Title of Opportunity: Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program
Funding Opportunity Number: DHS-10-DAD-024-000-01
Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Announcement Type: Initial
Dates: Completed applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM EST, December 18, 2009.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION
The Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP) is a Federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and has been entrusted through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11331 et seq.) “to supplement and expand ongoing efforts to provide shelter, food and supportive services” for the nation’s hungry and homeless.
A National Board, chaired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, with representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; The Jewish Federations of North America; The Salvation Army; and, United Way Worldwide, governs the EFSP. The National Board has selected United Way Worldwide to once again serve as Secretariat and Fiscal Agent to the National Board.
The following operating principles, originating in Fiscal Year 1984, remain in force for Fiscal Year 2010:
· fast response;
· allocations to neediest areas;
· public/private sector cooperation;
· local decision-making; and,
· minimal, but accountable, reporting.
The authorizing statute (42 U.S.C. 11331 et seq.) specifically calls for “sensitivity to the transition from temporary shelter to permanent homes and attention to the specialized needs of homeless individuals with mental and physical disabilities and illness and to facilitate access for homeless individuals to other sources of services and benefits.” Also in accordance with the authorizing statute, the National Board encourages Local Boards to place special emphasis on identification of and assistance to the elderly, families with children, Native Americans, veterans, and mentally and physically disabled.
AWARD INFORMATION
The fiscal year 2010 appropriation is $200,000,000, which will bring the total distributed to more than $3.6 billion over the program’s 27-year history. The full amount of the grant is awarded to the National Board for the EFSP for the purpose of supplementing the work of local social service agencies, both nonprofit and governmental, within the United States, in providing emergency food and shelter to needy individuals.
Authorizing Statutes
Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, as amended, Title 3, Section 301, Public Law 100-77, 42 U.S.C 11331-11346.
Period of Performance
The period of performance of this grant is 24 months. Extensions to the period of performance will be considered only through formal requests to FEMA with specific and compelling justifications as to why an extension is required.
Available Funding
In FY 2010, the total amount of funds distributed under this grant will be $200,000,000. FY 2010 Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds will be allocated based on Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, as amended, Title 3, Section 301, Public Law 100-77, 42 U.S.C 11331-11346, and the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program Responsibilities and Requirements Manual for Phase 28.
ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
A. Eligible Applicants:
By law (42 U.S.C. § 11341), the National Board for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program is the only eligible applicant.
B. Cost Sharing:
No cost sharing is required.
C. Restrictions:
See the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program Responsibilities and Requirements Manual for Phase 28.
D. Other:
The process for awarding funds to sub-recipients is as follows:
1. The National Board selects jurisdictions to receive awards based on a formula using the following criteria:
· most current 12-month national unemployment rates;
· total number of unemployed within a civil jurisdiction;
· total number of individuals below the poverty level within a civil jurisdiction; and
· the total population of the civil jurisdiction.
More specifically, jurisdictions are selected to receive funding during Phase 28 (fiscal year 2010) according to one of the following criteria:
· Jurisdictions, including balance of counties, with 13,000+ unemployed and a 4.3% rate of unemployment.
· Jurisdictions, including balance of counties, with 300 to 12,999 unemployed and a 6.3% rate of unemployment.
· Jurisdictions, including balance of counties, with 300 or more unemployed and an 11% rate of poverty.
Varying rates are selected to recognize dynamics such as urban area attraction for the homeless and hungry, and poverty-ridden rural areas. Poverty data is used to compensate for the fact that many in need are not shown in published unemployment statistics. Poverty data used for Phase 28 was obtained from the Bureau of the Census based on the data they collected in the 2000 Census; the Bureau of Labor Statistics provided the most recent unemployment data.
With the receipt of the $200,000,000 for use in FY 2010 (Phase 28), the EFSP National Board is again reserving a portion of these funds for the State Set-Aside Program (SSA). This program allows for additional flexibility in selecting jurisdictions for funding. The National Board requires that prior to selecting jurisdictions for funding, the SSA committee considers jurisdictions:
· that previously qualified for the program, but no longer meet the established formula and demonstrate high levels of need;
· with unusually high levels of unemployment or poverty, but do not meet the
minimum 300 unemployed cut-off;
· that have pockets of homelessness or poverty and do not qualify for direct funding; or,
· that are experiencing recent negative economic changes, such as plant closings.
Through direct and SSA awards, each State will receive a minimum of $250,000.
2. A Local Board is convened for each yearly funding cycle for every jurisdiction that receives funds. These Local Boards decide which local service organizations receive funding. Funded agencies, known as “Local Recipient Organizations,” use EFSP supplemental funds for mass shelter, mass feeding, food distribution through food pantries and food banks, one-month utility payments to prevent service cut-off, and one-month rent/mortgage assistance to prevent evictions or assist people leaving shelters to establish stable living conditions. Last year, over 12,000 local non-profit and government agencies received EFSP funds in more than 2,500 jurisdictions nationwide. EFSP funds are provided to homeless and hungry families and individuals nationwide based on economic emergencies that are unrelated to disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes.
APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION
A. Address to Request Application Package
All applications for DHS grants will be filed using the common electronic “storefront” – www.grants.gov. To access application forms and instructions, select “Apply for Grants,” and then select “Download Application Package.” Enter the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) and/or the funding opportunity number located on the cover of this announcement. Select “Download Application Package,” and then follow the prompts to download the application package. To download the instructions, go to “Download Application Package” and select “Instructions.” If you experience difficulties or have any questions, please call the www.grants.gov customer support hotline at (800) 518-4726.
DHS may request original signatures on forms at a later date.
B. Content and Form of Application:
The on-line application must be completed and submitted using www.grants.gov after registry on Central Contractor Registration (CCR) is confirmed. The on-line application includes the following required forms and submissions:
· Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance
· Standard Form 424 A, Budget Information
· Standard Form 424 B, Assurances
· Standard Form LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if the grantee has engaged or intends to engage in lobbying activities)
· Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment; Suspension; and, Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (FEMA Form 20-16C).
The program title listed in the CFDA is “Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.” The CFDA number is 97.024
1. Application via www.grants.gov. The applicant (the National Board) must file its application using the Administration’s common electronic “storefront” - www.grants.gov.
2. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. The applicant must provide a DUNS number with its application. This number is a required field within www.grants.gov and for CCR Registration. Organizations should verify that they have a DUNS number, or take the steps necessary to obtain one, as soon as possible. Applicants can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS Number request line at (866) 705-5711.
3. Valid CCR Registration. The application process also involves an updated and current registration by the applicant. Eligible applicants must confirm CCR registration at http://www.ccr.gov, as well as apply for funding through www.grants.gov.
C. Submission Dates and Times:
Application submissions will be received by 11:59 PM EST, December 18, 2009. Only applications made through www.grants.gov will be accepted.
D. Funding Restrictions:
See the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program Responsibilities and Requirements Manual for Phase 28.
Up to 3.5% of the award amount may be used for administrative expenses of the Grantee. Of this 3.5%, the Grantee has determined that 1.0% may be used by the Grantee, 0.5% may be used by State Set-Aside Committees, and 2.0% may be used by Local Boards or by Local Recipient Organizations (LROs) at the Local Board’s discretion for administrative expenses.
DHS grant funds may only be used for the purpose set forth in the grant, and must be consistent with the statutory authority for the award. Grant funds may not be used for matching funds for other Federal grants/cooperative agreements, lobbying, or intervention in Federal regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings. In addition, Federal funds may not be used to sue the Federal government or any other government entity.
Pre-award costs are allowable only with the written consent of DHS and if they are included in the award agreement.
APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION
A. Review Criteria:
The completed application must be submitted to FEMA. The recipient and any sub-recipients, in addition to the assurances made part of the application, must comply with applicable statues, regulations, OMB Circulars, terms and conditions of the award and the approved application.
B. Review and Selection Process:
Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 11341, FEMA shall award the grant for the full amount that the Congress appropriated for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program to the National Board.
C. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates:
FEMA will evaluate and award the grant to the National Board not later than 30 days following the date on which appropriations become available.
AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
A. Notice of Award:
Upon approval of the application, the grant will be awarded to the grantee. The date that
this is done is the “award date.” Notification of award approval is made through the
Grants Management System (GMS). Once an award has been approved, a notice is
sent to the authorized grantee official. Follow the directions in the notification to
accept your award documents. The authorized grantee official should carefully
read the award and special condition documents. If you do not receive a notification,
please contact your FEMA Program Analyst for your award number. Once
you have the award number, contact the GMS Help Desk at (888) 549-9901, option
three, to obtain the username and password associated with the new award.
The period of performance is 24 months and begins on the Project Period/Budget Period start date listed in the award package. Extensions to the period of performance will be considered only through formal requests to FEMA with specific and compelling justifications why an extension is required. All extension requests must be submitted to FEMA at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the grant period of performance. The justification must address:
• Reason for delay;
• Current status of the activity/activities;
• Approved period of performance termination date and new project completion date;
• Remaining available funds, both Federal and non-Federal;
• Budget outlining how remaining Federal and non-Federal funds will be expended;
• Plan for completion including milestones and timeframes for achieving each milestone and the position/person responsible for implementing the plan for completion; and
• Certification that the activity/activities will be completed within the extended period of performance without any modification to the original Statement of Work approved by FEMA.
B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
The recipient and any sub-recipient(s) must, in addition to the assurances made as part of the application, comply and require each of its subcontractors employed in the completion of the project to comply with all applicable statutes, regulations, executive orders, OMB circulars, terms and conditions of the award, and the approved application.
1. Standard Financial Requirements:
The grantee and any sub-grantee(s) shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations. A non-exclusive list of regulations commonly applicable to DHS grants are listed below:
1.1 – Administrative Requirements.
· 44 CFR Part 13, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments
· 2 CFR Part 215, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations (formerly OMB Circular A-110)
1.2 – Cost Principles.
· 2 CFR Part 225, Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments (formerly OMB Circular A-87)
· 2 CFR Part 220, Cost Principles for Educational Institutions (formerly OMB Circular A-21)
· 2 CFR Part 230, Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations (formerly OMB Circular A-122)
o Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Part 31.2 Contract Cost Principles and Procedures, Contracts with Commercial Organizations
1.3 – Audit Requirements.
· OMB Circular A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations
1.4 – Duplication of Benefits. There may not be a duplication of any Federal assistance by governmental entities, per 2 CFR Part 225, Basic Guidelines Section C.3 (c), which states: Any cost allocable to a particular Federal award or cost objective under the principles provided for in this Authority may not be charged to other Federal awards to overcome fund deficiencies, to avoid restrictions imposed by law or terms of the Federal awards, or for other reasons. However, this prohibition would not preclude governmental units from shifting costs that are allowable under two or more awards in accordance with existing program agreements.Non-governmental entities are also subject to this prohibition per 2 CFR Parts 220 and 230 and FAR Part 31.2.