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Community-Based Abstinence Education (CBAE) Grant Program
Frequently-Asked Questions
Budget
Where do I place local and/or consultant travel expenses in the budget?
It goes in the "Other" category on SF 424A (line H).
Does the applicant supply a detailed budget for all five years of funding?
No. The detailed budget needs to be provided for only the first project year.
Will the applicant be required to negotiate an Indirect Cost Rate?
If your agency does not have a pre-approved indirect cost rate, then you may not claim an indirect cost rate in your application. However, upon receiving an award letter an agency may request an Indirect Cost Rate Agreement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The rate is determined by the computation of several factors that are asked for in paper work that your agency submits.
The Indirect Cost Rate Agreement is negotiated between the grantee and HHS' Division of Cost Allocation. To begin the process of negotiating a rate with one of our four Divisions of Cost Allocation, go to this site to determine the HHS Division of Cost Allocation in which your state is located: http://rates.psc.gov/fms/dca/map.html.
Next, go to this page for the contact person who can help you get started. http://rates.psc.gov/fms/dca/dcamgrs.html.
A list of FAQs is available at: http://rates.psc.gov/fms/dca/faq.html#gen.
What are the mileage rates per mile?
As of January 1, 2006, the mileage reimbursement rate for using a privately owned vehicle is $ .445. For any information that pertains to mileage rates and figures, please refer to http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?
contentType=GSA_BASIC&contentId=9646&noc=T.
What is a reasonable rate for fringe benefits?
There is no stated reasonable range, but you must state the individual % of each cost item (FICA, UI, health, retirement, etc.). This only includes the portion paid by the applicant organization, not the employees' portion.
Where could I find the information needed to include the required ACF workshop in our budget narrative?
Under Section I, Part D, it states that all grantees must send at least one key staff person to attend one grantees' meeting per year of three days each in Washington, D. C. The initial meeting is expected to be held shortly after the official award date. Applicants should include the travel costs (airfare, hotel, meals and incidental expenses, taxi/shuttle, etc.), in the Travel section of the budget forms. Federal Travel Regulation per diems can be found at www.gsa.gov.
What is the minimum award?
$250,000.
Critical Dates
What is the due date for applications?
The due date for applications is 3/27/06
Do you have a date when ACF expects to announce the CBAE awards?
The award date will be no later than September 30, 2006.
When will the fiscal year for providing services begin?
The fiscal year for providing services will begin no later than October 1, 2006.
Eligibility and Organizational Profiles
Who is eligible for funding?
State governments, County governments, city or township governments, Independent school districts, private institutions of higher education, special district governments, state controlled institutions of higher education, Federally recognized Native American tribal governments, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Non-profits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Non-profits that do not have a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, for- profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses.
Can a current CBAE grantee apply for thisfunding opportunity?
Only those who are in the final year of their CBAE grant are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity.
Are non-profit organizations required to have a 501(c)(3) status?
No. Non-profit organizations applying for funding are required to submit proof of their non-profit status. A proof of non-profit status is any one of the following:
- A reference to the applicant organization's listing in the IRS's most recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in the IRS Code.
- A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate.
- A statement from a State taxing body, State attorney general, or other appropriate State official certifying that the applicant organization has non-profit status and that none of the net earnings accrue to any private shareholders or individuals.
- A certified copy of the organization's certificate of incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit status.
- Any of the items in the subparagraphs immediately above for a State or national parent organization and a statement signed by the parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-profit affiliate.
Can a third year CBAE grantee apply for funding?
Yes. A CBAE grantee that is currently in their third funding year is eligible to apply.
Can more than one application be submitted from the same institution?
Yes.
Can subsidiaries or regional programs of existing grantees apply for funding?
Yes, as long as they have a distinct Employer Identification Number (EIN) and are serving a different geographic location.
What is the CFDA number and to what is it related?
CFDA is an abbreviation for "Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance." The primary purpose of the Catalog is to assist users in identifying programs that meet specific objectives of the potential applicant, and to obtain general information on Federal assistance programs available to State and local governments (including Tribal); territories, domestic public, quasi-public and private organizations, groups; and individuals.
A CFDA number is provided as a reference for the program in which are applying for federal assistance. This number is requested in Section 10 of your Standard Form 424. For this Community-Based Abstinence Education Funding Opportunity, the CFDA number is 93.010 (as listed in the program announcement). The title (Name of Program) is Community-Based Abstinence Education (CBAE). For additional information on the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, please visit www.cfda.gov.
Can a joint application be submitted?
Yes, but only one applicant can be the fiscal agent and signatory of the application, certifications, and assurances. Grant applications are often submitted with a multiple group of organizations participating in various roles. These roles are identified in the grant application and reinforced by letters of support or memoranda of agreement/understanding from the supporting organizations to that which is serving as the lead.
Do you have to have an audit done on your business before you can apply?
No. You only required to conduct an outside annual audit, as required by OMB Circular No. A-133 (http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/a133/a133.html), if you are receiving in excess of $500,000 in aggregate federal funds.
Regional distribution - will a grant be denied because of other grantees located in the same area, even if they are not targeting a specific population?
More than one project in an area can be funded if it is a different target population. But geographic distribution will remain a consideration.
What is SPOC?
This is "Single Point of Contact" and refers to a new Executive Order 12372 (effective August 1, 2005) whereby States may design their own processes for reviewing and commenting on Federal assistance under covered programs. Please consult page 26 of the funding announcement for a list of participating states. If your state is listed, you are asked to contact your SPOC as soon as possible to alert them of prospective applications and receive instructions.
Formatting
What format should we use in organizing the proposal?
The proposal should be organized according to the order specified in the Evaluation Criteria.
Page limits on particular sections?
- Abstract - 1 page
- Logic Model - 1 page
- Work Plan/Table - 2 pages
- Curriculum descriptions - not to exceed 6 pages each
- Program Description Narrative - not to exceed 20 pages
Does the 20-page limit for the project description narrative include the Budget Justification?
No, the 20-page limit only applies to the project description.
Page limit is 80, does that include all attachments?
Yes, except where specifically exempted (i.e., a copy of the curriculum).
Should the Table of Contents include the larger sections or also the subsections?
The Table of Contents should clearly direct reviewers to the part of the application that responds to the evaluation criteria in Section V.
Staffing
The RFP says to identify the key individuals. What if we have not named some of the key individuals?
Identify the key individuals, if known at the time of application. If there is a missing key individual, then provide a brief job description in the narrative and a detailed job description as a supporting document. Clearly describe the approach and criteria that will be used to hire experienced and qualified staff. For each staff person/job description, provide: the title; time commitment to the project in months; time commitment to the project as a percentage or full-time equivalent; annual salary; grant salary; wage rates; etc.
If there is a change in staffing after the grant is made, do we need to contact the government program officer?
Yes, you must contact and receive approval from your federal program officer.
Submitting Letter of Intent and Proposal
Where should the letter of intent be sent?
ACYF Operations Center
c/o The Dixon Group
Attn: Community-Based Abstinence Education Program Funding
118 Q Street NE
Washington, DC 20002-2132
With the electronic transmission, is there anyway to be certain that it was sent and received?
You will receive an electronic response. But it does say on the site that you should start trying to transmit 5 days before the due date, so you can make sure that all problems can be handled in a timely manner.
If you signed up for electronic transmission today and then decide you would rather submit a hard copy, can you change your mind?
Yes. Just because you register does not mean you are obligated to submit that way.
Will I receive acknowledgement of receipt of my application?
Only electronic submissions will receive receipt notification.
Target Population and Approach
Is 12-18 the only age group that can be served with this funding?
Yes.
Target population: is there a desirable number of a population that should be included?
Regardless of numbers, you need to make sure that you state that you are targeting communities in need.
Will sixth grade be considered within the age range of this grant?
Many sixth graders are indeed 12 years old and thus allowable as a target group for this grant. We understand that many collaborative programs with schools are built around grade levels and therefore, target youth may be listed by grade, not age. If you list your target group as grade 6 youth, you may want to clearly state your justification in your grant. Sixth grade is the lowest grade level that will be considered an appropriate target grade level for this grant.
Under content requirements, who determines what is "age appropriate" for the graphic STD slides?
During the pre-award negotiation phase, all proposed curricula, supplemental materials and proposed or anticipated modifications to the curricula will be subject to an internal ACF evaluation. It is at this point that the appropriateness of all materials, including graphic STD slides, will be determined. Prospective grantees will be informed if any changes are required in order for them to receive funding.
Under the "Criteria" section, "Objectives and Need for Assistance"--In the statement, "Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, institutional, and/or other problems requiring a solution." Could the meaning of "physical" be clarified?
Since this is standard OMB/UPD language, the term ought to be defined as broadly as possible.
Does this announcement allow funding for parent programs?
Parent programs are allowed, providing their ultimate goal is to promote abstinence to youth within the age bracket of twelve through eighteen.
Do you need an external evaluator?
Yes, a third-party evaluator is required and a minimum of 15% of the budget must be allotted for program evaluation.
Can a program use more than one abstinence education curriculum?
Yes. Different curricula may be selected because it is better suited for a particular age group, a particular cultural group or for other reasons. If more than one curriculum is used, the applicant must provide a curriculum description for each. Applicants are also required to submit a complete copy of each proposed curriculum. Curriculum must be consistent with the 13 themes presented in Section I. C. 3. Scope of the program announcement.
Can a program use other curriculum for other aspects of their program (e.g., job training)?
CBAE program funding has as its exclusive purpose, teaching the social, psychological, and health gains to be realized by abstaining from sexual activity. Applicants are reminded that their application will be scored, in part, according to the extent to which all aspects of the project, including curriculum descriptions are consistent with the 13 themes presented in Section I. C. 3. Scope of the program announcement. A curriculum description is required for each curriculum used. Similarly, applicants must submit a complete copy of each proposed curriculum.
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Copyright
2004