(a) Use of NOFAs. The Department will publish a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) in the Federal Register for each funding competition under this program, indicating the objective of the competition; the amount of funding available; the application procedures, including the eligible applicants and activities to be funded; and any special conditions applicable to the competition, including the requirements for the match. The NOFA also will describe the maximum points to be awarded under each evaluation criterion, for the purpose of ranking applications, and any special factors to be considered in assigning the points to each criterion.

(b) Applications shall be submitted in accordance with the time, place, and content described in the NOFA.

(a) Approval of application. HUD's acceptance of an application for review does not imply a commitment to provide funding. HUD will provide notification of whether a project will be funded in accordance with the criteria and procedures set out in the applicable NOFA.

(b) Certifications. In the absence of independent evidence that tends to challenge in a substantial manner the certifications made by the applicant pursuant to § 594.30, the required certifications will be accepted by HUD.

However, if independent evidence is available that tends to challenge in a substantial manner an applicant's certification, HUD may require further information or assurances to be submitted in order to determine whether the applicant's certification is satisfactory.

Project administration will be governed by the terms of the grant agreement.

(a) For all proposed actions or activities that are not considered categorically excluded under 24 CFR 50.20, HUD will perform the appropriate environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

(b) Whether the action or activity is categorically excluded from NEPA review or not, HUD will comply also with other applicable requirements of environmental statutes, Executive Orders, and HUD standards listed in 24 CFR 50.4. The environmental reviews will be performed before award of a grant. Grantees shall adhere to all assurances applicable to environmental concerns as contained in the RFGA and grant agreements.

Each participating neighborhood development organization must certify that it will carry out activities assisted under the program in compliance with the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity requirements set forth in 24 CFR part 5 and:

(a) The requirements at 24 CFR part 200, subpart M;

(b) The prohibitions against discrimination and related requirements of section 109 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5309);

(c) The requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12181-12189) and implementing regulations at 28 CFR part 36, as applicable;

(d) The Consolidated Plan of the appropriate unit of general local government; and

(e) Other Federal requirements as specified in the applicable NOFA and application kit.