HHS-2026-ACF-OHSEPR-RR-0009.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due Monday, August 17, 2026

Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response

Emergency Repatriation Planning, Training, and Exercises Opportunity number: HHS-2026-ACF-OHSEPR-RR-0009

Contents

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 4

Basic information 5

Eligibility 6

Agency priorities 8

Program description 10

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 20

Find the application package 21

Get registered 21

Learn more 22

Join the webinar 22

Step 3: Build Your Application 23

Application checklist 24

Application contents and format 26

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 35

Application review 36

Award notices 43

Step 5: Submit Your Application 44

Application submission and deadlines 45

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 47

Post-award requirements and administration 48

Contacts and Support 49

Before you begin 3

Modifications 53

Contents 2

Before you begin If you believe you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, secure your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations now. If you are already registered, make sure your registrations are active and up to date.

SAM.gov registration (this can take several weeks)

You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Grants.gov registration (this can take several days)

You must have an active Grants.gov registration. Doing so requires a Login.gov registration as well.

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Apply by the application due date

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, August 17, 2026.

To help you find what you need, this NOFO uses internal links. In Adobe Reader, you can go back to where you were by pressing Alt + Left Arrow (Windows) or Command + Left Arrow (Mac) on your keyboard.

Before you begin 3 https://sam.gov/ https://grants.gov/

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1:

Review the Opportunity

In this step

Basic information 5

Eligibility 6

Agency priorities 8

Program description 10

Basic information Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response

Increase state and territorial readiness for emergency repatriation operations.

Have questions?

See Contacts and Support.

Key facts

Opportunity name:

Emergency Repatriation Planning, Training, and Exercises

Opportunity number:

HHS-2026-ACF-OHSEPR-

RR-0009

Federal assistance listing:

93.579

NOFO version: Original

Key dates

Application submission deadline: Monday, August 17, 2026

Expected project start date: September 30, 2026

See intergovernmental review for other submission processes that may apply to this NOFO.

Summary The goal of this funding opportunity is to increase state or territorial readiness, knowledge, skills, and capabilities for emergency repatriation operations. This opportunity will also increase the number of states or territories (referred to as “state”) prepared for emergency repatriation. States will conduct planning, training, and exercises and update their emergency repatriation plan.

Funding details Type: Cooperative agreement

Expected total program funding: $750,000

Total expected awards: 2

Minimum award amount (award floor): $375,000

Maximum award amount (award ceiling): $375,000

This is full funding. We plan to fund a one-year project period with one budget period.

Awards made under this funding opportunity are subject to federal funds availability.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5

Eligibility Eligible applicants Eligibility for this opportunity is unrestricted.

Other eligibility criteria Individuals (including sole proprietorships), federal entities, and foreign entities are not eligible to apply.

Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible for awards under this funding opportunity.

Disqualifying factors We will review your application to make sure it meets these responsiveness requirements.

We won’t consider an application that:

• Requests funding above the award ceiling.

• Is submitted after the deadline.

• Is from an individual (including a sole proprietorship), federal entity, or a foreign entity.

• Is received in paper format that didn’t have a previously approved exemption from ACF.

• Does not have a letter from a state executive (see additional eligibility documentation) that:

◦ Identifies the state agency responsible for conducting planning, training, and exercises (PTE) activities and updating the State Emergency Repatriation Plan (SERP).

◦ Ensures the state agency will commit to work with the applicant to accomplish PTE activities and update the SERP.

◦ Verifies that the applicant is not a current or prior recipient of an OHSEPR PTE cooperative agreement award.

Application limits If you submit the same application more than once under this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), we will only acknowledge the last on-time submission.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 6

Cost sharing This program has no cost-sharing requirement, meaning you do not need to contribute to the costs of this project.

If you choose to include cost-sharing funds, we won’t consider it during review. If you receive an award, we will include your voluntary commitment in the award, and you must report on the funds. If you don’t provide your promised amount, we may have to decrease your award amount or use other enforcement actions.

Post-award requirements

Before you apply, make sure you understand the requirements that come with an award.

See Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award for information on regulations that apply, reporting, and more.

Statutory authority The U.S. Repatriation Program is authorized under section 1113 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1313). The assistance provided to mentally ill repatriates is authorized under 24 U.S.C. 321-329.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 7 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section1313&num=0&edition=prelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title24-chapter9&saved=%7CZ3JhbnVsZWlkOlVTQy1wcmVsaW0tdGl0bGUyNC1jaGFwdGVyOS1mcm9udA%3D%3D%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim&edition=prelim

Agency priorities Required alignment with ACF vision, mission, values, priorities, and guiding principles The recipient of this award must implement any funds awarded under this NOFO to effectuate program goals or agency priorities in accordance with ACF’s vision, mission, values, priorities, & guiding principles when authorized. Funded activities must advance ACF’s vision of resilient, safe, healthy, and economically secure children, youth, families, and communities, and support ACF’s mission to foster health and well-being through effective, accountable, and compassionate human services when awarded in any programs that authorize these priorities.

Consistent with ACF’s values, in carrying out any project that is funded under this NOFO, the recipient is required to adhere to the following principle:

1. Program integrity and fiscal stewardship: Administer funds in accordance with all applicable federal statutes, regulations, and award conditions; maintain strong internal controls; and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse.

The recipient is also required to adhere to the following principles when consistent with the authority and scope of the award and its activities:

2. Evidence-based and outcome-focused practices: Design and deliver services using evidence-based or evidence-informed approaches, establish measurable performance goals, and use data to monitor outcomes and drive continuous improvement.

3. Partnership and local leadership: Coordinate with state, tribal, territorial, local, and community partners, as appropriate, and tailor services to meet community-identified needs while respecting local decision-making authority.

In addition, in keeping with ACF’s priorities, the recipient must administer any project that is awarded under this NOFO in accordance with the following objectives when consistent with the scope of the award and its activities in programs that are authorized to advance them:

4. Family stability and child well-being: Strengthen families, promote safe and stable home environments, and improve outcomes for children and youth through prevention-focused and developmentally appropriate services.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 8 https://acf.gov/about/acf-vision-mission-values

5. Work, self-sufficiency, and economic mobility: Support pathways to employment, job retention, and economic independence for individuals and families, including through workforce development, education, and supportive services.

6. High-quality early care and learning: Where applicable, invest in high-quality early childhood programs that support school readiness, healthy development, and long-term success.

The recipient must demonstrate ongoing compliance with these values and priorities, in all programs that are authorized to advance them, through program design, implementation, reporting, and evaluation. Failure to meaningfully align funded activities with the applicable requirements may result in corrective action, additional reporting requirements, or other enforcement actions consistent with federal grant regulations found at 2 CFR Part 200 and the terms and conditions of this award.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 9 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200

Program description Background The Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response (OHSEPR) administers the U.S. Repatriation Program. The program provides temporary assistance to eligible U.S. citizens and their dependents who were returned to the U.S. from a foreign country by the Department of State (repatriated) due to either of the following:

• Destitution, illness, war, threat of war, or a similar crisis, and who do not have available resources.

• Mental illness.

The program provides temporary assistance for up to 90 days after the repatriate arrives in the United States. Temporary assistance includes cash assistance, medical care, temporary lodging, transportation, guidance, counseling, and other welfare services. It also includes goods and services necessary for the repatriate’s welfare, such as clothes, food, help getting identification (driver’s license, birth certificate), child care, and translation services. This assistance is provided in the form of a service loan and is repayable to the U.S. government.

OHSEPR leads the planning, coordination, and execution of all domestic repatriation plans and operations conducted as part of this program. States and territories (referred to as “state”) support emergency repatriation operations by providing temporary assistance to repatriates.

This NOFO supports ACF’s priority of Ensuring Value Alignment in Funding by promoting responsible stewardship of federal resources and supporting activities that strengthen state and territorial readiness for emergency repatriation operations.

Recipients are expected to implement planning, training, and exercise activities that produce measurable preparedness outcomes, strengthen emergency repatriation capabilities, and support continuous improvement.

Funded activities should emphasize accountability, sound financial management, data-informed decision-making, and effective coordination among state and local partners to ensure that federal funding results in substantive improvements in operational readiness.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 10

Goals and purpose Your project will help support these goals:

• Develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities of states through planning, training, and exercises (PTE) so they can successfully support federal emergency repatriation operations.

• Increase the number of states that are prepared for emergency repatriation incidents.

The purpose of PTE is to test and validate states’ plans, policies, procedures, and capabilities to conduct emergency repatriation operations.

PTE activities help identify:

• Resource requirements.

• Capability gaps.

• Strengths.

• Areas for improvement.

• Potential best practices.

Program requirements

• All PTE activities must align with OHSEPR Emergency Repatriation doctrine:

◦ Emergency Repatriation Planning, Training, Exercises Information Memorandum.

◦ National Emergency Repatriation Framework.

◦ Emergency Repatriation State Capabilities Framework.

◦ State Emergency Repatriation Plan Development Guide.

• All PTE activities must comply with the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP).

• You must conduct a project performance evaluation to monitor your project’s activities and outcomes and ensure continuous quality improvement. You must submit the plan for this evaluation to OHSEPR during the first quarter.

• While not required, we prefer that the state you will work with has both of the following:

◦ A port of entry that can receive C17 or larger military planes.

◦ An international airport that has Customs and Border Protection facilities that regularly receives international flights and complies with 19 CFR 122.11 — Designation as international airport.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 11 https://acf.gov/ohsepr/policy-guidance/planning-training-exercises-information-memorandum https://acf.gov/ohsepr/policy-guidance/planning-training-exercises-information-memorandum https://acf.gov/ohsepr/policy-guidance/national-emergency-repatriation-framework https://acf.gov/ohsepr/training-technical-assistance/emergency-repat-state-cap-framework https://acf.gov/ohsepr/training-technical-assistance/state-emergency-repat-plan-dev-guide https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/national-preparedness/exercises/hseep https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/national-preparedness/exercises/hseep https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-19/section-122.11

• You must coordinate with all applicable state and local partners to conduct these PTE activities.

Planning Planning activities must be consistent with Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 101: Developing and Maintaining Emergency Operations Plans [PDF].

Required planning activities

• Hold planning meetings and maintain your emergency repatriation plan.

◦ Convene regular planning meetings with repatriation partners to review and update your State Emergency Repatriation Plan (SERP), following the CPG 101 planning cycle.

◦ Maintain the emergency repatriation plan by incorporating lessons learned;

corrective actions; and changes in risks, capabilities, and organizational structures.

• Plan HSEEP-compliant exercises to validate SERP components. HSEEP exercise planning meetings consist of the following:

◦ Concepts and objectives meeting.

◦ Initial planning meeting.

◦ Midterm planning meetings.

◦ Master scenario events list meeting (if applicable).

◦ Final planning meeting.

• Meeting agendas and notes should be submitted to OHSEPR after each meeting.

• Update your plan based on the results of exercises. Continuously improve the plan, aligning with CPG 101’s emphasis on iterative planning.

• Develop supporting planning documents.

◦ Develop, review, or update SERP supporting documents, such as standard operating procedures (SOPs), memoranda of understanding (MOUs) or agreements (MOAs), job aids, checklists, and annexes.

◦ Ensure that all supporting documents align with SERP concepts of operations, roles, and responsibilities as outlined in CPG 101.

• Update the draft SERP.

◦ Ensure that the draft aligns with the U.S. Repatriation Program — Emergency Repatriation State Capabilities Framework and is informed by your PTE activities.

◦ By the end of the period of performance, submit an updated draft SERP to OHSEPR.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 12 https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_npd_developing-and-maintaining-emergency_052125.pdf https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_npd_developing-and-maintaining-emergency_052125.pdf https://acf.gov/ohsepr/training-technical-assistance/emergency-repat-state-cap-framework

Training You must hold or attend training activities that support emergency repatriation planning and preparedness, consistent with OHSEPR emergency repatriation doctrine.

Required training activities

• Conduct or participate in at least one training related to emergency repatriation operations and designed to enhance personnel capability to execute roles and responsibilities identified in the SERP and supporting documents.

◦ This training may be virtual or in person.

◦ Training content must be appropriate for the audience and operational context.

• Integrate training with planning and exercises.

◦ Training activities must help you build and sustain capabilities identified through your planning efforts. They must also inform the design of future exercises and be consistent with the HSEEP training–exercise cycle.

◦ Document your training outcomes and use them to inform plan updates, corrective actions, and continuous improvement efforts.

• Review and approve training materials.

◦ You must submit all training materials developed using award funds, including course materials and agendas, to OHSEPR for review and approval at least 30 calendar days before the training.

◦ Training materials must align with OHSEPR emergency repatriation doctrine.

• You must submit the attendance rosters for trainings conducted with award funds to OHSEPR after the training.

Exercises Exercises are intended to assess state-led response and coordination of actions.

OHSEPR and federal partners will generally participate only as observers, evaluators, or technical advisors, as appropriate.

Exercise activities must be consistent with HSEEP and OHSEPR emergency repatriation doctrine. They must cover one of the following topics:

• Your state’s activation and notification procedures.

• Information sharing with internal and external partners.

• Mobilization and resourcing of emergency repatriation services.

• Reception and delivery of repatriate support services and case management functions.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 13

Required exercise activities

• Conduct at least one discussion-based exercise (such as a seminar or tabletop exercise) or one operations-based exercise (a functional or full-scale exercise).

• Make sure your exercise scenarios align with the National Emergency Repatriation Framework and U.S. Repatriation Program Emergency Repatriation State Capabilities Framework.

• Focus the exercises on state and local roles, responsibilities, and capabilities.

• Obtain OHSEPR approval before planning or conducting any exercise.

◦ If you want other federal partners to participate in your exercise, you must obtain permission from OHSEPR.

• Coordinate with OHSEPR on the schedule for and execution of all exercises.

• Develop and submit to OHSEPR draft and final exercise materials, including scenarios, objectives, a facilitator guide, or a situation manual, as applicable.

◦ Give draft exercise materials to OHSEPR at least 5 months before you conduct the exercise.

◦ Give OHSEPR the final exercise materials at least 2 months before you conduct the exercise.

• Develop a summary of conclusions from the exercise or a HSEEP-compliant after-action report (AAR) and submit it to OHSEPR during the fourth quarter.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 14 https://acf.gov/ohsepr/policy-guidance/national-emergency-repatriation-framework https://acf.gov/ohsepr/policy-guidance/national-emergency-repatriation-framework

Required documentation for activities You must submit the following documentation to OHSEPR within the time frame indicated.

Category Documentation When to Submit

Evaluation Project Performance Evaluation Plan to monitor project activities and outcomes and ensure continuous quality improvement.

During the first quarter

Planning Updated draft SERP aligned with Emergency Repatriation State Capabilities Framework and informed by PTE activities.

By the end of the period of performance

Planning Planning meeting documentation, including agendas and notes. See the planning section for a list of these meetings.

Submit after each meeting

Training Training agendas and materials for the training(s) you develop with award funds.

At least 30 calendar days before the training

Training Training attendance roster for the training(s) you conduct with award funds.

Submit after each training

Exercises Draft exercise planning materials. At least 5 months before the exercise

Exercises Final exercise materials, as applicable for the type of exercise.

At least 2 months before the exercise

Exercises Summary of conclusions from the exercise or HSEEP-compliant AAR.

During the fourth quarter

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 15

Program outcomes As a result of completing the required activities and documentation for activities, your project should achieve these outcomes:

• Increased state capabilities to prepare for and conduct emergency repatriation operations, including providing temporary assistance.

• Increased number of state human services staff trained in emergency management and emergency repatriation.

• Improved coordination with key stakeholders and partners involved in emergency repatriation.

• Increased number of states with updated SERPs that incorporate the U.S.

Repatriation Program Emergency Repatriation Capabilities Framework and are ready to support real-world emergency repatriations.

• Validated emergency repatriation plans, policies, procedures, and capabilities of states that identify resource requirements, capability gaps, strengths, areas for improvement, and potential best practices.

Cooperative agreement—description of ACF’s involvement We will issue awards in the form of cooperative agreements that outline the roles of both ACF and the recipient. OHSEPR will work in close partnership with you and be substantially involved in various aspects of activities funded under this NOFO. ACF’s involvement includes:

• Assigning OHSEPR staff to monitor and evaluate your performance, provide guidance and technical assistance to help you achieve program requirements, and ensure that you manage federal funds properly.

• Providing guidance and timely review of documentation for activities.

• Reviewing, providing feedback on, and approving the project scope, activities, action plan, timeline, documentation for activities, and changes to key personnel.

• Keeping you informed about expectations for successful performance. This includes discussing noncompliance as soon as possible and providing clear feedback on the conditions necessary for compliance.

• Meeting with you regularly to review progress on project activities and share information.

• Keeping you informed about OHSEPR, ACF, and HHS priorities.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 16

Funding policies and limitations Changes in HHS regulations As of October 1, 2025, HHS adopted 2 CFR 200, with some exceptions included in 2 CFR 300. These regulations replace those in 45 CFR 75.

General policies

• We will only make awards if this program receives funding. If Congress appropriates funds for this purpose, we will move forward with the review and award process.

• Support beyond the first budget period will depend on:

◦ Satisfactory progress in meeting your project’s objectives.

◦ A decision that continued funding is in the government’s best interest.

• If we receive more funding for this program, we will consider:

◦ Funding more applicants.

◦ Extending the period of performance.

◦ Awarding supplemental funding.

• To the extent permitted by law, including any relevant court orders, you may not use funds from this NOFO for any diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEI and DEIA) activities. This includes:

◦ DEI- or DEIA-related research.

◦ Activities that discriminate or show preference based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or other protected traits.

◦ Any efforts that promote a “discriminatory equity ideology.”

• To the extent permitted by law, including any relevant court orders, ACF will also not allow funds awarded under this NOFO to support any services or activities that inculcate or promote gender ideology.

For guidance on other types of costs that we restrict or do not allow, see General Provisions for Selected Items of Costs of the Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR part 200.

Program-specific limitations and policies We do not allow the following costs under this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO):

• Construction.

• Purchase of real property.

• Major renovation.

• Pre-award.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 17 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-III/part-300 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72

Indirect costs Indirect costs are those shared across multiple projects and not easily separated.

To charge indirect costs you can select one of two methods:

Method 1 — Approved rate. If you currently have an indirect cost rate approved by your cognizant federal agency, you may use that rate.

Method 2 — De minimis rate. If you do not have a negotiated indirect cost rate, you may elect to charge a de minimis rate (see 2 CFR 200.414(f)). This rate may be up to 15% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). See the definition of MTDC (2 CFR 200.1). You can use this rate indefinitely.

You may not charge costs included in your indirect cost pool as direct costs.

Subawards As the prime recipient, you must maintain a substantive role in the project. This means that you conduct funded activities and provide services necessary and integral to completing the project.

Monitoring your subrecipient’s activities alone as described in 2 CFR 200.332 is not a substantive role.

We do not fund awards where your role is primarily a conduit for passing funds to other organizations unless that arrangement is authorized by statute.

All subrecipients must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) through the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

Subrecipients must meet the eligibility requirements of this NOFO.

Salary rate limitation The salary rate limitation in the current appropriations act applies to this program. You may not use awarded funds to pay a salary at a higher rate than the rate for Executive Level II.

For the Executive Level II salary, please see the Office of Personnel Management information on executive and senior level employee pay.

The salary limitation reflects a person’s base salary (including any portion of the salary that is paid with indirect costs). It does not include fringe benefits or any income the person is allowed to earn outside of the duties of the applicant organization.

This salary limitation also applies to subawards, contracts, and subcontracts under an ACF grant or cooperative agreement.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 18 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.414#p-200.414(f) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC)) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.332 https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/

Program income If you earn any money from your award-supported project activities (known as program income), you must use it for the purposes and under the conditions of the award. Find more about program income at 2 CFR 200.307.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 19 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.307

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

In this step

Find the application package 21

Get registered 21

Learn more 22

Join the webinar 22

Find the application package The application package has all the forms you need to apply. You can find it at this NOFO’s Grants.gov opportunity page. Then select the Package tab.

We recommend that you select the Subscribe button from the View Grant Opportunity page for this NOFO to get updates.

If you can’t use Grants.gov to download application materials or have other technical difficulties, including issues with application submission, contact Grants.gov for assistance.

Get registered SAM.gov You must have an active account with SAM.gov to apply. SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process today.

To register:

• Go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and select Get Started. From the same page, you can also select the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register.

• You must agree to the financial assistance general certifications and representations [PDF] specifically. Those for contracts are different.

When you register, you will also receive your required Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

Once you register:

• You will have to maintain your registration throughout the life of any award.

• If your organization has multiple UEIs, use the one associated with your physical location.

Grants.gov You must also have an active account with Grants.gov. You can see step-by-step instructions at the Grants.gov Quick Start Guide for Applicants.

Need help? See Contacts and Support.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 21 https://www.grants.gov/support https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/financial-assistance-general-certification-representations.pdf https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/financial-assistance-general-certification-representations.pdf https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants

Learn more Visit Applying for an ACF Grant Award on the ACF Grants page.

Join the webinar Watch a recording of a pre-application webinar that will be available on the OHSEPR website at acf.gov/ohsepr/grants.

The goals of the pre-application webinar are to describe the goals and purpose of this funding opportunity and to clarify the program requirements and required documentation for activities in the NOFO.

Opting not to watch the pre-application webinar will not affect eligibility, application scoring, or the award selection process.

If there is a discrepancy between the presentation or materials and the NOFO, the NOFO takes precedence.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 22 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/how-apply-grant https://acf.gov/ohsepr/grants/

Step 3:

Build Your Application

In this step

Application checklist 24

Application contents and format 26

Application checklist Make sure that you have everything you need to apply. You will find the forms in Grants.gov.

File one: Narratives Use the Project Narrative Attachment form.

Component Included in page limit?

Table of contents Yes

Project summary Yes

Project narrative Yes

Line-item budget and budget narrative Yes

File two: Attachments Insert each in a single Other Attachments form.

Component Included in page limit?

ACF priorities alignment attestation No

Indirect cost agreement Yes

Legal proof of nonprofit status Yes

Legal proof of for-profit status Yes

Legal proof of small businesses Yes

Additional eligibility documentation Yes

Organizational capacity supporting information (including organization chart) Yes

Step 3: Build Your Application 24

Standard forms Use each required form in Grants.gov.

Component Included in page limit?

Project Abstract Summary No

Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) No

Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) No

(SF-424B) Assurances for Non-Construction Programs No

Key contacts No

Grants.gov Lobbying form No

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) No

Project/Performance Site Location(s) (SF-P/PSL) No

Step 3: Build Your Application 25

Application contents and format You will submit two files plus the standard forms in the application package.

Your organization’s authorized official must certify your application.

See intergovernmental review to find out if you need to make any other submissions.

Required format Page limit for file one and file two combined: 60 pages.

File format: Portable Document Format (PDF) is recommended, but not required. ACF supports the following file formats when you attach files to the Project Narrative Attachment form and the Other Attachments form:

Accepted file formats

• Adobe PDF (.pdf)

• Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)

• Microsoft Excel (.xls or .xlsx)

• Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt)

• Image formats (.JPG, .GIF, .TIFF, or .BMP only)

Document formats Paper size: 8 ½ inches x 11 inches Margins: 1 inch all around Language: English

If possible, include page numbers.

Do not include external links to information you want reviewers to assess because reviewers will score the application solely on information provided in the application.

Fonts Font: Times New Roman Color: Black Size: 12-point font Footnotes and text in tables and graphics may be 10-point.

Step 3: Build Your Application 26

Spacing Table of contents: Must be single-spaced Project summary: Must be single-spaced Project narrative: Must be double-spaced Line-item budget and budget narrative: Can be single-spaced Attachments: Can be single-spaced Tables and footnotes throughout: Can be single-spaced

See disqualifying factors to understand what may disqualify your application from consideration.

File one: Narratives To submit file one, you will use the Project Narrative Attachment form found in the Grants.gov application package for this NOFO.

This file includes:

• Table of contents.

• Project summary, one page.

• Project narrative.

• Line-item budget and budget narrative.

Table of contents At the beginning of file one, insert a table of contents that guides a reader through the contents of both files in your application. If possible, include links to the relevant content in file one.

Project summary Provide a one-page summary of the project description. Do not cross-reference to other parts of your application. The summary must include:

• At the top, the project title, applicant name, address, phone numbers, email addresses, and any website URL.

• A brief description of the project, including the needs and population you will address, your proposed services or research questions.

Project narrative The project narrative is where you address all your proposed activities. It is a critical section of your application, which we evaluate using merit review criteria and rank based on application scores.

Step 3: Build Your Application 27

Remember that substance and measurable outcomes are more important than length.

We are particularly interested in project narratives that convey strategies for achieving intended performance.

In it, you must:

• Explain how the project will meet the purpose of the NOFO, as described in the program description section.

• Make sure your narrative is clear, concise, and complete.

• Use cross-referencing rather than repetition.

• Be sure to include any required supporting documents noted. You generally provide these in your attachments.

• Use the headings and order of the sections that follow.

Response

Approach

Outline your action plan. Describe the scope of your proposed project and describe in detail how you will accomplish it. Account for all functions or activities you identify in your application.

Explain potential obstacles and challenges to accomplishing your project goals. Explain the strategies you will use to address them.

Describe the PTE activities you will conduct. Describe your plan for completing all required documentation for activities, including an updated draft SERP. Show how you will meet all requirements for PTE activities, as described in the program description.

Describe how your activity plan aligns with the program goals, as described in the program description.

Describe the state and local partners you will coordinate with to conduct PTE activities and update the SERP.

Project timeline and milestones

Provide a timeline for your project that includes milestones. To do so:

• Organize the information by task and subtask, showing related milestones.

• Provide monthly or quarterly quantitative projections for tasks you plan to complete and by when. For example, provide the number of people you plan to serve or the number of a certain activity you plan to complete by a specific date.

• Provide target dates for activities you can’t quantify.

• Provide planned submission dates for required documentation for activities.

• Cover the full period of performance in your timeline.

Step 3: Build Your Application 28

Your timeline should include internal procurement and hiring processes.

Impact

Project performance evaluation plan

Describe how you will evaluate your project’s performance and how it will contribute to continuous quality improvement. This plan must describe:

• How you will monitor ongoing activities and progress toward the project’s goals and objectives.

• The inputs, key activities, and expected outcomes of the funded activities. Inputs might include your collaborative partners, key staff, budget, service processes, or other resources.

• How you will measure the inputs, activities, and outcomes.

• How you will use the resulting information to improve your funded activities.

• Any processes that support overall data quality.

• The organizational systems and processes you will use to track performance outcomes.

• How your organization will collect and manage data in a way that allows for accurate and timely reporting of performance outcomes. This might include assigned skilled staff, data management software, and data integrity.

• Any potential obstacles to implementing the project performance evaluation and how you will address them.

• A timeline for how you will review information from the performance evaluation and apply it to your ongoing project.

Also review the evaluation section of the merit review for further details on what to include in this section.

Resources and capabilities

Organizational capacity

Provide the following information for your full project team, including the applicant organization and any cooperating partners, contractors, and subrecipients:

• Provide evidence that your team has the relevant experience and expertise needed to carry out your project.

• Describe your team’s experience (including any partnering organizations) with administering, developing, implementing, managing, and evaluating similar projects.

• Provide evidence that your team, including partnering organizations, has the organizational capability to fulfill their roles and functions effectively.

Step 3: Build Your Application 29

• You must disclose your plan to enter into subaward agreements. If planning subawards, describe the work each subrecipient will complete.

• Describe key personnel, including the project director and, if applicable, other personnel who will oversee the execution of PTE activities and updates to the SERP.

• Provide some supporting information in the organizational capacity supporting information section of your attachments.

Plan for oversight of federal award funds and activities

You must ensure proper award oversight. The regulation that governs this oversight is 2 CFR part 200. It includes standards for:

• Financial and program management.

• Property management.

• Procurement.

• Performance and financial monitoring and reporting.

• Subrecipient monitoring and management.

• Record retention and access.

• Remedies for noncompliance.

• Prior written approval.

Describe your framework to make sure that your federal funds and activities have proper oversight. Include:

• A description of the governance, policies and procedures, and systems you use for record-keeping and financial management.

• A description of the procedures you use to identify and mitigate risks and issues.

These might include audit findings, continuous performance assessment findings, and monitoring.

• The key staff who will be responsible for maintaining oversight of program staff and any partners or subrecipients.

Line-item budget and budget narrative The line-item budget and budget justification support the information you provide in the Budget Information Standard Form SF-424A.

HHS now uses the definitions for equipment and supplies in 2 CFR 200.1. The new definitions change the threshold for equipment to the lesser of the recipient’s capitalization level or $10,000 and the threshold for supplies to below that amount.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Build Your Application 30 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#subpart-D https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Equipment) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Supply) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.1

Justify the costs you ask for and provide detail, including calculations for the “object class categories” in the Budget Information Standard Form. You will provide this information for the full period of performance. See information on funding periods.

As you develop your budget, consider:

• If the costs are necessary, reasonable, allocable, and consistent with your project’s purpose and activities.

• How you calculate your costs in ways that are clear and repeatable.

• The restrictions on spending funds. See the funding policies and limitations.

Please also review the Standard Form instructions.

To create your line-item budget and justification, see detailed budget instructions on our website.

In general, you must:

• Indicate the method you will use for your indirect cost rate. See the indirect costs section for further information.

• Include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar quantitative detail necessary for the calculation to be duplicated.

• For any cost sharing, include a detailed listing of any funding sources identified in Block 18 of the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance.

• For applicants planning to use subawards, if your subaward budget is more than 50% of total direct costs, justify why you are sub awarding that portion of the project. Explain:

◦ How you plan to maintain a substantive role in the project.

◦ Why you cannot achieve your goals without the subrecipients’ participation.

Proprietary or personally identifiable information Clearly identify any salary or other proprietary information or personally identifiable information within your application. Identification will ensure this information is not shared with reviewers. Note on page 1 of the attachments file (file two) where the information to be redacted is located.

If you have an exemption for a paper submission, you can protect salary information and any proprietary information by placing that information only in the original application. You can remove the information from the copies, keeping summary information.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Build Your Application 31 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/prepare-budget https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/prepare-budget

File two: Attachments To submit file two, you will use the Other Attachments form found in the Grants.gov application package for this NOFO.

This file includes all attachments.

ACF priorities alignment attestation

Not included in the page limit. This should be submitted with the application or before award.

You must self-certify that you will align with the ACF priorities that are relevant to this funding opportunity, as identified in both the Program description and Step 4, under Merit review process, Scoring criteria, Alignment with ACF Vision, Mission, Values, Priorities, and Guiding Principles, elements 2 and 3. You must provide the following on your organization’s letterhead.

I hereby attest and certify that:

_____________________ (Applicant Name) affirms its commitment to supporting and advancing ACF’s published Vision, Mission, Values, Priorities, and Guiding Principles of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), consistent with applicable federal statutes, regulations, and Administration priorities.

Insert Date of Signature:

Print Name and Title of the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR):

Signature of AOR

Indirect cost agreement If you include indirect costs in your budget using an approved rate, include a copy of your current agreement approved by your cognizant agency for indirect costs. If you use the de minimis rate, you do not need to submit this attachment.

See the indirect costs section for more information.

Legal proof of nonprofit status If your organization is a nonprofit, you need to attach proof. We will accept any of the following:

• A reference to your listing in the IRS’s most recent list of tax-exempt organizations.

• A copy of a current tax exemption certificate from the IRS.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Build Your Application 32 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#p-200.1(Cognizant%20agency%20for%20indirect%20costs)

• A letter from your state’s tax department, attorney general, or another appropriate state official saying that your group is a nonprofit and that none of your net earnings go to private shareholders or others.

• A certified copy of your certificate of incorporation or similar document. This document must show that your group is a nonprofit.

• Any of these documents for a parent organization. Also include a statement signed by an official of the parent group that your organization is a nonprofit affiliate.

Legal proof of for-profit status If your organization is a for-profit, including a small business, you need to attach proof.

Include documentation establishing your organization’s power to enter into contractual relationships or accept awards. This might include your articles of incorporation or bylaws.

Legal proof of small businesses In addition to the proof that your organization is for-profit required in the previous section, small businesses must submit a certification signed by the chief executive officer or designee that states that the entity qualifies as a small business under 13 CFR 121.101-121.201.

Additional eligibility documentation You must include a letter from a state executive that:

• Identifies the state agency responsible for conducting PTE activities and updating the SERP.

• Ensures the state agency will commit to work with the applicant to accomplish PTE activities and update the SERP.

• Verifies that the applicant is not a current or previous recipient of OHSEPR PTE funding.

Organizational capacity supporting information You must attach the following information to support the information in your organizational capacity section:

• Organizational charts, including all partners.

• Resumes, biographical sketches, or curricula vitae for all key personnel.

• Job descriptions for each vacant key position.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Build Your Application 33 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/part-121/subject-group-ECFRd133f03f6d8398b https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/part-121/subject-group-ECFRd133f03f6d8398b https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/section-121.201

Standard forms You will need to complete some other required standard forms other than those in files one and two. You can find them in the NOFO application package or review them and their instructions at Grants.gov Forms.

Forms Submission requirement

Project Abstract Summary With the application.

Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) With the application.

Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) With the application.

Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B) With the application.

Key contacts With the application.

Grants.gov Lobbying form With the application or before award.

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) If applicable, based on instructions, with the application or before award.

Project/Performance Site Location(s) (SF-P/PSL) With the application. Cite your primary location and up to 29 additional performance sites.

Important: Public information When filling out your SF-424 form, pay attention to Box 15: Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project.

We share what you put there with USAspending. This is where the public goes to learn how the federal government spends taxpayer money.

Instead of just a title, insert a short description of your project and what it will do.

See instructions and examples [PDF].

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Build Your Application 34 https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family https://www.usaspending.gov/ https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hhs-writing-award-descriptions.pdf

Step 4:

Learn About Review and Award

In this step

Application review 36

Award notices 43

Application review Initial review We will review your application to make sure that it meets the responsiveness requirements listed in the disqualification factors section. If your application does not meet these criteria, we will disqualify it and we will not move it to the merit review (scoring) phase.

We will let you know if your application is disqualified within 30 days of the application deadline. You won’t receive any notice from ACF if your application failed Grants.gov validation checks.

If you submit more than two files in addition to your forms, we will remove the extra files. We will let you know if this happens.

We will also remove blurred or illegible pages and any file formats that are not supported.

We will not review any pages that exceed the page limit.

If your application fails to adhere to ACF’s NOFO formatting, font, and page limitation requirements, we will adjust your application by removing page(s) from the application. We will remove the pages before the merit review and will not send them to reviewers.

If we do so, we will send you a letter after we make awards to notify you that we amended your application.

Meri…