OMB Approval No. 0985-0018

Expiration 08/31/2013

U.S. Administration on Aging

National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging

Program Announcement and Grant Application Instructions

U.S. Administration on Aging

FY 2011

Table of Contents

I.FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

II.AWARD INFORMATION

III.ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1.Eligible Applicants

2.Cost Sharing or Matching

3.Responsiveness and Screening Criteria

IV.APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1.Address to Request Application Package

2.Content and Form of Application Submission

3.Submission Dates and Times

4.Intergovernmental Review

5.Funding Restrictions

V.APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1.Criteria

2.Review and Selection Process

VI.AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1.Award Notices

2.Administrative and National Policy Requirements

3.Reporting

4.FFATA and FSRS Reporting

VII.AGENCY CONTACTS

1.Application Elements

2.The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-13)

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment A: Instructions for Completing Required Forms

Attachment B: Standard Form 424A – Sample Format

Attachment C: Budget Narrative/Justification – Sample Format

Attachment D: Budget Narrative/Justification –– Sample Template

Attachment E: Project Work Plan – Sample Template

Attachment F: Instructions for Completing the Project Summary/Abstract

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Administration on Aging (AoA)

AoACenterfor Program Operations

Funding Opportunity Title: National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2011-AoA-NU-1117

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 93.048

Key Dates: The deadline for submission of Letters of Intent is July22, 2011. The deadline for submission of applications is 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on August 17, 2011.

Executive Summary: The Administration on Aging will hold a competition for a cooperative agreement to develop a National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging (Resource Center) to assist the Administration on Aging (AoA) in meeting the requirements of Older Americans Act (OAA) Section 205 to build the capacityof the aging services network to provide nutrition services, integrated into a home and community based service system, for both current and future older adult populations.

The award is a cooperative agreement because AoA will be involved substantially in the project. The cooperative agreement will provide for training and technical assistance on nutrition services to be available to the aging services network in every State, Territory, and the District of Columbia. The accompanying set of materials includes a description of the opportunity and all the instructions necessary to prepare and submit a grant proposal to compete for the award. Funding for the cooperative agreement is expected to begin by the end of September, 2011.

I.FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

The mission of the Administration on Aging (AoA) is to help older adults maintain their dignity and independence in their homes and communities through comprehensive, coordinated, and cost-effective systems of long-term care and livable communities across the United States.

In order to accomplish this mission, targeted policy, strategic planning, and quality core services are necessary at the national, state, and local levels. The aging services network is serving a continuum of aging individuals in the community from those who need health promotion, disease prevention and risk reduction services to an increasingly vulnerable and frail population with a need for long-term supports and services. Adequate nutrition is essential for the health and continued independence of this entire continuum of elders. Access to adequate, quality food and nutrition services is an important component of a comprehensive and coordinated plan for aging services provision. As the largest community based food and nutrition program in the U.S. targeted to older adults, it is essential that the OAA Nutrition Program be positioned as a critical program in long term service and support systems across the country.

The OAA Nutrition Program is implemented in states and local communities by 4,000 nutrition service providers. About half of State Units on Aging (SUA) employ a full time nutrition professional or access a nutrition consultant. Currently, there is limited AoA staff devoted to advance quality nutrition programming in the aging network. A technical assistance resource center will be essential to successfully supporting the aging services network in providing quality nutrition services for older adults today and in the future.

Older adults served by the OAA Nutrition Program, especially those in the home delivered program, are less healthy, more functionally impaired, more likely to live alone, and have lower incomes than the average older American. Nutrition services are a prevention, risk reduction or treatment modality for seven of the eight chronic health conditions. Food insecurity and hunger is increasing nationally in the older adult population.Due in part to state and local financial constraints, meal services are being reduced and some states are unable to implement other nutrition services such as screening, assessment, education or counseling that could address lifestyle risk factors key to maintaining independence in the community. A national Resource Center should be able towork effectively with national, state, and local nutrition programs to address these issues.

Through this funding opportunity, AoA plans to award a cooperative agreement to work towards achieving the following goals:

1. StrengthenSupport of Nutrition Services

  1. Definea short and long range plan for strengthening nutrition services (meals, nutrition education, nutrition screening, assessment, and counseling) as a component of a comprehensive system of long term services and supports (LTSS). The plan should take into account the diversity of older adults as well as that of states and communities.
  2. Highlight the 40th anniversary of the OAA Nutrition Program (authorized in 1972) at the national, state and local level through a variety of activities including a national meeting. The activities should be planned and implemented in collaboration with appropriate partners, including national associations, and should highlight best practices and innovative models.

2. Demonstrate the Value of Nutrition Services

  1. Research, analyze and disseminate information on the role of nutrition services in maintaininghealth, functionality and independence through issue briefs, fact sheets, and other tools.
  2. Research, analyze and disseminate information on the relationship betweenhunger and food insecurity, increased disability, decreased health and increased health care costs. Promote effective intervention through service provision, collaboration, improved practice and other methods.
  3. Promoteperformance measurement to assist SUAs, AAAs, and local providers to improve nutrition service provision and program management, enhance collaboration, and influence policy makers and funders. Utilize AoA POMP resources and other performance measurement tools, training and technical assistance.
  4. Assist SUAs and AAAs in targeting nutrition services to diverse populations and communities using pertinent data sources, state and area plans, strategic planning, resource allocation and other interventions.

3. Modernize Nutrition Service Provision

  1. Seek input on modernizing nutrition service provision through focus groups, listening sessions, engaging national constituent organizations or other methods.
  2. Promote the implementation of evidence-based practice in nutrition programming and education.
  3. Explore options for enhancing performance of OAA nutrition programs including through the development of performance measures or standards.
  4. Promote service quality through the identification and dissemination of quality assurance measures that focus on the consumer as well as program and service operations.
  5. Identify and disseminate information on consumer directed nutrition services in home and community based programs.
  6. Assist the network to improve business operations and practice utilizing recognized techniques such as peer mentoring, continuous quality improvement, change management theory, leadership development and others.
  7. Develop and implement a comprehensive, interactive web-based clearinghouse with resources useful to SUAs, AAAs, local nutrition service providers, and other professionals.

Based on the requirements of this Program Announcement as described in this section as well as in Section II under grantee responsibilities, applicants should explain their plans for addressing each of the key elements described and how they will coordinate and collaborate with AoA in planning and implementation phases.

Narratives should contain a description of how the proposed plan will ultimately impact not only OAA nutrition programs at the national, state and local level but the Aging Network at large.

The narrative should include a section describing partnerships to be developed to achieve the objectives of this opportunity. Proposals should also include a section describing plans to collaborate with other organizations providing technical assistance in support of other AoA priority activities.

Throughout the narrative, applicants should describe the existing resources they plan to use in their efforts as well as any additional resources that may be developed once the funding is received.

Applicants for this funding opportunity should plan for the convening of a planning meeting, within two weeks of award, for the purpose of reviewing and revising the project work plan. This meeting will be planned in conjunction with AoA and may include other stakeholders.

Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for grants under this Program Announcement is contained in Title IV of the Older Americans Act (OAA) (42U.S.C. 3032), as amended by the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2006, P.L. 109-365. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 93.048, Title IV Discretionary Projects).

II.AWARD INFORMATION

Award type: New Cooperative Agreement

Estimated Federal Funds Available: Up to $500,000

Estimated Number of Awards: one (1)

Projected Start Date: September 30, 2011

Estimated Project Length: three (3) years

The amount of Federal funds available for this new funding opportunity is anticipated to be up to $500,000. The AoA plans to fund one grant (cooperative agreement) at a federal share of up to $500,000 for a project period of three years.

Release of funds for continuation funding of the Resource Center beyond the initial budget period will be completed on a non-competitive basis, subject to the availability of funds. Non-competitive continuations will be contingent on satisfactory progress of the grantee and an AoA determination that continued funding will be in the best interest of the government.

The terms and conditions for this cooperative agreement are as follows and will be incorporated by reference in the Notice of Award (NOA).

The AoA will carry out the following activities for the cooperative agreement noted above:

  • AoA Project Officer will perform the day-to-day Federal responsibilities of managing a grant initiative and will work with the grantee to ensure that the minimum requirements for the grant are met.
  • AoA will assist the grantee project leadership in understanding the policy concerns and/or priorities of AoA by conducting periodic briefings and by carrying out ongoing consultations.
  • AoA and the granteewill work cooperatively to clarify the programmatic and budgetary issues to be addressed by the project. Based on these negotiations, and a planning meeting to be held upon award, the grantee will revise the project work plan detailing expectations for major activities and products during the three year grant.
  • Provide technical advice to the grantee on the provision of training and technical support and associated tasks related to the fulfillment of the goals and objectives of this grant.
  • Review and provide technical advice on grantee work products.
  • Provide consultation to the grantee in identifying emerging issues as they relate to the goals and objectives of this grant program.
  • AoA will work with the grantee on the development and implementation of grant evaluation activities.
  • Attend and participate in major project events as appropriate.

The grantee will execute the responsibilities of the cooperative agreement as listed below:

  • Collaborate with the AoA in the modification and execution of the work plan.
  • Fulfill all of the requirements of the grant initiative as detailed in this program announcement including under the three goals:
  • Strengthen support of nutrition services
  • Demonstrate the value of nutrition services
  • Modernize nutrition service provision
  • Develop quality written and web-based materials to address Section 205 of the OAA
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive, interactive web-based clearinghouse with resources useful to state and area agencies on aging, local nutrition service providers, and nutrition and social service professionals.
  • Develop and maintain an online interactive communication tool for state units on aging, area agencies on aging and local nutrition service providers to facilitate information exchange and support nutrition services implementation.
  • Develop and implement quality training and technical assistance using webinars, in-person training, and national meetings.
  • Integrate Nutrition Resource Center technical assistance with other AoA funded technical assistance efforts, and any privately funded nutrition resource centers as appropriate.
  • Assist state and area agencies on aging in focusing on nutrition services as an essential component of a comprehensive and coordinated home and community based service system.

Once a cooperative agreement is in place, requests to modify or amend it or the work plan may be made by AoA or the awardee at any time. Modifications and/or amendments of the Cooperative Agreement or work plan shall be effective upon the mutual agreement of both parties, except where AoA is authorized under the Terms and Conditions of award, 45 CFR Part 74 or 92, or other applicable regulation or statute to make unilateral amendments.

III.ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1.Eligible Applicants

Domestic public or private non-profit entities including state and local governments, Indian tribal governments and organizations (American Indian/Alaskan Native/Native American), faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, hospitals, and institutions of higher education.

2.Cost Sharing or Matching

Under this Older Americans Act (OAA) program, AoA will fund no more than 75% of the project’s total cost, which means the applicant must cover at least 25% of the project’s total cost with non-Federal resources. In other words, for every three (3) dollars received in Federal funding, the applicant must contribute at least one (1) dollar in non-Federal resources toward the project’s total cost. This “three-to-one” ratio is reflected in the formula included under Item 18 in Attachment A. You can use this formula to calculate your minimum required match. A common error applicants make is to match 25% of the Federal share, rather than 25% of the project’s total cost.

Therearetwo types of match: 1) non-Federal cash and 2) non-Federal in-kind.In general, costs borne by the applicant and cash contributions of any and all third parties involved in the project, including sub-grantees, contractors and consultants, are considered matching funds.Volunteered time and use of facilities to hold meetings or conduct project activities may be considered in-kind (thirdparty) donations. Examples of non-Federal cash match includes budgetary funds provided from the applicant agency’s budget for costs associated with the project. AoA encourages you to not exceed the minimum match requirement.Applications with a match greater than the minimum required will not receive additional consideration under the review. Match is not one of the responsiveness criteria as noted in Section III, 3 Application Screening Criteria.

AoA takes very seriously the current downturn in the nation’s economy; therefore AoA may waive the matching requirement where severe hardship is documented by the applicant. If you feel unable to meet the minimum matching requirement, please provide a written justification, which explains why you cannot meet the match through cash or in-kind contributions. The written justification must be signed by your authorized representative and submitted with your application through .AoA will review your request and contact you should additional information or justification be necessary.Applicants are encouraged to make this hardship determination during the application phase; waiver requests made after awards have been issued will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

3.Responsiveness and Screening Criteria

Application Responsiveness Criteria

Applications that do not meet the following responsiveness criteria will be administratively eliminated and will not be reviewed.

The successful applicants for the National Resource Centerfor Nutrition and Aging will be an organization that meets the following criteria:

  1. Demonstrated capability of providing leadership, training, and technical assistance to OAA nutrition programs nationwide.
  1. Demonstrated experience working with local nutrition programs, state aging agencies, and other aging service provider organizations.

Application Screening Criteria

All applications will be screened to assure a level playing field for all applicants. Applications that fail to meet the three screening criteria described below will notbe reviewed and will receive no further consideration.

In order for an application to be reviewed, it must meet the following screening requirements:

  1. Applications must be submitted electronically via by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, August 17, 2011.
  1. The Project Narrative section of the Application must be double-spaced, on 8 ½” x 11” plain white paper with 1” margins on both sides, and a font size of not less than 11.
  1. The Project Narrative must not exceed 20 pages. NOTE: The Project Work Plan, Letters of Commitment, and Vitae of Key Project Personnel are not counted as part of the Project Narrative for purposes of the 20-page limit.

IV.APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1.Address to Request Application Package

Application materials can be obtained from or

Please note, AoA is requiring applications for all announcements to be submitted electronically through The Grants.gov ( registration process can take several days. If your organization is not currently registered with please begin this process immediately. For assistance with , please contact them at or 1-800-518-4726 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Eastern Time. At you will be able to download a copy of the application packet, complete it off-line, and then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov website (

Applications submitted via

  • You may access the electronic application for this program on You must search the downloadable application page by the Funding Opportunity Number (HHS-2011-AoA-OM-1104) or CFDA number (93.048).
  • At the you will find information about submitting an application electronically through the site, including the hours of operation. AoA strongly recommends that you do not wait until the application due date to begin the application process through because of the time involved to complete the registration process.
  • All applicants must have a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and register in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). You should allow a minimum of five days to complete the CCR registration.
  • Effective October 1, 2010, HHS requires all entities that plan to apply for and ultimately receive Federal grant funds from any HHS Operating/Staff Division (OPDIV/STAFFDIV) or receive sub-awards directly from the recipients of those grant funds to:
  1. Be registered in the CCR prior to submitting an application or plan;
  2. Maintain an active CCR registration with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration by an OPDIV; and
  3. Provide its DUNS umber in each application or plan it submits to the OPDIV.

An award cannot be made until the applicant has complied with these requirements. At the time an award is ready to be made, if the intended recipient has not complied with these requirements, the OPDIV/STAFFDIV: