Urban Indian Education and Research Program, 65837-65845 [2020-22940]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
• Indian Health Service

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 201 (Friday, October 16, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65837-65845]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-22940]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service


Urban Indian Education and Research Program

    Announcement Type: Competing Supplement.
    Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2020-IHS-UIHP3-0002.
    Assistance Listing (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance or CFDA) 
Number: 93.193.

Key Dates

    Application Deadline Date: November 6, 2020.
    Earliest Anticipated Start Date: November 25, 2020.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Statutory Authority

    The Indian Health Service (IHS) is accepting applications for a 
competing supplement to current cooperative agreements for the Urban 
Indian Education and Research Program. This program is authorized 
under: The Snyder Act, 25 U.S.C. 13; and the Public Health Service Act, 
42 U.S.C. 241(a) Section 301(a). This supplement is authorized and 
funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the 
CARES Act), Public Law (Pub. L.) 116-136. This program is described in 
the Assistance Listings located at https://beta.sam.gov (formerly known 
as Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance) under 93.193.

Background

    The Office of Urban Indian Health Programs (OUIHP) oversees the 
implementation of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) 
provisions for making health care services more accessible to Urban 
Indians. Pursuant to those authorities, the IHS enters into contracts 
and grants with Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) for the provision of 
health care and

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referral services for Urban Indians residing in urban centers. Due to 
the rapidly evolving nature of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 
this program provides public health support to focus on response, 
recovery, and prevention in UIOs.

Purpose

    The purpose of this program is to fund an organization to provide 
COVID-19 education and services in the following five COVID-19 project 
areas: (1) Public policy; (2) research and data; (3) training and 
technical assistance; (4) education, public relations, and marketing; 
and (5) payment system reform/monitoring regulations, and act as a 
COVID-19 public health support partner for OUIHP and UIOs funded under 
the IHCIA.

II. Award Information

Funding Instrument--Cooperative Agreement

Estimated Funds Available
    The total funding identified for fiscal year (FY) 2020 is 
approximately $1,000,000. Award amount for the first budget year is 
anticipated to be $1,000,000. 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
    One award will be issued under this program announcement.
Period of Performance
    The period of performance is for two years.
Cooperative Agreement
    Cooperative agreements awarded by the Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS) are administered under the same policies as 
grants. 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 of IHS.
Substantial Involvement Description for Cooperative Agreement
    In addition to the usual monitoring and technical assistance 
provided under the cooperative agreement, the IHS OUIHP 
responsibilities shall include:
    A. Assurance of the availability of services from experienced OUIHP 
staff to participate in the planning and development of all phases of 
this cooperative agreement;
    B. Participation in, including the planning of, any meetings 
conducted as part of the five COVID-19 projects;
    C. Assistance in establishing Federal interagency contacts 
necessary for the successful completion of tasks and activities 
identified in the approved scope of work;
    D. Identification of organizations with whom the awardee will be 
asked to develop cooperative and collaborative relationships;
    E. Assisting the awardee to establish, review, and update 
priorities for the five COVID-19 projects conducted under this 
cooperative agreement;
    F. Assisting the awardee in determining issues to be addressed 
during the project period, sequence in which they will be addressed, 
what approaches and strategies will be used, and how relevant 
information will be transmitted to specified target audiences and used 
to enhance core project activities and advance the program; and
    G. Assisting in identifying and documenting the achievement of 
goals and objectives for the five COVID-19 projects. This may include 
the development of both process and outcome measures and determining 
timelines and data sources.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligibility

    Eligibility for this ``Competing Supplement Announcement,'' is 
limited to the current awardees in the IHS Urban Indian Health 
Education and Research program. Applicants must demonstrate that they 
have complied with previous terms and conditions of the IHS Urban 
Indian Health Education and Research program. The applicant must be a 
national organization with at least ten years of experience providing 
national awareness, visibility, advocacy, education and outreach 
related to urban Indian health care on a national scale.
    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 a 
letter of support from the organization's Board of Directors, 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.
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 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:
    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 20 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.
     One-page Timeframe Chart.
     Letter of Support from organization's Board of Directors.
     501(c)(3) Certificate.
     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).

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     Organizational Chart.
     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.
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 20 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 20-page limit for the narrative 
does not include the standard forms, line item budgets, budget 
justifications and narratives, and/or other appendix items.
    There are four parts to the project narrative: Part 1--Statement of 
Need; Part 2--Program Information/Proposed Approach; Part 3--
Organizational Capacity and Staffing/Administration; and Part 4--
Performance Measurement Plan and Evaluation. See below for additional 
details about what must be included in the project narrative.
Part 1: Statement of Need
    The applicant must provide COVID-19 education and services under 
public health support to focus on response, recovery, and prevention in 
UIOs. The five COVID-19 projects are: (1) Public policy; (2) research 
and data; (3) training and technical assistance; (4) education, public 
relations, and marketing; and (5) payment system reform/monitoring 
regulations, and act as a COVID-19 public health support partner for 
OUIHP and UIOs funded under the IHCIA.
    This section will describe the UIOs impacted by COVID-19 to be 
served by this proposed project. Summarize the overall need for 
assistance, including: (1) Target population and its unmet health 
needs; and (2) sociocultural determinants of health and health 
disparities impacting the urban Indian population or communities served 
and unmet. Demographic data should be used and cited whenever possible 
to support the information provided. Data may come from a variety of 
qualitative and quantitative sources. For example, sources for 
quantitative data might include epidemiologic data obtained through 
legally permissible arrangements from Tribal Epidemiology Centers, IHS 
Area Offices, state data, and/or national data from the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention. This list is not exhaustive.
Part 2: Program Information/Proposed Approach
    The applicant must have: (1) A national information-sharing 
infrastructure which will facilitate the timely exchange of COVID-19 
information between IHS and UIOs on a broad scale; (2) a national 
perspective on the needs of urban Indian communities impacted by COVID-
19 to ensure the information developed and disseminated is appropriate, 
useful, and addresses the most pressing needs of urban Indian 
communities; and (3) an established relationship with UIOs to foster 
open and honest participation by urban Indian communities.
    Describe the purpose of the proposed project to COVID-19, including 
a clear statement of goals and objectives. Clearly state how proposed 
activities address the needs detailed in the statement of need. The 
applicant is required to address all five COVID-19 projects in the 
project narrative and address each project with a corresponding time 
frame.
Part 3: Organizational Capacity and Staffing/Administration
    Describe the organizational capacity for all five COVID-19 projects 
and the organization's experience working with UIOs. Outline current 
staff and future positions for the five program components.
Part 4: Performance Measurement Plan and Evaluation
    Describe the plan to evaluate program activities. Describe (the 
prior sentence states that this paragraph will be about the 
``evaluation plan'') the expected results and identify key performance 
indicators on how program goals and objectives will be met. Incorporate 
process and outcome measures, including documentation of lessons 
learned.
    Describe efforts to collect and report project data that will 
support and demonstrate grant activities for all five COVID-19 
projects. Data may come from a variety of qualitative and quantitative 
sources. For example, sources for quantitative and qualitative data 
might include surveys, assessments, UIO satisfaction surveys, and/or 
meeting evaluations. This list is not exhaustive.
    B. Budget and Budget Narrative: 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 all five COVID-19 projects. 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.

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     The available funds are inclusive of direct and indirect 
costs.
     Only one cooperative agreement may be awarded per 
applicant.

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 Acting 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. 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 
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 must have a DUNS 
number first, 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 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 20-
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 fully 
understand the project. 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. Statement of Need (25 Points)
    (1) Describe and document the target population and its unmet needs 
for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, including, but 
not limited to, the varying needs of different UIO types, e.g., 
ambulatory, outreach and referral, and residential treatment centers.
    (2) Based on the information and/or data currently available, 
document the need to implement, sustain, and improve health care 
services offered to urban Indians to address COVID-19 pandemic and 
beyond, including, but not limited to, telehealth services and other 
interactive telecommunication systems. Data may come from a variety of 
qualitative and quantitative sources. For example, sources might 
include data obtained through legally permissible arrangements from 
Tribal Epidemiology Centers, IHS Area Offices, state data, and/or 
national data for the CDC. This list is not exhaustive. Applicants may 
submit other valid data, as appropriate.
    (3) Based on available information and/or data, describe COVID-19 
service gaps and other challenges related to the needs of urban Indians 
such as screening, detection, and monitoring. Identify the source of 
the information and/or data. Needed documentation may come from a 
variety of qualitative and quantitative sources.

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    (4) Describe the need for COVID-19 data for planning, revenue 
generation, and other operational systems to improve health care 
services for urban Indians.
B. Program Information/Proposed Approach (30 Points)
    Describe the purpose of the proposed project to address the COVID-
19 pandemic and beyond, including a clear and concise statement of 
goals and objectives. Provide a work plan for the first year of the 
project period that details expected key activities, accomplishments, 
and includes responsible staff for each of the five COVID-19 projects. 
The project narrative must address all five COVID-19 projects of the 
program, see below:
    (1) Public Policy: There is a need for knowledge and expertise in a 
wide range of COVID-19 public policy areas for UIOs. Identify, 
evaluate, and summarize public policy opportunities and challenges 
impacting UIOs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Evaluation may include 
collecting and analyzing public policy laws including activities, 
characteristics, outcomes, and informed decisions affecting UIOs.
    Describe efforts to increase awareness and actively seek support 
for the health care needs of urban Indians impacted by COVID-19. 
Describe efforts to engage UIO leaders' participation in policy 
workgroups, Urban Confers, and listening sessions to address COVID-19 
pandemic and beyond.
    (2) Research and Data: Data can be used to help monitor and track 
the spread of COVID-19, support better understanding of the illness, 
and inform and prepare UIOs. Describe the need to collect and analyze 
COVID-19 health disparities data, morbidity and mortality data, and 
urban IHS cost data in order to reduce urban Indian health disparities. 
Incorporate process and outcome measures. Identify, evaluate, and 
summarize best practices from UIOs during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Evaluation may include collecting and analyzing program activities, 
issues, policies, patient care, and safety.
    Describe efforts to initiate or solidify partnerships with UIOs, 
Tribal and urban epidemiology centers, and other data and research 
partners to improve and increase COVID-19 research and data on urban 
Indian health needs. Identify, evaluate, and summarize partnerships to 
increase COVID-19 research and data on urban Indian needs. Evaluation 
may include analyzing and collecting data from local, Tribal, state, 
and Federal partnerships.
    (3) Training and Technical Assistance: Constant changes surrounding 
COVID-19 demand the need for continuous training and technical 
assistance opportunities. Describe the need for COVID-19 leadership 
training and technical assistance to support UIO executive directors/
chief executive officers, board of directors, and program staff 
(clinical staff, administration, business office, health information 
technology, integrated behavioral health, etc.) focusing on, but not 
limited to, maintaining perspective in a crisis, reinforcing guidance, 
obtaining data for decision-making, reviewing recovery assessments, 
establishing risks and priorities, and managing medical supplies and 
equipment.
    (a) Further describe the need for COVID-19 training and technical 
assistance to support UIO administration in facilitating change 
management to improve understanding, and encourage adoption for new 
practices and maximize personal resilience and professional 
performance.
    (b) Describe the need for technical assistance and training for 
UIOs to develop integrated approaches for contact tracing including 
protocols for contact tracing of personnel or contact with an 
individual with a confirmed or probable COVID-19 status. Describe 
training and technical assistance for UIOs to create COVID-19 education 
and training plans focused on continuity of care for urban Indians, 
including workforce support to maximize employee retention and increase 
readiness for future developments and circumstances. Describe training 
and technical assistance to assist UIOs with organizing, developing, 
and/or refining their COVID-related recovery capabilities in accordance 
with Federal, state, local, and other guidance. Describe training and 
technical assistance to assist UIOs to develop a telehealth strategy to 
meet the post-COVID-19 environment of care.
    (4) Education, Public Relations, and Marketing: COVID-19 affected 
public relations and marketing strategies further delaying focus on 
urban Indian health needs. Summarize the need to market the UIOs 
through development of national, regional, and local marketing 
strategies and campaigns during COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
    (a) Describe efforts to increase awareness of COVID-19 health care 
needs of urban Indians. Describe efforts to engage UIOs to participate 
in national health campaigns related to COVID-19 prevention including 
vaccines. Describe the need for enhanced communication among local 
private and non-profit health care entities to increase COVID-19 
outreach efforts.
    (b) Summarize the need to enhance communication, interaction, and 
coordination on policy and health care reform activities to address 
COVID-19 by initiating and maintaining partnerships and collaborative 
relationships with other UIOs, national Indian organizations, key state 
and local health entities, and education and public safety networks.
    (c) Describe efforts to strengthen the capacity of UIOs to work as 
a community to improve COVID-19 knowledge sharing and promote 
collaboration through learning from success stories, sharing resources, 
and driving activities together.
    (5) Payment System Reform/Monitoring Regulations: Urban Indian 
health care systems need to manage the health crisis and the economic 
crisis, in light of the reduction in revenue, yet surging demands for 
services.
    (a) Describe services for UIOs to address COVID-19, e.g., billing, 
health information technology, CMS waivers, regulations, etc. Describe 
efforts to support UIOs' efforts to diversify funding and increase 
third party reimbursement to ensure UIOs' sustainability in COVID-19 
pandemic and beyond.
    (b) Describe technical assistance, training, and tools to be 
provided on COVID-19 billing and coding best practices, and negotiating 
with private health insurers and health plans. Describe efforts to 
establish and enhance third party billing for UIOs to address COVID-19 
pandemic and beyond.
    (c) Describe the need to understand, document, and analyze current 
and new Federal COVID-19 related regulations impacting UIOs for 
reimbursement. Describe services to be provided to UIOs on COVID-19 
regulations and types of regulatory activities needed to support 
efforts to lessen the impact on UIOs' financial and operational 
systems.
C. Organizational Capacity and Staffing/Administration (15 Points)
    (1) Describe the management capability of the applicant and other 
participating organizations in administering similar projects.
    (2) Identify staff to maintain open and consistent communication 
with the IHS program official on any financial or programmatic barriers 
to meeting the requirements of the award.
    (3) Identify the department(s) and/or division(s) that will 
administer all five COVID-19 projects. Include a description of these 
department(s) and/or division(s), their functions, and their

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placement within the applicant and their direct link to management.
    (4) Discuss the applicant's experience and capacity to provide 
culturally appropriate and competent services to UIOs and specific 
populations of focus as described in this project.
    (5) Describe the resources available for the proposed project 
(e.g., facilities, equipment, information technology systems, and 
financial management systems).
    (6) Identify other organization(s) that will participate in the 
proposed project. Describe their roles and responsibilities and 
demonstrate their commitment to all five COVID-19 projects.
    (7) Describe how project continuity will be maintained if there is 
a change in the operational environment (e.g., staff turnover, change 
in project leadership, etc.) to ensure project stability over the life 
of the grant.
    (8) Provide a list of staff positions for the project and other key 
personnel, showing the role of each and their level of effort and 
qualifications for all five COVID-19 projects. Key personnel include 
the Chief Executive Officer or Executive Director, Chief Financial 
Officer, Deputy Director, and Information Officer.
    (9) Demonstrate successful project implementation for the level of 
effort budgeted for the project staff and other key staff.
    (10) Include position descriptions as attachments to the 
application for all key personnel. Position descriptions should not 
exceed one page each.
    (11) For individuals who are currently on staff, include a 
biographical sketch with their name for each individual that will be 
listed as the project staff and other key positions. Describe the 
experience of identified staff in all five COVID-19 projects. Include 
each biographical sketch as an attachment to the project proposal/
application. Biographical sketches should not exceed one page per staff 
member. Do not include any of the following:
    (a) Personally Identifiable Information (social security number and 
date and place or birth);
    (b) Resumes; or
    (c) Curriculum Vitae.
D. Performance Measurement Plan and Evaluation (20 Points)
    Describe key performance indicators to monitor activities under all 
five COVID-19 projects, explain measurable progress toward program 
goals and objectives by incorporating processes and outcomes with 
quarterly timelines, and advising on future program decisions through 
evaluating success at reaching targets over the 2-year project period. 
Describe how issues affecting progress will be addressed during the 
project period and sequence in which they will be addressed. Identify 
what approaches and strategies will be used to address issues and how 
relevant information will be transmitted to specified target audiences 
and used to enhance project activities and advance the program.
    (1) Describe proposed COVID-19 data collection efforts (performance 
measures and associated data) and how you will use the data to answer 
evaluation questions. Evaluation questions may include, were activities 
implemented as planned? Did activities meet measurable targets? Did 
activities reach target population and how do you know?
    This should include a logic model with data collection method, data 
source, data measurement tool, identified staff for data management, 
and data collection timeline.
    (2) Identify key program partners and describe how they will 
participate in the implementation of the evaluation plan (e.g., Tribal 
Epidemiology Centers, universities, etc.).
    (3) Describe how evaluating findings will be used at the applicant 
level. Discuss how data collected (e.g., performance measurement data) 
will be used and shared by the key program partners.
    (4) Discuss any barriers or challenges expected for implementing 
the plan, collecting data (e.g., responding to performance measures), 
and reporting on evaluation results. Describe how these potential 
barriers would be overcome. In addition, applicants may also describe 
other measures to be developed or additional data sources and data 
collection methods that applicant will use.
E. Budget and Budget Narrative (10 Points)
    (1) Include a line item budget for all five COVID-19 projects 
including expenditures identifying reasonable and allowable costs 
necessary to accomplish the goals and objectives as outlined in the 
project narrative for budget year one only.
    (2) Provide a categorized budget for all five COVID-19 projects. If 
it is anticipated that there will be travel costs to cover the cost of 
staff and UIO leaders' attendance at national advisory committees and 
workgroups, the applicant should ensure the associated travel costs are 
included in the categorized budget for public policy.
    (3) Ensure that the budget and budget narrative are aligned with 
the project narrative. Questions to address include: What resources are 
needed to successfully carry out and manage the five COVID-19 projects? 
What other resources are available from the organization? Will new 
staff be recruited? Will outside contractors/consultants be required?
    (4) Include the total cost for any outside contractors/consultants 
broken down by activity within each core project.
    (5) If indirect costs are claimed, indicate and apply the current 
negotiated rate to the budget. Include a copy of the current negotiated 
IDC rate agreement in the appendix.
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.
     Timeline with 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.
     Organizational chart.
     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 OUIHP 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

[[Page 65843]]

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.

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, and submit it to DGM, prior to DGM 
issuing 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 the 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 
awardee 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 budget period ends (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. 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

[[Page 65844]]

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 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/.
     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.
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 
$250,000) 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: 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: Shannon 
Beyale, Health System Specialist, Office of Urban Indian Health 
Programs, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: 08E65D, Rockville, MD 20857, 
Phone: (301) 945-3657, Fax: (301) 443-8446, 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, 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

[[Page 65845]]

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. 2020-22940 Filed 10-15-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-16-P