Executive Summary: The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE), invites eligible applicants to submit competitive grant applications for Special Improvement Projects (SIP), which further the national child support mission, vision, and goals to ensure that all children receive financial and medical support from their parents. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2009, approximately $300,000 is available for this solicitation which addresses using new technology and enforcement tools to increase child support collections. A non-Federal match is not required. Given that the purpose of these projects is to improve CSE programs, it is critical that applicants who are not Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (IV-D) agencies have the cooperation of IV-D agencies to operate these projects. Also, projects are encouraged to improve CSE services for Tribal customers by involving Tribal IV-D agencies. All applications developed jointly by more than one agency/organization must identify a single lead organization as the official applicant. The lead organization will be the recipient of the grant award. Participating agencies and organizations can be included as co-participants, subgrantees, or subcontractors with their written authorization.
I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION Statutory Authority Legislative Authority: Section 452(j) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C.§652(j), provides Federal funds for information dissemination and technical assistance to States, training of Federal and State staff to improve CSE programs, and research, demonstration, and special projects of regional or national significance relating to the operation of State child support enforcement programs. Description Applicants should note that in prior years the SIP announcement covered multiple priority areas. In FY09 there are two announcements, one entitled, Improving CSE and Court Collaboration, and this one, entitled Using New Methods to Improve Collection Rates. Under this solicitation, OCSE is seeking applications for projects that develop new technology tools and enforcement methods to help State/local jurisdictions and Tribes improve child support collection rates. Although income withholding orders and other enforcement mechanisms have proven to be very effective, over the past few years child support collections have been leveling off. Also, as technology advances, new tools are more readily available to better reach noncustodial parents (NCPs) to notify, educate and encourage them to meet their child support obligations. Eligible applicants are requested to demonstrate the feasibility and impact on collections and cost-effectiveness of using one or more of the following strategies to increase collections. a) Using new technology tools to provide more effective customer service to NCPs-- Outreach implementation strategies could include the use of cell phones, pro-active e-mails, text messaging, and/or Outbound Interactive Voice Response (IVR) to notify NCPs of hearings, appointments, missed payments, etc. However, high tech strategies need to also include opportunities for personal agency contact/follow-up given past findings that indicate better outcomes when parents also have the opportunity for person-to-person contact. Strategies should not include incoming IVR units, customer call centers for "incoming calls" or web-based features since many States are already using such strategies. b) Matching CSE caseloads with pension plans --As the NCP population ages, there may be increased public and private retirement benefits. This grant would enable States to research and test private/public matches with the State caseload. c) Analyzing and testing techniques focusing on "cold-cases" -- Approach may focus on any type of cold case and/or on cases approaching the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) time limit. The applicant may choose their own definition of a cold case. d) Focusing on techniques which will target cases with non-traditional wages/sources of income (i.e., income not reported from New Hire or W-2 information) and ensuring that such techniques do not conflict with State or Federal privacy requirements. e) Developing an electronic interface with the court in order to match obligors with persons who will receive settlements from lawsuits. To demonstrate the effectiveness of such matches, OCSE is soliciting projects to establish such a data exchange between the CSE agency and the court system. Collections made through this source should be separately identified so that the success of the project can be assessed. Because OCSE is aware that these are not all inclusive strategies, we will consider other new enforcement methods under this solicitation, including new enforcement methods to address unreported income. Applicants are encouraged to review the grant-related materials posted on the OCSE website at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/grants/. The site includes abstracts of recent grants, how to complete the 424-A form, information on developing logic models and how to submit applications electronically. Applicants are encouraged to view materials such as Action Transmittals, Information Memoranda, Dear Colleague Letters, recent publications and annual reports posted on the OCSE website to help formulate their proposals: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/. This information should help applicants learn more about other successful demonstrations/practices that may have implications for their proposed project. Faith-based and community organizations may apply for these grants or serve as partners to State/Tribal/local CSE agencies that are awarded grants under this announcement and should refer to Section VI. 2. for more information on applicable requirements regarding the appropriate use of Federal funds. Collaborative efforts that focus on a particular ethnicity must be inclusive in nature; that is, outreach and eligibility for services cannot be limited to a particular ethnic or cultural group. Applicants are reminded that they should include funds in their budget for one trip to an ACF/OCSE conference or training session in Washington, D.C., budgeting for two and a half days for up to two people. If OCSE requests other such visits, it will reimburse the grantee for them. II. AWARD INFORMATION
Awards under this announcement are subject to the availability of funds. Additional Information on Awards: The applicant should provide a budget for the entire 17-month project period. Please see Section IV.5 for any restrictions on the use of funds for awards made under this announcement. III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants Eligibility is open to all types of domestic applicants. Individuals, including sole proprietorship organizatons, are not eligible under this announcement. Foreign entities are not eligible under this announcement. Faith-based and community organizations are eligible to apply under this announcement. Please see "Eligibility Certification" found in Section IV.2 for any required documentation supporting eligibility. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching: None 3. Other: Disqualification Factors Applications with requests that exceed the ceiling on the amount of individual awards referenced in Section II. Award Information will be deemed non-responsive and will not be considered for funding under this announcement. Any application that fails to satisfy the deadline requirements referenced in Section IV.3., Submission Dates and Times, will be deemed non-responsive and will not be considered for funding under this announcement. IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 1. Address to Request Application Package: Jean RobinsonDivision of State, Tribal and Local Assistance Office of Child Support Enforcement Administration for Children and Families 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW, 4th Floor, West Washington, DC 20447 Phone: 202-401-5330 Email: jean.robinson@acf.hhs.gov For hearing or speech impaired callers, contact the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 (TTY (Text Telephone) / ASCII (American Standard Code For Information Interchange)). 2. Content and Form of Application Submission: This section provides information on the required form and content of application submissions. Applicants are required to submit one original and two copies of all application materials if applying in hard-copy. The original signature of the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) is required only on the original. Information on the required format, Standard Forms (SFs) and other forms, D-U-N-S Requirement, Project Description, Certifications, Assurances, Electronic Submission of applications, and Hard Copy submission of applications is available in this section. A Checklist of required application elements is available for applicants' use in Section VIII of this announcement. The length of the application, excluding the required application forms, certifications, and resumes, should be 25 pages, double-spaced format. A page is a single-side of an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of plain white paper. Pages which exceed this limit will not be reviewed. (Applicants are requested not to send pamphlets, maps, brochures or other printed material along with their application as these are difficult to photocopy. These materials, if submitted, will not be included in the review process.) Forms Applicants seeking financial assistance under this announcement must file the appropriate Standard Forms (SFs) as described in this section. All applicants must submit an SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. For non-construction programs, applicants must also submit an SF-424A, Budget Information and an SF-424B, Assurances. For construction programs, applicants must also submit SF-424C, Budget Information and SF-424D, Assurances. All required Standard Forms are available at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html. Non-profit private organizations (not including private universities) are encouraged to submit the "Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants" with their applications. Applicants using a hard copy application, place the completed survey in an envelope labeled "Applicant Survey." Seal the envelope and include it along with your application package. Applicants applying electronically, please submit this survey along with your application. The Survey may be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html. D-U-N-S Requirement All applicants must have a D&B Data Universal Numbering System (D-U-N-S) number. A D-U-N-S number is required whether an applicant is submitting a paper application or using the government-wide electronic portal, Grants.gov. A D-U-N-S number is required for every application for a new award or renewal/continuation of an award, including applications or plans under formula, entitlement, and block grant programs. A D-U-N-S number may be acquired at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free D-U-N-S number request line at 1-866-705-5711 or you may request a number online at http://www.dnb.com. PROJECT DESCRIPTION Part I THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION OVERVIEW PURPOSE The project description provides the majority of information by which an application is evaluated and ranked in competition with other applications for available assistance. The project description should be concise and complete. It should address the activity for which Federal funds are being requested. Supporting documents should be included where they can present information clearly and succinctly. In preparing the project description, information that is responsive to each of the requested evaluation criteria must be provided. Awarding offices use this and other information in making their funding recommendations. It is important, therefore, that this information be included in the application in a manner that is clear and complete. GENERAL EXPECTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS ACF is particularly interested in specific project descriptions that focus on outcomes and convey strategies for achieving intended performance. Project descriptions are evaluated on the basis of substance and measurable outcomes, not length. Extensive exhibits are not required. Cross-referencing should be used rather than repetition. Supporting information concerning activities that will not be directly funded by the grant or information that does not directly pertain to an integral part of the grant-funded activity should be placed in an appendix. Part II GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING A FULL PROJECT DESCRIPTION INTRODUCTION Applicants that are required to submit a full project description shall prepare the project description statement in accordance with the following instructions while being aware of the specified evaluation criteria. The text options give a broad overview of what the project description should include while the evaluation criteria identify the measures that will be used to evaluate applications. TABLE OF CONTENTS List the contents of the application including corresponding page numbers. PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Provide a summary of the project description (one page or less) with reference to the funding request. OBJECTIVES AND NEED FOR ASSISTANCE Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In developing the project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to provide information on the total range of projects currently being conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may be outside the scope of the program announcement. RESULTS OR BENEFITS EXPECTED Identify the results and benefits to be derived. For example, results/outcomes should reflect measurable increases in child support collections and demonstrate cost effectiveness (e.g., " matching CSE caseloads with pension plans will result in an annual increased collection rate of 2% and will be cost effective [for every $1 spent, $4 will be collected]." ) The applicant should include an outcome evaluation and a process evaluation plan. The outcome evaluation should describe the specific results to be achieved including the impact of the strategy on child support collections and assess cost effectiveness. It should identify the kinds of data to be collected and maintained; describe procedures for informed consent of participants, where applicable, and discuss the criteria to be used to evaluate the results of the project. The outcome evaluation should include a comparison of before/after the project's experience, as appropriate, to demonstrate the results achieved. The application should also include a process evaluation plan describing the evaluation methodology to be used to determine to what extent the proposed project implementation design accomplished the project goals/objectives. The process evaluation should assess how well the implementation design worked and describe areas such as the selection of cases, coordination with partner interfaces, the implementation of new/revised processes, etc.APPROACH Outline a plan of action that 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 that 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. The applicant should describe how the project will address the identified problem(s) through implementation of changes, and innovative efforts to demonstrate the feasibility of the strategy(ies) (as identified in Section I, Description) to increase child support collections. In addition, the applicant should include a well thought out management plan that includes timelines and discussion of major task activities. The main concern in this criterion is that the applicant should demonstrate a clear idea of the project's goals, objectives and tasks to be accomplished. The plan to accomplish the goals and tasks should be set forth in a logical framework. The plan should identify what tasks are required of any contractors and specify their relevant qualifications to perform these tasks. The plan should also identify what tasks will be provided by partner agencies/organizations and include with the application letters of commitment to the project from these entities. Staff to be committed to the project (including supervisory and management staff) at the State and/or local levels must be identified by their role in the project along with their qualifications and areas of particular expertise. In addition, for any technical expertise obtained through a contract, the desired technical expertise and skills of proposed positions should be specified in detail. The applicant should demonstrate that persons with the skills needed to operate the project are on board or can be obtained within a reasonable time. All consultant or contractor personnel costs should be delineated in the budget justification. Given the importance of having child support enforcement involvement in this project, applicants are encouraged to partner with IV-D agencies. Documentation would include State/Tribal or local IV-D agency commitment to the project, either through their direct participation, or by a cooperative agreement or letter of commitment, which needs to be signed by the IV-D agency head and included with the application. In order to encourage improved child support services for Tribal customers, bonus points will be given to projects which emphasize Tribal services. Documentation of Tribal involvement would include direct participation in the project by the IV-D Tribal agency; or by applicant organizations who have Tribal IV-D agency commitment to the project, either through an agreement or letter, which needs to be signed by the Tribal Chief Executive Officer and included with the application.Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities accomplished. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or function, list them in chronological order to show the schedule of accomplishments and their target dates. If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated, clearance may be required from OMB. This clearance pertains to any "collection of information that is conducted or sponsored by ACF." Provide a list of 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. EVALUATION Provide a narrative addressing how the conduct of the project and the results of the project will be evaluated. In addressing the evaluation of results, state how you will determine the extent to which the project has achieved its stated objectives and the extent to which the accomplishment of objectives can be attributed to the project. Discuss the criteria to be used to evaluate results, and explain the methodology that will be used to determine if the needs identified and discussed are being met and if the project results and benefits are being achieved. With respect to the conduct of the project, define the procedures to be employed to determine whether the project is being conducted in a manner consistent with the work plan presented and discuss the impact of the project's various activities that address the project's effectiveness. 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. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The following are requests for additional information that must be included in the application:
BUDGET AND BUDGET JUSTIFICATION Provide a budget with line-item detail and detailed calculations for each budget object class identified on the Budget Information Form (SF-424A or SF-424C). Detailed calculations must include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated. If matching is a requirement, include a breakout by the funding sources identified in Block 15 of the SF-424. Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, and allocation of the proposed costs.
(As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, P.L. 104-13, the public reporting burden for the Project Description is estimated to average 40 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and reviewing the collection information. The Project Description information collection is approved under OMB control number 0970-0139, which expires 4/30/2010. 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.) CertificationsApplicants must furnish, prior to award, an executed copy of the Certification Regarding Lobbying. Applicants must sign and return the certification with their application. If any funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan, the applicant shall complete and submit Standard Form (SF)-LLL, "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying," in accordance with its instructions. The Certification Regarding Lobbying may be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html. When required for programs that involve human subjects, the Protection of Human Subjects Assurance Identification/IRB Certification/Declaration of Exemption form must be submitted. All forms may be reproduced for use in submitting applications. Applicants must sign and return the appropriate standard forms with their application. The Protection of Human Subjects Assurance Identification/IRB Certification/Declaration of Exemption (Common Rule) form may be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html. AssurancesBy signing and submitting the application, applicants are making the appropriate certification of their compliance with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. The Pro-Children Act of 1994, 20 U.S.C. 7183, imposes restrictions on smoking in facilities where federally funded children's services are provided. HHS grants are subject to these requirements only if they meet the Act's specified coverage. The Act specifies that smoking is prohibited in any indoor facility (owned, leased, or contracted for) used for the routine or regular provision of kindergarten, elementary, or secondary education or library services to children under the age of 18. In addition, smoking is prohibited in any indoor facility or portion of a facility (owned, leased, or contracted for) used for the routine or regular provision of federally funded health care, day care, or early childhood development, including Head Start services to children under the age of 18. The statutory prohibition also applies if such facilities are constructed, operated, or maintained with Federal funds. The statute does not apply to children's services provided in private residences, facilities funded solely by Medicare or Medicaid funds, portions of facilities used for inpatient drug or alcohol treatment, or facilities where WIC coupons are redeemed. Failure to comply with the provisions of the law may result in the imposition of a civil monetary penalty of up to $1,000 per violation and/or the imposition of an administrative compliance order on the responsible entity. Additional information may be found in the HHS Grants Policy Statement at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_related.html. Electronic SubmissionApplicants 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 at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/registration_checklist.html. Applicants will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it off-line, and then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site. If planning to submit an application electronically via http://www.Grants.gov:
After the application is submitted electronically, the applicant will receive two emails from Grants.gov:
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. Hard Copy Submission of ApplicationsApplicants that are submitting their application in paper format should submit one original and two copies of the complete application with all attachments, unless directed otherwise. The original and each of the two copies must include all required forms, certifications, assurances, and appendices, be signed by the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR), and be unbound. The original copy of the application must have original signature(s). See Section IV.6 of this announcement for address information for application submissions. Please refer to Section VIII for a checklist of application requirements, their location and due dates that applicants may use in developing and organizing application materials. Please refer to Section IV.3 for details concerning acknowledgement of received applications. 3. Submission Dates and Times: Due Date for Applications: 04/20/2009 Explanation of Due Dates The due date for receipt of applications is referenced above. Applications received after 4:30 p.m., eastern time, on the due date will be classified as late and will not be considered in the current competition. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that applications are mailed or hand-delivered or submitted electronically well in advance of the application due date and time. Applications that are submitted by mail must be received no later than 4:30 p.m., eastern time, on the due date referenced above at the address listed in Section IV.6. Hand Delivery Applications hand carried by applicants, applicant couriers, other representatives of the applicant, or by overnight/express mail couriers must be received on or before the due date referenced above, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., eastern time, at the address referenced in Section IV.6., between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). Electronic Submission Applications submitted electronically via Grants.gov must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m., eastern time, on the due date referenced above. ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by facsimile or email. Late Applications Applications that do not meet the requirements above are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late applicant that its application will not be considered in the current competition. ANY APPLICATION RECEIVED AFTER 4:30 P.M., EASTERN TIME, ON THE DUE DATE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR COMPETITION. Extension of Deadlines ACF may extend application deadlines when circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur; when there are widespread disruptions of mail service; or in other rare cases. A determination to extend or waive deadline requirements rests with the Chief Grants Management Officer. Acknowledgement of Received Application
ACF will not provide acknowledgement of receipt of hard copy application packages submitted via
mail, courier services, or by hand delivery. Applicants who submit their
application packages electronically via
http://www.Grants.gov will receive two email acknowledgements from that website:
4. Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs: State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) This program is covered under Executive Order (E.O.) 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 Executive Order, States may design their own processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance under covered programs. Applicants should go to the following URL for the official list of the jurisdictions that have elected to participate in E.O. 12372 http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html. Applicants from participating jurisdictions should contact their SPOC, as soon as possible, to alert them of their prospective applications and to receive instructions on their jurisdiction's procedures. Applicants must submit all required application materials to the SPOC and indicate the date of submission on the Standard Form (SF) 424 at item 19. Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application due date to comment on proposed new awards. SPOC comments may be submitted directly to ACF to: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW., 6th Floor East, Washington, DC 20447. Entities that meet the eligibility requirements of this announcement are still eligible to apply for a grant even if a State, Territory or Commonwealth, etc., does not have a SPOC or has chosen not to participate in the process. Applicants from non-participating jurisdictions need take no action with regard to E.O. 12372. Applications from Federally-recognized Indian Tribal governments are not subject to E.O. 12372. 5. Funding Restrictions: Costs of organized fund raising, including financial campaigns, endowment drives, solicitation of gifts and bequests, and similar expenses incurred solely to raise capital or obtain contributions, are unallowable under this grant award. Grant awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-award costs. Construction is not an allowable activity or expenditure under this grant award. OCSE will not award grants for special improvement projects which: (a) duplicate automated data processing and information retrieval system requirements or enhancements and associated tasks which are specified in the Social Security Act; or (b) which cover costs for routine activities that would normally be reimbursed under the Child Support Program [e.g., adding staff positions to perform routine child support enforcement (CSE) tasks], or by other Federal funding sources. Grant funds cannot be used for capital improvements or the purchase of land or buildings. 6. Other Submission Requirements: Submit applications to one of the following addresses: Submission by Mail Ben L. SharpGrants Management Officer, Division of Discretionary Grants Administration for Children and Families 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW, 6th Floor, East Washington, DC 20447 Hand Delivery Ben L. SharpGrants Management Officer, Division of Discretionary Grants Administration for Children and Families 901 D Street, SW, Aerospace Bldg. ACF Mailroom, Second Floor (near loading dock) Washington , DC 20447 Electronic Submission See Section IV.2 for application requirements and for guidance when submitting applications electronically via http://www.Grants.gov. For all submissions, see Section IV.3 for information on due dates. V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION 1. CRITERIA: Competing applications for financial assistance will be reviewed and evaluated against the criteria described in this section. The corresponding score values indicate the relative importance that ACF places on each review criterion. Applicants should address these criteria in the process of developing their application, as they are the basis upon which their applications will be judged. Application components may be organized such that a reviewer will be able to follow a seamless and logical flow of information (i.e., from a broad overview of the project to more detailed information about how it will be conducted).
In reviewing the objectives and need for assistance, reviewers will consider the extent to which the application demonstrates a thorough understanding and analysis of the problem(s) being addressed in the project, and the need for assistance and the importance of addressing the problem(s) to increase child support collections, as specified in Section IV.2. Project Description.
In reviewing the approach, reviewers will consider how thorough and complete are the management and staffing plans contained in the application and how well the application plan describes the project goals, objectives and tasks to be carried-out. Also, reviewers will consider the extent to which staff qualifications and expertise ensure the achievement of project tasks. See Section IV.2. Project Description for details.
In reviewing the evaluation, the reviewers will consider how well the success of this project can be measured and how the success of this project has broader application in contributing to CSE policies, practices, and/or providing solutions that could be adapted by other States/jurisdictions. The effectiveness of the outcome evaluation methodology will be assessed by the project's potential impact on child support collections and cost effectiveness. The effectiveness of the process evaluation plan will be assessed to the extent it addresses the ability of the proposed project implementation design to achieve project objectives/goals. See Section IV.2. Project Description for details.
In reviewing the budget, reviewers will consider the reasonableness of the project and staffing costs in relation to the identified tasks, including the evaluation component and the expected outcomes. See Section IV.2.Project Description for specific budget requirements.
Points will be awarded to projects that have direct participation of the IV-D agency or partner with the IV-D agency; see Section IV.2. Project Description for specifics.
Points will be awarded to projects which demonstrate improved services to Tribal customers by direct participation of the IV-D Tribal agency or collaboration with the IV-D Tribal agency; see Section IV.2. Project Description for specifics. 2. Review and Selection Process: No grant award will be made under this announcement on the basis of an incomplete application. Initial ACF Screening: Each application will be screened to determine whether it was received by the closing date and time and whether the requested amount exceeds the stated ceiling. Late applications or those exceeding the funding limit will be returned to the applicants with a notation that they were unacceptable and will not be reviewed. Applications that pass the initial ACF screening will be evaluated and rated by an independent review panel on the basis of specific evaluation criteria. The results of these reviews will assist the OCSE Commissioner and program staff in considering competing applications. Reviewers' scores will weigh heavily in funding decisions but will not be the only factors considered. The evaluation criteria were designed to assess the quality of a proposed project, and to determine the likelihood of its success. The evaluation criteria are closely related and are considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application. Points are awarded only to applications that are responsive to the evaluation criteria within the context of this program announcement. Applications generally will be considered in order of the average scores assigned by reviewers. However, highly ranked applications are not guaranteed funding because other factors are taken into consideration. These include, but are not limited to, the number of similar types of existing grants or projects funded with OCSE funds in the last five years; comments of reviewers and government officials; staff evaluation and input; previous program performance of applicants; compliance with grant terms under previous HHS grants; audit reports; investigative reports; an applicant's progress in resolving any final audit disallowance on previous OCSE or other Federal agency grants. OCSE will consider the geographic distribution of funds among States and the relative proportion of funding among rural and urban areas. Approved but Unfunded Applications Applications that are approved but unfunded may be held over for funding in the next funding cycle, pending the availability of funds, for a period not to exceed one year. 3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates: Not ApplicableVI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION 1. Award Notices: Successful applicants will be notified through the issuance of a Notice of Award (NoA) document that sets forth the amount of funds granted, the terms and conditions of the grant, the effective date of the grant, the budget period for which initial support will be given, the non-Federal share to be provided (if applicable), and the total project period for which support is contemplated. The NoA will be signed by the Grants Officer and transmitted via postal mail. Following the finalization of funding decisions, organizations whose applications will not be funded will be notified by letter, signed by the Program Office head. 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: Grantees are subject to the administrative requirements in 45 CFR Part 74 (for non-governmental entities) or 45 CFR Part 92 (for governmental entities). Direct Federal grants, sub-award funds, or contracts under this ACF program shall not be used to support inherently religious activities such as religious instruction, worship, or proselytization. Therefore, organizations must take steps to separate, in time or location, their inherently religious activities from the services funded under this program. Regulations pertaining to the Equal Treatment for Faith-Based Organizations, which includes the prohibition against Federal funding of inherently religious activities, can be found at the HHS web site at: http://www.hhs.gov/fbci/waisgate21.pdf. A faith-based organization receiving HHS funds retains its independence from Federal, State, and local governments, and may continue to carry out its mission, including the definition, practice, and expression of its religious beliefs. For example, a faith-based organization may use space in its facilities to provide secular programs or services funded with Federal funds without removing religious art, icons, scriptures, or other religious symbols. In addition, a faith-based organization that receives Federal funds retains its authority over its internal governance, and it may retain religious terms in its organization's name, select its board members on a religious basis, and include religious references in its organization's mission statements and other governing documents in accordance with all program requirements, statutes, and other applicable requirements governing the conduct of HHS funded activities. Faith-based and community organizations may reference the "Guidance to Faith-Based and Community Organizations on Partnering with the Federal Government" at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/guidance/index.html. HHS Grants Policy Statement The HHS Grants Policy Statement (GPS) is the Department of Health and Human Services new single policy guide for discretionary grants and cooperative agreements. Unlike previous HHS policy documents, the GPS is intended to be shared with and used by grantees. It became effective October 1, 2006 and is applicable to all Operating Divisions (OPDIVS), such as the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), except the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The GPS covers basic grants processes, standard terms and conditions, and points of contact, as well as important OPDIV-specific requirements. Appendices include a glossary of terms and a list of standard abbreviations for ease of reference. The GPS may be accessed at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_related.html. 3. Reporting Requirements: Grantees will be required to submit performance progress and financial reports periodically throughout the project period. Frequency of reporting is listed later in this section. Beginning with FY 2009 awards, most ACF grantees will begin using the a Standard Form (SF) for required performance progress reporting (PPR). The SF-PPR is a standard government-wide performance progress reporting format consisting of a series of forms implemented by Federal agencies to collect performance information from award recipients. Most ACF grantees will begin using the standard format implemented through ACF's Office of Grants Management (OGM), entitled the "ACF-OGM-SF-PPR." Use of the ACF-OGM-SF-PPR will begin for new awards and continuation awards made by ACF in FY 2009. At a minimum, grantees will be required to submit the ACF-OGM-SF-PPR, which consists of the ACF-OGM-SF-PPR Coversheet and the ACF-OGM-SF-PPR Appendix B Program Indicators. ACF Programs that utilize other SF-PPR reporting formats, or other reporting forms or formats that differ from the new ACF-OGM-SF-PPR, have listed those forms or formats below. Grant award documents will inform grantees of the appropriate performance progress report form or format to use beginning in FY 2009. Grantees will continue to use the Financial Status Report (FSR) SF-269 (long form) for required financial reporting. The SF-269 (long form) and the ACF-OGM-SF-PPR may be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html. Grantees should consult their award documents to determine the appropriate performance progress report format required under their award. Performance progress and financial reports are due 30 days after the end of the reporting period. Final program performance and financial reports are due 90 days after the close of the project period. Final reports may be submitted in hard copy to the Grants Management Office Contact listed in Section VII. of this announcement. Program Progress Reports: QuarterlyFinancial Reports: Semi-Annually VII. AGENCY CONTACTS Program Office Contact: Jean Robinson
For hearing or speech impaired callers, contact the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339
(TTY (Text Telephone) / ASCII (American Standard Code For Information Interchange)).
Grants Management Office Contact: Ben L. Sharp
For hearing or speech impaired callers, contact the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339
(TTY (Text Telephone) / ASCII (American Standard Code For Information Interchange)).
VIII. OTHER INFORMATION Checklist You may use the checklist below as a guide when preparing your application package.
|