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[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 210 (Tuesday, November 1, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66238-66246]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-21789]

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Part VII

Department of Housing and Urban Development

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Universities Rebuilding America Partnerships (URAP)--Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities (HBCU); Notice

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

[[Page 66238]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5024-N-01]

Universities Rebuilding America Partnerships (URAP)--Historically 
Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)

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 (URAP)--Historically Black Colleges and Universities 
(HBCU).
    C. Announcement Type: Initial announcement.
    D. Funding Opportunity Numbers: The Federal Register number for 
this NOFA is FR-5024-N-01. The OMB approval number for this program is 
2528-0235.
    E. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: The CFDA 
number for this program is 14.520.
    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)--Historically Black Colleges and Universities 
(HBCU) program will provide critical resources and assistance to 
communities, principally for persons of low- and moderate-income, 
impacted by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita (or both) to revitalize their 
communities and rebuild their lives.
    2. Award Information: Approximately $3.6 million of unobligated 
funds appropriated for the HBCU program under the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2005 (Pub. L. 108-447, approved December 8, 2004) 
has been made available for this program. If funding remains after 
awards are made to all eligible applicants, the remaining funds will be 
used in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 funding cycle competition for the 
Office of University Partnerships, Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities program.
    The maximum amount an applicant can request for award is $350,000 
for a two-year (24-month) grant performance period.
    3. Eligible Applicants: Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities that meet the definition of Historically Black Colleges 
and Universities as determined by the U.S. Department of Education (see 
34 CFR 608.2) in accordance with that Department's responsibilities 
under Executive Order 13256, dated February 12, 2002, are eligible to 
apply for funding under this program. Applicants must be accredited by 
a national or regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. 
Department of Education.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Purpose

    The purpose of the Universities Rebuilding America Partnerships 
(URAP)--Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) program is 
to provide critical resources and assistance to communities, 
principally for persons of low- and moderate-income, impacted by 
Hurricanes Katrina or Rita (or both) to revitalize their communities 
and rebuild their lives.
    For the purposes of this program, an applicant must provide 
services or activities in, or for the benefit of persons currently 
residing in or displaced from, a designated disaster area affected by 
Hurricanes Katrina or Rita.

B. Authority

    HUD's authority for making funding available under this NOFA is the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005 (Pub. L. 108-447; approved 
December 8, 2004). This program is implemented through the regulations 
at 24 CFR 570.404 and through this NOFA, and the policies governing its 
operation are contained herein.

II. Award Information

A. Award Amount

    Approximately $3.6 million of unobligated funds appropriated for 
the HBCU program under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005 (Pub. 
L. 108-447) has been made available for this program. If funding 
remains after awards are made to all eligible applicants, the remaining 
funds will be used in FY06 to fund applicants for the Office of 
University Partnerships, HBCU program.
    The maximum amount an applicant can request for award is $350,000 
for a two-year (24-month) grant performance period.

B. Additional Information

    1. For purposes of this NOFA, the 15 percent cap on public service 
activities (see 24 CFR 570.201(e)(1)) is inapplicable. See section 
VIII.A of this NOFA for more information.
    2. Institutions applying for the URAP-HBCU program also may submit 
applications for the URAP-Community Design Program (CDP) awards.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    Historically Black Colleges and Universities as determined by the 
U.S. Department of Education (see 34 CFR 608.2) in accordance with that 
Department's responsibilities under Executive Order 13256, dated 
February 12, 2002, are eligible to apply for funding under this 
program. All applicants must be accredited by a national or regional 
accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

    None Required.

C. Other

1. Eligible Activities
    Eligible activities are listed in 24 CFR part 570, subpart C, 
particularly Sec. Sec.  570.201 through 570.206. Information regarding 
these activities can be found at: www.hudclips.org (click on the Code 
of Federal Regulations for detailed information).
    a. Examples of eligible activities for this program include, but 
are not limited to:
    (1) Clearance and demolition;
    (2) Rehabilitation of residential structures, including lead-based 
paint hazard evaluation and reduction, and making accessibility and 
visitability modifications in accordance with the requirements of 
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794);
    (3) Assistance to organizations within the disaster area, including 
community-based development organizations in accordance with 24 CFR 
570.204; faith-based organizations; institutions of higher education; 
and state and local entities to carry out neighborhood revitalization 
and community economic development;
    (4) Public service activities such as those general support 
activities that can help to stabilize a neighborhood in the designated 
disaster area and contribute to sustainable redevelopment of the area, 
including, but not limited to, such activities as those concerned with 
employment, job training, youth programs, child care, and health care 
services;
    (5) Technical assistance to help neighborhood residents file 
insurance claims and obtain qualified, reputable contractors to make 
repairs on homes/property;

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    (6) Distance learning opportunities to displaced university 
students and local residents--who are away from the campus/office;
    (7) Establishment of neighborhood technology centers (e.g., 
neighborhood network centers); and
    (8) Technical assistance to small and minority-owned businesses.
    b. Eligible activities that may be funded under this program are 
those eligible activities that meet both the Community Development 
Block Grant (CDBG) program national objectives and eligibility 
requirements.
    c. The three national objectives of the CDBG program are to:
    (1) Benefit low- or moderate-income persons;
    (2) Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight; and
    (3) Meet other community development needs having a particular 
urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat 
to the health and welfare of the community, and when other financial 
resources are not available to meet such needs. Criteria for 
determining whether an activity addresses one or more national 
objectives are provided at 24 CFR 570.208.
    d. The CDBG publication entitled ``Community Development Block 
Grant Program Guide to National Objectives and Eligible Activities for 
Entitlement Communities'' describes the CDBG regulations, and a copy 
may be obtained from HUD's NOFA Information Center at 800-HUD-8929 
(toll-free) or 800-HUD-2209 (toll-free) for the hearing-impaired.
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 the 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).
4. Program Requirements
    In addition to the program requirements listed in Section III.C of 
the General Section, applicants must meet the following program 
requirements:
    a. All funds awarded are for a two-year (24-month) grant 
performance period.
    b. Applicants must ensure that not less than 51 percent of the 
aggregated expenditures of the grant benefits low- and moderate-income 
persons under the criteria specified in 24 CFR 570.208(a) or 
570.208(d)(5) or (6).
    c. Environmental Requirements. Selection for award does not 
constitute approval of any proposed sites. Following selection for 
award, HUD will perform an environmental review of properties proposed 
for assistance in accordance with 24 CFR part 50. The results of the 
environmental review may require that proposed activities be modified 
or proposed sites be rejected. Applicants are particularly cautioned 
not to undertake or commit funds for acquisition or development of 
proposed properties prior to HUD approval of specific properties or 
areas. An application constitutes an assurance that the institution 
will help HUD comply with 24 CFR part 50; will supply HUD with all 
available and relevant information to perform an environmental review 
for each proposed property; will carry out mitigating measures required 
by HUD or select alternate property; and will not acquire, 
rehabilitate, convert, demolish, lease, repair, or construct property, 
and not commit or expend HUD or local funds for these program 
activities with respect to any eligible property until HUD's written 
approval of the property is received. In supplying HUD with 
environmental information, applicants should use the same guidance as 
provided in the HUD Notice CPD-05-07 entitled ``Field Environmental 
Review Processing for Rural Housing and Economic Development (RHED) 
Grants,'' issued August 30, 2005, http://www.hudclips.org/subscriber/cgi/legis.cgi?legis.
    Further information and assistance on HUD's environmental 
requirements is available at http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/energyenviron/environment/index.cfm.
    d. Labor Standards. By Proclamation 7924 of September 8, 2005, the 
President suspended Davis-Bacon labor standards requirements with 
respect to all contracts entered into on or after that date to be 
performed in designated areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. See 70 FR 
54225, September 13, 2005. In areas not specifically listed in this 
proclamation, including some areas that may have been affected by 
Hurricane Rita, institutions and their subgrantees, contractors and 
subcontractors must comply with the labor standards (Davis-Bacon) 
requirements referenced in 24 CFR 570.603. All contractors must 
continue to comply with the provisions of the Contract Work Hours and 
Safety Standards Act to the extent previously required, as referenced 
in Sec.  570.603.f., Economic Opportunities for Low- and Very-Low 
Income Persons (Section 3). The provisions of Section 3 of the Housing 
and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701u) apply to this NOFA. 
Regulations may be found at 24 CFR part 135.

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 Grants.gov">Support@Grants.gov. 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.

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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.
    Applicants that choose to submit a paper application package must 
submit it to the following address: University Partnerships 
Clearinghouse, c/o Danya International, 8737 Colesville Road, Suite 
1200, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3929. When submitting an application 
package, also please include the following information on the outside 
of the envelope:
    a. Office of University Partnerships;
    b. Universities Rebuilding America Partnerships (URAP)--
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU);
    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, and one computer disk of the 
application (in Word 6.0 or higher) and required forms.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

1. Forms
    Copies of the forms required for submission are included in 
Appendix A of the General Section. The electronic version of the NOFA 
contains all forms required for submission. The required forms are as 
follows:
    a. Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424);
    b. Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants (SF-424 
Supplement);
    c. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL);
    d. Applicant/Recipient Disclosure/Update Report (HUD-2880);
    e. Program Logic Model (HUD-96010);
    f. Grant Application Detailed Budget (HUD-424-CB);
    g. Budget-By-Activity (HUD-40076); and
    h. Facsimile 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. 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) The full grant amount (for the entire two years) should be 
entered, not the amount for just one year;
    (2) Include the name, title, address, telephone number, fax number, 
and email address of the designated contact. This is the person who 
will receive the reviewers' comments; therefore, please ensure the 
accuracy of the information;
    (3) The Employer Identification/Tax ID number;
    (4) The DUNS number;
    (5) The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number for this 
program is 14.520;
    (6) 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
    (7) The signature of the Authorized Organization Representative 
(AOR):
    (a) 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.
    (b) 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 required elements of 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 the 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 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, fax 
number, and email 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, fax number, and email address; and
    (5) The principal investigator, if different from the designated 
contact person, for the project, including phone number, fax number, 
and email address.
    d. Narrative statement addressing the 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 (font requirements 
is not applicable to forms, budget narrative, assurances, commitment 
letters, memoranda of understanding, agreements, and abstracts). Each 
page of

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the narrative must include the applicant's name and each page 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 page. This exclusion may result in a lower 
score or failure to meet a threshold requirement.
    e. Budget. The budget submission must include the following:
    (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).
    (2) HUD-40076-HBCU, ``Response Sheet, Budget-By-Activity.'' This 
form must be used to document the entire two-year grant performance 
period. The form should include a listing of tasks to be completed for 
each activity necessary to be performed to implement the program, and 
the overall costs for each activity.
    Remember to check addition in totaling the categories on all forms 
so that all items are included in the total. 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.
    (3) Budget Justification. A narrative must be submitted that 
explains how the applicant arrived at the cost estimates for any line 
item over $5,000 cumulative. 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 in the geographical area. When necessary, quotes from various 
vendors or historical data should be used and included. When an 
applicant proposes to use a consultant, the applicant must indicate 
whether there is a formal written agreement. For each consultant, 
please provide the name, if known, hourly or daily rate, and the 
estimated time on the project. If you are proposing to do any of the 
following activities: acquisition of real property, construction or 
clearance and demolition, rehabilitation of residential, commercial or 
industrial structures, you must submit at least two reasonable 
appraisals/estimates supplied by qualified entities, other than the 
HBCU. Such an entity must be involved in the business of housing 
rehabilitation, construction, or management. Equipment and contracts 
cannot be presented as total of estimated costs. For equipment, 
applicants must provide a list by type, cost for each item, and 
explanation of the equipments use.
    (4) 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 
further discussion on electronic submission of required documentation. 
Applicants that 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 assist applicants in having a rate established.
    f. Appendix. All letters of commitment and other required forms 
should be placed in this section. 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.
    Applicants that submit a paper application must have the package 
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 by other delivery services to the clearinghouse 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

    Ineligible CDBG activities are listed at 24 CFR 570.207. Funding 
may only be provided to applicants that meet the standards for eligible 
applicants in Section III.A. Ineligible activities include but are not 
limited to:
    1. Curriculum development and/or expansion of an institution's 
existing curriculum;
    2. General government expenses; and
    3. Political activities.

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 application 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 the institution 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:
    Knowledge and Experience (25 Points). The knowledge and experience 
possessed by the proposed project director and staff, including the 
day-to-day program manager, consultants (including technical assistance 
providers), and contractors in planning and managing this kind of 
program for which funding is being requested. Applicants must clearly 
identify the following: key project team members, titles (e.g., project 
manager/coordinator, etc.), respective roles for the project staff, and 
a brief description of their relevant experience. Experience will be 
judged in terms of recent and relevant knowledge and skills of the 
staff to undertake the proposed eligible program

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activities. HUD will consider experience within the last five (5) years 
to be recent and experience pertaining to similar activities to be 
relevant.
2. Rating Factor 2: Need/Extent of the Problem (10 Points)
    This factor addresses the extent to which there is a need for 
funding the proposed program activities in the designated disaster 
area. An indication of urgency of meeting the need to benefit the 
target area is not necessary, as this has already been identified for 
the entire regions affected by Hurricane Katrina or Rita. The need(s) 
described must be relevant to the activities for which funds are being 
requested. The proposal will be evaluated on the extent to which an 
assessment of the need for the proposed activities has been documented.
3. Rating Factor 3: Soundness of Approach (55 Points)
    This factor addresses the quality and effectiveness of the proposed 
work plan.
    This factor will be evaluated based on the extent to which the 
proposed work plan demonstrates the following:
    a. (45 Points) Quality of the Work Plan. This subfactor will be 
evaluated on the extent to which an applicant provides a clear detailed 
description of the proposed project and anticipated accomplishments.
    (1) (35 Points) Specific Services and/or Activities. The work plan 
must describe all proposed activities and major tasks required to 
successfully implement the proposed project and achieve anticipated 
accomplishments.
    (a) Applicants must provide a clear description of the proposed 
activities and address the following:
    (i) Describe each proposed activity required to successfully 
implement and complete the proposed project in measurable terms (e.g., 
the number of persons to be trained and employed, houses to be 
rehabilitated, or minority-owned businesses to be started, etc.);
    (ii) List how each proposed activity meets one of the following 
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program national objectives:
     Benefit low- and moderate-income persons;
     Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight; 
or
     Meet other community development needs having a particular 
urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat 
to the health and welfare of the community, and for which other 
financial resources are not available. Criteria for determining whether 
an activity addresses one or more objective are provided at 24 CFR 
570.208;
    (b) Outline the major tasks required (in sequential order) to 
successfully implement and complete the proposed program activities. 
Include target completion dates for each activity/task (in 6-month 
intervals, up to 24-months); and
    (c) Identify the individuals, as described in Factor 1, who will be 
responsible for completing each activity/task.
    (2) (10 Points) Describe clearly how each proposed activity will:
    (a) Address the needs identified in Factor 2;
    (b) Relate to and not duplicate other activities in the designated 
disaster area. Duplicative effort will be acceptable only if an 
applicant can demonstrate through documentation that there is a 
population in need that is not being served; and
    (c) Involve and empower citizens of the target area in the proposed 
project.
    b. (5 Points) Involvement of the Faculty and Students. The 
applicant must describe the extent to which it proposes to integrate 
the institution's students and faculty into proposed project 
activities.
    c. (5 Points) Involvement of Community. Applicants must identify a 
partner within the designated hurricane disaster area to serve the 
impacted community, neighborhood, municipality, or metropolitan area. 
Applicants may receive four or five points under this subfactor as 
follows:
    (1) (4 Points) Local community partner. 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; institutions of higher education; 
financial institutions; foundations; and faith-based and other 
community-based organizations. Applicants must obtain a written 
agreement with the local partner that outlines the services needed and 
the involvement of the partner in the program to receive funding under 
this program.
    (2) (5 Points) HBCU Partner. Applicants are encouraged to partner 
with an HBCU that is located within the hurricane-affected area. 
Applicants must obtain a written agreement with the local HBCU that 
outlines the services needed and the involvement of the partner in the 
program to receive funding under this program.
    HUD reserves the right to require grantees to partner with a 
different HBCU than the institution that is identified at the time of 
application.
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 its 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 detailed.
    ``Outcomes'' are benefits accruing to the community during or after 
participation in the program. Applicants must clearly identify the 
outcomes to be measured and achieved. Examples of outcomes include 
increased employment opportunities in the designated disaster area by a 
certain percentage, increased incomes/wages or other assets for persons 
trained, or enhanced family stability through the creation of job 
opportunities.
    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 affordable housing units, the number of 
homes that have been renovated, and the number of facilities that have 
been constructed or rehabilitated. Outputs should produce outcomes for 
the program. At a minimum, an applicant must address the following 
activities in the evaluation plan:
    a. Measurable outputs to be accomplished (e.g., the number of 
persons to be trained and employed, houses to be rehabilitated, or 
minority-owned businesses to be started); and
    b. Measurable outcomes the grant will have in the designated 
disaster target area or population.
    This information must be placed on a HUD-96010, Program Outcome 
Logic Model form. Applicants may use as many copies of this form as 
required. It will not be included in the page count requirement. A 
narrative is not required or requested. The completed logic model 
should stand on its own. However, if a narrative is provided, those 
pages will be included in the page count. Additional information on 
this

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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 an award offer, HUD will make an award to the next highest-
ranking application. If funds remain after all selections have been 
made, the remaining funds will be carried over to the FY06 Historically 
Black Colleges and Universities Program funding cycle's competition.
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 
applicants 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

    For further discussion of this matter, please refer to Section 
VI.B. in 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 no later than 90 days from the announcement of the awardees 
to: Ophelia Wilson, Office of University Partnerships, Robert C. Weaver 
Federal Building, 451 Seventh Street, SW., Room 8130, Washington, DC 
20410-6000.
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 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) circulars at the OMB website 
at www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/index.html.
3. OMB Circulars and Governmentwide Regulations Applicable to Financial 
Assistance Programs
    The General Section provides further discussion on this matter.
4. Executive Order 13202, Preservation of Open Competition and 
Government Neutrality Towards Government Contractors' Labor Relations 
on Federal and Federally Funded Construction Projects
    See the General Section for further discussion.
5. Procurement of Recovered Materials
    See Section III.C.4 of the General Section for further discussion.
6. Code of Conduct
    See the General Section for further discussion.

C. Reporting

    All grant recipients under this NOFA are required to submit 
quarterly 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 status report, as well as a 
cumulative summary of costs incurred during the reporting.
    For each reporting period, as part of the required report to HUD, 
grant recipients must include a completed Logic Model form (HUD-96010), 
which identifies output and outcome achievements.

VII. Agency Contacts

    Applicants may contact Ophelia Wilson at (202) 708-3061, extension 
4390, 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 Ms. Wilson via e-
mail at [email protected], and/or Ms. Brunson at [email protected].

VIII. Other Information

A. Fifteen (15) Percent Cap on Public Services

    For this URAP-HBCU NOFA, the 15 percent cap on public service 
activities provided for in 24 CFR 570.201(e)(1) is inapplicable. 
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 URAP-HBCU NOFA, there is 
no cap on the amount of grant funds that may be used for public service 
activities. This change is effective for this URAP-HBCU NOFA only and 
does not extend to any other program.

B. Environmental Requirements

    This NOFA provides funding under, and does not alter the 
environmental requirements of 24 CFR 570.404. 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). Activities under this NOFA are subject to the environmental 
review provisions set out at 24 CFR 570.404(i). See also environmental 
requirements in Sec. III.C.4.d of this NOFA.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The information collection requirements contained in this document 
have been submitted to the

[[Page 66244]]

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520) and assigned control number 2528-0235. 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 356 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.

    Dated: October 24, 2005.
Darlene F. Williams,
Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research.
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