[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 144 (Friday, July 26, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45246-45252]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17929]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Indian Health Service
Office of Clinical and Preventive Services National HIV Program:
Enhanced HIV/AIDS Screening and Engagement in Care
Announcement Type: New.
Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2013-IHS-OCPS-HIV-0001.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.933.
Key Dates
Application Deadline Date: August 26, 2013.
Review Date: August 29, 2013.
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: September 15, 2013.
Signed Tribal Resolutions Due Date: August 26, 2013.
Proof of Non-Profit Status Due Date: August 26, 2013.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Statutory Authority
The Indian Health Service (IHS) is accepting competitive
cooperative agreement applications for Enhanced HIV/AIDS Screening and
Engagement in Care. This program is funded by the Office of the
Secretary (OS), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Funding
for the HIV/AIDS award will be provided by OS via an Intra-Departmental
Delegation of Authority dated 07/17/13 to IHS to permit obligation of
funding appropriated by the Department of Defense, Military
Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Full-Year Continuing
Appropriations Act, 2013, Public Law 113-6. This program is described
in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under 93.933.
Background
The IHS Office of Clinical and Preventive Services (OCPS), National
Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/
AIDS) Program serves as the primary source for national education,
policy development, budget development, and allocation for clinical,
preventive, and public health HIV/AIDS programs for the IHS, Area
Offices, and Service Units. It provides leadership in articulating the
clinical, preventive, and public health needs of American Indian/Alaska
Native (AI/AN) communities and developing, managing, and administering
program functions related to HIV/AIDS.
Purpose
The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to meet community
needs for the enhancement of HIV/AIDS testing activities and the
provision of HIV/AIDS-related services among AI/AN people. Such
programs are necessary to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS and improve
quality of life for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The main goals
are to: increase the number of AI/AN with awareness of his/her HIV
status; and, improve engagement and retention in care among PLWHA.
Awardee activities will seek to: increase access to HIV related
services, reduce stigma, make HIV testing routine, and improve
engagement in care. Emphasis should be placed on increasing routine HIV
screening for adults as per 2006 Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) guidelines, provide pre- and post-test counseling
(when indicated), and developing or deploying strategies for engaging
PLWHA in appropriate, culturally responsive HIV-related care.
II. Award Information
Type of Award
Cooperative Agreement.
Estimated Funds Available
The total amount of funding identified for the current fiscal year
2013 is approximately $320,000. Individual award amounts are
anticipated to be between $60,000 and $90,000. All competing and
continuation awards issued under this announcement are subject to the
availability of funds. In the absence of funding, the IHS is under no
obligation to make any awards selected for funding under this
announcement.
Anticipated Number of Awards
Approximately four awards will be issued under this program
announcement. OS and IHS will concur on the final decision as to who
will receive awards.
Project Period
The project period will be for five years and will run
consecutively from September 1, 2013 to August 31, 2018.
Cooperative Agreement
In the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), a cooperative
agreement is administered under the same policies as a grant. The
funding agency (OS) is required to have substantial programmatic
involvement in the project during the entire award segment. Below is a
detailed description of the level of involvement required for both the
funding agency and the grantee. OS, through IHS, will be responsible
for activities listed under section A and the awardee will be
responsible for activities listed under section B as stated:
Substantial Involvement Description for Cooperative Agreement
A. IHS Programmatic Involvement
Provide funded organizations with ongoing consultation and
technical assistance to plan, implement, and evaluate each component of
the comprehensive program as described under Grantee Cooperative
Agreement Award Activities below. Consultation and technical assistance
will include, but not be limited to, the following areas:
(1) Interpretation of current scientific literature related to
epidemiology, statistics, surveillance, Healthy People 2020 Objectives,
and other HIV disease control activities;
(2) Design and implementation of program components (including, but
not limited to, program implementation methods, surveillance,
epidemiologic analysis, outbreak investigation, development of
programmatic evaluation, development of disease control programs, and
coordination of activities);
(3) Implementation of program management best practices;
(4) Conduct site visits to assess program progress and provide
programmatic technical assistance as travel funds allow; and
(5) Coordination of these activities with all IHS HIV activities on
a national basis.
B. Grantee Cooperative Agreement Award Activities
Assist AI/AN communities and Tribal organizations in
increasing the number of AI/ANs with awareness of their HIV status. The
grantee will assist and facilitate reporting of HIV diagnoses to local
and State public health authorities in the region as required by
applicable law.
Test at least one previously untested (not tested in the
prior five years) patient for every $75.00 in cooperative agreement
funds received, inclusive of all ancillary and indirect costs.
Collaborate with national IHS programs by providing
standardized, anonymous HIV surveillance data on a quarterly basis, and
in identifying and documenting best practices for implementing routine
HIV testing.
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Participate in the development of systems for sharing,
improving, and disseminating aggregate HIV data at a national level for
purposes of education for AI/AN communities, Government Performance
Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), Healthy People 2020 and other national-
level activities.
Develop or deploy services for PLWHA to engage or re-
engage (link) them into appropriate medical care, including treatment
and prevention services for comorbid conditions.
Provide a three page mid-year report and no more than a
ten page summary annual report at the end of each project year. The
report should include the HHS HIV common indicators and establish the
impact and outcomes of various methods of implementing routine
screening tried during the funding period.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligibility
This is a full competition announcement.
Eligible Applicants must be one of the following:
i. An Indian Tribe as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(14);
ii. A Tribal organization as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(26); or
iii. An Urban Indian organization as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(29).
Applicants must provide proof of non-profit status with the
application, e.g. 501(c)(3).
Note: Please refer to Section IV.2 (Application and Submission
Information/Subsection 2, Content and Form of Application
Submission) for additional proof of applicant status documents
required such as Tribal resolutions, proof of non-profit status,
etc.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
The IHS does not require matching funds or cost sharing for grants
or cooperative agreements.
3. Other Requirements
If application budgets exceed the highest dollar amount outlined
under the ``Estimated Funds Available'' section within this funding
announcement, the application will be considered ineligible and will
not be reviewed for further consideration. If deemed ineligible, IHS
will not return the application. The applicant will be notified by
email by the Division of Grants Management (DGM) of this decision.
Tribal Resolution
Tribal Resolution--A tribal resolution is not required for Urban
Indian organization applicants, however all applying Urban Indian
organizations must provide proof of non-profit status and a letter from
the Board of Directors authorizing the application. Board of Directors
letters are required to accompany the application submission. This can
be attached to the electronic application. An Indian Tribe that is
proposing a project affecting another Indian Tribe must include
resolutions from all affected Tribes to be served. Applications by
Tribal organizations will not require a specific Tribal resolution if
the current Tribal resolution(s) under which they operate would
encompass the proposed grant activities. Draft resolutions are
acceptable in lieu of an official resolution. However, an official
signed Tribal resolution must be received by the DGM prior to the
beginning of the Objective Review. If an official signed resolution is
not received by the Review Date listed under the Key Dates section on
page one of this announcement, the application will be considered
incomplete and ineligible.
Proof of Non-Profit Status
Organizations claiming non-profit status must submit proof. A copy
of the 501(c)(3) Certificate must be received with the application
submission by the Application Deadline Date listed under the Key Dates
section on page one of this announcement.
An applicant submitting any of the above additional documentation
after the initial application submission due date is required to ensure
the information was received by the IHS by obtaining documentation
confirming delivery (i.e. FedEx tracking, postal return receipt, etc.).
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Obtaining Application Materials
The application package and detailed instructions for this
announcement can be found at http://www.Grants.gov or http://www.ihs.gov/NonMedicalPrograms/gogp/index.cfm?module=gogp_funding.
Questions regarding the electronic application process may be directed
to Paul Gettys at (301) 443-2114.
2. Content and Form Application Submission
The applicant must include the project narrative as an attachment
to the application package. Mandatory documents for all applicants
include:
Table of contents.
Abstract (one page) summarizing the project.
Application forms:
[cir] SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance.
[cir] SF-424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs.
[cir] SF-424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.
Budget Justification and Narrative (must be single spaced and
not exceed five pages).
Project Narrative (must be single spaced and not exceed 15
pages).
[cir] Background information on the Tribe or organization.
[cir] Proposed scope of work, objectives, and activities that
provide a description of what will be accomplished, including a one-
page Timeframe Chart.
Tribal Resolution or Tribal Letter of Support (Tribal
Organizations only).
Letter of Support from Tribal Council or Organization's Board
of Directors.
501(c)(3) Certificate (if applicable).
Biographical sketches for all Key Personnel.
Contractor/Consultant resumes or qualifications and scope of
work.
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL).
Certification Regarding Lobbying (GG-LobbyingForm).
Copy of current Negotiated Indirect Cost rate (IDC) agreement
(required) in order to receive IDC.
Organizational Chart (optional).
Documentation of current OMB A-133 required Financial Audit
(if applicable).
Acceptable forms of documentation include:
[cir] Email confirmation from Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC)
that audits were submitted; or
[cir] Face sheets from audit reports. These can be found on the FAC
Web site: http://harvester.census.gov/sac/dissem/accessoptions.html?submit=Go+To+Database.
Public Policy Requirements: All Federal-wide public policies apply
to IHS grants with exception of the Discrimination policy.
Requirements for Project and Budget Narratives
A. Project Narrative: This narrative should be a separate Word
document that is no longer than 15 pages and must: be single-spaced, be
type written, have consecutively numbered pages, use black type not
smaller than 12 characters per one inch, and be printed on one side
only of standard size 8\1/2\'' x 11'' paper.
Be sure to succinctly answer all questions listed under the
evaluation
[[Page 45248]]
criteria (refer to Section V.1, Evaluation criteria in this
announcement) and place all responses and required information in the
correct section (noted below), or they will not be considered or
scored. These narratives will assist the Objective Review Committee
(ORC) in becoming more familiar with the grantee's activities and
accomplishments prior to this grant award. If the narrative exceeds the
page limit, only the first 15 pages will be reviewed. The 15-page limit
for the narrative does not include the work plan, standard forms,
Tribal resolutions, table of contents, budget, budget justifications,
narratives, and/or other appendix items.
There are three parts to the narrative: Part A--Program
Information; Part B--Program Planning and Evaluation; and Part C--
Program Report. See below for additional details about what must be
included in the narrative.
Part A: Program Information 3 pages
Section 1: Needs.
Describe how the Indian Tribe or organization has determined it has
the administrative infrastructure to support activities to increase
HIV/AIDS screening and assist individuals with accessing care. Explain
any previous planning activities the Tribe or organization has
completed relevant to this or similar goals.
Part B: Program Planning and Evaluation 5 pages
Section 1: Program Plans.
Describe fully and clearly the direction the Indian Tribe or
organization plans to take in the implementation of this program,
including how the Tribe plans to demonstrate improved health and
services to the community it serves. Include proposed timelines. The
total timeline should be no longer than one page.
Section 2: Program Evaluation.
Describe fully and clearly the improvements that will be made by
the awardee to manage the program and identify the anticipated or
expected benefits for the Tribe or AI/AN people served.
Part C: Program Report 7 pages
Section 1: Describe major accomplishments.
Please identify and describe significant program achievements
associated with the delivery of quality health services or outreach
services in the past 24 months in implementing previous grants,
cooperative agreements, or other related activities. Provide a
comparison of the actual accomplishments to the goals established for
the project period, or if applicable, provide justification for the
lack of progress.
Section 2: Describe major activities over the last 24 months.
Please identify and summarize recent major health related project
activities of the work done during the project period.
B. Budget Narrative: This narrative must describe the budget
requested and match the scope of work described the project narrative.
The budget narrative should not exceed five pages.
3. Submission Dates and Times
Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by
12:00 a.m., midnight Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the Application
Deadline Date listed in the Key Dates section on page one of this
announcement. Any application received after the application deadline
will not be accepted for processing, nor will it be given further
consideration for funding. The applicant will be notified by the DGM
via email of this decision.
If technical challenges arise and assistance is required with the
electronic application process, contact Grants.gov Customer Support via
email to [email protected] or at (800) 518-4726. Customer Support is
available to address questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except on
Federal holidays). If problems persist, contact Paul Gettys, DGM
([email protected]) at (301) 443-2114. Please be sure to contact Mr.
Gettys at least ten days prior to the application deadline. Please do
not contact the DGM until you have received a Grants.gov tracking
number. In the event you are not able to obtain a tracking number, call
the DGM as soon as possible.
If the applicant needs to submit a paper application instead of
submitting electronically via Grants.gov, prior approval must be
requested and obtained (see Section IV.6 below for additional
information). The waiver must be documented in writing (emails are
acceptable), before submitting a paper application. A copy of the
written approval must be submitted along with the hardcopy that is
mailed to the DGM. Once the waiver request has been approved, the
applicant will receive a confirmation of approval and the mailing
address to submit the application. Paper applications that are
submitted without a waiver from the Acting Director of DGM will not be
reviewed or considered further for funding. The applicant will be
notified via email of this decision by the Grants Management Officer of
DGM. Paper applications must be received by the DGM no later than 5:00
p.m., EST, on the Application Deadline Date listed in the Key Dates
section on page one of this announcement. Late applications will not be
accepted for processing or 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 not allowable.
The available funds are inclusive of direct and
appropriate indirect costs.
Only one grant/cooperative agreement will be awarded per
applicant.
IHS will not acknowledge receipt of applications.
6. Electronic Submission Requirements
All applications must be submitted electronically. Please use the
http://www.Grants.gov Web site to submit an application electronically
and select the ``Find Grant Opportunities'' link on the homepage.
Download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and
then upload and submit the completed application via the http://www.Grants.gov Web site. Electronic copies of the application may not
be submitted as attachments to email messages addressed to IHS
employees or offices.
If the applicant receives a waiver to submit paper application
documents, they must follow the rules and timelines that are noted
below. The applicant must seek assistance at least ten days prior to
the Application Deadline Date listed in the Key Dates section on page
one of this announcement.
Applicants that do not adhere to the timelines for System for Award
Management (SAM) and/or http://www.Grants.gov registration or that fail
to request timely assistance with technical issues will not be
considered for a waiver to submit a paper application.
Please be aware of the following:
Please search for the application package in http://www.Grants.gov by entering the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
(CFDA) number or the Funding Opportunity Number. Both numbers are
located in the header of this announcement.
If you experience technical challenges while submitting
your application electronically, please contact Grants.gov Support
directly at: [email protected] or (800) 518-4726. Customer Support is
available to address questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except on
Federal holidays).
[[Page 45249]]
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 from the agency must be
obtained.
If it is determined that a waiver is needed, the applicant
must submit a request in writing (emails are acceptable) to
[email protected] with a copy to [email protected]. Please
include a clear justification for the need to deviate from the standard
electronic submission process.
If the waiver is approved, the application should be sent
directly to the DGM by the Application Deadline Date listed in the Key
Dates on page one of this announcement.
Applicants are strongly encouraged not to wait until the
deadline date to begin the application process through Grants.gov as
the registration process for SAM and Grants.gov could take up to
fifteen working days.
Please use the optional attachment feature in Grants.gov
to attach additional documentation that may be requested by the DGM.
All applicants must comply with any page limitation
requirements described in this Funding Announcement.
After electronically submitting the application, the
applicant will receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that
contains a Grants.gov tracking number. The DGM will download the
application from Grants.gov and provide necessary copies to the
appropriate agency officials. Neither the DGM nor the OCPS will notify
the applicant that the application has been received.
Email applications will not be accepted under this
announcement.
Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
All IHS applicants and grantee organizations are required to obtain
a DUNS number and maintain an active registration in the SAM database.
The DUNS number is a unique 9-digit identification number provided by
D&B which uniquely identifies each entity. The DUNS number is site
specific; therefore, each distinct performance site may be assigned a
DUNS number. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy, and there is no charge.
To obtain a DUNS number, please access it through http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform, or to expedite the process, call (866) 705-
5711.
All HHS recipients are required by the Federal Funding
Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, as amended (``Transparency
Act''), to report information on subawards. Accordingly, all IHS
grantees must notify potential first-tier subrecipients that no entity
may receive a first-tier subaward unless the entity has provided its
DUNS number to the prime grantee organization. This requirement ensures
the use of a universal identifier to enhance the quality of information
available to the public pursuant to the Transparency Act.
System for Award Management (SAM)
Organizations that were not registered with Central Contractor
Registration (CCR) and have not registered with SAM will need to obtain
a DUNS number first and then access the SAM online registration through
the SAM home page at https://www.sam.gov (U.S. organizations will also
need to provide an Employer Identification Number from the Internal
Revenue Service that may take an additional 2-5 weeks to become
active). Completing and submitting the registration takes approximately
one hour to complete and SAM registration will take 3-5 business days
to process. Registration with the SAM is free of charge. Applicants may
register online at https://www.sam.gov.
Additional information on implementing the Transparency Act,
including the specific requirements for DUNS and SAM, can be found on
the IHS Grants Management, Grants Policy Web site: http://www.ihs.gov/NonMedicalPrograms/gogp/index.cfm?module=gogp_policy_topics.
V. Application Review Information
The instructions for preparing the application narrative also
constitute the evaluation criteria for reviewing and scoring the
application. Weights assigned to each section are noted in parentheses.
The 15 page narrative should include only the first year of activities;
information for multi-year projects should be included as an appendix.
See ``Multi-year Project Requirements'' at the end of this section for
more information. The narrative section should be written in a manner
that is clear to outside reviewers unfamiliar with prior related
activities of the applicant. It should be well organized, succinct, and
contain all information necessary for reviewers to understand the
project fully. Points will be assigned to each evaluation criteria
adding up to a total of 100 points. A minimum score of 60 points is
required for funding. Points are assigned as follows:
1. Criteria
A. Introduction and Need for Assistance (15 Points)
(1) Define the project's target population, identify unique
characteristics, and describe the impact of HIV on the population.
(2) Describe the gaps/barriers in HIV testing for the population.
(3) Describe challenges to providing HIV care in the population.
(4) Describe the cultural or sociological barriers of the target
population in seeking or accessing services.
B. Project Objective(s), Work Plan and Approach (40 points)
(1) Objectives
i. Describe the objectives of the program and how they will
increase HIV screening in (self-reported) previously untested clients.
ii. Describe how the objectives of the program will improve
linkages to care for PLWHA in the community.
(2) Work Plan
i. Identify the proposed program activities and explain how these
activities will increase and sustain HIV screening.
ii. Describe policy and procedure changes anticipated for testing
implementation that include:
1. Support of CDC 2006 Revised Testing Recommendations.
2. Increasing community awareness of new HIV testing and support
availability. Include activities meant to address and reduce stigma.
3. Reaching a wide range of persons including diverse age and sex
categories. If specific groups will receive specific outreach, explain
why and how.
4. Provide a clear timeline with quarterly milestones for project
activities.
(3) Approach
i. Describe how the program will ensure that clients receive their
test results, particularly clients who test positive.
ii. Describe how the program will ensure that individuals with
initial HIV positive test results will receive confirmatory tests. If
you do not provide confirmatory HIV testing, you must provide a letter
of intent or Memorandum of Understanding with an external laboratory
documenting the process through which initial HIV positive test results
will be confirmed.
iii. Describe the program strategies to linking seropositive
patients to care and effectively engaging them in care.
iv. Describe the program procedures for reporting seropositive
patients to the
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appropriate local and State public health authorities.
v. Describe the program quality assurance strategies.
vi. Describe how the program will ensure client confidentiality.
vii. Describe how the program will ensure that services are
culturally sensitive and relevant.
viii. Describe how the program will streamline procedures so as to
reduce the overall cost per test administered.
C. Program Evaluation (20 points)
(1) Grantee shall provide a plan for monitoring and evaluating
implementation of HIV tests and identify best practices related to
engagement and retention in care.
(2) Evaluation planning must include reporting of the following:
i. Facility-level information on gender, age, and race/ethnicity of
persons tested, with no personal identifiers.
ii. Number of HIV tests performed.
iii. Number of HIV tests performed in patients who self-report that
they have previously been untested (in the last 5 years).
iv. Number of positive tests.
v. Number of positive tests confirmed.
vi. Number of newly diagnosed HIV infections.
vii. Number of persons with positive tests who receive their
results.
viii. Number of persons with positive tests who are actively linked
to HIV care, as defined by attendance of at least one medical
appointment within three months of diagnosis.
ix. Measures in place to protect confidentiality.
(3) Optional Measures:
i. Number of clients refusing testing due to previous knowledge of
status.
ii. Sustainability measures undertaken to continue testing
following the end of this funding.
D. Organizational Capabilities, Key Personnel and Qualifications (20
points)
This section outlines the broader capacity of the organization to
complete the project outlined in the work plan. It includes the
identification of personnel responsible for completing tasks and the
chain of responsibility for successful completion of the project
outlined in the work plan.
(1) Describe the organizational structure.
(2) Describe what equipment (i.e., phone, Web sites, etc.) and
facility space (i.e., office space) will be available for use during
the proposed project. Include information about any equipment not
currently available that will be purchased throughout the agreement.
(3) List key personnel who will work on the project.
i. Identify staffing plan, existing personnel and new program staff
to be hired.
ii. In the appendix, include position descriptions and resumes for
all key personnel. Position descriptions should clearly describe each
position and duties indicating desired qualifications, experience, and
requirements related to the proposed project and how they will be
supervised. Resumes must indicate that the proposed staff member is
qualified to carry out the proposed project activities and who will
determine if the work of a contractor is acceptable.
iii. If the project requires additional personnel beyond those
covered by the supplemental grant, (i.e., IT support, volunteers,
interviewers, etc.), note these and address how these positions will be
filled and, if funds are required, the source of these funds.
iv. If personnel are to be only partially funded by this
supplemental grant, indicate the percentage of time to be allocated to
this project and identify the resources used to fund the remainder of
the individual's salary.
(4) Capability
i. Briefly describe the facility and user population.
ii. Describe the Tribe or the organization's ability to conduct
this initiative through: Linkages to treatment and care: partnerships
established to refer out of the facility as needed for specialized
treatment, care, confirmatory testing (if applicable) and counseling
services.
E. Categorical Budget and Budget Justification (5 points)
Provide a clear estimate of the project program costs and
justification for expenses for the entire grant period. The budget and
budget justification should be consistent with the tasks identified in
the work plan. The budget focus should be on increasing and sustaining
HIV testing services as well as supporting entry and retention into
care.
(1) A categorical budget (Form SF 424A, Budget Information Non-
Construction Programs) completing each of the budget periods is
requested.
(2) Budget narrative that serves as 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
allowable costs.
(3) Budget justifications should include a brief narrative for the
second year.
(4) 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.
Multi-Year Project Requirements
Projects requiring second, third, fourth, and/or fifth year must
include a brief project narrative and budget (one additional page per
year) addressing the developmental plans for each additional year of
the project.
Appendix Items
Work plan, logic model and/or time line for proposed
objectives.
Position descriptions for key staff.
Resumes of key staff that reflect current duties.
Consultant or contractor proposed scope of work and letter
of commitment (if applicable).
Current Indirect Cost Agreement.
Organizational chart(s) highlighting proposed project
staff and their supervisors as well as other key contacts within the
organization and key community contacts.
Map of area to benefit project identifying where target
population resides and project location(s). Include trails, parks,
schools, bike paths and other such applicable information.
Additional documents to support narrative (i.e. data
tables, key news articles, etc.).
2. Review and Selection
Each application will be prescreened by the DGM staff for
eligibility and completeness as outlined in the funding announcement.
Incomplete applications and applications that are non-responsive to the
eligibility criteria will not be referred to the ORC. Applicants will
be notified by DGM, via email, to outline minor missing components
(i.e., signature on the SF-424, audit documentation, key contact form)
needed for an otherwise complete application. All missing documents
must be sent to DGM on or before the due date listed in the email of
notification of missing documents required.
To obtain a minimum score for funding by the ORC, applicants must
address all program requirements and provide all required
documentation. If an applicant receives less than a minimum score, it
will be considered to be ``Disapproved'' and will be informed via email
by the IHS Program Office of their application's deficiencies. A
summary statement outlining the strengths and weaknesses of the
application will be provided to each disapproved applicant. The summary
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statement will be sent to the Authorized Organizational Representative
(AOR) that is identified on the face page (SF-424), of the application
within 30 days of the completion of the Objective Review.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
The Notice of Award (NoA) is a legally binding document signed by
the Grants Management Officer and serves as the official notification
of the grant award. The NoA will be initiated by the DGM in our grant
system, GrantSolutions (https://www.grantsolutions.gov). Each entity
that is approved for funding under this announcement will need to
request or have a user account in GrantSolutions in order to retrieve
their NoA. The NoA is the authorizing document for which funds are
dispersed to the approved entities and reflects 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.
Disapproved Applicants
Applicants who received a score less than the recommended funding
level for approval, 60 points, and were deemed to be disapproved by the
ORC, will receive an Executive Summary Statement from the IHS program
office within 30 days of the conclusion of the ORC outlining the
weaknesses and strengths of their application submitted. The IHS
program office will also provide additional contact information as
needed to address questions and concerns as well as provide technical
assistance if desired.
Approved But Unfunded Applicants
Approved but unfunded applicants that met the minimum scoring range
and were deemed by the ORC to be ``Approved'', but were not funded due
to lack of funding, will have their applications held by DGM for a
period of one year. If additional funding becomes available during the
course of FY 2013, the approved application may be re-considered by the
awarding program office for possible funding. The applicant will also
receive an Executive Summary Statement from the IHS program office
within 30 days of the conclusion of the ORC.
Note: Any correspondence other than the official NoA signed by
an IHS Grants Management Official announcing to the Project Director
that an award has been made to their organization is not an
authorization to implement their program on behalf of IHS.
2. Administrative Requirements
Cooperative agreements are administered in accordance with the
following regulations, policies, and Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) cost principles:
A. The criteria as outlined in this Program Announcement.
B. Administrative Regulations for Grants:
45 CFR Part 92, Uniform Administrative Requirements for
Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State, Local and Tribal
Governments.
45 CFR Part 74, Uniform Administrative Requirements for
Awards and Subawards to Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals,
and other Non-profit Organizations.
C. Grants Policy:
HHS Grants Policy Statement, Revised 01/07.
D. Cost Principles:
2 CFR Part 225--Cost Principles for State, Local, and
Indian Tribal Governments (OMB Circular A-87).
2 CFR Part 230--Cost Principles for Non-Profit
Organizations (OMB Circular A-122).
E. 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 (IDC) in their grant application. In
accordance with HHS Grants Policy Statement, Part II-27, IHS requires
applicants to obtain a current IDC rate agreement 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 covers the applicable grant activities under the current
award's budget period. If the current rate is not on file with the DGM
at the time of award, the IDC portion of the budget will be restricted.
The restrictions remain in place until the current rate is provided to
the DGM.
Generally, IDC rates for IHS grantees are negotiated with the
Division of Cost Allocation (DCA) https://rates.psc.gov/ and the
Department of Interior (Interior Business Center) http://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/Indirect_Cost_Services/index.cfm. For questions
regarding the indirect cost policy, please call (301) 443-5204 to
request assistance.
4. Reporting Requirements
The grantee must submit required 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 requirement
applies whether the delinquency is attributable to the failure of the
grantee organization or the individual responsible for preparation of
the reports. Reports must be submitted electronically via
GrantSolutions. Personnel responsible for submitting reports will be
required to obtain a login and password for GrantSolutions. Please see
the Agency Contacts list in section VII for the systems contact
information.
The reporting requirements for this program are noted below.
A. Progress Reports
Program progress reports are required semi-annually, within 30 days
after the budget period ends. These reports must 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 Reports
Federal Financial Report FFR (SF-425), Cash Transaction Reports are
due 30 days after the close of every calendar quarter to the Division
of Payment Management, HHS at: http://www.dpm.psc.gov. It is
recommended that the applicant also send a copy of your FFR (SF-425)
report to the Grants Management Specialist. Failure to submit timely
reports may cause a disruption in timely payments to your organization.
Grantees are responsible and accountable for accurate information
being reported on all required reports: the Progress Reports and
Federal Financial Report.
C. Federal Subaward Reporting System (FSRS)
This award may be subject to the Transparency Act subaward and
executive compensation reporting requirements of 2 CFR Part 170.
The Transparency Act requires the OMB to establish a single
searchable
[[Page 45252]]
database, accessible to the public, with information on financial
assistance awards made by Federal agencies. The Transparency Act also
includes a requirement for recipients of Federal grants to report
information about first-tier subawards and executive compensation under
Federal assistance awards.
IHS has incorporated a Term of Award into all IHS Standard Terms
and Conditions, NoAs, and funding announcements regarding the FSRS
reporting requirement. This IHS Term of Award is applicable to all IHS
grant and cooperative agreements issued on or after October 1, 2010,
with a $25,000 subaward obligation dollar threshold met for any
specific reporting period. Additionally, all new (discretionary) IHS
awards (where the project period is made up of more than one budget
period) and where: (1) The project period start date was October 1,
2010 or after and (2) the primary awardee will have a $25,000 subaward
obligation dollar threshold during any specific reporting period will
be required to address the FSRS reporting. For the full IHS award term
implementing this requirement and additional award applicability
information, visit the Grants Management Grants Policy Web site at:
http://www.ihs.gov/NonMedicalPrograms/gogp/index.cfm?module=gogp_policy_topics.
Telecommunication for the hearing impaired is available at: TTY
(301) 443-6394.
VII. Agency Contacts
1. Questions on the programmatic issues may be directed to: Lisa C.
Neel, MPH, HIV Program Analyst, 801 Thompson Avenue, Suite 200,
Rockville, MD 20852, Phone: 301-443-4305 Email: [email protected].
2. Questions on grants management and fiscal matters may be
directed to: Andrew Diggs, Grants Management Officer, 801 Thompson
Avenue, TMP Suite 360, Rockville, MD 20852, Phone: 301-443-2262 Email:
[email protected].
3. Questions on systems matters may be directed to: Paul Gettys,
Grant Systems Coordinator, 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP Suite 360,
Rockville, MD 20852, Phone: 301-443-2114; or the DGM main line 301-443-
5204, Fax: 301-443-9602 E-Mail: [email protected].
VIII. Other Information
The Public Health Service 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 HHS mission to protect and advance the physical and
mental health of the American people.
Dated: June 5, 2013.
Yvette Roubideaux,
Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-17929 Filed 7-25-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-16-P