Notice of Funding Opportunity: Supporting Communities to Reduce Lead Poisoning

Yes, applicants are required to provide three letters of support. (See page 8 [PDF – 2 MB])

CDC is requesting that applicants submit at minimum 3 letters of support to meet the eligibility requirements for this NOFO (see page 8 [PDF – 2 MB]).

If applicants provide more than 3 letters of support, please rank them in order of importance. Merit reviewers will consider how the content of additional letters may address the published scoring criteria in the NOFO, but applicants do not necessarily receive additional points for submitting more letters than required.

Attach each letter of support as an “Other Attachments” form. Please make sure each attachment has a unique file name.

Letters of support from partners should include

• The partner organization’s position in the community that makes them qualified to comment on the applicant’s ties to that community.
• Their understanding of the need for your project and what its impact could be.
• Their belief that you have strong community ties and are well positioned to succeed.

Yes, applicants are encouraged to use examples in the NOFO if they are appropriate for the applicant’s proposed approach. However, applicants may also propose additional activities or outcomes based on the specifics of the community they plan on serving, provided they are aligned with the overall strategies outlined in the NOFO.

No. However, please do not provide unnecessary attachments that may detract or are an attempt to circumvent specific length or formatting requirements in the NOFO. Please only upload other attachments (e.g., letters of support) which are required by the NOFO.

This eligibility requirement is intended for applicants to have a physical location in the community they propose serving. Applicants with a satellite office or location they propose serving may apply provided they meet the other requirements for this NOFO.

This funding opportunity is intended for organizations that have not received substantial federal investment to work in communities that have been historically marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution, including lead. To be eligible for this NOFO, applicants must include a letter that indicates, on average, the applicant’s organization has received less than $2 million per year from other federal sources (e.g., other grants, contracts). The letter should be uploaded as an attachment and signed by the applicant’s business official or authorized organization representative.

a.       If a local health department is part of a city/county infrastructure, is the receipt of $2 million within the last 5 years for the applicant separate from the city/county infrastructure?

When determining eligibility, CDC will only consider funding received by the applicant’s organization. Federal funding received by other organizational units of a government do not count towards the $2 million per year eligibility threshold unless those organizational units pass-through funding to the applicant’s organization.  If the local health department receives less than $2 million per year in federal funds directly or indirectly, then that local health department would be eligible for this funding opportunity.

b.      How is the $2 million within the last 5 years calculated when there are multiple partners collaborating as one applicant?

The less than $2 million eligibility threshold only applies to the main applicant. Partner organizations may receive more than $2 million in federal funding (e.g., universities).

c.       Are partners on the grant held to the same less than $2 million restriction?

No, applicants are encouraged to partner with other organizations that can support their work.

d.      Is that PER YEAR, or TOTAL?

Less than $2 million per year.

e.       Can you please clarify the definition of “indirect” receipt of funds?

The “indirect” language describes sub-contracts or sub-awards from federal sources. The applicant should make a determination to the best of their ability about whether they receive less than $2 million in federal funds. If you feel that your organization receives less than $2 million in federal funds and meets the other eligibility conditions and requirements, we encourage you to apply.

f.        Is CDC specific about the less than $2 million cap being related to federal funds for Single Audit purposes or all revenue sources?

CDC is not requesting audit information or financial statements from applicants. Applicants are only required to submit an attestation from a business or authorizing official that their organization receives less than $2 million in federal funds per year within the last five years.

Per the NOFO (see page 8 [PDF – 2 MB]), if your organization receives less than $2 million per year in federal funds within the last five years, directly or indirectly, and meets all other eligibility conditions, then you would be eligible to apply for this funding.

If you feel that your organization meets all eligibility requirements, we encourage you to apply.

CDC recommends reviewing the list of comprehensive Pre-Award Activities for Applicants here: https://www.cdc.gov/grants/applying/pre-award.html

This webpage includes a link to the CDC Risk Questionnaire, which is required for all applicants.

CDC does not have a way to recognize fiscal sponsors through grants.gov. If a fiscal sponsor applied on behalf of another organization, then the fiscal sponsor’s information would determine eligibility.

All applicants must have an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration at the time of the application. Applicants and recipients submit common certification and representation requirements through SAM and do not submit forms directly to CDC. A Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is issued through SAM registration. Without this UEI, applicants will be unable to successfully submit their application.

Yes. Federal and non-federally recognized tribal governments can apply.

Yes.  Federal and non-federally recognized tribal governments can apply.

Yes. Statutory authority, 42 U.S.C. Section 247b(k)(2), ensures U.S. territories are eligible to apply.

“Community-based nonprofit organization” is not a specific entity type for this NOFO. Eligible applicants are listed on page 8 [PDF – 2 MB] of the NOFO. We encourage all eligible applicants to apply who meet the eligibility conditions on page 8 [PDF – 2 MB] of the NOFO.

Yes. This NOFO encourages community engagement and creates opportunities bring together and mobilize a coalition of community members and organizations. Include multiple sectors, like businesses, funding agencies, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, parents, youth organizations, child advocacy organizations, early childhood development partners, and others that serve your community.

“Community-based nonprofit organization” is not a specific entity type for this NOFO. Eligible applicants are listed on page 8 [PDF – 2 MB] of the NOFO. We encourage all eligible applicants to apply who meet the eligibility conditions on page 8 [PDF – 2 MB] of the NOFO.

Health departments or local public health agencies can apply provided they meet the eligibility requirements.

Health departments or local public health agencies can apply provided they meet the eligibility requirements.

Depending on your organization, your business official or other executive official may be considered an authorized organization representative (AOR).

Nonprofit applicants without 501(c)3 status should be able to indicate their eligibility by selecting the following option for field #9 on their SF-424: “Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.”

Yes. This NOFO encourages community engagement and creates opportunities to bring together and mobilize a coalition of community members and organizations. This includes multiple sectors, like businesses, funding agencies, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, parents, youth organizations, child advocacy organizations, early childhood development partners, and others that serve your community.

CDC does not allow fiscal sponsors, but universities are encouraged to partner with organizations to help them submit applications.

Yes. This NOFO encourages community engagement and creates opportunities bring together and mobilize a coalition of community members and organizations. This includes multiple sectors, like businesses, funding agencies, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, parents, youth organizations, child advocacy organizations, early childhood development partners, and others that serve your community.

No, applicants will submit one project narrative. Please see the “Application Review Information” section in the NOFO (pages 27-32 [PDF – 2 MB]). It describes how your application will be evaluated.

Applicants are not required to submit a logic model but must clearly identify the outcomes they expect to achieve by the end of the project period.

Yes, the data sources listed in the NOFO are not intended to be an exhaustive list. Applicants may use any data sources, information, or experiences to develop their application. Applicants should consider how the data sources or other information included in their application will help merit reviewers understand why their community would benefit from this funding opportunity.

In some cases, the data listed in the NOFO may not be available for your community. Applicants may include any data or information they think will be helpful to merit reviewers if you explain why you chose that community. Tell us about the people who live there. Give at least three facts that support why the people in the community are in need and underserved.

The lead risk factors provided on page 13 [PDF – 2 MB] are included as examples and are not an exhaustive list. Applicants should include other risk factors if they are relevant to their community or proposed activities. Applicants should not assume merit reviewers are familiar with their community or the lead risk factors present in their community.

Potentially. Applicants must complete the pre-award CDC Risk Questionnaire, which requires the applicant to describe various elements of their organization, including their financial management system. If you are unsure, please contact CDC’s Office of Grants Services.

There are no specific requirements in terms of serving a specific level of geography. Applicants may propose a geographic area that is aligned with their proposed activities. For example, an applicant may propose to work within a specific neighborhood or area of a municipality, a county, Indian reservation, etc.

An applicant may propose to serve an entire rural region.

No. Applicants should carefully consider how their proposed activities align with the scoring criteria listed in the NOFO. An applicant who proposes activities that fall under one strategy may receive more points during merit review if their application is well-aligned with the scoring criteria than an applicant who proposes multiple strategies and activities which do not address the scoring criteria. Merit review criteria and associated points are available on pages 29-30 [PDF – 2 MB] of the NOFO.

For additional information on how CDC conducts merit reviews and frequently asked questions on the merit review process, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/grants/applying/review-process.html

Applicants will be evaluated based the scoring criteria listed in the NOFO. Both factors are relevant.

Please use the CDC resource on budget preparation guidelines: Budget Preparation Guidelines (cdc.gov).

Yes.

No. The detailed budget narrative does not count towards the page limit.

Please review: https://www.cdc.gov/grants/documents/budget-preparation-guidance.pdf

No.

No.

No.

Applicants may include sub-awards or contractual elements for components of this work. Sub-awards are typically identified as “contractual” items in the budget narratives.

No.

No, this is a competitive NOFO. CDC encourages applicants to work with partners and other organizations to develop applications. CDC cannot provide technical assistance or other advice to potential applicants on how to best develop their application.

Yes.

• The informational call will not be recorded.
• The slides will be posted on our Childhood Leading Poisoning Prevention on CDC’s website. Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program | CDC

Yes. Applicants should upload the MOU, MOA, or letter of support as a single PDF, combined with any other documents on collaborations using the file name “MOUs/MOAs” as part of their application at www.grants.gov.

Hearing impairment assistance:

CDC telecommunications for persons with hearing impairment or other disabilities are available at TTY 1-888-232-6348.

See CDC Risk Review Questionnaire: https://www.cdc.gov/grants/documents/PPMR-G-CDC-Risk-Questionnaire.pdf

No, but CDC will publish a PDF of the PowerPoint slide on CDC’s website Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program | CDC.

CDC anticipates making 10 awards, but the final number will depend on the amount of available funding and the number of applicants.

Yes, CDC will consider a range of factors when determining awards. However, application scores determined by merit review panels are the most substantial factor for determining which applicants receive awards. For a full list of factors that may be considered, please review page 31 of the NOFO.

For additional information on the review process: https://www.cdc.gov/grants/applying/review-process.html

Recipients will receive an electronic copy of the Notice of Award (NoA) from CDC Office of Grants Services (OGS). The NoA shall be the only binding, authorizing document between the recipient and CDC. The NoA will be signed by an authorized Grants Management Officer (GMO) and e-mailed via GrantSolutions to the Recipient Business Officer listed in the application and the Program Director.

Any applicant awarded funds in response to this NOFO will be subject to the DUNS, SAM Registration, and Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act Of 2006 (FFATA) requirements.

Applicants not selected for funding will receive notification from CDC Office of Grants Services by e-mail with delivery receipt or by U.S. mail.

September 30, 2023