[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 121 (Tuesday, June 23, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37668-37675]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13471]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Indian Health Service
Office of Clinical and Preventive Services; Division of Oral
Health; Dental Preventive Clinical Support Program
Announcement Type: New and Competing Continuation
Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2020-IHS-TDCP-0001
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.933
Key Dates
Application Deadline Date: September 21, 2020.
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: September 15, 2020.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Statutory Authority
The Indian Health Service (IHS), Office of Clinical and Preventive
Services, Division of Oral Health (DOH), is accepting applications for
grants for the Dental Preventive and Clinical Support Centers Program.
This program is authorized under 25 U.S.C. 13, Snyder Act; 42 U.S.C.
2001, Transfer Act; and 25 U.S.C. 1601 et seq., the Indian Health Care
Improvement Act (IHCIA). This program is described in the Assistance
Listings located at https://beta.sam.gov (formerly known as Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance) under 93.933.
Background
The primary users of a support center are IHS, Tribal, and urban
dental programs and personnel throughout an IHS area or broad
geographic region. Most users are not dental patients or Tribes. The
primary function of a support center is not the direct provision of
clinical care. Well-designed support centers will positively impact and
document oral health outcomes for patients, primarily by providing
guidance to field programs and addressing the assessed and perceived
needs of dental personnel and IHS/Tribal/urban (I/T/U) dental programs.
Proposed programs that focus on one locale or on clinical or
preventive care alone, with no concomitant focus on a regional or area
support-oriented component for the dental program, although well-
intentioned and of potential value, are not responsive to this
announcement or to the support center project.
Purpose
The purpose of this IHS grant program is to combine existing
resources and infrastructure with IHS Headquarters (HQ) and IHS area
resources in order to address the broad challenges and opportunities
associated with IHS preventive and clinical dental programs. In
accordance with the recently stated priorities of the Secretary of the
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding the need to
achieve ``higher value'' health care services, the dental support
centers will address two priority goals: (1) Provide support, guidance,
training, and enhancement of I/T/U dental programs within their area;
and (2) ensure that the services of the support centers and the I/T/U/
dental programs result in measurable improvements in the oral health
status of the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) patients served. In
order to address these two goals, a strong, collaborative working
relationship with the IHS HQ Division of Oral Health (DOH) and the Area
Dental Director or Area Dental Officer should be maintained. In short,
support centers will empower the dental programs they serve and impact
oral health outcomes through the guidance, training and support
services they provide. Improvements to oral health must be documented.
Pre-Conference Grant Requirements
This section is only required if the applicant has included a
conference in the proposed scope of work and intends on using funding
to plan and conduct a conference or meeting during the project period.
For definitions of what constitutes a conference, please see the policy
at the link provided below. The awardee is required to comply with the
``HHS Policy on Promoting Efficient Spending: Use of Appropriated Funds
for Conferences and Meeting Space,
[[Page 37669]]
Food, Promotional Items, and Printing and Publications,'' dated January
23, 2015 (Policy), as applicable to conferences funded by grants and
cooperative agreements. The Policy is available at https://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/contract-policies-regulations/efficient-spending/index.html?language=es.
The awardee is required to:
Provide a separate detailed budget justification and narrative for
each conference anticipated. The cost categories to be addressed are as
follows: (1) Contract/Planner, (2) Meeting Space/Venue, (3)
Registration website, (4) Audio Visual, (5) Speakers Fees, (6) Non-
Federal Attendee Travel, (7) Registration Fees, (8) Other (explain in
detail and cost breakdown). For additional questions please contact Dr.
Christopher Halliday at (301) 443-4323 or email him at
[email protected].
II. Award Information
Funding Instrument
Grant.
Estimated Funds Available
The total funding identified for fiscal year (FY) 2020 is
approximately $1,250,000. Individual award amounts for the first budget
year are anticipated to be $250,000. The funding available for
competing and subsequent continuation awards issued under this
announcement is subject to the availability of appropriations and
budgetary priorities of the Agency. The IHS is under no obligation to
make awards that are selected for funding under this announcement.
Anticipated Number of Awards
Approximately five awards will be issued under this program
announcement.
Period of Performance
The period of performance is for five years.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligibility
To be eligible for this FY 2020 funding opportunity, an applicant
must be defined as one of the following under 25 U.S.C. 1603:
An Urban Indian organization as defined by 25 U.S.C.
1603(29). A nonprofit corporate body situated in an urban center,
governed by an urban Indian controlled board of directors, and
providing for the maximum participation of all interested Indian groups
and individuals, which body is capable of legally cooperating with
other public and private entities for the purpose of performing the
activities described in 25 U.S.C. 1653(a). Applicants must provide
proof of non-profit status with the application, e.g., 501(c)(3).
A Tribal organization as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(26).
The term ``tribal organization'' has the meaning given the term in
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act
(25 U.S.C. 5304): ``tribal organization'' means the recognized
governing body of any Indian tribe; any legally established
organization of Indians which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered
by such governing body or which is democratically elected by the adult
members of the Indian community to be served by such organization and
which includes the maximum participation of Indians in all phases of
its activities: Provided That, in any case where a contract is let or
grant made to an organization to perform services benefiting more than
one Indian tribe, the approval of each such Indian tribe shall be a
prerequisite to the letting or making of such contract or grant.
Applicant shall submit letters of support and/or tribal resolutions
from the tribes to be served.
Note: Please refer to Section IV.2 (Application and Submission
Information/Subsection 2, Content and Form of Application
Submission) for additional proof of applicant status documents
required, such as tribal resolutions, proof of non-profit status,
etc.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
The IHS does not require matching funds or cost sharing for grants
or cooperative agreements.
3. Other Requirements
Applications with budget requests that exceed the highest dollar
amount outlined under Section II Award Information, Estimated Funds
Available, or exceed the Period of Performance outlined under Section
II Award Information, Period of Performance will be considered not
responsive and will not be reviewed. The Division of Grants Management
(DGM) will notify the applicant.
Additional Required Documentation
Tribal Resolution
The DGM must receive an official, signed Tribal resolution prior to
issuing a Notice of Award (NoA) to any applicant selected for funding.
An Indian Tribe or Tribal organization that is proposing a project
affecting another Indian Tribe must include resolutions from all
affected Tribes to be served. However, if an official, signed Tribal
resolution cannot be submitted with the application prior to the
application deadline, a draft Tribal resolution must be submitted with
the application by the deadline date in order for the application to be
considered complete and eligible for review. The draft Tribal
resolution is not in lieu of the required signed resolution, but is
acceptable until a signed resolution is received. If an official,
signed Tribal resolution is not received by the DGM when funding
decisions are made, then a NoA will not be issued to that applicant,
and the applicant will not receive IHS funds until it has submitted a
signed resolution to the Grants Management Specialist listed in this
funding announcement.
Proof of Non-Profit Status
Organizations claiming non-profit status must submit a current copy
of the 501(c)(3) Certificate with the application.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Obtaining Application Materials
The application package and detailed instructions for this
announcement can be found at https://www.Grants.gov.
Please direct questions regarding the application process to Mr.
Paul Gettys at (301) 443-2114 or (301) 443-5204.
2. Content and Form Application Submission
The applicant must include the project narrative as an attachment
to the application package. Mandatory documents for all applicants
include:
Abstract (one page) summarizing the project.
Application forms:
1. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance.
2. SF-424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs.
3. SF-424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.
Project Narrative (not to exceed 28 pages). See Section
IV.2.A Project Narrative for instructions.
1. Background information on the organization.
2. Proposed scope of work, objectives, and activities that provide
a description of what the applicant plans to accomplish.
Budget Justification and Narrative (not to exceed 5
pages). See Section IV.2.B Budget Narrative for instructions.
Tribal Resolution(s).
Letters of Support from organization's Board of Directors.
501(c)(3) Certificate.
[[Page 37670]]
Biographical sketches for all Key Personnel.
Contractor/Consultant resumes or qualifications and scope
of work.
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL).
Certification Regarding Lobbying (GG-Lobbying Form).
Copy of current Negotiated Indirect Cost rate (IDC)
agreement (required in order to receive IDC).
Organizational Chart (optional).
Description of geographic region or IHS areas to be
served.
List of individual I/T/U hospital- or clinic-based dental
programs to be served must be listed in the application. All programs
within the defined area or region that will not be served must be
listed also.
Documentation of current Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) Financial Audit (if applicable).
Acceptable forms of documentation include:
1. Email confirmation from Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC) that
audits were submitted; or
2. Face sheets from audit reports. Applicants can find these on the
FAC website: https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx.
Files illustrating a limited selection of work products such as
pamphlets or handouts produced by existing support centers or through
similar initiatives can be appended.
Public Policy Requirements
All Federal public policies apply to IHS grants and cooperative
agreements with the exception of the Discrimination Policy.
Requirements for Project and Budget Narratives
A. Project Narrative: This narrative should be a separate document
that is no longer than 28 pages and must: (1) Have consecutively
numbered pages; (2) use black font 12 points or larger; (3) be single-
spaced; (4) and be formatted to fit standard letter paper (8\1/2\ x 11
inches).
Be sure to succinctly answer all questions listed under the
evaluation criteria (refer to Section V.1, Evaluation Criteria) and
place all responses and required information in the correct section
noted below or they will not be considered or scored. If the narrative
exceeds the page limit, the application will be considered not
responsive and not be reviewed. The twenty-eight page limit for the
narrative does not include the work plan, standard forms, Tribal
resolutions, budget, budget justifications and/or narratives, and/or
other appendix items.
There are three parts to the narrative: Part 1--Program
Information; Part 2--Program Planning and Evaluation; and Part 3--
Program Report. See below for additional details about what must be
included in the narrative.
The page limits below are for each narrative and budget submitted.
Part 1: Program Information (Limit--7 Pages)
Needs
Describe the needs of both the field programs you propose to serve,
and the population cared for by these programs. Upon what information
do you base these observations (for example: Needs assessment, a
steering committee report, etc.)?
Part 2: Program Planning and Evaluation (Limit--14 Pages)
Section 1: Program Plans
Describe the direction your proposed support center plans to take,
including how significant services will be provided to the dental field
programs, and how you plan to improve the oral health of American
Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) through the guidance and services you
offer. State your overarching goals for the five-year funding period.
Include a summary of timelines for proposed key services and
anticipated measurable improvements to oral health.
Section 2: Program Evaluation
Describe how you will monitor the appropriateness and evaluate the
effectiveness of services provided relative to the evolving needs of
the field dental programs. Describe how you will evaluate and document
improvements to the oral health of AI/ANs associated with the guidance
and services you provide to field programs. (Use Logic model provided
below as a guide.)
Individual programs should seek to demonstrate the following two
broad goals of the Dental Clinical and Preventive Support Center
program:
1. Provide support, guidance, training, and enhancement of I/T/U
dental programs within the grantee's target area, and;
2. Ensure that the services of the support center and the I/T/U
dental programs result in measurable improvements in the oral health
status of the AI/AN patients served.
Individual programs may choose their goals and activities from the
following overall program logic model below and/or suggest additional
activities and goals:
Resources/Inputs
Funding provided.
Direction and guidance received from IHS Headquarters
program staff.
Activities
Training: E.g., Dental Health Aide Therapist (DHAT)
training, Dental Assistant training and technical assistance (e.g.,
tooth cleaning courses, radiation safety courses, infection control
courses, and sealant courses), and continuing dental education.
Outreach: E.g., Senior Centers and schools.
Oral Health Promotion activities: Health Education,
Sealants and Fluoride programs.
Disease Prevention activities: Community-based prevention
programs.
Support and Guidance: Site visits to dental clinics.
Outputs
Training: E.g., Number of persons trained (dentists,
dental hygienists, dental therapists, dental assistants, program staff,
number of trainings provided, and number of dental teams trained.
Outreach: E.g., Number of schools/senior centers/chapter
houses visited.
Oral Health Promotion: E.g., Number of sealants placed and
fluoride applications.
Disease Prevention Activities: E.g., Number of persons
reached with prevention information and/or material.
Support and Guidance: Number of visits to dental clinics.
Outcomes
Training: How has the quality of oral healthcare improved?
Outreach: How has the understanding of oral healthcare
increased, as a result?
Oral Health Promotion: Demonstrate improvement in Early
Childhood Caries (ECC) incidence.
Disease Prevention Activities: Demonstrate an increase in
dental appointments, visits or access to care.
Support and Guidance: Demonstrate increased capacity of
dental clinics due to support/guidance provided.
Part 3: Program Report (Limit--7 Pages)
Section 1: Major Activities, Programs, and Best Practices Implemented
Describe significant activities with respect to services and
products provided over the past 24 months.
Section 2: Major Accomplishments
Describe significant accomplishments with respect to oral health
outcomes or other outcomes over the past 24 months.
In addition to your narrative description, use an individualized
logic
[[Page 37671]]
model similar to the one in Part 2 above to demonstrate how you have
made use or will make use of the resources to improve or promote the
oral health of AI/AN.
If you are proposing the creation of a new support center and have
no recent history of relevant accomplishments, please state that.
B. Budget Narrative (Limit--5 Pages)
Provide a budget narrative that explains the amounts requested for
each line item of the budget. The budget narrative should specifically
describe how each item will support the achievement of proposed
objectives. Be very careful about showing how each item in the
``Other'' category is justified. For subsequent budget years, the
narrative should highlight the changes from year 1 or clearly indicate
that there are no substantive budget changes during the period of
performance. Do NOT use the budget narrative to expand the project
narrative.
3. Submission Dates and Times
Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m.
Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on the Application Deadline Date. Any
application received after the application deadline will not be
accepted for review. Grants.gov will notify the applicant via email if
the application is rejected.
If technical challenges arise and assistance is required with the
application process, contact Grants.gov Customer Support (see contact
information at https://www.grants.gov). If problems persist, contact
Mr. Paul Gettys ([email protected]), Acting Director, DGM, by
telephone at (301) 443-2114 or (301) 443-5204. Please be sure to
contact Mr. Gettys at least ten days prior to the application deadline.
Please do not contact the DGM until you have received a Grants.gov
tracking number. In the event you are not able to obtain a tracking
number, call the DGM as soon as possible.
IHS will not acknowledge receipt of applications.
4. Intergovernmental Review
Executive Order 12372 requiring intergovernmental review is not
applicable to this program.
5. Funding Restrictions
Pre-award costs are allowable up to 90 days before the
start date of the award provided the costs are otherwise allowable if
awarded. Pre-award costs are incurred at the risk of the applicant.
The available funds are inclusive of direct and indirect
costs.
Only one grant will be awarded per applicant.
Only one award will be made to any one IHS area or region.
Organizations in the same area are encouraged to share resources in
order to produce one collaborative proposal, rather than competing with
each other.
6. Electronic Submission Requirements
All applications must be submitted via Grants.gov. Please use the
https://www.Grants.gov website to submit an application. Find the
application by selecting the ``Search Grants'' link on the homepage.
Follow the instructions for submitting an application under the Package
tab. No other method of application submission is acceptable.
If the applicant cannot submit an application through Grants.gov, a
waiver must be requested. Prior approval must be requested and obtained
from Mr. Paul Gettys, Acting Director, DGM. A written waiver request
must be sent to [email protected] with a copy to
[email protected]. The waiver request must: (1) Be documented in
writing (emails are acceptable) before submitting an application by
some other method, and (2) include clear justification for the need to
deviate from the required application submission process.
Once the waiver request has been approved, the applicant will
receive a confirmation of approval email containing submission
instructions. A copy of the written approval must be included with the
application that is submitted to the DGM. Applications that are
submitted without a copy of the signed waiver from the Director of the
DGM will not be reviewed. The Grants Management Officer of the DGM will
notify the applicant via email of this decision. Applications submitted
under waiver must be received by the DGM no later than 5:00 p.m., EDT,
on the Application Deadline Date. Late applications will not be
accepted for processing. Applicants that do not register for both the
System for Award Management (SAM) and Grants.gov and/or fail to request
timely assistance with technical issues will not be considered for a
waiver to submit an application via alternative method.
Please be aware of the following:
Please search for the application package in https://www.Grants.gov by entering the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number or the
Funding Opportunity Number. Both numbers are located in the header of
this announcement.
If you experience technical challenges while submitting
your application, please contact Grants.gov Customer Support (see
contact information at https://www.grants.gov).
Upon contacting Grants.gov, obtain a tracking number as
proof of contact. The tracking number is helpful if there are technical
issues that cannot be resolved and a waiver from the agency must be
obtained.
Applicants are strongly encouraged not to wait until the
deadline date to begin the application process through Grants.gov as
the registration process for SAM and Grants.gov could take up to twenty
working days.
Please follow the instructions on Grants.gov to include
additional documentation that may be requested by this funding
announcement.
Applicants must comply with any page limits described in
this funding announcement.
After submitting the application, the applicant will
receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that contains a
Grants.gov tracking number. IHS will not notify the applicant that the
application has been received.
Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
Applicants and grantee organizations are required to obtain a DUNS
number and maintain an active registration in the SAM database. The
DUNS number is a unique 9-digit identification number provided by D&B
that uniquely identifies each entity. The DUNS number is site specific;
therefore, each distinct performance site may be assigned a DUNS
number. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy, and there is no charge. To
obtain a DUNS number, please access the request service through https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform, or call (866) 705-5711. The Federal Funding
Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, as amended (``Transparency
Act''), requires all HHS recipients to report information on sub-
awards. Accordingly, all IHS grantees must notify potential first-tier
sub-recipients that no entity may receive a first-tier sub-award unless
the entity has provided its DUNS number to the prime grantee
organization. This requirement ensures the use of a universal
identifier to enhance the quality of information available to the
public pursuant to the Transparency Act.
System for Award Management (SAM)
Organizations that are not registered with SAM will need to obtain
a DUNS number first and then access the SAM online registration through
the SAM home page at https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ (U.S. organizations will
also need to provide an Employer Identification Number from the
Internal Revenue
[[Page 37672]]
Service that may take an additional 2-5 weeks to become active). Please
see SAM.gov for details on the registration process and timeline.
Registration with the SAM is free of charge, but can take several weeks
to process. Applicants may register online at https://www.sam.gov/SAM/.
Additional information on implementing the Transparency Act,
including the specific requirements for DUNS and SAM, are available on
the DGM Grants Management, Policy Topics web page: https://www.ihs.gov/dgm/policytopics/.
V. Application Review Information
Weights assigned to each section are noted in parentheses. The
twenty-eight page project narrative should include only the first year
of activities; information for multi-year projects should be included
as an appendix. See ``Multi-year Project Requirements'' at the end of
this section for more information. The narrative section should be
written in a manner that is clear to outside reviewers unfamiliar with
prior related activities of the applicant. It should be well organized,
succinct, and contain all information necessary for reviewers to
understand the project fully. Points will be assigned to each
evaluation criteria adding up to a total of 100 possible points. Points
are assigned as follows:
1. Evaluation Criteria
A. Introduction and Need for Assistance (10 Points)
Applicants will justify the need for a support center. Applicants
will discuss needs in their area or region not likely to be addressed,
and oral health outcomes not likely to be attained, if not for the
services and guidance of a support center.
Centers will periodically assess the needs of the dental programs
served. In order to be responsive to the perceived needs of the dental
personnel throughout an area or region, perceived needs must be
systematically assessed. Initial and periodic recurring structured
needs assessments or other appraisals of perceived needs of the dental
personnel to be served are essential. Successful proposals will either
document the assessed and perceived needs of the area dental personnel,
or outline how area needs will be assessed.
a. Proposed new centers and existing centers without a
comprehensive assessment of needs less than three years old will
outline a plan for an assessment to be completed within the first nine
months of the grant period of performance.
b. Proposed continuing or currently existing centers with a
comprehensive assessment of perceived needs less than three years old
will summarize the results of that survey, and outline a plan for a
future assessment to be completed within the first three years of the
five year funding cycle.
Ongoing frequent assessment of perceived needs through feedback
from a steering committee or other means is highly recommended.
B. Project Objective(s), Work Plan and Approach (30 Points)
Centers will provide technical assistance and resources for local
and area clinic-based and community-based oral health promotion/disease
prevention initiatives.
Centers will produce and document positive health outcomes.
Consistent with the HHS Secretary's emphasis upon funding tied to value
and outcomes, the activities, guidance, and services provided by the
support centers to area dental programs will be structured such that
they lead to meaningful and measurable improvements in the oral health
status of AI/AN patients. Proposals must describe practical and
feasible plans that will foster improved health outcomes, and will
include specific plans for periodic objective evaluation of the
outcomes of these efforts by objective reviewers with no conflict of
interest. The dental support centers will improve the oral health of
AI/ANs through their services, guidance, and collaboration with the IHS
dental program.
Consistent with the HHS Secretary's emphasis upon funding tied to
value and outcomes, proposals are strongly encouraged, but not
required, to include as part of their strategy an evaluation of the
oral health outcomes of IHS dental program practices and initiatives
from recent years. Proposals which include such evaluation will enjoy a
competitive advantage. This assessment of outcomes could include any of
several measures of value obtained for services delivered, including
actual patient outcomes. Examples of patient outcomes include but are
not limited to measureable improvements to oral health or an assessment
of the need for additional restorative care within an intermediate time
frame following the initial provision of care.
Centers will send an appropriate representative or representatives
to national support centers project meetings convened by IHS HQ DOH.
Such meetings will be convened periodically, approximately once every
three years, as deemed necessary by IHS HQ DOH. The DOH will
communicate closely with all centers about the perceived need for any
meeting. All centers are expected to reserve sufficient funds to send a
representative or representatives to these meetings.
Centers will promote the coordination of research, demonstration
projects, and studies relating to the causes, diagnosis, treatment,
control, and prevention of oral disease. This may be addressed through
the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data or other
methodology deemed appropriate by the IHS HQ DOH. This may also be
addressed through support given to field programs engaged in
demonstration projects.
Centers are encouraged to collaborate with IHS HQ DOH on national
initiatives such as efforts to reduce Early Childhood Caries, promoting
and facilitating the annual Basic Screening Surveys (BSS), promotion of
the goals of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) and
achieving annual GPRA targets, or other national initiatives.
Centers will share information and work products proactively with
other areas and other support centers. Large quantities of work
products need not be provided free of charge, but examples of work
products will be shared widely.
Centers are encouraged to provide technical assistance and
resources for local and area clinical programs.
Centers are encouraged to communicate frequently with their Area
Dental Officer (ADO), in order to coordinate activities and initiatives
closely. Centers are encouraged to amplify impact and increase
effectiveness through detailed communication and coordinated efforts
with the ADO.
Centers are encouraged to provide technical assistance and
resources for continuing education opportunities, including but not
limited to, annual area-wide meetings for area dental personnel.
Centers are encouraged to address oral health status on a local
level, area-wide level, or regional basis. Interventions must include
an examination process assessing outcomes in addition to process (that
is, an assessment of actual prevalence of disease over the course of
the intervention, in addition to counts or assessments of activities or
services and products provided to clientele). Such evaluation does not
require original data, if appropriate other data such as, for example,
BSS data or other data as available.
[[Page 37673]]
C. Program Evaluation (30 Points)
Centers will evaluate their ongoing efforts and progress towards
goals and objectives in an objective manner, utilizing reviewers
without conflicts of interest.
Centers will assess and document changes to selected oral health
outcomes over time.
Centers will adhere to an annual reporting cycle, providing three
quarterly reports and one annual report at the end of the fourth
quarter to the project officer. Quarterly reports from the support
centers must describe: (1) A listing of Dental Support Center goals and
objectives that they have been focused upon during the quarter being
reported upon, along with a summary of activities and progress toward
meeting those priorities of the quarter, and any accomplishments; (2) a
description in narrative form how the support center activities and
progress link with a reportable oral health outcome, and a review of
the evaluation plan for the goals and objectives; and, (3) a
description of any trends or challenges that the support center has
identified in meeting the goals. The narrative should describe any
trends or challenges that have been identified through interactions
with the field programs, and any identified emergent challenges should
be discussed in terms of potential strategies to address them: (4) A
description of additional facts or findings that will assist the
Project Officer in understanding the support center's operation over
the previous three months, and into the immediate future; (5) a
description of at least one activity or accomplishment that the support
center Director would like to highlight nationally; and (6) a
description of any resources that the support center has developed and
would be willing to share for the benefit of the mission of the
Division of Oral Health.
Annual reports from the support centers must describe: (1) Services
and support provided to the dental program; (2) the methods used to
influence oral health; (3) details of the evaluative methodology; and
(4) progress towards your program's Outputs and Outcomes, for example,
increased oral health status or details of at least two specific
outcomes supported by data, based on activities performed by the Dental
Support Center. Funding for subsequent budget periods will be
contingent upon an objective annual evaluation of these four topic
areas by the IHS Division of Oral Health program official.
D. Organizational Capabilities, Key Personnel and Qualifications (10
Points)
Centers will document organizational capabilities, and how these
capabilities will be used to address program goals and objectives.
Centers will list key personnel, and describe their qualifications. If
a key position is not currently occupied, a description of key desired
qualifications of the individual to be recruited will suffice.
E. Categorical Budget and Budget Justification (20 Points)
Centers will provide a detailed proposed budget for the initial
year of operation.
Centers will justify all line items or categories of proposed
expenditures within their proposed budgets by providing a line item
budget justification and narrative relating to the attainment of
specific goals and objectives.
Multi-Year Project Requirements
Applications must include a brief project narrative and budget (one
additional page per year) addressing the developmental plans for each
additional year of the project. This attachment will not count as part
of the project narrative or the budget narrative.
Additional documents can be uploaded as Appendix Items in
Grants.gov
Work plan, logic model and/or time line for proposed
objectives.
Position descriptions for key staff.
Resumes of key staff that reflect current duties.
Consultant or contractor proposed scope of work and letter
of commitment (if applicable).
Current Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (see Section VI.3,
Indirect Costs).
Organizational chart.
Map of area identifying project location(s).
Additional documents to support narrative (i.e. data
tables, key news articles, etc.).
2. Review and Selection
Each application will be prescreened for eligibility and
completeness as outlined in the funding announcement. Applications that
meet the eligibility criteria shall be reviewed for merit by the
Objective Review Committee (ORC) based on evaluation criteria.
Incomplete applications and applications that are not responsive to the
administrative thresholds will not be referred to the ORC and will not
be funded. The applicant will be notified of this determination.
Applicants must address all program requirements and provide all
required documentation.
3. Notifications of Disposition
All applicants will receive an Executive Summary Statement from the
IHS Division of Oral Health within 30 days of the conclusion of the ORC
outlining the strengths and weaknesses of their application. The
summary statement will be sent to the Authorizing Official identified
on the face page (SF-424) of the application.
A. Award Notices for Funded Applications
The Notice of Award (NoA) is the authorizing document through which
funds are dispersed to the approved entities and reflects the amount of
Federal funds awarded, the purpose of the grant, the terms and
conditions of the award, the effective date of the award, and the
budget/project period. Each entity approved for funding must have a
user account in GrantSolutions in order to retrieve the NoA. Please see
the Agency Contacts list in Section VII for the systems contact
information.
B. Approved But Unfunded Applications
Approved applications not funded due to lack of available funds
will be held for one year. If funding becomes available during the
course of the year, the application may be reconsidered.
Note: Any correspondence other than the official NoA executed
by an IHS grants management official announcing to the project
director that an award has been made to his or her organization is
not an authorization to implement the program on behalf of the IHS.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Administrative Requirements
Grants are administered in accordance with the following
regulations and policies:
A. The criteria as outlined in this program announcement.
B. Administrative Regulations for Grants:
Uniform Administrative Requirements for HHS Awards,
located at 45 CFR part 75.
C. Grants Policy:
HHS Grants Policy Statement, Revised 01/07.
D. Cost Principles:
Uniform Administrative Requirements for HHS Awards, ``Cost
Principles,'' located at 45 CFR part 75, subpart E.
E. Audit Requirements:
Uniform Administrative Requirements for HHS Awards,
``Audit
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Requirements,'' located at 45 CFR part 75, subpart F.
2. Indirect Costs
This section applies to all recipients that request reimbursement
of indirect costs (IDC) in their application budget. In accordance with
HHS Grants Policy Statement, Part II-27, IHS requires applicants to
obtain a current IDC rate agreement prior to receiving an award. The
rate agreement must be prepared in accordance with the applicable cost
principles and guidance as provided by the cognizant agency or office.
A current rate covers the applicable grant activities under the current
award's budget period. If the current rate agreement is not on file
with the DGM at the time of award, the IDC portion of the budget will
be restricted. The restrictions remain in place until the current rate
agreement is provided to the DGM.
Available funds are inclusive of direct and appropriate indirect
costs. Approved indirect funds are awarded as part of the award amount,
and no additional funds will be provided.
Generally, IDC rates for IHS grantees are negotiated with the
Division of Cost Allocation (DCA) https://rates.psc.gov/ or the
Department of Interior (Interior Business Center) https://ibc.doi.gov/ICS/tribal. For questions regarding the indirect cost policy, please
call the Grants Management Specialist listed under ``Agency Contacts''
or the main DGM office at (301) 443-5204.
3. Reporting Requirements
The grantee must submit required reports consistent with the
applicable deadlines. Failure to submit required reports within the
time allowed may result in suspension or termination of an active
grant, withholding of additional awards for the project, or other
enforcement actions such as withholding of payments or converting to
the reimbursement method of payment. Continued failure to submit
required reports may result in one or both of the following: (1) The
imposition of special award provisions; and (2) the non-funding or non-
award of other eligible projects or activities. This requirement
applies whether the delinquency is attributable to the failure of the
grantee organization or the individual responsible for preparation of
the reports. Per DGM policy, all reports are required to be submitted
electronically by attaching them as a ``Grant Note'' in GrantSolutions.
Personnel responsible for submitting reports will be required to obtain
a login and password for GrantSolutions. Please see the Agency Contacts
list in section VII for the systems contact information.
The reporting requirements for this program are noted below.
A. Progress Reports
Program progress reports are required quarterly, within 30 days
after the end of the quarter, with a cumulative annual report due 90
days after the end of the budget period (specific dates will be listed
in the NoA Terms and Conditions). These reports must include a brief
comparison of actual accomplishments to the goals established for the
period, a summary of progress to date or, if applicable, provide sound
justification for the lack of progress, and other pertinent information
as required. A final report must be submitted within 90 days of
expiration of the period of performance.
B. Financial Reports
Federal Financial Report (FFR or SF-425), Cash Transaction Reports
are due 30 days after the close of every calendar quarter to the
Payment Management Services, HHS at https://pms.psc.gov. The applicant
is also requested to upload a copy of the FFR (SF-425) into our grants
management system, GrantSolutions. Failure to submit timely reports may
result in adverse award actions blocking access to funds.
Grantees are responsible and accountable for accurate information
being reported on all required reports: the Progress Reports and
Federal Financial Report.
C. Post Conference Grant Reporting
The following requirements were enacted in Section 3003 of the
Consolidated Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013, and Section 119 of
the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014; Office of Management and
Budget Memorandum M-12-12: All HHS/IHS awards containing grants funds
allocated for conferences will be required to complete a mandatory post
award report for all conferences. Specifically: The total amount of
funds provided in this award/cooperative agreement that were spent for
``Conference X'', must be reported in final detailed actual costs
within 15 days of the completion of the conference. Cost categories to
address should be: (1) Contract/Planner, (2) Meeting Space/Venue, (3)
Registration website, (4) Audio Visual, (5) Speakers Fees, (6) Non-
Federal Attendee Travel, (7) Registration Fees, (8) Other.
D. Federal Sub-Award Reporting System (FSRS)
This award may be subject to the Transparency Act sub-award and
executive compensation reporting requirements of 2 CFR part 170.
The Transparency Act requires the OMB to establish a single
searchable database, accessible to the public, with information on
financial assistance awards made by Federal agencies. The Transparency
Act also includes a requirement for recipients of Federal grants to
report information about first-tier sub-awards and executive
compensation under Federal assistance awards. IHS has implemented a
Term of Award into all IHS Standard Terms and Conditions, NoAs and
funding announcements regarding the FSRS reporting requirement. This
IHS Term of Award is applicable to all IHS grant and cooperative
agreements issued on or after October 1, 2010, with a $25,000 sub-award
obligation dollar threshold met for any specific reporting period.
Additionally, all new (discretionary) IHS awards (where the period of
performance is made up of more than one budget period) and where: (1)
the period of performance start date was October 1, 2010 or after, and
(2) the primary awardee will have a $25,000 sub-award obligation dollar
threshold during any specific reporting period will be required to
address the FSRS reporting.
For the full IHS award term implementing this requirement and
additional award applicability information, visit the DGM Grants Policy
website at https://www.ihs.gov/dgm/policytopics/.
E. Compliance With Executive Order 13166 Implementation of Services
Accessibility Provisions for All Grant Application Packages and Funding
Opportunity Announcements
Recipients of Federal financial assistance (FFA) from HHS must
administer their programs in compliance with Federal civil rights laws
that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national
origin, disability, age and, in some circumstances, religion,
conscience, and sex. This includes ensuring programs are accessible to
persons with limited English proficiency. The HHS Office for Civil
Rights provides guidance on complying with civil rights laws enforced
by HHS. Please see https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-providers/provider-obligations/index.html and http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/understanding/section1557/index.html.
[[Page 37675]]
Recipients of FFA must ensure that their programs are
accessible to persons with limited English proficiency. HHS provides
guidance to recipients of FFA on meeting their legal obligation to take
reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to their programs by
persons with limited English proficiency. Please see https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/special-topics/limited-english-proficiency/fact-sheet-guidance/index.html 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 http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/understanding/disability/index.html.
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/index.html; 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/index.html and https://www.hhs.gov/conscience/religious-freedom/index.html.
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/index.html or call 1-800-
368-1019 or TDD 1-800-537-7697.
F. Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System
(FAPIIS)
The IHS is required to review and consider any information about
the applicant that is in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity
Information System (FAPIIS), at https://www.fapiis.gov, before making
any award in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold (currently
$150,000) over the period of performance. An applicant may review and
comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency
previously entered. IHS will consider any comments by the applicant, in
addition to other information in FAPIIS in making a judgment about the
applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under
Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants
as described in 45 CFR 75.205.
As required by 45 CFR part 75, appendix XII, of the Uniform
Guidance, non-Federal entities (NFEs) are required to disclose in
FAPIIS any information about criminal, civil, and administrative
proceedings, and/or affirm that there is no new information to provide.
This applies to NFEs that receive Federal awards (currently active
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts) greater than
$10,000,000 for any period of time during the period of performance of
an award/project.
Mandatory Disclosure Requirements
As required by 2 CFR part 200 of the Uniform Guidance, and the HHS
implementing regulations at 45 CFR part 75, the IHS must require a non-
Federal entity or an applicant for a Federal award to disclose, in a
timely manner, in writing to the IHS or pass-through entity all
violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or
gratuity violations potentially affecting the Federal award.
Submission is required for all applicants and recipients, in
writing, to the IHS and to the HHS Office of Inspector General all
information related to violations of Federal criminal law involving
fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the
Federal award. 45 CFR 75.113.
Disclosures must be sent in writing to: U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services, Indian Health Service, Division of Grants
Management, ATTN: Mr. Paul Gettys, Acting Director, 5600 Fishers Lane,
Mail Stop: 09E70, Rockville, MD 20857 (Include ``Mandatory Grant
Disclosures'' in subject line), Office: (301) 443-5204, Fax: (301) 594-
0899, Email: [email protected] and U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, Office of Inspector General, ATTN: Mandatory Grant
Disclosures, Intake Coordinator, 330 Independence Avenue SW, Cohen
Building, Room 5527, Washington, DC 20201, URL: https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud/, (Include ``Mandatory Grant Disclosures'' in
subject line), Fax: (202) 205-0604 (Include ``Mandatory Grant
Disclosures'' in subject line) or Email:
[email protected].
Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the
remedies described in 45 CFR 75.371 Remedies for noncompliance,
including suspension or debarment (see 2 CFR parts 180 & 376).
VII. Agency Contacts
1. Questions on the programmatic issues may be directed to: Cheryl
Sixkiller, DDS, Indian Health Service, Division of Oral Health, 5600
Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: 08N34A, Rockville, MD 20857, Email:
[email protected] or Christopher Halliday, DDS, MPH, Indian
Health Service, Division of Oral Health, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop:
08N34A, Rockville, MD 20857, Phone: (301) 443-1106, Email:
[email protected].
2. Questions on grants management and fiscal matters may be
directed to: Donald Gooding, Grants Management Specialist, 5600 Fishers
Lane, Mail Stop: 09E70, Rockville, MD 20857, Phone: (301) 443-2298,
Fax: (301) 594-0899, Email: [email protected].
3. Questions on systems matters may be directed to: Paul Gettys,
Acting Director, DGM, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: 09E70, Rockville,
MD 20857, Phone: (301) 443-2114; or the DGM main line (301) 443-5204,
Fax: (301) 594-0899, Email: [email protected].
VIII. Other Information
The Public Health Service strongly encourages all grant,
cooperative agreement and contract recipients to provide a smoke-free
workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products. In addition,
Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in
certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of the facility) in
which regular or routine education, library, day care, health care, or
early childhood development services are provided to children. This is
consistent with the HHS mission to protect and advance the physical and
mental health of the American people.
Michael D. Weahkee,
RADM, Assistant Surgeon General, U.S. Public Health Service Director,
Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-13471 Filed 6-22-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-16-P