lobbying when applying for an award in excess of $100,000 (approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 03480046). Applicants must sign and return the certification with their application.
Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their compliance with the DrugFree Workplace Act of 1988. By signing and submitting the application, applicants are providing the certification and need not mail back the certification with the application.
Applicants must make the appropriate certification that they are not presently debarred, suspended or otherwise ineligible for award. By signing and submitting the application, applicants are providing the certification and need not mail back the certification with the application.
B. Application Limits
Each application should include one signed original and two additional copies of the following:
The application should be doublespaced and singlesided on 8\1/2\ x 11 plain white paper, with 1'' margins on all sides. Use only a standard size font no smaller than 12 pitch throughout the application. All pages of the application (including appendices, resumes, charts, references/footnotes, tables, maps and exhibits) must be sequentially numbered, beginning on the first page after the budget justification, the principal investigator contact information and the Table of Contents. There is a 25page limit for the application narrative. Pages submitted beyond the first 25 in the application narrative section will be removed prior to panel review. The budget and the costshare letters are not included in this limitation, yet applicants are urged to be concise. There is a 5page limit to any additional supporting documentation, including letters of support. 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. In addition, applicants must not submit any additional letters of endorsement beyond any that may be required. Applicants are encouraged to submit curriculum vitae in a biographical format.
C. Checklist for a Complete Application
Due to the overwhelming volume of applications received, applications that are not prepared properly may not be reviewed. Please ensure that your application is prepared properly.
The checklist below is for your use to ensure that the application package has been properly prepared.
A. One original, signed and dated application plus two copies.
[sbull] Attachments/Appendices, when included, should be used only
to provide supporting documentation such as resumes, and letters of agreement/support.
(1) Application for Federal Assistance (SF424, Rev. 797)
(2) Budget informationnonconstruction programs (SF424A&B)
(3) Budget Justification, including subcontract agency budgets (4) Application Narrative and Appendices
(5) Assurances NonConstruction Program
(6) Certification Regarding Lobbying
(7) If appropriate, a completed SPOC certification with the date of
SPOC contact entered in line 16, page 1 of the SF424, Rev. 797 D. Application Submission
Deadline
The closing (deadline) time and date for receipt of applications is 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time Zone) July 28, 2003. Applications received after 4:30 p.m. 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: OCS Operations Center, 1815 North Fort Myer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22202 and labeled:
Application for Compassion Capital Fund Demonstration Program.
Applicants are responsible for mailing applications well in advance, when using all mail services, to ensure that
[[Page 38063]]
the applications are received on or before the deadline time and date.
Applications handcarried by applicants, applicant couriers, or other representatives of the applicant or by overnight/express mail couriers shall be considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at: OCS Operations Center, 1815 North Fort Myer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22202 and labeled: Application for Compassion Capital Fund Demonstration Program. Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services may not always deliver as agreed.
ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax or through other electronic media. Therefore, applications transmitted to ACF electronically will not be accepted regardless of date or time of submission and time of receipt.
Late applications. Applications that do not meet the criteria above are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late applicant that its application will not be considered in the current competition.
Extension of deadlines. ACF may extend an application deadline for
applicants affected by acts of God such as floods and hurricanes, when
there is widespread disruption of the mail service, or for other
disruptions of services, such as a prolonged blackout, that affect the
public at large. An unfortunate occurrence that affects an applicant is
not considered adequate justification for an extension. A determination
to waive or extend deadline requirements rest with ACF's Chief Grants Management Officer.
Dated: June 20, 2003.
Curtis L. Coy,
Deputy Assistant Sectretary for Administration.
[FR Doc. 0316076 Filed 62503; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 418401P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
All questions should be forwarded to Joseph Grogan, Project Officer for the Compassion Capital Fund at 202 4014830 (ph) or jgrogan@acf.hhs.gov (email).