Administration for Children and Families Uniform Project Description (UPD)

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status

No forms / supporting documents in this ICR. Check IC Document Collections.

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
262888	Streamlined Uniform Project Description (UPD) Form and Instruction	Modified
256678	Uniform Project Description (UPD) Form	Removed

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0970-0139	ICR Reference No: 202602-0970-015
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202411-0970-001
Agency/Subagency: HHS/ACF	Agency Tracking No: OA
Title: Administration for Children and Families Uniform Project Description (UPD)
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 03/04/2026

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	15 Months From Approved	03/31/2026
Responses	2,672	3,218
Time Burden (Hours)	154,709	190,745
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: The Uniform Project Description (UPD) includes standard language and sections available for use by Administration for Children and Families (ACF) program offices to solicit the required project description and project budget information from applicants for specific funding opportunities. Applications are required for project grants and cooperative agreements as prescribed by HHS regulations 2 CFR 200.204. The UPD provides a selection of text options for the program offices to choose from, which are used to communicate the application requirements for a specific grant or cooperative agreement notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), as required by 2 CFR 200.204, and Appendix I to 2 CFR 200 – Full Text of Notice of Funding Opportunity. The UPD is fundamental to ACF’s competitive award process. It ensures the provision of adequate information to support award decisions. The ability to select the appropriate standard language for a given NOFO reduces the burden of application preparation, by eliminating unnecessary portions of the application for a given announcement. In addition, it provides for consistency and objectivity in the application and review processes required by 2 CFR 200.205. Attachment A includes relevant excerpts from 2 CFR 200. Since 2023, there have been two versions of the UPD: the traditional version and the streamlined version (SimplerNOFOs). ACF began piloting the SimplerNOFOs version of the UPD, as approved under this OMB number. 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 requesting to transition completely to the SimplerNOFOs 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”. Additionally, the following changes have been made: - Minor revisions for clarification and plain language purposes - Updated burden estimates to only include the SimplerNOFOs UPD. This current request is to extend OMB approval for one year while a larger revision effort is in process. A full revision request and a request for three years of approval will be submitted within the next year, which will be accompanied by two public comment periods.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 31 USC 6301 Name of Law: General Assistance Administration
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	90 FR 60696	12/29/2025
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 10613	03/04/2026
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Streamlined Uniform Project Description (UPD)	1	Simplified UPD
Uniform Project Description (UPD)	1	Uniform Project Description

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	2,672	3,218	0	-546	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	154,709	190,745	0	-36,036	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Reduction Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Short Statement: This request is to extend OMB approval for one year with minor revisions for clarification and plain language purposes, as well as updating burden estimates to only include the SimplerNOFOs UPD. Burden estimates are based on evaluation of the SimplerNOFO Pilot of the streamlined UPD, which has shown a decrease in burden hours resulting in an overall reduction in burden and costs to respondents

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $7,079,600

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? Yes

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? Yes

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 03/04/2026

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