Office of Refugee Resettlement; Discretionary Funds for Refugee Microenterprise Development Projects, 23216-23224 [05-8898]

Agencies

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

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 4, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23216-23224]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-8898]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Office of Refugee Resettlement; Discretionary Funds for Refugee 
Microenterprise Development Projects

    Announcement Type: Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2005-ACF-ORR-RG-0094.
    CFDA Number: 93.576.
    Due Date for Applications: Application is due July 5, 2005.
    Executive Summary: The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) has 
supported the field of microenterprise development since 1991 with 
discretionary grants to various State governments, community economic 
development agencies, community action and other human service 
agencies, local mutual assistance associations, and voluntary agencies. 
Organizations with successful programs have typically been those with a 
long-term commitment to microenterprise, particularly access to 
lending, and to its adaptation to the refugee experience. They have 
committed agency resources to support refugee programs; and their work 
in refugee microenterprise development has been consistent with the 
overall agency mission.
    A public or private non-profit agency interested in receiving 
funding under this announcement must have the organizational capacity 
to work with refugees who have low incomes, limited English-language 
proficiency, and neither assets nor American business experience. Many 
newly arrived refugees do not qualify for commercial loans or for 
admission into mainstream microenterprise development programs for 
these reasons. Organizations that cannot support in-house lending and 
essential loan-servicing responsibilities may experience difficulties 
in implementing a microenterprise project.
    Refugees bring positive attributes to microenterprise development 
projects, including a diverse and rich array of business ideas, skills, 
experiences, and ambitions. These characteristics have been largely 
responsible for the success of the ORR program. During the last 14 
years, refugees have started or expanded more than 1,800 micro-
businesses (with a business survival rate of over 88 percent). ORR 
grantees have provided over $4 million in financing to these 
entrepreneurs and clients have used these loans to leverage an 
additional $4,500,000 in loans from other sources. The loan repayment 
rate is close to 100 percent. Additionally, 2,666 new jobs have been 
created. Over 10,500 refugees have gained new entrepreneurial skills 
and knowledge; and the additional business income is helping refugee 
families to achieve economic self-sufficiency. By commonly accepted 
measures of performance (business survival rates, loan default rates, 
etc.), the ORR-funded programs have excelled and frequently led the 
field in achievement.
    Building on the experience of the last 14 years, ORR seeks in this 
announcement to continue support to this field, particularly on behalf 
of those refugees who, because of language and cultural barriers, are 
unlikely to gain access to commercial loans or business training 
through other programs. To be successful in this competition, refugee-
serving organizations must demonstrate their organization's capacity to 
provide the technical expertise necessary to help refugees start, 
expand, or strengthen businesses, and to provide access to credit. 
Economic development agencies must show how they will modify their 
existing programs to serve refugees effectively.
    The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) invites eligible entities 
to submit competitive grant applications for microenterprise 
development projects for refugees.\1\ Applications will be accepted 
pursuant to the Director's discretionary authority under section 412(c) 
of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. 1522(c)), as 
amended. Applications will be screened and evaluated as indicated in 
this program announcement. Awards will be contingent on the outcome of 
the competition and the availability of funds.
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    \1\ Eligibility for refugee social services includes: (1) 
Refugees; (2) asylees; (3) Cuban and Haitian entrants under section 
501 of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-
422); (4) certain Amerasians from Vietnam who are admitted to the 
U.S. as immigrants under section 584 of the Foreign Operations, 
Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, as 
included in the FY 1988 Continuing Resolution (Pub. L. 100-202); (5) 
certain Amerasians from Vietnam who are U.S. citizens under Title II 
of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs 
Appropriations Act of 1989 (Pub. L. 100-461), 1990 (Pub. L. 101-
167), and 1991 (Pub. L. 101-513); and (6) victims of a severe form 
of trafficking who receive certification or eligibility letters from 
ORR and certain family members who have been granted derivative T 
visas (see 45 CFR 400.43 and ORR State Letters Number 01-13 as 
modified by State Letter Number 02-01 and Number 04-12 on 
trafficking victims). For convenience, the term ``refugee'' is used 
in this notice to encompass all such eligible persons. Additional 
information on eligibility is available at: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/
programs/orr/policy/s101-13.htm; https://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/
orr/policy/s102-01.htm; and https://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/
policy/s104-12.htm.
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I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Legislative Authority: Section 412(c)(1)(A) of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (INA)(8 U.S.C. 1522(c)(1)(A)) authorizes the Director 
``to make grants to, and enter into contracts with, public or private 
nonprofit agencies for projects specifically designed--(i) to assist 
refugees in obtaining the skills that are necessary for economic self-
sufficiency, including projects for job training, employment services, 
day care, professional refresher training, and other recertification 
services; (ii) to provide training in English where necessary 
(regardless of whether the refugees are employed or receiving cash or 
other assistance); and (iii) to provide where specific needs have been 
shown and recognized by the Director, health (including mental health) 
services, social services, educational and other services''. In 
addition, section 412(a)(4)(A)(i) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 
1522(a)(4)(A)(i)) authorizes the Director to make loans for the purpose 
of carrying out this section.

Discretionary Funds for Refugee Microenterprise Development Projects

1. Description
    Purpose and Scope: The purpose of microenterprise development is to 
assist refugees in becoming economically self-sufficient and to help 
refugee communities in developing employment and capital resources.
    To achieve this purpose, applicants for microenterprise development 
projects may request funds for business technical assistance, short-
term training, credit in the form of microloans, a revolving microloan 
fund or loan loss reserve fund, and post-loan technical assistance. 
Funds may also be requested to cover administrative costs associated

[[Page 23217]]

with managing a microenterprise project.
    Projects should be designed in a manner that is culturally and 
linguistically appropriate for the refugee population, including 
interest in diverse microbusinesses and English-language proficiency. 
Project designs should also take into account such economic factors as 
employment rates, welfare status, and length of time in the U.S. 
Applicants should also be familiar with the capital needs and capital 
market gaps for refugee entrepreneurs and should demonstrate how 
refugees will gain access to business credit.
    Successful applicants should demonstrate an understanding of the 
economic opportunities in the community for refugees and should have 
established working partnerships with the communities' refugee 
resettlement services network, with existing microenterprise 
development organizations (where they are present), and with financial 
institutions.
    Client Eligibility: Eligible clients are refugees who aspire to 
establish, expand, or stabilize a microenterprise but who lack the 
financial resources, credit history, or personal assets to qualify for 
business loans or assistance through commercial institutions. Refugees 
who are not yet citizens may participate regardless of their date of 
arrival in the U.S. However, refugees who arrived in the U.S. within 
the last five years have priority for services. Grantees will be 
responsible for documenting refugee client eligibility.
    Allowable Activities: Project components may include one-on-one 
business consultation and training, training in classroom settings, 
access to business credit, revolving loan funds, loan-loss reserve 
funds, and technical assistance to refugee businesses. ORR funds may 
also be used for the administrative costs associated with managing a 
revolving loan fund.
Training and Technical Assistance
    Training and other services should be individualized and flexible. 
While not all clients need extensive training or comprehensive 
technical assistance, proposals should address how the grant award will 
be allocated based on client need. Applications should indicate how 
technical assistance will be provided to address the complexity of the 
business plan, the level of risk entailed by the business, and the 
experiential background of the client.
    If structured training is offered, it is generally recommended that 
the training be relatively short-term. The goal of training should be 
the completion of the business plan. Training should also stress 
marketing and cash-flow projections.
Loans
    Microloans consist of small amounts of credit that are less than 
$15,000 and are extended to low-income entrepreneurs for start-ups of 
microenterprises or for the expansion or stabilization of existing 
microenterprises. ORR funds may be used for microloans to individual 
refugee entrepreneurs in sums not to exceed $15,000 (of ORR monies). 
These funds may be disbursed through individual loans or a revolving 
loan fund. Grantees with loan funds will be responsible for 
establishing written lending policies and procedures and for collecting 
and servicing loan repayments.
    ORR supports the use of commercial lending institutions for refugee 
borrowers to leverage the limited amount of ORR funds available for 
this purpose and to provide borrowers with the opportunity to establish 
creditworthy histories with traditional lenders. Applicants may elect 
to establish cooperative relationships with one or more of the 
community's financial institutions to obtain access to commercial loan 
funds. Alternatively, grantees may establish a loan-loss reserve fund 
with a financial institution, but should ensure that the agreement with 
the financial institution is beneficial to the grantee and the refugee 
clients; this should be monitored particularly in reference to the 
amount of additional funds leveraged using ORR monies and the way in 
which loans will be approved. In this case, ORR funds may be used for 
microloans to individual refugee entrepreneurs in sums not to exceed 
$15,000 of ORR monies in the reserve, but the total loan may be larger 
if necessary.
    ORR does not encourage the use of below-market rates of interest 
for the loan funds. Conversely, grantees may not charge refugees 
interest rates that exceed four percentage points above the New York 
prime lending rate at the time of loan approval. Unless the terms and 
interest rate are identical, ORR loan funds cannot be combined with 
other sources.
    Microloans will have a maximum maturity of three years. The 
applicant must demonstrate how they will ensure that loans are closed 
out by the end of the project period. If the term of the loan will 
exceed the time of the grant, grantees may also propose how they will 
continue to administer the loan repayment and any necessary technical 
assistance after the end of the project period. Loans may be used for 
working capital, inventory, supplies, furniture, fixtures, machinery, 
tools, equipment, building renovation, and/or leasehold improvements.
    Microloan funds may not be used for the following types of 
businesses:
     As venture capital for established businesses that are 
attempting major expansion;
     For enterprises engaged in gambling or speculation;
     For any illegal activity or production or for the service 
or distribution of illegal products;
     For purposes not related to microenterprise development; 
e.g., for the purchase of a personal-use automobile.
    Additionally, ORR strongly urges that if a refugee client proposes 
opening an import/export business or a franchise business, the 
businesses be thoroughly investigated and documented to ensure legality 
and fairness to the refugee.
    Treatment of Program Income: Projects with revolving loan funds may 
earn and retain program income in the form of interest (on individual 
loans or from loan-loss reserves). Specifically, program income funds 
may be retained by the project to expand the pool of credit in 
accordance with 45 CFR 74.24 (b)(1), (b)(2) and (e) for non-profit 
organizations and 45 CFR 92.25 (g)(2) for governmental entities. 
Similarly, repaid loan principal is to be treated as program income and 
placed in the revolving loan fund or loan-loss reserve fund for re-
lending. Program income may be retained by the grantee so long as the 
use of these funds furthers the objectives of the grant and is 
consistent with the Federal statute under which the grant was made (45 
CFR 74.24(e)).
    Any fees or charges imposed on refugee clients by the grantee or 
its subcontractors or affiliates (e.g., loan processing or training 
fees) must be disclosed in the application and preapproved by ORR. 
Program income must be reported on the Financial Status Report (SF 269) 
semiannually during the project period.
    Successful grantees will be expected to coordinate their policies 
and procedures for developing and administering refugee microenterprise 
development projects with the existing refugee microenterprise services 
network. To ensure an exchange of technical and training information 
among programs, all grantees are encouraged to attend two ORR training 
meetings during each year of their participation in this program area. 
Grant funds may be used to offset the cost of attendance.

[[Page 23218]]

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $1,200,000.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 4 to 12.
    Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards Per Budget Period: $500,000.
    Average Projected Award Amount Per Budget Period: $200,000.
    Length of Project Periods: 48-month project with four 12-month 
budget Periods.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    State governments;
    County governments; City or township governments; State-controlled 
institutions of higher education; Non-profits having a 501(c)(3) status 
with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; Non-profits 
that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than 
institutions of higher Education; and Private institutions of higher 
education.
Additional Information on Eligibility
    Only public and private non-profit organizations are eligible to 
apply. Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply.
    To be successful in this competition, refugee-serving organizations 
must demonstrate their organization's capacity to provide the technical 
expertise necessary to help refugees start, expand, or strengthen 
businesses, and to provide access to credit. Economic development 
agencies must show how they will modify their existing programs to 
serve refugees effectively.

2. Cost Sharing/Matching

    None.

3. Other

    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 (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 
earnings 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.
    When applying electronically we strongly suggest that you attach 
your proof of non-profit status with your electronic application.
    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 nonresponsive and will 
not be considered for funding under this announcement.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    Sylvia Johnson, Grants Management Officer, Office of Grants 
Management, Administration for Children and Families, 370 L'Enfant 
Promenade SW., 4th Floor West, Washington, DC 20447. Phone: 202-401-
5513. E-mail: ACFOGME-Grants@acf.hhs.gov. URL: www.acf.hhs.gov/
programs/orr.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    Applicants that are submitting their application in paper format 
should submit an original and two copies of the complete application. 
An original and two copies of the complete application are required. 
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.
    ACF is particularly interested in specific factual information and 
statements of measurable goals in quantitative terms. Project 
descriptions are evaluated on the basis of substance, not length. 
Extensive exhibits are not required. Cross-referencing should be used 
rather than repetition. Supporting information concerning activities 
that will not be directly funded by the grant or information that does 
not directly pertain to an integral part of the grant-funded activity 
should be placed in an appendix. A table of contents and an executive 
summary should be included. The application narrative should be in a 
12-pitch font with a 25 page narrative limit (up to an additional 20 
pages of attachments are allowable, not including letters of support, 
table of contents, executive summary, or standard forms and 
certifications). Reviewers may disregard narrative over the page limit. 
Each page should be numbered sequentially, including any attachments or 
appendices. Please do not staple or in any way bind the application 
other than with a rubber band or a clip. Please do not include books or 
videotapes as they are not easily reproduced and are, therefore, 
inaccessible to reviewers.
    You may submit your application to us in either electronic or paper 
format. To submit an application electronically, please use the https://
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

[[Page 23219]]

will not accept grant applications via e-mail 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.
     We recommend that you visit Grants.gov at least 30 days 
prior to filing your application to fully understand the process and 
requirements. We encourage applicants who submit electronically to 
submit well before the closing date and time so that if difficulties 
are encountered an applicant can still send in a hard copy overnight. 
If you encounter difficulties, please contact the Grants.gov Help Desk 
at 1-800-518-4276 to report the problem and obtain assistance with the 
system.
     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 https://www.Grants.gov
     You must search for the downloadable application package 
by the CFDA number.
    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.
    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 non-discrimination. 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: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
    For those organizations required to provide proof of non-profit 
status, please refer to Section III.3.
    Please see Section V.1, for instructions on preparing the full 
project description.

3. Submission Dates and Times

    Due Dates for Applications: July 5, 2005.
Explanation of Due Dates for Applications
    The closing date for submission of applications is referenced 
above. Mailed applications postmarked after the closing date will be 
classified as late.
    Deadline: Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an 
announced deadline if they are either received on or before the 
deadline date or sent on or before the deadline date and received by 
ACF in time for the independent review referenced in Section IV.6. 
Applicants are responsible for ensuring applications are mailed or 
submitted electronically well in advance of the application due date.
    Applicants must ensure that a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service 
postmark or a legibly dated, machine-produced postmark of a commercial 
mail service is affixed to the envelope/package containing the 
application(s). To be acceptable as proof of timely mailing, a postmark 
from a commercial mail service must include the logo/emblem of the 
commercial mail service company and must reflect the date the package 
was received by the commercial mail service company from the applicant. 
Private metered postmarks shall not be acceptable as proof of timely 
mailing. (Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services 
do not always deliver as agreed.)
    Applications hand-carried by applicants, applicant couriers, or by 
other representatives of the applicant shall be considered as meeting 
an announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline 
date, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., eastern time at the 
address referenced in Section IV.6., between Monday and Friday 
(excluding Federal holidays).
    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. However, applicants will receive an 
electronic acknowledgement

[[Page 23220]]

for applications that are submitted via https://www.Grants.gov.
    Late applications: Applications that 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.
    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. 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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Required form or
            What to submit                 Required content              format               When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project Abstract.....................  See Sections IV.2 and V  Found in Sections IV.2   By application due
                                                                 and V.                   date.
Project Description..................  See Sections IV.2 and V  Found in Sections IV.2   By application due
                                                                 and V.                   date.
Budget Narrative/Justification.......  See Sections IV.2 and V  Found in Sections IV.2   By application due
                                                                 and V.                   date.
SF 424...............................  See Section IV.2.......  See https:// By application due
                                                                 www.acf.hhs.gov/ date.
                                                                 programs/ ofs/
                                                                 forms.htm.
SF LLL Certification Regarding         See Section IV.2.......  See https:// By application due
 Lobbying.                                                       www.acf.hhs.gov/ date.
                                                                 programs/ ofs/
                                                                 forms.htm.
Certification Regarding Environmental  See Section IV.2.......  See https:// By application due
 Tobacco Smoke.                                                  www.acf.hhs.gov/ date.
                                                                 programs/ ofs/
                                                                 forms.htm.
Assurances...........................  See Section IV.2.......  .......................  By date of award.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           What to submit               Required content               Location               When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Survey for Private, Non-Profit       See form..............  Found in https:// By application due
 Grant Applicants.                                            www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ date.
                                                              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).
    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.
    When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be 
addressed to: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration 
for Children and Families, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 
L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 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.
    A list of Single Points of Contact for each State and Territory is 
included with the application materials for this announcement.

5. Funding Restrictions

    Grant awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-award costs.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    Submission by Mail: An applicant must provide an original 
application with all attachments, signed by an authorized 
representative and two copies. Please see Section IV.3 for an 
explanation of due dates. Applications should be mailed to: Sylvia 
Johnson, Grants Management Officer, Office of

[[Page 23221]]

Grants Management, Administration for Children and Families, 370 
L'Enfant Promenade SW., 4th Floor West, Washington, DC 20447.
    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. eastern time, Monday through Friday. Applications should be 
delivered to: Sylvia Johnson, Administration for Children and Families, 
Office of Grants Management, ACF Mailroom, Second Floor (near loading 
dock), Aerospace Center, 901 D Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024.
    Electronic Submission: https://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).

Part I--The Project Description Overview

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 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 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. ORR is 
particularly interested in the number and type of businesses 
established, expanded, or stabilized; the employment generated by the 
businesses; the number and size of loans provided to refugees; the 
amount of additional funds leveraged by the ORR funds for 
microenterprise loans, and the impact of the businesses assisted on the 
refugees' movement toward self-sufficiency.
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.
Evaluation
    Provide a narrative addressing how the conduct of the project and 
the results of the project will be evaluated. In addressing the 
evaluation of results, state how you will determine the extent to which 
the project has achieved its stated objectives and the extent to which 
the accomplishment of objectives can be attributed to the project. 
Discuss the criteria to be used to evaluate results, and explain the 
methodology that will be used to determine if the needs identified and 
discussed are being met and if the project results and benefits are 
being achieved. With respect to the conduct of the project, define the 
procedures to be employed to determine whether the project is being 
conducted in a manner consistent with the work plan presented and 
discuss the impact of the project's various activities on the project's 
effectiveness.

[[Page 23222]]

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.
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.
Third-Party Agreements
    Provide written and signed agreements between grantees and 
subgrantees or subcontractors or other cooperating entities. These 
agreements must detail scope of work to be performed, work schedules, 
remuneration, and other terms and conditions that structure or define 
the relationship.
Letters of Support
    Provide statements from community, public and commercial leaders 
that support the project proposed for funding. All submissions should 
be included in the application OR by application deadline.
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.
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.

[[Page 23223]]

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.

Evaluation Criteria

    The following evaluation criteria appear in weighted descending 
order. The corresponding score values indicate the relative importance 
that ACF places on each evaluation criterion; however, applicants need 
not develop their applications precisely according to the order 
presented. Application components may be organized such that a reviewer 
will be able to follow a seamless and logical flow of information 
(i.e., from a broad overview of the project to more detailed 
information about how it will be conducted).
    In 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 (25 Points)
    Adequacy and appropriateness of the program approach or design, 
including project goals and structure (policies, procedures, 
activities); training and technical assistance; loan funds, lending 
criteria, and fees, if included in the design; whether the business 
targets are start-ups, expansions, strengthenings, or all of the above, 
and how the applicant will aid each type of client; partner agencies; 
and credit provision.
Results or Benefits Expected (20 Points)
    Extent to which the expected outcomes and unit costs of the project 
are appropriate, consistent with reported nationwide performance in 
microenterprise projects, and reasonable in relation to the proposed 
activities. Results may include the impact of business income and 
business assets on clients' welfare status, if applicable, and on 
economic self-sufficiency as well as projected outcomes for business 
income, employment, and survivability.
Organizational Profiles (20 Points)
    Demonstrated organizational and management capacity including 
bilingual/bicultural competent services and experience serving refugees 
and other economically disadvantaged populations; description of 
experience in organizational management, including previous experience 
in managing grants of similar size; description of experience in 
providing microenterprise development services and in the management of 
loan funds, including a projected monthly cash flow chart for the loan 
fund for the four-year period beginning September 30, 2005; description 
of results achieved under any previous grant awarded by ORR for 
microenterprise; and experience in collaboration with the specific 
refugee community(ies) and coalition building among refugee and non-
refugee service providers.
Objectives and Need for Assistance (20 Points)
    Quality of the description of the prospective refugee communities' 
profile with respect to welfare utilization, English language 
proficiency, length of time in the U.S., interest in microbusiness, and 
the description of local capital needs and capital market gaps for 
refugee microentrepreneurs, including their ability to access 
mainstream financial services. This should include data regarding 
refugee hardships, the climate for business startups in relation to the 
overall cost of living, and a market analysis of the general business 
community.
Budget and Budget Justification (15 Points)
    Appropriateness and reasonableness of the proposed budget, 
including the relative distribution of funds for administrative costs, 
training, technical assistance, and loan capital. The application 
should include project timelines and a narrative justification 
supporting each budget line item.

2. Review and Selection Process

    No grant award will be made under this announcement on the basis of 
an incomplete application.

[[Page 23224]]

    The ORR Director and program staff use review panel scores when 
considering competing applications. Review panel scores will weigh 
heavily in funding decisions, but will not be the only factors 
considered. Applications generally will be considered in order of the 
average scores assigned by the review panel. Because other important 
factors are taken into consideration, highly ranked applications are 
not guaranteed funding. These other considerations include the timely 
and proper completion by the applicant of projects funded with ORR 
funds granted in the last five (5) years; comments of reviewers and 
government officials; ORR staff evaluation and input; amount and 
duration of the grant requested and the proposed project's consistency 
and harmony with ORR goals and policy; administrative costs associated 
with any sub-grantees; geographic distribution of applications; 
previous program performance of applicants; compliance with grant terms 
under previous HHS grants; audit reports; investigative reports; and 
applicant's progress in resolving any final audit disallowance or 
program review finding on previous ORR or other Federal agency grants.
Approved But Unfunded Applications
    Applications that are approved but unfunded may be held over for 
funding in the next funding cycle, pending the availability of funds, 
for a period not to exceed one year.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    Successful applicants will be notified through the issuance of a 
Financial Assistance Award document, which sets forth the amount of 
funds granted, the terms and conditions of the grant, the effective 
date of the grant, the budget period for which initial support will be 
given, the non-Federal share to be provided (if applicable), and the 
total project period for which support is contemplated. The Financial 
Assistance Award will be signed by the Grants Officer and transmitted 
via postal mail.
    Organizations whose applications will not be funded will be 
notified in writing.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Grantees are subject to the requirements in 45 CFR Part 74 (non-
governmental) or 45 CFR Part 92 (governmental).
    Direct Federal grants, subaward funds, or contracts under this ACF 
program shall not be used to support inherently religious activities 
such as religious instruction, worship, or proselytization. Therefore, 
organizations must take steps to separate, in time or location, their 
inherently religious activities from the services funded under this 
Program. Regulations pertaining to the prohibition of Federal funds for 
inherently religious activities can be found on the HHS Web site at 
https://www.os.dhhs.gov/fbci/waisgate21.pdf.

3. Reporting Requirements

    Program Progress Reports: Semi-annually.
    Financial Reports: Semi-annually.
    Grantees will be required to submit program progress and financial 
reports (SF 269) throughout the project period. Program progress and 
financial reports are due 30 days after the reporting period. In 
addition, final programmatic and financial reports are due 90 days 
after the close of the project period.

VII. Agency Contacts

Program Office Contact

    Lisa Campbell, Project Officer, Office of Refugee Resettlement, 
Administration for Children and Families, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW., 
8th Floor West, Washington, DC 20447. Phone: 202-205-4597. E-mail: 
lcampbell@acf.hhs.gov.

Grants Management Office Contact

    Sylvia Johnson, Grants Management Officer, Office of Grants 
Management, Administration for Children and Families, 370 L'Enfant 
Promenade SW., 4th Floor West, Washington, DC 20447. Phone: 202-401-
5513. E-mail: ACFOGME-Grants@acf.hhs.gov.

VIII. Other Information

    Notice: Beginning with FY 2006, the Administration for Children and 
Families (ACF) will no longer publish grant announcements in the 
Federal Register. Beginning October 1, 2005 applicants will be able to 
find a synopsis of all ACF grant opportunities and apply electronically 
for opportunities via: https://www.Grants.gov. Applicants will also be 
able to find the complete text of all ACF grant announcements on the 
ACF Web site located at: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/.
    ORR typically sponsors two training workshops per year, which 
grantees are required to attend; therefore applicants should budget 
accordingly.
    Please reference Section IV.3 for details about acknowledgement of 
received applications.

    Dated: April 27, 2005.
Nguyen Van Hanh,
Director, Office of Refugee Resettlement.
[FR Doc. 05-8898 Filed 5-3-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P