final icdbg mold nofa 4.20.15.pdf

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Public and Indian Housing

Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) Program for Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages -

Mold Remediation and Prevention

FR-5900-N-02

H04396 signatur

Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) Program for Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages - Mold Remediation and Prevention

FR-5900-N-02

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Funding Opportunity Description. I.

Award Information. II.

Eligibility Information.

Eligible Applicants. A.

Cost Sharing or Matching. B.

Other. C.

III.

Application and Submission Information.

Obtaining an Application Package. A.

Content and Form of Application Submission. B.

DUNS Number and SAM Registration. C.

Application Submission Dates and Times. D.

Intergovernmental Review. E.

Funding Restrictions. F.

Other Submission Requirements. G.

IV.

Application Review Information.

Criteria. A.

Review and Selection Process. B.

Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates. C.

V.

Award Administration Information.

Award Notices. A.

Administrative, National and Departmental Policy Requirements. B.

Reporting. C.

VI.

Agency Contact(s). VII.

Other Information. VIII.

Appendix. IX.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Public and Indian Housing Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) Program for Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages - Mold Remediation and Prevention Initial

FR-5900-N-02

14.862 June 22, 2015

This NOFA provides information and instructions for a second round of funding for mold remediation and prevention under what had been identified as Category Two grants in the fiscal year (FY) 2014 ICDBG Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). It announces the availability of approximately $12,400,000 for mold remediation and prevention in and on housing units owned or operated by tribes and tribally designated housing entities (TDHE) or previously assisted with HUD funding. This Notice is comprised of both the General Section (General Section) to HUD's FY2015 NOFAs for Discretionary Programs posted on http://www.grants.gov/ and this program section to the NOFA. HUD's ICDBG program is authorized by Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, and the ICDBG program regulations at 24 CFR Part 1003. In addition to the application requirements set forth in this document, applicants must also comply with applicable requirements established in the General Section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please direct questions regarding the specific program requirements of this Program Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) to the agency contact identified in Section VII. Please direct questions regarding the FY 2015 General Section to the Office of Strategic Planning and Management, Grants Management Division, at (202) 708-0667 (this is not a toll-free number). Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access these numbers via TTY by calling the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.

Additional Overview Information

1. Incorporation of the General Section. HUD publishes a General Section each fiscal year that contains mandatory requirements for all applicants to HUD’s various competitive grant programs, including this NOFA. Applications must meet all of the requirements of the General Section in addition to the requirements of this NOFA to be considered and potentially receive funding. The full title of the General Section is the General Section to the Fiscal Year 2015 NOFAs for Discretionary Programs. Copies are available at Grants.gov or HUD's Funds Available page, http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/administration/grants/fundsavail.

2. OMB Approval Number(s): 2577-0191

I. Funding Opportunity Description.

A. Program Description.

Program Office:

Funding Opportunity Title:

Announcement Type:

Funding Opportunity Number:

Primary CFDA Number:

Due Date for Applications:

http://www.grants.gov http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/administration/grants/fundsavail

1. Purpose.

The purpose of the ICDBG program is the development of viable Indian and Alaska Native communities, including the creation of decent housing, suitable living environments, and economic opportunities primarily for persons with low- and moderate- incomes as defined in 24 CFR 1003.4. The purpose of this NOFA is solely the remediation and prevention of mold.

Projects funded with ICDBGs must meet the primary objective of the program defined at 24 CFR 1003.208 to principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons. Consistent with this objective, not less than 70 percent of the expenditures of each grant shall be for activities that meet the regulatory criteria at 24 CFR 1003.208(c) for housing activities.

2. Changes from Previous NOFA.

This NOFA increases the application ceiling for mold remediation and prevention grants from $400,000 to $800,000. It broadens the definition of "tribally owned or operated housing". It provides points for applicants that did not receive an ICDBG in the last application cycle. It also clarifies that tribal organizations must submit proof of eligibility and if not submitted or stated, that the application will be rejected.

3. Definitions.

a. Eligibility Requirements – Eligibility requirements are those requirements that must be met for an application to be eligible for funding. Deficiencies in meeting an eligibility requirement may be categorized as either curable or non-curable.

b. Threshold Requirement – Threshold requirements are a category of eligibility requirements. A threshold requirement is a requirement that must be met in order for an application to be reviewed. Threshold requirements are not curable.

Threshold requirements are listed in Section III.C.2. of both the 2015 General Section and of this Program

NOFA.

Applicants must ensure their application package addresses all threshold requirements. Please check your application carefully!

c. Deficiency – Deficiencies are not the same as errors. Errors are never curable except as permitted under Section IV.C.2. Deficiencies are items of missing or omitted information within a submitted application.

Deficiencies typically involve missing documents, information on a form, or some other type of unsatisfied information requirement (e.g., an unsigned form, unchecked box, etc.). Depending on specific criteria, deficiencies may be either curable or non-curable.

d. Curable Deficiency – A curable deficiency is a specific type of deficiency that applicants may correct with timely action. To be curable the deficiency must:

– Not be a threshold requirement;

– Not influence how an applicant is ranked or scored versus other applicants; and

– Be remedied within the time frame specified in the notice of deficiency.

e. Non-Curable Deficiency – An applicant cannot correct a non-curable deficiency after the submission deadline. Non-curable deficiencies are deficiencies that if corrected would change an applicant’s score or rank versus other applicants. Non-curable deficiencies may result in an application being marked ineligible, or otherwise adversely affect an application’s score and final determination.

f. Adopt. To approve by formal tribal resolution.

g. Document. To supply supporting written information and/or data in the application that satisfies the NOFA requirement. Documentation should clearly and concisely support your response to the rating factor.

h. Entity Other than Tribe. Entities other than the tribe must have the following characteristics: (a) must be legally distinct from the tribal government; (b) their assets and liabilities cannot be considered to be assets and liabilities of the tribal government; (c) claims against such entities cannot be made against the tribal government; and (d) must have governing boards, boards of directors, or groups or individuals similar in function and responsibility to such boards which are separate from the tribe's general council, tribal council, or business council, as applicable.

i. Firm Commitment. A letter of commitment from a partner by which an applicant's partner agrees to perform an activity specified in the application, demonstrates the financial capacity to deliver the resources necessary to carry out the activity, and commits the resources to the activity, either in cash or through in-kind contributions.

j. Leveraged Resources. Leveraged resources are resources that you will use in conjunction with ICDBG funds to achieve the objectives of the project. See Rating Factor 4 for documentation requirements for leveraged resources.

k. Low- and Moderate-Income Beneficiary. This means a family, household, or individual whose income does not exceed 80 percent of the median income for the area, as determined by HUD, with adjustments for smaller and larger households or families.

l. Mold Remediation and Prevention: For purposes of this NOFA:

(1) Mold is visible growth of fungi on surfaces of units/residential buildings or their exterior;

(2) Mold remediation includes long term solutions to a mold problem within units/residential buildings or on their exterior, including for example, eliminating mold that has grown on such surfaces and addressing the source of the moisture entering or being dispersed within the units/residential buildings and;

(3) Mold prevention includes action taken when mold within or on the exterior of units/residential buildings is present in minute amounts, to significantly reduce the likelihood of mold occurring or significantly growing, including for example, adjustments to building components, occupant sources, or operations that reduce the production of moisture that is dispersed within the units/residential buildings, that reduce the likelihood and amount of condensation, or that reduce the trapping of moisture within building cavities of the units/residential buildings.

m. New Applicant. An applicant that has either never received an ICDBG or an applicant whose prior grants have been closed for more than 12 months prior to the application deadline date. This definition applies to the entity that is submitting the application.

n. Outcomes. The ultimate impact you hope to achieve with the proposed project. Outcomes should be quantifiable measures or indicators and identified in terms of the change in the community, people's lives, health, economic status, etc.

o. Outputs. Outputs are the direct products of a program's activities. They are usually measured in terms of the volume of work accomplished, such as the number of units in which mold has been remediated or prevented, number of low-income households served, number of units constructed or rehabilitated, linear feet of curbs and gutters installed, or number of jobs created or retained. Outputs should be clear enough to allow HUD to monitor and assess your proposed project's progress if funded.

p. Project Cost. The total cost to implement the project. Project costs may be covered by both ICDBG and non-ICDBG funds and resources.

q. Standard Housing/Standard Condition. Housing that meets the housing quality standards (HQS) adopted by the applicant. The HQS adopted by the applicant must be at least as stringent as the Section 8

HQS contained in 24 CFR 982.401 (Section 8 Tenant-Based Assistance: Housing Choice Voucher program) unless the Area ONAP approves less stringent standards based on a determination that local conditions make the use of Section 8 HQS infeasible. The adopted standards must provide for (a) a safe house, in physically sound condition with all systems performing their intended design functions; (b) a livable home environment and an energy efficient building and systems that incorporate energy conservation measures; and (c) adequate space and privacy for all intended household members.

r. Statement. When a written statement is requested for any threshold, program requirement, or rating factor, the applicant must address in writing the specific item cited.

s. Tribally owned or operated housing. For purposes of the NOFA, "tribally owned or operated housing" means housing that is currently owned or operated by applicants eligible under 24 CFR 1003.5 or housing that is currently or was previously assisted with HUD funding.

t. Tribe. The word tribe means an Indian tribe, band, group or nation, including Alaska Indians, Aleuts, Eskimos, Alaska Native Villages, Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Village Corporations, and ANCSA Regional Corporations.

B. Authority.

The authority for this program is Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.), the program regulations in 24 CFR Part 1003, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014, Public Law 113-76, approved January 17, 2014, and the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235, approved December 16, 2014.

II. Award Information.

A. Available Funds.

HUD is making available through this NOFA $12,400,000 for Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) Program for Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages - Mold Remediation and Prevention.

Additional funds may become available for award under this NOFA as a result of HUD's efforts to recapture unused funds, use carryover funds, or because of the availability of additional appropriated funds. Use of these funds will be subject to statutory constraints. All awards are subject to the applicable funding restrictions described in the General Section and to those contained in this NOFA.

The FY 2014 appropriation for the ICDBG program was $70,000,000, out of which $10,000,000 was available for grants for mold remediation and prevention in tribally owned or operated housing. Because HUD did not receive sufficient applications to use all of the funds set aside specifically for mold remediation and prevention in FY 2014, it is combining the remaining $6,400,000 in FY 2014 funds for mold remediation and prevention with the $6,000,000 appropriated for such purposes in FY 2015.

1. Grant Ceilings. The authority to establish grant ceilings is found at 24 CFR 1003.100(b)(1). The application ceiling for projects funded through this NOFA is $800,000 for all applicants nationwide.

2. Housing Rehabilitation Cost Limits. Grant funds spent on mold remediation and prevention must fall within the following per-unit limits for each Area ONAP jurisdiction. An applicant’s budget must demonstrate that these cost limits will not be exceeded.

Eastern/Woodlands: $35,000

Southern Plains: $35,000

Northern Plains: $50,000

Southwest: $65,000

Northwest: $50,000

Alaska: $75,000

B. Number of Awards.

HUD expects to make approximately 16 awards from the funds available under this NOFA.

C. Minimum/Maximum Award Information.

The maximum grant award is $800,000. There is no minimum award but funds awarded must be sufficient to remediate or prevent mold in the number of housing units being addressed.

Estimated Total Funding: $12,400,000 Minimum Award Amount: $0 Per Budget Period Maximum Award Amount: $800,000 Per Budget Period D. Period of Performance.

The period of performance for any grant awarded under this NOFA must be included in the Implementation Schedule, form HUD4125, approved by HUD. The grantee's implementation plan cannot exceed September 30, 2022. Any funds not drawn down as of September 30, 2022 will be cancelled. HUD reserves the right to require an earlier expenditure deadline under an ICDBG grant agreement. If the grantee does not make substantial progress toward meeting its implementation schedule, HUD also reserves the right to recapture the funds.

Estimated Project Start Date: 09/01/2015 Estimated Project End Date: 08/31/2020 60-month project with five 12-month budget periods

E. Type of Funding Instrument.

Funding Instrument Type: Grant

F. Supplementation.

III. Eligibility Information.

A. Eligible Applicants.

Eligible applicants under the NOFA include:

Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)

Eligible applicants are Indian tribes or tribal organizations on behalf of Indian tribes. An applicant must be eligible as an Indian tribe (or as a tribal organization), as required by 24 CFR 1003.5, by the application deadline date.

Tribal organizations are permitted to submit applications under 24 CFR 1003.5(b) on behalf of eligible tribes when one or more eligible tribe(s) authorize the organization to do so under concurring resolutions.

The tribal organization must itself be eligible under Title I of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) or the Indian Health Service (IHS), as appropriate, must make a determination of such eligibility. If a tribe or tribal organization claims that it is a successor to an eligible entity, the Area ONAP must review the documentation to determine whether it is in fact the successor entity. If your organization has already submitted this information to the Area ONAP you need not submit it again but you must state this in your application. An application submitted by a tribal organization on behalf of a specific tribe will not be accepted if the tribe itself submits an application for the same funding round. If you do not include a statement or a determination of organization eligibility your application will be rejected.

On January 14, 2015, the BIA published a Federal Register notice entitled, "Indian Entities Recognized and Eligible to Receive Services from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs” (80 FR 1942). This notice provides a listing of Indian Tribal Entities in Alaska found to be Indian tribes as the term is defined and used in 25 CFR Part 83. Additionally, pursuant to Title I of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, ANCSA Village Corporations and Regional Corporations are also considered tribes and therefore eligible applicants for the ICDBG program.

Due to the unique structure of tribal entities eligible to submit ICDBG applications in Alaska, and as only one ICDBG application may be submitted for each area within the jurisdiction of an entity eligible under 24CFR 1003.5, a tribal organization that submits an application for activities in the jurisdiction of one or more eligible tribes or villages must include a concurring resolution from each such tribe or village authorizing the submission of the application. The hierarchy for funding priority continues to be the IRA Council, the Traditional Village Council, the ANCSA Village Corporation, and the ANCSA Regional Corporation.

Any questions regarding eligibility determinations and related documentation requirements for entities in Alaska should be referred to the Alaska Area ONAP prior to the application deadline (See 24 CFR 1003.5 for a complete description of eligible applicants).

HUD does not award grants to individuals. HUD will also not evaluate applications from ineligible applicants.

All applicants must have an active Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number (http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform) and have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) (www.sam.gov) before submitting an application. Getting a DUNS number and completing SAM registration can take up to four weeks; therefore applicants should start this process or check their status early.

See also Section IV.B below for necessary content and form of the application.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching.

This Program does not require an applicant to leverage resources through cost sharing or matching.

Generally, federal sources are not allowed to be used as cost share or match unless otherwise permitted by a program’s authorizing statute.

Cost sharing or matching is not required under this grant; however, applicants who leverage this grant with other funds receive points under Rating Factor 4. The greater the percentage of leveraged funds committed, the greater the number of points an applicant can receive under rating factor 4, up to a maximum of 10 points. See Section V.A. Rating Factor 4.

C. Other.

All applicants must also refer to Section III of the General Section for information on HUD-wide eligibility requirements. These requirements may determine whether your application is reviewed or make your application ineligible for funding.

Program specific eligibility criteria for this competition includes:

1. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements.

http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform http://www.sam.gov

a. ICDBG Requirements. Applicants awarded a grant under this NOFA are required to comply with the statutes, regulations, guidelines, and other requirements with respect to the acceptance and use of federal funds for this federally assisted program.

b. Environmental Requirements. See Section VI.B.1. of this NOFA.

c. Indian Preference. HUD has determined that the ICDBG program is subject to Section 7(b) of the Indian Self-Determination and Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450e(b)). The provisions and requirements for implementing this section are in 24 CFR 1003.510.

d. Economic Opportunities for Low-and Very Low-Income Persons (Section 3). Section 3 requirements under 24 CFR Part 135 apply to the ICDBG program but, as stated in §135.3(c), the procedures and requirements of Part 135 apply to the maximum extent consistent with, but not in derogation of, preferences for the benefit of Indians under §7(b) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450e(b)). Grantees are required to submit an annual report on employment, training, contracting and other economic opportunities consistent with the Section 3 regulatory reporting requirements.

2. Threshold Requirements.

Only applications that meet all threshold requirements established in the General Section and Program NOFA will be evaluated. In addition to the threshold criteria outlined in the General Section, including the Resolution of Outstanding Civil Rights Matters (prior to application deadline), the following threshold requirements must be met:

a. Program-Related Requirements

(1) Outstanding ICDBG Obligation. Pursuant to 24 CFR 1003.301(a), an applicant who has an outstanding ICDBG obligation to HUD that is in arrears, or one that has not agreed to a repayment schedule will be disqualified from the competition.

(2) Resolution of Civil Rights Matters. Applicants and subrecipients that are not federally recognized Indian tribes or their instrumentalities are subject to the threshold on Resolution of Civil Rights requirements found in the General Section at Section III.C.2.b. Federally recognized Indian tribes and their instrumentalities are subject to the requirements of: Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, known as the Indian Civil Rights Act; Section 109 prohibitions against discrimination based on age, sex, religion and disability; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. To be eligible to apply under this NOFA, the applicant may not have any outstanding violations of these civil rights authorities by the application deadline.

3. Compliance with Nondiscrimination and Related Requirements.

a. Anti-discrimination provisions. Under HUD’s regulations at 24 CFR 1003.601, HUD waived the requirement that grantees comply with the anti-discrimination provisions in Section 109 of the CDBG statute except with respect to age, sex, religion, or against an otherwise qualified disabled individual in the use of ICDBG grant funds. Section 109 requires compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 also (HUD's regulations for Section 109 are in 24 CFR part 6). HUD’s regulations at 24 CFR part 8 include accessibility standards for housing and non-housing facilities constructed or rehabilitated with Federal financial assistance, including ICDBG. You must comply also with the Indian Civil Rights Act in your use of ICDBG.

b. Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing. Applicants under this NOFA do not have a submission requirement related to HUD’s obligation to affirmatively further fair housing under Section 808(e) of the Fair Housing Act as described in the General Section, because Section 106(a)(1) of the Housing and Community Development Act exempts grants to Indian tribes from the obligation to affirmatively further fair housing under Section 106(d)(5) of the Act.

4. Other Requirements.

This programs eligibility criteria for beneficiaries are:

a. ICDBG activities must serve low and moderate income families, households, or individuals as specified in Section I of this NOFA.

b. In accordance with 24 CFR 1003.302(a), you must state in your application that you have adopted rehabilitation standards and policies as defined in Section I.A.3.q. of this NOFA prior to your application submission.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Obtaining an Application Package.

An electronic copy of the Application Package and Application Instructions for this NOFA can be downloaded from Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply-for-grants.html. Unless an applicant received a waiver for good cause, applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov except Continuum of Care applications. The Continuum of Care application is submitted through HUD’s e-snaps system.

An applicant demonstrating good cause may request a waiver from the requirement for electronic submission. Applicants that cannot submit their applications electronically and must seek a waiver of the electronic grant submission requirements must submit a waiver request so that the request is received at least 15 days before the application deadline. If HUD waives the requirement, your paper application must be received by HUD before the deadline of this NOFA. To request a waiver and receive a paper copy of the application materials, you should contact:

Glenda Green Phone: (202) 402-6967 Email: glenda.n.green@hud.gov

Examples of good cause may include lack of reliable Internet, broadband or other infrastructure conducive to electronic application submissions.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission.

To ensure that the correct Application Package and Application Instructions are used, applications must verify that the CFDA number and CFDA Description on the first page of the Application Package downloaded from Grants.gov, as well as the Opportunity Title, and the Funding Opportunity Number match the Program and NOFA to which they are applying. Applications will only be considered for the competition indicated in boxes 11, 12, and 13 on the SF-424 submitted in the application.

1. Content

Forms for your package include the forms outlined below:

Additionally, your complete application must include the following narratives and non-form attachments:

http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply-for-grants.html http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply-for-grants.html mailto:glenda.n.green@hud.gov

1. Content of Application, Forms, and Required Elements. The applicant must submit all of the forms required in this section, along with other data listed below.

a. Narrative to all five of the rating factors listed in Section V.A. of this NOFA, including a one page summary of the proposed project(s).

b. Application_for_Federal_Assistance (SF424).

c. Applicant/Recipient_Disclosure_Update_Report (form HUD2880).

d. Acknowledgement_of_Application_Receipt (form_HUD2993). This is relevant only to applicants granted a waiver of the electronic submission requirements and who are submitting a paper application.

e. Tribal resolution. If the application is being submitted by a tribal organization as defined in 24 CFR 1003.5(b), on behalf of an Indian tribe, you must submit a concurring resolution from the Indian tribe stating that the tribal organization is applying on the tribe's behalf.

f. Implementation Schedule. A schedule for implementing the project (form HUD4125_Implementation_Schedule).

g. Budget Information. The budget must include specific activity costs, administration, planning, technical assistance and total HUD share (form HUD4123_Cost_Summary). Planning and administrative costs cannot exceed 20 percent of each grant. The following criteria apply to planning and administrative costs:

(1) Planning and administrative activities may be funded only in conjunction with a physical development activity.

(2) Do not include project costs (i.e., architectural/engineering, environmental, technical assistance, staff/overhead costs) directly related to the project but do include any funds the applicant will be contributing toward administering the grant.

(3) Indirect costs may be charged to the ICDBG program under a cost sharing plan prepared in accordance with OMB and HUD regulations as applicable.

h. Citizen Participation. Evidence in the form of a tribal resolution that the tribe has met the citizen participation requirements of 24 CFR 1003.604. Accordingly, the tribe must ensure that views and comments from the entire tribal community members about the use of ICDBG funds were gathered and considered prior to the submission of the application.

i. Low-and moderate-income benefit. Your application must contain information that indicates at least 70 percent of the grant funds will be used for activities that benefit low- and moderate-income persons, in accordance with the requirements of 24 CFR 1003.208(c). All households that receive ICDBG grant assistance must be of low- and moderate-income status.

j. Evidence of Partner Commitment. If you propose to partner with other entities/organizations to undertake your project, you must submit a letter on letterhead of the entity/organization and signed by the chief executive of the entity/organization that demonstrates that the entity/organization is willing and able to participate.

k. Code of Conduct. If your Code of Conduct (code) is not listed on HUD’s website at http://www.hud.gov /offices/adm/grants/codeofconduct/cconduct.cfm or if the information on the website has changed, you must submit a copy of your code with your application.

l. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SFLLL). This form must be submitted by State-recognized Indian tribes and tribally designated housing entities established only under state law.

m. Evidence of Mold. You must submit evidence of mold in the housing units that you wish to remediate See Section V.A.2., Rating Factor 2, for more information. This documentation must be prepared by a third http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/codeofconduct/cconduct.cfm http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/codeofconduct/cconduct.cfm party who is qualified to make such an assessment.

2. Format and Form Narratives and other attachments to your application must follow the following format guidelines:

All information required to complete a valid application is included in the General Section and in this ICDBG NOFA. Before preparing an application, applicants should carefully review the program description, ineligible activities, program and threshold requirements, the General Section, and supplemental General Section documents. Applicants should also review each rating factor listed in Section V of this NOFA, before writing a narrative response. Narrative statements submitted to support your application should be individually labeled to reflect the item the narrative is responding to, e.g., Factor 1, Factor 2.

Applicants should provide the necessary data that support the response in their narratives. Applicants should not submit third party documents, such as audits, resolutions, or policies, unless specifically asked to do so. Please use separate headings for each rating factor and rating subfactor. Make sure the response is beneath the appropriate heading and keep the responses in the same order as the NOFA. Only include documentation that will clearly and concisely support your response to the rating criteria.

C. DUNS Number and SAM Registration.

Please refer directly to Section IV.C of the General Section, available at Grants.gov or HUD's Funds Available page, http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/administration/grants/fundsavail.

D. Application Submission Dates and Times.

The application deadline is 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern time on June 22, 2015. Applications must be received no later than the deadline. Please refer to the General Section for more information about timely receipt of applications.

Submit your application to Grants.gov unless a waiver has been issued allowing you to submit your application in paper form or you are applying for the Continuum of Care program. The Continuum of Care application is submitted through HUD's e-snaps system. Instructions for submitting your application to Grants.gov are contained within the Application Package you downloaded from Grants.gov. Instructions for submitting your paper application will be contained in the waiver of electronic submission.

Your application must be both received and validated by Grants.gov. Your application is “received” when Grant.gov provides you a confirmation of receipt and an application tracking number. If you do not see this confirmation and tracking number, your application has not been received.

After your application has been received, your application still must be validated by Grants.gov. During this process, your application may be “validated” or “rejected with errors.” To know whether your application was rejected with errors and the reason(s) why, you must log into Grants.gov, select “Applicants” from the top navigation, and select “Track my application” from the drop-down list. If the status is “rejected with errors,” you have the option to correct the error(s) and resubmit your application before the Grace Period ends. If your application was “rejected with errors” and you do not correct these errors, HUD will not review your application. If your status is “validated” your application will be forwarded to HUD by Grants.gov.

1. Resubmitting an Application.

Before the submission deadline, applicants who choose to amend an application that has been validated by Grants.gov have several options:

(1) an applicant may email the new or revised supporting materials to ApplicationSupport@hud.gov; or http://www.grants.gov http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/administration/grants/fundsavail

(2) an applicant may fax the additional supporting documents using the form HUD-96011.

(3) an applicant may resubmit an entire, revised application via Grants.gov containing the new or changed material;

Whichever option is used, all materials must be received by the applicable deadline.

When submitting additional supporting documentation via email, the applicant must enter "Supporting Documentation" plus the Grants.gov application tracking number in the subject line of the email. (e.g., Subject: Supporting Documentation - GRANT12345678). If this information is not included, HUD will not be able to match the response to the application under review and the application may therefore be rejected due to the deficiency.

When submitting additional supporting documentation by fax, the applicant must enter the document name in the box labeled "Name of Document Submitting" in form HUD96011. When submitting a fax, applicants must follow the fax requirements found elsewhere in this notice. If the fax transmittal form from the last application submitted is not the cover page to the applicant's response HUD will not be able to match the response to the application under review and the application may therefore be rejected due to the deficiency.

When resubmitting an application that was previously validated by Grants.gov, all documents faxed in support of the original submission must be either attached to the Grants.gov resubmission or faxed again using the form HUD-96011. If faxing, you must fax the materials, including materials faxed by a third party, after the resubmitted application has been validated by Grants.gov. All faxed materials must be received by the applicable deadline.

2. Grace Period for Grant.gov Submissions.

If an application is received by Grants.gov before the deadline, but is rejected with errors, applicants have a grace period of 24 hours beyond the application deadline to submit a corrected application that is received and validated by Grants.gov. Any application submitted during the grace period that does not meet the criteria above will not be considered for funding. There is no grace period for paper applications. See the General Section for more information about the grace period.

3. Late Applications.

An application received after the Program NOFA deadline date that does not meet the requirements of the grace period policy will be marked late, and will not be considered for funding.

E. Intergovernmental Review.

This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.

F. Funding Restrictions.

Planning and administrative costs cannot exceed 20 percent of the grant (see Section IV.B.1 of this NOFA and 24 CFR 1003.205-206). For a complete list of ineligible activities see 24 CFR 1003.207.

1. Lead Based Paint Requirements.

When providing housing assistance funding for purchase, lease, support services, operation, or work that may disturb painted surfaces, of pre-1978 housing, you must comply with the lead-based paint evaluation and hazard reduction requirements of HUD's lead-based paint rules (Lead Disclosure; and Lead Safe Housing (24 CFR part 35)), and EPA's lead-based paint rules (e.g., Repair, Renovation and Painting;

Pre-Renovation Education; and Lead Training and Certification (40 CFR part 745)).

V. Application Review Information

A. Review Criteria.

1. Rating Factors.

1. Rating Factors to Evaluate and Rate Applications. The factors for rating and ranking applications and the points for each factor are provided below. A maximum of 100 points may be awarded under Rating Factors 1 through 5. To be considered for funding, your application must receive a minimum of 15 points under Rating Factor 1 and an application score of at least 70 points. The following summarizes the points assigned to each rating factor and each rating subfactor.

RATING

FACTOR

TITLE

Current Grantees

New Applicants

FACTOR 1 CAPACITY OF THE APPLICANT 33 33

Subfactor 1 Managerial, Technical and Administrative Capability

14 30

1.a. Managerial and Technical Staff 7 8

1.b. Implementation Plan 3 8

1.c. Financial Management 2 7

1.d. Procurement and Contract Management 2 7

Subfactor 2 Past Performance 19 0

2.a. Implementation and Expenditures 7 0

2.b. Reports 3 0

2.c. Closeouts 3 0

2.d. Audits 3 0

2.e. Findings

Subfactor 3

Unfunded Applicants

FACTOR 2 NEED/EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM 17 17

Subfactor 1 Need and Viability 8 8

Subfactor 2 Project Benefit 9 9

FACTOR 3 SOUNDNESS OF APPROACH 30 30

Subfactor 1 Description of and Rationale for Proposed Project

8 8

Subfactor 2 Budget and Cost Estimates 8 8

Subfactor 3 HUD Policy Priorities 2 2

Subfactor 4 Commitment to Sustain Activities 12 12

Factor 4 LEVERAGING RESOURCES 10 10

Factor 5 COMPREHENSIVENESS AND

COORDINATION

10 10

Subfactor 1 Coordination 2 2

Subfactor 2 Outputs and Outcomes 8 8

Rating Factor 1: Capacity of the Applicant Maximum Points: 33

This factor addresses the extent to which you have the organizational resources necessary to successfully implement the proposed activities in accordance with your implementation schedule. Past performance in administering ICDBG grants will be taken into consideration. You must address the existence or availability of these resources for the specific type of activity for which you are applying. HUD will not continue to rate any projects further that do not receive a minimum of 15 points under this factor.

Applicants will be rated as current grantees or new ICDBG applicants as applicable.

1. Managerial, Technical, and Administrative Capability (14 points for current ICDBG grantees and 30 points for new applicants). Your application must demonstrate that you possess or can obtain managerial, technical, and/or administrative capability necessary to carry out the proposed project. It must address who will administer the project and how you plan to handle the technical aspects of executing the project in accordance with your implementation schedule. Typical documents that may be submitted include, but are not limited to, written summaries of qualifications and past experience of proposed staff, descriptions of staff responsibilities, and references or letters of endorsement from others who have worked with the proposed staff. Do not submit job descriptions or resumes. Do not submit Social Security Numbers of any personnel or consultants.

a. Managerial and Technical Staff (7 points for current grantees, 8 points for new applicants) The extent to which your application describes the roles/responsibilities and the knowledge/experience of your proposed project director and key staff, including the day-to-day program manager and, consultants in planning, managing, and implementing projects in accordance with the implementation schedule for which funding is being requested. Experience will be judged in terms of relevant, recent, and successful experience of all key staff to undertake eligible program activities. In rating this factor, HUD will consider experience pertaining to the specific activities being proposed or the specific roles and responsibilities described in the application to be relevant, experience within the last 5 years to be recent, and evidence of meeting or exceeding timetables of past projects to be successful. The more relevant, recent, and successful the experience of staffs who will work on the project, the greater the number of points you will receive for this rating factor.

(7 points for current grantees, 8 points for new applicants). The applicant adequately describes the roles/responsibilities and the knowledge/experience of its overall project director and key staff, including the day-to-day program manager and consultants in planning, managing, and implementing projects for which funding is being requested. Experience of all key staff as described in the application is relevant, recent, and successful.

(4 points for current grantees and 5 points for new applicants). The applicant adequately describes the roles/responsibilities and the knowledge/experience of its project director and staff, including the day-to-day program manager and consultants in planning, managing, and implementing projects for which funding is being requested. Experience of all key staff as described in the application is relevant, and is either recent, or successful.

(0 points for current grantees and new applicants). The applicant failed to adequately describe the roles/responsibilities and the knowledge/experience of its project director and key staff, including the day-to-day program manager, consultants, and contractors in planning, managing, and implementing projects for which funding is being requested or staff experience as described in the application is either not relevant, or is not recent, or successful.

b. Project Implementation Plan (3 points for current grantees and 8 points for new applicants).

The extent to which your project implementation plan identifies the specific tasks and timelines that you and your partner contractors and/or sub-grantees will undertake to complete your proposed project on time and within budget. The Project Implementation Schedule, form HUD4125, should serve as this required schedule, provided that it is sufficiently detailed to demonstrate that you have clearly thought out your project implementation. To receive full points in this subfactor, your application must demonstrate that contracts can and will be awarded within 180 days from the date the funds are available to the applicant.

(3 points for current grantees and 8 points for new applicants). The applicant submitted a detailed project implementation plan that clearly specifies both tasks and timelines.

(2 points for current grantees and 5 points for new applicants). The applicant submitted a project implementation plan that specifies both tasks and timelines, however the plan lacks detail.

(0 points for current ICDBG grantees and new applicants). The applicant did not submit a project implementation schedule that addresses both tasks and timelines.

c. Financial Management (2 points for current grantees and 7 points for new applicants). This subfactor evaluates the extent to which your application describes how your financial management systems meet the requirements of 24 CFR Part 200 and 24 CFR Part 1003. The application will also be rated on the seriousness/significance of the findings related to your financial management system identified in your current audit. If you are required to have an audit but do not have a current audit, you must submit a letter from your Independent Public Accountant (IPA) that is dated within the past 12 months stating that your financial management system complies with all applicable regulatory requirements. If you are not required to have an audit in accordance with OMB and HUD regulations you will automatically receive maximum points for this portion of the subfactor if you state this fact and provide the other information required by this subfactor. For purposes of this subfactor, a current audit is one which was due to be submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC) within the 12-month period prior to the application deadline date. To be considered, the audit must be submitted to the FAC prior to the ICDBG application deadline date. Do not submit financial management and/or internal control policies and procedures or your audit with the application.

(2 points for current ICDBG grantees and 7 points for new). The applicant clearly described how its financial management systems meet the regulatory requirements cited above. The applicant’s current audit does not contain any serious or significant findings related to its financial management system, or if there is no current audit, the applicant submitted a letter from its IPA stating that its financial management system complies with all applicable regulatory requirements.

(1 points for current ICDBG grantees and 4 points for new applicants). The applicant’s current audit does not contain any serious or significant findings related to its financial management system, or if there is no current audit, the applicant submitted a letter from its IPA stating that its financial management system complies with all applicable regulatory requirements. The applicant did not clearly describe how its financial management system meets the regulatory requirements cited above.

(0 points for current ICDBG grantees or new applicants). The applicant’s current audit included serious or significant findings related to its financial management systems or, if there is no current audit, the applicant did not submit a letter from its IPA stating its financial management systems comply with all regulatory requirements. The applicant did not describe how its financial management system meets the regulatory requirements cited above.

d. Procurement and Contract Management (2 points for current ICDBG grantees and 7 points for new applicants). This subfactor evaluates the extent to which your application describes how your procurement and contract management policies and procedures will meet the requirements of 24 CFR Part 200 and 24 CFR Part 1003. The application will also be rated on the seriousness of the findings related to procurement and contract management identified in your current financial audit. If you are required to have an audit but do not have a current audit, you must submit a letter from your IPA stating that your procurement and contract management system complies with all applicable regulatory requirements. If you are not required to have an audit in accordance with OMB and HUD regulations you will automatically receive maximum points for this portion of the subfactor if you state this fact and provide the other information required by this subfactor. For purposes of this subfactor, a current audit is one which was due to be submitted to the FAC within the 12-month period prior to the application deadline date. To be considered, the audit must be submitted to the FAC prior to the ICDBG application deadline date. Do not submit procurement and contract management policies and procedures or your audit with the application.

(2 points for current ICDBG grantees and 7 points for new). The applicant clearly described how its procurement and contract management policies and procedures will meet the regulatory requirements cited above. The applicant’s current audit does not contain any serious or significant findings related to its procurement and contract management system, or if there is no current audit, the applicant submitted a letter from its IPA stating that its procurement and contract management system complies with all applicable regulatory requirements.

(1 point for current ICDBG grantees and 4 points for new applicants). The applicant’s current audit does not contain any serious or significant findings related to its procurement or contract management system, or if there is no current audit, the applicant submitted a letter from its IPA stating that its procurement and contract management system complies with all applicable regulatory requirements. The applicant did not describe how its procurement and contract management policies and procedures meet the regulatory requirements cited above.

(0 points for current ICDBG grantees or new applicants). The applicant’s current audit included serious or significant findings related to its procurement and contract management systems or if there is no current audit, the applicant did not submit a letter from its IPA stating its procurement and contract management systems comply with all regulatory requirements.

2. Past Performance (19 points for current ICDBG grantees and 0 points for new applicants). HUD will evaluate your past performance in accordance with regulatory requirements for any previous and related ONAP grant programs, as specified below, for the following performance measures. Applicants are not required to respond to the subfactors related to past performance unless information is requested elsewhere in this rating factor.

a. Implementation and…