National Council on Disability
Housing Initiative
Request for Applications
Overview Information
Notice of Funding Opportunity
NCD-08-02
May 6, 2008 – Initial Pre-Release Announcement of Funding Opportunity for a Cooperative Agreement
May 20, 2008 – Initial Announcement of Funding Opportunity for a Cooperative Agreement
Authority: Section 400, Title IV of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended
Application materials are available at: http://www.ncd.gov/resources_researchopps.htm
You may also request application materials by writing to:
Joan Durocher
Senior Attorney/Advisor
National Council on Disability
1331 F Street, NW Suite 850
Washington, DC 20004 or by e-mail request: jdurocher@ncd.gov
Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5:00 p.m. offeror’s local time):
July 1, 2008
Late applications will not be considered.
Deliver all materials to:
National Council on Disability
1331 F Street, NW Suite 850
Washington, DC 20004
ATTN: Joan Durocher
Maximum amount available for this project: $100,000.00
All potential applicants are eligible to apply
Cost sharing is not required
The estimated period of performance is August 20, 2008 to August 20, 2009 (12 months).
Project Summary
Synposis:
NCD is seeking researchers to assess of the state of housing in America in the 21st century. This evaluation will focus on: (1) public laws, policies and program initiatives that affect housing opportunities for Americans with disabilities, as well as others who have accessible housing needs, e.g. the aging population and those who acquire temporary disabilities; and (2) housing, supports, and other benefits provided available through the public and non-profit and/or private sectors. The purpose is to determine whether, and to what extent, public and non-profit and private housing and related programs have provided adequate, affordable, and accessible housing for Americans with disabilities as well as others who have accessibility needs, like the aging population and those who acquire temporary disabilities.
This research will identify and review current practices and policies at the local, state, national level, and international level with an emphasis on those policies that appear to be innovative and successful and will result in a major report consisting of a series of topical briefs on several housing-related issues. The report will be formatted as a standard NCD report with an executive summary - but each topical brief will be a substantive stand alone document in its own right that can be shared with stakeholders on specific issues. A cohesive, final report will incorporate the findings and conclusions that can be drawn from the topical examinations, and include recommendations for advancing the attainment of accessible and affordable housing.
Guidance for this project will involve an expert committee that will provide advice on the foci, design, and evaluation of the key issues. Committee membership may include: individuals with disabilities, members of the public/non-profit/private sectors, academics, planners and architects, banking and financial experts as well as other interested members of the disability research and advocacy communities to harness the breadth of expertise that exists within the disability community (as well as the aging community, many of whom will acquire disabilities). The expert panel will provide input and oversight throughout the length of the research project. Selected panel members will author selected topical briefs that form the major portion of the deliverables for this project. The expert panel will play an active role in developing policy recommendations that can be implemented in the private sector, the public sector, or as a combined effort.
NCD’s final report will incorporate the findings and conclusions that can be drawn from the topical examinations, and identify public and private policies that can be implemented to improve the availability of accessible and affordable housing opportunities for people with disabilities, as well as people who have accessibility needs based on aging, or temporary disabilities. The report will reflect our view that the disability community is heterogeneous, with diverse needs and perspectives and will highlight policy recommendations designed to further advance the attainment of affordable and accessible housing for people with disabilities.
Agency Contact:
Joan Durocher, Senior Attorney/Advisor, National Council on Disability, 1331 F Street, NW, Suite 850, Washington, DC 20004, telephone (202) 272-2117, e-mail: jdurocher@ncd.gov
Award Information
Anticipated Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement
Estimated Number of Awards: 1
Anticipated Funding Amount: $100,000
Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions
Proposals must be submitted by the following date(s):
Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitter's local time):
July 1, 2008
Proposal Review Information
Review Criteria: National Council on Disability approved criteria. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.
Award Administration Information
Award Conditions: Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.
Reporting Requirements: Additional reporting requirements apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.
I. Introduction
NCD will undertake a comprehensive study of the state of housing in America in the 21st century. This evaluation will focus on: (1) public laws, policies and program initiatives that affect housing opportunities for Americans with disabilities, as well as others who have accessible housing needs, e.g. the aging population and those who acquire temporary disabilities; and (2) housing, supports, and other benefits provided available through the public and non-profit and/or private sectors. The purpose is to determine whether, and to what extent, public and non-profit and private housing and related programs have provided adequate, affordable, and accessible housing for Americans with disabilities as well as others who have accessibility needs, like the aging population and those who acquire temporary disabilities.
This research will identify and review current practices and policies at the local, state, national level, and international level with an emphasis on those policies that appear to be innovative and successful and will result in a major report consisting of a series of topical briefs on several housing-related issues. The report will be formatted as a standard NCD report with an executive summary - but each topical brief will be a substantive stand alone document in its own right that can be shared with stakeholders on specific issues. A cohesive, final report will incorporate the findings and conclusions that can be drawn from the topical examinations, and include recommendations for advancing the attainment of accessible and affordable housing.
Guidance for this project will involve an expert committee that will provide advice on the foci, design, and evaluation of the key issues. Committee membership may include: individuals with disabilities, members of the public/non-profit/private sectors, academics, planners and architects, banking and financial experts as well as other interested members of the disability research and advocacy communities to harness the breadth of expertise that exists within the disability community (as well as the aging community, many of whom will acquire disabilities). The expert panel will provide input and oversight throughout the length of the research project. Selected panel members will author selected topical briefs that form the major portion of the deliverables for this project. The expert panel will play an active role in developing policy recommendations that can be implemented in the private sector, the public sector, or as a combined effort.
Each topical brief is expected to incorporate an assessment, if appropriate, of how the particular topic under review has addressed, if at all, universal design in housing as well as other promising practices. Each topical brief is also expected to include an evaluation of promising practices from other mature countries, for example the United Kingdom and Canada, including how those countries have dealt with the aging population with respect to housing-related issues.
II. Possible topical brief issues include (in no particular order):
Topical Brief Number 1: Federal Evaluation
A comprehensive evaluative study with a special focus on public sector housing, with several categories included: type and extent of housing, range of local housing, income targeting, and profile of users. Examples of public sector programs may include, but are not limited to: Section 8 Housing Vouchers, Section 202/811, Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS, Single Family Mortgage Insurance, Public Housing, and Community Development Block Grants.
Topical Brief Number 2: Private and Nonprofit Sector Housing
Promising practices in the non-profit sector program examples may include some community group homes and assisted living arrangements. Examples of private sector programs may include home loan and refinancing initiatives, and co-operative housing.
Topical Brief Number 3: Mental Health Issues
An evaluation of housing issues related to people with psychiatric disabilities. What are the housing needs of people with psychiatric disabilities and what housing is available to people with psychiatric disabilities (need vs. capacity)? This brief should include a discussion of the population of people who have severe mental illnesses and are in jails and prisons.
Topical Brief Number 4: Homeland Security Evaluation re: housing
An evaluation of housing and disaster relief, especially provisions for mortgage, rental, and temporary housing assistance as disaster relief, i.e. the Mortgage and Rental Disaster Relief Act of 2007 (amending the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act); and the Property Mitigation Assistance Act of 2007.
Topical Brief Number 5: State Evaluation
States’ development of affordable, available, accessible, and integrated community housing options for people with disabilities. Although the experiences of the states vary widely, each state has its own unique story and approach to developing a portfolio of housing options for its citizens. This brief could examine the planning process; the progress the states have made in developing community-based and integrated housing options; state fiscal activities and strategies, and efforts to redesign the States’ public housing systems to enhance choice, independence, self-determination, and community integration.
III. Suggested Framework for Research
NCD expects that the findings, conclusions, and recommendations that result from the topical briefs will be pulled together in a separate section of the report to comprehensively address the following questions:
What are the types and extent of housing needs of people with disabilities, and what is currently available (need vs. capacity)?
What barriers and gaps exist that prevent people with disabilities from attaining accessible and affordable housing?
What means are available (or should be available) to people with disabilities to enhance their capacity to choose and sustain accessible and affordable housing?
What practices exist that improve the housing status of people with disabilities?
What are the profile of users for housing program supports and quality of life of people relying on housing-related programs and supports?
What are the geographic dispersion of housing and related programs and expenditures?
What lessons have been learned from national emergencies, such as Hurricane Katrina, regarding the provision of accessible and affordable housing in the wake of national disasters and emergencies?
Identifying answers and potential solutions may require:
- Evaluating emerging trends that impact the housing status of people with disabilities
- Examining best and promising practices in accessible and affordable housing
- Effects of initiatives in the private sector that are designed to increase the housing status of people with disabilities
- Evaluating promising practices in other mature countries
- Effects of Initiatives in the public sector that are designed to increase the housing status of people with disabilities
- Looking at measures and indicators, housing and related program goals and strategies (e.g., income targeting and the extent to which the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has addressed its responsibilities regarding accessible and affordable housing for people with disabilities
- Examining gaps at the state and local level that stymie people with disabilities form attaining accessible and affordable housing
- Factors other than gaps that diminish or enhance the housing status of people with disabilities
Any successful proposal must demonstrate knowledge of work in this area, including the prior work of NCD, and propose a plan for building on existing work so as to produce new information and not duplicate work already accomplished.
IV. Conclusion
This study will culminate in a final report which will incorporate the findings and conclusions that can be drawn from the topical examinations, and identify public and private policies that can be implemented to improve the availability of accessible and affordable housing opportunities for people with disabilities, as well as people who have accessibility needs based on aging, or temporary disabilities. The report will reflect our view that the disability community is heterogeneous, with diverse needs and perspectives and will highlight policy recommendations designed to further advance the attainment of affordable and accessible housing for people with disabilities.
The deliverables for this project will include, as noted above:
*An expert committee that will provide advice on the foci, design, and evaluation of key issues
*Draft topical briefs as noted above
*Revised topical briefs
*A detailed preliminary outline of the final report
*A revised detailed outline of the final report
*A draft report which will which will incorporate the findings and conclusions that can be drawn from the topical examinations
*A final report incorporating recommended revisions derived from NCD staff, Council members, and external peer reviews.
The final report must also document the methodology, findings, and recommendations and must include a separate section containing the recommendations, organized according to the entity to which they are directed. All assertions of fact must be substantiated in endnotes.
Any methodology used to obtain stakeholder input must allow for open-ended discussions between stakeholders, as opposed to soliciting answers to specific, predetermined questions. The use of surveys is strongly discouraged. The inclusion of people with disabilities must be integral to the planning, development, and execution of this project.
The report will be formatted as a standard NCD report with an executive summary, introduction and conclusion - but each topical brief will be a substantive stand alone document in its own right that can be shared with stakeholders on specific issues. A cohesive, final report will incorporate the findings and conclusions that can be drawn from the topical examinations, and include recommendations for advancing the attainment of accessible and affordable housing.
Eligibility Information
All potential applicants are eligible to apply.
Cost-sharing is not required.
Other Eligibility Criteria: Proposals that merely offer to conduct a project in accordance with the requirements of the Government’s scope of work will not be eligible for award. Proposals that do not comply with NCD’s Document Access Requirements, as specified below, will not be considered for award.
Award Information
Pending the availability of funds, NCD expects to make 1 award with an anticipated funding amount of $100,000.
PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Due Dates
Proposals must be submitted by the following date:
Full proposal deadline (due by 5 p.m. submitter’s local time):
July 1, 2008
The proposal must be prepared in two parts: A 'Technical Proposal' and a 'Business Proposal. Each of the parts shall be separate and complete in itself so that evaluation of one may be accomplished independently of evaluation of the other. The technical proposal must not contain reference to cost; however, resource information, such as data concerning labor hours and categories, materials, subcontracts, etc., must be contained in the technical proposal so that your understanding of the scope of the work may be evaluated. It must disclose your technical approach in sufficient detail to provide a clear and concise presentation that includes, but is not limited to, the requirements of the technical proposal instructions.
The proposal must be signed by an official authorized to bind your organization. You must submit an original and 4 copies of your technical proposal and an original and 4 copies of your business proposal, including an electronic file copy of the technical and business proposal, to:
Joan Durocher
Senior Attorney/Advisor
National Council on Disability
1331 F Street, N.W., Suite 850
Washington, DC 20004-1107
You may, at your discretion, submit alternate proposals, or proposals which deviate from the requirements; PROVIDED, that you also submit a proposal for performance of the work, as specified in the statement of work. These proposals may be considered if overall performance would be improved or not compromised and if they are in the best interest of the Government. Alternate proposals, or deviations from any requirements of this RFP, must be clearly identified.
The Government will evaluate proposals in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in this request for proposals.
It is understood that your proposal will become part of the official contract file.
This solicitation does not commit the Government to pay any cost for the preparation and submission of a proposal.
To assist you in the preparation of your proposal, the Government estimates the effort to perform this contract to be as stated below. These numbers are furnished for the offeror’s information only and are not considered restrictive for proposal purposes.
Labor Category Staff Hours
1. PROFESSIONAL 1800
2. CLERICAL 500
Proposals which merely offer to conduct a program in accordance with the requirements of the Government’s scope of work will not be eligible for award. You must submit an explanation of the proposed technical approach in conjunction with the tasks to be performed in achieving the project objectives.
A detailed work plan must be submitted indicating how each aspect of the statement of work is to be accomplished. Your technical approach should be in as much detail as your consider necessary to fully explain your proposed technical approach or method. The technical proposal should reflect a clear understanding of the nature of the work being undertaken.
The technical proposal must include information on how the project is to be organized, staffed, and managed. Information should be provided which will demonstrate your understanding and management of important events or tasks. You must explain how the management and coordination of consultant and/or subcontractor efforts will be accomplished.
The technical proposal must include a list of names and proposed duties of the professional personnel, consultants, and key subcontractor employees assigned to the project. Their resumes should be included and should contain information on education, background, recent experience, and specific requirement related or technical accomplishments. The approximate percentage of time each individual will be available for this project must be included. The proposed staff hours for each of the above individuals should be allocated against each task or subtask for the project.
The technical proposal must provide the general background, experience, and qualifications of the organization. Similar or related contracts, subcontracts, or grants should be included and contain the name of the customer, contract or grant number, dollar amount, time of performance, and the names and telephone numbers of the contracting officer’s technical representative or project officer and contracting/grants officer.
The technical proposal must contain a discussion of present or proposed facilities and equipment which will be used in the performance of the contract.
The technical proposal must be prepared and submitted in the following format:
1. Abstract (no more than 2 pages)
A two-page summary shall be provided abstracting the proposal contents (e.g., objectives, activities, expected outcomes) in language understandable to an informed layperson. The narrative should be limited to no more than 250 words.
2. Table of Contents
3. Introduction (no more than 20 pages)
Offerors shall summarize, in their own words, the purposes and objectives of the project to demonstrate their complete understanding of NCD’s intent and requirements. This section also should contain a specific statement of any interpretations, questions, qualifications, limitations, deviations, or exceptions to the Solicitation's scope of work and the extent to which the offeror’s proposal can be expected to meet the requirements set forth in the scope of work.
4. Procedural Plan (no more than 40 pages)
This section shall fully describe the theoretical and technical approaches the offeror will employ in complying with each task in the scope of work. While a general statement of strategy is appropriate, the offeror shall be specific in describing the manner in which the overall review will be conducted, and the intended approach to the design.
5. Management Plan and Schedule (no more than 15 pages)
The management plan shall show the feasibility of implementing the offeror’s resources. The offeror shall present a time chart that specifies the amount of time (in person days) each staff member will commit to implementing each task. The plan shall present a clear description of the working relationships among personnel. Finally, the plan shall contain a method for insuring the timely and successful completion of each work task.
6. Personnel
Personnel with major responsibilities shall be listed by name, title, position, academic background, relevant experience, responsibilities with the project, and the extent to which this commitment is assured. This section should include specific time commitments of staff to other projects, both Federal and non-Federal. Consultants who have agreed to serve on the project should be similarly identified and assurances of their commitment included. The Project Director shall be committed for no less than approximately 60 percent of the contract. Vitae for all principal personnel, including consultants, should be appended to the proposal. Each vitae should be limited to not more than two (2) pages and should emphasize areas of experience directly relevant to this work statement.
7. Organization Experience
This section shall describe the offeror’s pertinent experience and qualification in conducting work of a similar nature. Offerors shall offer evidence of not more than 5 previous related assignments, including the names and telephone numbers of client project offices who would be able to comment on the offeror’s performance of those assignments. Summaries (not to exceed one page) of related work shall be included. References to products resulting from these related activities shall also be included.
8. Resources/Facilities/Equipment
This section shall identify those resources (other than personnel), facilities, and equipment (e.g., library holdings, computer hardware, and software) available for use in conducting this project. Offeror should address accessibility for persons with disabilities.
9. Current Contractual Obligations
Each offeror will be required to outline both Federal and non-Federal contractual obligations existing during the course of his award for all projects involving personnel who will be assigned to this project. Such organizations/agencies must be identified by name and the percentage of work time allotted to these projects by personnel committed to the proposed project must be provided.
10. Issues and Associated Data Items
When responding to the Tasks, when identifying what should receive emphasis, careful consideration should be given to the issues identified, their associated data items, and the statement of products desired in the Final Report.
All information provided by NCD must be returned to NCD upon completion of the analysis and no later than 10 working days after the completion of the contract. The information may not be reproduced or released without the prior written permission of NCD.
11. Rights in Data, Copyright, and Disclosure
a. Data – The term data as used here includes written reports (progress, draft, and final), electronic format and work of any similar nature that is required under any resulting Cooperative Agreement to perform this project. It does not include the contractor’s financial reports, or other information incidental to contractor administration. Data submitted to and accepted by the NCD under the cooperative agreement shall be the property of the NCD, and NCD shall have full and unlimited rights to use such data for any purpose in whatever manner deemed desirable and appropriate, including making it available to the general public. Such use shall be without any additional payment to the contractor. Data may be published as the property of NCD without giving authorship to the contractor.
b. Copyright – The contractor relinquishes any and all copyrights and/or privileges developed under any Cooperative Agreement. The contractor shall not include in the data any copyrightable matter without the written approval of NCD, unless the contractor provides the NCD with the written permission of the copyright owner for the NCD to use the matter.
c. Disclosure – The contractor agrees not to divulge or release any information, reports or recommendations developed or obtained in connection with the performance of any Cooperative Agreement with NCD, and not otherwise available to the public, without the prior approval of the NCD.
d. Final approval of deliverables
All final deliverables are the product of NCD and require acceptance and approval by NCD. NCD reserves the right to make substantive edits to any final deliverables.
12. Award Information
The Government will make award to the responsible offeror(s) whose offer conforms to the solicitation and is most advantageous to the Government, cost or price and other factors considered. For this solicitation, technical quality is more important than cost or price. As proposals become more equal in their technical merit, the evaluated cost or price becomes more important. As the technical merit and the evaluated cost or price become essentially equal, other factors may become a determining factor.
Upon notification of intent to award, the Contractor will be expected to:
*Develop and submit a timeline and deliverables schedule that will be used to guide the conduct and monitor the work;
*Develop and submit a payment schedule chart to be used for installment payments of the award;
*Meet with select NCD staff and board members.
13. Reporting
Throughout the project, the Contractor and Contract Officer will conduct mutually agreed upon monthly teleconference calls and/or biweekly meetings, set-up and arranged for by the Contractor, to include other project staff members, NCD staff and, as appropriate, selected project advisors and NCD board members. The Contractor will also provide monthly electronic progress reports to the NCD contractor Officer. The contractor will also present to the full Council at a quarterly Council meeting and should factor the travel expenses into the project budget.
Business Proposal
The business proposal should contain a detailed budget for the project and the certifications and representations required by OMB Circular A-110.
Note: For each type of entity, there is a set of Federal principles for determining allowable costs. Allowability of costs shall be determined in accordance with the cost principles applicable to the entity incurring the costs. Thus, allowability of costs incurred by State, local or federally-recognized Indian tribal governments is determined in accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A–87, “Cost Principles for State and Local Governments.” The allowability of costs incurred by non-profit organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A–122, “Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations.”
The allowability of costs incurred by institutions of higher education is determined in accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A–21, “Cost Principles for Educational Institutions.” The allowability of costs incurred by hospitals is determined in accordance with the provisions of appendix E of 45 CFR part 74, “Principles for Determining Costs Applicable to Research and Development Under Grants and Contracts with Hospitals.” The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations and those non-profit organizations listed in Attachment C to Circular A–122 is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR part 31.
Technical Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation criteria will score proposals with a maximum of 100 points, divided as follows:
1. A clear understanding of the nature of the work (20 points)
The proposal presents a clear understanding of the tasks required and the importance, quality and reliability of those tasks. The proposal will present the rationale/interpretation of the project approach.
2. Procedural Plan (30 points)
The proposal contains evidence of a fully described technical approach to comply with each of the tasks in the scope of work. The proposal is consistent with the goals, objectives, compliance requirements, and is practical in terms of producing needed information, analysis and recommendations.
3. Management Plan and Schedule (20 points)
The degree to which the project team, including any use of consultants, is organized, managed, and motivated to accomplish effective and efficient implementation of all tasks to be completed. The proposal budget is appropriate to the administration of the project. The time frame is realistic. Plans and schedules to assure smooth cooperation with the NCD staff involved are evident. The proposal clearly identifies who will be key personnel and includes a table showing the number of person-days by tasks for each of the key personnel.
4. Personnel (15 points)
The proposal provides evidence of the specific qualifications and skills of staff and consultants to be assigned to this project, and their experience and familiarity with the topic, including relevant laws, regulations, procedures and practices in the Federal Government. Skills in writing, and conducting research should also clearly demonstrated.
5. Organizational Experience (15 points)
The degree to which the overall experience and past performance of the offeror in executing similar projects should be described. Evidence of related assignments should be detailed. Offeror shall present evidence of related assignments, including the names and telephone numbers of previous project officers who would be able to comment on the offeror’s performance of those assignments.
Project Start Date
The projected start of the contract is August 20, 2008. The first complete draft of the report is due to NCD by June 2, 2009. The final draft of the report is due to NCD by July 3, 2009.
Furthermore, the vendor will be expected to arrange and conduct monthly teleconference calls with NCD staff and board members, will provide monthly progress reports to NCD staff, and will also be expected to meet with select NCD staff and Board Members upon the awarding of the contract. The vendor is also responsible for reasonable accommodations at any meetings, events, forums, focus groups, etc. (i.e. sign language interpreters, CART reporters, and other such providers, as well as documents or other materials that are made available in public forums), associated with this agreement.
The contractor will also present to the full Council at a quarterly Council meeting and should factor the travel expenses into the project budget.
Finally, the vendor is expected to develop and submit a “timeline and deliverables and payment schedule” chart which will be used to guide the conduct of the research.
Formatting Guidelines
If you are drafting a written or electronic report for the National Council on Disability (NCD), you must submit your material in an electronic Word format and in hard copy. If PDF is used, submissions to NCD must be created using the tools and guidance developed for creating accessible PDF. The document must be professionally edited. In addition, you must adhere to NCD's formatting and style standards, which follow the Government Printing Office Style Guide.
Accessibility
First and foremost, NCD reports must be totally accessible to all people with disabilities. All graphs and charts must have full text descriptions. Shading is not permissible. Electronic copy must be Bobby 508 compliant.
Contrast
Text and covers should be printed with the highest contrast possible.
Fonts
Use Arial, 12 point. Italics should be used sparingly, not for full sentences or paragraphs or recommendations. Do not use small caps.
Line Spacing
Set line spacing to 1.5. Reference, endnotes, appendices, etc. sections should be single spaced.
Paper Size
Set paper size to 8.5" x 11"
Margins
Set standard one inch (1") margins on all sides.
Paragraphs
Use block style. Begin paragraphs without tabbing in. Text should be in single column format. Use a double space between paragraphs.
Justification
Use left justified (ragged right).
Smart Quotes and Apostrophes
Use smart quotes and apostrophes.
Chapters
Chapters start on odd-numbered pages, which fall on the right side.
Headers and Footers
Delete unnecessary headers and footers.
Widows and Orphans
Do not have widows or orphans.
Web Addresses
Make all Web addresses hyperlinks.
Style Heads
Paragraph headers between major subject areas are encouraged. Headers should be bold, but not underlined. Headers should not be all caps nor small caps. Double space between headers and text.
Spacing After Periods
Use one space after a period at the end of a sentence. Use one space after colons, question marks, and footnote numbers.
Endnotes
All documents use endnotes in Times Roman, 12 point font and single spaced.
Page Numbering
Page numbering will be centered at the bottom of each page. Blank pages require page numbers.
Begin page numbering in roman on Letter of Transmittal page (suppress page number of that page). Begin ordinal numbering on Executive Summary.
Contents Page
Complete table of contents page. This includes page numbers for chapters and major sections. Text in regular font. Do not bold entire page.
Style Requirements
General:
Use active voice (within reason)
Serial comma
Numbers: one-nine, 10 and above
Use “people [[not “persons” or “individuals”]] with disabilities” and “people without disabilities,” not disabled, handicapped, or nondisabled
1990s (not 1990’s)
Use “people from diverse cultures,” “people from diverse racial background,” and so forth [not minorities]
Punctuation NEVER comes after a closing quotation mark.
Due to or Because of?
“Due to” modifies nouns and is generally used after some form of the verb to be (is, are, was, were, etc.). Jan's success is due to talent and spunk (due to modifies success). “Because of” should modify verbs. Ted resigned because of poor health (because of modifies resigned).
Generally, use between for two, and among for three or more.
Legal Cases/Bills/Laws, etc:
H.R. 2457
S. 1322
P.L. 106-515
Italicize names of court cases
Get rid of small caps used in notes
Word List:
ADA, not the ADA
Administration (presidential)
closed captioning
Congress, not the Congress
data indicates (treat data as singular)
decision making
Department (capped referring to a U.S. Department)
email
end-user
Executive Order
federal
Federal Government
governor
health care (n, um*)
home- and community-based (um)
interagency (closed up)
multi (close up)
nation
NCD, not the NCD
non (close up)
percent, not %, unless in tables or parentheses
Ph.D.
policymaker
the President
proactive
reauthorize
reenter
rulemaking
screen-reader
standalone
state (l.c.) upfront
Supreme Court, the Court
Web site, the Web
white
workforce
workplace
In titles, cap prepositions of 5 or more letters.
*um=unit modifier, meaning two words used as an adjective
PROPOSAL REVIEW INFORMATION
Reviews of proposals submitted to NCD are solicited from peers with expertise in the substantive area of the proposed project. These reviewers are selected by NCD staff charged with the oversight of the review process. Care is taken to ensure that reviewers have no conflicts with the proposer. Special efforts are made to recruit reviewers from non-academic institutions, minority-serving institutions, or adjacent disciplines to that principally addressed in the proposal.
All proposals are carefully reviewed by at least three other persons outside NCD who are experts in the particular field represented by the proposal.
Reviewers will be asked to formulate a recommendation to either support or decline each proposal. The NCD staff assigned to manage the proposal's review will consider the advice of reviewers and will formulate a recommendation.
A summary rating and accompanying narrative will be completed and submitted by each reviewer. In all cases, reviews are treated as confidential documents.
Notice of Award
NCD will notify the applicant by telephone and/or letter. This notification will begin negotiations for a Cooperative Agreement. The letter is not authorization to begin performance. Notification of the award will be made to the submitting organization by Joan Durocher, NCD Senior Attorney/Advisor. Organizations whose proposals are declined will be advised as promptly as possible. Verbatim copies of reviews, not included identifying names or information about proposal reviewers, will be made available upon request.
CONTACTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Inquiries regarding this study should be made to:
Joan Durocher, Senior Attorney/Advisor telephone: 202-272-2117 email: jdurocher@ncd.gov
ABOUT THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY
Overview and Purpose
The National Council on Disability (NCD) is an independent federal agency with 15 members appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The purpose of NCD is to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities regardless of the nature or significance of the disability and to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society.
Specific Duties
The current statutory mandate of NCD includes the following:
• Reviewing and evaluating, on a continuing basis, policies, programs, practices, and procedures concerning individuals with disabilities conducted or assisted by federal departments and agencies, including programs established or assisted under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, or under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, as well as all statutes and regulations pertaining to federal programs that assist such individuals with disabilities, to assess the effectiveness of such policies, programs, practices, procedures, statutes, and regulations in meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities.
• Reviewing and evaluating, on a continuing basis, new and emerging disability policy issues affecting individuals with disabilities in the Federal Government, at the state and local government levels, and in the private sector, including the need for and coordination of adult services, access to personal assistance services, school reform efforts and the impact of such efforts on individuals with disabilities, access to health care, and policies that act as disincentives for individuals to seek and retain employment.
• Making recommendations to the President, Congress, the Secretary of Education, the director of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, and other officials of federal agencies about ways to better promote equal opportunity, economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society for Americans with disabilities.
• Providing Congress, on a continuing basis, with advice, recommendations, legislative proposals, and any additional information that NCD or Congress deems appropriate.
• Gathering information about the implementation, effectiveness, and impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) (42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.).
• Advising the President, Congress, the commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, the assistant secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services within the Department of Education, and the director of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research on the development of the programs to be carried out under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
• Providing advice to the commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration with respect to the policies and conduct of the administration.
• Making recommendations to the director of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research on ways to improve research, service, administration, and the collection, dissemination, and implementation of research findings affecting people with disabilities.
• Providing advice regarding priorities for the activities of the Interagency Disability Coordinating Council and reviewing the recommendations of this council for legislative and administrative changes to ensure that such recommendations are consistent with NCD’s purpose of promoting the full integration, independence, and productivity of individuals with disabilities.
• Preparing and submitting to the President and Congress an annual report titled National Disability Policy: A Progress Report.
International
In 1995, NCD was designated by the Department of State to be the U.S. government’s official contact point for disability issues. Specifically, NCD interacts with the special rapporteur of the United Nations Commission for Social Development on disability matters.
Consumers Served and Current Activities
Although many government agencies deal with issues and programs affecting people with disabilities, NCD is the only federal agency charged with addressing, analyzing, and making recommendations on issues of public policy that affect people with disabilities regardless of age, disability type, perceived employment potential, economic need, specific functional ability, veteran status, or other individual circumstance. NCD recognizes its unique opportunity to facilitate independent living, community integration, and employment opportunities for people with disabilities by ensuring an informed and coordinated approach to addressing the concerns of people with disabilities and eliminating barriers to their active participation in community and family life.
NCD plays a major role in developing disability policy in America. In fact, NCD originally proposed what eventually became the ADA. NCD’s present list of key issues includes improving personal assistance services, promoting health care reform, including students with disabilities in high-quality programs in typical neighborhood schools, promoting equal employment and community housing opportunities, monitoring the implementation of the ADA, improving assistive technology, and ensuring that people with disabilities who are members of diverse cultures fully participate in society.
Statutory History
NCD was established in 1978 as an advisory board within the Department of Education (P.L. 95-602). The Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1984 (P.L. 98-221) transformed NCD into an independent agency.
Location:
National Council on Disability
1331 F Street, NW,
Suite 850
Washington, DC 20004
For General Information:
202-272-2004 Voice
202-272-2074 TTY
202-272-2022 Fax
www.ncd.gov
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