Notice of Availability of Funding for Alternative Projects for the Provision of Comprehensive Refugee Resettlement Services, Including Interim Financial Assistance, Social Services and Case Management for Newly Arriving Refugees

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

Notice of Availability of Funding for Alternative Projects for

the Provision of Comprehensive Refugee Resettlement Services, Including

Interim Financial Assistance, Social Services and Case Management for

Newly Arriving Refugees

AGENCY: Office of Refugee Resettlement, ACF, DHHS.

ACTION: Request for applications for alternative projects for the

provision of comprehensive refugee resettlement services, including

interim financial assistance, social services and case management for

newly arriving refugees.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), Administration for

Children and Families (ACF) announces that competing applications will

be accepted for new grants pursuant to the Director's discretionary

authority under section 412(c)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality

Act (INA) and pursuant to the Secretary's authority under section

412(e)(7) of the INA for alternative projects, as amended by section

311 of the Refugee Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-212), 8 U.S.C. 1522(c); 8

U.S.C. 1522(e)(7); section 501(a) of the Refugee Education Assistance

Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-422), 8 U.S.C. 1522 note, insofar as it

incorporates by reference with respect to Cuban and Haitian entrants

the authorities pertaining to assistance for refugees established by

section 412(c) of the INA, as cited above; and the Refugee Assistance

Extension Act of 1986 (Pub. L. 99-605).

This announcement offers applicants the opportunity to implement

alternative projects to test the feasibility of providing comprehensive

resettlement services to newly arriving refugees \1\ under a public/

private-sector

[[Page 25494]]

partnership among States and national and local voluntary agencies

responsible for reception and placement services to refugees. Funding

is available to these projects under both the ``Wilson/Fish'' authority

and ORR's discretionary social services program.

\1\ In addition to persons who meet all requirements of 45 CFR

400.43, ``Requirements for documentation of refugee status'',

eligibility for refugee social services also includes: (1) Cuban and

Haitian entrants, under section 501 of the Refugee Education

Assistance Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-422; (2) certain Amerasians from

Vietnam who are admitted to the U.S. as immigrants under section 584

of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs

Appropriations Act, 1988, as included in the FY 1988 Continuing

Resolution (Pub. L. 100-202); and certain Amerasians from Vietnam,

including U.S. citizens, under title II of the Foreign Operations,

Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Acts, 1989

(Pub. L. 100-461), 1990 (Pub. L. 101-167), and 1991 (Pub. L. 101-

513). For convenience, the term ``refugee'' is used in this notice

to encompass all such eligible persons unless the specific context

indicates otherwise. Refugees admitted to the U.S. under admissions

numbers set aside for private-sector-initiative admissions are not

eligible to be served under the social service program (or under

other programs supported by Federal refugee funds) during their

period of coverage under their sponsoring agency's agreement with

the Department of State--usually two years from their date of

arrival or until they obtain permanent resident alien status,

whichever comes first.

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DATES: The closing date for submission of applications is August 6,

1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carmel Clay-Thompson, Director,

Division of Community Resettlement, (202) 401-4557.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: All newly arrived refugees, regardless of

family size, are eligible for these programs. Projects should be

designed to meet their needs in a manner that promotes complementary

services, coordination between assistance and services, culturally and

linguistically appropriate service delivery, and emphasizes employment

and the needs of the refugee family as a unit. The services should be

cost-effective by promoting welfare avoidance and by enhancing

refugees' prospects for early economic and social self-sufficiency.

Effective projects will demonstrate (1) close linkage in the

delivery of financial assistance and employment services; and (2)

successful resettlement along the key indicators of labor force

participation, per capita and household income, English language

acquisition, car ownership, and reductions in refugee reliance on

public assistance.

Alternative projects are to provide interim financial assistance as

needed to newly arrived refugees who might otherwise be deemed eligible

for either the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program

or the Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) Program. Federal reimbursement of

the costs of cash assistance are available through CMA appropriated

funds for a period not to exceed the eighth month (although funds are

not available for the first month of Reception and Placement) after a

refugee's date of entry into the U.S.

Consistent with section 412 (e)(7)(B) of the INA, refugees in

projects funded under this announcement will be precluded from

receiving cash assistance under the TANF program or the RCA Program.

Alternative options for medical care are not available under this

announcement. Participating refugees will retain eligibility for

medical coverage under the Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) program or

under Medicaid, Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

Applicants may apply for discretionary funds in proportion to the

number of refugee participants in the project, for the purpose of

establishing or enhancing existing refugee-specific employment

services.

Funds will be awarded under a cooperative agreement.

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number assigned

to this announcement is 93.576.

This Program Announcement consists of four parts:

Part I covers information on available funds, legislative

authorities, eligible applicants, definition of terms used in the

Program Announcement, the purpose and scope of the program and types of

projects to be considered, details on project and budget periods, cost

sharing, restrictions on funds, third-party evaluation, and application

content.

Part II provides general instructions for preparing a full project

description.

Part III describes the review criteria used in the assessment of

applications.

Part IV describes the application procedures, the availability of

forms, where and how to submit an application, instructions for

completing the SF-424 and the intergovernmental review.

Part I--General Information

Availability of Funds

Approximately $4,000,000 is available under this announcement in

discretionary social service funds, to be used for refugee-specific

employment and case management services, as well as the administrative

costs of the projects. ORR anticipates making 4-6 individual grant

awards in amounts up to $1,000,000 each for these costs. Requests for

discretionary funds should be justified in proportion to the size of

the population enrolled in the project.

Successful applicants will also be eligible to receive

reimbursement of costs for interim support and related administrative

costs from ORR's CMA appropriations. The Director reserves the right to

award less, or more, than the funds described, in the absence of worthy

applications, or under such other circumstances as may be deemed to be

in the best interest of the government.

In order to be considered for funding under this Announcement,

applicants must submit a request which includes:

(a) Reimbursement of cash assistance and related administrative

costs incurred by the applicant for refugees participating in the

project. This request should be substantially equivalent to the level

of funds the project's participating population would otherwise receive

during the designated eight-month budget period under the publicly

supported program of assistance (TANF or RCA) for which they would

otherwise be eligible. Thus, the TANF payment rate should be the basis

for computing payments for TANF-type participants. The RCA payment rate

should be the basis for computing payments for RCA-type participants.

(b) A request for social services discretionary funding for

enhanced, refugee-specific services for refugees who have been targeted

for inclusion in this alternative project. Requests for services

funding should be proportional to the size of the participating

eligible population of new arrivals.

Legislative Authority

Section 412(c)(1)(A) of the INA authorizes the Director ``to make

grants to, and enter into contracts with, public or private nonprofit

agencies for projects specifically designed--(i) to assist refugees in

obtaining the skills which are necessary for economic self sufficiency,

including projects for job training, employment services, day care,

professional refresher training, and other recertification services;

(ii) to provide training in English where necessary (regardless of

whether the refugees are employed or receiving cash or other

assistance); and (iii) to provide where specific needs have been shown

and recognized by the Director, health (including mental health)

services, social services, educational and other services.''

Projects are also authorized by section 412(e)(7) of the

Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1522(e)(7) which states:

``The Secretary shall develop and implement alternative projects for

refugees who have been in the United States less than thirty-six

months, under which refugees are provided interim support, medical

services, support services, and case management, as needed, in a manner

that encourages self sufficiency, reduces welfare dependency, and

fosters greater coordination among the resettlement agencies and

service providers.''

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are those agencies of State government that are

responsible for the refugee program under 45 CFR 400.5 as well as

private, non-profit voluntary agencies under agreement

[[Page 25495]]

with the Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and

Migration to conduct the reception and placement program for refugees.

Definition of Terms

Eligible refugee participants: All newly arrived refugees in the

designated State or local jurisdiction, whether they are primary or

secondary migrants to that area. Refugees who for reasons of age or

disability may be eligible for SSI are ineligible for participation in

these projects. Income and asset disregards may be used in determining

continuing eligibility for these projects.

Interim Support: To provide financial assistance adequate to meet

the subsistence needs of refugees otherwise eligible for RCA and/or

TANF and to preclude the need to access public cash assistance during

the first eight months following arrival in the U.S.

Interim support includes provision of financial assistance, as

necessary, for up to eight months. This assistance may be in the form

of cash, an income floor, a grant diversion, financial bonuses or

incentives, payment for work-related expenses, income disregards, or

other ``Make Work Pay'' incentives for early employment.

Financial assistance shall not begin under the grant before the

31st day after the refugee's arrival.

During the second through the eighth month, the alternative program

must provide interim support in amounts substantially equivalent to the

State's established payment under the RCA or TANF program, as

appropriate, adjusted for the size of the family unit, for a period not

to exceed the eight month following U.S. arrival, or earlier, if the

refugee case as a whole is receiving wages sufficient to render interim

support unnecessary.

Refugee-Specific Services: Services which are designed specifically

to meet refugee needs, such as employment, English language training,

cultural orientation, and social adjustment, and are conducted in a

linguistically and culturally appropriate manner, in keeping with the

objectives of the refugee program.

Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this announcement is to enable applicants to

implement alternative projects to provide interim financial assistance,

support services and case management to refugees in a manner that

encourages self-sufficiency, reduces the likelihood of welfare

dependency, and fosters greater coordination among the resettlement

agencies and service providers. ORR's intent is to encourage applicants

to serve all newly arriving refugees in their jurisdiction, regardless

of family composition and regardless of the program of cash assistance

(RCA or TANF) for which they would otherwise be eligible, in a refugee-

specific program of interim cash assistance and services. Refugees who

apply and are found eligible for SSI will not be eligible for these

projects.

These awards are intended to help refugees attain self-sufficiency

within eight months after arrival in the U.S., without access to public

cash assistance.

Applicants may submit a single application which proposes funding

on a State-wide basis or which proposes an alternative project for

refugees arriving in one or more communities or localities.

Cash assistance funding may be requested for a period not to exceed

seven months (excluding the first month of Reception and Placement)

following the arrival of refugees otherwise eligible for the RCA or

TANF program.

Applicant must ensure that the target population is afforded all

safeguards specified in section 412 (e) of the INA and other applicable

law including but not limited to: Application of eligibility criteria,

administrative procedures, fair hearings, and appeals of adverse

decisions. Applicants must also ensure that all relevant statutory

conditions and prohibitions are applied to the target population.

Use of Funds

Applicants may request discretionary funds under this announcement

to enhance their ability to provide refugee-specific employment

services to this population. The discretionary funds may be used in the

following ways: Job development, placement, and post-placement

services, on-the-job training, legally established employer or employee

incentives, post-placement services, competency-based English language

training, case management and related administrative overhead. Short-

term skills training may be provided with these funds only to the

extent that such training is consistent with industry standards and

leads directly to a specific job.

To be considered, applicants must apply on behalf of all newly

arriving refugees in the designated jurisdiction or service area who

are otherwise eligible for the specific assistance category(ies) for

which this project is an alternative.

Types of Projects To Be Considered for Funding

Projects are encouraged where refugees are adversely affected by

changes brought about under welfare reform. Programs are also

encouraged where there is an interest in restructuring the refugee

program for new arrivals to produce comprehensive service delivery,

coordinated among publicly and privately supported agencies, for

assisting refugees in achieving economic and social self-sufficiency.

Circumstances where an alternative project may be appropriate

include the following examples:

Where States are having difficulty maintaining RCA in new welfare

systems and wish to find alternative resettlement methods.

Where TANF refugees may not have access to culturally and

linguistically appropriate services.

Where refugees, particularly two-parent families, are in danger of

dependency on public assistance.

Where a transition period of additional financial resources is

needed for refugee-specific services which are not funded under ORR's

formula allocations.

Where continuity of services from time of arrival through

attainment of self-sufficiency needs to be strengthened.

Applicants may establish alternative programs in various ways: some

options include:

The State government separates the refugee program from the public

welfare system and transfers its implementation to one or more

voluntary resettlement agencies, under the mechanism of a subgrant or

subcontract.

The State government, in partnership with national and local

networks of voluntary agencies, privatizes both the operations and

service delivery of refugee interim support and services.

The State government transfers responsibility for the

administration of the program to a national voluntary agency or

consortium of several voluntary agencies.

National and local voluntary resettlement agencies form a

consortium to operate a comprehensive resettlement program that is an

alternative to public welfare.

Project and Budget Periods

Under this announcement the Director solicits applications for

project periods up to three years. Awards, on a competitive basis, will

be for a one-year budget period; applications for continuation grants

funded under these awards beyond the one-year budget period may be

entertained on a non-competitive basis, subject to the availability of

funds, satisfactory progress of the project, and a

[[Page 25496]]

determination that continuation would be in the best interest of the

government.

Cost Sharing

States are encouraged to share the costs of interim support in this

program by contributing a share of funds--either Federal or State TANF

assistance for TANF-eligible refugees in the project or State (non-

TANF) funds which, subject to the necessary conditions, may be counted

towards the State's maintenance of effort requirement--in proportion to

the targeted TANF-type population in this demonstration, that would

have been expended in their behalf in the absence of this alternative

project.

Restrictions

Refugees covered under an alternative program are precluded from

receiving cash assistance under TANF and/or RCA, for which this project

is an alternative, during the first eight months following their

arrival in the U.S.

Third-Party Evaluation

An independent evaluation of each project funded under this

announcement will be conducted by ORR. For this purpose, successful

grantees will be expected to maintain and provide access to appropriate

client-specific data on date of arrival, family size, age, gender,

employment, job retention, financial assistance provided, and other key

indicators of successful resettlement, as well as on service delivery

and program implementation. Grantees will be strongly encouraged to

evaluate project effectiveness through feedback provided by

participants after completing the program.

Part II--General Instructions for Preparing a Project Description

General Instructions

Cross-referencing should be used rather than repetition. ORR is

particularly interested in specific factual information and statements

of measurable goals in quantitative terms. Project descriptions are

evaluated on the basis of substance, not length. Extensive exhibits are

not required. (Supporting information concerning activities that will

not be directly funded by the grant or information that does not

directly pertain to an integral part of the grant funded activity

should be placed in an appendix.) Pages should be numbered and a table

of contents should be included for easy reference.

Applicants shall prepare the project description statement in

accordance with the following instructions.

A. Project Summary/Abstract

Provide a summary of the project description with reference to the

funding request. ORR is also interested in the following:

The total number of refugees to be served when the program

is fully operational.

The total ORR funds requested for a 12 month period when

the project is fully operational.

The amount and source of any additional funding that will

help support the project.

The community to be served (name of county(ies) or State).

The type of program option(s) proposed (for TANF-type

refugees if included with RCA-type refugees) and the proposed services.

The target date for beginning full services to newly

arrived refugees.

B. Objectives and Need for Assistance

Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial,

institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need

for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate

objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting

documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from

concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any

relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred

to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and

participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In developing the

project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to

provide information on the total range of projects currently being

conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may be

outside the scope of the program announcement.

ORR is particularly interested in the following:

1. Describe the problem in the current resettlement situation to be

addressed by the alternative project with respect to:

(a) Refugee welfare utilization data, by category of assistance,

duration, and the reasons, if applicable, for high utilization in the

refugee community; (b) barriers to, and the need for, coordination

among public and private refugee agencies; (c) current employment and

other program strategies and outcomes; (d) refugees' access to entry-

level employment through culturally and linguistically appropriate

services; (e) confusion among refugees regarding the purpose of public

welfare and the employment services available within the community.

2. State the rationale for this alternative project relative to

welfare reform and justify the proposed strategy intended to reduce

welfare dependency, promote employment, and foster coordination among

resettlement agencies and service providers. Discuss the proposed

project's anticipated cost effectiveness.

C. Results or Benefits Expected

Identify the results and benefits to be derived. Describe proposed

program outcomes, in terms of appropriate indicators, including GPRA

measures currently in use in the refugee resettlement program. Include

the plan for measuring progress along these indicators: e.g., welfare

avoidance and/or reduction, numbers of refugees who retain employment

for a designated period of time, number of single refugees and refugee

families who attain self-sufficiency.

Describe data collection and analyses anticipated to document

project implementation and outcomes. Describe the plan and schedule for

project monitoring. Successful applicants will also be required to

report outcomes on ORR's standard Quarterly Performance Report.

D. Approach

Outline a plan of action which describes the scope and detail of

how the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions

or activities identified in the application. Cite factors which might

accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the

proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of

the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in

cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement.

Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the

accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such

terms as the number of people to be served.

ORR is particularly interested in the following:

1. Describe (a) The target population (numbers, ethnicity, and

demographic characteristics) (b) anticipated refugee welfare

utilization by the category of public assistance for which the targeted

population may otherwise be eligible;

2. Financial assistance (e.g., eligibility criteria, payment

standards, administrative procedures, etc.) Include a description of

levels of support and all other incentives or cash mechanisms for

providing interim support; measures to

[[Page 25497]]

ensure fair and equitable access to financial support, provisions for

sanctions for non-cooperation and for fair hearings and appeals.

3. Discuss how refugees in this project will have eligibility for,

and access to, other programs, specifically, Refugee Medical Assistance

or Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Food

Stamps, expanded medical coverage under OBRA, etc.

4. Describe how the alternative project will provide interim cash

assistance and support services of case management and employment in a

manner that is coordinated and that promotes self-sufficiency and

reduces welfare dependency.

a. Demonstrate how the services of the project will be coordinated

among resettlement agencies and service providers, including voluntary

resettlement agencies, Mutual Assistance Associations, and other public

and private, non-profit agencies that provide services to refugees.

Provide letters of agreement, if available.

b. An integrated system of assistance and services is considered an

essential characteristic of an alternative project. Describe how this

integration will be effected in this project.

5. Provide a description with documentation of consultation with

the State Refugee Coordinator, if applicant is a private, non-profit

agency; and with appropriate national voluntary agencies, if applicant

is a State government.

6. Where the application is for a State-wide project, describe how

the proposed project will address any element of the current program

which the new project would include, replace, interrelate with, or

otherwise impact.

Identify the kinds of data to be collected, maintained, and/or

disseminated. Note that clearance from the U.S. Office of Management

and Budget might be needed prior to a ``collection of information''

that is ``conducted or sponsored'' by ACF. List organizations,

cooperating entities, consultants, or other key individuals who will

work on the project along with a short description of the nature of

their effort or contribution.

E. Geographic Location

Describe the precise location of the project and boundaries of the

area to be served by the proposed project. Maps or other graphic aids

may be attached.

F. Additional Information

1. Staff and Position Data

Provide a biographical sketch for each key person appointed and a

job description for each vacant key position. A biographical sketch

will also be required for new key staff as appointed.

ORR is also interested in the following:

Describe the organization's plan for administering and managing the

project. Describe the location of the project in the structure of the

agency and include position descriptions, qualifications, and names of

key project staff. Describe plans and qualification for training and

on-going technical assistance.

2. Third-Party Agreements

Include written agreements between grantees and subgrantees or

subcontractors or other cooperating entities. These agreements must

detail scope of work to be performed, work schedules, remuneration, and

other terms and conditions that structure or define the relationship.

G. Budget and Budget Justification

Provide line item detail and detailed calculations for each budget

object class identified on the Budget Information form, e.g., cash

assistance, employment and other services, case management, and

administrative costs by program activity. Detailed calculations must

include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar

quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated.

The detailed budget must also include a breakout by the funding sources

identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.

Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the

categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness,

and allocability of the proposed costs.

ORR is also interested in the following:

Provide a client-loading chart and related budget (samples are

available from ORR.) Use the costs of the current program for the most

recent 12 month period, including numbers of refugees served and unit

costs of services, to project your budget. Include the anticipated

arrival rates of refugees into the community by probable category of

public assistance for which they would otherwise be eligible. Provide a

narrative to support the costs included in each category. List and

describe all anticipated funding sources with projected amounts, i.e.,

ORR, State government, other federal program, and any other resources.

Part III: Application Review Criteria

A. Objectives, Need for Assistance, and Rationale for Proposing the

Alternative Project

1. Identification of the problem to be addressed by the project is

based on a thorough examination and description of: Refugee welfare

utilization, current coordination of services in the local resettlement

community; opportunity for early employment for refugees; availability

of concurrent, culturally and linguistically appropriate employment and

language services; adequacy of the statistics used to describe the

problem. Points: (10)

2. The degree to which the rationale for proposing the

demonstration project is justifiable and appropriate; probability that

the project will increase refugee self-sufficiency, reduce or avoid

welfare dependency among arriving refugees, and increase coordination

among service providers. Probability that the project will be cost-

effective. Points: (10)

B. Approach/Program Strategy

The proposed project design is clear, logical and theory based,

reflecting the state of knowledge and experience in this field.

Clarity, completeness and reasonableness of the proposed strategy as it

relates to the target population and the geographic area to be covered;

anticipated need for interim cash assistance; adequacy of the cash

assistance policies and administration; reasonableness of policies and

procedures for appeals and fair hearings; coordination of services and

assistance; availability of other Federal and State programs;

consultation with the State Coordinator and voluntary agencies, as

appropriate. Points: (35)

C. Results, Benefits Expected, and Proposed Outcomes

The proposed project, if successfully implemented, is capable of

achieving the stated results. Reasonableness of the outcomes proposed;

feasibility of the methodology for collecting outcome data and client

feedback. Points: (15)

D. Organizational Capacity

Adequacy of the organizational capacity and resources for project

administration and management; the qualification and expertise of the

project staff; and the quality of the design and adequacy of the

proposed program monitoring and reporting system. Points: (15)

E. Project Budget

Reasonableness and adequacy of the budget in relation to the

expected

[[Page 25498]]

activities and outcomes. Completeness of the budget and line-item

budget narrative. Reasonableness of procedures used to estimate the

budget request. Points: (15)

Part IV: Application Submission

The Director reserves the right to award more or less than the

funds described above depending upon the quality of the applications,

or such other circumstances as may be deemed to be in the best interest

of the Government. Applicants may be required to reduce the scope of

selected projects to accommodate the amount of the approved grant

award.

Standard Form 424 with instructions for submitting an application

was published in the Federal Register on December 9, 1997 (62 FR

64856).

If an application represents a consortium (that is, the applicant

includes other types of agencies among its membership), the single

organization identified as applicant by the Authorized Representative's

signature on the SF-424, Box 18.d, will be the grant recipient and will

have primary administrative and fiscal responsibilities. An applicant

entity must be a public or private nonprofit organization.

General Application Procedures

All applications which meet the stipulated deadline and other

requirements will be reviewed competitively and scored by an

independent review panel of experts in accordance with ACF grants

policy and the criteria stated above. The results of the independent

review panel scores and explanatory comments will assist the Director

of ORR in considering competing applications. Reviewers' scores will

weigh heavily in funding decisions but will not be the only factors

considered. Applications generally will be considered in order of the

average scores assigned by the reviewers. Highly ranked applications

are not guaranteed funding since other factors are taken into

consideration, including: Comments of reviewers and of ACF/ORR

officials; previous program performance of applicants; compliance with

grant terms under previous DHHS grants; audit reports; and

investigative reports. Final funding decisions will be made by the

Director of ORR.

A. Availability of Forms

Copies of the Federal Register are available on the Internet

website address: www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html#cfr) and at most

local libraries and Congressional District Offices for reproduction. If

copies are not available at these sources, they may be obtained by

sending a written or faxed request to the following office: Office of

Refugee Resettlement, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW., Washington, D.C.

20447, Fax: (202) 401-5487.

B. Forms, Certifications, Assurances, and Disclosure

1. Applicants for financial assistance under this announcement must

file the Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal Assistance;

SF-424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs; SF-424B,

Assurances--Non-Construction Programs. The forms may be reproduced for

use in submitting applications. An application with an original

signature and two copies is required.

2. Budget and Budget Justification--Provide line item detail and

detailed calculations for each budget object class identified on the

Budget Information form. Detailed calculations must include estimation

methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar quantitative detail

sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated. The detailed budget

must also include a breakout by the funding sources identified in Block

15 of the SF-424.

Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the

categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness,

and allocability of the proposed costs.

The following guidelines are for preparing the budget and budget

justification. Both Federal and non-Federal resources shall be detailed

and justified in the budget and narrative justification. According to

the instructions for completing the SF-424A and the preparation of the

budget and budget justification, ``Federal resources'' refers only to

the ACF/ORR grant for which you are applying. Non-Federal resources are

all other Federal and non-Federal resources. It is suggested that

budget amounts and computations be presented in a columnar format:

first column, object class categories; second column, Federal budget;

next column(s), non-Federal budget(s), and last column, total budget.

The budget justification should be a narrative.

Personnel: Costs of employee salaries and wages. Identify the

project director and for each staff person, provide the title, time

commitment to the project (in months), time commitment to the project

(as a percentage or full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant salary,

wage rates, etc. Do not include the costs of consultants or personnel

costs of delegate agencies.

Fringe Benefits: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated

as part of an approved indirect cost rate.

Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages that comprise

fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, retirement

insurance, taxes, etc.

Travel: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the

applicant organization (does not include costs of consultant travel).

For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s), travel

destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if

privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs

and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend ACF/

ORR-sponsored meetings should be detailed in the budget.

Equipment: Costs of tangible, non-expendable, personal property,

having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of

$5,000 or more per unit.

For each type of equipment requested, provide a description of the

equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units, the total cost, and

a plan for use on the project.

Supplies: Costs of all tangible personal property other than that

included under the Equipment category.

Specify general categories of supplies and their costs. Show

computations and provide other information which supports the amount

requested.

Contractual: Costs of all contracts for services and goods except

for those which belong under other categories such as equipment,

supplies, etc. Contracts with secondary recipient organizations,

including delegate agencies (if applicable), should be included under

this category.

All procurement transactions shall be conducted in a manner to

provide, to the maximum extent practical, open and free competition. If

procurement competitions were held or if procurement without

competition is being proposed, attach a list of proposed contractors,

indicating the names of the organizations, the purposes of the

contracts, the estimated dollar amounts, and the award selection

process. Justify any anticipated procurement action that is expected to

be awarded without competition and to exceed the simplified acquisition

threshold fixed at 41 USC 403(11). Recipients might be required to make

available to ACF pre-award review and procurement documents, such as

requests for proposal or invitations for bids, independent cost

estimates, etc.

Note: Whenever the applicant intends to delegate part of the

project to another agency,

[[Page 25499]]

the applicant must provide a detailed budget and budget narrative

for each delegate agency, by agency title, along with the required

supporting information referred to in these instructions.

Other: Enter the total of all other costs. Such costs, where

applicable and appropriate, may include but are not limited to

insurance, professional services costs, space and equipment rentals,

printing and publication, computer use, training costs, such as tuition

and stipends, staff development, and administrative costs.

Provide computations, a narrative description and a justification

for each cost under this category.

Indirect Costs: This category should be used only when the

applicant currently has an indirect cost rate approved by the

Department of Health and Human Services or another cognizant Federal

agency.

An applicant proposing to charge indirect costs to the grant must

enclose a copy of the current rate agreement. If the applicant

organization is in the process of initially developing or renegotiating

a rate, it should immediately upon notification that an award will be

made, develop a tentative indirect cost rate proposal based on its most

recently completed fiscal year in accordance with the principles set

forth in the cognizant agency's guidelines for establishing indirect

cost rates, and submit it to the cognizant agency. Applicants awaiting

approval of their indirect cost proposals may also request indirect

costs. It should be noted that when an indirect cost rate is requested,

those costs included in the indirect cost pool should not also be

charged as direct costs to the grant. Also, if the applicant is

requesting a rate which is less than what is allowed under the

agreement, the authorized representative of the applicant organization

must submit a signed acknowledgement that the applicant is accepting a

lower rate than allowed.

Program Income: The estimated amount of income, if any, expected to

be generated from this project. Describe the nature, source and

anticipated use of program income in the budget or refer to the pages

in the application which contain this information. Program income

generated under a Federal grant resulting from this announcement may be

added to funds committed to the project and used to further program

objectives. There is no requirement to request prior approval to defer

use of program income for a later period.

Non-Federal Resources: Amounts of non-Federal resources that will

be used to support the project as identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.

The firm commitment of these resources must be documented and

submitted with the application in order to be given credit in the

review process. A detailed budget must be prepared for each funding

source.

3. Applicants must provide the following certifications. Copies of

the forms and assurances are located at the end of this announcement.

a. Certification regarding lobbying if your anticipated award

exceeds $100,000.

b. Certification regarding environmental tobacco smoke. By signing

and submitting the applications, applicant provides certification that

they will comply with the requirements of the Pro-Children Act of 1994

(Pub. L. 103-227, Part C--Environmental Tobacco Smoke) and need not

mail back the certification with the application.

c. Certification regarding debarment, suspension, and other

Ineligibility. By signing and submitting the applications, applicant

provides certification that they are not presently debarred, suspended

or otherwise ineligible for this award and therefore need not mail back

the certification with the application.

d. Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988.

C. Deadline

1. Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting this

announced deadline if they are sent on or before the deadline date and

received by ORR in time for the independent review. Applications should

be mailed to: Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for

Children and Families, Division of Community Resettlement, 370 L'Enfant

Promenade, SW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20447, Attention:

Alternative Projects.

Applicants must ensure that a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service

postmark, or a legibly dated, machine produced postmark of a commercial

mail service appears on the envelope/package containing the

application(s). An acceptable postmark from a commercial carrier is one

which includes the carrier's logo/emblem and shows the date the package

was received by the commercial mail service. Private metered postmarks

shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.

Applications hand-carried by applicants, applicant couriers, or by

overnight/express mail couriers shall be considered as meeting an

announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date,

between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., at the Administration for

Children and Families, Office of Refugee Resettlement, Aerospace

Center, 901 D Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024, between Monday and

Friday (excluding Federal holidays). (Applicants are cautioned that

express/overnight mail services do not always deliver as agreed.)

ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax or

through other electronic media. Therefore, applications transmitted to

ACF electronically will not be accepted regardless of date or time of

submission and time of receipt.

2. Late applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria

above are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late

applicant that its application will not be considered in the current

competition.

3. Extension of deadlines: ACF may extend the deadline for

applicants affected by acts of God such as floods and hurricanes, or

when there is widespread disruption of the mails. A determination to

waive or extend deadline requirements rests with the Chief Grants

Management Officer.

4. Once an application has been submitted, it is considered as

final and no additional materials will be accepted by ACF.

D. Nonprofit Status

Applicants other than public agencies must provide evidence of

their nonprofit status with their applications. Either of the following

is acceptable evidence: (1) A copy of the applicant organization's

listing in the Internal Revenue Service's most recent list of tax-

exempt organizations described in section 501 (c) (3) of the IRS Code;

or (2) a copy of the currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate.

E. Intergovernmental Review

This program is covered under Executive Order 12372,

``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' and 45 CFR part 100,

``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services

Programs and Activities.''

As of June 15, 1997, the following jurisdictions have elected not

to participate in the Executive Order process. Applicants from these

jurisdictions need take no action in regard to E.O. 12372: Alabama,

Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana,

Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio,

Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont,

Virginia, Washington, American Samoa, and Palau. All remaining

jurisdictions participate in the E.O. process and have established

Single Points of Contact (SPOCs).

[[Page 25500]]

Applicants from participating jurisdictions should contact their

SPOCs as soon as possible to alert them to the prospective applications

and receive instructions. Applicants must submit any required material

to the SPOCs as soon as possible so that ORR can obtain and review SPOC

comments as part of the award process. The applicant must submit all

required materials, if any, to the SPOC and indicate the date of this

submittal (or the date of contact if no submittal is required) on the

Standard Form 424, item 16a.

Under 45 CFR 100.8 (a)(2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application

deadline to comment on proposed new or competing continuation awards.

SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the submission of routine

endorsements as official recommendations.

Additionally, SPOCs are requested to clearly differentiate between

mere advisory comments and those official State process recommendations

which may trigger the ``accommodate or explain'' rule. When comments

are submitted directly to ACF, they should be addressed to: Department

of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families,

Office of Refugee Resettlement, Division of Community Resettlement, 6th

Floor, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447.

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

All information collections within this Program Announcement are

approved under the following currently valid OMB control numbers: 424,

(0348-0043); 424A (0348-0044); 424B (0348-0040); Disclosure of Lobbying

Activities (0348-0046); Uniform Project Description (0970-0139),

Expiration date 10/31/2000.

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is

estimated to average 150 hours per response, including the time for

reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and

reviewing the collection of information. An agency may not conduct or

sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of

information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

G. Applicable Regulations

Applicable DHHS regulations can be found in 45 CFR Part 74 or 92.

H. Reporting Requirements

Grantees are required to file the Financial Status Report (SF-269)

semi-annually and Program Performance Reports (OMB Approval No. 0970-

0036) on a quarterly basis. Funds issued under these awards must be

accounted for and reported upon separately from all other grant

activities.

Although ORR does not expect the proposed components/projects to

include evaluation activities, it does expect grantees to maintain

adequate records to track and report on project outcomes and

expenditures by budget line item.

The official receipt point for all reports and correspondence is

the ORR Division of Community Resettlement. An original and one copy of

each report shall be submitted within 30 days of the end of each

reporting period directly to the Project Officer named in the award

letter. The mailing address is: 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW., Sixth

Floor, Washington, DC 20447.

A final Financial and Program Report shall be due 90 days after the

budget expiration date or termination of grant support.

Dated: April 30, 1998.

Lavinia Limon,

Director, Office of Refugee Resettlement.

[FR Doc. 98-12301 Filed 5-7-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4184-01-P