Office of Clinical and Preventive Services; Division of Oral Health; Dental Preventive Clinical Support Program, 37668-37675 [2020-13471]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
• Indian Health Service

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 121 (Tuesday, June 23, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37668-37675]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13471]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service


Office of Clinical and Preventive Services; Division of Oral 
Health; Dental Preventive Clinical Support Program

Announcement Type: New and Competing Continuation
Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2020-IHS-TDCP-0001
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.933

Key Dates

    Application Deadline Date: September 21, 2020.
    Earliest Anticipated Start Date: September 15, 2020.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Statutory Authority

    The Indian Health Service (IHS), Office of Clinical and Preventive 
Services, Division of Oral Health (DOH), is accepting applications for 
grants for the Dental Preventive and Clinical Support Centers Program. 
This program is authorized under 25 U.S.C. 13, Snyder Act; 42 U.S.C. 
2001, Transfer Act; and 25 U.S.C. 1601 et seq., the Indian Health Care 
Improvement Act (IHCIA). This program is described in the Assistance 
Listings located at https://beta.sam.gov (formerly known as Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance) under 93.933.

Background

    The primary users of a support center are IHS, Tribal, and urban 
dental programs and personnel throughout an IHS area or broad 
geographic region. Most users are not dental patients or Tribes. The 
primary function of a support center is not the direct provision of 
clinical care. Well-designed support centers will positively impact and 
document oral health outcomes for patients, primarily by providing 
guidance to field programs and addressing the assessed and perceived 
needs of dental personnel and IHS/Tribal/urban (I/T/U) dental programs.
    Proposed programs that focus on one locale or on clinical or 
preventive care alone, with no concomitant focus on a regional or area 
support-oriented component for the dental program, although well-
intentioned and of potential value, are not responsive to this 
announcement or to the support center project.

Purpose

    The purpose of this IHS grant program is to combine existing 
resources and infrastructure with IHS Headquarters (HQ) and IHS area 
resources in order to address the broad challenges and opportunities 
associated with IHS preventive and clinical dental programs. In 
accordance with the recently stated priorities of the Secretary of the 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding the need to 
achieve ``higher value'' health care services, the dental support 
centers will address two priority goals: (1) Provide support, guidance, 
training, and enhancement of I/T/U dental programs within their area; 
and (2) ensure that the services of the support centers and the I/T/U/
dental programs result in measurable improvements in the oral health 
status of the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) patients served. In 
order to address these two goals, a strong, collaborative working 
relationship with the IHS HQ Division of Oral Health (DOH) and the Area 
Dental Director or Area Dental Officer should be maintained. In short, 
support centers will empower the dental programs they serve and impact 
oral health outcomes through the guidance, training and support 
services they provide. Improvements to oral health must be documented.

Pre-Conference Grant Requirements

    This section is only required if the applicant has included a 
conference in the proposed scope of work and intends on using funding 
to plan and conduct a conference or meeting during the project period. 
For definitions of what constitutes a conference, please see the policy 
at the link provided below. The awardee is required to comply with the 
``HHS Policy on Promoting Efficient Spending: Use of Appropriated Funds 
for Conferences and Meeting Space,

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Food, Promotional Items, and Printing and Publications,'' dated January 
23, 2015 (Policy), as applicable to conferences funded by grants and 
cooperative agreements. The Policy is available at https://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/contract-policies-regulations/efficient-spending/?language=es.
    The awardee is required to:
    Provide a separate detailed budget justification and narrative for 
each conference anticipated. The cost categories to be addressed are as 
follows: (1) Contract/Planner, (2) Meeting Space/Venue, (3) 
Registration website, (4) Audio Visual, (5) Speakers Fees, (6) Non-
Federal Attendee Travel, (7) Registration Fees, (8) Other (explain in 
detail and cost breakdown). For additional questions please contact Dr. 
Christopher Halliday at (301) 443-4323 or email him at 
[email protected].

II. Award Information

Funding Instrument

    Grant.

Estimated Funds Available

    The total funding identified for fiscal year (FY) 2020 is 
approximately $1,250,000. Individual award amounts for the first budget 
year are anticipated to be $250,000. The funding available for 
competing and subsequent continuation awards issued under this 
announcement is subject to the availability of appropriations 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

    Approximately five awards will be issued under this program 
announcement.

Period of Performance

    The period of performance is for five years.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligibility

    To be eligible for this FY 2020 funding opportunity, an applicant 
must be defined as one of the following under 25 U.S.C. 1603:
     An Urban Indian organization as defined by 25 U.S.C. 
1603(29). A nonprofit corporate body situated in an urban center, 
governed by an urban Indian controlled board of directors, and 
providing for the maximum participation of all interested Indian groups 
and individuals, which body is capable of legally cooperating with 
other public and private entities for the purpose of performing the 
activities described in 25 U.S.C. 1653(a). Applicants must provide 
proof of non-profit status with the application, e.g., 501(c)(3).
     A Tribal organization as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(26). 
The term ``tribal organization'' has the meaning given the term in 
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
(25 U.S.C. 5304): ``tribal organization'' means the recognized 
governing body of any Indian tribe; any legally established 
organization of Indians which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered 
by such governing body or which is democratically elected by the adult 
members of the Indian community to be served by such organization and 
which includes the maximum participation of Indians in all phases of 
its activities: Provided That, in any case where a contract is let or 
grant made to an organization to perform services benefiting more than 
one Indian tribe, the approval of each such Indian tribe shall be a 
prerequisite to the letting or making of such contract or grant. 
Applicant shall submit letters of support and/or tribal resolutions 
from the tribes to be served.

    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

    Applications with budget requests that exceed the highest dollar 
amount outlined under Section II Award Information, Estimated Funds 
Available, or exceed the Period of Performance outlined under Section 
II Award Information, Period of Performance will be considered not 
responsive and will not be reviewed. The Division of Grants Management 
(DGM) will notify the applicant.
Additional Required Documentation
Tribal Resolution
    The DGM must receive an official, signed Tribal resolution prior to 
issuing a Notice of Award (NoA) to any applicant selected for funding. 
An Indian Tribe or Tribal organization that is proposing a project 
affecting another Indian Tribe must include resolutions from all 
affected Tribes to be served. However, if an official, signed Tribal 
resolution cannot be submitted with the application prior to the 
application deadline, a draft Tribal resolution must be submitted with 
the application by the deadline date in order for the application to be 
considered complete and eligible for review. The draft Tribal 
resolution is not in lieu of the required signed resolution, but is 
acceptable until a signed resolution is received. If an official, 
signed Tribal resolution is not received by the DGM when funding 
decisions are made, then a NoA will not be issued to that applicant, 
and the applicant will not receive IHS funds until it has submitted a 
signed resolution to the Grants Management Specialist listed in this 
funding announcement.
Proof of Non-Profit Status
    Organizations claiming non-profit status must submit a current copy 
of the 501(c)(3) Certificate with the application.

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.
    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:
    1. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance.
    2. SF-424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs.
    3. SF-424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.
     Project Narrative (not to exceed 28 pages). See Section 
IV.2.A Project Narrative for instructions.
    1. Background information on the organization.
    2. Proposed scope of work, objectives, and activities that provide 
a description of what the applicant plans to accomplish.
     Budget Justification and Narrative (not to exceed 5 
pages). See Section IV.2.B Budget Narrative for instructions.
     Tribal Resolution(s).
     Letters of Support from organization's Board of Directors.
     501(c)(3) Certificate.

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     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).
     Description of geographic region or IHS areas to be 
served.
     List of individual I/T/U hospital- or clinic-based dental 
programs to be served must be listed in the application. All programs 
within the defined area or region that will not be served must be 
listed also.
     Documentation of current Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) Financial Audit (if applicable).
    Acceptable forms of documentation include:
    1. Email confirmation from Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC) that 
audits were submitted; or
    2. Face sheets from audit reports. Applicants can find these on the 
FAC website: https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx.
    Files illustrating a limited selection of work products such as 
pamphlets or handouts produced by existing support centers or through 
similar initiatives can be appended.
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 longer than 28 pages and must: (1) Have consecutively 
numbered pages; (2) use black font 12 points or larger; (3) be single-
spaced; (4) 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 twenty-eight page limit for the 
narrative does not include the work plan, standard forms, Tribal 
resolutions, budget, budget justifications and/or 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 limits below are for each narrative and budget submitted.
Part 1: Program Information (Limit--7 Pages)
Needs
    Describe the needs of both the field programs you propose to serve, 
and the population cared for by these programs. Upon what information 
do you base these observations (for example: Needs assessment, a 
steering committee report, etc.)?
Part 2: Program Planning and Evaluation (Limit--14 Pages)
Section 1: Program Plans
    Describe the direction your proposed support center plans to take, 
including how significant services will be provided to the dental field 
programs, and how you plan to improve the oral health of American 
Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) through the guidance and services you 
offer. State your overarching goals for the five-year funding period. 
Include a summary of timelines for proposed key services and 
anticipated measurable improvements to oral health.
Section 2: Program Evaluation
    Describe how you will monitor the appropriateness and evaluate the 
effectiveness of services provided relative to the evolving needs of 
the field dental programs. Describe how you will evaluate and document 
improvements to the oral health of AI/ANs associated with the guidance 
and services you provide to field programs. (Use Logic model provided 
below as a guide.)
    Individual programs should seek to demonstrate the following two 
broad goals of the Dental Clinical and Preventive Support Center 
program:
    1. Provide support, guidance, training, and enhancement of I/T/U 
dental programs within the grantee's target area, and;
    2. Ensure that the services of the support center and the I/T/U 
dental programs result in measurable improvements in the oral health 
status of the AI/AN patients served.
    Individual programs may choose their goals and activities from the 
following overall program logic model below and/or suggest additional 
activities and goals:
Resources/Inputs
     Funding provided.
     Direction and guidance received from IHS Headquarters 
program staff.
Activities
     Training: E.g., Dental Health Aide Therapist (DHAT) 
training, Dental Assistant training and technical assistance (e.g., 
tooth cleaning courses, radiation safety courses, infection control 
courses, and sealant courses), and continuing dental education.
     Outreach: E.g., Senior Centers and schools.
     Oral Health Promotion activities: Health Education, 
Sealants and Fluoride programs.
     Disease Prevention activities: Community-based prevention 
programs.
     Support and Guidance: Site visits to dental clinics.
Outputs
     Training: E.g., Number of persons trained (dentists, 
dental hygienists, dental therapists, dental assistants, program staff, 
number of trainings provided, and number of dental teams trained.
     Outreach: E.g., Number of schools/senior centers/chapter 
houses visited.
     Oral Health Promotion: E.g., Number of sealants placed and 
fluoride applications.
     Disease Prevention Activities: E.g., Number of persons 
reached with prevention information and/or material.
     Support and Guidance: Number of visits to dental clinics.
Outcomes
     Training: How has the quality of oral healthcare improved?
     Outreach: How has the understanding of oral healthcare 
increased, as a result?
     Oral Health Promotion: Demonstrate improvement in Early 
Childhood Caries (ECC) incidence.
     Disease Prevention Activities: Demonstrate an increase in 
dental appointments, visits or access to care.
     Support and Guidance: Demonstrate increased capacity of 
dental clinics due to support/guidance provided.
Part 3: Program Report (Limit--7 Pages)
Section 1: Major Activities, Programs, and Best Practices Implemented
    Describe significant activities with respect to services and 
products provided over the past 24 months.
Section 2: Major Accomplishments
    Describe significant accomplishments with respect to oral health 
outcomes or other outcomes over the past 24 months.
    In addition to your narrative description, use an individualized 
logic

[[Page 37671]]

model similar to the one in Part 2 above to demonstrate how you have 
made use or will make use of the resources to improve or promote the 
oral health of AI/AN.
    If you are proposing the creation of a new support center and have 
no recent history of relevant accomplishments, please state that.
B. Budget Narrative (Limit--5 Pages)
    Provide a budget narrative that explains the amounts requested for 
each line item 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 1 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. 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]), Acting Director, DGM, 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.
    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

     Pre-award costs are allowable up to 90 days before the 
start date of the award provided the costs are otherwise allowable if 
awarded. Pre-award costs are incurred at the risk of the applicant.
     The available funds are inclusive of direct and indirect 
costs.
     Only one grant will be awarded per applicant.
     Only one award will be made to any one IHS area or region. 
Organizations in the same area are encouraged to share resources in 
order to produce one collaborative proposal, rather than competing with 
each other.

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. Paul Gettys, Acting Director, DGM. A written waiver request 
must be sent to [email protected] with a copy to 
[email protected]. The waiver request 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 the 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 Assistance Listing (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 twenty 
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. 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 
that 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/SAM/ (U.S. organizations will 
also need to provide an Employer Identification Number from the 
Internal Revenue

[[Page 37672]]

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/SAM/.
    Additional information on implementing the Transparency Act, 
including the specific requirements for DUNS and SAM, are available on 
the DGM Grants Management, Policy Topics web page: https://www.ihs.gov/dgm/policytopics/.

V. Application Review Information

    Weights assigned to each section are noted in parentheses. The 
twenty-eight page project 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. Evaluation Criteria

A. Introduction and Need for Assistance (10 Points)
    Applicants will justify the need for a support center. Applicants 
will discuss needs in their area or region not likely to be addressed, 
and oral health outcomes not likely to be attained, if not for the 
services and guidance of a support center.
    Centers will periodically assess the needs of the dental programs 
served. In order to be responsive to the perceived needs of the dental 
personnel throughout an area or region, perceived needs must be 
systematically assessed. Initial and periodic recurring structured 
needs assessments or other appraisals of perceived needs of the dental 
personnel to be served are essential. Successful proposals will either 
document the assessed and perceived needs of the area dental personnel, 
or outline how area needs will be assessed.
    a. Proposed new centers and existing centers without a 
comprehensive assessment of needs less than three years old will 
outline a plan for an assessment to be completed within the first nine 
months of the grant period of performance.
    b. Proposed continuing or currently existing centers with a 
comprehensive assessment of perceived needs less than three years old 
will summarize the results of that survey, and outline a plan for a 
future assessment to be completed within the first three years of the 
five year funding cycle.
    Ongoing frequent assessment of perceived needs through feedback 
from a steering committee or other means is highly recommended.
B. Project Objective(s), Work Plan and Approach (30 Points)
    Centers will provide technical assistance and resources for local 
and area clinic-based and community-based oral health promotion/disease 
prevention initiatives.
    Centers will produce and document positive health outcomes. 
Consistent with the HHS Secretary's emphasis upon funding tied to value 
and outcomes, the activities, guidance, and services provided by the 
support centers to area dental programs will be structured such that 
they lead to meaningful and measurable improvements in the oral health 
status of AI/AN patients. Proposals must describe practical and 
feasible plans that will foster improved health outcomes, and will 
include specific plans for periodic objective evaluation of the 
outcomes of these efforts by objective reviewers with no conflict of 
interest. The dental support centers will improve the oral health of 
AI/ANs through their services, guidance, and collaboration with the IHS 
dental program.
    Consistent with the HHS Secretary's emphasis upon funding tied to 
value and outcomes, proposals are strongly encouraged, but not 
required, to include as part of their strategy an evaluation of the 
oral health outcomes of IHS dental program practices and initiatives 
from recent years. Proposals which include such evaluation will enjoy a 
competitive advantage. This assessment of outcomes could include any of 
several measures of value obtained for services delivered, including 
actual patient outcomes. Examples of patient outcomes include but are 
not limited to measureable improvements to oral health or an assessment 
of the need for additional restorative care within an intermediate time 
frame following the initial provision of care.
    Centers will send an appropriate representative or representatives 
to national support centers project meetings convened by IHS HQ DOH. 
Such meetings will be convened periodically, approximately once every 
three years, as deemed necessary by IHS HQ DOH. The DOH will 
communicate closely with all centers about the perceived need for any 
meeting. All centers are expected to reserve sufficient funds to send a 
representative or representatives to these meetings.
    Centers will promote the coordination of research, demonstration 
projects, and studies relating to the causes, diagnosis, treatment, 
control, and prevention of oral disease. This may be addressed through 
the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data or other 
methodology deemed appropriate by the IHS HQ DOH. This may also be 
addressed through support given to field programs engaged in 
demonstration projects.
    Centers are encouraged to collaborate with IHS HQ DOH on national 
initiatives such as efforts to reduce Early Childhood Caries, promoting 
and facilitating the annual Basic Screening Surveys (BSS), promotion of 
the goals of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) and 
achieving annual GPRA targets, or other national initiatives.
    Centers will share information and work products proactively with 
other areas and other support centers. Large quantities of work 
products need not be provided free of charge, but examples of work 
products will be shared widely.
    Centers are encouraged to provide technical assistance and 
resources for local and area clinical programs.
    Centers are encouraged to communicate frequently with their Area 
Dental Officer (ADO), in order to coordinate activities and initiatives 
closely. Centers are encouraged to amplify impact and increase 
effectiveness through detailed communication and coordinated efforts 
with the ADO.
    Centers are encouraged to provide technical assistance and 
resources for continuing education opportunities, including but not 
limited to, annual area-wide meetings for area dental personnel.
    Centers are encouraged to address oral health status on a local 
level, area-wide level, or regional basis. Interventions must include 
an examination process assessing outcomes in addition to process (that 
is, an assessment of actual prevalence of disease over the course of 
the intervention, in addition to counts or assessments of activities or 
services and products provided to clientele). Such evaluation does not 
require original data, if appropriate other data such as, for example, 
BSS data or other data as available.

[[Page 37673]]

C. Program Evaluation (30 Points)
    Centers will evaluate their ongoing efforts and progress towards 
goals and objectives in an objective manner, utilizing reviewers 
without conflicts of interest.
    Centers will assess and document changes to selected oral health 
outcomes over time.
    Centers will adhere to an annual reporting cycle, providing three 
quarterly reports and one annual report at the end of the fourth 
quarter to the project officer. Quarterly reports from the support 
centers must describe: (1) A listing of Dental Support Center goals and 
objectives that they have been focused upon during the quarter being 
reported upon, along with a summary of activities and progress toward 
meeting those priorities of the quarter, and any accomplishments; (2) a 
description in narrative form how the support center activities and 
progress link with a reportable oral health outcome, and a review of 
the evaluation plan for the goals and objectives; and, (3) a 
description of any trends or challenges that the support center has 
identified in meeting the goals. The narrative should describe any 
trends or challenges that have been identified through interactions 
with the field programs, and any identified emergent challenges should 
be discussed in terms of potential strategies to address them: (4) A 
description of additional facts or findings that will assist the 
Project Officer in understanding the support center's operation over 
the previous three months, and into the immediate future; (5) a 
description of at least one activity or accomplishment that the support 
center Director would like to highlight nationally; and (6) a 
description of any resources that the support center has developed and 
would be willing to share for the benefit of the mission of the 
Division of Oral Health.
    Annual reports from the support centers must describe: (1) Services 
and support provided to the dental program; (2) the methods used to 
influence oral health; (3) details of the evaluative methodology; and 
(4) progress towards your program's Outputs and Outcomes, for example, 
increased oral health status or details of at least two specific 
outcomes supported by data, based on activities performed by the Dental 
Support Center. Funding for subsequent budget periods will be 
contingent upon an objective annual evaluation of these four topic 
areas by the IHS Division of Oral Health program official.
D. Organizational Capabilities, Key Personnel and Qualifications (10 
Points)
    Centers will document organizational capabilities, and how these 
capabilities will be used to address program goals and objectives. 
Centers will list key personnel, and describe their qualifications. If 
a key position is not currently occupied, a description of key desired 
qualifications of the individual to be recruited will suffice.
E. Categorical Budget and Budget Justification (20 Points)
    Centers will provide a detailed proposed budget for the initial 
year of operation.
    Centers will justify all line items or categories of proposed 
expenditures within their proposed budgets by providing a line item 
budget justification and narrative relating to the attainment of 
specific goals and objectives.
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 Rate Agreement (see Section VI.3, 
Indirect Costs).
     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 
Objective Review Committee (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 Division of Oral Health 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 through 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 his or her organization is 
not an authorization to implement the program on behalf of the IHS.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Administrative Requirements

    Grants 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

[[Page 37674]]

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 receiving an 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 agreement 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.
    Available funds are inclusive of direct and appropriate indirect 
costs. Approved indirect funds are awarded as part of the award amount, 
and no additional funds will be provided.
    Generally, IDC rates for IHS grantees are negotiated with the 
Division of Cost Allocation (DCA) https://rates.psc.gov/ or the 
Department of Interior (Interior Business Center) https://ibc.doi.gov/ICS/tribal. 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 quarterly, within 30 days 
after the end of the quarter, with a cumulative annual report due 90 
days after the end of the budget period (specific dates will be listed 
in the NoA Terms and Conditions). 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. Post Conference Grant Reporting
    The following requirements were enacted in Section 3003 of the 
Consolidated Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013, and Section 119 of 
the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014; Office of Management and 
Budget Memorandum M-12-12: All HHS/IHS awards containing grants funds 
allocated for conferences will be required to complete a mandatory post 
award report for all conferences. Specifically: The total amount of 
funds provided in this award/cooperative agreement that were spent for 
``Conference X'', must be reported in final detailed actual costs 
within 15 days of the completion of the conference. Cost categories to 
address should be: (1) Contract/Planner, (2) Meeting Space/Venue, (3) 
Registration website, (4) Audio Visual, (5) Speakers Fees, (6) Non-
Federal Attendee Travel, (7) Registration Fees, (8) Other.
D. 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. 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/.
E. 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 laws 
that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national 
origin, disability, age and, in some circumstances, religion, 
conscience, and sex. This includes ensuring programs are accessible to 
persons with limited English proficiency. The HHS Office for Civil 
Rights provides guidance on complying with civil rights laws enforced 
by HHS. Please see https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-providers/provider-obligations/ and https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/understanding/section1557/.

[[Page 37675]]

     Recipients of FFA must ensure that their programs are 
accessible to persons with limited English proficiency. 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/fact-sheet-guidance/ and https://www.lep.gov. 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.
     Recipients of FFA also have specific legal obligations for 
serving qualified individuals with disabilities. Please see https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/understanding/disability/.
     HHS funded health and education programs must be 
administered in an environment free of sexual harassment. Please see 
https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/sex-discrimination/; https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/shguide.html; and https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/publications/fs-sex.cfm.
     Recipients of FFA must also administer their programs in 
compliance with applicable Federal religious nondiscrimination laws and 
applicable Federal conscience protection and associated anti-
discrimination laws. Collectively, these laws prohibit exclusion, 
adverse treatment, coercion, or other discrimination against persons or 
entities on the basis of their consciences, religious beliefs, or moral 
convictions. Please see https://www.hhs.gov/conscience/conscience-protections/ and https://www.hhs.gov/conscience/religious-freedom/.
    Please contact the HHS Office for Civil Rights for more information 
about obligations and prohibitions under Federal civil rights laws at 
https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/about-us/contact-us/ or call 1-800-
368-1019 or TDD 1-800-537-7697.
F. 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. 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, 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: Mr. Paul Gettys, Acting 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/, (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).

VII. Agency Contacts

    1. Questions on the programmatic issues may be directed to: Cheryl 
Sixkiller, DDS, Indian Health Service, Division of Oral Health, 5600 
Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: 08N34A, Rockville, MD 20857, Email: 
[email protected] or Christopher Halliday, DDS, MPH, Indian 
Health Service, Division of Oral Health, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: 
08N34A, Rockville, MD 20857, Phone: (301) 443-1106, Email: 
[email protected].
    2. Questions on grants management and fiscal matters may be 
directed to: Donald Gooding, Grants Management Specialist, 5600 Fishers 
Lane, Mail Stop: 09E70, Rockville, MD 20857, Phone: (301) 443-2298, 
Fax: (301) 594-0899, Email: [email protected].
    3. Questions on systems matters may be directed to: Paul Gettys, 
Acting Director, DGM, 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, Email: [email protected].

VIII. Other Information

    The Public Health Service strongly encourages all grant, 
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.

Michael D. Weahkee,
RADM, Assistant Surgeon General, U.S. Public Health Service Director, 
Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-13471 Filed 6-22-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-16-P