NPRC 2021 FAQ.pdf

National Paralysis Resource Center Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

HHS-2021-ACL-AOD-PRRC-0078

1) Instructions say due date is 5-29 but in grants.gov workspace it says 5-25, which is correct?

A) Application are due by midnight on May 29, 2021. Correction to workspace was completed.

2) Do all of the pages need to be paged sequentially including narrative, workplan, and appendices?

A) It’s important that the narrative must not exceed 55 pages, the work plan and appendices do not have a page limit so all information should be in the order that is clear to the reviewers.

3) Page 14 of the FOA mentions that resumes must be submitted for potential key hires. What does that process involve? Are we not allowed to make an offer of employment until someone at ACL approves the hire?

A) ACL reviews resumes to validate the qualifications of persons that are substantially involved in programmatic activities. ACL does not require the applicants to obtain hiring approval.

4) Can you explain in more detail ACL’s role in evaluation? Both internal and external? How will the evaluation goals differ from the PRC’s external evaluator?

A) ACL will be contracting with a third party evaluator to conduct an external evaluation. It is expected that the ACL evaluation team will work closely with the team conducting internal NPRC evaluation as well as NPRC staff and stakeholders. The focus of the ACL evaluation will be to determine the extent to which the NPRC grant program contributes to the ACL and HHS missions.

5) What does ACL see an NGO focused on disability doing to assist in closing the gap on racial equity?

A) The applicant should describe how they will provide outreach and opportunities to underserved and unserved diverse populations so that individuals living with paralysis has an equal chance to participate and fulfill their potential.

6) What is the total award amount? Is it $8,700,000 or a larger amount, such as $8,700,000 per each of the 5 budget periods? Here is language I was reviewing yesterday:

Expected Number of Awards: 1 Award Ceiling: $ 8,700,000 Per Budget Period Award Floor: $ 8,700,000 Per Budget Period Length of Project Period: 60-month project period with five 12-month budget periods

A) Page 12 Section II Award Information Estimated Total Funding:

$ 43,500,000

7) I just want to know if the funds can be awarded to NGO overseas? I found the scope interesting and it made think of people in Africa, for instance.

A) On page 15, Section III. Eligibility Information Eligible Applicants: Domestic public or private non-profit entities including state and local governments, Indian tribal governments and organizations (American Indian/Alaskan Native/Native American), faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, hospitals, and institutions of higher education.

8) On the form SF424A Budget Information for Non-Construction, there are only field for 4 years of budget instead of 5. The 5th column which the instructions say to use is an automated field that automatically totals the first 4 years. It is not a field you can write in. I called the grants.gov helpline this morning and told them this and they said they could not help and referred me to you. How can we get the 5th year onto that document?

A) According to the instructions in Section B Budget Categories, the column headings are specific to programs or with ACL projects. Since this budget is in response to one ACL project, only column 1 is required. The numbers represent each project/program, not year. Column one should indicate the total project costs by category. It is a breakdown of the funds requested on the SF 424 Application. The budget narrative provides further detail of what is on the SF 424a.

9) Does the disclosure of lobbying activities form have to be uploaded in grantsolutions.gov or should it be submitted in grants.gov as part of the new grant application?

A) The disclosure form must be included with the new application.

DEFINITIONS:

1. What is ACL’s definition of rural?

ACL distinguishes between rural and non-rural areas based on rural urban commuting area (RUCA) codes. Rural areas are those with populations of 49,999 or less that have low proportions of the population commuting to an urbanized area.”

2. What is ACL’s definition of cultural competency?

The term ‘‘culturally competent’’, used with respect to services, supports, or other assistance, means services, supports, or other assistance that is conducted or provided in a manner that is responsive to the beliefs, interpersonal styles, attitudes, language, and behaviors of individuals who are receiving the services, supports, or other assistance, and in a manner that has the greatest likelihood of ensuring their maximum participation in the program involved.

3. What is ACL’s definition of racial equity?

The term “equity” means the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities;

lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities;

persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.