[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 59 (Monday, March 28, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17181-17188]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06969]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Indian Health Service
American Indians Into Nursing; Nursing Program
Announcement Type: New and Competing Continuation Limited
Competition.
Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2016-IHS-NU-0001.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.970.
Key Dates
Application Deadline Date: June 1, 2016.
Review Date: June 15, 2016.
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: August 1, 2016.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Statutory Authority
The Indian Health Service (IHS) is accepting competitive
cooperative agreement applications for American Indians into Nursing.
This program is authorized under section 1616e of the Indian Health
Care Improvement Act, Public Law 94-437, as amended (IHCIA). This
program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
(CFDA) under 93.970.
Background
The IHS, an agency within the Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS), is responsible for providing Federal health services to
American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). The mission of the IHS is
to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of AI/AN.
The IHCIA authorizes the IHS to provide grants and cooperative
agreements to colleges, universities, and other entities to develop and
maintain nursing education programs and recruit individuals to become
registered nurses, certified nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners
who will provide services to AI/AN people. The programs administered
are designed to attract and recruit qualified AI/AN individuals into
nursing and advance practice nursing professions. The American Indians
into Nursing program cooperative agreements or grant is used by the
educational institution to provide IHS scholarships to students
enrolled in nursing education programs.
Purpose
The purpose of this IHS cooperative agreement is to recruit,
retain, graduate and increase the number of registered nurses,
certified nurse midwives and nurse practitioners who deliver health
care services to AI/AN communities. The primary objectives of this
cooperative agreement grant award are to: (1) Recruit and train AI/AN
individuals to be registered nurses; (2) facilitate associate degree
registered nurses becoming baccalaureate prepared registered nurses;
(3) provide a program that prepares practicing registered nurses for
advance nursing education; (4) provide a program that encourages
registered nurses and advance practice nurses to provide or continue to
provide, health care services to AI/NA communities; and (5) provide
scholarships to individuals that will cover tuition, books, fees, room
and board, stipend for living expenses, or other expenses incurred in
connection with nursing or advance practice nursing programs.
The funding opportunity announcement solicits applications that
provide a preference to AI/AN students and a curriculum with a rural
health and public health focus.
Limited Competition Justification
The limitation is based on IHS geographically high need areas:
Navajo Area (NM, AZ) Billings Area (MT, WY), Great Plains Area (SD, ND,
NE., IA), Albuquerque Area (CO, NM NV), and Phoenix Area (NV, UT, AZ).
Historically and currently, these IHS areas have a high need for both
registered nurses and advance practice nurses. These IHS areas are
designated by the Health Resource and Service Administration (HRSA) as
Health Professions Shortage Areas (HPSA). Additionally, many of these
states have American Indian Serving Institutions (Tribal colleges and
universities) that feed into universities with nursing programs.
II. Award Information
Type of Award
Cooperative Agreement.
Estimated Funds Available
The total amount of funding identified for the current fiscal year
(FY) 2016 is approximately $1,669,697. Individual award amounts are
anticipated to be between $300,000 and $400,000. The amount of funding
available for competing and continuation awards issued under this
announcement are subject to the availability of appropriations and
budgetary priorities of the Agency. The IHS is under no obligation to
make awards that are selected for funding under this announcement.
Anticipated Number of Awards
Approximately five awards will be issued under this program
announcement.
Project Period
The project period is for three years and will run consecutively
from August 1, 2016 to July 31, 2019.
Cooperative Agreement
Cooperative agreements awarded by the HHS are administered under
the same policies as a grant. The funding agency, IHS, 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 IHS and the grantee. IHS will be
responsible for activities listed under section A and the grantee will
be responsible for activities listed under section B as stated:
[[Page 17182]]
Substantial Involvement Description for Cooperative Agreement
A. IHS Programmatic Involvement
(1) IHS assigned program official will work with project director
to ensure timely receipt of progress and audit reports and to ensure
program compliance.
(2) IHS program official will provide programmatic technical
assistance to grantees as needed.
(3) IHS program official will coordinate and conduct site visits as
needed, if funds are available for travel.
(4) IHS program official will conduct semi-annual conference calls
with grantees and students.
(5) IHS program official will work with the Division of Grants
Management (DGM) to ensure all goals and objectives of the program are
met.
(6) IHS program official will provide American Indians into Nursing
programs and scholarship recipients with an online handbook for IHS
scholarship service obligation requirements.
(7) IHS program official will initiate default proceedings within
90 days after receiving notification from the program director that a
student has been dismissed from the nursing program, withdrawn from
school, failed to graduate with a nursing degree, or failed to get
licensed and begin obligated service time within 90 days of graduation.
B. Grantee Cooperative Agreement Award Activities
(1) Awardee must designate a program director to manage the project
being supported by the grant. The program director is responsible for
the day-to-day management of the program and accountability for the
proper conduct of grant-related activities.
(2) The program director must have a current curriculum vitae on
file with DGM and the IHS program official.
(3) Notification in writing must be provided to the IHS program
official and the DGM for changes or replacement of the program
director.
(4) Awardee must provide scholarships, stipends, room and board and
other expenses incurred in connection with the program to individuals
enrolled in the nursing program as stated in 25 U.S.C. 1616e(b)(2).
(5) Awardee will become familiar with the IHS service obligation
policy and will thoroughly review the IHS service obligation contract
with the IHS scholarship recipients.
(6) Awardee is required to maintain program records for IHS
scholarship recipients using a secure web based system during the
awarded project of performance.
(7) Awardee will assist IHS program official in monitoring
fulfillment of all contractual obligations incurred by the nursing
program and IHS scholarship recipient.
(8) Awardee is expected to collaborate with other American Indians
into Nursing grant programs to share best practices, successes, and
challenges of the program.
(9) Awardee will complete an audit report at the end of each
academic year.
(10) Awardee will adhere to the terms and conditions of the IHS
nursing scholarship program, scholarship awards are for a 1-year
period; additional scholarship support may be awarded to each eligible
student for up to four years (maximum).
(11) Awardee will ensure that IHS scholarship recipients review the
American Indians into Nursing and INPSYCH Scholarship Recipients IHS
Grants Handbook 2015-2016 and carry out their IHS service obligation
after successful completion of their nursing program.
(12) Awardee will ensure that IHS scholarship recipient will notify
the program director and IHS program official of academic status,
change in information, notice of graduation, preferred assignment, and
placement update.
(13) Awardee will ensure that IHS scholarship recipient maintains
communication with IHS program official by submitting status reports
every six months from time of hire at IHS or Tribal health care
facility until service obligation is complete.
III. Eligibility Information
I.
1. Eligibility
The following entities are eligible:
(a) Accredited public or private schools of nursing,
(b) accredited Tribally controlled community colleges and Tribally
controlled post-secondary vocational institutions, and
(c) nurse midwife programs and nurse practitioners programs, that
are provided by any public or private institution.
All schools of nursing must be fully accredited without
restrictions by a national nurse educational accrediting body or state
approval body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of
Education for the purposes of nursing education. The schools offering a
degree in nurse midwifery must provide verification of accreditation by
the American College of Nurse Midwives. Tribally-controlled community
colleges nursing programs and post-secondary vocational institutions
must be fully accredited by an appropriate recognized nursing
accrediting body without restrictions.
(a) In accordance with the IHCIA, funding preference will be given
to applicants who have: (1) Programs that provide a preference to AI/
AN; (2) programs that train nurse midwives or nurse practitioners; and
(3) programs that are interdisciplinary, i.e. with medicine, pharmacy,
dental and behavioral health students.
(b) Priorities: All complete, eligible applications will be
considered. If more than one university and college application is
received from an IHS area, only one award will be made to that
particular area providing a DNP, MSN, BSN, or ADN program.
1. Priority I: At least two awards to public or private college or
university, school of nursing which provides DNP, MSN, BSN, ADN
(registered nurse, nurse practitioner, nurse midwife) degrees, not to
exceed $400,000 per year up to a project period of five years.
2. Priority II: At least three awards to a Tribally-controlled
community college, school of nursing which provides BSN and ADN
(registered nurse) degrees, not to exceed $400,000 per year up to a
project period of five years.
(c) Other preferences: Schools of nursing that have transcultural,
cultural competency, and rural and public health care focus.
Current American Indians into Nursing grantees are eligible to
apply for competing continuation funding under this announcement and
must demonstrate that they have complied with previous terms and
conditions of the American Indians into Nursing cooperative agreement
in order to receive funding under this announcement.
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
[[Page 17183]]
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 DGM of this decision.
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/dgm/funding/.
Questions regarding the electronic application process may be
directed to Mr. Paul Gettys at (301) 443-2114 or (301) 443-5204.
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 30
pages).
[cir] Background information on the 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(s).
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-Lobbying Form).
Copy of current Negotiated Indirect Cost (IDC) rate
agreement (required) in order to receive IDC.
Organizational Chart (optional).
Documentation of current Office of Management and Budget
Audit, as required by 45 CFR part 75, subpart F or other 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 and
cooperative agreements 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 30 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 address and answer all questions listed under
the narrative and place them under the evaluation 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 shall not be considered or scored. These narratives
will assist the Objective Review Committee (ORC) in becoming familiar
with the applicant's activities and accomplishments prior to this
cooperative agreement award. If the narrative exceeds the page limit,
only the first 30 pages will be reviewed. The 30 page limit for the
narrative does not include the work plan, standard forms, 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 (10 page limitation)
Section 1: Needs
Present the comprehensive framework of the proposed American
Indians into Nursing program. Clearly describe the unmet AI/AN nursing
workforce needs in AI/AN communities. Describe the social determinants
and health disparities that impact AI/AN communities and how the
proposed program will serve the IHS and Tribal health care programs as
well as support to IHS scholarship recipients. Discuss how these social
determinants have historically effected access to AI/AN health care and
have impacted AI/AN student's access to education specifically nursing
education. Include the purpose and background of the program and prior
experience with nurse recruitment programs.
Part B: Program Planning and Evaluation (10 page limitation)
Section 1: Program Plans
American Indians into Nursing program applicants must develop a
comprehensive, succinct, well organized work plan to address the
proposed project. The information should include the elements below but
is not limited to the following: (1) Describe the administration of the
program-strategies, activities, methods, techniques, or steps that will
be use to achieve objectives in proposed project; (2) describe the
strategy to attract pre-nursing students and recruit, retain, and
graduate AI/AN nursing students and identify actions to monitor IHS
scholarship recipients post-graduation for IHS service obligation; (3)
describe how the activities of the project are defined by objectives
and how the project will achieve the desired outcomes; (4) include a
plan to achieve sustainability after the cooperative agreement is
complete; (5) describe how the program will incorporate support to AI/
AN nursing students who have experienced the social determinants in AI/
AN communities; and (6) describe how the program will support AI/AN
students in meeting their social, physical, spiritual and academic
needs.
Section 2: Program Evaluation
Applicant must provide a complete program evaluation plan that
describes the projects methodology and strategies for assessing the
progress of the objectives and outcomes of their program. The
evaluation should address the successes, failures, and continuing
improvements.
[[Page 17184]]
Part C: Program Report (10 page limitation)
Section 1: Describe major accomplishments over the last project
period for previous awardees.
Previous awardees shall include objectives, strategies, and a brief
description of the following for program function and or activity
involved: (1) Compare actual accomplishments to the goals established
for the period; (2) provide description of internal and external
collaboration, new resources secured, interventions, successes,
barriers identified and plans for the next quarter (academic year); (3)
indicate reasons for slippage where established goals were not met and
plan of action to overcome slippages; (4) indicate the number of
current AI/AN recipients in the program and their academic status; and
(5) indicate the number of AI/AN recipients placed in IHS and Tribal
facilities and whom have completed their service obligations.
Section 2: Describe major activities over the last 24 months.
Please identify and summarize recent major project activities of the
work done during the project period. Program activities shall include:
recruitment, retention and support activities to student, graduate and
evaluation demonstrating performance measures.
B. Budget Narrative: This narrative must include 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. Budget should match
the scope of work described in the project narrative. The page
limitation should not exceed five pages.
3. Submission Dates and Times
Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by
11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) 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. Grants.gov will notify the applicant via email if the
application is rejected.
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 Mr. Paul Gettys
([email protected]), DGM Grant Systems Coordinator, by telephone at
(301) 443-2114 or (301) 443-5204. 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 through Grants.gov, a waiver must be
requested. Prior approval must be requested and obtained from Mr.
Robert Tarwater, Director, DGM, (see Section IV.6 below for additional
information). The waiver must: (1) Be documented in writing (emails are
acceptable), before submitting a paper application, and (2) include
clear justification for the need to deviate from the required
electronic grants submission process. A written waiver request must be
sent to [email protected] with a copy to [email protected].
Once the waiver request has been approved, the applicant will receive a
confirmation of approval email containing submission instructions and
the mailing address to submit the application. A copy of the written
approval must be submitted along with the hardcopy of the application
that is mailed to DGM. Paper applications that are submitted without a
copy of the signed waiver from the Director of the DGM will not be
reviewed or considered for funding. The applicant will be notified via
email of this decision by the Grants Management Officer of the DGM.
Paper applications must be received by the DGM no later than 5:00 p.m.,
EDT, 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 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).
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 section 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
[[Page 17185]]
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 American Indian
into Nursing program 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 sub-awards. Accordingly, all IHS
grantees must notify potential first-tier sub-recipients that no entity
may receive a first-tier sub-award 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 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/dgm/policytopics/.
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 30 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 70 points is
required for funding. Points are assigned as follows:
1. Criteria
A. Introduction and Need for Assistance (10 points)
(1) Applications must justify overall need of the program and
clearly demonstrate the administration of the cooperative agreement,
and indicate prior experience with similar programs.
(2) Describe the target population receiving IHS scholarships
(preference will be given to schools of nursing that recruit, retain
and graduate AI/AN veterans and veterans who have medical military
experience).
(3) Describe how the program will increase the number of registered
nurses, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners in IHS.
(4) Describe relevance of the program relating the objectives to
the purposes of the cooperative agreement.
(5) Describe the differences between the current and proposed
activities (previous awardees).
B. Project Objective(s), Work Plan and Approach (40 points)
Applications must clearly state specific, time-framed, measurable
objectives for the goals related to the purpose of the IHS nursing
cooperative agreement.
(1) Objectives:
(a) Describe how the program will increase the number of AI/AN
nursing students that are recruited, retained and graduated from school
of nursing.
(b) Describe how the program will recruit AI/AN students who are
veterans and veterans who have experience as an emergency medical
technician (EMT), hospital corpsman, paramedic/military medic, license
vocational/practical nurse and nurses (associate or diploma nurse).
(c) Describe how the program will offer or establish formal bridge
program agreements between Tribal colleges, universities.
(d) Describe how the program will provide a program that increases
the skills of, and provide continuing education to registered nurses,
nurse practitioners and nurse midwives.
(e) Describe how the program will assist IHS program official with
job placement and track the IHS scholarship recipient's service
obligation.
(2) Methodology:
(a) Describe strategies, activities, steps, timelines, and staff
for implementation of proposal of projects.
(b) Describe the methodology of how IHS scholarships will be
awarded to nursing students.
(c) Provide evidence supporting the proposed methodologies using
historical data and prior experiences.
(3) Approach:
(a) Describes how the program will establish or collaborate with
existing IHS and Tribal programs and colleges.
(i) To establish an agreement for clinical rotations.
(ii) To establish a faculty exchange program to enhance cultural
competency and faculty strength.
(iii) Offer formal bridge programs agreements between Tribal
colleges and universities so as to provide a program that increases the
skills of, and provide continuing education to nurses, nurse
practitioners, and nurse midwives.
(b) Include challenges that are likely to be encountered or have
been a challenge in designing and implementing the activities in the
work plan and approaches that will be used to resolve challenges.
(c) Describe how the program will sustain the project after the
period of performance ends. Include in the sustainability plan the
barriers to achieving self-sufficiency.
C. Program Evaluation (30 points)
Applicant must include an evaluation plan that describes strategies
for
[[Page 17186]]
assessing the progress and outcomes of their projects. The evaluation
plan should be linked to the objectives and purpose of the cooperative
agreement. The proposed project shall have evaluation measures that
demonstrate how the program is meeting identified goals and objectives
where programs can collect, track, and report performance measures on a
semi-annual basis and for periodic audit reports. Applicants must
include how the program will collect and manage student scholarship
data. Applicants must describe any potential obstacles for implementing
the program performance evaluation and how those obstacles will be
addressed.
D. Organizational Capabilities, Key Personnel and Qualifications (15
points)
Provide information on applicant's organization, philosophy, and
practice methods. Describe how all will contribute to the ability to
conduct program requirements and meet American Indians into Nursing
program/cooperative agreement purpose, objectives, and expectations.
Include nursing accreditation documentation. All schools of nursing
that are associated with the project and have conferring degrees must
be accredited.
E. Categorical Budget and Budget Justification (5 points)
(1) Personnel costs: Applicants shall identify one program
director. Program director must be a licensed registered nurse.
(2) Key support personnel: Provide names, title, position
description, salary, and fringe benefits. Administrative cost is
limited to 25% of the award.
(3) Consultants: Provide names, affiliations and qualifications of
each consultant, including expected rate of compensation, travel, per
diem and other related costs.
(4) Travel: Name conferences or other recruitment events, airline
tickets, lodging, per diem, booth, public transportation, or other
related costs.
(5) Equipment: Must be related to the objectives of the project,
retained by awardee, use in accordance with the terms of the
cooperative agreement award, and must comply with procurement
requirements for Federal grant and cooperative agreements.
(6) Scholarships: Must cover tuition, fees, books, stipend, and
other related educational expenses. The proposed project must use IHS
scholarship funds in a manner that will meet the needs of eligible AI/
AN students. The budget narrative must indicate the number of students
to receive scholarship for each year of the cooperative agreement and
the amount of each scholarship per student.
Multi-Year Project Requirements
Projects requiring a second and/or third 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.
Additional Documents can be Uploaded as Appendix Items in Grants.gov
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.
Map of area identifying project location(s).
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.
Applications that meet the eligibility criteria shall be reviewed for
merit by the ORC based on evaluation criteria in this funding
announcement. The ORC could be composed of both Tribal and Federal
reviewers appointed by the IHS program to review and make
recommendations on these applications. The technical review process
ensures selection of quality projects in a national competition for
limited funding. Incomplete applications and applications that are non-
responsive to the eligibility criteria will not be referred to the ORC.
The applicant will be notified via email of this decision by the Grants
Management Officer of the DGM. Applicants will be notified by DGM, via
email, to outline minor missing components (i.e., budget narratives,
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.
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, 70 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
strengths and weaknesses 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 2016, the approved but unfunded 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 OMB cost principles:
A. The criteria as outlined in this Program Announcement.
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B. Administrative Regulations for Grants:
Uniform Administrative Requirements for HHS Awards,
located at 45 CFR part 75.
C. Grants Policy:
HHS Grants Policy Statement, Revised 01/07.
D. Cost Principles:
Uniform Administrative Requirements for HHS Awards, ``Cost
Principles,'' located at 45 CFR part 75, subpart E.
E. Audit Requirements:
Uniform Administrative Requirements for HHS Awards,
``Audit Requirements,'' located at 45 CFR part 75, subpart F.
3. Indirect Costs
This section applies to all grant recipients that request
reimbursement of 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) https://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/finance/indirect-Cost-Services/indian-tribes. For
questions regarding the IDC policy, please call the Grants Management
Specialist listed under ``Agency Contacts'' or the main DGM office at
(301) 443-5204.
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. Per DGM policy, all reports are required to be submitted
electronically by attaching them as a ``Grant Note'' in 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, a summary of progress to date 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 Payment
Management Services, HHS at: http://www.dpm.psc.gov. It is recommended
that the applicant also send a copy of the FFR (SF-425) report to the
grants management specialist. Failure to submit timely reports may
cause a disruption in timely payments to the organization.
Grantees are responsible and accountable for accurate information
being reported on all required reports: The Progress Reports and
Federal Financial Report.
C. Federal Sub-Award Reporting System (FSRS)
This award may be subject to the Transparency Act sub-award and
executive compensation reporting requirements of 2 CFR part 170.
The Transparency Act requires the OMB to establish a single
searchable 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 sub-awards and executive
compensation under Federal assistance awards.
IHS has implemented 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 sub-award 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 sub-award
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 DGM Grants Policy Web site at: http://www.ihs.gov/dgm/policytopics/.
D. Compliance With Executive Order 13166 Implementation of Services
Accessibility Provisions for All Grant Application Packages and Funding
Opportunity Announcements
Recipients of federal financial assistance (FFA) from HHS must
administer their programs in compliance with federal civil rights law.
This means that recipients of HHS funds must ensure equal access to
their programs without regard to a person's race, color, national
origin, disability, age and, in some circumstances, sex and religion.
This includes ensuring your programs are accessible to persons with
limited English proficiency. HHS provides guidance to recipients of FFA
on meeting their legal obligation to take reasonable steps to provide
meaningful access to their programs by persons with limited English
proficiency. Please see http://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/special-topics/limited-english-proficiency/guidance-federal-financial-assistance-recipients-title-VI/.
The HHS Office for Civil Rights also provides guidance on complying
with civil rights laws enforced by HHS. Please see http://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/section-1557/index.html and http://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/index.html. Recipients of FFA also have
specific legal obligations for serving qualified individuals with
disabilities. Please see http://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/disability/index.html. Please contact the HHS Office for
Civil Rights for more information about obligations and prohibitions
under federal civil rights laws at http://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/disability/index.html or call 1-800-368-1019 or TDD 1-800-
537-7697. Also note it is an HHS Departmental goal to ensure access to
[[Page 17188]]
quality, culturally competent care, including long-term services and
supports, for vulnerable populations. For further guidance on providing
culturally and linguistically appropriate services, recipients should
review the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically
Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care at http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=2&lvlid=53.
Pursuant to 45 CFR 80.3(d), an individual shall not be deemed
subjected to discrimination by reason of his/her exclusion from
benefits limited by federal law to individuals eligible for benefits
and services from the IHS.
Recipients will be required to sign the HHS-690 Assurance of
Compliance form which can be obtained from the following Web site:
http://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/forms/hhs-690.pdf, and send it
directly to the: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office
of Civil Rights, 200 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20201.
E. Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System
(FAPIIS)
The IHS is required to review and consider any information about
the applicant that is in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity
Information System (FAPIIS) before making any award in excess of the
simplified acquisition threshold (currently $150,000) over the period
of performance. An applicant may review and comment on any information
about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered. IHS
will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to other
information in FAPIIS in making a judgment about the applicant's
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal
awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as
described in 45 CFR 75.205.
As required by 45 CFR part 75 Appendix XII of the Uniform Guidance,
non-federal entities (NFEs) are required to disclose in FAPIIS any
information about criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings, and/
or affirm that there is no new information to provide. This applies to
NFEs that receive Federal awards (currently active grants, cooperative
agreements, and procurement contracts) greater than $10,000,000 for any
period of time during the period of performance of an award/project.
Mandatory Disclosure Requirements
As required by 2 CFR part 200 of the Uniform Guidance, and the HHS
implementing regulations at 45 CFR part 75, effective January 1, 2016,
the IHS must require a non-federal entity or an applicant for a Federal
award to disclose, in a timely manner, in writing to the IHS or pass-
through entity all violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud,
bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the Federal
award.
Submission is required for all applicants and recipients, in
writing, to the IHS and to the HHS Office of Inspector General all
information related to violations of Federal criminal law involving
fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the
federal award. 45 CFR 75.113
Disclosures must be sent in writing to: U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services, Indian Health Service, Division of Grants
Management, ATTN: Robert Tarwater, Director, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail
Stop 09E70, Rockville, Maryland 20857, (Include ``Mandatory Grant
Disclosures'' in subject line), Ofc: (301) 443-5204, Fax: (301) 594-
0899, Email: [email protected].
AND
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector
General, ATTN: Mandatory Grant Disclosures, Intake Coordinator, 330
Independence Avenue SW, Cohen Building, Room 5527, Washington, DC
20201, URL: http://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud/index.asp, (Include
``Mandatory Grant Disclosures'' in subject line), Fax: (202) 205-0604
(Include ``Mandatory Grant Disclosures'' in subject line) or, Email:
[email protected].
Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the
remedies described in 45 CFR 75.371. Remedies for noncompliance,
including suspension or debarment (See 2 CFR parts 180 & 376 and 31
U.S.C. 3321).
VII. Agency Contacts
1. Questions on the programmatic issues may be directed to: Naomi
Aspaas, BSN, RN, Program Official, Office of Human Resource, Division
of Health Professions Support, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: OHR
11E53A, Rockville, MD 20857, Phone: (301) 443-5710, Fax: (301) 443-
1071, Email: [email protected].
2. Questions on grants management and fiscal matters may be
directed to: Vanietta Armstrong, Senior Grants Management Specialist,
5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: 09E70, Rockville, MD 20857, Phone: (301)
443-4792, Fax: (301) 594-0899, Email: [email protected].
3. Questions on systems matters may be directed to: Paul Gettys,
Grant Systems Coordinator, Mail Stop: 09E70, 5600 Fishers Lane,
Rockville, MD 20857, 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: March 21, 2016.
Elizabeth Fowler,
Deputy Director for Management Operations, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-06969 Filed 3-25-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-16-P