[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 231 (Monday, December 4, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 84150-84157]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-26504]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service


National Urban Indian Behavioral Health Awareness

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2024-IHS-NUIBH-0001.
    Assistance Listing (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance or CFDA) 
Number: 93.654.

[[Page 84151]]

Key Dates

    Application Deadline Date: January 1, 2024.
    Earliest Anticipated Start Date: March 1, 2024.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Statutory Authority

    The Indian Health Service (IHS) is accepting applications for a 
cooperative agreement for the National Urban Indian Behavioral Health 
Awareness (NUIBH) program. The NUIBH program is authorized under the 
Snyder Act, 25 U.S.C. 13; the Transfer Act, 42 U.S.C. 2001(a); the 
Indian Health Care Improvement Act, 25 U.S.C. 1660e, 1665a. The 
Assistance Listings section of SAM.gov (https://sam.gov/content/home) 
describes this program under 93.654.

Background

    The IHS Office of Clinical and Preventive Services, Division of 
Behavioral Health (DBH) serves as the primary source of national 
advocacy, policy development, management, and administration of 
behavioral health, alcohol and substance abuse, and family violence 
prevention programs. Working in partnership with Tribes, Tribal 
organizations, and Urban Indian Organizations (UIO), DBH coordinates 
national efforts to share knowledge and build capacity through the 
development and implementation of evidence/practice based and cultural-
based practices in Indian Country.

Purpose

    The purpose of the NUIBH program is to increase the awareness, 
visibility, advocacy, and education for behavioral health issues on a 
national scale and in the interest of improving Urban Indian health 
care. The NUIBH program will build, strengthen, and sustain 
collaborative relationships that support IHS efforts to ensure that 
comprehensive, culturally appropriate personal and public health 
services are available and accessible to American Indian and Alaska 
Native (AI/AN) people living in Urban Areas. The recipient will 
administer an annual national forum, such as a Behavioral Health Urban 
Indian Listening Session where concerns and suggestions related to 
behavioral health care policy, service delivery, and program 
development will be heard from all UIOs. The recipient will also 
administer programs intended to provide culturally competent education 
and technical assistance on strategic planning and grant writing to 
increase the behavioral health care capacity of UIOs, and the 
likelihood of success in receiving awards from various sources. The 
recipient will develop and maintain comprehensive information on UIOs, 
and disseminate information on behavioral health programs, best 
practices, service delivery, quality improvement, and strategies to all 
UIOs. The recipient will also develop a quality improvement process, 
including appropriate evaluation tools to ensure the information 
developed and disseminated through the project is appropriate and 
useful for addressing the behavioral health needs of Urban Indian 
communities. The recipient's activities funded under this cooperative 
agreement must support all organizations that meet the statutory 
definition of a UIO.

Pre-Conference Award Requirements

    The recipient 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 recipient is required to:
    Provide a separate detailed budget justification and narrative for 
each conference anticipated. The application must address these cost 
categories: (1) Contract/Planner, (2) Meeting Space/Venue, (3) 
Registration website, (4) Audio Visual, (5) Speakers Fees, (6) Non-
Federal Attendee Travel, and (7) Other (explain in detail and cost 
breakdown). For additional questions, please contact Tamara James by 
telephone at (301) 443-1872 or by email at [email protected].

II. Award Information

Funding Instrument--Cooperative Agreement

Estimated Funds Available

    The total funding identified for fiscal year (FY) 2024 is 
approximately $75,000. 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 to 
applicants selected for funding under this announcement.

Anticipated Number of Awards

    The IHS anticipates issuing one award under this program 
announcement.

Period of Performance

    The period of performance is for 3 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

    The IHS assigned program official will monitor the overall progress 
of the recipient's execution of the requirements of the award noted 
below as well as their adherence to the terms and conditions of the 
cooperative agreements. This includes providing guidance for conference 
planning, required reports on program activities, developing tools and 
other products for dissemination to UIOs, interpreting program 
findings, assisting with evaluations, and overcoming any difficulties 
or performance issues encountered. The IHS assigned program official 
must approve all presentations, electronic content, mass emails, and 
other materials developed by the recipient pursuant to this award and 
any supplemental award prior to the presentation or dissemination of 
such materials to any party.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligibility

    To be eligible for this funding opportunity an applicant must be a 
501(c)(3) organization.
    The Division of Grants Management (DGM) will notify any applicants 
deemed ineligible.

2. Additional Information on Eligibility

    The IHS does not fund concurrent projects. If an applicant is 
successful under this announcement, any subsequent applications in 
response to other NUIBH announcements from the same applicant will not 
be funded. Applications on behalf of individuals (including sole 
proprietorships) and foreign organizations are not eligible. 
Applications deemed ineligible will be disqualified from competitive 
review and funding under this funding opportunity.


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    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.

3. Cost Sharing or Matching

    The IHS does not require matching funds or cost sharing for grants 
or cooperative agreements.

4. 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 DGM will notify the applicant.
Additional Required Documentation
    The following documentation is required:
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

    Grants.gov uses a Workspace model for accepting applications. The 
Workspace consists of several online forms and three forms in which to 
upload documents--Project Narrative, Budget Narrative, and Other 
Documents. Give the files brief descriptive names. The filenames are 
key in finding specific documents during the merit review and in 
processing awards. Upload all requested and optional documents 
individually, rather than combining them into a single file. Creating a 
single file creates confusion when trying to find specific documents. 
This can contribute to delays in processing awards, and could lead to 
lower scores during the merit review.

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 
[email protected].

2. Content and Form Application Submission

    Mandatory documents for all applications are listed below. An 
application is incomplete if any of the listed mandatory documents are 
missing. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
     Application forms:
    1. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance.
    2. SF-424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs.
    3. SF-424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.
    4. Project Abstract Summary form.
     Project Narrative (not to exceed 10 pages). See Section 
IV.2.A, Project Narrative for instructions.
     Budget Narrative (not to exceed 4 pages). See Section 
IV.2.B, Budget Narrative for instructions.
     One-page Work Plan Chart.
     Biographical sketches for all Key Personnel.
     Contractor/Consultant resumes or qualifications and scope 
of work.
     Certification Regarding Lobbying (GG-Lobbying Form).
     Organizational Chart.
     501(c)(3) Certificate.
    The documents listed here may be required. Please read this list 
carefully.
     Letters of Support from the organization's Board of 
Directors.
     Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL), if applicant 
conducts reportable lobbying.
     Copy of current Negotiated Indirect Cost (IDC) rate 
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://facdissem.census.gov/.
    Additional documents can be uploaded as Other Attachments in 
Grants.gov. These can include:
     Position descriptions for key staff.
     Resumes of key staff that reflect current duties.
     Consultant or contractor proposed scope of work and letter 
of commitment (if applicable).
     Map of area identifying project location(s).
     Additional documents to support narrative (for example, 
data tables, and key news articles).
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 
10 pages and must: (1) have consecutively numbered pages; (2) use black 
font 12 points or larger (applicants 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). Do not combine this document with any others.
    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 overall page limit, the reviewers will be directed to 
ignore any content beyond the page limit. The 10-page limit for the 
project narrative does not include the work plan, standard forms, 
Tribal Resolutions, budget, budget narratives, and/or other items. Page 
limits for each section within the project narrative are guidelines, 
not hard limits.
    There are three parts to the project narrative:
    Part 1--Program Information;
    Part 2--Program Planning and Evaluation; and
    Part 3--Program 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 Information (Limit--2 Pages)
Section 1: Need for Assistance
    Describe the organization's current behavioral health program 
activities, how long the organization has been operating, and how the 
organization has determined it has the administrative infrastructure to 
support the cooperative agreement award activities outlined in this 
announcement. This section must succinctly answer the questions listed 
under the evaluation criteria listed in Section V.1.A. Need for 
Assistance.
Part 2: Program Plan and Evaluation (Limit--6 Pages)
Section 1: Program Plan and Approach
    Describe fully and clearly the direction the organization plans to 
take, including how it plans to demonstrate raising the awareness and 
visibility of

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behavioral health issues and deliver each activity required under the 
cooperative agreement. Include proposed timelines for activities. This 
section must succinctly answer the questions listed under the 
evaluation criteria listed in Section V.1.B. Program Plan and Approach.
Section 2: Program Evaluation
    Describe fully and clearly the improvements that will be made by 
the organization to raise the awareness and visibility of behavioral 
health issues among Urban Indians. Include how the recipient will 
provide an evaluation of their activities, demonstrate impact, and 
convey accomplishments. This section must succinctly answer the 
questions listed under the evaluation criteria listed in Section V.1.C. 
Program Evaluation.
Part 3: Program Report (Limit--2 Pages)
    Describe your organization's significant program activities and 
accomplishments over the past five years associated with the outlined 
goals under the Recipient Cooperative Agreement Award Activities (refer 
to Section V.1 B). This section must succinctly answer the questions 
listed under the evaluation criteria listed in Section V.1.D. 
Organizational Capabilities, Key Personnel, and Qualifications.
B. Budget Narrative (Limit--7 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) for the entire project, by year. The 
applicant can submit with the budget narrative a more detailed 
spreadsheet than is provided by the SF-424A (the spreadsheet will not 
be considered part of the budget narrative). The budget narrative 
should specifically describe how each item would support the 
achievement of proposed objectives. Be very careful about showing how 
each item in the ``Other'' category is justified. 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, Deputy Director, DGM, by email at [email protected]. Please 
be sure to contact Mr. Gettys at least 10 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, contact the DGM as soon as possible, by email at 
[email protected].
    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.
     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 you cannot submit an application through Grants.gov, you must 
request a waiver prior to the application due date. You must submit 
your waiver request by email to [email protected]. Your waiver request must 
include clear justification for the need to deviate from the required 
application submission process. The IHS will not accept any 
applications submitted through any means outside of Grants.gov without 
an approved waiver.
    If the DGM approves your waiver request, you will receive a 
confirmation of approval email containing submission instructions. You 
must include a copy of the written approval with the application 
submitted to the DGM. Applications that do not include a copy of the 
waiver approval from 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 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, you will receive an 
automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov 
tracking number. The IHS will not notify you that the application has 
been received.
System for Award Management
    Organizations that are not registered with the System for Award 
Management (SAM) must access the SAM online registration through the 
SAM home page at https://sam.gov. Organizations based in the U.S. will 
also need to provide an Employer Identification Number from the 
Internal Revenue Service that may take an additional 2 to 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.
Unique Entity Identifier
    Your SAM.gov registration now includes a Unique Entity Identifier 
(UEI), generated by SAM.gov, which replaces the DUNS number obtained 
from Dun and Bradstreet. SAM.gov registration no longer requires a DUNS 
number.

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    Check your organization's SAM.gov registration as soon as you 
decide to apply for this program. If your SAM.gov registration is 
expired, you will not be able to submit an application. It can take 
several weeks to renew it or resolve any issues with your registration, 
so do not wait.
    Check your Grants.gov registration. Registration and role 
assignments in Grants.gov are self-serve functions. One user for your 
organization will have the authority to approve role assignments, and 
these must be approved for active users in order to ensure someone in 
your organization has the necessary access to submit an application.
    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 recipients must notify 
potential first-tier sub-recipients that no entity may receive a first-
tier sub-award unless the entity has provided its UEI number to the 
prime recipient 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.
    Additional information on implementing the Transparency Act, 
including the specific requirements for 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 the proposed 
activities for the entire period of performance. 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. Introduction and Need for Assistance (10 Points)
    1. Describe the needs, or problems, the organization is currently 
addressing.
    2. Describe the current unmet needs/gaps in awareness of behavioral 
health in Urban Indian communities, and the potential impact of not 
having a national program with this scope.
    3. Describe how this cooperative agreement would benefit the 
mission of the organization and help achieve the mission of the IHS, as 
it relates to behavioral health.
    4. Provide examples of current, or previous, related experience 
(award funded or not) that supports the project and justifies the 
approach.
B. Program Plan and Approach (40 Points)
    Describe the purpose of the proposed project. Include a clear 
statement of the project's goal(s). Discuss how the project addresses 
current needs or problems in awareness of behavioral health in Urban 
Indian communities. The proposed project narrative is required to 
address how the organization will accomplish all six required 
activities listed below.
    1. Facilitate a national forum such as a Behavioral Health Urban 
Indian Listening Session where all UIOs can express concerns and 
suggestions related to behavioral health care policy, service delivery, 
and program development.
    2. Provide Urban Indian leadership by participating as active 
members and representing Urban Indian Health Programs for the National 
Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention's American Indian/Alaska Native 
Task Force.
    3. Increase awareness and visibility of Urban Indian behavioral 
health issues through representation and participation at appropriate 
national conferences.
    4. Provide culturally competent educational and technical 
assistance on strategic planning and other behavioral health, grant 
writing, or operational needs to increase the capacity of UIOs.
    5. Develop and maintain comprehensive information on UIOs. 
Disseminate information on behavioral health programs, best practices, 
service delivery, quality improvement, and strategies to all UIOs 
through such means as an e-newsletter, website, traditional media, or 
other social media platforms.
    6. Develop a quality improvement process, including appropriate 
evaluation tools to ensure the information developed and disseminated 
through the project is appropriate, responsive, and useful for 
addressing the behavioral health needs of Urban Indian communities.
C. Program Evaluation (10 Points)
    1. Describe plans to monitor activities such as the success 
indicators, as based on the description of need, and how the applicant 
will measure the degree to which objectives have been met that 
demonstrate progress towards program outcomes and inform future program 
decisions over the 3-year period of performance.
    2. Describe both process and outcome indicators, where possible:
    a. Process examples may include activities such as, but not limited 
to, delivering X number of training workshops in the urban centers (as 
defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(2)) of the country, or producing a technical 
manual for a grant writing workshop.
    b. Outcome examples may include measures such as, but not limited 
to, changes in awareness of behavioral health issues affecting Urban 
Indians, or changes in Urban Indian participation in suicide prevention 
activities (for example, increased Hope for Life participation).
    3. Describe plans to re-assess the needs, or problems, the 
organization addressed in this project, including the status of unmet 
needs/gaps in awareness of behavioral health in Urban Indian 
communities, and the potential impact of not having a national program 
with this scope.
    4. Describe the data to be collected and the proposed method for 
collecting it (surveys, questionnaires, observations, or focus groups) 
and how you will use the data to answer evaluation questions.
    5. Identify which position(s) will be responsible for collecting 
data, measuring progress, and reporting.
    6. Describe methods for analyzing the data collected during the 
cooperative agreement in order to produce evaluation findings.
D. Organizational Capabilities, Key Personnel, and Qualifications (30 
Points)
    1. Describe the management capability and experience of the 
applicant organization, and other participating organizations, in 
administering similar awards and projects.
    2. Discuss the organization's experience and capacity to represent 
Urban Indians and provide culturally appropriate/competent services to 
Urban Indian communities across the nation, including the 
organization's role in focusing attention on Urban Indian health care 
needs.
    3. Describe the resources available for the proposed project (for 
example, facilities, equipment, IT systems, and financial management 
systems).
    4. Describe how program continuity will be maintained if/when there 
is a change in the operational environment (for example, staff 
turnover, change in project leadership, change in board membership or 
elected leaders) to

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ensure stability over the life of the cooperative agreement to achieve 
the project's objectives.
    5. Provide a complete list of staff positions for the project, 
including the Project Director (suggested at a minimum of 0.75 FTE) and 
other key personnel, showing the role of each and their level of effort 
and qualifications. Describe any strategies to recruit new staff, as 
needed.
E. Categorical Budget and Budget Justification (10 Points)
    1. Include a line item budget for all expenditures and cost 
categories, identifying reasonable and allowable costs necessary to 
accomplish the activities outlined in the project narrative. The budget 
expenditures should correlate with the scope of work described in the 
project narrative.
    2. 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.)

2. Review and Selection

    Each application will be prescreened for eligibility and 
completeness as outlined in this funding announcement. The Review 
Committee (RC) will review applications that meet the eligibility 
criteria. The RC will review the applications for merit based on the 
evaluation criteria. Incomplete applications and applications that are 
not responsive to the administrative thresholds (budget limit, period 
of performance limit) will not be referred to the RC and will not be 
funded. The DGM will notify the applicant 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 review 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, the budget 
period, and period of performance. 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 Awards:
     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-2022-title45-vol1/pdf/CFR-2022-title45-vol1-part75.pdf.
     If you receive an award, HHS may terminate it if any of 
the conditions in 2 CFR 200.340(a)(1)-(4) are met. Please review all 
HHS regulatory provisions for Termination at 45 CFR 75.372, at the time 
of this publication located at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2022-title45-vol1/pdf/CFR-2022-title45-vol1-sec75-372.pdf.
    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,'' at 45 CFR part 75 subpart E, at the time of this 
publication located at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2022-title45-vol1/pdf/CFR-2022-title45-vol1-part75-subpartE.pdf.
    E. Audit Requirements:
     Uniform Administrative Requirements for HHS Awards, 
``Audit Requirements,'' at 45 CFR part 75 subpart F, at the time of 
this publication located at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2022-title45-vol1/pdf/CFR-2022-title45-vol1-part75-subpartF.pdf.
    F. As of August 13, 2020, 2 CFR part 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 award 
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 2 CFR 200.414(f) Indirect (F&A) costs,

any non-Federal entity (NFE) [i.e., applicant] that does not have a 
current negotiated 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 200.403, 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 can be used by 
applicants that have received an approved negotiated indirect cost rate 
from HHS

[[Page 84156]]

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 award.
    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 recipients 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 write 
to [email protected].

3. Reporting Requirements

    The recipient 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 
award, 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 recipient 
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 use the form under the 
Recipient User section of https://www.grantsolutions.gov/home/getting-started-request-a-user-account/. Download the Recipient User Account 
Request Form, fill it out completely, and submit it as described on the 
web page and in the form.
    The reporting requirements for this program are noted below.
A. Progress Reports
    Program progress reports are required annually. The progress 
reports are due within 90 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 120 days of the period of performance end date.
B. Financial Reports
    Federal Financial Reports are due 90 days after the end of each 
budget period, and a final report is due 120 days after the end of the 
period of performance. Recipients are responsible and accountable for 
reporting accurate information on all required reports: the Progress 
Reports and the Federal Financial Report. Failure to submit timely 
reports may result in adverse award actions blocking access to funds.
C. Data Collection and Reporting
    Recipient will be required to collect and report data pertaining to 
activities, processes, and outcomes. The IHS will provide additional 
guidance on data collection and reporting for evaluation purposes. 
Programmatic reports must be submitted within 90 days after the budget 
period ends for each project year (specific dates will be listed in the 
NoA Terms and Conditions). All reporting items will be submitted via 
GrantSolutions. Recipient is responsible and accountable for accurate 
information being submitted by required due dates for Data Collection 
and Reporting.
D. Post Conference Award 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 
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) Meeting Space/Venue, (3) Registration website, (4) Audio Visual, 
(5) Speakers Fees, (6) Non-Federal Attendee Travel, (7) Registration 
Fees, and (8) Other.
E. 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 awards 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/.
F. Non-Discrimination Legal Requirements for Recipients of Federal 
Financial Assistance (FFA)
    If you receive an award, you must follow all applicable 
nondiscrimination laws. You agree to this when you register in SAM.gov. 
You must also submit an Assurance of Compliance (HHS-690). To learn 
more, see https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-providers/laws-regulations-guidance/laws/index.html. 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.
G. 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://sam.gov/content/fapiis 
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.

[[Page 84157]]

    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 million 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 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: Marsha Brookins, 
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 program matters may be directed to: Tamara D. 
James, Ph.D., Division of Behavioral Health, Mail Stop: 8N10, 5600 
Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, Phone: 301-443-1872, Email: 
[email protected].
    2. Questions on awards management and fiscal matters may be 
directed to: Indian Health Service, Division of Grants Management, 5600 
Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: 09E70, Rockville, MD 20857, Email: 
[email protected].
    3. For technical assistance with Grants.gov, please contact the 
Grants.gov help desk at (800) 518-4726, or by email at 
[email protected].
    4. For technical assistance with GrantSolutions, please contact the 
GrantSolutions help desk at (866) 577-0771, or by email at 
[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.

Roselyn Tso,
Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-26504 Filed 12-1-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4166-14-P