Request for Qualification (RFQ) for the Fellowship Placement Pilot Program, 52678-52686 [2011-21439]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 163 (Tuesday, August 23, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52678-52686]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-21439]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5514-N-02]


Request for Qualification (RFQ) for the Fellowship Placement 
Pilot Program

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and 
Research, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Funding Opportunity Title: Fellowship Placement Program.
    Eligible Applicants: A single third party, or a partnership of 
third parties as defined under section I.B. Definitions of this notice.
    Announcement Type: Initial Announcement.
    OMB Control Number: The OMB control number is 2528-0272.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (CFDA): The CFDA 
number for this announcement is 14.529.
SUMMARY: This notice announces HUD's proposal to conduct a Fellowship 
Placement Pilot (fellowship program). The fellowship program is 
designed to assist local governments rebuild their capacity by training 
and placing highly motivated early to midcareer professionals into two-
year fellowships to work in a mayor's office or other offices of local 
government agencies.
    HUD will conduct the fellowship program in six pilot cities. HUD 
has conducted an extensive evaluation process and have selected the 
following six pilot cities: Chester, PA; Cleveland, OH; Detroit, MI; 
Fresno, CA; Memphis, TN; and New Orleans, LA.

[[Page 52679]]

    Through a national competitive process, up to 30 fellows will be 
recruited for the initial class, where each pilot city may receive up 
to five fellows. Fellows will receive stipends and will be mentored by 
staff located in each pilot city.
    To administer the fellowship program, HUD will select an eligible 
third party as defined in section II.B. Definitions of this notice. 
Interested third parties are invited to submit full applications to be 
reviewed by HUD for consideration.
    While there is no match requirement for the fellowship program, HUD 
recognizes that the scope of work required of the program may exceed 
the funds that are available for this grant. Therefore, HUD expects 
that the selected third party will secure additional funding support 
from other philanthropic organizations to fulfill the scope of work for 
the fellowship program. (Please see section II.C.1 Leveraging for more 
information.)
    Funding for the fellowship program was made available to HUD 
through the Rockefeller Foundation, which HUD is statutorily authorized 
to accept.

DATES: Request for Qualification Due Date: Applications are due no 
later than September 22, 2011, 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time. If 
applying as a partnership, only the lead organization needs to submit 
an application for the partnership. HUD will review the Request for 
Qualification (RFQ) received from third parties and anticipates that it 
will select a grantee no later than 30 days after September 22, 2011, 
when the original applications were submitted.

ADDRESSES: Applicants seeking to apply as the third party to manage the 
fellowship program are directed to submit their application, responses 
and relevant documents (see Appendix B for checklist) to 
FellowshipPlacementProgram@hud.gov by September 22, 2011.
    Applicants may download the required application documents and 
forms SF424, SF424sup and SF-LL at: https://www.huduser.org/portal/fellowship/placepilot.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kheng Mei Tan, Office of Policy 
Development and Research, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 
451 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410; telephone number 202-402-
4986 (this is not a toll-free number). Persons with hearing or speech 
impairments may access this number through TTY by calling the toll-free 
Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    In 2010, senior leadership from the White House, HUD, and other 
federal agencies have assessed ways to enhance technical assistance to 
help some of the nation's most economically distressed cities so that 
they may begin to stabilize and rebuild their local economies. The 
result of these discussion led to the creation of the White House's 
Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2) initiative, a new and 
customized pilot initiative to strengthen local capacity and spark 
economic growth in local communities.
    These cities, formerly key economic engines of regional and 
national prosperity have in the past several decades, undergone high 
poverty and unemployment rates, severe residential and commercial 
vacancies, long-term population loss, and have struggled to return to a 
place of economic productivity. The long term economic decline of these 
cities have constrained local resources, and precluded them from 
attracting, hiring and maintaining sufficient staff to support key 
operations and execute revitalization strategies. Moreover, rising 
government costs, declining revenue streams, and the requirement that 
state and local governments maintain a balanced budget continue to 
further these economic challenges.
    However, despite these significant challenges, these cities possess 
tremendous physical, commercial, and public assets that can be used to 
revive their local and regional economies. In an effort to ensure the 
economic health and well being of regional and national economies, 
these cities must be given the best opportunity possible to regain 
strength through leveraging their key assets and extensively partner 
with public and private sectors. In addition, the revitalization of 
these cities can be assisted by providing them with additional highly 
skilled staff with wide-ranging technical expertise in fields that 
include urban planning, workforce training, economic development, and 
human capital strategies.
    The fellowship program is one of four strategies of the White House 
SC2 initiative that is part of a broader and new approach to making the 
Federal investment model more flexible, targeted, tailored, and 
holistic in building local capacity in cities and regions facing long-
term challenges. With this new method, these cities can more 
effectively build partnerships with businesses, non-profits, and other 
key economic players that will help attract critical private investment 
to create jobs, promote economic growth, and enhance community 
prosperity. As a result, this targeted assistance will help put these 
places on a path towards creating a customized and specific plan for 
long-term economic revitalization.

II. Fellowship Placement Pilot Program

A. Fellowship Placement Pilot Program Overview

    As described in the Summary, the fellowship program will be a 
competitive program that provides funding for early to mid-career 
professionals to work for two year terms in local government positions 
to supplement existing local capacity. HUD envisions that through a 
national competitive process, up to 30 fellows who are strongly 
committed to public service, will be selected for the initial 
fellowship class. Fellows will be deployed to one of the six pilot 
cities that have been selected for the SC2 initiative. In their pilot 
cities, they will support and assist local governments in their 
economic revitalization efforts. Fellows will receive stipends and will 
be mentored by staff located in each pilot city. The objectives of 
fellows assigned to selected pilot cities will be to:
    1. Take on high-level responsibilities and be immersed in the core 
operations of the host city;
    2. Engage in peer-to-peer learning opportunities and become active 
leaders in their host city; and
    3. Be intensely engaged and committed to the redevelopment of the 
city so that they remain working in the city after the end of the 
program.
    HUD will conduct the fellowship program in the following pilot 
cities: Chester, PA; Cleveland, OH; Detroit, MI; Fresno, CA; Memphis, 
TN; and New Orleans, LA. Each pilot city may receive up to five 
fellows.
    HUD has conducted a comprehensive city assessment for each pilot 
city to identify their key challenges and areas of capacity need. The 
city assessment provides useful information to help HUD and the 
fellowship program determine how fellows can be used to support each 
pilot city.
    Funding for the fellowship program is provided through a donation 
of $2.5 million by the Rockefeller Foundation, a private philanthropic 
organization, which HUD is authorized to accept under section 7(k)(1) 
of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 
3535(k)(1)). The donation was specifically provided to HUD to develop, 
manage, and implement a national fellowship program to enhance the 
capacity of some of the nation's

[[Page 52680]]

most economically distressed cities. In addition, section 3(b) of the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3532(b)) 
authorizes the Secretary of HUD to ``exercise leadership at the 
direction of the President in coordinating Federal activities affecting 
housing and urban development'' as well as to ``provide technical 
assistance and information * * * to aid state, county, town, village, 
or other local governments in developing solutions to community and 
metropolitan development problems.''

B. Fellowship Placement Pilot Program Administrator

    HUD is seeking applications through this notice from eligible third 
parties (Administrator) to administer the fellowship program. The 
selected Administrator will be responsible for two major activities of 
the fellowship program:
    1. Manage and administer the fellowship program at the national and 
local level (Activity 1); and
    2. Develop training curriculum and train fellows for the program 
(Activity 2).
    To be eligible for selection, the Administrator must be able to 
carry out both activities.
    The selected Administrator will be a single third party or a 
partnership of third parties, as the term ``third party'' is defined 
below, along with other key definitions.
    Definitions: The following terms shall have the meaning indicated 
below:
    Administrator: The term ``administrator'' means a third party or 
partnership of third parties that will be responsible for all tasks 
associated with activities 1 and 2 described in this Expression of 
Interest.
    Third-party: The term ``third party'' means an educational 
institution, private and for-profit entity, or private or public 
nonprofit with a 501(c)(3) status.
    Partnership: The term ``partnership'' means any combination or 
grouping of two or more third-parties as previously defined. Examples 
of possible partnerships among third parties may include, but is not 
limited to, a partnership between:
     A national or regional leadership institute and local 
universities or other local organization with relevant experience; or
     A volunteer or community driven organization and college 
institution. Further, to differentiate among the tasks associated with 
Activity 1 and Activity 2, HUD will use the following terms:
Activity 1
    Local organization: The term ``local organization'' will refer to 
those third parties that will be tasked to work in each of the pilot 
cities. In addition, HUD will expand this definition of ``local 
organization'' to include an individual(s) who is a qualified 
independent consultant or professional expert that can effectively 
manage the work at the local level.
Activity 2
    Training Organization: The term ``training organization'' will 
refer to the third parties that will assume all tasks associated with 
training as described in section II.C.2 of this Expression of Interest.
    Period of expenditure of fellowship program funds: The $2.5 million 
to be made available for the fellowship program is to be used by the 
Administrator over the course of 32 months from the date that funding 
is made available. HUD Headquarters will monitor the Administrator to 
ensure that the funds are efficiently utilized over the 32 month 
period.
    Cooperative agreement: Upon selection of an Administrator, HUD 
intends to execute a cooperative agreement with the Administrator that 
delineates the objectives, roles and responsibilities for HUD and the 
Administrator. HUD recognizes that the success of the fellowship 
program will require flexibility and adaptability in design and 
implementation. Therefore, the cooperative agreement will allow HUD to 
work closely with the Administrator to help fine tune activities as 
needed to ensure that activities are implemented in a manner that is 
consistent with the objectives of the fellowship program. HUD 
anticipates that it will have significant involvement in all aspects of 
the fellowship program's planning, delivery, and follow-up.

C. Primary Tasks of the Administrator

    HUD's proposal for the fellowship program involves two major 
activities for the Administrator to carry out, as noted above. The 
following provides more details on these activities.
1. Activity 1: Manage and Implement the Fellowship Program at the 
National and Local Level
    Coordination with selected pilot cities: HUD recognizes that the 
fellowship program will require a local presence in each of the pilot 
cities. Therefore, the Administrator will be required to identify, 
coordinate and collaborate with a local organization in each of the 
pilot cities. (Note: In the application, HUD is asking for an outline 
of a detailed plan that describes how the applicant will identify, 
select and coordinate with local organizations.)
    HUD expects the relationship between the Administrator and local 
organizations to be sufficiently flexible to ensure that the program 
functions smoothly and successfully. The Administrator will be 
responsible for the following six tasks:
     Managing the overall operations of the fellowship program 
which includes paying fellow stipends, recruiting and selecting 
fellows, and coordinating with local organizations in each pilot city.
     Working with the city to ensure that fellows are well 
integrated with their pilot city and working on high-level, strategic 
projects;
     Helping to coordinate site visits with the training 
organization;
     Identifying additional training and mentoring 
opportunities fellows may require as they progress through the program; 
and
     Tracking and monitoring data to be used for evaluating the 
success of fellows and the fellowship program.
     Securing additional support from philanthropic 
organizations to meet the objectives and scope of work in the 
fellowship program.

    Note:  Applicants must specify in their application who (the 
Administrator or local organization) would be responsible for 
carrying out the five tasks described above.

    Payment of fellows: The Administrator will be responsible for 
paying fellows in the program. HUD plans to set-aside a portion of the 
$2.5 million to pay fellow stipends. HUD anticipates that fellow 
stipends will be $60,000 per year. In the best case scenario, the cost 
of the stipend is shared between the pilot city and the program. HUD is 
in the process of negotiating with each pilot city to determine the 
cost share of the stipend.
    Recruitment and selection of fellows: The Administrator will be 
responsible for recruiting and selecting qualified fellows for the 
program. No HUD or federal employees are eligible to participate in the 
fellowship program. The Administrator will be primarily responsible for 
marketing and advertising the program in places such as graduate 
programs, career listservs and public sector networks. HUD may also 
assist in advertising the program to increase the number of applicants.
    HUD recognizes that selecting the most qualified fellows is a 
critical element to ensuring the success of the fellowship program. As 
a result, the Administrator to be selected must have

[[Page 52681]]

significant expertise in similar selection and recruitment experience, 
preferably for public service employment. HUD will work with 
Administrator to ensure that the types of fellows selected meet the 
needs and objectives of the fellowship program. HUD also has developed 
general criteria for the types of qualifications anticipated for 
participation in the program. Please see Appendix A for the list of 
fellow qualifications.
    HUD expects the Administrator to work closely with pilot cities to 
ensure that the skill sets of fellows recruited reflects the needs of 
the pilot cities. Before the recruitment process begins, HUD will 
connect the Administrator to the relevant pilot city officials to 
facilitate such coordination.
    Coordination with local organizations: The Administrator will 
coordinate their activities with local organizations to ensure that the 
objectives of the fellowship program are being met. This may include 
activities such as monitoring the work of the fellows and working with 
the pilot cities to identify potential projects. HUD does not want to 
be rigid in defining these roles and responsibilities. Rather, HUD 
expects the relationship between the Administrator and the local 
organizations to be flexible enough to ensure that the program operates 
smoothly and successfully.
    Mentorship of fellows: HUD recognizes that mentors will be critical 
to the success and retention of fellows in the program. HUD does not 
want to be rigid in defining the roles and responsibility of 
mentorship. Rather, HUD expects the selected Administrator to be 
adaptive, responsive and flexible enough to meet the needs of fellows. 
This would include ensuring that fellows work on challenging and 
strategic projects and are well-integrated and connected to their pilot 
city.
    Due to the complex nature of the work required of fellows to meet 
the intricate challenges of pilot cities, HUD anticipates that the 
roles and responsibilities of fellows will likely change as the program 
progresses. In addition, HUD does not have specific projects for 
fellows in mind. However, HUD, at minimum, expects that the work of 
fellows must be high-level, strategic projects that will help advance 
the economic goals of a pilot city. As described in section II.A 
Fellowship Placement Pilot Program Overview, the types of projects that 
fellows are expected to work on will be informed by the city 
assessments that HUD has completed for each pilot city. Please also 
review section D. Pilot Cities, City Assessments for more information 
on the city assessment process.
    Coordinating training activities: HUD expects the selected 
Administrator will work to identify opportunities for additional 
training which may include, but are not limited to conferences, 
workshops, or meetings. In addition, the Administrator will help 
coordinate site visits throughout the span of the fellowship program.
    Evaluation: HUD expects that the selected Administrator will 
collect data to help HUD evaluate the success of fellows and the 
program. HUD will provide the Administrator with a basic template to 
collect qualitative and quantitative information. In addition, HUD 
welcomes proposals from the Administrator on additional metrics for 
data collection.
    Leveraging: As described in the Summary, HUD will not have a match 
requirement for the fellowship program. However, HUD recognizes that 
the scope of work required of the program may exceed the funds that are 
available for this grant. Therefore, HUD expects that the selected 
Administrator will secure additional funding support from other 
philanthropic organizations to fulfill the scope of work for the 
fellowship program. (Note: Applicants will be required to explain how 
they plan to identify and secure additional financial support to meet 
the full scale of the fellowship program in their applications.)
2. Activity 2: Develop Training Curriculum and Train Fellows for the 
Fellowship Program
    HUD expects that fellows selected will likely enter the program 
with an array of skills and expertise, but notwithstanding skills and 
expertise, fellows will be expected to undergo orientation and 
training. The selected Administrator will either serve as the training 
organization or identify a training organization to assist with 
training selected fellows. In this discussion of Activity 2, training 
organization refers to the entity (either the Administrator or another 
third party) that will be responsible and conduct orientation and 
training. For this activity, the training organization would be 
required to complete the following tasks:
    a. Develop orientation materials for fellows entering the program;
    b. Develop or apply existing training curriculum that will equip 
fellows with the fundamental knowledge, tools and skills they would 
need to be successful in the program.
    c. Identify the locations of where fellows are to be trained and 
train fellows; and
    d. Coordinate with the national and local intermediaries on 
additional training fellows may need as they progress through the 
program, as well as help to coordinate site visits.

    Orientation: The training organization will develop the materials 
and agenda to help orient the new class of fellows. The training 
organization will administer the orientation training and coordinate 
activities, guest speakers and attendees with HUD.
    Training: The training organization will be responsible for all 
aspects of training, which includes training fellows and developing the 
training curriculum for fellows. HUD expects that training courses 
should be practical in nature, and focus on leadership development and 
team building. Areas of focus will be wide-ranging in scope and may 
include, but are not limited to project management; bureaucratic 
navigation; finance and acquisition; data and monitoring; changing 
market conditions; urban planning and redevelopment; human and social 
capital development; and local government finance and budgeting.
    While HUD recognizes that the training of fellows will largely be 
``on-the-job'' training, HUD expects that the training courses 
developed should make every effort to draw on real world experiences in 
the policies and practices of local government.
    Development of local training opportunities: The training 
organization will be responsible for developing or identifying 
additional local training opportunities for fellows. Responsibilities 
for the training organization may include, but are not limited to, 
coordinating site visits; developing workshops on a specific topic; and 
identifying and bringing in expert consultants or speakers to educate 
fellows. While HUD will not require a minimum number of training 
opportunities or site visits, HUD expects at least one site visit to be 
in a pilot city. The purpose of site visits is to help increase the 
knowledge and expertise of fellows in the program.
    Leveraging: HUD recognizes that the scope of work required of the 
fellowship program will exceed the funds that are available for this 
grant. Therefore, HUD expects that the training organization will 
secure additional funding support from other philanthropic 
organizations to fulfill the scope of work for the fellowship program. 
(Note: Again, applicants will be required to explain how they plan to 
identify and secure

[[Page 52682]]

additional financial support to meet the full scale of the fellowship 
program in their applications.)
3. Reporting Requirements
    HUD will require the selected Administrator to report to the 
Government Technical Representative (GTR) who will be responsible for 
managing the fellowship program grant at HUD no less often than 
quarterly, unless otherwise specified in the cooperative agreement. As 
part of this required report to HUD, the selected Administrator will 
update the GTR with information on actual outputs and data related to 
outcomes achieved, and a narrative explanation of any disparity between 
projected and actual results. HUD will also require the selected 
Administrator to provide HUD with a final narrative report no more than 
four months from the end of the grant period.
    Indirect costs: Indirect costs, if applicable, are allowable based 
on an established approved indirect cost rate. Applicants should have 
on file, and submit to HUD as part of their grant application, a copy 
of their approved indirect cost rate agreement if they have one. 
Applicants that are selected for funding but do not have an approved 
indirect cost rate agreement established by the cognizant federal 
agency, and who want to charge indirect costs to the grant, will be 
required to establish a rate. In such cases, HUD will issue an award 
with a provisional rate and assist applicants with the process of 
establishing a final rate.

D. Selected Pilot Cities

    HUD has announced the pilot cities for the fellowship program. They 
are Chester, PA; Cleveland, OH; Detroit, MI; Fresno, CA; Memphis, TN; 
and New Orleans, LA.
    City assessments: HUD has conducted a comprehensive city 
assessment. The purpose of the city assessment is to identify the key 
challenges and areas of need for each pilot city. In conducting these 
assessments, HUD has worked closely with city mayors and their staff to 
examine areas such as staffing resources; internal decision making 
processes; fiscal and budget capacity; and economic development and 
housing projects.
    The Administrator, in close collaboration with each pilot city, may 
use the city assessments to identify the types of work and projects for 
fellows to undertake in the program. (HUD will help connect the 
Administrator with each pilot city.) By understanding the types of work 
that may be identified by the pilot city, the Administrator may be 
better able to recruit and match fellows according to the needs of each 
pilot city.
    HUD's Coordination Role. When an Administrator is selected, HUD 
will take the lead role in coordinating all key aspects of the program 
between the Administrator and the pilot cities to ensure the successful 
implementation of program objectives. HUD's role in coordination would 
include, but is not limited to:
     Facilitating meetings between the Administrator and the 
pilot cities;
     Negotiating, where appropriate, fellowship work 
responsibilities;
     Hosting site visits in pilot city locations.

III. Rating Factor Overview, General Rules and Instructions

    HUD will rate the qualifications of an applicant on three rating 
factors described below. Only applicants (a single third party or a 
partnership of third parties) that can meet the competencies of both 
activities 1 and 2 should submit applications. If applying as a 
partnership, a lead applicant must be named in the application form 
SF424. The lead applicant also will be responsible for managing the 
scope of work in the activities applied for by the partnership. Only 
the lead applicant needs to submit an application, and all relevant 
forms and documents on behalf of the partnership.
    The total number of points possibly awarded for an application is 
190 points.
    The applicant must answer all questions in this RFQ. HUD suggests 
that applicants answer and label their responses in the order of which 
the rating factor questions are asked. Applicants that leave questions 
unanswered will be determined to have submitted incomplete 
applications, and their applications will not be considered.

A. Page Limitations and Font Size

    Applicant responses to all of the rating factors must be formatted 
so that the total number of pages submitted are equal to no more than 
18 single-sided pages of singlespaced text based on an 8.5 by 11 inch 
paper, using a standard 12 point font. However, for third parties 
submitting their application as a partnership, they are allowed an 
additional four pages (for a total of 22 pages).
    Reviewers will not review more than 18 pages for all the factors 
combined (unless the applicant is submitting as a partnership, in which 
case the page limit is 22).
    The rating factors will ask the applicant to submit an organization 
chart and contact information, resumes, references, budget table and 
project completion schedule. This information should be added to the 
back of the responses to the rating factors as an appendix, and will 
not count towards the page limit. Please label the appendix using the 
following format and order:

     Appendix A: Organization Chart & Contact list
     Appendix B: Resumes
     Appendix C: References
     Appendix D: Budget Table
     Appendix E: Project Completion Schedule

B. Submitting Required Documents

    All applicants applying to this RFQ must submit additional 
documents in addition to their responses to the rating factors below. 
These documents are: Application form SF-424, SF424sup, and SF-LL.
    SF-424: Applicants applying as a single third party must complete 
this form. If an applicant is applying as a partnership, only the lead 
organization in the partnership is required to submit a SF-424 on 
behalf of the partnership.
    Note that as part of the SF-424 form, and SF424sup form, the 
applicant will be required to provide their DUNS number. This DUNS 
number allows the federal government to track federal funding 
allocations. Please see Appendix C on instructions on how to secure a 
DUNS number if the applicant does not have one.
    SF424sup: This document must be submitted by all third parties, 
regardless of whether they are applying as a single third party or a 
partnership.
    SF-LL: This document is a lobbying disclosure form. This form is 
only required to be submitted by all third parties that conduct 
lobbying activities, regardless of whether they are applying as a 
single third party or a partnership.
    For a helpful checklist, please see Appendix B.

C. Rating Factors

Rating Factor 1: Demonstrated Capacity of the Applicant and Relevant 
Organizational Staff (70 Points)
A. Previous Experience (40 Points)
    1. General question (10 points): HUD is interested in the 
applicant's demonstrated history of direct public service and if 
relevant, its placement of public servants within the last 24 months. 
This must include a brief explanation about the objectives, goals and 
work of the applicant, and any awards that the applicant has received 
for public service. In addition, please describe any previous work, 
partnerships or collaborations with the

[[Page 52683]]

federal or local government. If applying as a partnership, please 
provide a brief explanation for all third parties in the partnership 
that answers the latter questions.
    2. The following questions relate only to Activity 1 (15 points). 
The applicant must explain its recent experience (within the last 24 
months) where the applicant has managed activities similar to the ones 
covered under Activity 1. In answering the questions below (2a-c), the 
applicant's explanation should include a discussion of (1) the tasks 
undertaken, (2) actual results achieved, and (3) the specific resources 
applied to each task.
    a. The applicant must explain its demonstrated experience in 
working on projects that have required it to connect with other local 
networks, organizations and/or key individuals in cities. In addition, 
the applicant must explain how it has built and maintained these 
relationships with local networks, organizations and/or key 
individuals, and how integral this collaboration was to its project.
    b. The applicant must explain its demonstrated experience in 
attracting and recruiting talented individuals from around the country, 
including those from top universities or other career networks. The 
applicant, if relevant, should also provide an explanation of how they 
have mentored recruits.
    c. If relevant, the applicant must explain its demonstrated 
experience in managing staff and/or program participants who work 
remotely.
    3. The following questions relate only to Activity 2 (15 points). 
The applicant must explain its recent experience (within the last 24 
months) where the applicant has managed activities similar to the ones 
covered under Activity 2. In answering the questions below (3a-b), the 
applicant's explanation should include a discussion of (1) the tasks 
undertaken, (2) actual results achieved, and (3) the specific resources 
applied to each task.
    a. The applicant must explain its demonstrated experience in 
developing training curriculum for a public service and/or community or 
economic development program and how it has trained past participants. 
In addition, please include the length of training; the purpose of the 
training; the types of training past participants underwent (e.g., 
classroom instruction, site visits, workshops); and how it has 
recruited instructors and speakers to enhance the trainings.
    b. The applicant must explain its demonstrated experience in 
partnering with other organizations, individuals are institutions to 
develop training curriculum for a fellowship program.
B. Management Structure (30 Points)
    Organization Structure (26 points): HUD is interested in 
understanding the applicant's capacity to support the fellowship 
program in relation to ALL activities described in the RFQ.
    1. The applicant must provide a general description of its 
management structure that explains how the organization will work 
together to ensure that the activities will be achieved successfully 
and how decisions will be made.
    Please include an organization chart that identifies all key 
management positions and the names and positions of staff managing ALL 
key tasks described in the RFQ that are associated with both activities 
described in the RFQ. The applicant must also describe the key staff 
and their specific roles and responsibilities for the management of its 
proposed activities. Please also include resumes and a brief 
description of the prior experience for each key staff member.
    If applying as a partnership, the applicant must answer the latter 
questions in the context of the partnership.
    In addition to your organization chart, please include on a 
separate page a contact list of all third parties associated with this 
application. This must include the name of ONE key point of contact for 
the third party and include the address, city, state, zip code and 
phone number. If you are applying as a partnership, indicate which 
third party is the lead organization, and include ONE key point of 
contact and the respective address, city, state, zip code and phone 
number for each third party in the partnership, including the lead 
organization.
    References (4 points). The applicant must include two references 
for recent work similar to the programs covered under the RFQ that has 
been undertaken by the applicant. If a partnership, the applicant must 
include two references for each third party in the partnership.
    References must be from an organization, individual or institution 
that the applicant has worked with in the past 24 months applicable to 
the activity(s) that are described in this RFQ. References must be 
submitted in the form of a letter (one-page maximum) that includes a 
contact name, address, phone number and email address so that HUD may 
verify the information. The letter must speak to the relevant work 
experience of the applicant.
Rating Factor 2: Soundness of Approach (100 Points)
A. Proposed Activities (90 Points)
    1. (5 points) The applicant must provide a general description of 
the activities it proposes to undertake for this fellowship program, 
including any additional activities it plans to undertake that will not 
be funded by the fellowship program but that the applicant might pursue 
because it may benefit the program.
    In addition to the latter explanation, for Activity 1 (50 points), 
please address specifically in the proposal the following:
    a. HUD recognizes that key to the success of the fellowship program 
will be determined by the close collaboration and communication between 
the national and local third parties. HUD recently has announced the 
pilot cities and would like the applicant to describe in detail:
    i. How it plans to identify and select the most appropriate types 
of local organizations or individuals that it will work with to meet 
the objectives of Activity 1.
    ii. How it anticipates each local organization or individual will 
communicate and work with the applicant to ensure the success of the 
fellowship program.
    iii. What it thinks the key responsibilities and roles would be of 
the local organizations to accomplish the tasks associated with 
Activity 1.
    b. HUD is interested in understanding how the applicant plans to 
market the program to secure the most qualified fellows. The applicant 
must include a discussion of how it plans to reach out to various 
places to recruit qualified fellows.
    c. HUD is interested in learning the applicant's process for 
selecting fellows. While HUD recognizes that some of the fellow 
selection will be based on the needs of the pilot cities, HUD is 
looking for an explanation of the applicant's proposed selection 
process and any proposed criteria for fellows it may have in addition 
to the fellows criteria in Appendix B. Information in this process may 
include additional consultants and experts the applicant may hire, how 
it plans to conduct the interviews, and what additional criteria--given 
its understanding of fellowship programs--it may look for in fellows.
    d. HUD would like to know how the applicant plans to identify any 
additional training opportunities (including site visits, workshops, 
and conferences) for fellows in the program.
    e. HUD recognizes that mentoring fellows will be critical to the 
success of

[[Page 52684]]

the program. Therefore, HUD expects the applicant to have a close 
mentor relationship with each fellow. The applicant must explain how it 
plans to mentor fellows and how it plans to help them resolve or work 
through their challenges as they arise in the program.
    f. The applicant should provide HUD with a list and description of 
possible metrics it thinks would be valuable to collect for evaluation.
    For Activity 2 (30 points), the applicant must address specifically 
in the proposal the following:
    The applicant must provide a brief explanation of how it plans to 
develop training curriculum, how it plans to train fellows, and the 
frequency of which fellows will be trained. The applicant must include 
a discussion on how its proposed training curriculum would advance and 
enhance leadership skills among fellows, and how its training 
curriculum would prepare fellows for the fellowship program.
    a. In addition to answering the latter question, the applicant must 
include other organizations it may use to help develop the curriculum, 
if necessary. If the applicant does not plan to include other 
organizations, it must explain why it thinks the curriculum that it has 
developed meets the needs of the fellowship program. The applicant also 
must list the types of training it plans to have fellows undertake 
(e.g., workshops, classroom training, etc.) including potential 
instructors or speakers, and how it plans to recruit qualified 
instructors and speakers. The applicant must describe the curriculum 
and the type of materials it plans to develop to train fellows and if 
applicable, describe any certifications it might offer to fellows.
    b. The applicant must explain how it will develop the orientation 
training for fellows and include a description of the types of 
materials it plans to develop to train fellows.
    c. The applicant must describe the types of site visits it plans to 
undertake to enhance the learning experience of fellows. The applicant 
should also explain how it plans to identify, develop and/or implement 
any additional trainings it thinks would be helpful in the fellowship 
program.
    2. Activity 1 & Activity 2 (5 points). As referenced in III.A.1.a 
Leveraging, HUD recognizes that the full cost of the program will 
likely exceed the $2.5 million granted under the RFQ. Nevertheless, HUD 
is requesting that the applicant indicate how it will use the $2.5 
million by providing a budget table showing how funds will be budgeted 
for each activity for years 1 and 2, and indicate on the chart, who in 
the organization will be responsible for managing the funds.
    a. In addition, as referenced in section III.A.1 Payment of 
Fellows, HUD recognizes that the cost of the fellow stipends under the 
fellowship program is unknown as HUD is in the process of negotiating 
the stipend share between what the pilot cities and the fellowship 
program will each pay. For your budget, please include a category for 
fellow stipends for years 1 and 2. HUD anticipates that fellows will be 
paid $60,000 per year (for a total of $120,000 for years 1 and 2 for 
each fellow). Please assume that the program will pay 75 percent of 
this stipend for years 1 and 2 (this amounts to $45,000 for each year). 
Given your proposed budget, HUD wants to see the maximum number of 
fellows that could be funded with the $2.5 million grant.
B. Project Completion Schedule (5 Points)
    1. For each activity, the applicant must provide a table with the 
project completion schedule that includes milestones for the 32 month 
period (see II.B. period of expenditure and II.C.3 reporting 
requirements).
C. Performance and Monitoring (5 Points)
    1. HUD grantees must have a plan for monitoring and funds control 
plan for all program activities to ensure successful performance. This 
includes an internal audit function. An internal audit function will 
continually examine potentially risky areas of program and financial 
operations and management and provide regular and valuable feedback to 
program managers and to those who hold them accountable. This feedback 
will include identification of risky management practices and missing 
or ineffective internal controls, areas that are not in compliance with 
program requirements, and ineffective implementation of established 
policies. The end result is the establishment of corrective actions. 
For the activity(s) the applicant is applying for in this factor, the 
applicant must:
    a. Describe your monitoring and funds control plan.
    b. Describe how you will meet the internal audit requirement and 
how corrective actions will be implemented. Specifically identify the 
position(s) and agency responsible for internal audit.
    Rating Factor 3: Leveraging of Other Funds (20 Points): HUD does 
not require the applicant to have matching funds to be awarded a grant 
from this RFQ. However, as referenced in III.A.1.a Leveraging, HUD 
expects that the applicant that is awarded the grant will secure 
additional funding support from other philanthropic organizations. In 
this rating factor, HUD would like to know the applicant's experience 
in securing philanthropic support and its ability to leverage existing 
funds.
    1. In this factor, the applicant must describe its success in 
securing philanthropic support for projects similar or related to any 
or all of the activities the applicant is applying for in the RFQ.
    2. The applicant must also describe its plans for reaching out to 
other philanthropic organizations or private institutions, and 
fundraising activities it plans to undertake if granted funds from the 
RFQ.
    3. The applicant must indicate, where appropriate, if it currently 
has commitments of additional funds from other philanthropic 
organizations or private institutions and how those funds might be 
leveraged for this program.

IV. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

    HUD will send written notifications to both successful and 
unsuccessful applicants. A notification sent to a successful applicant 
is not an authorization to begin performance. Upon notification that an 
applicant has been selected for award, HUD will request additional 
information to be submitted or may work with the applicant to amend 
information that was already submitted as part of the application.

B. Code of Conduct

    After selection, but prior to award, applicants selected for 
funding will be required to provide HUD with their written Code of 
Conduct if they have not previously done so and it is not recorded on 
the HUD Web site at: https://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/codeofconduct/cconduct.cfm.

C. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    After selection for funding but prior to award, applicants must 
submit financial and administrative information to comply with 
applicable requirements. These requirements are found in 24 CFR part 84 
for all organizations, except states and local governments whose 
requirements are found in 24 CFR part 85. Cost principles requirements 
are found at OMB Circular A-122 for nonprofit organizations, OMB 
Circular A-21 for institutions of higher education, OMB Circular A-87 
for states and local governments, and at 48 CFR 31.2 for commercial 
organizations. Applicants must submit a certification

[[Page 52685]]

from an Independent Public Accountant or the cognizant government 
auditor, stating that the applicant's financial management system meets 
prescribed standards for fund control and accountability.

D. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006

    Applicants selected for funding will be required to report first 
sub-grant award and executive compensation information, where both 
their initial award is $25,000 or greater, as required by the Federal 
Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109-282). 
The prime grant awardees will have until the end of the month plus one 
additional month after an award or sub-grant is obligated to fulfill 
the reporting requirement. The Federal Funding Accountability and 
Transparency Act (FFATA) of 2006 calls for the establishment of a 
publicly available web site to disclose the use of Federal finance 
assistance.
    a. The Act requires the reporting of the following data for first-
tier sub-grants of $25,000 or more:
    (1) Name of entity receiving award;
    (2) Amount of award;
    (3) Funding agency;
    (4) NAICS code for contracts/CFDA program number for grants;
    (5) Program source;
    (6) Award title descriptive of the purpose of the funding action;
    (7) Location of the entity (including congressional district);
    (8) Place of performance (including congressional district);
    (9) Unique identifier of the entity and its parent; and
    (10) Total compensation and names of top five executives (same 
thresholds as for primes).
    b. The Transparency Act also requires the reporting of the Total 
Compensation and Names of the top five executives in either the prime 
awardee or a sub-awardee's organization if:
    (1) More than 80% of annual gross revenues are from the Federal 
government, and those revenues are greater than $25M annually; and
    (2) Compensation information is not already available through 
reporting to the SEC.

The statute exempts from reporting any sub-awards less than $25,000 
made to individuals or to an entity whose annual expenditures are less 
than $300,000. OMB has published Interim Final Guidance to agencies 
regarding the FFATA subrecipient reporting requirements in the Federal 
Register on September 14, 2010 (75FR55663.)

E. Equal Employment Opportunity

    All contracts under the fellowship program shall contain a 
provision requiring compliance with E.O. 11246, ``Equal Employment 
Opportunity,'' as amended by E.O. 11375, ``Amending Executive Order 
11246 Relating to Equal Employment Opportunity,'' and as supplemented 
by regulations at 41 CFR part 60, ``Office of Federal Contract 
Compliance Programs, Equal Employment Opportunity, Department of 
Labor.''

F. Additional Information

    This issuance does not direct, provide for assistance or loan and 
mortgage insurance for, or otherwise govern or regulate, real property 
acquisition, disposition, leasing, rehabilitation, alteration, 
demolition, or new construction, or establish, revise or provide for 
standards for construction or construction materials, manufactured 
housing, or occupancy. Accordingly, under 24 CFR 50.19(c)(1), this 
issuance is categorically excluded from environmental review under the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321).''

    Dated: August 17, 2011.
Raphael W. Bostic,
Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research.

Appendix A: Fellowship Placement Pilot Program--Fellows Criteria for 
Selection

    The fellows selection of the fellowship program will be open 
nationally to all qualified applicants. The Administrator will help 
develop the application and selection criteria for new recruits. The 
Administrator will conduct the competition for fellows.
    At minimum, core perquisites must require that candidates:
     Have 3-5 years of work experience, where candidates 
with graduate degrees are preferred;
     Make a 2-year commitment;
     Have prior experience in the area of community 
development, economic development, community or other public 
service, or related field;
     Be a problem solver, critical thinker and potential 
manager;
     Have a proven track record of entrepreneurship or 
social entrepreneurship, ability to work through bureaucracies to 
get things done; and
     Demonstrate a commitment and passion to public service.

    In addition, applicants will be asked to rank order their 
location choices, and to articulate their interest in, or connection 
to any particular location(s). The selected Administrator may 
explore giving preference to candidates that already live in a pilot 
city.
    The selection process for fellows may involve multiple rounds of 
review that will culminate to several in-person group interviews. 
After the in-person interviews, a selection committee will make the 
final selection decisions. Fellows that best match the needs of the 
pilot cities based on their existing area of knowledge and skill set 
will be selected for the program. To ensure fellows are properly 
matched to the needs of each pilot city, the selection process will 
include a review of the results from the city assessments that were 
initially conducted for each pilot city before selection.

              Appendix B--Checklist of Documents to Submit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Document                             Check box
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Application SF424 (submitted by single
 third party or the lead third party in a
 partnership).............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. SF424sup (submitted by all third
 parties, regardless of whether they are
 applying as a partnership or a single
 third party).............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. SF-LL (submitted by all third parties
 that conduct lobby activities, regardless
 of whether they are applying as a
 partnership or a single third party).....
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Responses to Rating Factors:
     For single applicants the
     page limit is 18.....................
     For partnerships, the page
     limit is 22..........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Appendixes:
    Appendix A: Organization Chart &
     Contact List for key points of
     contact..............................
    Appendix B: Resumes...................
    Appendix C: References................

[[Page 52686]]

 
    Appendix D: Budget Table..............
    Appendix E: Project Completion
     Schedule.............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix C: Instructions on How To Secure a DUNS Number

    The SF424 and SF424 sup forms will require you to specify a DUNS 
number that will allow the Federal government to track how Federal 
grant money is allocated.
    All applicants applying to administer the Fellowship Placement 
Pilot Program are required to get a DUNS number. For the SF-424 
form, if an applicant is applying as a partnership, only the lead 
third party's DUNS number should be listed.
    A DUNS number identifies your organization, and it is very easy 
to secure one.
    Below are the brief instructions on how to secure a DUNS number. 
To view these instructions online, you can also visit: https://www.grants.gov/applicants/org_step1.jsp

Has my organization identified its Data Universal Number System (DUNS)?

    Ask the grant administrator, chief financial officer, or 
authorizing official of your organization to identify your DUNS 
number.
    If your organization does not know its DUNS number or needs to 
register for one, visit Dun & Bradstreet Web site: Register or 
search for a DUNS number: https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do [EXIT Disclaimer]

Purpose of This Step

    The federal government has adopted the use of DUNS numbers to 
track how federal grant money is allocated. DUNS numbers identify 
your organization.

How long should it take?

    If requested over the phone, DUNS is provided immediately. 
Webform requests take 1 to 2 business days.

What is a DUNS number and why do I need obtain one?

    The Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number is a unique nine-
character number that identifies your organization. It is a tool of 
the federal government to track how federal money is distributed. 
Most large organizations, libraries, colleges and research 
universities already have DUNS numbers. Ask your grant administrator 
or chief financial officer to provide your organization's DUNS 
number.
    List of Information you will need to obtain a DUNS number (if 
your organization does not already have one):

     Name of organization
     Organization address
     Name of the CEO/organization owner
     Legal structure of the organization (corporation, 
partnership, proprietorship)
     Year the organization started
     Primary type of business
     Total number of employees (full and part time)

    If your organization does not have a DUNS number, use the Dun & 
Bradstreet (D&B) online registration to receive one free of charge.
    If your organization is located outside the United States, you 
can request and register for a DUNS number also online via web 
registration.

    Note: Obtaining a DUNS number places your organization on D&B's 
marketing list that is sold to other companies. You can request not 
to be added to this list during your application.

[FR Doc. 2011-21439 Filed 8-22-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P