American Indians Into Nursing; Notice of Competitive Grant Applications for American Indians Into Nursing Program, 42788-42795 [2013-17159]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
• Indian Health Service

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 137 (Wednesday, July 17, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42788-42795]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17159]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service


American Indians Into Nursing; Notice of Competitive Grant 
Applications for American Indians Into Nursing Program

    Announcement Type: Competing Continuation.
    Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2013-IHS-NU-0001.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.970.
    Dates:

Key Dates

    Application Deadline Date: August 19, 2013.
    Review Date: August 22, 2013.
    Earliest Anticipated Start Date: September 15, 2013.
    Proof of Non-Profit Status Due Date: August 9, 2013.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Statutory Authority

    The Indian Health Service (IHS) Office of Public Health Support 
(OPHS) is accepting competitive cooperative agreement applications for 
the American Indians into Nursing Program (Section 112). This program 
is authorized under Section 112 of the Indian Health Care Improvement 
Act, Public Law 94-437, as amended (IHCIA), codified at 25 U.S.C. 
1616e. This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance under 93.970.

Background

    The IHS, an agency within the Department of Health and Human 
Services (HHS), is responsible for providing Federal health services to 
American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). The mission of the IHS is 
to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of AI/AN. 
The IHCIA authorizes the IHS to administer programs that are designed 
to attract and recruit qualified individuals into health professions 
needed at IHS facilities. The programs administered are designed to 
encourage AI/AN to enter health professions and to ensure the 
availability of health professionals to serve AI/AN populations. 
Section 112 of the IHCIA requires IHS to administer the American 
Indians into Nursing Scholarship Program. Within the Section 112 
program, IHS provides grants to colleges, universities, and other 
entities to develop and maintain nursing education programs and recruit 
individuals to become Registered Nurses, Certified Nurse Midwives, 
Nurse Practitioners and Certified Nurse Anesthetists who will provide 
services to AI/AN people. Nursing program scholarship grants may be 
used by the educational institution to provide scholarships to students 
enrolled in nursing education programs. According to the terms and 
conditions of the nursing program scholarship grant award, scholarship 
awards are for a 1-year period; additional scholarship support may be 
awarded to each eligible student for up to four years (maximum).

Purpose

    The purpose of this IHS cooperative agreement is to augment the 
number of Registered Nurses, Certified Nurse Midwives, Nurse 
Practitioners and Certified Nurse Anesthetists who deliver health care 
services to AI/AN communities. The primary objectives of this 
cooperative agreement grant award are to: (1) Recruit and train 
individuals to be Registered Nurses (Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), 
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)) and Advance Practice Nurses 
(Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice 
(DNP)); (2) Provide scholarships to individuals enrolled in schools of 
nursing to pay tuition, books, fees, and stipends for living expenses; 
(3) provide a program that encourages nurses (DNP, MSN, BSN, ADN) to

[[Page 42789]]

provide or continue to provide, health care services in health care 
programs, and (4) provide a program that increases the skills of, and 
provides continuing education to nurses (Graduate and Undergraduate).

II. Award Information

Type of Award

    Cooperative Agreement.

Estimated Funds Available

    The total amount of funding identified for the current fiscal year 
2013 is approximately $1,669,697. Individual award amounts are 
anticipated to be between $300,000 and $350,000. Competing continuation 
awards issued under this announcement are subject to the availability 
of funds. In the absence of funding, the IHS is under no obligation to 
make awards that are selected for funding under this announcement.

Anticipated Number of Awards

    Approximately four awards will be issued under this program 
announcement.

Project Period

    The project period will be for three years and will run 
consecutively from September 15, 2013 to September 14, 2016.

Cooperative Agreement

    In the HHS, a cooperative agreement is administered under the same 
policies as a grant. The funding agency (IHS) is required to have 
substantial programmatic involvement in the project during the entire 
award segment. Below is a detailed description of the level of 
involvement required for both IHS and the grantee. IHS will be 
responsible for activities listed under section A and the grantee will 
be responsible for activities listed under section B as stated:

Substantial Involvement Description for Cooperative Agreement

A. IHS Programmatic Involvement
    (1) The IHS assigned program official will work closely with the 
project's Principal Investigator/Project Director to ensure timely 
receipt of the required semi-annual progress reports from each American 
Indians into Nursing grantee and review them for program compliance.
    (2) The IHS assigned program official will provide programmatic 
technical assistance to the grantee as requested.
    (3) The IHS assigned program official will coordinate and conduct 
site visits and semi-annually conference calls with grantees and 
students.
    (4) The IHS assigned program official from the OPHS will work in 
partnership with the Division of Grants Management (DGM) to ensure all 
goals and objectives of the proposed project are met.
    (5) The IHS assigned program official will provide an American 
Indians into Nursing scholarship handbook for student program review.
    (6) The IHS assigned program official will initiate default 
proceedings within 90 days after receiving notification from the 
grantee that a student has been dismissed from the nursing program, 
withdrawn from school, failed to graduate with a nursing degree, or 
failed to get licensed and begin obligated service time within 90 days.
B. Grantee Cooperative Agreement Award Activities
    (1) The American Indians into Nursing grantee must designate a 
Principal Investigator/Project Director. The Project Director is the 
individual designated by the grant applicant to manage the project or 
activity being supported by the grant. He/she is responsible for the 
scientific or technical direction of the project, the day-to-day 
management of the program, and is accountable to the grantee for the 
proper conduct of all grant related activities.
    (2) The Project director must have a current curriculum vitae on 
file in the official grant file within DGM. In the case of a project 
director resigning, the grantee is required to notify DGM in writing 
immediately upon discovery. The grantee will notify the DGM of any new 
potential replacement project director for program approval within 30 
days.
    (3) The American Indians into Nursing grantee will award nursing 
scholarships to continuing and new students. The project director will 
meet with each student to review the IHS scholarship contract and 
scholarship recipient handbook.
    (4) The American Indians into Nursing grantee will maintain 
academic and obligated service records using a secure Web based system 
for scholarship recipients. Those records shall include: student 
contract information/application; copy of award letter; signed copy of 
IHS scholarship contract; notification of academic problem or change; 
change of academic status; change in graduation date; leave of absence; 
name change; change of address; notice of impending graduation; 
placement update; and preferred assignment.
    (5) The American Indians into Nursing grantee will submit all 
required documents to the IHS assigned program official upon 
graduation: official transcript; copy of license and certifications; 
letter of hire for Tribal/Urban employees; copy of SF-50 for Federal 
employees; and all status reports throughout the scholarship 
recipient's service obligation.
    (6) The American Indians into Nursing grantee will submit student 
contracts, student information and initial student progress report 45 
days after the start of the semester.
    (7) The American Indians into Nursing grantee project director will 
monitor fulfillment of all contractual obligations incurred by nursing 
program scholarship recipients by requesting a student status report 
six months and one year after hire date.
    (8) The American Indians into Nursing grantee project director is 
encouraged to have quarterly meeting with university/college grants and 
contract officer and college of business officers.
    (9) The American Indians into Nursing grantee project director is 
expected to collaborate with other American Indians into Nursing 
project directors and staff under this grant program; and to share best 
practices, successes and challenges of the program. The American 
Indians into Nursing scholarship recipients will be required to 
participate in the annual IHS national nurse leaders meeting for 
workshop, mentorship and networking.
    (10) The American Indians into Nursing grantee will complete an end 
of year report and ensure a budget report is submitted to IHS assigned 
program official and grants specialist 90 days after the budget period 
ends.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Schools of nursing providing nursing education and conferring 
degrees are eligible for this award:
    A. Accredited Public or Private schools of nursing,
    B. Accredited Tribally controlled community colleges and Tribally 
controlled postsecondary vocational institutions (as defined in section 
390(2) of the Tribally Controlled Vocational Institutions Support Act 
of 1990 (20 U.S.C. 2397h(2)), or
    C. Nurse midwife programs and nurse practitioner programs that are 
provided by any public or private institution.

2. In Accordance With the IHCIA, Funding Preference Will Be Given to 
Applicants Who Have:

    A. Programs that provide a preference to Indian students.

[[Page 42790]]

    B. Programs that train nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, and 
nurse anesthetist.
    C. Programs that are interdisciplinary with other health 
professional students such as medicine, pharmacy, dental and behavioral 
health students.
    D. Programs that are conducted in cooperation with a center for 
gifted and talented Indian students established under section 5324 (a) 
of the Indian Education Act of 1988. If an eligible organization claims 
preference in order to be given priority, the organization must submit 
verifying documentation.

    Note: Please refer to Section IV.2 (Application and Submission 
Information/Subsection 2, Content and Form of Application 
Submission) for additional proof of applicant status documents 
required such as proof of non-profit status, etc.

3. Cost Sharing or Matching

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

4. Other Requirements

    A. All schools must be state approved. All schools and training 
programs must have current, unrestricted accreditation by either the 
National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or American 
Association of Colleges of Nursing Commission on Collegiate Nursing 
Education (CCNE). All institutions must be fully accredited without 
restrictions.
    B. The schools offering a degree in nurse midwifery must provide 
verification of accreditation by the American College of Nurse 
Midwives.
    C. The schools offering a degree in nurse anesthesia must provide 
verification of accreditation by the Council of Accreditation of Nurse 
Anesthesia Educational Program (COA).
    D. The Tribally controlled community college nursing programs and 
Tribally controlled post-secondary vocational institutions must be 
accredited by the NLNAC or other appropriately recognized nursing 
accrediting body.
    E. All universities and colleges currently participating and 
submitting competing continuation proposals must include new objectives 
for this project period.
    If application budgets exceed the highest dollar amount outlined 
under the ``Estimated Funds Available'' section within this funding 
announcement, the application will be considered ineligible and will 
not be reviewed for further consideration. If deemed ineligible, IHS 
will not return the application. The applicant will be notified by 
email by the Division of Grants Management (DGM) of this decision.

Proof of Non-Profit Status

    Organizations claiming non-profit status must submit proof. A copy 
of the 501(c)(3) Certificate must be received with the application 
submission by the Application Deadline Date listed under the Key Dates 
section on page one of this announcement.
    An applicant submitting any of the above additional documentation 
after the initial application submission due date is required to ensure 
the information was received by the IHS by obtaining documentation 
confirming delivery (i.e. FedEx tracking, postal return receipt, etc.).

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Obtaining Application Materials

    The application package and detailed instructions for this 
announcement can be found at https://www.Grants.gov or https://www.ihs.gov/dgm/index.cfm?module=dsp_dgm_-funding.
    Questions regarding the electronic application process may be 
directed to Mr. Paul Gettys at (301) 443-2114.

2. Content and Form Application Submission

    The applicant must include the project narrative as an attachment 
to the application package. Mandatory documents for all applicants 
include:
     Table of contents.
     Abstract (one page) summarizing the project.
     Application forms:
    [cir] SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance.
    [cir] SF-424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs.
    [cir] SF-424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.
     Budget Justification and Narrative (must be single spaced 
and not exceed five pages).
     Project Narrative (must be single spaced and not exceed 
ten pages).
    [cir] Background information on the organization.
    [cir] Proposed scope of work, objectives, and activities that 
provide a description of what will be accomplished, including a one-
page Timeframe Chart.
     501(c)(3) Certificate (if applicable).
     Biographical sketches for all Key Personnel.
     Contractor/Consultant resumes or qualifications and scope 
of work.
     Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL).
     Certification Regarding Lobbying (GG-Lobbying Form).
     Copy of current Negotiated Indirect Cost rate (IDC) 
agreement (required) in order to receive IDC.
     Organizational Chart (optional).
     Documentation of current Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) A-133 required Financial Audit (if applicable). Acceptable forms 
of documentation include:
    [cir] Email confirmation from Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC) 
that audits were submitted; or
    [cir] Face sheets from audit reports. These can be found on the FAC 
Web site: https://harvester.census.gov/sac/dissem/accessoptions.html?submit=Go+To+Database

Public Policy Requirements

    All Federal-wide public policies apply to IHS grants with exception 
of the Discrimination policy.

Requirements for Project and Budget Narratives

    A. Project Narrative: This narrative should be a separate Word 
document that is no longer than ten pages and must: be single-spaced, 
be type written, have consecutively numbered pages, use black type not 
smaller than 12 characters per one inch, and be printed on one side 
only of standard size 8\1/2\ x 11 paper.
    Be sure to succinctly answer all questions listed under the 
evaluation criteria (refer to Section V.1, Evaluation criteria in this 
announcement) and place all responses and required information in the 
correct section (noted below), or they will not be considered or 
scored. These narratives will assist the Objective Review Committee 
(ORC) in becoming more familiar with the grantee's activities and 
accomplishments prior to this grant award. If the narrative exceeds the 
page limit, only the first ten pages will be reviewed. The 10-page 
limit for the narrative does not include the work plan, standard forms, 
Tribal resolutions, table of contents, budget, budget justifications, 
narratives, and/or other appendix items.
Part A: Program Information (3-Page Limitation)
Section 1: Needs
The American Indians Into Nursing Program
    1. Describe how the proposed American Indians into Nursing program 
will maintain academic and obligated service records using a secure web 
based system for scholarship recipients: Student contract information/
application, copy of award letter, signed copy of IHS Scholarship 
contract,

[[Page 42791]]

notification of academic problem or change, change of academic status, 
change in graduation date, leave of absence, name change, change of 
address, notice of impending graduation, placement update, and 
preferred assignment.
    2. Describe how the proposed American Indians into Nursing program 
coordinator will monitor fulfillment of all contractual obligations 
incurred by nursing program scholarship recipients.
    3. Describe how the proposed American Indians into Nursing program 
will complete the following activities: submitting semi-annual status 
reports, annual reports and budget reports by designated deadline to 
assure program compliance.
    4. Describe how the proposed American Indians into Nursing program 
will notify IHS assigned program official of new and continuing 
students scholarship awards and submission of IHS contracts within 45 
days of student scholarship awards.
Part B: Program Planning and Evaluation (5-Page limitation)
Section 1: Program Plans
    Describe fully and clearly how the applicant will complete the 
following and include proposed timelines for completing these 
activities:
    1. Attract and recruit for the associates, baccalaureate, masters 
and doctorate nursing programs.
    2. Provide mechanisms and resources to increase nursing student 
enrollment, retention, and graduation.
    3. Process for advertising, selecting and notifying Section 112 
scholarship to nursing students
    4. Provide activities that increase the skills and provide 
continuing education at the graduate and undergraduate level for nurses 
who deliver health services to the AI/AN population.
    5. Provide support to the American Indians into Nursing program 
utilizing career counseling; academic advice; plans to correct academic 
deficiencies; and other activities to assist student retention.
Section 2: Program Evaluation
    1. Describe fully and clearly the program plans for evaluating 
success in carrying out the project and on an annual basis conduct a 
quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the year's activity, 
identifying what areas of the project need to be improved and how the 
applicant will make those improvements.
    2. Applicants must identify how they will meet on an annual basis 
with the other project directors and staff under this grant program to 
share best practices, successes and challenges and to receive Federal 
grant training.
Part C: Program Report (Current Grantee only) (5-Page Limitation)
    Section 1: Describe major accomplishments over the last 24 months.
    Please identify and describe significant program achievements 
associated with the program objectives. Provide a comparison of the 
actual program accomplishments to the goals established for the project 
period, or, if applicable, provide justification for the lack of 
progress.
    Section 2: Describe major activities over the last 5 years.
    Please identify and summarize major project activities during the 
project period to improve the management of the grant program.
    B. Budget Narrative: This narrative must describe the budget 
requested and match the scope of work described the project narrative. 
The budget narrative should not exceed five pages.
1. Submission Dates and Times
    Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 
12:00 a.m., midnight Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on the Application 
Deadline Date listed in the Key Dates section on page one of this 
announcement. Any application received after the application deadline 
will not be accepted for processing, nor will it be given further 
consideration for funding. The applicant will be notified by the DGM 
via email of this decision.
    If technical challenges arise and assistance is required with the 
electronic application process, contact Grants.gov Customer Support via 
email to support@grants.gov or at (800) 518-4726. Customer Support is 
available to address questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except on 
Federal holidays). If problems persist, contact Mr. Paul Gettys, DGM 
(Paul.Gettys@ihs.gov) at (301) 443-2114. Please be sure to contact Mr. 
Gettys at least ten days prior to the application deadline. Please do 
not contact the DGM until you have received a Grants.gov tracking 
number. In the event you are not able to obtain a tracking number, call 
the DGM as soon as possible.
    If the applicant needs to submit a paper application instead of 
submitting electronically via Grants.gov, prior approval must be 
requested and obtained (see Section IV.6 below for additional 
information). The waiver must be documented in writing (emails are 
acceptable), before submitting a paper application. A copy of the 
written approval must be submitted along with the hardcopy that is 
mailed to the DGM. Once the waiver request has been approved, the 
applicant will receive a confirmation of approval and the mailing 
address to submit the application. Paper applications that are 
submitted without a waiver from the Acting Director of DGM will not be 
reviewed or considered further for funding. The applicant will be 
notified via email of this decision by the Grants Management Officer of 
DGM. Paper applications must be received by the DGM no later than 5:00 
p.m., EDT, on the Application Deadline Date listed in the Key Dates 
section on page one of this announcement. Late applications will not be 
accepted for processing or considered for funding.
2. Intergovernmental Review
    Executive Order 12372 requiring intergovernmental review is not 
applicable to this program.
3. Funding Restrictions
     Pre-award costs are not allowable.
     The available funds are inclusive of direct and 
appropriate indirect costs.
     Only one grant/cooperative agreement will be awarded per 
applicant.
     IHS will not acknowledge receipt of applications.
4. Electronic Submission Requirements
    All applications must be submitted electronically. Please use the 
https://www.Grants.gov Web site to submit an application electronically 
and select the ``Find Grant Opportunities'' link on the homepage. 
Download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and 
then upload and submit the completed application via the https://www.Grants.gov Web site. Electronic copies of the application may not 
be submitted as attachments to email messages addressed to IHS 
employees or offices.
    If the applicant receives a waiver to submit paper application 
documents, the applicant must follow the rules and timelines that are 
noted below. The applicant must seek assistance at least ten days prior 
to the Application Deadline Date listed in the Key Dates section on 
page one of this announcement.
    Applicants that do not adhere to the timelines for System for Award 
Management (SAM) and/or https://www.Grants.gov registration or that fail 
to request timely assistance with technical issues will not be 
considered for a waiver to submit a paper application.
    Please be aware of the following:

[[Page 42792]]

     Please search for the application package in https://www.Grants.gov by entering the CFDA number or the Funding Opportunity 
Number. Both numbers are located in the header of this announcement.
     If you experience technical challenges while submitting 
your application electronically, please contact Grants.gov Support 
directly at: support@grants.gov or (800) 518-4726. Customer Support is 
available to address questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except on 
Federal holidays).
     Upon contacting Grants.gov, obtain a tracking number as 
proof of contact. The tracking number is helpful if there are technical 
issues that cannot be resolved and a waiver from the agency must be 
obtained.
     If it is determined that a waiver is needed, the applicant 
must submit a request in writing (emails are acceptable) to 
GrantsPolicy@ihs.gov with a copy to Tammy.Bagley@ihs.gov. Please 
include a clear justification for the need to deviate from the standard 
electronic submission process.
     If the waiver is approved, the application should be sent 
directly to the DGM by the Application Deadline Date listed in the Key 
Dates section on page one of this announcement.
     Applicants are strongly encouraged not to wait until the 
deadline date to begin the application process through Grants.gov as 
the registration process for SAM and Grants.gov could take up to 
fifteen working days.
     Please use the optional attachment feature in Grants.gov 
to attach additional documentation that may be requested by the DGM.
     All applicants must comply with any page limitation 
requirements described in this Funding Announcement.
     After electronically submitting the application, the 
applicant will receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that 
contains a Grants.gov tracking number. The DGM will download the 
application from Grants.gov and provide necessary copies to the 
appropriate agency officials. Neither the DGM nor the OPHS will notify 
the applicant that the application has been received.
     Email applications will not be accepted under this 
announcement.

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

    All IHS applicants and grantee organizations are required to obtain 
a DUNS number and maintain an active registration in the SAM database. 
The DUNS number is a unique 9-digit identification number provided by 
D&B which uniquely identifies each entity. The DUNS number is site 
specific; therefore, each distinct performance site may be assigned a 
DUNS number. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy, and there is no charge. 
To obtain a DUNS number, please access it through https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform, or to expedite the process, call (866) 705-
5711.
    All HHS recipients are required by the Federal Funding 
Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, as amended (``Transparency 
Act''), to report information on subawards. Accordingly, all IHS 
grantees must notify potential first-tier subrecipients that no entity 
may receive a first-tier subaward unless the entity has provided its 
DUNS number to the prime grantee organization. This requirement ensures 
the use of a universal identifier to enhance the quality of information 
available to the public pursuant to the Transparency Act.

System for Award Management (SAM)

    Organizations that were not registered with Central Contractor 
Registration (CCR) and have not registered with SAM will need to obtain 
a DUNS number first and then access the SAM online registration through 
the SAM home page at https://www.sam.gov (U.S. organizations will also 
need to provide an Employer Identification Number from the Internal 
Revenue Service that may take an additional 2-5 weeks to become 
active). Completing and submitting the registration takes approximately 
one hour to complete and SAM registration will take 3-5 business days 
to process. Registration with the SAM is free of charge. Applicants may 
register online at https://www.sam.gov.
    Additional information on implementing the Transparency Act, 
including the specific requirements for DUNS and SAM, can be found on 
the IHS Grants Management, Grants Policy Web site: https://www.ihs.gov/dgm/index.cfm?module=dsp_dgm_-policy--topics.

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. 
The 10-page narrative should include only the first year of activities; 
information for multi-year projects should be included as an appendix. 
See ``Multi-year Project Requirements'' at the end of this section for 
more information. The narrative section should be written in a manner 
that is clear to outside reviewers unfamiliar with prior related 
activities of the applicant. It should be well organized, succinct, and 
contain all information necessary for reviewers to understand the 
project fully. Points will be assigned to each evaluation criteria 
adding up to a total of 100 points. A minimum score of 70 points is 
required for funding. Points are assigned as follows:

1. Criteria

    A. In accordance with the IHCIA, funding preference will be given 
to applicants who have: (20 points)
    1. Programs that provide a preference to Indian students.
    2. Programs that train nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, and 
nurse anesthetist.
    3. Programs that are interdisciplinary with other health 
professional students such as medicine, pharmacy, dental and behavioral 
health students.
    4. Programs that are conducted in cooperation with a center for 
gifted and talented Indian students established under section 5324(a) 
of the Indian Education Act of 1988. If an eligible organization claims 
preference in order to be given priority, the organization must submit 
verifying documentation.
    B. In addition, in scoring applications, a preference will be 
provided to the following: (10 points)
    1. Programs that provide nursing education which have an emphasis 
on leadership related competencies and health care innovation.
    2. Programs that provide nursing education which have an emphasis 
on transcultural nursing and cultural competency.
    3. Programs whose curriculum has a rural health care focus.
    4. Programs that integrate an Evidence Based Practice (EBP) 
curriculum.
    5. Programs which have student clinical rotations established or 
plan to establish clinical rotations with Indian health programs. The 
organization must submit letter of intent from the Indian health 
program.
    6. Programs which offer formal bridge program agreements between 
Tribal colleges or universities so as to accommodate ADN to BSN, BSN to 
MSN, and MSN to DNP students.
    7. Programs which have a faculty exchange program between a Tribal 
college or university and a university school of nursing, so as to 
enhance cultural relevance, competency and faculty strength.
C. Introduction and Need for Assistance (15 Points)
    1. Applicants must justify the need for their project and provide a 
plan for the

[[Page 42793]]

methodology they will use for recruiting nursing students nation-wide, 
provide a program that encourages AI/AN nurses at the graduate and 
undergraduate level; and provide a program that increases the skills of 
and provides continuing education to nurses at the graduate and 
undergraduate level.
    2. Applicants should identify their experience with other similar 
projects, including the results of those projects and provide evidence 
of their past or potential cooperation and experience with AI/AN 
communities and Tribes.
    3. Applicants should demonstrate substantial benefit to Indian 
health programs.
D. Project Objective(s), Work Plan and Approach (20 Points)
    1. Applicants must clearly describe how they will recruit and train 
individuals to be nurses at the graduate and undergraduate level and to 
provide scholarships to students enrolled in the college of nursing to 
pay tuition, books, fees, and stipends for living expenses.
    2. Applicants must clearly describe how the program will provide 
support services to nursing students to facilitate their success in the 
nursing program as well as track their progress.
    3. Applicants must clearly describe how the program will assist the 
graduate nurse with job placement and track their payback status to 
ensure service obligation is fulfilled.
    4. Applicants should have a mechanism in place to provide their 
students with clinical rotation in AI/AN health programs; have a bridge 
program between Tribal colleges or universities so as to accommodate 
ADN to BSN, BSN to MSN/DNP and have a faculty exchange program with 
Tribal college or university and the university school of nursing.
E. Program Evaluation (20 Points)
    1. Present a plan for evaluating success in carrying out the 
project on a day-to-day project operation and conduct a quantitative 
and qualitative evaluation of the year's activities.
    2. Identify how the program will adequately document project 
objectives; and identify what areas of the project need improvements.
    3. Demonstrate the detailed steps and timeline to effectively 
achieve proposed methodology and evaluation plan.
    4. Identify how the program director will meet with other project 
directors and staff on annual basis to share best practices, successes 
and challenges.
F. Organizational Capabilities, Key Personnel and Qualifications (5 
Points)
    1. Provide an organizational chart and describe the administrative, 
managerial and organization arrangements and the facilities and 
resources to be utilized to conduct the proposed project.
    2. List the key personnel who will work with the program. In the 
appendix, include position descriptions and resumes of program director 
and key staff with duties and experience. Describe who will be writing 
progress report.
    3. Describe any prior experience in administering similar project.
G. Categorical Budget and Budget Justification (10 Points)
    1. Clearly define the budget. Provide a justification and detailed 
breakdown of the funding by category for the first year of the project. 
Information on the project director and project staff should include 
salaries and percentage of time assigned to the grant. List equipment 
purchases necessary to conduct the project.
    2. The applicant may include as a direct cost tuition and student 
support for students who have been selected to receive a scholarship 
through the American Indians into Nursing grant. Scholarship support 
consists of full time tuition/fees/books/other expenses to include 
uniforms and monthly stipends for living expenses for 12 months. The 
current stipend is to be $1500 per month.

Multi-Year Project Requirements

    Projects requiring second, third, fourth, and/or fifth year must 
include a brief project narrative and budget (one additional page per 
year) addressing the developmental plans for each additional year of 
the project in an appendix

Appendix Items

     Work plan, logic model and/or time line for proposed 
objectives.
     Position descriptions for key staff.
     Resumes of key staff that reflect current duties.
     Consultant or contractor proposed scope of work and letter 
of commitment (if applicable).
     Current Indirect Cost Agreement.
     Organizational chart(s) highlighting proposed project 
staff and their supervisors as well as other key contacts within the 
organization and key community contacts.
     Additional documents to support narrative (i.e. data 
tables, key news articles, etc.).
1. Review and Selection
    Each application will be prescreened by the DGM staff for 
eligibility and completeness as outlined in the funding announcement. 
Incomplete applications and applications that are non-responsive to the 
eligibility criteria will not be referred to the ORC. Applicants will 
be notified by DGM, via email, to outline minor missing components 
(i.e., signature on the SF-424, audit documentation, key contact form) 
needed for an otherwise complete application. All missing documents 
must be sent to DGM on or before the due date listed in the email of 
notification of missing documents required.
    To obtain a minimum score for funding by the ORC, applicants must 
address all program requirements and provide all required 
documentation. If an applicant receives less than a minimum score, it 
will be considered to be ``Disapproved'' and will be informed via email 
by the IHS Program Office of their application's deficiencies. A 
summary statement outlining the strengths and weaknesses of the 
application will be provided to each disapproved applicant. The summary 
statement will be sent to the Authorized Organizational Representative 
that is identified on the face page (SF-424), of the application within 
30 days of the completion of the Objective Review.

VI. Award Administration Information

Award Notices

    The Notice of Award (NoA) is a legally binding document signed by 
the Grants Management Officer and serves as the official notification 
of the grant award. The NoA will be initiated by the DGM in our grant 
system, GrantSolutions (https://www.grantsolutions.gov). Each entity 
that is approved for funding under this announcement will need to 
request or have a user account in GrantSolutions in order to retrieve 
their NoA. The NoA is the authorizing document for which funds are 
dispersed to the approved entities and reflects the amount of Federal 
funds awarded, the purpose of the grant, the terms and conditions of 
the award, the effective date of the award, and the budget/project 
period.

Disapproved Applicants

    Applicants who received a score less than the recommended funding 
level for approval, 70, and were deemed to be disapproved by the ORC, 
will receive an Executive Summary Statement from the IHS program office 
within 30 days of the conclusion of the ORC outlining the weaknesses 
and strengths of their

[[Page 42794]]

application submitted. The IHS program office will also provide 
additional contact information as needed to address questions and 
concerns as well as provide technical assistance if desired.

Approved But Unfunded Applicants

    Approved but unfunded applicants that met the minimum scoring range 
and were deemed by the ORC to be ``Approved,'' but were not funded due 
to lack of funding, will have their applications held by DGM for a 
period of one year. If additional funding becomes available during the 
course of FY 2013, the approved application may be re-considered by the 
awarding program office for possible funding. The applicant will also 
receive an Executive Summary Statement from the IHS program office 
within 30 days of the conclusion of the ORC.

    Note: Any correspondence other than the official NoA signed by 
an IHS Grants Management Official announcing to the Project Director 
that an award has been made to their organization is not an 
authorization to implement their program on behalf of IHS.

1. Administrative Requirements
    Cooperative agreements are administered in accordance with the 
following regulations, policies, and OMB cost principles:
    A. The criteria as outlined in this Program Announcement.
    B. Administrative Regulations for Grants:
     45 CFR Part 92, Uniform Administrative Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State, Local and Tribal 
Governments.
     45 CFR Part 74, Uniform Administrative Requirements for 
Awards and Subawards to Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, 
and other Non-profit Organizations.
    C. Grants Policy:
     HHS Grants Policy Statement, Revised 01/07.
    D. Cost Principles:
     2 CFR Part 225--Cost Principles for State, Local, and 
Indian Tribal Governments (OMB Circular A-87).
     2 CFR Part 230--Cost Principles for Non-Profit 
Organizations (OMB Circular A-122).
    E. Audit Requirements:
     OMB Circular A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments, 
and Non-profit Organizations.
2. Indirect Costs
    This section applies to all grant recipients that request 
reimbursement of indirect costs (IDC) in their grant application. In 
accordance with HHS Grants Policy Statement, Part II-27, IHS requires 
applicants to obtain a current IDC rate agreement prior to award. The 
rate agreement must be prepared in accordance with the applicable cost 
principles and guidance as provided by the cognizant agency or office. 
A current rate covers the applicable grant activities under the current 
award's budget period. If the current rate is not on file with the DGM 
at the time of award, the IDC portion of the budget will be restricted. 
The restrictions remain in place until the current rate is provided to 
the DGM.
    Generally, IDC rates for IHS grantees are negotiated with the 
Division of Cost Allocation (DCA) https://rates.psc.gov/ and the 
Department of Interior (Interior Business Center) https://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/Indirect_Cost_Services/index.cfm. For questions 
regarding the indirect cost policy, please call (301) 443-5204 to 
request assistance.
3. Reporting Requirements
    The grantee must submit required reports consistent with the 
applicable deadlines. Failure to submit required reports within the 
time allowed may result in suspension or termination of an active 
grant, withholding of additional awards for the project, or other 
enforcement actions such as withholding of payments or converting to 
the reimbursement method of payment. Continued failure to submit 
required reports may result in one or both of the following: (1) The 
imposition of special award provisions; and (2) the non-funding or non-
award of other eligible projects or activities. This requirement 
applies whether the delinquency is attributable to the failure of the 
grantee organization or the individual responsible for preparation of 
the reports. Reports must be submitted electronically via 
GrantSolutions. Personnel responsible for submitting reports will be 
required to obtain a login and password for GrantSolutions. Please see 
the Agency Contacts list in section VII for the systems contact 
information.
    The reporting requirements for this program are noted below.

A. Progress Reports

    Program progress reports are required semi-annually, within 30 days 
after the budget period ends. These reports must include a brief 
comparison of actual accomplishments to the goals established for the 
period, or, if applicable, provide sound justification for the lack of 
progress, and other pertinent information as required. A final report 
must be submitted within 90 days of expiration of the budget/project 
period.

B. Financial Reports

    Federal Financial Report FFR (SF-425), Cash Transaction Reports are 
due 30 days after the close of every calendar quarter to the Division 
of Payment Management, HHS at: https://www.dpm.psc.gov. It is 
recommended that the applicant also send a copy of the FFR (SF-425) 
report to the Grants Management Specialist. Failure to submit timely 
reports may cause a disruption in timely payments to the organization.
    Grantees are responsible and accountable for accurate information 
being reported on all required reports: The Progress Reports and 
Federal Financial Report.

C. Federal Subaward Reporting System (FSRS)

    This award may be subject to the Transparency Act subaward and 
executive compensation reporting requirements of 2 CFR Part 170.
    The Transparency Act requires the OMB to establish a single 
searchable database, accessible to the public, with information on 
financial assistance awards made by Federal agencies. The Transparency 
Act also includes a requirement for recipients of Federal grants to 
report information about first-tier subawards and executive 
compensation under Federal assistance awards.
    IHS has implemented a Term of Award into all IHS Standard Terms and 
Conditions, NoAs and funding announcements regarding the FSRS reporting 
requirement. This IHS Term of Award is applicable to all IHS grant and 
cooperative agreements issued on or after October 1, 2010, with a 
$25,000 subaward obligation dollar threshold met for any specific 
reporting period. Additionally, all new (discretionary) IHS awards 
(where the project period is made up of more than one budget period) 
and where: 1) the project period start date was October 1, 2010 or 
after and 2) the primary awardee will have a $25,000 subaward 
obligation dollar threshold during any specific reporting period will 
be required to address the FSRS reporting. For the full IHS award term 
implementing this requirement and additional award applicability 
information, visit the Grants Management Grants Policy Web site at: 
https://www.ihs.gov/dgm/index.cfm?module=dsp_dgm_-policy--topics.
    Telecommunication for the hearing impaired is available at: TTY 
(301) 443-6394.

[[Page 42795]]

VII. Agency Contacts

    1. Questions on the programmatic issues may be directed to: Naomi 
A. Aspaas, BSN, RN, Office of Public Health Support, 801 Thompson 
Avenue, TMP Suite 450, Rockville, Maryland 20852, Telephone: (301) 443-
2362, Fax: (301) 443-6048, Email: Naomi.aspaas@ihs.gov.
    2. Questions on grants management and fiscal matters may be 
directed to: Andrew Diggs, Grants Management Specialist, 801 Thompson 
Avenue, TMP Suite 360, Rockville, Maryland 20850, Phone: (301) 443-
2262, Email: Andrew.diggs@ihs.gov.
    3. Questions on systems matters may be directed to: Paul Gettys, 
Grant Systems Coordinator, 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP Suite 360, 
Rockville, MD 20852, Phone: 301-443-2114; or the DGM main line 301-443-
5204, Fax: 301-443-9602, Email: Paul.Gettys@ihs.gov.

VIII. Other Information

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

    Dated: July 8, 2013.
Yvette Roubideaux,
Acting Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-17159 Filed 7-16-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-16-P