[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 110 (Wednesday, June 9, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32792-32797]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-13852]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service


Office of Public Health Support; Division of Planning, Evaluation 
& Research Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) V 
Evidence-Based Interventions for Tribal Communities Against AIDS and 
STDs

    Announcement Type: Competitive Supplements.
    Funding Announcement Number: HHS-2010-IHS-NARCH-0001.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.933.

Key Dates

    Application Deadline Date: June 30, 2010.
    Review Date: July 15, 2010.
    Earliest Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2010.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Statutory Authority

    The Indian Health Service (IHS) is accepting competitive 
supplemental grant applications from existing Native American Research 
Centers for Health (NARCH) V grantees to establish and test Evidence-
Based Interventions for Tribal Communities Against Acquired Immune 
Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). 
This program is authorized under: the Snyder Act, 25 U.S.C. 13, the 
Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 241 as amended, and the Indian 
Health Care Improvement Act, 25 U.S.C. 1602(a)(b)(16). This program is 
described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under 93.933.

Background

    The NARCH V program supports partnerships between Federally 
recognized American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribes or Tribal 
organizations (including national and area Indian health boards, and 
Tribal colleges meeting the definition of a Tribal organization as 
defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(d) or (e)) and institutions that conduct 
intensive academic-level biomedical, behavioral and health services 
research. These partnerships are called Native American Research 
Centers for Health (NARCH). Due to the complexity of factors 
contributing to the health and disease of AI/ANs, and to their health 
disparities compared with other Americans, the collaborative efforts of 
the agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and 
the collaboration of academic researchers and AI/AN communities are 
needed to achieve significant improvements in the health status of AI/
AN people. To accomplish this goal, in addition to objectives set by 
the Tribes, Tribal organizations or Indian health boards, the IHS NARCH 
program pursues the following program objectives:
    To develop a cadre of AI/AN scientists and health professionals--
Opportunities are needed to develop more AI/AN scientists and health 
professionals engaged in research, and to conduct biomedical, clinical, 
behavioral and health services research that is responsive to the needs 
of the AI/AN community and the goals of this initiative. Faculty/
researchers and students at each proposed NARCH develop investigator-
initiated, scientifically meritorious research projects, including 
pilot research projects, and will be supported through science 
education projects designed to increase the numbers of, and to improve 
the research skills of, AI/AN investigators and investigators involved 
with AI/ANs.
    To enhance partnerships and reduce distrust of research by AI/AN 
communities--Recent community-based participatory research suggests 
that AI/AN communities can work collaboratively in partnership with 
health researchers to further the research needs of AI/ANs. Fully 
utilizing all cultural and scientific knowledge, strengths, and 
competencies, such partnerships can lead to better understanding of the 
biological, genetic, behavioral, psychological, cultural, social, and 
economic factors either promoting or hindering improved health status 
of AI/ANs, and generate the development and evaluation of interventions 
to improve their health status. Community distrust of research and 
researchers will be reduced by offering the Tribe greater control over 
the research process.

Purpose

    The purpose of this opportunity for supplementing the existing 
NARCH V program is to determine the feasibility of adapting and 
implementing HIV evidence based interventions (EBI)(s) supported by the 
CDC for effective use within AI/AN communities, and to contribute to, 
and document, a successful adaption and implementation

[[Page 32793]]

in this new population and setting. Baseline and ongoing data will be 
collected and analyzed to help determine future effectiveness of the 
adapted EBI(s).
    While new treatments continue to offer hope for individuals 
infected with HIV, behavioral interventions shown to reduce HIV risk 
behaviors remain one of the most powerful tools in curbing the AIDS 
epidemic. Health departments (HDs) and community-based organizations 
(CBOs) increasingly are required to implement EBI(s) or public health 
strategies (PHSs) that have been shown to be efficacious for HIV 
prevention in rigorous controlled trials. Unfortunately, the 
development of new EBI(s) is a resource-intensive process that has not 
progressed as quickly as the epidemiology of the disease. One method to 
accelerate this process is by adapting existing EBI(s) supported by 
CDC's previous Prevention Research Synthesis (PRS), Replicating 
Effective Programs (REP), and Diffusion of Effective Behavioral 
Interventions (DEBI) projects for new populations or settings. This 
announcement responds to concerns from the field and many AI/AN 
communities that existing EBI(s) do not address the focused HIV 
prevention needs of AI/ANs due, at least in part, to lack of cultural 
relevance and to the absence of effectiveness data for these 
interventions with respect to Tribal communities.
    These supplements will facilitate the creation and testing of 
culturally adapted and evidence based interventions against AIDS and 
STDs. The methodology of Tribal or community based participatory 
research (T/CBPR) is expected to be the most effective approach to 
selecting, adapting and testing an existing EBI for deployment and 
maximal effectiveness in a given Tribal community. Effective T/CBPR 
partnerships can take years to develop, but the need for culturally 
relevant EBI(s) is urgent. Fortunately, a number of such partnerships 
have already been created under the NARCH program. These partnerships 
are an already existing T/CBPR infrastructure whose core purposes 
include the ability to help the Tribes respond to urgent research needs 
and opportunities, such as the object of this announcement.
    Grantees will test the use of a T/CBPR adaptation model to assist 
agencies with the process of tailoring an existing prevention 
intervention, previously shown to be effective and catalogued by CDC, 
for use in different small or hard-to-access AI/AN population at risk 
for HIV infection. When adapting the EBI, the core elements that 
contributed to the efficacy of the original intervention will be 
maintained, which will increase efficiency of adaptation. Each 
grantee's ability to successfully adapt, tailor, and implement their 
chosen intervention will be monitored and evaluated, and all 
operational processes will be documented.
    The nature of these projects will require collaboration to: (1) 
Coordinate activities with the IHS Research Program and IHS National 
HIV Program and (2) acquire technical assistance from the IHS Research 
Program and the Capacity Building Branch (CBB) of the Division of HIV/
AIDS Prevention (DHAP) at CDC.
    Proposed activities that cover large populations and/or 
geographical areas that do not necessarily correspond with current IHS 
administrative areas are allowed. In conducting activities to achieve 
the purpose of this program, the recipient will be responsible for the 
activities under: 1. Recipient Activities, and HHS will be responsible 
for conducting activities under 2. HHS Activities.
1. Recipient Activities
    <bullet> Conduct targeted research and literature review on the 
question of whether any of the existing EBI supported by CDC can be 
successfully adapted to an AI/AN population at risk.
    <bullet> Identify the unique risk behaviors and contextual factors 
that lead to an increased risk of HIV acquisition or transmission.
    <bullet> Conduct pre-implementation phases of assessment, 
adaptation, tailoring of intervention, and IRB submission.
    <bullet> Assess EBI(s) to determine their compatibility with the 
needs of the community and IHS capacity and resources. No EBI(s) are 
capable of addressing all of the identified risk behaviors and 
contextual factors in the selected population. NARCH partners will 
select those most suitable for adaptation and implementation (i.e., the 
EBI that can be adapted to be most responsive to identified risk 
behaviors, contextual factors, and circumstances).
    <bullet> Review adaptations to determine cultural proficiency.
    <bullet> Conduct process evaluation to document an evidence base 
for the adaptations.
    <bullet> Adapt and tailor selected interventions to meet the needs 
of the AI/AN population identified.
    <bullet> Implement the adapted and tailored interventions.
    <bullet> Evaluate the utility and effectiveness of the adaptation 
and tailoring of the intervention.
    <bullet> Evaluate the effectiveness of the adapted and tailored 
intervention. Compare the magnitude of behavioral/biologic change in 
the original and adapted interventions using measures from the original 
intervention with as little modification as possible (i.e. unprotected 
sex, condom negotiation, numbers of sex partners, etc).
    <bullet> Collaborate with IHS national programs (IHS Research 
Program and IHS National HIV Program) per quarterly meetings (including 
use of telecommunications) and by providing data on a bi-annual basis, 
identifying and documenting best practices for developing and 
implementing interventions.
    <bullet> Document the operational processes used during adaptation, 
tailoring, implementation and evaluation.
    <bullet> Report to IHS Research Program. A three page mid-year 
progress report and no more than a ten-page summary annual assessment 
and evaluation at the end of each project year. The report should 
establish the impact and outcomes of various methods of adapting, 
tailoring and implementing the intervention.
2. HHS Activities (IHS Research and HIV Programs and CDC)
    <bullet> Provide funded NARCH with ongoing consultation and 
technical assistance to plan, implement, and evaluate each component of 
the comprehensive program as described under Recipient Activities 
above. Consultation and technical assistance will include, but not be 
limited to, the following areas:
    (a) CDC will train grantee(s) to deliver the original intervention. 
Grantees trained in the original intervention will develop an adapted 
and tailored intervention training curriculum based on the original 
intervention training included in the REP intervention package. 
Grantees will train local staff.
    (b) Provide oversight and technical assistance throughout 
adaptation, tailoring, implementation and evaluation. Awardees will 
implement the adapted intervention tailored to address the AI/AN 
population and locale.
    (c) Analyze Data: Participate in analysis of data gathered from 
project activities; assist in reporting and disseminating results.
    (d) Provide overall operational planning and program management.
    <bullet> Conduct site visits to assess program progress and 
mutually resolve problems, as needed.
    <bullet> Coordinate these activities with all IHS HIV activities on 
a national basis.
    <bullet> Coordinate with the CBB of DHAP at CDC to provide 
technical assistance related to the selection of the

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appropriate EBI or PHS, cultural and linguistic adaptation of the 
intervention and supporting materials, and training of facilitators.

II. Award Information

Type of Awards

    Competitive supplemental revisions to existing NARCH V awards.

Estimated Funds Available

    The total amount of funding identified for the current fiscal year 
(FY) 2010 is approximately $1,800,000. Competing and continuation 
awards issued 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

    Three supplements of $600,000 per grantee are anticipated in FY 
2010 under the existing NARCH V awards. Additional NARCH awards may be 
supplemented, if additional funds become available.

Project Period

    Projects will be funded for one annual budget period. There will be 
yearly continuation applications required. The continuation years will 
be pending funding and based on the following:
    <bullet> Satisfactory progress.
    <bullet> Availability of funds and agency capacity to sustain 
program(s).
    <bullet> Continuing need for IHS to support the program (program 
priorities).

    Awardees will be required to submit semi-annual cumulative progress 
reports, as described within this announcement and existing NARCH V 
Notices of Grant Award (NoA), as well as the Standard Form (SF) 2590 
and a Progress Report, annually and financial statements as required in 
the PHS Grants Policy Statement, revised 0107. Forms are available at 
the following Web site http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/2590/2590.htm. The progress report should provide information about changes 
in the program and a summary report of any evaluations. These bi-annual 
reports will be closely monitored by the IHS staff to ensure that the 
grant is achieving the goals of the Office of HIV/AIDS Policy (OHAP) 
and the NARCH program.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligibility

    Eligible applicants are limited to current NARCH grantees with at 
least two years remaining of their current NARCH project period. Proof 
of eligibility status will be confirmed by the IHS Research Program. No 
current grantees other than existing NARCH V grantees are expected to 
meet this remaining project period requirement.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    The NARCH Program does not require matching funds or cost sharing.

3. Other Requirements

    Letters of intent are not required under this announcement.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Obtaining Application Materials

    1. The application package and instructions can be requested from 
the NARCH Program Official, Reyes Building, 801 Thompson Avenue, 
Rockville, MD 20852 or by e-mail to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3f515e4d5c577f56574c11585049"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="adc3ccdfcec5edc4c5de83cac2db">[email protected]</span></a>. The National 
Institutes of Health (NIH) PHS 398 application instructions are 
available in an interactive format at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html. Applicants must use the currently approved 
version of the PHS 398. For further assistance contact Mr. Paul Gettys 
Telephone (301) 443-2114, E-mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#db8bbaaeb7f59cbeafafa2a89bb2b3a8f5bcb4ad"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b6e6d7c3da98f1d3c2c2cfc5f6dfdec598d1d9c0">[email protected]</span></a>. In any instance 
where the PHS 398 instructions are contradicted by this announcement, 
the instructions in this announcement must be followed. PHS 398 page 
limits should be followed as for NIH activity Code R21.

2. Content and Form Application Submission

    Mandatory documents for all applicants include:
    <bullet> Application forms:
    <bullet> PHS-398 Package http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html;
    <bullet> Documentation of current OMB A-133 required Financial 
Audit, if applicable. Acceptable forms of documentation include:
    [cir] E-mail confirmation from Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC) 
that audits were submitted; or
    [cir] Face sheets from audit reports. These can be found on the FAC 
Web site: http://harvester.census.gov/fac/dissem/accessoptions.html?submit=Retrieve+Records.
    <bullet> Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) (if 
applicable).

Public Policy Requirements

    All Federal-wide public policies apply to IHS grants with exception 
of the Discrimination policy.
3. Submission Dates and Times
    Submit a typed and signed original application, including the 
Checklist, and five (5) single-sided photocopies of the entire 
application (including Appendices and supporting documents) in one 
package to: Division of Grants Operations, Indian Health Service, Reyes 
Building, 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP 360, Rockville, MD 20852-1627 Attn: 
Mr. Roscoe Brunson, (zip code is unchanged for express/courier 
services), Telephone: (301) 443-5204 by no later than 5pm EDT on June 
30, 2010.
    Letters of Intent: Letters of Intent will not be required under 
this funding opportunity announcement.
4. Intergovernmental Review
    Executive Order 12372 requiring intergovernmental review is not 
applicable to this program.
5. Funding Restrictions
    <bullet> Pre-award costs are not allowable under this announcement.
    <bullet> The available funds are inclusive of direct and 
appropriate indirect costs.
    <bullet> Only one grant/cooperative agreement will be awarded per 
applicant.
    <bullet> IHS will not acknowledge receipt of applications.
6. Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data 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 business entities. 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, access http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform or by phone 
(866) 705-5711.

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

    The instructions for preparing the application narrative also 
constitute the evaluation criteria for reviewing and scoring the 
application. Weights assigned to each section are noted in parentheses. 
The narrative should include all prior years of activity; information 
for multi-year projects should be included as an appendix (see E. 
``Categorical Budget and Budget Justification'') at the end of this 
section for more information. It should be well organized, succinct, 
and contain all

[[Page 32795]]

information necessary for reviewers to understand the project fully. 
You are required to provide measures of effectiveness that will 
demonstrate the accomplishment of the various identified research 
objectives of the grant. Measures of effectiveness must relate to the 
purpose and goal stated in the ``Funding Description'' section of this 
announcement. Measures should include process and outcome information 
and contain both quantitative and qualitative data that measure the 
intended outcome. These measures of effectiveness must be submitted 
with the application and will be an element of evaluation. The goals of 
this IHS-supported research are to advance the understanding of HIV/
AIDS-related behavior and biological systems, improve the control and 
prevention of HIV/AIDS, and enhance community health and wellness. In 
the written comments, reviewers will be asked to evaluate the 
application and the likelihood that the proposed research will have a 
substantial impact on the pursuit of these goals.
A. Significance (10 Points)
    a. Is the proposed selection process of the specific EBI to be 
implemented justified in terms of AI/AN risk, AI/AN behavior, and HIV 
or STD epidemiology? Are the proposed interventions and populations 
realistically matched in terms of behavioral determinants and risk 
behaviors? Is the applicant's selected AI/AN population either small 
with high HIV incidence or harder to gain access to (e.g. male-to-
female transgender, men who have sex with other men, rural communities 
with high stigma, etc.)? Is the selected population HIV positive? If 
HIV has not yet been detected in the population, are there existing STD 
or blood-borne disease problems that suggest a fertile field for HIV 
dissemination if the virus were to enter the community?
    b. If the aims of the application are achieved, how will scientific 
knowledge in AI/AN be advanced? What will be the effect of these 
studies on AI/AN communities and what will be the benefits to service 
providers and/or communities?
    c. Define the project target population, identify their unique 
characteristics, and describe the impact of HIV and/or other STDs or 
blood-borne diseases on the population.
B. Research Objectives and Approach (40 Points)
    Applicants should address the following research objectives in 
their application:
    a. Process of selection, adaptation, tailoring and implementation 
of the EBI. One potential EBI may be selected to use as a tentative 
example in the application, to illustrate the approach that is planned 
by the applicant. However, if used, the example EBI should be justified 
for the anticipated population, either in terms of relevant theory or 
based on preliminary, preparatory T/CBPR activity such as meetings with 
Tribal officials, groups, Community Advisory Boards of the existing 
NARCH, or focus groups. Use of a specific EBI as an example as 
described above is not required in the application and is only one of 
various different ways the applicant may choose to describe their 
approach. If an example EBI is chosen for use in the application, it 
will not necessarily be the EBI finally chosen by the grantee's full 
eventual process if the grant is funded.
    b. Refinement of adaptation and tailoring guidance.
    c. Research plan should address activities to be conducted over the 
entire project period. Are the conceptual framework, design, methods, 
and analyses adequately developed, well-integrated, and appropriate to 
the aims of the project? Does the applicant acknowledge potential 
problem areas and consider alternative tactics?
    d. How will grantee gain access to and rapidly assess the specific 
population(s) (i.e., via community planning groups, community advisory 
boards, focus groups)? Has the applicant used local data to inform the 
current RFA? Are there existing relationships between the applicant and 
local/Tribal public health authorities and/or Tribal or IHS medical 
providers? Is the plan to obtain appropriate Tribal and/or Board 
approval(s) to test the intervention adequately described?
    e. Has the applicant demonstrated how they will establish and 
maintain collaboration with universities, research partners, IHS 
national programs, etc.?
    f. Has the applicant chosen an adequate sample size and 
demonstrated access to at least that many members of the target 
population who are not currently receiving intervention, particularly 
if the population is small or hard-to-reach?
    g. Has the applicant included a relative timeline or action plan 
for each phase of activities (selection, assessment, adaptation, 
tailoring, implementation, and evaluation including milestones; costs; 
development of materials (i.e., adapted and tailored training 
curriculum, evaluation tools, checklists) and required reports? 
Absolute timelines and dates will not be required. However, each 
necessary step should be described, in logical order, to complete the 
project within the total budget amount allowed ($600,000).
    h. Has the applicant demonstrated sufficient understanding of 
EBI(s) as set forth by the CDC?
    i. Describe how the program will ensure that the intervention 
services and analyses will be culturally sensitive and relevant.
C. Innovation (10 Points)
    a. Does the project employ concepts, approaches or methods novel to 
standard biomedical science?
    b. Does the project challenge existing paradigms or develop new 
methodologies or technologies?
    c. Is the target sub-population one that is not typically targeted 
for behavioral intervention research (e.g. AI/AN transgender, AI/AN men 
who have sex with other men, AI/AN communities, etc)?
D. Project Evaluation and Reporting (20 Points)
    a. Does the grantee provide a clear and organized plan for 
monitoring and evaluating each phase of the project through 
implementation, and to identify best practices?
    b. Has the applicant provided a quality assurance plan that 
addresses all phases of adaptation, tailoring, implementation and 
evaluation and included personnel responsible for ensuring quality? Has 
the applicant provided a plan for documenting process measures 
including who is responsible, processes to be measured, and sample 
tools that might be used?
    c. Do the outcomes and performance measures described in the 
evaluation include both quantitative and qualitative approaches?
    d. Reporting Requirements. Does application provide a clear and 
organized plan to strictly adhere to reporting requirements set forth 
in section VI.4.?
    e. Based on the plans for monitoring, evaluation through each 
phase, and reporting, does the grantee demonstrate obvious 
understanding of the evaluation and reporting processes and 
requirements?
E. Organizational Capacity (10 Points)
    This section outlines the broader capacity of the organization to 
complete the project outlined in the work plan. It includes the 
identification of principal investigator and personnel responsible for 
completing tasks for successful completion of the project.
    a. Describe the ability of the organization to manage the proposed

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research project and the quality of the established NARCH 
partnership(s).
    b. Include information regarding any similarly sized projects in 
scope and financial assistance as well as any other similar projects 
successfully completed and/or under way.
    c. Note who will be writing the required reports.
F. Categorical Budget and Budget Justification (10 Points)
    Is the proposed budget reasonable in relation to the proposed work 
and research? Applicants must provide an itemized budget to complete 
the project in one year and budget justification for direct and 
indirect costs.
    a. Narrative justification for all costs, explaining why each line 
item is necessary or relevant to the proposed project.
    b. Budget justification should include a brief program narrative 
for the second and third years, in the event that the project is not 
completed in the first year.

2. Review and Selection

    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:
    <bullet> 45 CFR, Part 92, Uniform Administrative Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State, Local and Tribal 
Governments.
    <bullet> 45 CFR, Part 74, Uniform Administrative Requirements for 
Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, 
and other Non-profit Organizations.
    C. Grants Policy:
    <bullet> HHS Grants Policy Statement, Revised 01/07.
    D. Cost Principles:
    <bullet> Title 2: Grant and Agreements, Part 225--Cost Principles 
for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments (OMB A-87).
    <bullet> Title 2: Grant and Agreements, Part 230--Cost Principles 
for Non-Profit Organizations (OMB Circular A-122).
    E. Audit Requirements:
    <bullet> 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 (DCA) http://rates.psc.gov/and the 
Department of Interior (National Business Center) http://www.aqd.nbc.gov/indirect/indirect.asp. If your organization has 
questions regarding the indirect cost policy, please call (301) 443-
5204 to request assistance.

4. Reporting Requirements

    The reporting requirements for this program are noted below.
A. Progress Reports
    Program progress reports are required semi-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 Reports
    Semi-annual Financial Status Reports (FSR) reports must be 
submitted within 30 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 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 semi-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.
    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.
    Telecommunication for the hearing impaired is available at: TTY 
(301) 443-6394.

[[Page 32797]]

VII. Agency Contacts

    Grants (Business): For specific grant-related and business 
management information:

Roscoe Brunson, Grants Management Specialist, 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP, 
Suite 360, Rockville, MD 20852, (301) 443-5204 or 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#74061b07171b115a1606011a071b1a341d1c075a131b02"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d9abb6aabab6bcf7bbabacb7aab6b799b0b1aaf7beb6af">[email protected]</span></a>.

    Program (Programmatic/Technical): For program-related and general 
information regarding this announcement:

Alan Trachtenberg, MD, MPH, IHS Research Program, 801 Thompson Ave, TMP 
Suite 450, Rockville, MD 20852, (301) 443-0578 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0f616e7d6c674f66677c21686079"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="86e8e7f4e5eec6efeef5a8e1e9f0">[email protected]</span></a>.

    Dated: June 2, 2010.
Yvette Roubideaux,
Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-13852 Filed 6-8-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-16-P


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