Fiscal Year 1999 Discretionary Grant Announcement for Head Start Partnerships With Tribally Controlled Land Grant Colleges and Universities; Availability of Funds and Request for Applications

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[Program Announcement No. ACF/ACYF/HS 99-01]

Fiscal Year 1999 Discretionary Grant Announcement for Head Start

Partnerships With Tribally Controlled Land Grant Colleges and

Universities; Availability of Funds and Request for Applications

AGENCY: Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF),

Administration for Children and Families (ACF), DHHS.

ACTION: Announcement of the availability of funds and request for

applications for one priority area related to Head Start.

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SUMMARY: The Administration for Children and Families (ACF),

Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) announces the

availability of funds to support training activities, Head Start and

Early Head Start Partnerships with Tribally Controlled Land Grant

Colleges/Universities.

DATES: The closing time and date for receipt of application is 4:30

p.m. (Eastern Time Zone) April 26, 1999. Applications received after

4:30 p.m. will be classified as late.

ADDRESSES: Mail applications to: ACYF Operations Center, 1815 North

Fort Myer Drive, 3rd Floor, Arlington, Virginia 22209.

Hand delivered, courier or overnight delivery applications are

accepted during the normal working hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,

Monday through Friday, on or prior to the established closing date. All

packages should be clearly labeled as follows: Application for Head

Start Partnerships with Tribally Controlled Land Grant Colleges/

Universities.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Head Start Discretionary Grant

Support Team (1-800-351-2293) is available to answer questions

concerning application requirements and to refer you to the appropriate

contact person in ACYF for programmatic questions. You may e-mail your

questions to: [email protected]

In order to help us determine the number of applications we will

need to review, if you are going to submit an application, you must

send a post card or call 800-351-2293 with the following information:

the name, address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address of the

principal investigator and the name of the college/university at least

four weeks prior to the submission deadline date to: ACYF Operations

Center, 1815 North Fort Myer Drive, 3rd Floor, Arlington, Virginia

22209.

Part I. Purpose and Background

A. Purpose

This announcement of financial assistance, to be competitively

awarded to Tribally Controlled Land Grant Colleges/Universities, is to

utilize the capabilities of these institutions of higher education to

improve the quality and longterm effectiveness of Head Start and Early

Head Start. This will be achieved by developing models of academic

training and forming partnerships between the Tribally Controlled Land

Grant Colleges/Universities and Head Start grantee and delegate

agencies funded through the American Indian Programs Branch of Head

Start.

Throughout this announcement, the term Head Start program or Head

Start agency refers to both Head Start and Early Head Start grantees or

delegate agencies, funded by the American Indian Programs Branch of the

Head Start Bureau, unless otherwise specifically noted.

B. Background

The overall goal of Head Start is to bring about a greater degree

of social competence in the children of low-income families. In order

to accomplish this goal, Head Start provides comprehensive services to

low-income children and their families. Head Start enhances children's

physical, intellectual, social and emotional development. It supports

parents in their efforts to fulfill their parental roles and provides

for their involvement in implementing the Head Start program. Another

goal of Head Start is to strengthen community supports for families

with young children while they are working toward employment and self-

sufficiency.

In an attempt to ensure quality services to low-income children and

their families Head Start has conducted many demonstration projects,

provided grantees with training and technical assistance and given

grantees funds to implement their own training efforts. For example,

Head Start supported the creation of the Child Development Associate

(CDA) credential designed for early childhood development teaching

staff, implemented the Head Start

[[Page 8827]]

Teaching Centers and other innovative projects.

The Head Start/Tribally Controlled Land Grant Colleges/Universities

Partnerships are in keeping with the Head Start tradition of creating

innovative programs of working with low-income children and their

families. This announcement is an initial effort to fund and recognize

partnerships between Head Start programs funded through the American

Indian Programs Branch and Tribally Controlled Land Grant Colleges/

Universities.

Under this announcement, except for applications addressing area 1

below, Tribally Controlled Land Grant Colleges/Universities must form a

partnership with one or more Head Start grantee, or Head Start grantee

and delegate agencies, to provide education/training to the Head Start

agencies.

The partnership agreements must be beneficial to each partner, that

is, the Tribally Controlled Land Grant Colleges/Universities must

benefit and the participating Head Start grantees also must benefit.

Partnership agreements must provide academic training and credit hours

for a specified number of Head Start staff members. Partnership

agreements can take many forms; however, they must clearly set out the

reason the Tribally Controlled Land Grant College/University and the

Head Start program(s) are entering into the partnership and what each

party expects to gain from the partnership. For example, a Head Start

grantee may form a partnership with a Tribally Controlled Land Grant

College/University that agrees to provide education for all Head Start

staff members; including food service workers, classroom staff, home

visitors and management staff. Another Tribally Controlled Land Grant

College/University may agree to educate mental health staff at several

grantee locations, and provide modeling of sound child development

practices with follow-up education and mentoring for center-based staff

that may want to improve the overall learning environment of their

classrooms. Other Head Start agencies may form partnerships with

institutions of higher learning that would provide education for all

classroom staff and home visitors that would lead to academic degrees.

Other grantees may need help in addressing the need for courses in how

to involve males in the lives of their children and how to work with

other community organizations that have similar concerns. In addition,

if the Head Start grantee has formed partnerships with local child care

agencies, education/training by the institution of higher education can

be offered to those child care staff members of those agencies and

collaborating family child care providers. Examples of benefits for the

Tribal Colleges/Universities could include expansion of capacity in

various instructional areas, and an increased institutional competence

in the area of technology.

All project applications shall address one of the following four

areas:

1. Identification of ``exemplary'' and or ``best'' practices which

are occurring in Indian Head Start programs. Currently there is no

professionally developed ``exemplary'' or ``best'' practices literature

on Indian Head Start programs. Such information would be developed and

available for electronic delivery by the American Indian Programs

Branch. Head Start programs funded by the American Indian Programs

Branch would be strengthened by providing clear, descriptive models

that Head Start programs can replicate in their home settings.

2. Model education (not training) programs done in partnership

between Tribally Controlled Land Grant Colleges/Universities and Head

Start programs that will result in an increase in the number of

associate and bachelor degrees earned by Head Start staff members,

parents and members of the community to create a bank of competent

educators, social workers and other knowledge areas vital in building

quality Head Start programs.

3. Model programs that demonstrate how to design and implement

tribal culture/language programs through a partnership between a

Tribally Controlled Land Grant College/University and Head Start

program(s). Culture and language programs help ground children so that

they can achieve a greater degree of social competence in their lives.

Still, too little has been accomplished in developing ``best

practices'' tribal culture/language-based curriculum and comprehensive

program activities at Indian Head Start programs. All of the Tribally

Controlled Land Grant Colleges/Universities have strong culture and

language departments and should be prepared to model age-appropriate

curriculum and program activities that can be replicated in Indian Head

Start programs.

4. Model technology programs between Tribally Controlled Land Grant

Colleges/Universities and Indian Head Start programs designed to: (a)

help Indian Head Start programs in planning to upgrade their technology

infrastructure; (b) support the use of age-appropriate, technologically

delivered materials for use by Head Start eligible families and

children and; (c) implement technology training and/or education

programs for staff and parents. As the Administration for Children and

Families and the Head Start Bureau continue to increase their capacity

to communicate using new advance technologies, programs must also

develop their capacity to keep up with the work being completed

nationally. American Indian Head Start programs need to develop a

technology infrastructure and capacity in order to achieve and maintain

consistent excellence in this rapidly evolving information era.

Minimum Requirements for Project Design: In order to compete

successfully under this priority area, the applicant should:

Address no more than one of the areas outlined above.

For numbers 2, 3, and 4 above, document the need for such

a training program in the community to be served, and indicate the

number of staff needing the training.

For numbers 2, 3, and 4 above, have evidence that a

partnership will be formed between the Head Start grantee(s) and any

relevant child care agencies and the Tribally Controlled Land Grant

College/University and how students will be recruited and retained.

For numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 above, the institution must be

able to demonstrate that it is a Tribally Controlled Land Grant

College/University.

For numbers 2, 3, and 4 above, the institution must be

able to demonstrate and that all course work will offer academic

credit.

For numbers 2, 3, and 4 above, describe the benefits to be

gained by both the Head Start grantee(s) and the Tribally Controlled

Land Grant College/University, including the number of Head Start staff

that will be trained.

For numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 above, describe how the

proposed project will be beneficial to the American Indian Programs

Branch funded Head Start programs nationally.

For numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 above, describe the total

approach to be taken in implementing this project, including responses

to the following questions: Will the project provide education for all

staff at either the associate or bachelors degree level? Will parents

be allowed to participate in the education program developed? Will the

project focus on a single Head Start area, such as mental health or

childhood development? How will college/university staff be involved in

assuring the success of the project. How will the ``best practices''

inquiry be conducted?

For numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 above, provide maps indicating

the location of

[[Page 8828]]

the Tribally Controlled Land Grant College/University and the Head

Start agencies.

For numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 above, document that the

Tribally Controlled Land Grant College/University currently offers

credit courses, and proposes to offer credit courses, in the areas

valuable to Head Start such as Community Health Services, Mental

Health, Education and Early Childhood Development, including infant/

toddler development, social work and social services, community

partnerships, parental education, Head Start program administration and

management and human resources development.

For numbers 2, 3, and 4 above, describe how the course

work would be contextually and culturally relevant to the Head Start

environment and would be available to all interested Head Start staff.

Indicate how staff would be selected to participate in the program,

including child care staff.

For numbers 2, 3, and 4 above, indicate how joint planning

and assessment with the Head Start grantee(s) will be implemented with

timelines and clear lines of responsibility.

For numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 above, provide assurances that

no more than three months will be devoted to planning activities. A

copy of the agreement(s) between the Head Start program(s) and the

Tribally Controlled Land Grant College/University, with specific plans

on implementing the agreement(s) must be submitted to the ACYF at the

end of that three month period.

For numbers 2, 3, and 4 above, assure that training/

coursework is offered at no cost to the grantee staff.

For numbers 2, 3, and 4 above, describe the relevant

curricula which would be used; how the courses would be scheduled and

where located; how students will earn credits, including credits toward

degrees; what support activities would be provided to the students,

such as textbooks, child care and transportation; the number of

students that would be involved in the project, the recruitment

strategies that would be employed and plans for the dissemination of

information about the project.

For numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 above, describe the activities

that would continue after the completion of this project that would

maintain the institution of higher learning involvement with Head

Start.

For numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 above, describe the approach

that would be used for the ongoing assessment and monitoring of the

effectiveness of the project. No more than 10% of the total project

budget shall be set aside for the ongoing assessment and monitoring

effort.

Part II. Program Information

A. Statutory Authority

The Head Start Act, as amended, 42 U.S. C. 9801 et seq.

B. Eligible Applicants

Tribally Controlled Land Grant Colleges and Universities are those

institutions cited in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land

Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note), any other institution

that qualifies for funding under the Tribally Controlled Community

College Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), and Navajo

Community College, Authorized in the Navajo Community College

Assistance Act of 1978, Public Law 95-471, title II (25 U.S.C. 640a

note). Eligible applicants should offer courses of study in a

significant area of interest to Head Start. These areas include: human

services delivery, infant/toddler development, early childhood

education and care, health care services, community partnerships, human

resource development, Head Start program administration and management,

and/or tribal culture and history.

C. Project Duration

The length of the project period must not exceed 36 months. This

announcement is soliciting applications for project periods up to three

years. Awards, on a competitive basis, will be for a one-year budget

period, although project periods may be for three years. Applications

for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the one-year

budget period but within the three year project period will be

entertained in subsequent years on a noncompetitive basis, subject to

availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the grantee and a

determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of

the Government.

D. Federal Share of Project Costs

The Federal share for each project awarded in areas 1 and 2 ranges

from $70,000 to an amount not to exceed $150,000 per year. The maximum

Federal share for each project awarded in areas 3 and 4 is not to

exceed $70,000 per year. It is anticipated that $700,000 will be

awarded this fiscal year through the competitive process described in

this announcement.

E. Number of Projects To Be Funded

It is anticipated that up to 10 projects will be funded, with

several projects funded in area 2.

F. Matching Requirement

Although there are no matching requirements, applicants are

encouraged to provide non-Federal contributions to the project.

G. Project Description

The following Uniform Project Description (UPD) has been approved

by OMB under control number 0970-0139

1. Purpose

The project description provides a major means by which an

application is evaluated and ranked to compete with other applications

for available assistance. The project description should be concise and

complete and should address the activity for which Federal funds are

being requested. Supporting documents should be included where they can

present information clearly and succinctly. Applicants are encouraged

to provide information on their organizational structure, staff,

related experience, and other information considered to be relevant.

Awarding offices use this and other information to determine whether

the applicant has the capability and resources necessary to carry out

the proposed project. It is important, therefore, that this information

be included in the application. However, in the narrative the applicant

must distinguish between resources directly related to the proposed

project from those that will not be used in support of the specific

project for which funds are requested.

2. General Instructions

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

particularly interested in specific factual information and statements

of measurable goals in quantitative terms. Project descriptions are

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

not required. (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.

3. Project Description

Applicants are required to submit a full project description and

shall prepare the project description

[[Page 8829]]

statement in accordance with the following instructions.

a. Project Summary/Abstract. Provide a summary of the project

description (a page or less) with reference to the funding request.

b. Results or Benefits Expected. Identify the results and benefits

to be derived. For example, using a comprehensive review of the current

literature, justify how the research questions and the findings will

add new knowledge to the field or how it will improve services for

children and families.

c. 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 proportion of data collection expected to be completed.

When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or function, list

them in chronological order to show the schedule of accomplishments and

their target dates.

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.

4. Additional Information

Following is a description of additional information that should be

placed in the appendix to the application:

a. 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.

b. Organization Profiles. Provide information on the applicant

organization(s) and cooperating partners such as organizational charts,

financial statements, audit reports or statements from CPAs/Licensed

Public Accountants, Employer Identification Numbers, names of bond

carriers, contact persons and telephone numbers, child care licenses

and other documentation of professional accreditation, information on

compliance with Federal/State/local government standards, documentation

of experience in the program area, and other pertinent information. Any

non-profit organization submitting an application must submit proof of

its non-profit status in its application at the time of submission. The

non-profit agency can accomplish this by providing a copy of the

applicant's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent

list of tax-exempt organizations described in Section 501(c)(3) of the

IRS code, or by providing a copy of the currently valid IRS tax

exemption certificate, or by providing a copy of the articles of

incorporation bearing the seal of the State in which the corporation or

association is domiciled.

c. Dissemination Plan. Provide a plan for distributing reports and

other project outputs to colleagues and the public. Applicants must

provide a description of the kind, volume and timing of distribution.

d. 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.

5. General

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. For purposes

of preparing the budget and budget justification, ``Federal resources''

refers only to the ACF grant for which you are applying. Non-Federal

resources are all other Federal and non-Federal resources. It is

suggested that budget amounts and computations be presented in a

columnar format: first column, object class categories; second column,

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

total budget. The budget justification should be a narrative.

a. Personnel. Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.

Justification: Identify the project director or principal

investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time

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

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

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

costs of delegate agencies or of specific project(s) or businesses to

be financed by the applicant.

b. Fringe Benefits. Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits

unless treated as part of an approved indirect cost rate.

Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages

that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA,

retirement insurance, taxes, etc.

c. Travel. Description: Costs of project-related travel by

employees of the applicant organization (does not include costs of

consultant travel).

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

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

privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs

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

sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.

d. Equipment. Description: 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. However, an applicant may

use its own definition of equipment provided that such equipment would

at least include all equipment defined above.

Justification: For each type of equipment requested, provide a

description of the equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units,

the total cost, and a plan for use on the project, as well as use or

disposal of the equipment after the project ends. An applicant

organization that uses its own definition for equipment should provide

a copy of its policy or section of its policy which includes the

equipment definition.

e. Supplies. Description: Costs of all tangible personal property

other than that included under the Equipment category.

Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their

costs. Show computations and provide other information that supports

the amount requested.

[[Page 8830]]

f. Contractual. Description: Costs of all contracts for services

and goods except for those which belong under other categories such as

equipment, supplies, construction, etc. Third-party evaluation

contracts (if applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient

organizations, including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or

businesses to be financed by the applicant, should be included under

this category.

Justification: 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 exceed the simplified acquisition

threshold fixed at 41 U.S.C. 403(11) currently set at $100,000.

Recipients might be required to make available to ACF pre-award review

and procurement documents, such as request for proposals or invitations

for bids, independent cost estimates, etc.

Note: Whenever the applicant intends to delegate part of the

project to another agency, the applicant must provide a detailed

budget and budget narrative for each delegate agency, by agency

title, along with the required supporting information referred to in

these instructions.

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

applicable and appropriate, may include but are not limited to

insurance, food, medical and dental costs (noncontractual),

professional services costs, space and equipment rentals, printing and

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

stipends, staff development costs, and administrative costs.

Justification: Provide computations, a narrative description and a

justification for each cost under this category.

h. Indirect Charges. Description: Total amount of indirect costs.

This category should be used only when the applicant currently has an

indirect cost rate approved by the Department of Health and Human

Services (HHS) or another cognizant Federal agency.

Justification: An applicant that will charge indirect costs to the

grant must enclose a copy of the current rate agreement. If the

applicant organization is in the process of initially developing or

renegotiating a rate, 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 program, the authorized representative of the

applicant organization must submit a signed acknowledgement that the

applicant is accepting a lower rate than allowed.

i. Total Direct Charges, Total Indirect Charges, Total Project

Costs. Self explanatory.

Part III. Evaluation Criteria and Review Process

A. Evaluation Criteria

In considering how applicants will carry out the responsibilities

addressed under this announcement, competing applications for financial

assistance will be reviewed and evaluated against the following

criteria:

Criterion 1. Objectives and Need for Assistance: (25 Points)

The extent to which the application identifies relevant physical,

economic, social, financial, institutional or other problems requiring

a grant; demonstrates the need for assistance; states the principal and

subordinate objectives of the project; provides supporting

documentation or other testimonies from concerned interests other than

the applicant.

Criterion 2. Results or Benefits Expected: (10 Points)

The extent to which the application identifies the results and

benefits to be derived; describes the anticipated contribution to

policy, practice, theory and/or research; specific benefits should be

described for both the American Indian Tribal Colleges/ University and

Head Start.

Criterion 3. Approach: (35 Points)

The extent to which the application outlines an acceptable plan of

action pertaining to the scope of the project which details how the

proposed work will be accomplished, including a timeline; lists of each

organization, consultants, including key individuals who will work on

the project along with a short description of the nature of their

effort or contribution; assures the adequacy of time devoted to the

project by key staff, the key staff should be knowledgeable of Head

Start, the applicant must fully describe the approach and/or

methodology and delineate the relationship of each task to the

accomplishment of the proposed objectives. There should be evidence

that the planned approach reflects sufficient input from and

partnership with American Indian Programs Branch funded Head Start

programs.

Criterion 4. Geographic Location: (5 Points)

The extent to which the application gives a precise location of the

project and area to be served, including the location of the Head Start

and Early Head Start grantees, by the project.

Criterion 5. Budget Appropriateness: (25 Points)

The extent to which the project's costs are reasonable in view of

the activities to be carried out and the anticipated outcomes.

B. The Review Process

Applications received by the due date will be reviewed and scored

competitively. Experts in the field, generally persons from outside the

Federal government, will use the evaluation criteria listed in Part III

of this announcement to review and score the applications. The results

of this review are a primary factor in making funding decisions. ACYF

may also solicit comments from ACF Regional Office staff and other

Federal agencies.

Part IV. Instructions for Submitting Applications

A. Required Forms

Eligible applicants interested in applying for funds must submit a

complete application including the required forms included at the end

of this program announcement in Appendix A. In order to be considered

for a grant under this announcement, an application must be submitted

on the Standard Form 424 (approved by the Office of Management and

Budget under Control Number 0348-0043). A copy has been provided. Each

application must be signed by an individual authorized to act for the

applicant and to assume responsibility for the obligations imposed by

the terms and conditions of the grant award. Applicants requesting

financial assistance for non-construction projects must file the

Standard Form 424B, Assurances: Non-Construction Programs (approved by

the Office of Management and Budget under control number 0348-

[[Page 8831]]

0040). Applicants must sign and return the Standard Form 424B with

their application. Applicants must provide a certification concerning

lobbying. Prior to receiving an award in excess of $100,000, applicants

shall furnish an executed copy of the lobbying certification (approved

by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 0348-0046).

Applicants must sign and return the certification with their

application. Applicants must provide a Uniform Project Description

(approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number

0970-0139).

Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their

compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. By signing and

submitting the application, applicants are providing the certification

and need not mail back the certification with the application.

Applicants must make the appropriate certification that they are

not presently debarred, suspended or otherwise ineligible for award. By

signing and submitting the application, applicants are providing the

certification and need not mail back the certification with the

application.

Applicants must also understand that they will be held accountable

for the smoking prohibition included within P.L. 103-227, Part C

Environmental Tobacco Smoke (also known as The Pro-Children's Act of

1994). A copy of the Federal Register notice which implements the

smoking prohibition is included with the forms. By signing and

submitting the application, applicants are providing the certification

and need not mail back the certification with the application.

All applicants for research projects must provide a Protection of

Human Subjects Assurance as specified in the policy described on the

HHS Form 596 (approved by the Office of Management and Budget under

control number 0925-0418) in Appendix A. If there is a question

regarding the applicability of this assurance, contact the Office for

Protection from Research Risks of the National Institutes of Health at

(301)-496-7041. Those applying for or currently conducting research

projects are further advised of the availability of a Certificate of

Confidentiality through the National Institute of Mental Health of the

Department of Health and Human Services. To obtain more information and

to apply for a Certificate of Confidentiality, contact the Division of

Extramural Activities of the National Institute of Mental Health at

(301) 443-4673.

B. Application Limits

The narrative of the application should be double-spaced and

single-sided on 8\1/2\'' x 11'' plain white paper, with 1'' margins on

all sides. Use only a standard size font no smaller than 12 pitch

throughout the proposal. All pages of the narrative of the application

(including appendices, resumes, charts, references/footnotes, tables,

maps and exhibits) must be sequentially numbered, beginning on the

first page after the budget justification, the principal investigator

contact information and the Table of Contents. The length of the

application, including the narrative, appendices and resumes must not

exceed 75 pages. Anything over 75 pages will be removed and not

considered by the reviewers. The project summary should not be counted

in the 75 pages. Applicants should not submit reproductions of larger

sized paper that is reduced to meet the size requirement. Applicants

are requested not to send pamphlets, brochures, or other printed

material along with their applications as these pose copying

difficulties. These materials, if submitted, will not be included in

the review process. In addition, applicants must not submit any

additional letters of endorsement beyond any that may be required.

Applicants are encouraged to submit curriculum vitae using

``Biographical Sketch'' forms used by some government agencies.

Please note that applicants that do not comply with the

requirements in the section on ``Eligible Applicants'' will not be

included in the review process.

C. Checklist for a Complete Application

The checklist below is for your use to ensure that the application

package has been properly prepared.

--One original, signed and dated application plus two copies.

--Attachments/Appendices, when included, should be used only to provide

supporting documentation such as resumes, and letters of agreement/

support.

Front Matter:

Cover Letter

Table of Contents

Project Abstract

(1) Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424, REV. 4-92);

(2) Budget information--Non-Construction Programs (SF424A&B REV.4-

92);

(3) Budget Justification, including subcontract agency budgets;

(4) Letter from the Head Start program certifying that the program

is a partner of the Tribally Controlled Land Grant College/University;

(5) Application Narrative, Appendices and resumes (not to exceed 75

pages);

(6) Proof that the organization is a Tribally Controlled Land Grant

College/University.

(7) Assurances Non-Construction Programs;

(8) Certification Regarding Lobbying;

(9) Where appropriate, a completed SPOC certification with the date

of SPOC contact entered in line 16, page 1 of the SF 424, REV.4-92;

(10) Certification of Protection of Human Subjects.

D. Due Date for the Receipt of Applications

Deadlines: The closing date for the submission of applications is

4:30 p.m. (EDT) April 26, 1999. Applications postmarked after the

closing date will be classified as late and not considered for funding.

Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting the deadline if they

are either received on or before the deadline date or sent on or before

the deadline date and received by ACYF in time for the independent

review. Applications should be mailed to: ACYF Operations Center, 1815

North Fort Myer Drive 3rd Floor, Arlington, Virginia 22209. Application

for Head Start Discretionary Grants: Head Start Partnerships with

Tribally Controlled Land Grant Colleges and Universities.

Applicants are cautioned to request a legibly dated U.S. Postal

Service postmark or to obtain a legibly dated receipt from a commercial

carrier or U.S. Postal Service. Private metered postmarks shall not be

acceptable as proof of timely mailing.

Applications hand carried by applicants, courier services, or by

overnight/express mail couriers shall be considered as meeting the

announced deadline only 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 ACYF

Operations Center, 1815 North Fort Myer Drive, 3rd Floor, Arlington, VA

22209 between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays).

(Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not

always deliver as agreed.)

ACYF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax or

through other electronic media. Therefore, applications transmitted to

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

submission and time of receipt.

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.

[[Page 8832]]

Extension of deadlines: ACF may extend an application deadline for

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

there is widespread disruption of the mails, or when it is anticipated

that many applications will come from rural or remote areas. A

determination to waive or extend deadline requirements rests with the

Chief Grants Management Officer.

E. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, the

Department is required to submit to OMB for review and approval any

reporting and record keeping requirements in regulations including

program announcements. All information collections within this program

announcement are approved under the following current valid OMB control

numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 0348-0040, 0348-0046, 0925-0418 and 0970-

0139.

Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated to average

10 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.

F. Required Notification of the State Single Point of Contact

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

Program and Activities. Under the Order, States may design their own

processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance

under covered programs.

All States and Territories except 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 have elected to participate in the Executive

Order process and have established Single Points of Contact (SPOCs).

Applicants from these twenty-four jurisdictions need take no action

regarding E.O. 12372. Applicants for projects to be administered by

Federally-recognized Indian Tribes are also exempt from the

requirements of E.O. 12372. Otherwise, applicants should contact their

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

and receive any necessary instructions. Applicants must submit any

required material to the SPOCs as soon as possible so that the program

office can obtain and review SPOC comments as part of the award

process. It is imperative that the applicant 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: William Wilson, ACYF/Office of Grants Management, 330 C

Street S.W., Washington, D.C. 20447, Attn: Head Start Partnerships with

Tribally Controlled Land Grant Colleges and Universities. A list of the

Single Points of Contact for each State and Territory can be found on

the web site: http://www.hhs.gov/progorg/grantsnet/laws-reg/

spoq0695.htm

Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance 93.600

Dated: February 17, 1999.

Patricia Montoya,

Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.

[FR Doc. 99-4330 Filed 2-22-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4184-01-P