[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 123 (Monday, June 27, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41567-41574]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-15115]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service


Office of Clinical and Preventive Services: National HIV Program; 
HIV/AIDS Prevention and Engagement in Care

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2016-IHS-OCPS-HIV-0001.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.933.

Key Dates

    Application Deadline Date: August 28, 2016.
    Review Date: September 1-8, 2016.
    Earliest Anticipated Start Date: September 30, 2016.
    Signed Tribal Resolution Due Date: August 28, 2016.
    Proof of Non-Profit Status Due Date: August 28, 2016.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Statutory Authority

    The Indian Health Service (IHS) is accepting competitive 
cooperative agreement applications for Human Immunodeficiency Virus/
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) Prevention and Engagement 
in Care. This program is funded by the Division of Sexually Transmitted 
Disease Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 
Funding for the HIV/AIDS award will be provided by CDC via an 
Interagency Agreement dated 06/10/2016 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 (CFDA) under 93.933.''

Background

    The IHS Office of Clinical and Preventive Services (OCPS), 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 AI/AN 
community's needs in achieving the goals of the National HIV/AIDS 
Strategy: Updated to 2020 (Strategy), released in July 2015. 
Specifically, this agreement seeks to increase local activities to move 
the Nation forward toward improving its HIV prevention and care 
outcomes with special emphasis in one of five areas:
    (1) Increasing access to comprehensive Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis 
(PrEP) services for those whom it is appropriate and desired;
    (2) Identifying local-level priorities for HIV care needs and 
creating tools and resources appropriate to meet those priorities;
    (3) Improving engagement and retention in care among People Living 
with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA);
    (4) Supporting and educating communities on risk reduction 
activities for persons who inject drugs and extend access to services 
for medication-assisted therapies for persons with opioid addiction in 
accordance with Federal, state, Tribal, and local laws; and,
    (5) Increasing local-level delivery of age-appropriate HIV and 
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) prevention education.

II. Award Information

Type of Award

    Cooperative Agreement.

[[Page 41568]]

Estimated Funds Available

    The total amount of funding identified for the current fiscal year 
(FY) 2016 is approximately $500,000. Individual award amounts are 
anticipated to be between $20,000 and $100,000. 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. OS and IHS will concur on the final decision as to who 
will receive awards.

Project Period

    The project period is for five years and will run consecutively 
from September 30, 2016 to September 29, 2021.

Cooperative Agreement

    Cooperative agreements awarded by CDC are administered under the 
same policies as a grant. The funding agency 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 grantee will be responsible for activities listed under section 
B as stated:

Substantial Involvement Description for Cooperative Agreement

A. IHS Programmatic Involvement
    (1) Interpretation of current scientific literature related to 
epidemiology, statistics, surveillance, 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
    (1) Develop and deploy a plan of action to reduce disparities and 
increase services relevant to at least one of the above-named five 
areas of interest relevant to the updated Strategy.
    (2) 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 activities undertaken during the funding period. For 
more information on the Common Indicators, please see: https://www.aids.gov/pdf/hhs-common-hiv-indicators.pdf.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligibility

    To be eligible for this ``New Announcement'' under this 
announcement, an applicant must be one of the following as defined by 
25 U.S.C. 1603: i. An Indian Tribe, 25 U.S.C. 1603(14); operating an 
Indian health program operated pursuant to a contract, grant, 
cooperative agreement, or compact with IHS pursuant to the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA), (Pub. L. 93-638).
    ii. A Tribal organization 25 U.S.C. 1603(26); operating an Indian 
health program operated pursuant to as contract, grant, cooperative 
agreement, or compact with the IHS pursuant to the ISDEAA, (Pub. L. 93-
638).
    iii. An Urban Indian organization, 25 U.S.C. 1603(29); operating a 
Title V Urban Indian health program that currently has a grant or 
contract with the IHS under Title V of the Indian Health Care 
Improvement Act, (Pub. L. 93-437). 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.
    The following documentation is required:
Tribal Resolution
    An Indian Tribe or Tribal organization 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.
    An official signed Tribal resolution must be received by the DGM 
prior to a Notice of Award being issued to any applicant selected for 
funding. However, if an official signed Tribal resolution cannot be 
submitted with the electronic application submission prior to the 
official application deadline date, a draft Tribal resolution must be 
submitted by the deadline in order for the application to be considered 
complete and eligible for review. The draft Tribal resolution is not in 
lieu of the required signed resolution, but is acceptable until a 
signed resolution is received. If an official signed Tribal resolution 
is not received by DGM when funding decisions are made, then a Notice 
of Award will not be issued to that applicant and they will not receive 
any IHS funds until such time as they have submitted a signed 
resolution to the Grants Management Specialist listed in this funding 
announcement.
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/.

[[Page 41569]]

    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] 424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs.
    [cir] 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 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 rate (IDC) 
agreement (required) in order to receive IDC.
     Organizational chart (optional).
     Documentation of current Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) Audit as required by 45 CFR 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 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 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 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 activities and assist individuals. Explicitly state which 
major element from the Strategy that will be addressed and how this 
element is important to the needs of the community. 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 plans to 
meet its goals, including how the Tribe plans to demonstrate improved 
health and services to the community it serves. Include proposed 
timelines.
Section 2: Program Evaluation
    Describe fully and clearly the improvements that will be made by 
the Indian Tribe to manage the health care system and identify the 
anticipated or expected benefits for the Tribe or AI/AN people served.

Part C: Program Report--7 Pages

    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 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

[[Page 41570]]

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, the applicant 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 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 National HIV 
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/.

[[Page 41571]]

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 challenges to providing HIV care and retaining 
patients in care in the population.
    (3) Describe the gaps/barriers in awareness and access to PrEP for 
the population.
    (4) Describe the cultural or sociological barriers of the target 
population in seeking or accessing services, including HIV prevention 
services.
B. Project Objective(s), Work Plan and Approach (40 Points)
(1) Objectives
    i. Describe the objectives of the program and how they will improve 
HIV care and prevention outcomes in the community served. Identify 
which areas of HIV prevention and care will be addressed, particularly 
as they relate to:
    a. Increasing access to comprehensive PrEP services for those whom 
it is appropriate and desired;
    b. Identifying local-level priorities for HIV care needs and 
creating tools and resources appropriate to meet those priorities;
    c. Improving engagement and retention in care among People Living 
with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA);
    d. Supporting and educating communities on risk reduction 
activities for persons who inject drugs and extend access to services 
for medication-assisted therapies for persons with opioid addiction in 
accordance with Federal, state, Tribal, and local laws; and,
    e. Increasing local-level delivery of age-appropriate HIV and STI 
prevention education.
(2) Work Plan
    a. Identify the proposed program activities and explain how these 
activities will increase and sustain HIV prevention and/or care 
activities.
    b. Provide a clear timeline with quarterly milestones for project 
activities.
(3) Approach
    i. Describe how the program will be implemented to address the 
areas of interest identified in the objectives.
    ii. Describe how program will increase access to PrEP services for 
the community served.
    iii. Describe the program strategies to linking seropositive 
patients to care and effectively engaging them in care.
    iv. Describe program strategies to improve other HIV care and 
prevention outcomes.
    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 conduct harm-reduction 
activities relevant to the needs of persons who inject drugs.
    ix. Describe how the program will develop and disseminate age-
appropriate HIV and STI prevention education.
C. Program Evaluation (20 Points)
    (1) Grantee shall provide a plan for monitoring and evaluating 
proposed activities.
    (2) Evaluation planning must include reporting on the HHS HIV Core 
indicators relevant to the program's objectives and be aligned with 
updated NHAS indicators.
    (3) Optional Measures:
    i. 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.
    a. 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. Resum[eacute]s 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.
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) 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.
    (2) If indirect costs are claimed, indicate and apply the current 
negotiated rate to the budget. Include a

[[Page 41572]]

copy of the rate agreement in the appendix.
Multi-Year Project Requirements
    Projects requiring a 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.
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.
     Resum[eacute]s 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, 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 
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.
    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 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) https://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/finance/indirect-Cost-Services/indian-tribes. For 
questions regarding the indirect cost 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

[[Page 41573]]

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 ``Grants Note'' in the 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 
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 Indian Health Service.
    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

[[Page 41574]]

implementing regulations at 45 CFR part 75, effective January 1, 2016, 
the Indian Health Service 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 gratutity 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, Mailstop 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/reportfraud/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: Lisa C. 
Neel, MPH, HIV Program Coordinator, Office of Clinical and Preventive 
Services, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mailstop: 08N34A, Rockville, Maryland 
20857, Phone: 301-443-4305, Email: [email protected].
    2. Questions on grants management and fiscal matters may be 
directed to: Willis Grant, Grants Management Specialist, 5600 Fishers 
Lane, Mail Stop: 09E70, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-443-2214, 301-594-
0899, Email: [email protected].

    3. Questions on systems matters may be directed to: Paul Gettys, 
Grant Systems Coordinator, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: 09E70, 
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 A. Fowler,
Deputy Director for Management Operations, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-15115 Filed 6-24-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-16-P