[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 211 (Thursday, November 4, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60859-60867]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24022]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service


Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention Program: Suicide 
Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2022-IHS-SPIP-0001.
    Assistance Listing (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance or CFDA) 
Number: 93.654.

Key Dates

    Application Deadline Date: February 2, 2022.
    Earliest Anticipated Start Date: March 21, 2022.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Statutory Authority

    The Indian Health Service (IHS) is accepting applications for a 
component of the Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention (SASP) Program: 
Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention (SPIP). This program 
is authorized under the Snyder Act, 25 U.S.C. 13; the Transfer Act, 42 
U.S.C. 2001(a); and the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, 25 U.S.C. 
1601-1683. This program is described in the Assistance Listings located 
at https://sam.gov/content/home (formerly known as the CFDA) under 
93.654.

Background

    The origin of the SASP SPIP grant program began with the 
Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative (MSPI), conducted 
from September 2009-August 2015. In that nationally coordinated 6-year 
demonstration pilot project, the IHS funded 130 IHS, Tribal, and Urban 
Indian organizations (UIOs) that focused on providing methamphetamine 
and suicide prevention and intervention resources for Indian Country.
    The second phase of the funding cycle built on lessons learned from 
the MSPI pilot and was implemented from September 2015--September 2020 
and funded 174 IHS, Tribal, and UIO projects. This phase of the SPIP 
portion of the SASP Program will build upon previous years' work and 
lessons learned, and will continue to promote the use and development 
of evidence-based and practice-based models that represent culturally 
appropriate prevention and treatment approaches to substance use and 
suicide prevention from a community-driven context. For a complete 
listing of demonstration pilot and cohort one projects, please visit 
https://www.ihs.gov/sasp/pilotprojects20092014/ and https://www.ihs.gov/sasp/fundedprojects/.
    In previous years, awards were made from the same funding 
opportunity announcement with four distinct ``purpose areas.'' In order 
to provide program clarity and tracking of outcomes, the IHS is 
offering funding through separate notice of funding opportunity 
announcements for fiscal year (FY) 2022. This funding opportunity is 
focused on Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention. There 
will not be separate ``purpose areas'' for this funding opportunity.

Purpose

    The primary purpose of this program is to reduce the prevalence of 
suicide among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. 
Tribes can accomplish these goals by:
    1. Improving care coordination;
    2. Expanding behavioral health care services through the use of 
culturally appropriate evidence-based and practice-based models to 
address these issues; and
    3. Developing or expanding on activities for the Generation 
Indigenous (Gen-I) Initiative by implementing early intervention 
strategies for AI/AN youth at risk for suicidal behavior, in addition 
to any proposed activities for the adult population.
    In alignment with the IHS 2019-2023 Strategic Plan Goal 1: To 
ensure that comprehensive, culturally appropriate personal and public 
health services are available and accessible to AI/AN people, the SASP 
program is designed to ensure access to comprehensive, culturally 
appropriate services and promote quality programming to address suicide 
for AI/AN youth and adults. The IHS supports Tribal efforts that 
include addressing suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention 
from a community-driven context. The IHS encourages applicants to 
develop and submit a plan that emphasizes cross-system collaboration, 
the inclusion of family, youth, and community resources, and culturally 
appropriate approaches.

Required Activities

    The focus of this funding opportunity announcement is on the 
prevention, intervention, and postvention of suicide ideations, suicide 
attempts, and suicides among AI/AN populations.
    The IHS is seeking applications that include the following required 
activities:
    1. Foster coalitions and networks to improve care coordination:
    a. Educate and train providers on model practices for suicide 
screening (e.g., National Institute of Mental Health's Ask Suicide-
Screening Questions); evidence-based suicide risk assessment (e.g., 
National Institute of Mental Health's Brief Suicide Safety Assessment); 
suicide care such as the Collaborative Assessment and Management of 
Suicidality (CAMS) model; Safety Planning (e.g., Suicide Prevention and 
Resource Center); Lethal Means Counseling (e.g., Counseling on Access 
to Lethal Means); and trauma informed care (e.g., Dialectical 
Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Therapy for Suicide Prevention, Problem 
Solving Therapy, Mentalization-Based Treatment, Psychodynamic 
Interpersonal Therapy, and Cognitive

[[Page 60860]]

Behavioral Therapy for Suicide Prevention).
    b. Educate and train community members to recognize and respond to 
the warning signs of suicide and prevent and intervene in suicides and 
suicide ideations (e.g., Questions, Persuade and Refer, Applied Suicide 
Intervention Skills Training, and Mental Health First Aid).
    c. Increase community awareness of local behavioral health 
resources.
    d. Develop community suicide response teams.
    e. Develop community suicide response plans.
    f. Establish local health system policies/protocols to integrate 
suicide prevention and intervention services in schools, courts, 
corrections/detention systems, and law enforcement agencies.
    2. Expand available behavioral health care treatment services:
    a. Develop a strategic plan to address the health system 
organizational needs for suicide prevention, intervention, and 
postvention services including the use, or expansion, of telehealth and 
similar technologies.
    b. Integrate behavioral health into the primary care setting for 
suicide care and screening to include the use or expansion of 
telehealth and similar technologies.
    c. Provide evidence-based suicide care for clients at risk for 
suicide.
    d. Provide access to culturally appropriate treatment services and 
resources.
    e. Implement a trauma-informed approach and trauma-informed care 
treatment and services.
    3. Improve the referral process:
    a. Increase the capacity of community members and service providers 
(i.e., primary care, schools, child welfare, and criminal justice) to 
make appropriate screening and referral to behavioral health services 
and supports related to suicide prevention, intervention, and 
postvention.
    b. Refer to cultural services and/or culturally appropriate suicide 
prevention, intervention, or postvention services, including natural 
support systems.
    4. In addition to any proposed activities for the adult population, 
develop or expand on activities for the Gen-I Initiative by 
implementing culturally appropriate evidence-based and practice-based 
approaches to build resiliency, resistance, hardiness, empathy, promote 
positive development, and increase self-sufficiency behaviors among 
Native youth:
    a. Implement evidence-based and practice-based interventions in 
suicide prevention for Native youth in the community.
    b. Provide support services to Native youth and their families 
impacted by suicide.
    c. Promote positive development and increase self-sufficiency of 
Native youth by providing culturally appropriate suicide prevention 
activities through use of traditional practices (e.g., language 
rejuvenation, language immersion, song and storytelling teaching, and 
oral history rejuvenation).
    d. Promote family and community engagement in the planning and 
implementation of Native youth suicide prevention activities (e.g., 
Gathering of Native Americans).
    e. Provide school-based awareness/education about suicide 
prevention, intervention, postvention, and aftercare (e.g., Hope 
Squad).
    f. Support the development of Native youth peer-to-peer support and 
education programs.
    g. Promote/support the development of a Tribal Youth Council to 
provide guidance/feedback on community suicide prevention planning and 
strategic planning.
    5. Development of a formal plan/process to ensure the 
sustainability of the project activities beyond the grant life-cycle:
    a. Develop a community-based strategic plan to address the long-
term suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention needs of the 
community.
    b. Assess community and workforce needs and assets via a community 
and organization needs assessment and community resource asset mapping.

II. Award Information

Funding Instrument--Grant

Estimated Funds Available
    The total funding identified for FY 2022 is approximately 
$14,000,000. Individual award amounts for the first budget year are 
anticipated to be from $300,000 to $400,000. The funding available for 
competing and subsequent continuation awards issued under this 
announcement is 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 35 awards will be issued under this program 
announcement. Up to five awards will be set aside for eligible Urban 
Indian organizations.
Period of Performance
    The period of performance is for 5 years.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligibility

    To be eligible for this new funding opportunity, applicants must be 
one of the following, as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603:
     A federally recognized Indian Tribe as defined by 25 
U.S.C. 1603(14). The term ``Indian Tribe'' means any Indian Tribe, 
band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any 
Alaska Native village or group, or regional or village corporation, as 
defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims 
Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688) [43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.], which is 
recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided 
by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.
     A Tribal organization as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(26). 
The term ``Tribal organization'' has the meaning given the term in 
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
(25 U.S.C. 5304(l)): ``Tribal organization'' means the recognized 
governing body of any Indian Tribe; any legally established 
organization of Indians which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered 
by such governing body or which is democratically elected by the adult 
members of the Indian community to be served by such organization and 
which includes the maximum participation of Indians in all phases of 
its activities: Provided that, in any case where a contract is let or 
grant made to an organization to perform services benefiting more than 
one Indian Tribe, the approval of each such Indian Tribe shall be a 
prerequisite to the letting or making of such contract or grant. 
Applicant shall submit letters of support and/or Tribal Resolutions 
from the Tribes to be served.
     An Urban Indian organization, as defined by 25 U.S.C. 
1603(29). The term ``Urban Indian organization'' means a nonprofit 
corporate body situated in an urban center, governed by an urban Indian 
controlled board of directors, and providing for the maximum 
participation of all interested Indian groups and individuals, which 
body is capable of legally cooperating with other public and private 
entities for the purpose of performing the activities described in 25 
U.S.C. 1653(a). Applicants must provide proof of nonprofit status with 
the application, e.g., 501(c)(3).

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    The program office will notify any applicants deemed ineligible.

    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 nonprofit 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

    Applications with budget requests that exceed the highest dollar 
amount outlined under Section II Award Information, Estimated Funds 
Available, or exceed the period of performance outlined under Section 
II Award Information, Period of Performance, are considered not 
responsive and will not be reviewed. The Division of Grants Management 
(DGM) will notify the applicant.
Additional Required Documentation
Tribal Resolution
    The DGM must receive an official, signed Tribal Resolution prior to 
issuing a Notice of Award (NoA) to any applicant selected for funding. 
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. However, if an official, signed Tribal 
Resolution cannot be submitted with the application prior to the 
application deadline date, a draft Tribal Resolution must be submitted 
with the application by the deadline date 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 application 
without a signed Tribal Resolution is selected for funding, the 
applicant will be contacted by the Grants Management Specialist (GMS) 
listed in this funding announcement and given 90 days to submit an 
official, signed Tribal Resolution to the GMS. If the signed Tribal 
Resolution is not received within 90 days, the award will be forfeited.
    Tribes organized with a governing structure other than a Tribal 
council may submit an equivalent document commensurate with their 
governing organization.
Proof of Nonprofit Status
    Organizations claiming nonprofit status must submit a current copy 
of the 501(c)(3) Certificate with the application.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Obtaining Application Materials

    The application package and detailed instructions for this 
announcement are available at https://www.Grants.gov.
    Please direct questions regarding the application process to Mr. 
Paul Gettys at (301) 443-2114 or (301) 443-5204.

2. Content and Form Application Submission

    Mandatory documents for all applicants include:
     Abstract (one page) summarizing the project.
     Application forms:
    1. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance.
    2. SF-424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs.
    3. SF-424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.
     Project Narrative (not to exceed 15 pages). See Section 
IV.2.A, Project Narrative for instructions.
    1. Background information on the organization.
    2. Proposed scope of work, objectives, and activities that provide 
a description of what the applicant plans to accomplish.
     Timeline (one page).
     Budget Justification and Narrative (not to exceed four 
pages). See Section IV.2.B, Budget Narrative for instructions.
     Tribal Resolution or Tribal Letter of Support (only 
required for Tribes and Tribal organizations).
     Letter(s) of Commitment:
    1. Local Organizational Partners;
    2. Community Partners;
    3. For Tribal organizations: from the board of directors (or 
relevant equivalent);
    4. For Urban Indian organizations: from the board of directors (or 
relevant equivalent).
     501(c)(3) Certificate (if applicable).
     Biographical sketches for all key personnel (e.g., project 
director, project coordinator, grants coordinator, etc.) (not to exceed 
one page each).
     Contractor/consultant qualifications and scope of work.
     Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL), if applicant 
conducts reportable lobbying.
     Certification Regarding Lobbying (GG-Lobbying Form).
     Copy of current Negotiated Indirect Cost rate (IDC) 
agreement (required in order to receive IDC).
     Documentation of current Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) Financial Audit (if applicable).
    Acceptable forms of documentation include:
    1. Email confirmation from Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC) that 
audits were submitted; or
    2. Face sheets from audit reports. Applicants can find these on the 
FAC website at https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx.
Public Policy Requirements
    All Federal public policies apply to IHS grants and cooperative 
agreements. Pursuant to 45 CFR 80.3(d), an individual shall not be 
deemed subjected to discrimination by reason of their exclusion from 
benefits limited by Federal law to individuals eligible for benefits 
and services from the IHS. See https://www.hhs.gov/grants/grants/grants-policies-regulations/index.html.
Requirements for Project and Budget Narratives
A. Project Narrative
    This narrative should be a separate document that is no more than 
15 pages and must: (1) Have consecutively numbered pages; (2) use black 
font 12 points or larger; (3) be single-spaced; and (4) be formatted to 
fit standard letter paper (8\1/2\ x 11 inches).
    Be sure to succinctly answer all questions listed under the 
evaluation criteria (refer to Section V.1, Evaluation Criteria) and 
place all responses and required information in the correct section 
noted below or they will not be considered or scored. If the narrative 
exceeds the page limit, the application will be considered not 
responsive and not be reviewed. The 15-page limit for the narrative 
does not include the standard forms, Tribal Resolutions, budget, budget 
justification and narrative, and/or other items.
    There are three parts to the narrative: Part 1--Program Planning; 
Part 2--Program Data Collection and Evaluation; and Part 3--Program 
Accomplishments Report. See below for additional details about what 
must be included in the narrative. The page limits below are for each 
narrative and budget submitted.
Part 1: Program Planning (Limit--10 Pages)
    Describe the scope of work the Tribe, Tribal organization, or UIO 
are planning by clearly and concisely outlining the following required 
components:
    1. Goals and Objectives. Reference all required objectives.
    2. Project Activities. Link your project activities to your 
outlined goals and objectives.
    3. Organization Capacity and Staffing/Administration. State your 
organization's current capacity to

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implement and manage this award (i.e., current staffing, facilities, 
information systems, and experience with previous similar projects).
Part 2: Program Data Collection and Evaluation (Limit--3 Pages)
    Based on the required objectives, describe how the Tribe, Tribal 
organization, or UIO plans to collect data for the proposed project and 
activities. Identify any type(s) of evaluation(s) that will be used and 
how you will collaborate with partners (i.e., Tribal Epidemiology 
Center (TEC)) to complete any evaluation efforts or data collection. 
Funded projects are encouraged to coordinate data collection efforts 
with their TEC or Urban Epidemiology Center (for urban awardees) and 
should describe their plan for coordination and collaboration with the 
TEC.
Part 3: Program Accomplishments Report (Limit--2 Pages)
    Describe the Tribe, Tribal organization, or UIO's significant 
program activities and achievements/accomplishments over the past 5 
years associated with suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention 
activities. Provide success stories, data, or other examples of how 
other funded projects/programs made an impact in your community to 
address suicide. If applicable, provide justification for lack of 
progress of previous efforts.
B. Budget Narrative (Limit--4 Pages)
    Provide a budget narrative that explains the amounts requested for 
each line item of the budget from the SF-424A (Budget Information for 
Non-Construction Programs). The budget narrative can include a more 
detailed spreadsheet than is provided by the SF-424A. The budget 
narrative should specifically describe how each item will support the 
achievement of proposed objectives. Be very careful about showing how 
each item in the ``Other'' category is justified. For subsequent budget 
years (see Multi-Year Project Requirements in Section V.1, Application 
Review Information, Evaluation Criteria), the narrative should 
highlight the changes from year one or clearly indicate that there are 
no substantive budget changes during the period of performance. Do NOT 
use the budget narrative to expand the project narrative.
    The SASP program proposal template and associated templates for the 
timeline chart, biographical sketch, budget and budget narrative/
justification can be located and downloaded from the SASP program 
website at https://www.ihs.gov/sasp/newsannouncements/.

3. Submission Dates and Times

    Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. 
Eastern Time on the Application Deadline Date. Any application received 
after the application deadline will not be accepted for review. 
Grants.gov will notify the applicant via email if the application is 
rejected.
    If technical challenges arise and assistance is required with the 
application process, contact Grants.gov Customer Support (see contact 
information at https://www.grants.gov). If problems persist, contact 
Mr. Paul Gettys ([email protected]), Acting Director, DGM, 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.
    The IHS will not acknowledge receipt of applications.

4. Intergovernmental Review

    Executive Order 12372 requiring intergovernmental review is not 
applicable to this program.

5. Funding Restrictions

     Pre-award costs are allowable up to 90 days before the 
start date of the award provided the costs are otherwise allowable if 
awarded. Pre-award costs are incurred at the risk of the applicant.
     The available funds are inclusive of direct and indirect 
costs.
     Only one grant will be awarded per applicant.
     The purchase of food (i.e., as supplies, for meetings or 
events, etc.) is not an allowable cost with this grant funding and 
should not be included in the budget/budget justification.

6. Electronic Submission Requirements

    All applications must be submitted via Grants.gov. Please use the 
https://www.Grants.gov website to submit an application. Find the 
application by selecting the ``Search Grants'' link on the homepage. 
Follow the instructions for submitting an application under the Package 
tab. No other method of application submission is acceptable.
    If the applicant cannot submit an application through Grants.gov, a 
waiver must be requested. Prior approval must be requested and obtained 
from Mr. Paul Gettys, Acting Director, DGM. A written waiver request 
must be sent to [email protected] with a copy to 
[email protected]. The waiver request must: (1) Be documented in 
writing (emails are acceptable) before submitting an application by 
some other method, and (2) include clear justification for the need to 
deviate from the required application submission process.
    Once the waiver request has been approved, the applicant will 
receive a confirmation of approval email containing submission 
instructions. A copy of the written approval must be included with the 
application that is submitted to the DGM. Applications that are 
submitted without a copy of the signed waiver from the Acting Director 
of the DGM will not be reviewed. The Grants Management Officer of the 
DGM will notify the applicant via email of this decision.
    Applications submitted under waiver must be received by the DGM no 
later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the Application Deadline Date. 
Late applications will not be accepted for processing. Applicants that 
do not register for both the System for Award Management (SAM) and 
Grants.gov and/or fail to request timely assistance with technical 
issues will not be considered for a waiver to submit an application via 
alternative method.
    Please be aware of the following:
     Please search for the application package in https://www.Grants.gov by entering the Assistance Listing (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, please contact Grants.gov Customer Support (see 
contact information at https://www.Grants.gov/).
     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.
     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 20 
working days.
     Please follow the instructions on Grants.gov to include 
additional documentation that may be requested by this funding 
announcement.
     Applicants must comply with any page limits described in 
this funding announcement.
     After submitting the application, the applicant will 
receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that contains a 
Grants.gov tracking number.

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The IHS will not notify the applicant that the application has been 
received.
Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
    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 
that 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 the request service through https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform, or call (866) 705-5711.
    The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, as 
amended (``Transparency Act''), requires all HHS recipients 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 are not registered with SAM must have a DUNS 
number first, then access the SAM online registration through the SAM 
home page at https://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). Please 
see SAM.gov for details on the registration process and timeline. 
Registration with the SAM is free of charge but can take several weeks 
to process. Applicants may register online at https://sam.gov.
    Additional information on implementing the Transparency Act, 
including the specific requirements for DUNS and SAM, are available on 
the DGM Grants Management, Policy Topics web page: https://www.ihs.gov/dgm/policytopics/.

V. Application Review Information

    Possible points assigned to each section are noted in parentheses. 
The project narrative and budget narrative should include only the 
first year of activities; information for multi-year projects should be 
included as a separate document. 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 fully understand the project. 
Attachments requested in the criteria do not count toward the page 
limit for the narratives. Points will be assigned to each evaluation 
criteria adding up to a total of 100 possible points. Points are 
assigned as follows:

1. Evaluation Criteria

A. Statement of Need (20 Points)
    1. Describe the history and current situation in the applicant's 
Tribal community (``community'' means the applicant's Tribe, village, 
Tribal organization, or consortium of Tribes or Tribal organizations). 
Provide facts and evidence that supports the need for the project and 
establish that the Tribe, Tribal organization, or UIO understands the 
problems and can reasonably address them.
    2. Provide background information on the Tribe, Tribal 
organization, or UIO.
    3. Identify the proposed catchment area and provide demographic 
information on the population(s) to receive services through the 
targeted systems or agencies (e.g., race, ethnicity, federally 
recognized Tribe, language, age, socioeconomic status, sexual identity 
(sexual orientation, gender identity), and other relevant factors, such 
as literacy). Describe the stakeholders and resources in the catchment 
area that can help implement the needed infrastructure development.
    4. Based on the information and/or data currently available, 
document the prevalence of suicide ideations, attempts, and 
completions. Data sources may include, but is not limited to, local 
data sources, TECs, IHS Area Offices, County/State-level data, or 
National databases such as the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) National Violent Death Reporting System at https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/datasources/nvdrs/index.html, CDC State 
Profiles at https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/datasources/nvdrs/stateprofiles.html, and/or the CDC Web-based Injury Statistics Query 
and Reporting System at https://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/index.html.
    5. Based on the information and/or data currently available, 
document the need for an enhanced infrastructure to increase the 
capacity to implement, sustain, and improve effective behavioral health 
services in the proposed catchment area that is consistent with the 
purpose of this funding opportunity announcement. Based on available 
data, describe the service gaps and other problems related to the need 
for infrastructure development. Identify the source of the data. 
Documentation of need may come from a variety of qualitative and 
quantitative sources.
    6. Describe the existing behavioral health service gaps, barriers, 
and other systemic challenges related to the need for planning and 
infrastructure development and coordination of suicide prevention 
services.
    7. Describe potential project partners and community resources in 
the catchment area that can participate in the planning process and 
infrastructure development.
    8. Affirm the goals of the project are consistent with priorities 
of the Tribal government or board of directors and that the governing 
body is in support of this application.
B. Project Goals, Objectives, Activities, and Approach (35 Points)
    Evidence-Based Practices, Practice-Based Evidence, Promising 
Practices, and Local Efforts: The IHS strongly emphasizes the use of 
data and evidence in policymaking and program development and 
implementation in developing and implementing Tribal and/or culturally 
appropriate suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention, as well 
as early intervention strategies. Applicants are required to identify 
one or more evidence-based practice, practice-based evidence, best or 
promising practice, and/or local effort that they plan to implement in 
the Project Narrative section of their application. The SASP program 
website (https://www.ihs.gov/sasp/) is one resource that applicants may 
use to find information to build on the foundation of prior projects' 
suicide prevention and treatment efforts.
    The IHS recognizes the limited range of formally evaluated 
evidence-based practices for suicide prevention, intervention, and 
postvention efforts that have been developed specifically for the AI/AN 
population. In addition to formally evaluated practices, evidence for 
other practices allowed in this grant program may include unpublished 
studies, preliminary evaluation results, clinical (or other 
professional association) guidelines, findings from focus groups with 
community members, local community surveys, etc. Each applicant is 
required to:
     Document the evidence that the practice(s) you have chosen 
is

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appropriate for the outcomes you want to achieve;
     Explain how the practice you have chosen meets the goals 
for this announcement, as identified in Section I;
     Describe any modifications/adaptations you will need to 
make to your proposed practice(s) to meet the goals of your project and 
why you believe the changes will improve the outcomes; and
     Discuss training needs or plans for training to 
successfully implement the proposed evidence-based practice(s).
    1. Clearly and concisely describe the purpose of the proposed 
project, including goals and objectives and how they are linked. 
Describe how the achievement of goals will increase system capacity to 
support the goals and required activities identified in Section I.
    2. Clearly and concisely describe how the proposed project 
activities are related to the proposed project's goals and objectives. 
Describe how the project activities will increase the capacity of the 
identified community to plan, improve, and sustain the coordination of 
a collaborative behavioral health and wellness service system to 
prevent suicide.
    3. Discuss how the proposed approach addresses the local language, 
concepts, attitudes, norms, and values about suicide.
    4. Describe how the proposed project will address issues of 
diversity within the population of focus including age, race, gender, 
ethnicity, culture/cultural identity, language, sexual orientation, 
disability, and literacy.
    5. Describe how members of the community (including youth and 
families that may receive services) will be involved in the planning, 
implementation, data collection, and evaluation of the project.
    6. Describe how the efforts of the proposed project will be 
coordinated with any other related Federal grants or programs funded 
through the IHS, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
Administration, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, or other Federal 
agencies.
    7. Provide a timeline chart depicting a realistic timeline for the 
project period showing key activities, milestones, and responsible 
staff. These key activities should include the required activities 
outlined in Section I.
    8. Identify any other organization(s) that will participate in the 
proposed project. Describe their roles and responsibilities and 
demonstrate their commitment to the project.
C. Organizational Capabilities, Key Personnel, and Qualifications (15 
Points)
    1. Describe the management capability and experience of the 
applicant Tribe, Tribal organization, or UIO and other participating 
organizations in administering and sustaining results of similar grants 
and projects.
    2. Describe significant program activities and achievements or 
accomplishments over the past 5 years associated with suicide 
prevention.
    3. Describe the applicant Tribe, Tribal organization, or UIO 
experience and capacity to provide and sustain culturally appropriate/
competent services to the community and specific populations of focus.
    4. Describe the resources available for the proposed project (e.g., 
facilities, equipment, information technology systems, and financial 
management systems).
    5. Describe how project continuity will be maintained when there is 
a change in the operational environment (e.g., staff turnover, change 
in project leadership, and change in elected officials) to ensure 
project stability over the life of the grant.
    6. Provide a complete list of staff positions anticipated for the 
project, including the Project Director, Project Coordinator, and other 
key personnel, showing the role of each and their level of effort and 
qualifications.
    7. For key staff currently on board, include a biographical sketch 
for the Project Director, Project Coordinator, or other key positions 
as attachments to the project proposal/application. Do not include any 
of the following in the biographical sketch:
    [ssquf] Personally Identifiable Information (i.e., SSN, home 
address, etc.);
    [ssquf] Resumes; or
    [ssquf] Curriculum Vitae.
D. Program Evaluation (Data Collection & Reporting) (20 Points)
    1. Describe the applicant's plan for data collection and document 
the applicant's ability to ensure accurate data tracking and meeting 
required reporting requirements/deadlines.
    2. Provide a clear, specific plan for how data related to the 
project will be collected, managed, analyzed, and reported.
    3. Describe any type(s) of evaluation(s) that will be used to 
assess the project during the grant life cycle.
    4. Explain how you will collaborate with partners (i.e., Tribal 
Epidemiology Center) to complete any evaluation efforts or data 
collection.
E. Budget and Budget Justification (10 Points)
    1. The applicant is required to include a line item budget for all 
expenditures identifying reasonable and allowable costs necessary to 
accomplish the goals and objectives, as outlined in the project 
narrative for Project Year one only. The budget expenditures should 
correlate with the scope of work described in the project narrative for 
the first project year expenses only.
    2. The applicant must provide a narrative justification of the 
budget line items, as well as a description of existing resources and 
other support the applicant expects to receive for the proposed 
project. Other support is defined as funds or resources, whether 
Federal, non-Federal, or institutional, in direct support of activities 
through fellowships, gifts, prizes, in-kind contributions, or non-
Federal means. (This should correspond to Item #18 on the applicant's 
SF-424, Estimated Funding, and SF-424A, Budget Information, Section C 
Non-Federal resources.)
    3. Provide a narrative justification supporting the development or 
continued collaboration with other partners regarding the proposed 
activities to be implemented.
    4. Depending on the availability of funds, the IHS may host annual 
meetings to provide in-depth training and technical assistance to 
awardees. In order to help establish critical mass of community and 
staff members who are informed and committed to implement the project, 
awardees should plan to send a minimum of three people (including the 
Project Director/Project Coordinator) to one meeting of all awardees in 
each year of the grant. At these meetings, awardees will receive 
training related to grant objectives, discuss success and challenges in 
implementation of the program, present the results of their projects, 
and receive other technical assistance from IHS staff and/or 
contractors. Each meeting may be up to 3 days. The locations will be 
determined at a later date, but applicants should estimate costs for 
Denver, Colorado as a potential site that is accessible to most of 
``Indian Country'' and attendance is strongly encouraged. The Division 
of Behavioral Health (DBH) may determine that a virtual meeting(s) may 
be an option, if Federal government travel restrictions are in place, 
or if funding is not available to support an in-person meeting.

[[Page 60865]]

Multi-Year Project Requirements
    Applications must include a brief project narrative and budget (one 
additional page per year) addressing the developmental plans for each 
additional year of the project. This attachment will not count as part 
of the project narrative or the budget narrative.
    Additional documents can be uploaded as Other Attachments in 
Grants.gov. These can include:
     Work plan, logic model, and/or timeline for proposed 
objectives.
     Position descriptions for key staff (i.e., Project 
Director, Project Coordinator).
     Consultant or contractor proposed scope of work and letter 
of commitment (if applicable).
     Current Indirect Cost Rate Agreement.
     Organizational chart.
     Map of area identifying project location(s).
     Additional documents to support narrative (i.e., data 
tables, key news articles, etc.).
     Advisory board(s) description (membership, roles and 
functions, and frequency of meetings).

2. Review and Selection

    Each application will be prescreened for eligibility and 
completeness as outlined in the funding announcement. Applications that 
meet the eligibility criteria shall be reviewed for merit by the 
Objective Review Committee (ORC) based on evaluation criteria. 
Incomplete applications and applications that are not responsive to the 
administrative thresholds (budget limit, project period limit) will not 
be referred to the ORC and will not be funded. The applicant will be 
notified of this determination.
    Applicants must address all program requirements and provide all 
required documentation.

3. Notifications of Disposition

    All applicants will receive an Executive Summary Statement from the 
IHS DBH within 30 days of the conclusion of the ORC outlining the 
strengths and weaknesses of their application. The summary statement 
will be sent to the Authorizing Official identified on the face page 
(SF-424) of the application.
A. Award Notices for Funded Applications
    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 award, the terms and conditions of the 
award, the effective date of the award, and the budget/project period. 
Each entity approved for funding must have a user account in 
GrantSolutions in order to retrieve the NoA. Please see the Agency 
Contacts list in Section VII for the systems contact information.
B. Approved but Unfunded Applications
    Approved applications not funded due to lack of available funds 
will be held for 1 year. If funding becomes available during the course 
of the year, the application may be reconsidered.

    Note: Any correspondence, other than the official NoA executed 
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 the IHS.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Administrative Requirements

    Awards issued under this announcement are subject to, and are 
administered in accordance with, the following regulations and 
policies:
A. The Criteria as Outlined in This Program Announcement
B. Administrative Regulations for Grants
     Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and 
Audit Requirements for HHS Awards currently in effect or implemented 
during the period of award, other Department regulations and policies 
in effect at the time of award, and applicable statutory provisions. At 
the time of publication, this includes 45 CFR part 75, at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title45-vol1/pdf/CFR-2020-title45-vol1-part75.pdf.
     Please review all HHS regulatory provisions for 
Termination at 45 CFR 75.372, at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp&;SID=2970eec67399fab1413ede53d7895d99&mc=true&
;n=pt45.1.75&r=PART&ty=HTML&se45.1.75_1372#se45.1.75_1372.
C. Grants Policy
     HHS Grants Policy Statement, Revised January 2007, at 
https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/grants/grants/policies-regulations/hhsgps107.pdf.
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.

    F. As of August 13, 2020, 2 CFR 200 was updated to include a 
prohibition on certain telecommunications and video surveillance 
services or equipment. This prohibition is described in 2 CFR 200.216. 
This will also be described in the terms and conditions of every IHS 
grant and cooperative agreement awarded on or after August 13, 2020.

2. Indirect Costs

    This section applies to all recipients that request reimbursement 
of indirect costs (IDC) in their application budget. In accordance with 
HHS Grants Policy Statement, Part II-27, the IHS requires applicants to 
obtain a current IDC rate agreement and submit it to the DGM prior to 
the DGM issuing an 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 agreement 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 agreement is 
provided to the DGM.
    Per 45 CFR 75.414(f) Indirect (F&A) costs, ``any non-Federal entity 
(NFE) [i.e., applicant] that has never received a negotiated indirect 
cost rate, . . . may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent of 
modified total direct costs which may be used indefinitely. As 
described in Section 75.403, costs must be consistently charged as 
either indirect or direct costs, but may not be double charged or 
inconsistently charged as both. If chosen, this methodology once 
elected must be used consistently for all Federal awards until such 
time as the NFE chooses to negotiate for a rate, which the NFE may 
apply to do at any time.''
    Electing to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent only applies to 
applicants that have never received an approved negotiated indirect 
cost rate from HHS or another cognizant federal agency. Applicants 
awaiting approval of their indirect cost proposal may request the 10 
percent de minimis rate. When the applicant chooses this method, costs 
included in the indirect cost pool must not be charged as direct costs 
to the grant.
    Available funds are inclusive of direct and appropriate indirect 
costs.

[[Page 60866]]

Approved indirect funds are awarded as part of the award amount, and no 
additional funds will be provided.
    Generally, IDC rates for IHS grantees are negotiated with the 
Division of Cost Allocation at https://rates.psc.gov/ or the Department 
of the Interior (Interior Business Center) at https://ibc.doi.gov/ICS/tribal. 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.

3. 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 the imposition of special award 
provisions and/or 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 awardee organization 
or the individual responsible for preparation of the reports. Per DGM 
policy, all reports must 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 annually. The progress 
reports are due within 30 days after the reporting period ends 
(specific dates will be listed in the NoA Terms and Conditions). 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 period of performance and 
must provide a comprehensive summary of accomplishments and outcomes 
relative to each of the stated goals and objectives over the period of 
the grant.
B. Financial Reports
    Federal Cash Transaction Reports are due 30 days after the close of 
every calendar quarter to the Payment Management Services at https://pms.psc.gov. Failure to submit timely reports may result in adverse 
award actions blocking access to funds.
    Federal Financial Reports are due 30 days after the end of each 
budget period, and a final report is due 90 days after the end of the 
Period of Performance.
    Grantees are responsible and accountable for reporting accurate 
information on all required reports: The Progress Reports, the Federal 
Cash Transaction Report, and the Federal Financial Report.
C. Data Collection and Reporting
    All grantees will be required to collect and report data pertaining 
to activities, processes, and outcomes via the IHS Behavioral Health 
Reporting Portal (BHRP) within 30 days after the budget period ends for 
each project year (specific dates will be listed in the NoA Terms and 
Conditions). The BHRP will be open to project staff on a 24 hour per 
day/7 day per week basis for the duration of each reporting period. 
Technical assistance for web-based data entry will be timely and 
readily available to awardees by assigned DBH staff.
    In addition to the annual progress reports, the IHS will compile 
and provide aggregate program statistics from data available in the 
National Data Warehouse (NDW). The IHS will use NDW data related to 
suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention, including associated 
community-level health care facility data, as a method to monitor 
outcomes and impact of grant activities.
D. 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.
    The 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 threshold met for any specific 
reporting period.
    For the full IHS award term implementing this requirement and 
additional award applicability information, visit the DGM Grants 
Management website at https://www.ihs.gov/dgm/policytopics/.
E. Compliance With Executive Order 13166 Implementation of Services 
Accessibility Provisions for All Grant Application Packages and Funding 
Opportunity Announcements
    Should you successfully compete for an award, recipients of Federal 
financial assistance (FFA) from HHS must administer their programs in 
compliance with Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination 
on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age and, in 
some circumstances, religion, conscience, and sex (including gender 
identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy). This includes ensuring 
programs are accessible to persons with limited English proficiency and 
persons with disabilities. The HHS Office for Civil Rights provides 
guidance on complying with civil rights laws enforced by HHS. Please 
see https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-providers/provider-obligations/index.html and https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/nondiscrimination/index.html.
     Recipients of FFA must ensure that their programs are 
accessible to persons with limited English proficiency. For guidance on 
meeting your legal obligation to take reasonable steps to ensure 
meaningful access to your programs or activities by limited English 
proficiency individuals, see https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/special-topics/limited-english-proficiency/fact-sheet-guidance/index.html and https://www.lep.gov.
     For information on your specific legal obligations for 
serving qualified individuals with disabilities, including reasonable 
modifications and making services accessible to them, see https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/understanding/disability/index.html.
     HHS funded health and education programs must be 
administered in an environment free of sexual harassment. See https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/sex-discrimination/index.html.
     For guidance on administering your program in compliance 
with applicable Federal religious nondiscrimination laws and applicable 
Federal conscience

[[Page 60867]]

protection and associated anti-discrimination laws, see https://www.hhs.gov/conscience/conscience-protections/index.html and https://www.hhs.gov/conscience/religious-freedom/index.html.
F. 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 FAPIIS at https://www.fapiis.gov before 
making any award in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold 
(currently $250,000) over the period of performance. An applicant may 
review and comment on any information about itself that a Federal 
awarding agency previously entered. The 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, 
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, the IHS must require an NFE 
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.
    All applicants and recipients must disclose, in a timely manner, in 
writing to the IHS and to the HHS Office of Inspector General of 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: Paul Gettys, Acting Director, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail 
Stop: 09E70, Rockville, MD 20857 (Include ``Mandatory Grant 
Disclosures'' in subject line), Office: (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: https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud/ (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 part 180 and 2 CFR part 
376).

VII. Agency Contacts

    1. Questions on the programmatic issues may be directed to: Audrey 
Solimon, Public Health Analyst, Indian Health Service, Division of 
Behavioral Health, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: 08N34-A, Rockville, MD 
20857, Phone: (301) 590-5421, Fax: (301) 594-6213, Email: 
[email protected].
    2. Questions on grants management and fiscal matters may be 
directed to: Donald Gooding, Grants Management Specialist, Indian 
Health Service, Division of Grants Management, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail 
Stop: 09E70, Rockville, MD 20857, Phone: (301) 443-2298, Fax: (301) 
594-0899, Email: [email protected].
    3. Questions on systems matters may be directed to: Paul Gettys, 
Acting Director, Indian Health Service, Division of Grants Management, 
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, 
Email: [email protected].

VIII. Other Information

    The Public Health Service strongly encourages all grant, 
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.

Elizabeth A. Fowler,
Acting Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-24022 Filed 11-3-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-16-P