[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 8, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64703-64709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-29120]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service


Office of Clinical and Preventive Services; Division of 
Behavioral Health; the Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention 
Initiative for American Indian and Alaska Native Urban Programs

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2010-IHS-METHU-0001.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number(s): 93.933.

Key Dates:  Application Deadline Date: January 5, 2010. Review Date: 
January 12-13, 2010. Earliest Anticipated Start Date: February 1, 2010.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The Indian Health Service (IHS) announces competitive grant 
applications for the Methamphetamine & Suicide Prevention Initiative 
(MSPI) for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Urban Program 
communities. This program is authorized under the Snyder Act, 25 U.S.C. 
13, as amended, and Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA), 25 
U.S.C. 1653(e). This program is described at 93.933 in the Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance. The purpose of the Methamphetamine & 
Suicide Prevention Initiative for AI/AN Urban Programs (MSPI-U) is to 
expand community-level access to effective, urban AI/AN methamphetamine 
and/or suicide prevention and treatment programs. Resources will 
enhance evidence-based or practice-based methamphetamine and/or suicide 
prevention or treatment programs and/or community mobilization 
programs. The methamphetamine and suicide prevention or treatment 
funding will be used to:
     Provide community-focused responses that enhance evidence-
based or practice based methamphetamine and/or suicide prevention or 
treatment services or education programming.
     Coordinate services for communities to respond to their 
local methamphetamine and/or suicide crises.
     Participate in a nationally coordinated program focusing 
specifically on increasing access to methamphetamine and/or suicide 
prevention or treatment related activities among the Federal partners, 
Areas, Tribes, States, and academic or not-for-profit programs.
     Provide communities with needed resources to develop their 
own community-focused programs with preference for coordinated 
programming that maximizes the impact across communities and Tribal 
groups.
     Establish baseline data information related to 
methamphetamine abuse/suicides in the local communities.
     Adequately document the level of need for the community.
     Promote programs that will ensure measureable impact.
     Awardees' activities for this program are as follows:
     Develop a three (3) year action plan. Applicants must 
document how their methamphetamine and/or suicide prevention or 
treatment activities will be implemented as soon as possible but no 
later than six (6) months after award. The remainder of Year One, Year 
Two, and Year Three will focus on implementation. The primary intent of 
the action plan should be to illustrate how the applicant will enhance 
community access to or support community delivery of evidence-based or 
practice-based methamphetamine and/or suicide prevention or treatment 
services. The action plan should describe the project implementation 
process. The action plan should include objectives that are specific, 
measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-phased. Objectives should 
demonstrate adherence to the Government Performance and Results Act of 
1993 (GPRA), where applicable. The implementation process may be guided

[[Page 64704]]

by a community action organization, collaboration, or a group of 
partners to plan and implement a community-wide methamphetamine and/or 
suicide prevention or treatment project. If such partnerships or 
collaborations are already in place, provide a description of how they 
intend to expand their scope to include the implementation of the 
methamphetamine and/or suicide prevention or treatment project. 
Relevant partnerships working closely with and developing 
collaborations for the MSPI-U may include smaller urban organizations 
which combine their resources to implement this project. ``Relevant 
partnerships'' can be defined as developing cooperative agreements and/
or Memoranda of Agreement that clearly define how the collaboration 
will be conducted.
     Collaborations may also include other partners to share 
resources and information that could strengthen the program.
     The action plan should focus on developing or enhancing 
and implementing community-based, evidence or practice-based 
methamphetamine and/or suicide prevention or treatment strategies. The 
action plan for the community prevention or treatment program should 
include the proposed best and promising practices being implemented, 
identify information sharing processes, and define and identify 
interactive group activities, data collection (i.e. Resource and 
Patient Management System), evaluation, and ongoing quality assurance 
improvement processes. The project should include culturally 
appropriate behavioral, policy, and community approaches to 
methamphetamine and/or suicide prevention or treatment.
     Applicants must attend one (1) mandatory MSPI-U grantee 
meeting per year. The budget submitted should reflect travel costs for 
the project director and the local evaluator to attend this meeting. 
Location (city/hotel) and time frame for this meeting will be provided 
after award; however the meeting will generally last two to three days 
and attendance is mandatory. At these meetings, grantees will present 
the results of their projects and Federal staff will be available to 
provide technical assistance.
     Applicants must participate in a national evaluation of 
this project. Each grantee shall coordinate with their national MSPI 
project officer. The grantee shall work with the IHS staff and national 
MSPI project officer to develop a local process to measure specific 
outcome measures as consistent with national GPRA measures and IHS 
Division of Behavioral Health (DBH) program requirements.
     Up to a maximum of 20 percent of grant funds may be used 
to develop or enhance the grantee's local evaluation capacity for the 
purposes of meeting MSPI data collection requirements. All applicants 
will be required to employ the use of the Resource and Patient 
Management System (RPMS) and the RPMS behavioral health module or IHS 
Electronic Health Record. If the applicant is unable to utilize the 
RPMS as an information management system, the applicant should 
demonstrate within the application how they will satisfy the data 
collection requirements. Applicants will also be required to adhere to 
any and all GPRA requirements, where applicable.
     Other costs in conjunction with the evaluation of this 
project may include training (onsite and off-site), conference calls, 
and information sharing using e-mail and/or faxing materials.
     Applicants are expected to publicize their activities in 
the affected communities. The action plan may include:
     Identification of one to three environmental issues that 
community members have stated need to be addressed in order to promote 
the prevention and/or treatment of methamphetamine abuse and/or 
suicide. There should be some record that this has been identified as 
an issue that needs to be addressed. This may include local newspapers, 
Tribal Council meetings, Town Hall meetings, or radio programs.
     Community programs should inform their community about the 
program and its goals and the baseline data for the outcome indicators. 
The program should establish a time frame and setting to share their 
progress with the community. The settings could include regular 
programs on the radio station, monthly newspaper reports or newsletter 
mailings, or one or more graph or `thermometer' type billboards or 
centrally placed posters that track progress.
     The action plan should include a community gathering that 
is held to close out the project with an accounting of the progress by 
indicators and dialogue about next steps.

II. Award Information

    Type of Awards: Grant.
    Estimated Funds Available: The total amount identified for fiscal 
year (FY) 2010 is $1,103,000; FY 2011 is $1,103,000; FY 2012 is 
$1,103,000. Grand total of $3,306,000. The duration of these awards are 
for 12 months in each budget period. All awards issued under this 
announcement are subject to the availability of these funds. In the 
absence of funding, the agency is not under any obligation to make 
awards selected for funding under this announcement.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: IHS anticipates issuing five (5) 
awards under this announcement for FY 2010.
    Project Period: Three (3) Years, and is subject to the availability 
of funds.
    Award Amount: $220,600, per year.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

     Urban Indian organizations that operate a Title V Urban 
Indian Health Program: this includes programs currently under a grant 
or contract with the IHS under Title V of the IHCIA.
    The ICHIA, 25 U.S.C. 1603(e) defines an urban Indian organization 
as a non-profit corporate body situated in an urban center governed by 
an urban Indian controlled board of directors, and providing for 
maximum participation of all interested Indian groups and individuals, 
which body is capable of legally cooperating with other public and 
private entities for the purposes of performing the activities 
described in section 1653(e).
    Eligibility is limited to the aforementioned applicants because 
they have the necessary knowledge of, experience, and capability/
capacity to work within the urban AI/AN communities to perform the 
required activities.
    Applicants must provide a letter of support from the board of the 
urban Indian organization. If there is insufficient time to procure 
such a letter of support prior to submitting the application, the 
letter must be submitted within six months after award. Place this 
documentation behind the first page of your application form.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    The MSPI does not require matching funds or cost sharing.
Other Requirements
    A. If application budgets exceed the stated dollar amount that is 
outlined within this announcement, those applications will not be 
considered for funding.
    B. The budget should include a budget narrative and justification 
for all cost outlined in the application for the budget period and 
should explain why each line item is necessary or relevant to the 
proposed project.

[[Page 64705]]

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Applicant packages may be found at the Grants.gov Web site 
(http://www.grants.gov), or for a link to the package information go to 
the Grants Policy Staff Web site at http://www.ihs.gov/NonMedicalPrograms/gogp/gogp_funding.asp. Information regarding the 
electronic application process may be directed to Tammy G. Bagley, at 
(301) 443-5402. The entire application package and detailed application 
instructions are available at http://www.grants.gov/index.jsp.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    a. You must submit a project narrative with your application 
package. The project narrative must be submitted in the following 
format:
     Maximum number of pages: 25. If your narrative exceeds the 
page limit, only the first pages which are within the page limit will 
be reviewed.
     Font size: 12 point unreduced.
     Single spaced.
     8\1/2\'' x 11'' paper.
     Page margin size: One inch.

    Your narrative should address activities to be conducted over the 
entire project period. You must use the sections/headings listed below 
in developing your project narrative. Be sure to place the required 
information in the correct section, or it will not be considered. Your 
application will be scored according to how well you address the 
requirements for each section of the project narrative. Your project 
narrative must include the following items in the order listed:
     Statement of Need.
     Describe the target population as well as the geographic 
area to be served, and justify the selection of both. Include the 
numbers to be served and demographic information. Discuss the target 
population's language, beliefs, norms and values, as well as 
socioeconomic factors that must be considered in services to this 
population.
     Show that identified needs are consistent with priorities 
of the Tribes, State, or county that has primary responsibility for the 
service delivery system.
     Describe the local resource organizations in the 
community.
     Project Plan.
     Clearly state the purpose, goals and objectives of your 
proposed project and how it addresses the target population and the 
geographic area being served.
     Describe how the project is to be implemented, including 
the roles of staff to be hired.
     Provide a realistic timeline for the project (chart or 
graph) showing key activities, milestones, and responsible staff. 
[Note: The timeline should be part of the project narrative. It should 
not be placed in an appendix.]
     If you plan to include an advisory body in your project, 
describe its membership, roles and functions, and frequency of 
meetings.
     Describe how members of the target population help prepare 
the application and how they will help plan, implement, and evaluate 
the project.
     Identify any other organizations that will participate in 
the proposed project. Describe their roles and responsibilities and 
demonstrate their commitment to the project. Include letters of 
commitment from community organizations supporting the project in the 
appendix.
     Show that the necessary groundwork (e.g., planning, 
consensus development, development of memoranda of agreement) has been 
completed or is near completion so that the project can be implemented, 
and any prevention or treatment interventions can begin as soon as 
possible but no later than six (6) months after grant award.
     Describe any potential barriers to successful conduct of 
the proposed project and how you will overcome them.
     Describe your plan to ensure project sustainability when 
funding for this project ends. Also describe how program continuity 
will be maintained when there is a change in the operational 
environment (e.g., staff turnover, change in project leadership) to 
ensure stability over time.
     Organizational Capacity.
     Discuss the capability and experience of the applicant 
organization and other participating organizations with the target 
population. Provide Memoranda of Understanding or Letters of Agreement 
specifically for the proposed project from participating organizations 
in the appendix.
     Describe existing community infrastructure that addresses 
transitional/discharge or aftercare treatment.
     Provide a list of staff and position descriptions for 
those who will participate in the project, showing the role of each and 
their level of effort and qualifications. Include the project director 
and other key personnel, such as the local evaluator and prevention or 
treatment personnel.
     Describe the cultural characteristics of key staff and 
indicate if any are members of the target population/community.
     Describe the resources available for the proposed project 
(e.g., facilities, equipment), and provide evidence that services will 
be provided in a location that is adequate, accessible, compliant with 
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and amenable to the target 
population.
     Describe evidence of successful program management 
experience (see Criteria for more detail).
     Describe experience with other Federal, State, or private 
grants.
     Describe data collection experience and capacity for data 
storage. Clearly describe the project's information management system 
capabilities and history of its use (if any). Describe any plans to 
utilize the RPMS information management system with the implementation 
of this project. If applicant currently utilizes an alternate 
information management system or is unable to utilize RPMS as an 
information management system, the applicant should demonstrate within 
the application how they plan to satisfy the data collection 
requirements.
     Local Evaluation Capacity.
     Grantees must evaluate their projects and are required to 
describe their evaluation plans in their applications. The evaluation 
should be designed to provide regular feedback to the project to 
improve services. The evaluation must include both process and outcome 
components. Process and outcome evaluations must measure change 
relating to project goals and objectives over time compared to baseline 
information. Describe evaluation experience with current or past 
community projects.
     State willingness to work with IHS evaluation 
consultant(s) in developing community-specific outcome measures for the 
local and national evaluation.
     Demonstrate evidence of having secured or plans to secure 
a qualified local evaluation consultant and/or part-time employee to 
conduct data collection and data entry (e.g., resume, position 
description).
     Describe plans for data collection, management, analysis, 
interpretation and reporting. Describe the existing approach to the 
collection of data, along with any necessary modifications. Be sure to 
include data collection instruments/interview protocols in an appendix 
format.
     Demonstrate how the evaluation will be integrated with 
requirements for collection and reporting of performance data (e.g. 
RPMS and GPRA indicators, performance measures). Explain: How you will 
ensure privacy and confidentiality? Where data will be stored? Who will 
or will not have access

[[Page 64706]]

to information and how the identity of participants will be kept 
private, for example, through the use of a coding system on data 
records, limiting access to records, or storing identifiers separately 
from data? Describe adequate consent procedures.
     Applicants must consider their evaluation plans when 
preparing the project budget. No more than 20% of the total grant award 
may be used for evaluation and data collection (this is not a research 
grant).
    The evaluation must include both process and outcome components. 
Process and outcome evaluations must measure change relating to project 
goals and objectives over time compared to baseline information. 
Control or comparison groups are not required.
    Process components should address issues such as:
     How closely did the implementation match the plan?
     What types of deviation from the plan occurred?
     What led to the deviations?
     What effect did the deviations have on the planned 
intervention and evaluation?
     Who (program, staff) provided what services (modality, 
type, intensity, duration), to whom (individual characteristics), in 
what context (system, community), and at what cost (facilities, 
personnel, dollars)?
    Outcome components should address issues such as:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               FY 2009                  FY 2010                  FY 2011
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outcome measure  1:
    The proportion of                 N/A.....................  Baseline...............  Baseline.
     methamphetamine-using patients
     who enter a methamphetamine
     treatment program.
Outcome measure  2:
    Reduce the incidence of suicidal  N/A.....................  Baseline...............  Baseline.
     activities (ideation, attempts)
     in AI/AN communities through
     prevention, training,
     surveillance, & intervention
     programs.
Outcome measure  3:
    Reduce the incidence of           N/A.....................  Baseline...............  Baseline.
     methamphetamine abuse in AI/AN
     communities through prevention,
     training, surveillance, &
     intervention programs.
Outcome measure  4:
    The proportion of youth who       N/A.....................  Baseline...............  Baseline.
     participate in evidence-based
     and/or promising practice
     prevention or intervention
     programs.
Output measures  5:
    Establishment of trained suicide  N/A.....................  Baseline...............  Baseline.
     crisis response teams.
Output measure  6:
    Increase tele-behavioral health   N/A.....................  Baseline...............  Baseline.
     encounters.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Budget Justification (will not be counted in the stated 
page limit). You must provide a narrative justification of the items 
included in your proposed budget, as well as a description of existing 
resources and other support you expect to receive for the proposed 
project. Be sure to show that no more than 20% of the total grant award 
will be used for data collection and evaluation.
    Additional information shall be included in the application 
appendices. The appendices will not be counted toward the narrative 
page limit. This additional information includes:
     Position descriptions for key personnel including local 
evaluator and data collection/data entry employees. If the evaluator 
will be subcontracted, include a letter of commitment with a current 
biographical sketch from the individual(s). Job descriptions should be 
no longer than one page each.
     Curriculum Vitae/Resume of key personnel (project 
director, evaluator (if identified)). Resumes should be no longer than 
two (2) pages in length.
     Applicants must provide a letter of support from the board 
of the urban Indian organization.
    You are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number 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 (866) 705-
5711. For more information, see the IHS Web site at: http://www.ihs.gov/od/pgo/funding/pubcommt.htm.
    If your application form does not have a DUNS number field, please 
write your DUNS number at the top of the first page of your 
application, and/or include your DUNS number in your application cover 
letter.

3. Submission Dates and Times

    Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 
12 midnight Eastern Standard Time (E.S.T.) on the application deadline 
due date. If technical challenges arise and the applicant is unable to 
successfully complete the electronic application process, the applicant 
should contact Grants Policy Staff at (301) 443-5402 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 (e-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 (DGO), 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP, Suite 360, 
Rockville, MD 20852, (301) 443-5204 by 12 midnight E.S.T. on the 
application deadline date. 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. They will be returned to the applicant and 
will not be considered for funding.

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.
     IHS will not acknowledge receipt of applications.

[[Page 64707]]

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 (800) 518-4726 or 
[email protected]. The Contact Center hours of operation are 24 hours 
a day, 7 days a week. It is closed on all Federal holidays. 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 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 online, 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 Grants Policy 
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 DGO, 801 Thompson 
Avenue, TMP, Suite 360, Rockville, MD 20852 on or before 12 midnight of 
the application deadline date.
     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 DUNS 
Number and register in the CCR. You should allow a minimum of ten days 
working days to complete CCR registration. See below for more 
information 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 DGO will download your application from 
Grants.gov and provide necessary copies to the program office. The 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 
using 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-2010-IHS-METHU-0001.
    E-mail applications will not be accepted under this announcement.

DUNS Number

    Applicants are required to have a DUNS number 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 (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 (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

    Applicants are required to provide measures of effectiveness that 
will demonstrate the accomplishment of the various identified 
objectives of the cooperative agreement. Measures of effectiveness must 
relate to the performance goals stated in the ``Purpose'' section of 
this announcement. Measures must be objective, qualitative and 
quantitative, and must measure the intended process and outcome. These 
measures of effectiveness must be submitted with the application and 
will be an element of evaluation.
    Your application will be evaluated against the following criteria:
Project Plan (30) Points
     Comprehensively describe the proposed three (3) year 
project--5 points.
     Comprehensively describe the project's objectives and 
activities--5 Points.
     Include a timeline of activities. Is the timeline provided 
comprehensive--5 Points.
     Comprehensively describe and identify potential problem 
areas or barriers and propose solutions--5 Points.
     Provide community focused responses that enhance evidence-
based or practice-based methamphetamine and/or suicide prevention or 
treatment services or education programming--5 Points.
     Provide communities with needed resources to develop their 
own community-focused programs with preference for coordinated 
programming that maximizes the impact across communities and Tribal 
groups--5 Points.
Statement of Need (15) Points
     Provide an adequate baseline picture of the community--5 
Points.
     Provide a good description and justification for the 
identified project target population--10 points.

[[Page 64708]]

Organizational Capacity (20) Points
     Describe the community infrastructure addressing 
methamphetamine and/or suicide treatment or prevention--10 Points.
     Comprehensively provide evidence of successful 
methamphetamine and/or suicide program management capability--5 Points.
     Adequately describe the project staffing, their expected 
tasks/roles, experience and training, and time commitment--5 Points.
Local Evaluation Capacity (25) Points
     Address applicable outcomes/output measures and how they 
relate to stated activities and objectives--10 Points.
     State a willingness to collaborate and submit data into 
the MSPI national evaluation process--2 Points.
     Demonstrate evidence of commitment to securing a qualified 
local evaluation/data collection/entry capacity. Provide 
documentation--5 Points.
     Demonstrate how the program will use a portion of awarded 
funds (not to exceed 20 percent) to develop or enhance funding 
recipients' local evaluation capacity--2 Points.
     Describe how the funding recipients will establish 
baseline data and information related to methamphetamine abuse/suicides 
in the local communities--2 Points.
     Demonstrate how the data collection and storage capacity 
adequately supports the program. If data collected is non-RPMS based, 
does the proposal describe how such data will be submitted to IHS/HQ--2 
Points.
     Describe the local evaluation process in sufficient 
detail--2 Points.
National Evaluation Plan Capacity (10) Points
     State a willingness to participate in a nationally 
coordinated program focusing on increasing access to methamphetamine 
and/or suicide prevention or treatment related activities--5 Points.
     State a willingness to attend a minimum of one mandatory 
MSPI meeting per fiscal year--2 Points.
     State a willingness to participate in monthly/quarterly 
MSPI awardees conferences--3 Points.

2. Review and Selection Process

    Each application will be reviewed by the DGO for eligibility, 
compliance with the announcement, and completeness. Incomplete 
applications and applications that are non-responsive to the 
eligibility criteria will not advance through the review process. 
Applicants will be notified that their application did not meet 
submission requirements.
    Applications that meet eligibility requirements, are complete, and 
conform to this announcement will be subject to the competitive 
objective review and evaluation by an Ad Hoc Review Committee of 
Tribal, IHS, and other Federal or non-Federal reviewers. Applications 
will be reviewed against criteria. Reviewers will assign a numerical 
score to each application which will be used to rank applications. The 
review process will be directed by the DGO staff to ensure compliance 
with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and IHS grant 
review guidelines.
    In addition, the following factors may affect the funding decision:
     Geographic diversity.
    IHS will provide justification for any decision to fund out of rank 
order.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    Awards may start on February 1, 2010.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    The Notice of Award (NoA) will be initiated by the 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 and National Policy 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 
Nonprofit Organizations, and Commercial Organizations.''
     HHS Grants Policy Statement, January 2007.
     OMB Circular A-87, ``State, Local, and Indian Tribal 
Governments,'' (Title 2 Part 225) or OMB Circular A-122, ``Non-Profit 
Organizations'' (Title 2 Part 230).
     OMB Circular A-133, ``Audits of States, Local Governments, 
and Non-Profit Organizations'' (Title 2 Part 30)

3. Indirect-Cost Requirements

    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 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 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 the 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

    Progress Report. Semi-annual and annual reports are required. A 
format will be provided. 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. Copies of any materials 
developed shall be attached. Semi-annual progress reports must be 
submitted within thirty (30) days of the end of the half year. An 
annual report must be submitted within thirty (30) days after the end 
of the 12 month time period. 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. Reports. Grantees are

[[Page 64709]]

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) are 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 by 
the due date that will be outlined in the terms and conditions of the 
grant award.
    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.
    Telecommunication for the hearing impaired is available at: TTY 
(301) 443-6394.

VII. Agency Contact(s)

    We encourage inquiries concerning this announcement.
    For program technical assistance, contact: Bryan E. Wooden, LICSW, 
LCSW-C, DCSW, Office of Clinical and Preventive Services, Deputy 
Director, Division of Behavioral Health, 801 Thompson Avenue, Reyes 
Building, Suite 300, Rockville, Maryland 20852. Telephone: (301) 443-
2038. E-mail: [email protected].
    For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact:
    Roscoe Brunson, Jr., 801 Thompson Ave, Reyes Bldg, Suite 360, 
Rockville, MD 20852. Telephone: (301) 443-5204. E-mail: 
[email protected].

VIII. Other Information

    This and other IHS funding opportunity announcements can be found 
on the IHS Web site, Internet address: http://www.ihs.gov/NonMedicalPrograms/gogp/index.cfm. Click on ``Funding Opportunities'' 
then identify the appropriate opportunity.

    Dated: November 30, 2009.
Randy Grinnell,
Deputy Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. E9-29120 Filed 12-7-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-16-P