[Federal Register: February 13, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 30)]
[Notices]
[Page 8322-8326]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13fe08-88]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Indian Health Service
Office of Clinical and Preventive Services; Demonstration Project
for Healthy Lifestyles in Youth
Announcement Type: New.
Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2008-IHS-HLY-0001
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.933
Key Dates: Application Deadline Date: April 18, 2008.
Review Date: May 2, 2008.
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: May 16, 2008.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
The Indian Health Service (IHS) announces a cooperative agreement,
HHS-2008-IHS-HLY-0001 for Tribes or Tribal organizations to promote
healthy lifestyles among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN)
youth using the curriculum ``Together Raising Awareness for Indian
Life'' (TRAIL) among selected Boys and Girls Club sites. This program
is authorized under the authority of the Snyder Act, 25 U.S.C. 13;
section 301 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended; and the
Indian Health Care Improvement Act, 25 U.S.C. 1652 and 1621(b). This
program is described at 93.933 in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance (CFDA).
Under this grant opportunity, IHS proposes to enter into a
collaborative effort/initiative with an eligible Tribal entity that has
experience in addressing healthy lifestyle techniques in AI/AN youth.
The purpose of the initiative is to address healthy lifestyle
development with a focus on nutrition and physical activity for
children and youth 6 through 17 years of age. The eligible Tribal
entity will work with Tribal Boys and Girls Club sites to provide
health and physical education by helping youth: Achieve and maintain
healthy lifestyles through fitness programs; acquire a range of
physical skills; and develop a sense of teamwork and cooperation. These
early intervention opportunities may reduce and/or halt the increasing
trend of obesity and diabetes among youth and young adults. Clubs that
develop a health promotion program that includes the TRAIL curriculum
may curtail the effects of unhealthy eating behaviors and lack of
physical activity that can lead to obesity, diabetes, and other chronic
diseases later in life.
The TRAIL curriculum was developed to provide information on good
nutrition and promoting physical activity among adolescents
participating in Tribal Boys and Girls Clubs. This work will support
the IHS mission to improve the health of AI/AN youth through health
promotion and health education programs. Boys and Girls Club sites that
are located outside of Tribal communities will not be considered by the
grantee.
TRAIL was piloted at 40 AI/AN Boys and Girls Club of America (BGCA)
sites located in 19 states where the overall results showed improvement
in participant knowledge. For all eligible applicants that want to
obtain additional information regarding the TRAIL curriculum, contact
the IHS program official (see section VII).
To support this project, the awarded grantee will select and assist
35 AI/AN Boys and Girls Club sites to establish and implement this
curriculum project. The selected sites must serve 100% Federally-
recognized AI/AN youth. The Boys and Girls Club sites selected by the
grantee must not support State-recognized or non-natives using IHS
grant funds. The grantee will be expected to: Provide technical
consultation; train; monitor; evaluate; as well as provide funds to
support these activities.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.
Estimated Funds Available: The IHS intends to commit approximately
$1,000,000 each year. Total project period is three 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 issued under this
announcement.
[[Page 8323]]
Project Period: May 16, 2008--May 15, 2011 (three year project
period).
Award Amount: $1,000,000 per year for three years and all future
support is subject to the availability of funds.
Programmatic Involvement:
It is expected that the grantee will:
1. Develop a written plan for the planning, implementation, and
evaluation of this project to include selection of at least 35
demonstration sites as agreed upon with the IHS. The selected sites
must serve 100% Federally recognized AI/AN youth. The Boys and Girls
Club sites selected by the grantee must not support State-recognized
Tribes or non-natives using IHS grant funds. This task will be
completed within 30 days from award and approved by the IHS. A start-up
planning meeting will be conducted within 3 months of the initial
(first year) award.
(a) Develop selection criteria, announce, evaluate, and select
sites. Sites must submit documentation verifying they serve only AI/AN
youth from Federally recognized Tribes as a requirement for selection
by the grantee.
(b)Develop, in consultation with the IHS, the implementation of the
TRAIL curriculum, and technical assistance plan for the coordination of
the 35 sites. Submit criteria to the IHS for approval. Grantee will
work with sites to develop measurements to assess physical activity and
nutrition behaviors among club participants.
(c) Each site will implement the TRAIL program, emphasizing healthy
behaviors such as physical activity and nutrition. Each program plan
will also include a parent component describing approaches for
involving the families of participants.
(d) Each site will implement a 6-minute walk test three times, six
to eight weeks apart. Physical activity data will be collected and
summarized.
2. Promote and facilitate local, state, and national partnerships
for the purpose of establishing or enhancing program support that
involves increasing physical activity and good nutrition for the
Tribally-managed Boys and Girls Club sites. This includes but is not
limited to establishing other partners such as American Indian-Alaska
Native Program Branch (AI-ANPB) of Head Start Programs, Wings of
America, United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY), Tribal
colleges, BGCA, Tribal organizations, local community health providers
and other private organizations as appropriate.
3. Implement evaluation processes in consultation with the IHS on
an agreed upon evaluation plan for the TRAIL project. At a minimum, the
evaluation will include:
(a) Training attendance (gender, age, grade level); and
(b) Pre- and post-tests to assess participant knowledge. Submit
summarized data to the IHS.
4. Collect, collate, and submit monthly activity logs from each
site on the physical activity portion of their program. Daily data to
be collected includes the date, number of minutes of physical activity,
and number of children participating. Submit collated and summarized
data to the IHS.
5. Work with the IHS in drafting an evaluation summary at the end
of the project period for publication.
6. Provide ongoing technical support to the sites for the duration
of the initiative. The planning, design and delivery of training and
technical assistance will support the local organization's long-term
planning and outreach efforts. The training will be customized based on
sites' capability and experience. Technical assistance will also be
provided on program planning and implementation.
(a) Plan and facilitate an orientation and training meeting for the
sites within 60 days of selection. Submit agenda, training goals and
objectives, and participant list to IHS within 30 days of completion.
(b) Provide technical consultation to the sites in developing a
written work plan, with measurable goals, objectives and activities.
Each site will include activities for the individual child and family,
community involement and an identifiable community health partner.
(c) Establish a formal agreement with Tribal Boys and Girls Club
sites which involves minimal fiscal assistance but substantial
technical support to make sure clubs successfully implement the TRAIL
project.
(d) Conduct on-site technical assistance visits to each of the
selected sites. Visits will be initiated within 30 days of selection.
(e) Submit to the IHS a written work plan and report describing
each site's demographics, information on the number of youth in the
eligible age range in the catchment area, the number that attend the
Boys and Girls Clubs regularly, and the number served by this project,
demonstrated need, community assessment data, goals, objectives,
activities, partnerships, and proposed outcomes within 60 days of site
selection.
(f) Provide training and technical assistance in all forms, i.e.,
on-site, on-line, by phone, and mail. Collaborate with IHS to provide
services to club sites. Maintain records and reports.
(g) Provide IHS written quarterly reports on the evaluation
outcomes, activity reports at each site, any parent involvement
activities and other participation, description of the community
partnerships, and other activities as appropriate.
(h) Conduct quarterly conference calls with IHS to review project
status.
(i) Provide quarterly reports (feedback) to each site on how their
data compare to data (mean, median, and range) from other selected
sites.
IHS will:
1. Identify a core group of IHS staff to work with the grantee in
providing technical assistance and guidance.
2. Meet with the grantee to review grantee work plan and provide
guidance on implementation and data collection tools. The IHS will be
able to share information on lessons learned from implementing the
curriculum with the pilot sites.
3. Participate in quarterly conference calls. Work with the grantee
to showcase the results of this project by publishing on shared
websites as well as in jointly authored publications.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Federally recognized Tribes,
2. Tribal organizations, and
3. Non-profit Urban Indian organizations.
Applicant must provide proof of Federal recognition status.
Cost Sharing or Matching--This program does not require matching
funds or cost sharing.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Applicant package may be found in Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) or at: http://www.ihs.gov/NonMedicalPrograms/gogp/
gogp_funding.asp Web sites. Information regarding the electronic
application process may be directed to Michelle G. Bulls, at (301) 443-
6290. Detailed application instructions for this announcement are
downloadable from Grants.gov. Please see section VII for agency
contacts regarding programmatic and/or business-related questions.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission:
Be single spaced.
Be typewritten.
Have consecutively numbered pages.
Use black type not smaller than 12 characters per one
inch.
Contain a narrative that does not exceed 15 typed pages
that includes the other submission requirements below. The 15 page
narrative does not include the work plan, standard forms, table of
[[Page 8324]]
contents, budget, budget justifications, narratives, and/or other
appendix items.
Contain two letters of support that demonstrate past
working experiences in promoting the health and well-being of AI/AN
youth at a national level.
Public Policy Requirements: All Federal-wide public policies apply
to IHS grants.
3. Submission Dates and Times:
The application must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov
by April 18, 2008 by 12 midnight Eastern Standard Time (EST). If
technical challenges arise and you are unable to successfully complete
the 9 electronic application process, you must contact Michelle G.
Bulls, Grants Policy Staff 15 days prior to the application deadline
and advise of the difficulties that you are experiencing. You must
obtain prior approval, in writing (e-mails 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 without review or consideration.
Telecommunication for the hearing impaired is available at 301-443-
6394. A late application will be returned 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 92, 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
applicant does not receive an award or if the award to the recipient is
less than anticipated.
B. The available funds are inclusive of direct and applicable
indirect costs.
C. Only one grant will be awarded.
6. Other Submission Requirements:
Electronic Submission--You 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 a.m. to 9 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. You must seek assistance at least
15 days prior to the application deadline. If you do not adhere to the
timelines for Central Contractor Registry (CCR), Grants.gov
registration and request timely assistance with technical issues, paper
application submission may not be granted.
To submit an application electronically, please use the http://www.Grants.gov
Web site. Download a copy of the application package on
the Grants.gov Web site, complete it offline and then uploaded and
submit to 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:
Under the new IHS application submission requirements,
paper applications are not the preferred method. However, if there are
technical problems submitting the application on-line, you should
contact directly Grants.gov Customer Support at: http://www.grants.gov/CustomerSupport
.
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 you are still unable to
successfully submit the application on-line, please contact Michelle G.
Bulls, GPS, at (301) 443-6290 at least 15 days prior to the application
deadline to advise her of the difficulties experienced.
If it is determined that a formal waiver is necessary, you
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, 801
Thompson Avenue, TMP 360, Rockville, MD 20852 by April 18, 2008.
Upon entering the Grants.gov Web site, there is
information available that outlines the requirements regarding
electronic submission of application and hours of operation. We
strongly encourage that applicants do not wait until the deadline date
to begin the application process as the registration process for CCR
and Grants.gov could take up to 15 working days.
To use Grants.gov, applicants must have a Dun and
Bradstreet (DUNS) Number and be registered in the CCR. You should allow
a minimum of 10 working days to complete CCR registration. See below on
how to apply.
You must submit all documents electronically, including
all information typically included on the SF-424 and all necessary
assurances and certifications.
Please use the optional attachment feature in Grants.gov
to attach additional documentation that may be requested by IHS.
You must comply with any page limitation requirements
described in the program announcement.
After the application is submitted electronically, you
will receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that contains
a Grants.gov tracking number. The Division of Grants Operations (DGO)
will retrieve applications from Grants.gov. The DGO will notify
applicants that their application has been received.
You may access the electronic application for this program
on http://www.Grants.gov.
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.
To receive an application package, you must provide the
Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2008-IHS-HLY-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
.
More detailed information regarding these registration processes
can be found at http://www.grants.gov.
[[Page 8325]]
V. Application Review Information
1. 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 first year of activities; information
for multi-year projects should be included as an appendix (see D.
Categorical Budget and Budget Justification at the end of this section
for more information). The narrative should be written in a manner that
is clear to outside reviewers unfamiliar with prior related activities
of your organization. It should be well organized, succinct, and
contain all information necessary for reviewers to understand the
project fully.
A. Understanding of the Need and Necessary Capacity (30 points)
Applicant should demonstrate knowledge in:
(1) Health concerns of AI/AN youth.
(2) Health promotion activities in Tribal communities such as BGCA.
(3) Working with Tribes and Tribal organizations.
B. Work Plan (20 points)
This section should demonstrate the soundness and effectiveness of
the applicant's proposal. The annual work plan should reflect
deliverables and milestones of the TRAIL project. The work plan should
be designed to:
(1) Describe how and when the sites will be selected.
(2) Describe how the sites will be trained on the curriculum and
provided technical assistance.
(3) Describe the plan for collecting data, monitoring, and assuring
quality and quantity of data.
(4) Describe the plan for evaluating and reporting.
(5) Describe how sites will be supported for a physical activity
program with equipment and participant incentives.
Organizational Capabilities and Qualifications (40 points)
This section outlines the broader capacity of the organization to
complete the project outlined in the work plan. It includes the
identification of personnel responsible for completing tasks and the
chain of responsibility for successful completion of the project
outline in the work plan.
(1) Describe the structure of the organization.
(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 grants and projects
successfully completed.
(3) Describe what equipment (i.e., phone, Web sites, 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 throughout the agreement.
(4) List key personnel who will work on the project.
a. Identify existing personnel and new program staff to be hired or
contracted.
b. In the appendix, include position descriptions and resumes for
all key personnel. Position descriptions should clearly describe each
position and duties indicating desired qualifications experience,
requirements related to the proposed project and how they will be
supervised. Resumes must indicate that the proposed staff member is
qualified to carry out the proposed project activities and who will
determine if the work of a contractor is acceptable.
c. Note who will be writing the progress reports.
d. If a position is to be filled, indicate that information on the
proposed position description.
e. If the project requires additional personnel beyond those
covered by the cooperative agreement funds, (i.e., IT support,
volunteers, interviewers, etc.), note these and address how these
positions will be filled and, if funds are required, the source of
these funds.
f. If personnel are to be only partially funded by this cooperative
agreement, indicate the percentage of time to be allocated to this
project and identify the resources used to fund the remainder of the
individual's salary.
Applicant should demonstrate knowledge in:
(1) Financial and project management.
(2) Nationwide experience in providing administrative and support
services to Tribal youth organizations, education agencies and other
Tribal programs for the benefit of children and youth.
(3) AI/AN youth and Tribal communities. Indicate experience in
national partnerships or national support efforts on behalf of AI/AN
communities especially as it pertains to health concerns.
(4) Applicant should have at least two years of specialized
experience working with Tribal Boys and Girls Club sites and the TRAIL
curriculum program.
Categorical Budget and Budget Justification (10 points)
This section should provide a clear estimate of the project program
costs and justification for expenses for the entire cooperative
agreement period. The budget and budget justification should be
consistent with the tasks identified in the work plan.
(1) Categorical budget (Form SF 424A, Budget Information Non-
Construction Programs) completing each of the budget periods requested.
(2) Narrative justification for all costs, explaining why each line
item is necessary or relevant to the proposed project. Include
sufficient details to facilitate the determination of cost
allowability.
(3) Indication of any special start-up costs.
(4) Budget justification should include a brief program narrative
for the second and third years.
(5) If indirect costs are claimed, indicate and apply the current
negotiated rate to the budget. Include a copy of the rate agreement in
the appendix.
2. Review and Selection Process
In addition to the above criteria/requirements, the application
will be considered according to the following:
A. The submission deadline: April 18, 2008. The application
submitted in advance of or by the deadline and verified by the postmark
will undergo a preliminary review to determine that:
(1) The applicant 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 reviewers to
undertake an in-depth evaluation; otherwise, it may be returned.
3. Anticipated Award Dates
Anticipated Award Date: May 16, 2008.
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. The NoA will be signed by the Grants Management
Officer and this is the authorizing document for which funds are
dispersed. The NoA is the legal binding document, will serve as the
official notification of the cooperative agreement award and will
reflect the amount of Federal funds awarded for the purpose of the
cooperative agreement, the terms and conditions of the award, the
effective date of the award, and the budget/project period.
2. Administrative Requirements
Grants are administered in accordance with the following documents:
[[Page 8326]]
This Program Announcement.
45 CFR part 74, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for
Awards to Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, Other Non-Profit
Organizations, and Commercial Organizations.''
Grants Policy Guidance: HHS Grants Policy Statement,
January 2007.
``Non-profit Organizations'' (title 2, part 230).
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 have a current indirect cost rate agreement in place
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 means the rate covering the
applicable activities and the award budget period. If the current rate
is not on file with the Division of Grants Operations at the time of
the award, the indirect cost portion of the budget will be restricted
and not available to the recipient until the current rate is provided
to the DGO.
If you have questions regarding the indirect cost policy, please
contact the DGO at (301) 443-5204.
4. Reporting
A. Progress Report. Program progress reports are required
semiannually. These reports will include a 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. Semi-annual financial status reports
must be submitted within 30 days of the end of the half year. Final
financial status reports are due within 90 days of expiration of the
budget period. Standard Form 269 (long form) will be used for financial
reporting.
C. Reports. Grantee is 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 on how the value was derived. Grantee must submit reports in a
reasonable period of time.
Failure to submit required reports within the time allowed may
result in suspension or termination of an active agreement, 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 applies whether the delinquency is
attributable to the failure of the organization or the individual
responsible for preparation of the reports.
5. Telecommunication for the hearing impaired is available at: TTY
301-443-6394.
VII. Agency Contacts
For program-related information (including TRAIL curriculum):
Leeanna Travis, Indian Health Service, 1700 Cerrillos Rd., Santa Fe,
New Mexico 87505, (505) 946-9541 or Leeanna.travis@ihs.gov.
For specific grant-related and business management information:
Norma Jean Dunne, Grants Management Specialist, 801 Thompson Avenue,
TMP 360, Rockvillle, MD 20852, 301-443-5204 or normajean.dunne@ihs.gov.
Dated: January 31, 2008.
Robert G. McSwain,
Acting Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 08-626 Filed 2-12-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-16-M
