[Federal Register: April 25, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 80)]
[Notices]
[Page 21001-22062]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25ap03-90]
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Book 2 of 4 Books
Pages 21001-21504
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Part II
Department of Housing and Urban Development
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Super Notice of Funding Availability (SuperNOFA) for HUD's
Discretionary Programs for Fiscal Year 2003; Notice
[[Page 21002]]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
[Docket No. FR-4800-N-01]
Super Notice of Funding Availability (SuperNOFA) for HUD's
Discretionary Programs for Fiscal Year 2003
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, HUD.
ACTION: Super Notice of Funding Availability (SuperNOFA) for HUD
Discretionary Programs.
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SUMMARY: This Fiscal Year (FY) 2003 SuperNOFA announces the
availability of approximately $2.3 billion in HUD program funds
covering 43 funding opportunities within programs operated and
administered by HUD offices. This General Section of the SuperNOFA
provides the application procedures and requirements that are
applicable to all the programs in this SuperNOFA unless otherwise
stated in the Program NOFA. The Program Section of this SuperNOFA
provides a description of the specific programs for which funding is
made available and describes any additional procedures and requirements
that are applicable to a specific program. Please be sure you read both
the General Section and the Program Section(s) of this SuperNOFA to
ensure you respond to all the requirements for all programs you will be
seeking funding.
APPLICATION DUE DATES: The information in this APPLICATION DUE DATES
section applies to all programs that are part of this SuperNOFA. You,
the applicant, must submit a completed application to HUD on or before
the respective program's application due date. Application due dates
can be found in the HUD FY 2003 SuperNOFA Funding Chart located in this
General Section. Information for each program is reiterated in the
appropriate Program Section of this SuperNOFA.
ADDRESSES AND APPLICATION SUBMISSION PROCEDURES:
Mailing and Receipt Procedures. The following procedures apply to
the delivery and receipt of applications in HUD Headquarters, the
Grants Management Center (GMC), and field offices. Please read the
following instructions carefully and completely as failure to comply
with these procedures may disqualify your application. HUD's delivery
and receipt policies are:
[sbull] No hand deliveries will be accepted;
[sbull] HUD will not accept any applications sent by facsimile;
[sbull] Applications sent to the Robert C. Weaver HUD Headquarters
Building or the Public and Indian Housing Grants Management Center
(GMC) may be shipped using DHL, Falcon Carrier, Federal Express
(FedEx), United Parcel Service (UPS), or the United States Postal
Service (USPS), as access by other delivery services is not guaranteed.
HUD strongly suggests applicants use the delivery options listed above
because no other delivery services are allowed unescorted entry to the
HUD Headquarters Building and therefore deliveries by other services
are often turned away;
[sbull] HUD strongly suggests applications submitted to HUD field
offices be sent via USPS, as access by other delivery services is not
guaranteed;
[sbull] With the exception of the Rural Housing and Economic
Development NOFA, all mailed applications must be postmarked on or
before midnight of their due date and received within fifteen (15) days
of the due date.
[sbull] Applications for the Rural Housing and Economic Development
NOFA must be received by the deadline date. Application received after
the deadline date will not be considered.
Proof of Timely submission. Except for the Rural Housing and
Economic Development NOFA, proof of timely submission of an application
in accordance with these requirements consists of the Certificate of
Mailing (USPS Form 3817) provided by the United States Post Office
showing timely mailing of the application on or before the application
due date. In the case of packages submitted to HUD via DHL, Falcon
Carrier, FedEX, or UPS, documentary proof of timely submission will be
the delivery service receipt indicating the application was submitted
to the delivery service on or before the application due date and,
through no fault of the applicant, delivery was not in time to meet the
filing deadline. Receipts from other than DHL, Falcon Carrier, FedEX,
or UPS, delivery services will not be accepted, as HUD cannot guarantee
delivery due to its Security procedures. Proof of timely submission to
HUD field offices will be the Certificate of Mailing (USPS Form 3817).
Proof of receipt for the Rural and Economic Development NOFA is the
date HUD receives the application.
Please remember that mail to federal facilities is screened prior
to delivery, so please allow time for your package to be delivered. If
an application does not meet the filing requirements it will not
receive funding consideration. If you mail your application to the
wrong location and the office designated for receipt in accordance with
these submission requirements does not receive it, your application
will be considered late and not be considered for funding. HUD will not
be responsible for directing it to the appropriate office.
Addresses. You, the applicant, must submit a complete application
and the required number of copies to the locations identified in the
Program Section of this SuperNOFA. When submitting your application,
you must refer to the name of the program for which you are seeking
funding and include the correct room number to ensure that your
application is properly directed. Addresses for HUD Headquarters and
the Public and Indian Housing Grants Management Center (GMC) are in the
HUD 2003 SuperNOFA Funding Chart. Addresses for field offices are
listed in Appendix A-3 of the General Section of this SuperNOFA. For
applications directed to the Office of Native American Programs Field
Offices, please be sure to use the addresses provided in Appendix A-2,
Office of Native American Programs Address Listing. Please refer to the
Funding Chart or pertinent Program Section of the SuperNOFA for room
location or other additional information regarding address requirements
for your application submission. Please make sure that you note the
correct room number to ensure your application is not misdirected.
Copies of Applications. The Program Section of this SuperNOFA may
specify that to facilitate the processing and review of your
application, one or more copies of the application also must be sent to
an additional HUD location (for example, a copy to the HUD field office
and the original application to HUD Headquarters). If you are required
to submit applications to HUD Headquarters (or the GMC) and field
offices, the determination that your application was received on time
will be made solely on receipt of the application at HUD Headquarters
or the GMC, as applicable. If an application received on time at HUD
Headquarters or GMC is not complete, but a complete copy was submitted
and received on time at a HUD field office, HUD may conduct its review
using the field office copy. See the information in Mailing and Receipt
Procedures and Proof of Timely Submission above for additional
information. If you do not submit the required number of copies HUD may
request that you provide the additional copies to the appropriate HUD
office(s) in accordance with the procedures described in Section VIII,
Corrections to Deficient Applications.
Consolidated Application Submissions. If you, the applicant, are
applying for funding under more than one program in this SuperNOFA, you
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need to submit only one original HUD-424, ``Application for Federal
Assistance,'' which includes the HUD-424B, ``Applicant Assurances and
Certifications.'' Page 2 of the HUD-424 allows you to list all the
programs for which you are seeking funding. Once you have submitted one
original set of forms, certifications, and assurances, you may send
copies of these standard items with any additional application you
submit. Make sure to specify the correct program on each copy of the
HUD-424 application form and indicate the program to which you have
submitted the original signature forms for the standard assurances and
certifications. Additionally, the Program Section may specify
additional forms, certifications, assurances, or other information that
may be required for a particular program in this SuperNOFA.
FOR APPLICATION FORMS, FURTHER INFORMATION, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE:
The information in this section is applicable to all programs that are
part of this SuperNOFA. This section describes how you may obtain
application forms, additional information about the SuperNOFA, and
technical assistance. Copies of all documents related to the SuperNOFA
may be downloaded from HUD's Web site, www.hud.gov or you may call
HUD's SuperNOFA Information Center at 1-800-HUD-8929 or for the
hearing-impaired, 1-800-HUD-2209. Copies of all materials may also be
ordered online from HUD's Web site.
Application Kits. In response to concerns about the length of time
it takes for the publication and dissemination of application kits, HUD
has made an effort to improve the readability of our NOFAs and publish
all required forms and formats for application submission in the
Federal Register. As a result of this effort, you will not have to wait
for an application kit to begin to prepare your application for
funding. Our goal is to have all required forms and information needed
to apply for funding available to the public within the NOFA document
itself and available immediately upon publication of the NOFA and
downloadable from HUD's Web site at http://www.hud.gov. HUD is
continuing to streamline our programs and application submission
requirements and encourages the applicant community to offer additional
suggestions. Please pay attention to the submission requirements and
format for submission specified in the Program Section of the SuperNOFA
to ensure that you have submitted all required elements of your
application.
The published Federal Register document is the official document
that HUD uses to evaluate applications. Therefore, if there is a
discrepancy between any materials published by HUD in its Federal
Register publication and other information provided in hard copy or on
HUD's Web site, the Federal Register publication of the SuperNOFA
prevails. Therefore, please be sure to review your application
submission against the requirements in the Federal Register file of the
SuperNOFA. A PDF copy of the General Section and Program Section for
each program in the SuperNOFA is available on HUD's Web site at http://www.hud.gov
and hard copies of these documents can be obtained from the
SuperNOFA Information Center by calling 1-800 HUD-8929 or for the
hearing-impaired, 1-800-HUD-2209.
Guidebook and Further Information. A guidebook to HUD programs
titled ``Connecting with Communities: A User's Guide to HUD Programs
and the 2003 SuperNOFA Process'' is available from the SuperNOFA
Information Center and the HUD Web site at http://www.hud.gov. The
guidebook provides a brief description of all HUD programs, a
description of the SuperNOFA programs, eligible applicants for these
programs, and examples of how programs can work in combination to serve
local community needs. To obtain a guidebook, application kit, or print
copy of the General Section or program NOFA, call the SuperNOFA
Information Center at 1-800-HUD-8929 or 1-800-HUD-2209 (TTY).
You may request general information, copies of the General Section
and Program Section of the SuperNOFA, and applications from the
SuperNOFA Information Center (1-800-HUD-8929 or 1-800-HUD-2209 (TTY))
between the hours of 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM (Eastern Time) Monday through
Friday, except on federal Holidays. When requesting information, please
refer to the name of the program you are interested in. Be sure to
provide your name, address (including zip code), and telephone number
(including area code). To ensure sufficient time to prepare your
application, requests for copies of this SuperNOFA can be made
immediately following publication of the SuperNOFA. The SuperNOFA
Information Center opens for business simultaneously with the
publication of the SuperNOFA. You can also obtain information on this
SuperNOFA and download application information for this SuperNOFA
through the HUD Web site, http://www.hud.gov.
For Technical Assistance. Before the application due date, HUD
staff will be available to provide you with general guidance and
technical assistance about this SuperNOFA. However, HUD staff is not
permitted to assist in preparing your application. Following selection
of applicants, but before awards are made, HUD staff are available to
assist in clarifying or confirming information that is a prerequisite
to the offer of an award or Annual Contributions Contract (ACC) by HUD.
FEDERAL E-GRANTS INFORMATION
Streamlining Federal Financial Assistance. The Federal Financial
Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999 (Pub. L. 106-107) directs
each federal agency to develop and implement a plan that, among other
things, streamlines and simplifies the application, administrative, and
reporting procedures for federal financial assistance programs
administered by the agency. This law also requires the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to direct, coordinate, and assist
federal agencies in establishing (1) a common application and reporting
system and, (2) an interagency process for addressing ways to
streamline and simplify federal financial assistance application and
administrative procedures and reporting requirements for program
applicants.
This law also requires OMB to consult with the grantee community as
it works with the federal agencies to develop and implement the course
of action that would be undertaken by the federal agencies to establish
an electronic site for accessing funding information and applications.
Over the last two years, HUD has used its website to provide
information to the public about HUD's participation in Interagency
efforts to streamline grant and other financial assistance requirements
and to seek your input as the federal agencies work together to achieve
implementation. To find out about the work being done by the federal
agencies to streamline and consolidate the application and reporting
requirements, please go to http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/pl-106107/pl106-107.cfm
eGrants Initiative. HUD is working with the 26 federal grant-making
agencies on President George W. Bush's eGrants Initiative. This
Initiative is an effort by federal agencies to develop a common
electronic application and reporting system for federal financial
assistance. This system will provide ``one-stop shopping'' for funding
opportunities for all federal programs. This system is being developed
in response to concerns that it is difficult for organizations to know
all the
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funding available from the federal government and how to apply for
funding. It also is an effort by the federal government to develop
common application requirements, further streamlining the application
process, making it easier for you, our customers, to apply for funding.
The first segment of the eGrants Initiative focuses on allowing the
public to easily find funding opportunities and then apply via eGrants.
Funding decisions would still be under the control of the federal
agency sponsoring the program funding opportunity. To find out more
about the eGrants vision and implementation schedule, please visit our
website at http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/egrants/egrants.cfm
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE FY 2003 SUPERNOFA
Background
This SuperNOFA is designed to make it easier to find and apply for
funding under a wide variety of HUD programs. The SuperNOFA provides a
``menu'' of HUD funding opportunities. From this menu, communities are
made aware of funding available for their jurisdictions. By providing
access to information about available funding at one time, HUD believes
applicants are better able to coordinate services within communities,
avoid duplication, and more efficiently serve those most in need of
assistance. Public housing agencies, local and state governments,
tribal governments and tribally-designated housing entities, veterans
service organizations, non-profit organizations, including grass-roots
faith-based and other community-based organizations, and others will be
able to identify the programs for which they are eligible.
Organization of the SuperNOFA
The SuperNOFA is divided into two major sections, the General
Section and the Program Section. The General Section of the SuperNOFA
describes the procedures and requirements applicable to all
applications. For each funding opportunity, the Program Section
describes the eligible applicants, eligible activities, factors for
award, and any additional requirements or limitations. Please read both
sections carefully to be sure your application is complete. Your
attention to the sections will ensure that you apply for funding for
which your organization is eligible and that you fulfill all the
requirements for application submission.
As part of the simplification of this funding process and to avoid
duplication of effort, the SuperNOFA provides for consolidated notices
and applications for several of the programs that are part of this
SuperNOFA. The funding chart in this introductory section of the
SuperNOFA identifies the programs that have been consolidated and for
which a consolidated application is made available to eligible
applicants.
HUD provides copies of all required forms in this publication.
Standard forms, certifications, and assurances applicable to all
programs are published in the General Section, Appendix B. The forms
and any additional certifications and assurances unique to an
individual program follow that program's section of the SuperNOFA.
The specific statutory and regulatory requirements of the programs
that are part of this SuperNOFA continue to apply to each program. Each
SuperNOFA Program Section identifies, where necessary, the statutory
requirements and other unique requirements applicable to each specific
program. Please pay careful attention to the specific submission
requirements that are identified for each funding opportunity. Not all
applicants are eligible to receive assistance under all funding
opportunities identified in this SuperNOFA.
II. HUD'S FY 2003 SUPERNOFA PROCESS
HUD's Strategic Goals
Implementing HUD's Strategic Framework and Demonstrating Results.
HUD is committed to ensuring that programs result in the achievement of
HUD's strategic mission. To support this effort, grant applications
submitted for HUD programs will be rated on how well they tie proposed
outcomes to HUD's policy priorities and Annual Goals and Objectives,
and the quality of proposed Evaluation and Monitoring Plans. HUD's
Strategic Framework establishes the following Goals and Objectives for
the Department:
1. Increase Homeownership Opportunities
[sbull] Expand national homeownership opportunities.
[sbull] Increase minority homeownership.
[sbull] Make the home buying process less complicated and less
expensive.
[sbull] Fight practices that permit predatory lending.
[sbull] Help HUD-assisted renters become homeowners.
[sbull] Keep existing homeowners from losing their homes.
2. Promote Decent Affordable Housing
[sbull] Expand access to affordable rental housing.
[sbull] Improve the physical quality and management accountability
of public and assisted housing.
[sbull] Increase housing opportunities for the elderly and persons
with disabilities.
[sbull] Help HUD-assisted renters make progress toward self-
sufficiency.
3. Strengthen Communities
[sbull] Improve economic conditions in distressed communities.
[sbull] Make communities more livable.
[sbull] End chronic homelessness.
[sbull] Mitigate housing conditions that threaten health.
4. Ensure Equal Opportunity in Housing
[sbull] Resolve discrimination complaints on a timely basis.
[sbull] Promote public awareness of Fair Housing laws.
[sbull] Improve housing accessibility for persons with
disabilities.
5. Embrace High Standards of Ethics, Management, and Accountability
[sbull] Rebuild HUD's human capital and further diversify its
workforce.
[sbull] Improve HUD's management, internal controls and systems,
and resolve audit issues.
[sbull] Improve accountability, service delivery, and customer
service of HUD and our partners.
[sbull] Ensure program compliance.
6. Promote Participation of Grass-Roots Faith-Based and Other
Community-Based Organizations
[sbull] Reduce regulatory barriers to participation by grass-roots
faith-based and other community-based organizations.
[sbull] Conduct outreach to inform potential partners of HUD
opportunities.
[sbull] Expand technical assistance resources deployed to grass-
roots faith-based and other community-based organizations.
[sbull] Encourage partnerships between grass-roots faith-based and
other community-based organizations and HUD's traditional grantees.
You can find out about HUD's Strategic Framework and Annual
Performance Plans at http://www.hud.gov/offices/cfo/reports/cforept.cfm
.
Policy Priorities. HUD encourages applicants to undertake specific
activities that will assist the Department in implementing its policy
priorities and which help the Department achieve its goals for FY 2004,
when the majority of funding recipients will be reporting programmatic
results and achievements. Applicants who include work activities that
specifically address one or more of
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these policy priorities will receive higher rating scores than
applicants who do not address these HUD priorities. Each NOFA in the
Program Section of this SuperNOFA will specify which priorities relate
to a particular program and how many points will be awarded for
addressing those priorities.
(A) Providing Increased Homeownership and Rental Opportunities for
Low- and Moderate-Income Persons, Persons with Disabilities, the
Elderly, Minorities, and Families with Limited English Proficiency. Too
often, these individuals and families are shut out of the housing
market through no fault of their own. Often developers of housing,
housing counseling agencies, and other organizations engaged in the
housing industry must work aggressively to open up the realm of
homeownership and rental opportunities to low- and moderate-income
persons, persons with disabilities, the elderly, minorities, or
families with limited English proficiency. Many of these families are
anxious to have a home of their own but are not aware of the programs
and assistance that is available. Applicants are encouraged to address
the housing, housing counseling, and other related supportive services
needs of these individuals and coordinate their proposed activities
with funding available through HUD's affordable housing programs and
home loan programs. Proposed activities support strategic goals 1, 2,
and 4.
(B) Improving our Nation's Communities. HUD wants to improve the
quality of life for those living in distressed communities. Applicants
are encouraged to include activities which:
(1) Bring private capital into distressed communities to:
[sbull] Finance business investments to grow new businesses;
[sbull] Maintain and expand existing businesses;
[sbull] Create a pool of funds for new small and minority-owned
businesses;
[sbull] Create decent jobs for low-income persons.
(2) Improve the environmental health and safety of families living
in public and privately-owned housing by including activities which:
[sbull] Coordinate lead hazard reduction programs with
weatherization activities funded by state and local governments, and
the federal government;
[sbull] Reduce or eliminate health related hazards in the home
caused by toxic agents such as molds and other allergens, carbon
monoxide and other hazardous agents and conditions.
(3) Make communities more livable.
[sbull] Provide public and social services.
[sbull] Improve infrastructure and community facilities.
Activities support strategic goals 2, 3, and 4.
(C) Encouraging Accessible Design Features. As described in Section
V, applicants must comply with applicable civil rights laws including
the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
and the Americans with Disabilities Act. These laws, and regulations
implementing them, provide for nondiscrimination based on disability
and require housing and other facilities to incorporate certain
features intended to provide for their use and enjoyment by persons
with disabilities. HUD is encouraging applicants to add accessible
design features beyond those required under civil rights laws and
regulations. These features would eliminate many other barriers
limiting the access of persons with disabilities to housing and other
facilities. Copies of the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards
(UFAS) are available from the SuperNOFA Information Center (1-800-HUD-
8929 or 1-800-HUD-2209 (TTY)) and also from the Office of Fair Housing
and Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development, Room 5230, 451 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20410-
2000; 202-755-5404 or 1-800-877 8399 (TTY Federal Information Relay
Service).
Accessible design features are intended to promote visitability and
incorporate features of universal design as described below:
(1) Visitability in New Construction and Substantial
Rehabilitation. Applicants are encouraged to incorporate visitability
standards where feasible in new construction and substantial
rehabilitation projects. Visitability standards allow a person with
mobility impairments access into the home, but do not require that all
features be made accessible. Visitability means that there is at least
one entrance at grade (no steps), approached by an accessible route
such as a sidewalk; and that the entrance door and all interior passage
doors are at least 2 feet 10 inches wide, allowing 32 inches of clear
passage space. A visitable home also serves persons without
disabilities, such as a mother pushing a stroller or a person
delivering a large appliance. More information about visitability is
available at http://www.concretechange.org.
Activities support strategic goals 2, 3, and 4.
(2) Universal Design. Applicants are encouraged to incorporate
universal design in the construction or rehabilitation of housing,
retail establishments, and community facilities funded with HUD
assistance. Universal design is the design of products and environments
to be usable by all people to the greatest extent possible, without the
need for adaptation or specialized design. The intent of universal
design is to simplify life for everyone by making products,
communications, and the built environment more usable by as many people
as possible at little or no extra cost. Universal design benefits
people of all ages and abilities. In addition to any applicable
required accessibility features under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 or the design and construction requirements of the Fair
Housing Act, the Department encourages applicants to incorporate the
principles of universal design when developing housing, community
facilities, and electronic communication mechanisms, or when
communicating with community residents at public meetings or events.
HUD believes that by creating housing that is accessible to all, it can
increase the supply of affordable housing for all, regardless of
ability or age. Likewise, creating places where people work, train, and
interact which are useable and open to all residents increases
opportunities for economic and personal self-sufficiency. More
information on Universal Design is available from the Center for
Universal Design, at http://www.design.ncsu.edu:8120/cud/ or the
Resource Center on Accessible Housing and Universal Design, at http://www.abledata.com/Site_2/accessib.htm
.
Activities support strategic goals 1, 2, 3, and 4.
(D) Providing Full and Equal Access to Grassroots Faith-Based and
Other Community-Based Organizations in HUD Program Implementation.
(1) HUD encourages non-profit organizations, including grassroots
faith-based and other community-based organizations, to participate in
the vast array of programs for which funding is available through this
SuperNOFA. HUD also encourages states, units of local government,
universities, and colleges and other organizations to partner with
grassroots organizations, e.g., civic organizations, faith-communities,
and grassroots faith-based and other community-based organizations that
have not been effectively utilized. These grassroots organizations have
a strong history of providing vital community services such as
assisting the homeless and preventing homelessness, counseling
individuals and families on fair housing rights, providing elderly
housing opportunities, developing first-time
[[Page 21006]]
homeownership programs, increasing homeownership and rental housing
opportunities in neighborhoods of choice, developing affordable and
accessible housing in neighborhoods across the country, creating
economic development programs, and supporting the residents of public
housing facilities. HUD wants to make its programs more effective,
efficient, and accessible by expanding opportunities for grassroots
organizations to participate in developing solutions for their own
neighborhoods. Additionally, HUD encourages applicants to include these
grass-roots faith-based and other community-based organizations in
their workplans. Applicants, their partners, and participants must
review the Program Section of this SuperNOFA to determine whether they
are eligible to apply for funding directly or whether they must
establish a working relationship with an eligible applicant in order to
participate in a HUD funding opportunity. Grassroots faith-based and
other community-based organizations, and applicants who currently or
propose to partner, fund, subgrant, or subcontract with grassroots
organizations (including grassroots faith-based or other community-
based non-profits eligible under applicable program regulations) in
conducting their work programs will receive higher rating points as
specified in the program section of this SuperNOFA.
(2) Definition of Grassroots Organizations.
(a) HUD will consider an organization a ``grassroots organization''
if the organization is headquartered in the local community to which it
provides services; and,
(i) Has a social services budget of $300,000 or less, or
(ii) Has six or fewer full-time equivalent employees.
(b) Local affiliates of national organizations are not considered
``grassroots.'' Local affiliates of national organizations are
encouraged, however, to partner with grassroots organizations but must
demonstrate that they are currently working with a grassroots
organization (e.g., having a faith community or civic organization, or
other charitable organization provide volunteers).
(c) The cap provided in paragraph (2)(a)(i) above includes only
that portion of an organization's budget allocated to providing social
services. It does not include other portions of the budget such as
salaries and expenses not directly expended in the provision of social
services.
Activities support strategic goal 6.
(E) Colonias. The Department of Housing and Urban Development is
seeking to improve housing conditions for families living in Colonias.
Colonias means any identifiable, rural community that:
[sbull] Is located in Arizona, California, New Mexico, or Texas;
[sbull] Is within 150 miles of the border between the United States
and Mexico; and
[sbull] Is determined to be a colonia on the basis of objective
need criteria, including lack of potable water supply, lack of adequate
sewage systems, and lack of decent, safe, sanitary, and accessible
housing.
Applicants proposing to create affordable housing and provide
services to the Colonias will receive higher rating points.
Activities support strategic goals 1, 2, 3, and 4.
(F) Participation of Minority-Serving Institutions in HUD Programs.
Pursuant to Executive Orders 13256 President's Board of Advisors on
Historically Black Colleges and Universities, 13230 President's
Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans,
13216 Increasing Participation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
in Federal Programs, and 13270 Tribal Colleges and Universities, HUD is
strongly committed to broadening the participation of Minority-Serving
Institutions (MSIs) in its programs. HUD is interested in increasing
the participation of MSIs in order to advance the development of human
potential, strengthen the nation's capacity to provide high quality
education, and increase opportunities for MSIs to participate and
benefit from federal financial assistance programs. HUD encourages all
applicants and recipients to include meaningful participation of MSIs
in their work programs. A listing of MSIs can be found on the
Department of Education Web site at http://www.ed.gov/offices/OCR/minorityinst.html
or HUD's Web site at http://www.hud.gov Activities support strategic goals 3 and 4.
(G) Participation in Energy Star. The Department of Housing and
Urban Development has adopted a wide-ranging energy action plan for
improving energy efficiency in all program areas. As a first step in
implementing the energy plan, HUD, the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) and the Department of Energy (DoE) have signed a joint
partnership to promote energy efficiency in HUD's affordable housing
efforts and programs. The purpose of the Energy Star partnership is to
promote energy efficiency of the affordable housing stock, but also to
help protect the environment. Applicants constructing, rehabilitating,
or maintaining housing or community facilities are encouraged to
promote energy efficiency in design and operations. They are urged
especially to purchase and use Energy Star labeled products. Applicants
providing housing assistance or counseling services are encouraged to
promote Energy Star building by homebuyers and renters. Program
activities can include developing Energy Star promotional and
information materials, outreach to low- and moderate-income renters and
buyers on the benefits and savings when using Energy Star products and
appliances, and promoting the designation of community buildings and
homes as Energy Star compliant. For further information about Energy
Star see http://www.energystar.gov or call 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-
7937) or for the hearing-impaired, 1-888-588-9920 TTY.
Activities support strategic goals 1 and 2.
(H) Ending Chronic Homelessness within Ten Years. President Bush
has set a national goal to end chronic homelessness within ten years.
Secretary Mel Martinez has embraced this goal and has pledged that
HUD's grant programs will be used to support the President's goal and
more adequately meet the needs of chronically homeless individuals. A
person experiencing chronic homelessness is defined as an unaccompanied
individual with a disabling condition who has been continuously
homeless for a year or more or has experienced four or more episodes of
homelessness over the last three years. In this year's SuperNOFA,
applicants are encouraged to target assistance to chronically homeless
persons by undertaking activities that will result in:
[sbull] Creation of affordable group homes or rental housing units;
[sbull] Establishing a set-aside of units of affordable housing for
the chronically homeless;
[sbull] Substance abuse treatment programs targeted to homeless
population;
[sbull] Job training programs which will provide opportunities for
economic self-sufficiency;
[sbull] Counseling programs that assist homeless persons in finding
housing, financial management, anger management, and building
interpersonal relationships;
[sbull] Supportive services, such as health care assistance that
will permit
[[Page 21007]]
homeless individuals to become productive members of society;
[sbull] Provision of Service Coordinators or One Stop Assistance
Centers that will ensure that chronically homeless persons have access
to a variety of social services.
Activities support Strategic Goals 2 and 3.
Changes in the FY 2003 SuperNOFA Process
New Rating Factor 5. For FY 2003, rating Factor 5 has been changed
to ``Achieving Results and Program Evaluation.'' This factor emphasizes
HUD's commitment to ensuring that applicants keep promises made in
their application and assess their performance to ensure performance
goals are met.
Achieving results means you, the applicant, have clearly identified
the benefits or outcomes of your program. Outcomes are ultimate goals.
Benchmarks or outputs are interim activities or products that lead to
the ultimate achievement of your goals.
Program evaluation requires that you, the applicant, identify
program outcomes, interim products or benchmarks, and performance
indicators that will allow you to measure your performance. Performance
indicators should be objectively quantifiable and measure actual
against planned achievements. Your Evaluation and Monitoring Plan
should identify what you are going to measure, how it will be measured,
and the steps you have in place to make adjustments to your work plan
if performance targets are not met within established timeframes. HUD
has included a new form, Logic Model, to help you complete your
response to Rating Factor 5. The form is included in Appendix B, with
other forms applicable to most or all of the programs in this
SuperNOFA.
This new rating factor reflects HUD's goal to embrace high
standards of ethics, management, and accountability.
Higher Minimum Score for Fundable Applications. For FY 2003, an
application for any of the programs offered by this SuperNOFA must
receive at least 75 points to be funded. Please take note of this
scoring threshold and be sure to read the SuperNOFA carefully to ensure
that you respond to the Factors for Award. A careful reading of the
NOFA can help you improve your rating score.
Use of HUD 424 Forms. HUD has consolidated many of its application
forms into a single HUD-424 form. The new HUD-424 consolidates budget-
reporting forms for both construction and non-construction projects
into a single form and eliminates the following separate
certifications: Certification for a Drug-Free Workplace (HUD-50070),
Certification of Payments to Influence Federal Transactions (HUD-
50071), and Certification Regarding Debarment and Suspension (HUD-
2992).
New form HUD 424 replaces SF 424 and HUD 424 M.
HUD 424 B replaces SF 424 B and D, and HUD 50070, 50071, and 2992.
HUD 424 C and CB replace SF 424 A and C.
The HUD 424 CBW is added as a common detailed Budget Worksheet to
replace various budget worksheets used throughout the Department. These
forms are available on HUD's Web Site at http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/fundsavail.cfm
.
Race and Ethnicity. OMB published revised standards for collecting
racial data on October 30, 1997. All agencies were required to be in
compliance with the 1997 standards by January 1, 2003. These standards
allow HUD and the other Federal agencies to acknowledge the growing
diversity of the U.S. population. Under this policy, HUD and its
business partners must offer individuals who are responding to agency
data requests for race, the option of selecting one or more of five
racial categories. HUD must also treat ethnicity as a separate category
from race and change terminology for certain racial and ethnic groups.
These definitions have been standardized across the Federal government
and are provided below.
The two ethnic categories as revised by the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) are defined below:
[sbull] Hispanic or Latino. A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto
Rican, South, or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin,
regardless of race. The term ``Spanish origin,'' can be used in
addition to ``Hispanic'' or ``Latino.''
[sbull] Not Hispanic or Latino. A person not of Cuban, Mexican,
Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or
origin, regardless of race.
The five racial categories as revised by the Office of Management
and Budget are defined as follows:
[sbull] American Indian or Alaska Native. A person having origins
in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including
Central America), and who maintains tribal affiliation or community
attachment.
[sbull] Asian. A person having origins in any of the original
peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent
including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia,
Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.
[sbull] Black or African American. A person having origins in any
of the black racial groups of Africa. Terms such as ``Haitian'' or
``Negro'' can be used in addition to ``Black'' or ``African American''.
[sbull] Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. A person having
origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other
Pacific Islands.
[sbull] White. A person having origins in any of the original
peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.
Self-reporting or self-identification, rather than observer
identification is the preferred method for collecting race and
ethnicity data. Self-identification means that responses are based on
self-perception. If you are required to provide HUD with race and
ethnicity data, you must collect the data asking separate questions for
race and for ethnicity. Furthermore, when collecting data the ethnicity
question should precede the question about race. The Office of
Management and Budget has recommended this sequence because pre-tests
conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau found that placing ethnicity before
race significantly reduced the non-response rate to the ethnicity
question.
Thus, when collecting data from respondents it should be collected
using the following two-question approach:
Ethnicity: (Select only one)
Hispanic or Latino
Not Hispanic or Latino
Race: (Select one or more):
American Indian or Alaskan Native
Asian
Black or African American
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
White
Once data is collected using the method above, it can be analyzed
and aggregated when reporting ethnicity and race data to HUD. You
should use the categories listed in the template below to report the
aggregate information. If any multiple race category not included in
the template exceeds one percent of the population, you should identify
the category, the actual count, and its percentage of population. In
addition, you should identify the total number of all racial categories
reported that do not fit the list of categories below, and do not
equate to one percent of the total population being reported including,
the total number of all such racial and ethnic categories. Finally, you
should indicate the aggregate totals of all the information you have
gathered including the total of all racial categories and the total of
all the ethnic categories.
[[Page 21008]]
For grantees that are currently collecting data, you may need to
compare data collected under both standards. Guidance on bridging data
periods will be available in the Program Section of the SuperNOFA and
HUD's SuperNOFA Web site at http://www.hud.gov. A copy of this
reporting form can be found in Appendix B of the General Section of
this SuperNOFA.
[[Page 21009]]
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[[Page 21010]]
Executive Order 13166, Improving Access to Persons With Limited
English Proficiency (LEP). Executive Order 13166 seeks to improve
access to persons with limited English proficiency by providing
materials and information in languages other than English.
Executive Order 13279 Equal Protection of the Laws for Faith-Based
and Community Organizations. HUD is committed to full implementation of
Executive Order 13279 and has undertaken a review of all policies and
regulations that have implications for faith-based and community
organizations, and has established a policy priority to provide full
and equal access to grass-roots faith-based and other community-based
organizations in HUD program implementation.
New Programs and Changes to Programs. The FY 2003 SuperNOFA
includes the following funding opportunities, which were not included
in FY2002:
[sbull] COPC Community Futures Awards;
[sbull] Housing Counseling--Predatory Lending;
[sbull] Housing Counseling--Section 8 Homeownership;
[sbull] Lead Outreach Grants;
[sbull] Lead Elimination Action Program;
[sbull] Community Development Work-Study;
[sbull] ROSS for Resident Services Delivery Model--Elderly;
[sbull] ROSS for Resident Services Delivery Model--Family.
Not Available for FY 2003. Funding opportunities that were part of
the FY 2002 SuperNOFA but are not available in FY 2003 are:
[sbull] ROSS for Resident Management and Business Development;
[sbull] ROSS for Capacity Building;
[sbull] Rental Assistance for Non-elderly Persons with Disabilities
Related to Certain Types of Section 8 Project-Based Development and
Section 202, 221(d) and 236 Developments;
[sbull] Rental Assistance for Non-elderly Persons with Disabilities
in Support of Designated Housing Plans.
Funding will be announced later in the year for:
[sbull] Permanent Housing and Special Efforts for Subpopulations
Technical Assistance (PHASES-TA);
[sbull] Revitalization of Severely Distressed Public Housing (HOPE
VI);
[sbull] Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Program;
[sbull] Community Development Block Grants for Indian Tribes and
Alaska Native Villages (ICDBG);
[sbull] Urban Scholars Postdoctoral Fellowships;
[sbull] Research Studies on Homeownership and Affordable Lending;
[sbull] 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly, Planning Grants.
Funding Notices Issued Prior to the SuperNOFA. Due to statutory
deadlines for the obligation of funds or for other reasons, there are
several programs for which notices of funding availability have been
issued prior to the SuperNOFA. These include:
[sbull] Collaborative Initiative to Help End Chronic Homelessness;
[sbull] Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable
Housing, and;
[sbull] Hope VI Demolition Grants;
[sbull] Research on the Socio-Economic Change in Cities.
Information on these programs is available on the HUD Web site at
[chyph]http://www.hud.gov.
III. The Programs of This SUPERNOFA and the Amount of Funds Allocated
The funding opportunities that are part of this SuperNOFA are
identified in the following chart. The amount of funds available is
based on funds appropriated in FY 2003 and funds recaptured from prior
years' appropriations. In the event that HUD recaptures program funds
or other funds become available for a program, HUD reserves the right
to increase the available funding by these additional amounts.
The chart also includes the application due date, the OMB approval
number for the information collection requirements, and the Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for each funding opportunity.
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[[Page 21017]]
Paperwork Reduction Act Statement. The information collection
requirements in this SuperNOFA have been approved by OMB under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520). The preceding
chart provides the OMB approval number for each program that is part of
this SuperNOFA. Where the chart notes that an OMB number is pending,
this means that HUD has submitted the information to OMB to obtain an
approval number and HUD's request for the number is pending. As soon as
HUD receives the approval number, the number will be published in the
Federal Register and provided to the SuperNOFA Information Center.
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, an agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of
information unless the collection displays a valid control number.
IV. Authority, Funding Amounts, and Eligible Applicants and Activities
(A) Authority. HUD's authority for making funding available under
this SuperNOFA is Division K, Consolidated Appropriations Resolution,
2003, Public Law 108-7, approved February 20, 2003 (FY 2003
Consolidated Appropriations). Generally, this statement of authority is
not repeated in the Program Section of this SuperNOFA. The authority
provision in the Program Section identifies additional statutes and
regulations that authorize the requirements listed for the funding
competitions that make up this SuperNOFA.
(B) Funding Available. As noted in Section III of this General
Section of the SuperNOFA, the HUD programs in this SuperNOFA are
allocated amounts based on appropriated funds. If HUD recaptures funds
in any program, HUD reserves the right to increase the available
funding by those amounts.
(C) Eligible Applicants and Eligible Activities. The Program
Section of the SuperNOFA describes the eligible applicants and eligible
activities for each program.
V. Requirements and Procedures Applicable to All Programs
Except as may be modified in the Program Section of this SuperNOFA,
the requirements, procedures and principles listed below apply to all
programs that are part of this SuperNOFA. Please read the Program
Section of the SuperNOFA for additional requirements or information.
(A) Statutory and Regulatory Requirements. To be eligible for
funding under this SuperNOFA, you, the applicant, must meet all
statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to the program or
programs for which you seek funding. If you need copies of the program
regulations, they are available from the SuperNOFA Information Center
or through the HUD Web site, http://www.hud.gov. See the Program
Section for instructions on how HUD will respond to proposed activities
that are ineligible. With the exception of the Section 202 and Section
811 programs, HUD may also eliminate the ineligible activities from
funding consideration and reduce funding amounts accordingly. Because
of the competitive demand for Section 202 and Section 811 funds,
applications to these two programs that include ineligible activities
will be rejected and will not be rated and ranked.
(B) Threshold Requirements.
(1) Ineligible Applicants. HUD will not consider an application
from an ineligible applicant.
(2) Compliance with Fair Housing and Civil Rights Laws.
(a) With the exception of federally recognized Indian tribes and
their instrumentalities, all applicants and their subrecipients must
comply with all Fair Housing and Civil Rights laws, statutes,
regulations, and Executive Orders as enumerated in 24 CFR 5.105(a), as
applicable. If you are a federally recognized Indian tribe, you must
comply with the non-discrimination provisions enumerated at 24 CFR
1000.12, as applicable. In addition to these requirements, there may be
program-specific threshold requirements identified in the Program
Sections of the SuperNOFA.
(b) If you, the applicant:
(i) Have been charged with a systemic violation of the Fair Housing
Act alleging ongoing discrimination;
(ii) Are a defendant in a Fair Housing Act lawsuit filed by the
Department of Justice alleging an on-going pattern or practice of
discrimination; or,
(iii) Have received a letter of non-compliance findings,
identifying on-going or systemic noncompliance, under Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, or Section 109
of the Housing and Community Development Act; and If the charge,
lawsuit, or letter of findings has not been resolved to HUD's
satisfaction before the application deadline stated in the individual
program NOFA, you may not apply for assistance under this SuperNOFA.
HUD will not rate and rank your application. HUD's decision regarding
whether a charge, lawsuit, or a letter of findings has been
satisfactorily resolved will be based upon whether appropriate actions
have been taken to address allegations of on-going discrimination in
the policies or practices involved in the charge, lawsuit, or letter of
findings.
Examples of actions that may be taken prior to the application
deadline to resolve the charge, lawsuit, or letter of findings, include
but are not limited to a:
(i) Voluntary compliance agreement signed by all parties in
response to the letter of findings;
(ii) HUD-approved conciliation agreement signed by all parties;
(iii) Consent order or consent decree; or
(iv) Judicial ruling or a HUD Administrative Law Judge's decision
that exonerates the respondent of any allegations of discrimination.
(3) Conducting Business In Accordance with Core Values and Ethical
Standards. Entities subject to 24 CFR parts 84 and 85 (most non-profit
organizations and state, local and tribal governments or government
agencies or instrumentalities who receive federal awards of financial
assistance) are required to develop and maintain a written code of
conduct (see Sec. Sec. 84.42 and 85.36(b)(3)). Consistent with
regulations governing specific programs, your code of conduct must:
prohibit real and apparent conflicts of interest that may arise among
officers, employees, or agents; prohibit the solicitation and
acceptance of gifts or gratuities by your officers, employees, and
agents for their personal benefit in excess of minimal value; and,
outline administrative and disciplinary actions available to remedy
violations of such standards. If awarded assistance under this
SuperNOFA, you will be required, prior to entering into an agreement
with HUD, to submit a copy of your code of conduct and describe the
methods you will use to ensure that all officers, employees, and agents
of your organization are aware of your code of conduct. Failure to meet
the requirement for a code of conduct will prohibit you from receiving
an award of funds from HUD.
(4) Delinquent Federal Debts. Consistent with the purpose and
intent of 31 U.S.C. 3720B and 28 U.S.C. 3201(e), no award of federal
funds shall be made to an applicant who has an outstanding delinquent
federal debt until: (a) The delinquent account is paid in full; (b) a
negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one payment
is received; or (c) other arrangements satisfactory to the Department
of Housing and Urban Development are made prior to the deadline
submission date.
(5) Pre-Award Accounting System Surveys. HUD may arrange for a pre-
award survey of the applicant's
[[Page 21018]]
financial management system in cases where the recommended applicant
has no prior federal support, the program area has reason to question
whether the applicant's financial management system meets federal
financial management standards, or the applicant is considered a high
risk based upon past performance or financial management findings. HUD
will not make an award to any applicant who does not have a financial
management system that meets federal standards.
(6) Other Threshold Requirements. The Program Section for the
funding for which you are applying may specify other threshold
requirements. Additional threshold requirements may be identified in
the discussion of ``eligibility'' requirements in the Program Section.
(C) Additional Non-discrimination Requirements. You, the applicant,
and your subrecipients must comply with the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.) and Title IX of the Education
Amendments Act of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq).
(D) Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing. Under Section 808(e)(5)
of the Fair Housing Act, HUD is obliged to affirmatively further fair
housing. HUD requires the same of its funding recipients. If you are a
successful applicant, you will have a duty to affirmatively further
fair housing opportunities for classes protected under the Fair Housing
Act. Protected classes are race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
disability, and familial status. Unless otherwise instructed in the
Program Section of this SuperNOFA, your application must include
specific steps to:
(1) Overcome the effects of impediments to fair housing choice that
were identified in the jurisdiction's Analysis of Impediments (AI) to
Fair Housing Choice;
(2) Remedy discrimination in housing; and/or
(3) Promote fair housing rights and fair housing choice.
Further, you, the applicant, have a duty to carry out the specific
activities provided in your responses to the SuperNOFA rating factors
that address affirmatively furthering fair housing. Please see the
Program Section of this SuperNOFA for additional information.
The requirements to affirmatively further fair housing apply to:
[sbull] Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian Institutions Assisting
Communities (AN/NHIAC);
[sbull] Assisted Living Conversion Program (ALCP) for Eligible
Multifamily Housing Projects;
[sbull] Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDI);
[sbull] Community Outreach Partnership Centers (COPC);
[sbull] Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Programs (SHP,
Shelter Plus Care, Section 8 Moderate Rehab);
[sbull] Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP);
[sbull] Funding Availability for Rental Certificate/Housing Choice
Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program;
[sbull] Healthy Homes Demonstration Program;
[sbull] Healthy Homes Initiative and Lead Technical Studies;
[sbull] Hispanic-Serving Institutions Assisting Communities
(HSIAC);
[sbull] Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)
Program;
[sbull] Housing Counseling;
[sbull] Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA);
[sbull] Lead Hazard Control Program;
[sbull] Mainstream Housing Opportunities for Persons with
Disabilities;
[sbull] Public Housing Resident Opportunities and Self-Sufficiency
(ROSS) Program;
[sbull] Rental Assistance for Non-Elderly Persons with Disabilities
in Support of Designated Housing Plans;
[sbull] Rental Assistance for Non-Elderly Persons with Disabilities
Related to Certain Developments;
[sbull] Resident Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) for
Homeownership Supportive Services;
[sbull] Rural Housing and Economic Development (RHED);
[sbull] Section 202 Supportive Housing for Elderly Persons;
[sbull] Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with
Disabilities;
[sbull] Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP);
[sbull] Service Coordinators in Multifamily Housing; and
[sbull] Youthbuild Program.
(E) Economic Opportunities for Low- and Very Low-Income Persons
(Section 3). Certain programs in this SuperNOFA require recipients of
assistance to comply with Section 3 of the Housing and Urban
Development Act of 1968 (Section 3), 12 U.S.C. 1701u (Economic
Opportunities for Low- and Very Low-Income Persons in Connection with
Assisted Projects) and the HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 135,
including the reporting requirements at subpart E. Section 3 requires
recipients to ensure that, to the greatest extent feasible, training,
employment, and other economic opportunities will be directed to low-
and very-low income persons, particularly those who are recipients of
government assistance for housing, and business concerns which provide
economic opportunities to low- and very low-income persons. As noted in
the Program Section of this SuperNOFA, Section 3 is applicable to the
following programs:
[sbull] Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian Institutions Assisting
Communities (AN/NHIAC);
[sbull] Assisted Living Conversion Program (ALCP);
[sbull] Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDI);
[sbull] Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Programs;
[sbull] Healthy Homes and Lead Technical Studies;
[sbull] Healthy Homes Demonstration Program;
[sbull] Hispanic-Serving Institutions Assisting Communities
(HSIAC);
[sbull] Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)
Program;
[sbull] Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA);
[sbull] Lead Hazard Control;
[sbull] Lead Elimination Action Program (LEAP);
[sbull] Resident Opportunities and Self-Sufficiency Program (ROSS);
[sbull] Rural Housing and Economic Development (RHED);
[sbull] Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program;
[sbull] Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with
Disabilities Program;
[sbull] Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP); and
[sbull] Youthbuild Program.
(F) Ensuring the Participation of Small Businesses, Small
Disadvantaged Businesses, and Women-Owned Businesses. HUD is committed
to ensuring that small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, and
women-owned businesses participate fully in HUD's direct contracting
and in contracting opportunities generated by HUD financial assistance.
Too often, these businesses still experience difficulty accessing
information and successfully bidding on federal contracts. State,
local, and tribal governments are required by 24 CFR 85.36(e) and non-
profit recipients of assistance (grantees and sub-grantees) by 24 CFR
84.44(b), to take all necessary affirmative steps in contracting for
purchase of goods or services to assure that minority firms, women's
business enterprises, and labor surplus area firms are used when
possible, or as specified in the Program Section.
(G) Relocation. The relocation requirements of the Uniform
Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of
1970, as amended, and the implementing government-wide regulation at 49
CFR part 24 cover any person who moves
[[Page 21019]]
permanently from real property or moves personal property from real
property directly because of acquisition, rehabilitation, or demolition
for an activity undertaken with HUD assistance. Some HUD program
regulations also cover persons who are temporarily relocated. See,
e.g., 24 CFR 570.606(b)(2)(i)(D)(1)--(3), providing guidance on
temporary relocation for CDBG. Applicants should review the regulations
for the programs for which they are applying when planning their
project.
(H) Forms, Certifications, and Assurances. You, the applicant, are
required to submit signed copies of the standard forms, certifications,
and assurances listed in this section, unless the requirements in the
Program Section specify otherwise. In addition, the Program Section may
specify additional forms, certifications, assurances, or other
information that may be required for a particular program in this
SuperNOFA. As part of HUD's continuing efforts to improve the SuperNOFA
process, several of the required standard forms have been simplified
this year. The HUD standard forms, certifications, and assurances are:
[sbull] Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL);
[sbull] Application for Federal Assistance (HUD-424);
[sbull] Budget Summary for Competitive Grant Programs (HUD-424C);
[sbull] Applicant Assurances and Certifications (HUD-424B);
[sbull] Grant Application Detailed Budget (HUD-424-CB);
[sbull] Grant Application Detailed Budget Worksheet (HUD-424-CBW);
[sbull] Applicant/Recipient Disclosure/Update Report (HUD-2880);
[sbull] Certification of Consistency with RC/EZ/EC Strategic Plan
(HUD-2990) if applicable;
[sbull] Certification of Consistency with the Consolidated Plan
(HUD-2991) if applicable;
[sbull] Acknowledgment of Application Receipt (HUD-2993);
[sbull] Client Comments and Suggestions (HUD 2994) (Optional);
[sbull] Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants (HUD-
23004);
[sbull] Race and Ethnic Data Reporting Form (HUD-27061);
[sbull] Program Outcome Logic Model (HUD-96010-I).
Copies of these standard forms and the Funding Application for the
Housing Choice Voucher Program (HUD 52515) follow this General Section
of the SuperNOFA. Copies of forms that are particular to an individual
program follow the funding information for that program.
(I) Name Check Review. Applicants are subject to a name check
review process. Name checks are intended to reveal matters that
significantly reflect on the applicant's management and financial
integrity, or if any key individuals have been convicted or are
presently facing criminal charges. If the name check reveals
significant adverse findings that reflect on the business integrity or
responsibility of the recipient and/or key individual, HUD reserves the
right to: (a) Deny funding or consider suspension/termination of an
award immediately for cause; (b) require the removal of any key
individual from association with management of and/or implementation of
the award; and (c) make appropriate provisions or revisions with
respect to the method of payment and/or financial reporting
requirements.
(J) False Statements. A false statement in an application is
grounds for denial or termination of an award and grounds for possible
punishment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
(K) OMB Circulars and Government-wide Regulations Applicable to
Financial Assistance Programs. Certain OMB circulars also apply to
programs in this SuperNOFA. The policies, guidance, and requirements of
OMB Circular A-87 (Cost Principles Applicable to Grants, Contracts and
Other Agreements with State and Local Governments), OMB Circular A-21
(Cost Principles for Education Institutions), OMB A-122 (Cost
Principles for Nonprofit Organizations), OMB Circular A-133 (Audits of
States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations), and the
regulations in 24 CFR part 84 (Grants and Agreements with Institutions
of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Non-Profit Organizations),
and 24 CFR part 85 (Administrative Requirements for Grants and
Cooperative Agreements to State, Local, and Federally recognized Indian
tribal governments), may apply to the award, acceptance, and use of
assistance under the programs of this SuperNOFA, and to the remedies
for non-compliance, except when inconsistent with the provisions of the
FY 2003 Consolidated Appropriations, other federal statutes or
regulations, or the provisions of this SuperNOFA. Compliance with
additional OMB Circulars or government-wide regulations may be
specified for a particular program in the Program Section of the
SuperNOFA. Copies of the OMB Circulars may be obtained from EOP
Publications, Room 2200, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC
20503, telephone (202) 395-3080 (this is not a toll-free number) or 1-
800-877 8399 (TTY Federal Information Relay Service); or, from the Web
site, http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/index.html.
(L) Environmental Requirements. If you become a recipient under one
of the programs in this SuperNOFA that assist physical development
activities or property acquisition, you are generally prohibited from
acquiring, rehabilitating, converting, demolishing, leasing, repairing
or constructing property, or committing or expending HUD or non-HUD
funds for these types of program activities, until one of the following
has occurred:
(1) HUD has completed an environmental review in accordance with 24
CFR part 50; or
(2) For programs subject to 24 CFR part 58, HUD has approved a
recipient's Request for Release of Funds (Form HUD 7015.15) following a
Responsible Entity's completion of an environmental review.
You, the applicant, should consult the Program Section of the
SuperNOFA for the applicable program to determine the procedures for,
timing of, and any exclusions from environmental review under a
particular program. For applicants applying for funding under the
Sections 202 or 811 Programs, please note the environmental review
requirements for these programs.
(M) Conflicts of Interest. If you are a consultant or expert who is
assisting HUD in rating and ranking applicants for funding under this
SuperNOFA, you are subject to 18 U.S.C. 208, the federal criminal
conflict of interest statute, and the Standards of Ethical Conduct for
Employees of the Executive Branch regulation published at 5 CFR part
2635. As a result, if you have assisted or plan to assist applicants
with preparing applications for this SuperNOFA, you may not serve on a
selection panel and you may not serve as a technical advisor to HUD for
this SuperNOFA. All individuals involved in rating and ranking this
SuperNOFA, including experts and consultants, must avoid conflicts of
interest or the appearance of conflicts. Individuals involved in the
rating and ranking of applications must disclose to HUD's General
Counsel or HUD's Ethics Law Division the following information, if
applicable: how the selection or non-selection of any applicant under
this SuperNOFA will affect the individual's financial interests, as
provided in 18 U.S.C. 208; or, how the application process involves a
party with whom the individual has a covered relationship under 5 CFR
2635.502. The individual must disclose this information prior to
participating in any matter regarding this SuperNOFA. If
[[Page 21020]]
you have questions regarding these provisions or if you have questions
concerning a conflict of interest, you may call the Office of General
Counsel, Ethics Law Division, at (202) 708-3815.
(N) Prohibition Against Lobbying Activities. You, the applicant,
are subject to the provisions of Section 319 of the Department of
Interior and Related Agencies Appropriation Act for Fiscal Year 1991,
31 U.S.C. 1352 (the Byrd Amendment), which prohibits recipients of
federal contracts, grants, or loans from using appropriated funds for
lobbying the executive or legislative branches of the federal
government in connection with a specific contract, grant, or loan. When
you sign Form HUD-424, Application for Federal Assistance, you certify,
to the best of your knowledge and belief, that no federal appropriated
funds have been paid, or will be paid, by or on behalf of the
applicant, to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an
officer or employee of an agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or
employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress, in
connection with the awarding of this federal grant or its extension,
renewal, amendment, or modification. In addition, you must disclose,
using Standard Form LLL ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' any
funds, other than federally appropriated funds, that will be or have
been used to influence federal employees, Members of Congress, and
congressional staff regarding specific grants or contracts. Federally
recognized Indian tribes and tribally designated housing entities
(TDHEs) established by federally recognized Indian tribes as a result
of the exercise of the tribe's sovereign power are excluded from
coverage of the Byrd Amendment, but state-recognized Indian tribes and
TDHEs established under state law must comply with this requirement.
(O) Accessible Technology. The Rehabilitation Act Amendments of
1998 (the Act) apply to all electronic information technology (EIT)
used by a recipient for transmitting, receiving, using, or storing
information to carry out the responsibilities of any federal funds
awarded. The Act's coverage includes, but is not limited to, computers
(hardware, software, word-processing, email, and web pages), facsimile
machines, copiers, and telephones. When developing, procuring,
maintaining, or using EIT, funding recipients must ensure that the EIT
allows employees with disabilities and members of the public with
disabilities to have access to and use of information and data that is
comparable to the access and use of information and data by employees
and members of the public who do not have disabilities. If these
standards impose a hardship on a funding recipient, a recipient may
provide an alternative means to allow the individual to use the
information and data. However, no recipient will be required to provide
information services to a person with disabilities at any location
other than the location at which the information services is generally
provided.
(P) Procurement of Recovered Materials. State agencies and agencies
of a political subdivision of a state that are using assistance under
this SuperNOFA for procurement, and any person contracting with such an
agency with respect to work performed under an assisted contract, must
comply with the requirements of Section 6002 of the Solid Waste
Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
In accordance with Section 6002, these agencies and persons must
procure items designated in guidelines of the Environmental Protection
Agency at 40 CFR part 247 that contain the highest percentage of
recovered materials practicable, consistent with maintaining a
satisfactory level of competition, where the purchase price of the item
exceeds $10,000 or the quantity acquired in the preceding fiscal year
exceeded $10,000; must procure solid waste management services in a
manner that maximizes energy and resource recovery; and must have
established an affirmative procurement program for procurement of
recovered materials identified in the EPA guidelines.
(Q) Participation in HUD-Sponsored Program Evaluation. As a
condition of the receipt of financial assistance under this SuperNOFA
all successful applicants will be required to cooperate with all HUD
staff or contractors performing HUD-funded research and evaluation
studies.
(R) Executive Order 13202, Preservation of Open Competition and
Government Neutrality Towards Government Contractors' Labor Relations
on Federal and Federally Funded Construction Projects. Consistent with
Executive Order 13202, ``Preservation of Open Competition and
Government Neutrality Towards Government Contractors' Labor Relations
on Federal and Federally Funded Construction Projects,'' as amended, it
is a condition of receipt of assistance under this SuperNOFA that
neither you nor any subrecipient or program beneficiary receiving funds
under an award granted under this SuperNOFA, nor any construction
manager acting on behalf of you or any such subrecipient or program
beneficiary, may require bidders, offerors, contractors, or
subcontractors to enter into or adhere to any agreement with any labor
organization on any construction project funded in whole or in part by
such award or on any related federally funded construction project; or
prohibit bidders, offerors, contractors, or subcontractors from
entering into or adhering to any such agreement on any such
construction project; or otherwise discriminate against bidders,
offerors, contractors, or subcontractors on any such construction
project because they become or refuse to become or remain signatories
or otherwise to adhere to any such agreements. Contractors and
subcontractors are not prohibited from voluntarily entering into such
agreements. A recipient or its construction manager may apply to HUD
under Section 5(c) of the Executive Order for an exemption from these
requirements for a project where a construction contract on the project
had been awarded as of February 17, 2001, and was subject to
requirements that are prohibited under the Executive Order.
(S) Executive Order 13166, Improving Access to Persons With Limited
English Proficiency (LEP). Consistent with Executive Order 13166,
``Improving Access to Persons With Limited English Proficiency (LEP'')
issued on August 11, 2000, all HUD recipients should take reasonable
steps to provide certain materials and information available in
languages other than English. The determination as to what materials,
languages, and modes of translation/interpretation services should be
used shall be based upon: (a) The specific needs and capabilities of
the LEP populations among the award recipient's program beneficiaries
and potential beneficiaries of assistance (e.g. tenants, community
residents, counselees, trainees, etc.); (b) the recipient's primary and
major program purposes; (c) resources of the recipient and size of the
program; and (d) local housing, demographic, and community conditions
and needs. Further guidance may be found at http://www.lep.gov.
(T) Executive Order 13279 Equal Protection of the Laws for Faith-
Based and Community Organizations. HUD is committed to full
implementation of 13279 and has undertaken a review of all policies and
regulations that have implications for faith-based and community
organizations, and has established a policy priority to provide full
and equal access to grass-roots faith-based and other community-based
organizations in HUD program implementation. As part of HUD's efforts
to support the Administration's
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Initiative, HUD has included Form HUD-23004, Survey on Ensuring Equal
Opportunity for Applicants, with the standard forms in Appendix B of
the General Section of this SuperNOFA. HUD asks that applicants
complete this form to help HUD assess the extent of participation by
grassroots faith-based and other community-based organizations.
(U) Salary Limitation for Consultants. FY 2003 funds may not be
used to pay or to provide reimbursement for payment of the salary of a
consultant at more than the daily equivalent of the rate paid for level
IV of the Executive Schedule, unless specifically authorized by law.
VI. Application Selection Process
(A) Threshold Compliance. Only applications that meet all of the
threshold requirements will be eligible to be rated and ranked.
(B) Rating Panels. To review and rate applications, HUD may
establish panels which may include persons not currently employed by
HUD. HUD may include these non-HUD employees to obtain certain
expertise and outside points of view, including views from other
federal agencies.
Rating. HUD will evaluate and rate all applications for funding
that meet the threshold requirements.
[sbull] Past Performance. In evaluating applications for funding
HUD will take into account applicants' past performance in managing
funds, including the ability to account for funds appropriately; timely
use of funds received either from HUD or other federal, state, or local
programs; meeting performance targets for completion of activities and
receipt of promised matching or leveraged funds; and, number of persons
to be served or targeted for assistance. HUD may consider information
available from HUD's records or available from public sources such as,
but not limited to, newspapers, Inspector General or Government
Accounting Office Reports or Findings, and/or hotline complaints that
have been proven to have merit.
[sbull] Deducting Points for Poor Performance. In evaluating past
performance, HUD may elect to deduct points from the rating score or
establish threshold levels as specified under the Factors for Award in
the Program Section of this SuperNOFA.
Ranking. HUD will rank applicants within each program or, for
Continuum of Care applicants, across the three programs identified in
the Continuum of Care section of this SuperNOFA. HUD will rank
applicants only against those applying for the same program funding.
Where there are set-asides within a program competition, you, the
applicant, will compete against only those applicants in the same set-
aside competition.
(C) Factors for Award Used to Evaluate and Rate Applications. For
each program that is part of this SuperNOFA, the points awarded for the
rating factors total 100. Depending upon the program for which you, the
applicant, are seeking funding, the funding opportunity may provide for
up to four bonus points as provided in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this
Section VI(C).
(1) RC/EZ/EC. The SuperNOFA provides for the award of two bonus
points for eligible activities/projects that the applicant proposes to
be located in federally designated Empowerment Zones (EZs), Enterprise
Communities (ECs), Urban Enhanced Enterprise Communities (EECs),
Strategic Planning Communities, or Renewal Communities (RCs), that
serve the residents of these areas, and are certified to be consistent
with the area's strategic plan. (For ease of reference in the
SuperNOFA, all these federally designated areas are collectively
referred to as ``RC/EZ/ECs'' and residents of any of these federally
designated areas as ``RC/EZ/EC residents.'') The individual funding
announcement will indicate if the bonus points are available for that
funding. The SuperNOFA contains a certification that must be completed
for the applicant to be considered for RC/EZ/EC bonus points. A list of
RCs, EZs, ECs, EECs, and Strategic Planning Communities is attached to
this General Section of the SuperNOFA as Appendix A-2 and is also
available from the SuperNOFA Information Center, and the HUD Web site,
http://www.hud.gov.
(2) Brownfields Show Case Communities: In the BEDI competition, two
bonus points are available for federally designated Brownfields Show
Case Communities. (Please see BEDI section of this SuperNOFA for
additional information.) A list of the federally designated RCs, EZs,
ECs, Enhanced ECs, and Brownfields Show Case Communities is available
from the SuperNOFA Information Center or through the HUD Web site,
http://www.hud.gov.
(D) The Five Standard Rating Factors for FY 2003. The majority of
programs in this SuperNOFA use the five rating factors described below.
Additional details about the five rating factors and the maximum points
for each factor are provided in the Program Section of the SuperNOFA.
You, the applicant, should carefully read the factors for award as
described in the Program Section of the SuperNOFA. HUD has established
these five factors as the basic factors for award in every program that
is part of this SuperNOFA. For a specific funding opportunity, however,
HUD may modify these factors to take into account specific program
needs or statutory or regulatory limitations imposed on a program. The
standard factors for award, except as modified in the program area
section, are:
Factor 1: Capacity of the Applicant and Relevant Organizational Staff
Factor 2: Need/Extent of the Problem
Factor 3: Soundness of Approach
Factor 4: Leveraging Resources
Factor 5: Achieving Results and Program Evaluation
The Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program has only two factors
that receive points: Need and Continuum of Care.
(E) Negotiation. After HUD has rated and ranked all applications
and made selections, HUD may require, depending upon the program, that
all selected applicants participate in negotiations to determine the
specific terms of the funding agreement and budget. In cases where HUD
cannot successfully conclude negotiations with a selected applicant or
a selected applicant fails to provide HUD with requested information,
an award will not be made to that applicant. In this instance, HUD may
offer an award, and proceed with negotiations with the next highest-
ranking applicant.
(F) Adjustments to Funding.
(1) HUD reserves the right to fund less than the full amount
requested in your application to ensure the fair distribution of funds
and ensure that the purposes or requirements of a specific program are
met.
(2) HUD will not fund any portion of your application that: is not
eligible for funding under specific program statutory or regulatory
requirements; does not meet the requirements of this SuperNOFA; or may
be duplicative of other funded programs or activities from prior year
awards or other selected applicants. Only the eligible portions of your
application (including non-duplicative portions) may be funded.
(3) If funds remain after funding the highest-ranking applications,
HUD may fund all or part of the next highest-ranking application in a
given program. If you, the applicant, turn down an award offer, HUD
will make an offer of funding to the next highest-ranking application.
If funds remain after all selections have been made, remaining funds
may be available for other competitions for each program where there is
a balance of funds.
[[Page 21022]]
(4) In the event HUD commits an error that, when corrected, would
result in selection of an otherwise eligible applicant during the
funding round of this SuperNOFA, HUD may select that applicant when
sufficient funds become available.
(G) Performance and Compliance Actions of Funding Recipients. HUD
will measure and address the performance and compliance actions of
funding recipients in accordance with the applicable standards and
sanctions of their respective programs.
VII. Application Submission Requirements
Be sure to read and follow the application submission requirements
published in the Program Section for which you are applying. As noted
above, once you have submitted one signed, original set of forms,
certifications and assurances, you may send copies of these standard
items with each additional application you submit.
VIII. Corrections to Deficient Applications
After the application due date, HUD may not, consistent with its
regulations in 24 CFR part 4, subpart B, consider any unsolicited
information you, the applicant, may want to provide. HUD may contact
you to clarify an item in your application or to correct technical
deficiencies. HUD may not seek clarification of items or responses that
improve the substantive quality of your response to any rating factors.
In order not to unreasonably exclude applications from being rated and
ranked, HUD may contact applicants to ensure proper completion of the
application and will do so on a uniform basis for all applicants.
Examples of curable (correctable) technical deficiencies include
failure to submit the proper certifications or failure to submit an
application that contains an original signature by an authorized
official or failure to submit the requested number of copies. In each
case, HUD will notify you in writing by describing the clarification or
technical deficiency. HUD will notify applicants by facsimile or by
USPS, return receipt requested. Clarifications or corrections of
technical deficiencies in accordance with the information provided by
HUD must be submitted within 14 calendar days of the date of receipt of
the HUD notification. (If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or
federal holiday, your correction must be received by HUD on the next
day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday.) If the
deficiency is not corrected within this time period, HUD will reject
the application as incomplete and it will not be considered for
funding. (Sections 202 and 811 Programs provide for appeal of rejection
of an application on technical deficiency. Please see the Program
Section for these programs for additional information and
instructions.)
IX. Findings and Certifications
Environmental Impact. A Finding of No Significant Impact with
respect to the environment has been made in accordance with HUD
regulations at 24 CFR part 50 that implement Section 102(2)(C) of the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332). The Finding
of No Significant Impact is available for public inspection between
8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. in the Office of the General Counsel,
Regulations Division, Room 10276, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410-0500.
X. Executive Orders and Congressional Intent
(A) Executive Order 13132, Federalism. Executive Order 13132
prohibits, to the extent practicable and permitted by law, an agency
from promulgating policies that have federalism implications and either
impose substantial direct compliance costs on state and local
governments and are not required by statute, or preempt state law,
unless the relevant requirements of Section 6 of the Executive Order
are met. This SuperNOFA does not have federalism implications and does
not impose substantial direct compliance costs on state and local
governments or preempt state law within the meaning of the Executive
Order.
(B) Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs. Executive Order 12372 was issued to foster intergovernmental
partnership and strengthen federalism by relying on state and local
processes for the coordination and review of federal financial
assistance and direct federal development. HUD implementing regulations
are published in 24 CFR part 52. The Order allows each state to
designate an entity to perform a state review function. The official
listing of State Points of Contact (SPOC) for this review process can
be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html. States not
listed on the website have chosen not to participate in the
intergovernmental review process and, therefore, do not have a SPOC. If
your state has a SPOC, you should contact them to see if they are
interested in reviewing your application prior to submission to HUD.
Please make sure that you allow ample time for this review process when
developing and submitting your applications. If your state does not
have a SPOC, you may send applications directly to HUD.
(C) Sense of Congress. It is the sense of Congress, as published in
section 409(a) of the Conference Report of HJR 2, that, to the greatest
extent practicable, all equipment and products purchased with funds
made available in this Act should be American-made.
XI. Public Access, Documentation and Disclosure
(A) Section 102 of the HUD Reform Act, Documentation and Public
Access Requirements. Section 102 of the Department of Housing and Urban
Development Reform Act of 1989 (42 U.S.C. 3545) (HUD Reform Act) and
the regulations codified in 24 CFR part 4, subpart A, contain a number
of provisions that are designed to ensure greater accountability and
integrity in the provision of certain types of assistance administered
by HUD. On January 14, 1992, HUD published a notice that also provides
information on the implementation of Section 102 (57 FR 1942). The
documentation, public access, and disclosure requirements of Section
102 apply to assistance awarded under this SuperNOFA as follows:
(1) Documentation, public access, and disclosure requirements. HUD
will ensure that documentation and other information regarding each
application submitted pursuant to this SuperNOFA are sufficient to
indicate the basis upon which assistance was provided or denied. This
material, including any letters of support, will be made available for
public inspection for a five-year period beginning not less than 30
days after the award of the assistance. Material will be made available
in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and
HUD's implementing regulations (24 CFR part 15).
(2) HUD Form 2880. HUD will also make available to the public for
five years all applicant disclosure reports (HUD Form 2880) submitted
in connection with this SuperNOFA. Update reports (also reported on HUD
Form 2880) will be made available along with the applicant disclosure
reports, but in no case for a period of less than three years. All
reports, both applicant disclosures and updates, will be made available
in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and
HUD's implementing regulations (24 CFR part 5).
[[Page 21023]]
(3) Publication of Recipients of HUD Funding. HUD's regulations at
24 CFR part 4 provide that HUD will publish a notice in the Federal
Register to notify the public of all decisions made by the Department
to provide:
(i) Assistance subject to Section 102(a) of the HUD Reform Act;
and/or
(ii) Assistance provided through grants or cooperative agreements
on a discretionary (non-formula, non-demand) basis, but that is not
provided on the basis of a competition.
(4) Debriefing. Beginning 30 days after the awards for assistance
are publicly announced and for at least 120 days after awards for
assistance are publicly announced, HUD will provide a debriefing to any
applicant requesting one on their application. All debriefing requests
must be made in writing or by email by the authorized official whose
signature appears on the SF-424 or his or her successor in office, and
submitted to the person or organization identified as the Contact under
the section entitled ``Further Information and Technical Assistance''
in the Program Section of the SuperNOFA under which you applied for
assistance. Information provided during a debriefing will include, at a
minimum, the final score you received for each rating factor, final
evaluator comments for each rating factor, and the final assessment
indicating the basis upon which assistance was provided or denied.
(B) Section 103 of the HUD Reform Act. HUD's regulations
implementing Section 103 of the Department of Housing and Urban
Development Reform Act of 1989 (42 U.S.C. 3537a), codified in 24 CFR
part 4, subpart B, section 4.26(2)(c) et. seq. and 4.28 apply to this
funding competition. The regulations continue to apply until the
announcement of the selection of successful applicants. HUD employees
involved in the review of applications and in the making of funding
decisions are limited by the regulations from providing advance
information to any person (other than an authorized employee of HUD)
concerning funding decisions or from otherwise giving any applicant an
unfair competitive advantage. Persons who apply for assistance in this
competition should confine their inquiries to the subject areas
permitted under 24 CFR part 4.
Applicants or employees who have ethics related questions should
contact the HUD Ethics Law Division at 202-708-3815. (This is not a
toll-free number.) HUD employees who have specific program questions
should contact the appropriate field office counsel or Headquarters
counsel for the program to which the question pertains.
XII. The FY 2003 SUPERNOFA Process and Future HUD Funding Processes
Each year, HUD strives to improve its SuperNOFA. The FY 2003
SuperNOFA was revised based upon comments received during the FY 2002
funding process. HUD continues to welcome comments and feedback from
applicants and other members of the public on how HUD may further
improve its competitive funding process. In FY 2004, as part of Public
Law 106-107 streamlining efforts and the interagency eGrants
Initiative, HUD anticipates making considerable changes to the format
and presentation of its funding notices. We are continually striving to
ensure effective communication with our program funding recipients and
potential funding recipients. HUD has been posting pertinent documents
related to these efforts on its website. HUD encourages you to visit
our website on an ongoing basis to keep abreast of the latest
developments. Our website address for information on the eGrants
Initiative is http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/egrants/egrants.cfm.
Information on Grant streamlining activities can be found
on http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/pl-106107/pl106-107.cfm.
The description of programs for which funding is available under
this SuperNOFA follows this General Section and its appendices.
Dated: April 15, 2003.
Mel Martinez,
Secretary.
[[Page 21024]]