[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 10, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11447-11448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5305]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service


National Indian Health Board

AGENCY: Indian Health Service, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of single source cooperative agreement with the National 
Indian Health Board.

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SUMMARY: The Indian Health Service (IHS) announces a new award of a 
cooperative agreement to the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) for 
costs in providing advice and technical assistance to the IHS on behalf 
of federally recognized tribes in the area of health care policy 
analysis and program development. The NIHB will provide advice, 
consultation and health care advocacy to the IHS based on tribal input 
through a broad-based consumer network involving the Area Health Boards 
or Health Board representatives from each of the twelve IHS Areas. 
Under the cooperative agreement the NIHB will communicate with tribes 
and tribal organizations concerning health issues, disseminate health 
care information, improve and expand access for American Indians and 
Alaska

[[Page 11448]]

Natives (AI/AN) tribal governments to all available programs in the 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and coordinate the 
tribal consultation activities associated with formulation of the IHS 
annual budget request. The application is for a five year project which 
will commence with an initial award on March 15, 2004. The initial 
budget period will be awarded at $227,00.00 and the entire project is 
expected to be awarded at $1,135,000.00.
    The award is issued under the authority of the Public Health 
Service Act, section 301(a) and is included under the Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance number 93.933. The specific objectives of 
the project are to:
    1. Provide ongoing technical advice and consultation as the 
national Indian organization that is representative of all tribal 
governments in the area of health care policy analysis and program 
development.
    2. Assure that health care advocacy is based on tribal input 
through a broad-based consumer network involving the Area Indian Health 
Boards or Health Board Representatives from each of the 12 IHS Areas.
    3. Establish relationships with other national Indian 
organizations, with professional groups and with Federal, State and 
local entities to serve as advocates for AI/AN health programs. As a 
recipient of a grant/cooperative agreement, the NIHB is prohibited from 
conducting lobbying activities using Federal funding.
    4. Improve and expand access for AI/AN tribal governments to all 
available programs in the HHS.
    5. Publish, at least three times a year, a newsletter featuring 
articles on health promotion/disease prevention activities and models 
of best or improving practices, health policy and funding information 
relevant to AI/AN, etc.
    6. Disseminate timely health care information to tribal 
governments, AI/AN Health Boards, other national Indian organizations, 
professional groups, Federal, State, and local entities.
    7. Coordinate the tribal consultation activities associated with 
formulation of the IHS annual budget request.
    Justification for Single Source: This project has been awarded on a 
non-competitive single source basis. NIHB is the only national AI/AN 
organization with health expertise that represents the interest of all 
federally recognized tribes.
    Use of Cooperative Agreement: A non-competitive single source 
Cooperative Agreement Award will involve:
    1. IHS staff will review articles concerning the Agency for 
accuracy and may, as requested by the NIHB, provide articles.
    2. IHS staff will have aproval over the hiring of key personnel as 
defined by regulation or provision in the cooperative agreement.
    3. IHS will provide technical assistance to the NIHB as requested 
and attend and participate in all NIHB Board meetings.

FOR FURTHER INFORAMTION CONTACT: Douglas Black, Director, Office of 
Tribal Programs, Office of the Director, Indian Health Service, 801 
Thompson Avenue, Reyes Building, Suite 220, Rockville, Maryland 20852, 
telephone (301) 443-1104. For grants information, contact Sylvia Tyan, 
Grants Management Specialist, Division of Acquisition and Grants 
Management Branch, 1200 Twinbrook Parkway, Room 450A, Rockville, 
Maryland 20852, telephone (301) 443-5204.

    Dated: March 1, 2004.
Charles W. Grim,
Assistant Surgeon General, Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 04-5305 Filed 3-9-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-16-M