[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 137 (Wednesday, July 17, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42788-42795]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17159]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Indian Health Service
American Indians Into Nursing; Notice of Competitive Grant
Applications for American Indians Into Nursing Program
Announcement Type: Competing Continuation.
Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2013-IHS-NU-0001.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.970.
Dates:
Key Dates
Application Deadline Date: August 19, 2013.
Review Date: August 22, 2013.
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: September 15, 2013.
Proof of Non-Profit Status Due Date: August 9, 2013.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Statutory Authority
The Indian Health Service (IHS) Office of Public Health Support
(OPHS) is accepting competitive cooperative agreement applications for
the American Indians into Nursing Program (Section 112). This program
is authorized under Section 112 of the Indian Health Care Improvement
Act, Public Law 94-437, as amended (IHCIA), codified at 25 U.S.C.
1616e. This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance under 93.970.
Background
The IHS, an agency within the Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS), is responsible for providing Federal health services to
American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). The mission of the IHS is
to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of AI/AN.
The IHCIA authorizes the IHS to administer programs that are designed
to attract and recruit qualified individuals into health professions
needed at IHS facilities. The programs administered are designed to
encourage AI/AN to enter health professions and to ensure the
availability of health professionals to serve AI/AN populations.
Section 112 of the IHCIA requires IHS to administer the American
Indians into Nursing Scholarship Program. Within the Section 112
program, IHS provides grants to colleges, universities, and other
entities to develop and maintain nursing education programs and recruit
individuals to become Registered Nurses, Certified Nurse Midwives,
Nurse Practitioners and Certified Nurse Anesthetists who will provide
services to AI/AN people. Nursing program scholarship grants may be
used by the educational institution to provide scholarships to students
enrolled in nursing education programs. According to the terms and
conditions of the nursing program scholarship grant award, scholarship
awards are for a 1-year period; additional scholarship support may be
awarded to each eligible student for up to four years (maximum).
Purpose
The purpose of this IHS cooperative agreement is to augment the
number of Registered Nurses, Certified Nurse Midwives, Nurse
Practitioners and Certified Nurse Anesthetists who deliver health care
services to AI/AN communities. The primary objectives of this
cooperative agreement grant award are to: (1) Recruit and train
individuals to be Registered Nurses (Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN),
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)) and Advance Practice Nurses
(Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice
(DNP)); (2) Provide scholarships to individuals enrolled in schools of
nursing to pay tuition, books, fees, and stipends for living expenses;
(3) provide a program that encourages nurses (DNP, MSN, BSN, ADN) to
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provide or continue to provide, health care services in health care
programs, and (4) provide a program that increases the skills of, and
provides continuing education to nurses (Graduate and Undergraduate).
II. Award Information
Type of Award
Cooperative Agreement.
Estimated Funds Available
The total amount of funding identified for the current fiscal year
2013 is approximately $1,669,697. Individual award amounts are
anticipated to be between $300,000 and $350,000. Competing 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 four awards will be issued under this program
announcement.
Project Period
The project period will be for three years and will run
consecutively from September 15, 2013 to September 14, 2016.
Cooperative Agreement
In the HHS, a cooperative agreement is administered under the same
policies as a grant. The funding agency (IHS) is required to have
substantial programmatic involvement in the project during the entire
award segment. Below is a detailed description of the level of
involvement required for both IHS and the grantee. IHS will be
responsible for activities listed under section A and the grantee will
be responsible for activities listed under section B as stated:
Substantial Involvement Description for Cooperative Agreement
A. IHS Programmatic Involvement
(1) The IHS assigned program official will work closely with the
project's Principal Investigator/Project Director to ensure timely
receipt of the required semi-annual progress reports from each American
Indians into Nursing grantee and review them for program compliance.
(2) The IHS assigned program official will provide programmatic
technical assistance to the grantee as requested.
(3) The IHS assigned program official will coordinate and conduct
site visits and semi-annually conference calls with grantees and
students.
(4) The IHS assigned program official from the OPHS will work in
partnership with the Division of Grants Management (DGM) to ensure all
goals and objectives of the proposed project are met.
(5) The IHS assigned program official will provide an American
Indians into Nursing scholarship handbook for student program review.
(6) The IHS assigned program official will initiate default
proceedings within 90 days after receiving notification from the
grantee that a student has been dismissed from the nursing program,
withdrawn from school, failed to graduate with a nursing degree, or
failed to get licensed and begin obligated service time within 90 days.
B. Grantee Cooperative Agreement Award Activities
(1) The American Indians into Nursing grantee must designate a
Principal Investigator/Project Director. The Project Director is the
individual designated by the grant applicant to manage the project or
activity being supported by the grant. He/she is responsible for the
scientific or technical direction of the project, the day-to-day
management of the program, and is accountable to the grantee for the
proper conduct of all grant related activities.
(2) The Project director must have a current curriculum vitae on
file in the official grant file within DGM. In the case of a project
director resigning, the grantee is required to notify DGM in writing
immediately upon discovery. The grantee will notify the DGM of any new
potential replacement project director for program approval within 30
days.
(3) The American Indians into Nursing grantee will award nursing
scholarships to continuing and new students. The project director will
meet with each student to review the IHS scholarship contract and
scholarship recipient handbook.
(4) The American Indians into Nursing grantee will maintain
academic and obligated service records using a secure Web based system
for scholarship recipients. Those records shall include: student
contract information/application; copy of award letter; signed copy of
IHS scholarship contract; notification of academic problem or change;
change of academic status; change in graduation date; leave of absence;
name change; change of address; notice of impending graduation;
placement update; and preferred assignment.
(5) The American Indians into Nursing grantee will submit all
required documents to the IHS assigned program official upon
graduation: official transcript; copy of license and certifications;
letter of hire for Tribal/Urban employees; copy of SF-50 for Federal
employees; and all status reports throughout the scholarship
recipient's service obligation.
(6) The American Indians into Nursing grantee will submit student
contracts, student information and initial student progress report 45
days after the start of the semester.
(7) The American Indians into Nursing grantee project director will
monitor fulfillment of all contractual obligations incurred by nursing
program scholarship recipients by requesting a student status report
six months and one year after hire date.
(8) The American Indians into Nursing grantee project director is
encouraged to have quarterly meeting with university/college grants and
contract officer and college of business officers.
(9) The American Indians into Nursing grantee project director is
expected to collaborate with other American Indians into Nursing
project directors and staff under this grant program; and to share best
practices, successes and challenges of the program. The American
Indians into Nursing scholarship recipients will be required to
participate in the annual IHS national nurse leaders meeting for
workshop, mentorship and networking.
(10) The American Indians into Nursing grantee will complete an end
of year report and ensure a budget report is submitted to IHS assigned
program official and grants specialist 90 days after the budget period
ends.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Schools of nursing providing nursing education and conferring
degrees are eligible for this award:
A. Accredited Public or Private schools of nursing,
B. Accredited Tribally controlled community colleges and Tribally
controlled postsecondary vocational institutions (as defined in section
390(2) of the Tribally Controlled Vocational Institutions Support Act
of 1990 (20 U.S.C. 2397h(2)), or
C. Nurse midwife programs and nurse practitioner programs that are
provided by any public or private institution.
2. In Accordance With the IHCIA, Funding Preference Will Be Given to
Applicants Who Have:
A. Programs that provide a preference to Indian students.
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B. Programs that train nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, and
nurse anesthetist.
C. Programs that are interdisciplinary with other health
professional students such as medicine, pharmacy, dental and behavioral
health students.
D. Programs that are conducted in cooperation with a center for
gifted and talented Indian students established under section 5324 (a)
of the Indian Education Act of 1988. If an eligible organization claims
preference in order to be given priority, the organization must submit
verifying documentation.
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 proof of non-profit 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
A. All schools must be state approved. All schools and training
programs must have current, unrestricted accreditation by either the
National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or American
Association of Colleges of Nursing Commission on Collegiate Nursing
Education (CCNE). All institutions must be fully accredited without
restrictions.
B. The schools offering a degree in nurse midwifery must provide
verification of accreditation by the American College of Nurse
Midwives.
C. The schools offering a degree in nurse anesthesia must provide
verification of accreditation by the Council of Accreditation of Nurse
Anesthesia Educational Program (COA).
D. The Tribally controlled community college nursing programs and
Tribally controlled post-secondary vocational institutions must be
accredited by the NLNAC or other appropriately recognized nursing
accrediting body.
E. All universities and colleges currently participating and
submitting competing continuation proposals must include new objectives
for this project period.
If application budgets exceed the highest dollar amount outlined
under the ``Estimated Funds Available'' section within this funding
announcement, the application will be considered ineligible and will
not be reviewed for further consideration. If deemed ineligible, IHS
will not return the application. The applicant will be notified by
email by the Division of Grants Management (DGM) of this decision.
Proof of Non-Profit Status
Organizations claiming non-profit status must submit proof. A copy
of the 501(c)(3) Certificate must be received with the application
submission by the Application Deadline Date listed under the Key Dates
section on page one of this announcement.
An applicant submitting any of the above additional documentation
after the initial application submission due date is required to ensure
the information was received by the IHS by obtaining documentation
confirming delivery (i.e. FedEx tracking, postal return receipt, etc.).
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Obtaining Application Materials
The application package and detailed instructions for this
announcement can be found at http://www.Grants.gov or https://www.ihs.gov/dgm/index.cfm?module=dsp_dgm_-funding.
Questions regarding the electronic application process may be
directed to Mr. 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 five pages).
Project Narrative (must be single spaced and not exceed
ten pages).
[cir] Background information on the organization.
[cir] Proposed scope of work, objectives, and activities that
provide a description of what will be accomplished, including a one-
page Timeframe Chart.
501(c)(3) Certificate (if applicable).
Biographical sketches for all Key Personnel.
Contractor/Consultant resumes or qualifications and scope
of work.
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL).
Certification Regarding Lobbying (GG-Lobbying Form).
Copy of current Negotiated Indirect Cost rate (IDC)
agreement (required) in order to receive IDC.
Organizational Chart (optional).
Documentation of current Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) 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 ten 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 grant award. If the narrative exceeds the
page limit, only the first ten pages will be reviewed. The 10-page
limit for the narrative does not include the work plan, standard forms,
Tribal resolutions, table of contents, budget, budget justifications,
narratives, and/or other appendix items.
Part A: Program Information (3-Page Limitation)
Section 1: Needs
The American Indians Into Nursing Program
1. Describe how the proposed American Indians into Nursing program
will maintain academic and obligated service records using a secure web
based system for scholarship recipients: Student contract information/
application, copy of award letter, signed copy of IHS Scholarship
contract,
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notification of academic problem or change, change of academic status,
change in graduation date, leave of absence, name change, change of
address, notice of impending graduation, placement update, and
preferred assignment.
2. Describe how the proposed American Indians into Nursing program
coordinator will monitor fulfillment of all contractual obligations
incurred by nursing program scholarship recipients.
3. Describe how the proposed American Indians into Nursing program
will complete the following activities: submitting semi-annual status
reports, annual reports and budget reports by designated deadline to
assure program compliance.
4. Describe how the proposed American Indians into Nursing program
will notify IHS assigned program official of new and continuing
students scholarship awards and submission of IHS contracts within 45
days of student scholarship awards.
Part B: Program Planning and Evaluation (5-Page limitation)
Section 1: Program Plans
Describe fully and clearly how the applicant will complete the
following and include proposed timelines for completing these
activities:
1. Attract and recruit for the associates, baccalaureate, masters
and doctorate nursing programs.
2. Provide mechanisms and resources to increase nursing student
enrollment, retention, and graduation.
3. Process for advertising, selecting and notifying Section 112
scholarship to nursing students
4. Provide activities that increase the skills and provide
continuing education at the graduate and undergraduate level for nurses
who deliver health services to the AI/AN population.
5. Provide support to the American Indians into Nursing program
utilizing career counseling; academic advice; plans to correct academic
deficiencies; and other activities to assist student retention.
Section 2: Program Evaluation
1. Describe fully and clearly the program plans for evaluating
success in carrying out the project and on an annual basis conduct a
quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the year's activity,
identifying what areas of the project need to be improved and how the
applicant will make those improvements.
2. Applicants must identify how they will meet on an annual basis
with the other project directors and staff under this grant program to
share best practices, successes and challenges and to receive Federal
grant training.
Part C: Program Report (Current Grantee only) (5-Page Limitation)
Section 1: Describe major accomplishments over the last 24 months.
Please identify and describe significant program achievements
associated with the program objectives. Provide a comparison of the
actual program accomplishments to the goals established for the project
period, or, if applicable, provide justification for the lack of
progress.
Section 2: Describe major activities over the last 5 years.
Please identify and summarize major project activities during the
project period to improve the management of the grant program.
B. Budget Narrative: This narrative must describe the budget
requested and match the scope of work described the project narrative.
The budget narrative should not exceed five pages.
1. Submission Dates and Times
Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by
12:00 a.m., midnight Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on the Application
Deadline Date listed in the Key Dates section on page one of this
announcement. Any application received after the application deadline
will not be accepted for processing, nor will it be given further
consideration for funding. The applicant will be notified by the DGM
via email 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 Mr. Paul Gettys, DGM
([email protected]) at (301) 443-2114. Please be sure to contact Mr.
Gettys at least ten days prior to the application deadline. Please do
not contact the DGM until you have received a Grants.gov tracking
number. In the event you are not able to obtain a tracking number, call
the DGM as soon as possible.
If the applicant needs to submit a paper application instead of
submitting electronically 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 the waiver request has been approved, the
applicant will receive a confirmation of approval and the mailing
address to submit the application. Paper applications that are
submitted without a waiver from the Acting Director of DGM will not be
reviewed or considered further for funding. The applicant will be
notified via email of this decision by the Grants Management Officer of
DGM. Paper applications must be received by the DGM no later than 5:00
p.m., EDT, on the Application Deadline Date listed in the Key Dates
section on page one of this announcement. Late applications will not be
accepted for processing or considered for funding.
2. Intergovernmental Review
Executive Order 12372 requiring intergovernmental review is not
applicable to this program.
3. 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.
4. Electronic Submission Requirements
All applications must be submitted electronically. Please use the
http://www.Grants.gov Web site to submit an application electronically
and select the ``Find Grant Opportunities'' link on the homepage.
Download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and
then upload and submit the completed application via the http://www.Grants.gov Web site. Electronic copies of the application may not
be submitted as attachments to email messages addressed to IHS
employees or offices.
If the applicant receives a waiver to submit paper application
documents, the applicant must follow the rules and timelines that are
noted below. The applicant must seek assistance at least ten days prior
to the Application Deadline Date listed in the Key Dates section on
page one of this announcement.
Applicants that do not adhere to the timelines for System for Award
Management (SAM) and/or http://www.Grants.gov registration or that fail
to request timely assistance with technical issues will not be
considered for a waiver to submit a paper application.
Please be aware of the following:
[[Page 42792]]
Please search for the application package in http://www.Grants.gov by entering the CFDA number or the Funding Opportunity
Number. Both numbers are located in the header of this announcement.
If you experience technical challenges while submitting
your application electronically, please contact Grants.gov Support
directly at: [email protected] or (800) 518-4726. Customer Support is
available to address questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except on
Federal holidays).
Upon contacting Grants.gov, obtain a tracking number as
proof of contact. The tracking number is helpful if there are technical
issues that cannot be resolved and a waiver from the agency must be
obtained.
If it is determined that a waiver is needed, the applicant
must submit a request in writing (emails are acceptable) to
[email protected] with a copy to [email protected]. Please
include a clear justification for the need to deviate from the standard
electronic submission process.
If the waiver is approved, the application should be sent
directly to the DGM by the Application Deadline Date listed in the Key
Dates section on page one of this announcement.
Applicants are strongly encouraged not to wait until the
deadline date to begin the application process through Grants.gov as
the registration process for SAM and Grants.gov could take up to
fifteen working days.
Please use the optional attachment feature in Grants.gov
to attach additional documentation that may be requested by the DGM.
All applicants must comply with any page limitation
requirements described in this Funding Announcement.
After electronically submitting the application, the
applicant will receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that
contains a Grants.gov tracking number. The DGM will download the
application from Grants.gov and provide necessary copies to the
appropriate agency officials. Neither the DGM nor the OPHS will notify
the applicant that the application has been received.
Email applications will not be accepted under this
announcement.
Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
All IHS applicants and grantee organizations are required to obtain
a DUNS number and maintain an active registration in the SAM database.
The DUNS number is a unique 9-digit identification number provided by
D&B which uniquely identifies each entity. The DUNS number is site
specific; therefore, each distinct performance site may be assigned a
DUNS number. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy, and there is no charge.
To obtain a DUNS number, please access it through http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform, or to expedite the process, call (866) 705-
5711.
All HHS recipients are required by the Federal Funding
Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, as amended (``Transparency
Act''), to report information on subawards. 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.
System for Award Management (SAM)
Organizations that were not registered with Central Contractor
Registration (CCR) and have not registered with SAM will need to obtain
a DUNS number first and then access the SAM online registration through
the SAM home page at https://www.sam.gov (U.S. organizations will also
need to provide an Employer Identification Number from the Internal
Revenue Service that may take an additional 2-5 weeks to become
active). Completing and submitting the registration takes approximately
one hour to complete and SAM registration will take 3-5 business days
to process. Registration with the SAM is free of charge. Applicants may
register online at https://www.sam.gov.
Additional information on implementing the Transparency Act,
including the specific requirements for DUNS and SAM, can be found on
the IHS Grants Management, Grants Policy Web site: https://www.ihs.gov/dgm/index.cfm?module=dsp_dgm_-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 10-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 70 points is
required for funding. Points are assigned as follows:
1. Criteria
A. In accordance with the IHCIA, funding preference will be given
to applicants who have: (20 points)
1. Programs that provide a preference to Indian students.
2. Programs that train nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, and
nurse anesthetist.
3. Programs that are interdisciplinary with other health
professional students such as medicine, pharmacy, dental and behavioral
health students.
4. Programs that are conducted in cooperation with a center for
gifted and talented Indian students established under section 5324(a)
of the Indian Education Act of 1988. If an eligible organization claims
preference in order to be given priority, the organization must submit
verifying documentation.
B. In addition, in scoring applications, a preference will be
provided to the following: (10 points)
1. Programs that provide nursing education which have an emphasis
on leadership related competencies and health care innovation.
2. Programs that provide nursing education which have an emphasis
on transcultural nursing and cultural competency.
3. Programs whose curriculum has a rural health care focus.
4. Programs that integrate an Evidence Based Practice (EBP)
curriculum.
5. Programs which have student clinical rotations established or
plan to establish clinical rotations with Indian health programs. The
organization must submit letter of intent from the Indian health
program.
6. Programs which offer formal bridge program agreements between
Tribal colleges or universities so as to accommodate ADN to BSN, BSN to
MSN, and MSN to DNP students.
7. Programs which have a faculty exchange program between a Tribal
college or university and a university school of nursing, so as to
enhance cultural relevance, competency and faculty strength.
C. Introduction and Need for Assistance (15 Points)
1. Applicants must justify the need for their project and provide a
plan for the
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methodology they will use for recruiting nursing students nation-wide,
provide a program that encourages AI/AN nurses at the graduate and
undergraduate level; and provide a program that increases the skills of
and provides continuing education to nurses at the graduate and
undergraduate level.
2. Applicants should identify their experience with other similar
projects, including the results of those projects and provide evidence
of their past or potential cooperation and experience with AI/AN
communities and Tribes.
3. Applicants should demonstrate substantial benefit to Indian
health programs.
D. Project Objective(s), Work Plan and Approach (20 Points)
1. Applicants must clearly describe how they will recruit and train
individuals to be nurses at the graduate and undergraduate level and to
provide scholarships to students enrolled in the college of nursing to
pay tuition, books, fees, and stipends for living expenses.
2. Applicants must clearly describe how the program will provide
support services to nursing students to facilitate their success in the
nursing program as well as track their progress.
3. Applicants must clearly describe how the program will assist the
graduate nurse with job placement and track their payback status to
ensure service obligation is fulfilled.
4. Applicants should have a mechanism in place to provide their
students with clinical rotation in AI/AN health programs; have a bridge
program between Tribal colleges or universities so as to accommodate
ADN to BSN, BSN to MSN/DNP and have a faculty exchange program with
Tribal college or university and the university school of nursing.
E. Program Evaluation (20 Points)
1. Present a plan for evaluating success in carrying out the
project on a day-to-day project operation and conduct a quantitative
and qualitative evaluation of the year's activities.
2. Identify how the program will adequately document project
objectives; and identify what areas of the project need improvements.
3. Demonstrate the detailed steps and timeline to effectively
achieve proposed methodology and evaluation plan.
4. Identify how the program director will meet with other project
directors and staff on annual basis to share best practices, successes
and challenges.
F. Organizational Capabilities, Key Personnel and Qualifications (5
Points)
1. Provide an organizational chart and describe the administrative,
managerial and organization arrangements and the facilities and
resources to be utilized to conduct the proposed project.
2. List the key personnel who will work with the program. In the
appendix, include position descriptions and resumes of program director
and key staff with duties and experience. Describe who will be writing
progress report.
3. Describe any prior experience in administering similar project.
G. Categorical Budget and Budget Justification (10 Points)
1. Clearly define the budget. Provide a justification and detailed
breakdown of the funding by category for the first year of the project.
Information on the project director and project staff should include
salaries and percentage of time assigned to the grant. List equipment
purchases necessary to conduct the project.
2. The applicant may include as a direct cost tuition and student
support for students who have been selected to receive a scholarship
through the American Indians into Nursing grant. Scholarship support
consists of full time tuition/fees/books/other expenses to include
uniforms and monthly stipends for living expenses for 12 months. The
current stipend is to be $1500 per month.
Multi-Year Project Requirements
Projects requiring second, third, fourth, and/or fifth year must
include a brief project narrative and budget (one additional page per
year) addressing the developmental plans for each additional year of
the project in an appendix
Appendix Items
Work plan, logic model and/or time line for proposed
objectives.
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).
Current Indirect Cost Agreement.
Organizational chart(s) highlighting proposed project
staff and their supervisors as well as other key contacts within the
organization and key community contacts.
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, 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. If an applicant receives less than a minimum score, it
will be considered to be ``Disapproved'' and will be informed via email
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
that is identified on the face page (SF-424), of the application within
30 days of the completion of the Objective Review.
VI. Award Administration Information
Award Notices
The Notice of Award (NoA) is a legally binding document signed by
the Grants Management Officer and serves as the official notification
of the grant award. The NoA will be initiated by the DGM in our grant
system, GrantSolutions (https://www.grantsolutions.gov). Each entity
that is approved for funding under this announcement will need to
request or have a user account in GrantSolutions in order to retrieve
their NoA. The NoA is the authorizing document for which funds are
dispersed to the approved entities and reflects the amount of Federal
funds awarded, the purpose of the grant, the terms and conditions of
the award, the effective date of the award, and the budget/project
period.
Disapproved Applicants
Applicants who received a score less than the recommended funding
level for approval, 70, and were deemed to be disapproved by the ORC,
will receive an Executive Summary Statement from the IHS program office
within 30 days of the conclusion of the ORC outlining the weaknesses
and strengths of their
[[Page 42794]]
application submitted. The IHS program office will also provide
additional contact information as needed to address questions and
concerns as well as provide technical assistance if desired.
Approved But Unfunded Applicants
Approved but unfunded applicants that met the minimum scoring range
and were deemed by the ORC to be ``Approved,'' but were not funded due
to lack of funding, will have their applications held by DGM for a
period of one year. If additional funding becomes available during the
course of FY 2013, the approved application may be re-considered by the
awarding program office for possible funding. The applicant will also
receive an Executive Summary Statement from the IHS program office
within 30 days of the conclusion of the ORC.
Note: Any correspondence other than the official NoA signed by
an IHS Grants Management Official announcing to the Project Director
that an award has been made to their organization is not an
authorization to implement their program on behalf of IHS.
1. Administrative Requirements
Cooperative agreements are administered in accordance with the
following regulations, policies, and OMB cost principles:
A. The criteria as outlined in this Program Announcement.
B. Administrative Regulations for Grants:
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:
2 CFR Part 225--Cost Principles for State, Local, and
Indian Tribal Governments (OMB Circular A-87).
2 CFR 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.
2. Indirect Costs
This section applies to all grant recipients that request
reimbursement of indirect costs (IDC) in their grant application. In
accordance with HHS Grants Policy Statement, Part II-27, IHS requires
applicants to obtain a current IDC rate agreement prior to award. The
rate agreement must be prepared in accordance with the applicable cost
principles and guidance as provided by the cognizant agency or office.
A current rate covers the applicable grant activities under the current
award's budget period. If the current rate is not on file with the DGM
at the time of award, the IDC portion of the budget will be restricted.
The restrictions remain in place until the current rate is provided to
the DGM.
Generally, IDC rates for IHS grantees are negotiated with the
Division of Cost Allocation (DCA) https://rates.psc.gov/ and the
Department of Interior (Interior Business Center) http://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/Indirect_Cost_Services/index.cfm. For questions
regarding the indirect cost policy, please call (301) 443-5204 to
request assistance.
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 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. Reports must be submitted electronically via
GrantSolutions. Personnel responsible for submitting reports will be
required to obtain a login and password for GrantSolutions. Please see
the Agency Contacts list in section VII for the systems contact
information.
The reporting requirements for this program are noted below.
A. Progress Reports
Program progress reports are required semi-annually, within 30 days
after the budget period ends. These reports must include a brief
comparison of actual accomplishments to the goals established for the
period, or, if applicable, provide sound justification for the lack of
progress, and other pertinent information as required. A final report
must be submitted within 90 days of expiration of the budget/project
period.
B. Financial Reports
Federal Financial Report FFR (SF-425), Cash Transaction Reports are
due 30 days after the close of every calendar quarter to the Division
of Payment Management, HHS at: http://www.dpm.psc.gov. It is
recommended that the applicant also send a copy of the FFR (SF-425)
report to the Grants Management Specialist. Failure to submit timely
reports may cause a disruption in timely payments to the organization.
Grantees are responsible and accountable for accurate information
being reported on all required reports: The Progress Reports and
Federal Financial Report.
C. Federal 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 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 subawards and executive
compensation under Federal assistance awards.
IHS has implemented a Term of Award into all IHS Standard Terms and
Conditions, NoAs and funding announcements regarding the FSRS reporting
requirement. This IHS Term of Award is applicable to all IHS grant and
cooperative agreements issued on or after October 1, 2010, with a
$25,000 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 where: 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 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:
https://www.ihs.gov/dgm/index.cfm?module=dsp_dgm_-policy--topics.
Telecommunication for the hearing impaired is available at: TTY
(301) 443-6394.
[[Page 42795]]
VII. Agency Contacts
1. Questions on the programmatic issues may be directed to: Naomi
A. Aspaas, BSN, RN, Office of Public Health Support, 801 Thompson
Avenue, TMP Suite 450, Rockville, Maryland 20852, Telephone: (301) 443-
2362, Fax: (301) 443-6048, Email: [email protected].
2. Questions on grants management and fiscal matters may be
directed to: Andrew Diggs, Grants Management Specialist, 801 Thompson
Avenue, TMP Suite 360, Rockville, Maryland 20850, Phone: (301) 443-
2262, Email: [email protected].
3. Questions on systems matters may be directed to: Paul Gettys,
Grant Systems Coordinator, 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP Suite 360,
Rockville, MD 20852, Phone: 301-443-2114; or the DGM main line 301-443-
5204, Fax: 301-443-9602, Email: [email protected].
VIII. Other Information
The Public Health Service strongly encourages all cooperative
agreement and contract recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and
promote the non-use of all tobacco products. In addition, Public Law
103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain
facilities (or in some cases, any portion of the facility) in which
regular or routine education, library, day care, health care, or early
childhood development services are provided to children. This is
consistent with the HHS mission to protect and advance the physical and
mental health of the American people.
Dated: July 8, 2013.
Yvette Roubideaux,
Acting Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-17159 Filed 7-16-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-16-P