Please see Section IV.5 for any restrictions on the use of funds for awards made under this announcement.

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.

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)).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Use the following guidelines for preparing the budget and budget justification.  Both Federal and non-Federal resources (when required) shall be detailed and justified in the budget and budget narrative justification.   "Federal resources" refers only to the ACF grant funds for which you are applying.  "Non-Federal resources" are all other non-ACF Federal and non-Federal resources.  It is suggested that budget amounts and computations be presented in a columnar format:  first column, object class categories; second column, Federal budget; next column(s), non-Federal budget(s); and last column, total budget.  The budget justification should be in a narrative form.

Applicants 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.

By 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.

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

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

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

• It is strongly recommended that applicants do not wait until the application due date to begin the application process through Grants.gov.  Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications well before the closing date and time so that, if difficulties are encountered, there will still be sufficient time to submit a hard copy via express mail.



• In order to address any difficulties that may be encountered during the submission process, it may be to an applicant's advantage to submit their applications 24 hours ahead of the closing date and time.



• Applicants are encouraged to check the Grants.gov webpage for announcements concerning system issues and updates that may affect the submission of applications.



• Checklists and registration brochures are maintained at the Grants.gov website to assist applicants in the registration process and may be found at: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp



• If any difficulties are encountered in using Grants.gov, contact the Grants.gov Contact Center at: 1-800-518-4726, or by email at support@grants.gov, to report the problem and obtain assistance.  Remember to retain your service ticket number for reference whenever you have any interaction with the Grants.gov Contact Center.



• Electronic submission is voluntary, but strongly encouraged.  Applicants will not receive additional point value for submitting an application in electronic format, nor will ACF penalize any applicant that submits an application in hard copy.



• Applicants may access the electronic application and downloadable application package for this program announcement by using the FIND function at http://www.Grants.gov.



• Applicants may submit all required documents electronically, including all information typically included on the SF-424s, narratives, charts, etc.



• Electronic formats for the application attachments, such as narratives, charts, etc., should use standard software formats, e.g., Microsoft (Word and Excel), Word Perfect, Adobe PDF, JPEG, and GIF, etc.



• Though applying electronically, the application must still comply with any page limitation requirements described in this program announcement.



• When submitting an application via Grants.gov, applicants must comply with all due dates AND times referenced in Section IV.3.  Submission Dates and Times of this program announcement.



• Applicants that must demonstrate proof of non-profit status may submit proof at the time of application by attaching the documentation to the electronic application, if they wish to do so.   Proof of non-profit status, and any other required documentation, may be scanned and attached as an "Other Attachment."  Assurances, certifications, and/or proof of non-profit status that are not submitted electronically at the time of application, are required to be submitted to ACF by the time of award and in hard copy.  Acceptable types of proof of non-profit status are stated earlier in this section of the program announcement under "Eligibility Certification."



• It is strongly recommended that the applicant retain a printed hard copy of the application in case a hard copy must be submitted to ACF.

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

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

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

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

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

Applicants 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.

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.

Mail

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.