DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE
AMERICAN INDIANS INTO MEDICINE
Notice of Competitive Grant Applications for American Indians Into Medicine Program
Announcement Type: New
Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2010-IHS-INMED-0001
CFDA Number: 93.970
Key Dates
Application Deadline: July 21, 2010
Review Date: July 29, 2010
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2010
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Statutory Authority
The Indian Health Service (IHS) is accepting competitive grant applications for the American Indians into Medicine Program. This program is authorized under the authority of 25 U.S.C. 1616g (a), Indian Health Care Improvement Act, Public Law
94-437, as amended by Public Law 111-148.
Purpose
The purpose of the Indians into Medicine Program (INMED) is to augment the number of Indian health professionals serving Indians by encouraging Indians to enter the health professions and removing the multiple barriers to their entrance into the IHS and private practice among Indians. This program is described at 93.970 in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. Costs will be determined in accordance with applicable Office of Management and Budget Circulars. The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of Healthy People 2010, a PHS-led activity for setting priority areas. This program announcement is related to the priority area of Educational and Community-based programs. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of Healthy People 2010, summary report in print, Stock No. 017-001-00547-9, or via CD-ROM, Stock No. 107-001-00549-5, through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7945, (202) 512-1800. You may access this information via the Internet at the following website: www.health.gov/healthypeople.
The PHS strongly encourages all grant and contract recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products. In addition, Pub. L. 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.
II. Award Information
Type of Awards: Grant.
Estimated Funds Available
The total amount identified for Fiscal Year 2010 is approximately $340,000 to provide support for an estimated two awards. The awards are for 12 months in duration and the awards are approximately $170,000 for each grant award. Awards under this announcement are subject to the availability of funds. In the absence of funding, the agency is under no obligation to make awards funded under this announcement.
Anticipated Number of Awards
Approximately two awards will be issued under this program announcement.
Project Period
4 years.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants:
Public and nonprofit private colleges and universities with medical and other allied health programs are eligible to apply for the grants. Public and nonprofit private colleges that operate nursing programs are not eligible under this announcement since the IHS currently funds the Nursing Recruitment grant program.
The existing INMED grant program at the University of North Dakota has as its target population Indian Tribes primarily within the States of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana. A college or university applying under this announcement must propose to conduct its program among Indian Tribes in States not currently served by the University of North Dakota INMED program.
2. Cost Sharing/Matching:
The INMED program does not require matching funds or cost sharing.
3. Other Requirements:
Required Affiliations - The grant applicant must submit official documentation indicating a Tribe's cooperation with and support of the program within the schools on its reservation and its willingness to have a Tribal representative serve on the program advisory board. Documentation must be in the form prescribed by the Tribe’s governing body, i.e., letter of support or Tribal resolution. Documentation must be submitted from every Tribe involved in the grant program. If application budgets exceed the stated dollar amount that is outlined within this announcement, it will not be considered for funding.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Obtaining Application Materials
The application package and instructions may be located at www.Grants.gov or http://www.ihs.gov/NonMedicalPrograms/gogp/index.cfm?module=gogp_funding.
Information regarding the electronic application process may be directed to Paul Gettys, at (301) 443-2114 or Paul.Gettys@ihs.gov. The entire application package is available at: http://www.grants.gov/Apply. Detailed application instructions for this announcement are downloadable on www.Grants.gov.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission:
The application must include the project narrative as an attachment to the application package.
Mandatory documents for all applications include:
• Application forms:
o SF-424.
o SF-424A.
o SF-424B.
• Budget Narrative (must be single spaced).
• Project Narrative (must not exceed 12 pages).
• Tribal Resolution or Tribal Letter of Support (Tribal Organizations only).
• Biographical sketches for all Key Personnel.
• Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) (if applicable).
• Documentation of current OMB A-133 required Financial Audit, if applicable. Acceptable forms of documentation include:
o E-mail confirmation from Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC) that audits were submitted; or
o Face sheets from audit reports. These can be found on the FAC website: http://harvester.census.gov/fac/dissem/accessoptions.html?submit=Retrieve+Records.
Public Policy Requirements:
All Federal wide public policies apply to IHS grants with exception of the Discrimination policy.
Requirements for Project and Budget Narratives
A. Project Narrative: This narrative should be a separate Word document that is no longer than 12 pages (see page limitations for each Part noted below) with consecutively numbered pages. Be sure to place all responses and required information in the correct section or they will not be considered or scored. If the narrative exceeds the page limit, only the first 12 pages will be reviewed. There are three parts to the narrative: Part A – Program Information; Part B – Program Planning and Evaluation; and Part C – Program Report. See below for additional details about what must be included in the narrative.
Part A: Program Information (6 pages)
Section 1: Needs
a. Describe your legal status and organization.
b. State specific objectives of the project, and the extent to which they are measurable and quantifiable, significant to the needs of Indian people, logical, complete, and consistent with the purpose of Section 114 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.
c. Describe briefly what the project intends to accomplish. Identify the expected results, benefits, and outcomes or products to be derived from each objective of the project.
d. Provide a project specific work plan (milestone chart) which lists each objective, the tasks to be conducted in order to reach the objective, and the time frame needed to accomplish each task. Time frames should be projected in a realistic manner to assure that the scope of work can be completed within each budget period. (A work plan format is provided.)
e. In the case of proposed projects for identification of Indians with a potential for education or training in the health professions, include a method for assessing the potential of interested Indians for undertaking necessary education or training in such health professions.
f. State clearly the criteria by which the project's progress will be evaluated and by which the success of the project will be determined.
g. Explain the methodology that will be used to determine if the needs, goals, and objectives identified and discussed in the application are being met and if the results and benefits identified are being achieved.
h. Identify who will perform the evaluation and when.
Part B: Program Planning and Evaluation (3 pages)
Section 1: Program Plans
a. Provide an organizational chart and describe the administrative, managerial and organizational arrangements and the facilities and resources to be utilized to conduct the proposed project (include in appendix).
b. Provide the name and qualifications of the project director or other individuals responsible for the conduct of the project; the qualifications of the principal staff carrying out the project; and a description of the manner in which the applicant’s staff is or will be organized and supervised to carry out the proposed project. Include biographical sketches of key personnel (or job descriptions if the position is vacant) (include in appendix).
c. Describe any prior experience in administering similar projects.
d. Discuss the commitment of the organization, i.e., although not required, the level of non-Federal support. List the intended financial participation, if any, of the applicant in the proposed project specifying the type of contributions such as cash or services, loans of full or part-time staff, equipment, space, materials or facilities or other contributions.
e. Describe the ability to provide outreach and recruitment for health professions to Indian communities including elementary and secondary schools and community colleges located on Indian reservations which will be served by the program.
f. Describe the organization’s plan to incorporate a program advisory board comprised of representatives from the Tribes and communities which will be served by the program.
g. To the maximum extent feasible, employ qualified Indians in the program.
Section 2: Program Evaluation
a. Describe the current and proposed participation of Indians (if any) in your organization.
b. Identify the target Indian population to be served by your proposed project and the relationship of your organization to that population.
c. Describe the methodology to be used to access the target population.
d. Identify affiliation agreements with Tribal community colleges, the IHS, university affiliated programs, and other appropriate entities to enhance the education of Indian students.
e. Identify existing university tutoring, counseling and student support services.
Part C: Program Report (3 pages)
a. Provide data and supporting documentation to substantiate need for
recruitment.
b. Indicate the number of potential Indian students to be contacted and recruited as well as potential cost per student recruited. Those projects that have the potential to serve a greater number of Indians will be given first consideration.
c. Describe methodology to locate and recruit students with educational potential in a variety of health care fields. Primary recruitment efforts must be in the field of medicine with secondary efforts in other allied health fields such as pharmacy, dentistry, medical technology, x-ray technology, etc. The field of nursing is excluded since the IHS does fund the IHS Nursing Recruitment grant program.
B. Budget Narrative: This narrative must describe the budget requested and match the scope of work described the project narrative. The page limitation should not exceed 3 pages.
3. Submission Dates and Times
Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by July 21, 2010 at 12:00 midnight Eastern Standard Time (EST). Any application received after the application deadline will not be accepted for processing, and will be returned to the applicant(s) without further consideration for funding.
If technical challenges arise and assistance is required with the electronic application process, contact Grants.gov Customer Support via e-mail to support@grants.gov or at (800) 518-4726. Customer Support is available to address questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except on Federal holidays). If problems persist, contact Paul Gettys, Division of Grants Policy (DGP) at Paul.Gettys@ihs.gov or at (301) 443-2114. Please be sure to contact Mr. Gettys at least ten days prior to the application deadline. Please do not contact the GPS until you have received a Grants.gov tracking number. In the event you are not able to obtain a tracking number, call the GPS as soon as possible.
If an applicant needs to submit a paper application instead of submitting
electronically via Grants.gov, prior approval must be requested and obtained (see Section 6 - Electronic Submission Requirements for additional information). The waiver must be documented in writing (e-mails are acceptable), before submitting a paper application. A copy of the written approval must be submitted along with the hardcopy that is mailed to the Division of Grants Operations (DGO) (Refer to Section VII to obtain the mailing address). Paper applications that are submitted without a waiver will be returned to the applicant without review or further consideration. Late applications will not be accepted for processing, will be returned to the applicant and will not be considered for funding.
4. Intergovernmental Review:
Executive Order 12372 requiring intergovernmental review is not applicable to this program.
5. Funding Restrictions:
• 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 the applicant does not receive an award or if the award to the recipient is less than anticipated.
• The available funds are inclusive of direct and appropriate indirect costs.
• Only one grant will be awarded per applicant.
• IHS will not acknowledge receipt of applications.
6. Electronic Submission Requirements
Use the http://www.Grants.gov website to submit an application electronically and select the “Apply for Grants” link on the homepage. Download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov website. Electronic copies of the application may not be submitted as attachments to e-mail messages addressed to IHS employees or offices.
Applicants that receive a waiver to submit paper application documents must follow the rules and timelines that are noted below. The applicant must seek assistance at least ten days prior to the application deadline.
Applicants that do not adhere to the timelines for Central Contractor Registry (CCR) and/or Grants.gov registration and/or request timely assistance with technical issues will not be considered for a waiver to submit a paper application.
Please be aware of the following:
• Please search for the application package in Grants.gov by entering the CFDA number or the Funding Opportunity Number. Both numbers are located in the header of this announcement.
• Paper applications are not the preferred method for submitting applications. However, if you experience technical challenges while submitting your application electronically, please contact Grants.gov Support directly at: www.Grants.gov/CustomerSupport or (800) 518-4726. Customer Support is available to address questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except on Federal holidays).
• 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.
• If it is determined that a waiver is needed, you must submit a request in writing (e-mails are acceptable) to Paul.Gettys@ihs.gov with a copy to Tammy.Bagley@ihs.gov. Please include a clear justification for the need to deviate from our standard electronic submission process.
• If the waiver is approved, the application should be sent directly to the DGO by the deadline date of July 21, 2010.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged not to wait until the deadline date to begin the application process through Grants.gov as the registration process for CCR and Grants.gov could take up to ten working days.
• Please use the optional attachment feature in Grants.gov to attach additional documentation that may be requested by the DGO.
• All applicants must comply with any page limitation requirements described in this Funding Announcement.
• After you electronically submit your application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. The DGO will download your application from Grants.gov and provide necessary copies to the appropriate agency officials. Neither the DGO nor the Program Official will notify applicants that the application has been received.
E mail applications will not be accepted under this announcement.
Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Date Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
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 unique nine digit identification number provided by D&B, which uniquely identifies your 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, you may access it through the following website http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform or to expedite the process call (866) 705-5711.
Another important fact is that applicants must also be registered with the CCR and a DUNS number is required before an applicant can complete their CCR registration. Registration with the CCR is free of charge. Applicants may register online at www.ccr.gov. Additional information regarding the DUNS, CCR, and Grants.gov processes can be found at: www.Grants.gov.
Registration with the CCR is free of charge. Applicants may register by calling 1(866) 606-8220. Please review and complete the CCR Registration worksheet located at www.ccr.gov .
V. Application Review Information
Points will be assigned to each evaluation criteria adding up to a total of 100 points. A minimum score of 65 points is required for funding. Points are assigned as follows:
1. Evaluation Criteria
Project Narrative (30 points)
a. Describe your legal status and organization.
b. State specific objectives of the project, and the extent to which they are measurable and quantifiable, significant to the needs of Indian people, logical, complete, and consistent with the purpose of Section 114.
c. Describe briefly what the project intends to accomplish. Identify the
expected results, benefits, and outcomes or products to be derived from each objective of the project.
d. Provide a project specific work plan (milestone chart) which
lists each objective, the tasks to be conducted in order to reach the objective, and the time frame needed to accomplish each task. Time frames should be projected in a realistic manner to assure that the scope of work can be completed within each budget period. (A work plan format is provided.)
e. In the case of proposed projects for identification of Indians with a
potential for education or training in the health professions, include a method for assessing the potential of interested Indians for undertaking necessary education or training in such health professions.
f. State clearly the criteria by which the project's progress will be evaluated and by which the success of the project will be determined.
g. Explain the methodology that will be used to determine if the needs, goals, and objectives identified and discussed in the application are being met and if the results and benefits identified are being achieved.
h. Identify who will perform the evaluation and when.
Program Planning (20 points)
a. Provide an organizational chart and describe the administrative, managerial and organizational arrangements and the facilities and resources to be utilized to conduct the proposed project (include in appendix).
b. Provide the name and qualifications of the project director or other individuals responsible for the conduct of the project; the qualifications of the principal staff carrying out the project; and a description of the manner in which the applicant’s staff is or will be organized and supervised to carry out the proposed project. Include biographical sketches of key personnel (or job descriptions if the position is vacant) (include in appendix).
c. Describe any prior experience in administering similar projects.
d. Discuss the commitment of the organization, i.e., although not required, the level of non-Federal support. List the intended financial participation, if any, of the applicant in the proposed project specifying the type of contributions such as cash or services, loans of full or part-time staff, equipment, space, materials or facilities or other contributions.
e. Describe the ability to provide outreach and recruitment for health professions to Indian communities including elementary and secondary schools and community colleges located on Indian reservations which will be served by the program.
f. Describe the organization’s plan to incorporate a program advisory board comprised of representatives from the Tribes and communities which will be served by the program.
g. To the maximum extent feasible, employ qualified Indians in the program.
Program Evaluation (20 points)
a. Describe the current and proposed participation of Indians (if any) in your organization.
b. Identify the target Indian population to be served by your proposed project and the relationship of your organization to that population.
c. Describe the methodology to be used to access the target population.
d. Identify existing university tutoring, counseling and student support services.
Progress Report (20 points)
a. Provide data and supporting documentation to substantiate need for
recruitment.
b. Indicate the number of potential Indian students to be contacted and
recruited as well as potential cost per student recruited. Those projects that have the potential to serve a greater number of Indians will be given first consideration.
c. Describe methodology to locate and recruit students with educational potential in a variety of health care fields. Primary recruitment efforts must be in the field of medicine with secondary efforts in other allied health fields such as pharmacy, dentistry, medical technology, x-ray technology, etc. The field of nursing is excluded since the IHS does fund the IHS Nursing Recruitment grant program.
Program Budget (10 points)
a. Clearly define the budget. Provide a justification and detailed breakdown of the funding by category for the first year of the project. Information on the project director and project staff should include salaries and percentage of time assigned to the grant. List equipment purchases necessary to conduct of the project.
b. The available funding level of $170,000 is inclusive of both direct and
indirect costs or 8 percent of total direct costs. Because this project is for a training grant, the Department of Health and Human Services' policy limiting reimbursement of indirect cost to the lesser of the applicant's actual indirect costs or 8 percent of total direct costs (exclusive of tuition and related fees and expenditures for equipment) is applicable. This limitation applies to all institutions of higher education.
c. The applicant may include as a direct cost student support costs related to tutoring, counseling, and support for students enrolled in a health career program of study at the respective college or university. Tuition and stipends for regular sessions are not allowable costs of the grant; however, students recruited through the INMED program may apply for funding from the IHS Scholarship Programs.
d. Projects requiring a second, third, and fourth year must include a program narrative and categorical budget and justification for each additional year of funding requested (this is not considered part of the 12-page narrative).
e. Provide budgetary information for summer preparatory programs for Indian students, who need enrichment in the subjects of math and science in order to pursue training in the health professions.
Multi -Year Project Requirements
1. Applications must include a narrative, budget, and budget justification for the second, third and fourth year of funding.
Appendix to include:
a. Resumes and position descriptions
b. Organizational Chart
c. Work Plan
d. Tribal Resolution (s) / letters of support
e. Position Descriptions for Key Staff
2. Review and Selection Process
Each application will be prescreened by the DGO staff for eligibility and completeness as outlined in the funding announcement. Incomplete applications and applications that are non-responsive to the eligibility criteria will not be referred to the Objective Review Committee. Applicants will be notified by DGO, via letter, to outline the missing components of the application.
To obtain a minimum score for funding, applicants must address all program requirements and provide all required documentation. Applicants that receive less than a minimum score will be informed via e-mail of their application’s deficiencies. A summary statement outlining the strengths and weaknesses of the application will be provided to these applicants. The summary statement will be sent to the Authorized Organizational Representative that is identified on the face page of the application.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
The Notice of Award (NoA) will be initiated by the DGO and will be mailed via postal mail to each entity that is approved for funding under this announcement. The NoA will be signed by the Grants Management Officer and this is the authorizing document for which funds are dispersed to the approved entities. The NoA will serve as the official notification of the grant award and will reflect 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. The NoA is the legally binding document and is signed by an authorized grants official within the IHS.
2. Administrative Requirements
Grants are administered in accordance with the following regulations, policies, and OMB cost principles:
A. The criteria as outlined in this Program Announcement.
B. Administrative Regulations for Grants:
• 45 C.F.R., Part 92, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State, Local and Tribal Governments.
• 45 C.F.R., Part 74, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Non profit Organizations.
C. Grants Policy:
• HHS Grants Policy Statement, Revised 01/07.
D. Cost Principles:
• Title 2: Grant and Agreements, Part 225—Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments (OMB A-87).Title 2: Grant and Agreements, Part 230—Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations (OMB Circular A 122).
E. Audit Requirements:
• OMB Circular A 133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non profit Organizations.
3. Indirect Costs
This section applies to all grant recipients that request reimbursement of indirect costs in their grant application. In accordance with HHS Grants Policy Statement, Part II 27, IHS requires applicants to obtain a current indirect cost rate agreement prior to award. The rate agreement must be prepared in accordance with the applicable cost principles and guidance as provided by the cognizant agency or office. A current rate covers the applicable grant activities under the current award’s budget period. If the current rate is not on file with the DGO at the time of award, the indirect cost portion of the budget will be restricted. The restrictions remain in place until the current rate is provided to the DGO.
Generally, indirect costs rates for IHS grantees are negotiated with the Division of Cost Allocation http://rates.psc.gov/ and the Department of Interior (National Business Center) http://www.aqd.nbc.gov/services/ICS.aspx. If your organization has questions regarding the indirect cost policy, please call (301) 443 5204 to request assistance.
4. Reporting Requirements
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.
The reporting requirements for this program are noted below.
A. Progress Report. Program progress reports are required annually. These reports will include a brief comparison of actual accomplishments to the goals established for the period, 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 budget/project period.
B. Financial Status Report. Annual Financial Status Reports (FSR) reports must be submitted within 90 days after the budget period ends.
Final FSRs are due within 90 days of expiration of the project period. Standard Form 269 (long form for those reporting on program income; short form for all others) will be used for financial reporting.
Federal Cash Transaction Reports are due every calendar quarter to the Division of Payment Management, Payment Management Branch, Department of Health and Human Services at: www.dpm.gov. Failure to submit timely reports may cause a disruption in timely payments to your organization.
Grantees are responsible and accountable for accurate reporting of the Progress Reports and Financial Status Reports which are generally due annually. Financial Status Reports (SF 269) are due 90 days after each budget period and the final SF 269 must be verified from the grantee records on how the value was derived.
5. Telecommunication for the hearing impaired is available at: TTY 301-443-6394
VII. Agency Contacts
For grant application and business management information, contact Mr. Roscoe Brunson, Division of Grants Operations, Indian Health Service, 801 Thompson Avenue, Suite 360, Rockville, Maryland 20852 (301) 443-5204.
For program information, contact Ms. Jackie Santiago, Office of Public Health Support, Division of Health Professions Support, 801 Thompson Avenue, Suite 120, Rockville, Maryland, 20852 (301) 443-3396.
Date: ___________________ _____________________________
Randy Grinnell, Deputy Director
Indian Health Service
