CITA NOFO FINAL posting 051525 rev.pdf

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

FY 2024 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program

Citizenship and Integration Training Academy

All entities wishing to do business with the federal government must have a unique entity identifier (UEI). The UEI number is issued by the System for Award Management (SAM) system.

UEI Updates in Grant Application Forms:

On April 4, 2022, the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number was replaced by a new, non-proprietary identifier requested in, and assigned by, SAM.gov. This new identifier is the UEI. Entities that had a DUNS Number were automatically assigned a UEI. New entities needing a UEI must register in SAM.gov at:

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration.

Additional Information can be found on Grants.gov:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/planned-uei-updates.html.

Grants.gov registration information can be found at: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html.

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/planned-uei-updates.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html

Contents

UEI Updates in Grant Application Forms:

A. Program Description

1. Issued By

2. Assistance Listing Number

3. Assistance Listing Title

4. Funding Opportunity Title

5. Funding Opportunity Number

6. Authorizing Authority for Program

7. Appropriation Authority for Program

8. Announcement Type

9. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

10. Performance Measures

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO

2. Projected number of Awards

3. Maximum Award Amount

4. Period of Performance

5. Projected Period of Performance Start Date

6. Projected Period of Performance End Date

7. Funding Instrument Type

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

3. Subawards and Beneficiaries

4. Other Eligibility Restrictions

5. Cost Share or Match

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

2. Address to Request Application Package

3. Steps Required to Obtain a UEI, Register in SAM.gov, and Submit an Application

4. Electronic Delivery

5. How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov

6. How to Submit an Application to DHS via Grants.gov

7. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

8. Content and Form of Application Submission

9. Funding Restrictions and Allowable Costs

E. Application Review Information

1. Application Evaluation

2. Review and Selection Process

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Notice of Award

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

3. Reporting

4. Monitoring and Oversight

5. Program Evaluation

G. DHS Awarding Agency Contact Information

1. Contact and Resource Information

2. Systems Information

H. Other Information

1. Period of Performance Extensions

2. Appendices

APPENDIX A: ADDITIONAL REQUIRED FORMS

APPENDIX B: FY 2024 USCIS GRANT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS………..……….36

APPENDIX C: FY 2024 APPLICANT CHECKLIST

APPENDIX D: FY 2024 GRANT GLOSSARY

A. Program Description

1. Issued By

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), External Affairs Directorate (EXA), Office of Citizenship, Partnership and Engagement (OCPE)

2. Assistance Listing Number

97.010

3. Assistance Listing Title

Citizenship Education and Training

4. Funding Opportunity Title

FY 2024 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program: Citizenship and Integration Training Academy

5. Funding Opportunity Number

DHS-24-CIS-010-005

6. Authorizing Authority for Program

H.R. 2617 – Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328) Division F, Title IV

7. Appropriation Authority for Program

H.R. 2617 – Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328) Division F, Title IV

8. Announcement Type

Initial

9. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

a. Overview

OCPE is charged with promoting instruction and training on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. USCIS recognizes that naturalization is a key milestone in the civic integration of immigrants. Naturalization requirements, such as knowledge of English, U.S. history, and government, encourage civic learning and build a strong foundation upon which immigrants can fully integrate into American society. Through preparing for naturalization, immigrants gain tools to become successful citizens and meet their responsibilities as United States citizens.

The goal of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program is to expand the availability of high-quality citizenship preparation services for lawful permanent residents (LPRs) across the nation and to provide opportunities for immigrants to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to integrate into the fabric of American society.

Since it began in 2009, the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program has awarded more than $55 million through 644 competitive grants to immigrant-serving organizations in 41 states and the District of Columbia. Now in its 16th year, the program has helped more than 300,000 LPRs prepare for citizenship.

The Citizenship Integration Training Academy (CITA) funding opportunity aims to train a new cadre of citizenship instructors and oversee the development of new citizenship programs. This funding will provide support to organizations that have not previously received USCIS grant funding. In year one of the grant, the CITA will provide twelve months of rigorous, mandatory virtual training for grant recipient staff designed to impart the requisite technical skills, knowledge, and capacity to enable them to establish and implement a high-quality citizenship education program for LPRs in years two and three. During years two and three, program implementation will be closely followed and supported by USCIS staff, who will provide technical assistance to grant recipients.

This grant also offers an optional component for funded organizations to pursue and establish a naturalization application services program staffed by two Department of Justice (DOJ) Accredited Representatives. Interested organizations may independently pursue status as a Department of Justice (DOJ) Recognized Organization during year one, with the cost of this training and designated staff time reimbursed through Citizenship and Integration Training Academy (CITA) grant funding.

During years two and three, participating grant recipients will begin offering naturalization application services in conjunction with their citizenship education program.

b. Goals, Objectives, and Priorities

In Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, up to $2.6 million in federal funding is available for eligible organizations to participate in the Citizenship and Integration Training Academy. USCIS encourages new organizations to apply as part of USCIS’ effort to fulfill our mandate of expanding the availability of high-quality citizenship education preparation services in underserved areas and eventually increasing the pool of organizations eligible to apply for other USCIS grant funding opportunities.

USCIS anticipates awarding up to seven grants of up to $400,000 each under this funding opportunity.

During Year 1, grant recipients MUST participate fully in all required academy training activities.

These activities include, but are not limited to, webinars, in-person training seminars, in-person field trips to established citizenship education programs, roundtables, and a capstone program development plan. The program development plan will guide program implementation during years two and three. Full and active participation in the twelve-month training program is a non-negotiable condition of continued funding.

Grant recipients that elect to establish a naturalization application services program will also work during year one to complete all trainings required to apply for status as a DOJ Recognized Organization. USCIS will not provide the training required for this program. For the purposes of this grant, naturalization application services are defined as assisting eligible program participants in preparing and submitting a Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, preparing for the naturalization interview, and providing ongoing case management as needed. Grant recipients will be expected to independently identify and pursue appropriate training opportunities. Grant funds may be used to pay for training fees and staff time (up to 0.25 FTE per staff member or the equivalent for part-time staff members). By the end of year one, the awardee must submit an application to become a DOJ Recognized Organization AND applications for at least two staff members to become DOJ Accredited Representatives.

According to the DOJ, “Federal regulations at 8 C.F.R. § 1292.1(a)(4) allow non-attorney “Accredited Representatives” to represent immigrants before the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), which includes the immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). These representatives are accredited through the Recognition and Accreditation (R&A) Program, which aims to increase the availability of competent immigration legal representation for low-income and indigent persons, thereby promoting the effective and efficient administration of justice. Accredited Representatives may only provide immigration legal services through Recognized Organizations. Only non-profit, federally tax-exempt entities may apply to be recognized.”1 Additional information about the DOJ Recognition and Accreditation Program is available at: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/recognition-and-accreditation-program.

During Year 2, grant recipients MUST launch a citizenship education program, applying the knowledge and expertise learned in year one and in accordance with their program development plan. USCIS defines citizenship education as educational services that provide enrolled LPRs with the skills and knowledge needed to prepare for citizenship, including instruction in civics-based English as a Second Language (ESL), U.S. history and government, and the naturalization process.

USCIS staff will provide on-going citizenship education technical assistance for the duration of the grant performance period. As the program progresses, it must develop in accordance with USCIS program requirements, as outlined in Appendix B. All grant recipients are expected to fully participate in classes; any exceptions to class attendance will be at the discretion of USCIS.

Grant recipients who did not participate fully in all required academy training activities during year one are in violation of program requirements and will not receive funding during year two or three of the program.

Awardees that elect to establish a naturalization application services program MUST launch this program during year two of the grant, in accordance with their program development plan. USCIS defines naturalization application services as legal services, provided within the scope of the authorized practice of immigration law, that help immigrants navigate the naturalization application and interview process. Services include naturalization eligibility screening, providing legal advice, Form N-400 preparation and submission, and naturalization interview preparation. Services may also include filing other related immigration forms or documents, such as Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, and Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver. All grant-funded naturalization application services programs must develop in accordance with USCIS program requirements, as outlined in Appendix B.

Individuals trained to become Accredited Representatives may not provide naturalization application services while their application is pending approval from the DOJ. However, USCIS grant funds may still be used to pay up to 0.25 FTE of these individuals if they use their time to conduct naturalization-related outreach to LPRs on behalf of their program, conduct site visits to other DOJ Recognized Organizations, take additional immigration law trainings, or pursue other work relevant to establishing a new naturalization application services program. Organizations must plan to begin offering naturalization application services as soon as their DOJ application is approved.

1 https://www.justice.gov/eoir/recognition-and-accreditation-program https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-V/subchapter-B/part-1292#1292.1 https://www.justice.gov/eoir/recognition-and-accreditation-program https://www.justice.gov/eoir/recognition-and-accreditation-program https://www.justice.gov/eoir/recognition-and-accreditation-program

During Year 3, grant recipients are expected to have a fully operational citizenship education program and, if applicable, a fully operational naturalization application services program. USCIS staff will continue to provide on-going technical assistance in response to program performance challenges or deficiencies. Technical assistance can be requested by grantees or initiated by USCIS in response to performance issues.

c. Alignment to Program Purpose and DHS Strategic Plan

The Citizenship and Integration Grant Program supports the objectives of Executive Order 14012, Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2020-2024 by promoting integration, inclusion, and citizenship. Furthermore, the goals of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program address the DHS mission to enforce and administer our immigration laws (captured in the Third Quadrennial Homeland Security Review) and USCIS’ mission and values, as the program provides immigrants instruction on the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship and information and support on how to apply for naturalization within the authorized practice of immigration law.

10. Performance Measures

For this grant program, performance will be evaluated based on the following metrics:

a. Year 1: Training and Preparation

1) Two staff members attend 100% of all required Citizenship Academy events and activities;

2) Two staff members achieve a passing score of 80% or better on all module assessments;

3) Two staff members successfully complete a program development plan by the end of year one;

4) Two staff members2 complete of all trainings needed to successfully apply for DOJ Recognition and Accreditation by the end of year one (if applicable); and

5) The grant recipient submits an application to become a DOJ Recognized Organization and two staff members concurrently submit applications to become DOJ Accredited Representatives by the end of year one (if applicable).

b. Year 2: Program Start-Up

1) The grant recipient offers at least two citizenship classes and enrolls a minimum of 50 total LPRs in its citizenship classes by the end of year two;

2) All elements of the citizenship program are in compliance with the USCIS grant program requirements outlined in Appendix B by the end of year two;

3) The grant recipient successfully becomes a DOJ Recognized Organization with two Accredited Representatives on staff as soon as DOJ accreditation processing allows, ideally by the end of year two (if applicable); and

4) The Accredited Representatives prepare and file a minimum of six Form N-400’s, Applications for Naturalization, each accompanied by a Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as an Attorney or Accredited Representative, per month until the end of year two (if applicable).

2 USCIS does not recommend having the same two staff members train as citizenship instructors and legal services providers. Ideal candidates for these two positions will have different skills and experiences. Additionally, once programs are fully operational, one person would not likely have sufficient time to teach classes and provide legal services. The goal of requiring two staff members to receive training in both areas is to expand organizational capacity and buffer against potential staff turnover.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/02/02/executive-order-restoring-faith-in-our-legal-immigration-systems-and-strengthening-integration-and-inclusion-efforts-for-new-americans/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/02/02/executive-order-restoring-faith-in-our-legal-immigration-systems-and-strengthening-integration-and-inclusion-efforts-for-new-americans/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/02/02/executive-order-restoring-faith-in-our-legal-immigration-systems-and-strengthening-integration-and-inclusion-efforts-for-new-americans/ https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/19_0702_plcy_dhs-strategic-plan-fy20-24.pdf https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/19_0702_plcy_dhs-strategic-plan-fy20-24.pdf https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2023-04/23_0420_plcy_2023-qhsr.pdf https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/mission-and-core-values#:%7E:text=Mission%20and%20Core%20Values%201%20Mission%20Statement%20USCIS,People%20%E2%80%93%20In%20Service%20to%20the%20Public https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/mission-and-core-values#:%7E:text=Mission%20and%20Core%20Values%201%20Mission%20Statement%20USCIS,People%20%E2%80%93%20In%20Service%20to%20the%20Public

c. Year 3: Full Program Implementation

1) The grant recipient enrolls a minimum of 80 non-duplicated LPRs in citizenship classes by the end of year three;

2) A minimum of 70% of all enrolled citizenship students complete a post-test using an approved, nationally normed test by the end of year three;

3) A minimum of 70% of post-tested citizenship students demonstrate educational gains as measured by the increase between pre- and post-test scores by the end of year three.

4) The grant recipient prepares and files a minimum of 80 Form N-400’s, Applications for Naturalization, accompanied by Form G-28’s, Notice of Entry of Appearance as an Attorney or Accredited Representative, by the end of year three (if applicable).

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO

$2.6 million

2. Projected Number of Awards

3. Maximum Award Amount

$400,000

4. Period of Performance

36 months

Note: extensions are permitted. Grant recipients may request a no-cost extension in order to complete all project activities. See Section H, Additional Information, Period of Performance Extensions, for more information.

5. Projected Period of Performance Start Date

10/01/2024

6. Projected Period of Performance End Date

09/30/2027

7. Funding Instrument Type

Grant

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

The following entities are eligible to apply to this announcement:

a. County governments

b. City or township governments

c. State governments

d. Special district governments

e. Independent school districts

f. Public or state-controlled institutions of higher education

g. Indian/Native American tribal governments (federally recognized)

h. Indian/Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized)

i. Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organizations

j. Public/Indian Housing Authorities

k. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status, other than institutions of higher education

l. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

m. Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)

n. Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate a minimum of one year of experience within the past three years providing adult education, English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, or other services to adult immigrants.

Applicants must also demonstrate extensive knowledge of the community they propose to serve.

Proposals must include:

a. Community Needs Assessment

A description of the geographic boundaries of the community to be served; data on the estimated size of the LPR population in the community; the need for citizenship education services (and naturalization application services, if applicable) within the defined geographic area; information on other local citizenship providers and the services they offer.

b. Organizational Capacity

A detailed description of the applicant’s interest in and ability to create a citizenship program, including information on the organization’s experience working with adult immigrants, the organization’s experience providing adult education (if applicable), and specific staff members with skills or experience in these areas.

c. Statement of Intent to Establish a Naturalization Application Services Program, if applicable All applicants must indicate in their application if they intend to establish a tandem naturalization application services program, including the pursuit of DOJ recognition and accreditation under this grant.

3. Subawards and Beneficiaries

a. Subaward allowability Subawards will not be permitted under this grant opportunity.

b. Beneficiaries or Participants

This NOFO and any subsequent federal awards create no rights or causes of action for any participant or beneficiary.

Participants are entities or individuals that partner with a recipient but do not receive any funding under the award (whether through a subaward or contract) or any direct benefit. For example, entities who agree at no cost to help a recipient or subrecipient by sharing information or providing training.

4. Other Eligibility Restrictions

For-profit law firms and attorneys in private practice are not eligible to receive funding under this funding opportunity (See the Glossary in Appendix D for the definitions of “representation” and “employee”).

Applicants for the CITA grant may not apply to multiple USCIS funding opportunities nor currently be funded under the USCIS Citizenship and Integration Grant. Applicants may not have received previous USCIS grant funds, as a primary grant recipient, subrecipient, or contractor.

Applicants that fail to demonstrate a minimum of one year of experience within the past three years providing adult education, English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, or other services to adult immigrants are not eligible to receive funding under this funding opportunity.

Any applicant that does not propose to achieve the minimum performance goals outlined in section A.10 of the funding opportunity announcement is not eligible to receive funding under this funding opportunity.

Any application that does not include all forms listed as required on the Applicant Checklist, located in Appendix B, is not eligible to receive funding under this funding opportunity.

If DHS determines at any point during the review process that an application does not meet these eligibility requirements, the application will be removed from further consideration.

Non-Responsive Applications An application will be deemed non-responsive and will be removed from further consideration if:

a. Form SF-424 – Application for Federal Assistance is missing.

b. Form SF-424A – Budget is missing.

c. Form SF-424B – Assurances – Non-Construction Programs is missing.

d. The applicant’s Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) is not registered in SAM.

e. The application does not include a Budget Narrative and Budget Table.

f. The application does not include a Project Narrative.

5. Cost Share or Match

There is no cost share requirement for this program.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

a. Application Start Date 05/15/2024

b. Application Submission Deadline 07/12/2024 at 11:59PM EST

All applications must be received by the established deadline.

c. Anticipated Award Date No later than 09/30/2024

NOTE: The application must be received in Grants.gov by the date and time listed above. If an application is received after the deadline, it will not be considered. Applicants will receive a confirmation from Grants.gov once the application is successfully submitted.

All applications are time stamped by the Grants.gov system when submitted and recipients are notified accordingly. The federal office will download all applications that are received by the deadline date and time as indicated on the NOFO. Late applications will not be accepted.

d. Other Key Dates

2. Address to Request Application Package

Application forms and instructions are available at Grants.gov. To access these materials, go to https://www.grants.gov/ and select “Applicants” then “Apply for Grants.” To obtain the application package, select “Download a Grant Application Package.” Enter the Assistance Listing and/or funding opportunity number located on the cover of this NOFO, select “Download Package,” and then follow the prompts to download the application package.

For a hard copy of the full NOFO, please email a request to:

Jacqueline Greely Grants Officer CISMailbox@hq.dhs.gov

Event Suggested Deadline for Completion Initial Registration at SAM.gov (includes UEI issuance)

Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Obtaining UEI Number Four weeks before actual submission deadline Obtaining a valid EIN Four weeks before actual submission deadline Updating SAM registration Four weeks before actual submission deadline Starting application in Grants.gov One week before actual submission deadline https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:CISMailbox@hq.dhs.gov

If you use assistive technology and are unable to access any materials on Grants.gov, please email the Support Center at support@grants.gov.

Applications will be processed through the Grants.gov portal. If you experience difficulties accessing information or have any questions, please call 1-800-518-4726.

3. Steps Required to Obtain a UEI, Register in SAM.gov, and Submit an Application

To apply for a federal award under this funding opportunity, all applicants must:

a. Have an account with https://login.gov/;

b. Register for, update, or verify their SAM account and ensure the account and EIN are active before submitting the application;

c. Create a Grants.gov account;

d. Add a profile to a Grants.gov account;

e. Establish an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) in Grants.gov;

f. Submit application in Grants.gov; and

g. Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information, including information on a recipient’s immediate and highest-level owner and subsidiaries, as well on all predecessors that have been awarded a federal contract or grant within the last three years, if applicable, at all times during which it has an active federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a federal awarding agency.

Applicants are advised that DHS may not make a federal award until the applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements. Therefore, an applicant’s SAM registration must be active not only at the time of application, but also during the application review period and when DHS is ready to make a federal award. Further, as noted above, an applicant’s or recipient’s SAM registration must remain active for the duration of an active federal award. If an applicant’s SAM registration is expired at the time of application, expires during application review, or expires any other time before award, DHS may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant.

4. Electronic Delivery

DHS is participating in the Grants.gov initiative to provide the grant community with a single site to find and apply for grant funding opportunities. DHS encourages or requires applicants to submit their applications online through Grants.gov, depending on the funding opportunity. For this funding opportunity, DHS requires applicants to submit applications through Grants.gov.

5. How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov

Instructions: Registering in Grants.gov is a multi-step process. Read the instructions below about registering to apply for DHS funds. Applicants should read the registration instructions carefully and prepare the information requested before beginning the registration process. Reviewing and assembling the required information before beginning the registration process will alleviate last-minute searches for required information.

mailto:support@grants.gov https://login.gov/ https://grants.gov/

The registration process can take up to four weeks to complete. Therefore, registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required application submission deadlines.

Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Number with an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration, and Grants.gov account to apply for grants. If individual applicants are eligible to apply for this grant funding opportunity, then you may begin with step 3, Create a Grants.gov account, listed below.

Creating a Grants.gov account can be completed online in minutes, but UEI and SAM registrations may take several weeks. Therefore, an organization’s registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact the entity’s ability to meet required application submission deadlines. Complete organization instructions can be found on Grants.gov here:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html.

a. Register with SAM: All organizations applying online through Grants.gov must register with the

System for Award Management (SAM). Failure to register with SAM will prevent your organization from applying through Grants.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually.

For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html.

b. Create a Grants.gov Account: The next step is to register an account with Grants.gov. Follow the on-screen instructions or refer to the detailed instructions here:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html.Do we

c. Add a Profile to a Grants.gov Account: A profile in Grants.gov corresponds to a single applicant organization the user represents (i.e., an applicant) or an individual applicant. If you work for or consult with multiple organizations and have a profile for each, you may log in to one Grants.gov account to access all of your grant applications. To add an organizational profile to your Grants.gov account, enter the UEI Number for the organization in the UEI field while adding a profile.

For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html.

d. Ebiz POC Authorized Profile Roles: After you register with Grants.gov and create an Organization

Applicant Profile, the applicant’s request for Grants.gov roles and access is sent to the Ebiz POC.

The Ebiz POC will then log in to Grants.gov and authorize the appropriate roles, which may include the AOR role, thereby giving you permission to complete and submit applications on behalf of the organization. You will be able to submit your application online any time after you have been assigned the AOR role.

For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html.

e. Track Role Status: To track your role request, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html.Do https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html

f. Electronic Signature: When applications are submitted through Grants.gov, the name of the organization applicant with the AOR role that submitted the application is inserted into the signature line of the application, serving as the electronic signature. The Ebiz POC must authorize people who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the organization as a user with the AOR role; this step is often missed, and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

6. How to Submit an Application to DHS via Grants.gov

Grants.gov applicants can apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different webforms within an application. For each NOFO, you can create individual instances of a Workspace.

Below is an overview of applying on Grants.gov. For access to complete instructions on how to apply for opportunities using Workspace, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html.

a. Create a Workspace: Creating a workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

b. Complete a Workspace: Add participants to the workspace to work on the application together, complete all the required forms online or by downloading PDF versions, and check for errors before submission. The Workspace progress bar will display the state of your application process as you apply. As you apply using Workspace, you may click the blue question mark icon near the upper-right corner of each page to access context-sensitive help.

c. Adobe Reader: If you decide not to apply by filling out webforms you can download individual

PDF forms in Workspace. The individual PDF forms can be downloaded and saved to your local device storage, network drive(s), or external drives, then accessed through Adobe Reader.

NOTE: Visit the Adobe Software Compatibility page on Grants.gov to download the appropriate version of the software at: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html.

d. Mandatory Fields in Forms: In the forms, you will note fields marked with an asterisk and a different background color. These fields are mandatory fields that must be completed to successfully submit your application.

e. Complete SF-424 Fields First: The forms are designed to fill in common required fields across other forms, such as the applicant’s name, address, and UEI number. To trigger this feature, an applicant must complete the SF-424 information first. Once it is completed, the information will transfer to the other forms.

f. Submit a Workspace: An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab. Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package at least 24-48 hours prior to the close date to provide you with time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission.

g. Track a Workspace Submission: After successfully submitting a workspace application, a

Grants.gov Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application.

The number will be listed on the Confirmation page that is generated after submission. Using the https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html tracking number, access the Track My Application page under the Applicants tab or the Details tab in the submitted workspace.

For additional training resources, including video tutorials, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html.

Applicant Support: Grants.gov provides applicants 24/7 support via the toll-free number 1-800-518- 4726 and email at support@grants.gov. For questions related to the specific grant opportunity, contact the number listed in the application package of the grant to which you are applying.

If you are experiencing difficulties with your submission, it is best to call the Grants.gov Support Center and get a ticket number. The Support Center ticket number will assist DHS with tracking your issue and understanding background information on the issue.

7. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

Online Submission. All applications must be received by 11:59 PM Eastern time on the due date established for each program. Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by Grants.gov. An electronic date/time stamp is generated within the system when the application is successfully received by Grants.gov. The applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a tracking number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov with the successful transmission of their application. This applicant with the AOR role will also receive the official date/time stamp and Grants.gov tracking number in an email serving as proof of their timely submission.

When DHS successfully retrieves the application from Grants.gov, and acknowledges the download of submissions, Grants.gov will provide an electronic acknowledgment of receipt of the application to the email address of the applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application. Again, proof of timely submission shall be the official date and time that Grants.gov receives your application. Applications received by Grants.gov after the established due date for the program will be considered late and will not be considered for funding by DHS.

Applicants using slow internet, such as dial-up connections, should be aware that transmission can take some time before Grants.gov receives your application. Again, Grants.gov will provide either an error or a successfully received transmission in the form of an email sent to the applicant with the AOR role attempting to submit the application. The Grants.gov Support Center reports that some applicants end the transmission because they think that nothing is occurring during the transmission process. Please be patient and give the system time to process the application.

8. Content and Form of Application Submission

See Appendices A and B for a list of required documents for this application, forms, and formats. No pre-applications or letters of intent are required to apply.

9. Funding Restrictions and Allowable Costs

a. General Requirements https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html.

All costs charged to federal awards (including both federal funding and any non-federal matching or cost sharing funds) must comply with applicable statutes, rules and regulations, policies, this NOFO, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. They must also comply with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements at 2 C.F.R. Part 200 unless otherwise indicated in the NOFO or the terms and conditions of the federal award. This includes, among other requirements, that costs must be incurred, and products and services must be delivered within the budget period. 2 C.F.R. § 200.403(h).

b. Funding Restrictions Grant funds may not be used for the following purposes:

1) Cost-sharing or matching funds for other federal grants, lobbying, or intervention in federal regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings. In addition, federal funds may not be used to sue the federal government or any other government entity.

2) USCIS application fees.

3) Payments to for-profit law firms and attorneys in private practice.

4) Providing citizenship services to non-LPRs.

5) Costs of organized fundraising, including financial campaigns, endowment drives, solicitation of gifts and bequests, and similar expenses incurred solely to raise capital or obtain contributions.

6) Profit/Fee is not allowable except when subcontracting for routine goods and services with commercial organizations.

7) Foreign travel.

8) Construction costs and purchase of real property under this funding opportunity.

9) Pre-award costs.

10) Funding for direct reimbursement of proposal development.

11) Costs for food or refreshments.

12) Incentive items or gift cards.

13) General volunteer stipends.

14) Living allowances for any national volunteer service program participants.

15) Fees for conferences that are not considered training events.

c. Allowable Costs

DHS grant funds may only be used for the purposes set forth in the agreement and must be consistent with the statutory authority for the award. Grant funds may be used for the following purposes:

1) Providing services to LPRs only, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

2) Resources to support citizenship instruction, including staff salaries, textbooks/materials, nationally normed standardized assessment tests, software, etc.

3) Professional development and training for staff and/or volunteers related to the provision of citizenship instruction and/or naturalization application services.

4) Facility rental costs not to exceed more than 20% of the total approved budget.

5) Resources to support naturalization application services including staff salaries, case management systems, costs associated with DOJ recognition of organizations and accreditation of staff. This includes training costs related to DOJ recognition and accreditation.

6) Transportation costs for students attending grant-funded classes and/or class field trips.

a) Transportation funds provided to students must match the student’s individual transportation costs.

b) Applicants must have a system to track how transportation funds are used.

7) Reimbursement of transportation costs for volunteers participating in grant-funded activities.

Volunteers may not receive a general transportation stipend.

a) Transportation funds provided to volunteers must match the volunteers’ individual transportation costs.

b) Applicants must have a system to track how transportation funds are used.

8) Childcare costs to assist eligible participants to attend grant-funded classes.

9) Travel costs to attend training with pre-approval from USCIS.

10) Equipment purchases directly related to the provision of services.

11) Costs associated with the use of computers for citizenship services (e.g., computer equipment, internet access, electronic tablets, etc.).

d. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs Management and Administration Costs are allowable for the grantee and any proposed sub-awardee (if applicable). For more information on allowable costs, please see Funding Restrictions (above).

e. Indirect (Facilities and Administrative (F&A)) Costs Indirect Costs (IDC) are allowable by the recipient and subrecipients as described in 2 C.F.R. Part 200, including 2 C.F.R. § 200.414. Applicants with a current negotiated IDC rate agreement who desire to charge indirect costs to an award must provide a copy of their IDC rate agreement at the time of application. Not all applicants are required to have a current negotiated IDC rate agreement.

Applicants that are not required to have a negotiated IDC rate agreement but are required to develop an indirect cost rate proposal must provide a copy of their proposal at the time of application.

Applicants who do not have a current negotiated IDC rate agreement (including a provisional rate) and wish to charge the de minimis rate must reach out to the Program Office and the Grants Office for further instructions.

f. Evaluation Costs Recipients and subrecipients are encouraged to incorporate program evaluation activities from the outset of their program design and implementation to meaningfully document and measure their progress towards the outcomes proposed. Title I of the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 (Evidence Act), Pub. L. No. 115-435 (2019) defines evaluation as “an assessment using systematic data collection and analysis of one or more programs, policies, and organizations intended to assess their effectiveness and efficiency.” Evidence Act § 101 (codified at 5 U.S.C. § 311). Credible program evaluation activities are implemented with relevance and utility, rigor, independence and objectivity, transparency, and ethics (OMB Circular A-11, Part 6 Section 290).

Evaluation costs are allowable costs (either as direct or indirect), unless prohibited by statute or regulation, and such costs may include the personnel and equipment needed for data infrastructure and expertise in data analysis, performance, and evaluation. (2 C.F.R. §200).

In addition, recipients are required to participate in a DHS-led evaluation if selected, which may be carried out by a third-party on behalf of the Program Office or DHS. By accepting grant funds, recipients agree to participate in the evaluation, which may include analysis of individuals who benefit from the grant, and provide access to program operating personnel and participants, as specified by the evaluator(s) for six months after the period of performance.

E. Application Review Information

1. Application Evaluation

a. Programmatic Criteria DHS will use the following criteria to evaluate applications deemed eligible and responsive.

Applicants can receive up to 100 points.

1) Community Need for Citizenship Services (45 Points)

The extent to which the applicant demonstrates a community need for citizenship services by describing:

a) The specific geographic area to be served, including zip codes (10 points);

b) The characteristics and estimated size of the LPR population in the defined geographic area

(5 points). Applicants are encouraged to use the USCIS Eligible to Naturalize Dashboard, which displays data on populations of LPRs who may be eligible to naturalize on an interactive map: https://www.uscis.gov/tools/reports-and-studies/immigration-and-citizenship-data/eligible-to-naturalize-dashboard;

c) The need for citizenship education services (and naturalization application services, if applicable) within the defined geographic area (20 points); and

d) Other citizenship education providers within the defined geographic area, including information on wait lists and numbers served (5 points).

e) Naturalization application service providers within the defined geographic area, including information on wait lists and numbers served (required for all applicants, even those that do not plan to offer the optional naturalization application services portion) (5 points).

2) Organizational Capacity to Manage a Citizenship Program (45 points)

The extent to which the applicant demonstrates capacity to manage a citizenship program by describing:

a) The organization’s administrative capacity (10 points);

b) The qualifications of the organization’s participating staff (15 points); and

c) The organization’s current or past experience with any of the following activities (20 points):

• Providing adult education instruction, ESL instruction, or other types of educational programing;

• Providing orientation and intake to students and managing an enrollment system;

• Developing or using a curriculum, creating class schedules, or selecting textbooks or class materials;

• Administering and scoring standardized testing with students;

• Applying recruitment and retention strategies for students;

• Conducting outreach to promote organizational services;

• Delivering services to immigrants;

• Providing immigrant integration activities;

• Hiring, training, and supervising instructors or legal experts;

• Providing case management to program participants, including tracking data; or

• Other related experience that demonstrates the organization’s capacity to manage a citizenship education program, and if applicable, a naturalization application services program.

3) Proposed Budget (10 points)

The extent to which the applicant’s proposed budget includes:

a) Funding for required program elements, such as citizenship textbooks, pre-and post-testing materials, and all other items required (5 points);

b) Expenses to address potential barriers to participation (e.g., transportation, bus passes, tutoring, childcare) (5 points);

b. Financial Integrity Criteria Prior to making a federal award, the DHS Grants and Financial Assistance Division (GFAD) is required by 31 U.S.C. §3321 note, 41 U.S.C. §2313, and 2 C.F.R. §200.205 to review information available through any OMB-designated repositories of government wide eligibility qualification or financial integrity information. Therefore, application evaluation criteria may include the following risk-based considerations of the applicant:

1) Financial stability.

2) Quality of management systems and ability to meet management standards.

3) History of performance in managing federal award.

4) Reports and findings from audits.

5) Ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements.

c. Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review

Prior to making a federal award where the anticipated total federal share will be greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, currently $250,000 (see Section 805 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-91, OMB Memorandum M-18-18 at https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/M-18-18.pdf):

1) DHS GFAD is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM, which is currently the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) and is accessible through the sam.gov website.

2) An applicant, at its option, may review information in FAPIIS and comment on any information about itself that a federal awarding agency previously entered.

3) DHS GFAD will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in FAPIIS, in making a judgment about the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2 C.F.R. §200.206.

2. Review and Selection Process

DHS will conduct an initial review of applications to determine the responsiveness of the application. If an applicant is determined to be ineligible (see section C. Eligibility Information) or an application is determined to be non-responsive, DHS will notify the applicant.