Office of Refugee Resettlement, 32805-32815 [05-11198]

Agencies

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

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 107 (Monday, June 6, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32805-32815]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11198]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Office of Refugee Resettlement

    Funding Opportunity Title: Discretionary Funds for Projects to 
Establish Individual Development Account (IDA) Programs for Refugees.
    Announcement Type: Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2005-ACF-ORR-ZI-0093.
    CFDA Number: 93.576.
    Due Date for Applications: Application is due July 21, 2005.
    Executive Summary:
    The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) invites eligible entities 
to submit competitive grant applications for projects to establish and 
manage Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) for low-income refugee 
participants. Eligible refugee participants who enroll in these 
projects will open and contribute systematically to IDAs for specified 
Savings Goals, including home ownership, business capitalization, 
vehicles for educational or work purposes, and postsecondary education. 
Grantees may use ORR funds to provide matches for the savings in the 
IDAs up to $2,000 per individual refugee and $4,000 per refugee 
household. 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.

[[Page 32806]]

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 which are necessary for economic self-
sufficiency, including projects for job training, employment services, 
day care, professional refresher training, and other recertification 
services; (ii) to provide training in English where necessary 
(regardless of whether the refugees are employed or receiving cash or 
other assistance); and (iii) to provide services where specific needs 
have been shown and recognized by the Director, health (including 
mental health) services, social services, educational and other 
services.''

Discretionary Funds for Projects To Establish Individual Development 
Account (IDA) Programs for Refugees

    1. Description:
    Program Purpose and Objectives: The Office of Refugee Resettlement 
invites qualified entities to submit competing grant applications for 
new projects that will establish, support, and manage Individual 
Development Accounts (IDAs) for eligible low-income refugee individuals 
and families. The Refugee IDA Program represents an anti-poverty 
strategy built on asset accumulation for low-income refugee individuals 
and families with the goal of promoting refugee economic independence. 
In particular, the objectives of this program are to: encourage regular 
saving habits among refugees; promote their participation in the 
financial institutions of this country; promote refugee acquisition of 
assets to build individual, family, and community resources; increase 
refugee knowledge of financial and monetary topics; assist refugees in 
advancing their education; increase home ownership among refugees; and 
assist refugees in gaining access to capital. These new projects will 
accomplish these objectives by establishing programs that combine the 
provision of matched savings accounts with financial training and 
counseling.
    Eligibility:
    Eligibility for this program is limited to refugees:
     Who are not yet citizens 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.);
     Who have earned income;
     Whose household earned income at time of enrollment does 
not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level; and
     Whose assets at time of enrollment do not exceed $10,000, 
excluding the value of a primary residence and one vehicle.
    Please refer to the Definition of Terms section for the definition 
of ``household''. The 2004 Poverty Guidelines may be found at https://
aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/04poverty.shtml.
    Asset Goals:
    Grantees, in partnership with qualified financial institutions, 
will create Individual Development Accounts for refugee participants. 
Refugee participants will systematically contribute to the IDAs out of 
earned income to purchase specified Savings Goals. The primary focus of 
the Savings Goals in their IDA program should be the following:
     Home Purchase;
     Postsecondary Education, Vocational Training, or 
Recertification; and
     Microenterprise Capitalization.
    In cases of documented necessity, the purchase of an automobile is 
allowable for the purposes of employment or education. Automobiles may 
only constitute 10 percent of a program, with 90 percent of the match 
funds obligated to the other goals. The purpose of an automobile 
purchase must be thoroughly justified and well documented. Additional 
information on these Savings Goals is provided in the Definition of 
Terms section of this announcement.
    Supplemental IDA and Administrative Funds:
    ORR strongly recommends applicants to include in their applications 
commitment, or plan for developing a commitment of, additional public 
or private funds for matching IDA deposits, operational overhead, and 
training. These funds will supplement ORR funds in order to serve 
greater numbers of refugees and assist the program in its future 
sustainability. If additional funds have been secured, documentation 
should be provided in the application in writing, executed with the 
entity providing the non-ORR contribution on letterhead of the entity, 
and signed by a person authorized to make a commitment on behalf of the 
entity.
    Savings Plan Agreement and Documentation:
    The grantee will establish a ``Savings Plan Agreement'' with each 
refugee participant. The Savings Plan Agreement must include:
    (1) A proposed schedule of savings deposits by the participant;
    (2) The rate at which the participant's savings will be matched;
    (3) The Savings Goal(s) for which the account is maintained;
    (4) Any training or counseling which the participant agrees to 
attend;
    (5) An agreement that the participant will not withdraw funds 
except for the specified Savings Goal or for an emergency and only 
after notification to the grantee;
    (6) A statement by the participant that the participant has not 
received the maximum allowable match from any other ORR-funded IDA 
program;
    (7) A procedure for amending the Agreement;
    (8) A date by which asset must be purchased or the date on which 
the program will end;
    (9) A designation of beneficiary; and
    (10) If saving for a vehicle, a statement by the participant that 
the vehicle will be used for the purpose of maintaining or upgrading 
employment or for the purpose of transportation for postsecondary 
education, vocational training, or recertification.
    Applicants under this grant announcement may propose additional 
provisions to be included in Savings Plan Agreements. In addition to 
the Savings Plan Agreement, grantees must collect and maintain 
documentation showing supplementary confirmation of the client's 
household budget, assets and liabilities, and earned income (this can 
be in the form of pay stubs, tax returns, etc.). ORR strongly suggests 
that each participant provide an overall household budget plan, 
describing how their IDA savings will derive from their discretionary 
income.
    Appropriate documentation for the usage of an automobile could 
include: calculation of long distances from the participant's home to 
their place of employment or educational institution, bus schedules 
showing unreasonable time tables and connections, and the anticipation 
of increased wages due to more time on the job or access to better 
wages or employment due to reduced commuting time.
    Accounts and Drawdown of Funds:
    The IDA contains only the refugee participant's deposits and 
interest earned on those deposits. Grantees may establish non-interest 
bearing IDA accounts for participants only with ORR approval. The 
grantee will create one Parallel Account, separate from the 
participants' IDAs, at a qualified financial institution in which all 
matching ORR grant funds will be deposited and maintained on behalf of 
the refugee participants. Drawdown of the ORR grant funds and deposit 
of those funds into the Parallel Account

[[Page 32807]]

will be permitted no earlier than the time of the refugee's deposit to 
the IDA. Grantees must draw down ORR funds for matching IDA deposits 
within three months of the date that the refugee participant makes the 
deposit, and must continue to draw down at least on a quarterly basis 
thereafter as participants make deposits.
    Program Income:
    The interest that accrues on the ORR matching funds deposited in 
the parallel account must be used to enroll additional refugee 
participants or to match interest earned on the refugee participant's 
deposits. The interest on the match funds in the parallel account may 
not be retained by the grantee for any purpose, including program 
administration, participant support services, or program data 
collection. (See 45 CFR 74.24(b)(1))
    Match Funds:
    ORR funds may be used at a matching rate no greater than one-to-one 
for each dollar deposited in the IDA by the refugee participant. 
Grantees may choose to vary the amount of the match by type of Savings 
Goal and/or by income level of the refugee participants, such as 
limiting the total match for automobiles to $1,000. Over the course of 
the five-year project period, not more than $2,000 in ORR grant funds 
may be provided through matching contributions to any one refugee 
individual and not more than $4,000 may be provided to any one refugee 
household (see the Definition of Terms section for the definition of 
``household''). When the refugee purchases the Savings Goal, the 
grantee must provide payment of the participant's IDA matching funds 
directly to the asset vendor. Applicants must provide ORR with 
information on the impact of IDA savings and match on refugee 
eligibility for public benefits, and must submit alternative maximum 
match limits to ORR for review if necessary.
    Training:
    Applicants must incorporate in these projects financial training 
for the refugee participants. The training may be provided directly by 
the grantee or the grantee may choose to provide the training through 
subgrantees or other providers; grantees are strongly encouraged to 
partner with other community agencies already providing general 
financial or asset-specific training. The training provided by a 
grantee should reflect both the refugee population and the Savings 
Goals to be included in the program. Such training should include 
budgeting, cash management, savings, investment, and credit counseling. 
Specialized training and technical assistance should be provided for 
refugee participants for each Savings Goal provided through the 
program. Although the applicant listed on the Savings Plan Agreement 
should be the person who attends the training, the entire household 
should be encouraged to participate.
    Close Out and Client Withdrawals:
    Under these projects, grantees should schedule their account 
activities so that all IDA accounts reach their maximum savings, and 
refugee participants have purchased their Savings Goal, within the 
five-year project period. If educational tuition or fees are paid in 
installments to an institution, grantee must establish a plan to return 
funds to the government if all of the match money is not utilized by 
the student. If the participant stops contributing towards their IDA 
for a period of three months without grantee approval, or fails to meet 
his/her savings goal, the grantee may use those funds to enroll another 
participant. If a participant has failed to meet their savings goal and 
purchase their asset at the end of the project period, the grantee must 
return the matching funds to the government in accordance with 45 CFR 
74.71.
    Definition of Terms:
    Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) are leveraged, or matched, 
savings accounts. IDAs are established in insured accounts in qualified 
financial institutions. The funds are intended for the Savings Goals 
specified in this announcement. Although the refugee participant 
maintains control of all funds that the participant deposits in the 
IDA, including all interest that may accrue on the funds, the 
participant must sign a Savings Plan Agreement with the grantee that 
specifies that the funds in the account will be used only for the 
participant's Savings Goal or for an emergency withdrawal. A signed 
Savings Plan Agreement is required for the refugee participant to be 
eligible for matching funds.
    A ``household'' is an applicant and all other persons living as an 
individual economic unit at one address that submits a single federal 
tax return.
    The Savings Goals, as specified below, are the purchases/
investments for which the matching funds are available when used in 
conjunction with the savings from the IDAs of refugee participants. The 
Savings Goal specified by a participant in the Savings Plan Agreement 
may be for the benefit of the refugee participant or of a refugee 
dependent (children under 21 years of age who are dependent on an adult 
for their livelihood) of the refugee participant. Purchase of any 
savings goal should not create an excessive debt burden for the refugee 
participant. Primary Savings Goals are defined as follows:
     Home Ownership: includes costs of a principal residence 
including the down payment and closing costs when purchasing a home. 
The purchaser must be a first-time homebuyer. Prior to approval for a 
client to save for this asset, the grantee must assess the likelihood 
that the client can obtain appropriate financing prior to the end of 
the project period. Grantee must also assess client's abilities to 
maintain a mortgage and the upkeep of a home.
     Microenterprise Capitalization: means costs for a micro-
business described in a qualified business plan, such as capital, 
plant, equipment, working capital, and inventory expenses. The business 
plan must be approved by a financial institution, a microenterprise 
development organization, or a non-profit loan fund. The plan must also 
describe services or goods to be sold and include a marketing plan and 
projected financial statements.
     Post-secondary Education, Vocational Training, and 
Recertification: Tuition or fees, professional recertification fees, 
books, supplies, and equipment, including a computer, related to the 
enrollment or attendance of a refugee student at an educational 
institution. Funds may be used for a dependent refugee if that child 
begins postsecondary education or vocational training within the 
project period. Proof of enrollment must be documented in the client's 
file.
    The Purchase of an Automobile is defined as a vehicle that is a 
documented necessity for the purpose of maintaining or upgrading 
employment or for the purpose of transportation for postsecondary 
education, vocational training, or recertification. Accounts 
established for automobiles must represent less than 10 percent of all 
those established. Funds can be used for the actual cost of the vehicle 
as well as one-time fees and taxes associated with the purchase of the 
vehicle. Vehicles may not be purchased through auctions.
    Qualified financial institution means a Federally insured bank or 
credit union or a State-insured bank or credit union if no Federally 
insured bank or credit union is available.
    A Parallel Account is an insured account opened by the grantee in a 
qualified financial institution for the purpose of depositing the 
matching funds for the savings deposited by refugee participants in 
their individual IDAs. Interest earned on the matching funds must 
remain in the Parallel Account and be used to enroll

[[Page 32808]]

additional refugee participants or to match the interest earned on the 
refugee participant's deposits. The matching funds must be made 
available to the refugee participant at the time that the participant 
purchases the Savings Goal. The matching funds are not available to the 
refugee participant except for the Savings Goals defined in this 
announcement.
    An emergency withdrawal is a withdrawal of funds, or a portion of 
funds, deposited by the refugee participant in his/her Individual 
Development Account. The withdrawal may also include any of the 
interest that may have accrued to the participant's savings in the 
account but does not include any matching funds. The participant must 
notify the project grantee of the withdrawal prior to the withdrawal. 
Causes for emergency withdrawals include, but are not limited to, 
medical expenses, payments to prevent eviction or foreclosure, or 
payments for necessary living expenses. If funds withdrawn for 
emergency purposes are not repaid within 12 months, the refugee 
participant forfeits the match on those funds. Emergency withdrawals 
may never be authorized from the Parallel Account(s).

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $1,500,000.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 7 to 8.
    Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards Per Budget Period: $400,000.
    Average Projected Award Amount Per Budget Period: $200,000.
    Length of Project Periods: 60 month project with five 12 month 
budget periods.
    Funds designated for the purpose of providing matches for the 
refugee IDA accounts should be approximately 75 percent of the total 
project. ORR funds not used for such matches may be used for such other 
purposes to include, but not be limited to, the administrative and 
operational costs of the project and for financial training, 
counseling, and technical assistance. ``Administrative and operational 
costs'' are defined as anything pertaining to the management of the 
operation of the grant by the grantee or subgrantee (if applicable); 
these costs may be slightly higher or lower in any one budget period.
    The Director reserves the right to award more or less than the 
funds described in the absence of worthy applications or such other 
circumstances as may be deemed to be in the best interest of the 
government. Applicants may be required to reduce the scope of selected 
projects based on the amount of the approved grant award.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    State Governments, County governments, City or township 
governments, 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.
    Additional Information on Eligibility:
    Eligible non-profit organizations include faith-based and community 
organizations. Applicants must also provide documentation of 
participation of a qualified financial institution(s) in the project. 
This documentation must be in writing, on letterhead of the financial 
institution, and signed by a person authorized to make the commitment 
on behalf of the financial institution. The documentation must include 
a commitment by the financial institution to establish IDAs for the 
refugee participants, to establish a parallel account (or accounts) for 
the matching funds, and to provide the grantee with account activity 
data on the IDAs and the parallel account(s) in a timely manner.
    Successful grantees will be expected to coordinate their policies 
and procedures for developing and administering refugee IDA projects 
with ORR and with the existing refugee IDA network. To ensure an 
exchange of technical and training information among programs, all 
grantees are encouraged to attend up to 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. Additionally, 
agencies may be asked to participate in an ORR-initiated program 
evaluation.

2. Cost Sharing/Matching

    No.

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 (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 
on-line 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.
    When applying electronically we strongly suggest 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 non-responsive and will 
not be considered for funding under this announcement.

[[Page 32809]]

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

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

[[Page 32810]]

    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 Date for Applications: August 5, 2005.
    Explanation of Due Dates:
    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 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 a 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). 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. However, applicants will receive an 
electronic acknowledgement for applications that are submitted via 
https://www.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.
    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 rest 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     Found in Sections    By application due date.
                                    and V.                IV.2 and V.
Project Description..............  See Sections IV.2     Found in Sections    By application due date.
                                    and V.                IV.2 and V.
Budget Narrative/Justification...  See Sections IV.2     Found in Sections    By application due date.
                                    and V.                IV.2 and V.
SF424............................  See Section IV.2....  See https:// By application due date.
                                                          www.acf.hhs.gov/
programs/ofs/
forms.htm.
SF-LLL Certification Regarding     See Section IV.2....  See https:// By date of award.
 Lobbying.                                                www.acf.hhs.gov/
programs/ofs/
forms.htm.
Certification Regarding            See Section IV.2....  See https:// By date of award.
 Environmental Tobacco Smoke.                             www.acf.hhs.gov/
programs/ofs/
forms.htm.
Assurances.......................  See Section IV.2....  ...................  By date of award.
Support Letters..................  V...................  Provide statements   All submissions should be included
                                                          from community,      in the application OR by
                                                          public and           application deadline.
                                                          commercial leaders
                                                          that support the
                                                          project proposed
                                                          for funding..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 date.
 Grant 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,

[[Page 32811]]

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.

5. Funding Restrictions

    Grant awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-award costs.
    See Section II for information on IDA match requirements.

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 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 40 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.
Part II--General Instructions for Preparing a Full Project Description
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/

[[Page 32812]]

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, ORR is particularly interested in the projected 
outcomes for the refugee participants, including the number of IDAs 
established, the amount of savings by refugee participants, the number 
and size of withdrawals for each of the Savings Goals, and the impact 
of the purchase of the Savings Goal on the refugee participant's 
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.
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.

[[Page 32813]]

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.
    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--30 points
    (a) Narrative Work Plan--The application provides a clear 
explanation of a feasible, appropriate, and complete plan for 
establishing and managing IDAs for the refugee participants and for 
leveraging any additional non-Federal financial matching resources that 
may have been or may be committed. The plan clearly describes the 
structure, uses, requirements, and management of the IDAs and includes 
procedures for managing the Parallel Account, ensuring that interest on 
the matches is utilized to enroll additional refugee participants or to 
match interest earned on the refugee participant's deposits, providing 
financial training appropriate to the

[[Page 32814]]

refugee population and to the Savings Goals included in the project, 
and closing all IDAs within the project period. Describes all major 
elements, activities, and procedures such as those listed below. 
(Provide expected outcomes for each activity.)
    (i) Selecting and training key staff for the project.
    (ii) After researching public benefits and the impact of IDAs on 
benefits for the applicant's clients, provide a proposed plan to ensure 
public benefits are not adversely affected by the IDA.
    (iii) Establishing and maintaining the Parallel Account.
    (iv) Developing protocols for managing the Parallel Account, 
including a system for allocating interest income to enroll additional 
project participants or to match interest earned on the refugee 
participant's deposits.
    (v) Establishing strong working relationships with one or more 
financial institution(s) that will participate in the project.
    (vi) Establishing and maintaining IDAs for each participant.
    (vii) Providing basic financial education and asset-specific 
training to participants.
    (viii) Developing Savings Plan Agreements with participants and 
working with them to save in accordance with the plan.
    (ix) Providing payments of participants' IDA match directly to the 
asset vendors for each of the Savings Goals.
    (x) Assisting participants who have difficulty completing the 
financial education or meeting the requirements of their Savings Plan 
Agreement.
    (xi) Ensuring that participants use IDA funds appropriately.
    (xii) Ensuring that project participants purchase an eligible asset 
within the project period.
    (xiii) Providing required financial and programmatic reports to 
ACF.
    (xiv) Self-evaluation of the overall project goals and 
accomplishments.
    (b) Timeline--Applicant should provide a timeline of services, 
keeping in mind that generally the first and last years of the project 
require a higher concentration on administrative services. The timeline 
should be consistent with the proposed budget, reflect key activities 
outlined in the narrative work plan, and ensure that all project 
participants complete their financial education, finish saving, and 
purchase their asset prior to the end of the project period. Applicants 
are strongly encouraged to present the timeline in the format of a 
Gantt chart.
    (c) Additional Financial Resources--To the extent possible, 
applicants provide a plan for obtaining cash or in-kind funds from 
other sources using the ORR IDA funds to leverage these additional non-
Federal financial matching resources.
Results or Benefits Expected--20 points
    The outcomes and benefits proposed are reasonable and reflect the 
objectives of this announcement. Explain how the project will produce 
results by specifying short and long-term measurable outcomes. Describe 
the strategy for collecting and validating data for use in program 
management, monitoring and evaluation. Describe the electronic 
management information system that the applicant will use for project 
data. The methodology proposed for collecting outcome data should be 
reasonable.
Organizational Profiles--20 points
    Applicant organization, staff and partner organizations have 
demonstrated capability to implement and manage new programs and to 
recruit and work with the refugee population. The applicant has 
developed a partnership with a financial institution(s) to implement 
the IDAs. Applicant should discuss previous IDA grants administered by 
the agency and the IDA program outcomes, fiscal abilities, and evidence 
that they have gained the trust of the refugee community. Discuss 
instances of managing grants of the same size as you are requesting 
here.
    Additionally, applicant should list public and private non-profit 
and for-profit organization(s), qualified financial institution(s), or 
microenterprise development organization(s) that will participate in 
the proposed project. For example, list partner organization(s) to 
review and approve refugee business plans for a microenterprise asset. 
Provide a description of the roles and responsibilities of each 
organization. Describe how additional partners will be recruited 
throughout the project period.
Budget and Budget Justification--15 points
    The budget is reasonable and clearly justified. The methodologies 
for estimating the number of refugee participants and amount of 
matching funds are reasonable. Seventy-five percent of the ORR grant 
funds are designated for the purpose of providing matches for the 
refugee IDA accounts.
Objectives and Need for Assistance--15 points
    The application identifies the refugee population to be assisted by 
this project and describes the need for assistance of this population. 
Indicators of the need for assistance include low rates of home 
ownership, education, access to capital, and use of financial 
institutions and high rates of reliance on public assistance and of 
incomes below 200 percent of the Federal poverty level. Applicant 
should demonstrate knowledge of refugee communities and potential