[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 113 (Monday, June 15, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28250-28254]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14044]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Indian Health Service
[Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2009-IHS-UIHP-0003]
Office of Urban Indian Health Programs
Announcement Type: Competitive Targeted Solicitation.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.193.
Application Deadline Date: July 15, 2009.
Review Date: July 30, 2009.
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: August 3, 2009.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
The Indian Health Service (IHS), Office of Urban Indian Health
Programs (OUIHP) announces a limited targeted solicitation for the 4-
in-1 Title V grants responding to an Office of HIV/AIDS Policy (OHAP),
Minority AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) Initiative (MAI).
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 competitive targeted solicitation 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). Enhancement of urban Indian health
program HIV/AIDS activities is necessary to reduce the incidence of
HIV/AIDS in the urban Indian health communities by increasing access to
HIV related services, reducing stigma, and making testing routine.
These grants and 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 by
targeting some of the largest urban Indian populations in the United
States. The grantees will attempt
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to provide routine HIV screening for adults as per 2006 Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, pre- and post-test
counseling (when appropriate). These grants will be used to identify
best practices to enhance HIV testing, including rapid testing and/or
conventional HIV antibody testing, and to provide a more focused effort
to address HIV/AIDS prevention in AI/AN populations in the United
States.
The nature of these projects will require collaboration with the
OUIHP to: (1) Coordinate activities with the IHS National HIV Program;
(2) participate in projects in other operating divisions of the
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) such as the CDC,
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Health
Resource and Services Administration and the Office of HIV/AIDS Policy;
and (3) submit and share anonymous, non-identifiable data on HIV/AIDS
testing, treatment, and education.
These grants are also intended to encourage development of
sustainable, routine HIV screening programs in urban facilities that
are aligned with 2006 CDC HIV Screening guidelines (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5514a1.htm). Key features include streamlined
consent and counseling procedures (verbal consent, opt-out), a clear
HIV screening policy, identifying and implementing any necessary staff
training, community awareness, and a clear followup protocol for HIV
positive results including linkages to care. Grantees may choose to
bundle HIV tests with STD screening.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Title V HIV/AIDS New Grants.
Estimated Funds Available: The total amount identified for Fiscal
Year (FY) 2009 is five awards totaling $150,000. The award is for three
years in duration. Individual awards must include one project
evaluation and provide administrative support of the project. Awards
under this announcement and all future awards are subject to the
availability of funds. IHS has no obligation to provide future funding
for this project.
Anticipated Number of Awards: Five grant awards will be made under
the program.
Project Period: September 1, 2009-August 31, 2010.
Award Amount: $150,000.
A. Requirements of Recipient Activities
In FY 2009, each grantee's attempted goal shall include screening
as many individuals as possible; however, each funded program's
attempted goal will be to increase screening to a minimum of 300 AI/AN
tested per program funded (adjusted due to variations in size of
facility and user population), for a total of 4,500 AI/AN tested. This
reflects an MAI requirement to maintain the actual cost per MAI Fund
HIV testing client below the medical care inflation rate. 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
document lessons learned, best practices, and barriers to 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), and limited to urban Indian organizations which meet
the following criteria:
Received State certification to conduct HIV rapid testing
(where required);
Health professionals and staff have been trained in the
HIV/AIDS screening tools, education, prevention, counseling, and other
interventions for AI/ANs;
Developed programs to address community and group support
to sustain risk--reduction skills;
Implemented HIV/AIDS quality assurance and improvement
programs; and
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 the award amount, it will not
be considered for review.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Applicant package may be found in Grants.gov (http://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 15 typed pages
that includes the other submission requirements below. The 15 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 the 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 12:00 midnight Eastern
Standard Time (EST), July 15, 2009.
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
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 new grant will be awarded to each organization.
D. IHS will acknowledge receipt of the application by e-mail.
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 [email protected]. The
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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 an organization does not
adhere to the timelines for Central Contractor Registry (CCR),
Grants.gov registration and request timely assistance with technical
issues, a 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 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 online, please contact
Michelle G. Bulls, GPS, at (301) 443-6290 at least fifteen days prior
to the application deadline to advise 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 [email protected] 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
July 15, 2009.
Upon entering the Grants.gov Web site, there is
information available that outlines the requirements for each urban
Indian organization regarding electronic submission of application and
hours of operation. We strongly encourage each organization to 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 by e-mail 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-2009-IHS-
UIHP-0003.
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 all prior years of activity; 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 (15 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.
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 will assist to commence, compliment and/or expand existing
efforts.
b. Describe your clinic's ability to conduct this initiative
through:
Your clinic's present 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.
Linkages to treatment and care: partnerships established
to refer out of your clinic for specialized treatment,
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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).
Implementation Plan
a. Identify the proposed program activities and explain how these
activities will increase and sustain HIV screening.
b. Describe Policy and Procedure changes anticipated for
implementation that include:
(1) Support of the 2006 CDC Revised HIV Testing Recommendations.
(2) Community awareness.
(3) Age ranges of persons to be screened.
(4) Bundling of HIV testing with STD tests.
(5) Type of HIV Screen/Test (Rapid, Conventional, Western Blot) and
who will perform test (in-house, send-out).
c. Provide a clear timeline with quarterly milestones for project
implementation.
d. Certify that the program identified and agreed to follow the
state regulations for HIV testing in their state and how the clinic
will follow their state reporting guidelines for seropositive results.
e. 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.
f. Describe how the program will ensure that clients receive their
test results, particularly clients who test positive.
g. 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.
h. Describe the program strategies to linking potential
seropositive patients to care.
i. Describe the program quality assurance strategies.
j. Describe how the program will train, support and retain staff
providing counseling and testing.
k. Describe how the program will ensure client confidentiality.
l. Describe how the program will ensure that its services are
culturally fluent and relevant.
m. Describe how the program will attempt to streamline procedures
so as to reduce the overall cost per test administered.
C. Project Evaluation (20 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:
Required Quantitative Indicators (quantitative)
a. Number of tests performed and number of test refusals.
b. Number of clients learning of their serostatus for the first
time via this testing initiative (unique patients, non-repeated tests).
c. Number of reactive tests and confirmed seropositive (actual and
proportion).
d. Number of clients linked to care/treatment or referrals for
prevention counseling.
e. Number of individuals receiving their confirmatory test results.
Required Qualitative Information
a. Measures in place to protect confidentiality.
b. Identify barriers of implementation as well as lessons learned
for best practices to share with other IHS/Urban or tribal entities.
c. Sustainability plan and measures of ongoing testing in future
years, after grant money has been spent.
Other quantitative indicators may be collected to improve
clinic processes and add to information reported, however they are not
required reporting measures:
a. Number of clients who refused due to prior knowledge of status.
b. Number of rapid versus standard antibody test.
c. Number of false negatives and/or positives after confirmatory
testing.
d. Develop a plan for obtaining knowledge, attitudes, and behavior
data pending official approval of patient survey.
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., Information Technology
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 (15 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. The budget focus should be on routinizing
and sustaining HIV testing services as well as reducing the cost per
person tested.
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
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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: July 15, 2009. Applications 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 July 30, 2009.
The applications 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 the applications. Prior to ORC review, the
applications 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 applications will be evaluated and rated on the basis
of the evaluation criteria listed in Section V.1. The guidelines can be
obtained from the OUIHP. 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 and Award Date is August 3, 2009.
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, 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 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 Nonprofit
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 II-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 on number of tests
performed and milestones reached are required quarterly by the OUIHP in
order to satisfy quarterly reports due to funding source at MAI. These
reports will include a brief comparison of actual accomplishments to
the goals established for the period, reasons for unmet milestones (if
applicable), and other pertinent information as required.
B. A Final Assessment and Evaluation report must be submitted
within 90 days of expiration of the budget/project period.
C. 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.
D. Participation in a minimum of two teleconferences.
Teleconferences will be required semi-annually (unless further
followup is needed) for Technical Assistance and information to be
provided and progress to be shared among grantees with the OUIHP and
National HIV Program Consultant.
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, Reyes Building,
Suite 200, Rockville, MD 20852, (301) 443-4680 or
[email protected].
For specific grant-related and business management information:
Denise Clark, Senior Grants Management Specialist, 801 Thompson Avenue,
TMP, Suite 360, Rockville, MD 20852, (301) 443-5204 or
[email protected].
Dated: June 8, 2009.
Randy Grinnell,
Deputy Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. E9-14044 Filed 6-12-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-16-P