[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 27, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25264-25267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-12316]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service


Tribal Self-Governance Program; Planning Cooperative Agreement

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2009-IHS-TSGP-0001.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.444.
    Key Dates:
    Application Deadline Date: June 22, 2009.
    Review Date: July 6-7, 2009.
    Anticipated Start Date: August 3, 2009.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The purpose of the Planning Cooperative Agreement is to provide 
resources to Tribes interested in participating in the Tribal Self-
Governance Program (TSGP), as authorized by Public Law 106-260, the 
Tribal Self-Governance Amendments of 2000, Title V of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act, Public Law 93-638, as 
amended (Title V) (25 U.S.C. 458aaa-2(e)). There is limited competition 
under this announcement because the authorizing legislation restricts 
eligibility to Tribes that meet specific criteria (Refer to Section 
III.1.A., Eligible Applicants in this announcement). The TSGP is 
designed to promote Self-Determination by enabling Tribes to assume 
control of Indian Health Service (IHS) programs, services, functions, 
and activities, or portions thereof (PSFAs), through compacts 
negotiated with the IHS. The Planning Cooperative Agreement enables a 
Tribe to gather information on the current types of PSFAs and related 
funding available at the Service Unit, Area, and Headquarters levels.

This program is described at 93.444 in the Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance (CFDA).

II. Award Information

    Type of Awards: Cooperative Agreement.
    Estimated Funds Available: The total amount identified for Fiscal 
Year (FY) 2009 is $600,000 for approximately eight Tribes. Awards under 
this announcement are subject to the availability of funds.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: The estimated number of awards to be 
funded is approximately eight.
    Project Period: 12 months.
    Award Amount: $75,000 per year.
    Programmatic Involvement: Planning Cooperative Agreements entail 
substantial IHS programmatic involvement to establish a basic 
understanding of PSFAs and associated funding at the Service Unit, 
Area, and Headquarters levels.
    The IHS roles and responsibilities include:
     Providing a description of PSFAs and associated funding at 
all levels, including funding formulas and methodologies related to 
determining Tribal shares.
     Identifying IHS staff who will consult with applicants on 
methods currently used to manage and deliver health care.
     Providing applicants with statutes, regulations and 
policies that provide authority for administering IHS programs.
    The grantee roles and responsibilities are critical to the success 
of the TSGP and include:
     Researching and analyzing the complex IHS budget to gain a 
thorough understanding of funding distribution at all levels and to 
determine which PSFAs the Tribe may elect to assume.
     Establishing a process by which Tribes can effectively 
approach the IHS to identify programs and associated funding which 
could be incorporated into their current programs.
     Determining the Tribe's share of each PSFA and evaluating 
the current level of health care services being provided to make an 
informed decision on new program assumption(s).

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    To be eligible for a Planning Cooperative Agreement under this 
announcement, an applicant must:
    A. Be a Federally-recognized Tribe as defined in 25 U.S.C. 450b(e). 
However, Alaska Native Villages or Alaska Native Village Corporations 
are not eligible if they are located within the area served by an 
Alaska Native regional health entity already participating in the 
Alaska Tribal Health Compact. Those Tribes not represented by a self-
governance Tribal consortium funding agreement within their area may 
still be considered to participate in the TSGP.
    B. Submit a Tribal resolution or other official action from the 
appropriate governing body authorizing the submission of the Planning 
Cooperative Agreement application. Tribal Consortia applying for a 
Tribal Self-Governance Planning Cooperative Agreement shall submit 
Tribal Council Resolutions from each Tribe in the consortium. Draft 
resolutions, submitted with the application, are acceptable in lieu of 
an official signed resolution. However, an official signed Tribal 
resolution must be received by the Division of Grants Management (DGM), 
Attn: John Hoffman, 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP, Suite 360, Rockville, MD 
20852, prior to the evaluation on July 6, 2009. If an official signed 
resolution is not received by July 6, 2009, the application will be 
considered incomplete and will be returned without consideration.
    * It is highly recommended that the Tribal resolution be sent by a 
delivery method that includes proof of receipt.
    C. Demonstrate, for three fiscal years, financial stability and 
financial management capability, which is defined as no uncorrected 
significant and material audit exceptions in the required annual audit 
of the Indian Tribe's self-determination contracts or self-governance 
funding agreements with any Federal agency. Applicants are required to 
submit annual audit reports for the three fiscal years prior to the 
year in which the applicant is applying for the planning cooperative 
agreement. The applicants may scan the documents and attach them to the 
electronic application. If the applicant determines that the audit 
reports are too lengthy, the applicants may submit them separately via 
regular mail by the due date, June 22, 2009. Applicants sending in 
audits via regular mail must submit two copies of the audits for the 
three previous fiscal years under separate cover directly to the 
Division of Grants Management, Attn: John Hoffman, 801 Thompson Avenue, 
TMP, Suite 360,

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Rockville, MD 20852, referencing the Funding Opportunity Number, HHS-
2009-IHS-TSGP-0001, as prescribed by Public Law 98-502, the Single 
Audit Act, as amended (see OMB Circular A-133, revised June 24, 1997, 
Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations). If 
this documentation is not received by June 22, 2009, the application 
will be considered as incomplete and will be returned to the applicant 
without further consideration. Applicants must include the grant 
tracking number assigned to their electronic submission by Grants.gov 
and the date submitted via Grants.gov in their cover letter 
transmitting the required audits for the previous three fiscal years.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    The Tribal Self-Governance Planning Cooperative Agreement 
announcement does not require matching funds or cost sharing to 
participate in the competitive grant process.

3. Other Requirements

    A. This program is described at 93.444 in the CFDA.
    B. If application budget documents exceed the stated dollar amount 
that is outlined within this announcement, the application will be 
returned to the applicant without further consideration.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Application package and detailed instructions for this 
announcement may be found through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) or 
at: http://www.ihs.gov/NonMedicalPrograms/gogp/index.cfm?module=gogp_funding.
    Information regarding this announcement may also be found on the 
Office of Tribal Self-Governance Web site at: http://www.ihs.gov/NonMedicalPrograms/SelfGovernance/index.cfm?module=planning_negotiation.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission:
    A. The application must contain the following:
    (1) Table of Contents.
    (2) Abstract (one page) summarizing the project.
    (3) Narrative (no more than seven pages) providing:
    (a) Background information on the tribe.
    (b) Proposed scope of work, objectives, and activities that provide 
a description of what will be accomplished including a one-page Time 
Frame Chart.
    (4) Budget narrative and justification.
    (5) Tribal Resolution (or official action).
    (6) Appendices:
    (a) Resumes or position descriptions of key staff.
    (b) Contractor/Consultant resumes or qualifications and scope of 
work.
    (c) Current Indirect Cost Rate Agreement.
    (d) Organizational Chart (optional).
    (e) Audits.
    B. The project and budget narratives must:
    (1) Be single spaced.
    (2) Be typewritten.
    (3) Have consecutively numbered pages.
    (4) Use black type not smaller than 12 characters per one inch.
    (5) Be printed on one side only of standard size 8\1/2\'' x 11'' 
paper.
    C. The seven page limit for the narrative does not include the work 
plan, standard forms, Tribal resolutions or letters of support, 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 Lobbying and Discrimination public policy.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 
12 midnight Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the deadline date. If 
technical challenges arise and the applicant is unable to successfully 
complete the electronic application process, the grantee must submit a 
request, in writing (e-mails are acceptable), to Michelle Bulls, DGM, 
at [email protected], to obtain approval to submit a paper 
application. The request must be submitted at least 15 days prior to 
the application deadline and should include 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 John Hoffman, 
Division of Grants Management, 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP, Suite 360, 
Rockville, MD 20852 by the due date, June 22, 2009. 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 nor considered for 
funding and will be returned to the applicant. IHS will not acknowledge 
receipt of applications.
    4. Intergovernmental Review:
    Executive Order 12372 requiring intergovernmental review is not 
applicable to this program.
    5. Funding Restrictions:
    A. Each planning cooperative agreement shall not exceed $75,000, 
including direct and appropriate indirect costs.
    B. Only one planning cooperative agreement will be awarded per 
applicant.
    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 or 
[email protected]. The Contact Center hours of operation are Monday-
Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST. If you require additional assistance 
please call the DGM at (301) 443-6290 and identify the need for 
assistance regarding your Grants.gov application. Your call will be 
transferred to the appropriate grants staff member. 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 Registration (CCR) and/or Grants.gov registration and/or 
requesting timely assistance with technical issues will not be a 
candidate for paper applications. CCR is the primary registrant 
database for the Federal Government and collects, validates, stores, 
and disseminates data in support of agency acquisition missions.
    To submit an application electronically, please go to http://
www.Grants.gov and select the ``Apply for Grants'' link on the home 
page. Download a copy of the application package on 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 
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 DGM must be 
obtained.
     Upon entering the Grants.gov site, there is information 
available outlining the requirements to the applicant regarding 
electronic submission of an application through Grants.gov, as well as 
the hours of operation. We strongly

[[Page 25266]]

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, the applicant must have a Data 
Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number and register in the CCR. You 
should allow a minimum of ten 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 DGM will retrieve your application 
from Grants.gov. The DGM 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-2009-IHS-TSGP-0001.
     If submission of a paper application is requested and 
approved, the original and two copies must be sent to the appropriate 
grants contact listed in Section IV.3.
     E-mail applications will not be accepted under this 
announcement.
DUNS Number
    Applicants are required to obtain a Data Universal Number System 
(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.dunandbradstreet.com 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 Tribes or Tribal organizations may already have a DUNS 
number. Please use the number listed above to investigate whether or 
not your Tribe or Tribal 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/CCRRegister. 
More detailed information regarding these registration processes can be 
found at http://www.grants.gov.

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

A. Goals and objectives of the project (30 points)
    Are the goals and objectives measurable and consistent with the 
purpose of the program and the needs of the people to be served, and 
are they achievable within the proposed time frame?
B. Organizational Capabilities and Qualifications (25 points)
    Describe the organizational structure of the tribe and their 
ability to manage the proposed project. Include resumes or position 
descriptions of key staff showing requisite experience and expertise 
and, where applicable, include resumes and scope of work for 
consultants that demonstrate experience and expertise relevant to the 
project.
C. Methodology (20 points)
    Describe fully and clearly the methodology and activities that will 
be used to accomplish the goals and objectives of the project.
D. Budget And Budget Justification (15 points)
    Submit a line-item budget with a narrative justification for all 
expenditures identifying reasonable and allowable costs necessary to 
accomplish the goals and objectives as outlined in the project 
narrative.
E. Management of Health Program(s) (10 points)
    Does the applicant propose an improved approach to managing the 
health program(s) and indicate how the delivery of quality health 
services will be maintained under self-governance?

2. Review and Selection Process

    In addition to the evaluation criteria in Section V.1., 
applications are considered according to the following:
    A. Application Submission:
    (1) The applicant and proposed project type is eligible in 
accordance with this cooperative agreement announcement.
    (2) Abstract, narrative, budget, required forms, appendices and 
other material submitted meet the requirements of the announcement, 
allowing the review panel to undertake an in-depth evaluation.
    (3) Applicants must not have previously received a planning 
cooperative agreement award.
    B. Competitive Review of Eligible Applications:
    Applications meeting eligibility requirements that are complete, 
responsive, and conform to this program announcement will be reviewed 
for merit based on the evaluation criteria by the Objective Review 
Committee (ORC) appointed by the IHS to review and make recommendations 
on these applications. The review will be conducted in accordance with 
the IHS Objective Review Guidelines. The technical review process 
ensures selection of quality projects in a national competition for 
limited funding. Applications will be evaluated and rated on the basis 
of the evaluation criteria listed in Section V.1. The ORC uses the 
criteria to evaluate the quality of a proposed project, determine the 
likelihood of success, and assign a numerical score to each 
application. The scoring of approved applications will assist the IHS 
in determining which proposals will be funded if the amount of TSGP 
funding is not sufficient to support all approved applications. 
Applications scored by the ORC at 60 points or above will be 
recommended for approval and forwarded to the DGM for cost analysis and 
further recommendation. The TSGP official will forward the recommended 
approval list to the IHS Director for final review and approval. 
Applications scoring below 60 points will be disapproved.

    Note: In making final selections, the IHS Director will consider 
the ranking factor and the status of the applicant's three previous 
years' single audit reports. The comments from the ORC will be 
advisory only. The IHS Director will make the final decision on 
awards.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices:
    The Notice of Award (NoA) will be initiated by the DGM and will be 
mailed via postal mail to each entity that is

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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 Final Executive 
Summary which identifies the weaknesses and strengths of the 
application submitted. Any correspondence other than the NoA announcing 
to the Project Director that an application was selected is not an 
authorization to begin performance.
    2. Administrative Requirements:
    Grants are administrated in accordance with the following 
documents:
     This Program Announcement.
     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, ``Cost Principles for 
State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments'' (Title 2 Part 225).
     Administrative Requirements: 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 the HHS Grants Policy Statement, Part II-27, IHS 
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 DGM 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 DGM.
    Generally, indirect costs rates for IHS grantees are negotiated 
with the Division of Cost Allocation (http://rates.psc.gov/) and the 
Department of the Interior National Business Center (1849 C St. NW., 
Washington, DC 20240) http://www.nbc.gov/acquisition/ics/icshome.html. 
If your organization has questions regarding the indirect cost policy, 
please contact the DGM at (301) 443-5204.
    4. Reporting:
    A. Progress Report. Program progress reports are required semi-
annually. These reports must be submitted within 30 days of the end of 
the half year and 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. Final 
financial status reports are due within 90 days of expiration of the 
budget/project period. Standard Form 269 (long form) will be used for 
financial reporting. The final SF-269 must be verified from the 
grantee's records on how the value was derived. Grantees must submit 
the reports consistent with the applicable deadlines.
    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.

VII. IHS Agency Contact(s)

    1. Questions on the programmatic issues may be directed to: Matt 
Johnson, Policy Analyst, Office of Tribal Self-Governance, Telephone 
No.: (301) 443-7821, Fax No.: (301) 443-1050, E-mail: 
[email protected].
    2. Questions on grants management and fiscal matters may be 
directed to: John Hoffman, Grants Management Specialist, Division of 
Grants Management, Telephone No.: (301) 443-5204, Fax No.: (301) 443-
9602, E-mail: [email protected].

VIII. Other Information

    The Public Health Service (PHS) strongly encourages all cooperative 
agreement and contract recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and 
promote the non-use of all tobacco products. In addition, Public Law 
103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain 
facilities (or in some cases, any portion of the facility) in which 
regular or routine education, library, day care, health care or early 
childhood development services are provided to children. This is 
consistent with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and 
mental health of the American people.

    Dated: May 20, 2009.
Randy Grinnell,
Deputy Director, Management Operations, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. E9-12316 Filed 5-26-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-16-P