Executive Summary: In order to assist agencies in providing the highest quality of services to refugees, the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) awards technical assistance cooperative agreements to organizations with expertise in a particular area of refugee resettlement. These cooperative agreements are intended to assist refugee-serving agencies in their response to specific challenges or needs in refugee resettlement. ORR plans to award cooperative agreements to qualified organizations with prior experience or a demonstrated capacity to provide technical assistance to refugee-serving agencies, with the overall goal of improving the quality of services to refugees and aiding in refugees' and other ORR-eligible populations' long-term integration in the United States.
I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION Statutory Authority This program is authorized by section 412(c)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1522(c)(1)(A)), as amended, which authorizes the Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) "to make grants to, and enter into contracts with, public or private non-profit agencies for projects specifically designed - (i) to assist refugees in obtaining the skills which are necessary for economic self-sufficiency, including projects for job training, employment services, day care, professional refresher training, and other recertification services, (ii) to provide training in English where necessary (regardless of whether the refugees are employed or receiving cash or other assistance); and (iii) to provide where specific needs have been shown and recognized by the Director, health (including mental health) services, social services, educational, and other services." Description Background In order to assist agencies in providing the highest quality services to refugees, ORR awards technical assistance cooperative agreements to organizations with expertise in a particular area of refugee resettlement. These cooperative agreements are intended to assist refugee-serving agencies in their response to specific challenges or needs in refugee resettlement. Technical assistance providers serve many roles-they serve as an information clearinghouse on a particular topic; facilitate the exchange of information and best practices; conduct workshops and on-site or web-based trainings; and/or provide assistance for a particular ORR program or initiative. In the past, ORR has awarded cooperative agreements in the areas of English language training; housing; child welfare; citizenship and civic participation; refugee employment services; services to asylees through a multilingual, toll-free hotline; economic development (technical assistance for ORR's microenterprise, individual development account, and refugee agricultural partnership program); technical assistance to mutual assistance associations and other ethnic community self-help initiatives; technical assistance for the ORR Wilson/Fish program; and other special initiatives as assigned by the ORR Director. The goal of ORR-funded technical assistance is to improve services to refugees and aid in refugees' and other ORR-eligible populations' long-term integration in the United States. ORR expects to award $2,842,649 in technical assistance cooperative agreements in 2009. The award amount range is for planning purposes only and is subject to the availability of funding and the discretion of the ORR Director. Approximately 10 cooperative agreements will be awarded. ORR does not require matching or cost sharing by the applicant. Purpose and Objectives ORR plans to award cooperative agreements to a limited number of qualified organizations with prior experience or a demonstrated capacity to provide technical assistance to refugee-serving agencies, with the overall goal of improving the quality of services to refugees and aiding in the long-term integration of refugees and other ORR-eligible populations. Technical assistance applicants should be recognized experts in their field. ORR is interested in applications that either adequately address how to help agencies in their efforts to assist refugees with the challenges of their resettlement or address the technical assistance needs of particular ORR-funded programs. Priority will be given to applications that focus on the resettlement issues of refugee health, behavioral health and well-being, including health promotion and disease prevention; refugee youth engagement and development; refugee employment and career laddering services; English language training for preliterate, beginner, and advanced English language learners; affordable housing, tenancy, and housing safety issues; assistance to asylees in accessing services; citizenship and civic participation; technical assistance to mutual assistance associations and other ethnic community self-help initiatives; secondary migrant community assessment and assistance; or assistance for ORR-funded programs such as the Individual Development Account, Microenterprise Development, Refugee Agricultural Partnership Programs, and the Wilson/Fish Program. However, applicants are free to propose new areas of technical assistance that address unmet needs. Applicants should clearly identify and document the need for technical assistance in their chosen area and determine where to focus specific technical assistance. Applicants should propose specific, measurable, appropriate, realistic, and time-bound ("SMART") objectives and fully describe the approach used to meet those objectives. When appropriate, applicants should demonstrate extensive knowledge of particular ORR programs, such as microenterprise development, individual development account, and the Wilson/Fish programs. Wherever possible, applicants should develop technical assistance by drawing on existing resources and materials and increasing collaboration with both mainstream service providers and other ORR technical assistance providers. Applicants should demonstrate prior experience or effective capacity to provide technical assistance in their chosen field(s). Each year of the project period, the technical assistance provider will submit a technical assistance plan to ORR that includes the following: 1) proposed dates, locations, and rationale for technical assistance site visits and/or workshops; 2) planned webinars or other web-based trainings; 3) written materials to be released to the public as part of the cooperative agreement; and 4) methods and approaches of identifying and addressing emerging refugee needs. These and other allowable technical assistance activities are listed below. ORR encourages the use of technology in the cost-effective provision of technical assistance. All approved plans must have a website featuring all relevant technical assistance resources. ORR will review and approve the grantee's annual technical assistance plan in these areas and other proposed technical assistance related to the allowable activities listed below. ORR will also review and approve all written materials intended for distribution, as well as content for workshops and training sessions. Allowable Activities In order to have an innovative and flexible strategy for technical assistance to refugee-serving agencies and ORR-funded programs, applicants may propose all or some combination of the following activities: 1) Prepare timely and appropriate responses to emerging refugee resettlement needs; 2) Provide on-site training or group workshops; 3) Disseminate information on pressing technical assistance needs via email, website, listserv, etc.; 4) Use technology for technical assistance dissemination (e.g. webinars, websites, etc.) 5) Rely on existing technical assistance materials, wherever possible; when needed, develop training curricula, resource handbooks, publications on promising practices, and other materials; 6) Identify and disseminate information on potential resources and partnership opportunities; 7) Provide individual technical assistance via email, writing, telephone, etc.; and 8) Prepare and disseminate reports on program characteristics, accomplishments, and outcomes, with effective case studies where appropriate.
II. AWARD INFORMATION
Awards under this announcement are subject to the availability of funds. Additional Information on Awards: This announcement invites applications for three-year project periods. Although project periods may be for three years, ORR will make initial awards on a competitive basis for a one-year budget period. Applicants should provide a detailed budget and budget justification for the first one-year budget period. In subsequent years, ORR will entertain applications for a continuation of cooperative agreements under these awards beyond the one-year budget period, but within the three-year project period, on a noncompetitive basis. Any continuation is subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the grantee, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the Federal Government. Awards under this announcement are subject to the availability of funds and the discretion of the ORR director. Subject to the availability of funding and the best interests of the government, the ORR Director reserves the right to award more or less than the funds described under "Estimated Total Program Funding." However, if more funding becomes available, the stated ceiling and floor amounts will remain the same. In the absence of worthy applications, the Director may decide not to make an award if deemed to be in the best interest of the Federal Government. Funding for future years, under this announcement, is at the Director's discretion and depends on the availability of appropriated funds. Applicants may be required to reduce the scope of selected projects based on the amount of the approved cooperative agreement award. Description of Anticipated Substantial Involvement under the Cooperative Agreement: Each year of the project period, the technical assistance provider will submit a technical assistance plan to ORR that includes the following: 1) proposed dates, locations, and rationale for technical assistance site visits and/or workshops; 2) planned webinars or other web-based trainings; 3) written materials to be released to the public as part of the cooperative agreement; and 4) methods and approaches of identifying and addressing emerging refugee needs. ORR will review and approve the grantee's annual technical assistance plan in these areas and other proposed technical assistance related to the allowable activities listed in this announcement. ORR will also review and approve all written materials intended for distribution, as well as content for workshops and training sessions. 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 Public or private non-profit agencies are eligible to apply under this announcement. Foreign entities are not eligible under this announcement. Faith-based and community organizations are eligible to apply under this announcement. 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:
Laura Barker 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. In order to be considered for a grant under this program announcement, an application must be submitted on the forms supplied and in the manner prescribed by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). Each application should include the signed original and two additional copies. Each program application narrative portion should not exceed 25 double-spaced pages in a 12-point font. Panelists will not be mandated to review beyond the 25-page limit. Attachments and appendices to the proposal should not exceed 25 pages and should be used only to provide supporting documentation such as maps, administration charts, position descriptions, resumes, and letters of intent and/or memoranda of understanding (MOU) for partnership agreements. Please do not include books or video tapes as they are not easily reproduced and are therefore inaccessible to the reviewers. Each page should be numbered sequentially, including the attachments or appendices. Budgets, budget justifications, forms, and certifications are not included in the 25-page limitation of the attachment section. Please submit the application in the order listed in the Checklist.
Non-Federal Reviewers
Since ACF will be using non-Federal reviewers in the review process, applicants have the
option of omitting from the application copies (not the original) specific salary rates
or amounts for individuals specified in the application budget as well as Social Security
Numbers, if otherwise required for individuals. The copies may include summary salary
information.
If applicants are submitting their application electronically, ACF will omit the same
specific salary rate information from copies made for use during the review and
selection 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.
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. LETTER OF INTENT Applicants are strongly encouraged to notify ACF of their intention to submit an application under this announcement. Please submit the letter of intent by the deadline date listed in Section IV.3 Submission Dates and Times. The letter of intent should include the following information: number and title of this announcement; the name and address of the applicant organization; and/or Fiscal Agent (if known); and the name, phone number, fax number and email address of a contact person. Letter of intent information will be used to determine the number of expert reviewers needed to evaluate applications. The letter of intent is optional. Failure to submit a letter of intent will not impact eligibility to submit an application and will not disqualify an application from competitive review. 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. 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. 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. 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 Letter of Intent: 04/15/2009 Due Date for Applications: 05/15/2009 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/. 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. Purchase of real property is not an allowable activity or expenditure under this grant award. 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 Aerospace Building, 6th Fl. East Washington, DC 20447 Hand Delivery Ben L. SharpGrants Management Officer, Division of Discretionary Grants Administration for Children and Families 901 D Street, SW ACF Mailroom, Second Floor (near loading dock) Washington , DC 20024 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: The evaluation criteria for applications are listed below. The corresponding score values indicate the relative importance that ORR places on each evaluation criterion. In considering how applicants will carry out the responsibilities addressed under this announcement, competing applications for financial assistance will be reviewed and evaluated against the criteria described in this section. Application components should be organized in the order listed below so that a reviewer will be able to follow a seamless and logical flow of information.
The applicant clearly establishes its capacity to achieve the technical assistance project's objectives. Organization staff, including volunteers and any proposed partners and/or consultants, is clearly well-qualified. The applicant demonstrates strong knowledge, involvement, and experience with the diverse refugee community. If appropriate, written agreements with partners and/or consultants are provided, including the work to be performed, remuneration, and other terms or conditions of the partnership. Letters of recommendation are included.
The proposal thoroughly documents an existing need and has effectively determined where to focus specific technical assistance. The applicant is aware of the changing characteristics of incoming refugee populations, the refugee populations who have had difficulty integrating into mainstream American populations, and the consequent needs of refugee-serving agencies.
Priority will be given to applications whose objectives relate to specific needs in technical assistance, such as refugee health, behavioral health and well-being, including health promotion and disease prevention; refugee youth engagement and development; refugee employment and career laddering services; English language training for preliterate, beginner, and advanced English language learners; affordable housing, tenancy and housing safety issues; assistance to asylees in accessing services; citizenship and civic participation; technical assistance to mutual assistance associations and other ethnic community self-help initiatives; secondary migrant community assessment and assistance; or assistance for ORR-funded programs such as the Individual Development Account, Microenterprise Development, and Refugee Agricultural Partnership Programs, and the Wilson/Fish Program. Consideration, however, will also be given to applications focusing on other areas of technical assistance that address unmet needs. The applicant's objectives clearly identify what will be achieved in the proposed project. Listed objectives must be "SMART:"
The objectives clearly lead to specified outcomes. Two or more key indicators, preferably numerical, associated with the proposed technical assistance are included to demonstrate the impact of the project. Proposed outcomes are measurable and achievable within the grant project period and technical assistance is adequately planned.
The technical assistance plan is clearly described and includes what kind of services will be provided and the activities that will be accomplished. The proposed activities and time frames support the project's objectives and are cost-effective. The applicant builds on existing resources rather than duplicating existing technical assistance efforts or materials.
The budget and narrative justification are reasonable, clearly presented and cost-effective in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. 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. The ORR Director and program staff use review panel scores when considering competing applications. Review panel scores will weigh heavily in funding decisions, but will not be the only factors considered. Applications generally will be considered in order of the average scores assigned by the review panel. Because other important factors are taken into consideration, highly ranked applications are not guaranteed funding. These other considerations include the timely and proper completion by the applicant of projects funded with ORR funds granted in the last five years; comments of reviewers and government officials; ORR staff evaluation and input; amount and duration of the grant requested and the proposed project's consistency and harmony with ORR goals and policy; administrative costs associated with any sub-grantees; geographic distribution of applications; previous program performance of applicants; compliance with grant terms under previous U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants; audit reports; investigative reports; and applicant's progress in resolving any final audit disallowance on previous ORR or other Federal agency grants. 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 Applicable.
VI. 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. Additional information on "Understanding the Regulations Related to the Faith-Based and Community Initiative" can be found at: http://www.hhs.gov/fbci/regulations/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: Semi-AnnuallyFinancial Reports: Semi-Annually
VII. AGENCY CONTACTS Program Office Contact: Laura Barker
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.
Posted on March 16, 2009 |