HHS__2021__ACL__AOD__ILNA__0082.pdf

Administration for Community Living

Administration on Disabilities

Centers for Independent Living: Operationalizing Independent Living Services to American Indian and Alaska Native Communities

HHS-2021-ACL-AOD-ILNA-0082

08/27/2021

Table of Contents Executive Summary

Additional Overview Content/Executive Summary

I. Funding Opportunity Description

II. Award Information

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

3. Responsiveness and Screening Criteria

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Letter of Intent

Project Narrative

Summary/Abstract

Organizational Capability

Statement of Need

Proposed Approach

Outcomes

Project Management

Evaluation

Dissemination

BUDGET NARRATIVE / JUSTIFICATION

PROJECT WORK PLAN

LETTERS OF COMMITMENT

3. Submission Dates and Times

4. Intergovernmental Review

5. Funding Restrictions

6. Other Submission Requirements

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

2. Review and Selection Process

3. Anticipated Announcement Award Date

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

3. Reporting

4. FFATA and FSRS Reporting

VII. Agency Contacts

VIII. Other Information

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

Appendix

Instructions for Completing Required Forms

Budget Narrative/Justification- Sample Format

Instructions for Completing the Project Summary/ Abstract

ACL Center:

Administration on Disabilities Funding Opportunity Title:

Centers for Independent Living: Operationalizing Independent Living Services to American Indian and Alaska Native Communities Funding Opportunity Number:

HHS-2021-ACL-AOD-ILNA-0082

Primary CFDA Number:

93.432 Due Date for Letter of Intent:

07/28/2021 Due Date for Applications:

08/27/2021 Date for Informational Conference Call:

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

Executive Summary Additional Overview Content/Executive Summary I. Funding Opportunity Description A. Purpose / Statement of Need

The purpose of this project is to continue the Administration for Community Living’s (ACL) work to strengthen effective independent living services to people with disabilities from American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) populations by creating and disseminating tools https://www.grants.gov/ designed for Centers for Independent Living (CIL) to use that will increase their ability to effectively serve people from these populations.

According to the US Census, 24 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives have a disability, compared to 19 percent of the general population. Despite this higher than average prevalence of disability, in Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 AI/AN populations made up less than .1% of the individuals served by CILs.

Authorized by Title VII, Chapter I, Part C of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (the Act), the CIL program maximizes the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with disabilities and works to ensure the integration and full inclusion of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of American society[1]. ACL recognizes the significant role CILs can play in advancing equity of individuals with disabilities who also identify with a minority race and/or ethnicity to provide culturally relevant and effective services. Because CILs continuously strive to maximize the effectiveness of all their services regardless of their minority or ethnic status of the consumer, ACL is making this investment to create culturally relevant resources to increase the number and effectiveness of CIL programs serving AI/AN populations.

To advance equity, CILs must have both the knowledge of specific cultural issues and their interaction with independent living (IL) services, as well as the available tools to effectively serve these populations. The Native American Independent Living Demonstration project (NAILD), began to address this need through projects that funded IL programs in specific regions to improve CIL services to AI/AN populations. The NAILD project ends in FY 2021, and ACL seeks to ensure that knowledge gained from this project can be scaled to advance CIL services. To this end, this funding opportunity will operationalize lessons learned from the NAILD project. The Operationalizing AI/AN Services Project (OAI/ANSP) is a two-year grant that will build off NAILD experiences to create specific tools for CILs that will help them increase their capacity to provide culturally relevant and effective IL services to AI/AN populations.

This project aligns with top priorities for the Administration for Community Living and the Biden Administration. President Biden issued an Executive Order (EO) On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, which states:

Equal opportunity is the bedrock of American democracy, and our diversity is one of our country’s greatest strengths. But for too many, the American Dream remains out of reach. Entrenched disparities in our laws and public policies, and in our public and private institutions, have often denied that equal opportunity to individuals and communities.

It is therefore the policy of my Administration that the Federal Government should pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/

The EO specifically calls for a focus on Indigenous and Native Americans and lists people with disabilities as an underserved population. ACL believes that this project will enhance the ability of people with disabilities from AI/AN communities to access CIL services, which will result in their equitable inclusion into all aspects of American life.

B. Program History / Background

Section 21 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, contains set-aside requirements for conducting outreach to minorities by programs authorized under Titles II, III, VI, and VII. The allowable activities are as follows:

(A) Making awards to minority entities and Indian tribes to carry out activities under the programs authorized under Titles II, III, VI, and VII.

(B) Making awards to minority entities and Indian tribes to conduct research, training, technical assistance, or a related activity, to improve services provided under this Act, especially services provided to individuals from minority backgrounds.

(C) Making awards to entities described in paragraph (3) to provide outreach and technical assistance to minority entities and Indian tribes to promote their participation in activities funded under this Act, including assistance to enhance their capacity to carry out such activities.

Across the federal government, programs that serve AI/AN populations struggle to conduct activities and services in effective and culturally appropriate ways. Delivering services to persons with disabilities in AI/AN communities is even more complex. The vast diversity of AI/AN populations and cultures requires individualized approaches to effectively support AI/AN individuals with disabilities.

Recognizing this challenge, between FY 2016 and FY 2021 ACL provided nearly $3.2 million in Section 21 funds to support the NAILD projects. NAILD supported five CILs to conduct work with 45 AI/AN communities to achieve the following:

Gain an understanding of the service needs of Native Americans with disabilities living in Indian Country;

Improve cultural competence regarding the needs of specific tribal organizations identified by current CIL grantees; and

Capture lessons learned and best practices for outreach and service delivery for Native Americans with disabilities.

In 2019, these demonstration projects served 171 Native Americans with disabilities and provided 481 distinct IL services, which were provided to support the completion of 67 separate IL goals identified by consumers. A final report on outcomes achieved for the NAILD project will be developed by ACL in FY2022, after the conclusion of the demonstration project in

FY2021.

The five CILs with NAILD projects served specific local populations, without the requirement to develop tools that could be scaled and shared nationally. The primary goal of this OAI/ANSP funding announcement is to take the lessons learned from these efforts, and in combination with grantee expertise and key collaborations, create tools that CILs across the country will use to increase the ability to effectively serve people with disabilities from AI/AN populations.

C. Program Goals and Outcomes

The grantee for this funding opportunity will work toward the following outcomes:

Initial outcomes o Greater awareness amongst CILs of the specific barriers they face in serving

AI/AN communities in terms of CIL capacities and the unique needs of AI/AN communities.

o Increased efforts among CILs to begin addressing these barriers and improving the effectiveness of their services to AI/AN populations.

Intermediate outcomes o Increased numbers of CILs that are actively serving AI/AN populations.

o Increased effectiveness of CILs to serve AI/AN populations.

o Increased visibility of CILs in AI/AN communities.

o Increased dissemination of tools and other resources developed through this project to CILs.

o Increased ability of AI/AN individuals with disabilities to access and participate in the community.

Long-term outcomes o Comprehensive and effective efforts to address the needs of AI/AN populations are a part of CIL activities and programs.

o Integration of the knowledge generated from this program into CIL community

TA provisions in a manner that assures ongoing continuity and utilization of CIL services by AI/AN populations.

o Continually increasing ability of AI/AN individuals with disabilities to experience ever greater community access and to participate in all aspects of society.

D. Activities

Applicants should respond to this funding announcement by submitting proposals that demonstrate the approach they will take, if funded, to use key lessons learned from the NAILD projects to develop tools, provide technical assistance, and utilize partnerships to increase the ability of CILs to provide culturally appropriate and effective services to AI/AN individuals with disabilities across the country. Applicants should explain how they plan to implement the activities listed here along with other activities they deem necessary to achieve progress toward the outcomes listed above.

In addition to a narrative description of the project, applicants should include in their applications a logic model that provides an overall conceptual framework for achieving the project’s goals and outcomes. Applicant’s should also include a description of how they plan to monitor and track the progress of the project in order to determine its success in achieving the goals and outcomes. The application should describe the overall approach to carrying out the key activities listed below.

Analyze CIL services to AI/AN individuals with disabilities to ensure creation of tools that best meet the needs of AI/AN IL consumers, including analysis of:

Current CIL services to AI/AN individuals with disabilities to identify gaps in services to these individuals and why; and

NAILD projects and their final reports, identifying key takeaways / promising practices that can be scaled through the development of tools which will improve CIL services to AI/AN individuals with disabilities.

Develop tools that will ensure the array of CIL services are also provided to AI/AN individuals with disabilities by:

Using the information collected in the analysis to identify the:

o Specific and measurable capacities of CILs that can be enhanced through tools;

o Most effective types of tools that will improve CIL capacity to serve AI/AN populations; and o Types of tools that, to the greatest possible degree, can be used by a wide range of

CILs yet account for CILs that vary greatly in terms of size, geography, and capacity in working with AI/AN populations.

Develop a dissemination plan to ensure implementation and sustainability of the tools within the CIL network by:

Identifying the dissemination strategies that will ensure long-term utilization of the tools;

Identifying the targeted numbers of uses and expected outcomes for the tools developed;

Technical assistance that should be provided to support implementation and long-term usage of the new tools; and Planning for any necessary updates and improvements to the tools throughout the two-year project period and recommendations for updates past the life of the project.

Work in partnership with key organizations and stakeholders in all activities of the project, including representatives from the following:

CILs, ACL funded technical assistance and resource centers, Native America Disability Law Center, ACL Housing Resource Center, AoD Disability Employment TA Center, Independent Living and Research Utilization TA center, American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services Training and Technical Assistance

Center, Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center funded by the Rehabilitation

Services Administration at the Department of Education, and Other appropriate partners that may include new and culturally specific organizations not previously utilized by the IL network.

E. Definitions

American Indian or Alaska Native – American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America) and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment.

Independent Living – Title VII, chapter 1 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (the Act), establishes the Independent Living Services and Centers for Independent Living programs. The purpose is to:

o Promote the independent living philosophy, based on consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access and individual and systems advocacy;

o Maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence and productivity of individuals with significant disabilities; and o Promote the integration and full inclusion of individuals with significant disabilities into the mainstream of American society.

Centers for Independent Living – Centers for Independent Living (CILs) means consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential, private nonprofit agencies that are designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities and that provide an array of independent living services.

[1] The CIL program provides financial assistance to community-based organizations, in particular local CILs, in every U.S. state and territory. These funds provide, expand, and improve independent living services for people with disabilities in the United States.

Statutory Authority Section 21 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

II. Award Information Funding Instrument Type:

G (Grant) Estimated Total Funding:

$ 368,440 Expected Number of Awards:

Award Ceiling:

$ 368,440 Per Budget Period

Award Floor:

$ 368,440 Per Budget Period

Length of Project Period:

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

1. Eligible Applicants Consistent with Section 21 of the Rehabilitation Act, eligible applicants are limited to historically Black colleges universities, Hispanic-serving institutions of higher education, American Indian tribal colleges and universities, and other institutions of higher education whose minority student enrollments are at least 50 percent.

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

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

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

3. Responsiveness and Screening Criteria Application Responsiveness Criteria In the application, satisfactory assurances must be provided that the applicant:

1. Is eligible and will maintain eligibility for this funding announcement.

2. Will practice sound fiscal management.

3. Will conduct annual self-evaluations, prepare an annual report, and maintain records adequate to measure performance with respect to the requirements of the project.

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

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

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

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

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

4. Applications must contain a budget request that is no more than the “Award Ceiling” amount as found in Section II of this funding opportunity announcement.

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

IV. Application and Submission Information

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

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

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

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

Eastern Time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/ https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/help/samQUserGuides.jsf

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kimball Gray

(202) 795-7353 Kimball.Gray@acl.hhs.gov

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

07/28/2021 Applicants are requested, but not required, to submit a letter of intent to apply for this funding opportunity to assist ACL in planning for the application independent review process. The purpose of the letter of intent is to allow our staff to estimate the number of independent reviewers needed and to avoid potential conflicts of interest in the review. Letters of intent should be sent to:

(by email)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:Kimball.Gray@acl.hhs.gov

Kimball Gray Kimball.Gray@acl.hhs.gov

Project Narrative The Project Narrative must be double-spaced, on 8.5” x 11” paper with 1” margins on all sides, and a standard font size of no less than 11 point, preferably Calibri or Arial. You can use smaller font sizes to fill in the Standard Forms and Sample Formats. The suggested length for the Project Narrative is 15-20 pages; 20 pages is the maximum length allowed. Project Narratives that exceed 20 pages will have the additional pages removed and only the first 20 pages of the Project Narrative will be provided to the merit reviewers for funding consideration. The Project Work Plan, Letters of Commitment, Organizational Charts, Logic Models, and Resumes/Vitae of Key Personnel are not counted as part of the Project Narrative for purposes of the 20-page limit, but all of the other sections noted below are included in the limit.

The Project Narrative should provide a clear and concise description of your project. ACL recommends that your project narrative include the following components, which will be counted as part of the 20-page limit:

PROJECT NARRATIVE

Summary/Abstract Organizational Capability Statement of Need Proposed Approach Outcomes Project Management Evaluation Dissemination

Summary/Abstract Include in this section a brief (265 words maximum) description of the proposed project that includes the project’s goals, objectives, outcomes, overall approach (including target population and significant partnerships), anticipated outcomes, and products to be developed.

Organizational Capability This section should describe the organizational profile, project management structure and staffing and collaborations or partnerships with other organizations.

Each application should include an organizational capability statement and vitae for key project personnel. The organizational capability statement should describe how the applicant is organized, the nature and scope of its work and/or the capabilities it possesses to effectively work with and integrate the knowledge, cultural competence, and strengths of a wide range of IA/AN populations and CILs.

mailto:Kimball.Gray@acl.hhs.gov

This description should cover capabilities of the applicant not included in the program narrative, such as any current or previous relevant experience and/or the record of the project in providing services to AI/AN populations. If appropriate, include an organization chart showing the relationship of the project to the current organization. Please attach short vitae for key project staff only. Neither vitas nor an organizational chart will count towards the narrative page limit.

Also include information about any contractual organization(s) that will have a significant role(s) in implementing the project and achieving project goals.

Statement of Need Use this section to demonstrate the nature and scope of the particular need for assistance, in both quantitative and qualitative terms.

Proposed Approach Use this section to provide a clear and concise description of the project you propose to use to address the problem you described in the “Statement of Need.” Also, describe the rationale for using the particular project, including factors such as: “lessons learned” for similar projects previously tested in your community, or in other areas of the country; factors in the larger environment that have created the “right conditions” for the intervention (e.g., existing social or economic factors that you’ll be able to take advantage of, etc.). Also, note the major barriers you anticipate and your strategies to overcome them. Be sure to describe the makeup of any strategic partnerships and the role they will play in your project.

Outcomes In this section, clearly identify the measurable outcome(s) that will result from your project. If you use the optional work plan grid found in the Appendix section at the end of this funding announcement, list your measurable outcomes in the grid in addition to including them in the narrative. Also, describe how the project’s findings might benefit the field at large, (e.g., how the findings could help other organizations address the same or similar problems in their communities.) Please keep the focus of this section on describing what outcome(s) will be produced by the project and use the “Evaluation” section below to describe how the outcome(s) will be measured and reported.

Project Management Describe how project staff will contribute to achieving the project’s objectives and outcomes.

Clearly specify who will have day-to-day responsibility for key tasks such as: leadership of project; monitoring the project’s on-going progress (i.e., measure of performance towards the goals); preparation of reports; and communications with partners and ACL. Also, describe the approach you will use to monitor and track progress on the project’s tasks and objectives.

Evaluation Use this section to describe the specific outcomes (e.g., changes in clients, organizations, and/or communities) you expect as a result of your proposed project. Describe the method(s), techniques, and tools you will use to: 1) determine whether the project achieved its anticipated outcome(s), and 2) document the “lessons learned” – both positive and negative – from the project that will be useful to people interested in replicating your project, if it proves successful.

Dissemination Use this section to describe how you will disseminate the project’s results and findings to others who might be interested, particularly those who are interested in replicating the project in whole or in part. Include details in how you will do this in a timely manner and in easily understandable formats.

BUDGET NARRATIVE / JUSTIFICATION

For the Budget Narrative/Justification, you may use the “Budget Narrative/Justification – Sample Format” found in the Appendix section at the end of this funding announcement. Applicants are encouraged to pay particular attention to this format, which provides an example of the level of detail ACL is looking for. ACL requires that you submit a combined multi-year Budget Narrative/Justification covering the life of the grant as well as a detailed Budget Narrative/Justification for each year of potential grant funding.

PROJECT WORK PLAN

Your Project Work Plan should reflect and be consistent with the Project Narrative and Budget Narrative/Justification. In your Project Work Plan, include a statement of the project’s overall goal, the anticipated outcome(s), the key objectives, and the major tasks / action steps that you will undertake to achieve the goal and outcome(s). For each major task / action step in the Project Work Plan, identify timeframes involved (including start- and end-dates) and the lead person responsible. You may use the “Project Work Plan - Sample Template” format found in the Appendix section at the end of this funding announcement as a reference and resource.

LETTERS OF COMMITMENT

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

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

08/27/2021 Date for Informational Conference Call:

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

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

After you electronically submit your application, you will receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates receipt by Grants.gov only)

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. Intergovernmental Review This program is not subject to Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.

http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/

5. Funding Restrictions The following activities are not fundable:

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

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

Meals are generally unallowable except for the following:

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

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

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

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

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

Develop a compliance plan to implement 2 CFR 200.216 regulation.

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

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

6. Other Submission Requirements V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria An independent review panel will evaluate and score applications by assigning a maximum of 100 points across the following review criteria:

1.0 Statement of Need and Project Goals (15 points)

2.0 Organizational Capability (17 points)

2.1. Organizational Profile (6 points)

2.2. Project Management Structure and Staffing (6 points)

2.3. Past Experience (5 points)

3.0. Approach (45 points)

3.1. Analysis of Need (20 points)

3.2. Creation and implementation of Tools (25 points)

4.0. Budget and Budget Narrative/Justification (15 points)

5.0. Evaluation (8 points)

1.0 Statement of Need and Project Goals Maximum Points: 15

To what extent does the application:

Adequately describe the barriers and needs faced by AI/AN individuals with disabilities?

(3 points)

Adequately describe the significant role CILs can play in advancing the equity of AI/AN individuals with disabilities? (4 points)

Outline the project’s major goals and objectives in a clear and concise manner that are attainable, address the stated need, and achieve the outcomes of the project? (4 points)

Include proposed outcomes for the project that are clear, realistic, quantifiable, measurable, and consistent with the program goals as stated in this funding announcement (Section 1.C.)? (4 points)

2.0 Organizational Capability Maximum Points: 17

2.1 Organizational Profile (6 Points)

To what extent does the application:

Describe how the applicant will support the project and how the project fits into the overall structure of the applicant's organization? (4 Points)

Provide evidence of how the organization will dedicate facilities and implement fiscal controls specific to this project? (2 Points)

2.2 Project Management Structure and Staffing (6 Points)

To what extent does the application:

Include a listing and detailed description of duties for all key positions required to carry out this project? (4 Points)

Provide information for any consultants or staff from other organizations proposed to work on the project? If recruitment is necessary, to what extent is an appropriate recruitment plan proposed? (2 Points)

2.3 Past Experience (5 points)

To what extent does the application:

Demonstrate with examples that the applicant has a history of working with people with disabilities from traditionally underserved populations and specifically AI/AN populations? (5 Points)

3.0 Approach Maximum Points: 45

3.1 Analysis of Need (20 Points)

To what extent does the application:

Describe an effective plan to conduct a comprehensive analysis of NAILD projects and their final reports that will inform the creation of tools to improve CIL services to AI/AN individuals with disabilities across the country? (7 points)

Describe a plan to conduct a landscape analysis of current CIL services to AI/AN individuals with disabilities to identify where services are and are not being provided to these individuals and why? (7 points)

Describe an approach for identifying the specific and measurable CIL capacities that will be targeted to most effectively enhance CIL services to AI/AN individuals with disabilities? (6 points)

3.2 Creation of Tools (25 Points)

To what extent does the application:

Describe an approach for developing the most effective tools for use by a wide range of CILs that will support them in working with AI/AN individuals with disabilities? (5 points)

Demonstrate an effective plan for identifying and collaborating with existing ACL technical assistance and resource centers, identified federal programs, and other appropriate partners (see Section I.D.) in the development, dissemination, and long-term adoption of the tools by CILs? (7 Points)

Describe an approach for developing a dissemination plan for the tools that will include specific targets for the numbers of uses and expected outcomes and will address for the long-term use of tools? (5 points)

Describe how effective technical assistance will be provided on the implementation and use of the new tools? (4 points)

Describe a plan for how the applicant will assess the need for and make any necessary updates and improvements to the tools throughout the two-year project period? (4 points)

4.0 Budget and Budget Narrative/Justification Maximum Points: 15 To what extent does the application:

Include a budget and budget narrative/justification that is clear and easy to understand and that provide a detailed justification for the amount requested? (5 Points)

Include a budget and budget narrative/justification with line-item detail and detailed calculations for each budget object class identified on the Budget Information Form SF-

424A (Personnel, Fringe Benefits, Travel, Equipment, Supplies, Contractual, Facilities/Construction, Other, Indirect Costs)? (5 Points)

Include a budget and budget narrative/justification for each year of potential grant funding as well as for the full two-year project period? (5 Points)

5.0 Evaluation Maximum Points: 8

To what extent does the application:

Include a logic model that clearly identifies the measurable outcome(s) that will result from the project and describes the specific outcomes (e.g., more efforts by CILs to improve services to AI/AN populations) that are expected as a result of the proposed project? (4 points)

Describe the method(s), techniques, and tools the project will use to: 1) monitor and track progress on the project’s tasks and objectives; 2) determine whether the project achieved its anticipated outcomes, and 3) document the “lessons learned” – both positive and negative – from the project that will be useful to people interested in replicating the project, if it proves successful? (4 points)

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

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

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

https://www.fapiis.gov/ https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se2.1.200_1205&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se2.1.200_1205&rgn=div8

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

The anticipated project period start date for this announcement is: 09/01/2021 VI. Award Administration Information

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

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

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

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

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

Additionally, when using Project Funds to procure supplies and/or equipment, applicants are…