PKG00273838-1-instructions.pdf

Administration for Community Living

Center for Innovation and Partnership

Assistive Technology Act National Activities: State Training and Technical Assistance for Assistive Technology Programs and National Assistive Technology Public Internet Site

HHS-2022-ACL-CIP-ATTA-0053

06/28/2022

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

Problem Statement

Goals and Objectives

Proposed Intervention

Special Target Populations and Organizations

Outcomes

Project Management

Evaluation

Dissemination

Organizational Capability

Budget Narrative/Justification

Work Plan

Letters of Commitment from Key Participating Organizations and Agencies

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

4. Submission Dates and Times

5. Intergovernmental Review

6. Funding Restrictions

7. 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:

Center for Innovation and Partnership Funding Opportunity Title:

Assistive Technology Act National Activities: State Training and Technical Assistance for Assistive Technology Programs and National Assistive Technology Public Internet Site Funding Opportunity Number:

HHS-2022-ACL-CIP-ATTA-0053

Primary CFDA Number:

93.464 Due Date for Letter of Intent:

06/03/2022 Due Date for Applications:

06/28/2022 Date for Informational Conference Call:

06/01/2022 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 https://www.grants.gov/

Additional Overview Content/Executive Summary The Administration for Community Living (ACL) issues the FY 2022 Assistive Technology National Activities Program Funding Opportunity Announcement. The purpose of the National Activities Program under section 6 of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended (AT Act of 2004) is to support activities designed to improve the administration of the AT Act, which authorizes grants to States and Territories under section 4 to support comprehensive, statewide assistive technology programs (State Grant for AT Programs) that increase access to and acquisition of AT devices and services for individuals with disabilities. The AT Act requires ACL to support training and technical assistance to the entities funded under the AT Act and entities not funded under the AT Act, and to support a national AT public Internet site to improve awareness of and access to AT devices and AT services, through a grant, cooperative agreement, or contract.

I. Funding Opportunity Description State Training and Technical Assistance for Assistive Technology Programs and National Assistive Technology Public Internet Site

Section 6 of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended (AT Act of 2004) authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living (ACL) to fund programs to support National Activities. ACL announces one discretionary grant competition for State Training and Technical Assistance for Assistive Technology Programs and National Assistive Technology Public Internet Site under section 6(b) of the AT Act, to fund a cooperative agreement to provide training and technical assistance to support the entities authorized under section 4 of the AT Act and entities not funded under the AT Act to improve the effectiveness of activities supported under the AT Act, including an assistive technology (AT) Internet site to provide to the public comprehensive, up-to-date information on resources related to AT and programs funded under the AT Act. ACL takes this action to assist the entities funded under the AT Act to administer and manage their programs in order to improve their performance, to provide information to the public, and to increase access to and acquisition of AT devices and services for individuals with disabilities.

If the applicant chooses to award sub-grants or subcontracts to carry out activities required under this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), the applicant's proposal must reflect clearly how the applicant will collaborate with any entities to which the applicant will provide a sub-grant or subcontract in order to ensure that activities conducted by those entities meet the requirements of this FOA and are consistent with the applicant's proposal.

Under this FOA, the applicant must--

1. Address State-specific information requests concerning assistive technology (AT) from entities funded under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended (AT Act of 2004), and public entities not funded under the AT Act, including--

a. Requests for information on effective approaches to Federal-State coordination of programs for individuals with disabilities, related to improving funding for, or access to, AT devices and AT services for individuals with disabilities of all ages;

b. Requests for state-of-the-art, or model, Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, policies, practices, procedures, and organizational structures, that facilitate, and overcome barriers to, funding for, and access to, AT devices and AT services;

c. Requests for information on effective approaches to developing, implementing, evaluating, and sustaining activities described in section 4 of the AT Act that are related to improving funding for, or access to, AT devices and AT services for individuals with disabilities of all ages, and requests for assistance in developing corrective action plans;

d. Requests for examples of policies, practices, procedures, regulations, or judicial decisions that have enhanced or may enhance access to funding for AT devices and AT services for individuals with disabilities;

e. Requests for information on effective approaches to the development of consumer-controlled systems that increase access to, funding for, and awareness of, AT devices and AT services; and

f. Other requests for training and technical assistance from entities funded under the AT Act as well as public and private entities not funded under the AT Act;

2. Assist targeted individuals and entities by disseminating information about--

a. Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, policies, practices, procedures, and organizational structures, that facilitate, and overcome barriers to, funding for, and access to, AT devices and AT services, to promote fuller independence, productivity, and inclusion in society for individuals with disabilities of all ages;

and

b. Technical assistance activities undertaken under paragraph (1) of this announcement;

3. Provide State-specific, regional, and national training and technical assistance concerning AT to entities funded under the AT Act as well as public and private entities not funded under the AT Act, including--

a. Annually providing a forum for exchanging information concerning, and promoting program and policy improvements in, required activities of the statewide assistive technology programs (State Grant for AT Programs);

b. Facilitating on site and electronic information sharing using state-of-the-art Internet technologies, such as real-time online discussions, multi-point video conferencing, and Web-based audio/video broadcasts, on emerging topics that affect State Grant for AT Programs;

c. In collaboration with ACL, convening experts from State Grant for AT Programs, representatives of organizations representing individuals with disabilities and their families, representatives of Federal agencies, researchers in AT, and AT developers and vendors to discuss and make recommendations with regard to national emerging issues of importance to individuals with AT needs to identify priority topics for training and technical assistance and coordinate implementation of the activities with ACL;

d. Sharing information on evidence-based and promising practices among State Grant for AT Programs, including strategies that promote coordination across AT programs and State No Wrong Door Systems, Aging and Disability Resource

Centers, State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies, Early Intervention and Special Education Services, University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Independent Living, home modification and housing programs, transportation programs, programs that address social isolation and loneliness, programs that help people transition out of institutions, workforce development and employment programs, education programs, and additional organizations from the aging and disability networks;

e. Assisting State Grant for AT Programs to reduce the costs of AT through the development or use of existing model cooperative volume-purchasing mechanisms;

f. Assisting State Grant for AT Programs to leverage their knowledge and resources and reduce the duplication of their activities;

g. Assisting State Grant for AT Programs in developing highly impactful partnerships that would significantly increase access to AT, including reuse of AT devices through community partnerships and additional community access points to ease individual access to AT.

h. Assisting State Grant for AT Programs in providing state-specifc information and national resources to enhance acquisition of AT devices and services through programs such as Medicaid Money Follows the Person and Home and Community Based Services.

i. Providing access to experts in the areas of banking, micro-lending, and finance for entities funded under the AT Act as well as other entities not funded under the AT Act;

j. Facilitating collaboration at the National and State level among entities funded under the AT Act and other entities involved in AT;

k. Working in coordination with ACL and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funded technical assistance resource centers to promoted increased awareness and use of AT. ACL funded technical assistance resource centers include, but are not limited to: Housing and Services Resource Center (HSRC), ADA Participation Action Research Consortium (PARC), Paralysis Resource Center (PRC), Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU) Program, Long-Term Service and Support Technical Assistance Center, National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), Nutrition and Aging Resource Center, Transit Planning 4 All Program, and the Coordinating Center to Address Social Isolation. FTA funded technical assistance resource centers include: National Aging and Disability Transportation Resource Center (NADTC), National Center on Mobility Management, Rural Transportation Assistance Program, Shared Use Mobility Center, and the National Center for Applied Transit Technology; and

l. Facilitating consumer involvement in entities funded under the AT Act at the National and State level;

4. Updating and maintaining an accessible National Public Internet Site that includes links to entities funded under the AT Act, appropriate Federal departments agencies, and private associations that contains the following features:

a. Availability of information at any time. The site must be developed and designed so that any member of the public may obtain information posted on the site at any time.

At a minimum, the site must maintain updated information on and provide links, if available, to--

Device demonstration programs funded under the AT Act, and, to the extent practicable, not funded under the AT Act, where individuals may try out AT devices;

Device loan programs funded under the AT Act and, to the extent practicable, not funded under the AT Act, where individuals have access to a repository of available AT devices to borrow;

Device reutilization programs funded under the AT Act and, to the extent practicable, not funded under the AT Act, that provide for the exchange, repair, recycling, or other reutilization of AT devices;

State financing systems, including Alternative Financing Programs (AFPs) operated through, or independently of, State Grant for AT Programs, and other sources of funding for AT devices;

Cooperative volume-purchasing programs funded under the AT Act or, to the extent practicable, not funded under the AT Act;

Protection and advocacy for assistive technology programs (PAAT Programs);

Other projects funded under section 6 of the AT Act;

Relevant State and Federal programs, and other resources, that provide or increase access to AT devices and services; and

b. Resources--

Library on AT. The site must include access, either directly or through links, to a comprehensive working library on AT for all environments, including home, workplace, education, transportation, and other environments and shall be constructed with an innovative automated intelligent agent that is a diagnostic tool for assisting users in problem definition and selection of appropriate assistive technology devices, services and resources;

Information on accommodating individuals with disabilities. The site must include access, either directly or through links, to evidence-based research and best practices concerning how AT can be used to accommodate individuals with disabilities in the areas of education, employment, health care, community living, and telecommunications and information technology;

and

Resources for a number of disabilities. The site must include, either directly or through links, resources relating to the largest possible number of disabilities, including resources relating to low-level reading skills;

5. Collaborate in developing and providing training and technical assistance with other organizations, in particular--

a. Organizations representing individuals with disabilities;

b. Organizations representing AT programs;

c. Organizations representing State officials and agencies engaged in the delivery of

AT;

d. Organizations representing State No Wrong Door Systems, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies, Early Intervention and Special Education Services, University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Independent Living, Agencies on Aging, and additional organizations from the aging and disability networks;

e. Tribal organizations serving people with disabilities; and

f. The entity responsible for data collection reporting and assistance under the AT

Act;

6. Include plans to increase awareness and use of AT through partnerships at the national, state and community levels;

7. Provide ACL the data, information, surveys, and feedback necessary to evaluate and improve the delivery of technical assistance and training to the statewide AT programs and to revise and redirect activities, as necessary; and

8. Include plans for evaluating the effectiveness of the technical assistance and training programs and the national public internet site.

Statutory Authority Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended (P.L. 108-364)

II. Award Information Funding Instrument Type:

CA (Cooperative Agreement) Estimated Total Funding:

$3,125,000 Expected Number of Awards:

Award Ceiling:

$625,000 Per Budget Period

Award Floor:

$500,000 Per Budget Period

Length of Project Period:

60-month project period with five 12-month budget periods Additional Information on Project Periods and Explanation of 'Other' Once a cooperative agreement is in place, requests to modify or amend it or the work plan may be made by ACL or the awardee at any time as long as it stays within the original confines of the proposed project description. Major changes may affect the integrity of the competitive review process. Modifications and/or amendments of the Cooperative Agreement or work plan shall be effective upon the execution of an award notice. When an award is issued the cooperative agreement terms and conditions from the program announcement are incorporated by reference unless ACL is authorized under the Terms and Conditions of award, 45 CFR Part 75, or other applicable regulation or statute to make unilateral amendments.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants For FY 2022 the below guidance is provided to advance the Administration’s policy, as stated in E.O. 13985, to “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.” This guidance is intended to begin to address inequities in HHS programs, processes, and policies that may serve as barriers to equal opportunity. By advancing equity in our NOFOs, we can “create opportunities for the improvement of communities that have been historically underserved, which benefits everyone.”

Foreign entities are not eligible to compete for, or receive, awards made under this announcement. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards under this funding opportunity announcement.

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 All applicants will go through an initial programmatic screening to verify that the applicant is an eligible applicant as outlined in this Program Announcement. Applications that fail to meet the responsiveness criteria described below will not be reviewed and will receive no further consideration.

Application Screening Criteria All applications will be screened to assure a level playing field for all applicants. Applications that fail to meet the three 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 http//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 ½” x 11” plain white paper with 1” margins on both sides, and a standard font size of not less than 11, preferably Times New Roman or Arial.

3. The Project Narrative must not exceed 35 pages. Project Narratives that exceed 35 pages will have the additional pages removed and only the first 35 pages of the Project Narrative will be provided to the merit reviewers for funding consideration. NOTE: The Project Work Plan, Budget Narrative Justification, Budget Template, Letters of Commitment, and Vitae of Key Project Personnel are not counted as part of the Project Narrative for purposes of the 35-page limit.

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 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 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 UEI 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 http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.acl.gov/grants/applying-grants http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:support@grants.gov http://www.sam.gov/ 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 UEI number in each application or plan to submit to the OPDIV.

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

The Federal Government will transition from the DUNS Number to the New Unique Entity Identifier. By April of 2022, the federal government will stop using the DUNS number to uniquely identify entities. At that point, entities doing business with the federal government will use a Unique Entity Identifier (SAM) created in SAM.gov. It is entered on the SF-424. It is a unique, nine-digit identification number, which provides unique identifiers of single business entities.

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.

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

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

Contact person regarding this Program Announcement:

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

Robert Groenendaal Center for Innovation and Partnership Email: Robert.Groenendaal@acl.hhs.gov

2. Content and Form of Application Submission Letter of Intent Due Date for Letter Of Intent 06/03/2022

06/03/2022 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:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living Robert Groenendaal Center for Innovation and Partnership Email: Robert.Groenendaal@acl.hhs.gov

Project Narrative The Project Narrative must be double-spaced on 8 ½” x 11” paper with 1” margins on both sides, and a standard font size of not less than 11, preferably Times New Roman 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 25 to 35 pages; 35 pages is the maximum length allowed. Project Narratives that exceed 35 pages will have the additional pages removed and only the first 35 pages of the Project Narrative will be provided to the merit reviewers for funding consideration. The Project Work Plan, Letters of Commitment, and Vitae of Key Personnel are not counted as part of the Project Narrative for purposes of the 35-page limit, but all of the other sections noted below are included in the limit.

The sample components of the Project Narrative counted as part of the 35-page limit include:

Summary/Abstract Problem Statement Goal(s) and Objective(s) Proposed Intervention Special Target Populations and Organizations https://www.grants.gov https://www.grants.gov https://www.grants.gov

Outcomes Project Management Evaluation Dissemination Organizational Capability

The Project Narrative is the most important part of the application, since it will be used as the primary basis to determine whether or not your project meets the minimum requirements for grants under the authorizing statutes. The Project Narrative should provide a clear and concise description of your project. ACL recommends that your project narrative include the following components:

Summary/Abstract This section should include a brief - no more than 265 words maximum - description of the proposed project, including: goal(s), objectives, outcomes, and products to be developed.

Detailed instructions for completing the summary/abstract are included in the “Instructions for Completing the Project Summary/Abstract.”

Problem Statement This section should describe, in both quantitative and qualitative terms, the nature and scope of the particular problem or issue the proposed intervention is designed to address, including how the project will potentially affect older adults and /or people with disabilities, their families and caregivers and the health care and social services systems.

Goals and Objectives This section should consist of a description of the project’s goal(s) and major objectives. Unless the project involves multiple, complex interventions, we recommend you have only one overall goal.

Proposed Intervention This section should provide a clear and concise description of the intervention you are proposing to use to address the problem described in the “Problem Statement”. You should also describe the rationale for using the particular intervention, 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 any major barriers you anticipate encountering, and how your project will be able to overcome those barriers. Be sure to describe the role and makeup of any strategic partnerships you plan to involve in implementing the intervention, including other organizations, supporters, and/or consumer groups.

Special Target Populations and Organizations This section should describe how you plan to involve organizations in a meaningful way in the planning and implementation of the proposed project. This section should also describe whether, and if so, how the proposed intervention will target disadvantaged populations, including limited-English speaking populations, those of greatest economic need and those of greatest social need.

Outcomes This section of the project narrative must clearly identify the measurable outcome(s) that will result from the project. (NOTE: ACL will not fund any project that does not include measurable outcomes). This section should also describe how the project’s findings might benefit the field at large, (e.g., how the findings could help other organizations throughout the nation address the same or similar problems.) List measurable outcomes in the optional work plan grid (“Project Work Plan – Sample Template”) under “Measurable Outcomes” in addition to any discussion included in the narrative along with a description of how the project might benefit the field at large.

A “measurable outcome” is an observable end-result that describes how a particular intervention benefits consumers. It demonstrates the functional status, mental well-being, knowledge, skill, attitude, awareness or behavior. It can also describe a change in the degree to which consumers exercise choice over the types of services they receive, or whether they are satisfied with the way a service is delivered. Additional examples include: a change in the responsiveness or cost-effectiveness of a service delivery system; a new model of support or care that can be replicated in the ACL network; new knowledge that can contribute to the field of community living; a measurable increase in community awareness; or a measurable increase in persons receiving services. A measurable outcome is not a measurable “output”, such as: the number of clients served; the number of training sessions held; or the number of service units provided.

You should keep the focus of this section on describing what outcome(s) will be produced by the project. You should use the Evaluation section noted below to describe how the outcome(s) will be measured and reported.

Your application will be scored on the clarity and nature of your proposed outcomes, not on the number of outcomes cited. It is totally appropriate for a project to have only ONE outcome that it is trying to achieve through the intervention reflected in the project’s design.

Project Management This section should include a clear delineation of the roles and responsibilities of project staff, consultants and partner organizations, and how they will contribute to achieving the project’s objectives and outcomes. It should specify who would 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 stated in the funding opportunity announcement and for your specific intervention/activities) preparation of reports; communications with other partners and ACL. It should also describe the approach that will be used to monitor and track progress on the project’s tasks and objectives.

Evaluation This section should describe the specific outcomes (e.g., changes in clients, organizations, and/or communities) expected as a result of this funding as well as method(s), techniques and tools that will be used to: 1) determine whether the proposed intervention 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 the intervention, if it proves successful.

Dissemination This section should describe the method that will be used to disseminate the project’s results and findings in a timely manner and in easily understandable formats, to parties who might be interested in using the results of the project to inform practice, service delivery, program development, and/or policy-making, including and especially those parties who would be interested in replicating the project.

Organizational Capability Each application should include an organizational capability statement and vitae for key project personnel. The organizational capability statement should describe how the applicant agency (or the particular division of a larger agency which will have responsibility for this project) is organized, the nature and scope of its work and/or the capabilities it possesses. It should also include the organization’s capability to sustain some or all project activities after Federal financial assistance has ended.

This description should cover capabilities of the applicant agency not included in the program narrative, such as any current or previous relevant experience and/or the record of the project team in preparing cogent and useful reports, publications, and other products. 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 project and achieving project goals.

Budget Narrative/Justification The Budget Narrative/Justification can be provided using the format included in the document, “Budget Narrative/Justification – Sample Format.” Applicants are encouraged to pay particular attention to this document, which provides an example of the level of detail sought. A combined multi-year Budget Narrative/Justification, as well as a detailed Budget Narrative/Justification for each year of potential grant funding is required.

Note: Applicants will be required to resubmit budget narrative/justification documents that do not include the appropriate level of detail.

Work Plan The Project Work Plan should reflect and be consistent with the Project Narrative and Budget and should cover all three (3) years of the project period. It should include a statement of the project’s overall goal, anticipated outcome(s), key objectives, and the major tasks / action steps that will be pursued to achieve the goal and outcome(s). For each major task / action step, the work plan should identify timeframes involved (including start- and end-dates), and the lead person responsible for completing the task. Please use the “Project Work Plan - Sample Template” format as a reference and resource, if desired.

Letters of Commitment from Key Participating Organizations and Agencies Include confirmation of the commitments to the project (should it be funded) made by key collaborating organizations and agencies in this part of the application. Any organization that is specifically named to have a significant role in carrying out the project should be considered an essential collaborator. For applications submitted electronically via http://www.grants.gov, signed letters of commitment should be scanned and included as attachments. Applicants unable to scan the signed letters of commitment 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 name.

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) 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 UEI number 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 UEI number in each application or plan to submit to the OPDIV.

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

http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:support@grants.gov

The Federal Government will transition from the DUNS Number to the New Unique Entity Identifier. By April of 2022, the federal government will stop using the DUNS number to uniquely identify entities. At that point, entities doing business with the federal government will use a Unique Entity Identifier (SAM) created in SAM.gov. They will no longer have to go to a third-party website to obtain their identifier. This transition allows the government to streamline the entity identification and validation process, making it easier and less burdensome for entities to do business with the federal government. If your entity is registered in SAM.gov today, your Unique Entity ID (SAM) has already been assigned and is viewable in SAM.gov. This includes inactive registrations. The Unique Entity ID is currently located below the DUNS Number on your entity registration record. Remember, you must be signed in to your SAM.gov account to view entity records. To learn how to view your Unique Entity ID (SAM) go to this help article.

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 acknowledgment from https://www.grants.gov that contains https://www.grants.gov tracking number. The Administration for Community Living will retrieve your application form from https://www.grants.gov.

4. Submission Dates and Times Due Date for Applications 06/28/2022

06/28/2022 Date for Informational Conference Call:

06/01/2022 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.

https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=gsafsd_kb_articles&sys_id=a05adbae1b59f8982fe5ed7ae54bcbba https://www.grants.gov https://www.grants.gov https://www.grants.gov 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.

INFORMATIONAL CONFERENCE CALL

3:00 PM EASTERN TIME, JUNE 1, 2022

TOLL FREE NUMBER: 888-843-9982

PARTICIPANT PASSCODE: 2293814

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

6. 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 http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/

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.

7. Other Submission Requirements Letters of intent should be emailed to Robert.Groenendaal@acl.hhs.gov.

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria Applicants must document all of their source material. If any text, language and/or materials are from another source, the applicant must make it clear the material is being quoted and where the text comes from.