[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 210 (Tuesday, November 1, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66228-66236]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-21790]



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Part VI





Department of Housing and Urban Development





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Universities Rebuilding America Partnerships--Community Design Program; 
Notice

Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 210 / Tuesday, November 1, 2005 / 
Notices

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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5023-N-01]


Universities Rebuilding America Partnerships--Community Design 
Program

AGENCY: Office of Policy Development and Research, HUD.

ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).

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Overview Information

    A. Federal Agency Name: Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, Office of Policy Development and Research, Office of 
University Partnerships.
    B. Funding Opportunity Title: Universities Rebuilding America 
Partnerships--Community Design program.
    C. Announcement Type: Initial announcement.
    D. Funding Opportunity Numbers: The Federal Register number for 
this Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) is FR-5023-N-01. The OMB 
Approval number for this program is pending.
    E. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: The CFDA 
number for this program has not yet been assigned.
    F. Dates: The application submission date is December 1, 2005.
    G. Additional Overview Content Information:
    1. Purpose of the Program: The Universities Rebuilding America 
Partnerships (URAP)--Community Design program provides funds to schools 
of architecture, urban planning and design, or construction at 
accredited two- and four-year colleges and universities to establish 
and operate partnerships with and for communities affected by 
Hurricanes Katrina or Rita (or both).
    2. Award Information: Approximately $2 million in recaptured Urban 
Development Action Grant (UDAG) program funds will be made available 
for this program. The maximum amount an applicant can request for award 
is $300,000 for a two-year (24-month) grant performance period.
    3. Eligible Applicants: Public or private nonprofit institutions of 
higher education granting two- or four-year degrees in architecture, 
urban planning and design, or construction that are accredited by a 
national or regional accrediting agency and recognized by the U.S. 
Department of Education are eligible to apply for funding under the 
program. A consortium of eligible institutions may also apply for 
funding under this program, as long as one institution is designated 
the lead applicant. Institutions that were previous Office of 
University Partnerships (OUP) grant recipients are eligible to apply 
for these funds.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Purpose

    The purpose of the Universities Rebuilding America Partnerships 
(URAP)--Community Design program is to provide funds to schools of 
architecture, urban planning and design, or construction at accredited 
two- and four-year colleges and universities to establish and operate 
partnerships with and for communities affected by Hurricanes Katrina or 
Rita (or both) to:
    (1) Develop long-range neighborhood designs and plans for local 
communities that address both reconstruction and future growth needs 
within a municipality or established neighborhood(s) within a larger 
municipality; or
    (2) Develop architectural design assessment and rehabilitation/
reconstruction planning for housing and community amenities damaged or 
eliminated by the hurricanes to address resettlement needs.

B. Authority

    This program is authorized under Section 107(b)(5) of the Housing 
and Community Development Act of 1974 and its implementing regulations 
found at 24 CFR 570.411.

II. Award Information

A. Award Amount

    Approximately $2 million in recaptured Urban Development Action 
Grant (UDAG) funds will be made available for this program. The maximum 
amount an applicant can request for award is $300,000 for a two-year 
(24-month) grant performance period. HUD will not make awards of less 
than $100,000.

B. Additional Information

    Applicants may apply for only one grant to address one of the 
categories described in III.C.1.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    Public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education 
granting two- and four-year degrees in architecture, urban planning and 
design, or construction that are accredited by a national or regional 
accrediting agency and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education 
are eligible to apply for funding under this program. A consortium of 
eligible institutions may also apply for funding under this program, as 
long as one institution is designated the lead applicant. Institutions 
that were previous OUP grant recipients are eligible to apply for these 
funds.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

    None required.

C. Other

    All activities must be primarily for the benefit of low- and 
moderate-income individuals (as described at 24 CFR 570.208).
1. Eligible Activities
    a. Neighborhood Design and Planning for Reconstruction Activities. 
Eligible activities in this category include, but are not limited to, 
the following:
    (1) Making use of visual simulation, Geographic Information 
Systems, and other computer modeling tools in the planning process.
    (2) Preparing computer models that can simulate growth, market, and 
investment demands as a tool for community planning and development 
decision-making.
    (3) Partnering with economists and market analysts to determine 
market demands for resettlement and growth, and their effect on housing 
and other needs.
    (4) Conducting symposia to do outreach with and to educate local 
officials and residents.
    (5) Working with legal and regulatory authorities to resolve legal 
and regulatory issues that might limit housing resettlement, 
development, or growth options for the area.
    (6) Meeting and entering into agreements with local officials and 
community groups to establish priorities for plan implementation.
    (7) Conducting focus groups, design charettes or other decision-
making activities that involve communities in providing input and 
responses to proposed designs and plans.
    b. Housing Design and Planning for Reconstruction Activities. 
Eligible activities for this category of URAP awards include, but are 
not limited to, the following:
    (1) Researching and identifying housing rehabilitation, 
resettlement, reconstruction, and construction needs for one or more 
target communities.
    (2) Identifying the range of housing markets within a community 
utilizing both pre- and post-Hurricane demographic trends, including 
market needs of different income groups, as

[[Page 66229]]

well as diverse populations such as the elderly, persons with 
disabilities, younger families with children, empty nesters, racial and 
ethnic minorities, and persons who are homeless.
    (3) Identifying relevant technologies that show promise for 
improving the durability, affordability, and accessibility of housing, 
including but not limited to advanced technologies and building systems 
that have been identified through such sources as the PATH program 
(Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing), Energy Star and 
other sources (See www. pathnet.org for further information on PATH's 
technology inventory, and www.energystar.gov for information on Energy 
Star).
    (4) Developing housing rehabilitation strategies and housing 
reconstruction designs, as well as construction plans that demonstrate 
innovative technologies, energy efficiency, accessibility, green 
building techniques, and/or other features of innovative design.
    (5) Preparing schematic designs of these houses for review by a 
panel of construction and design experts, such as builders, developers, 
and local architects.
    (6) Preparing cost analyses of these rehabilitation, 
reconstruction, and construction designs that illustrate that they are 
affordable and suitable for one or more market segments in the local 
community.
    (7) Conducting extensive focus groups, design charettes, or other 
decision-making activities that engage residents and community leaders 
in providing input and responses to proposed designs and plans. This 
may be done in a method that is sensitive to the potential geographic 
dispersal of community residents.
    (8) Preparing final designs and construction specifications, 
including, where appropriate, the use of industrialized housing 
systems.
    (9) Identifying the site or sites for rehabilitation, 
reconstruction, and construction for submission to local officials and 
potential non-profit and private developers and builders.
    (10) Working with local HUD offices, other government agencies, and 
private institutions (such as private foundations and lending 
institutions), nonprofit and private sector developers to identify 
sources of financing for rehabilitation and reconstruction of houses 
and other community structures.
    (11) Identifying regulatory barriers, including zoning 
restrictions, building codes, and permitting or inspection standards, 
which inhibit the use of new technologies or construction methods; 
assisting communities to eliminate or reduce excessive, unnecessary, or 
duplicative regulations; or to eliminate processes or policies that 
restrict the development, construction, or rehabilitation, or add to 
the cost of affordable housing.
    (12) Implementing an information dissemination program for 
builders, investors, and civic leaders that could include exhibits of 
completed rehabilitation and reconstruction plans and designs in 
suitable community locations, along with symposia, community workshops, 
or other activities.
    (13) Providing continuing architectural services during the 
construction of the completed design by a nonprofit or for-profit 
developer.
    c. Both Grant Categories. In addition to eligible activities in 
each grant category described above, the following are eligible 
activities for both grant categories:
    (1) Incorporating relevant housing design and planning topics in 
the curriculum of architecture and planning schools, by offering design 
and planning courses and studios on relevant topics, such as affordable 
housing, housing economics, real estate development, accessible design, 
energy efficient housing, and/or metropolitan growth, as well as 
extensive service learning components in existing coursework.
    (2) Leases for local office space in which to house the program, 
under the following conditions:
    (a) The lease must be for existing facilities not requiring 
rehabilitation or construction;
    (b) No repairs or renovations of the property may be undertaken 
with program funds; and
    (c) Properties in the Coastal Barrier Resource System designated 
under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (16 U.S.C. 3501) cannot be 
leased with Federal funds.
2. Audit Requirements
    Applicants must ensure that their most current A-133 audit is on 
file at the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. (Applicants are not required 
to submit a copy of the audit with the application.) Grantees that 
expend $500,000 or more in Federal financial assistance in a single 
year (this can be program year or fiscal year) must be audited in 
accordance with OMB requirements as established in 24 CFR part 84. 
Additional information regarding this requirement can be accessed at 
the following Web site: http://harvester.census.gov/sac.
3. Threshold Requirements
    All applicants must comply with the threshold requirements as 
defined in the General Section of the FY2005 SuperNOFA (70 FR 13576, 
March 21, 2005) and the requirements listed below to be evaluated, 
rated, and ranked. Applications that do not meet these requirements 
will be considered ineligible for funding and will be disqualified:
    a. An applicant must meet the eligibility requirements as defined 
in Section III.A. Eligible Applicants.
    b. Only one application can be submitted per institution. If 
multiple applications are submitted, all will be disqualified.
    c. An applicant must receive a minimum score of 75 points to be 
considered for funding.
    d. An applicant must have a DUNS number to receive HUD grant funds. 
(The General Section of the FY 2005 SuperNOFA provides information 
regarding the DUNS requirement.)
    e. Applicants may be part of only one consortium or submit only one 
application; otherwise, all of the applicant's applications will be 
disqualified. HUD will hold the applicant responsible for ensuring that 
neither the applicant nor any part of their institution, including 
specific faculty, participates in more than one application.
4. Program Requirements
    In addition to the requirements listed in Section III.C of the 
General Section, applicants must meet the following program 
requirements specific to the URAP Community Design Program awards:
    a. Employ the research and outreach resources of the institution of 
higher education to solve specific problems identified by the 
communities affected by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita (or both) and served 
by the program funds;
    b. Establish activities in areas identified in the application as 
the communities to be served;
    c. Coordinate activities in communities to be served by the program 
funds;
    d. Act as a clearinghouse for dissemination of information;
    e. Develop instructional materials and provide training for local 
community leaders, when appropriate; and
    f. Exchange information with other URAP-funded efforts.
    g. Applicants must have an identified partner within the 
communities affected by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita (or both), 
neighborhood, municipality or metropolitan area. Applicants must

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obtain a written agreement with the local entity to receive funding 
under this program. Examples of potential partners are State and local 
governments; a quasi-government agency such as a development 
corporation; public housing authority; local or national nonprofit 
organizations, if national organization must have a local affiliate; 
financial institutions; foundations; faith-based organizations, if 
national must have a local affiliate; institutions of higher education; 
and other community-based organizations.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Addresses To Request Application Package

    Applicants may submit either a paper or electronic application. 
When submitting an electronic application, applicants may download the 
instructions to the application found on the Grants.gov Web site at 
http://www.Grants.gov./Apply. The instructions contain the General 
Section and Program Section of the published NOFA, as well as forms 
that you must complete and attach as a ZIP file to your application 
submission. If you have difficulty accessing the information, you may 
call the Grants.gov Support Desk toll-free at (800) 518-GRANTS or e-
mail your questions to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#396a4c4949564b4d79055819514b5c5f04" http: Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>">Support@Grants.gov</a>. The Support Desk staff will 
assist you in accessing the information. Please remember that you must 
complete the five-step registration process in order to submit an 
application utilizing Grants.gov. Your registration allows you to 
electronically sign the application and enables Grants.gov to 
authenticate that the person signing the application has the legal 
authority to submit the application on behalf of the applicant. Please 
see the General Section for information regarding the registration 
process or ask for registration information from the Grants.gov Support 
Desk. Please be aware that the registration process is a separate 
process from requesting e-mail notification of funding opportunities or 
downloading the application and should be done as soon as you download 
the application from the Grants.gov Web site. If you are not sure if 
you are already registered, the Grants.gov Support Desk can verify that 
for you.
    A paper application package must be submitted to the following 
address: University Partnerships Clearinghouse, c/o Danya 
International, 8737 Colesville Road, Suite 1200, Silver Spring, MD 
20910. When submitting an application package, please include the 
following information on the outside of the envelope:
    a. Office of University Partnerships;
    b. Universities Rebuilding America Partnerships (URAP)--Community 
Design program (CDP);
    c. Applicant's name and mailing address (including zip code); and
    d. Applicant's telephone number (including area code).
    A complete paper application package must include an original 
signed application, three copies, one computer disk of the application 
(in Word 6.0 or higher), and required forms.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

1. Forms
    The following forms are required for submission. Copies of these 
forms are included in Appendix A of the General Section. The electronic 
version of the NOFA contains all forms required for submission.
    a. Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424);
    b. Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants (SF-424 
Supplement);
    c. Grant Application Detailed Budget (HUD-424-CB);
    d. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL);
    e. Americas' Affordable Communities Initiative (HUD-27300);
    f. Applicant/Recipient Disclosure/Update Report (HUD-2880);
    g. Program Logic Model (HUD-96010); and
    h. Facsmille Transmittal Cover Page (HUD-96011). This form must be 
used as part of the electronic application to transmit third-party 
documents and other information as described in the General Section as 
part of your electronic application submittal (if applicable). 
Applicants are advised to download the application package and complete 
the SF-424 first, as it will pre-populate the Transmittal Cover page. 
The Transmittal Cover page will contain a unique identifier embedded in 
the page that will help HUD associate your faxed materials to your 
application. Please download the cover page and then make multiple 
copies to provide to any of the entities responsible for submitting 
faxed materials to HUD on your behalf. Please be sure to use the 
Facsimile Transmittal Cover Page as the cover page to any documents 
faxed in response to this NOFA. HUD will not accept entire applications 
submitted by facsimile.
2. Certifications and Assurances
    Please read the General Section for detailed information on all 
Certifications and Assurances. All applications submitted through 
Grants.gov constitute an acknowledgement and agreement to all required 
certifications and assurances. Please include in your application each 
item listed below. Applicants submitting paper copy applications should 
submit the application in the following order:
    a. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. Please remember the 
following:
    (1) Include the name, title, address, telephone number, facsimile 
number, and e-mail address of the designated contact. This is the 
person who will receive the reviewers' comments; therefore, please 
ensure the accuracy of the information;
    (2) The Employer Identification/Tax ID;
    (3) The DUNS number;
    (4) The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number for this 
program has not yet been assigned;
    (5) The project's proposed start date and completion date. For the 
purpose of this application, the program start date should be January 
1, 2006; and
    (6) The signature of the Authorized Organization Representative 
(AOR):
    (i) Applicants submitting electronic applications. The signature of 
the AOR is the individual who has been authenticated by the credential 
provider to submit applications via Grants.gov. The AOR must be able to 
make a binding legal agreement with HUD. See the General Section for 
instructions and requirements for registration with Grants.gov.
    (ii) Applicants submitting paper applications. The signature of the 
Chief Executive Officer of the institution or his/her assigned designee 
is the individual who has the authority to make a binding legal 
agreement with HUD.
    b. Application Checklist. Applicants should use the checklist to 
ensure that they have all the elements required in their application 
submission. Applicants submitting an electronic application do not have 
to submit the checklist in their application. The checklist can be 
found in the NOFA (See Attachment A).
    c. Abstract. Applicants must include no more than a one-page 
summary of the proposed project. Please include the following:
    (1) A clear description of the proposed project activities, the 
designated disaster area, and target population that will be assisted;
    (2) A statement that the institution is an eligible institution 
because it is a two- or four-year fully accredited

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institution; the name of the accrediting agency; and an assurance that 
the accrediting agency is recognized by the U.S. Department of 
Education;
    (3) The designated contact person, including phone number, 
facsimile number, and e-mail address (this is the person who will 
receive the reviewers' comments; therefore, please ensure the accuracy 
of the information);
    (4) University's name, department, mailing address, telephone 
number, facsimile number, and e-mail address; and
    (5) The principal investigator, if different from the designated 
contact person, for the project, including phone number, facsimile 
number, and e-mail address.
    d. Narrative statement addressing the Rating Factors. HUD will use 
the narrative response to the ``Rating Factors'' to evaluate, rate, and 
rank applications. The narrative statement is the main source of 
information. Applicants are advised to review each factor carefully for 
program-specific requirements. The response to each factor should be 
concise and contain only information relevant to the factor, but 
detailed enough to address each factor fully. Focus on how well the 
proposal responds to each of the factors. In factors where there are 
subfactors, each subfactor must be presented separately, with the short 
title of the subfactor presented. Make sure to address each subfactor 
and provide sufficient information about every element of the 
subfactor. The narrative section of an application must not exceed 15 
pages, double spaced, in a Times Roman 12 point font (excluding forms, 
budget narrative, commitment letters, memoranda of understanding, 
agreements, and abstracts). Each page of the narrative must include the 
applicant's name and must be numbered. Please note that although 
submitting pages in excess of the page limit will not disqualify an 
applicant, HUD will not consider the information on any excess pages. 
This exclusion may result in a lower score or failure to meet a 
threshold requirement, resulting in ineligibility.
    e. Budget. The budget submission must include the following form:
    (1) HUD-424-CB, ``Grant Application Detailed Budget.'' This budget 
form shows the total budget by year and by line item for the program 
activities to be carried out with the proposed HUD grant. Each year of 
the program should be presented separately. Applicants must also submit 
this form to reflect the total cost for the entire grant performance 
period (Grand Total).
    Make sure that the amount shown on the SF-424, the HUD-424-CB, and 
all other required program forms is consistent and the budget totals 
are correct. Remember to check addition in totaling the categories on 
all forms so that all items are included in the total. If there is an 
inconsistency between any of the budget forms required, the HUD-424-CB 
will be used. All budget forms must be fully completed. If an 
application is selected for award, the applicant may be required to 
provide greater specificity to the budget during grant agreement 
negotiations.
    (2) Budget Justification. A narrative must be submitted that 
explains how the applicant arrived at the cost estimates for any line 
item, including match items, over $5,000. The proposed cost estimates 
should be both reasonable for the work to be performed and consistent 
with rates established for the level of expertise required to perform 
the work proposed. When an applicant proposes to use a consultant, the 
applicant must indicate whether there is a formal agreement or written 
procurement policy. For each consultant, please provide the name, if 
known, hourly or daily rate, and the estimated time on the project. For 
equipment, applicants must provide a list by type and cost for each 
item and explain how it will be used.
    (3) Indirect costs. Indirect costs, if applicable, are allowable 
based on an established approved indirect cost rate. Applicants should 
include a copy of their indirect cost rate agreement with their 
application. Please refer to Section IV.F of the General Section for 
instructions on how these documents are to be submitted to HUD using 
the electronic submission process. Applicants who are selected for 
funding that do not have an approved indirect cost rate agreement 
(established by the appropriate Federal agency, Certified Public 
Accountant, or auditor) will be required to submit an indirect cost 
proposal to the cognizant Federal agency to establish a rate. In such 
cases, HUD will issue an award with a provisional rate and enter into 
an agreement to have one established.
    f. Appendix. All letters of commitment and other required forms 
should be placed in this section. Applicants applying as a Consortium 
must include a memorandum of understanding or agreement signed by each 
of Chief Executive Officers of the institutions involved. The document 
must describe all the members of the Consortium, outline each 
institution's roles and responsibilities, and describe how much funding 
each institution will receive from the grant. For applicants submitting 
electronic applications, please refer to Section IV.F of the General 
Section for instructions on how third-party documents are to be 
submitted to HUD using the electronic submission process. An applicant 
SHOULD NOT submit general support letters or resumes or other back-up 
materials. If this information is included, it will not be considered 
during the review process. The additional items will also slow the 
transmission of your application.

C. Submission Dates and Times

    An electronic application package must be received electronically 
by the Grants.gov portal no later than 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern time on or 
before December 1, 2005. Applications may be submitted in advance of 
the submission date. Electronic faxes using the Facsimile Transmittal 
(Form HUD-96011) cover sheet contained in the electronic application 
may be submitted prior to the application submission date and must be 
received no later than 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern time on the application 
submission date. Please see Section IV.F of the General Section for 
electronic application submission instructions and timely receipt 
requirements.
    A paper application package must be postmarked on or before 12 
midnight on the application due date and received by the Office of 
University Partnerships Clearinghouse within three (3) calendar days of 
the application due date. Applications should be sent using DHL, Falcon 
Carrier, Federal Express (FedEx), United Parcel Services (UPS), or the 
United States Postal Services (USPS), as access to the clearinghouse by 
other delivery services is not guaranteed. All applicants must obtain 
and save a delivery service receipt or certificate of mailing to 
indicate the application was submitted for delivery on or before the 
application due date. Hand deliveries will not be accepted.

D. Intergovernmental Review

    This program is excluded from an Intergovernmental Review.

E. Funding Restrictions

    1. Activities such as, but not limited to, the following are 
ineligible for funding:
    a. Any type of capital costs for construction, rehabilitation, or 
other physical development.
    b. Routine operations and day-to-day administration of institutions 
of higher education, local governments, or neighborhood groups.
    c. Payment of court fines, judgments or fees imposed as a result of 
a court case, or a settlement of a court case.

[[Page 66232]]

    2. Funding may only be provided to applicants that meet the 
standards for eligible applicants in Section III.A.

F. Other Submission Requirements

    1. Application Submission and Receipt Procedure. Please read the 
General Section carefully and completely for the submission and receipt 
procedures for all applications because failure to comply may 
disqualify your application.
    2. Paper applications will be accepted.

V. Application Review Information

A. Criteria

1. Rating Factor 1: Capacity of the Applicant and Relevant 
Organizational Experience (25 Points)
    This factor addresses the extent to which an applicant has the 
organizational resources necessary to successfully implement the 
proposed activities in a timely manner. In rating this factor, HUD will 
consider the extent to which the proposal demonstrates the knowledge 
and experience of the overall proposed project director and staff, 
including the day-to-day program manager, consultants, and contractors 
in planning and managing the kind of program for which funding is being 
requested. Experience will be judged in terms of recent, relevant, and 
successful knowledge and skills of the staff to undertake eligible 
program activities. HUD will consider experience within the last 5 
years to be recent; experience pertaining to the specific activities 
being proposed to be relevant; and experience producing specific 
accomplishments to be successful.
    Applicants should include information on the commitment of project 
staff time to the project. In addition, applicants must provide 
position titles and qualifications of persons to carry out the proposed 
activities, including academic background, training, and relevant 
publications of project staff.
    Applicants must provide information that reflects whether they have 
sufficient personnel, if they will be able to retain qualified experts 
or professionals to begin the proposed project immediately, and to 
perform proposed activities in a timely and effective fashion.
    Applicants may submit attachments totaling no more than 15 pages 
over and above the narrative statement that consists of copies of 
plans, drawings, photographs, award announcements, or journal articles 
that illustrate previous projects, both for project staff and/or 
representative studio design projects completed by students that 
illustrate the type of design and plans anticipated to be carried out 
as part of the proposed activities. Photographs must be submitted as a 
JPEG file. Drawings, plans, or articles must be submitted as PDF files. 
HUD is only able to read files that are formatted in Microsoft Office, 
Word, and Excel.

2. Rating Factor 2: Need/Extent of the Problem (10 Points)

    This factor addresses the extent to which there is a need for the 
activities the applicant proposes to undertake in response to this 
NOFA. An indication of urgency of meeting the need to participate in 
the target area is not necessary, as this has already been identified 
for the entire region impacted by Hurricane Katrina or Rita. On this 
factor, the proposal will be evaluated on the extent to which it 
documents an assessment of the need for the proposed activities.

3. Rating Factor 3: Soundness of Approach (55 Points)

    This factor addresses the quality and cost-effectiveness of the 
proposed work plan. There must be a clear relationship among the 
proposed activities, community needs, and the purpose of the funding to 
receive points for this factor. The factor will be evaluated based on 
the extent to which the proposed work plan will:
    a. (25 Points) Specific Services and/or Activities. The work plan 
must identify the services or activities, major tasks, milestones, and 
timelines for the activity category proposed. In reviewing this 
subfactor, HUD will consider the extent to which the applicant:
    (1) Identifies which activity category as discussed in III.C.1 of 
this NOFA they will focus on;
    (2) Describes each proposed activity to successfully implement and 
complete the proposed activities;
    (3) Identifies tasks and time frames necessary to accomplish the 
proposed activities;
    (4) Describes the measurable objectives to be accomplished, 
including short- and long-term objectives to be achieved as a result of 
the proposed activities; the tangible and measurable impact the 
activities will have on the community in the target hurricane disaster 
area or a population in particular; and the relationship of the 
proposed activities to other ongoing or proposed efforts to improve the 
economic, social, or living environment in the impact area; and
    (5) Identifies who will be responsible for the proposed activities 
and how the architecture, urban planning and design, or construction 
school will be involved (where appropriate in partnership with other 
disciplines, departments, and administrative offices).
    b. (5 Points) Involving the communities to be served in a 
partnership for the planning and implementation of the proposed 
activities. In reviewing this subfactor, HUD will look at the extent to 
which the applicant:
    (1) Involves local citizens directly in the decision-making and 
design processes;
    (2) Identifies a partner within the Hurricane-impacted community, 
neighborhood, municipality, or metropolitan area. Applicants must 
obtain a written agreement with the local entity to receive funding 
under this program. Examples of potential partners are state and local 
governments; a quasi-government agency such as a development 
corporation; public housing authority; local or national nonprofit 
organizations, if national must have a local affiliate; financial 
institutions; foundations; faith-based, if national must have a local 
affiliate; institutions of higher education; and other community-based 
organizations.
    c. (6 Points) Helping to solve or to address an urgent problem as 
identified in Rating Factor 2 and will achieve the purposes of the 
proposed activities. In reviewing this subfactor, HUD will look at the 
extent to which the activities proposed are responsive to pressing and 
urgent needs, as identified in the documents described in Rating Factor 
2.
    d. (4 Points) Work will yield innovative strategies or ``best 
practices'' that can be replicated and disseminated to other 
organizations, including nonprofit organizations, state and local 
governments and other communities impacted by the hurricanes. In 
reviewing this subfactor, HUD will assess the applicant's demonstrated 
ability to disseminate results to other universities and communities.
    e. (5 Points) Results in supporting the planning and design 
functions and activities of the institution. In rating this subfactor, 
HUD will evaluate the extent to which the URAP activities will benefit 
students (because they are part of the professional training programs 
at the institution rather than just volunteer activities) and support 
the institution's commitment to faculty and staff to continue to work 
in URAP communities and the institution's local communities and 
neighborhoods or replicate successes in other neighborhoods.
    f. (5 points) Involvement of students in course work. In rating 
this subfactor, HUD will look at the extent to which

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URAP activities are incorporated or addressed in student course work, 
including design and planning studios. This should include students' 
developing an understanding of design and planning issues associated 
with the project. Please describe the proposed relationship between 
student work and the final plans or housing designs.
    g. (5 Points) Commitment to the effort. This subfactor addresses 
the applicant's ability to identify/secure additional resources that 
will aid in project implementation. HUD is looking for proposed plans 
to be adopted and resources allocated from the community to support the 
plan/development.
    Governmental entities, public or private nonprofit organizations, 
for-profit private organizations, or other entities willing to 
establish partnerships with the institution may provide resources. In 
order to receive points under this subfactor, applicants must submit 
letters of commitment that outline the services/resources committed, 
how the services/resources will be utilized, and the involvement of the 
entity in the program.
4. Rating Factor 4: Achieving Results and Program Evaluation (10 
Points)
    This factor reflects HUD's goal to embrace high standards of 
management and accountability. It measures the applicant's commitment 
to assess their performance to achieve the program's proposed 
objectives and goals. Applicants are required to develop an effective, 
quantifiable, outcome-oriented evaluation plan for measuring 
performance and determining that objectives and goals have been 
achieved. The Logic Model is a summary of the narrative statements 
presented in Factors 1-3. Therefore, the information submitted on the 
Logic Model should be consistent with the information contained in the 
narrative statements, but does not have to be as detailed.
    ``Outcomes'' are benefits accruing to institutions of higher 
education and/or communities during or after participation in the 
URAP--Community Design program. Applicants must clearly identify the 
outcomes to be measured and achieved. Examples of outcomes are 
increased business start-up in the target community by a certain 
percentage, or increased family financial stability (e.g., increased 
assets to families and communities through the development of 
incubators).
    In addition, applicants must establish interim benchmarks and 
outputs that lead to the ultimate achievement of outcomes. ``Outputs'' 
are the direct products of the program's activities. Examples of 
outputs are the number of new businesses developed, the number of 
students involved in service learning activities, and the number of new 
courses an institution developed that focus on community outreach 
activities, the number of newly formed partnerships that aid in 
community capacity building. Outputs should produce outcomes for the 
program. At a minimum, an applicant must address the following 
activities in the evaluation plan:
    a. Specific time-phased short- and long-term measurable outputs to 
be accomplished.
    b. Measurable outcomes the grant will have on the community in 
general and the target area or population.
    c. The impact the grant will have on the long-term commitment of 
the university to the faculty and students to provide opportunities to 
continue this type of work.
    d. The impact the grant will have on assisting the university in 
obtaining additional resources to continue this type of work at the end 
of the grant performance period.
    This information must be placed under this section on a HUD-96010 
Program Outcome Logic Model form. Applicants may submit as many copies 
of this form as required. It will not be included in the page count 
requirement. A narrative is not required. However, if a narrative is 
provided, those pages will be included in the page count. Additional 
information on this form and how to use it can be found in the General 
Section.

B. Review and Selection Process

1. Application Selection Process
    Two types of reviews will be conducted:
    a. A threshold review to determine an applicant's basic 
eligibility; and
    b. A technical review for all applications that pass the threshold 
review to rate and rank the application based on the ``Rating Factors'' 
listed in Section V.A. Only those applications that pass the threshold 
review will receive a technical review and be rated and ranked.
2. Rating Panels
    To review and rate applications, HUD may establish panels which may 
include experts or consultants not currently employed by HUD.
3. Ranking
    HUD will fund applications in rank order until all available 
program funds are awarded. In order to be funded, an applicant must 
receive a minimum score of 75 points out of a possible 100 points. HUD 
reserves the right to reduce the amount of funding requested in order 
to fund as many highly ranked applications as possible. Additionally, 
if funds remain after funding the highest ranked applications, HUD may 
fund part of the next highest-ranking application. If an applicant 
turns down the award offer, HUD will make the same determination for 
the next highest-ranking application.
4. Correction to Deficient Applications
    The General Section provides the procedures for correction to 
deficient applications.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notice

    After all selections have been made, HUD will notify all winning 
applications in writing. HUD may require winning applicants to 
participate in additional negotiations before receiving an official 
award. For further discussion on this matter, please refer to the 
General Section.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Applicants may meet any of the National Policy Requirements listed 
in Section VI.B of the General Section.
1. Debriefing
    The General Section provides the procedures for requesting a 
debriefing. All requests for debriefings must be made in writing and 
submitted ninety (90) days after the awards have been announced to: 
Kinnard Wright, Office of University Partnerships, Robert C. Weaver 
Federal Building, 451 Seventh Street, SW., Room 8106, Washington, DC 
20410-6000. Applicants may also write to Mr. Wright via e-mail at 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#03486a6d6d6271675c472d5c54716a646b77436b76672d646c75"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0e456760606f7c6a514a2051597c6769667a4e667b6a20696178">[email protected]</span></a>.
2. Administrative
    Grants awarded under this NOFA will be governed by the provisions 
of 24 CFR part 84 (Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher 
Education, Hospitals and Other Non-Profit Organizations), A-21 (Cost 
Principles for Educational Institutions), and A-133 (Audits of States, 
Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations). Applicants can access 
the OMB circulars at the White House Web site at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/index.html.
3. OMB Circulars and Government-Wide Regulations Applicable to 
Financial Assistance Programs
    The General Section provides further discussion.

[[Page 66234]]

4. Code of Conduct
    See the General Section for further discussion.
5. Recovered Materials
    The General Section provides further discussion.
6. Environmental Requirements
    In accordance with 24 CFR 50.19(b) of HUD regulations, activities 
assisted under this NOFA are categorically excluded from the 
requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and are not 
subject to environmental review under related laws and authorities.

C. Reporting

    All grant recipients under this NOFA are required to submit semi-
annual progress reports. The progress reports shall consist of two 
components, a narrative that must reflect the activities undertaken 
during the reporting period and a financial report, as well as a 
cumulative summary of costs incurred during the reporting period.
    For each reporting period, as part of the required report to HUD, 
grant recipients must include a completed Logic Model (HUD-96010), 
which identifies output and outcome achievements.

VII. Agency Contacts

    Applicants may contact Kinnard Wright at (202) 708-3061, extension 
7495, or Susan Brunson at (202) 708-3061, extension 3852. Persons with 
speech or hearing impairments may call the Federal Information Relay 
Service (TTY) at (800) 877-8339. Except for the ``800'' number, these 
numbers are not toll-free. Applicants may also reach Mr. Wright via e-
mail at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0843616666697a6c574c26575f7a616f607c48607d6c266f677e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7d361413131c0f19223953222a0f141a15093d150819531a120b">[email protected]</span></a>, and/or Ms. Brunson at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b8ebcdcbd9d6e7eb96e7facacdd6cbd7d6f8d0cddc96dfd7ce"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3c6f494f5d52636f12637e4e49524f53527c544958125b534a">[email protected]</span></a>.

VIII. Other Information

A. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The information collection requirements contained in this document 
have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520) and assigned 
OMB control number is pending. In accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act, HUD may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, a collection of information unless the 
collection displays a currently valid OMB control number. Public 
reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to 
average 144 hours per annum per respondent for the application and 
grant administration. This includes the time for collecting, reviewing, 
and reporting the data for the application, quarterly, semi-annual, and 
final reports. The information will be used for grantee selection and 
monitoring the administration of funds. Response to this request for 
information is required in order to receive the benefits to be derived.

B. Modification of the Definition of Institution of Higher Learning

    For this URAP--Community Design program NOFA, HUD is modifying the 
definition of Institution of Higher Learning provided for in 24 CFR 
570.411(b). Although HUD generally publishes regulatory changes for 
comment before issuing the regulation for effect, HUD may issue a 
regulatory change when good cause allows the Department to omit advance 
notice and comment, in accordance with HUD's rules at 24 CFR part 10. 
The good cause requirement is satisfied when prior public procedure is 
``impractical, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest'' (see 
24 CFR 10.1). Because of the widespread devastation caused by 
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the urgency to provide assistance to 
persons affected by these natural disasters, HUD has determined that it 
would be contrary to the public interest to delay the effectiveness of 
this regulatory change in order to solicit prior public comment. 
Therefore, for grants awarded pursuant to this NOFA, colleges or 
universities granting 2-year degrees and accredited by a national or 
regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of 
Education will be considered eligible applicants. The modification is 
limited to grants awarded under this NOFA and does not extend to any 
other program or grant.

C. Environmental Impacts

    This NOFA provides funding under, and does not alter the 
environmental requirements of, 24 CFR 570.411. Accordingly, under 24 
CFR 50.19(c)(5), this NOFA is categorically excluded from environmental 
review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
4321) (NEPA). Activities under this NOFA are subject to the 
environmental review provisions set out at 24 CFR 570.411(n). However, 
as indicated in Sec. VI of this NOFA, activities assisted under this 
NOFA are categorically excluded from the requirements of NEPA and are 
not subject to environmental review under related laws and authorities.

    Dated: October 24, 2005.
Darlene F. Williams,
Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research.
BILLING CODE 4210-62-P

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[FR Doc. 05-21790 Filed 10-31-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-62-C


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