Financial Literacy Research Consortium Request for Applications (RFA); Program Announcement No. SSA-ORP-09-1, 18424-18433 [E9-9151]

Agencies

• Social Security Administration

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 76 (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18424-18433]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-9151]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No. SSA-2009-0024]


Financial Literacy Research Consortium Request for Applications 
(RFA); Program Announcement No. SSA-ORP-09-1

AGENCY: Social Security Administration.

ACTION: Notice and request for applications.

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SUMMARY: Social Security benefits are a key foundation in providing 
income security for millions of Americans. However, they are intended 
to complement other sources of income wherever feasible, such as 
pensions, tax-deferred retirement savings accounts, or personal 
savings. The current economic climate means that many Americans are now 
in danger of having insufficient savings for retirement and other life 
events. This situation occurs at a time when workers also need to take 
increasing responsibility for their savings decisions as many employers 
are moving from defined benefit to defined contribution plans.
    As described in the new SSA Agency Strategic Plan, we believe we 
have a special responsibility to help Americans of all working ages to 
understand the role of Social Security benefits and the need for 
Americans to save as they plan for retirement and other life events. 
More fundamentally, we also need to educate the public about the role 
of Social Security as one of the foundations of household income in the 
event of retirement, disability, or death. This includes a focus on key 
decisions such as when to stop working and when to take retirement 
benefits.
    The Financial Literacy Research Consortium (FLRC) will be an 
innovative, non-partisan multidisciplinary research and development 
(R&D) initiative to develop products to better inform the public about 
key financial literacy topics related to retirement savings and 
planning. We are interested in developing products--such as Internet 
tools as well as print materials--that help foster retirement and other 
savings strategies at all stages of the life cycle. Products may be 
tailored to new entrants to the workforce, mid-career workers, those 
approaching retirement, and those in retirement who must successfully 
manage retirement assets. In addition, as part of the FLRC, we are 
seeking some (but not exclusive) focus on educational products to help 
low and moderate income populations successfully plan and save for 
retirement and other life events, as well as products that improve 
understanding of Social Security's programs. We are also interested in 
potentially evaluating optimal distributional channels for some or many 
of these products.
    Due to our existing relationship with the public, we are uniquely 
positioned to encourage saving. We have over 1,300 field offices across 
the country, a Web site that received over 88 million visits in 2008, a 
Social Security Statement that is sent to approximately 150 million 
workers every year and professional public affairs staff around the 
country. We may distribute FLRC products (or revised products) to 
better inform the public about retirement savings topics. In addition, 
the FLRC will make available to the public products developed by the 
FLRC that may be of

[[Page 18425]]

value to the broader savings and retirement planning community.
    We are announcing the solicitation of applications for a 
cooperative agreement to compete for a Financial Literacy Research 
Consortium to help inform the public about financial literacy and 
savings. Section 1110 of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 1310. In the first year, 
the Consortium will be composed of no more than two research centers. 
The centers will have a combined annual budget of approximately $5.0 
million. We expect to fund the centers for a period of 5 years, 
contingent on an annual review process and continued availability of 
funds.

DATES: The opening date of this announcement is the date of 
publication. The closing date for receipt of cooperative agreement 
applications under this announcement is June 6, 2009.
    Notice/Letter of Intent: Prospective applicants are asked to 
submit, preferably with an e-mail attachment, within 30 days of 
publication of this RFA, an e-mail, fax, postcard or letter of intent 
that includes (1) the program announcement number (SSA-ORP-09-1) and 
title (Financial Literacy Research Consortium); (2) the name of the 
agency or organization that is applying and (3) the name, mailing 
address, e-mail address, telephone number and fax number for the 
organization's contact person. The notice of intent is not required, is 
not binding, and does not enter into the review process of a subsequent 
application.
    The purpose of the notice of intent is to allow our staff to 
estimate the number of independent reviewers needed and to avoid 
potential conflicts of interest in the review. The notice of intent 
should be faxed to (202) 358-6355 or mailed to Social Security 
Administration, Office of Retirement Policy, 500 E St., SW., 
Washington, DC 20254. Attn: David Rogofsky.

ADDRESSES: We require that applicants submit an electronic application 
through www.grants.gov for Funding Opportunity Number SSA-ORP-09-1. The 
www.grants.gov ``Get Registered'' Web page is available to help explain 
the registration and application submission process. In addition, new 
Federal grant applicants may find the Grants.gov ``Registration 
Brochure'' on the above noted Web site to be helpful. Also, as 
questions come in from this RFA, we will be posting a Word attachment 
FAQ on the Office of Retirement Policy Web site (https://www.ssa.gov/retirementpolicy). Questions can be submitted to flrc@ssa.gov and 
answers will be posted on the Web site as they become available. 
Therefore, all potential applicants should continue to monitor the 
Office of Retirement Policy Web site frequently in order to ensure that 
they have the latest updates of FAQs.
    If you experience problems with the steps related to registering to 
do business with the Federal government or application submission, your 
first point of contact is the Grants.gov support staff at 
support@grants.gov, 1-800-518-4726. If your difficulties are not 
resolved, you may also contact the SSA Grants Management Team for 
assistance: Audrey Adams, (410) 965-9469; Mary Biddle, (410) 965-9503; 
Ann Dwayer, (410) 965-9534; Phyllis Y. Smith (410) 965-9518. If 
extenuating circumstances prevent you from submitting an application 
through www.grants.gov, please contact the SSA Grants Management Team 
for possible prior approval to download, complete, and submit an 
application by mail. Should we grant such approval, the downloadable 
application package will be available at https://www.ssa.gov/oag. Please 
fax inquiries regarding the application process to the Grants 
Management Team at (410) 966-9310 or mail to: Social Security 
Administration, Office of Acquisition and Grants, Grants Management 
Team, Attention: SSA-ORP-09-1, 1st Floor, Rear Entrance, 7111 Security 
Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21244. To ensure receipt of the proper application 
package, please include program announcement number SSA-ORP-09-1 and 
the date of this announcement.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For nonprogrammatic information 
regarding the announcement or application package, contact: SSA, Office 
of Acquisition and Grants, Grants Management Team, 7111 Security Blvd., 
1st Floor Rear Entrance, Baltimore, MD 21244. Contact persons are: 
Audrey Adams, Grants Management Officer, telephone (410) 965-9469, Mary 
Biddle, (410) 965-9503; Ann Dwayer, (410) 965-9534; Phyllis Y. Smith, 
(410) 965-9518. The fax number is (410) 966-9310.
    For information on the program content of the announcement/
application, please submit a question to the mailbox flrc@ssa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Funding Opportunity Description
    A. Purpose
    B. The Role of the Center(s)
    1. Key Product Research Questions
    2. Product Development and Testing
    3. Dissemination of Products and Findings
    4. Tasks
    C. Responsibilities
    1. Responsibilities
    2. SSA Responsibilities
II. Award Information
    A. Type of Award
    B. Availability and Duration of Funding
    C. Letter of Intent
III. Eligibility Information
    A. Eligible Applicants
    B. Cost Sharing or Matching
    C. Policies Regarding Potential Conflict of Interest in WIPA 
Service Delivery
    D. Other
IV. Application and Submission Information
    A. Overview
    B. Availability of Application Forms
    C. Content and Organization of Technical Application
    D. Components of a Complete Application
    E. Guidelines for Application Submission
    F. Submission Date and Times
    G. Intergovernmental Review
    H. Funding Restrictions
    I. Other Submission Requirements
V. Application Review Information
    A. Review Process and Funding
    B. Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria
VI. Award Administration Information
    A. Notification
    B. Award Notices
    C. Administration and National Policy Requirements
    D. Reporting
VII. Agency Contacts
VIII. Other

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Purpose

    We are announcing the solicitation of applications for a 
cooperative agreement to compete for a Financial Literacy Research 
Consortium (FLRC). Section 1110 of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 1310. We seek 
applications in support of the FLRC that will serve as a national 
resource fostering innovative R&D on how to encourage savings through 
greater financial literacy, being cognizant that Social Security income 
is a fundamental source of retirement savings for many, and thus a 
cornerstone of our involvement.
    The FLRC may consist of up to two research centers. The 
Consortium's purpose is to benefit the public through the following:
    (1) Research, development and evaluation. We expect the FLRC to 
plan, initiate, and maintain a multi-disciplinary R&D program of high 
quality. This R&D will result primarily in educational products that 
encourage savings and effective retirement planning, including planning 
for the key decisions around retirement timing and benefit receipt. It 
may also result in research-based recommendations on the architecture 
or structure of programs or mechanisms that encourage use of public and 
private sector savings plans.

[[Page 18426]]

    (2) Dissemination. The FLRC will disseminate research findings and 
product prototypes through center Web sites and other media to inform 
the public as well as the broader retirement savings community 
including practitioners, policymakers and the public.
    (3) SSA's Rights in Data. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 
incorporates into the cooperative agreement the Government's rights in 
data. 48 CFR 52.227-14. Under this cooperative agreement, references to 
the ``contract'' in the FAR must refer to this cooperative agreement, 
and references to the ``Contractor'' in the FAR must refer to the 
agency's FLRC cooperative agreement partner(s).
    The provision provides, among other things, that the agency will 
have unlimited rights in data first produced in performance of the 
cooperative agreement, which means that we will have the right, as to 
this data, to use, disclose, reproduce, prepare derivative works, 
distribute copies to the public, and display it publicly, in any manner 
and for any purpose. 48 CFR 52.227-14(1). In addition, the agency can 
permit others to have the same rights just described.
    Under FAR, the agency's FLRC cooperative agreement partner(s) will 
have the right to release to others, reproduce, distribute, or publish 
any data first produced or specifically used by the agency's FLRC 
cooperative agreement partner(s) in performance of this cooperative 
agreement, unless provided otherwise under this regulation. 48 CFR 
52.227-14(b)(2)(i). Please refer to the FAR for a complete description 
of the parties' rights in data.

B. The Role of the Center(s)--The Center(s) Will Address the Following 
Key Research Questions Through Their R&D Initiatives

1. Key Product Research Questions
    (a) How to encourage retirement savings for new labor force 
entrants in employer-sponsored retirement plans, individual retirement 
plans, or other savings vehicles. Time is a critical variable in 
amassing retirement savings and consequently, workers' initial savings 
decisions upon entering the labor force can have lasting effects. We 
seek R&D on products that can help young workers make effective savings 
decisions at an age when income adequacy in retirement may appear to be 
a distant concern. Work in this area includes identifying sound savings 
principles and effective social marketing/media strategies for those 
entering the labor force.
    A potential near term future publication on this might be a 
``Welcome to the Workforce Guide'' provided to every new wage-earner. 
Work in this area might also include research-based recommendations on 
how we can clearly communicate issues regarding future solvency to 
accurately and effectively convey that Social Security benefits will 
remain an important component of the retirement savings strategies of 
many individuals.
    (b) How to encourage the protection of retirement resources for 
mid-career individuals (e.g., limiting lump-sum distributions from 
employer plans upon job changes, responsible use of loan provisions 
within employer-provided plans, limiting overall debt levels). Workers 
who have maintained adequate savings throughout the first half of their 
careers must take care to ensure these retirement assets are protected 
and continue to grow until retirement. In addition, workers who have 
not maintained adequate savings may still have time to make 
corrections. We are interested in R&D on educational products that help 
ensure against the diminishment or loss of these critical retirement 
resources. Work in this area includes: considerations of asset 
management and work strategies that can affect savings, pensions, and 
Social Security benefits.
    (c) How to encourage work and retirement decisions for near-
retirees that ensure adequate retirement income. Workers' retirement 
decisions can substantially affect their well-being later in life, 
regardless of their previous savings behavior. We are interested in R&D 
on effective retirement planning educational products for this group. 
Work in this area includes: Effects (both separately and together) of 
starting Social Security benefits at different ages; pension 
distribution options; and private asset management.
    (d) How to encourage effective resource management for current 
retirees in order to prevent hardship late in life. Financial literacy 
encompasses not only the accumulation phase of asset management, but 
also the decumulation phase. We are interested in R&D on appropriate 
educational resource management products to help retirees maintain 
adequate income throughout retirement. Examples of this includes: 
Managing private savings, pensions, and other assets during retirement 
(either in isolation or as a whole), such as annuitization options.
    (e) How to encourage and design effective retirement savings 
strategies for the low- and moderate-income populations (young and mid-
career). Conventional savings strategies are often inappropriate for 
the low-income population. We are interested in R&D on effective 
educational products for helping these individuals save for retirement. 
Work in this area includes: Developing plan designs for savings needs 
that are not met by restricted use vehicles (e.g., IRAs) and developing 
plan designs and communicating about investment strategies for low-
income persons who are more likely to have immediate and unforeseen 
financial needs; communicating about opportunities for saving for 
recipients of means-tested public assistance programs; developing 
educational products appropriate for persons with limited access to 
workplace savings vehicles and mainstream financial institutions.
    (f) Additionally, the FLRC may involve financial literacy research 
related to specific programs or features of programs relevant to the 
agency. We are interested in R&D that relates to Social Security 
Disability Income (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 
recipients. Potential future products in these areas might include a 
``Guide to Disability Benefits,'' an innovatively designed outreach 
tool to help individuals understand SSDI and SSI disability benefits 
and the disability determination process. Other products could focus on 
savings topics relevant to the disabled population or on work 
incentives in the SSDI or SSI programs (e.g., a ``Guide to Work 
Incentives'').
    There may be several subgroups within the target audiences 
mentioned above, for example, those with limited reading skills. To 
most effectively develop products to reach target audiences and 
potential subgroups, applicants are encouraged to consider teaming with 
partners who have expertise in conducting research with disadvantaged 
and hard-to-reach populations, including low-income populations, youth 
with disabilities and adults with disabilities.
    We are also interested in R&D on products that would promote better 
understanding of complex provisions of Social Security; for instance, a 
potential product could be a ``Guide to the WEP (Windfall Elimination 
Provision)/GPO (Government Pension Offset).''
2. Product Development and Testing
    The center(s) will develop products designed to address the five 
key research questions in ways that will engage the public. Initial 
product development will be guided primarily by qualitative research 
such as focus groups and in-depth, unstructured individual interviews, 
but it could include relevant quantitative survey

[[Page 18427]]

research as well that assesses increased knowledge and changes in 
behavior. Additional quantitative research might be utilized in 
subsequent evaluation of the products, particularly within the context 
of specific potential distributional channels. The key goal of the FLRC 
is not only to develop compelling products, but also to get these 
products into the hands of the public. Evaluation of the most effective 
ways to do this will be of great importance.
    Products generated by the FLRC center(s) can include:
    (a) Innovative web-based interactive technologies and social 
networking applications.
    (b) Print publications which are innovative and compelling in terms 
of graphics, layout, or messaging.
    (c) Development of research-based recommendations on the most 
effective distributional channels for the above products. Channels 
could include not only our distributional resources such as the annual 
statement, teleservice centers and field offices, but also employers, 
non-profit national and community organizations, and public libraries.
    (d) Development of research-based recommendations on optimal 
architecture, plan design, or plan defaults. Recommendations would be 
developed and refined through qualitative research and possibly large-
scale, randomized experiments.
    (e) Development of research-based recommendations on optimal 
combinations of multiple sequenced interventions--possibly even 
including some forms of personalized assistance--in consumer outreach 
and education. Advertising and social marketing principles hold that 
multiple exposures are often necessary for consumers to gain awareness 
and change behavior. Recommendations would be developed and refined 
through qualitative research and possibly large-scale, randomized 
experiments.
    (f) Relevant research papers on key issues related to financial 
literacy. It is expected that as a result of the above types of 
products being researched and tested, one further outcome would be 
papers disseminated to the broader research and policy community on 
testing results. This would enhance the broader knowledge base about 
financial literacy. In addition, there might be a need for basic 
research in a previously unexamined area of financial literacy or 
analysis that would identify policy changes that would support 
financial literacy and savings. Although we acknowledge that there 
might be a compelling rationale for centers to produce basic research 
or policy analysis papers, prospective applicants should be aware that 
we are looking for these papers to constitute no more than 15% of total 
center funding.
    (g) Development of an experimental recommended audience 
segmentation strategy within or even across multiple age groups. This 
would group those with similar attitudes and behaviors toward 
retirement saving, within more broadly defined age bands, in order to 
tailor products that each segment would find compelling.
    (h) In general, evaluation includes: Focus groups, in-depth 
interviews, observational research, surveys, and larger scale 
randomized experiments.
    (i) To optimally develop and test products, it is anticipated that 
a multidisciplinary approach might be utilized in some, many, or all 
instances. Examples of the relevant disciplines that could be included 
in the mix are: Economics (behavioral, consumer and family economics); 
social marketing; marketing science; psychology; sociology.
3. Dissemination of Products and Findings
    At our discretion, we may distribute or arrange to distribute 
products or copies of products developed by the center(s). We may also 
seek further testing and research within or outside of the FLRC before 
making a determination about distribution. We may make changes to the 
FLRC product as we deem necessary for its continued use. See 48 CFR 
52.227-14.
    In addition, we expect that the center(s) will become a focal point 
for the public, including the broader saving and financial planning 
community (retirement plan sponsors, human resources departments, 
government agencies, and others). The center(s) will have a dedicated 
Web site on which all products and research results will be available 
for use, download, and distribution by this broader community.
    We realize that effective R&D encompassing all of the above may be 
well beyond the current capacity and scope of any one center. 
Therefore, prospective centers are strongly encouraged to engage 
partners and affiliates to complement and supplement their own areas of 
expertise. Similarly, a center may choose to concentrate on a few of 
the research questions and on priority target demographic audience 
segments. The goal of the Consortium as a whole is to produce high-
quality research and educational products covering the range of 
objectives discussed above.
4. Tasks
    Each center will perform the following tasks:
    (a) Research, development (including educational materials and 
distributional channel testing), and dissemination of findings. Each 
center will be expected to plan, initiate, and maintain a research 
program that meets the highest standards of rigor and objectivity. 
Applicants need to describe their quality assurance standards. We 
reserve the right to review all publications created using Consortium 
funding prior to publication or dissemination.
    Joint research between Consortium and our researchers is 
encouraged, as is collaboration with other organizations interested in 
financial literacy. In instances where there is joint research with our 
researchers, we expect that there would be joint authorship of research 
papers. Federal employees cannot receive any funding support for 
collaborations. Planning and execution of the research program must 
always consider the policy implications of research findings. However, 
we also consider it appropriate, for example, to pursue advances in 
research techniques, when related to primary objectives of the 
Consortium.
    In order to ensure the practical utility of the centers' R&D 
activities, a group of eight nationally recognized scholars or experts, 
as well as financial services and social marketing practitioners from 
both the non-profit and business sectors must periodically review the 
center's activities. (See Part I, Section C, Center Responsibilities.)
    (b) Dissemination. An important feature of each center's 
responsibilities is making knowledge and information available to the 
public, including but not limited to the broader retirement savings 
community. The centers will be expected to host a Web site as a go-to 
resource for research, recommendations, and prototypes of practical 
products and distributional channels. In addition, the centers will be 
expected to organize conferences, workshops, lectures, seminars, or 
other ways of sharing current research activities and findings. The 
Consortium will hold an annual conference on issues related to 
financial literacy, with organizational responsibility rotating among 
the centers if there is more than one center in the consortium. The 
centers will work with us to produce a conference agenda. The 
conference will be held in Washington, DC. The hosting center will also 
have the responsibility for preparing and distributing a bound volume 
of conference papers and related materials to conference participants.

[[Page 18428]]

    (c) Reporting. Every three months during the award period, the 
grantee will produce a quarterly report of progress. The grantee's 
quarterly progress report should provide a concise summary of the 
progress made towards completion of activities in the annual work plan. 
The grantee should pay particular attention in the report to achieving 
any milestones set forth in the work plan, delays in achieving 
milestones, and the affect of delays on the final product. Details 
regarding the format of quarterly progress reports will be provided in 
the FLRC Terms and Conditions at the time of award. In addition to the 
regular reporting, the grantee will provide ad hoc and timely 
``hotline'' reports on any significant issues that arise with respect 
to management and implementation of the work.

C. Responsibilities

1. Center Responsibilities
    The centers have the primary and lead responsibility to define 
objectives and approaches; plan research, conduct studies, and analyze 
data; design products; and publish results, interpretations, and 
conclusions of their work.
    Occasionally, we will request quick turnaround projects from the 
FLRC. These projects include: Commenting on our research plans, 
providing critical commentary on research products, conducting 
research, composing policy briefs, performing statistical analyses, 
pulling together key research findings and recommendations in 
PowerPoint presentations, developing products, organizing research 
dissemination opportunities such as seminars and workshops and other 
activities designed to inform the agency's R&D initiatives. Funding for 
these as well as other related activities should be included in the 
budget narrative at a level of $200,000. The agency can raise the 
ceiling above $200,000 for quick turnaround projects if both need and 
funds exist. For qualitative research, assuming the materials were 
ready to be tested, quick turnaround would be defined as focus groups 
taking place within three weeks to one month of task order award, with 
top line (executive summary--summary of findings) reports to be 
delivered within one week after research is concluded. For quantitative 
research, a quick turnaround might involve an online research panel. 
Therefore, prospective applicants should ensure that they have the 
capability of bringing on skilled, relevant partners who could 
accommodate this type of timeframe, if they currently do not have the 
in-house capability to do so.
    Jointly with us, each center will select approximately eight 
nationally recognized scholars or experts and financial services/social 
marketing practitioners from the non-profit and business sectors who 
are unaffiliated with any center to provide assistance in formulating 
the center's research agenda and advice on implementation. Each center 
must select four scholars/practitioners or experts, and we will select 
four scholars/practitioners. Efforts will be made in selecting the 
scholars/practitioners to ensure a broad range of academic disciplines 
and viewpoints. Funded under this agreement, the scholars/practitioners 
must meet once a year at the FLRC Annual Conference in Washington, DC. 
On occasion, all centers' scholars/practitioners will meet jointly to 
evaluate and provide advice on Consortium objectives and progress. 
Further, the centers may contact the scholars/practitioners throughout 
the year for suggestions regarding center activities. The agency's 
Project Officer or representative will participate in all meetings.
2. SSA Responsibilities
    We will be involved with the Consortium in jointly establishing 
research priorities and dates to accomplish the objectives of this 
announcement. We, or our representatives, will provide the following 
types of support to the Consortium:
    (a) Consultation and technical assistance in planning, operating, 
and evaluating the Consortium's activities.
    (b) Information about our programs, policies, and research 
priorities.
    (c) Assistance in identifying our information and technical 
assistance resources pertinent to the centers' success.
    (d) Review of Consortium activities and collegial feedback to 
ensure that objectives and award conditions are being met. We may 
suspend or terminate any cooperative agreement in whole or in part at 
any time before the date of expiration, if the awardee materially fails 
to comply with the terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement, 
if the awardee does not meet technical performance requirements, or the 
project is no longer relevant to the agency. We will promptly notify 
the awardee in writing of the determination and the reasons for 
suspension or termination together with the effective date. We reserve 
the right to suspend funding for individual projects in process or in 
previously approved research areas or tasks after granting awards.
    In general, we seek organizations with demonstrated capacity for 
providing quality innovative R&D, and working with government 
policymakers.

II. Award Information

A. Type of Award

    All awards made under this program will be made in the form of a 
cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement, as distinct from a 
grant, anticipates substantial involvement between the agency and the 
awardee during the performance of the project. A comprehensive annual 
review process will allow us to evaluate, recommend changes, and 
approve each center's activities. Our involvement may include 
collaboration or participation in the activities of the centers as 
determined at the time of award. The terms of the award are in addition 
to, not in lieu of, otherwise applicable guidelines and procedures. The 
issuance of the terms occurs along with the notice of award.
    The grantee must apply to continue the cooperative agreement in 
order to receive funds in subsequent years of the 5-year agreement. The 
grantee will produce a continuation application, subject to review and 
approval by us. The continuation application should clearly describe a 
set of research, and dissemination activities that best address the 
priorities of the agency. We will engage in a dialogue with grantees 
throughout the award period regarding research topics. Based on that 
dialogue, we will provide the grantee with guidance (in writing) on the 
agency's research priorities for the subsequent continuation cycle.

B. Availability and Duration of Funding

    1. Approximately $5.0 million will be available to fund the initial 
12-month budget period of a proposed five-year cooperative agreement(s) 
pursuant to the announcement.
    2. Applicants must include detailed budget estimates for the first 
year, assuming a funding level of $5.0 million. If an applicant 
receives an award under the FLRC for less than $5.0 million, the agency 
and the applicant will jointly renegotiate research priorities.
    3. The amount of funds available for the cooperative agreement in 
future years has not been established. Legislative support for 
continued funding of the Consortium cannot be guaranteed and funding is 
subject to future appropriations and budgetary approval. We expect 
Consortium support during future fiscal years at an

[[Page 18429]]

annual level of approximately $5 million.
    4. The announcement allows for the unequal division of funds among 
multiple chosen centers.
    5. Additional funds may become available from the agency or other 
Federal agencies in support of Consortium projects.
    6. Initial awards, pursuant to this announcement, will be made on 
or about September 15, 2009.
    Although we anticipate two awards, nothing in this announcement 
restricts our ability to make more or fewer awards, to make an award of 
lesser amount, or to add additional centers to the FLRC in the future. 
Further, we are not required to fund all proposed Consortium activities 
in any year. We will review all proposed activities annually.

C. Letter of Intent

    Prospective applicants must submit a letter of intent by May 7, 
2009, which includes (1) this program announcement number and title; 
(2) a brief description of the proposed center; (3) the name, postal 
and e-mail addresses, telephone and fax numbers of the Center Director; 
and (4) the identities of the key personnel and participating 
institutions. The letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and 
does not enter into the review process of a subsequent application. The 
sole purpose of the letter of intent is to allow our staff to estimate 
the potential review workload and avoid conflicts of interest in the 
review. The letter of intent should be sent to: SSA, Office of 
Retirement Policy, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20254, Attention: 
David Rogofsky.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    We are seeking applications from domestic Institutions of Higher 
Education, Non-Profit organizations, Commercial organizations, Federal 
and State Governments, and Native American tribal organizations. A 
research team may consist of organizations, individuals, or 
institutions that are geographically distant, to the extent that the 
research design requires and accommodates such arrangements. Nothing in 
this announcement precludes non-academic entities from being affiliated 
with an applicant.
    No cooperative agreement funds may be paid as profit to any 
cooperative agreement recipient. For-profit organizations may apply 
with the understanding that no funds may be paid as profit. Profit is 
considered as any amount in excess of the allowable costs of the award 
recipient.
    In accordance with an amendment to the Lobbying Disclosure Act, 
popularly known as the Simpson-Craig Amendment, those entities 
organized under section 501(c)4 of the Internal Revenue Code that 
engage in lobbying are prohibited from receiving Federal cooperative 
agreement awards.

B. Cost Sharing

    We will not provide a center's entire funding. Recipients of our 
cooperative agreement are required to contribute a non-Federal match of 
at least 5 percent toward the total approved cost of each center. The 
total approved cost of the project is the sum of the Federal share 
(maximum of 95 percent) and the non-Federal share (minimum of 5 
percent). The non-Federal share may be cash or in-kind (property or 
services) contributions.

C. Other

    Each center director must have a demonstrated capability to 
organize, administer, and direct the center. The director will be 
responsible for the organization and operation of the center and for 
communication with us on scientific and operational matters. The 
director must also have a minimum time commitment of 25 percent to 
Consortium activities. Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women, and 
persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply as directors. 
Submission of a list of previous grants and cooperative agreements held 
by the director is required, including the names and contact 
information of each grant's and cooperative agreement's administrator. 
In addition to the director, skilled personnel and institutional 
resources capable of providing a strong research, development and 
testing base in the specified priority areas must be available. The 
institution must show a strong commitment to the Consortium's support. 
Such commitment may be provided as dedicated space, salary support for 
investigators or key personnel, dedicated equipment or other financial 
support for the proposed center.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Overview

    This part contains information on the preparation of an application 
for submission under this announcement and the forms necessary for 
submission. Potential applicants should read this part carefully in 
conjunction with the information provided in Part I.
    We anticipate that the applicant will have access to additional 
sources of funding for some projects and arrangements with other 
organizations and institutions. The applicant (including the center 
Director and other key personnel) must make all current and anticipated 
related funding arrangements (including contact information for grant/
contract/cooperative agreement administrators) explicit in an 
attachment to the application (Part IV, Section D). As part of the 
annual review process, this information will be updated and reviewed to 
limit duplicative funding for center projects.

B. Availability of Application Forms

    The application kit is available at www.grants.gov. For information 
regarding the application package, contact: SSA, Office of Acquisition 
and Grants, Grants Management Team, 7111 Security Blvd, 1st Floor Rear 
Entrance, Baltimore, MD 21244. Contact person is Phyllis Y. Smith, 
Chief, Grants Management Office, telephone (410) 965-8518, e-mail: 
Phyllis.Y.Smith@ssa.gov. The fax number is (410) 966-9610. To request 
an application kit for those without Internet access or for those 
experiencing extenuating circumstances preventing the submission of an 
electronic application, contact the Grants Management Office as 
mentioned above.
    When requesting an application kit, the applicant should refer to 
the program announcement number SSA-ORP-09-1 and the date of this 
announcement to ensure receipt of the proper application kit.
    As questions arise, an FLRC FAQ attachment in Word will be posted 
and revised on the Office of Retirement Policy Web site (https://www.ssa.gov/retirementpolicy). This will enable us to respond to 
questions about this RFA from interested parties.

C. Content and Organization of Technical Application

    The application must begin with the required application forms and 
a three-page (double-spaced) overview and summary of the application. 
Staff resumes should be included in a separate appendix.
    Budget Narrative: In addition to providing an explanation of the 
budget categories specified in the required forms, the budget narrative 
must also link the R&D and administration to the center's funding 
level. The special instructions attachment of the application kit 
provides information on the distribution and presentation of budget 
data. Though we believe that all

[[Page 18430]]

of the stated goals and objectives are important, we expect that the 
substantial majority of funds will support R&D. In addition, allocation 
of funds for occasional agency requested activities is required 
(described in Part I, Section C-1).
    Also, this section should include documentation of the 
availability, potential availability, or expectation of other funds 
(from the host institution, universities, foundations, other Federal 
agencies, etc.) and the use of these funds. When contemplating 
additional funding, applicants must note whether the host institution 
is donating the funding, is in-hand from another funding source, or 
applied for from another funding source. Formal commitments for the 5 
percent, non-Federal, minimum budget share should be highlighted in 
this section.
    Seeking additional support from other sources is encouraged. 
However, funds pertaining to this announcement must not duplicate those 
received from other funding sources.
    Project Narrative: The core of the application must contain five 
sections, presented in the following order:
    (1) A brief (not more than 30 pages) background environmental scan 
and situation analysis of the key current financial literacy issues and 
trends--with an emphasis on retirement savings--as they pertain to the 
priority target audience segments to be addressed by the proposed 
center. The analysis should cover the general state of savings 
strategies, current educational products and distributional channels 
(uptake, utilization, etc) targeted to these audiences. The analysis 
should discuss concisely, but comprehensively, important priority R&D 
initiatives based on either/both current key noted gaps in current 
efforts, or on emerging societal trends that require new ways of 
reaching the public.
    (2) A research, development, and evaluation prospectus for a five-
year research agenda, outlining the major research themes to be 
investigated over the next five years. In particular, the prospectus 
will describe the activities planned for the priority research areas 
and other additional R&D ideas proposed by the applicant. The 
prospectus should follow from the background analysis section, and it 
should detail how the proposed R&D would plan to result in products 
that would be innovative, engaging, and compelling to several or all of 
the target audiences, while reaching their intended audiences through 
effective distributional channels. The prospectus should be clear on 
how the proposed agenda and products do not duplicate research or 
products currently available in the public and private sectors.
    The prospectus must include detailed descriptions of individual 
research projects expected in the center's first year of operation. The 
special instructions attachment of the application kit provides 
guidelines for project proposals. The prospectus should be specific 
about long-term research themes and projects. The lines of research 
described in the prospectus should be concrete enough that project 
descriptions in subsequent research plan amendments can be viewed as 
articulating a research theme discussed in the prospectus. An 
application that contains an ad hoc categorization of an unstructured 
set of research projects, rather than a set of projects that strike a 
coherent theme, will be judged unfavorably.

    Note: Once we have selected up to two successful FLRC 
applicants, we will review the FLRC research agenda and determine 
research priorities. This may include the addition, modification, or 
removal of proposed research projects. After review, each center 
will submit to us a revised research plan and budget. The research 
plan will be periodically reviewed and revised as necessary. The 
application should discuss how the centers select research projects 
to propose, including involvement of the outside scholars/
practitioners, the agency, and other advisors and participants in 
the consortium.

    (3) A prospectus for dissemination of research findings, including 
ways to reach a broad audience of the retirement savings community. 
Dissemination plans should detail the proposed center Web site and 
conferences.
    (4) A staffing and organization proposal for the center, including 
an analysis of the types of background needed among staff members, the 
center's organizational structure, and linkages with the host 
institution and other organizations. In this section, the applicant 
should specify how it will ensure an effective approach to R&D and 
where appropriate, identify the necessary links to experts engaged in 
outreach and education.
    The applicant should identify the center Director and key senior 
research staff. Full resumes of proposed staff members must be included 
as a separate appendix to the application. Each proposed staff member 
must indicate the time commitment to the center and other commitments. 
The application should specify how administrative arrangements would be 
made to minimize start-up and transition delays. Note that once we 
award the cooperative agreement, changes in key staff will require 
prior approval from us. The kinds of administrative and tenure 
arrangements, if any, the center proposes to make should also be 
discussed in this section. In addition, the authors of the application 
and the role that they will play in the proposed center must be 
specified.
    If the applicant envisions an arrangement of several universities 
or entities, this section should describe the specifics of the 
relationships, including leadership, management, and administration. 
The staffing proposal should pay particular attention to discussing how 
a focal point for R&D will be maintained given the arrangement 
proposed. The applicant should also discuss the criteria for selection, 
and expected contribution of the outside scholars/practitioners.
    The application should provide an organizational experience summary 
of past work at the institution proposed as the location (or the host) 
of the center that relates directly or indirectly to the research 
priorities of this request. This discussion should include more than a 
listing of the individual projects completed by the individuals who are 
included in the application. The discussion should provide a sense of 
institutional commitment to R&D on issues involving financial literacy. 
The application must list in an appendix appropriate recent or current 
research projects, with a brief research summary, contact person, 
references, and address and telephone numbers of references. This 
section should also discuss the experience of the research staff in 
working with the government agencies and their demonstrated capacity to 
provide relevant support to these agencies.

D. Components of a Complete Application

    A complete application package consists of one electronic 
application. It should include the following items:
    (1) Project Abstract/Summary (not to exceed three pages);
    (2) Table of Contents;
    (3) Part I (Face Sheet)--Application for Federal Assistance 
(Standard Form 424);
    (4) Part II--Budget Information--
    (a) Form SF-424A--Sections A through F
    (b) Form SSA SF424 Section G--Personnel
    (5) Budget Narrative for Section B--Budget Categories;
    (6) Copy of the applicant's approved indirect cost rate agreement, 
if appropriate;
    (7) Part III--Project Narrative. The project narrative should be 
organized in five sections:

[[Page 18431]]

    (a) Background Environmental Scan and Situation Analysis
    (b) Research, Development, and Evaluation Prospectus
    (c) Dissemination Prospectus,
    (d) Staffing Proposal Including Staff Utilization, Staff 
Background, Organizational Experience, and Partnerships with other 
organizations.
    (8) Assurances--Form SF-424B;
    (9) Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, Form SF-LLL, if applicable.
    (10) Any appendices/attachments; and
    (11) Supplement to Section II--Key Personnel.

E. Guidelines for Application Submission

    These guidelines should be followed in submitting applications:
    (1) All applicants requesting our funds for cooperative agreement 
projects under this announcement must submit the standard forms 
provided in the application kit.
    (2) The application must be executed by an individual authorized to 
act for the applicant organization and to assume for the applicant 
organization the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the 
cooperative agreement award.
    (3) Length: Applications should be as brief and concise as 
possible, but ensure successful communication of the applicant's 
proposal to the reviewers. The Project Narrative portion of the 
application may not exceed 100 double-spaced pages (excluding the 
resume and outside funding appendices), equivalent to being typewritten 
on one side using standard (8\1/2\'' x 11'') size paper and 12-point 
font. Attachments that support the project narrative count within the 
100-page limit. Attachments not applicable to the project narrative do 
not count toward this page limit.
    (4) Attachments/Appendices, should only be included to provide 
supporting documentation.
    (5) On all applications developed by more than one organization, 
the application must identify only one institution as the lead 
organization and the official applicant. The other(s) can be included 
as sub-grantees or subcontractors.

F. Submission Dates and Times

    Applicants must submit applications through www.grants.gov by the 
closing date of June 6, 2009. However, when the SSA Grants Management 
Team approves the submission of a mailed application due to extenuating 
circumstances, applications may be mailed or hand-delivered to: Social 
Security Administration, Office of Acquisition and Grants, Grants 
Management Team, Attention: SSA-ORP-09-1, 1st Floor-Rear Entrance, 7111 
Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21244. Hand-delivered applications are 
accepted between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. 
An application will be considered as meeting the deadline if it is 
either:
    (1) Received from Grants.gov on or before the deadline date; or
    (2) Received at the above address on or before the deadline, when a 
mailed application has been authorized by the Grants Management Team; 
or
    (3) Postmarked by June 6, 2009 when a mailed application has been 
authorized by the Grants Management Team. Packages approved for mailing 
must be sent through the U.S. Postal Service or by commercial carrier 
on or before the deadline date and received in time to be considered 
during the competitive review and evaluation process. Applicants are 
cautioned to request a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or to 
obtain a legibly dated receipt from a commercial carrier as evidence of 
timely mailing. Private metered postmarks are not acceptable as proof 
of timely mailing.
    Applications that do not meet the above criteria will be considered 
late applications. We will not waive or extend the deadline for any 
applicant unless we waive or extend the deadline for all applicants. We 
will notify each late applicant of non-application consideration.
    Letters of intent, which are optional, are requested by May 7, 
2009. See Part II, Section C for details.

G. Intergovernmental Review

Executive Order 12372 and 12416--Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs
    This program is not covered by the requirements of Executive Order 
12372, as amended by Executive Order 12416, relating to the Federal 
policy for consulting with State and local elected officials on 
proposed Federal financial assistance.

(Catalog of Domestic Federal Assistance: Program No. 96.007, Social 
Security--Research and Demonstration)

H. Funding Restrictions

    There will be limitations concerning allowable construction 
expenses. Submitted budgets may include minor construction expenses, 
such as alterations and renovations. This could include work required 
to change the interior arrangements or other physical characteristics 
of an existing facility or installed equipment so that it may be more 
effectively used for the project. Alteration and renovation may include 
work referred to as improvements, conversion, rehabilitation, 
remodeling, or modernization, but is distinguished from construction 
and large-scale permanent improvements.
    Awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-award costs.

I. Other Submission Requirements

    We require that applicants submit an electronic application through 
www.grants.gov for Funding Opportunity Number SSA-ORP-09-1. If you 
experience problems with the steps related to registering to do 
business with the Federal government or application submission, your 
first point of contact is the Grants.gov support staff at 
support@grants.gov, 1-800-518-4726. If your difficulties are not 
resolved, you may also contact the SSA Grants Management Team for 
assistance: Audrey Adams, 410-965-9469; Mary Biddle, 410-965-9503; Ann 
Dwayer, 410-965-9534; Phyllis Y. Smith, 410-965-9518.
    If extenuating circumstances prevent you from submitting an 
application through www.grants.gov, please contact the SSA Grants 
Management Team for possible prior written approval to download, 
complete, and submit an application by mail. Should we grant such 
approval; the downloadable application package will be available at 
https://www.ssa.gov/oag. Please fax inquiries regarding the application 
process to the Grants Management Team at 410-966-9310 or mail to: 
Social Security Administration, Office of Acquisition and Grants, 
Grants Management Team, Attention: SSA-ORP-09-1, 1st Floor--Rear 
Entrance, 7111 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21244. To ensure receipt 
of the proper application package, please include program announcement 
number SSA-ORP-09-1 and the date of this announcement.

V. Application Review Information

A. Review Process and Funding

    In addition to any other reviews, a review panel consisting of at 
least three qualified persons will be formed. Each panelist will 
objectively review and score the cooperative agreement applications 
using the evaluation criteria listed below. The panel will recommend 
centers based on (1) the application scores; (2) the feasibility and 
adequacy of the project plan and methodology; and (3) how the centers 
would jointly meet the objectives of the Consortium. The agency will 
consider the panel's recommendations when

[[Page 18432]]

awarding the cooperative agreements. Although the results from the 
review panel are the primary factor used in making funding decisions, 
they are not the sole basis for making awards. The agency will consider 
other factors as well (such as duplication of internal and external 
research effort) when making funding decisions.
    All applicants must use the guidelines provided in the agency's 
application kit at www.grants.gov, for preparing applications 
requesting funding under this cooperative agreement announcement. These 
guidelines describe the minimum amount of required project information. 
However, when completing the Project Narrative, please follow the 
guidelines under Part IV, Section C, above.
    All awardees must adhere to our Privacy and Confidentiality 
Regulations, as well as provide specific safeguards surrounding client 
information sharing, paper/computer records/data, and other issues 
potentially arising from administrative data. 20 CFR part 401. 
Additional details regarding safeguarding of Personally Identifiable 
Information are available in the SSA Grants Administration Manual, 
Section 3-10-60, available at https://www.ssa.gov/oag/grants/ssagrant_info.htm.

B. Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria

    The evaluation criteria correspond to the outline for the 
development of the Budget and Project Narrative Statement of the 
application described in Part IV, Section C, above. The application 
should be prepared in the format indicated by the outline described in 
the components of a complete application (Part IV, Section D).
    Selection of the successful applicants will be based on the 
technical and financial criteria laid out in this announcement. 
Reviewers will determine the strengths and weaknesses of each 
application in terms of the evaluation criteria listed below.
    The point value following each criterion heading indicates the 
maximum numerical relative weight that each section will be given in 
the review process. An unacceptable rating on any individual criterion 
may render the application unacceptable. Consequently, applicants 
should take care that all criteria are fully addressed in the 
applications. Applications will be reviewed as follows:
    (1) Quality of the background environmental scan/situation 
analysis. (10 points) Reviewers will judge applications on whether they 
provide a thoughtful, coherent, and pragmatic discussion of the key 
research questions influencing financial literacy, particularly within 
the context of retirement savings.
    (2) Quality of the research, development, and evaluation 
prospectus. (30 points) Reviewers will judge this section on whether 
the R&D agenda and methodology are both sound and geared toward 
achieving practical results. Applications must address how they will 
develop and test compelling calls to action within the context of the 
key research questions, and they must address how they will approach 
the evaluation of distributional channels.
    The reviewers will judge the application on the breadth and depth 
of the applicant's commitment to R&D, particularly with regard to the 
key product research questions and product development and testing 
described in Part I, Section B, parts 1 and 2. The discussion and 
research proposed must address at least three product research 
questions and three-product development and testing examples, with a 
multi-disciplinary approach. Applicants will generally receive higher 
scores for addressing more than four product research questions as well 
as more than three product development and testing examples. However, a 
strong proposal focusing on three areas will outscore one that is broad 
and weakly defined. Applicants with additional insightful research 
proposals will also score higher. Besides detailed plans for research 
projects in the first year, the research agenda should discuss possible 
projects over the longer five-year horizon.
    (3) Dissemination. (15 points) Reviewers will evaluate the proposed 
Web site, conferences, and other strategies for dissemination of 
research and other related information to the general public, including 
but not limited to a broad and disparate set of practitioner and policy 
communities.
    (4) Quality of the staffing proposal and proposed administration. 
(25 points) Reviewers will judge the applicant's center Director, staff 
and proposed business partners/subawardees on relevant research 
experience, demonstrated research and testing experience, prior 
administrative and leadership skills, and public administration 
experience. Relevant research experience may include, but is not 
limited to: (a) Prior publications on financial literacy tools, 
financial education in the workplace, retirement planning, saving over 
the life cycle, affect of benefits and/or health on timing of 
retirement and claiming decisions (with ideally at least some 
publications incorporating a social marketing approach); (b) Prior 
published financial literacy research with audience segments reflecting 
the above priority areas is sought; (c) Relevant administrative and 
practical public administration experience that may include, but not be 
limited to, leading a current center; serving in a senior government 
capacity in a relevant agency such as the Department of Treasury, the 
Federal Reserve or the Social Security Administration; or board 
leadership of relevant non-profit organizations.
    (i) An additional criterion will be the center's demonstrated 
potential to facilitate, on its own or through partnerships/subawards, 
applied research to inform the development and testing of educational 
outreach materials and channels. The reviewers will consider both the 
evidence of past involvement in related R&D, and the specific plans for 
seeking applied outcomes described in the application as part of that 
potential. Applications that list key proposed partnership/proposed 
subawardee personnel, along with the accompanying rationale for 
selection, (e.g., entities and organizations external to the 
applicants) are highly desirable.
    (ii) Reviewers will consider references from grant/cooperative 
agreement/contract administrators on previous grants, cooperative 
agreements and contracts held by the proposed center Director or other 
key personnel, as well as other known references within the agency. 
Reviewers will take into account past performance on other grants/
cooperative/contracts.
    (iii) Director and staff time commitments to the center also will 
be a factor in evaluation. Reviewers will evaluate the affiliations of 
proposed key personnel to ensure fulfillment of the required multi-
disciplinary nature of the consortium.
    (iv) The reviewers will judge applicants on the nature and extent 
of the organizational support for research and dissemination in areas 
related to the center's central priorities and this request. Reviewers 
will evaluate the commitment of the host institution (and the proposed 
institutional unit that will contain the center) to assess its ability 
to support both of the center's major activities: (1) R&D and (2) 
dissemination.
    (v) The application should address how the applicant will pull a 
team together of subawardees--what their evaluation criteria will be, 
and how they will manage the subawardees if the applicant is the 
recipient of an award. The government expects that all applicable 
subawardees will be in any

[[Page 18433]]

relevant meetings and conference calls with the government.
    (5) Extent to which applicants meet program policy evaluation 
criteria. It may be desirable to select centers for awards based upon 
the applicants' total mix of areas of concentration so as to round out 
portfolio objectives. (10 points)
    (6) Appropriateness of the budget for carrying out the planned 
staffing and activities. (10 points) Reviewers will consider whether 
(1) the budget ensures an efficient and effective allocation of funds 
to achieve the objectives of this solicitation, and (2) the applicant 
has additional funding from other sources, in particular, the host 
institution. Applications that show funding from other sources that 
supplement funds from this cooperative agreement will be given higher 
marks than those without financial support. Awardees are required to 
contribute a minimum of 5 percent cost share of total project costs.
    Panel Recommendations. Once each application is scored and ranked, 
the panel will then review the top applicants and recommend centers 
that together best address the range of responsibilities described in 
Part I.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Notification

    Grants.gov will issue application receipt acknowledgments.

 B. Award Notices

    Applicants who have been selected will receive an official 
electronic notice of award signed by an SSA Grants Management Officer 
around September 15, 2009. Those who were not selected will be notified 
by official letter.

C. Administration and National Policy Requirements

    Grantees will have access to confidential beneficiary information 
and will be subject to our background checks and fingerprinting in 
accordance with our personnel, security and suitability requirements. 
In addition, grantees are required to adhere to our policy regarding 
the protection of Personally Identifiable Information (PII). When 
making awards, we will distribute the necessary packages including 
forms and consents for completion, for both PII and Suitability 
Determination.

D. Reporting

    Every three months during the award period, the grantee will 
produce a quarterly report of progress. The grantee's quarterly 
progress reports should provide a concise summary of the progress being 
made toward completion of activities in the annual work plan. The 
grantee should pay particular attention in the reports to achieving any 
milestones set forth in the work plan, delays in achieving milestones, 
and the affect of delays on the final product. Details regarding the 
format of quarterly progress reports will be provided in the FLRC Terms 
and Conditions at the time of award. In addition to the regular 
reporting, the grantee will provide ad hoc and timely ``hotline'' 
reports on any significant issues that arise with respect to mana