PAY FOR SUCCESS ADMINISTRATIVE DATA PILOT 2016 COMPETITION FAQs

SOCIAL INNOVATION FUND

2016 Pay for Success Administrative Data Pilot Competition

Frequently Asked Questions

Version: 08.05.2016

The Notice of Federal Funding Availability (Notice) and the application instructions are the 

primary sources of information about the requirements of this funding competition. This 

document is intended to provide further clarification, where necessary, and does not supplement 

nor duplicate those documents.

Please submit questions to: SIFApplication@cns.gov.

1. Is there a limit to the number of applications you will accept from a single institution? 

In other words, should we coordinate an internal selection process to ensure that only 

one application goes forward?

There is no limit to the number of applications we will accept from an institution.

2. If an eligible partnership applies, will the lead entity of the partnership be the entity 

drawing down funds from CNCS? Or will both entities be able to draw down funds 

directly from CNCS? Also, will each entity be able to use its own indirect cost rate?

At time of application, CNCS will expect the lead applicant to use its indirect cost rate. If 

approved for funding CNCS will deal with both entities with some degree of independence 

concerning their collective responsibilities and may make two separate notice of grant 

awards. During the clarification stage, if it is determined that there is a need to make two 

separate awards, the entities will have an opportunity to apply their own indirect rates and 

after award will draw from separate accounts. 

3. The proportion of administrative expenses in the first year will presumably be higher 

than in subsequent years due to the costs of the competition and because assistance 

won't begin until the year is already well underway. Is the 80% rule calculated on a 

per-year or per-award basis?

It is not prohibited for more than 20% of an annual budget to be administrative costs as long 

as the budget for the overall three-year project period includes no more than 20% for 

administrative costs. However, any annual budget which exceeds 20% for administrative 

costs must be approved by CNCS on an individual basis. Approval would occur as part of the 

award process.

4. Are there specific criteria for a Recipient or Service Recipient to demonstrate that a 

PFS project is "in the pipeline"? 

There are no specific criteria to demonstrate that a PFS project is in the pipeline. Our intent 

is that the services provided by a Recipient of this grant support PFS projects at any stage of 

development through implementation
2016 COMPETITION FAQs SOCIAL INNOVATION FUND – PAY FOR SUCCESS

nationalservice.gov/SIF 2

5. Can a for-profit organization be a consultant or a contractor on a SIF grant?

Yes, for-profit organizations may be contracted by Recipients in order to complete activities 

proposed in the application. Contracting must follow the procurement standards in 2 CFR 

200.317-200.326. The services contractors provide must be properly chargeable to the grant 

under 2 CFR 200.402-200.408, including being reasonable, allowable and allocable.

6. Can a Recipient contract with a local non-profit to help with the cleaning and matching 

of administrative data?

Yes, a Recipient of this grant could contract with another entity to complete grant activities, 

as long as federal procurement standards are followed. See 2 CFR 200.317-200.326. The 

services contractors provide must be properly chargeable to the grant under 2 CFR 200.402-

200.408, including being reasonable, allowable and allocable. 

7. Is there a minimum/maximum number of Service Recipients, or is the number selected 

in the competition up to the Recipient's discretion (within the budget guidelines of 

$75,000 to $400,000 of services)?

That is correct. There is no prescribed minimum or maximum number of Service Recipients.

8. The NOFA makes it clear that Recipients can only provide services to Service 

Recipients and not funds. However the definition of Recipient in the appendix refers to 

the awarding of funds or services. Should I ignore the reference to funds because it is 

not relevant for this competition?

Yes. For the Administrative Data Pilot program, Recipients cannot award funds to Service 

Recipients.