2019-10098. American Indians Into Psychology  

  • Start Preamble

    Announcement Type: New and Competing Continuation.

    Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2019-IHS-INPSY-0001.

    Assistance Listing (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance) Number: 93.970.

    Key Dates

    Application Deadline Date: June 20, 2019.

    Earliest Anticipated Start Date: July 20, 2019.

    I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Statutory Authority

    The Indian Health Service (IHS) Division of Health Professions Support, is accepting applications for cooperative agreements for American Indians into Psychology. This program is authorized under section 217 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, Public Law 94-437, as amended (IHCIA), codified at 25 U.S.C. 1621p. This program is described in the Assistance Listings located at https://beta.sam.gov (formerly known as 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 to ensure the availability of health professionals to serve AI/AN populations. Section 217 of the IHCIA authorizes IHS to administer the American Indians into Psychology Program. Within the Section 217 program, IHS provides grants to colleges and universities to develop and maintain psychology education programs and recruit individuals to become Clinical Psychologists who will provide services to AI/AN people. Psychology program scholarship grants may be used by the educational institution to provide scholarships to Indian students enrolled in clinical psychology education programs. According to the terms and conditions of the psychology program scholarship grant award, scholarship awards are for a l-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 Indian Clinical Psychologists who deliver health care services to AI/AN communities. The primary objectives of this cooperative agreement award are to: (1) Recruit and train individuals to be Clinical Psychologists; and (2) provide scholarships to individuals enrolled in schools of clinical psychology to pay tuition, books, fees and stipends for living expenses.

    II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument

    Cooperative Agreement.Start Printed Page 22134

    Estimated Funds Available

    The total funding identified for fiscal year (FY) 2019 is approximately $722,374. Individual award amounts are anticipated to be between $200,000 and $240,000. The funding available for competing and subsequent continuation awards issued under this announcement is subject to the availability of funds and budgetary priorities of the Agency. The IHS is under no obligation to make awards that are selected for funding under this announcement.

    Anticipated Number of Awards

    Given current funding levels, approximately three awards will be issued under this program announcement.

    Period of Performance

    The period of performance is for five years.

    Cooperative Agreement

    Cooperative agreements awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are administered under the same policies as a grant. However, the funding agency (IHS) is anticipated 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 IHS.

    Substantial Involvement Description for Cooperative Agreement

    A. IHS Programmatic Involvement

    (1) The IHS program official will work closely with the project's Program Director to ensure timely receipt of the required semi-annual progress reports from each American Indians into Psychology grantee and review them for program compliance.

    (2) The IHS 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 periodic conference calls with grantees and students as time and budget permit.

    (4) The IHS program official 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 program official will provide American Indians into Psychology scholarship materials and policies for student program review.

    (6) The IHS program official will initiate default proceedings within 90 days after receiving notification from the grantee that a student has been dismissed from the program, withdrawn from school, failed to graduate with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, failed to begin a required period of supervised clinical hours required for state licensure, failed to meet the minimum required number of supervised clinical hours prior to licensure, failed to get licensed and begin obligated service time within 90 days, or failed to complete the service.

    III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligibility

    Public and nonprofit private colleges and universities that offer a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in clinical programs accredited by the American Psychological Association will be eligible to apply for a cooperative agreement under this announcement. However, only one cooperative agreement will be awarded and funded to a college or university per funding cycle.

    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 non-profit status, etc.

    2. Cost Sharing or Matching

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

    3. Other Requirements

    A. All schools and training programs must have current, unrestricted accreditation by the American Psychological Association (APA). All institutions must be fully accredited without restrictions at the time of application.

    B. All universities and colleges currently participating and submitting competing continuation proposals must include new objectives for this project period.

    C. Applications with budget requests that exceed the highest dollar amount outlined under the Award Information, Estimated Funds Available section, or exceed the Period of Performance outlined under the Award Information, Period of Performance section will be considered not responsive and will not be reviewed. The Division of Grants Management (DGM) will notify the applicant.

    IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Obtaining Application Materials

    The application package and detailed instructions for this announcement are hosted on http://www.Grants.gov.

    Please direct questions regarding the application process to Mr. Paul Gettys at (301) 443-2114 or (301) 443-5204.

    2. Content and Form Application Submission

    The applicant must include the project narrative as an attachment to the application package. Mandatory documents for all applicants include:

    • Abstract (one page) summarizing the project.
    • Application forms:

    ○ SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance.

    ○ SF-424A, Budget Information—Non-Construction Programs.

    ○ SF-424B, Assurances—Non-Construction Programs.

    • Project Narrative (not to exceed 25 pages). See IV.2.A Project Narrative for instructions.

    ○ Background information on the organization.

    ○ Proposed scope of work, objectives, and activities that provide a description of what will be accomplished.

    • Budget Justification and Narrative (not to exceed five pages). See IV.2.B Budget Narrative for instructions.
    • One-page Timeframe Chart.
    • Proof of accreditation.
    • 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) Financial Audit (if applicable).

    Acceptable forms of documentation include:

    ○ Email confirmation from Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC) that audits were submitted; or

    ○ Face sheets from audit reports. These can be found on the FAC website: https://harvester.census.gov/​facdissem/​Main.aspx.

    Public Policy Requirements

    All Federal public policies apply to IHS grants and cooperative agreements, with the exception of the Discrimination Policy.

    Requirements for Project and Budget Narratives

    A. Project Narrative

    This narrative should be a separate document that is no more than 25 pages Start Printed Page 22135and must: (1) Have consecutively numbered pages; (2) use black font not smaller than 12 points; (3) and be formatted to fit standard letter paper (81/2 x 11 inches).

    Be sure to succinctly answer all questions listed under the evaluation criteria (refer to Section V.1, Evaluation Criteria) and place all responses and required information in the correct section noted below or they will not be considered or scored. If the narrative exceeds the page limit, the application will be considered not responsive and not be reviewed. The 25-page limit for the narrative does not include the work plan, standard forms, Tribal resolutions, budget, budget justifications, narratives, and/or other appendix items.

    There are three parts to the 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 limitations below are for each narrative and budget submitted.

    Part 1: Program Information (Limit—5 Pages)

    1. Describe how the proposed American Indians into Psychology 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, 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 Psychology program coordinator will monitor fulfillment of all contractual obligations incurred by psychology program scholarship recipients.

    3. Describe how the proposed American Indians into Psychology 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 Psychology 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 2: Program Planning and Evaluation (Limit—10 Pages)

    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 clinical psychology programs.

    2. Provide mechanisms and resources to increase psychology student enrollment, retention, and graduation.

    3. Process for advertising, selecting and notifying Section 217 scholarship students.

    4. Provide activities that increase the skills and provide continuing education at the graduate level for clinical psychologists who deliver health services to the AI/AN population.

    5. Provide support to the American Indians into Psychology program utilizing career counseling; academic advice; plans to correct academic deficiencies; and other activities to assist student retention.

    6. As addressing the opioid crisis is a priority of the Department of Health and Human Services, the program plan may provide information on how the awardee will educate and train students in opioid addiction prevention, treatment and recovery.

    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 3: Program Report (Limit—10 Pages)

    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 Five Years

    Please identify and summarize major project activities during the project period to improve the management of the grant program.

    B. Budget Narrative (Limit—5 Pages)

    Provide a budget narrative that explains the amounts requested for each line of the budget. The budget narrative should specifically describe how each item will support the achievement of proposed objectives. Be very careful about showing how each item in the “other” category is justified. For subsequent budget years, the narrative should highlight the changes from year one or clearly indicate that there are no substantive budget changes during the period of performance. Do NOT use the budget narrative to expand the project narrative.

    3. Submission Dates and Times

    Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on the Application Deadline Date listed in the Key Dates section. 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 (Paul.Gettys@ihs.gov), DGM Grant Systems Coordinator, by telephone at (301) 443-2114 or (301) 443-5204. Please be sure to contact Mr. Gettys at least ten days prior to the application deadline. Please do not contact the DGM until you have received a Grants.gov tracking number. In the event you are not able to obtain a tracking number, call the DGM as soon as possible.

    The IHS will not acknowledge receipt of applications.

    4. Intergovernmental Review

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

    5. Funding Restrictions

    • Preaward costs are allowable up to 90 days before the start date of the award provided the costs are otherwise allowable if awarded. Preaward costs are incurred at the risk of the applicant.
    • The available funds are inclusive of direct and appropriate indirect costs.
    • Only one cooperative agreement will be awarded per applicant.Start Printed Page 22136

    6. Electronic Submission Requirements

    All applications must be submitted via Grants.gov. Please use the http://www.Grants.gov website to submit an application. Find the application by selecting the “Search Grants” link on the homepage. Follow the instructions for submitting an application under the Package tab. No other method of application submission is acceptable.

    If the applicant cannot submit an application through Grants.gov, a waiver must be requested. Prior approval must be requested and obtained from Mr. Robert Tarwater, Director, DGM, (see Section IV.6 below for additional information). A written waiver request must be sent to GrantsPolicy@ihs.gov with a copy to Robert.Tarwater@ihs.gov. The waiver must: (1) Be documented in writing (emails are acceptable), before submitting an application by some other method, and (2) include clear justification for the need to deviate from the required application submission process.

    Once the waiver request has been approved, the applicant will receive a confirmation of approval email containing submission instructions. A copy of the written approval must be included with the application that is submitted to DGM. Applications that are submitted without a copy of the signed waiver from the Director of the DGM will not be reviewed. The Grants Management Officer of the DGM will notify the applicant via email of this decision. Applications submitted under waiver must be received by the DGM no later than 5:00 p.m., EDT, 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 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, please contact Grants.gov Customer Support (see contact information at https://www.grants.gov).
    • Upon contacting Grants.gov, obtain a tracking number as proof of contact. The tracking number is helpful if there are technical issues that cannot be resolved and a waiver from the agency must be obtained.
    • Applicants are strongly encouraged not to wait until the deadline date to begin the application process through Grants.gov as the registration process for SAM and Grants.gov could take up to 20 working days.
    • Please follow the instructions on Grants.gov to include additional documentation that may be requested by this funding announcement.
    • Applicants must comply with any page limits described in this funding announcement.
    • After submitting the application, the applicant will receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. The IHS will not notify the applicant that the application has been received.

    Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)

    Applicants and grantee organizations are required to obtain a DUNS number and maintain an active registration in the SAM database. The DUNS number is a unique 9-digit identification number provided by D&B, 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 the request service through http://fedgov.dnb.com/​webform,, or call (866) 705-5711.

    The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, as amended (“Transparency Act”), requires all HHS recipients to report information on sub-awards. Accordingly, all IHS grantees must notify potential first-tier sub-recipients that no entity may receive a first-tier sub-award unless the entity has provided its DUNS number to the prime grantee organization. This requirement ensures the use of a universal identifier to enhance the quality of information available to the public pursuant to the Transparency Act.

    System for Award Management (SAM)

    Organizations that are not registered with SAM 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). 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://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 website: http://www.ihs.gov/​dgm/​policytopics/​.

    V. Application Review Information

    Weights assigned to each section are noted in parentheses. The 25-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 possible points. Points are assigned as follows:

    1. Criteria

    A. Introduction and Need for Assistance (10 Points)

    1. Applicants must justify the need for their project and provide a plan for the methodology they will use for recruiting clinical psychology students nation-wide, provide a program that encourages AI/AN clinical psychologists at the graduate and undergraduate level; and provide a program that increases the skills of and provides continuing education to clinical psychologists 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 their program's substantial benefit to Indian health programs.

    B. Project Objective(s), Work Plan and Approach (40 Points)

    1. Applicants must clearly describe how they will recruit and train individuals to be clinical psychologists and to provide scholarships to students enrolled in the college of clinical psychology to pay tuition, books, fees, and stipends for living expenses.

    2. Applicants must clearly describe how they will collect students' BIA-4437 forms to verify whether students receiving tuition support in their program are members of eligible, federally-recognized tribes.Start Printed Page 22137

    3. Applicants must clearly describe how the program will provide support services to psychology students to facilitate their success in the clinical psychology program as well as track their progress.

    4. Applicants must clearly describe how the program will assist the clinical psychologist with job placement at eligible Indian health sites and track their payback status to ensure service obligation is fulfilled.

    5. Applicants should have a mechanism in place to provide their students with clinical rotation in AI/AN health programs.

    6. As addressing the opioid crisis is a priority of the Department of Health and Human Services, describe how the proposed program will educate and train students in opioid addiction prevention, treatment and recovery.

    7. Awardees under this funding opportunity must develop a program that meets all of the requirements listed below. Applicants must describe how their program will, at a minimum:

    (1) Provide outreach and recruitment for health professions to Indian communities including elementary, secondary, and accredited and accessible community colleges that will be served by the program;

    (2) incorporate a program advisory board comprised of representatives from the tribes and communities that will be served by the program;

    (3) provide summer enrichment programs to expose Indian students to the various fields of psychology through research, clinical, and experimental activities;

    (4) provide stipends to undergraduate and graduate students to pursue a career in psychology;

    (5) develop affiliation agreements with tribal colleges and universities, the Service, university affiliated programs, and other appropriate accredited and accessible entities to enhance the education of Indian students;

    (6) to the maximum extent feasible, use existing university tutoring, counseling, and student support services; and

    (7) to the maximum extent feasible, employs qualified Indians in the program.

    C. Program Evaluation (30 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 Program Directors and staff on an annual basis to share best practices, successes and challenges.

    D. Organizational Capabilities, Key Personnel and Qualifications (15 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 projects.

    E. Categorical Budget and Budget Justification (5 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 Program 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 Psychology cooperative agreement. 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 $1,500 per month.

    Multi-Year Project Requirements

    Applications must include a brief project narrative and budget (one additional page per year) addressing the developmental plans for each additional year of the project. This attachment will not count as part of the project narrative or the budget narrative.

    Additional Documents Can Be Uploaded as Appendix Items in Grants.gov

    • 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.
    • Map of area identifying project location(s).
    • Additional documents to support narrative (i.e., data tables, key news articles, etc.).

    2. Review and Selection

    Each application will be prescreened for eligibility and completeness as outlined in the funding announcement. Applications that meet the eligibility criteria shall be reviewed for merit by the ORC based on evaluation criteria. Incomplete applications and applications that are not responsive to the administrative thresholds will not be referred to the ORC and will not be funded. The applicant will be notified of this determination.

    Applicants must address all program requirements and provide all required documentation.

    3. Notifications of Disposition

    All applicants will receive an Executive Summary Statement from the IHS Office of Human Resources within 30 days of the conclusion of the ORC outlining the strengths and weaknesses of their application. The summary statement will be sent to the Authorizing Official identified on the face page (SF-424) of the application.

    A. Award Notices for Funded Applications

    The Notice of Award (NoA) is the authorizing document for which funds are dispersed to the approved entities and reflects the amount of Federal funds awarded, the purpose of the grant, the terms and conditions of the award, the effective date of the award, and the budget/project period. Each entity approved for funding must have a user account in GrantSolutions in order to retrieve the NoA. Please see the Agency Contacts list in Section VII for the systems contact information.

    B. Approved but Unfunded Applications

    Approved applications not funded due to lack of available funds will be held for one 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.

    Start Printed Page 22138

    VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Administrative Requirements

    Cooperative agreements are administered in accordance with the following regulations and policies:

    A. The criteria as outlined in this program announcement.

    B. Administrative Regulations for Grants:

    • Uniform Administrative Requirements for HHS Awards, located at 45 CFR part 75.

    C. Grants Policy:

    • HHS Grants Policy Statement, Revised 01/07.

    D. Cost Principles:

    E. Audit Requirements:

    2. Indirect Costs

    This section applies to all recipients that request reimbursement of indirect costs (IDC) in their application budget. In accordance with HHS Grants Policy Statement, Part II-27, 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 agreement 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) https://www.doi.gov/​ibc/​services/​finance/​indirect-Cost-Services/​indian-tribes. For questions regarding the indirect cost policy, please call the Grants Management Specialist listed under “Agency Contacts” or the main DGM office at (301) 443-5204.

    3. Reporting Requirements

    The grantee must submit required reports consistent with the applicable deadlines. Failure to submit required reports within the time allowed may result in suspension or termination of an active grant, withholding of additional awards for the project, or other enforcement actions such as withholding of payments or converting to the reimbursement method of payment. Continued failure to submit required reports may result in 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. Per DGM policy, all reports are required to be submitted electronically by attaching them as a “Grant Note” in GrantSolutions. Personnel responsible for submitting reports will be required to obtain a login and password for GrantSolutions. Please see the Agency Contacts list in section VII for the systems contact information.

    The reporting requirements for this program are noted below.

    A. Progress Reports

    Program progress reports are required 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, a summary of progress to date or, if applicable, provide sound justification for the lack of progress, and other pertinent information as required. A final report must be submitted within 90 days of expiration of the period of performance.

    B. Financial Reports

    Federal Financial Report (FFR or SF-425), Cash Transaction Reports are due 30 days after the close of every calendar quarter to the Payment Management Services, HHS at https://pms.psc.gov. The applicant is also requested to upload a copy of the FFR (SF-425) into our grants management system, GrantSolutions. Failure to submit timely reports may result in adverse award actions blocking access to funds.

    Grantees are responsible and accountable for accurate information being reported on all required reports: The Progress Reports and Federal Financial Report.

    C. Federal Sub-Award Reporting System (FSRS)

    This award may be subject to the Transparency Act sub-award and executive compensation reporting requirements of 2 CFR part 170.

    The Transparency Act requires the OMB to establish a single searchable database, accessible to the public, with information on financial assistance awards made by Federal agencies. The Transparency Act also includes a requirement for recipients of Federal grants to report information about first-tier sub-awards and executive compensation under Federal assistance awards.

    The IHS has implemented a Term of Award into all IHS Standard Terms and Conditions, NoAs and funding announcements regarding the FSRS reporting requirement. This IHS Term of Award is applicable to all IHS grant and cooperative agreements issued on or after October 1, 2010, with a $25,000 sub-award obligation dollar threshold met for any specific reporting period. Additionally, all new (discretionary) IHS awards (where the period of performance is made up of more than one budget period) and where: (1) The period of performance start date was October 1, 2010 or after, and (2) the primary awardee will have a $25,000 sub-award 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 DGM Grants Policy website at http://www.ihs.gov/​dgm/​policytopics/​.

    D. Compliance With Executive Order 13166 Implementation of Services Accessibility Provisions for All Grant Application Packages and Funding Opportunity Announcements

    Recipients of federal financial assistance (FFA) from HHS must administer their programs in compliance with federal civil rights law. This means that recipients of HHS funds must ensure equal access to their programs without regard to a person's race, color, national origin, disability, age and, in some circumstances, sex and religion. This includes ensuring your programs are accessible to persons with limited English proficiency. The HHS provides guidance to recipients of FFA on meeting their legal obligation to take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to their programs by persons with limited English proficiency. Please see http://www.hhs.gov/​civil-rights/​for-individuals/​special-topics/​limited-english-proficiency/​guidance-federal-financial-assistance-recipients-title-VI/.

    The HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) also provides guidance on complying with civil rights laws enforced by HHS. Please see http://www.hhs.gov/​civil-rights/​for-individuals/​section-1557/​index.html;​; and http://www.hhs.gov/​civil-rights/​index.html. Recipients of FFA also have specific legal obligations for serving qualified individuals with disabilities. Please see http://www.hhs.gov/​civil-rights/​for-individuals/​disability/​index.html. Start Printed Page 22139Please contact the HHS OCR for more information about obligations and prohibitions under federal civil rights laws at https://www.hhs.gov/​ocr/​about-us/​contact-us/​index.html or call (800) 368-1019 or TDD (800) 537-7697. Also note it is an HHS Departmental goal to ensure access to quality, culturally competent care, including long-term services and supports, for vulnerable populations. For further guidance on providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services, recipients should review the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care at https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/​omh/​browse.aspx?​lvl=​2&​lvlid=​53.

    Pursuant to 45 CFR 80.3(d), an individual shall not be deemed subjected to discrimination by reason of his/her exclusion from benefits limited by federal law to individuals eligible for benefits and services from the IHS.

    Recipients will be required to sign the HHS-690 Assurance of Compliance form which can be obtained from the following website: http://www.hhs.gov/​sites/​default/​files/​forms/​hhs-690.pdf,, and send it directly to the: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights, 200 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20201.

    E. 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 Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), at http://www.fapiis.gov,, before making any award in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $150,000) over the period of performance. An applicant may review and comment on any information about itself that a federal awarding agency previously entered. The IHS will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to other information in FAPIIS in making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 45 CFR 75.205.

    As required by 45 CFR part 75 Appendix XII of the Uniform Guidance, non-federal entities (NFEs) are required to disclose in FAPIIS any information about criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings, and/or affirm that there is no new information to provide. This applies to NFEs that receive federal awards (currently active grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts) greater than $10,000,000 for any period of time during the period of performance of an award/project.

    Mandatory Disclosure Requirements

    As required by 2 CFR part 200 of the Uniform Guidance, and the HHS implementing regulations at 45 CFR part 75, effective January 1, 2016, the IHS must require a non-federal entity 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.

    Submission is required for all applicants and recipients, in writing, 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: Robert Tarwater, 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: Robert.Tarwater@ihs.gov

    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: http://oig.hhs.gov/​fraud/​report-fraud/​index.asp (Include “Mandatory Grant Disclosures” in subject line); Fax: (202) 205-0604 (Include “Mandatory Grant Disclosures” in subject line) or Email: MandatoryGranteeDisclosures@oig.hhs.gov

    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 parts 180 & 376 and 31 U.S.C. 3321).

    VII. Agency Contacts

    1. Questions on the programmatic issues may be directed to: Eric Pinto, Senior Program Specialist, Office of Human Resources, Division of Health Professions Support, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: OHR 11E53A, Rockville, MD 20857, Phone: (301) 443-5086, Fax: (301) 443-6048, Email: Eric.Pinto@ihs.gov.

    2. Questions on grants management and fiscal matters may be directed to: Vanietta Armstrong, Senior Grants Management Specialist, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: 09E70, Rockville, MD 20857, Phone: (301) 443-4792, Fax: (301) 594-0899, Email: Vanietta.Armstrong@ihs.gov.

    3. Questions on systems matters may be directed to: Paul Gettys, Grant Systems Coordinator, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: 09E70, Rockville, MD 20857, Phone: (301) 443-2114; or the DGM main line (301) 443-5204, Fax: (301) 594-0899, E-Mail: Paul.Gettys@ihs.gov.

    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.

    Start Signature

    Chris Buchanan,

    Assistant Surgeon General, U.S. Public Health Service, Deputy Director, Indian Health Service.

    End Signature End Preamble

    [FR Doc. 2019-10098 Filed 5-15-19; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4165-16-P