FY2023-VGF NOFO.508.pdf

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Federal Agency Name: AmeriCorps Funding Opportunity Title: Fiscal Year FY 2023 Volunteer Generation Fund ARP Announcement Type: Initial Announcement Assistance Listing Number: 94.021

Disclosure: Publication of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (Notice) does not obligate AmeriCorps to award any specific number of grants or to commit any particular amount of funding.

Important Dates

• Applications are due not later than Tuesday, September 13, 2022, by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

• Successful applicants will be notified by November 2022

• Successful applicants will be issued awards by February 2023

Table of Contents

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A.1. Purpose of Volunteer Generation Fund Funding A.2. Funding Priorities A.3. Performance Goals or Expected Outcomes A.4. Program Authority

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

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

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

C.1. Eligible Applicants C.2. Cost Sharing or Matching C.3. Other Eligibility Requirements

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

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

D.2.a. Application Content D.2.b. Page Limits

D.3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) D.4. Submission Dates and Times

D.4.a. Application Submission Deadline D.4.b. Additional Documents Deadline D.4.c. Late Applications

D.5. Intergovernmental Review D.6. Funding Restrictions

D.6.a. Award Funding Requirements D.6.b. Indirect Costs D.6.c. Pre-Award Costs

D.7. Other Submission Requirements D.7.a. Electronic Application Submission in eGrants D.7.b. Submission of Additional Documents

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

E.1. Selection Criteria

E.1.a. Program Design (50 percent):

E.1.b. Organizational Capability (35 percent):

E.1.c. Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy (15 percent):

E.2. Review and Selection Process E.2.a. Initial Application Compliance and Eligibility Review E.2.b. Application Review E.2.c. Applicant Clarification E.2.d. Pre-Award Risk Assessment E.2.e. Consideration of Integrity and Performance System Information E.2.f. Selection for Funding

E.3. Feedback to Applicants E.4. Transparency in Grant-making

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

F.1. Federal Award Notices 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 F.2.e. Official Guidance

F.3. Use of Material F.4. Reporting

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

H. OTHER INFORMATION

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

I. IMPORTANT NOTICES

APPENDIX I

AmeriCorps Focus Areas

FULL TEXT OF THE NOTICE

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A.1. Purpose of Volunteer Generation Fund Funding AmeriCorps improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges through national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities and those serving. AmeriCorps helps make service a cornerstone of our national culture.

Through AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps Seniors, and the Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF), AmeriCorps has helped to engage millions of citizens in meeting community and national challenges through service and volunteer action. VGF grants will be used to develop and/or support community-based entities to recruit, manage, and support volunteers. AmeriCorps seeks to fund effective approaches that expand volunteering, strengthen the capacity of volunteer connector organizations to recruit and retain skill-based volunteers, and develop strategies to use volunteers effectively to solve problems.

President Biden’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) calls for Americans to come together to support our communities. The plan offers additional funding for the Volunteer Generation Fund grants which will support efforts that expand the capacity of volunteer connector organizations to recruit, manage, support and retain individuals to serve in high quality volunteer assignments.

Applicants that receive funding under this Notice may directly carry out the activities supported under the award or may carry out the activities by making subgrants to community-based entities, supporting volunteer generation at these entities.

Subgrants to community-based entities must include one or more of the following:

• Recruit, manage, or support volunteers to a community-based entity such as a volunteer coordinating agency, a nonprofit resource center, school districts, a volunteer training clearinghouse, an institution of higher education, or a collaborative partnership of faith-based and community-based organization

• Provide technical assistance and support to strengthen the capacity of local infrastructure organizations, address areas of national need, and expand the number of volunteers nationally.

A.2. Funding Priorities

AmeriCorps recently released its 2022-2026 Strategic Plan that defines the agency’s goals, objectives, and strategies to both meet and exceed the agency’s mission to improve lives and strengthen communities. Over the next 5 years, AmeriCorps will execute the following goals to position the agency to respond to national and local needs and help the communities it serves prosper: partner with communities to alleviate poverty and advance racial equity; enhance the experience for AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers; unite Americans by bringing them together in service; effectively steward federal resources; and make AmeriCorps one of the best and most equitable places to work in the federal government.

Over the next five years, AmeriCorps will invest in existing and new partnerships with non-profit, faith-based, and Tribal organizations, and state service commissions, to get things done for America. We will prioritize investment in the most critical issues of our time — public health, climate and the environment, and education and economic opportunity — within AmeriCorps’ Focus Areas (Appendix 1) and we will increase our efforts to ensure our AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Senior volunteers reflect the communities where they serve. We will target our investments toward communities where the need is greatest, particularly those with populations that face racial inequality and poverty. These steps will enable more Americans than ever to strengthen the communities that need it most across the nation through their service.

AmeriCorps’ priorities for this funding opportunity are:

• Programs that expand, launch or improve high-impact tutoring, mentoring and other school-based or out of school time programs -- including the placement and training of student success coaches, integrated student support coordinators, and post-secondary transition coaches -- which will help students succeed academically and support their mental health and overall wellbeing, in line with the National Partnership for Student Success

• Programs that actively engage in removing structural racial inequities, advancing racial equality, and increasing opportunity in order to achieve sustainable change in communities. VGF encourages grant applications to include work plans that advance justice and equality in areas such as education, access to food and healthcare, workforce development, elder justice, and living independently.

• Efforts to help local communities respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Applicants may propose programming in any AmeriCorps focus area to aid communities as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Programs that are likely to generate significant, measurable improvements in the number of volunteers generated and retained from specific demographic groups such as youth service, generational/family volunteering, skill-based volunteering, or senior volunteering.

• Initiatives that specifically recruit, train and deploy volunteers as a strategy to address a clearly identified pressing community need or to address education.

https://americorps.gov/about/agency-overview/strategic-plan https://www.partnershipstudentsuccess.org/ https://www.partnershipstudentsuccess.org/

• Activities that specifically recruit skill-based and pro-bono volunteers.

To receive priority consideration, applicants must show that the priority area is a significant part of the program focus and intended outcomes and must include a high-quality program design.

Proposing programs that receive priority consideration does not guarantee funding.

A.3. Performance Goals or Expected Outcomes

National Performance Measures AmeriCorps expects applicants to use National Performance Measures as part of a comprehensive performance measurement strategy that relies on both performance and evaluation data to learn from their work and make tactical and strategic adjustments to achieve their goals.

Applicants are required to use the specific performance measures outlined in this Notice. For more information, please refer to the National Performance Measures Instructions [embed appropriate link].].

All applicants are required to use the following National Performance Measures:

• G3-3.4 (output): Number of organizations that received capacity building services

AND

• G3-3.10A (outcome): Number of organizations that increased their effectiveness, efficiency, and/or program scale/reach. *

*In the Described Instrument section of measure G3-3.10A, applicants must specifically describe how they will measure organizational effectiveness, efficiency, or program scale/reach with respect to volunteer recruitment or management.

Applicants may optionally select additional performance measure(s), either National Performance Measures or applicant determined performance measures, to describe the type and amount of activities carried out by volunteers managed and/or generated through their program. All performance measures must align with the 2022 VGF Performance Measure Instructions posted on the AmeriCorps website. Note: the number of volunteers recruited/coordinated/supported by your grant, and the number of hours served by these volunteers, will be reported via standard Performance Data Elements and should not be included as performance measures.

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. §126531 et seq.)

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

B.1. Estimated Available Funds AmeriCorps anticipates approximately $20 million for Volunteer Generation Fund FY 23 awards.

B.2. Estimated Award Amount Award amounts will vary as determined by the scope of the projects. AmeriCorps expects to make awards of a minimum of $100,000

B.3. Period of Performance Successful applicants will be issued awards by February 2023.

AmeriCorps anticipates making three-year grant awards. AmeriCorps generally makes an initial award for the first year of the period of performance, based on a one-year budget. Continuation awards for subsequent years are not guaranteed; they depend upon availability of appropriations and satisfactory performance.

B.4. Type of Award VGF grants will be awarded on a cost reimbursement basis.

Award recipients will be assigned to an AmeriCorps Portfolio Manager, who will be responsible for assessing recipient performance, providing training and technical assistance, and serving as the agency’s primary point of contact.

ARP VGF grants will be awarded if an application is successful.

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

https://americorps.gov/about/agency-overview/statutes-regulations https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/%40%20National%20and%20Community%20Service%20Act%20of%201990%20%28as%20amended%20through%20PL%20111-13%29.pdf

C.1. Eligible Applicants The following non-Federal entities (all of which are defined in 2 CFR 200.1) are eligible to apply:

• Indian Tribes

• institutions of higher education

• local governments (including School districts and K-12 Schools)

• nonprofit organizations

• state service commissions

• states and US Territories

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. If an entity applies for an award as a tribal organization that is controlled or chartered by one or more Indian Tribes, the organization must provide copies or links to documentation which demonstrates that the organization is controlled or chartered by a federally recognized Indian Tribe. If an entity applies as an organization authorized by a federally recognized tribe, or multiple specific federally recognized tribes, it must submit a resolution or other authorization, adopted by the Tribal Council (or comparable tribal governing body) of each Indian Tribe. The authorization(s) must identify the entity applying for an AmeriCorps award by name as a tribal organization that is authorized by the Indian Tribe(s) for the purpose of applying for AmeriCorps funding (or federal grant funds generally).

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

See Section D.3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) for more information.

New Applicants AmeriCorps strongly encourages organizations that have not received prior funding from AmeriCorps to apply.

C.2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Applicants are required to match funds equal to a percentage of their total program budget (AmeriCorps Share plus the Grantee Share equals the total program budget). The applicant’s match (Grantee Share) can be cash and/or in-kind contributions. See Section D.6. Funding

Please note for this competition, Department of Education American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds (ARP ESSER) may be used to meet the grantee share of required resources. You can find the letter here.

https://www2.ed.gov/policy/fund/guid/americorps-matching-letter.pdf?src=grants-page

Restrictions for more information. Match requirements increase with each year and are as follows:

• 20% in the first year

• 30% in the second year

• 40% in the third year

• 50% in the fourth year and any later year in which a recipient receives a VGF grant.

C.3. Other Eligibility Requirements Applications that propose to engage in activities that are prohibited under AmeriCorps’ statutes, regulations, or the terms and conditions of its awards are not eligible to receive AmeriCorps funding.

Note that under appropriations provisions annually enacted by Congress, if AmeriCorps is aware that any corporation has any unpaid federal tax liability

• that has been assessed;

• for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed; and

• that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability;

that corporation is not eligible for an award under this Notice. However, this exclusion will not apply to a corporation that a federal agency has considered for suspension or debarment and determined that suspension or debarment is not necessary to protect the interests of the federal government.

Pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, an organization described in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. §501 (c)(4) that engages in lobbying activities is not eligible to apply for AmeriCorps funding.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

This Notice should be read together with the VGF regulations, 45 CFR 2520-2522 and 45 CFR

2540.200 and the application instructions. These documents are available online on the FY 2023 Volunteer Generation Fund ARP Funding Opportunity Webpage.

D.1. Address to Request an Application Package All information associated with this funding opportunity is available through the AmeriCorps Funding Opportunities webpages. Applicants should refer to AmeriCorps Funding Opportunities for more information and instructions on how to fully respond to this Notice.

Applicants can also send an email VolunteerGeneration@cns.gov or call (202) [606-3836 for a printed copy of the Notice and Guidance. AmeriCorps also offers live text chat.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/eotopici03.pdf https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/eotopici03.pdf https://americorps.gov/funding-opportunity/fy-2023-volunteer-generation-fund-arp https://americorps.gov/funding-opportunity/fy-2023-volunteer-generation-fund-arp https://americorps.gov/funding-opportunity/fy-2023-volunteer-generation-fund-arp https://americorps.gov/funding-opportunity/fy-2023-volunteer-generation-fund-arp mailto:VolunteerGeneration@cns.gov https://www.americorps.gov/contact

D.2. Content and Form of Application Submission

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

• Standard Form 424 (SF-424) Face Sheet: This is automatically generated when applicants complete the data elements in the eGrants system.

• Narrative Sections:

o Executive Summary: This is a brief description of the proposed program.

o Program Design o Organizational Capability o Cost-Effectiveness & Budget Adequacy

• Performance Measures

• Standard Form 424A Budget

• Authorization, Assurances, and Certifications

(https://egrants.cns.gov/cnsmisc/ECERTS.HTM and https://egrants.cns.gov/cnsmisc/EASSUR.HTM)

D.2.b. Page Limits Applications may not exceed 10 double-spaced pages as according to the pages printed out from eGrants. The application sections that count toward the page limit are the:

• SF-424 Face Sheet;

• Executive Summary; and

• Program Design, Organizational Capability, and Cost-Effectiveness & Budget

Adequacy narratives.

The application page limit does not include the Budget, Performance Measures, or any required additional documents.

Please note that the length of the application as a word processing document may differ from the length of the document printed out from eGrants. The character limits in eGrants do not align with page limits set in the Notice. AmeriCorps strongly encourages applicants to print out the application from the “Review and Submit” tab in eGrants prior to submission in order to confirm that the application does not exceed the page limit.

AmeriCorps will not consider the results of any alternative printing methods when determining if an application complies with the page limit. Reviewers will also not consider material that is over the page limit, even if eGrants allows applicants to enter and submit additional text.

D.3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) https://egrants.cns.gov/cnsmisc/ECERTS.HTM https://egrants.cns.gov/cnsmisc/EASSUR.HTM

All applicants must register with the System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov/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. See the SAM Quick Guide for Grantees.

SAM registration must be renewed annually. 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 eGrants must match exactly the applicant’s SAM-registered information.

AmeriCorps will not make awards to entities that do not have a valid SAM registration and Unique Entity Identify. If an applicant has not fully complied with these requirements by the time AmeriCorps is ready to make a federal award, AmeriCorps may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant.

Applications must include an Employer Identification Number.

Applications must include a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), which is generated as part of the SAM registration process. Subrecipients may also be required to have a UEI.

D.4. Submission Dates and Times

D.4.a. Application Submission Deadline Applications are due not later than Tuesday, September 13, 2022, by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

AmeriCorps will not consider applications submitted after the deadline, except as noted in Section D.4.c. Late Applications. AmeriCorps reserves the right to extend the submission deadline. AmeriCorps will post a notification in the event of an extended deadline on AmeriCorps’ website.

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

Application Submission Deadline and D.7.b. Submission of Additional Documents for more information.

https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ 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 published in this Notice, of Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 5:00 pm Eastern Time, are presumed to be non-compliant. To overcome this presumption, the applicant must:

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

o the timing and specific cause(s) of the delay o the ticket number if a request for assistance was submitted to the AmeriCorps

Hotline o any information provided to the applicant by the AmeriCorps Hotline o any other documentation or evidence that supports the justification

• ensure that AmeriCorps receives the written explanation or justification and any other evidence that substantiates the claimed extenuating circumstance(s), via email to LateApplications@cns.gov no later than 24 hours after the application deadline as stated in the Notice

Communication with AmeriCorps staff, including an applicant’s portfolio manager, is not a substitute for a written explanation or justification of the extenuating circumstance that caused the delay as outlined above. Applicants are required to continue working in eGrants, AmeriCorps' web-based application system, and with the AmeriCorps Hotline to submit the application. AmeriCorps will determine whether or not to accept a late application on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants that do not meet the application submission deadline and do not submit a written explanation or justification or any other evidence to overcome the presumption of non-compliance within the published timeframe will be deemed noncompliant. If AmeriCorps sustains a noncompliant determination, the application will not be reviewed or selected for award.

AmeriCorps will not consider an advance request to submit a late application. Please carefully review and follow the guidance in this section 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. Award Funding Requirements Awards under this Notice are subject to cost share or matching requirements, see section C.2.

mailto:LateApplications@cns.gov https://egrants.cns.gov/espan/main/login.jsp

There are also limitations on the use of Federal Funds to recover indirect costs. As provided in 2 CFR 200.306(c), unrecovered indirect costs may be included as part of an applicant’s cost sharing or matching requirements.

Applicants who will be pass-through entities must include in their subawards terms and conditions that will ensure that the pass-through entity’s award under this Notice will comply with the cost share and matching requirements. See 2 CFR 200.331(a)(2)-(4) and 2 CFR 200.74.

D.6.b. Indirect Costs Application budgets may include indirect costs. Based on qualifying factors, applicants may either use a Federally approved indirect cost rate or a 10 percent de minimis rate of modified total direct costs, or may claim certain costs directly, as outlined in 2 CFR 200.413. States, local governments, and Indian Tribes may use previously approved indirect cost allocation plans. All methods must be applied consistently across all federal awards. Applicants that have a federal negotiated indirect cost rate or that will be using the 10 percent de minimis rate must enter that information in the Organization section in eGrants. However, under section 121(d) of the NCSA and AmeriCorps’ regulations at 45 CFR 2521.95 and 2540.110, no more than five percent of award funds may be used to recover indirect costs on VGF.

The instructions for how to enter the organization’s indirect cost rate are located here: eGrants Indirect Cost Rate User Instructions. Applicants should not submit documentation addressing the indirect 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@cns.gov. The applicant may also obtain instructions and additional information by contacting the email address above.

D.6.c. 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 in eGrants Applicants must submit applications electronically via eGrants, AmeriCorps' web-based application system. AmeriCorps recommends that applicants create an eGrants account and begin the application at least three weeks before the deadline. Applicants should draft the application as a Word document, then copy and paste the text into the appropriate eGrants field no later than 10 days before the deadline.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=74a79d9a3a38ee2ca26d377daeacebb7&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1306&rgn=div8 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=74a79d9a3a38ee2ca26d377daeacebb7&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1331&rgn=div8 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=74a79d9a3a38ee2ca26d377daeacebb7&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_174&rgn=div8 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=74a79d9a3a38ee2ca26d377daeacebb7&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_174&rgn=div8 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/eGrants%20Indirect%20Cost%20Rate%20Instructions%20FINAL_20210519%20Update.pdf mailto:IndirectCostRate@cns.gov

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

The authorized representative must use their own eGrants account to sign and submit the application. A copy of the governing body’s authorization for this official representative to sign must be on file in the applicant’s office.

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

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 resolved by the deadline, applicants must continue working with the AmeriCorps Hotline to submit via eGrants.

If circumstances make it impossible for an applicant to submit in eGrants, applicants may send a paper copy of the application via overnight carrier below. Applicants must include a written explanation and any other documentation or evidence that support their inability to submit their application electronically.

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

Please use a non-U.S. Postal Service carrier to avoid security-related delays. 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 Applicants are required to submit the following additional documents by the application submission deadline:

1. Tribal organization eligibility documentation (See Section C.1 Eligible Applicants)

2. All applicants regardless of funding level are required to submit an Operational and

Financial Management Survey (OFMS). Please submit the OFMS as a Word document.

Forms submitted as a PDF or any other document format may not be accepted.

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

• the legal applicant name and its point of contact information

• the application ID number

• a list of documents that are attached to the email by filename, labeling each document type according to the above numbered list

• 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.

• 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)” https://questions.americorps.gov/app/ask https://questions.americorps.gov/app/ask https://questions.americorps.gov/app/ask https://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/manage-your-grant https://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/manage-your-grant mailto:AdditionalDocuments@cns.gov

Failure to submit the required additional documents, following the email instructions in this section, by the deadline may have a negative effect on the determination of the application’s eligibility to advance for review.

Do not submit any items that are not requested in this Notice. AmeriCorps will not review or return them.

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

E.1. Selection Criteria Applications should include a well-designed plan with clear and compelling justifications for receiving the requested funds. Reviewers will assess the quality of applications by using the selection criteria described below and will rate them accordingly. They will also consider the weights assigned to each criterion.

Categories/Subcategories Percentage

Program Design 50

• Goals and Objectives 25

• Program Impact 25

Organizational Capability 35 Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy 15

E.1.a. Program Design (50 percent):

Goals and Objectives (25 percent)

• The extent to which the applicant convincingly links the identified need, proposed interventions, and the anticipated outputs and outcomes.

• The extent to which the program design aligns with the purpose and priorities (including the National Partnership for Student Success) of the VGF

• Whether the proposed interventions and activities are evidence-informed or evidence-based. And whether the organizations use these practices to achieve intended outcomes in the community served.

Program Impact (25 percent)

• The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that the proposed project is likely to have a notable, positive impact as measured by the magnitude of the effect on the need(s).

• The extent to which the objectives and outcomes to be achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable.

• The applicant’s plan to measure and collect data on National Performance Measures outcomes and outputs.

E.1.b. Organizational Capability (35 percent):

Reviewers will consider:

o The extent to which the organization has the experience, staffing, and management structure to plan, implement, and evaluate the proposed project.

o The extent to which the organization has the necessary plans and infrastructure to provide programmatic and fiscal oversight, day-to-day operational support, and data collection o The applicant’s track record raising funds to support service activities and initiatives o Likelihood of effectiveness of the applicant’s plan for securing partners and community support for, and involvement in, the proposed project.

The below selection criteria will be required moving forward:

o the extent to which the organization has an effective mechanism in place to report, without delay, any suspected criminal activity, waste, fraud, and/or abuse to both the AmeriCorps Office of Inspector General and AmeriCorps and a plan for training staff and participants on these reporting protocols.

o the extent to which the organization has sufficient policies, procedures, and controls in place to prevent, detect, and mitigate the risk of fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, this can include an assessment of appropriate segregation of duties, internal oversight activities, measures to prevent timekeeping fraud, etc.

o the extent to which the organization has a monitoring and oversight plan to prevent and detect non-compliance and enforce compliance with AmeriCorps rules and regulations including those related to prohibited activities and criminal history checks at the grantee, subgrantee (if applicable), and service site locations.

o the extent to which the organization has a stated commitment to and a strategic plan for, advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization and its mission. This can include the inclusion of diversity on the Board of Directors, agency staff and leadership, and/or volunteers.

E.1.c. Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy (15 percent):

Reviewers will consider:

o The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project.

o The extent to which the budget is clear and in alignment with the program narrative.

o The extent to which the budget includes adequate resources to carry out the program effectively.

o The extent to which the program demonstrates that financial and in-kind resources will be obtained to support program implementation.

o Whether the applicant adequately budgets for its required share of costs.

E.2. Review and Selection Process AmeriCorps will engage External Reviewers with relevant knowledge and expertise to assess and provide input on the eligible applications. The review and selection process is intended to produce a diversified set of high-quality programs that represent the priorities and strategic considerations described in this Notice. 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 conduct an initial Compliance and Eligibility Review to determine if an application meets the eligibility requirements published in this Notice and advances to the next stage of the review process.

An application is compliant if the applicant:

• is an eligible organization

• submitted an application by the submission deadline

• submitted an application that complies with the following program-specific requirements:

o request a minimum amount of funding of $100,000 or greater o submitted required additional documents by the submission deadline.

Reviewing for eligibility is intended to ensure that only those applications that are eligible for award are further reviewed. However, determinations of eligibility can take place at any point during 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 Selection Criteria (E.1). AmeriCorps will recruit and select reviewers on the basis of demonstrated expertise in [Program Name] programming and/or the Focus Areas, as well as experience assessing applications. All External Reviewers will be screened for conflicts of interest.

Post-Review Quality Control After the initial review process is complete, AmeriCorps staff will review the initial results for fairness and consistency. Some applications may be selected for a Post-Review Quality Control assessment. This additional level of review will be used to ensure fairness and provide assurances that an application was not disadvantaged in the original review.

Selection of Applications for Internal Review Applications will advance to Internal Review based on the results of the External Review, Post- Review Quality Control, and consideration of the priorities and strategic considerations in this Notice. Applications that do not advance to Internal Review will not be recommended for funding.

E.2.c. Applicant Clarification AmeriCorps may ask an applicant for clarifying information. AmeriCorps staff will use this information to make funding recommendations. A request for clarification does not guarantee an award. Applicants may be recommended for funding even if they are not asked for clarifying information. An applicant’s failure to respond to a request for clarification adequately and in a timely manner may result in the removal of its application from consideration.

E.2.d. Pre-Award Risk Assessment AmeriCorps staff will assess the risks to the program posed by each applicant to determine an applicant’s ability to manage Federal Funds. This evaluation is in addition to those about the applicant’s eligibility and the quality of its application on the basis of the Selection Criteria (E.1). Results from this assessment will inform funding decisions. If AmeriCorps determines that an award will be made to an applicant with assessed risks, special conditions that correspond to the degree of assessed risk may be applied to the award. Additionally, if AmeriCorps concludes that the reasons for applicants having poor risk assessment are not likely to be mitigated, those applications may not be selected for funding.

In assessing risks, AmeriCorps may consider the following criteria:

1. Due Diligence, including:

• Federal debt delinquency

• suspension and debarment

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

o Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) o U.S. Treasury Bureau of Fiscal Services o System for Award Management (SAM) 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

• Public Litigation Records

2. Operational and Financial Management, including:

• financial stability

• Operational and Financial Management Survey (OFMS)

3. Past Performance, including:

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

o timeliness of compliance with applicable reporting requirements o accuracy of data reported o validity of performance measure data reported o conformance to the terms and conditions of previous Federal awards o applicant’s ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other https://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/manage-your-grant requirements imposed on award recipients o timely closeout of other awards o meeting matching requirements o the extent to which any previously awarded amounts will be expended prior to future awards o national service criminal history check (NSCHC) compliance. See section F.2.d.

National Criminal History Check Requirements and the NSCHC webpage for more information

4. Other Programmatic Risks, including:

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

• amount of funding requested by the organization

E.2.e. Consideration of Integrity and Performance System Information Prior to making any award that exceeds the $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 (currently FAPIIS) (See 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, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through FAPIIS 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 FAPIIS.

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 under the Risk Assessment Evaluation section of this Notice.

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

• identify how well eligible applications are aligned with the application selection criteria (E.1)

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

o AmeriCorps Funding Priorities (See Section A.2. Funding Priorities) o meaningful representation of geographic diversity rural communities small and medium programs faith-based organizations focus areas innovative solutions for identified funding priorities https://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/history-check 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

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

AmeriCorps reserves the right to award applications in an amount other than at the requested level of funding and will document the rationale for doing so.

AmeriCorps reserves the right to adjust or make changes to the review process, if unforeseen challenges or urgent circumstances make it impossible, impracticable, or inefficient to conduct the review process as planned. Any such adjustments or changes will not affect the selection criteria (E.1.) that will be used to assess applications.

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

This feedback will be based on the review of the original application and will not reflect information provided during clarification.

E.4. Transparency in Grant-making 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.

Submitted program narratives, executive summaries, a blank template of the external review worksheet, a list of all external reviewers who completed the review process, and a summary of external reviewer comments for successful applications will be available upon request via email to AmeriCorpsOGA@cns.gov.

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 late November 2022. All applicants, successful or not, will be notified of funding decisions via email.

Notification of an award is not an authorization to begin activities. The Notice of Grant Award signed by the Office of Grant Administration Grant Award Specialist is the authorizing document. An awardee may not expend Federal Funds until the start of the Period of Performance identified on the Notice of Grant Award.

http://www.americorps.gov/partner/funding-opportunities/funded-grants mailto:AmeriCorpsOGA@cns.gov https://www.usaspending.gov/

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 (Uniform Guidance), in 2 CFR Parts 200 and 2205.

F.2.b. Requests for Monitoring or Payment Integrity Information AmeriCorps will request documentation from award recipients in order to monitor the grantee and award to ensure compliance with legal requirements, including the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019. Failure to make timely responses to these requests may result in award funds being placed on manual hold, reimbursement only status, or other remedies may be applied as appropriate.

F.2.c. AmeriCorps Terms and Conditions All awards made under this Notice will be subject to the FY2023 AmeriCorps General Terms and Conditions, and the FY2023 Program-Specific Terms and Conditions for the particular program (when applicable). These Terms and Conditions contain detailed, mandatory compliance and reporting requirements. Current versions of the AmeriCorps General and Program-Specific Terms and Conditions for each of its programs is available here.

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. We encourage grantees to minimize barriers to service without putting their program beneficiaries at genuine risk.

• In general, award recipients and subrecipients must conduct an NSCHC for AmeriCorps members, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers, and all staff funded under, or whose salary is reflected as match on, the award.

• AmeriCorps strongly encourages applicants to review the regulations and additional guidance to fully understand how to comply with the requirements. See NSCHC regulations and guidance: https://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/history-check AmeriCorps also strongly encourages award recipients to utilize the to conduct the required NSCHCs.

• Failure to conduct a compliant NSCHC may result in significant disallowed costs.

• The cost of conducting NSCHC is an allowable expense under the award and the individual subject to the NSCHC may not be required to cover the cost without being reimbursed.

An NSCHC consists of a check of the:

1. National Sex Offender Public website through NSOPW.gov (nationwide check);

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 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-116publ117/pdf/PLAW-116publ117.pdf https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Famericorps.gov%2Fgrantees-sponsors%2Fmanage-your-grant&data=05%7C01%7CACarrollMcNeil%40cns.gov%7C624e24d3a38049a435fe08da636ef76e%7Cd2f850a78dce4fb3a79c6867f9514312%7C0%7C0%7C637931625506095859%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=lnn1RXZxk3gP1hoDeDHiUUOtIg0M9b8INy4jYKZFGjY%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Famericorps.gov%2Fgrantees-sponsors%2Fhistory-check&data=04%7C01%7CJBastressTahmasebi%40cns.gov%7C7ed5931d00304e055d1608d915b16791%7Cd2f850a78dce4fb3a79c6867f9514312%7C0%7C0%7C637564673950758788%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=MDbtAmt8UcXZK%2FDZzTSouKrq3EOZBHsXOv8sBFKQ%2BEM%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Famericorps.gov%2Fgrantees-sponsors%2Fhistory-check&data=04%7C01%7CJBastressTahmasebi%40cns.gov%7C7ed5931d00304e055d1608d915b16791%7Cd2f850a78dce4fb3a79c6867f9514312%7C0%7C0%7C637564673950758788%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=MDbtAmt8UcXZK%2FDZzTSouKrq3EOZBHsXOv8sBFKQ%2BEM%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Famericorps.gov%2Fgrantees-sponsors%2Fhistory-check&data=04%7C01%7CJBastressTahmasebi%40cns.gov%7C7ed5931d00304e055d1608d915b16791%7Cd2f850a78dce4fb3a79c6867f9514312%7C0%7C0%7C637564673950758788%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=MDbtAmt8UcXZK%2FDZzTSouKrq3EOZBHsXOv8sBFKQ%2BEM%3D&reserved=0

2. State criminal history record repository or agency-designated alternative for the individual's State of residence and State of service; and

3. Fingerprint-based check of the FBI criminal history record database through the State criminal history record repository or agency-approved vendor.

All checks must be conducted, reviewed, and an eligibility determination made before the individual begins work or service.

An individual is not eligible to serve or work in a position subject to the NSCHC requirements if:

• the individual refuses to consent to a criminal history check;

• makes a false statement in connection with a criminal history check;

• is registered, or is required to be registered, on a state sex offender registry or the

National Sex Offender Registry; or

• has been convicted of murder.

See 45 CFR 2540.200– 2540.207 and National Service Criminal History Check Resources for complete information and FAQs.

F.2.e. Official Guidance All AmeriCorps active Guidance is available on the agency’s Guidance webpage. The contents of these documents do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way unless incorporated into a contract or grant agreement.