American Indians Into Psychology, 22133-22139 [2019-10098]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
• Indian Health Service

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 95 (Thursday, May 16, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22133-22139]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-10098]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service


American Indians Into Psychology

    Announcement Type: New and Competing Continuation.
    Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2019-IHS-INPSY-0001.
    Assistance Listing (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance) Number: 
93.970.

Key Dates

    Application Deadline Date: June 20, 2019.
    Earliest Anticipated Start Date: July 20, 2019.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Statutory Authority

    The Indian Health Service (IHS) Division of Health Professions 
Support, is accepting applications for cooperative agreements for 
American Indians into Psychology. This program is authorized under 
section 217 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, Public Law 94-
437, as amended (IHCIA), codified at 25 U.S.C. 1621p. This program is 
described in the Assistance Listings located at https://beta.sam.gov 
(formerly known as 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 to 
ensure the availability of health professionals to serve AI/AN 
populations. Section 217 of the IHCIA authorizes IHS to administer the 
American Indians into Psychology Program. Within the Section 217 
program, IHS provides grants to colleges and universities to develop 
and maintain psychology education programs and recruit individuals to 
become Clinical Psychologists who will provide services to AI/AN 
people. Psychology program scholarship grants may be used by the 
educational institution to provide scholarships to Indian students 
enrolled in clinical psychology education programs. According to the 
terms and conditions of the psychology program scholarship grant award, 
scholarship awards are for a l-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 Indian Clinical Psychologists who deliver health care 
services to AI/AN communities. The primary objectives of this 
cooperative agreement award are to: (1) Recruit and train individuals 
to be Clinical Psychologists; and (2) provide scholarships to 
individuals enrolled in schools of clinical psychology to pay tuition, 
books, fees and stipends for living expenses.

II. Award Information

Funding Instrument

    Cooperative Agreement.

[[Page 22134]]

Estimated Funds Available

    The total funding identified for fiscal year (FY) 2019 is 
approximately $722,374. Individual award amounts are anticipated to be 
between $200,000 and $240,000. The funding available for competing and 
subsequent continuation awards issued under this announcement is 
subject to the availability of funds and budgetary priorities of the 
Agency. The IHS is under no obligation to make awards that are selected 
for funding under this announcement.

Anticipated Number of Awards

    Given current funding levels, approximately three awards will be 
issued under this program announcement.

Period of Performance

    The period of performance is for five years.

Cooperative Agreement

    Cooperative agreements awarded by the Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS) are administered under the same policies as a 
grant. However, the funding agency (IHS) is anticipated to have 
substantial programmatic involvement in the project during the entire 
award segment. Below is a detailed description of the level of 
involvement required for IHS.

Substantial Involvement Description for Cooperative Agreement

A. IHS Programmatic Involvement
    (1) The IHS program official will work closely with the project's 
Program Director to ensure timely receipt of the required semi-annual 
progress reports from each American Indians into Psychology grantee and 
review them for program compliance.
    (2) The IHS 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 periodic conference calls with grantees and students as 
time and budget permit.
    (4) The IHS program official 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 program official will provide American Indians into 
Psychology scholarship materials and policies for student program 
review.
    (6) The IHS program official will initiate default proceedings 
within 90 days after receiving notification from the grantee that a 
student has been dismissed from the program, withdrawn from school, 
failed to graduate with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, failed to begin 
a required period of supervised clinical hours required for state 
licensure, failed to meet the minimum required number of supervised 
clinical hours prior to licensure, failed to get licensed and begin 
obligated service time within 90 days, or failed to complete the 
service.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligibility

    Public and nonprofit private colleges and universities that offer a 
Ph.D. or Psy.D. in clinical programs accredited by the American 
Psychological Association will be eligible to apply for a cooperative 
agreement under this announcement. However, only one cooperative 
agreement will be awarded and funded to a college or university per 
funding cycle.

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

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

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

3. Other Requirements

    A. All schools and training programs must have current, 
unrestricted accreditation by the American Psychological Association 
(APA). All institutions must be fully accredited without restrictions 
at the time of application.
    B. All universities and colleges currently participating and 
submitting competing continuation proposals must include new objectives 
for this project period.
    C. Applications with budget requests that exceed the highest dollar 
amount outlined under the Award Information, Estimated Funds Available 
section, or exceed the Period of Performance outlined under the Award 
Information, Period of Performance section will be considered not 
responsive and will not be reviewed. The Division of Grants Management 
(DGM) will notify the applicant.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Obtaining Application Materials

    The application package and detailed instructions for this 
announcement are hosted on https://www.Grants.gov.
    Please direct questions regarding the application process to Mr. 
Paul Gettys at (301) 443-2114 or (301) 443-5204.

2. Content and Form Application Submission

    The applicant must include the project narrative as an attachment 
to the application package. Mandatory documents for all applicants 
include:
     Abstract (one page) summarizing the project.
     Application forms:
    [cir] SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance.
    [cir] SF-424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs.
    [cir] SF-424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.
     Project Narrative (not to exceed 25 pages). See IV.2.A 
Project Narrative for instructions.
    [cir] Background information on the organization.
    [cir] Proposed scope of work, objectives, and activities that 
provide a description of what will be accomplished.
     Budget Justification and Narrative (not to exceed five 
pages). See IV.2.B Budget Narrative for instructions.
     One-page Timeframe Chart.
     Proof of accreditation.
     Biographical sketches for all Key Personnel.
     Contractor/Consultant resumes or qualifications and scope 
of work.
     Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL).
     Certification Regarding Lobbying (GG-Lobbying Form).
     Copy of current Negotiated Indirect Cost rate (IDC) 
agreement (required in order to receive IDC).
     Organizational Chart (optional).
     Documentation of current Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) Financial Audit (if applicable).
    Acceptable forms of documentation include:
    [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 
website: https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx.
Public Policy Requirements
    All Federal public policies apply to IHS grants and cooperative 
agreements, with the exception of the Discrimination Policy.
Requirements for Project and Budget Narratives

A. Project Narrative

    This narrative should be a separate document that is no more than 
25 pages

[[Page 22135]]

and must: (1) Have consecutively numbered pages; (2) use black font not 
smaller than 12 points; (3) and be formatted to fit standard letter 
paper (8\1/2\ x 11 inches).
    Be sure to succinctly answer all questions listed under the 
evaluation criteria (refer to Section V.1, Evaluation Criteria) and 
place all responses and required information in the correct section 
noted below or they will not be considered or scored. If the narrative 
exceeds the page limit, the application will be considered not 
responsive and not be reviewed. The 25-page limit for the narrative 
does not include the work plan, standard forms, Tribal resolutions, 
budget, budget justifications, narratives, and/or other appendix items.
    There are three parts to the narrative: Part 1--Program 
Information; Part 2--Program Planning and Evaluation; and Part 3--
Program Report. See below for additional details about what must be 
included in the narrative.
    The page limitations below are for each narrative and budget 
submitted.
Part 1: Program Information (Limit--5 Pages)
    1. Describe how the proposed American Indians into Psychology 
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, 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 Psychology 
program coordinator will monitor fulfillment of all contractual 
obligations incurred by psychology program scholarship recipients.
    3. Describe how the proposed American Indians into Psychology 
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 Psychology 
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 2: Program Planning and Evaluation (Limit--10 Pages)
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 clinical psychology programs.
    2. Provide mechanisms and resources to increase psychology student 
enrollment, retention, and graduation.
    3. Process for advertising, selecting and notifying Section 217 
scholarship students.
    4. Provide activities that increase the skills and provide 
continuing education at the graduate level for clinical psychologists 
who deliver health services to the AI/AN population.
    5. Provide support to the American Indians into Psychology program 
utilizing career counseling; academic advice; plans to correct academic 
deficiencies; and other activities to assist student retention.
    6. As addressing the opioid crisis is a priority of the Department 
of Health and Human Services, the program plan may provide information 
on how the awardee will educate and train students in opioid addiction 
prevention, treatment and recovery.
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 3: Program Report (Limit--10 Pages)
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 Five Years
    Please identify and summarize major project activities during the 
project period to improve the management of the grant program.

B. Budget Narrative (Limit--5 Pages)

    Provide a budget narrative that explains the amounts requested for 
each line of the budget. The budget narrative should specifically 
describe how each item will support the achievement of proposed 
objectives. Be very careful about showing how each item in the 
``other'' category is justified. For subsequent budget years, the 
narrative should highlight the changes from year one or clearly 
indicate that there are no substantive budget changes during the period 
of performance. Do NOT use the budget narrative to expand the project 
narrative.

3. Submission Dates and Times

    Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. 
Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on the Application Deadline Date listed in 
the Key Dates section. Any application received after the application 
deadline will not be accepted for review. Grants.gov will notify the 
applicant via email if the application is rejected.
    If technical challenges arise and assistance is required with the 
application process, contact Grants.gov Customer Support (see contact 
information at https://www.grants.gov). If problems persist, contact 
Mr. Paul Gettys ([email protected]), DGM Grant Systems Coordinator, 
by telephone at (301) 443-2114 or (301) 443-5204. 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.
    The IHS will not acknowledge receipt of applications.

4. Intergovernmental Review

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

5. Funding Restrictions

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

[[Page 22136]]

6. Electronic Submission Requirements

    All applications must be submitted via Grants.gov. Please use the 
https://www.Grants.gov website to submit an application. Find the 
application by selecting the ``Search Grants'' link on the homepage. 
Follow the instructions for submitting an application under the Package 
tab. No other method of application submission is acceptable.
    If the applicant cannot submit an application through Grants.gov, a 
waiver must be requested. Prior approval must be requested and obtained 
from Mr. Robert Tarwater, Director, DGM, (see Section IV.6 below for 
additional information). A written waiver request must be sent to 
[email protected] with a copy to [email protected]. The waiver 
must: (1) Be documented in writing (emails are acceptable), before 
submitting an application by some other method, and (2) include clear 
justification for the need to deviate from the required application 
submission process.
    Once the waiver request has been approved, the applicant will 
receive a confirmation of approval email containing submission 
instructions. A copy of the written approval must be included with the 
application that is submitted to DGM. Applications that are submitted 
without a copy of the signed waiver from the Director of the DGM will 
not be reviewed. The Grants Management Officer of the DGM will notify 
the applicant via email of this decision. Applications submitted under 
waiver must be received by the DGM no later than 5:00 p.m., EDT, on the 
Application Deadline Date. Late applications will not be accepted for 
processing. Applicants that do not register for both the System for 
Award Management (SAM) and Grants.gov and/or fail to request timely 
assistance with technical issues will not be considered for a waiver to 
submit an application via alternative method.
    Please be aware of the following:
     Please search for the application package in https://www.Grants.gov by entering the CFDA number or the Funding Opportunity 
Number. Both numbers are located in the header of this announcement.
     If you experience technical challenges while submitting 
your application, please contact Grants.gov Customer Support (see 
contact information at https://www.grants.gov).
     Upon contacting Grants.gov, obtain a tracking number as 
proof of contact. The tracking number is helpful if there are technical 
issues that cannot be resolved and a waiver from the agency must be 
obtained.
     Applicants are strongly encouraged not to wait until the 
deadline date to begin the application process through Grants.gov as 
the registration process for SAM and Grants.gov could take up to 20 
working days.
     Please follow the instructions on Grants.gov to include 
additional documentation that may be requested by this funding 
announcement.
     Applicants must comply with any page limits described in 
this funding announcement.
     After submitting the application, the applicant will 
receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that contains a 
Grants.gov tracking number. The IHS will not notify the applicant that 
the application has been received.
Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
    Applicants and grantee organizations are required to obtain a DUNS 
number and maintain an active registration in the SAM database. The 
DUNS number is a unique 9-digit identification number provided by D&B, 
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 the request service through 
https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform, or call (866) 705-5711.
    The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, as 
amended (``Transparency Act''), requires all HHS recipients to report 
information on sub-awards. Accordingly, all IHS grantees must notify 
potential first-tier sub-recipients that no entity may receive a first-
tier sub-award unless the entity has provided its DUNS number to the 
prime grantee organization. This requirement ensures the use of a 
universal identifier to enhance the quality of information available to 
the public pursuant to the Transparency Act.
System for Award Management (SAM)
    Organizations that are not registered with SAM will need to obtain 
a DUNS number first and then access the SAM online registration through 
the SAM home page at https://www.sam.gov (U.S. organizations will also 
need to provide an Employer Identification Number from the Internal 
Revenue Service that may take an additional 2-5 weeks to become 
active). Please see SAM.gov for details on the registration process and 
timeline. Registration with the SAM is free of charge, but can take 
several weeks to process. Applicants may register online at https://www.sam.gov.
    Additional information on implementing the Transparency Act, 
including the specific requirements for DUNS and SAM, can be found on 
the IHS Grants Management, Grants Policy website: https://www.ihs.gov/dgm/policytopics/.

V. Application Review Information

    Weights assigned to each section are noted in parentheses. The 25-
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 possible points. Points are assigned as 
follows:

1. Criteria

A. Introduction and Need for Assistance (10 Points)
    1. Applicants must justify the need for their project and provide a 
plan for the methodology they will use for recruiting clinical 
psychology students nation-wide, provide a program that encourages AI/
AN clinical psychologists at the graduate and undergraduate level; and 
provide a program that increases the skills of and provides continuing 
education to clinical psychologists 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 their program's substantial 
benefit to Indian health programs.
B. Project Objective(s), Work Plan and Approach (40 Points)
    1. Applicants must clearly describe how they will recruit and train 
individuals to be clinical psychologists and to provide scholarships to 
students enrolled in the college of clinical psychology to pay tuition, 
books, fees, and stipends for living expenses.
    2. Applicants must clearly describe how they will collect students' 
BIA-4437 forms to verify whether students receiving tuition support in 
their program are members of eligible, federally-recognized tribes.

[[Page 22137]]

    3. Applicants must clearly describe how the program will provide 
support services to psychology students to facilitate their success in 
the clinical psychology program as well as track their progress.
    4. Applicants must clearly describe how the program will assist the 
clinical psychologist with job placement at eligible Indian health 
sites and track their payback status to ensure service obligation is 
fulfilled.
    5. Applicants should have a mechanism in place to provide their 
students with clinical rotation in AI/AN health programs.
    6. As addressing the opioid crisis is a priority of the Department 
of Health and Human Services, describe how the proposed program will 
educate and train students in opioid addiction prevention, treatment 
and recovery.
    7. Awardees under this funding opportunity must develop a program 
that meets all of the requirements listed below. Applicants must 
describe how their program will, at a minimum:
    (1) Provide outreach and recruitment for health professions to 
Indian communities including elementary, secondary, and accredited and 
accessible community colleges that will be served by the program;
    (2) incorporate a program advisory board comprised of 
representatives from the tribes and communities that will be served by 
the program;
    (3) provide summer enrichment programs to expose Indian students to 
the various fields of psychology through research, clinical, and 
experimental activities;
    (4) provide stipends to undergraduate and graduate students to 
pursue a career in psychology;
    (5) develop affiliation agreements with tribal colleges and 
universities, the Service, university affiliated programs, and other 
appropriate accredited and accessible entities to enhance the education 
of Indian students;
    (6) to the maximum extent feasible, use existing university 
tutoring, counseling, and student support services; and
    (7) to the maximum extent feasible, employs qualified Indians in 
the program.
C. Program Evaluation (30 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 Program 
Directors and staff on an annual basis to share best practices, 
successes and challenges.
D. Organizational Capabilities, Key Personnel and Qualifications (15 
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 projects.
E. Categorical Budget and Budget Justification (5 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 Program 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 Psychology cooperative agreement. 
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 $1,500 per month.
Multi-Year Project Requirements
    Applications must include a brief project narrative and budget (one 
additional page per year) addressing the developmental plans for each 
additional year of the project. This attachment will not count as part 
of the project narrative or the budget narrative.
Additional Documents Can Be Uploaded as Appendix Items in Grants.gov
     Work plan, logic model and/or time line for proposed 
objectives.
     Position descriptions for key staff.
     Resumes of key staff that reflect current duties.
     Consultant or contractor proposed scope of work and letter 
of commitment (if applicable).
     Current Indirect Cost Agreement.
     Organizational chart.
     Map of area identifying project location(s).
     Additional documents to support narrative (i.e., data 
tables, key news articles, etc.).

2. Review and Selection

    Each application will be prescreened for eligibility and 
completeness as outlined in the funding announcement. Applications that 
meet the eligibility criteria shall be reviewed for merit by the ORC 
based on evaluation criteria. Incomplete applications and applications 
that are not responsive to the administrative thresholds will not be 
referred to the ORC and will not be funded. The applicant will be 
notified of this determination.
    Applicants must address all program requirements and provide all 
required documentation.

3. Notifications of Disposition

    All applicants will receive an Executive Summary Statement from the 
IHS Office of Human Resources within 30 days of the conclusion of the 
ORC outlining the strengths and weaknesses of their application. The 
summary statement will be sent to the Authorizing Official identified 
on the face page (SF-424) of the application.
A. Award Notices for Funded Applications
    The Notice of Award (NoA) is the authorizing document for which 
funds are dispersed to the approved entities and reflects the amount of 
Federal funds awarded, the purpose of the grant, the terms and 
conditions of the award, the effective date of the award, and the 
budget/project period. Each entity approved for funding must have a 
user account in GrantSolutions in order to retrieve the NoA. Please see 
the Agency Contacts list in Section VII for the systems contact 
information.
B. Approved but Unfunded Applications
    Approved applications not funded due to lack of available funds 
will be held for one year. If funding becomes available during the 
course of the year, the application may be reconsidered.

    Note: Any correspondence other than the official NoA executed by 
an IHS grants management official announcing to the project director 
that an award has been made to their organization is not an 
authorization to implement their program on behalf of the IHS.


[[Page 22138]]



VI. Award Administration Information

1. Administrative Requirements

    Cooperative agreements are administered in accordance with the 
following regulations and policies:
    A. The criteria as outlined in this program announcement.
    B. Administrative Regulations for Grants:
     Uniform Administrative Requirements for HHS Awards, 
located at 45 CFR part 75.
    C. Grants Policy:
     HHS Grants Policy Statement, Revised 01/07.
    D. Cost Principles:
     Uniform Administrative Requirements for HHS Awards, ``Cost 
Principles,'' located at 45 CFR part 75, subpart E.
    E. Audit Requirements:
     Uniform Administrative Requirements for HHS Awards, 
``Audit Requirements,'' located at 45 CFR part 75, subpart F.

2. Indirect Costs

    This section applies to all recipients that request reimbursement 
of indirect costs (IDC) in their application budget. In accordance with 
HHS Grants Policy Statement, Part II-27, IHS requires applicants to 
obtain a current IDC rate agreement 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 agreement is 
provided to the DGM.
    Generally, IDC rates for IHS grantees are negotiated with the 
Division of Cost Allocation (DCA) https://rates.psc.gov/ and the 
Department of Interior (Interior Business Center) https://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/finance/indirect-Cost-Services/indian-tribes. For 
questions regarding the indirect cost policy, please call the Grants 
Management Specialist listed under ``Agency Contacts'' or the main DGM 
office at (301) 443-5204.

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. Per DGM policy, all reports are required to be submitted 
electronically by attaching them as a ``Grant Note'' in GrantSolutions. 
Personnel responsible for submitting reports will be required to obtain 
a login and password for GrantSolutions. Please see the Agency Contacts 
list in section VII for the systems contact information.
    The reporting requirements for this program are noted below.
A. Progress Reports
    Program progress reports are required semi-annually, within 30 days 
after the budget period ends. These reports must include a brief 
comparison of actual accomplishments to the goals established for the 
period, a summary of progress to date or, if applicable, provide sound 
justification for the lack of progress, and other pertinent information 
as required. A final report must be submitted within 90 days of 
expiration of the period of performance.
B. Financial Reports
    Federal Financial Report (FFR or SF-425), Cash Transaction Reports 
are due 30 days after the close of every calendar quarter to the 
Payment Management Services, HHS at https://pms.psc.gov. The applicant 
is also requested to upload a copy of the FFR (SF-425) into our grants 
management system, GrantSolutions. Failure to submit timely reports may 
result in adverse award actions blocking access to funds.
    Grantees are responsible and accountable for accurate information 
being reported on all required reports: The Progress Reports and 
Federal Financial Report.
C. Federal Sub-Award Reporting System (FSRS)
    This award may be subject to the Transparency Act sub-award and 
executive compensation reporting requirements of 2 CFR part 170.
    The Transparency Act requires the OMB to establish a single 
searchable database, accessible to the public, with information on 
financial assistance awards made by Federal agencies. The Transparency 
Act also includes a requirement for recipients of Federal grants to 
report information about first-tier sub-awards and executive 
compensation under Federal assistance awards.
    The IHS has implemented a Term of Award into all IHS Standard Terms 
and Conditions, NoAs and funding announcements regarding the FSRS 
reporting requirement. This IHS Term of Award is applicable to all IHS 
grant and cooperative agreements issued on or after October 1, 2010, 
with a $25,000 sub-award obligation dollar threshold met for any 
specific reporting period. Additionally, all new (discretionary) IHS 
awards (where the period of performance is made up of more than one 
budget period) and where: (1) The period of performance start date was 
October 1, 2010 or after, and (2) the primary awardee will have a 
$25,000 sub-award obligation dollar threshold during any specific 
reporting period will be required to address the FSRS reporting.
    For the full IHS award term implementing this requirement and 
additional award applicability information, visit the DGM Grants Policy 
website at https://www.ihs.gov/dgm/policytopics/.
D. Compliance With Executive Order 13166 Implementation of Services 
Accessibility Provisions for All Grant Application Packages and Funding 
Opportunity Announcements
    Recipients of federal financial assistance (FFA) from HHS must 
administer their programs in compliance with federal civil rights law. 
This means that recipients of HHS funds must ensure equal access to 
their programs without regard to a person's race, color, national 
origin, disability, age and, in some circumstances, sex and religion. 
This includes ensuring your programs are accessible to persons with 
limited English proficiency. The HHS provides guidance to recipients of 
FFA on meeting their legal obligation to take reasonable steps to 
provide meaningful access to their programs by persons with limited 
English proficiency. Please see https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/special-topics/limited-english-proficiency/guidance-federal-financial-assistance-recipients-title-VI/.
    The HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) also provides guidance on 
complying with civil rights laws enforced by HHS. Please see https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/section-1557/; and 
https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/. Recipients of FFA also have 
specific legal obligations for serving qualified individuals with 
disabilities. Please see https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/disability/.

[[Page 22139]]

Please contact the HHS OCR for more information about obligations and 
prohibitions under federal civil rights laws at https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/about-us/contact-us/ or call (800) 368-1019 or TDD (800) 
537-7697. Also note it is an HHS Departmental goal to ensure access to 
quality, culturally competent care, including long-term services and 
supports, for vulnerable populations. For further guidance on providing 
culturally and linguistically appropriate services, recipients should 
review the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically 
Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care at https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=2&lvlid=53.
    Pursuant to 45 CFR 80.3(d), an individual shall not be deemed 
subjected to discrimination by reason of his/her exclusion from 
benefits limited by federal law to individuals eligible for benefits 
and services from the IHS.
    Recipients will be required to sign the HHS-690 Assurance of 
Compliance form which can be obtained from the following website: 
https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/forms/hhs-690.pdf, and send it 
directly to the: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office 
of Civil Rights, 200 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20201.

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

    The IHS is required to review and consider any information about 
the applicant that is in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity 
Information System (FAPIIS), at https://www.fapiis.gov, before making 
any award in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold (currently 
$150,000) over the period of performance. An applicant may review and 
comment on any information about itself that a federal awarding agency 
previously entered. The IHS will consider any comments by the 
applicant, in addition to other information in FAPIIS in making a 
judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record 
of performance under federal awards when completing the review of risk 
posed by applicants as described in 45 CFR 75.205.
    As required by 45 CFR part 75 Appendix XII of the Uniform Guidance, 
non-federal entities (NFEs) are required to disclose in FAPIIS any 
information about criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings, and/
or affirm that there is no new information to provide. This applies to 
NFEs that receive federal awards (currently active grants, cooperative 
agreements, and procurement contracts) greater than $10,000,000 for any 
period of time during the period of performance of an award/project.
Mandatory Disclosure Requirements
    As required by 2 CFR part 200 of the Uniform Guidance, and the HHS 
implementing regulations at 45 CFR part 75, effective January 1, 2016, 
the IHS must require a non-federal entity or an applicant for a federal 
award to disclose, in a timely manner, in writing to the IHS or pass-
through entity all violations of federal criminal law involving fraud, 
bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the federal 
award.
    Submission is required for all applicants and recipients, in 
writing, to the IHS and to the HHS Office of Inspector General all 
information related to violations of federal criminal law involving 
fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the 
federal award. 45 CFR 75.113.
    Disclosures must be sent in writing to:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service, 
Division of Grants Management, ATTN: Robert Tarwater, Director, 5600 
Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: 09E70, Rockville, MD 20857 (Include 
``Mandatory Grant Disclosures'' in subject line), Office: (301) 443-
5204; Fax: (301) 594-0899; Email: [email protected]

AND

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector 
General, ATTN: Mandatory Grant Disclosures, Intake Coordinator, 330 
Independence Avenue SW, Cohen Building, Room 5527, Washington, DC 
20201, URL: https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud/index.asp (Include 
``Mandatory Grant Disclosures'' in subject line); Fax: (202) 205-0604 
(Include ``Mandatory Grant Disclosures'' in subject line) or Email: 
[email protected]

    Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the 
remedies described in 45 CFR 75.371 Remedies for noncompliance, 
including suspension or debarment (See 2 CFR parts 180 & 376 and 31 
U.S.C. 3321).

VII. Agency Contacts

    1. Questions on the programmatic issues may be directed to: Eric 
Pinto, Senior Program Specialist, Office of Human Resources, Division 
of Health Professions Support, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: OHR 
11E53A, Rockville, MD 20857, Phone: (301) 443-5086, Fax: (301) 443-
6048, Email: [email protected].
    2. Questions on grants management and fiscal matters may be 
directed to: Vanietta Armstrong, Senior Grants Management Specialist, 
5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: 09E70, Rockville, MD 20857, Phone: (301) 
443-4792, Fax: (301) 594-0899, Email: [email protected].
    3. Questions on systems matters may be directed to: Paul Gettys, 
Grant Systems Coordinator, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: 09E70, 
Rockville, MD 20857, Phone: (301) 443-2114; or the DGM main line (301) 
443-5204, Fax: (301) 594-0899, E-Mail: [email protected].

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.

Chris Buchanan,
Assistant Surgeon General, U.S. Public Health Service, Deputy Director, 
Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-10098 Filed 5-15-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-16-P