Funding Opportunity Title: Announcement of Anticipated Availability of Funds for Family Planning Services Grants, 32109-32116 [E7-11183]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 111 (Monday, June 11, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32109-32116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-11183]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Funding Opportunity Title: Announcement of Anticipated 
Availability of Funds for Family Planning Services Grants

AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Public 
Health and Science, Office of Population Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Announcement Type: Initial Competitive Grant.
    CFDA Number: 93.217.

    Authority: Section 1001 of the Public Health Service Act.

DATES: Application due dates vary. To receive consideration, 
applications must be received by the Office of Public Health and 
Science (OPHS), Office of Grants Management (OGM) no later than the 
applicable due date listed in Table I of this announcement (Section IV. 
3, Submission Dates and Times) and within the time frames specified in 
this announcement for electronically submitted, mailed, and/or hand-
delivered hard copy applications. Executive Order 12372 comment due 
date: The State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) has 60 days from the 
applicable due date as listed in Table I of this announcement to submit 
any comments.

ADDRESSES: Application kits may be obtained electronically by accessing 
Grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov or GrantSolutions at 
www.GrantSolutions.gov. To obtain a hard copy of the application kit, 
contact the OPHS Office of Grants Management, at 240-453-8822. 
Applicants may fax a written request to OPHS Office of Grants 
Management 240-453-8823. Applications must be prepared using Form OPHS-
1 ``Grant Application,'' which is included in the application kit.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: OPHS Office of Grants Management, 1101 
Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20853 at 240-453-8822, or fax 
240-453-8822.
SUMMARY: The Office of Population Affairs (OPA), Office of Family 
Planning (OFP), announces the anticipated availability of funds for 
Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 family planning services grants under the 
authority of Title X of the Public Health Service Act. This notice 
solicits applications for competing grant awards to serve the areas 
and/or populations listed in Table I. Only applications which propose 
to serve the areas and/or populations listed in Table I will be 
accepted for review and possible funding.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    This announcement seeks applications from public and nonprofit 
private entities to establish and operate voluntary family planning 
services projects, which shall provide family planning services to all 
persons desiring such services. Family planning services include 
clinical family planning and related preventive health services; 
information, education, and counseling

[[Page 32110]]

related to family planning; and, referral services as indicated.
    Applicants should use the Title X legislation, applicable 
regulations, Program Guidelines, legislative mandates, Program 
Priorities, and other Key Issues included in this announcement and in 
the application kit, to guide them in developing their applications.

Program Statute, Regulations, Guidelines, Legislative Mandates, Program 
Priorities, and Key Issues

    Title X Statute and Regulations: Requirements regarding the 
provision of family planning services under Title X can be found in the 
statute (Title X of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 300, et 
seq.) and in the implementing regulations which govern project grants 
for family planning services (42 CFR part 59, subpart A). In addition, 
sterilization of clients as part of the Title X program must be 
consistent with 42 CFR part 50 subpart B, (``Sterilization of Persons 
in Federally Assisted Family Planning Projects''). Title X of the 
Public Health Service Act authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services (HHS) to award grants for projects to provide family planning 
services to any person desiring such services, with priority given to 
individuals from low-income families. Section 1001 of the Act, as 
amended, authorizes grants ``to assist in the establishment and 
operation of voluntary family planning projects which shall offer a 
broad range of acceptable and effective family planning methods and 
services (including natural family planning methods, infertility 
services, and services for adolescents).'' Title X regulations further 
specify that ``These projects shall consist of the educational, 
comprehensive medical, and social services necessary to aid individuals 
to determine freely the number and spacing of their children'' (42 CFR 
59.1). In addition, section 1001 of the statute requires that, to the 
extent practicable, Title X service providers shall encourage family 
participation in family planning services projects. Section 1008 of the 
Act, as amended, stipulates that ``None of the funds appropriated under 
this title shall be used in programs where abortion is a method of 
family planning.''
    Legislative Mandates: The following legislative mandates have been 
part of the Title X appropriations language for each of the last 
several years. Title X family planning services projects should include 
administrative, clinical, counseling, and referral services necessary 
to ensure adherence to these requirements.

``None of the funds appropriated in this Act may be made available to 
any entity under title X of the Public Health Service Act unless the 
applicant for the award certifies to the Secretary that it encourages 
family participation in the decision of minors to seek family planning 
services and that it provides counseling to minors on how to resist 
attempts to coerce minors into engaging in sexual activities;'' and

``Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no provider of services 
under title X of the Public Health Service Act shall be exempt from any 
State law requiring notification or the reporting of child abuse, child 
molestation, sexual abuse, rape, or incest.''

    Program Guidelines: Additional operational guidance for projects 
funded under Title X can be found in the ``Program Guidelines for 
Project Grants for Family Planning Services'' (January 2001). These 
Program Guidelines are included in the application kit for this 
announcement.
    Copies of the Title X statute, regulations, legislative mandates, 
and Program Guidelines may be obtained by contacting the Office of 
Public Health and Science (OPHS) Office of Grants Management, or may be 
downloaded from the Office of Population Affairs Web site at https://opa.osophs.dhhs.gov. These documents are also included in the 
application kit. All activities funded under this announcement must be 
consistent with the Title X statute, regulations, legislative mandates, 
and Program Guidelines. For example, projects must meet the regulatory 
requirements set out at 42 CFR 59.5 regarding charges to clients. The 
funding criteria set out at 42 CFR 59.7 apply to all applicants under 
this announcement.
    Program Priorities: Each year the OFP establishes program 
priorities that represent overarching goals for the Title X program. 
Project plans should be developed that address 2008 Title X program 
priorities, and should provide evidence of the project's capacity to 
address program priorities they evolve in future years. The 2008 
program priorities are as follows:
    1. Assuring ongoing high quality family planning and related 
preventive health services that will improve the overall health of 
individuals, with priority for services to individuals from low-income 
families;
    2. Assuring access to a broad range of acceptable and effective 
family planning methods and related preventive health services that 
include natural family planning methods, infertility services, and 
services for adolescents; highly effective contraceptive methods; 
breast and cervical cancer screening and prevention services that 
correspond with nationally recognized standards of care; STD and HIV 
prevention education, counseling, testing, and referral; adolescent 
abstinence counseling; and other preventive health services. The broad 
range of services does not include abortion as a method of family 
planning;
    3. Assuring compliance with State laws requiring notification or 
the reporting of child abuse, child molestation, sexual abuse, rape, or 
incest;
    4. Encouraging participation of families, parents, and/or legal 
guardians in the decision of minors to seek family planning services; 
and providing counseling to minors on how to resist attempts to coerce 
minors into engaging in sexual activities;
    5. Addressing the comprehensive family planning and other health 
needs of individuals, families, and communities through outreach to 
hard-to-reach and/or vulnerable populations, and partnering with other 
community-based health and social service providers that provide needed 
services.
    Key Issues: In addition to the Program Priorities, the following 
key issues have implications for Title X services projects, and should 
be considered in developing the program plan:
    1. Cost of contraceptives and other pharmaceuticals;
    2. Efficiency and effectiveness in program management and 
operations;
    3. Management and decision-making through performance measures and 
accountability for outcomes;
    4. Linkages and partnerships with community-based and faith-based 
organizations;
    5. Addressing CDC's ``Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of 
Adults,
    Adolescents, and Pregnant Women in Health Care Settings,'' and 
incorporating ``ABC'' concepts for HIV prevention counseling (that is, 
``A'' for extramarital abstinence; ``B'' for be faithful in marriage or 
committed relationships; and, ``C'' for correct and consistent condom 
use. For individuals at increased risk for contracting or transmitting 
HIV, the message should include ``A,'' ``B,'' and ``C'';
    6. The use of electronic technologies, such as electronic grants 
management capabilities, electronic health information infrastructures, 
electronic access to health quality information, and similar electronic 
systems;
    7. Data collection (such as the Family Planning Annual Report 
[FPAR]) for use

[[Page 32111]]

in monitoring performance and improving family planning services;
    8. Service delivery improvement through translation into practice 
of research outcomes that focus on family planning and related 
population issues; and
    9. Utilizing practice guidelines and recommendations, developed by 
recognized national professional organizations and Federal agencies, in 
the provision of evidence-based Title X clinical services.

II. Award Information

    The anticipated fiscal year (FY) 2008 appropriation for the Title X 
family planning program is approximately $283 million. Of this amount, 
OPA intends to make available approximately $81.1 million for competing 
Title X family planning services grant awards in 21 states, 
populations, and/or areas. (See Table I, Section IV. 3, Submission 
Dates and Times, for competing areas and approximate amount of 
available funding.) The amounts stated in Table I are inclusive of 
indirect costs, and represent the total amount available for the area/
population to be served. The remaining FY 2008 funds will be used for 
continued support of grants and activities which are not competitive in 
FY 2008. This program announcement is subject to the appropriation of 
funds, and is a contingency action taken to ensure that, should funds 
become available for this purpose, applications can be processed in an 
orderly manner, and funds can be awarded in a timely fashion. Grants 
will be funded in annual increments (budget periods) and are generally 
approved for a project period of up to five years. Funding for all 
approved budget periods beyond the first year of the grant is 
contingent upon the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the 
project, and adequate stewardship of Federal funds.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Any public or nonprofit private entity located in a State (which 
includes one of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Republic of Palau, 
Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall 
Islands) is eligible to apply for a grant under this announcement. 
Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply for these Title X 
family planning services grants. Nonprofit private entities must 
provide proof of nonprofit status. See Section IV.2. for information 
regarding acceptable proof of nonprofit status.

2. Cost Sharing

    Program regulations at 42 CFR 59.7(c) stipulate that ``No grant may 
be made for an amount equal to 100 percent of the project's estimated 
costs.'' Also, 42 CFR 59.7(b) states that ``No grant may be made for 
less than 90 percent of the project's costs, as so estimated, unless 
the grant is to be made for a project that was supported, under section 
1001, for less than 90 percent of its costs in fiscal year 1975. In 
that case, the grant shall not be for less than the percentage of costs 
covered by the grant in fiscal year 1975.''
    While there is not a fixed cost-sharing percentage or amount, 
projects must include financial support from sources other than Title 
X. The proposed project budget should reflect financial support in 
addition to Title X funds on both the Standard Form (SF) 424A, ``Budget 
Information,'' and in the budget justification. The amount and 
source(s) of these funds must be clearly identified separately from the 
requested Title X support as indicated on the SF 424A, as well as on 
the SF 424, ``Application for Federal Assistance.'' The OPHS Office of 
Grants Management will review applications to ensure that the requested 
amount of Title X funding is in compliance with this business 
requirement.

3. Other

    Awards will be made only to those organizations or agencies that 
have met all applicable requirements, and that demonstrate the 
capability of providing the required services.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package. Application kits may be 
obtained electronically by accessing Grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov or the electronic grants system at 
www.GrantSolutions.gov. Hard copy application kits may be requested 
from, and applications submitted to: Office of Public Health and 
Science (OPHS)/Office of Grants Management (OGM), 1101 Wootton Parkway, 
Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20852, 240-453-8822. Application requests may 
be submitted by fax at 240-453-8823. Applications must be prepared 
using Form OPHS-1 ``Grant Application,'' which includes budget forms, 
standard federal assurances, and instructions. The OPHS-1 can be 
obtained at the web sites noted above, or from the OPHS/OGM, and is 
included in the application kit for this announcement.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission. Applications must be 
submitted on the Form OPHS-1 and in the manner prescribed in the 
application kit. The application narrative should be limited to 60 
double-spaced pages using an easily readable serif typeface such as 
Times Roman, Courier, or GC Times, 12 point font. The page limit does 
not include budget; budget justification; required forms, assurances, 
and certifications as part of the OPHS-1, ``Grant Application''; or 
appendices. All pages, charts, figures and tables should be numbered, 
and a table of contents provided. The application narrative should be 
numbered separately and should clearly show the 60 page limit. If the 
application narrative exceeds 60 pages, only the first 60 pages of the 
application narrative will be reviewed. Appendices may provide 
curriculum vitae, organizational structure, examples of organizational 
capabilities, or other supplemental information which supports the 
application, but should be limited to the minimum necessary to support 
the application narrative. Brochures and bound materials should not be 
submitted. Appendices are for supportive information only, and should 
be clearly labeled. All information that is critical to the proposed 
project should be included in the body of the application.
    For all non-governmental applicants, documentation of nonprofit 
status must be submitted as part of the application. Any of the 
following constitutes acceptable proof of such status:
    a. A reference to the Applicant organization's listing in the 
Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt 
organizations described in the IRS code;
    b. A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate;
    c. A statement from a State taxing body, State attorney general, or 
other appropriate State official certifying that the applicant 
organization has a nonprofit status and that none of the net earnings 
accrue to any private shareholders or individuals;
    d. A certified copy of the organization's certificate of 
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes nonprofit 
status;
    For local, nonprofit affiliates of State or national organizations, 
a statement signed by the parent organization indicating that the 
applicant organization is a local nonprofit affiliate must be provided 
in addition to any one of the above acceptable proof of nonprofit 
status.
    A Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is

[[Page 32112]]

required for all applications for federal assistance. Organizations 
should verify that they have a DUNS number or take the steps needed to 
obtain one. Instructions for obtaining a DUNS number are included in 
the application package, or may be downloaded from the OPA Web site.
    Applications must include an abstract of the proposed project. The 
abstract will be used to provide reviewers with an overview of the 
application, and will form the basis for the application summary in 
grants management documents.

Application Content

    Successful applicants will clearly describe the administrative, 
management, and clinical capability of the applicant organization. All 
required services should be included as part of the program plan. The 
budget request and justification should directly reflect project 
activities.

Characteristics of a Successful Proposal

    Proposed projects must adhere to all requirements of the Title X 
statute; applicable regulations, including regulations regarding 
sterilization of persons in Federally assisted family planning 
projects; and legislative mandates. Applicants are also expected to 
utilize Program Guidelines in developing the project plan. As indicated 
in the Title X regulations at 42 CFR 59.5(a)(7)-(9) and Program 
Guidelines, persons at or below 100% of the current Federal Poverty 
Level (FPL) must not be charged except where third parties are 
authorized or legally obligated to pay. Charges to persons between 101% 
and 250% of the FPL should be charged based on a schedule of discounts 
with sufficient increments so that inability to pay does not present a 
barrier to services. The schedule of discounts should be developed 
based on a cost analysis of services provided.
    Successful proposals will fully describe how the project will 
address Title X requirements, and should include the following:
    1. A clear description of the need for the services proposed;
    2. A description of the geographic area and population to be 
served;
    3. Evidence that the proposed project will address the family 
planning needs identified;
    4. Evidence that the applicant organization has experience in 
providing clinical health services, and the capacity to undertake the 
comprehensive clinical family planning and related preventive health 
services required, including offering a broad range of acceptable and 
effective family planning methods and services, and complying with the 
requirements of the legislative mandates;
    5. Evidence of familiarity with, and ability to provide services 
that include the following:
    a. Family planning and related preventive health issues as 
indicated in the Program Guidelines and Program Priorities;
    b. Services that are consistent with current, recognized national 
standards of care related to family planning, reproductive health, and 
general preventive health measures;
    c. Compliance with State laws requiring notification or the 
reporting of child abuse, child molestation, sexual abuse, rape, or 
incest;
    d. Counseling techniques that encourage family participation in 
healthcare and reproductive decision-making of adolescents, and teach 
resistance skills for adolescents to avoid exploitation and/or sexual 
coercion;
    6. A proposed schedule of discounts, or for applicants with 
multiple sub-recipients, a policy applicable to sub-recipients which 
meets the criteria set out in the Title X regulations at 42 CFR 
59.5(a)(7)-(9), and in the Program Guidelines;
    7. Evidence that the proposed services are consistent with the 
Title X statute; program regulations (including regulations regarding 
sterilization of persons in Federally assisted family planning services 
projects); legislative mandates; and Program Guidelines.
    8. Evidence that Title X funds will not be used in programs where 
abortion is a method of family planning;
    9. Evidence that Title X project activities are separate and 
distinct from non-Title X activities;
    10. A project plan which describes the services to be provided, the 
location(s) and hours of clinic operations, and projected number of 
clients to be served;
    11. A plan for providing community information and education 
programs which promote understanding of the objectives of the project 
and inform the community about the availability of services. The plan 
should include a strategy for maintaining records of information and 
education activities provided as part of the project;
    12. A plan for an information and education advisory committee that 
is consistent with the Title X statute and regulations at 42 CFR 59.6, 
and that will ensure that all information and education materials used 
as part of the project are current, factual, and medically accurate, as 
well as suitable for the population or community to which they will be 
made available;
    13. Evidence that the Title X Program Priorities and Key Issues are 
addressed in the project plan;
    14. A staffing plan which is reasonable and adheres to the Title X 
regulatory requirement that family planning medical services be 
performed under the direction of a physician with special training or 
experience in family planning. Staff providing clinical services (e.g., 
physicians, State recognized advanced practice nurses, physician 
assistants) should be licensed and function within the applicable 
professional practice acts for the State in which they practice;
    15. Goal statement(s) and related outcome objectives that are 
specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-framed 
(S.M.A.R.T.);
    16. Evidence that the applicant has a plan to facilitate access to 
the following:
    a. Required clinical services, if not provided by the applicant; 
comprehensive primary care services; and/or,
    b. Other needed health and social services for clients served in 
the Title X-funded family planning project. This includes evidence of 
formal agreements for referral services, and collaborative agreements 
with other service providers in the community, where appropriate;
    17. Evidence of the capability of collecting and reporting the 
required program data for the Title X annual data collection system 
(FPAR);
    18. Evidence of a system for ensuring quality family planning 
services, including
    a. A process for ensuring compliance with program requirements, and
    b. A methodology for ensuring that health care practitioners have 
the knowledge and skills necessary to provide effective, quality family 
planning and related preventive health services that are consistent 
with current, evidence-based national standards of care. This should 
include training of select health care practitioners by the Clinical 
Training Center for Family Planning (CTCFP), and utilizing clinical 
training opportunities available through the Regional Training Center 
in the applicable region; and,
    19. A budget and budget justification narrative for year one of the 
project that is detailed, reasonable, adequate, cost efficient, and 
that is derived from proposed activities. Budget projections for each 
of the continuing years should be included on the Standard Forms 424 
and 424A included in the OPHS-1 ``Grant Application.''
    3. Submission Dates and Times. Competing grant applications are 
invited for the following areas (please note, in order to maximize 
access to

[[Page 32113]]

family planning services, one or more grants may be awarded for each 
area listed within the total amount indicated for the area):

                                                     Table I
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Approximate
              States/populations/areas to be served                   funding       Application    Approx. grant
                                                                     available       due date      funding date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Region I:
    No service areas competitive in FY 2008.....................
Region II:
    New York, New York City area................................      $4,209,000        03/01/08        07/01/08
    New Jersey..................................................       8,586,000        09/01/07        01/01/08
Region III:
    Maryland....................................................       3,957,000        12/01/07        04/01/08
    Southeast Pennsylvania......................................       4,889,000        03/01/08        07/01/08
    West Virginia...............................................       2,169,000        12/01/07        04/01/08
Region IV:
    Kentucky....................................................       5,442,500        03/01/08        07/01/08
    South Carolina..............................................       5,767,000        03/01/08        07/01/08
    Florida, Greater Miami area.................................         544,000        06/01/08        09/30/08
Region V:
    Ohio, Central area..........................................         709,500        11/01/07        03/01/08
    Minnesota...................................................       2,632,500        09/01/07        01/01/08
Region VI:
    Arkansas....................................................       3,341,000        11/01/07        03/01/08
    Louisiana...................................................       4,370,000        03/01/08        07/01/08
    New Mexico..................................................       2,835,000        09/01/07        01/01/08
Region VII:
    Iowa........................................................       2,531,500        03/01/08        07/01/08
    Iowa........................................................       1,061,500        06/01/08        09/30/08
Region VIII:
    Montana.....................................................       1,970,000        03/01/08        07/01/08
Region IX:
    Arizona.....................................................       4,080,500        09/01/07        01/01/08
    California..................................................      20,451,500        09/01/07        01/01/08
    California, Los Angeles area................................         472,000        09/01/07        01/01/08
    Republic of the Marshall Islands............................         190,500        03/01/08        07/01/08
Region X:
    Alaska......................................................         873,000        03/01/08        07/01/08
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Submission Mechanisms

    The Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS) provides multiple 
mechanisms for the submission of applications, as described in the 
following sections. Applicants will receive notification via mail from 
the OPHS Office of Grants Management confirming the receipt of 
applications submitted using any of these mechanisms. Applications 
submitted to the OPHS Office of Grants Management after the deadlines 
described below will not be accepted for review. Applications which do 
not conform to the requirements of this grant announcement will not be 
accepted for review and will be returned to the applicant.
    While applications are accepted in hard copy, the use of the 
electronic application submission capabilities provided by the 
Grants.gov and GrantSolutions.gov systems is encouraged. Applications 
may only be submitted electronically via the electronic submission 
mechanisms specified below. Any applications submitted via any other 
means of electronic communication, including facsimile or electronic 
mail, will not be accepted for review.
    In order to apply for new funding opportunities which are open to 
the public for competition, you may access the Grants.gov website 
portal at www.Grants.gov. All OPHS funding opportunities and 
application kits are made available on Grants.gov. If your organization 
has/had a grantee business relationship with a grant program serviced 
by the OPHS Office of Grants Management, and you are applying as part 
of ongoing grantee related activities, please access 
www.GrantSolutions.gov.
    Electronic grant application submissions must be submitted no later 
than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date specified in Table I of 
Section IV. 3, Submission Dates and Times of this announcement using 
one of the electronic submission mechanisms specified below. All 
required hard copy original signatures and mail-in items must be 
received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management no later than 5 p.m. 
Eastern Time on the next business day after the deadline date specified 
in Table I of this announcement.
    Applications will not be considered valid until all electronic 
application components, hard copy original signatures, and mail-in 
items are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management according to 
the deadlines specified above. Application submissions that do not 
adhere to the due date requirements will be considered late and will be 
deemed ineligible.
    Applicants are encouraged to initiate electronic applications early 
in the application development process, and to submit early on the due 
date or before. This will aid in addressing any problems with 
submissions prior to the application deadline.

Electronic Submissions via the Grants.gov Web Site Portal

    The Grants.gov Web site Portal provides organizations with the 
ability to submit applications for OPHS grant opportunities. 
Organizations must successfully complete the necessary

[[Page 32114]]

registration processes in order to submit an application. Information 
about this system is available on the Grants.gov Web site, https://www.grants.gov.
    In addition to electronically submitted materials, applicants may 
be required to submit hard copy signatures for certain Program related 
forms, or original materials as required by the announcement. It is 
imperative that the applicant review both the grant announcement, as 
well as the application guidance provided within the Grants.gov 
application package, to determine such requirements. Any required hard 
copy materials, or documents that require a signature, must be 
submitted separately via mail to the OPHS Office of Grants Management, 
and, if required, must contain the original signature of an individual 
authorized to act for the applicant agency and the obligations imposed 
by the terms and conditions of the grant award. When submitting the 
required forms, do not send the entire application. Complete hard copy 
applications submitted after the electronic submission will not be 
considered for review.
    Electronic applications submitted via the Grants.gov Web site 
Portal must contain all completed online forms required by the 
application kit, the Program Narrative, Budget Narrative, and any 
appendices or exhibits. All required mail-in items must received by the 
due date requirements specified above. When submitting the required 
forms, do not send the entire application. Complete hard copy 
applications submitted after the electronic submission will not be 
considered for review.
    Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission 
via the Grants.gov Web site Portal, the applicant will be provided with 
a confirmation page from Grants.gov indicating the date and time 
(Eastern Time) of the electronic application submission, as well as the 
Grants.gov Receipt Number. It is critical that the applicant print and 
retain this confirmation for their records, as well as a copy of the 
entire application package.
    All applications submitted via the Grants.gov Web site Portal will 
be validated by Grants.gov. Any applications deemed ``Invalid'' by the 
Grants.gov Web site Portal will not be transferred to the 
GrantSolutions system, and OPHS has no responsibility for any 
application that is not validated and transferred to OPHS from the 
Grants.gov Web site Portal. Grants.gov will notify the applicant 
regarding the application validation status. Once the application is 
successfully validated by the Grants.gov Web site Portal, applicants 
should immediately mail all required hard copy materials to the OPHS 
Office of Grants Management to be received by the deadlines specified 
above. It is critical that the applicant clearly identify the 
Organization name and Grants.gov Application Receipt Number on all hard 
copy materials.
    Once the application is validated by Grants.gov, it will be 
electronically transferred to the GrantSolutions system for processing. 
Upon receipt of both the electronic application from the Grants.gov Web 
site Portal, and the required hard copy mail-in items, applicants will 
receive notification via mail from the OPHS Office of Grants Management 
confirming the receipt of the application submitted using the 
Grants.gov Web site Portal.
    Applicants should contact Grants.gov regarding any questions or 
concerns regarding the electronic application process conducted through 
the Grants.gov Web site Portal.

Electronic Submissions via the GrantSolutions System

    The electronic grants management system, www.GrantSolutions.gov, 
provides for applications to be submitted electronically. When 
submitting applications via the GrantSolutions system, applicants are 
required to submit a hard copy of the application face page (Standard 
Form 424) with the original signature of an individual authorized to 
act for the applicant agency and assume the obligations imposed by the 
terms and conditions of the grant award. If required, applicants will 
also need to submit a hard copy of the Standard Form LLL and/or certain 
Program related forms (e.g., Program Certifications) with the original 
signature of an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency. 
When submitting the required forms, do not send the entire application. 
Complete hard copy applications submitted after the electronic 
submission will not be considered for review.
    Electronic applications submitted via the Grants.gov Web site 
Portal must contain all completed online forms required by the 
application kit, the Program Narrative, Budget Narrative, and any 
appendices or exhibits. All required mail-in items must received by the 
due date requirements specified above.
    Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission, 
the GrantSolutions system will provide the applicant with a 
confirmation page indicating the date and time (Eastern Time) of the 
electronic application submission. This confirmation page will also 
provide a listing of all items that constitute the final application 
submission including all electronic application components, required 
hard copy original signatures, and mail-in items, as well as the 
mailing address of the OPHS Office of Grants Management where all 
required hard copy materials must be submitted.
    As items are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management, the 
electronic application status will be updated to reflect the receipt of 
mail-in items. It is recommended that the applicant monitor the status 
of their application in the GrantSolutions system to ensure that all 
signatures and mail-in items are received.

Mailed or Hand-Delivered Hard Copy Applications

    Applicants who submit applications in hard copy (via mail or hand-
delivered) are required to submit an original and two copies of the 
application. The original application must be signed by an individual 
authorized to act for the applicant agency or organization and to 
assume for the organization the obligations imposed by the terms and 
conditions of the grant award.
    Mailed or hand-delivered applications will be considered as meeting 
the deadline if they are received by the OPHS Office of Grant 
Management no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline dates 
specified in Table I of this announcement. The application deadline 
date requirement specified in this announcement supersedes the 
instructions in the OPHS-1. Applications that do not meet the deadline 
will be returned to the applicant unread.
    4. Intergovernmental Review. Applicants under this announcement are 
subject to the requirements of Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' as implemented by 45 
CFR part 100, ``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and 
Human Services Programs and Activities.'' As soon as possible, the 
applicant should discuss the project with the State Single Point of 
Contact (SPOC) for the state in which the applicant is located. The 
application kit contains the currently available listing of the SPOCs 
that have elected to be informed of the submission of applications. For 
those states not represented on the listing, further inquiries should 
be made by the applicant regarding the submission to the relevant SPOC. 
The SPOC should forward any comments to the OPHS Office of Grants 
Management, 1101

[[Page 32115]]

Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, Maryland 20852. The SPOC has 60 
days from the due date for the applicable area/population to be served 
as listed in Table I of this announcement to submit any comments. For 
further information, contact the OPHS Office of Grants Management at 
240-453-8822.
    5. Funding Restrictions. The allowability, allocability, 
reasonableness and necessity of direct and indirect costs that may be 
charged to OPHS grants are outlined in the following documents: OMB 
Circular A-21 (Institutions of Higher Education); OMB Circular A-87 
(State and Local Governments); OMB Circular A-122 (Nonprofit 
Organizations); and 45 CFR part 74, Appendix E (Hospitals). Copies of 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars are available on 
the Internet at https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_circulars.html.
    In order to claim indirect costs as part of a budget request, an 
applicant organization must have an indirect cost rate which has been 
negotiated with the Federal Government. The Health and Human Services 
Division of Cost Allocation (DCA) Regional Office that is applicable to 
your State can provide information on how to receive such a rate. A 
list of DCA Regional Offices is included in the application kit for 
this announcement.
    6. Other Submission Requirements. Applications must include an 
abstract of the proposed project.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Criteria. Eligible applications will be assessed according to 
the following criteria:
    Within the limits of funds available for these purposes, grants may 
be awarded for the establishment and operation of those projects which 
will best promote the purposes of section 1001 of Title X of the Public 
Health Service Act, taking into account:
    (1) The degree to which the project plan adequately provides for 
the requirements set forth in the Title X regulations at 42 CFR part 
59, subpart A (20 points);
    (2) The extent to which family planning services are needed locally 
(20 points);
    (3) The adequacy of the applicant's facilities and staff (20 
points);
    (4) The number of patients, and, in particular, the number of low-
income patients to be served (15 points);
    (5) The capacity of the applicant to make rapid and effective use 
of the Federal assistance (10 points);
    (6) The relative availability of non-Federal resources within the 
community to be served and the degree to which those resources are 
committed to the project (10 points); and
    (7) The relative need of the applicant (5 points).
    2. Review and Selection Process. Each regional office is 
responsible for facilitating the process of evaluating applications and 
setting funding levels according to the criteria set out in 42 CFR 
59.7(a). Awards (single or multiple for an area/population listed in 
Table I) will be made for approximately the amount listed. Application 
budgets that are significantly greater than the amount indicated in 
Table I for the area to be served, will be considered unfundable. 
Eligible applications will be reviewed by a panel of independent 
reviewers and will be evaluated based on the criteria listed above. In 
addition to the independent review panel, there will be Federal staff 
reviews of each application for programmatic and grants management 
compliance.
    Final grant award decisions will be made by the Regional Health 
Administrator (RHA) for the applicable Public Health Service region. In 
making grant award decisions, the RHA will fund those projects which 
will, in his/her judgement, best promote the purposes of section 1001 
of the Act, within the limits of funds available for such projects.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    The OPA does not release information about individual applications 
during the review process. When final funding decisions have been made, 
each applicant will be notified by letter of the outcome. The official 
document notifying an applicant that a project application has been 
approved for funding is the Notice of Grant Award (NGA), signed by the 
Director of the OPHS Office of Grants Management. This document 
specifies to the grantee the amount of money awarded, the purposes of 
the grant, the length of the project period, terms and conditions of 
the grant award, and the amount of funding to be contributed by the 
grantee to project costs. Grantees should pay specific attention to the 
terms and conditions of the award as indicated on the NGA, as some may 
require a time-limited response. The NGA will also identify the Grants 
Specialist and Program Project Officer assigned to the grant.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    In accepting the award, the grantee stipulates that the award and 
any activities thereunder are subject to all provisions of 45 CFR parts 
74 and 92, currently in effect or implemented during the period of the 
grant. Grant funds may only be used to support activities outlined in 
the approved project plan.
    The successful applicant will be responsible for the overall 
management of activities within the scope of the approved project plan. 
The OPHS requires all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free 
workplace and to promote the non-use of all tobacco products. This is 
consistent with the OPHS mission to protect and advance the physical 
and mental health of the American people.
    The Health and Human Services Appropriations Act requires that when 
issuing statements, press releases, requests for proposals, bid 
solicitations, and other documents describing projects or programs 
funded in whole or in part with federal money, grantees shall clearly 
state the percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the 
program or project that will be financed with federal money and the 
percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the project or 
program that will be financed by non-governmental sources.

3. Reporting

    Each grantee is required to submit a Family Planning Annual Report 
(FPAR) each year.
    The information collections (reporting requirements) and format for 
this report have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
and assigned OMB No. 0990-0221. The FPAR contains a brief 
organizational profile and 14 tables to report data on users, service 
use, and revenue for the reporting year. The FPAR instrument and 
instructions can be found on the OPA Web site at https://opa.osophs.dhhs.gov, and are included in the application kit for this 
announcement.
    In addition to the FPAR, grantees are required to submit an annual 
Financial Status Report within 90 days of the end of each budget 
period. Grantees who receive $500,000 or greater of Federal funds must 
also undergo an independent audit in accordance with OMB Circular A-
133.
    Each year of the approved project period, grantees are required to 
submit a non-competing continuation application, which includes a 
progress report for the current budget year, and work plan, budget, and 
budget narrative for the upcoming year.
    Required reports may be submitted either electronically or in hard 
copy.

[[Page 32116]]

VII. Agency Contacts

Administrative and Budgetary Requirements

    For information related to administrative and budgetary 
requirements, contact the OPHS Office of Grants Management Grants 
Specialist for the applicable region as listed below:
    For Region I (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, 
Rhode Island, Vermont), Region II (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, 
Virgin Islands), Region III (Delaware; Washington, DC; Maryland; 
Pennsylvania; Virginia; West Virginia), and Region VI (Arkansas, 
Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas) contact Renee Scales, 240-453-
8822, renee.scales@hhs.gov.
    For Region IV (Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, 
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina), Region V (Illinois, 
Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin), and Region VII (Iowa, 
Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska) contact Eleanor Walker, 240-453-8822, 
eleanor.walker@hhs.gov.
    For Region VIII (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, 
Utah, Wyoming), Region IX (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, 
Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the 
Marshall Islands), and Region X (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington) 
contact Robin Fuller, 240-453-8822, robin.fuller@hhs.gov.

Program Requirements

    For information related to family planning program requirements, 
contact the OPA/OFP contact in the applicable regional office listed 
below:

Region I (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode 
Island, Vermont)--Betsy Rosenfeld, 617-565-4265, 
betsy.rosenfeld@hhs.gov or Kathy Stratford, 617-565-1070, 
kathleen.stratford@hhs.gov;
Region II (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands)--Robin 
Lane, 212-264-3935, robin.lane@hhs.gov;
Region III (Delaware, Washington, DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, 
West Virginia)--Dickie Lynn Gronseth, 215-861-4656, 
dickielynn.gronseth@hhs.gov;
Region IV (Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, 
Florida, Georgia, South Carolina)--Edecia Richards, 404-562-7900, 
edecia.richards@hhs.gov;
Region V (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin)--
Marjie Witman, 312-886-3864, marjie.witman@hhs.gov;
Region VI (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas)--Evelyn 
Glass, 214-767-3088, evelyn.glass@hhs.gov;
Region VII (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska)--Betty Chern-Hughes, 816-
426-2924, betty.chernhughes@hhs.gov;
Region VIII (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, 
Wyoming)-- Jill Leslie, 303-844-7856, jill.leslie@hhs.gov;
Region IX (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Republic of Palau, 
Federal States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands)-- Nancy 
Mautone-Smith, 415-437-7984, nancy.mautone-smith@hhs.gov; and
Region X (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington)--Janet Wildeboor, 206-615-
2776, janet.wildeboor@hhs.gov.

VIII. Other Information

    Technical Assistance Conference Call: The OFP will conduct several 
technical assistance conference calls to provide potential applicants 
with general information regarding this funding opportunity. These 
calls will be held shortly after publication of this Notice in the 
Federal Register. For more information regarding the call schedule, 
including date, registration information, and how to participate, 
please consult the OPA Web site at https://opa.osophs.dhhs.gov.

    Dated: June 5, 2007.
Evelyn M. Kappeler,
Acting Director, Office of Population Affairs.
 [FR Doc. E7-11183 Filed 6-8-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-34-P