Tribal Self-Governance Program; Planning Cooperative Agreement; New Funding Cycle for Fiscal Year 2007, 60549-60552 [06-8643]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
• Indian Health Service

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 198 (Friday, October 13, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60549-60552]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-8643]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service

[Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2007-IHS-TSGP-0001; CFDA Number: 
93.210]


Tribal Self-Governance Program; Planning Cooperative Agreement; 
New Funding Cycle for Fiscal Year 2007

    Key Dates: Applications Due-November 16, 2006.
    Objective Review Committee to Evaluate Applications-December 7-8, 
2006.
    Anticipated Project Start Date-January 15, 2007.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The purpose of the program is to award cooperative agreements that 
provide planning resources to Tribes interested in participating in the 
Tribal Self-Governance Program (TSGP) as authorized by Title V, Tribal 
Self-Governance Amendments of 2000 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
Education Assistance Act of Public Law (Pub. L.) 93-638, as amended. 
There is limited competition under this announcement because the 
authorizing legislation restricts eligibility to Tribes that meet 
specific criteria. (Refer to Section III (1.) (A), Eligible Applicants 
in this announcement.) The TSGP is designed to promote self-
determination by allowing Tribes to assume more control of Indian 
Health Service (IHS) programs and services through compacts negotiated 
with the IHS. The Planning Cooperative Agreement allows a Tribe to 
gather information to determine the current types of Programs, 
Services, Functions, and Activities (PSFAs), and related funding 
available at the Service Unit, Area, and Headquarters levels and 
provide the opportunity to improve and enhance the healthcare delivery 
system to better meet the needs of the Tribal community.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Planning Cooperative Agreement.
    Estimated Funds Available: The total amount identified for Fiscal 
Year (FY) 2007 is $600,000 for approximately twelve (12) Tribes to 
enter the TSGP planning process.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: The estimated number of awards to be 
funded is approximately 12.
    Project period: 12 months.
    Award Amount: $50,000 per year.
    Programmatic Involvement: TSGP funds will be awarded as cooperative 
agreements and will have substantial IHS programmatic involvement to 
establish a basic understanding of programs, Services, Functions and 
Activities (PSFAs) and associated funding at the Service Unit, Area, 
and Headquarters levels.
    The IHS roles and responsibilities will include:
     Providing a description of PSFA's and associated funding 
at all levels, including funding formulas and methodologies related to 
determining Tribal shares.
     Identification of IHS staff who will consult with 
applicants on methods currently used to manage and deliver health care.
     Provide applicants with statutes, regulations and policies 
that provide authority for administering IHS programs.
    The Applicants roles and responsibilities will include:
     Research and analyze the complex IHS budget, to gain a 
thorough understanding of funding distribution at all levels to 
determine which PSFA's the Tribe may elect to assume.
     Establishment of a process by which Tribes can effectively 
approach the IHS to identify programs and associated funding which 
could be incorporated into their current programs.
     Determine Tribe's share of each PSFA and compare with 
their current level of services provided so that an informed decision 
can be made on new program assumption.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    To be eligible for a Planning Cooperative Agreement under this 
announcement, an applicant must meet all of the following criteria:
    A. Be a federally-recognized Tribe as defined in Title V, Pub. L. 
106-260, Tribal Self-Governance Amendments of 2000, of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (the Act), Pub. L. 93-638, 
as amended. However, Alaska Native Villages or Alaska Native Village 
Corporations, who are located within the area served by an Alaska 
Native regional health entity already participating in compact status, 
are not eligible (Pub. L. 106-260, Title V, Section 12(a)(2)(b)).

2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds

    The Tribal Self-Governance Planning Cooperative Agreement 
Announcement does not require matching funds or cost sharing to 
participate in the competitive grant process.

3. Other Requirements

    The following documentation is required (if applicable):
    A. This program is described at 93.210 in the Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance.
    B. Tribal Resolution--Submit a Tribal resolution from the governing 
body authorizing the submission of the application for the Tribal Self-
Governance Planning Cooperative Agreement. Tribal Consortia applying 
for a Tribal Self-Governance Planning Cooperative Agreement, shall 
submit Tribal Council Resolutions from each Tribe in the consortium. 
Draft resolutions are acceptable in lieu of an official resolution. 
However, an official signed Tribal resolution must be received by the 
Office of Tribal Self-Governance, Attn: Jolene Aguilar, 801, Thompson 
Avenue, Suite 240, Rockville, MD 20852, by Wednesday, December 6, 2006. 
If an official signed resolution is not received by December 6, 2006, 
the application will be considered incomplete and will be returned 
without consideration.
    C. Demonstrate, for three fiscal years, financial stability and 
financial management capability, which is defined as no uncorrected 
significant and/or material audit exceptions in the required annual 
audit of the Indian Tribe's self-determination contracts or self-
governance funding agreements with any Federal agency.
    D. Applicants are required to submit a current version of the 
organization's

[[Page 60550]]

audit report. Audit reports can be lengthy, therefore, the applicants 
may submit them separately via regular mail by the due date (November 
16, 2006). If the applicant determines that audit reports are not 
lengthy, the applicants may scan the documents and attach them to the 
electronic application. Applicants must submit two copies of the audits 
that reflect three previous fiscal years under separate cover directly 
to the Office of Tribal Self-Governance, Attn: Kevin C. Quinn, 801 
Thompson Avenue, Suite 240, Rockville, MD 20852, referencing the 
Funding Opportunity Number, HHS-2007-IHS-0001, as prescribed by Pub. L. 
98-502, the Single Audit Act, as amended (see OMB Circular A-133, 
revised June 24, 1997, Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-
Profit Organizations), for the three previous fiscal years. If this 
documentation is not received by the due date (November 16, 2006), the 
application will be considered as unresponsive and will not be 
considered.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Application package and detailed instructions for this 
announcement can be found on Grants. gov (https://www.grants.gov) or at: 
https://www.ihs.gov/NonMedicalPrograms/gogp/gogp_funding.asp.
    Information regarding the electronic application process may be 
directed to Michelle G. Bulls, at (301) 443-6528 or via e-mail at 
michelle.bulls@ihs.gov.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    All applications should:
     Be single spaced.
     Be typewritten.
     Have consecutively numbered pages.
     Use black type not smaller than 12 characters per one 
inch.
     Be printed on one side only of standard size 8\1/2\'' x 
11'' paper.
     Contain a narrative that does not exceed 7 typed pages. 
(The 7 page narrative does not include the work plan, standard forms, 
Tribal resolution(s), table of contents, budget, budget justification 
narrative, and/or other related appendix items.)
    Public Policy Requirements: All Federal-wide public policies apply 
to IHS cooperative agreements with exception of Lobbying and 
Discrimination.

3. Submission Dates and Times

    Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 
Thursday, November 16, 2006. Late applications will not be accepted for 
processing, will be returned to the applicant, and will not be 
considered for funding.

4. Intergovernmental Review

    This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.'' State approval is not 
required.

5. Funding Restrictions

    A. Tribes are only eligible to receive one Tribal Self-Governance 
Planning Cooperative Agreement award.
    B. Each planning cooperative agreement shall not exceed $50,000.
    C. The available funds are inclusive of direct and indirect costs.
    D. Division of Grants Operations will not acknowledge receipt of 
applications.
    E. Only one planning cooperative agreement will be awarded per 
applicant.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    The application must comply with the following:
    A. Table of Contents.
    B. Abstract (one page)--Summarizes the project.
    C. Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424, Rev. 09/03).
    D. Narrative (no more than 7 pages) and should include the 
following:
    (1) Background information on the Tribe.
    (2) Proposed scope of work, objectives, and activities that provide 
a description of what will be accomplished including a one-page Time 
Frame Chart.
    E. A line-item budget and narrative justification.
    F. Appendices to include:
    (1) Resumes or position descriptions of key staff.
    (2) Contractors/Consultants resumes or qualifications and scope of 
work.
    (3) Current Indirect Cost Agreement.
    (4) Organizational Chart (Optional).
    Electronic Transmission--The preferred method for receipt of 
applications is electronic submission through Grants.gov. You may not 
e-mail an electronic copy of a cooperative agreement application to us.
    Please note the following:
     Under the new IHS requirements, paper applications are not 
the preferred method. however, if you have technical problems 
submitting, your application on-line, have contacted the Grants Policy 
Staff and advised them of the difficulties you are having in submitting 
your application on-line, have submitted a waiver request, in writing 
or e-mail and if it is determined by the Grants Policy Staff that the 
technical difficulties cannot be resolved and approval has been 
obtained, you may submit a paper application after you have downloaded 
the application package from Grants.gov. The paper application may be 
sent directly to the Division of Grants Operations, 801 Thompson 
Avenue, TMP 360, Rockville, MD 20852 by the due date, November 16, 
2006.
     When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find 
information about submitting an application electronically through the 
site, as well as the hours of operation. We strongly recommend that you 
do not wait until the deadline date to begin the application process 
through Grants.gov as the registration process for Central contractor 
Registry (CCR) and Grants.gov could take up to fifteen working days.
     To use Grants.gov, you, as the applicant, must have a DUNS 
Number and register in the CCR. See next page on how to apply.
     You must submit all documents electronically, including 
all information typically included on the SF-424 and all necessary 
assurances and certifications.


    Note: Please use the optional attachment feature in Grants.gov 
to attach additional documentation that may be requested by IHS.)


     Your application must comply with any page limitation 
requirements described in the program announcement.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that contains a 
Grants.gov tracking number. The Indian Health Service, DGO will 
retrieve your application from Grants.gov.
     You may access the electronic application for this program 
on https://www.Grants.gov.
     You must search for the downloadable application package 
by CFDA number.
     E-mail applications will not be accepted under this 
announcement.
    DUNS Number: Since October 1, 2003, applicants are now required to 
have a Dun and Bradstreet (DUNS) Number. The DUNS number is a nine-
digit identification number, which uniquely identifies business 
entities. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To 
obtain a DUNS number, access https://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-
866-705-5711. Interested parties may wish to obtain their DUNS number 
by phone to expedite the process.

[[Page 60551]]

    Applications submitted electronically must also be registered with 
the CCR. A DUNS number is required before CCR registration can be 
completed. Many organizations may already have a DUNS number. Please 
use the number listed above to investigate the whether or not your 
organization has a DUNS number. Registration with the CCR is free of 
charge.
    Applicants may register by calling 1-888-227-2423. Please review 
and complete the CCR ``Registration Worksheet'' located on https://
www.Grants.gov/CCRRegister.
    More detailed information regarding these registration processes 
can be found at https://www.Grants.gov.

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.

1. Criteria

A. Goals and Objectives of the Project (30 Points)
    Are the goals and objectives measurable; are they consistent with 
the purpose of the program and the needs of the people to be served, 
and are they achievable as demonstrated by the proposed time frame 
chart?
B. Methodology (20 Points)
    Describe fully and clearly the methodology and activities that will 
be used to accomplish the goals and objectives of the project.
C. Management of Health Program(s) (10 Points)
    Does the applicant propose an improved approach to managing the 
health program(s) and state/demonstrate how the delivery of quality 
health services will be maintained under self-governance?
D. Organizational Capabilities and Qualifications (25 Points)
    Describe the organizational structure of the Tribe and their 
ability to manage the proposed project. Include resumes or position 
descriptions of key staff showing requisite experience and expertise 
and, where applicable, include resumes and scope of work for 
consultants that demonstrate experience and expertise relevant to the 
project.
E. Budget and Budget Justification (15 Points)
    Submit a line-item budget with a narrative justification for all 
expenditures identifying reasonable and allowable costs necessary to 
accomplish the goals and objectives as outlined in the project 
narrative.

2. Review and Selection Process

    In addition to the above criteria/requirements, applications are 
considered according to the following:
    A. Application Submission (Application Deadline: November 16, 
2006).
    (1) The Applicant and proposed project type is eligible in 
accordance with this cooperative agreement announcement.
    (2) The applicant has not previously received a Tribal Self-
Governance Planning Cooperative Agreement award.
    (3) Abstract, narrative, budget, required forms, appendices and 
other material submitted meet the requirements of the announcement 
allowing the review panel to undertake an in-depth evaluation.
    B. Competitive Review of Eligible Applications (Objective Review: 
December 7-8, 2006). Applications meeting eligibility requirements that 
are complete, responsive, and conform to this program announcement will 
be reviewed for merit by the Objective Review Committee (ORC) appointed 
by the IHS to review and make recommendations on these applications. 
The review will be conducted in accordance with the IHS Objective 
Review Guidelines. The technical review process ensures selection of 
quality projects in a national competition for limited funding. 
Applications will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation 
criteria listed in Section V.1. The criteria are used to evaluate the 
quality of a proposed project, determine the likelihood of success, and 
assign a numerical score to each application. The scoring of approved 
applications will assist the IHS in determining which proposals will be 
funded if the amount of TSGP funding is not sufficient to support all 
approved applications. Applications recommended for approval, having a 
score of 60 or above by the ORC are forwarded to the Division of Grants 
Operations (DGO) for cost analysis and further recommendation. The 
program official forwards the recommended approval list to the IHS 
Director for final review and approval. Applications scoring below 60 
points will be disapproved.


    Note: In making final selections, the IHS Director will consider 
the ranking factor and the status of the applicant's three previous 
years single audit reports. The comments from the ORC will be 
advisory only. The IHS Director make the final decision on awards.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    The Division of Grants Operations (DGO) will not award a 
cooperative agreement without an approved application that is in 
conformance with regulatory and policy requirements. When the 
application is approved for funding, DGO will prepare a Notice of Award 
(NOA) with special terms and conditions binding upon the award and 
refer to all general terms applicable to the award. The NOA, signed by 
the Grants Management Officer, will serve as the official notification 
of a cooperative agreement award and will state the amount of Federal 
funds awarded, the purpose of the cooperative agreement, the terms and 
conditions of the cooperative agreement award, the effective date of 
the award, the project period, and the budget period. Any other 
correspondence announcing to the applicant that an application was 
selected is not an authorization to begin performance.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Cooperative agreements are administered in accordance with the 
following documents:
     This cooperative agreement announcement.
     Health and Human Services regulations governing Pub. L. 
93-638 grants at 42 CFR 36.101 et seq.
     45 CFR Part 92, ``Department of Health and Human Services, 
Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative 
Agreements to State and Local Governments Including Indian Tribes.''
     Public Health Service Grants Policy Statement.
     Grants Policy Directives.
     Appropriate Cost Principles: OMB Circular A-87, ``State 
and Local Governments.''
     OMB Circular A-133, ``Audits of States, Local Governments, 
and Non-Profit Organizations.''
     Other Applicable OMB Circulars.

3. Reporting

    A. Progress Report. Program progress reports are required semi-
annually. These reports will include a brief comparison of actual 
accomplishments to the goals established for the period, reasons for 
slippage (if applicable), and other pertinent information as required. 
A final report must be submitted within 90 days of expiration of the 
budget/project period.
    B. Financial Status Report. Semi-annual financial status reports 
must be submitted within 30 days of the end of

[[Page 60552]]

the half year. Final financial status reports are due within 90 days of 
expiration of the budget/project period. Standard Form 269 (long form) 
will be used for financial reporting.
    C. All reports shall be submitted to the Grants Management 
Specialist in DGO.
    Grantees are responsible and accountable for accurate reporting of 
the Progress Reports and Financial Status Reports which are generally 
due semi-annually. Financial Status Reports (SF-269) are due 90 days 
after each budget period and the final SF-269 must be verified from the 
grantee records on how the value was derived. Grantees are allowed a 
reasonable period of time in which to submit financial and performance 
reports.
    Failure to submit required reports within the time allowed may 
result in suspension or termination of an active cooperative agreement, 
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 applies whether the 
delinquency is attributable to the failure of the grantee organization 
or the individual responsible for preparation of the reports.

VII. Agency Contact(s)

    1. Questions on the programmatic issues may be directed to: Jolene 
Aguilar, Program Specialist, Tena Larney, Program Analyst or Office of 
Tribal Self-Governance, Telephone No.: 301-443-7821; Fax No.: 301-443-
1050; E-mail: jolene.aguilar@ihs.gov; E-mail tena.larney@ihs.gov.
    2. Questions on grants management and fiscal matters may be 
directed to: Denise Clark, Grants Management Specialist, Division of 
Grants Operations, Telephone No.: 301-443-5204; Fax No.: 301-443-9602; 
E-mail: denise.clark@ihs.gov.

VIII. Other Information

    The Public Health Service (PHS) 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, Pub. L. 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 PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and 
mental health of the American people.

    Dated: October 6, 2006.
Charles W. Grim, D.D.S., M.H.S.A.
Assistant Surgeon General, Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 06-8643 Filed 10-12-06; 8:45 am]
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