[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 120 (Thursday, June 21, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37415-37420]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-15099]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Indian Health Service
Office of Urban Indian Health Programs; Title V HIV/AIDS Program
Announcement Type: New Limited Competition.
Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2012-IHS-UIHP-0001.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.193.
Key Dates
Application Deadline Date: July 16, 2012.
Review Date: July 30, 2012.
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2012.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Statutory Authority
The Indian Health Service (IHS) is accepting limited competitive
grant applications for the Office of Urban Indian Health Programs Title
V HIV/AIDS program. This program is authorized under: the Indian Health
Care Improvement Act, as amended, 25 U.S.C. 1653. This program is
described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under 93.193.
Justification for Limited Competition
The Minority AIDS Initiative funding that the grants are awarded
from was awarded to the IHS specifically for Title V urban grantees.
Background
This limited competition announcement seeks to expand the Office of
Urban Indian Health Programs' (OUIHP) existing Title V grants to
increase awareness of HIV/AIDS status among urban American Indians/
Alaska Natives (AI/AN) and to expand, as well as build, the capacity to
diagnose and treat HIV/AIDS in the underserved urban AI/AN population.
This will provide routine and/or rapid HIV screening, prevention, and
pre- and post-test counseling (when appropriate). It will also include
referral to services not provided on-site, outreach to high risk urban
AI/AN populations, and follow-up with referred patients/clients.
Enhancement of urban Indian health program HIV/AIDS activities is
necessary to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS in the urban Indian
communities by increasing access to HIV related services, reducing
stigma, and making testing routine.
Purpose
The purpose of this IHS grant announcement is to enhance HIV
testing, including rapid testing and/or standard HIV antibody testing,
and to provide a more focused effort to address HIV/AIDS prevention,
targeting some of the largest urban Indian populations in the United
States. It will also include outreach to high risk urban AI/AN
populations, referral for services not provided on-site, and follow-up
with referred patients/clients. The grantees will attempt to provide
routine HIV screening for adults as per 2006 Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and pre- and post-test
counseling (when appropriate). These grants will be used to identify
best practices to increase capacity at the local level, and assist
urban Indian health program sites with meeting HIV testing and
treatment needs in urban AI/AN populations in the United States. The
nature of these projects will require collaboration with the OUIHP to:
(1) Coordinate activities with the IHS National HIV Program; (2)
participate in projects in other operating divisions of the Department
of Health and Human Services (HHS), such as the CDC, Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration, Health Resource and Services
Administration, and the Office of HIV/AIDS Policy; and (3) to the
extent permitted by law, submit and share anonymous, non-identifiable
data on HIV/AIDS testing, treatment, and education. These grants are
also intended to encourage development of sustainable, routine HIV
screening programs in urban Indian health program facilities that are
aligned with 2006 CDC HIV Screening guidelines (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5514a1.htm). Key features include streamlined
consent and counseling procedures (verbal consent, opt-out), a clear
HIV screening policy, identifying and implementing any necessary staff
training, community awareness, and a clear follow-up protocol for HIV-
positive results, including linkages to care. Grantees may choose to
bundle HIV tests with sexually transmitted disease (STD) screening.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Grant.
Estimated Funds Available
The total amount of funding identified for the current fiscal year
2012 is approximately $600,000. Individual award amounts are
anticipated to be between $30,000 and $60,000. Competing and
continuation awards issued under this announcement are subject to the
availability of funds. In the absence of funding, the IHS is under no
obligation to make awards that are selected for funding under this
announcement.
Anticipated Number of Awards
Approximately 10 awards will be issued under this program
announcement.
Project Period
The project period will be for three years and will run
consecutively from September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2015.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligibility
This funding announcement is limited to Title V Urban Indian
organizations, as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(29), that meet the
following criteria:
Received State certification to conduct HIV rapid testing
(where needed);
Health professionals and staff have been trained in the
HIV/AIDS screening tools, education, prevention, counseling, and other
interventions for urban AI/AN;
Developed programs to address community and group support
to sustain risk-reduction skills;
Implemented HIV/AIDS quality assurance and improvement
programs;
Operate at an IHS defined full ambulatory level (a full
ambulatory program is defined as an organization that has a provider on
staff at least 40 hours per week) or limited ambulatory level (defined
as an organization that has a provider on staff less than 40 hours per
week); and
Must provide proof of non-profit status with the
application.
``Urban Indian organization'' means a nonprofit corporate body
situated in an urban center, governed by an urban Indian controlled
board of directors, and providing for the maximum participation of all
interested Indian groups and individuals, which body is capable of
legally cooperating with other public and private entities for the
purposes of performing the activities described in [25 U.S.C. 1653(a)].
25 U.S.C. 1603(29).
Note: Please refer to Section IV.2 (Application and Submission
Information/Subsection 2, Content and Form of Application
Submission) for additional poof of applicant status documents
required such as tribal resolutions, proof of non-profit status,
etc.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
The Indian Health Service does not require matching funds or cost
sharing for grants or cooperative agreements.
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3. Other Requirements
If application budgets exceed the highest dollar amount outlined
under the ``Estimated Funds Available'' section within this funding
announcement, your application will be considered ineligible and will
not be reviewed for further consideration. IHS will not return your
application to you. You will be notified by email or certified mail by
the Division of Grants Management of this decision.
Proof of Non-Profit Status
Organizations claiming non-profit status must submit proof. A copy
of the 501(c)(3) Certificate must be received with your application
submission by the deadline due date of July 16, 2012.
Letters of Intent will not be required under this funding
opportunity announcement.
Applicants submitting any of the above additional documentation
after the initial application submission due date are required to
ensure the information was received by the IHS by obtaining
documentation confirming delivery (i.e. FedEx tracking, postal return
receipt, etc.).
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Obtaining Application Materials
The application package and detailed instructions for this
announcement can be found at http://www.Grants.gov or http://www.ihs.gov/NonMedicalPrograms/gogp/index.cfm?module=gogp_funding.
Information regarding the electronic application process may be
directed to Paul Gettys at (301) 443-2114.
2. Content and Form Application Submission
The applicant must include the project narrative as an attachment
to the application package. Mandatory documents for all applicants
include:
Table of contents.
Abstract (one page) summarizing the project.
Application forms:
[cir] SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance.
[cir] SF-424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs.
[cir] SF-424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.
Budget Justification and Narrative (must be single spaced
and not exceed 5 pages).
Project Narrative (must not exceed 20 pages).
[cir] Background information on the urban Indian organization.
[cir] Proposed scope of work, objectives, and activities that
provide a description of what will be accomplished, including a one-
page Timeframe Chart.
Letter of Support from Organization's Board of Directors.
501(c)(3) Certificate (if applicable).
Biographical sketches for all Key Personnel.
Contractor/Consultant resumes or qualifications and scope
of work.
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL).
Copy of current Negotiated Indirect Cost rate (IDC)
agreement (required) in order to receive IDC.
Organizational Chart (optional).
Documentation of current OMB A-133 required Financial
Audit (if applicable).
Acceptable forms of documentation include:
[cir] Email confirmation from Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC)
that audits were submitted; or
[cir] Face sheets from audit reports. These can be found on the FAC
Web site: http://harvester.census.gov/sac/dissem/accessoptions.html?submit=Go+To+Database.
Public Policy Requirements
All Federal-wide public policies apply to IHS grants with exception
of the Discrimination policy.
Requirements for Project and Budget Narratives
A. Project Narrative: This narrative should be a separate Word
document that is no longer than 20 pages and must: be single-spaced, be
type written, have consecutively numbered pages, use black type not
smaller than 12 characters per one inch, and be printed on one side
only of standard size 8\1/2\ x 11 paper.
Be sure to succinctly answer all questions listed under the
evaluation criteria (refer to Section V.1, Evaluation criteria in this
announcement) and place all responses and required information in the
correct section (noted below), or they will not be considered or
scored. These narratives will assist the Objective Review Committee
(ORC) in becoming more familiar with the grantee's activities and
accomplishments prior to this possible grant award. If the narrative
exceeds the page limit, only the first 20 pages will be reviewed. The
20-page limit for the narrative does not include the work plan,
standard forms, table of contents, budget, budget justifications,
narratives, and/or other appendix items.
There are three parts to the narrative: Part A--Program
Information; Part B--Program Planning and Evaluation; and Part C--
Program Report. See below for additional details about what must be
included in the narrative.
Part A: Program Information
Section 1: Needs
Part B: Program Planning and Evaluation
Section 1: Program Plans
Section 2: Program Evaluation
Part C: Program Report
Section 1: Describe major activities over the last 24 months.
Section 2: Describe major accomplishments over the last 24
months.
B. Budget Narrative: This narrative must describe the budget
requested and match the scope of work described in the project
narrative. The budget narrative should not exceed 5 pages.
3. Submission Dates and Times
Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by
12:00 a.m., midnight Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on July 16, 2012. Any
application received after the application deadline will not be
accepted for processing, nor will it be given further consideration for
funding. You will be notified by the Division of Grants Management via
email or certified mail of this decision.
If technical challenges arise and assistance is required with the
electronic application process, contact Grants.gov Customer Support via
email to [email protected] or at (800) 518-4726. Customer Support is
available to address questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except on
Federal holidays). If problems persist, contact Paul Gettys, Division
of Grants Management (DGM) ([email protected]) at (301) 443-5204.
Please be sure to contact Mr. Gettys at least ten days prior to the
application deadline. Please do not contact the DGM until you have
received a Grants.gov tracking number. In the event you are not able to
obtain a tracking number, call the DGM as soon as possible.
If an applicant needs to submit a paper application instead of
submitting electronically via Grants.gov, prior approval must be
requested and obtained (see Section IV.6 below for additional
information). The waiver must be documented in writing (emails are
acceptable), before submitting a paper application. A copy of the
written approval must be submitted along with the hardcopy that is
mailed to the DGM. Once your waiver request has been approved, you will
receive a confirmation of approval and the mailing address to submit
your application. Paper applications that are submitted without a
waiver from the Acting Director of DGM will not be reviewed or
considered further for funding. You will be notified via email or
certified email of this decision by the Grants Management Officer of
DGM. Paper applications must be received by
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the DGM no later than 5:00 p.m., EDT, on the application deadline date.
Late applications will not be accepted for processing or considered for
funding.
Other Important Due Dates
Proof of Non-Profit Status: Due date July 16, 2012.
4. Intergovernmental Review
Executive Order 12372 requiring intergovernmental review is not
applicable to this program.
5. Funding Restrictions
Pre-award costs are not allowable.
The available funds are inclusive of direct and
appropriate indirect costs.
Only one grant/cooperative agreement will be awarded per
applicant.
IHS will not acknowledge receipt of applications.
6. Electronic Submission Requirements
All applications must be submitted electronically. Please use the
http://www.Grants.gov Web site to submit an application electronically
and select the ``Find Grant Opportunities'' link on the homepage.
Download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and
then upload and submit the completed application via the http://www.Grants.gov Web site. Electronic copies of the application may not
be submitted as attachments to email messages addressed to IHS
employees or offices.
Applicants that receive a waiver to submit paper application
documents must follow the rules and timelines that are noted above. The
applicant must seek assistance at least ten days prior to the
application deadline.
Applicants that do not adhere to the timelines for Central
Contractor Registry (CCR) and/or http://www.Grants.gov registration or
that fail to request timely assistance with technical issues will not
be considered for a waiver to submit a paper application.
Please be aware of the following:
a. Please search for the application package in http://www.Grants.gov by entering the CFDA number or the Funding Opportunity
Number. Both numbers are located in the header of this announcement.
b. If you experience technical challenges while submitting your
application electronically, please contact Grants.gov Support directly
at: [email protected] or (800) 518-4726. Customer Support is available
to address questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except on Federal
holidays).
c. 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 waiver from the agency must be obtained.
d. If it is determined that a waiver is needed, you must submit a
request in writing (emails are acceptable) to [email protected] with
a copy to [email protected]. Please include a clear justification
for the need to deviate from our standard electronic submission
process.
e. If the waiver is approved, the application should be sent
directly to the DGM by the deadline date of July 16, 2012, by 5:00 p.m.
EDT.
f. Applicants are strongly encouraged not to wait until the
deadline date to begin the application process through Grants.gov as
the registration process for CCR and Grants.gov could take up to
fifteen working days.
g. Please use the optional attachment feature in Grants.gov to
attach additional documentation that may be requested by the DGM.
h. All applicants must comply with any page limitation requirements
described in this Funding Announcement.
i. After you electronically submit your application, you will
receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that contains a
Grants.gov tracking number. The DGM will download your application from
Grants.gov and provide necessary copies to the appropriate agency
officials. Neither the DGM nor the OUIHP will notify applicants that
the application has been received.
j. Email applications will not be accepted under this announcement.
Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
All IHS applicants and grantee organizations are required to obtain
a DUNS number and maintain an active registration in the CCR database.
The DUNS number is a unique 9-digit identification number provided by
D&B which uniquely identifies your 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, you may access it through http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform, or to expedite the process, call (866) 705-
5711.
Effective October 1, 2010, all HHS recipients were asked to start
reporting information on subawards, as required by the Federal Funding
Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, as amended (``Transparency
Act''). Accordingly, all IHS grantees must notify potential first-tier
subrecipients that no entity may receive a first-tier subaward 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.
Central Contractor Registry (CCR)
Organizations that have not registered with CCR will need to obtain
a DUNS number first and then access the CCR online registration through
the CCR home page at https://www.bpn.gov/ccr/default.aspx (U.S.
organizations will also need to provide an Employer Identification
Number from the Internal Revenue Service that may take an additional 2-
5 weeks to become active). Completing and submitting the registration
takes approximately one hour to complete and your CCR registration will
take approximately 3-5 business days to process. Registration with the
CCR is free of charge. Applicants may register online at https://www.bpn.gov/ccrupdate/NewRegistration.aspx.
Additional information on implementing the Transparency Act,
including the specific requirements for DUNS and CCR, can be found on
the IHS Grants Management, Grants Policy Web site: http://www.ihs.gov/NonMedicalPrograms/gogp/index.cfm?module=gogp_policy_topics.
V. Application Review Information
The instructions for preparing the application narrative also
constitute the evaluation criteria for reviewing and scoring the
application. Weights assigned to each section are noted in parentheses.
The 20 page narrative should include only the first year of activities;
information for multi-year projects should be included as an appendix.
See ``Multi-year Project Requirements'' at the end of this section for
more information. The narrative section should be written in a manner
that is clear to outside reviewers unfamiliar with prior related
activities of the applicant. It should be well organized, succinct, and
contain all information necessary for reviewers to understand the
project fully. Points will be assigned to each evaluation criteria
adding up to a total of 100 points. A minimum score of 60 points is
required for funding. Points are assigned as follows:
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1. Criteria
A. Understanding of the Need and Necessary Capacity (15 points)
1. Understanding of the Problem.
a. Define the project target population, identify their unique
characteristics, and describe the impact of HIV on the population.
b. Describe the gaps/barriers in HIV testing for the population.
c. Describe the unique cultural or sociological barriers of the
target population to adequate access for the described services.
2. Facility Capability.
a. Briefly describe your clinic programs and services and how this
initiative will assist to commence, compliment, and/or expand existing
efforts.
b. Describe your clinic's ability to conduct this initiative
through:
Your clinic's present resources.
Collaboration with other providers.
Partnerships established to accept referrals for
counseling, testing, and referral and confirmatory blood tests and/or
social services for individuals who test HIV positive.
Linkages to treatment and care: partnerships established
to refer out of your clinic for specialized treatment, care,
confirmatory testing (if applicable), and counseling services.
B. Work Plan (40 points)
1. Project Goal and Objectives.
Address all of the following program goals and objectives of the
project. The objectives must be specific as well as quantitatively and
qualitatively measurable to ensure achievement of goal(s).
Implementation Plan.
a. Identify the proposed program activities and explain how these
activities will build capacity to meet local level urban AI/AN needs
and increase and sustain HIV screening.
b. Describe policy and procedure changes anticipated for
implementation that include:
(1) Support of the 2006 CDC Revised HIV Testing Recommendations.
(2) Community awareness.
(3) Age ranges of persons to be screened.
(4) Bundling of HIV testing with STD tests.
(5) Type of HIV Screen/Test (Rapid, Conventional, Western Blot) and
who will perform the test (in-house, send-out).
(6) Protocols to integrate strong referrals or care continuity into
local system of care.
c. Provide a clear timeline with quarterly milestones for project
implementation.
d. Certify that the program identified and agreed to follow the
state regulations for HIV testing in their state and how the clinic
will follow their state reporting guidelines for seropositive results.
e. Describe how individuals will be selected for testing to
identify selection criteria and which group(s)--if any--will be, via
state laws or regulations, offered testing in an opt-out format.
f. Describe how the program will ensure that clients receive their
test results, particularly clients who test positive.
g. Describe how the program will ensure that individuals with
initial HIV-positive test results will receive confirmatory tests. If
you do not provide confirmatory HIV testing, you must provide a letter
of intent or Memorandum of Understanding with an external laboratory
documenting the process through which initial HIV-positive test results
will be confirmed.
h. Describe the program strategies for linking potential
seropositive patients to care.
i. Describe the program quality assurance strategies.
j. Describe how the program will train, support and retain staff
providing counseling and testing.
k. Describe how the program will ensure client confidentiality.
l. Describe how the program will ensure that its services are
culturally fluent and relevant.
m. Describe how the program will attempt to streamline procedures
so as to reduce the overall cost per test administered.
C. Project Evaluation (20 points)
1. Evaluation Plan.
The grantee shall provide a plan for building program capacity to
meet the needs of the local level urban AI/AN population as well as
monitoring and evaluating the HIV rapid test and/or standard HIV
antibody test.
2. Reporting Requirements.
The following quantitative and qualitative measures shall be
addressed:
Required Quantitative Indicators (quantitative).
a. Number of tests performed and number of test refusals.
b. Gender, age, sexual orientation, and race/ethnicity of persons
receiving services.
c. Number of clients learning of their serostatus for the first
time via this testing initiative (unique patients, non-repeated tests).
d. Number of reactive tests and confirmed seropositive (actual and
proportion).
e. Number of clients linked to care/treatment or referrals for
prevention counseling as defined by attendance of at least one
appointment, within three months of diagnosis.
f. Number of individuals receiving their confirmatory test results.
g. Number of patients with positive test result who are re-engaged
for care.
h. Number of referral and linkage to other medical and social
services such as mental health, substance abuse, safety/domestic
violence, and other services as needed.
i. Number of patients not treated/linked to care for HIV and HIV-
related morbidities.
Required Qualitative Information
a. Measures in place to protect confidentiality.
b. Identify barriers of implementation as well as lessons learned
for best practices to share with other urban Indian organizations, as
well as IHS and Tribal entities.
c. Sustainability plan and measures of ongoing testing in future
years, after grant money has been spent.
Other quantitative indicators may be collected to improve
clinic processes and add to information reported; however, they are not
required.
a. Number of clients who refused due to prior knowledge of status.
b. Number of rapid versus standard antibody test.
c. Number of false negatives and/or positives after confirmatory
testing.
Develop a plan for obtaining knowledge, attitudes, and
behavior data pending official approval of patient survey.
D. Organizational Capabilities Qualifications (10 points)
This section outlines the broader capacity of the organization to
complete the project outlined in the work plan. It includes the
identification of personnel responsible for completing tasks and the
chain of responsibility for successful completion of the project
outlined in the work plan.
1. Describe the organizational structure.
2. Describe the ability of the organization to manage the proposed
project. Include information regarding similarly sized projects in
scope and financial assistance as well as other grants and projects
successfully completed.
3. Describe what equipment (i.e., phone, Web sites, etc.) and
facility space (i.e., office space) will be available for use during
the proposed project. Include information about any equipment not
currently available that will be purchased throughout the agreement.
[[Page 37419]]
4. List key personnel who will work on the project.
Identify existing personnel and new program staff to be
hired.
In the appendix, include position descriptions and resumes
for all key personnel. Position descriptions should clearly describe
each position and duties indicating desired qualifications, experience,
and requirements related to the proposed project and how they will be
supervised. Resumes must indicate that the proposed staff member is
qualified to carry out the proposed project activities and who will
determine if the work of a contractor is acceptable.
Note who will be writing the progress reports.
If a position is to be filled, indicate that information
on the proposed position description.
If the project requires additional personnel beyond those
covered by the supplemental grant, (i.e., Information Technology
support, volunteers, interviewers, etc.), note these and address how
these positions will be filled and, if funds are required, the source
of these funds.
If personnel are to be only partially funded by this
supplemental grant, indicate the percentage of time to be allocated to
this project and identify the resources used to fund the remainder of
the individual's salary.
E. Categorical Budget and Budget Justification (15 points)
This section should provide a clear estimate of the project program
costs and justification for expenses for the entire grant period. The
budget and budget justification should be consistent with the tasks
identified in the work plan. The budget focus should be on routinizing
and sustaining HIV testing services as well as reducing the cost per
person tested.
1. Categorical budget (Form SF 424A, Budget Information Non-
Construction Programs) completing each of the budget periods requested.
2. Narrative justification for all costs, explaining why each line
item is necessary or relevant to the proposed project. Include
sufficient details to facilitate the determination of cost
allowability.
3. Budget justification should include a brief program narrative
for the second and third years.
4. If indirect costs are claimed, indicate and apply the current
negotiated rate to the budget. Include a copy of the rate agreement in
the appendix.
Multi-Year Project Requirements (if applicable)
Projects requiring second and/or third year must include a brief
project narrative and budget (one additional page per year) addressing
the developmental plans for each additional year of the project.
Appendix Items
1. Work plan, logic model and/or time line for proposed objectives.
2. Position descriptions for key staff.
3. Resum[eacute]s of key staff that reflect current duties.
4. Consultant or contractor proposed scope of work and letter of
commitment (if applicable).
5. Current Indirect Cost Agreement.
6. Organizational chart(s) highlighting proposed project staff and
their supervisors as well as other key contacts within the organization
and key community contacts.
7. Map of area to benefit project identifying where target
population resides and project location(s). Include trails, parks,
schools, bike paths and other such applicable information.
8. Additional documents to support narrative (i.e. data tables, key
news articles, etc.).
1. Review and Selection
Each application will be prescreened by the DGM staff for
eligibility and completeness as outlined in the funding announcement.
Incomplete applications and applications that are non-responsive to the
eligibility criteria will not be referred to the ORC. Applicants will
be notified by DGM, via email or letter, to outline minor missing
components (i.e., signature on the SF-424, audit documentation, key
contact form) needed for an otherwise complete application. All missing
documents must be sent to DGM on or before the due date listed in the
email of notification of missing documents required.
To obtain a minimum score for funding by the ORC, applicants must
address all program requirements and provide all required
documentation. Applicants that receive less than a minimum score will
be considered to be ``Disapproved'' and will be informed via email or
regular mail by the IHS Program Office of their application's
deficiencies. A summary statement outlining the strengths and
weaknesses of the application will be provided to each disapproved
applicant. The summary statement will be sent to the Authorized
Organizational Representative (AOR) that is identified on the face page
(SF-424), of the application within 60 days of the completion of the
Objective Review.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
The Notice of Award (NoA) is a legally binding document signed by
the Grants Management Officer and serves as the official notification
of the grant award. The (NoA) will be initiated by the DGM and will be
mailed via postal mail or emailed to each entity that is approved for
funding under this announcement. The NoA is the authorizing document
for which funds are dispersed to the approved entities and reflects the
amount of Federal funds awarded, the purpose of the grant, the terms
and conditions of the award, the effective date of the award, and the
budget/project period.
Disapproved Applicants
Applicants who received a score less than the recommended funding
level for approval, 60, and were deemed to be disapproved by the
Objective Review Committee, will receive an Executive Summary Statement
from the IHS Program Office within 30 days of the conclusion of the ORC
outlining the weaknesses and strengths of their application submitted.
The IHS program office will also provide additional contact information
as needed to address questions and concerns as well as provide
technical assistance if desired.
Approved But Unfunded Applicants
Approved but unfunded applicants that met the minimum scoring range
and were deemed by the ORC to be ``Approved,'' but were not funded due
to lack of funding, will have their applications held by DGM for a
period of 1 year. If additional funding becomes available during the
course of FY2012, the approved application maybe re-considered by the
awarding program office for possible funding. You will also receive an
Executive Summary Statement from the IHS Program Office within 30 days
of the conclusion of the ORC.
Note: Any correspondence other than the official NoA signed by
an IHS Grants Management Official announcing to the Project Director
that an award has been made to their organization is not an
authorization to implement their program on behalf of IHS.
2. Administrative Requirements
Grants are administered in accordance with the following
regulations, policies, and OMB cost principles:
A. The criteria as outlined in this Program Announcement.
[[Page 37420]]
B. Administrative Regulations for Grants:
45 CFR part 92, Uniform Administrative Requirements for
Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State, Local and Tribal
Governments.
45 CFR part 74, Uniform Administrative Requirements for
Awards and Subawards to Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals,
and other Non-profit Organizations.
C. Grants Policy:
HHS Grants Policy Statement, Revised 01/07.
D. Cost Principles:
Title 2: Grant and Agreements, Part 225--Cost Principles
for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments (OMB Circular A-87).
Title 2: Grant and Agreements, Part 230--Cost Principles
for Non-Profit Organizations (OMB Circular A-122).
E. Audit Requirements:
OMB Circular A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments,
and Non-profit Organizations.
3. Indirect Costs
This section applies to all grant recipients that request
reimbursement of indirect costs (IDC) in their grant application. In
accordance with HHS Grants Policy Statement, Part II-27, IHS requires
applicants to obtain a current IDC rate agreement prior to award. The
rate agreement must be prepared in accordance with the applicable cost
principles and guidance as provided by the cognizant agency or office.
A current rate covers the applicable grant activities under the current
award's budget period. If the current rate is not on file with the DGM
at the time of award, the IDC portion of the budget will be restricted.
The restrictions remain in place until the current rate is provided to
the DGM.
Generally, IDC rates for IHS grantees are negotiated with the
Division of Cost Allocation (DCA) http://rates.psc.gov/ and the
Department of Interior (National Business Center) http://www.aqd.nbc.gov/services/ICS.aspx. If your organization has questions
regarding the indirect cost policy, please call (301) 443-5204 to
request assistance.
1. Reporting Requirements
Grantees must submit required reports consistent with the
applicable deadlines. Failure to submit required reports within the
time allowed may result in suspension or termination of an active
grant, withholding of additional awards for the project, or other
enforcement actions such as withholding of payments or converting to
the reimbursement method of payment. Continued failure to submit
required reports may result in one or both of the following: (1) The
imposition of special award provisions; and (2) the non-funding or non-
award of other eligible projects or activities. This requirement
applies whether the delinquency is attributable to the failure of the
grantee organization or the individual responsible for preparation of
the reports.
The reporting requirements for this program are noted below.
Progress Reports
Program progress reports are required semi annually, within 30 days
after the budget period ends. These reports must include a brief
comparison of actual accomplishments to the goals established for the
period, or, if applicable, provide sound justification for the lack of
progress, and other pertinent information as required. A final report
must be submitted within 90 days of expiration of the budget/project
period.
Financial Reports
Federal Financial Report FFR (SF-425), Cash Transaction Reports are
due 30 days after the close of every calendar quarter to the Division
of Payment Management, HHS at: http://www.dpm.psc.gov. It is
recommended that you also send a copy of your FFR (SF-425) report to
your Grants Management Specialist. Failure to submit timely reports may
cause a disruption in timely payments to your organization.
Grantees are responsible and accountable for accurate information
being reported on all required reports: the Progress Reports and
Federal Financial Report.
Federal Subaward Reporting System (FSRS)
This award may be subject to the Transparency Act subaward and
executive compensation reporting requirements of 2 CFR part 170.
The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, as
amended (``Transparency Act''), requires the Office of Management and
Budget (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
subawards and executive compensation under Federal assistance awards.
Effective October 1, 2010 IHS implemented a Term of Award into all
IHS Standard Terms and Conditions, NoAs and funding announcements
regarding this 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 subaward obligation dollar threshold met for any
specific reporting period. Additionally, all new (discretionary) IHS
awards (where the project period is made up of more than one budget
period) and were: 1) the project period start date was October 1, 2010
or after and 2) the primary awardee will have a $25,000 subaward
obligation dollar threshold during any specific reporting period will
be required to conduct address the FSRS reporting. For the full IHS
award term implementing this requirement and additional award
applicability information, visit the Grants Management Grants Policy
Web site at: http://www.ihs.gov/NonMedicalPrograms/gogp/index.cfm?module=gogp_policy_topics.
Telecommunication for the hearing impaired is available at: TTY
(301) 443-6394.
VII. Agency Contacts
1. Questions on the programmatic issues may be directed to:
Danielle Steward, Health Systems Specialist, Office of Urban Indian
Health Programs, 801 Thompson Avenue, Suite 200, Rockville, MD 20852,
(301) 443-4680 or [email protected].
2. Questions on grants management and fiscal matters may be
directed to:
Patience Musikikongo, Grants Management Specialist, 801 Thompson
Avenue, TMP Suite 360, Rockville, MD 20852, (301) 443-5204 or
[email protected].
VIII. Other Information
The Public Health Service strongly encourages all cooperative
agreement and contract recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and
promote the non-use of all tobacco products. In addition, Public Law
103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain
facilities (or in some cases, any portion of the facility) in which
regular or routine education, library, day care, health care, or early
childhood development services are provided to children. This is
consistent with the HHS mission to protect and advance the physical and
mental health of the American people.
Date: June 4, 2012.
Yvette Roubideaux,
Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-15099 Filed 6-20-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-16-P