fr-5900-n-06 hud community compass technical assistance and capacity building program.pdf

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Community Planning and Development

HUD Community Compass Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Program

FR-5900-N-06

Application Due Date: 09/25/2015

HUD Community Compass Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Program

FR-5900-N-06

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

Program Office: Community Planning and Development Funding Opportunity Title: HUD Community Compass Technical Assistance and Capacity Building

Program Announcement Type: Initial Funding Opportunity Number: FR-5900-N-06 Primary CFDA Number: 14.259 Due Date for Applications: 09/25/2015

Through this NOFA, HUD is announcing the availability of approximately $44.9 million to fund Community Compass, HUD’s integrated technical assistance (TA) and capacity building initiative. Community Compass is designed to help HUD’s customers navigate complex housing and community development challenges by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, tools, capacity, and systems to implement HUD programs and policies successfully. The goal of Community Compass is to empower communities by providing effective technical assistance and capacity building so that successful program implementation is sustained over the long term. Community Compass technical assistance and capacity building activities include needs assessments, direct TA, development of tools and training, self-directed and group learning, data analysis and research activities, and regulatory and policy implementation support.

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): 2506-0197

I. Funding Opportunity Description.

A. Program Description.

1. Purpose.

Through this NOFA, HUD is announcing the availability of approximately $44.9 million for Community http://www.grants.gov http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/administration/grants/fundsavail http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/administration/grants/fundsavail

Through this NOFA, HUD is announcing the availability of approximately $44.9 million for Community Compass, HUD’s integrated technical assistance (TA) and capacity building initiative. The goal of Community Compass TA is to equip HUD's customers with the skills, tools, and knowledge to ensure effective program delivery and efficient stewardship of federal funds. To achieve this goal, Community Compass TA is designed to build the long-term operational systems and skill sets of customers so that once the TA ends, improved performance is sustained.

Recognizing that HUD’s customers often interact with a variety of HUD programs as they deliver housing or community development services, Community Compass brings together technical assistance investments from across HUD program offices, including the offices of Community Planning and Development, Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Housing, and Public and Indian Housing. Applicants are encouraged to procure subcontractors and consultants to demonstrate expertise across a wide-range of HUD programs as well as in specific skills and policy areas. Community Compass is centrally managed by HUD Headquarters with involvement of the HUD regional and field offices.

a. TA focus areas - Table of Categories, Programs and Topics, and Funding Sources

HUD expects to focus TA in the program and topic areas listed for each category in the table below. The table also notes the funding source(s) for each category. HUD recognizes that there is often overlap among these categories, programs, and topics, and applicants are encouraged to demonstrate experience working across categories as applicable.

TA assignments may not be limited to the program and topics listed in the table. HUD may direct successful applicants to provide TA related to other HUD programmatic or policy areas based on emerging priorities and the identified needs of HUD’s customers.

Table of Categories, Programs and Topics, and Funding Sources

CATEGORY PROGRAMS AND TOPICS TA FUNDING

SOURCE

AFFORDABLE

HOUSING, MIXED

FINANCE, AND

HOME OWNERSHIP

HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), including financial management of HOME grants Recapitalization and preservation of affordable multifamily housing, including the Rental Assistance Demonstration

(RAD)

Choice Neighborhoods Housing counseling grant requirements, oversight and agency capacity building

Departmental TA

COMMUNITY

DEVELOPMENT

AND DISASTER

RECOVERY

Community Development Block Grant

(CDBG)

CDBG Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) CDBG National Disaster Recovery

(CDBG-NDR)

Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program Community and regional planning, including consolidated plans and the e-con Planning Suite

Departmental TA

Comprehensive neighborhood revitalization

HOMELESSNESS

HOUSING AND

SERVICES

Continuum of Care (CoC) program, including governance and CoC systems performance measurement Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program Centralized or coordinated assessment system (commonly referred to as coordinated entry) Data reporting, analysis, and management, including use of the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Homeless subpopulations: chronic homeless, veterans, families with children, youth and victims of domestic violence Innovative national collaborations that:

promote community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; support efforts by nonprofit providers and State and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families;

promote access to, and effective use of, mainstream programs; and/or optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Maximizing the use of mainstream resources Retooling transitional housing Rapid re-housing Under-performing program recipient, subrecipient, or project

McKinney-Vento TA

HOMELESSNESS

NATIONAL DATA

ANALYSIS

PROJECT

Data reporting, analysis, and management Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), including operation of the HMIS Data Lab

McKinney-Vento National Data Analysis Project

PUBLIC HOUSING

OPERATIONS AND

PROGRAMS

Financial management and board governance Asset management and development Energy Performance Contracts Housing Choice Vouchers Physical Needs Assessments Public housing authority (PHA) Repositioning/Regional Planning Recovery of at-risk or troubled PHAs

Departmental TA

Recovery of PHAs in HUD Administrative Receivership

PHA Administrative Receivership & Recovery

NATIVE

AMERICAN

HOUSING AND

COMMUNITY

DEVELOPMENT

Indian Housing Block Grant Native Hawaiian Block Grant Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA)

NAHASDA TA

Native American HUD Veterans Assisted Supportive Housing (VASH) program

Departmental TA

SUPPORTIVE

HOUSING AND

SERVICES

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) implementation

HUD-VASH

Housing Opportunities for Persons With

AIDS (HOPWA)

Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly, Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities and Section 811 Project Rental Assistance Multifamily housing Service Coordinator and Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) programs Jobs Plus Initiative

Departmental TA

FAIR HOUSING

AND

CROSS-CUTTING

REQUIREMENTS

Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 Uniform Relocation Act Assistance and Section 104 (d) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 Energy efficiency in affordable housing

Departmental TA

b. Community Compass Eligible Activities

In order to assist HUD customers, successful applicants may be tasked to perform any of the following eligible activities. The eligible activities described below are subject to any restrictions or limitations imposed by the source of funding. For example, McKinney-Vento TA is subject to the requirements at Section 405 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11361b.) and 24 CFR 578.101. As another example, direct TA for PHA Recovery and Sustainability and related activities is to be used for public housing under the United States Housing Act of 1937 (not Section 8).

i. Needs Assessments. Needs assessments of customers will determine the nature and scope of technical assistance and capacity building needed. In some instances, self-assessment by the customer or a field office assessment may provide a satisfactory basis for determining the scope and scale of technical and capacity building assistance. In other cases, successful applicants will conduct on-site or remote needs assessments to collect information about the capacity gaps of the identified customer. The needs assessment may involve the use of multiple types of information collection and analysis, such as the Consolidated Plan, Public Housing Annual Plan, Indian Housing Plan, Tribal Performance Assessments, Analysis of Impediments to fair housing choice (AI), Point-In-Time Counts of the homeless, HMIS data, Continuum of Care application information, HUD monitoring results, energy audits, annual financial audits, funds obligation and expenditures, and CPD maps. Needs assessments may also assist customers with quantifying the impact of affordable housing and community and economic development initiatives and identifying local market conditions so that program resources may be better targeted and leveraged.

ii. Direct TA and Capacity Building Engagements. Successful applicants may be tasked to work onsite and/or remotely with HUD's customers, such as grantees, Continuums of Care, NAHASDA-eligible Indian tribes and tribal entities, and public housing authorities. An engagement may consist of TA to multiple HUD programs and/or for multiple issue areas or to a single program or issue area. Direct TA includes PHA Recovery and Sustainability and related activities, and successful applicants may be tasked with assisting HUD or its administrative and judicial receivers in order to build capacity to improve PHA operations and performance long term. Direct TA may also include: assistance with maximizing the investment of other federal and local funds in conjunction with HUD funds and peer to peer networking, as is currently provided under the National Resource Network model; furthering innovative practices; the operation of one or more virtual help desks; or addressing questions and issues raised by HUD's customers.

iii. Develop and Maintain Tools and Products. Tools and products developed will use adult learning principles to assist HUD customers with understanding complex program statutes and regulations, as well as the other Federal requirements (e.g., Davis-Bacon wage rates, Section 3, civil rights compliance, environmental justice and environmental standards, accessibility for persons with disabilities) that often apply to these programs. HUD is increasingly employing virtual training and technical assistance as a cost-effective way to reach diverse audiences and address the constantly changing needs of customers and program requirements. These products might take the form of web-based courses or trainings, videos, interactive tools, and webinars. Tool and product development may also include the creation of templates, desk guides, and tool kits and curricula that improve program management and operations, evaluation, and performance measurement. Where appropriate, HUD program and other Federal requirements, such as affirmatively furthering fair housing, will be integrated into comprehensive products that will serve the technical assistance needs of a broad range of program partners. All products and tools developed will comply with Section 508 accessibility requirements.

iv. Self-Directed and Group Learning. Self-directed and group learning is intended to increase capacity and close competency gaps of participants by equipping them with the necessary program knowledge and skill sets needed to administer and manage HUD programs. Group learning will incorporate adult learning principles that may include delivery of HUD-approved training courses remotely or in person, online self-directed courses, problem-solving clinics, policy academies, live or pre-recorded webinars, curricula, and peer-to-peer assistance exchanges for customers with similar local market contexts, challenges, opportunities, and community needs.

v. Knowledge Management. Knowledge management includes the development, operation, maintenance, and/or hosting of websites to support the technical assistance, capacity building, and training needs of a diverse set of HUD customers. This may include integrated learning or curriculum management systems;

databases of resources, tools, and information; development of interactive tools to assist with program design and management; providing information on HUD grantees, including awards, expenditures, action plans, and environmental reviews; and tracking of technical assistance engagements and resource development.

vi. Data analysis, reporting, and performance measurement. This activity includes technical assistance and training that helps customers with analyzing data, using data to inform and revise plans and strategies, understanding data trends, using performance measurement and reporting tools, creating data-sharing partnerships and agreements, and collecting and reporting accurate and valid data regarding programs, activities, and beneficiaries.

Under McKinney-Vento National Data Analysis Project, this activity includes:

Preparation of Volumes 1 and 2 of the Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) using established research parameters.

Operation of the HMIS Data Lab, which enables the testing of data collection methods, reporting frameworks, database structure, etc. prior to HUD establishing implementation deadlines and requirements. Conducting these activities prior to publishing deadlines and requirements will maximize the validity of HMIS data collection and reporting as well as regular and ad hoc data analysis or data calls requested by HUD. Upon completion of the testing, training materials will be developed and delivered to grantees. The HMIS Data Lab will use actual data collected in a local HMIS, but no identifying data will be submitted to HUD. The aggregate data provided to HUD may be used for a variety of purposes, such as understanding the scope and impact of changes to data collection or reporting requirements set by HUD, the level of effort and practicability of implementing the changes for grantees and HMIS administrators, and identifying and prioritizing tools, products and training modules to assist grantees implement required changes. The HMIS Data Lab may also include a component dedicated to distributing reporting modalities, mobile applications for data collection, maintenance and support of reporting tools using data CSV and/or XML and related products, training modules and customer support.

vii. NAHASDA Allocation Formula Administration and Negotiated Rulemaking and Consultation Support. Support for administration of the Indian Housing Block Grant Allocation Formula and related formula negotiated rulemaking, as eligible TA activities under NAHASDA TA, includes administration of the allocation formula, assistance with formula determinations, census challenges, notification letters, data correction and reports, as well as consultation assistance to the Department for all negotiated rulemaking with Indian tribes and any other required tribal consultation.

2. Changes from Previous NOFA.

Funding amounts are different from FY 2014 NOFA, based on current year Appropriations and available carry-over funding.

Applicants are not required to submit the form HUD 424CBW Detailed Budget Worksheet.

Applicants are required to indicate the TA funding sources for which they would like to be considered for award as part of the one-page Application Summary.

Applicants are required to submit an approved indirect cost rate proposal, if applicable.

Under 2 CFR 200.414(f), applicants that have never received a negotiated indirect cost rate, except those described in Appendix VII to 2 CFR Part 200—States and Local Government and Indian Tribe Indirect Cost Proposals, paragraph D.1.b, may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct cost, which may be used indefinitely.

Applicants are allowed to submit an optional list of staff qualifications as part of the Appendix.

Applicants are required to submit two letters of reference.

The Rating Factor information, including what applicants must provide in their narrative response, is different from the FY 2014 NOFA.

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 in 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. Technical Assistance -- Guidance which enables HUD’s customers to overcome a lack of specific skills or knowledge of the associated HUD programs and, by doing so, results in the successful performance and compliance of those programs.

g. Capacity Building -- Assistance which increases the ability of HUD’s customers and their partners to organize and independently implement and manage affordable housing, community development, and economic development programs.

h. Cooperative Agreement -- An award of financial assistance that is used to enter into the same kind of relationship as a grant and is distinguished from a grant in that it provides for substantial involvement between the federal agency and the recipient in carrying out the activity contemplated by the award, as defined in 2 CFR 200.24 and in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200.

i. Customers -- Recipients of HUD funding including state and local grantees, public housing agencies, owners and managers of HUD-assisted housing, Continuums of Care (CoCs), non-profit grantees, Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Leads, HUD-approved housing counseling agencies and counselors, states, tribal organizations, Indian tribes, tribally designated housing entities (TDHEs), FHA-approved multifamily lenders, and residents and participants in HUD-funded programs.

j. Demand-Response System -- The means by which HUD, its customers, and/or its partners identify technical assistance and capacity building needs. HUD prioritizes the identified needs based on Departmental, programmatic, and jurisdictional priorities. Successful applicants are then tasked with responding to identified needs. Successful applicants may not respond to direct requests for technical assistance from HUD customers. HUD is solely responsible for determining the entities to be assisted, the location, and the nature of the assistance to be provided, which must be part of a HUD-approved work plan for each engagement.

k. Departmental TA -- Cross-Departmental TA funding appropriated through the Research and Technology account managed by the Office of Policy Development and Research. This funding supports TA across the Department’s programs and customers, including, but not limited to, public housing agencies, cities, tribes and tribally designated housing entities (TDHEs), multifamily owners and operators, non-profit organizations receiving HUD funding, and housing counseling agencies.

l. Government Technical Monitor (GTM) -- The individual designated to provide technical monitoring, advice, and assistance to aid the GTR in the technical direction and evaluation of a successful applicant’s performance. The GTM provides programmatic expertise and input to proposed technical assistance work plans, status reports, invoices, and products. In some offices, a POTAC fulfills this role rather than a GTM.

m. Government Technical Representative (GTR) -- The individual who is responsible for the technical direction and evaluation of a successful applicant’s performance. The GTR is responsible for review and approval of work plans, status reports, invoices, and products.

n. Indirect cost. This NOFA adopts the definition of indirect (facilities and administrative (F&A)) costs as found at 2 CFR 200.56.

o. Indirect cost rate proposal. This NOFA adopts the definition of indirect cost rate proposal at 2 CFR 200.57

p. Program Office Technical Assistance Coordinator (POTAC) -- The individual who coordinates TA activities for the programs within an office. The POTAC provides, or designates subject matter experts (SMEs) to provide, technical monitoring, advice, and assistance to aid the GTR in the technical direction and

(SMEs) to provide, technical monitoring, advice, and assistance to aid the GTR in the technical direction and evaluation of a successful applicant's performance. In some offices, a GTM fulfills this role rather than a

POTAC.

q. Outcomes -- Results achieved or benefits derived from the technical assistance or capacity building, such as changes in customer’s management or operation of HUD-funded programs and activities.

r. Outputs -- Deliverables such as products and group learning opportunities that are usually quantified by number produced, number delivered, number of attendees, etc. Outputs do not measure a change in a customer’s behavior.

B. Authority.

This program is authorized under: Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Public Law 113-235, approved December 16, 2014), the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4101 et seq.), Section 6(j)(3) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S. C. 1437d(j)(3)) and Section 17 and 18 of the Annual Contributions Contract (HUD 53012A 7/95), and McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 11361b and 42 USC 11408.

II. Award Information.

A. Available Funds.

HUD is making available through this NOFA $44,900,000 for HUD Community Compass Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Program.

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.

HUD estimates awarding the following amounts under the TA funding sources listed below. Applicants must indicate the TA funding source(s) for which they wish to be considered as part of their one-page application summary.

Departmental TA: $20.5 million1.

This includes approximately $7 million each for programs and initiatives under the Office of Community Planning and Development and the Office of Public and Indian Housing and $2.8 million for programs under the Office of Housing. Approximately $3.2 million will be used for cross-program requirements, programs, and initiatives.

$500,000 will be used to provide technical assistance on the Native American HUD-VASH program.

McKinney-Vento TA: $10 million2.

McKinney-Vento National Data Analysis Project (formerly HMIS TA): $7 million3.

Public Housing Administrative Receivership and Recovery (PHA Recovery): $2 million4.

Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA) TA: $5.4 million, including:

5.

A minimum of $3.5 million for national or regional organizations representing Native American housing interests, including $2 million for a national organization as authorized under section 703 of NAHASDA;

A minimum of $200,000 for training and technical assistance for Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant recipient and its subrecipients; and $1.7 million open to all other eligible applicants.

These funds are made available under the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015

These funds are made available under the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Public Law 113-235, approved December 16, 2014) and from technical assistance carryover funds provided in annual appropriations between 2006 and 2013 (Public Laws 109-115; 110-5; 110-161; 111-8; 111-117;

112-10; 112-55; and 113-6).

B. Number of Awards.

HUD expects to make approximately 18 awards from the funds available under this NOFA.

C. Minimum/Maximum Award Information.

The applicant awarded funding for Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant Program TA may receive less than the minimum award amount.

The maximum award amount is an estimate based on the amount of funding available and the expected number of awards. Applicants should determine their funding request based on the criteria described in IV.B.Content and Form of Application Submission.

Estimated Total Funding: $44,900,000 Minimum Award Amount: $250,000 Per Project Period Maximum Award Amount: $15,000,000 Per Project Period

D. Period of Performance.

Projects may be assigned by HUD on a demand-response basis throughout the term of the cooperative agreement.

Estimated Project Start Date: 12/31/2015 Estimated Project End Date: 12/30/2018 Other Multiple assignments within the three-year term of the cooperative agreement.

E. Type of Funding Instrument.

Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement HUD will have significant involvement in the management of the cooperative agreement throughout the period of performance of the award. This means that HUD will identify capacity building and technical assistance needs, assign tasks and the method of providing technical assistance, and review and approve proposed work plans, products, reports, vouchers, and other items related to administration of the cooperative agreement. HUD will assign work to successful applicants on a demand-response basis.

F. Supplementation.

Not Applicable

III. Eligibility Information.

A. Eligible Applicants.

Eligible applicants under the NOFA include:

State governments County governments City or township governments Special district governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses Small businesses Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Additional Information on Eligibility:

In addition to the list above, eligible applicants include: NAHASDA-eligible Indian tribes as defined at Section 4(13) of NAHASDA; tribally designated housing entities (TDHEs) as defined at Section 4(22) of the NAHASDA; and national or regional organizations representing Native American housing interests.

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.

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:

Organizations that submit an application under this NOFA are prohibited from being a subcontractor or consultant on any other application under this NOFA. However, subcontractors and consultants may be included in multiple applications, so long as they themselves do not submit an application.

Applicants that are included as a subcontractor or consultant on another application will be considered ineligible for award.

The minimum score for an application to be considered for funding is 75 except when HUD determines that no eligible applicants for a funding source scored at least 75 points. In that case, HUD may award funds to an applicant scoring below 75 points.

Awardees tasked to provide technical assistance to HOME grantees or CHDOs must have at least 1 staff, subcontractor, or consultant that is a Certified HOME Program Specialist who passed the Regulations Training exam with a score of 80 or higher and who has at least five years of demonstrated experience administering a HOME program, including finance and underwriting, or providing direct TA on HOME regulations. Applicants must include the name(s) of the Certified HOME Program specialist in the staff qualifications and/or sub-contractor/consultant list.

Under the McKinney-Vento National Data Analysis Project, awardees may be tasked with the http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform http://www.sam.gov operation of the HMIS Data Lab. To ensure the highest level of confidence in the validity of the data and value of the analysis, the HMIS Data Lab will utilize data from a local HMIS where the participation level is at least 95 percent of the housing and service providers in the Continuum of Care (CoC), excluding victim service providers as defined by the Violence Against Women Act.

Additionally, in order to mitigate concerns regarding conflicts of interest, successful applicants assigned to operate the HMIS Data Lab must enter into an agreement with HUD stating they will not market or otherwise sell or license the HMIS software outside of their CoC or HMIS implementation area.

1. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements.

In accordance with 24 CFR 58.34(a)(3) or (a)(9), 58.35(b)(3), and 50.19(b)(3), (b)(9), or (b)(13), activities funded under this NOFA are categorically excluded from environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321) and are not subject to environmental review under related laws and authorities.

Applicants must be in compliance with the following requirements:

Delinquent Federal debts;

Financial management systems that meet Federal standards;

Debarment and/or suspension from doing business with the Federal Government;

False statements;

Do Not Pay review and compliance with the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act of 2012;

Standards of ethical conduct/code of conduct;

Prohibition against lobbying activities; and Conflicts of interest.

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:

Applications from applicants that do not meet the eligible applicant criteria described in Section III.A.

Eligible Applicants will not meet threshold and will not be reviewed by the panel.

Any applicant whose organization and/or staff are listed as subcontractors or consultants on another application will not be eligible for an award. The application will not pass threshold and will not be reviewed by the panel.

3. Compliance with Nondiscrimination and Related Requirements.

Applicants must be in compliance with all applicable fair housing and civil rights laws and affirmatively furthering fair housing. Please refer to Section III. C.3. of the FY 2015 General Section.

Under Section 808(e)(5) of the Fair Housing Act, HUD has a statutory duty to affirmatively further fair housing. Successful applicants will affirmatively further fair housing through activities as may be directed by HUD under the demand-response system. Applicants should indicate any applicable fair housing expertise in the narratives submitted in response to the rating factors indicated in Section V of this NOFA. The requirements of Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (Section 3) do not apply to funding under this NOFA since no Section 3 covered activity will be undertaken with these TA funds. This does not affect grantees’ existing responsibilities to affirmatively further fair housing or provide training, employment, and other economic opportunities pursuant to Section 3 that result from their receipt of other HUD funding.

Please note that Indian tribes and their Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs) as defined in

Please note that Indian tribes and their Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs) as defined in Sections 4(13) and 4(22) of NAHASDA are not subject to the requirement to affirmatively further fair housing. Tribal entities awarded NAHASDA TA funding will not be required to comply with requirements relating to affirmatively furthering fair housing.

4. Other Requirements.

Successful applicants must also follow all program requirements listed below:

Successful applicants will be deployed as HUD deems necessary across the country.

HUD may task two or more successful applicants to collaborate as a team in providing technical assistance or performing other eligible activities included in this NOFA. HUD may select an applicant to conduct overall coordination for TA providers.

Successful applicants must comply with all applicable program statutes, regulations, policies, and award provisions.

Successful applicants may be required to provide information on the results, impacts, and outcomes of their capacity building and TA activities.

Successful applicants must operate within the structure of the ‘demand-response system.’ See I.A.3 Terms and Definitions for definition of demand-response system. Under the demand-response system, TA providers are required to:

Promptly respond to assignments or requests from the POTAC/GTM or GTR.

Coordinate TA plans and activities with other TA providers with additional expertise or skills or that have assisted or are providing assistance to HUD customers in the same jurisdiction or geographic area using other technical assistance funds. The coordination may include conference calls, virtual meetings, and/or in person meetings.

Attend and/or conduct joint training sessions, workshops, or conferences with other TA providers as may be requested by a POTAC/GTM or GTR.

Conduct work only when tasked or assigned by HUD (POTAC/GTM, GTR, or Cooperative Agreement Officer or designee).

Provide work plans, vouchers, reports, deliverables, and trainings in format prescribed by HUD.

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:

Lauren Deigh Office of Technical Assistance and Management Community Planning and Development Department of Housing & Urban Development http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply-for-grants.html http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply-for-grants.html

Department of Housing & Urban Development 451 7th Street SW, Room 7218 Washington, DC 20410, DC 20410 Email: communitycompass@hud.gov

B. Content and Form of Application Submission.

To ensure that the correct Application Package and Application Instructions are used, applicants 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:

Forms / Assurances / Certifications

Submission Requirement Notes / Description

HUD Facsimile Transmittal HUD96011 Third Party Documentation Facsimile

HUD Applicant Recipient Disclosure Report (HUD) 2880 Applicant/Recipient Disclosure/Update Report

HUD will provide instructions to grantees on how the form is to be submitted.

HUD will provide instructions to grantees on how the form is to be submitted.

Acknowledgment of Application Receipt (HUD2993), if applicable

HUD will provide instructions to grantees on how the form is to be submitted.

HUD will provide instructions to grantees on how the form is to be submitted.

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL), if applicable. Please note: Tribes applying for funding under this NOFA are not required to submit this information.

If any funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan, the applicant shall complete and submit the SF-LLL, "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying," in accordance with its instructions. Applicants must furnish an executed copy of the Certification Regarding Lobbying prior to award.

mailto:communitycompass@hud.gov

Standard Form 424 (SF-424 Application of Federal Assistance)

The funding request amount must be the same as the funding request amount included in the one-page summary.

Applicants should determine their funding request amount based on the number of available personnel and the range and quality of their skills and knowledge; as well as the applicant's ability to successfully execute multiple assignments from HUD simultaneously over a three-year period.

Faith-Based EEO Survey (SF424 Supplement, Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunities for Applicants), if applicable

Applicants applying electronically may submit the survey with the application as part of an appendix or as a separate document. Hard copy submissions should include the survey in a separate envelope.

Non-profit private organizations, not including private universities, are encouraged to submit the survey with their applications. Submission of the survey is voluntary.

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

a. One-page application summary, submitted in .pdf, .doc, or .docx format. While the application summary will not be scored, it is a submission requirement. The summary must include the following information:

i. The amount of funding the applicant is requesting under this NOFA. The request should be stated in whole dollar amount. The amount must be the same as the amount included on the Form SF-424.

When the amounts do not match, the amount listed on the SF-424 will be used as the requested amount.

Applicants should determine their funding request amount based on the number of available personnel and the range and quality of their skills and knowledge; as well as the applicant's ability to successfully execute multiple assignments from HUD simultaneously over a three-year period.

ii. The TA funding source(s) for which the applicant wishes to be considered. Funding sources include: Departmental TA, McKinney-Vento TA, McKinney-Vento National Data Analysis Project, Public Housing Administrative Receivership and Recovery, and NAHASDA TA. This information will not be used for scoring, but will help HUD in determining preferences of applicants and may inform award decisions. Please note that applicants are not guaranteed to receive funds under the funding source for which they have indicated a preference. All Community Compass NOFA applicants may be awarded funding from any of the funding sources included in this NOFA, if they meet the minimum score to be considered for funding and all eligibility requirements.

iii.. Whether or not the applicant organization is designated as any of the following:

a disadvantaged business (e.g., 8(a) business);

a small business as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration; or, a national or regional organization representing Native American housing interests.

b. Narrative response addressing Rating Factors 1-3, submitted as .pdf, .doc, or .docx format. See required information for Rating Factors in Section V. A. Review Criteria.

c. Two (2) Letters of Reference, submitted as .pdf. Letters must be on letterhead from the organization receiving or benefiting from the technical assistance, signed by the head of the organization or their designee

(i.e. Executive Director, Department Director, CEO, etc.), dated after the NOFA is published, and no longer than 2 pages. Letters do not count toward the 50-page limit for the narrative response to the Rating Factors.

d. List of applicant’s staff and their qualifications, including any applicable certifications, submitted as .xls or xlsx. In addition to the list of staff and their qualifications, applicants must include the name(s) of any the HOME Program Regulations – Certified Specialist subcontractors or consultants that have passed the Regulations Training exam with a score of 80 or higher and that have at least 5 years of experience in administering a HOME program, including finance and underwriting; or providing direct TA on HOME regulations. Applicants may also identify staff that have passed other Administration and Rental Housing Compliance certification courses. This list does not count toward the 50-page limit for the narrative response to the Rating Factors.

e. List of subcontractor firms and consultants, and any applicable certifications and qualifications, submitted as .xls or .xlsx. Applicants must include a list of all subcontractors (firm names only) and consultants with whom the applicant has entered into an agreement to participate in an award under this NOFA with a brief qualifications statement for each subcontractor firm and consultant. If the applicant does not have an agreement with any subcontractors or consultants, indicate None on the list.

HUD encourages applicants that wish to be considered for McKinney-Vento TA funding to consider including organizations serving youth and/or organizations serving victims of domestic violence as subcontractors or consultants.

HUD encourages applicants that wish to be considered for ONAP TA funding to consider including organizations serving Native youth and/or organizations with established Native youth suicide prevention programs as subcontractors or consultants

Applicants must list Certified HOME Program Specialist subcontractors or consultants that have passed the Regulations Training exam with a score of 80 or higher and that have at least 5 years of experience in administering a HOME program, including finance and underwriting; or providing direct TA on HOME regulations. Applicants must also identify subcontractors and consultants that have passed the HOME Administration and Rental Housing Compliance certification courses. This list does not count toward the 50-page limit for the narrative response to the Rating Factors.

f. If applicable, a copy of your approved indirect cost rate proposal. Refer to section VI.A.8. for further explanation.

A complete submission will consist of the application signed by an authorized official of the applicant and contain all relevant sections of the application as described in this NOFA.

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

a. Page Limitation, Font Size and Format for Naming Files. Narratives addressing Factors 1-3 must be no more than 50 pages in length on 8.5 by 11 inch paper, using a 12-point font with at least 0.5 inch margins.HUD will not review more than 50 pages total for all rating factors. This page limit excludes the one-page application summary, letters of reference, list of subcontractors and consultants, spreadsheet of applicant’s staff and their qualifications, and all other required HUD forms. See the FY 2015 General Section for guidance on the format for the naming of the files for the narratives.

b. Clarity and organization. HUD will consider the degree to which the narrative response to rating factors is clear, concise, well organized, and free of grammatical errors. Applications must clearly label responses by the Rating Factor to which they pertain.

c. Prohibition on Materials Not Specifically Requested. Applicants should not submit materials other than what is specifically requested by HUD in this NOFA, including resumes, graphs, or photographs. Reviewers will not consider resumes, photos, or any other documents attached to the application not specifically requested by HUD. Reviewers will consider the two (2) letters of reference as identified in Section V.A.1.d. Past Performance.

d. Applicants must submit only one application in response to this NOFA. HUD will only review the last timely application received if an applicant submits multiple applications.

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 [Insert 45 days from date of publication].

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.