[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 60 (Wednesday, March 28, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 18825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-7469]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration on Aging


Notice of Intent To Provide Expansion and Capacity Building 
Funding to the Incumbent Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Grantees Under 
Limited Competition

SUMMARY: The Administration on Aging is announcing the availability of 
expansion funds for the support of the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) 
Program. This additional funding opportunity will be used to expand the 
reach of the SMP program with the explicit purpose of expanding current 
program capacity to recruit, train, and support the SMP volunteer 
network. In addition, this funding opportunity will increase targeted 
collaborative efforts with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 
Services, Office of Inspector General and other law enforcement 
entities in identified high fraud states.
    Funding Opportunity Title/Program Name: Health Care Fraud 
Prevention Program Expansion and SMP Capacity Building Grants.
    Announcement Type: Health Care Fraud Prevention Program Expansion 
Capacity.
    Funding Opportunity Number: Program Announcement No. HHS-2012-AoA-
SM-1208.

    Statutory Authority:  HIPAA of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-191).

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 93.048 
Discretionary Projects.)


DATES: The deadline date for comments on this program announcement is 
April 27, 2012. Other important dates:
     The application due date April 30, 2012.
     The anticipated start date is September 30, 2012.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    During the past several years, the Department of Health and Human 
Services has increased efforts to fight Medicare and Medicaid fraud. 
The Administration on Aging (AoA), through the SMP program, has worked 
in partnership with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 
(CMS), the Office of Inspector General (OIG), and the Department of 
Justice to expand strategies to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in 
these Federal programs. This additional funding opportunity will be 
used to expand the reach of the SMP program with the explicit purpose 
of expanding efforts to target collaborative efforts with CMS, OIG and 
other law enforcement entities in high fraud states and to expand 
current capacity to recruit, train, and support the SMP volunteer 
network.

Justification for the Exception to Competition

    It is necessary to limit competition for this program to the 
current SMP grantees to expand their implementation efforts. In order 
for the outcomes expected to be produced within the allotted timeframe 
of the program, the infrastructure for achieving these results must 
already be in place. This infrastructure includes:
     A proven SMP volunteer management, training, and 
recruiting program;
     Expertise in capturing data in the SMP management, 
tracking, and reporting system (SMART FACTS);
     Established partnership relationships between the SMP 
program and state and local fraud control partners, including CMS, OIG, 
Attorney General, and State Insurance Commissioners offices;
     Developed and tested SMP program public awareness 
materials, brochures, PSAs, and other resources to use in outreach and 
educational efforts;
     Expertise and experience in reaching targeted populations 
with the SMP message, among others.

The current SMP projects are uniquely qualified to address the 
requirements contained in this funding opportunity. Their established 
infrastructure and expertise will enable them to successfully meet the 
challenging and time-sensitive requirements of this program. It is 
essential that the infrastructure, foundation of expertise, and proven 
experience is in place to assure the grant objectives are achieved.

II. Award Information

    A. Purpose of the Program: Health Care Fraud Prevention Program 
Expansion.
    B. Amount of the Awards: $20,000 to $300,000.
    C. Project Period: September 30, 2012-September 29, 2013.

III. Eligible Applicants

    Incumbent Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) grantees.

IV. Evaluation Criteria

    A. Project Relevance & Current Need. Weight: 5 points.
    B. Approach. Weight: 30 points.
    C. Budget. Weight: 10 points.
    D. Project Impact. Weight: 30 points.
    E. Organizational Capacity. Weight: 25 points.

V. Application and Submission Requirements

    A. SF 424--Application for Federal Assistance.
    B. SF 424A--Budget Information.
    C. Separate Budget Narrative/Justification.
    D. SF 424B--Assurances. Note: Be sure to complete this form 
according to instructions and have it signed and dated by the 
authorized representative (see item 18d of the SF 424).
    E. Lobbying Certification.
    F. Program narrative no more than five pages.
    G. Work Plan.
    H. The application should be submitted through grants.gov using the 
funding opportunity  HSS-2012-AoA-SM-1208.

VI. Application Review Information

    Three independent reviewers external to the Office of Elder Rights 
will score the applications.

VII. Agency Contact

    For further information or comments regarding this program 
expansion supplement, contact Rebecca Kinney, U.S. Department of Health 
and Human Services, Administration on Aging, Office of Elder Rights, 
One Massachusetts Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20001; telephone (202) 
357-3520; fax (202) 357-3560; email [email protected].

    Dated: March 22, 2012.
Kathy Greenlee,
Assistant Secretary for Aging.
[FR Doc. 2012-7469 Filed 3-27-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4154-01-P