DHS USCIS FY23 Innovations NOFO CLEARED 062023.pdf

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

FY 2023 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program Innovations in Citizenship Preparation

All entities wishing to do business with the federal government must have a unique entity identifier (UEI). The UEI number is issued by the SAM system. Requesting a UEI (Sam.gov) information can be found at: https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration.

Grants.gov registration information can be found at:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html.

Planned 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, the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). This new identifier is the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Additional Information can be found on Grants.gov: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/planned-uei-updates.html.

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 Listings Number 97.010

3. Assistance Listings Title Citizenship Education and Training

4. Funding Opportunity Title FY 2023 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program: Innovations in Citizenship Preparation

5. Funding Opportunity Number

DHS-23-CIS-010-004

6. Authorizing Authority for Program H.R. 2617 – Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328) Division F, Title IV https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/planned-uei-updates.html

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 and 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 (CIGP) is to expand the availability of high-quality citizenship preparation services for immigrants 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 CIGP has awarded more than $132 million through 579 competitive grants to immigrant-serving organizations in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Now in its 15th year, the program has helped more than 300,000 lawful permanent residents (LPRs ) prepare for citizenship. 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. The Citizenship and Integration Grant Program also addresses 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 on how to apply for naturalization within the authorized practice of immigration law.

The Innovations in Citizenship Preparation (Innovations) funding opportunity is designed to support and amplify innovative approaches to preparing immigrants for naturalization and encouraging the civic, linguistic, economic, and cultural integration of immigrants into their communities. While USCIS’ other funding opportunities support specific citizenship preparation services, the Innovations program invests in initiatives that develop, test, and share creative solutions for overcoming barriers to naturalization and expanding access to citizenship education and preparation services. Through this funding opportunity, organizations develop, test, and share creative solutions for overcoming traditional barriers to naturalization. Because we want to provide this opportunity widely, Innovations is open to public, non-profit, and for-profit institutions 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%20 of all sizes.

b. Objectives

In fiscal year (FY) 2023, approximately $3.6 million in federal funding is available for eligible organizations to provide innovative approaches to citizenship preparation and address barriers to naturalization. USCIS anticipates awarding up to 14 grants of up to $250,000 each.

According to the DHS Office of Immigration Statistics and as captured in the public facing USCIS Eligible to Naturalize Data Dashboard, there are an estimated 9.2 million LPRs potentially eligible to naturalize in the U.S.1 Granting citizenship to this population is vital to our nation’s security, economic prosperity, and future built on our guiding laws and principles. To help communities and organizations identify new ways to encourage and support those on the pathway to citizenship, USCIS will consider applications for all types of innovations that support citizenship preparation and address barriers to naturalization. Innovations that are designed primarily to support non-LPRs will not be considered under this funding opportunity.

Citizenship preparation refers to activities that help LPRs prepare for the English and civics components of the naturalization test, navigate the legal process of naturalization, and understand the value and importance of U.S. citizenship. The Innovations program is not intended to fund traditional citizenship preparation services, but rather identify new ways to help LPRs overcome barriers to naturalization. The most successful applicants will propose innovations that address existing, and potential future, challenge(s) within the citizenship preparation field and will include program goals related to attaining U.S. citizenship.

c. Priorities

USCIS is particularly interested in funding innovations that engage hard-to-reach populations. Examples of such populations include, but are not limited to:

• LPRs residing in rural locations or other isolated areas where there is a lack of access to citizenship education services; or

• LPRs whose jobs require mobility (e.g., migrant workers, nurses, truck drivers, etc.), making it difficult for them to participate in in-person classes for a significant period of time;

• LPRs who are pre-literate and/or have limited literacy skills in their native language and therefore require substantial support to prepare for the naturalization process;

• LPRs who have been historically and traditionally marginalized (e.g., the elderly, women, victims of crime, etc.); and

1 DHS Office of Immigration Statistics, Estimates of the Lawful Permanent Resident Population in the United States and the Subpopulation Eligible to Naturalize: 2019-2021. Available at: https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2022- 05/22_0405_plcy_lpr_population_estimates_2019_-_2021.pdf https://www.uscis.gov/tools/reports-and-studies/immigration-and-citizenship-data/eligible-to-naturalize-dashboard https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2022-05/22_0405_plcy_lpr_population_estimates_2019_-_2021.pdf https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2022-05/22_0405_plcy_lpr_population_estimates_2019_-_2021.pdf

• LPRs covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) who may need support to successfully navigate the naturalization process.

Partnerships Partnerships are encouraged. Innovation can result when unlikely partners collaborate, and therefore USCIS encourages partnerships with innovators outside of the traditional citizenship education realm. The principal applicant will be considered the recipient and will be responsible for all funds.

A partner organization is a “subrecipient” if the organization receives a portion of the funding to provide additional services. The principal applicant must complete a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with any prospective subrecipients and submit it with the application. The applicant must clearly demonstrate how it will monitor the prospective subrecipient’s performance and ensure that the prospective subrecipient complies with all grant award conditions and data reporting requirements. The MOU must state the specific services the subrecipient will provide and how grant funding will be allocated to fund the services. Prospective subrecipients must have their own individual UEI number and will be responsible for financial and performance reporting. Subrecipients must submit their reports to the principal applicant for submission to DHS.

If the principal applicant partners with an organization that does not receive a portion of the funding, the principal applicant must still complete an MOU. However, the applicant does not need to include the other required information listed above for subrecipients and the partner organization does not need an individual UEI.

10. Performance Measures

Establishing clear performance measures prior to the start of the performance period is an essential way for USCIS and recipients to ensure a clear understanding of expectations and requirements. Under the Innovations grant, work will be divided into three phases, and each phase will have one standard performance measure. Principal applicants must include performance goal(s) for each measure listed below in their application (see Appendix A: Additional Required Documents for additional information). USCIS will evaluate each recipient’s performance on how well they achieve their stated goals.

• Phase 1: Conduct Research and Refine Project Plan;

• Phase 2: Develop Innovation; and

• Phase 3: Pilot Testing, Iterative Evaluation, and Rollout.

Phase 1: Conduct Research and Refine Project Plan October 1, 2023 – December 30, 2023

During the first quarter, grantees will have a start-up period to conduct research, and refine their project plans. This time is being allotted in recognition that project plans submitted with grant proposals are often quickly drafted to meet application deadlines, and that projects may be more successful when grantees are provided time to create a more detailed project plan after being notified of their award. While this time is provided to refine project plans, the innovation must be the same as the one described in the application. If any portion of the innovation will be contracted out, work contracts must be signed during this time as well, and a copy must be provided to the USCIS Program Officer. Final project plans will be due to USCIS no later than December 1, 2023. As soon as the grantee has submitted its revised project plan, it may move onto Phase 2.

Mandatory Deliverable: Refined Project Plan Performance Measure: Did the recipient submit a revised project plan no later than December 30, 2023?

Phase 2: Develop Innovation January 1, 2024 – December 30, 2024

Throughout 2024, funding recipients will focus on developing or building their innovation. The recipient will be expected to adhere to the project plan and timeline, as well as the project scope defined in their application and award. Recipients will provide quarterly progress reports to USCIS. If a recipient encounters any unforeseen delays in the development of their innovation, the recipient should discuss the delays with their USCIS Program Officer and may submit another revised project plan or timeline.

Mandatory Deliverable: Innovation completed Performance Measure: Did the recipient complete the development of their innovation to the specifications of their proposal and project plan no later than December 30, 2024?

Phase 3: Pilot Testing, Iterative Evaluation, and Rollout January 1, 2025 – September 30, 2025

During this phase, recipients will pilot or test their innovation in accordance with their project plan. Each organization should have a method for collecting data or feedback on their innovation from their intended audience and should be prepared to make changes to their innovation if testing shows a need for corrections or improvements. This testing and enhancing process may take place in multiple iterations. Once the recipient is satisfied with their innovation, the recipient should make their innovation publicly available in accordance with their project plan so that others may benefit from their experience.

Mandatory Deliverable: Implemented Innovation Performance Measures: Did the recipient test and refine their innovation as needed, and then share publicly in accordance with their project plan?

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO: $3,600,000

2. Projected Number of Awards: 14

3. Maximum Award Amount: $250,000

4. Period of Performance: 24 months

Note: extensions are permitted. See Section H, Additional Information, Period of Performance Extensions, for more information.

5. Projected Period of Performance Start Date: 10/01/2023

6. Projected Period of Performance End Date: 09/30/2025

7. Funding Instrument Type: Grant

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants The following entities are eligible to apply to this announcement:

a. City or township governments

b. County governments

c. Independent school districts

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

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

f. Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization

g. Public/Indian Housing Authority

h. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) IRS status, other than institutions of higher education

i. Private institutions of higher education

j. Public & state-controlled institutions of higher education

k. Special district governments

l. State governments

m. Small businesses

n. For-profit organizations other than small businesses

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

Applicants will be judged on the merits of their proposal according to the below criteria.

Having substantial experience with citizenship preparation services or partnering with an organization that has substantial citizenship preparation experience would be helpful in establishing capacity for successful proposals.

Organizations that propose to incorporate citizenship instruction under this funding opportunity should be familiar with the Elements of Program Quality for Adult Citizenship Education and make every effort to follow these recommended program quality markers.

USCIS developed the Elements with a panel of adult education experts and based them on state and federal standards for adult education. They provide a general framework for preparing immigrants for the civics and English components of the naturalization interview and test. Program administrators and teachers should use these Elements when designing, enhancing, or evaluating their adult citizenship education programs. Additional USCIS resources for citizenship education programs are listed in Appendix C.

Organizations that propose to incorporate naturalization applications services under this funding opportunity may only do so within the authorized practice of immigration law, using qualified staff attorneys or Department of Justice Accredited Representatives to provide legal counsel to LPRs.

3. 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).

Applicants may apply to multiple USCIS funding opportunities, with exceptions noted below. USCIS reserves the right to only fund one award.

Current FY 2022 Innovations in Citizenship Education awardees and sub-awardees (funding opportunity DHS-22-CIS-010-004) are not eligible to apply for the FY 2023 Innovations funding opportunity.

Any applicant that does not propose to achieve the three 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.

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/elements_of_program_quality.pdf https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/elements_of_program_quality.pdf

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.

For a complete list of all required forms, please see Appendices A and C.

4. Cost Share or Match

There is a minimum cost share requirement for this program of 20% of the total requested funding amount. Applicants should clearly identify which budget items are to be supported by federal grant funding and which are to be supported by in-kind contributions and/or other funding sources, along with an estimate of the value of these non-federal funding sources. All proposed cost share contributions must be clearly described in the budget portion of the proposal. Applicants will be scored on this during the technical review.

Acceptable forms of cost share items include:

• Volunteer services: Rates for volunteer services must be consistent with those paid for similar work.

• Employee time: Employee’s regular rate of pay.

• Supplies: Fair market value of the supplies at the time of donation.

• Cash contributions: Cash value.

• Equipment, building, or land: Fair market value or rental value at the time of application, as established by an independent appraisal.

• Project co-funding: Actual cost incurred.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

a. Application Start Date: 06/09/2023

b. Application Submission Deadline: 07/28/2023 at 11:59PM EST All applications must be received by the established deadline.

c. Anticipated Award Date: No later than 09/30/2023

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. Agreeing to Terms and Conditions of the Award By submitting an application, applicants agree to comply with the requirements of this NOFO and the terms and conditions of the award, should they receive an award.

3. 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 write or fax a request to:

Jacqueline Greely Grants Officer CISMailbox@hq.dhs.gov Fax: 202-447-5600

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.

4. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) Each applicant, unless they have a valid exception under 2 CFR 25.110, must:

a. Be registered in Sam.Gov before application submission.

b. Provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application.

c. Continue to always maintain an active SAM registration with current information during the Federal Award process.

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:support@grants.gov

5. Steps Required to Submit an Application, Unique Entity Identifier, and System for Award Management (SAM) To apply for an award under this program, 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.

6. 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, the DHS GFAD requires applicants to submit applications through Grants.gov.

7. How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov

a. 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.

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.

https://login.gov/

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 SAM registration 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.

1) 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. Organizations will be issued a UEI number with the completed SAM registration.

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.

2) 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.

3) 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.

4) EBiz POC Authorized Profile Roles: After you register with Grants.gov and create an Organization Applicant Profile, the organization 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.

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

5) Track Role Status: To track your role request, refer to:

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

6) 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.

8. 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 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html 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 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.

9. 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.

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

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.

10. Content and Form of Application Submission

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

11. Other Submission Requirements 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 requires applicants to submit their applications online through Grants.gov. Applications that are not submitted through Grants.gov by the deadline will not be considered.

As discussed in the eligibility section above, Current FY 2022 Innovations in Citizenship Education awardees and sub-awardees (funding opportunity DHS-22-CIS-010-004) are not eligible to apply for the FY 2023 Innovations funding opportunity.

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

a. 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.

b. USCIS application fees.

c. 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.

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

e. Foreign travel.

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

g. Pre-award costs.

h. Funding for direct reimbursement of proposal development.

i. Costs for food or refreshments.

j. Incentive items or gift cards.

k. General volunteer stipends.

l. Living allowances for any national volunteer service program participants.

Pre-Award Costs Pre-Award Costs are not allowed.

13. Allowable Costs

a. 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 and consistent with the programs objectives and priorities as outlined in the notice of funding opportunity starting on page

2. Award fund may be used for the following purposes:

1. Providing services to qualified 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 (or renewal) of staff. This includes training costs related to DOJ recognition and accreditation.

6. Transportation costs for students attending funded classes.

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 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 funded classes.

9. Travel costs for two staff members to attend a mandatory two-day training in the

Washington. D.C. area during the first year of the grant, and costs for one teacher or coordinator to attend a USCIS teacher training (or another professional development training with approval from USCIS) during the second year of the grant.

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

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

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).

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.

E. Application Review Information

1. Application Evaluation Criteria

a. Programmatic Criteria

DHS will use the following criteria to evaluate applications deemed eligible and responsive. Applicants can receive up to 100 points. More detail about each of the criteria is included in the Project Narrative instructions, located in Appendix A item 5.

1) Need for Innovation (10 points)

The extent to which the applicant:

• Describes the barrier to naturalization the innovation addresses (5 points);

• Provides data or evidence of the barrier (3 points); and

• Describes prior efforts (by the applicant and/or other organizations) to address this barrier to naturalization (2 points).

2) Proposed Innovation (25 points)

• Clearly defines and describes the proposed innovation (5 points);

• Presents an idea/innovation that is novel, innovative and implementable

(10 points);

• Articulates program goals and describes what success looks like (5 points); and

• Includes a logic model that visually depicts how the innovation will achieve the desired program goals. The logic model should include inputs, planned activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact (5 points).

3) Organizational Capacity to Develop and Implement the Proposed

Innovation (25 points) The extent to which the applicant:

• Demonstrates experience helping LPRs prepare for citizenship (citizenship education, legal services, civic integration) (10 points);

• Demonstrates experience developing and implementing new and innovative programs, particularly in education or immigrant integration and service provision (5 points); and

• Possesses the organizational capacity to implement the proposed innovation (to include resources, qualified staff, partners, or networks) (10 points).

4) Project Plan, Milestones, and Timeline (25 points)

• Clearly articulates a reasonable and feasible plan to develop its proposed innovation (10 points);

• Includes defined milestones, deliverables, and corresponding due dates in project plan (10 points); and

• Submits a project plan that includes the required three phases of the performance period, as described in Section A.10 above (5 points).

5) Evaluation, Expansion, and Sustainability (15 points)

• Explains how and when it will pilot or test its innovation, including a method for collecting data or feedback and making improvements to the innovation accordingly (5 points);

• Describes how the innovation will be shared within the broader citizenship preparation community (5 points); and

• Provides a realistic description of how it will sustain or support the innovation, once implemented (5 points).

b. Financial Integrity Criteria Prior to making a federal award, the DHS GFAD is required by the Payment Integrity Act of 2019, 41 U.S.C. §2313 – Database for federal agency contract and grant officers and suspension and debarment officials, and 2 C.F.R. §200.206 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.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/M-18-18.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/M-18-18.pdf https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/index.action https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/index.action https://sam.gov/

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. All responsive and eligible applications will be reviewed as described below:

a. DHS will assemble reviewers which may include both federal and non-federal reviewers to review the eligible applications. Reviews of submitted applications will be conducted by remote review.

b. Teams of technical reviewers will review each eligible application against the evaluation criteria. The reviewers will assign a score and provide summary comments based on the evaluation criteria identified above.

c. An application may be selected for post-review quality control and possible rescoring if it received significantly diverging scores and comments from reviewers.

d. An internal review panel consisting of DHS staff will review the highest ranked applications and make final funding recommendations. The internal review panel may take applications out of rank order in consideration of strategic program priorities, which are identified below.

e. DHS may perform an additional review of the applicant organization and any sub-awardees and/or its key personnel. This may include reviewing audit reports, publicly available materials, and/or government data which may have a bearing on award outcome. DHS may request additional materials from the applicant as part of this review, including:

1) The summary letter from the applicant’s most recent audit report;

2) Documentation of previous grant award completion that includes the name of the grantor, amount awarded, and whether the grant recipient sufficiently completed the requirements of the grant award (e.g., a final close-out report, certification of grant award completion, etc.);

3) A pre-award site visit or investigation to determine and validate current services and proposed activities; and

4) A site visit conducted in the case of a contingent award to evaluate the organization’s ability to satisfy the programmatic and administrative requirements of the grant. DHS reserves the right to not pursue the completion of the award process if preliminary investigations and/or site visits do not provide sufficient evidence of organizational capacity to successfully administer the proposed grant.

f. After the technical review and before making final funding decisions, DHS will contact the highest-ranking applicants to seek clarification and to negotiate technical and programmatic aspects of the application. This will include negotiations on the program content, staffing, budget, activities, and performance metrics. If an application includes a proposed subrecipient or partner that will provide additional or complementary direct services in partnership with the main applicant, DHS may request to speak with all parties included in the application to ensure sufficient planning and coordination has taken place prior to making an award.

g. Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest. Technical and cost proposals submitted under this NOFO will be protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. DHS may use one or more support contractors in the logistical processing of proposals; however, funding recommendations and final award decisions are solely the responsibility of DHS personnel.

DHS screens all technical reviewers for potential conflicts of interest. To determine possible conflicts of interest, DHS requires potential reviewers to complete and sign conflict of interest and nondisclosure forms. DHS will keep the names of submitting institutions and individuals as well as the substance of the applications confidential except to reviewers and DHS staff involved in the award process. DHS will destroy any unsuccessful applications after three years following the funding decision.

h. DHS strongly discourages, and will not consider, any supplementary materials submitted by or on behalf of the applicant (e.g., letters of support) other than those materials specifically requested in this NOFO.

i. DHS will notify all applicants electronically of funding decisions. Unfunded applicants may send a written request to citizenshipgrantprogram@uscis.dhs.gov to receive a written summary of comments related to the evaluation criteria, along with the points awarded to the application for each of the evaluation criteria. DHS will send the written summary to the applicant within 120 days of receipt of the request. Additional information beyond that described here will not be provided.

j. Strategic Program Priorities: Based on the recommendations of the internal review panel, DHS may consider the following factors when making an award:

1) Program…