Proposed Information Collection Activity; Administration for Children and Families Uniform Project Description
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Issuing agencies
Abstract
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is requesting revisions and a one-year extension of the currently approved ACF Uniform Project Description (UPD) information collection (UPD; Office of Management and Budget (OMB) # 0970-0139, March 31, 2026 expiration date). This includes transitioning to use one simplified version of the UPD with edits to the language for clarification and plain language purposes. Two versions of the instructions remain in the proposed simplified version to accommodate two development methods. ACF is in the process of identifying more significant revisions to the UPD, which will be submitted through a future information collection request to OMB.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 245 (Monday, December 29, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 245 (Monday, December 29, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60696-60697]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-23905]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
[Office of Management and Budget #: 0970-0139]
Proposed Information Collection Activity; Administration for
Children and Families Uniform Project Description
AGENCY: Office of Administration, Office of Grants Policy,
Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services.
ACTION: Request for public comments.
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SUMMARY: The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is
requesting revisions and a one-year
[[Page 60697]]
extension of the currently approved ACF Uniform Project Description
(UPD) information collection (UPD; Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) # 0970-0139, March 31, 2026 expiration date). This includes
transitioning to use one simplified version of the UPD with edits to
the language for clarification and plain language purposes. Two
versions of the instructions remain in the proposed simplified version
to accommodate two development methods. ACF is in the process of
identifying more significant revisions to the UPD, which will be
submitted through a future information collection request to OMB.
DATES: Comments due February 27, 2026.
ADDRESSES: In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, ACF is soliciting public comment on the specific
aspects of the information collection described above. You can obtain
copies of the proposed collection of information and submit comments by
emailing <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#462f28202925292a2a2325322f292806272520682e2e3568212930"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="543d3a323b373b38383137203d3b3a143537327a3c3c277a333b22">[email protected]</span></a>. Identify all requests by the title
of the information collection.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Description: The UPD provides a uniform format for applicants to
submit project information in response to ACF discretionary Notice of
Funding Opportunities (NOFO). The UPD requires applicants to describe
how program objectives will be achieved and provide a rationale for the
project's budgeted costs. All ACF discretionary award programs are
required to use the UPD.
Since 2023, there have been two versions of the UPD: the
traditional version and the simplified version (SimplerNOFOs).
SimplerNOFOs were implemented as a pilot, as approved by OMB.
SimplerNOFOs streamline the process for applicants and has been well
received by programs and applicants. ACF has expanded use of the
simplified version as a result. At this time, ACF is proposing to
transition completely to the SimplerNOFO UPD, but will retain two sets
of instructions for now due to the way NOFOs are currently developed.
The distinction is made in the instructions with the labels
``SimplerNOFO'' v. ``Traditional NOFO''.
ACF uses the information provided by applicants, along with other
OMB-approved information collections (Standard Forms), to evaluate and
rank applications. Use of the UPD protects the integrity of the ACF
award selection process.
This current request would extend OMB approval for an additional
year, with the following changes:
--Minor revisions for clarification and plain language purposes
--Updated burden estimates to only include the SimplerNOFOs UPD.
A larger revision effort is in process and will be submitted to OMB
in the future. This future revision request will include two additional
opportunities for public comment.
Respondents: Applicants responding to ACF Discretionary NOFOs.
Annual Burden Estimates
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Total number of Average burden
Instrument Total number of responses per hours per Total/annual
respondents respondent response burden hours
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Streamlined UPD............................. 2,672 1 57.9 154,709
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Comments: The Department specifically requests comments on (a)
whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the
proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether
the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of
information; (c) the quality, utility, and clarity of the information
to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection
of information on respondents, including through the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted
within 60 days of this publication.
Authority: 2 CFR 200.204.
Mary C. Jones,
ACF/OPRE Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2025-23905 Filed 12-23-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P
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