[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 11, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18332-18338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-5262]



[[Page 18332]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Announcement of Availability of Funds for One Family Planning 
General Training and Technical Assistance Project in Public Health 
Service Region VI

AGENCY: Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Population 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 June 12, 2006. 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.
    Executive Summary: This announcement seeks applications from public 
and nonprofit private entities to establish and operate one general 
training and technical assistance project in Public Health Service 
(PHS) Region VI (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico). 
The purpose of the family planning general training program is to 
ensure that all levels of 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. The successful applicant will be responsible for the 
development and overall management of the general training program that 
provides training for Title X service grantee personnel in PHS Region 
VI.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The Office of Population Affairs (OPA) announces the availability 
of approximately $480,000 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 funds, inclusive of 
indirect costs, to support one Family Planning General Training and 
Technical Assistance project in PHS Region VI, as authorized under 
section 1003 of the Public Health Service Act. The successful applicant 
will 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.
    Applicant organizations must demonstrate significant experience in 
the design, development, implementation, successful completion, and 
evaluation of health-related 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 related 
reproductive health issues, including program management principles, 
information/education/communication concepts, 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) . In addition, any training 
regarding sterilization of clients as part of the Title X program 
should be consistent with 42 CFR part 50, subpart B (``Sterilization of 
Persons in Federally Assisted Family Planning Projects''). 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

    The Office of Family Planning (OFP)/OPA announces the availability 
of approximately $480,000 in FY 2006 funds, inclusive of indirect 
costs, to support one general training grant to assist in the 
establishment and operation of a regional training center to serve 
Title X service grantees in PHS Region VI. The grant will be funded in 
annual increments (budget periods) and may be approved for a project 
period of up to two years. Funding of the grant 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; the applicant's experience and proposed work plan; availability 
and expertise of proposed personnel; and, the anticipated cost of the 
proposed project.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Any public or nonprofit private entity 
which has a physical location within one of the States in PHS Region VI 
(Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico) is eligible to 
apply for a grant under this announcement. Faith-based organizations 
are eligible to apply for this Title X family planning general training 
and technical assistance grant.

[[Page 18333]]

    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; 240-
453-8822. Application kits are also available online through the OPHS 
electronic grants management Web site at https://egrants.osophs.dhhs.gov, or the government-wide grants system, 
grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov. Application requests may be 
submitted by FAX at 240-453-8823. 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 and in the manner prescribed in the 
application kit. The application narrative should be limited to 50 
double-spaced pages using an easily readable serif typeface such as 
Times Roman, Courier, or GC Times, 12 point font. The page limit does 
not include budget; budget justification; required forms, assurances, 
and certifications as part of the OPHS-1, ``Grant Application''; or 
appendices. 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, progress report for a 
continuing competitive application, 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.
    For all non-governmental applicants, documentation of non-profit 
status must be submitted as part of the application. Any of the 
following constitutes acceptable proof of such status:
    a. A reference to the Applicant organization's listing the Internal 
Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt organizations 
described in the IRS code;
    b. A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate;
    c. A statement from a State taxing body, State attorney general, or 
other appropriate State official certifying that the applicant 
organization has a non-profit status and that none of the net earnings 
accrue to any private shareholders or individuals;
    d. A certified copy of the organization's certificate of 
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit 
status; For local, nonprofit affiliates of State or national 
organizations, a statement signed by the parent organization indicating 
that the applicant organization is a local nonprofit affiliate must be 
provided in addition to any one of the above acceptable proof of 
nonprofit status.
    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, or 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(s). 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]; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration 
[SAMHSA] Addiction Technology Transfer Centers [ATTCs]; Administration 
for Children and Families [ACF] Infant Adoption Awareness Training 
Program [IAATP], etc.) in order 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.). The 
successful applicant 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 emerging program needs during each year of the project period.

Title X Program Priorities, Legislative Mandates, and Key Issues

    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.

2006 Program Priorities

    1. Assuring ongoing 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 acceptable and effective 
family planning methods and related preventive health services that 
include natural family planning methods, infertility services, and 
services for adolescents; 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 participation of families, parents, and/or other 
adults acting in the role of parents 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

[[Page 18334]]

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 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 and 
initiatives, including increasing access to health care; emphasizing 
preventive health measures, improving health outcomes; improving the 
quality of health care; and eliminating disparities in health; as well 
as Healthy People 2010 objectives for Family Planning (Chapter 9); 
Health Communication (Chapter 11); HIV (Chapter 13), and Sexually 
Transmitted Diseases (Chapter 25). (http://www.health.gov/healthypeople);
    3. Departmental initiatives and legislative mandates, such as the 
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); Infant 
Adoption Awareness Training Program (IAATP); providing unmarried 
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'' message. 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 current 
OMB-approved 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 Federal agencies in the 
provision of evidence-based Title X clinical services.

National Training Priorities for 2006

    Each year the OFP/OPA establishes national training priorities 
based on nationally identified training needs. The OFP/OPA will provide 
the successful applicant with guidance for addressing the 2006 training 
priorities at the time of grant award. A portion of the total grant 
award will be earmarked for addressing 2006 training priorities, and a 
final budget will be negotiated between the successful applicant and 
the OFP Regional Project Officer. The plan for addressing the training 
priorities must have approval of the OFP Project Officer and the OFP/
OPA prior to implementation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

    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 diverse backgrounds, as well as 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. The training proposal should reflect an 
understanding of the training needs relevant to the various levels of 
Title X personnel, both clinical and non-clinical. 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 [e.g., 
compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act 
(HIPAA), as applicable];
     Improving program efficiency and enhancing cost savings 
and recovery mechanisms; and

[[Page 18335]]

     Collecting and reporting all data elements required for 
the Family Planning Annual Report (FPAR).

Clinical Activities

     Improving the performance of clinic staff (clinical and 
non-clinical providers) 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 affect 
family planning service delivery and which are consistent with 
evidence-based, nationally recognized standards of care;
     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;
     Integrating HIV prevention activities into Title X 
services;
     Incorporating the ``ABC'' approach to HIV prevention 
counseling; and
     Best practices for providing non-directive counseling, as 
described in the Title X family planning services projects regulations 
at 42 CFR 59.5(a)(5).

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 PHS Region VI. Technical assistance 
consists of specific, specialized or highly skilled family planning 
training that is usually 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, and/or to better 
manage the project.
    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 OFP Regional Project Officer.
    All technical assistance provided with grant funds must have prior 
approval of the OFP 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 an assessment of 
whether the expertise of the selected consultant matched the technical 
assistance needed, 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 grant application submissions must be submitted no later 
than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date specified in the DATES 
section of the announcement using one of the electronic submission 
mechanisms specified below. 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. Application submissions that do not adhere 
to the due date requirements will be considered late and will be deemed 
ineligible.
    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 organizations with the 
ability to submit applications for OPHS grant opportunities. 
Organizations must successfully complete the necessary registration 
processes in order to submit an application. Information about this 
system is available on the Grants.gov Web site, http://www.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, must be 
submitted separately 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 and the obligations imposed 
by the terms and conditions of the grant award.
    Electronic applications submitted via the Grants.gov Web site 
Portal must contain all completed online forms required by the 
application kit, the Program Narrative, Budget Narrative and any 
appendices or exhibits. All required mail-in items must be received by 
the due date requirements specified above. Mail-In items may only 
include publications, resumes, or organizational documentation.
    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

[[Page 18336]]

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 Website 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 should contact Grants.gov regarding any questions or 
concerns regarding the electronic application process conducted through 
the Grants.gov Web site Portal.

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 website, https://egrants.osophs.dhhs.gov, or may be requested from the OPHS Office of 
Grants Management at (240) 453-8822.
    When submitting applications via the OPHS eGrants system, 
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 and assume 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 (e.g., Program Certifications) 
with the original signature of an individual authorized to act for the 
applicant agency.
    Electronic applications submitted via the OPHS eGrants system must 
contain all completed online forms required by the application kit, the 
Program Narrative, Budget Narrative and any appendices or exhibits. The 
applicant may identify specific mail-in items to be sent to the Office 
of Grants Management separate from the electronic submission; however 
these mail-in items must be entered on the eGrants Application 
Checklist at the time of electronic submission, and must be received by 
the due date requirements specified above. Mail-In items may only 
include publications, resumes, or organizational documentation.
    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.

Mailed or Hand-Delivered Hard Copy Applications

    The address to submit hard-copy applications is OPHS Office of 
Grants Management, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, MD 
20852, 240-453-8822. Applicants who submit applications 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. This information can also 
be found on the Office of Management and Budget Web site, 
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc. 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 240-453-8822.

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.

[[Page 18337]]

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 Sec.  
59.205 (20 points total for this section);
    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 service delivery skills of 
family planning and health services personnel;
    (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 administrative and management capability and competence of 
the applicant (20 points);
    4. 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);
    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 eligible application 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 PHS Region VI. In making grant award 
decisions, one grant will be awarded which best promotes the purposes 
of sections 1001 (family planning services) and 1003 (family planning 
training) of the Public Health Service 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 the OFP Project Officer assigned to the grant.
    This grant will be awarded for a project period of up to two years. 
The grant 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, and the continued 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 OFP Project Officer in 
PHS Region VI. The Project Officer will review and approve the regional 
training plan, technical assistance requests, and plans for the use of 
regional resources as part of this grant. In addition, both the OFP/OPA 
Central Office and the 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 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. All publications 
developed or purchased with Title X funds must be consistent with the 
requirements of the program. 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, the grantee is required to submit 
a non-competing application which includes an annual progress report, 
project work plan, budget, and budget justification 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 $500,000 or more of Federal funds must undergo

[[Page 18338]]

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 Karen Campbell in the OPHS Office of Grants 
Management, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20852; by 
phone at 240-453-8822, or by email at [email protected].

Program Requirements

    For information related to family planning program requirements, 
contact the Regional Program Consultant for Family Planning in PHS 
Region VI (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas)--Evelyn 
Glass, by phone at 214-767-3088, or by email at [email protected].

VIII. Other Information

    There will be an opportunity for a technical assistance conference 
call to be held within one month after publication of this Notice in 
the Federal Register. For more information regarding this opportunity, 
including date, registration information, and how to join the call, 
please consult the OPA Web site at http://opa.osophs.dhhs.gov.

    Dated: March 29, 2006.
Alma L. Golden,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs.
 [FR Doc. E6-5262 Filed 4-10-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-34-P