Office of Clinical and Preventive Services, Division of Behavioral Health; The Methamphetamine & Suicide Prevention Initiative for American Indian and Alaska Native Youth, 32627-32633 [E9-16148]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
• Indian Health Service

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 8, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32627-32633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-16148]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service


Office of Clinical and Preventive Services, Division of 
Behavioral Health; The Methamphetamine & Suicide Prevention Initiative 
for American Indian and Alaska Native Youth

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2009-IHS-METHY-0001.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number(s): 93.933.

DATES: Key Dates: Application Deadline Date: July 31, 2009.
    Review Date: August 6-7, 2009.
    Earliest Anticipated Start Date: August 14, 2009.

Table of Contents

I. Funding Opportunity
II. Award Information
III. Eligibility
IV. Application and Submission Information
V. Application Review Information
VI. Award Administration Information
VII. Agency Contacts
VIII. Other Information

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The Indian Health Service (IHS) announces competitive grant 
applications for the Methamphetamine & Suicide Prevention Initiative 
(MSPI) for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Youth (MSPI-Y). 
This program is authorized under the Snyder Act, 25 U.S.C. 13, and 25 
U.S.C. 1602(a) (b)(9)(11)(12); 25 U.S.C. 1621h(m) of the Indian Health 
Care Improvement Act (IHCIA), as amended. This program is described at 
93.933 in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. The purpose of 
the MSPI-Y is to expand community-level access to effective 
methamphetamine and suicide prevention programs through Tribal, youth 
residential, transitional/discharge, and aftercare services. Resources 
will enhance existing transitional/discharge and aftercare programs 
with a specific focus on methamphetamine and suicide prevention. 
Funding for the MSPIY will be used to:
     Provide community-focused response grants that would allow 
Tribes and Tribal organizations to utilize the resources to enhance 
transitional/discharge and aftercare programming focused on 
methamphetamine and suicide prevention for youth discharged or who have 
the expectation of discharge from a residential setting to maintain 
sobriety within their home community.

[[Page 32628]]

     Participate in a nationally coordinated program focusing 
specifically on enhancing access to youth transitional/discharge and/or 
aftercare-related activities among Youth Regional Treatment Centers 
(YRTC) and those IHS or Tribal organizations, providing residential 
youth services for AI/AN youths.
     Provide communities with needed resources to develop their 
own transitional/discharge or aftercare-focused programs.
    Awardees' activities for this program are as follows:
     Develop a three (3) year action plan. Applicants must 
document how their transitional/discharge or aftercare activities will 
be implemented as soon as possible but no later than six (6) months 
after award for Year One. Grantees will continue project activities 
with refinement of services and evaluation of activities for Year Two 
(2) and Year Three (3). The primary intent of the action plan should be 
to illustrate how the applicant will enhance community access to or 
support community delivery of evidence-based or practice-based 
transitional/discharge or aftercare services. The action plan should 
describe the project implementation process. The action plan should 
include objectives that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, 
and time-phased. Objectives should demonstrate adherence to the 
Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), where 
applicable. Relevant partnerships working closely with and developing 
collaborations for the MSPI-Y may include Tribes and/or Tribal 
organizations.
     Collaborations may also include other partners to share 
resources and information that could strengthen the program.
     The action plan should focus on developing or enhancing 
and implementing community-based, evidence, or practice-based 
transitional/discharge or aftercare treatment strategies. The action 
plan for the transitional/discharge or aftercare program should include 
the proposed best and promising practices being implemented, identify 
information sharing processes, and define and identify interactive 
group activities, data collection (e.g. Resource and Patient Management 
System), evaluation, and ongoing quality assurance improvement 
processes. The project should include culturally appropriate 
behavioral, policy, and community approaches to transitional/discharge 
or aftercare treatment.
     Applicants must attend one (1) mandatory MSPI-Y grantee 
meeting per year. The budget submitted should reflect travel costs for 
the project director to attend this meeting. Location (city/hotel) and 
time frame for this meeting will be provided at a later date; however, 
the meeting will generally last two to three days and attendance is 
mandatory. At these meetings, grantees will present the results of 
their projects and Federal staff will be available to provide technical 
assistance.
     Applicants must participate in a national evaluation of 
this project. Each grantee shall coordinate with their national MSPI-Y 
project officer. The grantee shall work with the IHS staff and national 
MSPI-Y project officer to develop a local process to measure specific 
outcome indicators as consistent with national GPRA and IHS Division of 
Behavioral Health (DBH) program requirements.
     Up to a maximum of 20 percent of grant funds may be used 
to develop or enhance the grantee's local evaluation capacity for the 
purpose of meeting MSPI data collection requirements. It is recommended 
that applicants employ the use of the Resource and Patient Management 
System (RPMS) and the RPMS behavioral health module or IHS Electronic 
Health Record, where available. If applicant is unable to utilize the 
RPMS as an information management system, the applicant should 
demonstrate within the application how they will satisfy the data 
collection requirements. Applicants will also be required to adhere to 
any and all GPRA requirements.
     Other costs in conjunction with the evaluation of this 
project may include training (onsite and off-site), conference calls, 
and information sharing using e-mail and/or faxing materials.
     Applicants are expected to publicize their activities in 
the affected communities. The action plan may include:
     Community programs should inform their community about the 
program and its goals and the baseline data for the outcome indicators. 
The program should establish a time frame and setting to share their 
progress with the community. The settings could include regular 
programs on the radio station, monthly newspaper reports, newsletter 
mailings, one or more graph or `thermometer' type billboards, or 
centrally placed posters that track progress.
     The action plan should include a community gathering that 
is held to close out the project with an accounting of the progress by 
indicators and dialogue about next steps.

II. Award Information

    Type of Awards: Grant.
    Estimated Funds Available: The total amount identified for fiscal 
year (FY) 2008 is $300,000; FY 2009 is $300,000; Grand total of 
$600,000. The awards are for 12 months in each budget period. The 
awards are subject to the availability of funds.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: An estimated three (3) two-year 
awards will be approved for funding with the amounts identified for FY 
2008 and FY 2009. The existing awardees will apply for continuation 
awards for continued funding based on program performance. Contingent 
on appropriation of funds, the amount of awards in the third year will 
continue at the same level as year one and two under this Program 
Announcement.
    Project Period: Three (3) Years.
    Award Amount: $100,000 per year.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants are:
     AI/AN Federally-recognized Tribes;
     Tribal organizations, as defined by the IHCIA, 25 U.S.C. 
1603(e);
     Tribal consortia;
     Non-profit urban Indian organizations, as defined by 25 
U.S.C. 1603(h);
     Applicants must provide proof of Federally-recognized 
status.
    Eligibility is limited to the aforementioned applicants because 
they have the necessary knowledge of, experience, capability, capacity 
to work within the AI/AN communities to perform the required 
activities.
    Tribal Resolution--A resolution of the Indian Tribe served by the 
project must accompany the application submission. This can be attached 
to the electronic application. An Indian Tribe that is proposing a 
project affecting another Indian Tribe must include resolutions from 
all affected Tribes to be served. Applications by Tribal organizations 
will not require a specific Tribal resolution if the current Tribal 
resolution(s) under which they operate would encompass the proposed 
grant activities. Draft resolutions are acceptable in lieu of an 
official resolution. However, an official signed Tribal resolution must 
be faxed to the Division of Grants Operations (DGO) at (301) 443-9602 
to the attention of Kimberly Pendleton prior to the beginning of the 
Application Review. Therefore, if an official signed resolution is not 
received in DGO by August 3, 2009 the application will be considered 
incomplete, ineligible for review, and returned to the applicant 
without consideration.

[[Page 32629]]

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    The Methamphetamine & Suicide Prevention Initiative for Youth does 
not require matching funds or cost sharing.

3. Other Requirements

    A. If application budgets exceed the stated dollar amount that is 
outlined within this announcement those applications will not be 
considered for funding.
    B. The budget should include a budget narrative and justification 
for all cost outlined in the application for the budget period and 
should explain why each line item is necessary or relevant to the 
proposed project.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Applicant package may be found at the Grants.gov Web site 
(https://www.grants.gov), or for a link to the package information go to 
the Grants Policy Staff Web site at https://www.ihs.gov/NonMedicalPrograms/gogp/gogp_funding.asp. Information regarding the 
electronic application process may be directed to Tammy G. Bagley at 
(301) 443-6290.
    The entire application package and detailed application 
instructions are available at: https://www.grants.gov/index.jsp.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission
    a. You must submit a project narrative with your application 
package. The project narrative must be submitted in the following 
format:
     Maximum number of pages: 25. If your narrative exceeds the 
page limit, only the first pages which are within the page limit will 
be reviewed.
     Font size: 12 point unreduced.
     Single spaced.
     8\1/2\ x 11 paper.
     Page margin size: One inch.
    Your narrative should address activities to be conducted over the 
entire project period. You must use the sections/headings listed below 
in developing your project narrative. Be sure to place the required 
information in the correct section, or it will not be considered. Your 
application will be scored according to how well you address the 
requirements for each section of the project narrative. Your project 
narrative must include the following items in the order listed:
     Statement of Need.
     Describe the target population as well as the geographic 
area to be served, and justify the selection of both. The target 
population should include AI/AN youth who are currently residing within 
a youth regional/residential treatment center or who have been 
discharged from a residential treatment center within the previous 
sixty (60) days. Include the numbers to be served and demographic 
information. Discuss the target population's language, beliefs, norms 
and values, as well as socioeconomic factors that must be considered in 
services to this population. Describe a brief history of the youth 
recidivism issues in the community and responses locally, within the 
Tribe and in the State.
     Document clearly whether this project will address the 
transitional/discharge or aftercare problem or decrease the rate of 
youth recidivism within the YRTC.
     Document the need for a transitional/discharge or 
aftercare project in the selected community which is experiencing 
increases in the rate of recidivism. This documentation of need may 
come from a variety of sources, and applicants are encouraged to 
provide as much quantifiable data related information about the 
increases as may be available.
     Show that identified needs are consistent with priorities 
of the Tribes, State, or county that has primary responsibility for the 
service delivery system.
     Describe the local resource organizations in the 
community.
     Depending on the type of project chosen, describe the 
local transitional/discharge or aftercare resources available to the 
project.
Project Plan
     Clearly state the purpose, goals and objectives of your 
proposed project and how it addresses the target population and the 
geographic area being served.
     Describe how the project is to be implemented, including 
the roles of staff to be hired.
     Provide a realistic timeline for the project (chart or 
graph) showing key activities, milestones, and responsible staff. 
[Note: The timeline should be part of the project narrative. It should 
not be placed in an appendix.]
     If you plan to include an advisory body in your project, 
describe its membership, roles and functions, and frequency of 
meetings.
     Describe how members of the target population help prepare 
the application and how they will help plan, implement, and evaluate 
the project.
     Identify any other organizations that will participate in 
the proposed project. Describe their roles and responsibilities and 
demonstrate their commitment to the project. Include letters of 
commitment from community organizations supporting the project in the 
appendix.
     Show that the necessary groundwork (e.g., planning, 
consensus development, development of memoranda of agreement) has been 
completed or is near completion so that the project can be implemented, 
and any prevention or treatment interventions can begin as soon as 
possible but no later than six (6) months after grant award.
     Describe any potential barriers to successful conduct of 
the proposed project and how you will overcome them.
     Describe your plan to ensure project sustainability when 
funding for this project ends. Also describe how program continuity 
will be maintained when there is a change in the operational 
environment (e.g., staff turnover, change in project leadership) to 
ensure stability over time.
Organizational Capacity
     Discuss the capability and experience of the applicant 
organization and other participating organizations with the target 
population. Provide Memoranda of Understanding or Letters of Agreement 
specifically for the proposed project from participating organizations 
in the appendix.
     Describe existing community infrastructure that addresses 
transitional/discharge or aftercare treatment.
     Provide a list of staff and position descriptions for 
those who will participate in the project, showing the role of each and 
their level of effort and qualifications. Include the project director 
and other key personnel, such as the local evaluator and prevention or 
treatment personnel.
     Describe the cultural characteristics of key staff and 
indicate if any are members of the target population/community.
     Describe the resources available for the proposed project 
(e.g., facilities, equipment), and provide evidence that services will 
be provided in a location that is adequate, accessible, compliant with 
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and amenable to the target 
population.
     Describe evidence of successful program management 
experience (see Criteria for more detail).
     Describe experience with other Federal, State, or private 
grants.
     Describe data collection experience and capacity for data 
storage. Clearly describe the project's information management system 
capabilities and history of its use (if any). Describe any plans to 
utilize the RPMS information

[[Page 32630]]

management system with the implementation of this project. If applicant 
currently utilizes an alternate information management system or is 
unable to utilize RPMS as an information management system, the 
applicant should demonstrate within the application how they plan to 
satisfy the data collection requirements.
Local Evaluation Capacity
     Grantees must evaluate their projects and are required to 
describe their evaluation plans in their applications. The evaluation 
should be designed to provide regular feedback to the project to 
improve services. The evaluation must include both process and outcome 
components. Process and outcome evaluations must measure change 
relating to project goals and objectives over time compared to baseline 
information. Describe evaluation experience with current or past 
community projects.
     State willingness to work with IHS evaluation 
consultant(s) in developing community-specific outcome measures for the 
local and national evaluation.
     Demonstrate evidence of having secured or plans to secure 
a qualified local evaluation consultant and/or part-time employee to 
conduct data collection and data entry (e.g., resume, position 
description).
     Describe plans for data collection, management, analysis, 
interpretation and reporting. Describe the existing approach to the 
collection of data, along with any necessary modifications. Be sure to 
include data collection instruments/interview protocols in an appendix 
format.
     Demonstrate how the evaluation will be integrated with 
requirements for collection and reporting of performance data (e.g., 
RPMS and GPRA indicators, performance measures). Explain: How you will 
ensure privacy and confidentiality; describe where data will be stored? 
Who will or will not have access to information and how the identity of 
participants will be kept private, for example, through the use of a 
coding system on data records, limiting access to records, or storing 
identifiers separately from data? Describe adequate consent procedures.
     Applicants must consider their evaluation plans when 
preparing the project budget. No more than 20% of the total grant award 
may be used for evaluation and data collection (this is not a research 
grant).
    The evaluation must include both process and outcome components. 
Process and outcome evaluations must measure change relating to project 
goals and objectives over time compared to baseline information.
    Process components should address issues such as:
    [dec221] How closely did the implementation match the plan?
    [dec221] What types of deviation from the plan occurred?
    [dec221] What led to the deviations?
    [dec221] What effect did the deviations have on the planned 
intervention and evaluation?
    [dec221] Who (program, staff) provided what services (modality, 
type, intensity, duration), to whom (individual characteristics), in 
what context (system, community), and at what cost (facilities, 
personnel, dollars)?
    Outcome components should address issues such as:
    [dec221] What was the effect of the intervention on participants? 
(For intervention projects only.)
    [dec221] What was the effect of infrastructure development on 
service capacity and other system outcomes? (For infrastructure 
projects only.)
    [dec221] What program/contextual factors were associated with 
outcomes?
    [dec221] What individual factors were associated with outcomes?
    [dec221] How durable were the effects?
     Budget Justification (will not be counted in the stated 
page limit).
     You must provide a narrative justification of the items 
included in your proposed budget, as well as a description of existing 
resources and other support you expect to receive for the proposed 
project. Be sure to show that no more than 20% of the total grant award 
will be used for data collection and evaluation.
    Additional information shall be included in the application 
appendices. The appendices will not be counted toward the narrative 
page limit. This additional information includes:
     Position descriptions for key personnel including local 
evaluator and data collection/data entry employees. If the person 
evaluator will be subcontracted, include a letter of commitment with a 
current biographical sketch from the individual(s). Job descriptions 
should be no longer than one page each.
     Curriculum Vitae/Resume of key personnel (project 
director, evaluator (if identified). Resumes should be no longer than 
two (2) pages in length.
     Documentation of current indirect cost rate agreement.
3. Submission Dates and Times
    Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 
12 midnight Eastern Daylight Time (E.D.T.) on the application deadline 
due date. If technical challenges arise and the applicant is unable to 
successfully complete the electronic application process, the applicant 
should contact Grants Policy Staff at (301) 443-6290 at least fifteen 
days prior to the application deadline and advise of the difficulties 
that your organization is experiencing. The grantee must obtain prior 
approval, in writing (e-mails are acceptable) allowing the paper 
submission. If submission of a paper application is requested and 
approved, the original and two copies may be sent to Division of Grants 
Operations (DGO), 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP, Suite 360, Rockville, MD 
20852, (301) 443-5204 by 12 midnight E.D.T. on the application deadline 
date. Applications not submitted through Grants.gov, without an 
approved waiver, may be returned to the applicant without review or 
consideration. Late applications will not be accepted for processing. 
They will be returned to the applicant and will not be considered for 
funding.
4. Intergovernmental Review
    Executive Order 12372 requiring intergovernmental review is not 
applicable to this program.
5. Funding Restrictions
    [dec221] Pre-award costs are allowable pending prior approval from 
the awarding agency. However, in accordance with 45 CFR Part 74 all 
pre-award costs are incurred at the recipient's risk. The awarding 
office is under no obligation to reimburse such costs if for any reason 
the applicant does not receive an award or if the award to the 
recipient is less than anticipated.
    [dec221] The available funds are inclusive of direct and 
appropriate indirect costs.
    [dec221] IHS will not acknowledge receipt of applications.
6. Other Submission Requirements
    Electronic Submission--The preferred method for receipt of 
applications is electronic submission through Grants.gov. However, 
should any technical challenges arise regarding the submission, please 
contact Grants.gov Customer Support at (800) 518-4726 or 
support@grants.gov. The Contact Center hours of operation are Monday-
Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. E.D.T. The applicant must seek assistance 
at least fifteen days prior to the application deadline. Applicants 
that do not adhere to the timelines for Central Contractor Registry 
(CCR) and/or Grants.gov registration and/or requesting timely 
assistance with technical issues will not be a candidate for paper 
applications.

[[Page 32631]]

    To submit an application electronically, please use the https://
www.Grants.gov and select ``Apply for Grants'' link on the home page. 
Download a copy of the application package, on the Grants.gov Web site, 
complete it offline and then upload and submit the application via the 
Grants.gov site. You may not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant 
application to IHS.
    Please be reminded of the following:
    [dec221] Under the new IHS application submission requirements, 
paper applications are not the preferred method. However, if you have 
technical problems submitting your application online, please contact 
Grants.gov Customer Support at: https://www.grants.gov/CustomerSupport.
    [dec221] 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 request from Grants Policy 
must be obtained.
    [dec221] If it is determined that a formal waiver is necessary, the 
applicant must submit a request, in writing (e-mails are acceptable), 
to Michelle.Bulls@ihs.gov including a justification for the need to 
deviate from the standard electronic submission process. Upon receipt 
of approval, a hard copy application package must be downloaded by the 
applicant from Grants.gov, and sent directly to the DGO, 801 Thompson 
Avenue, TMP, Suite 360, Rockville, MD 20852 on or before 12 midnight of 
the application deadline date.
    [dec221] Upon entering the Grants.gov site, there is information 
available that outlines the requirements to the applicant regarding 
electronic submission of an application through Grants.gov, as well as 
the hours of operation. We strongly encourage all applicants not to 
wait until the deadline date to begin the application process through 
Grants.gov as the registration process for CCR and Grants.gov could 
take up to fifteen working days.
    [dec221] To use Grants.gov, you, as the applicant, must have a DUNS 
Number and register in the CCR. You should allow a minimum of ten days 
working days to complete CCR registration. See below for more 
information on how to apply.
    [dec221] You must submit all documents electronically, including 
all information typically included on the SF-424 and all necessary 
assurances and certifications.
    [dec221] Please use the optional attachment feature in Grants.gov 
to attach additional documentation that may be requested by IHS.
    [dec221] Your application must comply with any page limitation 
requirements described in the program announcement.
    [dec221] After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that contains a 
Grants.gov tracking number. The DGO will download your application from 
Grants.gov and provide necessary copies to the cognizant program 
office. The DGO will not notify applicants that the application has 
been received.
    [dec221] You may access the electronic application for this program 
on https://www.Grants.gov.
    [dec221] You may search for the downloadable application package 
using either the CFDA number or the Funding Opportunity Number. Both 
numbers are identified in the heading of this announcement.
    [dec221] The applicant must provide the Funding Opportunity Number: 
HHS-2009-IHS-METHY-0001.
    E-mail applications will not be accepted under this announcement.

DUNS Number

    Applicants are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet (DUNS) number 
to apply for a grant or cooperative agreement from the Federal 
Government. 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://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do or call (866) 705-5711. 
Interested parties may wish to obtain their DUNS number by phone to 
expedite the process.
    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 whether or not your 
organization has a DUNS number. Registration with the CCR is free of 
charge.
    Applicants may register by calling (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

1. Criteria

    Applicants are required to provide measures of effectiveness that 
will demonstrate the accomplishment of the various identified 
objectives of the cooperative agreement. Measures of effectiveness must 
relate to the performance goals stated in the ``Purpose'' section of 
this announcement. Measures must be objective, qualitative and 
quantitative, and must measure the intended process and outcome. These 
measures of effectiveness must be submitted with the application and 
will be an element of evaluation.
    Your application will be evaluated against the following criteria:
Project Plan (40 Points)
     How adequate is the description of the project to be 
implemented? (e.g. are the roles of the partners and staff to be hired 
included)--10 points.
     How comprehensive are proposed objectives and activities 
described? (e.g. are responsible partners or staff identified for all 
activities; will activities support the successful completion of the 
project; are the proposed methods feasible)--15 Points.
     Is there a good description and justification for the 
identified project target population(s)?--5 Points.
     Is the time line provided comprehensive? (i.e., does it 
identify proposed project activities and responsible staff, does the 
plan cover the entire project period)--5 Points.
     How comprehensive is the plan in describing and 
identifying potential problem areas or barriers and proposing 
solutions? (e.g. lack of understanding of the severity of the problem 
within the community, lack of community resources or lack of 
coordination of community resources)--5 Points.
Statement of Need (25 Points)
     Does the description provide an adequate baseline picture 
of the community? (e.g., demographics, location and brief history of 
local, County and State transitional/discharge or aftercare services)--
15 Points.
     How comprehensive is the description of the local resource 
organizations relevant to the proposed plan? (e.g., behavioral health, 
health, educational, legal, law enforcement, non-profit, business)--5 
Points.
     How comprehensive is the description of community 
transitional/discharge or aftercare resources? (e.g., number of current 
facilities and programs; existing community resources)--5 Points.
Organizational Capacity (20 Points)
     Is there an adequate description of the infrastructure 
addressing transitional/discharge or aftercare services?--5 Points.

[[Page 32632]]

     Is there adequate evidence provided of successful 
transitional/discharge or aftercare program management capability?--2 
Points.
     How comprehensive is the description of experience with 
other Federal, State or private grants?--2 Points.
     How adequate is the description of the project staffing, 
their tasks/roles, required experience and training, and time 
commitment? (i.e., are the staff roles clearly defined; do key staff 
have sufficient experience and training; is the time commitment for all 
staff sufficient to accomplish the program goals)--6 Points.
     Are position descriptions for key personnel provided? Key 
personnel include the local evaluation consultant, local project 
director/coordinator (if noted), clinical staff and data collection/
data entry employee.--3 Points.
     Is the data collection and storage capacity adequately 
described--2 Points.
Local Evaluation Capacity (15 Points)
     How well do the process and outcome measures describe 
accomplishment of stated activities and objectives (e.g., are they 
measurable objectives, is there a reasonable time frame for proposed 
project)?--5 Points.
     Is there well-described evidence of experience of 
evaluation capacity with other Federal, State or private grants?--3 
Points.
     Is there stated willingness to collaborate with external 
IHS evaluation consultants?--4 Points.
     Is evidence of commitment to securing a qualified local 
evaluator and data collection/entry employee well documented (e.g. 
letter of commitment/contract, position descriptions, resumes)?--3 
Points.

2. Review and Selection Process

    Each application will be prescreened by the DGO staff for 
eligibility, compliance with the announcement, and completeness. 
Incomplete applications and applications that are non-responsive to the 
eligibility criteria will not be referred to the Objective Review 
Committee. Applicants will be notified that their application did not 
meet submission requirements.
    Applications that meet eligibility requirements, are complete, and 
conform to this announcement will be subject to the competitive 
objective review and evaluation by an Ad Hoc Review Committee of 
Tribal, IHS, and other Federal or non-Federal reviewers. Applications 
will be reviewed against criteria. Reviewers will assign a numerical 
score to each application which will be used to rank applications.
    The review process will be directed by the DGO staff to ensure 
compliance with HHS and IHS grant review guidelines.
    In addition, the following factors may affect the funding decision:
     Geographic diversity.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    Awards will start on August 14, 2009.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    The Notice of Award (NoA) will be initiated by DGO and will be 
mailed via postal mail to each entity that is approved for funding 
under this announcement. The NoA will be signed by the Grants 
Management Officer and this is the authorizing document for which funds 
are dispersed to the approved entities. The NoA will serve as the 
official notification of the grant award and will reflect 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. The NoA is the legally binding document. 
Applicants who are approved but unfunded or disapproved based on their 
Objective Review score will receive a copy of the Executive Summary 
which identifies the weaknesses and strengths of the application 
submitted.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Grants are administrated in accordance with the following 
documents:
     This Program Announcement.
     45 CFR Part 92, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State, Local and Tribal 
Governments,'' or 45 CFR Part 74, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements 
for Awards to Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, Other Non 
Profit Organizations and Commercial Organizations.''
     HHS Grants Policy Statement, January 2007.
     OMB Circular A-87, ``State, Local, and Indian Tribal 
Governments, (Title 2 Part 225) or OMB Circular A-122, ``Non-profit 
Organizations.'' (Title 2 Part 230), or OMB Circular A-133, ``Audits of 
States, Local Governments, and Non Profit Organizations.''

3. Indirect Costs

    This section applies to all grant recipients that request 
reimbursement of indirect costs in their grant application. In 
accordance with HHS Grants Policy Statement, Part II-27, IHS requires 
applicants to have a current indirect cost rate agreement in place 
prior to award. The rate agreement must be prepared in accordance with 
the applicable cost principles and guidance as provided by the agency 
or office. A current rate means the rate covering the applicable 
activities and the award budget period. If the current rate is not on 
file with the DGO at the time of award, the indirect cost portion of 
the budget will be restricted and not available to the recipient until 
the current rate is provided to DGO.
    Generally, indirect costs rates for IHS grantees are negotiated 
with the Division of Cost Allocation (DCA) https://rates.psc.gov/ and 
the Department of the Interior (National Business Center) https://www.nbc.gov/acquisition/ics/icshome.html. If your organization has 
questions regarding the indirect cost policy, please contact the DGO at 
301-443-5204.

4. Reporting

    A. Progress Report. A semi-annual progress report is required. A 
format will be provided. These reports will include a brief comparison 
of actual accomplishments to the goals established for the period, or, 
if applicable, provide sound justification for the lack of progress, 
and other pertinent information as required. Copies of any materials 
developed shall be attached. Semi-annual progress reports must be 
submitted within 30 days of the end of the half year. An annual report 
must be submitted within 30 days after the end of the 12 month time 
period.
    B. Financial Status Report. Semi-annual financial status reports 
must be submitted within 30 days of the end of 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. Reports. 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 must submit reports in a reasonable period of time.
    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

[[Page 32633]]

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.
    5. Telecommunication for the hearing impaired is available at: TTY 
(301) 443-6394.

VII. Agency Contact(s)

    We encourage inquiries concerning this announcement.
    For program technical assistance, contact: Bryan E. Wooden, 
Director (Acting) Division of Behavioral Health, 801 Thompson Avenue, 
Suite 300, Reyes Building, Rockville, Maryland 20852. Telephone: (301) 
443-2038. E-mail: bryan.wooden@ihs.gov.
    For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact: 
Kimberly Pendleton, 12300 Twinbrook Metro Plaza, Suite 360, Rockville, 
MD 20851. Telephone: (301) 443-6290. E-mail: 
kimberly.pendleton@ihs.gov.

VIII. Other Information

    This and other IHS funding opportunity announcements can be found 
on the IHS Web site, Internet address: https://www.ihs.gov. Click on 
``Funding'' then ``Grants and Cooperative Agreements.''

    Dated: June 26, 2009.
Yvette Roubideaux,
Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. E9-16148 Filed 7-7-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-16-P