**DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES**

**Administration for Children and Families**

**Office of Child Support Enforcement**

**Funding Opportunity Title**: Section 1115 Demonstration Grants

**Announcement Type:** Initial-Grant

**Funding Opportunity Number:** HHS-2005-ACF-OCSE-FD-0006

**CFDA Number**: 93.564

**Due Date of Applications:** April 5, 2005

**Additional Overview Content**

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Child
Support Enforcement (OCSE) invites applications from State Title IV-D
agencies for fiscal year 2005 funding of demonstration activities
intended to add to the knowledge and to promote the objectives of the

Child Support Enforcement Program under section 1115 and Title IV-D of
the Social Security Act. [Only State Title IV-D agencies or the umbrella
agencies of which they are a part are eligible to apply for these
grants.]{.underline} Throughout the priorities, we note that faith and
community-based organizations may be used as collaborators with the
States in the proposed projects, as appropriate.

Applications will be screened and evaluated as indicated in this program
announcement. Awards will be contingent on the outcomes of the
competition and the availability of funds. For new grants in FY 2005,
\$1,143,575 is available for all priority areas. The section 1115 funds
awarded to each project will represent 29 percent of the total project
costs. For the purposes of the demonstration project, the total
expenditures will be treated as State expenditures under Title IV-D that
will be reimbursed by the regular Federal match of 66 percent of
expenditures for Title IV-D administrative activities. Grantees must
provide at least five percent of the total approved cost of the project.
The total approved cost of the project is the sum of the ACF grant award
under section 1115, regular Title IV-D Federal Financial Participation
(FFP), and the State share. An example of the project budget for one
possible grant award available under this announcement is provided below
under Section III.3. Applicants must prepare a formal budget on the
required forms, as listed in IV.3, below. The section 1115 grant (29
percent of the total), the State match (five percent of the total), and
the Title IV-D match (66 percent of the total) must be identified
separately on the budget forms.

On October 21, 2004, OCSE conducted an audio conference call on "Writing
a Grant Application Made Easy."  The material presented covered major
differences between Section 1115 and Special Improvement Project (SIP)
grant programs, key elements of the evaluation criteria, and advice on
what to include and common mistakes to avoid.  It did not cover the
details of the published announcement or discuss the specific priority
areas.  The recorded tape of this call is available through January 31,
2005 toll free at 1-866-442-8065.

**Background of Priority Areas for Fiscal Year 2005**

The National Child Support Enforcement Strategic Plan \[the Plan\] has
been revised recently. The revised Plan:

> ...is the result of a lengthy collaborative effort. It reflects more
> than ten years of child support professionals brainstorming and
> consensus-building among branches and levels of government....The FY
> 2005-2009 Plan weaves a modern mosaic from a set of updated objectives
> and related strategies. These objectives and strategies demonstrate
> how the Child Support Enforcement (CSE) Program has evolved and
> matured. Child support is no longer primarily a welfare reimbursement,
> revenue-producing device for the Federal and State governments; it is
> a family-first program, intended to ensure families' self-sufficiency
> by making child support a more reliable source of income. \[2005-2009
> National Child Support Enforcement Strategic Plan & Measures, page 1\]

A key aspect of the Plan is a set of strategies for seeking to meet the
goals of the Plan. We seek to help implement those strategies through
our requests for demonstration projects in the priority areas outlined
in this announcement.

**Anticipated Total Program Funding:** \$1,143,575

**Anticipated Number of Awards:** 10

**Ceiling on Amount of Individual**

**Awards (Section 1115 funds):** \$60,000 to \$175,000 per budget period

**Floor on Amount of Individual**

**Awards (Section 1115 funds):** None

An application that exceeds the stated priority area ceiling will be
considered non-responsive.

**Eligible Applicants:**

Eligible applicants for these Section 1115 demonstration project grants
are State (including the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and
the Virgin Islands) Title IV-D or human services umbrella agencies only.

**Cost Sharing and Matching:** Yes

Failure to provide the required cost sharing/matching amount will result
in a disallowance of unmatched federal funds.

**Electronic link to full Announcement:**

Click on the following link:
<http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/HHS-2005-ACF-OCSE-FD-0006.html>

**If you have problems linking to the full announcement contact:**

Name: James Rich

E-mail address: <jrich@acf.hhs.gov>

**I. Funding Opportunity Description**

**Priority Area 1:**

**Reducing Intervention and Use of Adversarial or Formal Proceedings
While Increasing Financial Security for Children Born Out of Wedlock**

1.  **Description**

> In this priority area, we are looking for States to develop and
> implement innovative strategies that will lead to regular financial
> support for children, while minimizing the need for adversarial
> proceedings, or formal administrative or judicial proceedings, or
> minimizing the need to take formal or punitive actions in order to
> collect support that is owed by a noncustodial parent. These
> strategies might include the agency, institution, or organization
> staff encouraging voluntary paternity establishment; providing
> information (and referral services) to unwed parents about the impact
> of marriage and single parenting on the financial security of
> children; and/or providing mediation services for low-income parents.
> For example, at the time of paternity establishment, or during child
> support enforcement order establishment, the staff of the institution,
> agency, or organization will encourage the parents to re-examine their
> choices for their child in addition to providing child support. For
> those who are interested, the staff of the agency, institution, or
> organization will refer them to healthy marriage programs. For those
> parents who are not interested in marriage, the staff of the agency,
> institution, or organization might help the parents reach agreement on
> the appropriate child support order amount based on CSE state
> guidelines, referring them, as appropriate, to pro se information or
> legal services for information on visitation and custody, or encourage
> them to reach direct agreement and stipulation.

**II. Award Information**

> **Funding Instrument Type:** Grant
>
> **Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding:** \$433,575 per budget
> period
>
> **Anticipated Number of Awards:** 4
>
> **Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards:** \$108,400 per budget
> period
>
> **Floor on Amount of Individual Awards:** None

**Average Projected Award Amount:** \$108,400 per budget period

**Length of Project Periods:** 36 months with three 12-month budget
periods

An application that exceeds the upper value of the dollar range
specified will be considered non-responsive.

Under the matching formula, each total project budget would be \$373,793
in State, Federal Section 1115, and Federal Title IV-D funds in each
funding year. The amount provided for the project depends on the level
of effort needed to conduct it. OCSE reserves the right to fund the
project at an amount and level of effort less than that proposed by the
applicant.

**Priority Area 2:**

**Developing a Comprehensive System of Early Intervention That Will
Avoid Future Problems**

1.  **Description:**

> Often, there are problems or issues in the child support process from
> the beginning. OCSE is looking for creative, comprehensive approaches
> by States that will avoid or minimize those problems. We seek projects
> that will test the development and implementation of a comprehensive
> system covering at least three of the following activities (or other
> identified applicant strategies consistent with this priority):
> increasing voluntary payment of support, reducing arrears, and
> providing for child support as a more reliable source of income. Such
> strategies could include easy access to genetic testing for parents of
> children born out of wedlock; early intervention to modify orders,
> correcting mismatches between ordered payments and ability to pay;
> revised guidelines, especially in low-income cases, to reflect shared
> custody, account for visitation, and consider both parents' incomes
> and health insurance resources; avoidance of default cases through
> better service of process; approaches that are sensitive and
> responsive to ethnic and cultural differences; automated and
> non-automated steps to alert and work with parents to resume payments
> when payments are missed; and/or automation tools that spotlight
> opportunities for early intervention to avoid payment problems.

**II. Award Information**

> **Funding Instrument Type:** Grant
>
> **Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding:** \$350,000 per budget
> period
>
> **Anticipated Number of Awards:** 2
>
> **Ceiling of Individual Awards:** \$175,000 per budget period
>
> **Floor on Amount of Individual Awards:** None
>
> **Average Projected Award Amount:** \$175,000
>
> **Length of Project Periods:** 36 month with three 12-month
>
> budget periods

An application that exceeds the upper value of the dollar range
specified will be considered non-responsive.

Under the matching formula, each total project budget would be \$603,448
in State, Federal Section 1115, and Federal Title IV-D funds in each
funding year. The amount provided for the project depends on the level
of effort needed to conduct it. OCSE reserves the right to fund the
project at an amount and level of effort less than that proposed by the
applicant.

**Priority Area 3:**

**Having Reliable and Regular Payments Made in Cases with Infrequent
Payments**

1.  **Description:**

> Some non-custodial parents \[NCPs\] pay child support primarily only
> once a year, e.g., by income tax offset, or only when a debt is
> substantial and they are forced to pay a lump sum. OCSE is seeking
> demonstrations that would identify and analyze the reasons for these
> payment patterns and design and test methods of encouraging the NCPs
> to pay more regularly. Debt might be relieved with the obligee's
> permission and/or the State might relieve uncollectible debt in return
> for regular, reliable payment of current support.

**II. Award Information**

> **Funding Instrument Type:** Grant
>
> **Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding:** \$120,000 per budget
> period
>
> **Anticipated Number of Awards:** 2
>
> **Ceiling of Individual Awards:** \$60,000 per budget period
>
> **Floor on Amount of Individual Awards:** None
>
> **Average Projected Award Amount:** \$60,000 per budget period
>
> **Length of Project Periods:** 17 months

An application that exceeds the upper value of the dollar range
specified will be considered non-responsive.

Under the matching formula, each total project budget would be \$206,897
in State, Federal Section 1115, and Federal Title IV-D funds. The amount
provided for the project depends on the level of effort needed to
conduct it. OCSE reserves the right to fund the project at an amount and
level of effort less than that proposed by the applicant.

**Priority Area 4:**

**Use of Specific Collaboration Protocols with Other Agencies**

1.  **Description:**

> State and local child support agencies depend on other agencies for
> the receipt of information that enables them to locate both custodial
> and non-custodial parents \[NCPs\], to have children's health needs
> met, and to address other aspects of the support of the children and
> families they serve. OCSE invites proposed demonstrations that would
> emphasize timely, accurate data exchanges, including standardized data
> interfaces, with agencies that administer these programs, in order to
> expedite the establishment of parentage and develop effective
> communication models between Child Support Enforcement agencies and
> TANF, Child Welfare, and Medicaid agencies, as well as birthing
> centers, courts, and vital records offices.
>
> States would develop a partnership with another State or local agency
> and demonstrate how the use of technology, including automated
> processes, improves performance in both programs. The agencies would
> develop an interagency agreement designed to be of mutual benefit to
> the partners. The demonstration would assess the impact of the
> partnership and use of technology on child support goals, such as
> paternity establishment, support order establishment, or the payment
> of current or overdue support. The partner agency would identify its
> own goals and results and track its program outcomes. The evaluation
> should include the impact of the intervention on the goals and results
> of the child support and the partner agencies.
>
> **II. Award Information**
>
> **Funding Instrument Type:** Grant
>
> **Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding:** \$240,000 per project
> period
>
> **Anticipated Number of Awards:** 2
>
> **Ceiling of Individual Awards:** \$120,000 per project period
>
> **Floor on Amount of Individual Awards:** None
>
> **Average Projected Award Amount:** \$120,000 per project period
>
> **Length of Project Periods:** 17 months

An application that exceeds the upper value of the dollar range
specified will be considered non-responsive.

Under the matching formula, each total project budget would be \$413,793
in State, Federal Section 1115, and Federal Title IV-D funds. The amount
provided for the project depends on the level of effort needed to
conduct it. OCSE reserves the right to fund the project at an amount and
level of effort less than that proposed by the applicant.

**III. Eligibility Information**

1.  **Eligible Applicants:**

Eligible applicants for these Section 1115 demonstration project grants
are State (including the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and
the Virgin Islands) Title IV-D or human services umbrella agencies only.

**Additional Information on Eligibility**

Throughout the priorities, we note that States may collaborate with
faith and community-based organizations in the proposed projects, as
appropriate.

**2. Cost sharing and Matching:** Yes

Failure to provide the required cost sharing/matching amount will result
in a disallowance of unmatched federal funds.

All grant awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
The section 1115 funds awarded to each project will represent 29 percent
of the total project costs. For the purposes of the demonstration
project, the total expenditures will be treated as State expenditures
under Title IV-D that will be reimbursed by the regular Federal match of
66 percent of expenditures for Title IV-D administrative activities.
Grantees must provide at least five percent of the total approved cost
of the project. The total approved cost of the project is the sum of the
ACF grant award under section 1115, regular Title IV-D Federal Financial
Participation (FFP), and the State share. Applicants must prepare a
formal budget on the required forms, as listed in Section IV.3., below.
The proposed State **five percent** match must be identified on the
budget forms. Matching funds must be provided in cash; they may not be
in-kind. However, services provided by the grantee State are not
considered in-kind funds.

An example of the project budget for one possible grant award available
under this announcement is:

+----------------------------+-----------------+----------------------+
| **Source**                 | **Amount**      | > **% of Project     |
|                            |                 | > Budget**           |
+----------------------------+-----------------+----------------------+
| Sec. 1115 Grant Award      | \$ 60,000       | 29%                  |
+----------------------------+-----------------+----------------------+
| State Share                | \$ 10,345       | 5%                   |
+----------------------------+-----------------+----------------------+
| Title IV-D administration  | \$136,552       | 66%                  |
| FFP                        |                 |                      |
+----------------------------+-----------------+----------------------+
| Total Project Budget       | \$206,897       | 100%                 |
+----------------------------+-----------------+----------------------+

**3. Other Eligibility Information:**

No grant award will be made under this announcement on the basis of an
incomplete application.

All applicants must have a Dun & Bradstreet Universal Numbering System
(DUNS) number. On June 27, 2003, the Office of Management and Budget
published in the Federal Register a new Federal policy applicable to all
Federal grant applicants. The policy requires all Federal grant
applicants to provide a Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System
(DUNS) number when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements
on or after October 1, 2003. The DUNS number will be required whether an
applicant is submitting a paper application or using the government-wide
electronic portal ([www.Grants.gov)]{.underline}. A DUNS number will be
required for every application for a new award or renewal/continuation
of an award, including applications or plans under formula, entitlement,
and block grant programs, submitted on or after October 1, 2003.

Please ensure that your organization has a DUNS number. You may acquire
a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS number
request line on 1-866-705-5711 or you may request a number on-line at
[http://www.dnb.com](http://www.dnb.com/).

**Disqualification Factors:**

An application that exceeds the upper value of the dollar range
specified will be considered non-responsive.

Any application received after 4:30 p.m. eastern time on the deadline
date will not be considered for competition.

**IV. Application and Submission Information**

1.  **Address to Request Application Package:**

Xavier Nelson

OCSE/ACF

Aerospace Building

370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW.

4^th^ Floor East

Washington, DC 20447

Phone: 202-401-5373

E-mail: [xnelson@acf.hhs.gov](mailto:xnelson@acf.hhhs.gov)

> **2. Content and Form of Application Submission**

An original and two copies of the complete application are required. The
original and each of the two copies must include all required forms,
certifications, assurances, and appendices, be signed by an authorized
representative, have original signatures on the original, and be
submitted unbound.

The applicant should clearly **indicate in its application(s) for which
specific priority area it is applying**. This information is necessary
in order that the application be judged according to the priority area
description and in competition with other applications. Applicants may
submit different applications covering different priority areas or they
may submit different applications for different projects under one
priority area**;** however, **they may not submit one application for
the same project covering multiple priority areas.** The length of the
application, excluding the application forms, certifications, and
resumes, should be no more than 25 pages double-spaced. A page is a
single-side of an 8 1/2\" x 11" sheet of plain white paper. (Applicants
are requested not to send pamphlets, maps, brochures or other printed
material along with their application as these are difficult to
photocopy. These materials, if submitted, will not be included in the
review process.) Each page of the application will be counted (excluding
required forms, certifications and resumes) to determine the total
length. **The project description should include all the information
requirements described in the specific evaluation criteria outlined
under Part V.**

To facilitate the review of applications, applicants should address each
requirement in the priority area description under the appropriate
section of the program narrative statement. The reviewers will determine
the strengths and weaknesses of each application using the evaluation
criteria listed below, provide verbal and written comments, and assign
numerical scores to each application.

In addition to the project description, the applicant needs to complete
all the standard forms required for making applications for awards under
this announcement. Applicants requesting financial assistance for
non-construction projects must file the Standard Form 424B,
\"Assurances: Non-Construction Programs.\" Applicants must sign and
return the Standard Form 424B with their applications.

You may submit your application to us either in electronic or paper
format. To submit an application electronically, please use the
[www.Grants.gov/Apply](../www.Grants.gov/Apply) site.  If you use
Grants.gov, you will be able to download a copy of the application
package, complete it off-line, and then upload and submit the
application via the Grants.gov site.  You may not e-mail an electronic
copy of a grant application to ACF.

Please note the following if you plan to submit your application
electronically via Grants.gov:

-   Electronic submission is voluntary

-   When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find information about
    submitting an application electronically through the site, as well
    as the hours of operation.  We strongly recommend that you do not
    wait until the application deadline date to begin the application
    process through Grants.gov.

-   To use Grants.gov, you, as the applicant, must have a DUNS Number
    and register in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR).  You should
    allow a minimum of five days to complete the CCR registration.

-   You will not receive additional point value because you submit a
    grant application in paper format.

-   You may submit all documents electronically, including all
    information typically included on the SF424 and all necessary
    assurances and certifications.

-   Your application must comply with any page limitation requirements
    described in this program announcement.

-   After you electronically submit your application, you will receive
    an automatic acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains a
    Grants.gov tracking number.  The Administration for Children and
    Families will retrieve your application from Grants.gov.

-   We may request that you provide original signatures on forms at a
    later date.

-   You may access the electronic application for this program on
    [www.Grants.gov](http://www.grants.gov/)

-   You must search for the downloadable application package by the CFDA
    number.

An original and two copies of the complete application are required. The
original and each of the two copies must include all required forms,
certifications, assurances, and appendices, be signed by an authorized
representative, have original signatures, and be submitted unbound.

Applicants have the option of omitting from the application copies (not
the original) specific salary rates or amounts for individuals specified
in the application budget.

**Standard Forms and Certifications:**

The project description should include all the information requirements
described in the specific evaluation criteria outlined in the program
announcement under Section V Application Review Information. In addition
to the project description, the applicant needs to complete all the
standard forms required for making applications for awards under this
announcement.

Applicants seeking financial assistance under this announcement must
file the Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal Assistance;
SF-424A, Budget Information\--Non-Construction Programs; SF-424B,
Assurances\--Non-Construction Programs. The forms may be reproduced for
use in submitting applications. Applicants must sign and return the
standard forms with their application.

Applicants must furnish prior to award an executed copy of the Standard
Form LLL, Certification Regarding Lobbying, when applying for an award
in excess of \$100,000. Applicants who have used non-Federal funds for
lobbying activities in connection with receiving assistance under this
announcement shall complete a disclosure form, if applicable, with their
applications (approved by the Office of Management and Budget under
control number 0348-0046). Applicants must sign and return the
certification with their application.

Applicants must also understand they will be held accountable for the
smoking prohibition included within P.L. 103-227, Title XII
Environmental Tobacco Smoke (also known as the PRO-KIDS Act of 1994). A
copy of the Federal Register notice which implements the smoking
prohibition is included with forms. By signing and submitting the
application, applicants are providing the certification and need not
mail back the certification with the application.

Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their compliance
with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. By signing and
submitting the applications, applicants are providing the certification
and need not mail back the certification form. Complete the standard
forms and the associated certifications and assurances based on the
instructions on the forms.

The forms and certifications may be found at:
[[www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm]{.underline}](http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm).

Please see **Section V.1. Criteria**, for instructions on preparing the
full project description.

#### Additional Application Requirements:

Each application must be submitted in accordance with the guidance
provided below.

a)  The application must be signed by an individual authorized to act
    for the applicant agency and to assume responsibility for the
    obligations imposed by terms and conditions of the grant award.

b)  If more than one State's agency is involved in submitting a single
    application, **one State agency must be identified as the applicant
    organization that will have legal responsibility for the grant.**

c)  On the SF-424, Item 15, use this line for a Section 1115 funds
    requested, use line c for State funds and line e for Title IV-D
    matching funds. Use the same divisions in columns (1), (2), and (3)
    in #6 (Section B) and columns (b), (c) and (d) of row 8 (Section C)
    of the 424A. In the other entries on the 424A, add the State and
    Title IV-D shares as non-Federal.

d)  Applicants should NOT include funds for trips to conferences or to
    OCSE's Central Office in Washington, DC. If OCSE requests such
    visits, it will reimburse the grantee for them.

e)  Construction costs may not be included in the project.

**3. Submission Dates and Times**

Due Date: April 5, 2005

**Explanation of Application Due Dates**

The closing time and date for the receipt of applications is 4:30 p.m.,
eastern time, April 5, 2005. Mailed or hand-delivered applications
received after 4:30 p.m., eastern time, on the closing date will be
classified as late. Applicants may choose to mail applications or have
them hand-delivered.

[Deadline:]{.underline} Mailed applications shall be considered as
meeting an announced deadline if they are received on or before the
deadline time and date at the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants
Management, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade,
SW., Washington, DC 20447, between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal
holidays). This address must appear on the envelope/package containing
the application with the note "Attention: Sylvia M. Johnson." Applicants
are responsible for mailing applications well in advance, when using all
mail services, to ensure that the applications are received on or before
the deadline time and date.

Applications hand-carried by applicants, applicant couriers, other
representative of the applicant, or by overnight/express mail couriers
shall be considered as meeting the announced deadline if they are
received on or before the deadline date, between the hours of 8:00 a.m.
and 4:30 p.m., eastern time, at the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants
Management, Division of Discretionary Grants, ACF Mailroom, 2^nd^ Floor
(near loading dock), Aerospace Building, 901 D Street, SW., Washington,
DC 20024, between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). This
address must appear on the envelope/package containing the application
with the note. (Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail
services do not always deliver as agreed.)

[Late applications:]{.underline} Applications that do not meet the
criteria above are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each
late applicant that its application will not be considered in the
current competition.

Any application **received** after 4:30 p.m., eastern time, on the
deadline date will not be considered for competition.

Applicants using express/overnight mail services should allow two
working days prior to the deadline date for receipt of applications.
(Applicants are cautioned that express overnight mail services do not
always deliver as agreed). See Section IV.6. for more detailed
information on submission requirements.

[Extension of deadlines:]{.underline} ACF may extend application
deadlines when circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes,
etc.) occur, or when there are widespread disruptions of mail service,
or in other rare cases. A determination to extend or waive deadline
requirements rests with the Chief Grants Management Officer.

See Section IV.6 for address information for application submissions.

+-----------+------------+-----------------------------------+--------+
| **What to | **Required | **Required Form or Format**       | **When |
| Submit**  | Content**  |                                   | to     |
|           |            |                                   | Su     |
|           |            |                                   | bmit** |
+-----------+------------+-----------------------------------+--------+
| Table of  | As         | Consistent with guidance in       | By     |
| Contents  | described  | "Content and Form of Application  | appli  |
|           | in Section | Submission" section of this       | cation |
|           | IV.2.      | announcement.                     | due    |
|           |            |                                   | date.  |
+-----------+------------+-----------------------------------+--------+
| Abstract  | As         | Consistent with guidance in       | By     |
| of        | described  | "Content and Form of Application  | appli  |
| Proposed  | in Section | Submission" section of this       | cation |
| Project   | IV.2.      | announcement.                     | due    |
|           |            |                                   | date.  |
+-----------+------------+-----------------------------------+--------+
| Completed | As         | May be found on                   | By     |
| Standard  | described  | <http://www.ac                    | appli  |
| Form 424  | in Section | f.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm> | cation |
|           | IV.2.      |                                   | due    |
|           |            |                                   | date.  |
+-----------+------------+-----------------------------------+--------+
| Completed | As         | May be found on                   | By     |
| Standard  | described  | <http://www.ac                    | appli  |
| Form 424A | in Section | f.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm> | cation |
|           | IV.2.      |                                   | due    |
|           |            |                                   | date.  |
+-----------+------------+-----------------------------------+--------+
| Narrative | As         | Consistent with guidance in       | By     |
| Budget    | described  | "Content and Form of Application  | appli  |
| Just      | in Section | Submission" section of this       | cation |
| ification | IV.2.      | announcement.                     | due    |
|           |            |                                   | date.  |
+-----------+------------+-----------------------------------+--------+
| Project   | As         | Consistent with guidance in       | By     |
| Narrative | described  | "Content and Form of Application  | appli  |
|           | in Section | Submission" section of this       | cation |
|           | IV.2.      | announcement.                     | due    |
|           |            |                                   | date.  |
+-----------+------------+-----------------------------------+--------+
| Cert      | As         | May be found on                   | By     |
| ification | described  | <http://www.ac                    | time   |
| regarding | in Section | f.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm> | of     |
| lobbying  | IV.2.      |                                   | award. |
+-----------+------------+-----------------------------------+--------+
| Cert      | As         | May be found on                   | By     |
| ification | described  | <http://www.ac                    | time   |
| regarding | in Section | f.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm> | of     |
| envi      | IV.2.      |                                   | award. |
| ronmental |            |                                   |        |
| tobacco   |            |                                   |        |
| smoke     |            |                                   |        |
+-----------+------------+-----------------------------------+--------+
| Cert      | As         | May be found on                   | By     |
| ification | described  |                                   | time   |
| regarding | in Section | <http://www.ac                    | of     |
| non-con   | IV.2.      | f.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm> | award. |
| struction |            |                                   |        |
| programs  |            |                                   |        |
+-----------+------------+-----------------------------------+--------+

> **4. Intergovernmental Review:**

This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental
Review of Federal Programs," or 45 CFR Part 100, "Intergovernmental
Review of Department of Health and Human Services Programs and
Activities."

5.  **Funding Restrictions**:

Grant awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-award costs.

Construction is not an allowable activity or expenditure under this
solicitation.

Applicants should understand that OCSE will not award grants for
demonstration projects that:

> \(a\) Duplicate automated data processing and information retrieval
> system requirements/enhancements and associated tasks which are
> specified in the Social Security Act.
>
> \(b\) Cover costs for routine activities which would normally be
> reimbursed under the Child Support Enforcement Program, e.g., adding
> staff positions to perform routine CSE tasks, or by other Federal
> funding sources. Proposals and their accompanying budgets will be
> reviewed from this perspective.

*Number of Projects in Application*

Applicants may submit different applications covering different priority
areas or they may submit different applications for different projects
under one priority area**;** however, **they may not submit one
application for the same project covering multiple priority areas.**

6.  **Other Submission Requirements:**

**Submission by Mail:** An applicant must provide an original
application with all attachments signed by an authorized representative
and two copies. The application must be received at the address below by
4:30 p.m., eastern time, on or before the closing date. Applicants are
responsible for mailing applications well in advance to ensure that the
application is received on or before the deadline date and time.

Administration for Children and Families

Office of Grants Management

Division of Discretionary Grants

370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 4^th^ Floor West

Washington, DC 20447

**ATTN: Sylvia M. Johnson, Section 1115 Application**

**Hand Delivery:** An applicant must provide an original application
with all attachments signed by an authorized representative and two
copies. The application must be received at the address below by 4:30
p.m., eastern time, on or before the closing date.

Applications that are hand delivered will be accepted between the hours
of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., eastern time, Monday through Friday
(excluding Federal holidays). Applications may be delivered to:

ACF Mailroom

2^nd^ Floor (near loading dock)

Aerospace Building

901 D Street, SW.

Washington, DC 20024

**Electronic Submission:**
[http://www.Grants.gov](http://www.Grants.gov/) Please see section
**IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission,** for guidelines and
requirements when submitting applications electronically.

ACF will not send applicants an acknowledgement of receipt for
applications received during the application period.

ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax.

**V. Application Review Information**

**The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-13)**\
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated
to average 35 hours per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed and reviewing
the collection information.

The project description is approved under OMB control number 0970-0139
which expires 4/30/2007.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently
valid OMB control number.

1.  **Criteria:**

The following are instructions and guidelines on how to prepare the
"project summary/abstract" and "Full Project Description" sections of
the application.  Under the evaluation criteria section, note that each
criterion is preceded by the generic evaluation requirement under the
ACF Uniform Project Description (UPD). 

PART I THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION OVERVIEW

[PURPOSE]{.underline}

The project description provides a major means by which an application
is evaluated and ranked to compete with other applications for available
assistance. The project description should be concise and complete and
should address the activity for which Federal funds are being requested.
Supporting documents should be included where they can present
information clearly and succinctly. In preparing your project
description, information responsive to each of the requested evaluation
criteria must be provided. Awarding offices use this and other
information in making their funding recommendations. It is important,
therefore, that this information be included in the application in a
manner that is clear and complete.

[GENERAL EXPECTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS]{.underline}

ACF is particularly interested in specific project descriptions that
focus on outcomes and convey strategies for achieving intended
performance. Project descriptions are evaluated on the basis of
substance and measurable outcomes, not length. Extensive exhibits are
not required. Cross-referencing should be used rather than repetition.
Supporting information concerning activities that will not be directly
funded by the grant or information that does not directly pertain to an
integral part of the grant funded activity should be placed in an
appendix.

Pages should be numbered and a table of contents should be included for
easy reference.

PART II GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING A FULL

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

[INTRODUCTION]{.underline}

Applicants required to submit a full project description shall prepare
the project description statement in accordance with the following
instructions while being aware of the specified evaluation criteria. The
text options give a broad overview of what your project description
should include while the evaluation criteria identifies the measures
that will be used to evaluate applications.

[PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT]{.underline}

Provide a summary of the project description (a page or less) with
reference to the funding request.

[OBJECTIVES AND NEED FOR ASSISTANCE]{.underline}

Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial,
institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need
for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate
objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting
documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from
concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any
relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred
to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and
participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In developing the
project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to
provide information on the total range of projects currently being
conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may be
outside the scope of the program announcement.

[APPROACH]{.underline}

Outline a plan of action that describes the scope and detail of how the
proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions or
activities identified in the application. Cite factors that might
accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the
proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of
the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in
cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement.

Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such
terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities
accomplished. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or
function, list them in chronological order to show the schedule of
accomplishments and their target dates.

If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated,
clearance may be required from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget
(OMB). This clearance pertains to any \"collection of information that
is conducted or sponsored by ACF.\"

List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key
individuals who will work on the project, along with a short description
of the nature of their effort or contribution.

[EVALUATION]{.underline}

Provide a narrative addressing how the conduct of the project and the
results of the project will be evaluated. In addressing the evaluation
of results, state how you will determine the extent to which the project
has achieved its stated objectives and the extent to which the
accomplishment of objectives can be attributed to the project. Discuss
the criteria to be used to evaluate results, and explain the methodology
that will be used to determine if the needs identified and discussed are
being met and if the project results and benefits are being achieved.
With respect to the conduct of the project, define the procedures to be
employed to determine whether the project is being conducted in a manner
consistent with the work plan presented and discuss the impact of the
project\'s various activities on the project\'s effectiveness.

[ADDITIONAL INFORMATION]{.underline}

Following are requests for additional information that need to be
included in the application:

[STAFF AND POSITION DATA]{.underline}

Provide a biographical sketch and job description for each key person
appointed. Job descriptions for each vacant key position should be
included as well. As new key staff is appointed, biographical sketches
will also be required.

[BUDGET AND BUDGET JUSTIFICATION]{.underline}

Provide a budget with line item detail and detailed calculations for
each budget object class identified on the Budget Information form.
Detailed calculations must include estimation methods, quantities, unit
costs, and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the
calculation to be duplicated. Also include a breakout by the funding
sources identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.

Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the
categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness,
and allocability of the proposed costs.

[PERSONNEL]{.underline}

Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.

Justification: Identify the project director or principal investigator,
if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time commitment to
the project (in months), time commitment to the project (as a percentage
or full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant salary, wage rates, etc.
Do not include the costs of consultants or personnel costs of delegate
agencies or of specific project(s) or businesses to be financed by the
applicant.

[FRINGE BENEFITS]{.underline}

Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated as part of
an approved indirect cost rate.

Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages that
comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, retirement
insurance, taxes, etc.

[TRAVEL]{.underline}

Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the
applicant organization (does not include consultant travel).

Justification: For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s),
travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if
privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs
and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend
ACF-sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.

[EQUIPMENT]{.underline}

Description: \"Equipment\" means an article of nonexpendable, tangible
personal property having a useful life of more than one year and an
acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of (a) the
capitalization level established by the organization for the financial
statement purposes, or (b) \$5,000. (Note: Acquisition cost means the
net invoice unit price of an item of equipment, including the cost of
any modifications, attachments, accessories, or auxiliary apparatus
necessary to make it usable for the purpose for which it is acquired.
Ancillary charges, such as taxes, duty, protective in-transit insurance,
freight, and installation shall be included in or excluded from
acquisition cost in accordance with the organization\'s regular written
accounting practices.)

Justification: For each type of equipment requested, provide a
description of the equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units,
the total cost, and a plan for use on the project, as well as use or
disposal of the equipment after the project ends. An applicant
organization that uses its own definition for equipment should provide a
copy of its policy or section of its policy, which includes the
equipment definition.

[SUPPLIES]{.underline}

Description: Costs of all tangible personal property other than that
included under the Equipment category.

Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their costs.
Show computations and provide other information, which supports the
amount requested.

[CONTRACTUAL]{.underline}

Description**:** Costs of all contracts for services and goods except
for those that belong under other categories such as equipment,
supplies, construction, etc. Include third‑party evaluation contracts
(if applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient organizations,
including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or businesses to be
financed by the applicant.

Justification**:** Demonstrate that all procurement transactions will be
conducted in a manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical, open
and free competition. Recipients and subrecipients, other than States
that are required to use Part 92 procedures, must justify any
anticipated procurement action that is expected to be awarded without
competition and exceed the simplified acquisition threshold fixed at 41
USC 403(11) (currently set at \$100,000). Recipients might be required
to make available to ACF pre-award reviews and procurement documents,
such as requests for proposals or invitations for bids, independent cost
estimates, etc.

Note: Whenever the applicant intends to delegate part of the project to
another agency, the applicant must provide a detailed budget and budget
narrative for each delegate agency, by agency title, along with the same
supporting information referred to in these instructions.

[OTHER]{.underline}

Enter the total of all other costs. Such costs, where applicable and
appropriate, may include but are not limited to insurance, food, medical
and dental costs (noncontractual), professional services costs, space
and equipment rentals, printing and publication, computer use, training
costs, such as tuition and stipends, staff development costs, and
administrative costs.

Justification: Provide computations, a narrative description and a
justification for each cost under this category.

[NONFEDERAL RESOURCES]{.underline}

Description: Amounts of non‑Federal resources that will be used to
support the project as identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.

Justification: The firm commitment of these resources must be documented
and submitted with the application so the applicant is given credit in
the review process. A detailed budget must be prepared for each funding
source.

**Evaluation Criteria:**

The following evaluation criteria appear in weighted descending order.
The corresponding score values indicate the relative importance that ACF
places on each evaluation criterion.

In considering how applicants will carry out the responsibilities
addressed under this announcement, competing applications for financial
assistance will be reviewed and evaluated against the following
criteria:

OBJECTIVES AND NEED FOR ASSISTANCE [20]{.smallcaps} points

The application pinpoints the problem or issue requiring a solution and
demonstrates the need for the assistance; states the goals and principal
and subordinate objectives of the project; provides supporting
documentation or other testimonies from concerned interests other than
the applicant; identifies other successful demonstration projects that
may have implications for the proposed demonstration (which should
include a review of the relevant literature); identifies the conceptual
or theoretical framework for this model; and describes whether the
proposed project replicates or modifies previously evaluated model(s)
addressing the identified need.

APPROACH 20 points

The application outlines a sound and workable plan of action and
timeline, and details how the proposed work will be accomplished;
describes the approach in detail and points out its unique features;
cites factors that might accelerate or delay this approach, giving
acceptable reasons for taking this approach as opposed to others;
describes and supports any unusual features of the project, such as
extraordinary social and community involvement; includes an adequate
staffing plan that lists key and support staff, consultants, and any
agency, organization, other key group, and/or advisory panels involved
or proposed; and describes the responsibilities, activities, and/or
training plans for each (if applicable).

Random assignment demonstrations are the preferred type of projects
where they can be done. Through demonstrations using experimental and
control groups, results are likely to be more definitive and therefore,
the project will have clear value, whether or not it is successful.

RESULTS OR BENEFITS EXPECTED 20 points

The application identifies the results and benefits to be derived, the
extent to which they are consistent with the goals and objectives of the
project, their contributions to policy and practice in promoting the
objectives of the Title IV-D program listed in section 451 of the Act,
and the extent to which the proposed project costs are reasonable in
view of the expected results.

EVALUATION 20 points

The application identifies the kinds of data to be collected and
maintained, describes procedures for informed consent of participants,
where applicable, and discusses the criteria to be used to evaluate the
results of the project. The application describes the evaluation
methodology to be used to determine if the process proposed was
implemented, if the needs identified were addressed, and if the benefits
expected were achieved. Preferred evaluations will include: 1) a process
evaluation, 2) an outcome evaluation, and 3) an impact evaluation.

Independent evaluations are the normal and preferred evaluation
arrangements for all projects. An independent evaluation contractor is
an entity independent of the executive branch of State government (not
including State universities). The evaluator should be qualified and
experienced in evaluating experiments of the nature, design, scale, and
duration of that proposed by the State.

Sound evaluations to determine whether or not project purposes have been
realized and if the project is replicable are of importance to child
support enforcement policy makers. Accordingly, careful attention should
be paid to the evaluation component of the project application. Funding
for the evaluation should also be estimated with this in mind. Funds
allocated for evaluations should represent a meaningful share of the
overall budget proposal. In order to demonstrate \"meaningful share,\"
the applicant should include an estimate that shows clearly the scope
and level of effort of the proposed evaluation activity. A meaningful
evaluation will show adequate budget allocations for such activities as
local site data collection, training, sampling, if appropriate, random
assignment to experimental and control groups, if appropriate, and third
party consultation on analysis and other aspects of evaluation.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILES 10 points

The application identifies the educational and professional background
of the project director and key project staff and the experience of the
organization to demonstrate the applicant\'s ability to administer and
implement the project effectively and efficiently.

BUDGET NARRATIVE 10 points

The application proposes reasonable project costs and allocates
sufficient funds appropriately across activities to accomplish the
objectives.

The application describes the relationships between the proposed project
and other federally assisted work planned, anticipated or underway by
the applicant. If the project proposed is collaboration, the application
must describe the nature and extent of the collaboration, including the
responsibilities of the respective agencies or organizations in carrying
out the activities identified in the work plan.

The description of activities to be conducted under the contract must
provide, for each person, detail of the level of person-hours of each
position and their annual salary and the cost for this contract and a
delineation of the costs for the same categories listed in row 6 (Object
Class Categories) of the Form 424A.

Although the general rule stated above under the heading TRAVEL suggests
otherwise, applicants should NOT include funds for trips to conferences
or to OCSE's Central Office in Washington, DC. If OCSE requests such
visits, it will reimburse the grantee for them.

Construction costs may not be included in the project.

2.  **Review and Selection Process**

Each application submitted under this program announcement will undergo
a pre-review to determine that (1) the application was received by the
closing date and submitted in accordance with the instructions in this
announcement and (2) the applicant is eligible for funding**. It is
necessary that applicants state specifically for which priority area
they are applying.**

Applications which pass the initial ACF screening will be evaluated and
rated by an independent review panel on the basis of specific evaluation
criteria. The results of these reviews will assist the Commissioner and
OCSE program staff in considering competing applications. Reviewers'
scores will weigh heavily in funding decisions but will not be the only
factors considered. Applications generally will be considered in order
of the average scores assigned by reviewers. However, highly ranked
applications are not guaranteed funding because other factors are taken
into consideration. These include, but are not limited to, the number of
similar types of existing grants or projects funded with OCSE funds in
the last five years; comments of reviewers and government officials;
staff evaluation and input; geographic distribution; previous program
performance of applicants; compliance with grant terms under previous
DHHS grants; audit reports; investigative reports; an applicant's
progress in resolving any final audit disallowance on previous OCSE or
other Federal agency grants. OCSE will consider the geographic
distribution of funds among States and the relative proportion of
funding among rural and urban areas. The evaluation criteria were
designed to assess the quality of a proposed project and to determine
the likelihood of its success. The evaluation criteria are closely
related and are considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of
an application. Points are awarded only to applications which are
responsive to the evaluation criteria within the context of this program
announcement.

Federal reviewers will be used for the review process.

**Approved but Unfunded Applications:**

In cases where more applications are approved for funding than ACF can
fund with the money available, the Grants Officer shall fund
applications in their order of approval until funds run out. In this
case, ACF has the option of carrying over the approved applications up
to a year for funding consideration in a later competition of the same
program. These applications need not be reviewed and scored again if the
program's evaluation criteria have not changed. However, they must then
be placed in rank order along with other applications in later
competition.

3.  **Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates**

> The anticipated starting date for the new awards is July 1, 2005.
> Projects may run through the following dates: for Priority Areas 1 and
> 2, renewal upon successful progress until June 30, 2008; and Priority
> Areas 3 and 4 may run through November 30, 2006, a length of 17
> months. The period of each award is also specified under each Priority
> Area.

**VI. Award Administration Information**

1.  **Award Notices:**

> The successful applicants will be notified through the issuance of a
> Financial Assistance Award document which sets forth the amount of
> funds granted, the terms and conditions of the grant, the budget
> period for which initial support will be given, the non-Federal share
> to be provided, and the total project period for which support is
> contemplated. The Financial assistance Award will be signed by the
> Grants Officer and transmitted via postal mail.
>
> States whose applications will not be funded will be notified in
> writing.

2.  **Administrative and National Policy Requirements:**

> 45 CFR Part 92
>
> Grantees are subject to the requirements in 45 CFR Part 92. These
> requirements may be found at the following URL:
> [www.hhs.gov/grantsnet/admin/fedreg45.htm](../www.hhs.gov/grantsnet/admin/fedreg45.htm)

**Notice of Possible Cross-site Evaluation**

While local evaluation of individual projects is a valued requirement
for these projects, there is also the possibility that individual
projects may be asked to gather and compile data in a manner that
facilitates cross-site evaluation. It is anticipated that cross-site
evaluations for some projects may be undertaken in this and subsequent
years, using funds in addition to those referenced in this announcement.
Applicants must agree to become part of, and fully cooperate with,
cross-site evaluators, should OCSE undertake such an evaluation.
Grantees should be prepared to meet with other grantees, Federal
officials, and the evaluator, as appropriate. If a cross-site evaluation
is conducted, OCSE will bear the cost of it.

3.  **Reporting Requirements:**

> Programmatic Reports: Quarterly
>
> Financial Reports: Quarterly

All grantees are required to submit semi-annual (quarterly or annual)
program reports; grantees are also required to submit quarterly
expenditure reports using the required financial standard form (SF-269)
which can be found at the following URL:
<http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm>

Final reports are due 90 days after the end of the grant period.

**VII. Agency Contacts**

> **Program Office Contact:**
>
> James H. Rich
>
> ACF/OCSE
>
> 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW.
>
> Washington, DC 20447
>
> Phone: 202-401-3447
>
> E-mail: <jrich@acf.hhs.gov>
>
> **Grants Management Office Contact:**
>
> Sylvia M. Johnson
>
> Office of Grants Management, Division of Discretionary Grants
>
> Administration for Children and Families
>
> 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 4^th^ Floor West
>
> Washington, DC 20447
>
> Phone: 202-401-4524
>
> E-mail: <SYJohnson@acf.hhs.gov>

**VIII. Other Information**

Applicants will not be sent acknowledgements of received applications.

Additional information about this program and its purpose can be located
on the following website: URL:
[www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/](http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/)