2020-11210. National Indian Health Outreach and Education

Announcement Type: New.

Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2020-IHS-NIHOE-0001.

Assistance Listing (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance or CFDA) Number: 93.933.

Key Dates

Application Deadline Date: June 29, 2020.

Earliest Anticipated Start Date: July 14, 2020.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Statutory Authority

The Indian Health Service (IHS) is accepting applications for a cooperative agreement for the National Indian Health Outreach and Education program. This program is authorized under: The Snyder Act, 25 U.S.C. 13; the Transfer Act, 42 U.S.C. 2001; the Indian Health Care Improvement Act at 25 U.S.C. 1621b; and Section 330C of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 254c-3. The HIV/AIDS Outreach and Education component is funded by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), HHS, and is being made available through an intra-Departmental Delegation of Authority (IDDA) to IHS to award funding to be carried out pursuant to Section 301 of the Public Health Service Act. This program is described in the Assistance Listings located at https://beta.sam.gov (formerly known as Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance) under 93.933.

Background

The Indian Health Service is committed to providing quality health care, consistent with its statutory authorities and its government-to-government relationship with each Indian tribe. The IHS mission is to raise the physical, mental, social and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level. To further mission success, the IHS seeks support on a national scale. The IHS serves as the principal federal health care provider and health advocate for approximately 2.6 million American Indians and Alaska Natives from 574 federally recognized Tribes in 37 states, through a network of over 605 hospitals, clinics and health stations on or near Indian reservations and predominantly in rural locations. Tribes administer over half of the annual IHS discretionary appropriation. The IHS also enters into agreements with 41 Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs). These 41 UIOs are 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that provide culturally appropriate and quality health care and referral services for Urban Indians throughout the United States in 22 states. The IHS seeks to collaborate with local communities, not-for-profit organizations, universities and schools, foundations, businesses, and Federal agencies. This effort will foster outreach and education addressing health policy and health program issues; broadcast educational information to all American Indian and Alaska Native people; provide policy/legislative updates, advocacy, and technical assistance.

Purpose

The purpose of this IHS cooperative agreement is to further IHS's mission and goals related to providing quality health care to the AI/AN community through outreach and education efforts with a focus on improving Indian health care, promoting awareness, visibility, advocacy, training, technical assistance, and education efforts. This program includes the following seven components, as described in this announcement: “Line Item 128 Health Education and Outreach funds;” “Health Care Policy Analysis and Review;” “Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention (SASP) program,” formerly known as the Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative; “Domestic Violence Prevention (DVP) program,” formerly known as the Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative—national awareness, visibility, advocacy, outreach and education award; the “Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS)” outreach and education; the “Special Diabetes Program for Indians” (SDPI); the “Affordable Care Act (ACA)”; and the “Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA).”

II. Award Information

Funding Instrument

Cooperative Agreement.

Estimated Funds Available

The total funding identified for fiscal year (FY) 2020 is approximately $842,311. The award amount for the first budget year is anticipated to be between $246,311 and $842,311. $246,311 is estimated for Line Item 128 Health Education and Outreach (this amount could vary based on Tribal shares assumptions); $125,000 for the Health Care Policy Analysis and Review; $150,000 for activities related to the SASP program; $50,000 for activities related to the DVP program; $100,000 for HIV/AIDS outreach and education; $66,000 associated with providing legislative education, outreach and communication on the SDPI; and $105,000 for outreach and education activities on the ACA, and the IHCIA. The funding available for competing and subsequent continuation awards issued under this announcement is subject to the availability of appropriations and budgetary priorities of the Agency. The IHS is under no obligation to make awards that are selected for funding under this announcement.

Anticipated Number of Awards

Approximately one award will be issued under this program announcement.

Period of Performance

The period of performance is for three 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

1. The IHS assigned program official will work in partnership with the awardee in all decisions involving strategy, hiring of personnel, deployment of resources, release of public information materials, quality assurance, coordination of activities, any training, reports, budget and evaluation. Collaboration includes data analysis, interpretation of findings and reporting.

2. The IHS assigned program official will monitor the overall progress of the awardee's execution of the requirements of the award noted below, as well as their adherence to the terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement. This includes providing guidance for required reports, development of tools and other products, interpreting program findings and assisting with evaluation and overcoming any slippages encountered.

3. The IHS assigned program official will also coordinate the following:

• Routinely scheduled conference calls.
• Appropriate dissemination of required reports to each participating IHS program.

4. IHS will jointly, with the awardee, plan and set an agenda for events that:

• Shares the outcomes of the outreach and health education training provided.
• Fosters collaboration amongst the participating IHS program offices.
• Increases visibility for the partnership between the awardee and IHS.

5. IHS may provide guidance in preparing articles for publication and/or presentations of program successes, lessons learned and new findings.

6. IHS staff will review articles concerning the HHS for accuracy and may, if requested by the awardee, provide relevant articles.

7. IHS will communicate, via routine conference calls and meetings, individual or collective (all participating programs) site visits to the awardee.

8. IHS will provide technical assistance to the awardee as requested.

9. IHS staff may, at the request of the entity's board, participate on study groups, attend board meetings, and recommend topics for analysis and discussion.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligibility

To be eligible for this “New Announcement,” an eligible applicant must be a 501(c)(3) organization that has demonstrated expertise as follows:

• Representing Tribal governments and providing a variety of services to Tribes, area health boards, Tribal organizations, and federal agencies, and playing a major role in focusing attention on Indian health care needs, resulting in improved health outcomes for Tribes.
• Promoting and supporting health education for AI/AN and coordinating efforts to inform AI/AN of federal decisions that affect Tribal government interests including the improvement of Indian health care.
• Administering national health policy and health programs.
• Maintaining a national AI/AN constituency and clearly supporting critical services and activities within the IHS mission of improving the quality of health care for AI/AN people.
• Supporting improved healthcare in Indian Country.

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

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.

Additional Required Documentation

Proof of Non-Profit Status

Organizations claiming non-profit status must submit a current copy of the 501(c)(3) Certificate with the application.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Obtaining Application Materials

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

Please direct questions regarding the application process to Mr. Paul Gettys at [phone] or [phone].

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:

1. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance.

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

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

• Project Narrative (not to exceed ten pages for each of the components listed in Section I Purpose). See Section IV.2.A Project Narrative for instructions.

1. Background information on the organization.

2. Proposed scope of work, objectives, and activities that provide a description of what the applicant plans to accomplish.

• Budget Justification and Narrative (not to exceed five pages). See Section IV.2.B Budget Narrative for instructions.
• One-page Timeframe Chart.
• Letters of Support from organization's Board of Directors.
• 501(c)(3) Certificate.
• 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:

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

2. Face sheets from audit reports. Applicants can find these on the FAC website: 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 ten pages per component and must: (1) Have consecutively numbered pages; (2) use black font 12 points or larger; (3) be single-spaced; (4) and be formatted to fit standard letter paper (8-1/2 x 11 inches).

Be sure to succinctly answer all questions listed under the evaluation criteria (refer to Section V.1, Evaluation Criteria) and place all responses and required information in the correct section noted below or they will not be considered or scored. If the narrative exceeds the page limit, the application will be considered not responsive and not be reviewed. The ten-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 limits below are for each narrative and budget submitted.

Part 1: Program Information (limit—two pages)

Section 1: Capabilities and Qualifications

Describe how the applicant has the expertise to provide outreach and education efforts on a continuing basis regarding the pertinent changes and updates in health care for each of the seven components listed herein.

Part 2: Program Planning and Evaluation (limit—six pages)

Section 1: Program Plans

Describe fully and clearly how the applicant plans to address the NIHOE requirements, including how the applicant plans to demonstrate improved health education and outreach services to all federally-recognized Tribes for each of the components described herein. Include proposed timelines as appropriate and applicable.

Section 2: Program Evaluation

Describe fully and clearly how the outreach and education efforts will impact changes in knowledge and awareness in Tribal communities. Identify anticipated or expected benefits for the Tribal constituency.

Describe fully and clearly how each project objective will be evaluated, including a sample list of data variables to be collected (i.e., health education and outreach services, response from community surveys, rating of program or project's ability to use technology, program or project's ability to cover costs of peripherals and software to manage grant). Identify anticipated or expected benefits for the tribal community or target population.

Part 3: Program Report (limit—two pages)

Section 1: Describe your organization's significant program activities and accomplishments over the past five years associated with the goals of this announcement.

Section 2: Describe major activities over the last 24 months. Please identify and summarize recent major health related project activities of the work done regarding each of the four components during the project period.

B. Budget Narrative (limit—five pages).

Provide a budget narrative that explains the amounts requested for each line item 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 1 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. 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 ([e-mail]), Acting Director, DGM, by telephone at [phone] or [phone]. 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.

IHS will not acknowledge receipt of applications.

4. Intergovernmental Review

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

5. Funding Restrictions

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

6. Electronic Submission Requirements

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

If the applicant cannot submit an application through Grants.gov, a waiver must be requested. Prior approval must be requested and obtained from Mr. Paul Gettys, Acting Director, DGM. A written waiver request must be sent to [e-mail] with a copy to [e-mail]. The waiver request 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 the 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 https://www.Grants.gov by entering the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number or the Funding Opportunity Number. Both numbers are located in the header of this announcement.
• If you experience technical challenges while submitting your application, please contact Grants.gov Customer Support (see contact information at https://www.grants.gov).
• Upon contacting Grants.gov, obtain a tracking number as proof of contact. The tracking number is helpful if there are technical issues that cannot be resolved and a waiver from the agency must be obtained.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged not to wait until the deadline date to begin the application process through Grants.gov as the registration process for SAM and Grants.gov could take up to twenty 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. IHS will not notify the applicant that the application has been received.

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

Applicants and grantee organizations are required to obtain a DUNS number and maintain an active registration in the SAM database. The DUNS number is a unique 9-digit identification number provided by D&B that uniquely identifies each entity. The DUNS number is site specific; therefore, each distinct performance site may be assigned a DUNS number. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy, and there is no charge. To obtain a DUNS number, please access the request service through https://fedgov.dnb.com/​webform,, or call [phone].

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, are available on the DGM Grants Management, Policy Topics web page: https://www.ihs.gov/​dgm/​policytopics/​.

V. Application Review Information

Weights assigned to each section are noted in parentheses. The ten-page project 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. Evaluation Criteria

A. Introduction and Need for Assistance (15 Points)

(1) Describe the organization's current health, education and technical assistance operations as related to the broad spectrum of health needs of the AI/AN community. Include what programs and services are currently provided (i.e., federally-funded, state-funded, etc.), any memorandums of agreement with other national, area or local Indian health board organizations. This could also include HHS agencies that rely on the applicant as the primary gateway organization to AI/AN communities that are capable of providing the dissemination of health information. Include information regarding technologies currently used (i.e., hardware, software, services, websites, etc.), and identify the source(s) of technical support for those technologies (i.e., in-house staff, contractors, vendors, etc.). Include information regarding how long the applicant has been operating and its length of association/partnerships with area health boards, etc. (historical collaboration).

(2) Describe the organization's current technical assistance ability. Include what programs and services are currently provided, programs and services projected to be provided, memorandums of agreement with other national Indian organizations that deem the applicant as the primary source of health policy information for AI/AN, memorandums of agreement with other area Indian health boards, etc.

(3) Describe the population to be served by the proposed projects.

(4) Identify all previous IHS cooperative agreement awards received, dates of funding and summaries of the projects' accomplishments. State how previous cooperative agreement funds facilitated education, training and technical assistance nationwide for AI/ANs and relate the progression of health care information delivery and development relative to the current proposed projects. (Copies of reports will not be accepted.)

(5) Describe collaborative and supportive efforts with national, area and local Indian health boards.

(6) Explain the need/reason for your proposed projects by identifying specific gaps or weaknesses in services or infrastructure that will be addressed by the proposed projects. Explain how these gaps/weaknesses have been assessed.

(7) If the proposed projects include information technology (i.e., hardware, software, etc.), provide further information regarding measures taken or to be taken that ensure the proposed projects will not create other gaps in services or infrastructure (i.e., negatively or adversely affect IHS interface capability, Government Performance Results Act reporting requirements, contract reporting requirements, information technology compatibility, etc.), if applicable.

(8) Describe the effect of the proposed projects on current programs (i.e., federally-funded, state-funded, etc.) and, if applicable, on current equipment (i.e., hardware, software, services, etc.). Include the effect of the proposed projects on planned/anticipated programs and/or equipment.

(9) Describe how the projects relate to the purpose of the cooperative agreement by addressing the following: Identify how the proposed projects will address outreach and education regarding each of the components listed.

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

(1) Identify the proposed objective(s) for each of the four projects, as applicable. Objectives should be:

• Measurable and (if applicable) quantifiable.
• Results oriented.
• Time-limited.

Example: Issue quarterly newsletters, provide alerts and quantify number of contacts with Tribes.

Goals must be clear and concise. Objectives must be measurable, feasible and attainable for each of the selected projects.

(2) Address how the proposed projects will result in change or improvement in program operations or processes for each proposed project objective for all of the projects. Also address what tangible products, if any, are expected from the projects, (i.e., policy analysis, outreach events, summits, etc.).

(3) Address the extent to which the proposed projects will provide, improve, or expand services that address the need(s) of the target population. Include a current strategic plan and business plan that includes the expanded services. Include the plan(s) with the application submission.

(4) Submit a work plan in the appendix which includes the following information.

• Provide the action steps on a timeline for accomplishing each of the projects' proposed objective(s).
• Identify who will perform the action steps.
• Identify who will supervise the action steps.
• Identify what tangible products will be produced during and at the end of the proposed projects' objective(s).
• Identify who will accept and/or approve work products during the duration of the proposed projects and at the end of the proposed projects.
• Include any training that will take place during the proposed projects and who will be attending the training.
• Include evaluation activities planned in the work plans.

(5) If consultants or contractors will be used during the proposed project, please include the following information in their scope of work (or note if consultants/contractors will not be used).

• Educational requirements.
• Desired qualifications and work experience.
• Expected work products to be delivered on a timeline.

If a potential consultant/contractor has already been identified, please include a resume in the Appendix.

(6) Describe what updates will be required for the continued success of the proposed projects. Include when these updates are anticipated and where funds will come from to conduct the update and/or maintenance.

C. Program Evaluation (20 Points)

Each proposed objective requires an evaluation component to assess its progression and ensure its completion. Also, include the evaluation activities in the work plan.

Describe the proposed plan to evaluate both outcomes and process. Outcome evaluation relates to the results identified in the objectives, and process evaluation relates to the work plan and activities of the project.

(1) For outcome evaluation, describe:

• What will the criteria be for determining success of each objective?
• What data will be collected to determine whether the objective was met?
• At what intervals will data be collected?
• Who will collect the data and their qualifications?
• How will the data be analyzed?
• How will the results be used?

(2) For process evaluation, describe:

• How will each project be monitored and assessed for potential problems and needed quality improvements?
• Who will be responsible for monitoring and managing each project's improvements based on results of ongoing process improvements and their qualifications?
• How will ongoing monitoring be used to improve the projects?
• Describe any products, such as manuals or policies, that might be developed and how they might lend themselves to replication by others.
• How will the organization document what is learned throughout each of the projects' periods?

(3) Describe any evaluation efforts planned after the grant period has ended.

(4) Describe the ultimate benefit to the AI/AN population that the applicant organization serves that will be derived from these projects.

D. Organizational Capabilities, Key Personnel and Qualifications (15 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 projects outlined in the work plan.

(1) Describe the organizational structure of the organization beyond health care activities, if applicable.

(2) Describe the ability of the organization to manage the proposed projects. Include information regarding similarly sized projects in scope and financial assistance, as well as other cooperative agreements/grants and projects successfully completed.

(3) Describe what equipment (i.e., fax machine, phone, computer, etc.) and facility space (i.e., office space) will be available for use during the proposed projects. Include information about any equipment not currently available that will be purchased through the cooperative agreement/grant.

(4) List key personnel who will work on the projects. Include title used in the work plans. In the appendix, include position descriptions and resumes for all key personnel. Position descriptions should clearly describe each position and duties, indicating desired qualifications and experience requirements related to the proposed projects. Resumes must indicate that the proposed staff member is qualified to carry out the proposed projects' activities. If a position is to be filled, indicate that information on the proposed position description.

(5) If personnel are to be only partially funded by this cooperative agreement, indicate the percentage of time to be allocated to the projects and identify the resources used to fund the remainder of the individual's salary.

E. Categorical Budget and Budget Justification (10 Points)

This section should provide a clear estimate of the projects' program costs and justification for expenses for the entire cooperative agreement period. The budgets and budget justifications should be consistent with the tasks identified in the work plans.

(1) Provide a categorical budget for each of the 12-month budget periods requested for each of the four projects.

(2) 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.

(3) Provide a narrative justification explaining why each line item is necessary/relevant to the proposed project. Include sufficient cost and other details to facilitate the determination of cost allowability (i.e., equipment specifications, etc.).

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 Rate 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 Objective Review Committee (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 Direct Service and Contracting Tribes 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.

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:

• Uniform Administrative Requirements for HHS Awards, “Cost Principles,” located at 45 CFR part 75, subpart E.

E. Audit Requirements:

• Uniform Administrative Requirements for HHS Awards, “Audit Requirements,” located at 45 CFR part 75, subpart F.

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, and submit it to DGM, prior to DGM issuing an award. The rate agreement must be prepared in accordance with the applicable cost principles and guidance as provided by the cognizant agency or office. A current rate covers the applicable grant activities under the current award's budget period. If the current rate agreement is not on file with the DGM at the time of award, the IDC portion of the budget will be restricted. The restrictions remain in place until the current rate agreement is provided to the DGM.

Generally, IDC rates for IHS grantees are negotiated with the Division of Cost Allocation (DCA) https://rates.psc.gov/​ or the Department of Interior (Interior Business Center) https://ibc.doi.gov/​ICS/​tribal. For questions regarding the indirect cost policy, please call the Grants Management Specialist listed under “Agency Contacts” or the main DGM office at [phone].

3. Reporting Requirements

The awardee 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 awardee 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 (specific dates will be listed in the NoA Terms and Conditions). These reports must include a brief comparison of actual accomplishments to the goals established for the period, a summary of progress to date or, if applicable, provide sound justification for the lack of progress, and other pertinent information as required. A final report must be submitted within 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.

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

C. Post Conference Grant Reporting

The following requirements were enacted in Section 3003 of the Consolidated Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013, and Section 119 of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014; Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M-12-12: All HHS/IHS awards containing grants funds allocated for conferences will be required to complete a mandatory post award report for all conferences. Specifically: The total amount of funds provided in this award/cooperative agreement that were spent for “Conference X”, must be reported in final detailed actual costs within 15 days of the completion of the conference. Cost categories to address should be: (1) Contract/Planner, (2) Meeting Space/Venue, (3) Registration website, (4) Audio Visual, (5) Speakers Fees, (6) Non-Federal Attendee Travel, (7) Registration Fees, (8) Other.

D. Federal Sub-Award Reporting System (FSRS)

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

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

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 https://www.ihs.gov/​dgm/​policytopics/​.

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

Recipients of federal financial assistance (FFA) from HHS must administer their programs in compliance with federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age and, in some circumstances, religion, conscience, and sex. This includes ensuring programs are accessible to persons with limited English proficiency. The HHS Office for Civil Rights provides guidance on complying with civil rights laws enforced by HHS. Please see https://www.hhs.gov/​civil-rights/​for-providers/​provider-obligations/​index.html and http://www.hhs.gov/​ocr/​civilrights/​understanding/​section1557/​index.html.

• Recipients of FFA must ensure that their programs are accessible to persons with limited English proficiency. 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 https://www.hhs.gov/​civil-rights/​for-individuals/​special-topics/​limited-english-proficiency/​fact-sheet-guidance/​index.html and https://www.lep.gov. 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.
• Recipients of FFA also have specific legal obligations for serving qualified individuals with disabilities. Please see http://www.hhs.gov/​ocr/​civilrights/​understanding/​disability/​index.html.
• HHS funded health and education programs must be administered in an environment free of sexual harassment. Please see https://www.hhs.gov/​civil-rights/​for-individuals/​sex-discrimination/​index.html;​; https://www2.ed.gov/​about/​offices/​list/​ocr/​docs/​shguide.html;​; and https://www.eeoc.gov/​eeoc/​publications/​fs-sex.cfm.
• Recipients of FFA must also administer their programs in compliance with applicable federal religious nondiscrimination laws and applicable federal conscience protection and associated anti-discrimination laws. Collectively, these laws prohibit exclusion, adverse treatment, coercion, or other discrimination against persons or entities on the basis of their consciences, religious beliefs, or moral convictions. Please see https://www.hhs.gov/​conscience/​conscience-protections/​index.html and https://www.hhs.gov/​conscience/​religious-freedom/​index.html.

Please contact the HHS Office for Civil Rights 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 1-800-368-1019 or TDD 1-800-537-7697.

F. Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)

The IHS is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), at https://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. 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, 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. See 45 CFR 75.113.

Disclosures must be sent in writing to: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service, Division of Grants Management, ATTN: Paul Gettys, Acting Director, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: 09E70, Rockville, MD 20857, (Include “Mandatory Grant Disclosures” in subject line), Office: [phone], Fax: [phone], Email: [e-mail]; AND U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, ATTN: Mandatory Grant Disclosures, Intake Coordinator, 330 Independence Avenue SW, Cohen Building, Room 5527, Washington, DC 20201, URL: https://oig.hhs.gov/​fraud/​report-fraud/​, (Include “Mandatory Grant Disclosures” in subject line), Fax: [phone] (Include “Mandatory Grant Disclosures” in subject line) or Email: [e-mail].

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).

VII. Agency Contacts

1. Questions on the programmatic issues may be directed to: Mr. Kenneth Coriz, Program Analyst, ODSCT, Mail Stop, 8E17, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857, Phone: [phone], Email: [e-mail].

2. Questions on grants management and fiscal matters may be directed to: Patience Musikikongo, Grants Management Specialist, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: 09E70, Rockville, MD 20857, Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone], Email: [e-mail].

3. Questions on systems matters may be directed to: Paul Gettys, Acting Director, DGM, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: 09E70, Rockville, MD 20857, Phone: [phone]; or the DGM main line [phone], Fax: [phone], Email: [e-mail].

VIII. Other Information

The Public Health Service strongly encourages all grant, cooperative agreement and contract recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products. In addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of the facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day care, health care, or early childhood development services are provided to children. This is consistent with the HHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American people.

Michael D. Weahkee,

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