[Federal Register: July 17, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 138)]
[Notices]
[Page 41092-41096]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17jy08-89]
[[Page 41092]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Indian Health Service
Office of Urban Indian Health Programs
Announcement Type: Competitive Targeted Solicitation.
Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2008-IHS-UIHP-0002.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.193.
Key Dates: Application Deadline Date: August 8, 2008.
Review Date: August 11, 2008.
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2008.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
The Indian Health Service (IHS), Office of Urban Indian Health
Programs (OUIHP) announces an open competition for the 4-in-1 Title V
grants responding to an Office of Minority Health, human
immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS)
Initiative. This program is authorized under the authority of the
Snyder Act and 25 U.S.C. 1652, 1653 of the Indian Health Care
Improvement Act, Public Law 94-437, as amended. This program is
described at 93.193 in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
(CFDA).
This open competition seeks to expand OUIHP's existing Title V
grants to increase the number of American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/AN)
with awareness of his/her HIV status. This will provide routine and/or
rapid HIV screening, prevention, pre and post test counseling (when
appropriate), and data collection. Enhancement of urban Indian health
program HIV/AIDS activities is necessary to reduce the incidence of
HIV/AIDS in the urban Indian health communities.
The purpose of the announcement is to respond to the fact that
communities of color have been disproportionately affected by HIV and
the need exists for access to early testing, diagnosis, treatment and
prevention services. Over the past decade, the AI/AN community has
developed and maintained a higher rate of HIV than Caucasians. It has
also been demonstrated that AI/ANs have a decreased longevity once
diagnosed compared to other races/ethnicities. These supplements will
be used to enhance HIV testing, including rapid testing and/or standard
HIV antibody testing and to provide a more focused effort to address
HIV/AIDS prevention, targeting some of the largest urban Indian
populations in the United States.
The nature of these projects will require collaboration with the
OUIHP to: (1) Coordinate activities; (2) participate in projects in
other operating divisions of the Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Health
Resource and Services Administration and the Office of HIV/AIDS Policy;
and (3) submit and share data on HIV/AIDS testing, treatment and
education.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Title V Grant Supplements.
Estimated Funds Available: The total amount identified for Fiscal
Year (FY) 2008 is fourteen awards totaling $350,000. The award is for
one year in duration and the average award, per program is
approximately $25,000. Awards under this announcement are subject to
the availability of funds.
Anticipated Number of Awards: Fourteen grant awards will be made
under the Program.
Project Period: September 1, 2008-August 31, 2009.
Award Amount: $350,000.
A. Requirements of Recipient Activities
In FY 2008 each grantee's attempted goal shall include screening as
many individuals as possible; however, increasing screening 10% or to a
minimum of 200 American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) tested per
program funded adjusted due to variations in size of facility and user
population may be required. This does not include counts of re-testing
individuals in the same year. Each program shall also collect evidence,
as part of the testing process, to potentially address utility and
barriers of increased routine HIV screening within this population.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: Urban Indian organizations, as defined by
25 U.S.C. 1603(h), limited to urban Indian organizations which meet the
following criteria:
a. Received State certification to conduct HIV rapid testing;
b. Health professionals and staff have been trained in the HIV/AIDS
screening tools, education, prevention, counseling, and other
interventions for AI/ANs;
c. Attuned to the risk factors driving the HIV/AIDS epidemics among
urban AI/ANs;
d. Developed programs to address community and group support to
sustain risk reduction skills;
e. Implemented HIV/AIDS quality assurance and improvement programs;
and
f. Must provide proof of non-profit status with the application.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching--This program does not require matching
funds or cost sharing.
3. If the application budget exceeds $25,000 it will not be
considered for review.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Applicant package may be found in Grants.gov (www.grants.gov) or
at: http://www.ihs.gov/ NonMedicalPrograms/gogp/ gogp_funding.asp.
Questions regarding the electronic application process may be
directed to Michelle G. Bulls at (301) 443-6290.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission:
Be single spaced.
Be typewritten.
Have consecutively numbered pages.
Use black type not smaller than 12 characters per one
inch.
Contain a narrative that does not exceed 25 typed pages
that includes the other submission requirements below. The 25 page
narrative does not include the work plan, standard forms, table of
contents, budget, budget justifications, narratives, and/or other
appendix items.
Public Policy Requirements: All Federal-wide public policies apply
to IHS grants with the exception of Lobbying and Discrimination public
policy.
3. Submission Dates and Times:
The application from each urban Indian organization must be
submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 12 midnight Eastern
Standard Time (EST).
If technical challenges arise and the urban Indian organizations
are unable to successfully complete the electronic application process,
each organization must contact Michelle G. Bulls, Grants Policy Staff
(GPS) fifteen days prior to the application deadline and advise of the
difficulties that they are experiencing. Each organization must obtain
prior approval, in writing (e-mails are acceptable), from Ms. Bulls
allowing the paper submission. If submission of a paper application is
requested and approved, the original and two copies may be sent to the
appropriate grants contact that is listed in Section IV.1 above.
Applications not submitted through Grants.gov, without an approved
waiver, may be returned to the organizations without review or
consideration.
A late application will be returned to the organization without
review or consideration.
4. Intergovernmental Review: Executive Order 12372 requiring
[[Page 41093]]
intergovernmental review is not applicable to this program.
5. Funding Restrictions:
A. Pre-award costs are allowable pending prior approval from the
awarding agency. However, in accordance with 45 CFR part 74, all pre-
award costs are incurred at the recipient's risk. The awarding office
is under no obligation to reimburse such costs if for any reason any of
the urban Indian organizations do not receive an award or if the award
to the recipient is less than anticipated.
B. The available funds are inclusive of direct and appropriate
indirect costs.
C. Only one grant supplement will be awarded to each organization.
D. IHS will acknowledge receipt of the application.
6. Other Submission Requirements:
Electronic Submission--Each urban Indian organization must submit
through Grants.gov. However, should any technical challenges arise
regarding the submission, please contact Grants.gov. Customer Support
at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. The Contact Center hours of
Operation are Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST. If you require
additional assistance please call (301) 443-6290 and identify the need
for assistance regarding your Grants.gov application. Your call will be
transferred to the appropriate grants staff member. Each organization
must seek assistance at least fifteen days prior to the application
deadline. If each organization doesn't adhere to the timelines for
Central Contractor Registry (CCR), Grants.gov registration and request
timely assistance with technical issues, paper application submission
may not be granted.
To submit an application electronically, please use the Grants.gov
Web site. Download a copy of the application package on the Grants.gov
Web site, complete it offline and then upload and submit the
application via the Grants.gov site. You may not e-mail an electronic
copy of a grant application to IHS.
Please be reminded of the following:
Under the new IHS application submission requirements,
paper applications are not the preferred method. However, if any urban
Indian organization has technical problems submitting the application
on-line, please contact directly Grants.gov Customer Support at: http:/
/www.grants.gov/CustomerSupport.
Upon contacting Grants.gov, obtain a Grants.gov tracking
number as proof of contact. The tracking number is helpful if there are
technical issues that cannot be resolved and a waiver request from
Grants Policy must be obtained. If any of the organizations are still
unable to successfully submit the application on-line, please contact
Michelle G. Bulls, GPS at (301) 443-6290 at least fifteen days prior to
the application deadline to advise her of the difficulties you have
experienced.
If it is determined that a formal waiver is necessary,
each organization must submit a request, in writing (e-mails are
acceptable), to Michelle.Bulls@ihs.gov providing a justification for
the need to deviate from the standard electronic submission process.
Upon receipt of approval, a hard copy application package must be
downloaded from Grants.gov, and sent directly to the Division of Grants
Operations (DGO), 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP 360, Rockville, MD 20852 by
August 8, 2008.
Upon entering the Grants.gov Web site, there is
information available that outlines the requirements to each urban
Indian organization regarding electronic submission of application and
hours of operation. We strongly encourage that each organization does
not wait until the deadline date to begin the application process as
the registration process for CCR and Grants.gov could take up to
fifteen working days.
To use Grants.gov, each urban Indian organization must
have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number and register in
the CCR. Each organization should allow a minimum of ten working days
to complete CCR registration. See below on how to apply.
Each organization must submit all documents
electronically, including all information typically included on the SF-
424 and all necessary assurances and certifications.
Please use the optional attachment feature in Grants.gov
to attach additional documentation that may be requested by IHS.
Each organization must comply with any page limitation
requirements described in the program announcement.
After you electronically submit your application, you will
receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that contains a
Grants.gov tracking number. The DGO will retrieve your application from
Grants.gov. The DGO will notify each organization that the application
has been received.
You may access the electronic application for this program
on Grants.gov.
You may search for the downloadable application package
using either the CFDA number or the Funding Opportunity Number. Both
numbers are identified in the heading of this announcement.
To receive an application package, each urban Indian
organization must provide the Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2008-IHS-
UIHP-0002.
E-mail applications will not be accepted under this announcement.
DUNS Number
Applicants are required to have a DUNS number to apply for a grant
or cooperative agreement from the Federal Government. The DUNS number
is a nine-digit identification number, which uniquely identifies
business entities. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no
charge. To obtain a DUNS number, access http://www.dunandbradstreet.com
or call 1-866-705-5711. Interested parties may wish to obtain their
DUNS number by phone to expedite the process.
Applications submitted electronically must also be registered with
the CCR. A DUNS number is required before CCR registration can be
completed. Many organizations may already have a DUNS number. Please
use the number listed above to investigate whether or not your
organization has a DUNS number. Registration with the CCR is free of
charge.
Applicants may register by calling 1-888-227-2423. Please review
and complete the CCR ``Registration Worksheet'' located on http://
www.ccr.gov.
More detailed information regarding these registration processes
can be found at Grants.gov.
V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
The instructions for preparing the application narrative also
constitute the evaluation criteria for reviewing and scoring the
application. Weights assigned to each section are noted in parentheses.
The narrative should include the first year of activities; information
for multi-year projects should be included as an appendix (see E.
``Categorical Budget and Budget Justification'') at the end of this
section for more information. The narrative should be written in a
manner that is clear to outside reviewers unfamiliar with prior related
activities of the urban Indian organization. It should be well
organized, succinct, and contain all information necessary for
reviewers to understand the project fully.
A. Understanding of the Need and Necessary Capacity (30 Points)
1. Understanding of the Problem
a. Define the project target population, identify their unique
characteristics, and describe the impact of HIV on the population.
[[Page 41094]]
b. Describe the gaps/barriers in HIV testing for the population.
c. Describe the unique cultural or sociological barriers of the
target population to adequate access for the described services.
2. Facility Capability
a. Briefly describe your clinic programs and services and how this
initiative complements and/or expands existing efforts.
b. Describe your clinic's ability to conduct this initiative
through:
Your clinic's own resources.
Collaboration with other providers.
Partnerships established to accept referrals for
counseling, testing, and referral and confirmatory blood tests and/or
social services for individuals who test HIV positive.
Partnerships established to refer out of your clinic for
specialized treatment, care, confirmatory testing (if applicable) and
counseling services.
B. Work Plan (40 Points)
1. Project Goal and Objectives
Address all of the following program goals and objectives of the
project. The objectives must be specific as well as quantitatively and
qualitatively measurable to ensure achievement of goal(s).
President's Initiative for HIV/AIDS
Explain how the continuation program addresses the President's
Initiative for HIV/AIDS objective requiring testing of those who do not
know their status. For a more direct and relevant program initiative,
this proposal will be enumerated in the development of the new IHS HIV/
AIDS Strategic Plan.
HHS Strategic Plan Support
Describe how implementing, expanding and making routine HIV/AIDS
direct service opportunities in your clinic ensures an innovative
approach towards achievement of two of the most critical HHS Strategic
Plan Objectives relative to the health status of AI/AN:
Objective 3.4--Eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities.
Objective 3.6--Increase access to health services for AI/AN.
Office of the Secretary Minority AIDS Initiative
Address how the Minority AIDS Initiative Goals/Objectives will be
supported. If a goal/objective is not applicable to your program,
explain why it is not applicable. Provide quantitative and qualitative
objectives for each of the following.
1. Expand Services
a. Increase the number of clients receiving services;
b. Increase the number of clients that receive an HIV test and are
provided results and know their status; and
c. Increase the number of clients treated and/or referred into the
system for medical care.
2. Build Capacity
a. Identify the number of providers that have expanded their:
Knowledge of HIV screening methods;
Knowledge of streamlining procedures; and
Collaboration with outside entities such as CDC, HRSA,
and/or State health departments.
3. Best Practices Models
a. Identify best practice models of implementation of expanded
services.
4. Enumerate lessons observed and address barriers to care.
IHS Strategic Plan Support
Describe how this project integrates with the IRS Strategic Plan
which includes concepts surrounding:
1. Building and sustaining healthy communities;
2. Providing accessible, quality health care; and
3. Fostering collaboration and innovation across the Indian health
network.
IHS HIV/AIDS Administrative Work Plan Goals
Describe how the IHS HIV/AIDS Administrative work plan goals will
be supported. If a goal is not applicable to your program, explain why
it is not applicable.
1. Assist AI/AN in becoming aware of serostatus;
2. Reduce the transmission of HIV through behavior change,
prevention education and open discussion;
3. Ensure access (and linkages) to services for those living with
HIV/AIDS and those at risk;
4. Provide routine HIV/AIDS services and ensure quality HIV/AIDS
care is delivered within the Indian health system;
5. Reduce stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV/AIDS; and
6. Form sustainable collaborations and integrative approaches (i.e.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases and HIV integration) to build capacity
and maximize resources for surveillance, prevention, treatment and
mitigation.
Implementation Plan
1. Identify the proposed program activities and explain how these
activities will meet the needs of the target population.
2. Describe any anticipated outcomes that may be achieved from this
project plan.
3. Provide a timeline for implementation.
4. Certify that the program identified and agreed to follows the
State regulations for HIV testing in their State.
5. Describe how individuals will be selected for testing to
identify selection criteria and which group(s)--if any--will you be
able, via State regulations to offer testing in an opt-out format.
6. Describe how the program will ensure that clients receive their
test results, particularly clients who test positive.
7. Describe how the program will ensure that individuals with
initial HIV-positive test results will receive confirmatory tests. If
you do not provide confirmatory HIV testing, you must provide a letter
of intent or Memorandum of Understanding with an external laboratory
documenting the process through which initial HIV-positive test results
will be confirmed.
8. Describe the program strategies to linking potential
seropositive patients to care.
9. Describe the program quality assurance strategies.
10. Describe how the program will train, support and retain staff
providing counseling and testing.
11. Describe how the program will ensure client confidentiality.
12. Describe how the program will ensure that your services are
culturally sensitive and relevant.
13. Describe how the program will attempt to streamline procedures
so as to reduce the overall cost per test administered.
Staffing Plan
Describe the existing or proposed positions to be funded and
provide names and roles of the key position(s) carrying out this
project, their qualifications and how they relate to the organization,
with regard to supervision and quality control.
C. Project Evaluation (10 Points)
1. Evaluation Plan
The grantee shall provide a plan for monitoring and evaluating the
HIV rapid test and/or standard HIV antibody test.
2. Reporting Requirements
The following quantitative and qualitative measures shall be
addressed:
Indicators (Quantitative)
1. Number of tests offered and number of test refusals.
[[Page 41095]]
2. Number of clients who refused due to prior knowledge of status.
3. Number of individuals tested with breakdown of rapid versus
standard antibody test.
4. Number of negative results.
5. Number of false negatives and/or false positives after
confirmatory testing.
6. Number of reactive tests and confirmed seropositive (actual and
proportion).
7. Number of individuals receiving their confirmatory test results.
8. Number of clients learning of their serostatus for the first
time via this testing initiative.
9. Number of clients linked to care/treatment or referrals for
prevention counseling.
10. Number of post-test counseling sessions.
11. Number of pre-test counseling sessions (brief).
12. Number of prevention counseling sessions (more depth) due to
higher risk populations.
13. Number of missed follow up after rapid test is reactive.
14. Transmission category (if known).
15. Measures in place to protect confidentiality.
Qualitative Information
1. Identify Testing Methodology
a. Will testing be rapid or standard?
b. Opt-out format should be utilized. Unless otherwise determined
by State regulations--please explain.
c. Is your methodology based on risk-based screening? Based on what
risk criteria? Are you offering more routine screening? What are the
criteria for offering tests if any?
2. Identify barriers of implementation
Plan for obtaining knowledge, attitudes, and behavior
data.
D. Organizational Capabilities and Qualifications (10 Points)
This section outlines the broader capacity of the organization to
complete the project outlined in the work plan. It includes the
identification of personnel responsible for completing tasks and the
chain of responsibility for successful completion of the project
outlined in the work plan.
1. Describe the organizational structure.
2. Describe the ability of the organization to manage the proposed
project. Include information regarding similarly sized projects in
scope and financial assistance as well as other grants and projects
successfully completed.
3. Describe what equipment (i.e., phone, Web sites, etc.) and
facility space (i.e., office space) will be available for use during
the proposed project. Include information about any equipment not
currently available that will be purchased throughout the agreement.
4. List key personnel who will work on the project.
Identify existing personnel and new program staff to be
hired.
In the appendix, include position descriptions and resumes
for all key personnel. Position descriptions should clearly describe
each position and duties indicating desired qualifications, experience,
and requirements related to the proposed project and how they will be
supervised. Resumes must indicate that the proposed staff member is
qualified to carry out the proposed project activities and who will
determine if the work of a contractor is acceptable.
Note who will be writing the progress reports.
If a position is to be filled, indicate that information
on the proposed position description.
If the project requires additional personnel beyond those
covered by the supplemental grant (i.e., IT support, volunteers,
interviewers, etc.), note these and address how these positions will be
filled and, if funds are required, and the source of these funds.
If personnel are to be only partially funded by this
supplemental grant, indicate the percentage of time to be allocated to
this project and identify the resources used to fund the remainder of
the individual's salary.
E. Categorical Budget and Budget Justification (10 Points)
This section should provide a clear estimate of the project program
costs and justification for expenses for the entire grant period. The
budget and budget justification should be consistent with the tasks
identified in the work plan.
1. Categorical budget (Form SF 424A, Budget Information Non-
Construction Programs) completing each of the budget periods requested.
2. Narrative justification for all costs, explaining why each line
item is necessary or relevant to the proposed project. Include
sufficient details to facilitate the determination of cost
allowability.
3. Budget justification should include a brief program narrative
for the second and third years.
4. If indirect costs are claimed, indicate and apply the current
negotiated rate to the budget. Include a copy of the rate agreement in
the appendix.
2. Review and Selection Process
In addition to the above criteria/requirements, the application
will be considered according to the following:
A. The submission deadline: August 8, 2008. The application
submitted in advance of or by the deadline and verified by the postmark
will undergo a preliminary review to determine that:
The applicant is eligible in accordance with this grant
announcement.
The application is not a duplication of a previously
funded project.
The application narrative, forms, and materials submitted
meet the requirements of the announcement allowing the review panel to
undertake an in-depth evaluation; otherwise, it may be returned.
B. The Objective Review date is August 11, 2008.
The application requirements that are complete, responsive, and
conform to this program announcement will be reviewed for merit by the
Ad Hoc Objective Review Committee (ORC) appointed by the IHS to review
and make recommendations on this application. Prior to ORC review, the
application will be screened to determine that programs proposed are
those which the IHS has the authority to provide, either directly or
through funding agreement, and that those programs are designed for the
benefit of IHS beneficiaries. If an urban Indian organization does not
meet these requirements, the application will not be reviewed. The ORC
review will be conducted in accordance with the IHS Objective Review
Guidelines. The application will be evaluated and rated on the basis of
the evaluation criteria listed in section V.1. The criteria are used to
evaluate the quality of a proposed project and determine the likelihood
of success.
3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
Anticipated announcement date is August 8, 2008 with an Award Date
of September 1, 2008.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
The Notice of Award (NoA) will be initiated by the DGO and will be
mailed via postal mail to the urban Indian organization. The NoA will
be signed by the Grants Management Officer and this is the authorizing
document under which funds are dispersed. The NoA, is the legally
binding document, will serve as the official notification of the grant
award and will reflect the amount of Federal funds awarded for the
purpose
[[Page 41096]]
of the grant, the terms and conditions of the award, the effective date
of the award, and the budget/project period.
2. Administrative Requirements
Grants are administered in accordance with the following documents:
This Program Announcement.
45 CFR part 74, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for
Awards to Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, Other Non-Profit
Organizations, and Commercial Organizations.''
Grants Policy Guidance: HHS Grants Policy Statement,
January 2007.
``Non-Profit Organizations'' (Title 2 part 230).
Audit Requirements: OMB Circular A-133, ``Audits of
States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations.''
3. Indirect Costs: This section applies to indirect costs in
accordance with HHS Grants Policy Statement, Part 11-27. The IHS
requires applicants to have a current indirect cost rate agreement in
place prior to award. The rate agreement must be prepared in accordance
with the applicable cost principles and guidance as provided by the
cognizant agency or office. A current rate means the rate covering the
applicable activities and the award budget period. If the current rate
is not on file with the awarding office, the award shall include funds
for reimbursement of indirect costs. However, the indirect costs
portion will remain restricted until the current rate is provided to
the DGO.
If an urban Indian organization has questions regarding the
indirect costs policy, please contact the DGO at (301) 443-5204.
4. Reporting
A. Progress Report. Program progress reports are required semi-
annually. These reports will include a brief comparison of actual
accomplishments to the goals established for the period, reasons for
slippage (if applicable), and other pertinent information as required.
A final report must be submitted within 90 days of expiration of the
budget/project period.
B. Financial Status Report. Semi-annual financial status reports
must be submitted within 30 days of the end of the half year. Final
financial status reports are due within 90 days of expiration of the
budget period. Standard Form 269 (long form) will be used for financial
reporting.
Failure to submit required reports within the time allowed may
result in suspension or termination of an active agreement, 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 applies whether the delinquency is
attributable to the failure of the organization or the individual
responsible for preparation of the reports.
Telecommunication for the hearing impaired is available at: TTY
301-443-6394.
VII. Agency Contacts
For program-related and general information regarding this
announcement: Danielle Steward, Health Systems Specialist, Office of
Urban Indian Health Programs, 801 Thompson Avenue, Room 200, Rockville,
MD 20852, (301) 443-4680 or danielle.steward@ihs.gov.
For specific grant-related and business management information:
Denise Clark, Senior Grants Management Specialist, 801 Thompson Avenue,
TMP 360, Rockville, MD 20852, 301-443-5204 or denise.clark@ihs.gov.
Dated: July 8, 2008.
Robert G. McSwain,
Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. E8-16051 Filed 7-16-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-16-M