Office of Community Services; Community Food and Nutrition Program, 20135-20145 [05-7461]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
• Administration for Children and Families
• Children and Families Administration

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 73 (Monday, April 18, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20135-20145]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-7461]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Office of Community Services; Community Food and Nutrition 
Program

    Announcement Type: Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2005-ACF-OCS-EN-0024.
    CFDA Number: 93.571.
    Due Date for Applications: Application is due June 17, 2005.
    Executive Summary: The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Act, 
as amended, authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to 
make funds available under several programs to support program 
activities that will result in direct benefits targeted to low-income 
people. This program announcement covers the grant authority found at 
Section 681 of the Community Services Block Grant Act, (The Act) (Pub. 
L. 97-35) as amended by the Community Opportunities, Accountability, 
and Training and Educational Services Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 105-285), 
Community Food and Nutrition Program. The Act authorizes the Secretary 
to award grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities for 
community-based, local, statewide and national programs including 
programs benefiting Indians (as defined in section 677(e) of the CSBG 
Act) and migrant farm workers.
    Grant funds are provided to: (1) Coordinate private and public food 
assistance resources, wherever the grant recipient involved determines 
such coordination to be inadequate, to better serve low-income 
populations; (2) assist low-income communities to identify potential 
sponsors of child nutrition programs and to initiate such programs in 
underserved or unserved areas; and (3) develop innovative approaches at 
the State and local level to meet the nutrition needs of low-income 
individuals. Office of Community Services views this program as a 
capacity building program, rather than a food delivery program.
    OCS encourages eligible applicants with programs addressing obesity 
to submit applications. Eligible applicants with programs benefiting 
Native Americans and migrant or seasonal farm workers are also 
encouraged to submit applications.
    Public and non-profit agencies, faith-based and community-based 
organizations reaching underserved populations are encouraged to apply.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Act, as amended, 
authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make funds 
available under several programs to support program activities that 
will result in direct benefits targeted to low-income people. This 
program announcement covers the grant authority found at Section 681 of 
the Community Services Block Grant Act, (The Act) (Pub. L. 97-35) as 
amended by the Community Opportunities, Accountability, and Training 
and Educational Services Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 105-285), Community Food 
and Nutrition Program (CFNP). The Act authorizes the Secretary to award 
grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities for community-based, 
local, statewide and national programs including programs benefiting 
Indians (as defined in section 677(e) of the CSBG Act) and migrant farm 
workers.
    The main objective of the CFNP is to link low-income people to food 
and nutrition programs. Grant funds are provided to: (1) Coordinate 
private and public food assistance resources, wherever the grant 
recipient involved determines such coordination to be inadequate, to 
better serve low-income populations; (2) assist low-income communities 
to identify potential sponsors of child nutrition programs and to 
initiate such programs in underserved or unserved areas; and (3) 
develop innovative approaches at the State and local level to meet the 
nutrition needs of low-income individuals. OCS views this program as a 
capacity building program, rather than a food delivery program.

Definitions of Terms

    The following definitions apply:
    Budget Period-- The interval of time into which a grant period of 
assistance (project period) is divided for budgetary and funding 
purposes.
    Capacity-Building-- Refers to activities that assist eligible 
entities to improve or enhance their overall or specific capability to 
plan, deliver, manage and evaluate programs efficiently and effectively 
to produce intended results for low-income individuals. This may 
include upgrading internal financial management or computer systems, 
establishing new external linkages with other organizations, adding or 
refining a program component or replicating techniques or a program 
piloted in another local community, or making other cost-effective 
improvements.
    Displaced Worker--An individual who is in the labor market but has 
been unemployed for six months or longer.
    Eligible Entity--Public and private non-profit agencies, including 
organizations benefiting Indians and migrant and seasonal farm workers. 
Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply for these Community 
Food and Nutrition Program grants. Community-based organizations are 
eligible to apply for these Community Food and Nutrition Program 
grants.
    Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Communities--Those communities 
designated as such by the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of 
Housing and Urban Development.
    Indian Tribe--A tribe, band, or other organized group of Native 
American Indians recognized in the State or States in which it resides, 
or considered by the Secretary of the Interior to be an Indian tribe or 
an Indian organization.
    Innovative Project--One that departs from, or significantly 
modifies, past program practices and tests a new approach.
    Migrant Farm Worker--An individual who works in agricultural 
employment of a seasonal or other temporary nature who is required to 
be absent from his/her place of permanent residence in order to secure 
such employment.
    Non-profit Organization--Refers to an organization, including 
faith-based and community-based organizations, which meets the 
requirement for proof of non-profit status in the ``Eligibility 3. 
Other'' section of this announcement and has

[[Page 20136]]

demonstrated experience in providing training to individuals and 
organizations on methods of effectively addressing the needs of low-
income families and communities.
    Poverty Income Guidelines--Guidelines published annually by the 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS establishes the 
level of poverty defined as low-income for individuals and their 
families. The guideline information is posted on the Internet at the 
following address: https://www.aspe.hhs.gov/poverty.
    Program Income--Gross income earned by the grant recipient that is 
generated by an activity supported with grant funds.
    Project Period--The total time for which a project is approved for 
support, including any approved extensions.
    Seasonal Farm Worker--Any individual employed in agricultural work 
of a seasonal or other temporary nature who is able to remain at his/
her place of permanent residence while employed
    Self-Sufficiency--A condition where an individual or family does 
not need, and is not eligible to receive, TANF assistance under Title I 
of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act 
of 1996 (Part A of Title IV of the Social Security Act.)
    Underserved Area--(as it pertains to child nutrition programs) A 
locality in which less than one-half of the low-income children 
eligible for assistance participate in any child nutrition program.

Program Purpose, Scope and Focus

    The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is committed to 
improving the overall health and nutritional well-being of all 
individuals, including low-income persons, through improved preventive 
health care and promotion of personal responsibility.
    HHS also recognizes that improving the health and nutrition status 
of low-income persons can be improved by access to healthy, nutritious 
foods and by other means. HHS encourages community efforts to improve 
the coordination and integration of health and social services for all 
low-income families, and to identify opportunities for collaborating 
with other programs and services for this population. Such 
collaboration can increase a community's capacity to leverage resources 
and promote an integrated approach to health and nutrition through 
existing programs and services.
    Projects funded under this program must focus on one or more 
legislatively-mandated program activities: (a) Coordination of private 
and public food assistance resources, wherever the grant recipient 
involved determines such coordination to be inadequate, to better serve 
low-income populations; (b) assistance to low-income communities in 
identifying potential sponsors of child nutrition programs and 
initiating such programs in unserved or underserved areas; and (c) 
development of innovative approaches at the state and local level to 
meet the nutrition needs of low-income individuals.
    Additionally, in carrying out such activities, projects funded 
under this program should (1) be designed and intended to provide 
nutrition benefits, including those which incorporate the benefits of 
disease prevention, to a targeted low-income group of people; (2) 
provide outreach and public education to inform eligible low-income 
individuals and families of other nutritional services available to 
them under the various Federally-assisted programs; (3) carry out 
targeted communications and social marketing to improve dietary 
behavior and increase program participation among eligible low-income 
populations: populations to be targeted can include displaced workers, 
elderly people, children, and the working poor, and (4) consult with 
and/or inform local officials that administer other food programs such 
as W.I.C. and Food Stamps, where applicable, to ensure effective 
coordination which can jointly target services to increase their 
effectiveness. Such consultation may include involving these offices in 
planning grant applications.
    OCS views this program as a capacity-building program, rather than 
a food delivery program. Applications proposing to use OCS funds solely 
to purchase food for low-income individuals may be considered non-
responsive and be returned to the applicant without further review.

Mobilization of Resources

    There is no match requirement for the Community Food and Nutrition 
Program. However, OCS would like to mobilize as many resources as 
possible to enhance projects funded under the CFNP. OCS supports and 
encourages applications submitted by applicants whose programs will 
leverage other resources, either cash or third party in-kind.

Administrative Costs/Indirect Costs

    There is no predetermined administrative cost ceiling for projects 
funded under this program. Indirect costs consistent with approved 
indirect cost rate agreements are allowable. Applicants should enclose 
a copy of the current approved rate agreement. However, it should be 
understood that indirect costs are part of, and not in addition to, the 
amount of funds awarded in the subject grant.

Multiple Submittals

    There is no limit to the number of applications that can be 
submitted by an eligible applicant as long as each application is for a 
different project. However, no applicant will receive more than one 
grant.

Repeat Grantee

    Applicants receiving OCS funds for CFNP projects completed within 
the last five (5) years must submit with the application an abstract 
for each such project. The abstract should include the applicant's 
name, address, CFNP grant number and amount, the title of the project, 
and a summary of accomplishments. An application that does not include 
an abstract for each project previously funded may be considered non-
responsive and be returned to the applicant without further review.
    There is one Program Priority Area for Fiscal Year 2005: Priority 
Area 1.--General Projects, under which OCS will accept applications as 
described below.

1. Description

Priority Area 1.
    The application should describe the target area and population to 
be served and discuss the nature and extent of the problem to be 
solved. The application must contain a detailed and specific work 
program that is sound and feasible. Projects funded under this 
announcement must produce lasting and measurable results. The OCS grant 
funds, in combination with private and/or other public resources, must 
be targeted to low-income individuals and communities.
    Applicants will certify in their submission that projects will only 
serve the low-income population as stipulated in the HHS Poverty Income 
Guidelines. The guideline information is posted on the Internet at the 
following address: https://www.aspe.hhs.gov/poverty. Failure to comply 
with the HHS Poverty Income Guidelines may result in the application 
not being considered for funding.
    If an applicant proposes a project that will affect a property 
listed in, or eligible for, inclusion in the National Register of 
Historic Places, it must identify this property in the narrative and 
explain how it has complied with the provisions of Section 106 of the 
National Historic Preservation Act of

[[Page 20137]]

1966, as amended. If there is any question as to whether the property 
is listed in, or is eligible for inclusion in, the National Register of 
Historic Places, applicant should consult with the State Historic 
Preservation Officer. The applicant should contact OCS early in the 
development of its application for instructions regarding compliance 
with the Act and data required to be submitted to HHS.
    When projects propose to mobilize or improve the coordination of 
existing public and private food assistance resources, the guidelines 
governing those resources apply. However, when projects propose to 
provide direct assistance to beneficiaries through grants funded under 
this program, those beneficiaries must fall within the official HHS 
Poverty Income Guidelines.
    Applications proposing the use of grant funds to develop printed or 
visual materials must contain convincing evidence that these materials 
are not available from other sources. OCS will not provide funding for 
such items if justification is not sufficient. Approval of any films or 
visual presentations proposed by applicants approved for funding will 
be made part of the grant award. When material outlays for equipment 
(audio and visual) are requested, specific evidence must be presented 
that there is a definite programmatic connection between the equipment 
(audio and visual) usage and the outreach requirements described in the 
Program Purpose, Scope and Focus section of this announcement.

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $2,300,000.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 46-50.
    Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards Per Budget Period: $50,000.
    Floor on Amount of Individual Awards Per Project Period: None.
    Average Projected Award Amount Per Budget Period: $50,000.
    Length of Project Periods: 12 month project and budget period.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Public and non-profit agencies having a 501(c)(3) status with the 
IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
    Public and non-profit agencies that do not have a 501(c)(3) status 
with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
    State, county and local governmental agencies.
Additional Information on Eligibility
    Please see Section IV for required documentation supporting 
eligibility or funding restrictions if any are applicable.

2. Cost Sharing/Matching

    None.

3. Other Eligibility Information

    Eligible applicants are public and private non-profit agencies 
including organizations benefiting Indians and migrant and seasonal 
farm workers with a demonstrated ability to successfully develop and 
implement programs and activities similar to those enumerated in the 
announcement. Faith-based organizations and community-based 
organizations are eligible to apply for these Community Food and 
Nutrition Program grants.
    All applicants must have a Dun & Bradstreet number. On June 27, 
2003 the Office of Management and Budget published in the Federal 
Register a new Federal policy applicable to all Federal grant 
applicants. The policy requires Federal grant applicants to provide a 
Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when 
applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements on or after 
October 1, 2003. The DUNS number will be required whether an applicant 
is submitting a paper application or using the government-wide 
electronic portal (https://www.Grants.gov). A DUNS number will be 
required for every application for a new award or renewal/continuation 
of an award, including applications or plans under formula, entitlement 
and block grant programs, submitted on or after October 1, 2003. Please 
ensure that your organization has a DUNS number. You may acquire a DUNS 
number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS number 
request line on 1-866-705-5711 or you may request a number online at 
https://www.dnb.com.
    Non-profit organizations applying for funding are required to 
submit proof of their non-profit status.
    Proof of non-profit status is any one of the following:
     A reference to the applicant organization's listing in the 
Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt 
organizations described in the IRS Code.
     A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate.
     A statement from a State taxing body, State attorney 
general, or other appropriate State official certifying that the 
applicant organization has a non-profit status and that none of the net 
earning accrue to any private shareholders or individuals.
     A certified copy of the organization's certificate of 
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit 
status.
     Any of the items in the subparagraphs immediately above 
for a State or national parent organization and a statement signed by 
the parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-
profit affiliate.
    Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with 
their applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents 
and Forms,'' ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants,'' 
titled, ``Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants,'' at: 
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

Disqualification Factors

    Applications that exceed the ceiling amount will be considered non-
responsive and will not be considered for funding under this 
announcement.
    Any application that fails to satisfy the deadline requirements 
referenced in Section IV.3 will be considered non-responsive and will 
not be considered for funding under this announcement. An application 
that does not include an abstract for each project previously funded 
may be considered non-responsive and be returned to the applicant 
without further review. OCS views this program as a capacity-building 
program, rather than a food delivery program. Applications proposing to 
use OCS funds solely to purchase food for low-income individuals may be 
considered non-responsive and be returned to the applicant without 
further review.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to request application package: Catherine Beck, 
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services' 
Operations Center, 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 
22209, Phone: 1-800-281-9519, fax: 703-528-0716, e-mail: 
ocs@lcgnet.com.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Application Content. 
An original and two copies of each application are required. Each 
application must include the following components:
     Table of Contents. The Table of Contents must include page 
numbers.
     Abstract of the Proposed Project. Very brief, not to 
exceed 250 words. The abstract should be suitable for use in an 
announcement that the application has

[[Page 20138]]

been selected for a grant award and which identifies the type of 
project, the target population and the major elements of the work plan.
     Completed Standard Form 424. Must be signed by an Official 
of the organization applying for the grant who has authority to 
obligate the organization legally.
     Standard Form 424A. Budget Information-Non-Construction 
Programs.
     Narrative Budget Justification. Justify each object class 
category required under Section B, Standard Form 424A. Applicants have 
the option of omitting from the application copies (not the original) 
of specific salary rates or amounts for individuals specified in the 
application budget.
     Project Narrative. A narrative that addresses issues 
described in the ``Application Review Information'' section of this 
announcement.

Application Format

    Submit application materials on white 8\1/2\ x 11 inch paper only. 
Do not use colored, oversized or folded materials. Please do not 
include organizational brochures or other promotional materials, 
slides, films, clips, etc. The font size may be no smaller than 12 
pitch and the margins must be at least one inch on all sides. Number 
all application pages sequentially throughout the package, beginning 
with the abstract of the proposed project as page number one. Please 
present application materials either in loose-leaf notebooks or in 
folders with pages two-hole punched at the top center and fastened 
separately with a slide paper fastener.

Page Limitation

    The application package including sections for the Table of 
Contents, Project Abstract, Project and Budget Narratives must not 
exceed 30 pages. The page limitation does not include the following 
attachments and appendices: Standard Forms for Assurances, 
Certifications, Disclosures and appendices. The page limitation also 
does not apply to any supplemental documents as required in this 
announcement.
    You may submit your application to us in either electronic or paper 
format.
    To submit an application electronically, please use the 
www.Grants.gov/Apply site. If you use Grants.Gov, you will be able to 
download a copy of the application package, complete it off-line, and 
then upload and submit the application via the Grants.Gov site. ACF 
will not accept grant applications via email or facsimile transmission.
    Please note the following if you plan to submit your application 
electronically via Grants.gov:
     Electronic submission is voluntary, but strongly 
encouraged.
     When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find 
information about submitting an application electronically through the 
site, as well as the hours of operation. We strongly recommend that you 
do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the 
application process through Grants.gov.
     To use Grants.Gov, you, as the applicant, must have a DUNS 
Number and register in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). You 
should allow a minimum of five days to complete the CCR registration.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit a grant application in electronic format, nor will we penalize 
you if you submit an application in paper format.
     You may submit all documents electronically, including all 
information typically included on the SF 424 and all necessary 
assurances and certifications.
     Your application must comply with any page limitation 
requirements described in this program announcement.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive an automatic acknowledgement from Grants.Gov that contains a 
Grants.gov tracking number. The Administration for Children and 
Families will retrieve your application from Grants.gov.
     We may request that you provide original signatures on 
forms at a later date.
     You may access the electronic application for this program 
on www.Grants.gov.
     You must search for the downloadable application package 
by the CFDA number.
    Applicants that are submitting their application in paper format 
should submit an original and two copies of the complete application. 
The original and each of the two copies must include all required 
forms, certifications, assurances, and appendices, be signed by an 
authorized representative, have original signatures, and be submitted 
unbound.
    Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with 
their applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents 
and Forms,'' titled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant 
Applicants,'' at: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

Standard Forms and Certifications

    The project description should include all the information 
requirements described in the specific evaluation criteria outlined in 
the program announcement under Section V Application Review 
Information. In addition to the project description, the applicant 
needs to complete all the standard forms required for making 
applications for awards under this announcement.
    Applicants seeking financial assistance under this announcement 
must file the Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal 
Assistance; SF-424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs; SF-
424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs. The forms may be 
reproduced for use in submitting applications. Applicants must sign and 
return the standard forms with their application.
    Applicants must furnish prior to award an executed copy of the 
Standard Form LLL, Certification Regarding Lobbying, when applying for 
an award in excess of $100,000. Applicants who have used non-Federal 
funds for lobbying activities in connection with receiving assistance 
under this announcement shall complete a disclosure form, if 
applicable, with their applications (approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget under control number 0348-0046). Applicants must 
sign and return the certification with their application.
    Applicants must also understand they will be held accountable for 
the smoking prohibition included within Pub. L. 103-227, Title XII 
Environmental Tobacco Smoke (also known as the PRO-KIDS Act of 1994). A 
copy of the Federal Register notice which implements the smoking 
prohibition is included with forms. By signing and submitting the 
application, applicants are providing the certification and need not 
mail back the certification with the application.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their 
compliance with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. By 
signing and submitting the applications, applicants are providing the 
certification and need not mail back the certification form. Complete 
the standard forms and the associated certifications and assurances 
based on the instructions on the forms. The forms and certifications 
may be found at: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
    Applicants have the option of omitting from the application copies 
(not the original) specific salary rates or

[[Page 20139]]

amounts for individuals specified in the application budget.
    Please see Section V.1 for instructions on preparing the full 
project description.

3. Submission Dates and Times

    Due Date for Applications: June 17, 2005.
    Explanation of Due Dates: The closing time and date for receipt of 
applications is referenced above. Mailed or hand carried applications 
received after 4:30 p.m. eastern time on the closing date will be 
classified as late.
    Deadline: Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an 
announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline time 
and date referenced in Section IV.6. Applicants are responsible for 
mailing applications well in advance, when using all mail services, to 
ensure that the applications are received on or before the deadline 
time and date.
    Applications hand carried by applicants, applicant couriers, other 
representatives of the applicant, or by overnight/express mail couriers 
shall be considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are 
received on or before the deadline date, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m., eastern time, at the address referenced in Section 
IV.6., between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). 
Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not 
always deliver as agreed.
    ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax. 
Therefore, applications transmitted to ACF by fax will not be accepted 
regardless of date or time of submission and time of receipt.
    Receipt acknowledgement for application packages will not be 
provided to applicants who submit their package via mail, courier 
services, or by hand delivery. Applicants will receive an electronic 
acknowledgement for applications that are submitted via Grants.gov.
    Late applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria 
above are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late 
applicant that its application will not be considered in the current 
competition.
    Any application received after 4:30 p.m. eastern time on the 
deadline date will not be considered for competition. Applicants using 
express/overnight mail services should allow two working days prior to 
the deadline date for receipt of applications. (Applicants are 
cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not always deliver as 
agreed).
    Extension of deadlines: ACF may extend application deadlines when 
circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or 
when there are widespread disruptions of mail service, or in other rare 
cases. A determination to extend or waive deadline requirements rests 
with the Chief Grants Management Officer.
    Checklist: You may use the checklist below as a guide when 
preparing your application package.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             What to submit                        Required content             Required form or format                    When to submit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table of Contents.......................  See Section IV....................  the ``Application Format''   By application due date.
                                                                               section of this
                                                                               announcement.
Project Abstract........................  See Section IV....................  the ``Application Format''   By application due date.
                                                                               section of this
                                                                               announcement.
Project Narrative.......................  See Section IV....................  the ``Application Format''   By application due date.
                                                                               section of this
                                                                               announcement.
SF424...................................  See Section IV....................  https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ By application due date.
                                                                               programs/ofs/forms.htm.
SF424A..................................  See Section IV....................  https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ By application due date.
                                                                               programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Assurances and Certifications...........  See Section IV....................  https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ By application due date.
                                                                               programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Certification Regarding Lobbying........  See Section IV....................  https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ By application due date.
                                                                               programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Certification Regarding Environmental     See Section IV....................  https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ By application due date.
 Tobacco Smoke.                                                                programs/ofs/forms.htm.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additional Forms: Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged 
to submit with their applications the survey located under ``Grant 
Related Documents and Forms,'' ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant 
Applicants,'' titled, ``Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for 
Applicants,'' at: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             What to submit                        Required content             Required form or format                    When to submit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant      See form..........................  May be found on              By application due date.
 Applicants.                                                                   www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/
ofs/forms.htm.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Intergovernmental Review

State Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
    This program is covered under Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' and 45 CFR Part 100, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services 
Programs and Activities.'' Under the Order, States may design their own 
processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance 
under covered programs.
    As of October 1, 2004, the following jurisdictions have elected to 
participate in the Executive Order process: Arkansas, California, 
Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, 
Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New 
Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South 
Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, American Samoa, Guam, 
North Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands. As these 
jurisdictions have elected to participate in the Executive Order 
process, they have established SPOCs. Applicants from participating 
jurisdictions should contact their SPOC, as soon as possible, to alert 
them of prospective applications and receive instructions. Applicants 
must submit all required materials, if any, to the SPOC and indicate 
the date of this submittal (or the date of contact if no submittal is 
required) on the Standard Form 424, item 16a. Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2).

[[Page 20140]]

    A SPOC has 60 days from the application deadline to comment on 
proposed new or competing continuation awards. SPOCs are encouraged to 
eliminate the submission of routine endorsements as official 
recommendations. Additionally, SPOCs are requested to clearly 
differentiate between mere advisory comments and those official State 
process recommendations which may trigger the ``accommodate or 
explain'' rule.
    When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be 
addressed to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, 
Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW., 4th 
floor, Washington, DC 20447.
    Although the remaining jurisdictions have chosen not to participate 
in the process, entities that meet the eligibility requirements of the 
program are still eligible to apply for a grant even if a State, 
Territory, Commonwealth, etc. does not have a SPOC. Therefore, 
applicants from these jurisdictions, or for projects administered by 
federally-recognized Indian Tribes, need take no action in regard to 
E.O. 12372.
    The official list, including addresses, of the jurisdictions that 
have elected to participate in E.O. 12372 can be found on the following 
URL: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

5. Funding Restrictions

Capacity-Building Program
    OCS views this program as a capacity-building program, rather than 
a food delivery program.
Program Beneficiaries
    Projects proposed for funding under this announcement must result 
in direct benefits targeted toward low-income people as defined in the 
most recent annual update of the Poverty Income Guidelines published by 
HHS. The guideline information is posted on the Internet at the 
following address: https://www.aspe.hhs.gov/poverty. Annual revisions of 
these guidelines are normally published in the Federal Register in 
February or early March of each year and are applicable to projects 
being implemented at the time of publication. Grantees will be required 
to apply the most recent guidelines throughout the project period. The 
Federal Register may be obtained from public libraries, Congressional 
offices, or by writing the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government 
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. The Federal Register is also 
available on the Internet through GPO Access at the following web 
address: https://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html. No other 
government agency or privately defined poverty guidelines are 
applicable to determining low-income eligibility for this OCS program.
Sub-Contracting or Delegating Projects
    OCS will not fund any project where the role of the applicant is 
primarily to serve as a conduit for funds to organizations other than 
the applicant. The applicant must have a substantive role in the 
implementation of the project for which funding is requested. This 
prohibition does not bar the making of sub-grants or sub-contracting 
for specific services or activities to conduct the project.
Number of Projects in Application
    Each application may include only one proposed project.
Repeat Grantee
    Applicants receiving OCS funds for CFNP projects completed within 
the last five (5) years must submit with the application an abstract 
for each such project. The abstract should include the applicant's 
name, address, CFNP grant number and amount, the title of the project, 
and a summary of accomplishments.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    Submission by Mail: An application must provide an original 
application with all attachments, signed by an authorized 
representative and two copies. The application must be received at the 
address below by 4:30 p.m. eastern time on or before the closing date. 
Applications should be mailed to: Administration for Children and 
Families, Office of Community Services' Operations Center, 1515 Wilson 
Boulevard, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22209, Attention: Catherine Beck.
    Hand Delivery: An applicant must provide an original application 
with all attachments signed by an authorized representative and two 
copies. The application must be received at the address below by 4:30 
p.m. eastern time on or before the closing date.
    Applications that are hand delivered will be accepted between the 
hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Applications may 
be delivered to: Administration for Children and Families, Office of 
Community Services' Operations Center, 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 
100, Arlington, VA 22209, Attention: Catherine Beck.
    Electronic Submission: www.Grants.gov. Please see Section IV. 2 for 
guidelines and requirements when submitting applications 
electronically.

V. Application Review Information

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13)

    Public reporting burden for this collection of information is 
estimated to average 25 hours per response, including the time for 
reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed and 
reviewing the collection information.
    The project description is approved under OMB control number 0970-
0139 which expires 4/30/2007.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number.
1. Criteria
    The following are instructions and guidelines on how to prepare the 
``project summary/abstract'' and ``full project description'' sections 
of the application. Under the evaluation criteria section, note that 
each criterion is preceded by the generic evaluation requirement under 
the ACF Uniform Project Description (UPD).
Purpose
    The project description provides a major means by which an 
application is evaluated and ranked to compete with other applications 
for available assistance. The project description should be concise and 
complete and should address the activity for which Federal funds are 
being requested. Supporting documents should be included where they can 
present information clearly and succinctly. In preparing your project 
description, information responsive to each of the requested evaluation 
criteria must be provided. Awarding offices use this and other 
information in making their funding recommendations. It is important, 
therefore, that this information be included in the application in a 
manner that is clear and complete.
General Instructions
    ACF is particularly interested in specific project descriptions 
that focus on outcomes and convey strategies for achieving intended 
performance. Project descriptions are evaluated on the basis of 
substance and measurable outcomes, not length. Extensive exhibits are 
not required. Cross-referencing should be used rather than repetition. 
Supporting information concerning activities that

[[Page 20141]]

will not be directly funded by the grant or information that does not 
directly pertain to an integral part of the grant funded activity 
should be placed in an appendix. Pages should be numbered and a table 
of contents should be included for easy reference.
Introduction
    Applicants are required to submit a full project description shall 
prepare the project description statement in accordance with the 
following instructions while being aware of the specified evaluation 
criteria. The text options give a broad overview of what your project 
description should include while the evaluation criteria identifies the 
measures that will be used to evaluate applications.
Project Summary/Abstract
    Provide a summary of the project description (a page or less) with 
reference to the funding request.
Objectives and Need for Assistance
    Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, 
institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need 
for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate 
objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting 
documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from 
concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any 
relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred 
to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and 
participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In developing the 
project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to 
provide information on the total range of projects currently being 
conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may be 
outside the scope of the program announcement.
Results or Benefits Expected
    Identify the results and benefits to be derived.
    For example, describe the population to be served by the project 
and how the project will reach that population. Explain how the project 
will benefit low-income individuals and families including how it will 
support them to become more self-sufficient.
Approach
    Outline a plan of action that describes the scope and detail of how 
the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions or 
activities identified in the application. Cite factors that might 
accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the 
proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of 
the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in 
cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement. 
Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the 
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such 
terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities 
accomplished.
    When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or function, 
list them in chronological order to show the schedule of 
accomplishments and their target dates. If any data is to be collected, 
maintained, and/or disseminated, clearance may be required from the 
U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This clearance pertains to 
any ``collection of information that is conducted or sponsored by 
ACF.'' List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other 
key individuals who will work on the project along with a short 
description of the nature of their effort or contribution.
Geographic Location
    Describe the precise location of the project and boundaries of the 
area to be served by the proposed project. Maps or other graphic aids 
may be attached.
Additional Information
    Following are requests for additional information that need to be 
included in the application:
Staff and Position Data
    Provide a biographical sketch and job description for each key 
person appointed. Job descriptions for each vacant key position should 
be included as well. As new key staff is appointed, biographical 
sketches will also be required.
Plan for Project Continuance Beyond Grant Support
    Provide a plan for securing resources and continuing project 
activities after Federal assistance has ended.
Organizational Profiles
    Provide information on the applicant organization(s) and 
cooperating partners, such as organizational charts, financial 
statements, audit reports or statements from CPAs/Licensed Public 
Accountants, Employer Identification Numbers, names of bond carriers, 
contact persons and telephone numbers, child care licenses and other 
documentation of professional accreditation, information on compliance 
with Federal/State/local government standards, documentation of 
experience in the program area, and other pertinent information. If the 
applicant is a non-profit organization, submit proof of non-profit 
status in its application. The non-profit agency can accomplish this by 
providing: a) a reference to the applicant organization's listing in 
the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt 
organizations described in the IRS Code; b) a copy of a currently valid 
IRS tax exemption certificate; c) a statement from a State taxing body, 
State attorney general, or other appropriate State official certifying 
that the applicant organization has a non-profit status and that none 
of the net earnings accrue to any private shareholders or individuals; 
d) a certified copy of the organization's certificate of incorporation 
or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit status; e) any 
of the items immediately above for a State or national parent 
organization and a statement signed by the parent organization that the 
applicant organization is a local non-profit affiliate.
Budget and Budget Justification
    Provide a budget with line item detail and detailed calculations 
for each budget object class identified on the Budget Information form. 
Detailed calculations must include estimation methods, quantities, unit 
costs, and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the 
calculation to be duplicated. Also include a breakout by the funding 
sources identified in Block 15 of the SF-424. Provide a narrative 
budget justification that describes how the categorical costs are 
derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, and allocability of the 
proposed costs.
General
    Use the following guidelines for preparing the budget and budget 
justification. Both Federal and non-Federal resources shall be detailed 
and justified in the budget and narrative justification. ``Federal 
resources'' refers only to the ACF grant for which you are applying. 
``Non-Federal resources'' are all other Federal and non-Federal 
resources. It is suggested that budget amounts and computations be 
presented in a columnar format: first column, object class categories; 
second column, Federal budget; next column(s), non-Federal budget(s), 
and last column, total budget. The budget justification should be a 
narrative.

[[Page 20142]]

Personnel
    Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages. Justification: 
Identify the project director or principal investigator, if known. For 
each staff person, provide the title, time commitment to the project 
(in months), time commitment to the project (as a percentage or full-
time equivalent), annual salary, grant salary, wage rates, etc. Do not 
include the costs of consultants or personnel costs of delegate 
agencies or of specific project(s) or businesses to be financed by the 
applicant.
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 such as health insurance, FICA, retirement insurance, taxes, etc.
Travel
    Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the 
applicant organization (does not include costs of consultant travel). 
Justification: For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s), 
travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if 
privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs 
and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend ACF-
sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.
Equipment
    Description: ``Equipment'' means an article of nonexpendable, 
tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year 
and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of (a) the 
capitalization 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 of 
any modifications, attachments, accessories, or auxiliary apparatus 
necessary to make it usable for the purpose 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 the organization's regular 
written accounting practices.) Justification: For each type of 
equipment requested, provide a description of the equipment, the cost 
per unit, the number of units, the total cost, and a plan for use on 
the project, as well as use or disposal of the equipment after the 
project ends. An applicant organization that uses its own definition 
for equipment should provide a copy of its policy or section of its 
policy which includes the equipment definition.
Supplies
    Description: Costs of all tangible personal property other than 
that included under the Equipment category. Justification: Specify 
general categories of supplies and their costs. Show computations and 
provide other information which supports the amount requested.
Contractual
    Description: Costs of all contracts for services and goods except 
for those that belong under other categories such as equipment, 
supplies, construction, etc. Include third party evaluation contracts 
(if applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient organizations, 
including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or businesses to be 
financed by the applicant. Justification: Demonstrate that all 
procurement transactions will be conducted in a manner to provide, to 
the maximum extent practical, open and free competition. Recipients and 
subrecipients, other than States that are required to use Part 92 
procedures, must justify any anticipated procurement action that is 
expected to be awarded without competition and exceed the simplified 
acquisition threshold fixed at 41 U.S.C. 403(11) (currently set at 
$100,000).
    Recipients might be required to make available to ACF pre-award 
review and procurement documents, such as request for proposals or 
invitations for bids, independent cost estimates, etc. Note: Whenever 
the applicant intends to delegate part of the project to another 
agency, the applicant must provide a detailed budget and budget 
narrative for each delegate agency, by agency title, along with the 
required supporting information referred to in these instructions.
Other
    Enter the total of all other costs. Such costs, where applicable 
and appropriate, may include but are not limited to insurance, food, 
medical and dental costs (noncontractual), professional services costs, 
space and equipment rentals, printing and publication, computer use, 
training costs, such as tuition and stipends, staff development costs, 
and administrative costs. Justification: Provide computations, a 
narrative description and a justification for each cost under this 
category.
Indirect Charges
    Description: Total amount of indirect costs. This category should 
be used only when the applicant currently has an indirect cost rate 
approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or 
another cognizant Federal agency. Justification: An applicant that will 
charge indirect costs to the grant must enclose a copy of the current 
rate agreement. If the applicant organization is in the process of 
initially developing or renegotiating a rate, upon notification that an 
award will be made, it should immediately develop a tentative indirect 
cost rate proposal based on its most recently completed fiscal year, in 
accordance with the cognizant agency's guidelines for establishing 
indirect cost rates, and submit it to the cognizant agency. Applicants 
awaiting approval of their indirect cost proposals may also request 
indirect costs. When an indirect cost rate is requested, those costs 
included in the indirect cost pool should not also be charged as direct 
costs to the grant. Also, if the applicant is requesting a rate which 
is less than what is allowed under the program, the authorized 
representative of the applicant organization must submit a signed 
acknowledgement that the applicant is accepting a lower rate than 
allowed.
Program Income
    Description: The estimated amount of income, if any, expected to be 
generated from this project. Justification: Describe the nature, source 
and anticipated use of program income in the budget or refer to the 
pages in the application which contain this information.
Nonfederal Resources
    Description: Amounts of non-Federal resources that will be used to 
support the project as identified in Block 15 of the SF-424. 
Justification: The firm commitment of these resources must be 
documented and submitted with the application so the applicant is given 
credit in the review process. A detailed budget must be prepared for 
each funding source.
    Evaluation Criteria: In considering how applicants will carry out 
the responsibilities addressed under this announcement, competing 
applications for financial assistance will be reviewed and evaluated 
against the following criteria:
Approach (35 Points)
    I(a) Realistic Quarterly Time Lines (0-10 Points). The application 
will be evaluated on the extent to which it provides realistic 
quarterly projections of the activities to be carried out

[[Page 20143]]

including the projected number of beneficiaries to be served each 
quarter.
    I(b) Detailed Work Plan (0-15 Points). The application will be 
evaluated on the extent to which it ensures that activities are 
adequately described and appear reasonably likely to achieve results 
which will have a desired impact on the identified problems and/or 
needs. In addressing this criterion, the application should address the 
basic criteria and other mandated activities found in Part I and should 
include:
    (1) Project priorities, and rationale for selecting them, which 
relate to the specific nutritional problem(s) and/or need(s) of the 
target population identified under Criterion V;
    (2) Goals and objectives that speak to the problem(s) and/or 
need(s); and
    (3) Project activities that, if successfully carried out, can 
reasonably be expected to result in achieving these goals and 
objectives.
    I(c) Coordinated Community-Based Planning (0-5 Points). The 
application will be evaluated on the extent to which it demonstrates 
evidence of coordinated community-based planning in its development, 
including strategies in the work program to collaborate with other 
locally-funded Federal programs (such as DHHS health and social 
services and USDA Food and Consumer Service programs) in ways that will 
eliminate duplication and will, for example: (a) Unite funding streams 
at the local level to increase program outreach and effectiveness; (b) 
facilitate access to other needed social services by coordinating and 
simplifying intake and eligibility certification processes for clients; 
or (c) bring project participants into direct interaction with holistic 
family development resources in the community where needed.
    I(d) Community Empowerment Consideration (0-5 Points). Special 
consideration will be given to applications located in areas 
characterized by poverty and other indicators of socio-economic 
distress such as a poverty rate of at least 20 percent, designation as 
an Enterprise Zone or Enterprise Community, high levels of 
unemployment, and high levels of incidences of violence, gang activity, 
crime, or drug use. The application will be evaluated to the extent to 
which it documents involvement in the preparation and planned 
implementation of a comprehensive community-based strategic plan to 
achieve both economic and human development in an integrated manner. If 
the applicant is receiving funds from the State for community food and 
nutrition activities, the application should address how the funds are 
being utilized, and how they will be coordinated with the proposed 
project to maximize the effectiveness of both. If State funds are being 
used in the project for which OCS funds are being requested, the 
application should specifically describe their usage.
Results or Benefits Expected (30 Points)
    II(a) Improvement in Nutrition Services to Low-Income People (0-15 
Points). The application will be evaluated on the extent to which it 
proposes to significantly improve or increase nutrition services to 
low-income people and indicate how such improvements or increases are 
quantified.
    II(b) Promotional Health and Social Service Activities Included in 
Nutrition Services (0-5 Points). The application will be evaluated on 
the extent to which it incorporates into the project awareness of 
health and social services activities for low-income people along with 
nutritional services. The applicant specifies how this will be measured 
and accrued benefits reported.
    II(c) Commitment of Resources (0-5 Points). The application will be 
evaluated on the extent to which it indicates that the project will 
significantly leverage or mobilize other community resources. These 
resources are detailed and quantified.
    II(d) One Time Funding (0-5 Points). The application will be 
evaluated on the extent to which it demonstrates either that the 
project addresses problem(s) that can be resolved by one-time OCS 
funding, or demonstrates that non-Federal funding is available to 
continue the project without Federal support.
    In addressing the above criterion, the application must include 
quantitative data for items (a), (b), and (c), and discuss how the 
beneficial impact relates to the relevant legislatively-mandated 
program activities identified in the Program Purpose, Scope and Focus 
section of this announcement, and the problems and/or needs described 
under Criterion V.
Organizational Profiles
    III(a) Organizational Experience in Program Area (0-5 Points). The 
application will be evaluated on the extent to which it documents the 
organization's capability and relevant experience in developing and 
operating programs that deal with poverty problems similar to those to 
be addressed by the proposed project. Documentation provided should 
indicate that projects previously undertaken have been relevant and 
effective and have provided permanent benefits to the low-income 
population. Organizations proposing training and technical assistance 
should have detailed competence in the program area and expertise in 
training and technical assistance. If applicable, information provided 
in these applications should also address related achievements and 
competence of each cooperating or sponsoring organization.
    III(b) Management History (0-5 Points). The application will be 
evaluated on the extent to which it demonstrates the applicant's 
ability to implement sound and effective management practices. If the 
applicant has been a recipient of other Federal or other governmental 
grants, it must also document their compliance with financial and 
program progress reporting and audit requirements. Such documentation 
may be in the form of references to any available audit or progress 
reports and should be accompanied by a statement from a Certified or 
Licensed Public Accountant as to the sufficiency of the applicant's 
financial management system to protect adequately any Federal funds 
awarded under the application submitted.
    III(c) Staff Skills, Resources and Responsibilities (0-5 Points). 
The application will be evaluated on the extent to which it adequately 
describes the experience and skills of the proposed Project Director, 
showing that the individual is not only well qualified, but that his/
her professional capabilities are relevant to successfully implement 
the project. If the key staff person has not yet been identified, the 
application should contain a comprehensive position description 
indicating that the responsibilities to be assigned to the Project 
Director are relevant to successfully implement the project. The 
application must indicate that it has adequate facilities and resources 
(i.e. space and equipment) to carry out the work plan successfully.
    In addressing the above criterion, the application must clearly 
show that sufficient time of the Project Director and other senior 
staff will be budgeted to assure timely project implementation and 
oversight and that the assigned responsibilities of the staff are 
appropriate to the tasks identified.
Budget and Budget Justification (10 points)
    Every application must include a Budget Justification, placed after 
the budget forms SF-424 and 424A, explaining the sources and uses of 
project funds. The budget is adequate and administrative costs are 
appropriate to the services proposed.

[[Page 20144]]

Objectives and Need for Assistance (10 points)
    V(a) Description of Target Population (0-4 Points). The application 
will be evaluated on the extent to which it describes the target area 
and population to be served, including specific details on any minority 
population(s) to be served.
    V(b) Analysis of Needs/Priorities (0-6 Points). The application 
will be evaluated on the extent to which it discusses the nature