[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 57 (Friday, March 25, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15546-15552]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5946]



[[Page 15545]]

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Part V





Department of Health and Human Services





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Announcement of Availability of Funds for Family Planning General 
Training and Technical Assistance Projects; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 57 / Friday, March 25, 2005 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Announcement of Availability of Funds for Family Planning General 
Training and Technical Assistance Projects

AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the 
Secretary.

ACTION: Notice.

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Announcement Type: Initial Competitive Grant.

CFDA Number: 93.260.

DATES: To receive consideration, applications must be received by the 
Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS) Office of Grants Management 
no later than May 24, 2005. Applications will be considered as meeting 
the deadline if they are received by the OPHS Office of Grants 
Management no later than 5 p.m. Eastern time on the application due 
date. Applications will not be accepted by fax, nor will the submission 
deadline be extended. The application due date requirement specified in 
this announcement supercedes the instructions in the OPHS-1. 
Applications which do not meet the deadline will be returned to the 
applicant unread. See heading ``APPLICATION and SUBMISSION 
INFORMATION'' for additional information. Executive Order 12372 comment 
due date: The State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) has 60 days from the 
due date to submit any comments.
SUMMARY: This announcement seeks applications from public and nonprofit 
private entities to establish and operate one general training and 
technical assistance project in each of the ten PHS regions. The 
purpose of the family planning general training program is to ensure 
that personnel working in Title X family planning service projects have 
the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for the effective 
delivery of high quality family planning services. General training 
also includes specialized technical assistance which consists of 
specific, specialized, or highly skilled family planning training that 
is usually provided to a single organization based on identified need. 
Successful applicants will be responsible for the development and 
overall management of the general training program within the PHS 
region for which the grant is awarded.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The Office of Population Affairs (OPA) announces the availability 
of approximately $4,000,000 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 funds, inclusive 
of indirect costs, to support ten Family Planning General Training and 
Technical Assistance projects, as authorized under section 1003 of the 
Public Health Service (PHS) Act. Funds are available to provide both 
training and specialized technical assistance to family planning 
personnel in order to maintain the high level of performance of family 
planning services projects funded under Title X of the PHS Act. The 
Office of Population Affairs solicits applications for competing grant 
awards to support one general training center in each of the ten 
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) regions.
    Applicant organizations must demonstrate significant experience in 
the design, development, implementation, successful completion, and 
evaluation of training activities. In addition, the successful 
applicant must demonstrate skill and experience in providing training 
to diverse, community-based entities. The successful applicant will 
provide evidence of familiarity with family planning and reproductive 
health issues, and the ability to translate evidence-based information 
into training activities.
    Awards will be made only to those organizations or agencies which 
have met all applicable requirements and which demonstrate the 
capability of providing the proposed services.

Program Statute and Regulations

    Title X of the PHS Act, 42 U.S.C. 300 et seq., authorizes grants 
for projects to provide family planning services to persons from low-
income families and others. Section 1001 of the Act, as amended, 
authorizes grants ``to assist in the establishment and operation of 
voluntary family planning projects which shall offer a broad range of 
acceptable and effective family planning methods and services 
(including natural family planning methods, infertility services, and 
services for adolescents).'' The broad range of services should include 
abstinence education. Section 1003 of the Act, as amended, authorizes 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to entities 
to provide the training for personnel to carry out family planning 
service programs. Section 1008 of the Act, as amended, stipulates that 
``none of the funds appropriated under this title shall be used in 
programs where abortion is a method of family planning.''
    The regulations set out at 42 CFR part 59, subpart C, govern grants 
to provide training for family planning service providers. Prospective 
applicants should refer to the regulations in their entirety. Training 
provided must be in accordance with the requirements regarding the 
provision of family planning services under Title X. These requirements 
can be found in the Title X statute, the implementing regulations which 
govern project grants for family planning services (42 CFR part 59, 
subpart A), and the ``Program Guidelines for Project Grants for Family 
Planning Services,'' (January 2001). Copies of the Title X statute, 
regulations, and ``Program Guidelines'' can be obtained by contacting 
the OPHS Office of Grants Management or may be downloaded from the 
Office of Population Affairs (OPA) Web site at http://opa.osophs.dhhs.gov. Applicants should use the legislation, 
regulations, and other information included in this announcement to 
guide them in developing their applications.

II. Award Information

    This notice announces the availability of approximately $4,000,000 
in FY 2005 funds and solicits applications for general training and 
technical assistance projects to assist in the establishment and 
operation of one regional training center in each of the ten PHS 
regions. Grants will be funded in annual increments (budget periods) 
and may be approved for project periods of up to three years.
    Table I below sets out the approximate funding levels for grants in 
each of the PHS regions. Please note that the amounts listed are 
inclusive of indirect costs. Funding of individual grants will be based 
on the Regional Health Administrator's (RHA's) assessment of such 
factors as the training and specialized technical assistance needs 
within the region, and the cost and availability of personnel for the 
project.
    Competing grant applications are invited for training and technical 
assistance projects as follows:

                                 Table I
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                                                             Approximate
          Region                        States                 funding
                                                              available
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I........................  CN, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT.........      $330,000
II.......................  NJ, NY, PR, VI.................       420,000
III......................  DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV.........       450,000
IV.......................  KY, MS, NC, TN, AL, FL, GA, SC.       500,000
V........................  IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI.........       460,000
VI.......................  AR, LA, NM, OK, TX.............       430,000
VII......................  IA, KS, MO, NE.................       330,000
VIII.....................  CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY.........       330,000
IX.......................  AZ, CA, HI, NV, and the 6 U.S.        390,000
                            Associated Pacific
                            Jurisdictions.
X........................  AK, ID, OR, WA.................       330,000
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III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Any public or nonprofit private entity located in a State (which 
includes one of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Republic of Palau, 
Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall 
Islands) is eligible to apply for a grant under this announcement. 
Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply for these Title X 
family planning training and technical assistance grants.

2. Cost Sharing

    A match of non-Federal funds is not required.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    Application kits may be requested from, and applications submitted 
to: OPHS Office of Grants Management, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, 
Rockville, MD 20852; 301-594-0758. Application kits are also available 
online through the OPHS electronic grants management Web site at 
https://egrants.osophs.dhhs.gov, and requests may be submitted by FAX 
at 301-594-9399. Instructions for use of the eGrants system can be 
found on the OPA Web site at http://opa.osophs.dhhs.gov or requested 
from the OPHS Office of Grants Management.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    Applications must be submitted on the Form OPHS-1 (Revised 8/04) 
and in the manner prescribed in the application kit. Applications 
should be limited to 50 double-spaced pages, not including budget, 
budget justification, required forms, and appendices, using an easily 
readable serif typeface such as Times Roman, Courier, or GC Times, 12 
point font. All pages, charts, figures, and tables should be numbered. 
The application narrative should be numbered separately and clearly 
show the 50 page limit. If the application narrative exceeds 50 pages, 
only the first 50 pages of the application narrative will be reviewed. 
Appendices may provide curriculum vitae, organizational structure, 
examples of organizational capabilities, or other supplemental 
information which supports the application. However, appendices are for 
supportive information only. All information that is critical to the 
proposed project should be included in the body of the application. 
Appendices should be clearly labeled.
    A Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is 
required for all applications for Federal assistance. Organizations 
should verify that they have a DUNS number or take the steps needed to 
obtain one. Instructions for obtaining a DUNS number are included in 
the application package, and may be downloaded from the OPA Web site.
    Applications must include a one-page abstract of the proposed 
project. The abstract will be used to provide reviewers with an 
overview of the application, and will form the basis for the 
application summary in grants management documents.
Application Content
    The applicant should demonstrate knowledge of evidence-based 
learning theory and adult learning behavior, and the applicability to 
proposed training activities. The design of all training programs, 
including all curricula and materials, must be consistent with Title X 
statute and regulations.
    The applicant should demonstrate willingness to work closely with 
other Title X-funded training projects, including other regional 
training centers, the male training center, and the national training 
center. In addition, the applicant should demonstrate willingness to 
work with other Federal, State, and/or local government entities; 
family planning service providers; other community-based organizations; 
and other training providers (e.g., Health Resources and Services 
Administration (HRSA) AIDS Education Training Centers (AETCs), Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Prevention Training Centers 
(PTCs), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Infant Adoption 
Awareness Training Program (IAATP), etc.) to maximize resources and 
achieve program objectives.
    The grantee will be responsible for all costs associated with 
training program administration and management, as well as any costs 
directly associated with Title X-sponsored training events (e.g., 
educational materials, classroom and training sites, etc.). Successful 
applicants will be expected to participate in at least two national 
meetings per year at the request of the Office of Family Planning, and 
should budget accordingly. Applicants should demonstrate flexibility in 
resource utilization, including training plan design, in order to 
respond to national training priority topics, new initiatives, and 
program need during each year of the project period.
    The following priorities represent overarching goals for the Title 
X program. Proposals should be developed considering Title X program 
priorities, legislative mandates, and key issues as they relate to 
training needs within Title X service projects. Additionally, specific 
national training priorities will be identified for each year of the 
project period.
Program Priorities
    1. Assuring continued high quality family planning and related 
preventive health services that will improve the overall health of 
individuals;
    2. Assuring access to a broad range of high quality clinical family 
planning and related preventive health services that include the 
following: provision of highly effective contraceptive methods; breast 
and cervical cancer screening and prevention that corresponds with 
nationally recognized standards of care; STD and HIV prevention 
education, counseling, and testing; extramarital abstinence education 
and counseling; and other preventive health services. The broad range 
of services does not include abortion as a method of family planning;
    3. Encouraging family participation in the decision of minors to 
seek family planning services, including activities that promote 
positive family relationships;
    4. Improving the health of individuals and communities by 
partnering with community-based organizations (CBOs), faith-based 
organizations (FBOs), and other public health providers that work with 
vulnerable or at-risk populations;
    5. Promoting individual and community health by emphasizing family 
planning and related preventive health services for hard-to-reach 
populations, such as uninsured or under-insured individuals, males, 
persons with limited English proficiency, adolescents, and other 
vulnerable or at-risk populations.
Legislative Mandates
    The following legislative mandates have been part of the Title X 
appropriations for each of the last several years. In developing a 
proposal, each applicant should describe how the proposed project will 
provide training that addresses each of these legislative mandates.
    ``None of the funds appropriated in this Act may be made available 
to any entity under Title X of the Public Health Service Act unless the 
applicant for the award certifies to the Secretary that it encourages 
family participation in the decision of minors to seek family planning 
services and that it provides

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counseling to minors on how to resist attempts to coerce minors into 
engaging in sexual activities;'' and
    ``Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no provider of 
services under Title X of the Public Health Service Act shall be exempt 
from any State law requiring notification or the reporting of child 
abuse, child molestation, sexual abuse, rape, or incest.''
Other Key Issues
    In addition to the Program Priorities and Legislative Mandates, the 
following Key Issues have implications for Title X services projects 
and should be acknowledged in the program plan:
    1. The increasing cost of providing family planning services;
    2. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Service priorities, 
initiatives, and Healthy People 2010 objectives as they relate to 
family planning and reproductive health (http://www.health.gov/healthypeople);
    3. Departmental initiatives and legislative requirements, such as 
the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); Infant 
Adoption Awareness Training Program (IAATP); providing adolescents with 
information, skills and support to encourage sexual abstinence; serving 
persons with limited English proficiency;
    4. Integration of HIV/AIDS services into family planning programs; 
specifically, HIV/AIDS education, counseling, and testing either on-
site or by referral should be provided in all Title X family planning 
services projects. Education regarding the prevention of HIV/AIDS 
should incorporate the ``ABC'' approach. That is, for adolescents and 
unmarried individuals, the message should include ``A'' for abstinence; 
for married individuals or those in committed relationships, the 
message is ``B'' for be faithful; and, for individuals who engage in 
behavior that puts them at risk for HIV, the message should include 
``A,'' ``B,'' and ``C'' for correct and consistent condom use.
    5. Utilization of electronic technologies, such as electronic 
grants management systems;
    6. Data collection and reporting which is responsive to the revised 
Family Planning Annual Report (FPAR) and other information needs for 
monitoring and improving family planning services;
    7. Service delivery improvement through utilization of research 
outcomes focusing on family planning and related population issues; and
    8. Utilizing practice guidelines and recommendations developed by 
recognized professional organizations and other Federal agencies in the 
provision of evidence-based Title X clinical services.
National Training Priorities for 2005
    During the FY 2005 year, it is expected that each general training 
and technical assistance grantee, funded with FY 2005 funds, will 
provide training that will assist Title X service providers with 
addressing the following:
    1. Encouraging family participation in the decision of minors to 
seek family planning services and providing counseling to minors on how 
to resist attempts to coerce minors into sexual activities;
    2. Complying with State laws requiring the notification or 
reporting of child abuse, child molestation, sexual abuse, rape, or 
incest; and
    3. Integrating HIV prevention activities into Title X services.
    Applicants should demonstrate a broad range of expertise and skill 
in providing training programs, managing training resources, and 
working with consultants and service providers. Applicants should 
demonstrate the capacity to utilize electronic technologies and 
evidence-based training delivery techniques. Applicants should include 
evidence of the ability to provide training that prepares family 
planning project personnel to increase effectiveness in working with 
persons of differing educational and physical abilities.
    The proposal should demonstrate the applicants's expertise and 
ability to develop, implement, and evaluate training in the areas of 
information, education and communication; program management; and 
clinical service delivery. Applicants should indicate the ability to 
provide continuing education credits as appropriate (e.g., continuing 
education credit for nurses, health educators, social workers, etc.). 
Within each of the areas mentioned above, at a minimum, the grantee 
will be expected to provide training for Title X personnel that 
includes the following topics:
Information, Education and Communication
     Increasing effectiveness in working with hard-to-reach and 
diverse populations, including racial, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic 
minorities, to reduce health disparities;
     Use of electronic technologies in program activities and 
management;
     Incorporation and/or use of various media modalities to 
assist in achieving program goals and objectives.
Program Management
     Improving the management skills of family planning grantee 
staff;
     Increasing the ability of family planning grantee staff to 
assess, plan, design, and utilize management information systems;
     Designing, implementing, and utilizing data reports in 
project operations;
     Utilizing financial systems to monitor, track, record, and 
control Title X and other financial resources according to Federal 
grants requirements;
     Incorporating current information related to privacy and 
transmission of client information into grantee operations;
     Improving program efficiency and enhancing cost savings 
and recovery mechanisms; and
     Collecting and reporting all data elements required for 
the Family Planning Annual Report (FPAR).
Clinical Activities
     Improving the performance of clinical staff (professional 
and other) involved in health care delivery through continuing 
education and quality assurance activities;
     Educational clinical activities addressing intimate 
partner violence;
     Clinical topics including current acceptable and effective 
contraceptive methods and other issues and technologies which effect 
family planning service delivery;
     Title X Program requirements and legislative mandates, 
including training on involving parents in the decision of minors to 
seek family planning services; counseling minors on resisting attempts 
to coerce them into engaging in sexual activity; and compliance with 
state laws regarding reporting or notification of child abuse, child 
molestation, sexual abuse, rape, or incest;
     Provision of abstinence education;
     Incorporating the ``ABC'' approach to HIV prevention 
counseling; and
     Best practices for presenting non-directive counseling, 
including adoption counseling for pregnant clients.
Specialized Technical Assistance
    In addition to providing general training on the issues mentioned 
above, successful applicants must also demonstrate the capacity to 
develop and implement a system for providing technical assistance to 
Title X service providers in the applicable PHS region. Technical 
assistance consists of specific, specialized or highly skilled family 
planning training that is usually

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provided to a single organization based on an identified need. The 
objective of this assistance is to provide projects with the technical 
resources needed to address Title X priorities and key issues impacting 
family planning.
    A portion of the total grant award will be earmarked for technical 
assistance, and a final budget will be negotiated between the 
successful applicant and the PHS Regional Project Officer. All 
technical assistance provided with grant funds must have prior approval 
of the PHS Project Officer.
Evaluation
    The applicant is responsible for developing and implementing an 
evaluation plan which assesses the overall training program, as well as 
each training event and technical assistance provided. The plan should 
include evaluation of the content of training events, delivery 
mechanisms utilized, accessability for Title X providers, and how well 
the offerings met the needs of the trainee and sponsoring agency. 
Evaluation of technical assistance should include expertise of the 
consultant related to the identified need of the service provider, as 
well as whether the assistance resulted in the improved knowledge, 
skills, and/or abilities required.

3. Submission Dates and Times

Submission Mechanisms
    The Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS) provides multiple 
mechanisms for the submission of applications, as described in the 
following sections. Applicants will receive notification via mail from 
the OPHS Office of Grants Management confirming the receipt of 
applications submitted using any of these mechanisms. Applications 
submitted to the OPHS Office of Grants Management after the deadlines 
described below will not be accepted for review. Applications which do 
not conform to the requirements of the grant announcement will not be 
accepted for review and will be returned to the applicant.
    Applications may only be submitted electronically via the 
electronic submission mechanisms specified below. Any applications 
submitted via any other means of electronic communication, including 
facsimile or electronic mail, will not be accepted for review. While 
applications are accepted in hard copy, the use of the electronic 
application submission capabilities provided by the OPHS eGrants system 
or the Grants.gov Web site Portal is encouraged.
Electronic Submissions Via the OPHS eGrants System
    The OPHS electronic grants management system, eGrants, provides for 
applications to be submitted electronically. Information about this 
system is available on the OPHS eGrants Web site, https://egrants.osophs.dhhs.gov, or may be requested from the OPHS Office of 
Grants Management at 301-594-0758.
    The body of the application and required forms can be submitted 
using the OPHS eGrants system. In addition to electronically submitted 
materials, applicants are required to submit a hard copy of the 
application face page (Standard Form 424) with the original signature 
of an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency or 
organization and to assume for the organization the obligations imposed 
by the terms and conditions of the grant award. If required, applicants 
will also need to submit a hard copy of the Standard Form LLL and/or 
certain Program related forms with the original signature of an 
individual authorized to act for the applicant agency or organization. 
The application will not be considered complete until both the 
electronic application components submitted via the OPHS eGrants system 
and any hard copy materials or original signatures are received.
    Electronic grant application submissions must be submitted via the 
OPHS eGrants system no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline 
date specified in the DATES section of the announcement. All required 
hardcopy original signatures and mail-in items must be received by the 
OPHS Office of Grants Management no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on 
the next business day after the deadline date specified in the DATES 
section of the announcement.
    Applications will not be considered valid until all electronic 
application components, hardcopy original signatures, and mail-in items 
are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management according to the 
deadlines specified above. Any application submitted electronically 
after 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date specified in the DATES 
section of the announcement will be considered late and will be deemed 
ineligible. Failure of the applicant to submit all required hardcopy 
original signatures and required mail-in items to the OPHS Office of 
Grants Management by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the next business day after 
the deadline date specified in the DATES section of the announcement 
will result in the electronic application being deemed ineligible.
    Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission, 
the OPHS eGrants system will provide the applicant with a confirmation 
page indicating the date and time (Eastern Time) of the electronic 
application submission. This confirmation page will also provide a 
listing of all items that constitute the final application submission 
including all electronic application components, required hardcopy 
original signatures, and mail-in items, as well as the mailing address 
of the OPHS Office of Grants Management where all required hard copy 
materials must be submitted.
    As items are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management, the 
electronic application status will be updated to reflect the receipt of 
mail-in items. It is recommended that the applicant monitor the status 
of their application in the OPHS eGrants system to ensure that all 
signatures and mail-in items are received.
    Applicants are encouraged to initiate electronic applications early 
in the application development process, and to submit early on the due 
date or before. This will aid in addressing any problems with 
submissions prior to the application deadline.
Electronic Submissions Via the Grants.gov Web Site Portal
    The Grants.gov Web site Portal provides for applications to be 
submitted electronically. Information about this system is available on 
the Grants.gov Web site, http://www.grants.gov. The body of the 
application and required forms can be submitted using the Grants.gov 
Web site Portal. Grants.gov allows the applicant to download and 
complete the application forms at any time, however, it is required 
that organizations successfully complete the necessary registration 
processes in order to submit the application to Grants.gov.
    In addition to electronically submitted materials, applicants may 
be required to submit hard copy signatures for certain Program related 
forms, or original materials as required by the announcement. It is 
imperative that the applicant review both the grant announcement, as 
well as the application guidance provided within the Grants.gov 
application package, to determine such requirements. Any required hard 
copy materials, or documents that require a signature, excluding the 
standard forms included in the Grants.gov application package (e.g., 
Standard Form 424 Face Page, Standard Assurances and Certifications 
(Standard Form 424B, and Standard Form LLL) must be submitted 
separately

[[Page 15550]]

via mail to the OPHS Office of Grants Management, and, if required, 
must contain the original signature of an individual authorized to act 
for the applicant agency or organization and to assume for the 
organization the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the 
grant award.
    Electronic grant application submissions must be submitted via the 
Grants.gov Web site Portal no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the 
deadline date specified in the DATES section of the announcement. All 
required hardcopy original signatures and mail-in items must be 
received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management no later than 5 p.m. 
Eastern Time on the next business day after the deadline date specified 
in the DATES section of the announcement. Applications will not be 
considered valid until all electronic application components, hardcopy 
original signatures, and mail-in items are received by the OPHS Office 
of Grants Management according to the deadlines specified above. Any 
application submitted electronically via the Grants.gov Web site Portal 
after 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date specified in the DATES 
section of the announcement will be considered late and will be deemed 
ineligible. Failure of the applicant to submit all required hardcopy 
original signatures or materials to the OPHS Office of Grants 
Management by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the next business day after the 
deadline date specified in the DATES section of the announcement will 
result in the electronic application being deemed ineligible.
    Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission 
via the Grants.gov Web site Portal, the applicant will be provided with 
a confirmation page from Grants.gov indicating the date and time 
(Eastern Time) of the electronic application submission, as well as the 
Grants.gov Receipt Number. It is critical that the applicant print and 
retain this confirmation for their records, as well as a copy of the 
entire application package.
    All applications submitted via the Grants.gov Web site Portal will 
be validated by Grants.gov. Any applications deemed ``Invalid'' by the 
Grants.gov Web site Portal will not be transferred to the OPHS eGrants 
system, and OPHS has no responsibility for any application that is not 
validated and transferred to OPHS from the Grants.gov Web site Portal. 
Grants.gov will notify the applicant regarding the application 
validation status. Once the application is successfully validated by 
the Grants.gov Web site Portal, applicants should immediately mail all 
required hard copy materials to the OPHS Office of Grants Management to 
be received by the deadlines specified above. It is critical that the 
applicant clearly identify the Organization name and Grants.gov 
Application Receipt Number on all hard copy materials. Once the 
application is validated by Grants.gov, it will be electronically 
transferred to the OPHS eGrants system for processing. Upon receipt of 
both the electronic application from the Grants.gov Web site Portal, 
and the required hardcopy mail-in items, applicants will receive 
notification via mail from the OPHS Office of Grants Management 
confirming the receipt of the application submitted using the 
Grants.gov Web site Portal.
    Applicants are encouraged to initiate electronic applications via 
the Grants.gov Web site Portal early in the application development 
process, and to submit early on the due date or before. This will aid 
in addressing any problems with submissions prior to the application 
deadline. Applicants should contact Grants.gov regarding any questions 
or concerns regarding the electronic application process conducted 
through the Grants.gov Web site Portal.
Mailed or Hand-Delivered Hard Copy Applications
    Applications submitted in hard copy (via mail or hand-delivered) 
are required to submit an original and two copies of the application. 
The original application must be signed by an individual authorized to 
act for the applicant agency or organization and to assume for the 
organization the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the 
grant award.
    Mailed or hand-delivered applications will be considered as meeting 
the deadline if they are received by the OPHS Office of Grant 
Management on or before 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date 
specified in the DATES section of the announcement. The application 
deadline date requirement specified in this announcement supersedes the 
instructions in the OPHS-1. Applications that do not meet the deadline 
will be returned to the applicant unread.

4. Intergovernmental Review

    Applicants under this announcement are subject to the requirements 
of Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs,'' as implemented by 45 CFR part 100, ``Intergovernmental 
Review of Department of Health and Human Services Programs and 
Activities.'' As soon as possible, the applicant should discuss the 
project with the State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for the state in 
which the applicant is located. The application kit contains the 
currently available listing of the SPOCs that have elected to be 
informed of the submission of applications. For those states not 
represented on the listing, further inquiries should be made by the 
applicant regarding the submission to the relevant SPOC. The SPOC 
should forward any comments to the OPHS Office of Grants Management, 
1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, Maryland 20852. The SPOC 
has 60 days from the due date as listed in the DATES section of this 
announcement to submit any comments. For further information, contact 
the OPHS Office of Grants Management at 301-594-0758.

5. Funding Restrictions

    The allowability, allocability, reasonableness and necessity of 
direct and indirect costs that may be charged to OPHS grants are 
outlined in the following documents: OMB Circular A-21 (Institutions of 
Higher Education); OMB Circular A-87 (State and Local Governments); OMB 
Circular A-122 (Nonprofit Organizations); and 45 CFR part 74, appendix 
E (Hospitals). Copies of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
Circulars are available on the Internet at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_circulars.html.
    Indirect costs are limited to eight percent (8%) of modified total 
direct costs as a flat amount for reimbursement under training grants 
(Grants Policy Directive Part 3.01: Post-Award-Indirect cost and other 
Cost Policies, HHS transmittal 98.01).

6. Other Submission Requirements

    None.

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

    1. The degree to which the project plan adequately provides for the 
requirements set forth in the Title X regulations at 42 CFR part 59.205 
(25 points);
    2. The extent to which the training program promises to fulfill the 
family planning service delivery needs of the area to be served, which 
may include among other things:
    (i) Development of a capability within family planning service 
projects to provide pre- and in-service training to their own staffs;
    (ii) Improvement of the family planning services delivery skills of 
family planning services delivery skills of family planning and health 
services personnel;

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    (iii) Improvement in the utilization and career development of 
paraprofessional and paramedical manpower in family planning services;
    (iv) Expansion of family planning services, particularly in rural 
areas, through new or improved approaches to program planning and 
deployment of resources; (20 points total for this section).
    3. The extent to which the proposed training and technical 
assistance program will increase the delivery of services to people, 
particularly low-income groups, with a high percentage of unmet need 
for family planning services (15 points);
    4. The administrative and management capability and competence of 
the applicant (15 points);
    5. The competence of the project staff in relation to the services 
to the services to be provided (15 points); and
    6. The capacity of the applicant to make rapid and effective use of 
the grant assistance, including evidence of flexibility in the 
utilization of resources and training plan design (10 points).

2. Review and Selection Process

    Each Regional Office is responsible for evaluating applications and 
setting funding levels according to the criteria set out in 42 CFR 
59.207 (b). Eligible applications will be reviewed by a panel of 
independent reviewers and will be evaluated based on the criteria 
listed above. In addition to the independent review panel, there will 
be staff reviews of each application for programmatic and grants 
management compliance.
    Final award decisions will be made collaboratively by the Regional 
Health Administrator (RHA) for the applicable PHS Region, in 
consultation with the Director, OFP and the Deputy Assistant Secretary 
for Population Affairs (DASPA). In making grant award decisions, one 
grant will be awarded in each region which best promotes the purposes 
of sections 1001 and 1003 of the Act, within the limits of funds 
available for such projects. The decision will take into account the 
reasonableness of the estimated cost considering the available funding, 
and the benefits expected.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    The OPA does not release information about individual applications 
during the review process. When final funding decisions have been made, 
each applicant will be notified by letter of the outcome. The official 
document notifying an applicant that a project application has been 
approved for funding is the Notice of Grant Award (NGA), signed by the 
Director of the OPHS Office of Grants Management. This document 
specifies to the grantee the amount of money awarded, the purposes of 
the grant, the length of the project period, terms and conditions of 
the grant award, and the amount of funding, if any, to be contributed 
by the grantee to project costs. In addition, the NGA identifies the 
Grants Specialist and Programmatic Project Officer assigned to the 
grant.
    Grants will be awarded for project periods of up to three years. 
Grants will be funded in annual increments (budget periods). Funding 
for all approved budget periods beyond the first year of the grant is 
contingent upon satisfactory progress of the project, efficient and 
effective use of grant funds provided, and availability of funds.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    In accepting this award, the grantee stipulates that the award and 
any activities thereunder are subject to all provisions of 45 CFR parts 
74 and 92, currently in effect or implemented during the period of the 
grant.
    The successful applicant will be responsible for the overall 
management of activities within the scope of the approved project plan, 
and will be required to work closely with the PHS Project Officer in 
the respective region. The Project Officer will review and approve all 
Regional training plans, technical assistance requests, and plans for 
the use of Regional resources as part of this grant. In addition, both 
the OPA Central Office and the respective Regional Office will review 
and approve training plans related to the identified annual national 
training priorities.
    The OPHS requires all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free 
workplace and to promote the non-use of all tobacco products. This is 
consistent with the OPHS mission to protect and advance the physical 
and mental health of the American people.
    The Buy American Act of 1933, as amended (41 U.S.C. 10a-10d), 
requires that Government agencies give priority to domestic products 
when making purchasing decisions. Therefore, to the greatest extent 
practicable, all equipment and products purchased with grant funds 
should be American-made.
    A Notice providing information and guidance regarding the 
``Government-wide Implementation of the President's Welfare-to-Work 
Initiative for Federal Grant Programs'' was published in the Federal 
Register on May 16, 1997. This initiative was designated to facilitate 
and encourage grantees and their sub-recipients to hire welfare 
recipients and to provide additional needed training and/or mentoring 
as needed. The text of the Notice is available electronically on the 
OMB home page at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb.
    The HHS Appropriations Act requires that when issuing statements, 
press releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations, and other 
documents describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part 
with Federal money, grantees shall clearly state the percentage and 
dollar amount of the total costs of the program or project which will 
be financed with Federal money and the percentage and dollar amount of 
the total costs of the project or program that will be financed by non-
governmental sources.
    Federal grant support must be acknowledged in any publication 
developed or training provided using Title X funds. The grantee will be 
expected to make available, at cost, all materials developed with Title 
X funds as requested by other Title X projects.

3. Reporting

    Each year of the project period, grantees are required to submit a 
non-competing application which includes annual progress report and 
project work plan and budget for the upcoming year. The progress report 
must contain, at a minimum, a report on the evaluation of the training 
program as a whole, as well as the following data related to training 
activities supported with grant funds:
    For ``on-site'' training events: (a) Title of training event; (b) 
location; (c) topic(s) covered; (d) presenter(s) (as applicable); (e) 
number of participants; (f) agencies sponsoring participants; and (g) 
evaluation summary; (h) credit hours or CEUs available. For ``distance 
learning'' training events: (a) Title of training; (b) number/location 
(downlink sites, web hits, media copies, etc., as appropriate); (c) 
topic(s) covered; (d) presenters; (e) agencies participating; (g) 
evaluation summary; (h) credit hours or CEUs available. In addition, 
grantees must maintain and submit a log of all technical assistance 
provided which includes, at a minimum: (a) Grantee/delegate agency 
requiring technical assistance; (b) topic/content; (c) number of days 
of technical assistance required; (d) consultant(s) hired to provide 
technical assistance; and (e) outcome of technical assistance provided.
    Grantees are required to submit an annual Financial Status Report 
within 90 days after the end of each budget period. Grantees who 
receive greater than $500,000 of Federal funds must

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also undergo an independent audit in accordance with OMB Circular A-
133.

VII. Agency Contacts

Administrative and Budgetary Requirements

    For information related to administrative and budgetary 
requirements, contact the OPHS Office of Grants Management, 1101 
Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20852; 301-594-0758.

Program Requirements

    For information related to family planning program requirements, 
contact the Regional Program Consultant for Family Planning in the 
applicable Regional Office listed below:
    Region I (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode 
Island, Vermont)--Betsy Rosenfeld, Acting, 617-565-4265;
    Region II (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands)--
Robin Lane, 212-264-3935;
    Region III (Delaware, Washington, DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, 
Virginia, West Virginia)--Donna Garner, 215-861-4624 or Dickie Lynn 
Gronseth, 215-861-4656;
    Region IV (Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, 
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina)--Cristino Rodriguez, 404-
562-7900;
    Region V (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, 
Wisconsin)--Janice Ely, 312-886-3864;
    Region VI (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas)--
Evelyn Glass, 214-767-3088;
    Region VII (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska)--Elizabeth Curtis, 
816-426-2924;
    Region VIII (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, 
Wyoming)-- Jill Leslie, 303-844-7856;
    Region IX (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Republic of Palau, 
Federal States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands)--Nancy 
Mautone-Smith, 415-437-7984;
    Region X (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington)--Janet Wildeboor, 206-
615-2776.

    Dated: March 16, 2005.
Alma L. Golden,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs.
[FR Doc. 05-5946 Filed 3-24-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-34-P