[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 211 (Thursday, November 4, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60850-60859]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24020]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Indian Health Service
Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention Program: Substance Abuse
Prevention, Treatment, and Aftercare
Announcement Type: New.
Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2022-IHS-SAPTA-0001.
Assistance Listing (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance or CFDA)
Number: 93.654.
Key Dates
Application Deadline Date: February 2, 2022.
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: March 21, 2022.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Statutory Authority
The Indian Health Service (IHS) is accepting applications for a
component of the Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention (SASP) Program:
Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Aftercare (SAPTA). This
program was first established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of
2008, Public Law 110-161, 121 Stat. 1844, 2135 (then called the
Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative (MSPI)). This program
is authorized under the Snyder Act, 25 U.S.C. 13; the Transfer Act, 42
U.S.C. 2001(a); and the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, 25 U.S.C.
1665a. This program is described in the Assistance Listings located at
https://sam.gov/content/home (formerly known as the CFDA) under 93.654.
[[Page 60851]]
Background
The origin of this SASP SAPTA grant program began with the MSPI,
conducted from September 2009-August 2015. In that nationally
coordinated 6-year demonstration pilot project, the IHS funded 130 IHS,
Tribal, and Urban Indian organizations (UIOs) and focused on providing
methamphetamine and suicide prevention and intervention resources for
Indian Country. The second phase of the funding cycle built on lessons
learned from the MSPI pilot and was implemented from September 2015-
September 2020 and funded 174 IHS, Tribal, and UIO projects. This phase
of the SAPTA portion of the SASP Program will continue to build upon
previous years' work, lessons learned and will continue to promote the
use and development of evidence-based and practice-based models that
represent culturally appropriate prevention and treatment approaches to
substance use and suicide prevention from a community-driven context.
For a complete listing of demonstration pilot and cohort one projects,
please visit https://www.ihs.gov/sasp/pilotprojects20092014/ and
https://www.ihs.gov/sasp/fundedprojects/.
In previous years, awards were made from the same funding
opportunity announcement with four distinct ``purpose areas.'' In order
to provide program clarity and tracking of outcomes, the IHS is
offering funding through separate notice of funding opportunity
announcements for fiscal year (FY) 2022. This funding opportunity is
focused on Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Aftercare. There
will not be separate ``purpose areas'' for this funding opportunity.
Purpose
The primary purpose of this program is to reduce the prevalence of
substance abuse and decrease the overall use of addicting and illicit
substances among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations.
Tribes can accomplish these goals by:
1. Improving care coordination;
2. Expanding behavioral health care services through the use of
culturally appropriate evidence-based and practice-based models to
address these issues; and
3. In addition to any proposed activities for the adult population,
develop, or expand on activities for the Generation Indigenous (Gen-I)
Initiative by implementing early intervention strategies for AI/AN
youth at risk for substance abuse behavior.
In alignment with the IHS 2019-2023 Strategic Plan Goal 1: To
ensure that comprehensive, culturally appropriate personal and public
health services are available and accessible to AI/AN people, the SASP
program is designed to ensure access to comprehensive, culturally
appropriate services and promote quality programming to address
substance abuse for AI/AN community members. The IHS supports Tribal
efforts that include addressing substance abuse prevention, treatment,
and aftercare from a community-driven context. The IHS encourages
applicants to develop and submit a plan that emphasizes cross-system
collaboration, the inclusion of family, youth, and community resources,
and culturally appropriate approaches.
Required Activities
The focus of this funding opportunity announcement is on the
prevention, treatment, and aftercare for substance abuse among AI/AN
populations.
The IHS is seeking applications that include the following required
activities:
1. Foster coalitions and networks to improve care coordination:
a. Educate and train providers in the identification and care of
substance abuse disorders with tools such as the Screening, Brief
Intervention, and Referral to Treatment; the Alcohol, Smoking, and
Substance Involvement Screening Test; the Addiction Severity Index; the
Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test; and trauma-informed care.
b. Educate and train community members to recognize the signs of
substance abuse to prevent the spread of addictive and illicit
substances.
c. Increase community awareness of local behavioral health
services.
d. Develop community response plans related to substance abuse
prevention and treatment services.
e. Establish local health system policies and protocols to
integrate, coordinate, and/or provide access to substance abuse
prevention and intervention services in schools, courts, corrections/
detention systems, and law enforcement agencies.
2. Expand available behavioral health care treatment services:
a. Identify the target population to include, but not be limited to
Tribal youth.
b. Develop a strategic plan to address the health system
organizational needs for substance abuse disorders.
c. Integrate behavioral health into the primary care setting for
substance abuse prevention and screening to include the use, or
expansion of telehealth and similar technologies.
d. Provide evidence-based substance abuse care for clients at risk
for substance abuse disorders.
e. Provide access to culturally appropriate treatment services and
resources.
f. Implement a trauma-informed approach and trauma-informed care
treatment and services.
3. Improve the referral process:
a. Increase the capacity of community members and service providers
(i.e., primary care, schools, child welfare, criminal justice) to make
appropriate referrals to behavioral health services and support systems
related to substance abuse prevention, treatment, and aftercare.
b. Refer to cultural services and/or culturally appropriate
substance abuse prevention, treatment, and aftercare services,
including natural support systems.
4. In addition to any proposed activities for the adult population,
develop, or expand on activities for the Gen-I Initiative by
implementing culturally appropriate evidence-based and practice-based
approaches to build resiliency, resistance, hardiness, empathy, promote
positive development, and increase self-sufficiency behaviors among
Native youth:
a. Implement evidence-based and practice-based interventions for
substance abuse prevention for Native youth in the community.
b. Provide support services to Native youth and their families
impacted by substance abuse.
c. Promote positive development and increase self-sufficiency of
Native youth by providing culturally appropriate substance abuse
prevention activities.
d. Promote family and community engagement in the planning and
implementation of Native youth substance abuse prevention activities.
e. Provide school-based awareness/education about substance abuse
prevention, treatment, and aftercare services.
f. Support the development of Native youth peer-to-peer support and
education programs.
g. Promote/support the development of a Tribal Youth Council to
provide guidance/feedback on community substance abuse prevention
planning and strategic planning.
5. Develop a formal plan/process to ensure the sustainability of
the project activities beyond the grant life-cycle. (Note: Tribes that
have developed a Tribal Action Plan (TAP) under the Indian Alcohol and
Substance Abuse
[[Page 60852]]
Prevention and Treatment Act of 1986, as amended by the Tribal Law and
Order Act of 2010, may use SASP program funds to build on, or
supplement their TAP work.)
a. Develop a strategic plan to address long-term substance abuse
prevention, treatment, and aftercare needs of the community.
b. Assess community and workforce needs and assets via a community
and organization needs assessment and community resource asset mapping.
II. Award Information
Funding Instrument--Grant
Estimated Funds Available
The total funding identified for FY 2022 is approximately
$14,000,000. Individual award amounts for the first budget year are
anticipated to be between $300,000 and $400,000. 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 35 awards will be issued under this program
announcement. Up to five awards will be set aside for eligible UIOs.
Period of Performance
The period of performance is for 5 years.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligibility
To be eligible for this new funding opportunity, applicants must be
one of the following as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603:
A federally recognized Indian Tribe as defined by 25
U.S.C. 1603(14).
The term ``Indian Tribe'' means any Indian Tribe, band, nation, or
other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village
or group, or regional or village corporation as defined in or
established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85
Stat. 688) [43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.], which is recognized as eligible
for the special programs and services provided by the United States to
Indians because of their status as Indians.
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(l)): ``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.
An Urban Indian organization as defined by 25 U.S.C.
1603(29). The term ``Urban Indian organization'' means 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 nonprofit status with
the application, e.g., 501(c)(3).
The program office will notify any applicants deemed ineligible.
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 nonprofit 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, are 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 date, 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 application
without a signed Tribal Resolution is selected for funding, the
applicant will be contacted by the Grants Management Specialist (GMS)
listed in this funding announcement and given 90 days to submit an
official, signed Tribal Resolution to the GMS. If the signed Tribal
Resolution is not received within 90 days, the award will be forfeited.
Tribes organized with a governing structure other than a Tribal
council may submit an equivalent document commensurate with their
governing organization.
Proof of Nonprofit Status
Organizations claiming nonprofit status must submit a current copy
of the 501(c)(3) Certificate with the application.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Obtaining Application Materials
The application package and detailed instructions for this
announcement are available 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
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 15 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
[[Page 60853]]
of what the applicant plans to accomplish.
Timeline (one page).
Budget Justification and Narrative (not to exceed four
pages). See Section IV.2.B, Budget Narrative for instructions.
Tribal Resolution or Tribal Letter of Support (only
required for Tribes and Tribal organizations).
Letter(s) of Commitment:
1. Local Organizational Partners;
2. Community Partners;
3. For Tribal organizations: from the board of directors (or
relevant equivalent);
4. For UIOs: From the board of directors (or relevant equivalent).
501(c)(3) Certificate (if applicable).
Biographical sketches for all key personnel (e.g., project
director, project coordinator, grants coordinator, etc.) (not to exceed
one page each).
Contractor/consultant qualifications and scope of work.
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL), if applicant
conducts reportable lobbying.
Certification Regarding Lobbying (GG-Lobbying Form).
Copy of current Negotiated Indirect Cost rate (IDC)
agreement (required in order to receive IDC).
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 at https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx.
Public Policy Requirements
All Federal public policies apply to IHS grants and cooperative
agreements. Pursuant to 45 CFR 80.3(d), an individual shall not be
deemed subjected to discrimination by reason of their exclusion from
benefits limited by Federal law to individuals eligible for benefits
and services from the IHS. See https://www.hhs.gov/grants/grants/grants-policies-regulations/index.html.
Requirements for Project and Budget Narratives
A. Project Narrative
This narrative should be a separate document that is no more than
15 pages and must: (1) Have consecutively numbered pages; (2) use black
font 12 points or larger; (3) be single-spaced; and (4) 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 will not be reviewed. The 15-page limit for the
narrative does not include the standard forms, Tribal Resolutions,
budget, budget justification and narrative, and/or other items.
There are three parts to the narrative: Part 1--Program Planning;
Part 2--Program Data Collection and Evaluation; and Part 3--Program
Accomplishments 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 Planning (Limit--10 Pages)
Describe the scope of work the Tribe, Tribal organization, or UIO
by clearly and concisely outlining the following required components:
1. Goals and Objectives. Reference all required objectives.
2. Project Activities. Link your project activities to your
outlined goals and objectives.
3. Organization Capacity and Staffing/Administration. State your
organization's current capacity to implement and manage this award
(i.e., current staffing, facilities, information systems, and
experience with previous similar projects).
Part 2: Program Data Collection and Evaluation (Limit--3 Pages)
Based on the required objectives, describe how the Tribe, Tribal
organization, or UIO plans to collect data for the proposed project and
activities. Identify any type(s) of evaluation(s) that will be used and
how you will collaborate with partners (i.e., Tribal Epidemiology
Center (TEC)) to complete any evaluation efforts or data collection.
Funded projects are encouraged to coordinate data collection efforts
with their TEC or Urban Epidemiology Center (for urban awardees) and
should describe their plan for coordination and collaboration with the
TEC.
Part 3: Program Accomplishments Report (Limit--2 Pages)
Describe the Tribe, Tribal organization, or UIO's significant
program activities and achievements/accomplishments over the past 5
years associated with substance abuse prevention, treatment, and
aftercare activities. Provide success stories, data, or other examples
of how other funded projects/programs made an impact in your community
to address substance abuse. If applicable, provide justification for
lack of progress of previous efforts.
B. Budget Narrative (Limit--4 Pages)
Provide a budget narrative that explains the amounts requested for
each line item of the budget from the SF-424A (Budget Information for
Non-Construction Programs). The budget narrative can include a more
detailed spreadsheet than is provided by the SF-424A. 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 (see Multi-Year Project Requirements in Section V.1, Application
Review Information, Evaluation Criteria), the narrative should
highlight the changes from the first year 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.
The SASP program proposal template and associated templates for the
timeline chart, biographical sketch, budget and budget narrative/
justification, can be located and downloaded at the SASP program
website at https://www.ihs.gov/sasp/newsannouncements/.
3. Submission Dates and Times
Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m.
Eastern Time 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.
The IHS will not acknowledge receipt of applications.
[[Page 60854]]
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.
The purchase of food (i.e., as supplies, for meetings or
events, etc.) is not an allowable cost with this grant funding and
should not be included in the budget/budget justification.
6. Electronic Submission Requirements
All applications must be submitted via Grants.gov. Please use the
https://www.Grants.gov website to submit an application. Find the
application by selecting the ``Search Grants'' link on the homepage.
Follow the instructions for submitting an application under the Package
tab. No other method of application submission is acceptable.
If the applicant cannot submit an application through Grants.gov, a
waiver must be requested. Prior approval must be requested and obtained
from Mr. Paul Gettys, Acting Director, DGM. A written waiver request
must be sent to [email protected] with a copy to
[email protected]. The waiver request must: (1) Be documented in
writing (emails are acceptable) before submitting an application by
some other method; and (2) include clear justification for the need to
deviate from the required application submission process.
Once the waiver request has been approved, the applicant will
receive a confirmation of approval email containing submission
instructions. A copy of the written approval must be included with the
application that is submitted to the DGM. Applications that are
submitted without a copy of the signed waiver from the Acting Director
of the DGM will not be reviewed. The Grants Management Officer of the
DGM will notify the applicant via email of this decision. Applications
submitted under waiver must be received by the DGM no later than 5:00
p.m. Eastern Time 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 20
working days.
Please follow the instructions on Grants.gov to include
additional documentation that may be requested by this funding
announcement.
Applicants must comply with any page limits described in
this funding announcement.
After submitting the application, the applicant will
receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that contains a
Grants.gov tracking number. The IHS will not notify the applicant that
the application has been received.
Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
Applicants and grantee organizations are required to obtain a DUNS
number and maintain an active registration in the SAM database. The
DUNS number is a unique 9-digit identification number provided by D&B
that uniquely identifies each entity. The DUNS number is site specific;
therefore, each distinct performance site may be assigned a DUNS
number. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy, and there is no charge. To
obtain a DUNS number, please access the request service through https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform, or call (866) 705-5711.
The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, as
amended (``Transparency Act''), requires all HHS recipients to report
information on sub-awards. Accordingly, all IHS grantees must notify
potential first-tier sub-recipients that no entity may receive a first-
tier sub-award unless the entity has provided its DUNS number to the
prime grantee organization. This requirement ensures the use of a
universal identifier to enhance the quality of information available to
the public pursuant to the Transparency Act.
System for Award Management (SAM)
Organizations that are not registered with SAM must have a DUNS
number first, then access the SAM online registration through the SAM
home page at https://sam.gov (U.S. organizations will also need to
provide an Employer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue
Service that may take an additional 2-5 weeks to become active). Please
see SAM.gov for details on the registration process and timeline.
Registration with the SAM is free of charge, but can take several weeks
to process. Applicants may register online at https://sam.gov.
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 at https://www.ihs.gov/dgm/policytopics/.
V. Application Review Information
Possible points assigned to each section are noted in parentheses.
The project narrative and budget narrative should include only the
first year of activities; information for multi-year projects should be
included as a separate document. See ``Multi-year Project
Requirements'' at the end of this section for more information. The
project narrative should be written in a manner that is clear to
outside reviewers unfamiliar with prior related activities of the
applicant. It should be well organized, succinct, and contain all
information necessary for reviewers to fully understand the project.
Attachments requested in the criteria do not count toward the page
limit for the narratives. Points will be assigned to each evaluation
criteria adding up to a total of 100 possible points. Points are
assigned as follows:
1. Evaluation Criteria
A. Statement of Need (20 Points)
1. Describe the history and current situation in the applicant's
Tribal community (``community'' means the applicant's Tribe, village,
Tribal organization, or consortium of Tribes or Tribal organizations).
Provide facts and evidence that support the need for the project and
establishes that the Tribe, Tribal organization, or UIO understands the
problems and can reasonably address them.
2. Provide background information on the Tribe, Tribal
organization, or UIO.
3. Identify the proposed catchment area and provide demographic
[[Page 60855]]
information on the population(s) to receive services through the
targeted systems or agencies, e.g., race, ethnicity, federally
recognized Tribe, language, age, socioeconomic status, sexual identity
(sexual orientation, gender identity), and other relevant factors, such
as literacy. Describe the stakeholders and resources in the catchment
area that can help implement the needed infrastructure development.
4. Based on the information and/or data currently available,
document the prevalence of substance abuse rates. Examples of data
sources for the quantitative data are local epidemiologic data (e.g.,
TECs, IHS Area Offices), state data (e.g., from state needs
assessments, state health reports), and/or national data (e.g.,
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA)
National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention National Center for Health Statistics reports, and U.S.
Census). This list is not exhaustive; applicants may submit other valid
data, as appropriate for the applicant's proposed project.
5. Based on the information and/or data currently available,
document the need for an enhanced infrastructure to increase the
capacity to implement, sustain, and improve effective behavioral health
services in the proposed catchment area that is consistent with the
purpose of this funding opportunity announcement. Based on available
data, describe the service gaps and other problems related to the need
for infrastructure development. Identify the source of the data.
Documentation of need may come from a variety of qualitative and
quantitative sources such as organizational quality improvement
measures, internal audits of services and programs, or other previous
program reviews and assessments.
6. Describe the existing behavioral health service gaps, barriers,
and other systemic challenges related to the need for planning and
infrastructure development and coordination of substance abuse
prevention, treatment, and aftercare services.
7. Describe potential project partners and community resources in
the catchment area that can participate in the planning process and
infrastructure development.
8. Affirm the goals of the project are consistent with priorities
of the Tribal government or board of directors and that the governing
body is in support of this application.
B. Project Goals, Objectives, Activities, and Approach (35 Points)
Evidence-Based Practices, Practice-Based Evidence, Promising
Practices, and Local Efforts: The IHS strongly emphasizes the use of
data and evidence in policymaking and program development and
implementation in developing and implementing Tribal and/or culturally
appropriate substance abuse prevention, treatment, and aftercare, as
well as early intervention strategies. Applicants are required to
identify one or more evidence-based practice, practice-based evidence,
best or promising practice, and/or local effort that they plan to
implement in the project narrative section of their application. The
SASP program website (https://www.ihs.gov/sasp/) is one resource that
applicants may use to find information to build on the foundation of
prior projects' substance abuse prevention and treatment efforts.
The IHS recognizes the limited range of formally evaluated
evidence-based practices for substance abuse prevention, treatment, and
aftercare efforts that have been developed specifically for the AI/AN
population. In addition to formally evaluated practices, evidence for
other practices allowed in this grant program may include unpublished
studies, preliminary evaluation results, clinical (or other
professional association) guidelines, findings from focus groups with
community members, local community surveys, and so on. Each applicant
is required to:
Document the evidence that the practice(s) you have chosen
is appropriate for the outcomes you want to achieve;
Explain how the practice you have chosen meets the three
goals stated in the Purpose section of this announcement;
Describe any modifications/adaptations you will need to
make to your proposed practice(s) to meet the goals of your project and
why you believe the changes will improve the outcomes; and
Discuss training needs or plans for training to
successfully implement the proposed evidence-based practice(s).
1. Clearly and concisely describe the purpose of the proposed
project, including goals and objectives and how they are linked.
Describe how the achievement of goals will increase system capacity to
support the goals and required activities identified in Section I.
2. Clearly and concisely describe how the proposed project
activities are related to the proposed project's goals and objectives.
Describe how the project activities will increase the capacity of the
identified community to plan, improve and sustain the coordination of a
collaborative behavioral health and wellness service system to address
substance abuse.
3. Discuss how the proposed approach addresses the local language,
concepts, attitudes, norms, and values about substance abuse.
4. Describe how the proposed project will address issues of
diversity within the population of focus including age, race, gender,
ethnicity, culture/cultural identity, language, sexual orientation,
disability, and literacy.
5. Describe how members of the community (including youth and
families that may receive services) will be involved in the planning,
implementation, data collection, and evaluation of the project.
6. Describe how the efforts of the proposed project will be
coordinated with any other related Federal grants or programs funded
through the IHS, SAMHSA, Bureau of Indian Affairs, or other Federal
agencies.
7. Provide a timeline chart depicting a realistic timeline for the
project period showing key activities, milestones, and responsible
staff. These key activities should include the required activities
identified in Section I.
8. Identify any other organization(s) that will participate in the
proposed project. Describe their roles and responsibilities and
demonstrate their commitment to the project.
C. Organizational Capabilities, Key Personnel, and Qualifications (15
Points)
1. Describe the management capability and experience of the
applicant Tribe, Tribal organization, or UIO and other participating
organizations in administering and sustaining results of similar grants
and projects.
2. Describe significant program activities and achievements or
accomplishments over the past 5 years associated with substance abuse
prevention, treatment, and aftercare.
3. Describe the applicant Tribe, Tribal organization, or UIO
experience and capacity to provide and sustain culturally appropriate/
competent services to the community and specific populations of focus.
4. Describe the resources available for the proposed project (e.g.,
facilities, equipment, information technology systems, and financial
management systems).
5. Describe how project continuity will be maintained if/when there
is a
[[Page 60856]]
change in the operational environment (e.g., staff turnover, change in
project leadership, change in elected officials) to ensure project
stability and implementation of activities and goals over the life of
the grant.
6. Provide a complete list of staff positions anticipated for the
project, including the Project Director, Project Coordinator, and other
key personnel, showing the role of each and their level of effort and
qualifications.
7. For key staff currently on board, include a biographical sketch
for the Project Director, Project Coordinator, or other key positions
as attachments to the project proposal/application. Do not include any
of the following in the biographical sketch:
[ssquf] Personally Identifiable Information (i.e., SSN, home
address, etc.);
[ssquf] Resumes; or
[ssquf] Curriculum Vitae.
D. Program Evaluation (Data Collection & Reporting) (20 Points)
1. Describe the applicant's plan for data collection and document
the applicant's ability to ensure accurate data tracking and meeting
required reporting requirements/deadlines.
2. Provide a clear, specific plan for how data related to project
will be collected, managed, analyzed, and reported.
3. Describe any type(s) of evaluation(s) that will be used to
assess the project during the grant life cycle.
4. Explain how you will collaborate with partners (i.e., TEC) to
complete any evaluation efforts or data collection.
E. Budget and Budget Justification (10 Points)
1. The applicant is required to include a line item budget for all
expenditures identifying reasonable and allowable costs necessary to
accomplish the goals and objectives as outlined in the project
narrative for project year one only. The budget expenditures should
correlate with the scope of work described in the project narrative for
the first project year expenses only.
2. The applicant must provide a narrative justification of the
budget line items, as well as a description of existing resources and
other support the applicant expects to receive for the proposed
project. Other support is defined as funds or resources, whether
Federal, non-Federal, or institutional, in direct support of activities
through fellowships, gifts, prizes, in-kind contributions, or non-
Federal means. (This should correspond to Item #18 on the applicant's
SF-424, Estimated Funding, and SF-424A Budget Information, Section C
Non-Federal resources.)
3. Provide a narrative justification supporting the development or
continued collaboration with other partners regarding the proposed
activities to be implemented.
4. Depending on the availability of funds, the IHS may host annual
meetings to provide in-depth training and technical assistance to
awardees. In order to help establish critical mass of community and
staff members who are informed and committed to implement the project,
awardees should plan to send a minimum of three people (including the
Project Director/Project Coordinator) to one meeting of all awardees in
each year of the grant. At these meetings, awardees will receive
training related to grant objectives, discuss success and challenges in
implementation of the program, present the results of their projects,
and receive other technical assistance from IHS staff and/or
contractors. Each meeting may be up to 3 days. The locations will be
determined at a later date, but applicants should estimate costs for
Denver, Colorado as a potential site that is accessible to most of
``Indian Country'' and attendance is strongly encouraged. The Division
of Behavioral Health (DBH) may determine that a virtual meeting(s) may
be an option, if Federal government travel restrictions are in place,
or if funding is not available to support an in-person meeting.
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 Other Attachments in
Grants.gov.
These can include:
Work plan, logic model, and/or timeline for proposed
objectives.
Position descriptions for key staff (i.e., Project
Director, Project Coordinator).
Consultant or contractor proposed scope of work and letter
of commitment (if applicable).
Current Indirect Cost Rate Agreement.
Organizational chart.
Map of area identifying project location(s).
Additional documents to support narrative (i.e., data
tables, key news articles, etc.).
Advisory board(s) description (membership, roles and
functions, and frequency of meetings).
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 (budget limit, project period limit) 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 DBH 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 NoA is the authorizing document for which funds are dispersed
to the approved entities and reflects the amount of Federal funds
awarded, the purpose of the award, 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 1 year. If funding becomes available during the course
of the year, the application may be reconsidered.
Note: Any correspondence, other than the official NoA executed
by an IHS grants management official announcing to the project
director that an award has been made to their organization, is not
an authorization to implement their program on behalf of the IHS.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Administrative Requirements
Awards issued under this announcement are subject to, and are
[[Page 60857]]
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, Cost Principles, and
Audit Requirements for HHS Awards currently in effect or implemented
during the period of award, other Department regulations and policies
in effect at the time of award, and applicable statutory provisions. At
the time of publication, this includes 45 CFR part 75, at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title45-vol1/pdf/CFR-2020-title45-vol1-part75.pdf.
Please review all HHS regulatory provisions for
Termination at 45 CFR 75.372, at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp&;SID=2970eec67399fab1413ede53d7895d99&mc=true&
;n=pt45.1.75&r=PART&ty=HTML&se45.1.75_1372#se45.1.75_1372.
C. Grants Policy
HHS Grants Policy Statement, Revised January 2007, at
https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/grants/grants/policies-regulations/hhsgps107.pdf.
D. Cost Principles
Uniform Administrative Requirements for HHS Awards, ``Cost
Principles,'' located at 45 CFR part 75 subpart E.
E. Audit Requirements
Uniform Administrative Requirements for HHS Awards,
``Audit Requirements,'' located at 45 CFR part 75 subpart F.
F. As of August 13, 2020, 2 CFR 200 was updated to include a
prohibition on certain telecommunications and video surveillance
services or equipment. This prohibition is described in 2 CFR 200.216.
This will also be described in the terms and conditions of every IHS
grant and cooperative agreement awarded on or after August 13, 2020.
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, the IHS requires applicants to
obtain a current IDC rate agreement and submit it to the DGM prior to
the DGM issuing an award. The rate agreement must be prepared in
accordance with the applicable cost principles and guidance as provided
by the cognizant agency or office. A current rate covers the applicable
grant activities under the current award's budget period. If the
current rate agreement is not on file with the DGM at the time of
award, the IDC portion of the budget will be restricted. The
restrictions remain in place until the current rate agreement is
provided to the DGM.
Per 45 CFR 75.414(f) Indirect (F&A) costs, ``any non-Federal entity
(NFE) [i.e., applicant] that has never received a negotiated indirect
cost rate, . . . may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent of
modified total direct costs which may be used indefinitely. As
described in Section 75.403, costs must be consistently charged as
either indirect or direct costs, but may not be double charged or
inconsistently charged as both. If chosen, this methodology once
elected must be used consistently for all Federal awards until such
time as the NFE chooses to negotiate for a rate, which the NFE may
apply to do at any time.''
Electing to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent only applies to
applicants that have never received an approved negotiated indirect
cost rate from HHS or another cognizant federal agency. Applicants
awaiting approval of their indirect cost proposal may request the 10
percent de minimis rate. When the applicant chooses this method, costs
included in the indirect cost pool must not be charged as direct costs
to the grant.
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 at https://rates.psc.gov/ or the Department
of the Interior (Interior Business Center) at 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 the imposition of special award
provisions and/or the non-funding or non-award of other eligible
projects or activities. This requirement applies whether the
delinquency is attributable to the failure of the awardee organization
or the individual responsible for preparation of the reports. Per DGM
policy, all reports must 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 annually. The progress
reports are due within 30 days after the reporting period ends
(specific dates will be listed in the NoA Terms and Conditions). These
reports must include a brief comparison of actual accomplishments to
the goals established for the period, a summary of progress to date or,
if applicable, provide sound justification for the lack of progress,
and other pertinent information as required. A final report must be
submitted within 90 days of expiration of the period of performance and
must provide a comprehensive summary of accomplishments and outcomes
relative to each of the stated goals and objectives over the period of
performance.
B. Financial Reports
Federal Cash Transaction Reports are due 30 days after the close of
every calendar quarter to the Payment Management Services at https://pms.psc.gov. Failure to submit timely reports may result in adverse
award actions blocking access to funds.
Federal Financial Reports are due 30 days after the end of each
budget period, and a final report is due 90 days after the end of the
Period of Performance. Grantees are responsible and accountable for
reporting accurate information on all required reports: The Progress
Reports, the Federal Cash Transaction Report, and the Federal Financial
Report.
C. Data Collection and Reporting
All grantees will be required to collect and report data pertaining
to activities, processes, and outcomes via the IHS Behavioral Health
Reporting Portal (BHRP), within 30 days after the budget period ends
for each project year (specific dates will be listed in the NoA Terms
and Conditions). The BHRP will be open to project staff on a 24 hour
per day/7 day per week basis for the
[[Page 60858]]
duration of each reporting period. Technical assistance for web-based
data entry will be timely and readily available to awardees by assigned
DBH staff. In addition to the annual progress reports, the IHS will
compile and provide aggregate program statistics from data available in
the National Data Warehouse (NDW). The IHS will use NDW data related to
substance abuse prevention, treatment, and aftercare services,
including associated community-level health care facility data as a
method to monitor outcomes and impact of grant activities.
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. The 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 threshold met for any specific reporting period. For the
full IHS award term implementing this requirement and additional award
applicability information, visit the DGM Grants Management 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
Should you successfully compete for an award, 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 (including gender
identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy). This includes ensuring
programs are accessible to persons with limited English proficiency and
persons with disabilities. 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 https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/nondiscrimination/index.html.
Recipients of FFA must ensure that their programs are
accessible to persons with limited English proficiency. For guidance on
meeting your legal obligation to take reasonable steps to ensure
meaningful access to your programs or activities by limited English
proficiency individuals, 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 information on your specific legal obligations for
serving qualified individuals with disabilities, including reasonable
modifications and making services accessible to them, see https://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. See https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/sex-discrimination/index.html.
For guidance on administering your program in compliance
with applicable Federal religious nondiscrimination laws and applicable
Federal conscience protection and associated anti-discrimination laws,
see https://www.hhs.gov/conscience/conscience-protections/index.html
and https://www.hhs.gov/conscience/religious-freedom/index.html.
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 FAPIIS at https://www.fapiis.gov before
making any award in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold
(currently $250,000) over the period of performance. An applicant may
review and comment on any information about itself that a Federal
awarding agency previously entered. The 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,
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 an NFE
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.
All applicants and recipients must disclose, in a timely manner, in
writing to the IHS and to the HHS Office of Inspector General all
information related to violations of Federal criminal law involving
fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the
Federal award. 45 CFR 75.113.
Disclosures must be sent in writing to: U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services, Indian Health Service, Division of Grants
Management, ATTN: Paul Gettys, Acting Director, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail
Stop: 09E70, Rockville, MD 20857 (Include ``Mandatory Grant
Disclosures'' in subject line), Office: (301) 443-5204, Fax: (301) 594-
0899, Email: [email protected].
AND
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector
General, ATTN: Mandatory Grant Disclosures, Intake Coordinator, 330
Independence Avenue SW, Cohen Building, Room 5527, Washington, DC
20201, URL: https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud/ (Include
``Mandatory Grant Disclosures'' in subject line), Fax: (202) 205-0604
(Include ``Mandatory Grant Disclosures'' in subject line) or Email:
[email protected].
Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the
remedies described in 45 CFR 75.371 Remedies for noncompliance,
including suspension or debarment (see 2 CFR part 180 and 2 CFR part
376).
VII. Agency Contacts
1. Questions on the programmatic issues may be directed to: Audrey
Solimon, Public Health Analyst, Indian Health Service, Division of
Behavioral
[[Page 60859]]
Health, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop: 08N34-A, Rockville, MD 20857,
Phone: (301) 590-5421, Fax: (301) 594-6213, Email:
[email protected].
2. Questions on grants management and fiscal matters may be
directed to: Willis Grant, Grants Management Specialist, Indian Health
Service, Division of Grants Management, Rockville, MD 20857, Phone:
(301) 443-2214, Fax: (301) 594-0899, Email: [email protected].
3. Questions on systems matters may be directed to: Paul Gettys,
Acting Director, Indian Health Service, Division of Grants Management,
Rockville, MD 20857, Phone: (301) 443-2114; or the DGM main line (301)
443-5204, Fax: (301) 443-9602, 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.
Elizabeth A. Fowler,
Acting Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-24020 Filed 11-3-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-16-P