[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 124 (Thursday, June 26, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36333-36337]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-14457]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service


Office of Clinical and Preventive Services, Division of Nursing 
Services Nursing Program, Schools of Nursing

    Announcement Type: Competitive Continuation and New Grants.
    Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2008-IHS-NU-0001.

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers(s): 93.970

    Key Dates:
    Application Deadline Date: August 8, 2008.
    Review Date: August 18, 2008.
    Award Status Notification: August 22, 2008.
    Earliest Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2008.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The Indian Health Service (IHS), Office of Clinical and Preventive 
Services, Division of Nursing Services, announces a competitive grant 
application for existing and new grantees under the Nursing Education 
Program for American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN5). This program is 
authorized under section 112 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, 
Public Law 94-437 as amended. This program is described at 93.970 in 
the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA).
    The purpose of the Nursing Program Schools of Nursing is to 
increase the number of nurses, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and 
nurse practitioners who deliver health care services to AI/ANs. The 
primary objectives of this grant award are to (1) recruit and train AI/
AN individuals to be nurses (Graduate and Undergraduate), (2) provide 
scholarships to AI/AN individuals enrolled in schools of nursing to pay 
tuition, books, fees, and stipends for living expenses; (3) provide a 
program that encourages AI/AN nurses (Graduate and Undergraduate), to 
provide or continue to provide, health care services in AI/AN health 
care programs, and (4) provide a program that increases the skills of, 
and provides continuing education to AI/AN nurses (Graduate and 
Undergraduate). Each proposal must respond to all of the above four 
objectives.
    The awards will be based on the following:
    At least one project to a public or private college or university 
school of nursing, which provides for a Master of Science in Nursing 
(MSN), Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNIP), or Bachelor of Science in 
Nursing (BSN), degree in nurse midwifery, nurse practitioner, nurse 
anesthesia, or nursing-healthcare administration, not to exceed 
$350,000 per year up to a project period of five years.
    At least one project to a public, private, college or university 
program of nursing, which provides for an Associate Degree in Nursing 
(ADN), not to exceed $335,000 per year up to a project period of five 
years.
    At least one project to a Tribally controlled community college or 
university that has a formal bridge program agreement to a college or 
university at which AI/AN students can complete an ADN, BSN, or MSN/DNP 
degree, not to exceed $300,000 per year up to a project period of five 
years.

II. Award Information

    Type of Awards: Grants.
    Estimated Funds Available: The total amount identified for fiscal 
year (FY) 2008 is $1,335,000. The awards are for 60 months in duration 
and the average award is approximately $337,000. Each program type will 
receive different amounts of funding based on the level of nursing 
degree. Continuation awards are subject to the availability of funds 
and satisfactory performance.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: Four awards will be issued under the 
announcement to existing or new award recipients on a competitive base.
    Project Period: Five Years.
    Award Amount: The following will be awarded according to the 
nursing program level per year:
     $350,000 to one school at the MSN or DNP level,
     $350,000 to at least one school at the BSN level,
     $335,000 to at least one school at the ADN level, and
     $300,000 to a Tribally controlled college/university with 
a bridge to an ADN/BSN/MSN/DNP level.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. The following organizations are eligible:
    A. Public or private schools of nursing.
    B. Tribally controlled community college nursing programs and 
Tribally controlled post-secondary vocational institutions (as defined 
in 20 U.S.C. 2397h(2)).
    C. All organizations providing for the ADN, BSN, MSN or DNP to AI/
AN students.
    While Indian health programs have need for advance practice nurses 
who are nurse midwives and nurse practitioners, its greatest need in 
the field of advance practice nursing is nurse anesthesia, in addition 
to nurse administrators trained at the graduate level and clinical 
nurses at the bachelor's level. Therefore, preference will be given to 
applicants who have programs:
    A. That provide a preference to Indians,
    B. That train nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, nurse 
practitioners, and BSN nurses,
    C. Whose curriculum is taught in an interdisciplinary manner with 
other health professional students such as

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pharmacy, medicine, or behavioral health students,
    D. Whose curriculum emphasizes and integrates training on Evidence 
Based Practice (EBP),
    E. Which have student clinical rotations established with Indian 
health programs,
    F. Which offer distance learning opportunity,
    G. Which have formal bridge program agreements between Tribal 
colleges or universities so as to accommodate LPN to ADN/BSN or BSN to 
MSN/DNP students,
    H. Which have a faculty exchange program between a Tribal college 
or university and a university school of nursing so as to enhance 
cultural relevance, competency, and faculty strength,
    I. Which have an emphasis on transcultural nursing and cultural 
competency,
    J. Which have a rural health focus, and
    K. Which are conducted in cooperation with the Center for Gifted 
and Talented Indian students established under section 5324(a) of the 
Indian Education Act of 1988. If an eligible organization claims 
preference in order to be given priority, the organization must submit 
verifying documentations.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    The Nursing Program does not require matching funds or cost 
sharing.

3. Other Requirements

    If the application budgets exceed appropriate nursing level of 
funding as outlined in this announcement, the application will not be 
considered for review.
    The budget should include a narrative and a justification for cost 
outlined in the applications for the entire project period for each 
year. The budget and budget justification should be consistent with the 
tasks identified in the work plan, and should include:
    A. Categorical budget (Form SF-424A, Budget Information Non-
Construction Programs) completing each of the budget periods requested.
    B. Include a narrative justification for all costs, explaining why 
each line item is necessary or relevant to the proposed project. 
Include sufficient details to facilitate the determination of cost 
allow ability.
    C. Indicate any special start-up costs.
    D. Include a brief program narrative budget justification for the 
second year and onward.
    If indirect costs are claimed, indicate and apply the current 
negotiated rate to the budget. Include a copy of the rate agreement in 
the appendix.
    All schools must be state approved. All schools must have 
accreditation by either the National League for Nursing Accrediting 
Commission (NLNAC) or American Association of Colleges of Nursing 
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The schools offering 
a degree in nurse midwifery must provide verification of accreditation 
by the American College of Nurse Midwives. The schools offering a 
degree in nurse anesthesia must provide verification of accreditation 
by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational 
Programs (COA). Tribally controlled community college nursing programs 
and Tribally controlled post-secondary vocational institutions, if not 
accredited by the NLNAC or other appropriately recognized accrediting 
body, must show verifying documentation that they are in the process of 
seeking accreditation.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Applicant package may be found in Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov). Information regarding the electronic application 
process may be directed to Michelle G. Bulls or Tammy Bagley, at (301) 
443-6290.
    The entire application package and detailed application instruction 
are available and downloadable at the http://www.grants.gov Web site.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission (if prior approval 
was obtained for paper submission from the Grant Policy Staff (GPS) in 
writing):
     Be single spaced.
     Be typewritten,
     Have consecutively numbered pages.
     Use black type not smaller than 12 characters per one 
inch.
     Contain a narrative that does not exceed 10 typed pages 
that includes the other submission requirements below. The 10 page 
narrative does not include the work plan, standard forms, Tribal 
resolutions or letters of support (if necessary), table of contents, 
budget, budget justifications, narratives, and/or other appendix items.
    Public Policy Requirements: All Federal-wide public policies apply 
to IHS grants with exception of the discrimination public policy.
    3. Submission Dates and Times: Applications must be submitted 
electronically through Grants.gov by 12 midnight Eastern Standard Time 
(EST) on August 8, 2008. If technical challenges arise and the 
applicant is unable to successfully complete the electronic application 
process, the applicant should contact GPS at (301) 443-6290 at least 
fifteen days prior to the application deadline and advise of the 
difficulties that your organization is experiencing. The grantee must 
obtain prior approval, in writing (c-mails are acceptable) allowing the 
paper submission. If submission of a paper application is requested and 
approved, the original and two copies may be sent to the Division of 
Grants Operations, 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP 360, Rockville, MD 20852, 
(301) 443-5204, by 12 midnight EST on August 8, 2008. Applications 
shall be considered as meeting the deadline if they are either: (1) 
Received by 12 midnight EDT on or before August 8, 2008 as hand carried 
applications; or (2) postmarked on or before the deadline date and 
received in time to be reviewed along with all other timely 
applications. A legibly dated receipt from a commercial carrier or the 
U.S. Postal Service will be accepted in lieu of a postmark. Private 
metered postmarks will not be accepted as proof of timely mailing. 
Applications not submitted through Grants.gov, without an approved 
waiver, may be returned to the applicant without review or 
consideration. Late applications will not be accepted for processing 
and it will be returned to the applicant without review.
    If more than one application is received from an 11-IS geographical 
area, only one award will be made to that particular Area providing a 
DNP, MSN, BSN, or ADN program.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: Executive Order 12372 requiring 
intergovernmental review is not applicable to this program.
    5. Funding Restrictions:
     Pre-award costs are allowable pending prior approval from 
the awarding agency. However, in accordance with 45 CFR Part 74 all 
pre-award costs are incurred at the recipient's risk. The awarding 
office is under no obligation to reimburse such costs if for any reason 
the applicant does not receive an award or if the award to the 
recipient is less than anticipated.
     The available funds are inclusive of direct and 
appropriate indirect costs.
     Only one grant will be awarded per program/degree-type.
     IIHS will not acknowledge receipt of applications.
    6. Other Submission Requirements:
    Electronic Submission--The preferred method for receipt of 
applications is electronic submission through Grants.gov. However, 
should any technical challenges arise regarding the submission, please 
contact Grants.gov Customer Support at 1-800-518-4726

[[Page 36335]]

or [email protected]. The Contact Center hours of operation are 
Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST. The applicant must seek 
assistance at least fifteen days prior to the application deadline. 
Applicants that do not adhere to the timelines for Central Contractor 
Registry (CCR) and/or Grants.gov registration and/or requesting timely 
assistance with technical issues will not be a candidate for paper 
applications.
    To submit an application electronically, please use the http://
www.Grants.gov and select ``Apply for Grants'' link on the home page. 
Download a copy of the application package from the Grants.gov Web 
site, complete it offline and then upload and submit the application 
via the Grants.gov site. You may not e-mail an electronic copy of a 
grant application to IHS.
    Please be reminded of the following:
     Under the new IHS application submission requirements, 
paper applications are not the preferred method. However, if you have 
technical problems submitting your application on-line, please contact 
directly Grants.gov Customer Support at: http://www.grants.gov/CustomerSupport.
     Upon contacting Grants.gov, obtain a tracking number as 
proof of contact. The tracking number is helpful if there are technical 
issues that cannot be resolved and a waiver request from GPS must be 
obtained.
     If it is determined that a formal waiver is necessary, the 
applicant must submit a request, in writing (e-mails are acceptable), 
to [email protected] that includes a justification for the need to 
deviate from the standard electronic submission process. Upon receipt 
of approval, a hard-copy application package must be downloaded by the 
applicant from Grants.gov, and sent directly to the Division of Grants 
Operations (DGO), 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP 360, Rockville, MD 20852 by 
August 8, 2008.
     Upon entering the Grants.gov site, there is information 
available that outlines the requirements to the applicant regarding 
electronic submission of an application through Grants.gov, as well as 
the hours of operation. We strongly encourage all applicants not to 
wait until the deadline date to begin the application process through 
Grants.gov as the registration process for CCR and Grants.gov could 
take up to fifteen working days.
     To use Grants.gov, you, as the applicant, must have a Data 
Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and register in the CCR. You 
should allow a minimum often days working days to complete CCR 
registration. See below on how to apply.
     You must submit all documents electronically, including 
all information typically included on the SF-424 and all necessary 
assurances and certifications.
     Please use the optional attachment feature in Grants.gov 
to attach additional documentation that may be requested by IHS.
     Your application must comply with any page limitation 
requirements described in the program announcement.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that contains a 
Grants.gov tracking number. The IHS DUO will download your application 
from Grants.gov and provide necessary copies to the cognizant program 
office. DGO will not notify applicants that the application has been 
received.
     You may access the electronic application for this program 
on http://www.Grants.gov.
     You may search for the downloadable application package by 
either the CFDA number or the Funding Opportunity Number. Both numbers 
are identified in the heading of this announcement.
     The applicant must provide the Funding Opportunity Number: 
HHS-2008-IHS-NU-0001.
    E-mail applications will not be accepted under this announcement.

DUNS Number

    Applicants are required to obtain DUNS number from Dun and 
Bradstreet to apply for a grant or cooperative agreement from the 
Federal Government. The DUNS number is a nine-digit identification 
number, which uniquely identifies business entities. Obtaining a DUNS 
number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a DUNS number, access 
http://www.dnb.com/us/ or call 1-866-705-5711. Interested parties may 
wish to obtain their DUNS number by phone to expedite the process.
    Applications submitted electronically must also be registered with 
the CCR. A DUNS number is required before CCR registration can be 
completed. Many organizations may already have a DUNS number. Please 
use the number listed above to investigate whether or not your 
organization has a DUNS number. Registration with the CCR is free of 
charge.
    Applicants may register by calling 1-888-227-2423. Please review 
and complete the CCR Registration Worksheet located on http://www.grants.gov/applicants/register_credential_provider.jsp.
    More detailed information regarding these registration processes 
can be found at http://www.grants.gov.

V. Application Review Information

    Applications that meet the eligibility requirements will be 
reviewed by an Ad Hoc Review Committee composed of Tribal, IHS (outside 
of the respective program office area), and other Federal or non-
Federal reviewers. Applications will be reviewed against established 
criteria. Reviewers will assign a numerical score to each application 
which will be used to rank the applications. The final funding decision 
will be made by the Director of Nursing, IHS, who will consider the 
geographic location to award only one grant within an IHS Area.

1. Criteria

A. Methodology (40 Points)
    Applicants must train nurses at the graduate level in nurse 
anesthesia, nurse midwifery, nurse practitioners, nursing-Healthcare 
Administration, or undergraduate level at the BSN or ADN degree level 
and should provide this training in an interdisciplinary manner. The 
applicant's curriculum should be available via a distance learning 
model and emphasize and integrate EBP, transcultural nursing, and 
include a rural health focus. Applicants must define how they will 
locate and recruit AI/AN students and provide support services to AI/AN 
students who are recruited to facilitate their success in the nursing 
program and to track their progress. Applicants must define how they 
will assist the graduate nurse with job placement and track their 
payback status to ensure that the obligees comply with the terms of 
their service obligation. Applicants should have a mechanism in place 
to provide their students with clinical rotations in AI/AN health 
programs; have a bridge program agreement between Tribal colleges or 
universities so as to accommodate LPN to ADN/BSN or BSN to MSN/DNIP and 
have a faculty exchange program with a Tribal college or university and 
a university school of nursing.
B. Capacity (20 Points)
    Applicants must provide verification of accreditation and show they 
are capable of conducting the project from a technical and business 
standpoint by providing the qualifications and credentials of key 
personnel and a sound fiscal plan using the grant funds. Applicants for 
the Graduate or

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Bachelor's level grants must submit verifying documentation of NLNAC or 
CCNE accreditation. Applicants for ADN grants must submit verifying 
documentation of NLNAC accreditation. Applicants with LPN programs must 
submit verifying documentation of NLNAC accreditation or documentation 
of being in process of obtaining accreditation. All programs must 
submit verifying documentation of state approval.
C. Need (15 Points)
    Applicants must justify the need for their project and provide a 
plan for the methodology they will use for recruiting AI/AN students 
nation-wide as well as how they will actively assist nursing graduates 
with job placement. Applicants must recruit and train AI/AN individuals 
to be nurses at the graduate and undergraduate level and provide 
scholarships to those AI/AN individuals enrolled in the school of 
nursing to pay tuition, books, fees, and stipends for living expenses; 
provide a program that encourages AI/AN nurses at the graduate and 
undergraduate level to provide or continue to provide, health care 
services in AI/AN health care programs; and provide a program that 
increases the skills of, and provides continuing education to AI/AN 
nurses at the graduate and undergraduate level.
D. Evaluation (15 Points)
    Applicants must present a plan for evaluating their success in 
canying out the project and on an annual basis conduct a quantitative 
and qualitative evaluation of their year's activities, identifying what 
areas of the project need to be improved and how they will make those 
improvements. Applicants must identify how they will meet on an annual 
basis with the other project directors and staff under this grant 
program to share successes and challenges and to receive Federal grant 
training.
E. Prior Experience (10 Points)
    Applicants should identify their experience with other similar 
projects, including the results of those projects and provide evidence 
of their past or potential cooperation and experience with AI/AN 
communities and Tribes. Applicants must provide evidence that their 
program is conducted in cooperation with the center for Gifted and 
Talented Indian Students established under section 5324(a) of the 
Indian Education Act of 1988.

2. Review and Selection Process

    Each application will be reviewed by the DGO for eligibility, 
compliance with the announcement, and completeness. Applications that 
meet eligibility requirements, are complete, and conform to this 
announcement will be subject to a competitive, objective review and 
evaluation by an Ad Hoc Review Committee composed of Tribal, IHS, and 
other Federal or non-Federal reviewers. Applications will be reviewed 
against established criteria. Reviewers will assign a numerical score 
to each application which will be used to rank applications. In making 
the final funding decision, the Director of Nursing, IHS, will consider 
geographic location in order to limit only one grant within an IRS 
Area.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    Announcement of award will occur August 22, 2008 and awards will be 
made September 1, 2008.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    The Notice of Award (NoA) will be initiated by DGO and will be 
mailed via postal mail to each entity that is approved for funding 
under this announcement. The NoA will be signed by the Grants 
Management Officer and this is the authorizing document for which funds 
are dispersed to the approved entities. The NoA will serve as the 
official notification of the grant award and will reflect the amount of 
Federal funds awarded, the purpose of the grant, the terms and 
conditions of the award, the effective date of the award, and the 
budget/project period. The NoA is the legally binding document. 
Applicants who are approved but unfunded or disapproved based on their 
Objective Review score will receive a copy of the Executive Summary 
which identifies the weaknesses and strengths of the application 
submitted.

2. Administrative Requirements

    Grants are administrated in accordance with the following 
documents:
     This Program Announcement.
     Administrative Requirements: 45 CFR Part 92, ``Uniform 
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to 
State, Local and Tribal Governments,'' or 45 CFR Part 74, Uniform 
Administrative Requirements for Awards to Institutions of Higher 
Education, Hospitals, Other Non-Profit Organizations, and Commercial 
Organizations.
     Grants Policy Guidance: HHS Grants Policy Statement, 
January 2007.
     Cost Principles: OMB Circular A-87, ``State, Local, and 
Indian'' (Title 2 Part 225).
     Cost Principles: OMB Circular A-122, ``Non-profit 
Organizations'' (Title 2 Part 230).
     Audit Requirements: OMB Circular A-133, ``Audits of 
States, Local Governments, and Non-profit Organizations.''

3. Indirect Costs

    This section applies to all grant recipients that request 
reimbursement of indirect costs in their grant application. In 
accordance with HHS Grants Policy Statement, Part 11-27, IIHS requires 
applicants to have a current indirect cost rate agreement in place 
prior to award. The rate agreement must be prepared in accordance with 
the applicable cost principles and guidance as provided by the 
cognizant agency or office. A current rate means the rate covering the 
applicable activities and the award budget period. If the current rate 
is not on file with the DGO at the time of award, the indirect cost 
portion of the budget will be restricted and not available to the 
recipient until the current rate is provided to the DGO.
    Generally, indirect costs rates for IHS grantees are negotiated 
with the Division of Cost Allocation http://rates.psc.gov/ and the 
Department of Interior (National Business Center) http://www.nbc.gov/acquisition/ics/icshome.html. If your organization has questions 
regarding the indirect cost policy, please contact the DGO at (301) 
443-5204.

4. Reporting

    A. Progress Report. Program progress reports are required semi-
annually for the first two years and annually thereafter if no 
programmatic issues are identified to ensure progress and compliance. 
These reports will include a brief comparison of actual accomplishments 
to the goals established for the period, or, if applicable, provide 
sound justification for the lack of progress, and other pertinent 
information as required. A final report must be submitted within 90 
days of expiration of the budget/project period.
    B. Financial Status Report. Semi-annual financial status reports 
must be submitted within 30 days of the end of the half year to ensure 
progress and compliance for the first two years and then financial 
status reports can be annual if no financial issues are identified. 
Final financial status reports are due within 90 days of expiration of 
the budget/project period. Standard

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Form 269 (long form) will be used for financial reporting.
    C. Reports. Grantees are responsible and accountable for accurate 
reporting of the Progress Reports and Financial Status Reports which 
are generally due semi-annually. Financial Status Reports (SF-269) is 
due 90 days after each budget period and the final SF-269 must be 
verified from the grantee records on how the value was derived. 
Grantees must submit reports in a reasonable period of time.
    Failure to submit required reports within the time allowed may 
result in suspension or termination of an active grant, withholding of 
additional awards for the project, or other enforcement actions such as 
withholding of payments or converting to the reimbursement method of 
payment. Continued failure to submit required reports may result in one 
or both of the following: (1) The imposition of special award 
provisions; and (2) the non-funding or non-award of other eligible 
projects or activities. This applies whether the delinquency is 
attributable to the failure of the grantee organization or the 
individual responsible for preparation of the reports.
    5. Telecommunication for the hearing impaired is available at: TTY 
(301) 443-6394.

VI. Agency Contact(s)

    For program-related information, contact Ms. Sandra L. Haldane, 
BSN, RN, MS, Director, Division of Nursing Services, Office of Clinical 
and Preventative Services, Indian Health Service, 801 Thompson Avenue, 
Reyes Building, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852, (301) 443-1840.
    For grants-related information, contact Ms. Norma Jean Dunne, 
Grants Management Specialist, Division of Grants Operations, Indian 
Health Service, 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP 360, Rockville, MD 20852, 
(301) 443-5204. (The telephone numbers are not toll-free numbers.)

VIII. Other Information

    The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the 
health promotion and disease prevention objectives of Healthy People 
2010, a PHS-led activity for setting priority areas. This program 
announcement is related to the priority area of Educational and 
Community-based programs. You may obtain the objectives from the latest 
Healthy People 2010, Review. A copy may be obtained by calling the 
National Center for Health Statistics, telephone (301) 436-8500.

Smoke Free Workplace

    The PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a 
smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products. 
Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in 
certain facilities that receive Federal funds in which education, 
library, day care, health care, and early childhood development 
services are provided to children.

    Dated: June 20, 2008.
Robert G. McSwain,
Director, Indian Health Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-14457 Filed 6-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-16-M