FY 2025 ASN Native Nation Planning NOFO- FINAL_508.pdf

NOTICE of FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Federal Agency Name: AmeriCorps Funding Opportunity Title: Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 AmeriCorps State and National

Native Nation Planning Grants Announcement Type: Initial Announcement Assistance Listing Number: 94.006

Summary Statement: This is an opportunity for Indian Tribes to apply for funding for AmeriCorps members to strengthen communities by serving.

Disclosure: Publication of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) does not obligate AmeriCorps to award any specific number of grants or to commit any amount of funding. The actual amount, timing, and process of grant funding will be subject to the availability of annual appropriations.

AmeriCorps publishes this NOFO solely for the aforementioned purpose and does not consider this NOFO to meet the definition of a rule requiring publication or notice under Congressional Review Act (CRA) as codified at 5 U.S.C. §§801- 808, and any subsequent notification provided to Congress does not constitute waiver of this position.

Important Dates

• Applications are due no later than Wednesday, April 9, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

• Successful applicants will be notified by end of May 2025.

• Successful applicants will be issued awards by mid July 2025.

Table of Contents

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

o A.1. Purpose of AmeriCorps State and National Funding o A.2. Funding Priorities o A.3. Performance Goals or Expected Outcomes o A.4. Program Authority

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

o B.1. Estimated Available Funds o B.2. Estimated Award Amount o B.3. Period of Performance o B.4. Type of Award o B.5. Matching

Cost Reimbursement Grants

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

o C.1. Eligible Applicants Types of Applicants o C.3. Other Eligibility Requirements

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

o D.1. Ways to Request an Application Package o D.2. Content and Form of Application Submission

D.2.a. Application Content D.2.b. Page Limits o D.3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) o D.4. Submission Dates and Times

D.4.a. Application Submission Deadline D.4.b. Additional Documents Deadline D.4.c. Late Applications o D.5. Intergovernmental Review o D.6. Funding Restrictions

D.6.a. Indirect Costs D.6.b. Pre-Award Costs o D.7. Other Submission Requirements D.7.a. Electronic Application Submission D.7.b. Submission of Additional Documents

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

o E.1. Selection Criteria E.1.a. Executive Summary, 0 percent:

E.1.b. Program Design, 50 percent:

E.1.c. Organizational Capability, 25 percent:

E.1.d. Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy, 25 percent:

E.1.e. Evaluation Plan, 0 percent:

E. 1. f. Amendment Justification, 0 percent:

E.1.g. Clarification Information, 0 percent:

E.1.h. Continuation Changes, 0 percent:

o E.2. Review and Selection Process E.2.a. Initial Application Compliance and Eligibility Review E.2.b. Application Review E.2.c. Pre-Award Risk Assessment E.2.d. Consideration of Integrity and Performance System Information E.2.e. Selection for Funding An applicant denied any portion of funding may request reconsideration of a funding decision within 5 business days of receiving notice of their denial. Reconsideration will only be granted if there is clear and substantial error. Any reconsideration of denied applications is entirely subject to the agency’s discretion E.2.f. Applicant Resolution o E.3. Feedback to Applicants o E.4. Transparency in Grantmaking

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

o F.1. Federal Award Notices o F.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

F.2.a. Uniform Guidance F.2.b. Requests for Monitoring or Payment Integrity Information F.2.c. AmeriCorps Terms and Conditions F.2.d. National Service Criminal History Check Requirements o F.3. Use of Material

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

H. OTHER INFORMATION

o H.1. Technical Assistance o H.2. Re-Focusing of Funding

I. IMPORTANT NOTICES

FULL TEXT OF THE NOTICE

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A.1. Purpose of AmeriCorps State and National Funding AmeriCorps is committed to working on a Nation-to-Nation basis with Tribal Nations, upholding the federal government’s trust responsibility, and supporting tribal self-determination.

AmeriCorps planning grants provide support to eligible organizations that develop an AmeriCorps program that will engage AmeriCorps members in solving community problems.

Grant recipients are awarded up to $240,000 for a 12-month planning period and are encouraged to compete for an AmeriCorps program grant in the following grant cycle if they deem the fit with AmeriCorps to be of use to their community.

A planning grant may not be used to support AmeriCorps members. Applicants will apply for a Cost Reimbursement grant. The project period is no more than a year, with a start date proposed by the applicant. The project start date may not occur prior to the date AmeriCorps awards the grant.

A.2. Funding Priorities For this funding opportunity, AmeriCorps will prioritize consideration for applicants that:

• Design an AmeriCorps program that meets the needs of your community.; and

• Demonstrate the ability to transform the planning grant award into an application for

AmeriCorps programming next year.

To receive priority consideration, applicants must show the priority area is a significant part of the program focus and intended outcomes. Priority consideration does not guarantee funding.

A.3. Performance Goals or Expected Outcomes National Performance Measures All applications must include at least one aligned performance measure, output, and outcome, that corresponds to the proposed primary intervention. This may be a National Performance Measure or an applicant-determined measure. For more information, refer to the National Performance Measure Instructions.

A.4. Program Authority Awards under this Notice are authorized by the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §12501 et seq.

https://americorps.gov/funding-opportunity/fy-2025-americorps-state-national-native-nations-grants#performance https://americorps.gov/funding-opportunity/fy-2025-americorps-state-national-native-nations-grants#performance https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/%40%20National%20and%20Community%20Service%20Act%20of%201990%20%28as%20amended%20through%20PL%20111-13%29.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2010-title42/html/USCODE-2010-title42-chap129.htm

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

B.1. Estimated Available Funds AmeriCorps welcomes Native Nation applications. The actual level of funding is subject to the availability of annual appropriations.

B.2. Estimated Award Amount Award amounts will be different depending on the scope of the projects.

B.3. Period of Performance AmeriCorps plans to make one-year grant awards. Applicants must submit a one-year budget. Applicants may propose any project start date that fits their program design the period of performance may not start before August 15, 2025.

B.4. Type of Award AmeriCorps State and National grants will be awarded if an application is successful.

Grant Types Cost Reimbursement

Available Subtypes

Planning Grants

Budget Submission Required

Yes

Matching Funds Required

Waived

Financial Reporting Requirements

Yes

Available to new Applicants

Yes

B.5. Matching

Cost Reimbursement Grants

Match requirements are waived for this funding opportunity to reduce burden, per Executive Order 14112 Reforming Federal Funding and Support for Tribal Nations To Better Embrace Our Trust Responsibilities and Promote the Next Era of Tribal Self-Determination and M-24-11, which directs agencies, to the extent possible, to improve accessibility by identifying matching or cost-sharing requirements that may unduly reduce the ability of Tribal Nations to access resources and removing those burdens where appropriate.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/12/11/2023-27318/reforming-federal-funding-and-support-for-tribal-nations-to-better-embrace-our-trust https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/12/11/2023-27318/reforming-federal-funding-and-support-for-tribal-nations-to-better-embrace-our-trust https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/M-24-11-Revisions-to-2-CFR.pdf

Match Replacement Match Replacement Funds are available for Native Nation cost reimbursement applicants who certify that they are “severely economically distressed communities” as defined by 42 U.S.C. 12645d(b). Match replacement funds are additional agency funds up to the amount that would have been contributed by the recipient if the match requirement were not waived.

This amount for planning grants, which are in their first year of AmeriCorps funding, is as follows:

AmeriCorps Funding Year Year 1 Waived Match Requirement/Match Replacement Percentage 24%

Cost reimbursement applicants indicate the amount of requested match replacement in the Source of Funds section of the budget. The match replacement funds are budgeted in the grantee share of the budget.

Please see the Application Instructions for how to request Match Replacement funds.

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

C.1. Eligible Applicants The following non-Federal organization is eligible to apply:

• Indian Tribes

Applicants must have a valid SAM registration and Unique Entity Identifier to receive an award.

New Applicants AmeriCorps encourages organizations that have not received funding from AmeriCorps before to apply, e.g. small community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, etc.

Types of Applicants Federally recognized Indian Tribes: Applicants that are Indian Tribes apply directly to AmeriCorps.

In addition to Indian Tribes, as defined in 2 CFR 200.1, tribal organizations that are controlled, authorized, or chartered by Federally recognized Indian Tribes are also eligible to apply directly to AmeriCorps.

C.3. Other Eligibility Requirements Organizations that have violated a Federal criminal statute may not receive AmeriCorps funds.

https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/508-2025_ASNApplicationInstructions_August21_0.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1#p-200.1(Indian%20tribe)

Organizations that propose activities that are not allowed by AmeriCorps’ laws, rules, or terms and conditions cannot receive AmeriCorps funding.

Organizations that have any unpaid federal tax liability are not allowed to receive an award.

AmeriCorps cannot provide funding to any corporation that has any unpaid federal taxes that are not being paid through an agreement with the relevant tax authority. However, this does not apply if a federal agency that decided that a suspension or debarment for the corporation is not necessary.

Organizations that are described in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. §501 (c)(4) that lobby cannot receive AmeriCorps funding according to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995.

D. Application and Submission Information This Notice should be read together with the AmeriCorps regulations, Application Instructions, Performance Measure Instructions, and Mandatory Supplemental Information.

D.1. Ways to Request an Application Package All information from this funding opportunity is available through the AmeriCorps Funding Opportunities webpage. Applicants can also send an email to americorpsgrants@americorps.gov or call (202) 606-7508 for a printed copy of the Notice, Guidance, and Application Instructions.

D.2. Content and Form of Application Submission

D.2.a. Application Content Complete applications must include the following elements:

• Standard Form 424 Face Sheet: Automatically generated when applicants complete the data elements.

• Narrative Sections:

o Executive Summary;

o Program Design;

o Organizational Capability;

o Cost-Effectiveness & Budget Adequacy; and o Evaluation Summary/Plan.

• Performance Measures.

• Standard Form 424A Budget.

• Continuation Changes.

• Clarification.

• Authorization, Assurances, and Certifications.

D.2.b. Page Limits Page counts are determined by the number of pages that print out from the grant system.

• Narratives https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/eotopici03.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/PLAW-104publ65 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/PLAW-104publ65 https://americorps.gov/about/agency-overview/statutes-regulations https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/508-2025_ASNApplicationInstructions_August21_0.pdf https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/508-2025_ASNApplicationInstructions_August21_0.pdf https://americorps.gov/funding-opportunity/fy-2025-americorps-state-national-native-nations-grants#performance https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/2025_ASNMandatorySupplementalInformation_FINAL.508.pdf http://www.americorps.gov/partner/funding-opportunities http://www.americorps.gov/partner/funding-opportunities mailto:americorpsgrants@americorps.gov https://egrants.cns.gov/cnsmisc/EASSUR.HTM https://egrants.cns.gov/cnsmisc/ECERTS.HTM o Applications must not exceed 5 double-spaced pages for the Narrative.

o The application sections that count towards the page limit include:

SF-424 Face Sheet;

Executive Summary; and Program Design, Organizational Capability, and Cost-Effectiveness and

Budget Adequacy narratives.

o The application page limit does not include:

Evaluation Summary/Plan;

Clarification Summary;

Continuation Changes;

Budget, Performance Measures; and Any required additional documents.

D.3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) All applicants must register with the System for Award Management (SAM) and maintain an active SAM registration until the application process is complete. If an applicant is awarded a grant, it must maintain an active SAM registration throughout the life of the award. Use the SAM Quick Guide for Grantees for more information.

AmeriCorps suggests that applicants finalize a new registration or renew an existing one at least three weeks before the application deadline, to allow time to resolve any issues that may arise. Applicants must use their SAM-registered legal name and physical address on all grant applications to AmeriCorps. The legal applicant’s name and physical address in the grant system must match exactly the applicant’s SAM-registered information.

Applications must include a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), which is generated as part of the SAM registration process. AmeriCorps will not make awards to entities that do not have a valid SAM registration and UEI.

Applications must include an Employer Identification Number (EIN). The UEI and EIN must be entered by the organization’s Grantee Administrator as an organization attribute, and this will apply the information to all applications for the organization.

D.4. Submission Dates and Times

D.4.a. Application Submission Deadline Applications are due no later than Wednesday, April 9, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

AmeriCorps may extend the submission deadline. If the deadline is extended, then AmeriCorps will post information on the AmeriCorps’ webpage.

D.4.b. Additional Documents Deadline Additional documents are due by the application submission deadline.

https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0029897

D.4.c. Late Applications All applications received after the submission deadline are late. AmeriCorps will determine whether to accept a late application on a case-by-case basis. To request consideration of a late application, an organization must:

• Submit a written explanation or justification of the extenuating circumstance(s) that caused the delay, including:

o Timing and specific cause(s) of the delay;

o Ticket number if a request for assistance was submitted to the AmeriCorps

Hotline;

o Information provided to the applicant by the AmeriCorps Hotline; and o Other documentation or evidence that supports the justification.

• Ensure that AmeriCorps receives the written explanation and any other relevant evidence, via email to LateApplications@americorps.gov no later than 24 hours after the application deadline.

Communication with AmeriCorps staff, including an applicant’s Portfolio Manager, is not a substitute for a written explanation. Applicants are required to continue working in the web-based system and with the AmeriCorps Hotline to submit the application.

AmeriCorps will not consider an advance request to submit a late application. Please carefully review and follow the Late Application guidance and submit your application as soon as possible.

D.5. Intergovernmental Review This Notice is not subject to Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.

D.6. Funding Restrictions

D.6.a. Indirect Costs Application budgets may include indirect costs. Based on qualifying factors, applicants may use a Federally approved indirect cost rate if they have one, or a 15 percent de minimis rate of modified total direct costs, or may claim certain costs directly. However, no more than five percent of award funds may be used to recover indirect costs on AmeriCorps State and National grants under section 121(d) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended and AmeriCorps’ regulations at 45 CFR 2521.95 and 2540.110,.

The agency’s Indirect Cost Guidance provides more information on applicant’s options for Indirect Cost Rates. Use the Indirect Cost Rate (IDCR) User Instructions to enter the organization’s indirect cost rate. Applicants should not submit documentation addressing the cost rate agreement via email.

Please note: To request a federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, when AmeriCorps is the applicable cognizant agency for an organization’s indirect costs, the applicant must submit a request to IndirectCostRate@americorps.gov. The applicant may also obtain instructions and additional information by contacting the email address above.

mailto:LateApplications@americorps.gov https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=74a79d9a3a38ee2ca26d377daeacebb7&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1413&rgn=div8 https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/%40%20National%20and%20Community%20Service%20Act%20of%201990%20%28as%20amended%20through%20PL%20111-13%29.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-XXV/part-2521/subject-group-ECFR30615c285e05d4c/section-2521.95 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-XXV/part-2540/subpart-A/section-2540.110 https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/OADR-Indirect-Cost-Guidance-022124-508.pdf https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/AmeriCorps-eGrants-IDCR-User-Instructions.pdf mailto:IndirectCostRate@americorps.gov

D.6.b. Pre-Award Costs Pre-award costs, where authorized, are allowed after receiving written approval from AmeriCorps.

D.7. Other Submission Requirements

D.7.a. Electronic Application Submission Applicants must submit applications electronically via AmeriCorps' web-based application system.

The applicant’s authorized representative must be the person who submits the application.

The authorized representative must use their own account to sign and submit the application.

Applicants should contact the AmeriCorps Hotline at (800) 942-2677 if they have a problem when they create an account, prepare, or submit the application. Information about the AmeriCorps Hotline hours are also posted on the AmeriCorps Hotline webpage.

When contacting the AmeriCorps Hotline, be prepared to provide the application ID, organization’s name, and the name of the Notice to which the organization is applying. If the issue cannot be fixed by the deadline, applicants must continue working with the AmeriCorps Hotline to submit via the grant system.

If it is impossible for an applicant to submit in the grant system, applicants may send a paper copy of the application via overnight carrier to this address below.

AmeriCorps ATTN: Office of Grant Administration (OGA)/AmeriCorps State and National Application 250 E Street, SW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20525

Please use a non-U.S. Postal Service carrier to avoid security-related delays. Applicants must include an explanation and related documents, about why they could not submit their application electronically. Applications must be received by the deadline.

All deadlines and requirements in this Notice also apply to paper applications.

AmeriCorps does not accept applications submitted via fax or email.

D.7.b. Submission of Additional Documents Your application might not receive funding if you do not upload your documents by the application deadline or do not correctly label your documents.

Additional documents for all applicants:

1. Operational and Financial Management Survey. Submit electronically using the online form. Forms submitted as a PDF, or any other document format may not be accepted.

If any of this required information is missing, the applicant may not receive credit for meeting their evaluation requirements.

https://questions.americorps.gov/app/ask https://questions.americorps.gov/app/ask https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=p1D40s6Ns0-nnGhn-VFDEnTxP2OEQLFNjNsVmieA6QVUMFRPWk8xWjZXMlpVUzA3WU9SWjNRV0sxVS4u https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=p1D40s6Ns0-nnGhn-VFDEnTxP2OEQLFNjNsVmieA6QVUMFRPWk8xWjZXMlpVUzA3WU9SWjNRV0sxVS4u

Additional documents for entities applying on behalf of a Federally Recognized Tribe, new and recompeting:

1. Tribal organization eligibility documentation

Guidance for submitting additional documents:

• Additional documents must be emailed to AdditionalDocuments@AmeriCorps.gov with the following subject line: “Legal Applicant Name” – “Application ID Number.”

Emails should include:

o Legal applicant name and its point of contact information.

o Application ID number.

o List of documents that are attached to the email by filename, labeling each document type according to the above numbered list.

o Individually attached files that are clearly labeled, and that include the legal applicant name and application ID number within the file name and heading of each document.

To ensure that all required additional documents are considered, please provide each document as a separate single file, labeled appropriately. Please do not send multiple documents in one combined file, and do not send a single document in multiple files.

The email size limit is 35 MB. This limit is inclusive of all attachments associated with each email. Emails that are larger than 35 MB will not be received or reviewed.

If the size of an applicant’s files requires multiple emails, please also include an ordering system in the subject line, such as “(1 of 3)”

• Applicants that do not have any documents to submit must send an email to

Additionaldocuments@americorps.gov indicating that they are not submitting any additional documents.

Applicants must enter in a web-based system the quantity of each document type that was emailed to AdditionalDocuments@AmeriCorps.gov. After the application deadline, all applicants that have a difference between the number of documents emailed and the number of documents reported in the web-based system will receive an email. This email will request proof that the missing documents were emailed on time to the correct email address.

If applicants do not reply to this email, then their evidence documents might not be reviewed.

Do not submit any items that are not requested in this Notice or Application Instructions.

AmeriCorps will not review or return them.

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

E.1. Selection Criteria Each applicant must describe a project that will use AmeriCorps members effectively to solve a significant community problem.

mailto:AdditionalDocuments@AmeriCorps.gov mailto:Additionaldocuments@americorps.gov mailto:AdditionalDocuments@AmeriCorps.gov

Applications must have a well-designed plan with clear justification for the requested funds.

Do not assume all sub-criteria are of equal value.

Categories/Subcategories Percentage Executive Summary 0 Program Design 50

• Problem/Need 20

• Planning Process/Timeline 30

Organizational Capability 25

• Organizational Background and Staffing 25

Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy 25

E.1.a. Executive Summary, 0 percent:

Please fill in the blanks of this required sentence to complete the Executive Summary. Do not deviate from the template below.

The [Name of the organization] proposes a planning grant to focus on [what the community interventions will be.]

E.1.b. Program Design, 50 percent:

1. Problem/Need, 20 points

• The applicant will describe the community problem, including the role current or historical inequities faced by underserved communities may play in contributing to the problem.

• The community need as it relates to the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index and to communicate the severity and prevalence of the problem.

• The applicant will describe for why a planning grant is needed.

2. Planning Process/Timeline, 30 points

• The applicant describes a clear and logical planning process:

o The applicant describes a detailed description of who is leading the planning process.

o The applicant describes how the planning period will be used to develop the necessary components to effectively manage an AmeriCorps program in the future.

o The applicant describes a detailed plan for program sustainability.

• The planning process includes development of the following program elements:

o Theory of Change/Logic Model;

o Intervention and evidence base;

o Member training and supervision plans;

o Program Compliance and Accountability; and o Securing Funds to Support for the Program.

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/place-health/php/svi/index.html

E.1.c. Organizational Capability, 25 percent:

1. Organizational Background and Staffing, 25 points

• The applicant describes how it has the experience, staffing, and management structure to plan the proposed program.

• The applicant describes its plans to engage community members and partner organizations in the planning process.

• The applicant has sufficient policies, procedures, and controls in place to prevent, detect, and mitigate the risk of fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, such as appropriate segregation of duties, internal oversight activities, measures to prevent timekeeping fraud, etc.

• The organization’s definitions of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility is demonstrated by the organization. e.g., diversity on the Board of Directors, agency staff and leadership, and/or volunteers.

E.1.d. Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy, 25 percent:

• Budget complies with the Application Instructions (Cost Reimbursement Applicants:

Use Appendices B and C)

• Applicant identifies sources in the Source of Funds section of the budget.

E.1.e. Evaluation Plan, 0 percent:

• N/A

E. 1. f. Amendment Justification, 0 percent:

Enter N/A. This field will be used if the applicant is awarded a grant and needs to amend it.

E.1.g. Clarification Information, 0 percent:

Enter N/A. This field will be utilized should an applicant be funded.

E.1.h. Continuation Changes, 0 percent:

Enter N/A.

E.2. Review and Selection Process AmeriCorps will engage External Reviewers with relevant expertise to assess the eligible applications. The determinations made by AmeriCorps reviewers may be different from what the applicant self-determined upon submission of its application. The stages of the review and selection process follow:

E.2.a. Initial Application Compliance and Eligibility Review AmeriCorps will do an initial compliance and eligibility check before reviewing applications.

To pass this check, applicants must:

• Be an eligible organization,

• Have an active SAM registration, and

• Submit an application by the submission deadline.

Eligibility assessment is intended to ensure that only those applications that are eligible for award are reviewed. However, determinations of eligibility can take place at any point during https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/508-2025_ASNApplicationInstructions_August21_0.pdf the application review and selection process. Applicants that are determined to be ineligible will not receive an award.

E.2.b. Application Review External Review External Reviewers will assess applications based on the Program Design, Organizational Capability, and Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy Criteria.

Internal Review AmeriCorps will also assess budget compliance, and review for prohibited activities.

Post-Review Quality Control AmeriCorps staff will review the initial results for fairness and consistency. Some applications may be selected for a Post-Review Quality Control assessment.

E.2.c. Pre-Award Risk Assessment AmeriCorps staff will assess the risks posed by each applicant. Results from this assessment will inform funding decisions. If AmeriCorps determines that an award will be made to an applicant with risks, special conditions may be applied to the award. AmeriCorps may decide to not fund an applicant based on the level of risk.

In assessing risks, AmeriCorps may consider:

1. Due Diligence, including:

• Federal debt delinquency;

• Suspension and debarment;

• Information available through Office of Management and Budget (OMB)- designated sources of government-wide eligibility qualification or financial integrity information, such as:

o U.S. Treasury Bureau of Fiscal Services;

o System for Award Management (SAM); and o Do Not Pay.

• Reports and findings from single audits performed under Uniform Administrative Guidance and findings of any other available audits or investigations;

• IRS Tax Form 990;

• Oversight.gov; and

• Public Litigation Records.

2. Operational and Financial Management, including:

• Financial stability; and

• Operational and Financial Management Survey (OFMS).

3. Past Performance, including:

• Applicant’s record in managing previous AmeriCorps awards, cooperative agreements, or procurement awards, including:

o Timely compliance with applicable reporting requirements;

o Accuracy of data reported;

o Validity of performance measure data reported;

o Conformity to the terms and conditions of previous Federal awards;

o Ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements imposed on award recipients;

o Timely closeout of other awards;

o Extent to which any previously awarded amounts will be expended prior to future awards; and o Meeting National Service Criminal History Check (NSCHC) compliance.

4. Other Programmatic Risks, Financial, Organizational, Compliance, and Fraud including:

• Publicly available information, including from the applicant organization's website;

• Amount of funding requested by the organization; and https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/ https://sam.gov/ https://www.oversight.gov/ https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=p1D40s6Ns0-nnGhn-VFDEnTxP2OEQLFNjNsVmieA6QVUMFRPWk8xWjZXMlpVUzA3WU9SWjNRV0sxVS4u

• Other elements, such as keyword searches for prohibited activities.

E.2.d. Consideration of Integrity and Performance System Information Prior to making any award that exceeds $250,000, AmeriCorps is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM.gov , use 41 U.S.C. §2313. Additionally, AmeriCorps may expand upon these requirements and use its discretion to review and consider information about any applicant receiving an award, including those under $250,000.

Any applicant may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM.gov and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM.gov.

AmeriCorps may consider comments by any applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under federal awards when completing its review of risk posed by the applicant.

E.2.e. Selection for Funding The review and selection process are designed to:

• Identify how well eligible applications are aligned with the application selection criteria.

• Build a diversified portfolio based on the following strategic considerations:

o AmeriCorps Funding Priorities;

o Meaningful representation of:

rural communities, and innovative community strategies; and o CEO discretion to advance strategic goals.

In selecting applicants to receive awards under this Notice, the Chief Executive Officer will try to include a diverse portfolio of applications based on staff recommendations, alignment with selection criteria, and strategic considerations.

AmeriCorps reserves the right to adjust or make changes to the review process, if unforeseen circumstances make it impossible, impracticable, or inefficient to conduct the review process as planned. Any such changes will not affect the selection criteria that will be used to assess applications. AmeriCorps reserves the right to re-focus program dollars under this Notice in the event of disaster or other compelling needs.

An applicant denied any portion of funding may request reconsideration of a funding decision within 5 business days of receiving notice of their denial. Reconsideration will only https://sam.gov/content/home http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:41%20section:2313%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title41-section2313)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://sam.gov/content/home https://sam.gov/content/home be granted if there is clear and substantial error. Any reconsideration of denied applications is entirely subject to the agency’s discretion.

E.2.f. Applicant Resolution After the application review process but before any grant awards are issued, AmeriCorps may ask an applicant for additional information to address any application compliance or risk issues. If an applicant does not respond promptly to these requests, then the applicant may be denied funding.

AmeriCorps will ask all grantees for a written compliance implementation plan that includes notification of waste, fraud, and abuse to the agency’s Office of Inspector General.

E.3. Feedback to Applicants Each compliant applicant will receive feedback from the External Review of its application.

E.4. Transparency in Grantmaking AmeriCorps is committed to transparency in grant-making. A list of all approved applications for new and re-competing applications will be published on AmeriCorps Funded Grants within 90 business days after all grants are awarded.

Further information about funded grants and subgrants is also available in USASpending.gov.

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

F.1. Federal Award Notices AmeriCorps will make awards following the selection announcement. AmeriCorps anticipates announcing the results of this funding opportunity by mid-May 2025 depending on the availability of congressional appropriations. All applicants, successful or not, will be notified of funding decisions via email.

F.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

F.2.a. Uniform Guidance All awards made under this Notice will be subject to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, in 2 CFR Parts 200 and 2205.

F.2.b. Requests for Monitoring or Payment Integrity Information AmeriCorps will request information from grantees to ensure compliance with legal requirements, including the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019. If grantees do not respond promptly to these requests then their funds may be placed on manual hold, reimbursement only status, or other restrictions as appropriate.

http://www.americorps.gov/partner/funding-opportunities/funded-grants https://www.usaspending.gov/ http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=379c69c6a453c93b76142986a4ce5ad4&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=379c69c6a453c93b76142986a4ce5ad4&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=f7425ef67312ab84da9e76ed5d79dff7&node=pt2.1.2205&rgn=div5 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-116publ117/pdf/PLAW-116publ117.pdf

F.2.c. AmeriCorps Terms and Conditions All grants must follow the FY 2025 AmeriCorps General Terms and Conditions, and the FY 2025 Program-Specific Terms and Conditions for the particular program (when applicable).

These Terms and Conditions contain mandatory compliance and reporting requirements, and applicants should review these instructions prior to any Notice of Grant Award. Current versions of the AmeriCorps General and Program-Specific Terms and Conditions for each of its programs is available on the AmeriCorps Manage Your Grant webpage.

F.2.d. National Service Criminal History Check Requirements The National Service Criminal History Check, NSCHC, is a specific screening procedure established by law to protect the beneficiaries of national service. Use 45 CFR 2540.200– 2540.207 and National Service Criminal History Check Resources for complete information and FAQs.

F.3. Use of Material To ensure that materials generated with AmeriCorps funding are available to the public and readily accessible to recipients and non-recipients, AmeriCorps reserves a royalty-free, nonexclusive, and irrevocable right to obtain, use, modify, reproduce, publish, or disseminate publications and materials produced under the award, including data, and to authorize others to do so per 2 CFR 200.315.

G. FEDERAL AWARDING Agency Contacts For more information, call (202) 606-7508 or email AmericorpsGrants@americorps.gov.

H. Other Information

H.1. Technical Assistance AmeriCorps will host technical assistance calls to answer questions about the funding opportunity and the web-based system. AmeriCorps strongly encourages all applicants to participate in these sessions. Information for these technical assistance calls is available on the AmeriCorps’ Funding Opportunities website.

Resources applicants need to effectively manage their grant award and training and technical assistance materials are found on the Manage Your Grant webpage.

H.2. Re-Focusing of Funding AmeriCorps reserves the right to re-focus program dollars under this Notice in the event of disaster or other compelling needs.

I. IMPORTANT NOTICES

I.1. Public Burden Statement Public reporting burden for collection of information under this Notice of Funding is estimated to average six hours per submission, including reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing the application and reporting forms.

https://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/manage-your-grant https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-XXV/part-2540/subpart-B?toc=1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-XXV/part-2540/subpart-B?toc=1 https://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/history-check http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=74a79d9a3a38ee2ca26d377daeacebb7&mc=true&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML#se2.1.200_1315 mailto:AmericorpsGrants@americorps.gov https://www.americorps.gov/partner/funding-opportunities https://www.americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/manage-your-grant

AmeriCorps informs people who may respond to this Notice of Funding that they are not required to respond unless the OMB control number and expiration date are current valid.

Use 5 CFR 1320.5(b)(2)(i).This collection is approved under OMB Control #: 3045-0047, Application Instructions, State and National Competitive, New and Continuation, Expiration Date: September 30, 2026.

I.2. Privacy Act Statement The Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C §552a, requires that we notify applicants that the information requested under this Notice of Funding is collected pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §12592 and 12615 of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 as amended, and 42 U.S.C. §4953 of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 as amended.

Purposes and Uses - The information requested is collected for the purposes of reviewing grant applications and granting funding requests. Routine uses may include disclosure of the information to Federal, state, or local agencies pursuant to lawfully authorized requests.

assistance.

Effects of Nondisclosure - The information requested is voluntary; however, to be a recipient of this grant program, disclosure of personal or sensitive information is required to receive federal benefits.

Produced and published at US taxpayer expense https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=ba6a43c334f657907f5f8a02052e349b&mc=true&node=pt5.3.1320&rgn=div5#se5.3.1320_15 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title5-section552a&num=0&edition=prelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section12592&num=0&edition=prelim https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/YYYY_MM_DD_National_Community_Service_Act_Of_1990_as_Amended_by_the_Serve_America_Act_ASN.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2020-title42/pdf/USCODE-2020-title42-chap66-subchapI-partA-sec4953.pdf

C.3. Other Eligibility Requirements

F.3. Use of Material

I. IMPORTANT NOTICES