Key Dates:
Application Deadline Date: August 18, 2008
Review Date: August 21, 2008
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2008

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Authority: The eligible Indian Organizations as defined in 25 U.S.C. 1603 (h) and PHS Act 301(a).

Purpose: The Office of Urban Indian Health Programs (OUIHP) has designated funds for an urban Indian organization to act as an education and research partner for the Urban Indian health programs funded.

II. Award Information:

TYPE OF AWARD: Cooperative Agreement Grant

ESTIMATED FUNDS AVAILABLE: The IHS intends to commit approximately $995,000 each year. The total project period is 5 years in duration. The award that is issued under this announcement is subject to availability of funds.

ANTICIPATED NUMBER OF AWARDS:
One award will be given to one organization to cover a period of five years.

PROJECT PERIOD:

The cooperative agreement will run for five years beginning September 1, 2008 through August 30, 2012.

AWARD AMOUNT: FY 2008 amounts are identified in the application transmittal letter. All future support is subject to the availability of funds.

TYPE OF AWARD INSTRUMENT:
Cooperative Agreement. Applications will be for one project type. The project type is for Urban Indian health program education and research by the organization awarded the cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement will be awarded because the OUIHP staff will have substantial programmatic involvement with the recipient in carrying out the project including participation in at least one Board of Directors meeting per year, approval of newsletter articles, participation in study groups, and training and an involvement in the technical assistance, selection and approval of key personnel. Applications addressing other projects will be considered ineligible and will be returned to the applicant. The maximum funding level noted includes both direct and indirect costs. Application budgets which exceed the maximum funding level or project period identified will not be reviewed. Please refer to Section IV., Part 5, "Funding Restrictions" for further information regarding ineligible activities.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants:

a. Any urban Indian organization under the authority of 25 U.S.C. 1603(h). Any urban Indian, non-profit, 501 (c) (3) organization with experience in Urban Indian health issues, which has a Board of Directors that is at least 51 percent American Indian or Alaska Native and can demonstrate the Board of Directors is governed primarily by the urban Indian health programs from diverse locations. Only one application per organization is allowed. The following documentation is required: proof of non-profit status and a listing of Board members and their tribal affiliations

2. Cost Sharing: The funding does not require cost sharing or matching to participate in this process.

3. Other Requirements: Applications with budgets that exceed $995,000 per year will not be considered.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. An Applicant package may be found in Grants.gov (www.grants.gov ) or at: http://www.ihs.gov/NonMedicalPrograms/gogp/gogp_funding.asp

Information regarding the electronic application process may be directed to Michelle G. Bulls at (301) 443-6290.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission:

o Be single spaced.
o Be typewritten.
o Have consecutively numbered pages.
o Use black type not smaller than 12 characters per one inch.
o Contain a narrative that does not exceed 55 typed pages that includes the other submission requirements below. The 55 page narrative does not include the work plan, standard forms, table of contents, budget, budget justifications, narratives, and/or other appendix items.

Public Policy Requirements: All Federal-wide public policies apply to IHS grants with the exception of the Lobbying and Discrimination public policy.

3. Submission Dates and Times:
The application from each Urban Indian Health Organization (UIHO) must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on August 1, 2008.

If technical challenges arise and the UIHO is unable to successfully complete the electronic application process, each organization must contact Michelle G. Bulls, Grants Policy Staff, fifteen days prior to the application deadline and advise of the difficulties that they are experiencing. Each organization must obtain prior approval, in writing (emails are acceptable), from Ms. Bulls allowing the paper submission. If submission of a paper application is requested and approved, the original and two copies must be sent to the appropriate grants contact that is listed in Section IV.1 above. Applications not submitted through Grants.gov, without an approved waiver, may be returned to the organizations without review or consideration.

A late application will be returned to the organization without review or consideration.

4. Intergovernmental Review: Executive Order 12372 requiring intergovernmental review is not applicable to this program.

5. Funding Restrictions:
A. Pre-award costs are allowable pending prior approval from the awarding agency. However, in accordance with 45 CFR Part 74, all pre-award costs are incurred at the recipient's risk. The awarding office is under no obligation to reimburse such costs if for any reason any of the UIHO do not receive an award or if the award to the recipient is less than anticipated.
B. The available funds are inclusive of direct and appropriate indirect costs.
C. Only one grant will be awarded.
D. IHS will acknowledge receipt of the application.

6. Other Submission Requirements:
ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION - Each UIHO must submit through Grants.gov. However, should any technical challenges arise regarding the submission, please contact Grants.gov Customer Support at
1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. The Contact Center hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST. If you require additional assistance please call (301) 443-6290, and identify the need for assistance regarding your Grants.gov application. Your call will be transferred to the appropriate grants staff member. Each organization must seek assistance at least fifteen days prior to the application deadline. If each organization doesn't adhere to the timelines for Central Contractor Registry (CCR), Grants.gov registration and request timely assistance with technical issues, the paper application submission may not be granted.

To submit an application electronically, please use the Grants.gov web site. Download a copy of the application package on the Grants.gov website, complete it offline and then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site. You may not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to IHS.

Please be reminded of the following:

o Under the new IHS application submission requirements, paper applications are not the preferred method. However, if any UIHO has technical problems submitting the application on-line, please contact Grants.gov Customer Support directly at: http://www.grants.gov/CustomerSupport.
o Upon contacting Grants.gov, obtain a Grants.gov tracking number as proof of contact. The tracking number is helpful if there are technical issues that cannot be resolved and a waiver request from Grants Policy Staff (GPS) must be obtained. If any of the organizations are still unable to successfully submit the application on-line, please contact Michelle G. Bulls, GPS, at (301) 443-6290 at least fifteen days prior to the application deadline to advise her of the difficulties you have experienced.
o If it is determined that a formal waiver is necessary, each organization must submit a request, in writing (emails are acceptable), to Michelle.Bulls@ihs.gov providing a justification for the need to deviate from the standard electronic submission process. Upon receipt of approval, a hard-copy application package must be downloaded from Grants.gov, and sent directly to the Division of Grants Operations (DGO), 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP 360, Rockville, MD 20852 by May 1, 2008.
o Upon entering the Grants.gov web site, there is information available that outlines the requirements to each UIHO regarding electronic submission of application and hours of operation. We strongly encourage each organization to not wait until the deadline date to begin the application process as the registration process for CCR and Grants.gov could take up to fifteen working days.
o To use Grants.gov, each UIHO must obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) and register in the CCR. Each organization should allow a minimum of ten working days to complete CCR registration. See below on how to apply.
o Each organization must submit all documents electronically, including all information typically included on the SF-424 and all necessary assurances and certifications.
o Please use the optional attachment feature in Grants.gov to attach additional documentation that may be requested by IHS.
o Each organization must comply with any page limitation requirements described in the program announcement.
o After you electronically submit your application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. The DGO will retrieve your application from Grants.gov. The DGO will notify each organization that the application has been received.
o You may access the electronic application for this program on Grants.gov.
o You may search for the downloadable application package using either the CFDA number or the Funding Opportunity Number. Both numbers are identified in the heading of this announcement.
o To receive an application package, each UIHO must provide the Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2008-IHS-UIHP-0001.

E-mail applications will not be accepted under this announcement.

DUNS NUMBER
Applicants are required to have a DUNS number to apply for a grant or cooperative agreement from the Federal Government. The DUNS number is a nine-digit identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a DUNS number, access <http://www.dunandbradstreet.com> or call 1-866-705-5711. Interested parties may wish to obtain their DUNS number by phone to expedite the process.

Applications submitted electronically must also be registered with the CCR. A DUNS number is required before CCR registration can be completed. Many organizations may already have a DUNS number. Please use the number listed above to investigate whether or not your organization has a DUNS number.

Registration with the CCR is free of charge. Applicants may register by calling 1-888-227-2423. Please review and complete the CCR "Registration Worksheet" located on http://www.grants.gov/CCR Register.

More detailed information regarding these registration processes can be found at Grants.gov.

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

The instructions for preparing the application narrative also constitute the evaluation criteria for reviewing and scoring the application. Weights assigned to each section are noted in parentheses.

The narrative should include the 12 months of activities, September 1, 2008 through August 31, 2009; information for multi-year projects should be included as an appendix (see Section E. Categorical Budget and Budget Justification) for more information.

The narrative should be written in a manner that is clear to outside reviewers unfamiliar with prior related activities of the Urban Indian Health Program (UIHP). It should be well organized, succinct, and contain all information necessary for reviewers to fully understand the project.

A. INTRODUCTION AND NEED FOR ASSISTANCE (20 Points)

1. Describe the organization's current health education operation, specifically in reference to the health needs of the urban Indian population. Identify what programs and services are currently provided (i.e., federally funded, State funded, etc.), memorandums of agreement with other National Indian organizations that deem the applicant as the primary source of information for urban Indian health, information regarding technologies currently used (i.e., hardware, software, services, etc.), and identify the source(s) of technical support for these technologies.

2. Describe the organization's current research and technical assistance ability. Include what programs and services are currently provided, programs and services projected to be provided, memorandums of agreement with other National Indian organizations that deem the applicant as the primary source of information for urban Indian health, information regarding technologies currently used (i.e., hardware, software, services, etc.), and identify the source(s) of technical support for these technologies. Define the research component, which includes data collection and analysis.

3. Describe the population to be served by the proposed project. Include a description of the number of IHS funded Urban Indian health programs who currently use the organization and have membership in the organization.

4. Describe the geographic location of the proposed project including any geographical barriers to users.

5. Identify all previous cooperative agreements received, dates of funding, and summary of project accomplishments. State how previous cooperative agreement funds facilitated education and representation for the Urban Indian health programs relative to the current, proposed project (if applicable). (Copies of reports will not be accepted.)

6. Identify the eligible project type of the applicant.

7. Explain the reason for your proposed project by identifying specific gaps or weaknesses in services or infrastructure that will be addressed by the proposed project. Explain how these gaps/weaknesses were discovered. If the proposed project includes information technology (i.e., hardware, software, etc.), provide further information regarding measures taken or to be taken that ensure that the proposed project will not create other gaps in service or infrastructure (i.e., IHS interface capability, contract reporting requirements, Information Technology (IT) compatibility, etc.).

8. Describe the effect of the proposed project on current programs (i.e., federally funded, State funded, etc.) And, if applicable, on current equipment (i.e., hardware, software, services, etc.). Include the affect of the proposed project on planned/anticipated programs and/or equipment.

9. Address how the project relates to the purpose of the cooperative agreement by addressing the appropriate description that follows:
a. Identify how the proposed project will address Urban Indian health care education, consultation, health data dissemination, training, and technical assistance.

B. Project Objective(s), Approach, and Results/Benefits (40 Points)

1. Describe the proposed objective(s) addressing the following:
a. measurable and (if applicable) quantifiable
b. outcome oriented
c. time-limited
2. Address how the proposed project will result in change or improvement in management capabilities by identifying the expected benefits (i.e., operational improvements) of each proposed project objective. Also, include information regarding expected outcomes (i.e., tangible products) of each proposed project objective.
3. Address the extent to which the proposed project will build the capacity to provide, improve, or expand services that address the need of the target population. This shall include a strategic plan and business plan that are in place and are being used and shall be included in the application packet.
4. Submit a workplan in the appendix which includes the following information:
a. Provide action steps on the timeline for accomplishing the proposed project objective(s).
b. Identify who will perform the action steps.
c. Identify what tangible products will be produced during and the end of the proposed project objective(s).
d. Identify who will supervise the action steps taken.
e. Identify who will accept work products at the end of the proposed project.
f. Include any training that will take place during the proposed project and who will be attending the training.
g. Include evaluation activities planned.
5. If consultants or contractors will be used during the proposed project, please include the following information in their scope of work (or note if consultants/contractors will not be used):
a. Educational requirements
b. Desired qualifications and work experience
c. Expected work products to be delivered on a timeline
6. Describe what updates (i.e., revision of policies/procedures, upgrades, technical support, etc.) Will be required for the continued success of the proposed project. Includes when these updates will be necessary and where funds will come from to conduct the update and/or maintenance.

C. Project Evaluation (15 Points)

Each proposed objective should have an evaluation component and the evaluation activities should appear on the workplan.
1. Describe how the progress of the proposed project objective(s) will be tracked (i.e., status reports, meetings, etc.).
2. Explain how the data demonstrates the change brought about by the proposed project objective.
3. Describe any future evaluation efforts for the proposed project that will be conducted after the expiration of the cooperative agreement.

D. Organizational Capabilities and Qualifications (15 Points)

1. Describe the organizational structure of the organization that will be handling the proposed project.
2. Describe the ability of the organization to manage the proposed project. Include information regarding similarly sized projects in scope and financial assistance as well as other cooperative agreements/grants and projects successfully completed.
3. Describe what equipment (i.e., fax machine, phone, computers, etc.) And facility space (i.e., office space) will be available for use during the proposed project. Include information about any equipment not currently available that will be purchased through the cooperative agreement.
4. List key personnel who will work on the project. Include title used in the workplan. In the appendix, include current up-to-date position descriptions of all key personnel. Position descriptions should clearly describe each position and duties, indicating desired qualifications and experience requirements related to the proposed project. Resumes must indicate that the proposed staff member is qualified to carry out the proposed project activities. If a position is to be filled, indicate that information on the proposed position description.
5. Key personnel, once identified, for the organization will require approval by the IHS.
6. If a project requires additional personnel, address how the organization will sustain the position(s) after the funding ends. (If there is no need for additional personnel, simply note it.)

E. Categorical Budget and Budget Justification (10 Points)

1. Provide a categorical budget for each of the 12 month budget periods requested.
2. Provide a narrative justification explaining why each line item is necessary/relevant to the proposed project. Include sufficient cost and other details to facilitate the determination of cost allowability (i.e., equipment specifications, etc.).

F. Multi-Year Project Requirements

Because the project is for multiple years, the second, third, fourth, and fifth years must include a narrative addressing each year's project objectives, evaluation components, workplan, categorical budget, and budget justification.

Appendix Items

A. Workplan for proposed objectives
B. Current up-to-date position descriptions for key staff
C. Consultant proposed scope of work (if applicable)
D. Current approved Organizational chart (optional)
E. Multi-Year Project Requirements
F. Indirect Cost Agreement (if applicable)

Review Selection Process

In addition to the above criteria/requirements, applications are considered according to the following:
A. Application Submission (Application Deadline: July 11, 2008)
Applications submitted in advance of or by the deadline and verified by the postmark will undergo a preliminary review to determine that:
1. The applicant and proposed project is eligible in accordance with this announcement.
2. The application is not a duplication of a previously funded project.
3. The application narrative, forms, and materials submitted meet the requirements of the announcement allowing the review panel to undertake an in-depth evaluation; otherwise, it may be returned.
B. Competitive Review of Eligible Applications (Objective Review: July 30, 2008)
Applications meeting eligibility requirements that are complete, responsive, and conform to this program announcement will be reviewed for merit by the Ad Hoc Objective Review Committee (ORC) appointed by the IHS to review and make recommendations on these applications. The review will be conducted with the IHS Review Guidelines. The technical review process ensures selection of quality projects in a national competition for limited funding. Applications will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria listed in Section VI. The criteria used to evaluate the quality of the proposed project, determine the likelihood of success, and assign a numerical score to each application. The scoring of approved applications will assist the IHS in determining which proposals will be funded if the amount of funding is not sufficient to support the approved application. Applications recommended for approval, having a score of 60 or above by the ORC and scored high enough to be considered for funding, are forwarded to the Division of Grants Operations for cost analysis and further recommendation. The program official accepts the Division of Grants Operations recommendations for consideration when funding applications.

Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

The IHS anticipates an award start date of September 1, 2008.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

Anticipated Notification: August 1, 2008

Grants Management will not award a grant without an approved application in conformance with regulatory and policy requirements which describes the purpose and scope of the project to be funded. The Director, Office of Urban Indian Health Programs, or program official, will notify the contact person named on the each proposal of the results in writing via postal mail. Applicants whose applications are declared ineligible will receive written notification of the ineligibility determination and their original application via postal mail. Applicants who are approved, but unfunded or disapproved will receive a copy of the Executive Summary which identifies weaknesses and strengths of the application submitted. When an application is approved for funding, the Division of Grants Operations will prepare a Notice of Grant Award (NGA) with special terms and conditions binding upon the award and refer to all general terms applicable to the award. The NGA will serve as the official notification of a grant award and will state the amount of Federal funds awarded, the purpose of the award, the project period, and the budget period. Any other correspondence announcing the Project Director that an application was selected is not an authorization to begin performance. Any costs incurred before the receipt of the NGA are at the recipient's risk and are not allowable charges under this cooperative agreement.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Authority and Regulations

This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance at: http://www.cdfa.gov and is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review. Awards are made under the authorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, Title V, Sections 503, 505 and 511 along with the Public Health Service Act 203 and 301A. Awards will be subject to the appropriate OMB Circulars and HHS Grant Regulations at 45 CFR, Pt. 74 and 92. The grant will be administered under the PHS Grants Policy Statement and other applicable agency policies.

Healthy People 2010
The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2010," a PHS led national activity for setting priority areas. This Program Announcement (PA) is related to one or more of the priority areas. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Health People 2010" at http://www.healthypeople.gov.

3. Reporting

A. Progress Report - Program progress reports are required semi-annually. These reports will include brief comparison of actual accomplishments to the goals established for the period, reasons for slippage (if applicable), and other pertinent information as required. A final report must be submitted within 90 days of expiration of the budget/project period.
B. Financial Status Report - Financial status reports are required semi-annually. Standard Form 269 (long form) will be used for financial reporting. A final report must be submitted within 90 days of expiration of the budget/project period.
C. Financial Audit - A financial audit, conducted by an independent auditor will be completed annually for each year within the project (five).

Failure to submit required reports within the time allowed may result in suspension or termination of an active cooperative agreement/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, or cause other eligible projects or activities involving that grantee organization, or the individual responsible for the delinquency to not be funded.

VII. Agency Contacts
Questions on the programmatic and technical issues may be directed to:

Danielle Steward, Health Systems Specialist
Office of Urban Indian Health Programs
801 Thompson Avenue, Room 200
Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 443-4680 or dsteward@hqe.ihs.gov

Questions on grants management and fiscal matters may be directed to:

Pallop Chareonvootitam, Grants Management Specialist
Division of Grants Operations
801 Thompson Avenue, TMP 360
Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 443-5204 or pallop.chareonvootitam@hqe.ihs.gov

VIII. Other Information

The PHS strongly encourages all recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote 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 PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American people.

Date: _______________ ______________________________ Robert G. McSwain
Director
Indian Health Service