Instructions for Electronic Submission

Applicants to ACF may submit their applications in either electronic or paper (hard copy) format. To submit an application electronically, applicants must use the http://www.Grants.gov site. ACF will not accept applications via facsimile or email.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Before submitting an application electronically, applicants must complete the organization registration process as well as obtain and register "electronic signature credentials" for the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). Applicants also must be registered in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). CCR registration must be updated annually. Applicants will not be able to upload an application to Grants.gov without current CCR registration and electronic signature credentials for the AOR. This process may take more than five business days, so it is important to start this process early, well in advance of the application deadline.

Be sure to complete all Grants.gov registration processes listed on the Organization Registration Checklist.

Applicants will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it offline,
and then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site.

If planning to submit an application electronically via http://www.Grants.gov:

• It is strongly recommended that applicants do not wait until the application due date to begin the application process through Grants.gov. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications well before the closing date and time so that, if difficulties are encountered, there will still be sufficient time to submit a hard copy via express mail.
• In order to address any difficulties that may be encountered during the submission process, it may be to an applicant's advantage to submit their applications 24 hours ahead of the closing date and time.
• Applicants are encouraged to check the Grants.gov webpage for announcements concerning system issues and updates that may affect the submission of applications.
• Checklists and registration brochures are maintained at the Grants.gov website to assist applicants in the registration process and may be found at: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp
• If any difficulties are encountered in using Grants.gov, contact the Grants.gov Contact Center at: 1-800-518-4726, or by email at support@grants.gov, to report the problem and obtain assistance. Remember to retain your service ticket number for reference whenever you have any interaction with the Grants.gov Contact Center.
• Electronic submission is voluntary, but strongly encouraged. Applicants will not receive additional point value for submitting an application in electronic format, nor will ACF penalize any applicant that submits an application in hard copy.
• Applicants may access the electronic application and downloadable application package for this program announcement by using the FIND function at http://www.Grants.gov.
• Applicants may submit all required documents electronically, including all information typically included on the SF-424s, narratives, charts, etc.
• Electronic formats for the application attachments, such as narratives, charts, etc., should use standard software formats, e.g., Microsoft (Word and Excel), Word Perfect, Adobe PDF, JPEG, and GIF, etc..
• Though applying electronically, the application must still comply with any page limitation requirements described in this program announcement.
• When submitting an application via Grants.gov, applicants must comply with all due dates AND times referenced in Section IV.3. Submission Dates and Times of this program announcement.
• Applicants that must demonstrate proof of non-profit status may submit proof at the time of application by attaching the documentation to the electronic application, if they wish to do so. Proof of non-profit status, and any other required documentation, may be scanned and attached as an "Other Attachment." Assurances, certifications, and/or proof of non-profit status that are not submitted electronically at the time of application, are required to be submitted to ACF by the time of award and in hard copy. Acceptable types of proof of non-profit status are stated earlier in this section of the program announcement under "Eligibility Certification.
• It is strongly recommended that the applicant retain a printed hard copy of the application in case a hard copy must be submitted to ACF.

After the application is submitted electronically, the applicant will receive two emails from Grants.gov:

• An automatic acknowledgement of the application's submission that will provide a Grants.gov tracking number.
• An acknowledgement that the submitted application package has passed or failed a series of checks and validations.

ACF will retrieve the electronically submitted application from Grants.gov. Applicants will receive an email notification from ACF acknowledging that ACF has received the application.

ACF may request that the applicant provide original signatures on forms at a later date.

The Grants.gov website complies with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Grants.gov webpages are designed to work with assistive technologies such as screen readers. If an applicant uses assistive technology and is unable to access any material on the site, contact the Grants.gov Contact Center at support@grants.gov for assistance.

Detailed instructions for the SF-424 may be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/pdf/instructions_sf424.pdf (42kb)

Detailed instructions for the SF-424A may be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/pdf/instructions_sf424a.pdf (39kb)

CERTIFICATION REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO SMOKE

Public Law 103227, Part C Environmental Tobacco Smoke, also known as the Pro Children Act of 1994, requires that smoking not be permitted in any portion of any indoor routinely owned or leased or contracted for by an entity and used routinely or regularly for provision of health, day care, education, or library services to children under the age of 18, if the services are funded by Federal programs either directly or through State or local governments, by Federal grant, contract, loan, or loan guarantee. The law does not apply to children's services provided in private residences, facilities funded solely by Medicare or Medicaid funds, and portions of facilities used for inpatient drug or alcohol treatment. Failure to comply with the provisions of the law may result in the imposition of a civil monetary penalty of up to $1000 per day and/or the imposition of an administrative compliance order on the responsible entity. By signing and submitting this application the applicant/grantee certifies that it will comply with the requirements of the Act.

The applicant/grantee further agrees that it will require the language of this certification be included in any sub-awards which contain provisions for the children's services and that all sub-grantees shall certify accordingly.

 

Organization Registration Checklist

The following checklist provides registration guidance for a company, institution, state, local or tribal government, or other type of organization. The registration process is a one-time process, which is required before representatives of an organization can submit grant application packages electronically through Grants.gov. The registration process can take three to five days depending on your organization. The CCR registration information should be updated annually. (pdf - 36kb)

Organization Registration Checklist

Grants.gov Registration Checklist	What is the purpose of this step?	How long should it take?	Completed?
1.    Has my organization identified its DUNS Number? Ask the grant administrator, chief financial officer, or authorizing official of your organization to identify your DUNS number. If your organization does not know its DUNS Number, call Dun & Bradstreet at 1-866-705-5711 and follow the automated prompts to find this information.	The Federal government has adopted the use of DUNS numbers to track how federal grant money is allocated. DUNS Numbers identify your organization.	Same Day. You will receive DUNS Number information at the conclusion of the phone call.
2.    Has my organization registered with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR)? Ask the grant administrator, chief financial officer, or authorizing official of your organization if your organization has registered with the CCR. If your organization is not registered, you can apply by phone (1-888-227-2423) or register online at http://www.ccr.gov. CCR has developed a worksheet/checklist (7-page PDF) to help you with the process, which can be accessed at http://www.ccr.gov/CCRRegTemplate.pdf. When your organization registers with the CCR, you will be required to designate an E-Business Point of Contact (E-Business POC). This person will be given a special password called an “M-PIN”. This password gives him or her sole authority to designate which staff members from your organization are allowed to submit applications electronically through Grants.gov. Staff members from your organization designated to submit applications are called Authorized Organization Representatives (AORs) If your E-Business POC has forgotten the M-PIN password, call 1-888-227-2423. The E-Business Point of Contact will need to know the M-PIN within the CCR Profile in order to be able to login at Grants.gov. Use the worksheet located on the CCR website (http://www.ccr.gov/CCRRegTemplate.pdf) to aid you with the CCR registration. Your organization can apply by phone: 1-888-227-2423 or you may register online at http://www.ccr.gov.	Designating an E-Business Point of Contact safeguards organizations from individuals who may attempt to submit grant application packages without permission. Registering with the CCR is required for organizations to use Grants.gov.	1-3 days to gather the internal organization information and prepare the application. 2-3 days from the point of submitting the CCR Registration. The reason for the 2-3 day delay is due to security information that needs to be mailed to the organization.
3.    Have the AORs who officially submit applications on behalf of your organization registered with the Credential Provider to obtain a unsername and password? AORs must register with the Credential Provider to obtain their usernames and passwords at https://apply.grants.gov/OrcRegister. After your organization registers with the CCR, AORs must wait 3 business days before they can obtain their usernames and passwords.	Receive a username and password to submit applications through Grants.gov AOR usernames and passwords serve as “electronic signatures” when your organization submits applications on Grants.gov.	Same Day. AORs will receive a username and password when they submit the information.
4.    Have those individuals who will officially submit applications on behalf of the organization registered with Grants.gov for an account? AORs must register with Grants.gov for an account at https://apply.grants.gov/GrantsgovRegister. They will need to enter the username and password they received when they registered with the Credential Provider (obtained in Step 3).	This creates an account on Grants.gov that allows AORs to submit application son behalf of the organization and track the status of submitted applications.	Same Day. AORs will be registered when they submit the information.
5.    Has my E-Business Point of Contact (POC) approved AORs to submit applications on behalf of the organization? When an AOR registers with Grants.gov, your organization’s E-Business POC will receive an email notification. Your E-Business POC must then log into Grants.gov (using the organization’s DUNS number for the username and the “M-PIN” password obtained in Step 2) and approve the AOR, thereby giving him or her permission to submit applications: https://www.grants.gov/ForEbiz. (You will only be able to log into the EBiz section of Grants.gov, after an individual from your organization registers with Grants.gov.) When an E--Business POC approves an AOR, Grants.gov will send the AOR confirmation e-mail AORs can also log in to the Applicant home page at http://www.grants.gov/ForApplicants using their username and password (obtained in Step 3) to check if they have been approved.	Only the E-Business POC can approve AORs. This allows your organization to authorize specific staff members to submit grants.	Depends on how long it takes the E-Business POC to log in and approve the AOR. AORs can also log into Grants.gov to check if they have been approved.