Foa_Content_of_HHS-2021-ACL-AOD-IL-0079 (1).pdf

Administration for Community Living

Administration on Disabilities

Centers for Independent Living Competition - Guam

HHS-2021-ACL-AOD-IL-0079

08/31/2021

Table of Contents Executive Summary

Additional Overview Content/Executive Summary

I. Funding Opportunity Description

II. Award Information

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

3. Responsiveness and Screening Criteria

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Letter of Intent

Project Narrative

Summary/Abstract

Organizational Capability

Collaboration

Approach

Outcomes

Project Management

BUDGET NARRATIVE / JUSTIFICATION

WORK PLAN

LETTERS OF COMMITMENT

3. Submission Dates and Times

4. Intergovernmental Review

5. Funding Restrictions

6. Other Submission Requirements

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

2. Review and Selection Process

3. Anticipated Announcement Award Date

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

3. Reporting

4. FFATA and FSRS Reporting

VII. Agency Contacts

VIII. Other Information

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

Appendix

Instructions for Completing Required Forms

Budget Narrative/Justification- Sample Format

Instructions for Completing the Project Summary/ Abstract

ACL Center:

Administration on Disabilities Funding Opportunity Title:

Centers for Independent Living Competition - Guam Funding Opportunity Number:

HHS-2021-ACL-AOD-IL-0079

Primary CFDA Number:

93.432 Due Date for Letter of Intent:

08/01/2021 Due Date for Applications:

08/31/2021 Date for Informational Conference Call:

Applications that fail to meet the application due date will not be reviewed and will receive no further consideration. You are strongly encouraged to submit your application a minimum of 3-5 days prior to the application closing date. Do not wait until the last day in the event you encounter technical difficulties, either on your end or, with https://www.grants.gov. Grants.gov can take up to 48 hours to notify you of a successful submission.

Executive Summary Additional Overview Content/Executive Summary The Centers for Independent Living (CIL) program provides grants for the provision of Independent Living (IL) services to individuals with significant disabilities as authorized by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. At a minimum, centers funded by the program are required to provide the following core services:

• Information and referral;

• Independent Living skills training;

• Peer counseling;

• Individual and systems advocacy; and

• Services that facilitate transition from nursing homes and other institutions to the https://www.grants.gov/ community, assistance to those at risk of entering institutions, and facilitate the transition of youth to postsecondary life.

To be eligible for funding, an applicant must--

(a) Be a consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, non-residential, private nonprofit agency;

(b) Have the power and authority to--

(1) Carry out the purpose of Part C of title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended and perform the functions listed in section 725(b) and (c) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended and subparts F and G of 45 CFR part 1329 within a community located within a State or in a bordering State; and

(2) Receive and administer--

(i) Funds under 45 CFR part 1329;

(ii) Funds and contributions from private or public sources that may be used in support of a center; and

(iii) Funds from other public and private programs;

(c) Be able to plan, conduct, administer, and evaluate a center consistent with the standards and assurances in section 725(b) and (c) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended and subparts F and G of 45 CFR part 1329;

(d) Either--

(1) Not currently be receiving funds under Part C of chapter 1 of title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; or

(2) Propose the expansion of an existing center through the establishment of a separate and complete center (except that the governing board of the existing center may serve as the governing board of the new center) at a different geographical location;

(e) Propose to serve one or more of the geographic areas that are identified as unserved or underserved by the States and Outlying Areas listed under Estimated Number of Awards; and

(f) Submit appropriate documentation demonstrating that the establishment of a new center is consistent with the design for establishing a statewide network of centers in the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) of the State or Outlying Area whose geographic area or areas the applicant proposes to serve.

Funding for new centers in a State is awarded on a competitive basis, and shall be consistent with the provisions of the State Plan for Independent Living setting forth the design of the State for establishing a statewide network of Centers for Independent Living. To continue receiving CIL program funding, centers must demonstrate minimum compliance with the following evaluation standards: promotion of the IL philosophy; provision of IL services on a cross-disability basis;

support for the development and achievement of IL goals chosen by the consumer; efforts to increase the availability of quality community options for IL; provision of IL core services;

resource development activities to secure other funding sources; and community capacity-building activities.

With this funding opportunity ACL plans to fund one (1) grant to establish a CIL in Guam ($110,326) to provide services for individuals with significant disabilities residing in Guam.

I. Funding Opportunity Description Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are consumer driven agencies that work with individuals with significant disabilities. CILs provide independent living services focused on enabling an individual to achieve independence in their community. CILs were created under Title VII Part C Section 721 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act in 2014) and must adhere to standards set forth in Section 725 of the Rehabilitation Act. Therefore applicants must address the following:

1. How the center will facilitate the development and achievement of independent living goals selected by individuals with significant disabilities who seek such assistance by the center to live independently in their communities.

2. How the center will promote and practice the independent living philosophy of:

a) consumer control of the center regarding decision-making; service delivery;

management; and establishment of the policy and direction of the center;

b) self-help and self-advocacy;

c) development of peer relationships and peer role models; and

d) equal access for individuals with significant disabilities, within their communities, to all services, programs, activities, resources, and facilities whether public or private and regardless of funding sources.

3. How the center will provide services on a cross-disability basis for individuals with all different types of significant disabilities, including individuals with significant disabilities who are members of populations that are unserved or underserved by Title VII - Independent living Services and Centers for Independent living.

4. How the center will assure eligibility for services at the center for independent living will be determined by the center, and will not be based on the presence of any one or more specific significant disabilities.

5. How the center will work to increase the availability and improve the quality of community options for independent living in order to facilitate the development and achievement of independent living goals by individuals with significant disabilities.

6. How the center will provide independent living core services and, as appropriate, a combination of any other independent living services that must include the following core services:

• Information and referral;

• Independent Living skills training;

• Peer counseling;

• Individual and systems advocacy; and

• Services that facilitate transition from nursing homes and other institutions to the community, assistance to those at risk of entering institutions, and facilitate the transition of youth to postsecondary life.

7. How the center will conduct activities to increase the capacity of communities within the service area of the center to meet the needs of individuals with significant disabilities.

8. How the center will conduct resource development activities to obtain funding from sources other than Chapter 1 – Individuals with Significant Disabilities.

A CIL must also provide satisfactory assurances as may be required in section 725 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Assurances that should be addressed in the application:

1. How the applicant is an eligible agency;

2. How the center will be designed and operated within local communities by individuals with disabilities, including an assurance that the center will have a Board that is the principal governing body of the center and a majority of which shall be composed of individuals with significant disabilities;

3. How the applicant will comply with the standards set forth in section 725 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended;

4. How the applicant will establish clear priorities through annual and three year program and financial planning objectives for the center, including:

(A) overall goals or a mission for the center;

(B) a work plan for achieving the goals or mission;

(C) specific objectives, service priorities, and types of services to be provided; and

(D) how the proposed activities of the applicant are consistent with the most recent 3-year State Plan for Independent Living under section 702;

5. How the applicant will use sound organizational and personnel assignment practices, including taking affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with significant disabilities on the same terms and conditions required with respect to the employment of individuals with disabilities under section 503;

6. How the applicant will ensure that the majority of the staff, and individuals in decision making positions, of the applicant will be individuals with disabilities;

7. How the applicant will practice sound fiscal management;

8. How the applicant will conduct annual self-evaluations, prepare an annual report, and maintain records adequate to measure performance with respect to the standards, containing information regarding, at a minimum—

(A) the extent to which the center is in compliance with the standards;

(B) the number and types of individuals with significant disabilities receiving services through the center;

(C) the types of services provided through the center and the number of individuals with significant disabilities receiving each type of service;

(D) the sources and amounts of funding for the operation of the center;

(E) the number of individuals with significant disabilities who are employed by, and the number who are in management and decision-making positions in the center; and

(F) a comparison, when appropriate, of the activities of the center in prior years with the activities of the center in the most recent year.

9. How individuals with significant disabilities who could benefit from receiving services at the center will be notified by the center of the existence of the client assistance program and how to contact the client assistance program should their assistance be required;

10. How aggressive outreach regarding services provided through the center will be conducted in an effort to reach populations of individuals with significant disabilities that are unserved or underserved by programs under this title, especially minority groups and urban and rural populations;

11. How staff at Centers for Independent Living will receive training on how to serve such unserved and underserved populations, including minority groups and urban and rural populations;

12. How the center will submit to the Statewide Independent Living Council a copy of its approved grant application and the annual report required in section 725(c)(8).

13. How the center will prepare and submit a report to the designated State unit or the Administrator, as the case may be, at the end of each fiscal year that contains the information described in section 725(c)(8) and information regarding the extent to which the center is in compliance with the standards set forth in section 725(b); and

14. How independent living plans described in section 704(e) will be developed and utilized to achieve goals.

Statutory Authority The statutory authority for grants under this Program Announcement is contained in 29 U.S.C.

Sec. 796f-1; Section 711 and Section 722 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

II. Award Information Funding Instrument Type:

G (Grant) Estimated Total Funding:

$ 110,326 Expected Number of Awards:

Award Ceiling:

$ 110,326 Per Budget Period

Award Floor:

$ 110,326 Per Budget Period

Length of Project Period:

12-month project period and budget period Additional Information on Project Periods and Explanation of 'Other' III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants Eligible Applicants: To be eligible for funding, an applicant must--

(a) Be a consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, non-residential, private nonprofit agency;

(b) Have the power and authority to--

(1) Carry out the purpose of Part C of title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended and perform the functions listed in section 725(b) and (c) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended and subparts F and G of 45 CFR part 1329 within a community located within a State or in a bordering State; and

(2) Receive and administer--

(i) Funds under 45 CFR part 1329;

(ii) Funds and contributions from private or public sources that may be used in support of a center; and

(iii) Funds from other public and private programs;

(c) Be able to plan, conduct, administer, and evaluate a center consistent with the standards and assurances in section 725(b) and (c) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended and subparts F and G of 45 CFR part 1329;

(d) Either--

(1) Not currently be receiving funds under Part C of chapter 1 of title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; or

(2) Propose the expansion of an existing center through the establishment of a separate and complete center (except that the governing board of the existing center may serve as the governing board of the new center) at a different geographical location;

(e) Propose to serve one or more of the geographic areas that are identified as unserved or underserved by the States and Outlying Areas listed under Estimated Number of Awards; and

(f) Submit appropriate documentation demonstrating that the establishment of a new center is consistent with the design for establishing a statewide network of centers in the State Plan for Independent Living of the State or Outlying Area whose geographic area or areas the applicant proposes to serve.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement:

No For awards that require matching or cost sharing by statute, recipients will be held accountable for projected commitments of non-federal resources (at or above the statutory requirement) in their application budgets and budget justifications by budget period, or by project period for fully funded awards. The applicant will be held accountable for all proposed non-federal resources as shown in the Notice of Award (NOA). A recipient's failure to provide the statutorily required matching or cost sharing amount (and any voluntary committed amount in excess) may result in the disallowance of federal funds. Recipients will be required to report these funds in the Federal Financial Reports.

For awards that do not require matching or cost sharing by statute, recipients are not expected to provide cost sharing or matching. However, recipients are allowed to voluntarily propose a commitment of non-federal resources. If an applicant decides to voluntarily contribute non-federal resources towards project costs and the costs are accepted by ACL, the non-federal resources will be included in the approved project budget. The applicant will be held accountable for all proposed non-federal resources as shown in the Notice of Award (NOA). A recipient's failure to meet the voluntary amount of non-federal resources that was accepted by ACL as part of the approved project costs and that was identified in the approved budget in the NOA, may result in the disallowance of federal funds. Recipients will be required to report these funds in the Federal Financial Reports.

3. Responsiveness and Screening Criteria Application Responsiveness Criteria Applications that fail to meet the responsiveness criteria described below will not be reviewed and will receive no further consideration.

Application Screening Criteria All applications will be screened to assure a level playing field for all applicants. Applications that fail to meet the three screening criteria described below will not be reviewed and will receive no further consideration.

In order for an application to be reviewed, it must meet the following screening requirements:

1. Applications must be submitted electronically via https://www.grants.gov by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, by the due date listed in section IV.3 Submission Dates and Times.

2. The Project Narrative section of the Application must be double-spaced, on 8.5” x 11” plain white paper with 1” margins on both sides, and a standard font size of no less than 11 point, preferably Calibri or Arial.

3. The Project Narrative must not exceed 20 pages. Project Narratives that exceed 20 pages will have the additional pages removed and only the first 20 pages of the Project Narrative will be provided to the merit reviewers for funding consideration. NOTE: The Project Work Plan, Letters of Commitment, and Vitae of Key Project Personnel are not counted as part of the Project Narrative for purposes of the 20-page limit.

Unsuccessful submissions will require authenticated verification from https://www.grants.gov indicating system problems existed at the time of your submission.

For example, you will be required to provide an https://www.grants.gov submission error notification and/or tracking number in order to substantiate missing the application deadline.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package Application materials can be obtained from https://www.grants.gov or https://www.acl.gov/grants/applying-grants.

Please note, ACL requires applications for all announcements to be submitted electronically through http://www.grants.gov in Workspace. Grants.gov Workspace is the standard way for organizations and individuals to apply for federal grants in Grants.gov. An overview and training on Grants.gov Workspace can be found here at:

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

The Grants.gov registration process can take several days. If your organization is not currently registered, please begin this process immediately. For assistance with https://www.grants.gov, please contact them at support@grants.gov or 800-518-4726 between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Eastern Time.

http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.acl.gov/grants/applying-grants http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html mailto:support@grants.gov

At the https://www.grants.gov website, you will find information about submitting an application electronically through the site, including the hours of operation. ACL strongly recommends that you do not wait until the application due date to begin the application process because of the time involved to complete the registration process.

All applicants must have a DUNS number (https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/) and be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM, www.sam.gov) and maintain an active SAM registration until the application process is complete, and should a grant be made, throughout the life of the award. Effective June 11, 2018, when registering or renewing your registration, you must submit a notarized letter appointing the authorized Entity Administrator. Please be sure to read the FAQs located at www.sam.gov to learn more. Applicants should allot sufficient time prior to the application deadline to finalize a new, or renew an existing registration. This action should allow you time to resolve any issues that may arise. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in your inability to submit your application or receive an award. Maintain documentation (with dates) of your efforts to register or renew at least two weeks before the deadline. See the SAM Quick Guide for Grantees at:

https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/help/samQUserGuides.jsf.

Note: Once your SAM registration is active, allow 24 to 48 hours for the information to be available in Grants.gov before you can submit an application through Grants.gov. This action should allow you time to resolve any issues that may arise. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in your inability to submit your application or receive an award.

Note: Failure to submit the correct EIN Suffix can lead to delays in identifying your organization and access to funding in the Payment Management System.

Effective October 1, 2010, HHS requires all entities that plan to apply for and ultimately receive federal grant funds from any HHS Operating/Staff Division (OPDIV/STAFFDIV) or receive subawards directly from the recipients of those grant funds to:

1. Register in SAM prior to submitting an application or plan;

2. Maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration by an OPDIV; and

3. Provide its DUNS number in each application or plan to submit to the OPDIV.

Additionally, all first-tier subaward recipients must have a DUNS number at the time the subaward is made.

Since October 1, 2003, The Office of Management and Budget has required applicants to provide a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when applying for federal grants or cooperative agreements. It is entered on the SF-424. It is a unique, nine-digit identification number, which provides unique identifiers of single business entities. The DUNS number is free and easy to obtain.

Organizations can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS Number request line at 866-705-5711.

https://www.grants.gov/ https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/help/samQUserGuides.jsf

You must submit all documents electronically, including all information included on the SF424 and all necessary assurances and certifications. In accordance with the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce reporting burden for recipients of federal financial assistance, the general certification and representation requirements contained in the Standard Form 424B (SF-424B) – Assurances – Non-Construction Programs, and the Standard Form 424D (SF-424D) – Assurances – Construction Programs, have been standardized federal-wide.

Effective January 1, 2020, the updated common certification and representation requirements will be stored and maintained within SAM. Organizations or individuals applying for federal financial assistance as of January 1, 2020, must validate the federally required common certifications and representations annually through SAM located at SAM.gov.

After you electronically submit your application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgement from https://www.grants.gov that containshttps://www.grants.gov tracking number. The Administration for Community Living will retrieve your application form fromhttps://www.grants.gov.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living

Project Officer: Kimball Gray Office of Independent Living Programs (OILP) Email: kimball.gray@acl.hhs.gov

2. Content and Form of Application Submission Letter of Intent Number Of Days from Publication 30

08/01/2021 Applicants are requested, but not required, to submit a letter of intent to apply for this funding opportunity to assist ACL in planning for the application independent review process. The purpose of the letter of intent is to allow our staff to estimate the number of independent reviewers needed and to avoid potential conflicts of interest in the review. Letters of intent should be sent to:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Administration for Community Living

Project Officer: Kimball Gray

Office of Independent Living Programs (OILP)

Email: kimball.gray@acl.hhs.gov

Project Narrative The Project Narrative must be double-spaced, on 8 ½” x 11” paper with 1” margins on both sides, and a standard font size of not less than 11, preferably Calibri or Arial. You can use smaller font sizes to fill in the Standard Forms and Sample Formats. The suggested length for the https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:kimball.gray@acl.hhs.gov

Project Narrative is 20 pages; 20 pages is the maximum length allowed. The Project Work Plan, Letters of Commitment, and Vitae of Key Personnel are not counted as part of the Project Narrative for purposes of the 20-page limit, but all of the other sections noted below are included in the limit.

The components of the Project Narrative counted as part of the 20 page limit include:

Summary/Abstract Organizational Capability Collaboration Approach Outcomes Program Management

The Project Narrative is the most important part of the application, since it will be used as the primary basis to determine whether or not your project meets the minimum requirements for grants under the authorizing statutes. The Project Narrative should provide a clear and concise description of your project. ACL recommends that your project narrative include the following components:

Summary/Abstract This section should include a brief - no more than 265 words maximum - description of the proposed project, including: goal(s), objectives, and outcomes to be achieved by the establishment of a CIL or expansion of an existing center through the establishment of a separate and complete center (except that the governing board of the existing center may serve as the governing board of the new center) at a different geographical location. Detailed instructions for completing the summary/abstract are included in the “Instructions for Completing the Project Summary/Abstract.”

Organizational Capability This section should describe capabilities of the applicant agency not included in the program narrative, such as any current or previous relevant experience and/or the record of the project team in providing independent living services. Neither vitae nor an organizational chart will count towards the narrative page limit. Also include information about any contractual organization(s) that will have a significant role(s) in implementing project and achieving project goals. Applicants should describe the organizational profile, project management structure and staffing and collaborations or partnerships with other organizations.

The application should include an organizational capability statement and vitae for key project personnel. The organizational capability statement should describe how the applicant agency is organized, the nature and scope of its work and/or the capabilities it possesses. It should also include the organization’s capability to acquire funding beyond this grant funding amount to provide IL services.

Collaboration This section should describe existing and proposed collaboration the applicant will initiate and grow if awarded.

a. With the Federal Government

i. Establish and maintain a partner-focused working relationship with Administration on Disabilities (AoD) and the Office of Independent Living Programs (OILP) that fosters a shared accountability for overall outcomes and responsibility for specific project efforts requiring close collaboration, including federal initiatives involving the CILs.

ii. Foster an effective partnership between AoD, OILP, and CILs.

b. With CILs

i. Establish a partner-focused working relationship with CILs that facilitates improved CIL operations (in the area of organizational competency with an emphasis on program and fiscal business practices), performance and outcomes; maintenance/achievement of statutory compliance; and positioning of CILs as leaders and agents of systems change, capacity building and advocacy.

ii. Establish a multi-stakeholder, representative, participatory group to provide guidance and general direction in the design and implementation of the CIL.

c. With Other Key Stakeholders

i. Establish a partner-focused working relationship with the SILC to enhance the relationship among the CIL networks in each state/territory and:

1. Collaborate to develop and implement outcomes-based measurement and advance understanding and collection of outcomes across CIL network programs.

2. Address issues related to CIL network collaboration.

3. Address pressing disability issues in the States/Territories.

ii. Establish a partner-focused working relationship among CILs and other relevant federally funded and non-federally funded entities and programs, including those funded under IDEA and WIOA to ensure CILs have a contributing role in improving outcomes for people with disabilities

iii. Establish a partner-focused working relationship with federal and state organizations who specialize in mitigating barriers for individuals with disabilities to register to vote, cast their vote, access polling places and develop proficiency in the use of voting systems and technologies, as well as policies, procedures and practices that assist individuals with disabilities in such activities.

d. To Identify and Address Emerging Priorities and Needs

i. Convening groups of experts and representatives, including those from the CIL network and from federal agencies to:

1. Identify and discuss emerging issues and practices; and

2. Develop innovative programs or other relevant resources and strategies on emerging issues and priorities that meet or exceed consumer requirements and expectations.

Approach This section should also describe how the applicant will operate consistent with the standards and assurances set forth in section 725 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and describe past experience working with people with significant disabilities and providing independent living services.

Outcomes This section of the project narrative must clearly identify the measurable outcome(s) that will result from the project. (NOTE: ACL will not fund any project that does not include measurable outcomes). List measurable outcomes in the optional work plan grid (“Project Work Plan – Sample Template”) under “Measurable Outcomes” in addition to any discussion included in the narrative.

A “measurable outcome” is an observable end-result that describes how a particular service provided that led to goals achieved that resulted in an outcome of an individual living independently in the community. Outcomes describe a change in the degree to which consumers are able to live independently in the community. How will the applicant propose to ensure that the individual maintains their independence after they have achieved their outcome? Grantees should be able to identify outcomes that were impacted specifically by CIL services. Outcomes could also include CIL actions that increased access to services previously unavailable to people with significant disabilities. For example, access added to a building or changes to policy allow people with significant disabilities to be eligible for resources not previously available.

Your application will be scored on the clarity and nature of your proposed outcomes, not on the number of outcomes cited.

You should keep the focus of this section of your application outcomes(s) that will be achieved by individuals with significant disabilities accessing the CIL’s services. Your application will be scored on the clarity and nature of the outcome(s).

Applicants should be careful to differentiate between outputs and outcomes. Outputs are the activities or products that are most likely to lead to key outcomes, including sustainable independent living. For example a series of classes or documents educating on a topic may lead to definable positive changes in independence of a person with a significant disability. In this example the classes or documents are outputs, while the change in independence is the outcome.

Project Management This section should include a clear delineation of the roles and responsibilities of project staff, and how they will contribute to achieving the project’s objectives and outcomes. It should specify who would have day-to-day responsibility for key tasks such as: leadership of project;

monitoring the project’s on-going progress, preparation of reports; communications with other partners and ACL. It should also describe the approach that will be used to monitor and track progress on the project’s tasks and objectives.

BUDGET NARRATIVE / JUSTIFICATION

The Budget Narrative/Justification can be provided using the format included in the document, “Budget Narrative/Justification – Sample Format.” Applicants are encouraged to pay particular attention to this document, which provides an example of the level of detail sought. A combined multi-year Budget Narrative/Justification, as well as a detailed Budget Narrative/Justification for each year of potential grant funding is required.

WORK PLAN

The Project Work Plan should reflect and be consistent with the Project Narrative and Budget. It should include a statement of the project’s overall goal, anticipated outcome(s), key objectives, and the major tasks / action steps that will be pursued to achieve the goal and outcome(s). For each major task / action step, the work plan should identify timeframes involved (including start-and end-dates), and the lead person responsible for completing the task. Please use the “Project Work Plan - Sample Template” format as a reference and resource, if desired.

LETTERS OF COMMITMENT

Include confirmation of the commitments to the project (should it be funded) made by key collaborating organizations and agencies in this part of the application. Any organization that is specifically named to have a significant role in carrying out the project should be considered an essential collaborator. For applications submitted electronically via http://www.grants.gov, signed letters of commitment should be scanned and included as attachments. Applicants unable to scan the signed letters of commitment may fax them to the ACL Office of Grants Management at 202-357-3467 by the application submission deadline. In your fax, be sure to include the funding opportunity number and your agency name.

3. Submission Dates and Times Number Of Days from Publication 60

08/31/2021 Date for Informational Conference Call:

Applications that fail to meet the application due date will not be reviewed and will receive no further consideration. You are strongly encouraged to submit your application a minimum of 3-5 days prior to the application closing date. Do not wait until the last day in the event you encounter technical difficulties, either on your end or, with http://www.grants.gov. Grants.gov can take up to 48 hours to notify you of a successful submission.

In addition, if you are submitting your application via Grants.gov, you must (1) be designated by your organization as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) and (2) register yourself with Grants.gov as an AOR. Details on these steps are outlined at the following Grants.gov web page: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html.

After you electronically submit your application, you will receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates receipt by Grants.gov only) http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html

If you are experiencing problems submitting your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it.

If you are prevented from electronically submitting your application on the application deadline because of technical problems with the Grants.gov system, please contact the person listed under For Further Information Contact in section VII of this notice and provide a written explanation of the technical problem you experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number. ACL will contact you after a determination is made on whether your application will be accepted.

Note: We will not consider your application for further review if you failed to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before the application deadline or if the technical problem you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system.

If for any reason (including submitting to the wrong funding opportunity number or making corrections/updates) an application is submitted more than once prior to the application due date, ACL will only accept your last validated electronic submission, under the correct funding opportunity number, prior to the Grants.gov application due date as the final and only acceptable application

Unsuccessful submissions will require authenticated verification from http://www.grants.gov indicating system problems existed at the time of your submission. For example, you will be required to provide an http://www.grants.gov submission error notification and/or tracking number in order to substantiate missing the cut off date.

Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) will automatically send applicants a tracking number and date of receipt verification electronically once the application has been successfully received and validated in http://www.grants.gov.

4. Intergovernmental Review This program is subject to Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs. Applicants must contact their State's Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to find out about and comply with the State's process under the EO 12372.

5. Funding Restrictions The following activities are not fundable:

Construction and/or major rehabilitation of buildings Basic research (e.g. scientific or medical experiments) Continuation of existing projects without expansion or new and innovative approaches

Note: A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report has raised considerable concerns about grantees and contractors charging the Federal Government for additional meals outside of the standard allowance for travel subsistence known as per diem expenses. Executive Orders on Promoting Efficient Spending (E.O. 13589) and Delivering Efficient, Effective and Accountable Government (E.O. 13576) have been issued and instruct Federal agencies to promote efficient spending. Therefore, if meals are to be charged in your proposal, applicants http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ should understand such costs must meet the following criteria outlined in the Executive Orders and HHS Grants Policy Statement:

Meals are generally unallowable except for the following:

o For subjects and patients under study (usually a research program);

o Where specifically approved as part of the project or program activity, e.g., in programs providing children’s services (e.g. Head Start);

o When an organization customarily provides meals to employees working beyond the normal workday, as a part of a formal compensation arrangement, o As part of a per diem or subsistence allowance provided in conjunction with allowable travel; and o Under a conference grant, when meals are necessary and integral part of a conference, provided that meal costs are not duplicated in participants' per diem or subsistence allowances. (Note: conference grant means the sole purpose of the award is to hold a conference.)

The following updated sections 2 CFR 200.216 “Prohibition on certain telecommunications and video surveillance services or equipment” became effective on or after August 13, 2020.

Recommended Actions for any recipient that has received a loan, grant, or cooperative agreement on or after August 13, 2020:

Develop a compliance plan to implement 2 CFR 200.216 regulation.

Develop and maintain internal controls to ensure that your organization does not expend federal funds (in whole or in part) on covered equipment, services or systems.

Determine through reasonable inquiry whether your organization currently uses “covered telecommunication” equipment, services, or systems and take necessary actions to comply with the regulation as quickly as is feasibly possible.

6. Other Submission Requirements V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria Applications are scored by assigning a maximum of 100 points across the review criteria:

Organizational Capability 35 points Approach 10 points Outcomes 25 points Budget and Budget Narrative/Justification 30 points

1.0 Organizational Capability Maximum Points: 35

1.1 Organizational Profile (5 Points)

Does the application describe how the applicant is well positioned to support the project and how the proposed project fits into the structure of the applicant's organization?

Does the application provide evidence of facilities, fiscal controls, and other resources that are adequate to achieve project goals?

Does the application describe how the applicant’s existing mission/purpose and activities are complementary to and will support the proposed IL project? Is the interaction of this project with other non-IL activities within the organization clearly explained?

1.2 Project Management Structure and Staffing (15 Points)

Does the application include a listing and detailed description of duties for all key positions required to carry out the project, including individuals with disabilities?

Does the application include the names of the individuals proposed to fill the key positions?

Does the application provide evidence demonstrating the skills, knowledge, and experience in performing proposed job duties for staff assigned to key positions?

Does the application provide all this information for any consultants or staff from other organizations proposed to work on the project?

If recruitment is necessary, is a recruitment plan proposed?

1.3 Collaborations (5 Points)

Does the application propose or include collaborations or partnerships with other organizations to provide IL services? Does the application demonstrate that the partner organizations also have a history of working with people with significant disabilities and providing independent living services within the designated service area?

1.4 Interested Parties (10 Points)

Are letters included from individuals with disabilities or other interested parties from the region to be served?

2.0 Approach Maximum Points: 10

Does the application describe how the applicant will operate the center consistent with the standards and assurances set forth in section 725 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and describe past experience working with people with significant disabilities and providing independent living services.

3.0 Outcomes Maximum Points: 25

Does the application clearly identify the measurable outcome(s) that individuals with significant disabilities will achieve from the establishment of a CIL?

4.0 Budget and Budget Narrative/Justification Maximum Points: 30

4.1 Clarity (5 points)

Does the application include a budget that is clear and easy to understand?

4.2 Justification (10 points)

Does the budget in the application provide a detailed justification for the amount requested?

4.3 Detail (15 points)

Does the application include a budget with line-item detail and detailed calculations for each budget object class identified on the Budget Information Form SF-424A (Personnel, Fringe Benefits, Travel, Equipment, Supplies, Contractual, Facilities/Construction, Other, Indirect Costs)?

2. Review and Selection Process As required by 2 CFR Part 200 of the Uniform Guidance, effective January 1, 2016, ACL is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), https://www.fapiis.gov before making any award in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $150,000) over the period of performance. An applicant may review and comment on any information about itself that a federal awarding agency has previously entered into FAPIIS. ACL will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to 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 CFR Section 200.205 Federal Awarding Agency Review of Risk Posed by Applicants (https:// www.ecfr.gov/ cgi-bin/ text-idx?node=se2.1.200_1205&rgn=div8).

An independent review panel of at least three individuals will evaluate applications that pass the screening and meet the responsiveness criteria if applicable. These reviewers are experts in their field, and are drawn from academic institutions, non-profit organizations, state and local governments, and federal government agencies. Based on the Application Review Criteria as outlined under section V.1, the reviewers will comment on and score the applications, focusing their comments and scoring decisions on the identified criteria.

Final award decisions will be made by the Administrator, ACL. In making these decisions, the Administrator will take into consideration: recommendations of the review panel; reviews for programmatic and grants management compliance; the reasonableness of the estimated cost to the government considering the available funding and anticipated results; and the likelihood that the proposed project will result in the benefits expected.

3. Anticipated Announcement Award Date Award notices to successful applicants will be sent out prior to the project start date.

The anticipated project period start date for this announcement is: 09/30/2021 VI. Award Administration Information https://www.fapiis.gov/ https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se2.1.200_1205&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se2.1.200_1205&rgn=div8

1. Award Notices Successful applicants will receive an electronic Notice of Award. The Notice of Award is the authorizing document from the U.S. Administration for Community Living authorizing official, Office of Grants Management. Acceptance of this award is signified by the drawdown of funds from the Payment Management System. Unsuccessful applicants are generally notified within 30 days of the final funding decision and will receive a disapproval letter via e-mail. Unless indicated otherwise in this announcement, unsuccessful applications will not be retained by the agency and will be destroyed.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements The award is subject to HHS Administrative Requirements, which can be found in 45 CFR Part 75 and the Standard Terms and Conditions, included in the Notice of Award as well as implemented through the HHS Grants Policy Statement.

Recipients of federal financial assistance (FFA) from HHS must administer their programs in compliance with federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age and, in some circumstances, religion, conscience, and sex. This includes ensuring programs are accessible to persons with limited English proficiency. The HHS Office for Civil Rights provides guidance on complying with civil rights laws enforced by HHS. Please see the appendix for this announcement to review the entire policy and guidelines.

A standard term and condition of award will be included in the final notice of award; all applicants will be subject to a term and condition that applies the terms of 48 CFR section 3.908 to the award and requires the grantees inform their employee in writing of employee whistleblower rights and protections under 41 U.S.C. 4712 in the predominant native language of the workforce.

Applicants may follow their own procurement policies and procedures when contracting with Project Funds, but You must comply with the requirements of 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.317-200.326.

Additionally, when using Project Funds to procure supplies and/or equipment, applicants are encouraged to purchase American-manufactured goods to the maximum extent practicable.

American-manufactured goods are those products for which the cost of their component parts that were mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States exceeds 50 percent of the total cost of all their components. For further guidance regarding what constitutes an American-manufactured good (also known as a domestic end product), see 48 C.F.R. Part 25.

3. Reporting Reporting frequency for performance and financial reports, as well as any required form or formatting and the means of submission will be noted within the terms and conditions on the Notice of Award.

4. FFATA and FSRS Reporting The Federal Financial Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) requires data entry at the FFATA Subaward Reporting System (http://www.FSRS.gov) for all sub-awards and sub-contracts issued for $25,000 or more as well as addressing executive compensation for both grantee and sub-award organizations.

http://www.fsrs.gov/

For further guidance please follow this link to access ACL’s Terms and Conditions: https://www.acl.gov/grants/managing-grant#

VII. Agency Contacts Project Officer First Name:

Kimball Last Name:

Gray Phone:

202-795-7353 Office:

ACL/OILP

Grants Management Specialist First Name:

Richard Last Name:

Adrian Phone:

202-795-7332 Office:

GMS

VIII. Other Information The Paperwork Reduction Act of…