[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 6 (Monday, January 10, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1154-1162]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00171]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Indian Health Service
Urban Indian Education and Research Program
Announcement Type: New and Competing Continuation.
Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2022-IHS-UIHP3-0001.
Assistance Listing (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance or CFDA)
Number: 93.193.
Key Dates
Application Deadline Date: April 11, 2022.
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: May 25, 2022.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Statutory Authority
The Indian Health Service (IHS) is accepting applications for
cooperative agreements for the Urban Indian Education and Research
Organization Program. This program is authorized under the Snyder Act,
25 U.S.C. 13; the Transfer Act, 42 U.S.C. 2001(a); and Section 301(a)
of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 241(a). This program is
described in the Assistance Listings located at https://sam.gov/content/home (formerly known as the CFDA) under 93.193.
Background
The Office of Urban Indian Health Programs (OUIHP) oversees the
implementation of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA)
provisions for making health care services more accessible to Urban
Indians. Pursuant to those authorities, the IHS enters into contracts
and grants with Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) for the provision of
health care and referral services for Urban Indians residing in urban
centers. This program provides services and education for UIOs that
include the following Five Core Projects: (1) Public policy; (2)
research and data; (3) training and technical assistance; (4)
education, public relations, and marketing; and (5) payment system
reform/monitoring regulations, including addressing the Unmet Needs of
the 4-in-1 grantees under any or all of the Five Core Projects.
Purpose
The purpose of this IHS program is to fund a national Organization
to act as an education and research partner for OUIHP and for 41 UIOs
in 22 states funded by IHS under the IHCIA.
Applicant is to create and maintain a multi-platform, culturally
appropriate and customized system that demonstrates improvements and
expansion in education and research services and opportunities.
Applicant is to:
1. Identify and assess current, emerging, and new needs and gaps in
policy related to UIOs' operations, missions, and goals.
2. Initiate and solidify partnerships with UIOs, epidemiology
centers, and other research partners to improve and increase data
research on Urban Indian health needs.
3. Support UIO staff and leadership in all areas of training and
technical assistance, particularly with the constant changes
surrounding health care needs.
4. Market the UIOs through the development of national, regional,
and local marketing strategies and campaigns.
5. Understand the critical need to document and analyze current and
new Federal regulations impacting UIOs for reimbursement and related
types of regulatory activities.
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Pre-Conference Grant Requirements
The awardee is required to comply with the ``HHS Policy on
Promoting Efficient Spending: Use of Appropriated Funds for Conferences
and Meeting Space, Food, Promotional Items, and Printing and
Publications,'' dated January 23, 2015 (Policy), as applicable to
conferences funded by grants and cooperative agreements. The Policy is
available at https://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/contract-policies-regulations/efficient-spending/index.html?language=es.
The awardee is required to:
Provide a separate detailed budget justification and narrative for
each conference anticipated. The cost categories to be addressed are as
follows: (1) Contract/Planner, (2) Meeting Space/Venue, (3)
Registration website, (4) Audio Visual, (5) Speakers Fees, (6) Non-
Federal Attendee Travel, (7) Registration Fees, and (8) Other (explain
in detail and cost breakdown). For additional questions please contact
Debi Nalwood at 240-701-0882 or email at [email protected].
II. Award Information
Funding Instrument--Cooperative Agreement
Estimated Funds Available
The total funding identified for fiscal year (FY) 2022 is
approximately $1,050,000. Award amount for the first budget year is
anticipated to be $1,050,000. 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
One award will be issued under this program announcement.
Period of Performance
The period of performance is for 5 years.
Cooperative Agreement
Cooperative agreements awarded by the Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS) are administered under the same policies as
grants. However, the funding agency, IHS, is anticipated to have
substantial programmatic involvement in the project during the entire
period of performance. Below is a detailed description of the level of
involvement required of the IHS.
Substantial Agency Involvement Description for Cooperative Agreement
In addition to the usual monitoring and technical assistance
provided under the cooperative agreement, the IHS OUIHP
responsibilities shall include:
(1) Assuring the availability of services from experienced OUIHP
staff to participate in the planning and development of all phases of
this cooperative agreement.
(2) Participating in, including the planning of, any meetings
conducted as part of the Five Core Projects.
(3) Assisting in establishing Federal interagency contacts
necessary for the successful completion of tasks and activities
identified in the approved scope of work.
(4) Identifying organizations with whom the awardee will be asked
to develop cooperative and collaborative relationships.
(5) Assisting the awardee to establish, review, and update
priorities for the Five Core Projects conducted under this cooperative
agreement.
(6) Assisting the awardee in determining issues identified post-
award to be addressed during the project period, sequence in which they
will be addressed, what approaches and strategies will be used to
address them, and how relevant information will be transmitted to
specified target audiences and used to enhance core project activities
and advance the program.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligibility
To be eligible for this funding opportunity, applicant must be a
national organization with extensive experience providing national
awareness, visibility, advocacy, education, and outreach related to
Urban Indian health care on a national scale.
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
Letters of Support from the organization's Board of Directors, 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
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 20 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.
Budget Justification and Narrative (not to exceed five
pages). See Section IV.2.B, Budget Narrative for instructions.
Letter of Support from organization's Board of Directors.
501(c)(3) Certificate, if applicable.
Biographical sketches for all Key Personnel (not to exceed
one page each).
Contractor/Consultant proposed scope of work and letter of
commitment (not to exceed one page each, if applicable).
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL), if applicant
conducts reportable lobbying.
Certification Regarding Lobbying (GG-Lobbying Form).
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Copy of current Negotiated Indirect Cost rate (IDC)
agreement (required in order to receive IDC).
Organizational Chart.
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 20 pages and must: (1) Have consecutively numbered
pages; (2) use black font 12 points or larger (you may use 10 point
font for tables); (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 will not be reviewed. The 20-page limit for the
narrative does not include the standard forms, line item budgets,
budget justifications, narratives, and/or other items.
There are four parts to the narrative: Part 1--Statement of Need;
Part 2--Program Information/Proposed Approach; Part 3--Organizational
Capacity and Staffing/Administration; and Part 4--Performance
Measurement Plan and Evaluation. See below for additional details about
what must be included in the narrative.
Part 1: Statement of Need--Corresponds to Criteria, Section V.1.A
This section should help reviewers understand the UIOs that will be
served by the proposed project. Summarize the overall need for
assistance: (1) The target population and its unmet health needs; and
(2) sociocultural determinants of health and health disparities
impacting the Urban Indian population or communities served and unmet.
Demographic data should be used and cited to support the information
provided.
Part 2: Program Information/Proposed Approach--Corresponds to Criteria,
Section V.1.B
Describe the purpose of the proposed project, including a clear
statement of goals and objectives. Clearly state how proposed
activities address the needs detailed in Part 1, Statement of Need. You
are required to address all Five Core Projects in your project
narrative, including addressing the Unmet Needs of the 4-in-1 grantees
under any or all of the Five Core Projects. Address each project,
including Unmet Needs with a corresponding time frame.
Part 3: Organizational Capacity and Staffing/Administration--
Corresponds to Criteria, Section V.1.C
Describe your organizational capacity for all Five Core Projects
and experience working with UIOs. Outline current staff and future
positions for the five program components.
Part 4: Performance Measurement Plan and Evaluation--Corresponds to
Criteria, Section V.1.D
Describe efforts to collect and report project data that will
support and demonstrate grant activities for all Five Core Projects,
including the Unmet Needs of the 4-in-1 grantees under any or all of
the Five Core Projects. Awardee will be required to collect and report
data pertaining to activities, processes, and outcomes. Also describe
the plan to evaluate program activities. Describe in the evaluation
plan the expected results and any identified metrics to support program
effectiveness. Incorporate questions related to outcomes and processes,
including documentation of lessons learned.
B. Budget Narrative (limit--5 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 the first year 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.
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 not allowable.
The available funds are inclusive of direct and indirect
costs.
Only one cooperative agreement may be awarded per
applicant.
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
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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. 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 (United States (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 at 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
project narrative 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 and document the target population and its unmet
needs.
(2) Based on the information and/or data currently available,
document the need to implement, sustain, and improve health care
services offered to Urban Indians.
(3) Based on available data, describe the service gaps and other
problems related to the unmet needs of Urban Indians. Clearly identify
the source of the data. Documentation of need may come from a variety
of qualitative and quantitative sources. Examples of data sources for
the quantitative data that could be used are epidemiologic data such as
Tribal Epidemiology Centers or IHS Area Offices, state data from state
needs assessments, and/or national data from the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration's National Survey on Drug Use and
Health or from the National Center for Health Statistics/Centers for
Disease Control, and U.S. decennial and American Community Survey
Census data. This list is not exhaustive. Applicants may submit other
valid data, as appropriate for the applicant's programs.
B. Program Information/Proposed Approach (25 Points)
Describe the purpose of the proposed projects, including a clear
statement of goals and objectives. Provide a work plan for the first
year of the project period that details expected key activities,
accomplishments, and includes responsible staff for each of the Five
Core Projects, including addressing the Unmet Needs of the 4-in-1
grantees. The project narrative is required to address all Five Core
Projects of the program and the Unmet Needs of the 4-in-1 grantees, as
outlined below:
(1) Public Policy: Summarize the public policy opportunities and
challenges of UIOs in the implementation of the various laws. Describe
efforts to increase awareness and actively seek support for the health
care needs of Urban Indians. Describe
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efforts to engage UIO Leaders' participation in policy workgroups,
national advisory committees, Urban Confers, budget formulation, and
listening sessions.
(2) Research and Data: Describe the need to collect and analyze
health disparities data, morbidity and mortality data, and urban IHS
cost data in order to reduce Urban Indian health disparities and
identify, improve, evaluate, and document UIOs' efforts through
practice-based and evidence-based best practices. Describe efforts to
solidify partnerships with UIOs, Tribal and urban epidemiology centers,
and other data and research partners to improve and increase research
and data on Urban Indian issues.
(3) Training and Technical Assistance: Describe the need for UIOs'
training and technical assistance to support new and continuing
executive directors and chief executive officers, board of directors,
and program staff (clinical staff, administration, business office,
health information technology, integrated behavioral health, etc.).
(a) Further describe the need for training and technical assistance
to support UIO administration in orienting new UIO Leaders and Board of
Directors, grant writing, and credentialing and privileging. Describe
the need for technical assistance and training for UIOs to effectively
engage in the IHS Urban Confer process. Describe the need for UIOs to
attract and retain skilled, culturally competent health service
providers.
(4) Education, Public Relations, and Marketing: Summarize the need
to market the UIOs through development of national, regional, and local
marketing strategies and campaigns.
Describe efforts to increase awareness of health care needs of
Urban Indians. Describe efforts to engage UIOs to participate in
national health campaigns. Describe the need for enhanced communication
among local private and nonprofit health care entities. Summarize the
need to enhance communication, interaction, and coordination on policy
and health care reform activities by initiating and maintaining
partnerships and collaborative relationships with other UIOs, national
Indian organizations, key state and local health entities, and
education and public safety networks. Describe efforts to strengthen
the capacity of UIOs to work as a community to improve knowledge
sharing.
(5) Payment System Reform/Monitoring Regulations: Describe services
to be provided, e.g., billing, health information technology,
regulations, etc. Describe efforts to support UIOs' efforts to
diversify funding and increase third party reimbursement to ensure
UIOs' sustainability. Describe technical assistance, training, and
tools to be provided on billing and coding best practices, and
negotiating with private health insurers and health plans. Describe
efforts to establish and enhance third party billing for UIOs that have
limited or no third party billing capabilities. Describe the need to
understand, document and analyze current and new federal regulations
impacting UIOs for reimbursement. Describe services to be provided to
UIOs on regulations. Describe types of regulatory activities needed to
support efforts to lessen the impact on UIOs financial and operational
systems.
C. Organizational Capacity and Staffing/Administration (30 Points)
(1) Describe the management capability of the national Urban Indian
Organization and other participating organizations demonstrating
extensive experience providing national awareness, visibility,
advocacy, education, and outreach related to Urban Indian health care
on a national scale in administering similar projects. Describe the
national Urban Indian Organization's experience providing a national
perspective on the needs of Urban Indian communities that will ensure
the information developed and disseminated through the projects is
appropriate and useful and addresses the most pressing needs of Urban
Indian communities.
(2) Identify staff to maintain open and consistent communication
with the IHS program official on any financial or programmatic barriers
to meeting the requirements of the award.
(3) Identify the department(s) and/or division(s) that will
administer all Five Core Projects and the Unmet Needs of the 4-in-1
grantees. Include a description of these department(s) and/or
division(s), their functions, and their placement within the national
Urban Indian Organization and their direct link to management. Describe
the department(s) and/or division(s) responsible for education and
outreach efforts described in this announcement and how they will reach
the widest audience possible in a timely fashion. Describe the
mechanisms in place to conduct communication on a national level and
experience with increasing visibility of the health care needs facing
Urban Indians nationwide.
(4) Discuss the national Urban Indian Organization's experience and
capacity to provide culturally appropriate and competent services to
UIOs and specific populations of focus to ensure services provided are
appropriately tailored to the needs of Urban Indian communities
throughout the country. Describe formal or informal relationships that
have been established with UIOs that will foster open and honest
exchange of information, facilitate participation by Urban Indian
communities, and demonstrate that the national Urban Indian
Organization is a source that Urban Indians recognize and trust.
(5) Describe the resources available for the proposed project
(e.g., facilities, equipment, information technology systems, and
financial management systems). Describe a national information sharing
infrastructure which will facilitate the timely exchange of information
between IHS and UIOs on a broad scale.
(6) Identify other organization(s) that will participate in the
proposed project. Describe their roles and responsibilities and
demonstrate their commitment to all Five Core Projects.
(7) Describe how project continuity will be maintained if there is
a change in the operational environment (e.g., staff turnover, change
in project leadership, etc.) to ensure project stability over the life
of the grant.
(8) Provide a list of staff positions for the project and other key
personnel, showing the role of each and their level of effort and
qualifications for all Five Core Projects and the Unmet Needs of the 4-
in-1 grantees. Key personnel include the Chief Executive Officer or
Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer, Deputy Director, and
Information Officer.
(9) Demonstrate successful project implementation for the level of
effort budgeted for the project staff and other key staff.
(10) Include position descriptions as attachments to the
application for all key personnel. Position descriptions should not
exceed one page each.
(11) For individuals who are currently on staff, include a
biographical sketch with their name for each individual that will be
listed as the project staff and other key positions. Describe the
experience of identified staff in all Five Core Projects and the Unmet
Needs of the 4-in-1 grantees. Include each biographical sketch as
attachments to the project proposal/application. Biographical sketches
should not exceed one page per staff member. Do not include any of the
following:
(a) Social security number and date and place of birth;
(b) Resumes; or
(c) Curriculum Vitae.
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D. Performance Measurement Plan and Evaluation (15 Points)
Describe plans to monitor activities under all Five Core Projects
and the Unmet Needs of the 4-in-1 grantees, demonstrate progress
towards program outcomes, and inform future program decisions over the
5-year project period. Describe how issues will be addressed during the
project period, the sequence in which they will be addressed, what
approaches and strategies will be used to address them, and how
relevant information will be transmitted to specified target audiences
and used to enhance project activities and advance the program.
(1) Describe proposed data collection efforts (performance measures
and associated data) and how you will use the data to answer evaluation
questions. This should include (data collection method, data source,
data measurement tool, identified staff for data management, and data
collection timeline).
(2) Identify key program partners and describe how they will
participate in the implementation of the evaluation plan (e.g., Tribal
Epidemiology Centers, universities, etc.).
(3) Describe how evaluation findings will be used at the applicant
level. Discuss how data collected (e.g., performance measurement data)
will be used and shared by the key program partners.
(4) Discuss any barriers or challenges expected for implementing
the plan, collecting data (e.g., responding to performance measures),
and reporting on evaluation results. Describe how these potential
barriers would be overcome. In addition, applicants may also describe
other measures to be developed or additional data sources and data
collection methods that applicant will use.
E. Budget and Budget Narrative (10 Points)
(1) Include a line item budget for all Five Core Projects and the
Unmet Needs of the 4-in-1 grantees, including expenditures identifying
reasonable and allowable costs necessary to accomplish the goals and
objectives as outlined in the project narrative for the first budget
year only.
(2) Provide a categorized budget for all Five Core Projects and the
Unmet Needs of the 4-in-1 grantees. If it is anticipated that there
will be travel costs to cover the cost of staff and UIO Leaders'
attendance at national advisory committees and workgroups, the
applicant should ensure the associated travel costs are included in the
categorized budget for public policy.
(3) Ensure that the budget and budget narrative are aligned with
the project narrative. Questions to address include: What resources are
needed to successfully carry out and manage the Five Core Projects and
Unmet Needs of the 4-in-1 grantees? What other resources are available
from the organization? Will new staff be recruited? Will outside
contractors/consultants be required?
(4) Include the total cost for any outside contractors/consultants
broken down by activity within each core project.
(5) If indirect costs are claimed, indicate and apply the current
negotiated rate to the budget. Include a copy of the current negotiated
IDC rate agreement in the Other Attachments.
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.
Work plan, logic model and/or timeline for proposed
objectives.
Position descriptions for key staff (not to exceed one
page each).
Biographical sketches for key staff (not to exceed one
page each).
Consultant or contractor proposed scope of work and letter
of commitment (if applicable).
Current Indirect Cost Rate Agreement.
Organizational chart.
Additional documents to support narrative (i.e., data
tables, key news articles, etc.).
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 Office of Urban Indian Health Programs 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 Notice of Award (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.
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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 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. 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 quarterly. The progress
reports are due within 30 days after the reporting period ends
(specific dates will be listed in the NoA Terms and Conditions). For
each of the Five Core projects and the Unmet Needs of the 4-in-1
grantees, provide thorough narratives of performance measures,
outcomes, impacts, and achievements in the Progress Report, including
measureable progress towards meeting goals and objectives for the
cooperative agreement, and other pertinent information as required. A
final report must be submitted within 90 days of expiration of the
period of performance.
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. Post Conference Grant Reporting
The following requirements were enacted in Section 3003 of the
Consolidated Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013, Public Law 113-6, 127
Stat. 198, 435 (2013), and; Office of Management and Budget Memorandum
M-17-08, Amending OMB Memorandum M-12-12: All HHS/IHS awards containing
grants funds allocated for conferences will be required to complete a
mandatory post award report for all conferences. Specifically: The
total amount of funds provided in this award/cooperative agreement that
were spent for ``Conference X,'' must be reported in final detailed
actual costs within 15 calendar days of the completion of the
conference. Cost categories to address should be: (1) Contract/Planner,
(2)
[[Page 1161]]
Meeting Space/Venue, (3) Registration website, (4) Audio Visual, (5)
Speakers Fees, (6) Non-Federal Attendee Travel, (7) Registration Fees,
and (8) Other.
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 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 writing, in a timely
manner, 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: 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: Debi
Nalwood, Health System Specialist, Indian Health Service, Office of
Urban Indian Health Programs, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: 08E65D,
Rockville, MD 20857, Phone: (240) 701-0882, Fax: (301) 443-8446, 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
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Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: 09E70, Rockville, MD 20857, Phone: (301) 443-
2298, 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, 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 Deputy Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-00171 Filed 1-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-16-P