Administration for Children and Families
Office of Family Assistance
Grants for Coordination of Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Child Welfare
Services to Tribal Families at Risk of Child Abuse or NeglectHHS-2015-ACF-OFA-FN-0991Application Due Date: 05/05/2015
Grants for Coordination of Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Child WelfareServices to Tribal Families at Risk of Child Abuse or Neglect
HHS-2015-ACF-OFA-FN-0991TABLE OF CONTENTS
OverviewExecutive SummaryProgram DescriptionI.Federal Award InformationII.Eligibility Information
Eligible Applicants1.Cost Sharing or Matching2.Other - (if applicable)3.
III.
Application and Submission Information
Address to Request Application Package1.Content and Form of Application Submission2.Submission Dates and Times3.Intergovernmental Review4.Funding Restrictions5.Other Submission Requirements6.
IV.
Application Review Information
Criteria1.Review and Selection Process2.Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates3.
V.
Award Administration Information
Award Notices1.Administrative and National Policy Requirements2.Reporting 3.
VI.
Agency ContactsVII.Other InformationVIII.
Department of Health & Human ServicesAdministration for Children and Families
Office of Family Assistance Grants for Coordination of Tribal Temporary Assistance for NeedyFamilies (TANF) and Child Welfare Services to Tribal Families atRisk of Child Abuse or NeglectInitialHHS-2015-ACF-OFA-FN-099193.08605/05/2015
Executive Summary
Notices:
Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the entire funding opportunity announcement(FOA) carefully and observe the application formatting requirements listed in Section IV.2.Content and Form of Application Submission. For more information on applying for grants,please visit "How to Apply for a Grant" on the ACF Grants Page at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/howto.
The purpose of these grants, as prescribed by the statute (section 403(a)(2) of the Social Security Act, asamended), is "to fund demonstration projects designed to test the effectiveness of tribal governments ortribal consortia in coordinating the provision to tribal families at risk of child abuse and neglect of childwelfare services and services under tribal programs funded under this part." These grants offeropportunities for Indian tribes and tribal consortia that administer Tribal Temporary Assistance for NeedyFamilies (TANF) programs to develop more effective and efficient strategies to meet the unique needs ofat-risk tribal service populations. These grants must be used for one or more of the followingstatutorily-prescribed uses:
1. To improve case management for families eligible for assistance from a Tribal TANF program;
2. For supportive services and assistance to tribal children in out-of-home placements and the tribalfamilies caring for such children, including families who adopt such children;
3. For prevention services and assistance to tribal families at risk of child abuse and neglect.
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is interested in programs with strong collaborationsbetween Child Welfare and Tribal TANF departments working together to meet the needs of their clientswith a strong focus on prevention of child abuse and neglect.
Grantees must be able to evaluate their progress in meeting stated goals.
I. Program Description
Statutory Authority
Program Office:Funding Opportunity Title:
Announcement Type:Funding Opportunity Number:Primary CFDA Number:Due Date for Applications:
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The statutory authority for this program is section 403(a)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.§ 603(a)(2)).
Description
BACKGROUND
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act, open-ended funding and guaranteed individualentitlement to public assistance were repealed and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program(TANF) was established. TANF gives both states and federally recognized tribes flexibility in the designof welfare programs that promote work, responsibility, and strengthen families. The purpose of the law isto support programs designed to provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for intheir own homes or in the homes of relatives; reduce dependency on public benefits by promoting jobpreparation, work, and marriage; prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies; andencourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.
Policymakers, practitioners, and researchers have identified the need to better coordinate the servicesprovided by social service systems, including tribal systems. An underlying premise is that the needs offamilies, rather than funding streams or organizational structures, should drive the provision of services. Families would particularly benefit from strengthened coordination between the welfare (TANF) andchild welfare system. While the welfare system is focused primarily on enhancing the economicself-sufficiency of low-income families with children and the child welfare system is focused primarily onensuring the safety and permanency of children, both systems share a common mission of ensuring thewell-being of vulnerable children and families and often serve the same families. By working togethermore closely and re-examining the ways in which the human, financial, and administrative resources ofboth systems are used, TANF and child welfare agencies will improve their effectiveness in meeting theneeds of families. Additionally, improved coordination can result in more efficient use of resources andreduce or eliminate duplicative efforts.
A significant number of families are involved with both the welfare and child welfare systems. Forexample, most families that receive in-home support services through the child welfare system alsoreceive TANF assistance, and more than half of all foster children come from families that areTANF-eligible. Some TANF families already benefit from child welfare services, including services tohelp prevent child abuse and neglect. Additional TANF families will benefit from these services. TANF families will also benefit from improved communication and coordination among TANF, childwelfare, and other relevant agencies and programs.
Tribal TANF-Child Welfare Coordination Discretionary Grants
Section 403(a)(2) of the Social Security Act authorizes demonstration projects for coordination of childwelfare and Tribal TANF services provided to tribal families at risk of child abuse or neglect. The fundingopportunity announcements (FOA) for these grants were published in April 2006(HHS-2006-ACF-OFA-FN-0131) and 2011 (HHS-2011-ACF-OFA-FN-0197). Following a competitiveapplication and review process, Tribal TANF - Child Welfare Coordination discretionary grants wereawarded to ten applicant Indian tribes and tribal organizations for a 5-year project period (September 30,2006, through September 29, 2011), and 14 for a 3-year project period (September 30, 2011, throughSeptember 29, 2014). A one year extension was granted to the second cohort for a fourth project year,September 30, 2014 through September 29, 2015. These Tribal TANF - Child Welfare Coordinationprojects, which are tailored to meet the needs of the most vulnerable tribal children, families, andcommunities, are currently in their final year. These projects assist tribal children and families throughintensive, coordinated activities and services, and address significant needs in tribal communities. Theyare demonstrating effective approaches to providing coordinated Tribal TANF and child welfare services,consistent with the mission of ACF to promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, 2 of 41
consistent with the mission of ACF to promote the economic and social well-being of families, children,individuals, and communities.
ACF funds child welfare programs authorized by title IV-B/IV-E of the Social Security Act. Many tribesreceive direct funding under these child welfare programs (title IV-B, subpart 1-Stephanie Tubbs JonesChild Welfare Services, and title IV-B, subpart 2 - Promoting Safe and Stable Families, and the title IV-Eprogram), which are administered at the federal level by the Children's Bureau within ACF'sAdministration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF).
Grantees must be able to coordinate with the appropriate tribal, state, or local child welfare agency(ies) inthe planning, development, and implementation of the proposed initiative. ACF also funds additionalprograms that affect the welfare of children, including the Family Violence Prevention and ServicesProgram, Head Start, Child Care and Development Fund, and Child Support Enforcement. Many tribesreceive direct funding under these programs. Projects should respond to the need to have child and familyserving agencies work together and with families using a "systems of care" approach. Projects shouldprovide “wraparound" services to at-risk families to develop comprehensive family assessments,coordinate service plans, and coordinate use of data collected across agencies, thereby improving servicesand maximizing revenue sources.
PROGRAM PURPOSE AND GOALS
Program Purpose
Consistent with the authorizing legislation, these grants must be used for one or more of the followinguses: (1) to improve case management for families eligible for assistance from a Tribal TANF program;(2) for supportive services and assistance to tribal children in out-of-home placements and the tribalfamilies caring for such children, including families who adopt such children; (3) for prevention servicesand assistance to tribal families at risk of child abuse and neglect.
These grants offer opportunities for Indian tribes and tribal consortia that administer Tribal TANFprograms to develop more effective and efficient strategies to meet the unique needs of at-risk tribalservice populations.
Program Goals
The goal of this FOA is to reduce the number of out-of-home placements and the incidence of child abuseand neglect among Native American children in TANF or TANF-eligible families. This goal is to beachieved through effective coordination of Tribal TANF and child welfare services and the adoption ofevidence-informed approaches and/or promising strategies by Tribal TANF-Child Welfare Coordinationgrantees.
Successful applicants will be those that:
1. Help stabilize tribal families, assist children and parents in reaching their full potential, and supporthealthier tribal communities;
2. Assist families with parenting and relationship skills to improve parent-child and parent-parentrelationships as appropriate;
3. Help change behaviors of parents so as to improve child safety and well-being and increase families'social and economic stability;
4. Provide a continuum of integrated and coordinated services that meet the needs of tribal families andlead to progressive tribal systems changes;
5. Consistent with the collaborative nature of the grants, encompass cross-cutting efforts with TribalTANF, child welfare, and other relevant programs and entities,including those that address child abuse,neglect, and domestic violence;
6. Feature culturally appropriate systems of care that provide wraparound services and supports, and 3 of 41
effective communication and collaboration, linkages, and partnerships.
Research demonstrates adverse childhood experiences (including abuse and neglect, living in poverty, andparental dysfunction) have lasting impacts on a child influencing their health and well-being intoadulthood. ACF is particularly interested in programs that develop a greater understanding for earlychildhood trauma, indicators of trauma, and the use of appropriate community-based supports to reduce,prevent, and/or aim to mitigate the impact of adverse experiences and address barriers that imposeimpediments to successful outcomes for children and families. Providing trauma-informed care may entailnew approaches to assessments, case planning, and partnerships with appropriate providers from acrossthe community.
Families suffer from fragmented service delivery systems and benefit from a coordinated, collaborativeservice delivery system tailored to meet their unique needs. A number of tribes already have seen theimportance of strengthening the collaboration between TANF and child welfare and have taken steps tocoordinate or realign the two systems either as part of a large system reform effort or to meet the needs ofspecial populations. For example, some tribes house their TANF and child welfare programs in the samedepartment and collaborate on case plans and in other areas where there is overlap. Collaboration betweenthe two systems has benefits for the children and families they serve, for the workers, and for the agencies.
PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
Target Population
The target population for these grants is TANF-recipient or TANF-eligible families who are at risk ofchild abuse and/or neglect, including two-parent families, single parent families, non-custodial parents,child-only cases (no adult is included in the cash grant), relative caregiver families (grandparents and otherrelatives care for family members' children), foster care families, and/or families that adopt children.
Effective Models of Service Delivery and Coordination
ACF seeks to develop and demonstrate models of effective coordination by tribal governments andconsortia of Tribal TANF and child welfare services for tribal families at risk of child abuse or neglect, inorder to better meet the needs of children and their families. Projects awarded under this FOA will assisttribes and tribal consortia administering TANF programs in planning for and implementing cross-systemcollaborative changes. Grants must be used to improve case management for families eligible forassistance from the grantees' TANF program; for supportive services and assistance to tribal children inout-of-home placements and the tribal families caring for such children, including families who adoptsuch children; and/or for prevention services and assistance to tribal families at risk of child abuse and/orneglect.
Consistent with the authorizing legislation, these demonstration projects should test the effectiveness oftribal governments or tribal consortia in coordinating the provision of child welfare and TribalTANF services to tribal families at risk of child abuse or neglect. These projects should identify andimplement promising approaches and methods to improve service delivery. Grantees will be expectedto put into place and test new, unique, or evidenced-based approaches for delivering coordinated servicesto a specific population: TANF-recipient tribal families at risk of child abuse and/or neglect. Theseprojects may test whether a program or service that has proven successful in one location or setting canwork in a different context, or they may test a theory, idea, or method that reflects a new and different wayof thinking about service delivery.
Grants awarded should help to answer questions about the best way to coordinate and improve delivery ofTANF and child welfare services and how to develop and implement culturally competent programs forlow-income tribal populations.
Examples of areas that might be addressed:
Developing and implementing integrated assessment, case planning, and inter-agency servicedelivery systems for families involved in both the TANF and child welfare systems. By improving
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delivery systems for families involved in both the TANF and child welfare systems. By improvinginformation sharing, developing a single case plan, changing staffing patterns by sharing orrealigning human resources, or using other means, tribes can take important steps to help thesefamilies address their problems in a manner that sets the family up for success.Developing and implementing joint initiatives to improve screening for families at risk of childabuse and/or child neglect and developing and implementing improved responses.Developing and implementing strategies to help families involved with multiple agencies.Collaboration among these agencies ensures a comprehensive assessment and coordinated plan ofaction for a particular family, promoting blending of services and elimination of duplication.Supporting interagency and intra-agency planning, policy development, comprehensive familyassessment, information and data sharing mechanisms, and cross-training of welfare and childwelfare staff.Using the joint resources of the TANF and child welfare systems and other available communitysupports to improve services to at-risk children, youth, and families.Developing and implementing a holistic child abuse and child neglect prevention - enforcement -rehabilitation approach that involves TANF, child welfare, and other appropriate service providersand court(s), and provides culturally appropriate social, educational, economic, and legal support forfamilies.
These are a few examples of how TANF and child welfare services could be better integrated orcoordinated to address needs.These grants should stimulate and facilitate development and implementationof effective models of strengthened communication, cooperation, and coordination.
Program Coordination and Partnerships
As outlined in section 403(a)(2) of the Social Security Act, successful applicants will be those who engagein partnerships with Tribal TANF and child welfare agencies and who work closely with other relevantprograms, organizations, and agencies to support these activities, entering into agreements and contracts asappropriate. Examples of collaborative models that ACF is particularly interested in are described below.
Partnerships and coordination with home visiting and other childhood development programs:
Home visiting programs address the needs of individual families in the setting of the families' own homes.The Tribal TANF - Child Welfare Coordination project may work closely with established home visitingprograms and/or carry out appropriate home visiting as part of this project. Tribal TANF - Child WelfareCoordination project funds may be used for home visiting related to coordination of child welfare andTribal TANF services, to meet project requirements and the needs of the tribal community and families.
Home visiting should be carried out by persons who are knowledgeable about, and sensitive to, tribalculture and the problems and barriers faced by tribal families. Persons such as social workers, medicalprofessionals and paraprofessionals, and/or appropriately trained Tribal TANF - Child WelfareCoordination project staff may provide support, knowledge/information, and skills regarding parenting andfamily functioning (including preventing child abuse and neglect and domestic violence), childdevelopment, child care, maternal and child health, education, nutrition, home management andhousekeeping, budgeting and family finances, and dealing with the welfare and child welfare systems.They may provide referrals to and support in dealing with other programs, agencies, and institutions. Theyshould establish strong relationships with participant families and caregivers. Home visiting will take placein the homes of participant families, including families with a pregnant woman, infant, toddler, child,and/or youth, as appropriate for the tribal community to be served.
Research has shown that home visiting programs can contribute to improving health, learning, anddevelopment outcomes for children, as well as improving health and economic self-sufficiency outcomesfor pregnant women, parents, and primary caregivers. Successful home visiting programs aremulti-faceted, providing services in the child protection, social services, health, and early education arenasbased on a holistic assessment of what individuals families need. Home visiting programs provide 5 of 41
voluntary in-home visits by social workers, nurses, or other trained professionals to pregnant and parentingwomen and families to provide information and support in prenatal care and preventive health, parentingand child development, education, referrals/linkages to health and community services and resources, andother services needed by families to function successfully and raise healthy children who are ready tolearn and reach their full potential.
These home visiting programs may promote positive outcomes, including improved maternal and prenatalhealth, infant health, and child/youth health and development; improved parenting practices and familyfunctioning; increased school readiness; improved family socio-economic status; greater coordination ofreferrals to community resources and supports; and reductions in the incidence of child abuse and neglectand domestic violence among vulnerable families with children.
As appropriate, the Tribal TANF-Child Welfare Coordination project also may work closely with earlychildhood development programs such as Head Start, and with local child care programs/providers andschools attended by participating children and youth.
Partnerships and coordination with other programs and agencies/entities providing employment-relatedactivities and services:
These employment-related activities and services should help participant adults and youth prepare foremployment that will increase family income, help stabilize families, and help lead to self-sufficiency.These coordinated activities and services should assess and help address individual participant families'barriers to employment - barriers that impact the ability of these families to function effectively, add tofamilies' stress, and put families more at risk. Working closely with TANF and other relevant programsand agencies and with individual participant families, the Tribal TANF-Child Welfare Coordinationproject may help identify, document, and analyze families' barriers to employment; help developcoordinated plans for addressing these barriers; help address barriers such as child abuse and neglect,domestic violence, and substance abuse; provide appropriate referrals to employment and trainingprograms and supportive services; and help families deal with relevant systems, programs, andagencies. Funds should be used for statutory purposes only.
As appropriate, employment-related activities and services should be provided by coordinating programs,including TANF, child welfare, employment and training programs, (including Workforce InvestmentOpportunity Act (WIOA) programs funded by the Department of Labor and Native Employment Works(NEW) programs funded by ACF), educational and training institutions including tribal colleges anduniversities and vocational trade schools', potential employers, substance abuse and AODA (alcohol andother drug abuse) programs, etc. These activities and services might include:
Activities and services to address substance abuse, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, andanger management issues;Career/job counseling, including assessments of skill levels, aptitudes, and interests;Educational activities to prepare for or obtain employment, including support for GED, remedial,and vocational education;Job readiness activities, including training in resume and job application development, interviewingskills, appropriate workplace behavior and dress, workplace ethics, time management, etc.;Job training activities, including job/occupational skills training and on-the-job training;Employment activities, including job search, job placement, and work experience;Supportive and job retention services to enable participants to participate in theseemployment-related activities, including transportation, child care, medical services, and items suchas clothing and tools that are needed for training or employment.
Technical Assistance
Grantees will have access to ACF-sponsored technical assistance, which are consulting services to helpgrantees improve program implementation. These services may include assistance in areas such asfinancial planning, program planning and implementation, interpreting and applying legislation and 6 of 41
regulations, strategic planning, developing protocols for child abuse/neglect and domestic violenceprevention and services, coalition building, and measuring performance and outcomes. ACF staff and/orcontractor(s) may offer assistance.
ACF expects all grantees to send the project director and other key staff to planned annual 2 to 3 daygrantees' meetings in Washington, D.C., including a kickoff meeting to be held within the first 6 months ofthe project. ACF also expects grantees to attend 1 to 3 day Office of Family Assistance (OFA) sponsoredtechnical assistance events that may be held.
Evaluation/Study of Projects
As a condition of acceptance of an award under this announcement, all grantees are required to participatefully in any ACF-sponsored evaluation and/or study of these Tribal TANF-Child Welfare Coordinationprojects if one occurs and adhere to all evaluation/study protocols established by ACF or its designeecontractor. Participation in an ACF-sponsored evaluation/study may require grantees to support andcomply with special data collection requirements, provide additional administrative data on programparticipants and their participation or service receipt, and facilitate on-site meetings and observations withand by federal evaluation/study contractor staff, including interviews with program and partner agencymanagers and staff as well as participants, among other activities. Grantees are responsible for ensuringthat partnering organizations comply with this condition of award.
II. Federal Award Information
Funding Instrument Type: Grant Estimated Total Funding: $1,800,000 Expected Number of Awards: 8 Award Ceiling: $225,000 Per Budget Period Award Floor: $200,000 Per Budget Period Average Projected Award Amount: $225,000 Per Budget Period Anticipated Project Start Date: 09/29/2015
Length of Project Periods: 60-month project with five 12-month budget periods
Additional Information on Awards: Awards made under this announcement are subject to the availability of federal funds.
Applications requesting an award amount that exceeds the Award Ceiling per budget period or per projectperiod, as stated in this section, will be disqualified from competitive review and from funding under thisannouncement. This disqualification applies only to the Award Ceiling listed for the first 12-month budgetperiod for projects with multiple budget periods. If the project and budget period are the same, thedisqualification applies to the Award Ceiling listed for the project period. Please see Section III.3. Other,Application Disqualification Factors.
Note: For those programs that require matching or cost sharing, grantees will be held accountable forprojected commitments of non-federal resources in their application budgets and budget justifications bybudget period or by project period for fully funded awards, even if the projected commitment exceeds therequired amount of match or cost share. A grantee's failure to provide the required matching amountmay result in the disallowance of federal funds. See Section III.2. of this announcement for informationon cost-sharing or matching requirements.
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The projects awarded are expected to be for a project period of 60 months. The initial grant award will befor a 12-month budget period. The award of continuation beyond each 12-month budget period will besubject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress on the part of the grantee, and a determination thatcontinued funding would be in the best interest of the federal government.
Please see Section IV.5 Funding Restrictions for limitations on the use of federal funds awarded under thisannouncement.
III. Eligibility Information
III.1. Eligible Applicants
-Indian tribes and Alaska Native regional non-profits that administer a Tribal TANF program on the dateof publication of the FOA; and
-Consortia of two or more Indian tribes-the consortia administers a Tribal TANF program on behalf and atthe direction of these tribes on the date of publication of the FOA.
For this FOA, "Indian tribe" has the same meaning given to this term in section 419(4) of title IV-A of theSocial Security Act. Under this definition, "Indian tribe" includes the federally recognized tribes definedat 25 U.S.C. § 450b, except that, with respect to Alaska, it includes only those tribal organizations listed insection 419(4)(B) of the Social Security Act.
Preference
ACF will provide preference to those eligible applicants that were awarded prior funds from OFA forCoordination of Tribal TANF and Child Welfare Services to Tribal Families at Risk of Child Abuse orNeglect and have demonstrated their ability to successfully carry out that program/project. Please see Section V.2 Review and Selection Process for more information.
Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible and willbe disqualified from competitive review and from funding under this announcement. See Section III.3.Other, Application Disqualification Factors.
III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching
Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement: No
III.3. Other
DUNS Number and System for Award Management Eligibility Requirements (SAM.gov) All applicants must have a DUNS Number (http:// fedgov. dnb.com /webform) and an active registrationwith the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) on the System for Award Management (SAM.gov, www.sam.gov).
Obtaining a DUNS Number may take 1 to 2 days.
All applicants are required to maintain an active SAM registration until the application process iscomplete. If a grant is awarded, registration at SAM.gov must be active throughout the life of the award.
Plan ahead. Allow up to 10 business days after you submit your registration for it to become activein SAM and an additional 24 hours before that registration information is available in othergovernment systems, i.e. Grants.gov. 8 of 41
This action should allow you time to resolve any issues that may arise. Failure to comply with theserequirements may result in your inability to submit your application through Grants.gov or prevent theaward of a grant. Applicants should maintain documentation (with dates) of your efforts to register for, orrenew a registration, at SAM. User Guides are available under the “Help” tab at https://www.sam.gov.
HHS requires all entities that plan to apply for, and ultimately receive, federal grant funds from any HHSAgency, or receive subawards directly from recipients of those grant funds to:
Be registered in the SAM prior to submitting an application or plan;Maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has anactive award or an application or plan under consideration by an OPDIV; andProvide its active DUNS number in each application or plan it submits to the OPDIV.
ACF is prohibited from making an award until an applicant has complied with these requirements. At thetime an award is ready to be made, if the intended recipient has not complied with these requirements,ACF:
May determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award; andMay use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.
Application Disqualification Factors
Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible and willbe disqualified from competitive review and from funding under this announcement.
Award Ceiling Disqualification
Applications that request an award amount that exceeds the Award Ceiling per budget period or per projectperiod as stated in Section II. Award Information, will be disqualified from competitive review and fromfunding under this announcement. This disqualification applies only to the Award Ceiling listed for first12-month budget period for projects with multiple budget periods. If the project and budget period are thesame, the disqualification applies to the Award Ceiling listed for the project period.
Required Electronic Application Submission
ACF requires electronic submission of applications at www.Grants.gov. Paper applications receivedfrom applicants that have not been approved for an exemption from required electronic submissionwill be disqualified from competitive review and from funding under this announcement.
Applicants that do not have an Internet connection or sufficient computing capacity to upload largedocuments to the Internet may contact ACF for an exemption that will allow the applicant to submitapplications in paper format. Information and the requirements for requesting an exemption from requiredelectronic application submission are found in "Request an Exemption from Electronic ApplicationSubmission" in Section IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission.
Application Deadlines
The deadline for electronic application submission is 11:59 p.m., ET, on the due date listed in the Overview and in Section IV.3. Submission Dates and Times. Electronic applications submitted towww.Grants.gov after 11:59 p.m., ET, on the due date, as indicated by a dated and time-stamped emailfrom www.Grants.gov, will be disqualified from competitive review and from funding under thisannouncement. That is, applications submitted to www.Grants.gov, on or after 12:00 a.m., ET, on the dayafter the due date will be disqualified from competitive review and from funding under this announcement.
Applications submitted to www.Grants.gov at any time during the open application period, and prior to thedue date and time, which fail the www.Grants.gov validation check, will not be received at, oracknowledged by, ACF. 9 of 41
Each time an application is submitted via www.Grants.gov, the submission will generate a new date andtime-stamp email notification. Only those applications with on-time date and time stamps that result in avalidated application, which is transmitted to ACF, will be acknowledged.
The deadline for receipt of paper applications is 4:30 p.m., ET, on the due date listed in the Overview and in Section IV.3. Submission Dates and Times. Paper applications received after 4:30 p.m., ET, on thedue date will be disqualified from competitive review and from funding under this announcement. Paperapplications received from applicants that have not received approval of an exemption fromrequired electronic submission will be disqualified from competitive review and from funding underthis announcement.
Notification of Application Disqualification Applications that are disqualified under these criteria are considered to be “non-responsive” and areexcluded from the competitive review process. Applicants will be notified of a disqualificationdetermination by email or by USPS postal mail within 30 federal business days from the closing date ofthis funding opportunity announcement.
IV. Application and Submission Information
IV.1. Address to Request Application Package
Grants Operations Center ATTN: HHS-2015-ACF-OFA-FN-09911401 Merchantile Lane, Suite 401Largo, MD 20774Phone: 888.242.0684 Email: [email protected]
Electronic Application Submission: The electronic application submission package is available in the FOA's listing at www.Grants.gov.
Applications in Paper Format: For applicants that have received an exemption to submit applications in paper format, Standard Forms,assurances, and certifications are available in the Application Package available in the FOA's Grants.govsynopsis at www.Grants.gov. They are also available at http:// www.grants.gov/web/ grants/forms/sf-424-family.html. See Section IV.2.Request an Exemption from Required Electronic Application Submission ifapplicants do not have an Internet connection or sufficient computing capacity to upload large documents(files) to www.Grants.gov.
Standard Forms that are compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. § 794d): Available at the Grants.gov Forms Repository website at http:// www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424- family.html.
Federal Relay Service:Hearing-impaired and speech-impaired callers may contact the Federal Relay Service for assistance at1-800-877-8339 (TTY - Text Telephone or ASCII - American Standard Code For InformationInterchange).
Section IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission
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Formatting Application Submissions
Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR)
AOR is the designated representative of the applicant/recipient organization with authority to act on theorganization’s behalf in matters related to the award and administration of grants. In signing a grantapplication, this individual agrees that the organization will assume the obligations imposed by applicableFederal statutes and regulations and other terms and conditions of the award, including any assurances, if agrant is awarded.
AOR authorization is part of the registration process at www.Grants.gov. where the AOR will create ashort profile and obtain a username and password from the Grants.gov Credential Provider. AORs willonly be authorized for the DUNS number registered in the System for Awards Management (SAM).
Point of Contact
In addition to the AOR, a point of contact on matters involving the application must also be identified. The point of contact, known as the Project Director or Principal Investigator, should not be identical to theperson identified as the AOR. The point of contact must be available to answer any questions pertainingto the application.
Application Checklist
Applicants may refer to Section VIII. Other Information for a checklist of application requirements thatmay be used in developing and organizing application materials.
Details concerning acknowledgment of received applications are available in Section IV.3. SubmissionDates and Times of this announcement.
Accepted Font Style
Applications must be in Times New Roman (TNR), 12-point font, except for footnotes, which may beTNR 10-point font.
Page Limitations
Applicants must observe the page limitation(s) listed under “Page Limitations and Content for AllApplication Submission Formats:" Page limitation(s) do not include Standard Forms (SFs),OMB-approved forms, required assurances and certifications.
All applications must be double-spaced and in Times New Roman, 12-point font. An application thatexceeds the cited page limitation for double-spaced pages will have the extra pages removed and theremoved pages will not be reviewed.
Application Elements Exempted from Double-Spacing Requirements
The following elements of the application submission are exempt from the double-spacing requirementsand may be single-spaced: the one-page Project Summary/Abstract, required Assurances andCertifications, required SFs, required OMB-approved forms, resumes, logic models, proof of legalstatus/non-profit status, third-party agreements, letters of support, footnotes, tables, the line-item budgetand/or the budget justification.
Adherence to FOA Formatting, Font, and Page Limitation Requirements
Applications that fail to adhere to formatting, font, and page limitation requirements will be adjusted bythe removal of page(s) from the application. Pages will be removed before the objective review. Theremoved page(s) will not be made available to reviewers.
In instances where formatting and font requirements are not adhered to, ACF uses a formula to determinethe actual number of pages to be removed. The formula counts the number of characters an applicant useswhen following the instructions and using 12-point TNR and compares the resulting number with that of 11 of 41
when following the instructions and using 12-point TNR and compares the resulting number with that ofthe submitted application. For example, an applicant using TNR, 11-point font, with 1-inch margins allaround, and single-spacing, would have an additional 26 lines, or 1500 characters, which is equal to 4/5 ofan additional page. Extra pages resulting from this formula will be removed and will not be reviewed.
Applications that have more than one scanned page of a document on a single page will have the page(s)removed from the review.
For applicants that submit paper applications, double-sided pages will be counted as two pages. When themaximum allowed number of pages is reached, excess pages will be removed and will not be madeavailable to reviewers.
Page limitations are identical for electronically-submitted and paper format application submissions.
NOTE: Applicants failing to adhere to formatting, font, and page limitation requirements will receive aletter from ACF notifying them that their application was amended. The letter will be sent after awardshave been issued and will specify the reason(s) for removal of page(s).
Copies Required
Applicants must submit one complete copy of the application package electronically. Applicantssubmitting electronic applications need not provide additional copies of their application package.
Applicants submitting applications in paper format must submit one original and two copies of thecomplete application, including all Standard Forms and OMB-approved forms. The original copy musthave original signatures.
Signatures
Applicants submitting electronic applications must follow the registration and application submissioninstructions provided at www.Grants.gov.
The original of a paper format application must include original signatures.
Accepted Application Format
With the exception of the required Standard Forms (SFs) and OMB-approved forms, all applicationmaterials must be formatted so that they are 8 ½" x 11" white paper with 1-inch margins all around.
If possible, applicants are encouraged to include page numbers for each page within the application.
ACF generally does not encourage submission of scanned documents as they tend to have reduced clarityand readability. If documents must be scanned, the font size on any scanned documents must be largeenough so that it is readable. Documents must be scanned page-for-page, meaning that applicants may notscan more than one page of a document onto a single page.
Page Limitations and Content for All Application Submission Formats:
OFA has implemented a total page limit of 75 pages for applications submitted in response to the FOA.The page limit excludes the required forms, assurances, and certifications listed under Section IV.2Content and Form of Application Submission.
Required Application elements and preferred order:
Table of ContentsThe Project Narrative (Geographic Location, Objectives and Need for Assistance, OutcomesExpected, Approach, and Organizational Capacity)The Project Budget and Budget JustificationLogic ModelJob DescriptionsResumes
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Other AttachmentsIndirect Cost Rate Agreement
Please refer to Section VIII. Checklist for additional information.
ELECTRONIC APPLICATION SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:
Applicants are required to submit their applications electronically unless they have requested and receivedan exemption that will allow submission in paper format. See Section IV.2. Application SubmissionOptions for information about requesting an exemption.
Electronic applications will only be accepted via www.Grants.gov. ACF will not accept applicationssubmitted via email or via facsimile.
There are no restrictions on the number of files that applicants may submit. Applicants submitting theirapplication electronically may also use the two-file format described at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants,“How to Apply/Submit an Application.”
Applicants may not attach additional documents to the SF-424 at Question 14 and/or after Question15. Instead of providing a separate response to Question 14, all applicants are required to submitthe SF-P/PSL (Project/Performance Site Location(s). In the SF-P/PSL, applicants may cite theirprimary location and up to 29 additional performance sites. Documents submitted as an attachmentto the SF-424 will be removed and will not be reviewed.
Systems Issues
Applicants that experience issues with using www.Grants.gov or with www.SAM.gov, please refer to the“ACF Policy for Applicants Experiencing Federal Systems Issues” for guidanceat http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants under "How to Apply" in the “Submit an Application” section.
Required Standard Forms (SFs) and OMB-approved Forms
Standard Forms (SFs) and OMB-approved forms, such as the SF-424 application and budget forms andthe SF-P/PSL (Project/Performance Site Location), are uploaded separately at Grants.gov. These formsare submitted separately from the other application files at Grants.gov and are not subject to the pagelimitations. See Section IV.2. Required Forms, Assurances, and Certifications for the listing of requiredStandard Forms, OMB-approved forms, and required assurances and certifications.
Naming Application Submission Files
Observe the file naming conventions required by www.Grants.gov. Applicants should name theirapplication files so that the content is easily identified by ACF. Files names are limited to 50 charactersand spaces. A listing of special characters that may be used in file names is available in this FOA’sapplication instructions at www.Grants.gov.
File names that exceed 50 characters and spaces and/or use special characters other than those accepted byGrants.gov will not pass Grants.gov’s application validation check. Those applications will not bereceived by ACF.
Use only file formats supported by ACF.
It is critical that applicants submit applications using only the supported file formats listed here. WhileACF supports all of the following file formats, we strongly recommend that files are uploaded as PDFdocuments. Documents in file formats that are not supported by ACF will be removed from theapplication and will not be used in the competitive review. This may make the application incompleteand ACF will not make any awards based on an incomplete application.
ACF supports the following file formats: 13 of 41
Adobe PDF – Portable Document Format (.pdf)Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)Microsoft Excel (.xls or .xlsx)Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt)Corel WordPerfect (.wpd)Image Formats (.JPG, .GIF, .TIFF, or .BMP only)
Do Not Encrypt or Password-Protect the Electronic Application Files.
If ACF cannot access submitted electronic files because they have been encrypted or password protected,the affected file will be removed from the application and will not be reviewed. This removal may makethe application incomplete and ACF will not make awards based on an incomplete application.
PAPER APPLICATION SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:
The following requirements are only applicable to applications submitted in paper format. Applicants mustreceive an exemption from ACF in order for a paper format application to be accepted for review.See Section IV.2. Request an Exemption from Required Electronic Application Submission later in thissection under Application Submission Options for more information.
Format Requirements for Paper Applications
All copies of mailed or hand-delivered paper applications must be submitted in a single package. If anapplicant is submitting multiple applications under a single FOA, or multiple applications under separateFOAs, each application submission must be packaged separately. The package(s) must be clearly labeledfor the specific FOA it addresses by FOA title and by Funding Opportunity Number (FON).
The order of application elements in paper format submissions must adhere to the sequence describedunder the “Page Limitations and Content for All Application Submission Formats” section. Theorder is also illustrated by the Section VIII. Checklist.
Because each application will be duplicated, do not use or include separate covers, binders, clips, tabs,plastic inserts, maps, brochures, or any other items that cannot be processed easily on a photocopymachine with an automatic feed. Do not bind, clip, staple, or fasten in any way separate sections of theapplication. Applicants are advised that the copies of the application submitted, not the original, will bereproduced by the federal government for review. All application materials must be one-sided forduplication purposes.
Addresses for Submission of Paper Applications
See Section IV.6. Other Submission Requirements for addresses for paper format application submissions.
Required Forms, Assurances, and Certifications Applicants seeking grant or cooperative agreement awards under this announcement must submitthe listed Standard Forms (SFs), assurances, and certifications with the application. All requiredStandard Forms, assurances, and certifications are available in the Application Package posted for thisfunding opportunity at www.grants.gov.
Other versions of required Standard Forms, assurances,and certifications are available at Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov/web/ grants/forms/sf-424- family.html.
Forms / Assurances /Certifications
Submission Requirement Notes / Description
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SF-Project/Performance SiteLocation(s) (SF-P/PSL)
Submission is required forall applicants by theapplication due date.
Required for all applications. In theSF-P/PSL, applicants may cite theirprimary location and up to 29additional performance sites. As aStandard Form (SF), this form is notincluded in the application's pagelimitation.
Certification RegardingLobbying(Grants.gov Lobbying Form)
Submission required of allapplicants with theapplication package. If it isnot submitted with theapplication package, it mustbe submitted prior tothe award of a grant.
Submission of the certification isrequired for all applicants.
SF-LLL - Disclosure ofLobbying Activities
If submission of this form isapplicable, it is due at thetime of application. If it isnot available at the time ofapplication, it may also besubmitted prior to the awardof a grant.
If any funds have been paid or will bepaid to any person for influencing orattempting to influence an officer oremployee of any agency, a member ofCongress, an officer or employee ofCongress, or an employee of a memberof Congress in connection with thiscommitment providing for the UnitedStates to insure or guarantee a loan, theapplicant shall complete and submit theSF-LLL, "Disclosure Form to ReportLobbying," in accordance with itsinstructions.
Certification of Filing andPayment of Federal Taxes
Submission of a certificationis required prior to award forgrantees receiving more than$5,000,000 in federalfunding for the first budgetyear of a multi-year project;or for grantees receivingmore than $5,000,000 infederal funding fora one-year (12 months)project period; or forgrantees receiving more than$5,000,000 in federalfunding for a multi-yearproject to be fully funded.
Applicants are advised of the followingrequirement contained in Section 518of the “Departments of Labor, Healthand Human Services and Education,and Related Agencies AppropriationsAct, 2014,” (Pub.L. 113-76, DivisionH).
This requirement remains in effect:Sec. 518.
None of the funds appropriated orotherwise made available by this Actmay be used to enter into a contract inan amount greater than $5,000,000 orto award a grant in excess of suchamount unless the prospectivecontractor or grantee certifies inwriting to the agency awarding thecontract or grant that, to the best of itsknowledge and belief, the contractor or
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grantee has filed all Federal tax returnsrequired during the 3 years precedingthe certification, has not beenconvicted of a criminal offense underthe Internal Revenue Code of 1986, andhas not, more than 90 days prior tocertification, been notified of anyunpaid Federal tax assessment forwhich the liability remains unsatisfied,unless the assessment is the subject ofan installment agreement or offer incompromise that has been approved bythe Internal Revenue Service and is notin default, or the assessment is thesubject of a non-frivolousadministrative or judicial proceeding.
Accordingly, if applicants request morethan $5 million in Federal funds for thefirst budget year of a multi-year projectto be funded in FY 2015, or as amulti-year project to be fully funded inFY 2015, the applicant will be requiredto submit a certification complyingwith the requirements, prior toreceiving an award.
DUNS Number (UniversalIdentifier) and Systems forAward Management (SAM)registration.
A DUNS number is requiredof all applicants.
To obtain a DUNS number,go to http://fedgov.dnb.com/ webform.
Active registration at theSystems AwardManagement (SAM)website must be maintainedthroughout the applicationand project award period.
SAM registration isavailable at http://www.sam.gov.
A DUNS number and SAMregistration are eligibility requirementsfor all applicants.
See Section III.3. Other for informationon obtaining DUNS number at
http://fedgov.dnb.com/ webform and registration at SAM.gov at http://www.sam.gov.
SF-424A - BudgetInformation - Non-Construction Programs
and
SF-424B - Assurances -Non- Construction Programs
Submission is required forall applicants when applyingfor a non-constructionproject. Standard Formsmust be used. Forms must besubmitted by the applicationdue date.
Required for all applications whenapplying for a non-construction project.By signing and submitting theSF-424B, applicants are making theappropriate certification of theircompliance with all federal statutesrelating to nondiscrimination.
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SF-424 - Application forFederal Assistance
Submission is required forall applicants by theapplication due date.
Required for all applications.
Non-Federal ReviewersSince ACF will be using non-federal reviewers in the review process, applicants have the option ofomitting from the application copies (not the original) specific salary rates or amounts for individualsspecified in the application budget as well as Social Security Numbers, if otherwise required forindividuals. The copies may include summary salary information.If applicants are submitting theirapplication electronically, ACF will omit the same specific salary rate information from copies made foruse during the review and selection process.
The Project Description
Part I: The Project Description Overview
Purpose The project description provides the majority of information by which an application is evaluated andranked in competition with other applications for available assistance. It should address the activity forwhich federal funds are being requested, and should be consistent with the goals and objectives of theprogram as described in Section I. Program Description. Supporting documents should be included wherethey can present information clearly and succinctly. When appropriate, applicants should cite theevaluation criteria that are relevant to specific components of their project description. Awarding officesuse this and other information in making their funding recommendations. It is important, therefore, thatthis information be included in the application in a manner that is clear and complete.
General Expectations and Instructions Applicants should develop project descriptions that focus on outcomes and convey strategies for achievingintended performance. Project descriptions are evaluated on the basis of substance and measurableoutcomes, not length. Extensive exhibits are not required. Cross-referencing should be used rather thanrepetition. Supporting information concerning activities that will not be directly funded by the grant orinformation that does not directly pertain to an integral part of the grant-funded activity should be placedin an appendix.
Part II: General Instructions for Preparing a Full Project Description
Introduction Applicants must prepare the project description statement in accordance with the following instructionswhile being aware of the specified evaluation criteria in Section V.1. Criteria. The text options give abroad overview of what the project description should include while the evaluation criteria identify themeasures that will be used to evaluate applications.
Table of Contents List the contents of the application including corresponding page numbers. The table of contents must besingle spaced and will be counted against the total page limitations.
Project Summary/Abstract Provide a summary of the application’s project description. The summary must be clear, accurate, concise,
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Provide a summary of the application’s project description. The summary must be clear, accurate, concise,and without reference to other parts of the application. The abstract must include a brief description of theproposed grant project including the needs to be addressed, the proposed services, and the populationgroup(s) to be served.
Please place the following at the top of the abstract:
Project TitleApplicant NameAddressContact Phone Numbers (Voice, Fax)E-Mail AddressWeb Site Address, if applicable
The project abstract must be single-spaced, in Times New Roman 12-point font, and limited to one page inlength. Additional pages will be removed and will not be reviewed.
Objectives And Need For Assistance Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring asolution. The need for assistance including the nature and scope of the problem must be demonstrated,and the principal and subordinate objectives of the project must be clearly and concisely stated; supportingdocumentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from concerned interests other than theapplicant, may be included. Any relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred toin the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and participant/beneficiary information, as wellas data describing the needs of the target population and the proposed service area as needed. Whenappropriate, a literature review should be used to support the objectives and needs described in this section.
Outcomes Expected Identify the outcomes to be derived from the project. Outcomes should relate to the overall goals of theproject as described in Section I. Program Description. If research is part of the proposed work, outcomesmust include hypothesized results and implications of the proposed research.
The applicant must include clear, measurable outcomes/results at the individual and community level forthe project, including outcomes for the children and families that will participate in and be affected by theproject. Explain why these outcomes are likely to occur as a result of the proposed project; identifyquantifiable outcomes and describe the method for tracking short-term and long-term achievements.Through successful implementation of proposed projects, grantees under this FOA will demonstrate theimpact of services by the capacity of parents and families to meet children’s needs. Applicants mustaddress outcomes to show the degree of collaboration between the Child Welfare and TANF agencies’approach to increased case management, coordination of support services, employment, and/or homevisiting.
Approach Outline a plan of action that describes the scope and detail of how the proposed project will beaccomplished. Applicants must account for all functions or activities identified in the application.Describe any design or technological innovations, reductions in cost or time, or extraordinary social and/orcommunity involvement in the project. Provide a list of organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, orother key individuals that will work on the project, along with a short description of the nature of theireffort or contribution.
Cite potential obstacles and challenges to accomplishing project goals and explain strategies that will beused to address these challenges. 18 of 41
Identify the tribal agencies/departments and other participating agencies that will be involved in theproject, stating the agreed upon roles and responsibilities of each.
Identify key staff and any consultants/contractors who will work on the project. State their roles andresponsibilities. This must include TANF and Child Welfare staff that will work on the project.
State the allowable use(s) that the project will implement (one or more of the three statutorilyprescribed uses of Tribal TANF - Child Welfare Coordination project funds). See Section I. PROGRAMPURPOSE AND GOALS, Program Purpose, for more information.
Develop the proposal to be responsive to the purposes and requirements of Tribal TANF - Child Welfarecollaborations under this FOA emphasizing services that improve collaboration and capacity between theTANF and child welfare systems.
Identify appropriate resources that will be used successfully to improve TANF and Child Welfare servicesto tribal children and families.
Outline a plan for management and oversight of the objectives, assuring timely completion of the projectgoals, including clearly defined responsibilities for accomplishing project tasks and ensuring all servicesand activities are within budget.
Project Timeline and Milestones Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the accomplishments to be achieved for eachfunction, or activity, in such terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activitiesaccomplished. Data may be organized and presented as project tasks and subtasks with their correspondingtimelines during the project period. For example, each project task could be assigned to a row in the firstcolumn of a grid. Then, a unit of time could be assigned to each subsequent column, beginning with thefirst unit (i.e., week, month, quarter) of the project and ending with the last. Shading, arrows, or othermarkings could be used across the applicable grid boxes or cells, representing units of time, to indicate theapproximate duration and/or frequency of each task and its start and end dates within the project period.
When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or function, list them in chronological order toshow the schedule of accomplishments and their target dates.
Geographic Location Describe the precise location of the project and boundaries of the area to be served by the proposed project.
Logic Model
Applicants must submit a logic model for designing and managing their project. A logic model is aone-page diagram that presents the conceptual framework for a proposed project and explains the linksamong program elements. While there are many versions of logic models, for the purposes of thisannouncement the logic model should summarize the connections between the:
Goals of the project (e.g., objectives, reasons for proposing the interventions, if applicable); Assumptions (e.g., beliefs about how the program will work and its supporting resources.Assumptions should be based on research, best practices, and experience); Inputs (e.g., organizational profile, collaborative partners, key staff, budget); Target population (e.g., the individuals to be served); Activities (e.g., approach, listing key intervention, if applicable); Outputs (i.e., the direct products or deliverables of program activities); and Outcomes (i.e., the results of a program, typically describing a change in people or systems).
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Organizational Capacity Provide the following information on the applicant organization and, if applicable, on any cooperatingpartners:
Organizational charts;Resumes (no more than two single-spaced pages in length);Copy or description of the applicant organization’s fiscal control and accountability procedures;Evidence that the applicant organization, and any partnering organizations, have relevantexperience and expertise with administration, development, implementation, management, andevaluation of programs similar to that offered under this announcement;Evidence that each participating organization, including partners and/or subcontractors, possess theorganizational capability to fulfill their role(s) and function(s) effectively;Information on compliance with federal/state/local government standards;Job descriptions for each vacant key position.
The Project Budget and Budget Justification All applicants are required to submit a project budget and budget justification with their application. Theproject budget is entered on the Budget Information Standard Form, either SF-424A or SF-424C,according to the directions provided with the SFs. The budget justification consists of a budget narrativeand a line-item budget detail that includes detailed calculations for "object class categories" identified onthe Budget Information Standard Form.
Project budget calculations must include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similarquantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated. If matching or cost sharing is arequirement, applicants must include a detailed listing of any funding sources identified in Block 18 of theSF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance). See the table in Section IV.2. Required Forms, Assurances,and Certifications listing the appropriate budget forms to use in this application.
Special Note: The Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub.L. 113-235),enacted December 16,2014, limits the salary amount that may be awarded and charged to ACF grantsand cooperative agreements. Award funds issued under this announcement may not be used to pay thesalary, or any percentage of salary, to an individual at a rate in excess of Executive Level II. TheExecutive Level II salary of the Federal Executive Pay scale is $183,300. Please see http://www.opm.gov/ policy-data-oversight/ pay-leave/salaries -wages/ 2015/ executive -senior- level. Thisamount reflects an individual’s base salary exclusive of fringe benefits and any income that an individualmay be permitted to earn outside of the duties to the applicant organization. This salary limitation alsoapplies to subawards/subcontracts under a ACF grant or cooperative agreement.
Provide a budget using the 424A and/or 424C, as applicable, for each year of the proposed project.Provide a budget justification, which includes a budget narrative and a line-item detail, for the first year ofthe proposed project. The budget narrative should describe how the categorical costs are derived. Discussthe necessity, reasonableness, and allocation of the proposed costs.
Applicants must allocate sufficient funds within their budgets to attend required meetings each year.Please see Section I. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES,Technical Assistance for more information.
General Use the following guidelines for preparing the budget and budget justification. When a match or cost
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Use the following guidelines for preparing the budget and budget justification. When a match or costshare is required, both federal and non-federal resources must be detailed and justified in the budget andbudget narrative justification. "Federal resources" refers only to the ACF grant funds for which theapplicant is applying. “Non-federal resources” are all other non-ACF federal and non-federal resources. Itis 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 lastcolumn, total budget. The budget justification should be in a narrative form.
Personnel Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.
Justification: Identify the project director or principal investigator, if known at the time of application. For each staff person provide: the title; time commitment to the project in months; time commitment tothe project as a percentage or full-time equivalent: annual salary; grant salary; wage rates; etc. Do notinclude the costs of consultants, personnel costs of delegate agencies, or of specific project(s) and/orbusinesses to be financed by the applicant. Contractors and consultants should not be placed under thiscategory.
Fringe Benefits Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated as part of an approved indirect cost rate.
Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages that comprise fringe benefit costs suchas health insurance, Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes, retirement insurance, and taxes.
Travel Description: Costs of out-of-state or overnight project-related travel by employees of the applicantorganization. Do not include in-state travel or consultant travel.
Justification: For each trip show the total number of traveler(s); travel destination; duration of trip; perdiem; mileage allowances, if privately owned vehicles will be used to travel out of town; and othertransportation costs and subsistence allowances. If appropriate for this project, travel costs for key projectstaff to attend ACF-sponsored workshops/conferences/grantee orientations should be detailed in thebudget.
Equipment Description: "Equipment" means an article of nonexpendable, tangible personal property having a usefullife of more than one year per unit and an acquisition cost that equals or exceeds the lesser of: (a) thecapitalization level established by the organization for the financial statement purposes, or (b) $5,000. (Note: Acquisition cost means the net invoice unit price of an item of equipment, including the cost ofany modifications, attachments, accessories, or auxiliary apparatus necessary to make it usable for thepurpose for which it is acquired. Ancillary charges, such as taxes, duty, protective in-transit insurance,freight, and installation, shall be included in or excluded from acquisition cost in accordance with theapplicant organization's regular written accounting practices.)
Justification: For each type of equipment requested applicants must provide a description of theequipment; the cost per unit; the number of units; the total cost; and a plan for use of the equipment in theproject; as well as a plan for the use, and/or disposal of, the equipment after the project ends. Anapplicant organization that uses its own definition for equipment should provide a copy of its policy, orsection of its policy, that includes the equipment definition.
Supplies
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Description: Costs of all tangible personal property other than that included under the Equipmentcategory. This includes office and other consumable supplies with a per-unit cost of less than $5,000.
Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their costs. Show computations and provideother information that supports the amount requested.
Contractual Description: Costs of all contracts for services and goods except for those that belong under othercategories such as equipment, supplies, construction, etc. Include third-party evaluation contracts, ifapplicable, and contracts with secondary recipient organizations (with budget detail), including delegateagencies and specific project(s) and/or businesses to be financed by the applicant. This area is not forindividual consultants.
Justification: Demonstrate that all procurement transactions will be conducted in a manner to provide, tothe maximum extent practical, open, and free competition. Recipients and subrecipients, other than statesthat are required to use 45 CFR Part 92 procedures, must justify any anticipated procurement action that isexpected to be awarded without competition and exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold fixed by 41U.S.C. § 134, as amended by 2 CFR Part 200.88, and currently set at $150,000. Recipients may berequired to make pre-award review and procurement documents, such as requests for proposals orinvitations for bids, independent cost estimates, etc., available to ACF.
Note: Whenever the applicant intends to delegate part of the project to another agency, the applicant mustprovide a detailed budget and budget narrative for each contractor/sub-contractor, by agency title, alongwith the same supporting information referred to in these instructions. If the applicant plans to select thecontractors/sub-contractors post-award and a detailed budget is not available at the time of application, theapplicant must provide information on the nature of the work to be delegated, the estimated costs, and theprocess for selecting the delegate agency.
Other Description: Enter the total of all other costs. Such costs, where applicable and appropriate, may includebut are not limited to: consultant costs, local travel; insurance; food (when allowable); medical and dentalcosts (noncontractual); professional services costs (including audit charges); space and equipment rentals;printing and publication; computer use; training costs, such as tuition and stipends; staff developmentcosts; and administrative costs.
Justification: Provide computations, a narrative description, and a justification for each cost under thiscategory.
Indirect Charges Description: Total amount of indirect costs. This category should be used only when the applicantcurrently has an indirect cost rate approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) oranother cognizant federal agency.
Justification: An applicant that will charge indirect costs to the grant must enclose a copy of the currentrate agreement. If the applicant organization is in the process of initially developing or renegotiating arate, upon notification that an award will be made, it should immediately develop a tentative indirect costrate proposal based on its most recently completed fiscal year, in accordance with the cognizant agency'sguidelines for establishing indirect cost rates, and submit it to the cognizant agency. Applicants awaitingapproval of their indirect cost proposals may also request indirect costs. When an indirect cost rate isrequested, those costs included in the indirect cost pool should not be charged as direct costs to the grant. Also, if the applicant is requesting a rate that is less than what is allowed under the program, theauthorized representative of the applicant organization must submit a signed acknowledgement that theapplicant is accepting a lower rate than allowed. 22 of 41
Paperwork Reduction Disclaimer As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. §§ 3501-3521, the public reportingburden for the Project Description and Budget/Budget Justification is estimated to average 60 hours perresponse, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, andreviewing the collection information. The Project Description information collection is approved underOMB control number 0970-0139, which expires 10/31/2015. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, anda person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMBcontrol number.
Application Submission Options
Electronic Submission via www.Grants.gov
Additional guidance on the submission of electronic applications can be found at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html.If applicants encounter any technical difficulties in using www.Grants.gov, contact the Grants.govContact Center at: 1-800-518-4726, or by email at [email protected], to report the problem andobtain assistance. Hours of Operation: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Grants.gov ContactCenter is closed on federal holidays.Applicants should always retain Grants.gov Contact Center service ticket number(s) as they may beneeded for future reference.Contact with the Grants.gov Contact Center prior to the listed application due date and timedoes not ensure acceptance of an application. If difficulties are encountered, the GrantsManagement Officer listed in Section VII. Agency Contacts will determine whether thesubmission issues are due to Grants.gov system errors or user error.
Application Validation at www.Grants.gov
After an application has been successfully submitted to www.Grants.gov, it still must pass a series ofvalidation checks. After an application is submitted, Grants.gov generates a submission receipt via emailand also sets the application status to "Received." This receipt verifies that the application has beensuccessfully delivered to the Grants.gov system.
Next, Grants.gov verifies the submission is valid by ensuring it does not contain viruses, the opportunity isstill open, and the applicant login and applicant DUNS number match. If the submission is valid,Grants.gov generates a submission validation receipt via email and sets the application status to"Validated."
If the application is not validated, the application status is set to "Rejected." The system sends a rejectionemail notification to the applicant and the applicant must re-submit the application package. See "What toExpect After Submitting" at www.Grants.gov for more information.
Each time an application is submitted, or resubmitted, via www.Grants.gov, the application will receive anew date and time stamp. Only those applications with on-time date and time stamps that result in avalidated application, which are transmitted to ACF, will be acknowledged.
Applicants will be provided with an acknowledgement from Grants.gov that the submitted applicationpackage has passed, or failed, a series of checks and validations. Applications that are submitted on timethat fail the validation check will not be transmitted to ACF and will not be acknowledged.
NOTE: The Grants.gov validation check can affect whether the application is accepted for review. If anapplication fails the Grants.gov validation check and is not resubmitted by 11:59 p.m., ET, on the duedate, it will not be transmitted to ACF and will be excluded from the review.
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Similarly, if an applicant resubmits their application to Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m., ET, on the due date, andthe resubmitted application does not pass the validation check, it will not be transmitted to ACF and willbe excluded from the review.
Systems Issues
For any systems issues experienced with Grants.gov or SAM.gov, please refer to ACF’s “Policy forApplicants Experiencing Federal Systems Issues” document for complete guidance at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/assets/systems_issue_policy_final.pdf.
Request an Exemption from Required Electronic Application Submission
ACF recognizes that some applicants may have limited or no Internet access, and/or limited computercapacity, which may prohibit them from uploading large files at www.Grants.gov. To accommodate suchapplicants, ACF offers an exemption from required electronic submission. The exemption will allowapplicants to submit hard copy, paper applications by hand-delivery, applicant courier, overnight/expressmail couriers, or by other representatives of the applicant.
To receive an exemption from required electronic application submission, applicants must submit a writtenrequest to ACF that must state that the applicant qualifies for the exemption for one of the two followingreasons:
Lack of Internet access or Internet connection, orLimited computer capacity that prevents the uploading of large documents (files) at www.Grants.gov.
Applicants may request and receive the exemption from required electronic application submission byeither:
Submitting an email request to [email protected], orSending a written request to the Office of Grants Management Contact listed in Section VII. AgencyContacts in this announcement.
Requests for exemption from required electronic application submission will be acknowledged with anapproval or disapproval.
Requests that do not state one of the two listed reasons will not be approved.
An exemption is applicable to all applications submitted by the applicant organization during the FederalFiscal Year (FFY) in which it is received. Applicants need only request an exemption once in a FFY. Applicants must request a new exemption from required electronic submission for any succeeding FFY.
Please Note: [email protected] may only be used to request an exemption fromrequired electronic submission. All other inquiries must be directed to the appropriate Agency Contactlisted in Section VII. of this announcement. Queries or requests submitted to this email address for anyreason other than a request for an exemption from electronic application submission will not beacknowledged or answered.
All exemption requests must include the following information:
Funding Opportunity Announcement Title,Funding Opportunity Number (FON),The listed Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number,Name of Applicant Organization and DUNS Number,AOR name and contact information,Name and contact information of person to be contacted on matters involving the application (i.e.,the Point of Contact), andThe reason for which the applicant is requesting an exemption from electronic application
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submission. The request for exemption must state one of the following two reasons: 1) lack ofInternet access or Internet connection; or 2) lack of computer capacity that prevents uploading largedocuments (files) to the Internet.
Exemption requests must be received by ACF no later than two weeks before the application duedate, that is, 14 calendar days prior to the application due date listed in the Overview and in Section IV.3.Submission Dates and Times. If the fourteenth calendar day falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the duedate for receipt of an exemption request will move to the next federal business day that follows theweekend or federal holiday.
Applicants may refer to Section VIII. Other Information for a checklist of application requirements thatmay be used in developing and organizing application materials. Details concerning acknowledgment ofreceived applications are available in Section IV.3. Submission Dates and Times of this announcement.
Paper Format Application Submission
An exemption is now required for the submission of paper applications. See the preceding section on"Request an Exemption from Required Electronic Application Submission."
Applicants with exemptions that submit their applications in paper format, by mail or delivery, mustsubmit one original and two copies of the complete application with all attachments. The original and eachof the two copies must include all required forms, certifications, assurances, and appendices, be signed bythe AOR, and be unbound. The original copy of the application must have original signature(s). SeeSection IV.6. of this announcement for address information for paper format application submissions.Applications submitted in paper format must be received by 4:30 p.m, ET, on the due date.
Applicants may refer to Section VIII. Other Information for a checklist of application requirementsthat may be used in developing and organizing application materials. Details concerning acknowledgmentof received applications are available in Section IV.3. Submission Dates and Times in this announcement.
IV.3. Submission Dates and Times Due Date for Applications: 05/05/2015 Explanation of Due Dates The due date for receipt of applications is listed in the Overview section and in this section. See SectionIII.3. Application Disqualification Factors.
Electronic Applications
The deadline for submission of electronic applications via www.Grants.gov is 11:59 p.m., ET, on the duedate. Electronic applications submitted at 12:00 a.m., ET, on the day after the due date will be consideredlate and will be disqualified from competitive review and from funding under this announcement.
Applicants are required to submit their applications electronically via www.Grants.gov unless theyreceived an exemption through the process described in Section IV.2. Request an Exemption fromRequired Electronic Application Submission.
ACF does not accommodate transmission of applications by email or facsimile.
Instructions for electronic submission via www.Grants.gov are available at: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp.
Applications submitted to www.Grants.gov at any time during the open application period prior to the duedate and time that fail the Grants.gov validation check will not be received at ACF. These applicationswill not be acknowledged.
Mailed Paper Format Applications
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The deadline for mailed paper applications is 4:30 p.m., ET, on the due date. Mailed paper applicationsreceived after the due date and deadline time will be considered late and will be disqualified fromcompetitive review and from funding under this announcement.
Paper format application submissions will be disqualified if the applicant organization has not received anexemption through the process described in Section IV.2. Request an Exemption from Required ElectronicApplication Submission.
Hand-Delivered Paper Format Applications
Applications that are hand-delivered by applicants, applicant couriers, by overnight/express mail couriers,or other representatives of the applicant must be received on, or before, the due date listed in the Overview and in this section. These applications must be delivered between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.,ET,Monday through Friday (excluding federal holidays). Applications should be delivered to the addressprovided in Section IV.6.Other Submission Requirements.
Hand-delivered paper applications received after the due date and deadline time will be considered lateand will be disqualified from competitive review and from funding under this announcement.
Hand-delivered paper format application submissions will be disqualified if the applicant organization hasnot received an exemption through the process described in Section IV.2. Request an Exemption fromRequired Electronic Application Submission.
No appeals will be considered for applications classified as late under the following circumstances:
Applications submitted electronically via www.Grants.gov are considered late when they are datedand time-stamped after the deadline of 11:59 p.m., ET, on the due date.Paper format applications received by mail or hand-delivery after 4:30 p.m., ET, on the due datewill be classified as late and will be disqualified.Paper format applications received from applicant organizations that were not approved for anexemption from required electronic application submission under the process described in SectionIV.2. Request an Exemption from Required Electronic Submission will be disqualified.
Extensions and/or Waiving Due Date and Receipt Time Requirements
ACF may extend an application due date and receipt time when circumstances make it impossible forapplicants to submit their applications on time. These events include natural disasters (floods, hurricanes,tornados, etc.), or when there are widespread disruptions of electrical service, or mail service, or in otherrare cases. The determination to extend or waive due date and/or receipt time requirements rests with theGrants Management Officer listed as the Office of Grants Management Contact in Section VII. AgencyContacts .
Acknowledgement from www.Grants.gov
Applicants will receive an initial email upon submission of their application to www.Grants.gov. Thisemail will provide a Grants.gov Tracking Number. Applicants should refer to this tracking number in allcommunication with Grants.gov. The email will also provide a date and time stamp, which serves as theofficial record of application's submission. Receipt of this email does not indicate that the application isaccepted or that is has passed the validation check.
Applicants will be provided with an acknowledgement from www.Grants.gov that the submittedapplication package has passed, or failed, a series of checks and validations. Applications that aresubmitted on time that fail the validation check will not be transmitted to ACF and will not beacknowledged.
See "What to Expect After Submitting" at www.Grants.gov for more information.
Acknowledgement from ACF of an electronic application's submission:
Applicants will be sent additional email(s) from ACF acknowledging that the application has been 26 of 41
Applicants will be sent additional email(s) from ACF acknowledging that the application has beenretrieved from www.Grants.gov by ACF. Receipt of these emails is not an indication that the applicationis accepted for competition.
Acknowledgement from ACF of receipt of a paper format application
ACF will not provide acknowledgement of receipt of hard copy application packages submitted via mail orcourier services.
IV.4. Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs
This program is not subject to Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of FederalPrograms," or 45 CFR Part 100, "Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and HumanServices Programs and Activities." No action is required of applicants under this announcement withregard to E.O. 12372.
IV.5. Funding Restrictions Costs of organized fund raising, including financial campaigns, endowment drives, solicitation of gifts andbequests, and similar expenses incurred solely to raise capital or obtain contributions, are consideredunallowable costs under grants or cooperative agreements awarded under this funding opportunityannouncement.
Note: Costs incurred for grant application preparation are not considered allowable costs under an awardand may not be included in the project budget or budget justification.
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.
Non-Supplanting
These grants may not be used simply to continue current coordination or to replace or supplant otherfunding provided for the same activities and services.
Tribes and tribal organizations that received funding under OFA's 2011 FOA for Coordination of TribalTANF and Child Welfare Services to Tribal Families at Risk of Child Abuse or Neglect(HHS-2011-ACF-OFA-FN-0197) may not use funding under this currentFOA (HHS-2015-ACF-OFA-FN-0991) simply/solely to repeat the activities and services funded under theearlier FOA. They must propose entirely new projects, or build on, modify, and/or expand their projects.Activities demonstrated to be successful (including promising practices) based on the evaluations of theircurrent Tribal TANF - Child Welfare Coordination projects, as funded under the earlier FOA, may becontinued as part of a proposed, well-coordinated project under this current FOA. Funds may not be usedto continue or extend existing grants. For example, tribes and tribal organizations may not simply modifythe budget, or propose to increase the number of participants of a currently funded program, or use apreviously submitted application.
IV.6. Other Submission Requirements Submit paper applications to one of the following addresses. Also see Section IV.2. Request an Exemptionfrom Required Electronic Application Submission.
Submission By Mail
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Tim ChappelleAdministration for Children and FamiliesOffice of Grants Management370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W.6th Floor-EastWashington, DC 20447
Hand Delivery Tim ChappelleAdministration for Children and FamiliesOffice of Grants Management370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W.6th Floor-EastWashington , DC 20447
Electronic Submission See Section IV.2 for application requirements and for guidance when submitting applications electronicallyvia http://www.Grants.gov. For all submissions, see Section IV.3. Submission Dates and Times.
V. Application Review Information
V.1. Criteria Please note: Reviewers will not access, or review, any materials that are not part of the applicationdocuments. This includes information accessible on websites via hyperlinks that are referenced, orembedded, in the application. Though an application may include web links, or embedded hyperlinks,reviewers will not review this information as it is not considered to be part of the application documents. Nor will the information on websites be taken into consideration in scoring of evaluation criteria presentedin this section. Reviewers will evaluate and score an application based on the documents that are presentedin the application and will not refer to, or access, external links during the objective review.
Applications competing for financial assistance will be reviewed and evaluated using the criteria describedin this section. The corresponding point values indicate the relative importance placed on each reviewcriterion. Points will be allocated based on the extent to which the application proposal addresses each ofthe criteria listed. Applicants should address these criteria in their application materials, particularly in theproject description and budget justification, as they are the basis upon which competing applications willbe judged during the objective review. The required elements of the project description and budgetjustification may be found in Section IV.2 of this announcement.
Preference
ACF will provide preference to those eligible applicants that were awarded prior funds from OFA forCoordination of Tribal TANF and Child Welfare Services to Tribal Families at Risk of Child Abuse orNeglect and have demonstrated their ability to successfully carry out that program/project. Please see Section V.2. Review and Selection Process for more information.
Objectives and Need for Assistance Maximum Points: 20
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In reviewing the objectives and need for assistance, the following factors will be considered:
(1) The applicant adequately describes the nature and scope of the problem and clearly states theobjectives of the project, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the relevant characteristics of thetribe(s) to be served;
(2) The applicant provides adequate supporting documentation, such as letters of support andtestimonials, demonstrating levels of coordination of Tribal TANF and child welfare services providedto tribal families at risk of child abuse or neglect;
(3) The applicant identifies and provides data describing the needs of the population and the proposedservice area, demonstrating an understanding of TANF and child welfare programs and the needs ofchildren and families served by these systems, including issues related to child abuse and neglect.
Outcomes Expected Maximum Points: 20
In reviewing the outcomes expected, the following factors will be considered:
(1) The applicant identifies clear, measurable expected outcomes at the individual and communitylevels that are linked to the statutory purposes;
(2) The applicant makes a strong case that these outcomes are likely to have an impact on families as aresult of the proposed project;
(3) The applicant identifies quantifiable outcomes and the method for tracking short-term and long-termachievements.
Approach Maximum Points: 35
In reviewing the approach and documents of commitment/support, the following factors will beconsidered:
(1) The applicant outlines a clear plan of action that describes the scope and detail of how the proposedwork will be accomplished, accounting for all services or activities identified in the application,reductions in cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement;
(2) The applicant cites potential concerns and challenges to accomplishing project goals and explainsstrategies that will be used to address these challenges;
(3) The applicant identifies the tribal agencies/departments and other participating agencies that will beinvolved in the project, stating the agreed upon roles and responsibilities of each;
(4) The applicant clearly identifies key staff and consultants/contractors, including TANF and ChildWelfare staff, that will work on the project;
(5) The applicant clearly defines how the project will implement one or more of the three statutorilyprescribed activities for Tribal TANF and child welfare services provided to tribal families at risk ofchild abuse or neglect;
(6) The applicant’s proposal is strongly responsive to the purposes and requirements of Tribal TANF-Child Welfare collaborations under this FOA, emphasizing services that improve collaboration andcapacity between the TANF and child welfare systems;
(7) The applicant identifies appropriate resources that will be used successfully to improve TANF andChild Welfare services to tribal children and families;
(8) The applicant outlines a plan for management and oversight of the objectives, assuring timelycompletion of the project goals, including clearly defined responsibilities for accomplishing projecttasks and ensuring all services and activities are within budget;
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(9) The applicant provides clear, major milestones and target dates (timeline) for the entire 5-yearproject period, including accomplishments to be achieved for each activity, such as the number ofpeople to be served and the number of activities accomplished;
(10) The applicant presents a well-defined logic model that guides the proposed project. The logicmodel includes a clear articulation of the connection between the needs of the target population, servicedelivery approach, and desired outcomes.
Organizational Capacity Maximum Points: 15
In reviewing the organizational capacity, the following factors will be considered:
(1) The applicant describes the organization's fiscal controls and accounting procedures to ensureproper and timely disbursement and accurate accounting of funds received under this fundingannouncement;
(2) The applicant provides evidence that the applicant organization, and any partnering organizations,have relevant experience in administration, development, implementation, management, and evaluationof programs similar to Coordination of Tribal TANF and Child Welfare Services to Tribal Families atRisk of Child Abuse or Neglect;
(3) The applicant demonstrates that each participating organization, including partners andsubcontractors, possess the organizational capability to fulfill their roles and responsibilities effectively;
(4) The applicant provides job descriptions for each vacant key position and clearly describes that theroles and responsibilities and time commitments are appropriate and relevant to successfully implementand oversee the proposed project;
Project Budget and Budget Justification Maximum Points: 10
In reviewing the budget and budget justification (required for the first year of the project), the followingfactors will be considered:
(1) The applicant provides a reasonable and appropriate line item budget outlining the costs of theproposed project, including administrative costs;
(2) The applicant includes a budget justification detailing the cost basis and description of calculations,demonstrating how each line-item was derived.
V.2. Review and Selection ProcessNo grant award will be made under this announcement on the basis of an incomplete application. Nogrant award will be made to an applicant or sub-recipient that does not have a DUNS number(www.dbn.com) and an active registration at SAM (www.sam.gov). See Section III.3. Other.
Initial ACF Screening
Each application will be screened to determine whether it meets any of the disqualification factorsdescribed in Section III.3.Other, Application Disqualification Factors.
Disqualified applications are considered to be “non-responsive” and are excluded from the competitivereview process. Applicants will be notified of a disqualification determination by email or by USPS postalmail within 30 federal business days from the closing date of this funding opportunity announcement.
Objective Review and Results
Applications competing for financial assistance will be reviewed and evaluated by objective review panels 30 of 41
Applications competing for financial assistance will be reviewed and evaluated by objective review panelsusing only the criteria described in Section V.1. Criteria of this announcement. Each panel is composed ofexperts with knowledge and experience in the area under review. Generally, review panels include threereviewers and one chairperson.
Results of the competitive objective review are taken into consideration by ACF in the selection ofprojects for funding; however, objective review scores and rankings are not binding. Scores and rankingsare only one element used in the award decision-making process.
ACF may elect not to fund applicants with management or financial problems that would indicate aninability to successfully complete the proposed project. Applications may be funded in whole or in part.Successful applicants may be funded at an amount lower than that requested. ACF reserves the right toconsider preferences to fund organizations serving emerging, unserved, or under-served populations,including those populations located in pockets of poverty. ACF will also consider the geographicdistribution of federal funds in its award decisions.
In order to demonstrate and document that an applicant's prior OFA-funded Tribal TANF-Child WelfareCoordination project was successfully carried out, ACF/OFA will review grant monitoring statements forthe project for the 6-month periods ending September 29, 2014 and March 31, 2015. The monitoringstatements must indicate that the project is proceeding in an acceptable/satisfactory manner, and ACF musthave taken no adverse action(s) regarding the applicant's project within the year preceding the date ofpublication of this FOA. Based on ACF's review of this documentation, ACF will provide preference toeach applicant that meets these requirements. ACF will determine whether applicants meet theserequirements and whether preference will be provided to individual applicants.
Please refer to Section IV.2. of this announcement for information on non-federal reviewers in the reviewprocess. Approved but Unfunded Applications
Applications recommended for approval that were not funded under the competition because of the lack ofavailable funds may be held over by ACF and reconsidered in a subsequent review cycle if a futurecompetition under the program area is planned. These applications will be held over for a period of up toone year and will be re-competed for funding with all other competing applications in the next availablereview cycle. For those applications that have been deemed as approved but unfunded, notice will begiven of such determination by postal mail.
V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
Announcement of awards and the disposition of applications will be provided to applicants at a later date.
VI. Award Administration Information
VI.1. Award NoticesSuccessful applicants will be notified through the issuance of a Notice of Award (NoA) that sets forth theamount of funds granted, the terms and conditions of the grant, the effective date of the grant, the budgetperiod for which initial support will be given, the non-federal share to be provided (if applicable), and thetotal project period for which support is contemplated. The NoA will be signed by the Grants Officer andtransmitted via postal mail, email, or by GrantSolutions.gov or the Head Start Enterprise System (HSES),whichever is relevant. Following the finalization of funding decisions, organizations whose applicationswill not be funded will be notified by letter signed by the cognizant Program Office head. Any other 31 of 41
will not be funded will be notified by letter signed by the cognizant Program Office head. Any othercorrespondence that announces to a Principal Investigator, or a Project Director, that an application wasselected is not an authorization to begin performance.
Project costs that are incurred prior to the receipt of the NoA are at the recipient's risk and may bereimbursed only to the extent that they are considered allowable as approved pre-award costs. Informationon allowable pre-award costs and the time period under which they may be incurred is available in SectionIV.5. Funding Restrictions.
VI.2. Administrative and National Policy RequirementsAwards issued under this announcement are subject to 45 CFR Part 75 - Uniform AdministrativeRequirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards. The Code of FederalRegulations (CFR) is available at http://www.gpo.gov.
An application funded with the release of federal funds through a grant award does not constitute, orimply, compliance with federal regulations. Funded organizations are responsible for ensuring that theiractivities comply with all applicable federal regulations.
Prohibition Against Profit
Grantees are subject to the limitations set forth in 45 CFR § 75.215, Special provisions for awards tocommercial organizations as recipients (45 CFR § 75.215(b)_Prohibition against profit.), which statesthat, "...no HHS funds may be paid as profit to any recipient even if the recipient is a commercialorganization. Profit is any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs."
Equal Treatment for Faith-Based Organizations
Grantees are also subject to the requirements of 45 CFR § 87.1(c), Equal Treatment for Faith-BasedOrganizations, which says, "Organizations that receive direct financial assistance from the [Health andHuman Services] Department under any Department program may not engage in inherently religiousactivities such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytization, as part of the programs or servicesfunded with direct financial assistance from the Department." Therefore, organizations must take steps tocompletely separate the presentation of any program with religious content from the presentation of theFederally funded program by time or location in such a way that it is clear that the two programs areseparate and distinct. If separating the two programs by time but presenting them in the same location, oneprogram must completely end before the other program begins.
A faith-based organization receiving HHS funds retains its independence from federal, state, and localgovernments, and may continue to carry out its mission, including the definition, practice, and expressionof its religious beliefs. For example, a faith-based organization may use space in its facilities to providesecular programs or services funded with federal funds without removing religious art, icons, scriptures, orother religious symbols. In addition, a faith-based organization that receives federal funds retains itsauthority over its internal governance, and it may retain religious terms in its organization's name, select itsboard members on a religious basis, and include religious references in its organization's missionstatements and other governing documents in accordance with all program requirements, statutes, andother applicable requirements governing the conduct of HHS-funded activities.
Regulations pertaining to the Equal Treatment for Faith-Based Organizations, which includes theprohibition against federal funding of inherently religious activities, Understanding the RegulationsRelated to the Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Initiative" are available at http://www.hhs.gov/ partner ships /about/r egulations/. Additional information, resources, and tools for faith-basedorganizations is available through The Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships website at
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http://www.hhs.gov/ partnerships/ index.html and at the https://www.acf.hhs.gov /progra ms/ocs/resource/capacity- building- toolkits-for- faith-based-and -community- organizations.
Award Term and Condition under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000
Awards issued under this announcement are subject to the requirements of Section 106 (g) of theTrafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, as amended (22 U.S.C. § 7104). For the full text of the awardterm, go to http://www.acf.hhs.gov / grants/ award-term- and- condition -for-trafficking- in-persons. If youare unable to access this link, please contact the Grants Management Contact identified in Section VII.Agency Contacts of this announcement to obtain a copy of the term.
Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace
The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (41 U.S.C. §§ 8101-8106) requires that all organizations receivinggrants from any federal agency agree to maintain a drug-free workplace. By signing the application, theAuthorizing Official agrees that the grantee will provide a drug-free workplace and will comply with therequirement to notify ACF if an employee is convicted of violating a criminal drug statute. Failure tocomply with these requirements may be cause for debarment. Government-wide requirements forDrug-Free Workplace for Financial Assistance are found in 2 CFR Part 182; HHS implementingregulations are set forth in 2 CFR § 382.400. All recipients of ACF grant funds must comply with therequirements in Subpart B - Requirements for Recipients Other Than Individuals, 2 CFR § 382.225. Therule is available at http://www.gpo.gov /fdsys /pkg/CFR-2001-title45-vol1/content-detail.html.
Debarment and Suspension
HHS regulations published in 2 CFR Part 376 implement the governmentwide debarment and suspensionsystem guidance (2 CFR Part 180) for HHS' non-procurement programs and activities. "Non-procurementtransactions" include, among other things, grants, cooperative agreements, scholarships, fellowships, andloans. ACF implements the HHS Debarment and Suspension regulations as a term and condition of award.Grantees may decide the method and frequency by which this determination is made and may check theExcluded Parties List System (EPLS) located at https://www.s am.gov/, although checking the EPLS isnot required. More information is available at https://w ww.acf.hhs.gov/ grants-forms.
Pro-Children Act
The Pro-Children Act of 2001, 20 U.S.C. §§ 7181 through 7184, imposes restrictions on smoking infacilities where federally funded children's services are provided. HHS grants are subject to theserequirements only if they meet the Act's specified coverage. The Act specifies that smoking is prohibitedin any indoor facility (owned, leased, or contracted for) used for the routine or regular provision ofkindergarten, elementary, or secondary education or library services to children under the age of 18. Inaddition, smoking is prohibited in any indoor facility or portion of a facility (owned, leased, or contractedfor) used for the routine or regular provision of federally funded health care, day care, or early childhooddevelopment, including Head Start services to children under the age of 18. The statutory prohibition alsoapplies if such facilities are constructed, operated, or maintained with federal funds. The statute does notapply to children's services provided in private residences, facilities funded solely by Medicare orMedicaid funds, portions of facilities used for inpatient drug or alcohol treatment, or facilities where WICcoupons are redeemed. Failure to comply with the provisions of the law may result in the imposition of acivil monetary penalty of up to $1,000 per violation and/or the imposition of an administrative complianceorder on the responsible entity.
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HHS Grants Policy Statement
The HHS Grants Policy Statement (HHS GPS) is the Department of Health and Human Services' singlepolicy guide for discretionary grants and cooperative agreements. ACF grant awards are subject to therequirements of the HHS GPS, which covers basic grants processes, standard terms and conditions, andpoints of contact, as well as important agency-specific requirements. Appendices to the HHS GPS includea glossary of terms and a list of standard abbreviations for ease of reference. The general terms andconditions in the HHS GPS will apply as indicated unless there are statutory, regulatory, or award-specificrequirements to the contrary that are specified in the Notice of Award (NOA). The HHS GPS isavailable at https://www.acf.hhs.go v/grants/ discretionary-competitive-grants.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
Applications funded by federal grant programs are subject to disclosure under the Freedom of InformationAct (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552. Such applications are frequently requested under the FOIA, consistent withthe FOIA’s requirement to proactively disclose frequently requested materials at 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(2)(D).Each released application will receive appropriate redaction of specific information to protect personalprivacy and competitively sensitive commercial information. Information on filing a FOIA request isavailable at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/submit-a-foia-request.
Award Term and Condition under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Recipients of federal financial assistance must not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin,disability, age, and in some cases sex and religion. The HHS Office for Civil Rights provides guidance tograntees in complying with civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination.www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/understanding/index.html.
HHS provides guidance to recipients of federal financial assistance on meeting the legal obligation to takereasonable steps to provide meaningful access to persons with limited English proficiency. www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/resources/laws/revisedlep.html. Recipients must ensure their contractors andsub-recipients also comply with federal civil rights laws.
VI.3. ReportingGrantees under this funding opportunity announcement will be required to submit performance progressand financial reports periodically throughout the project period. The frequency of required reporting islisted later in this section.
Performance Progress Reports (PPR)
Notice of Award (NoA) documents will inform grantees of the appropriate performance progress reportform or format to use. Grantees should consult their Notice of Award documents to determine theappropriate performance progress report format required under their award. Performance progress reportsare due 30 days after the end of the reporting period. Final program performance reports are due 90 daysafter the close of the project period.
For awards that implement the use of the ACF-OGM-SF-PPR, the form is available under "Reporting,Disclosures, and other Standard Forms" at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ grants-forms
Federal Financial Reports (FFR)
ACF grantees are required to use the SF-425 Federal Financial Report (FFR) for expenditure reporting. SF-425 reports will be due as frequently as is required in the terms and conditions of their award using duedates from reports to PMS. The SF-269 is no longer accepted for expenditure reports. If an SF-269 is 34 of 41
submitted, the ACF will return it and require the recipient to complete the SF-425.
All expenditure reports will be due on one of the standard due dates by which cash reporting is required tobe submitted to PMS or at the end of a calendar quarter as determined by ACF. As a result, a recipient thatreceives awards from more than one federal program may be subject to more than one approach, but willnot be required to change its current means of submission or be subjected to more than eight standard duedates. A final cumulative SF-425 is due 90 days after the close of the project period.
For budget periods ending in themonths of:
The FFR (SF425) is due to ACFon:
January 01 - March 31 April 30 April 01 - June 30 July 30 July 01 - September 30 October 30 October 01 - December 31 January 30
The SF-425 form in Adobe PDF and MS-Excel formats, along with instructions, is available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/ grants_forms.
For planning purposes, ACF reporting periods for awards made under this announcement are as follows:
Performance Progress Reports: Semi-Annually Financial Reports: Semi-Annually
Federal Financial Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) Subaward and ExecutiveCompensation
Awards issued as a result of this funding opportunity may be subject to the Transparency Act subawardand executive compensation reporting requirements of 2 CFR Part 170. See ACF's Award Term forFederal Financial Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) Subaward and Executive CompensationReporting Requirement implementing this requirement and additional award applicability information athttps:// www.acf.hhs.gov/ grants/ discretionary-competitive-grants.
Tangible Property Report (SF-428)
All ACF grantees are required to submit the Tangible Personal Property Form (SF-428). TheSF-428 is a standard form used to collect information related to tangible personal property: equipmentwith a unit cost of $5,000 or more, and residual supplies with an aggregate fair market value exceeding$5,000. The form consists of the cover sheet and three attachments to be used as required by the termsand conditions of the award: Annual Report; Final Report and a Disposition Request. A SupplementalSheet, SF-428S, may be used to provide detailed individual item information. The formis available at http:// www.whitehouse.gov/ omb/ grants_forms.
Real Property Status Report (SF-429)
All ACF grantees are required to submit the Real Property Status Report SF-429, if applicable. TheSF-429 is a standard report to be used by recipients of federal financial assistance to report real propertystatus or to request agency instructions on real property that is provided as Government FurnishedProperty (GFP) or acquired (i.e., purchased, constructed, or renovated) in whole or in part under a Noticeof Award. This form consists of the cover sheet and three attachments to be used as frequently as requiredin the terms and conditions of the award: General reporting (SF-429A, Attachment A), Request toAcquire, Improve or Furnish (SF-429B, Attachment B), or Disposition or Encumberance Request(SF-429C, Attachment C). The forms are available at http:// www.whitehouse.gov/ omb/ grants_forms. 35 of 41
VII. Agency Contacts
Program Office Contact
Denise LitzAdministration for Children and FamiliesOffice of Family AssistanceTemporary Assistance for Needy Families Bureau370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW.5th Floor-EastWashington, DC 20447Phone: (202) 401-6971Fax: (202) 205-5887Email: [email protected]
Office of Grants Management Contact
Tim ChappelleAdministration for Children and FamiliesOffice of Grants Management370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW.6th Floor-EastWashington, DC 20447Phone: (202) 401-4855Email: [email protected]
Federal Relay Service: Hearing-impaired and speech-impaired callers may contact the Federal Relay Service for assistance at1-800-877-8339 (TTY - Text Telephone or ASCII - American Standard Code For InformationInterchange).
VIII. Other Information
Reference Websites
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) http://www.hhs.gov/.
HHS Grants Forecast http://www.acf.hhs.gov/ hhsgrantsforecast/index.cfm.
Administration for Children and Families (ACF) http://www.acf.hhs.gov/.
ACF Grants Homepage https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ grants.
ACF Funding Opportunities http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/.
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ACF "How to Apply for a Grant" https://www.acf. hhs.gov/ grants/ how-to-apply-for-grants.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) https://www.cfda.gov/.
For submission of a paper format application, all required Standard Forms (SF), assurances, andcertifications are available on the ACF Grants-Forms page at https://www. acf.hhs.gov/grants-forms.
Standard grant forms are available at the Grants.gov Forms Repository webpage at http://www.grants.gov/web/ grants/forms/sf-424- family.html.
For information regarding accessibility issues, visit the Grants.gov Accessibility Compliance Page at http://www07.grants.gov/ web/ grants/ support/ technical-support/ accessibility-compliance.html.
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/.
The Federal Register https://www.federalregister.gov/.
United States Code (U.S.C.) http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/.
Application Checklist
What to Submit Where Found When to Submit
Table of Contents Referenced in Section IV.2. TheProject Description .
Submit with the applicationby the due date found in the Overview and in SectionIV.3. Submission Dates andTimes.
SF-424 - Application for FederalAssistance
Referenced in SectionIV.2.Required Forms,Assurances, and Certifications.
For electronic applicationsubmission, these forms areavailable on the FOA's Grants.gov "DownloadOpportunity Instructions andApplication" page under "Download ApplicationPackage" in the sectionentitled, "Mandatory."
Also available at http://www.grants.gov/web/ grants/ forms.html
by using the link to "SF-424Family."
Submission is due by theapplication due date found inthe Overview and in SectionIV.3. Submission Dates andTimes.
Do not attach requiredapplication elements oradditional pages to the SF-424at Questions 14 or 15! See Section IV.2.Formatting ACFApplications.
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SF-424A - Budget Information -Non- Construction Programs
and
SF-424B - Assurances - Non-Construction Programs
Referenced in Section IV.2.Required Forms, Assurances, andCertifications.
For electronic applicationsubmission, these forms areavailable on the FOA'sGrants.gov "DownloadOpportunity Instructions andApplication" page under"Download Application Package"in the section entitled,"Mandatory."
Also available at http://www.grants.gov/ web/ grants/ forms.html by using the link to "SF-424 Family."
These forms are required forapplications under this FOA:
Projects that include onlynon-construction activitiesmust submit the SF-424Aand SF-424B, along withthe SF-424 and SF-P/PSL.
Submission is due by theapplication due date found inthe Overview and in SectionIV.3. Submission Dates andTimes.
Project Summary/Abstract Referenced in Section IV.2. TheProject Description. The Project Summary/Abstract is limited toone single-spaced page.
Submission is due by theapplication due date found inthe Overview and in SectionIV.3. Submission Dates andTimes.
Geographic Location Referenced in Section IV.2. TheProject Description .
Submission due by theapplication due date found inOverview and Section IV.3.
The Project Description Referenced in Section IV.2. TheProject Description .
Submission is due by theapplication due date found inthe Overview and in SectionIV.3. Submission Dates andTimes.
Organizational Capacity Referenced in Section IV.2. TheProject Description .
Submission due by theapplication due date found inOverview and Section IV.3.
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The Project Budget and BudgetJustification
Referenced in Section IV.2. TheProject Budget and BudgetJustification of the announcement.
Submission is required inaddition to submission ofSF-424A or SF-424C. It must be submitted with theapplication package by thedue date in the Overview andin Section IV.3. SubmissionDates and Times.
Logic Model Referenced in Section IV.2. TheProject Description .
Submission is due with theapplication package by the application due date found inthe Overview and in Section IV.3. SubmissionDates and Times.
Job Descriptions Referenced in Section IV.2. TheProject Description .
Submission due by theapplication due date found inOverview and Section IV.3.
Resumes Referenced in Section IV.2. TheProject Description .
Submission due by theapplication due date found inOverview and Section IV.3.
Other Attachments Referenced in Section IV.2. TheProject Description .
Submission due by theapplication due date found inOverview and Section IV.3.
Certification Regarding Lobbying(Grants.gov Lobbying Form)
Referenced in Section IV.2. Required Forms, Assurances, andCertifications.
For electronic application submission, these forms areavailable on the FOA's Grants.gov pageunder the"Application Package" tab in the sectionentitled, "Mandatory."
Available at http://www. grants.gov/ web/ grants/ forms. html by using the link to "SF-424Family."
Submission is due with theapplication package. If it isnot submitted with theapplication package, it mustbe submitted prior to the award of a grant.
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SF-LLL - Disclosure of LobbyingActivities
"Disclosure Form to ReportLobbying" is referenced in Section IV.2. Required Forms,Assurances, and Certifications.
For electronic applicationsubmission, this form is availableon the FOA's Grants.gov "DownloadOpportunity Instructions andApplication" page under "DownloadApplication Package" in thesection entitled, "Optional."
The form is available in theelectronic application kit atGrants.gov
and at http://www.grants.gov/ web/ grants/ forms.html by using thelink to "SF-424 Family."
If applicable, submission of thisform is required if any funds havebeen paid, or will be paid, to anyperson for influencing, orattempting to influence, an officer or employee of anyagency, a member of Congress,an officer or employee of Congress, or anemployee of a member ofCongress in connection with this commitment providingfor the United States to insure orguarantee a loan.
If submission of this form isapplicable, it is due at thetime of application. If it not available at the timeof application, it may also besubmitted prior to the award of a grant.
Indirect Cost Rate Agreement(IDR)
Referenced in Section IV.2. TheProject Budget and BudgetJustification. The IDR must be submitted withthe application package.
If the IDR is available by theapplication due date, it mustbe submitted with theapplication package. If it isnot available by theapplication due date, listed in the Overview and Section IV.3.Submission Dates and Times, it may be submittedprior to the award of a grant.
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DUNS Number (UniversalIdentifier) and Systems for AwardManagement (SAM) registration.
Referenced in Section III.3.Other in the announcement.
To obtain a DUNS number, go to
http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform.
To register at SAM, go to http://www.sam.gov.
A DUNS number andregistration at SAM.gov arerequired for all applicants.
Active registration at SAMmust be maintainedthroughout the application and project award period.
SF-Project/Performance SiteLocation(s) (SF-P/PSL)
Referenced in SectionIV.2.Required Forms,Assurances, and Certifications.
For electronic applicationsubmission, these forms areavailable on the FOA's Grants.gov "DownloadOpportunity Instructions andApplication" page under "Download ApplicationPackage" in the sectionentitled, "Mandatory."
Also available at http://www.grants.gov/web/ grants/ forms.html
by using the link to "SF-424Family."
Submission is due by theapplication due date found inthe Overview and in SectionIV.3. Submission Dates andTimes.
Certification of Filing andPayment of Federal Taxes
Referenced in Section IV.2.Forms, Assurances, and Certifications of theannouncement.
The Certification may be found inthe application instructionsthat are available with thedownloaded electronicapplication package at Grants.gov.
If applicable to the applicant,it must be submitted prior tothe award of a grant.
Plan for Oversight of FederalAward Funds
Referenced in Section IV.2. TheProject Description .
Submission due by theapplication due date found inOverview and Section IV.3.
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