BHW HRSA-22-048 (H56) SLRP Final 10-13-21.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Bureau of Health Workforce Division of National Health Service Corps

State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)

Funding Opportunity Number: HRSA-22-048

Funding Opportunity Type(s): New

Assistance Listings (CFDA) Number: 93.165

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Fiscal Year 2022

Application Due Date: April 8, 2022

Ensure your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations and passwords are current immediately!

HRSA will not approve deadline extensions for lack of registration.

Registration in all systems may take up to 1 month to complete.

Issuance Date: October 14, 2021

Paula Gumbs, MBA Project Office, National Health Service Corp, State Loan Repayment Program Telephone: (301) 443-7581 Email: Pgumbs@hrsa.gov

Authority: Public Health Service Act, Title III, Section 338I(a)-(i) (42 U.S.C. 254q-1(a)-(i)).

American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (P.L. 117-2), Section 2602 mailto:Pgumbs@hrsa.gov

HRSA-22-048 i

508 Compliance Disclaimer

Note: Persons using assistive technology may not be able to fully access information in this file. For assistance, please email or call one of the HRSA staff above in Section VII.

Agency Contacts.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2022 State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). The purpose of this program is to make grants to the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories to assist them in operating their own state educational loan repayment programs for primary care providers working in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) within their state. The American Rescue Plan Act provides funding to expand SLRP to provide grants to current grantees as well as to those States that have not previously participated.

Funding Opportunity Title: State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) Funding Opportunity Number: HRSA-22-048 Due Date for Applications: April 8, 2022 Anticipated Total Annual Available FY22 Funding:

Approximately $25,000,000 per year

Estimated Number and Type of Award(s): Up to 50 grants Estimated Award Amount: Range: from approximately

$1 to $1,000,000 Cost Sharing/Match Required: No Project Period/Period of Performance: September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2026 (4 years) Eligible Applicants: Entities eligible to apply for this grant program include the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

See Section III-1 of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for complete eligibility information.

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Application Guide

You (the applicant organization/agency) are responsible for reading and complying with the instructions included in HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide, available online at http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf, except where instructed in this NOFO to do otherwise.

Technical Assistance

HRSA will hold a pre-application technical assistance (TA) webinar(s) for applicants seeking funding through this opportunity. The webinar(s) will provide an overview of pertinent information in the NOFO and an opportunity for applicants to ask questions.

Visit the HRSA Bureau of Health Workforce’s open opportunities website at https://bhw.hrsa.gov/fundingopportunities/default.aspx to learn more about the resources available for this funding opportunity.

http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf https://bhw.hrsa.gov/fundingopportunities/default.aspx

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Table of Contents

I. PROGRAM FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

1. PURPOSE

2. BACKGROUND

II. AWARD INFORMATION

1. TYPE OF APPLICATION AND AWARD

2. SUMMARY OF FUNDING

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

2. COST SHARING/MATCHING

3. OTHER

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. ADDRESS TO REQUEST APPLICATION PACKAGE

2. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

i. Project Abstract

ii. Project Narrative

iii. Budget

iv. Budget Justification Narrative

v. Standardized Work Plan (SWP) Form

vi. Attachments

3. DUN AND BRADSTREET DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBER TRANSITION

TO THE UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER (UEI) AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM)

4. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES

5. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

6. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. REVIEW CRITERIA

2. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

3. ASSESSMENT OF RISK

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. AWARD NOTICES

2. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

3. REPORTING

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

VIII. OTHER INFORMATION

APPENDIX: SLRP CRITICAL ELEMENTS AND PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

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I. Program Funding Opportunity Description

1. Purpose

This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP).

Program Purpose The purpose of this program is to make grants to the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Territories to assist them in operating their own state educational loan repayment programs for primary care providers working in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) within their state. SLRP supports loan repayment awards to health care providers in exchange for service in underserved communities. The American Rescue Plan Act provides funding to expand SLRP to provide grants to current grantees as well as to those States that have not previously participated.

SLRP recipients are afforded the flexibility to select the disciplines and HPSA sites that meet their unique workforce needs. To that end, HRSA is encouraging SLRP applicants to consider how SLRP funds might be used to advance HHS priorities.

Program Goals

The goals of this program are to:

1. Recruit and retain providers to sustain a growing primary health care workforce working in HPSA within their state;

2. Encourage state level partnership/cooperation with other stakeholders to address/meet state’s health care workforce needs;

3. Increase access to primary care services in underserved communities/ populations;

4. Decrease health care disparities in underserved communities; and

5. Improve overall health care outcomes in underserved communities.

Program Objectives

Objectives:

• Develop partnerships between academia, primary care delivery sites, Primary

Care Associations, Primary Care Offices, Governors’ Offices, Health Departments, and community-based organizations

• Increase primary health care workforce serving in HPSA

• Incentivize providers to serve in HPSA by offering loan repayment covering eligible educational loans

HHS and HRSA Priorities

You are encouraged to select and address one of HHS’s and HRSA’s clinical priorities below.

• Ending the crisis of opioid addiction and overdose in America

• Improving access to mental health care

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• Transforming the healthcare system through value-based care delivery and quality improvement initiatives

• Transforming the workforce – by targeting the need

• Strengthening health care access through telehealth

• Preventing and reducing maternal mortality

• Ending the HIV epidemic

General Emergency Preparedness Statement Eligible entities must be ready to continue programmatic activities in the event of a public health emergency – both those that are expected and unexpected.

A training-focused emergency preparedness plan is critical for HRSA-funded projects and helps ensure that grantees are able to continue programmatic activities, can coordinate effectively, and can implement recovery plans when emergencies disrupt project activities. Applicants must develop and maintain a flexible training-focused emergency preparedness plan in case of public health emergencies to ensure continuation of programmatic and training activities.

2. Background

This program is authorized by the Public Health Service Act, Title III, Section 338I(a)-(i) (42 U.S.C. 254q-1(a)-(i)) and Section 2602 of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) of 2021 (P.L. 117-2). Since SLRP’s inception in 1987, clinicians have been recruited and retained in HPSA across the Nation following the completion of their service obligation.

SLRP utilizes the expertise of each recipient to ensure the investment best suits the community’s needs. Successful projects have improved access to primary health care services for underserved communities and individuals. In addition, many recipients take a coordinated approach to align federal, state, and other loan repayment programs to meet the state’s health care professional needs.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 appropriates $800 million for the National Health Service Corps in FY21, of which $100 million is dedicated to SLRP to assist states in the recruitment of a primary health care workforce.

Note: ARP funds are anticipated to be expended by the end of FY 2026, and the flexibilities granted by ARP will expire. Beginning in FY 2027 the statutory requirement for a $1 for $1 state match, as well as the prohibition on use of funds for administrative expenses, are expected to be required should the program be re-competed. States are encouraged to plan proactively to ensure continuity of the state’s primary health care workforce.

Program Definitions

A glossary containing general definitions for terms used throughout the Bureau of Health Workforce NOFOs can be located at the Health Workforce Glossary.

https://bhw.hrsa.gov/grants/resourcecenter/glossary

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II. Award Information

1. Type of Application and Award

Type(s) of applications sought: New

HRSA will provide funding in the form of a grant.

2. Summary of Funding

HRSA estimates approximately $25,000,000 to be available annually to fund estimated 50 recipients.

A maximum of 10 percent of funding may be requested per year for administrative and management of the program; e.g. Project staff time, indirect costs, etc.

The period of performance is September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2026 (4 years).

Funding beyond the first year is subject to satisfactory recipient progress, and a decision that continued funding is in the best interest of the Federal Government. HRSA will make awards to as many applicants as are recommended by the Objective Review Committee, based on the availability of funds. In the event there are more recommended applicants than funds available, HRSA will implement a funding tier system commensurate to the score given by the Objective Review Committee.

Applicants in the highest scored tier may receive the full requested amount, while those who scored high enough to be recommended for funding but in a lower tier may receive a lower than requested amount.

The following provisions related to APR funding are one-time flexibilities that will expire at the end of the project period in 2026.

• A maximum of 10 percent of funding may be requested per year for administrative and management costs of the program

• Cost sharing/matching is not required.

All HRSA awards are subject to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements at 45 CFR part 75.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Entities eligible to apply for this grant program include the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

In order to be eligible, states must demonstrate that the program operated with the grant funds will be administered directly by a state agency. States must also agree that the http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=4d52364ec83fab994c665943dadf9cf7&ty=HTML&h=L&r=PART&n=pt45.1.75

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grant funds will be used to pay all or part of the principal, interest, and related expenses of qualifying educational loans of health care professionals, in return for their provision of primary health care services in federally designated HPSA.

The contract between the state and the health care professional must contain a breach provision and other terms that are not more favorable than the terms provided under the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program (LRP). See 42 U.S.C. 254q-1(c).

2. Cost Sharing/Matching

Cost sharing/matching is not required. States will not be required to demonstrate a $1 for $1 match for the federal funding received through this award.

3. Other

HRSA may not consider an application for funding if it contains any of the non-responsive criteria below:

• Exceeds the ceiling amount

• Fails to satisfy the deadline requirements referenced in Section IV.4

• Exceeds the page limit referenced in Section IV

Multiple Applications NOTE: Multiple applications from an organization are not allowable. Each state or territory may only submit one application.

If for any reason (including submitting to the wrong funding opportunity number or making corrections/updates), an application is submitted more than once prior to the application due date, HRSA will only accept the last validated electronic submission, under the correct funding opportunity number, prior to the Grants.gov application due date as the final and only acceptable application.

Failure to include all required documents as part of the application may result in an application being considered incomplete or non-responsive. Applications received without the appropriate attachments/tables will be deemed non-responsive to the NOFO and will not be considered for funding under this notice.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

HRSA requires you to apply electronically. HRSA encourages you to apply through Grants.gov using the SF-424 Research and Related (R&R) workspace application package associated with this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) following the directions provided at http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply-for-grants.html.

https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply-for-grants.html

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The NOFO is also known as “Instructions” on Grants.gov. You must select “Subscribe” and provide your email address for HRSA-22-048 in order to receive notifications including modifications, clarifications, and/or republications of the NOFO on Grants.gov.

You will also receive notifications of documents placed in the RELATED DOCUMENTS tab on Grants.gov that may affect the NOFO and your application. You are ultimately responsible for reviewing the For Applicants page for all information relevant to this

NOFO.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Application Format Requirements Section 4 of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide provides instructions for the budget, budget justification, staffing plan and personnel requirements, assurances, certifications, etc. You must submit the information outlined in the SF-424 R&R Application Guide in addition to the program-specific information below. You are responsible for reading and complying with the instructions included in HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide except where instructed in the NOFO to do otherwise. You must submit the application in the English language and in the terms of U.S. dollars (45 CFR § 75.111(a)).

See Section 8.5 of the HRSA SF-424 R&R Application Guide for the Application Completeness Checklist.

Application Page Limit The total size of all uploaded files included in the page limit shall not exceed the equivalent of 65 pages when printed by HRSA. The page limit includes the, project and budget narratives, attachments including biographical sketches and letters of commitment and support required in HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide and this

NOFO.

Please note: Effective April 22, 2021, the abstract is no longer an attachment that counts in the page limit. The abstract is the standard form (SF) "Project_Abstract Summary.” Standard OMB-approved forms that are included in the workspace application package do not count in the page limit. Biographical sketches do count in the page limit. Note: If you use an OMB-approved form that is not included in the workspace application package for HRSA-22-048, it may count against the page limit.

Therefore, we strongly recommend you only use Grants.gov workspace forms associated with this NOFO to avoid exceeding the page limit. Indirect Cost Rate Agreement and proof of non-profit status (if applicable) do not count in the page limit. It is therefore important to take appropriate measures to ensure your application does not exceed the specified page limit. Any application exceeding the page limit of 65 pages will not be read, evaluated, or considered for funding.

Applications must be complete, within the maximum specified page limit, and validated by Grants.gov under HRSA-22-048 before the deadline.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf

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Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility, and Voluntary Exclusion Certification

1) You certify on behalf of the applicant organization, by submission of your proposal, that neither you nor your principals are presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any federal department or agency.

2) Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the remedies described in 45 CFR § 75.371, including suspension or debarment. (See also 2 CFR parts 180 and 376, and 31 U.S.C. § 3321).

3) Where you are unable to attest to the statements in this certification, an explanation shall be included in Attachment 8 Other Relevant Documents.

See Section 4.1 viii of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide for additional information on all certifications.

Temporary Reassignment of State and Local Personnel during a Public Health Emergency

Section 319(e) of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act provides the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with discretion upon request by a state or tribal organization to authorize the temporary reassignment of state, tribal, and local personnel during a declared federal public health emergency. The temporary reassignment provision is applicable to state, tribal, and local public health department or agency personnel whose positions are funded, in full or part, under PHS programs and allows such personnel to immediately respond to the public health emergency in the affected jurisdiction. Funds provided under the award may be used to support personnel who are temporarily reassigned in accordance with § 319(e). Please reference detailed information available on the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness (ASPR) website via http://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/legal/pahpa/section201/Pages/default.aspx.

Program Requirements

SLRP improves access to primary health care services for underserved communities and individuals by requiring recipients to:

• Operate their own educational loan repayment programs for primary care providers working in HPSA within their state.

• Assign eligible health care providers to serve in designated HPSA.

In order to meet these statutory requirements, SLRP has the following critical elements:

• Participant Eligibility

• Discipline Eligibility

• Practice Site Eligibility

• Program Administrative Management and Oversight

Please see Appendix: SLRP Critical Elements and Program Requirements for program requirements associated with these critical elements.

http://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/legal/pahpa/section201/Pages/default.aspx

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Program-Specific Instructions

In addition to application requirements and instructions in Section 4 of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide (including the budget, budget justification, staffing plan and personnel requirements, assurances, certifications, and abstract), include the following:

i. Project Abstract Use the Standard OMB-approved Project Abstract Summary Form 2.0 that is included in the workspace application package. Do not upload the abstract as an attachment. For information content required in the Project Abstract Summary Form, see Section 4.1.ix of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide.

The Abstract must include:

1. A brief overview of the project as a whole

2. Specific, measurable objectives that the project will accomplish

3. Which of the clinical priorities will be addressed by the project, if applicable;

and

4. How the proposed project for which funding is requested will be accomplished, i.e., the "who, what, when, where, why and how" of a project.

NARRATIVE GUIDANCE

To ensure that you fully address the review criteria, this table provides a crosswalk between the narrative language and where each section falls within the review criteria. Any attachments referenced in a narrative section may be considered during the objective review.

Narrative Section Review Criteria Purpose and Need (1) Purpose and Need

Response to Program Purpose:

(a) Work Plan

(b) Methodology/Approach

(c) Resolution of Challenges

(2) Response to Program Purpose

(a) Work Plan

(b) Methodology/Approach

(c) Resolution of Challenges

Impact:

(a) Evaluation and Technical Support Capacity

(b) Project Sustainability

(3) Impact:

(a) Evaluation and Technical Support Capacity

(b) Project Sustainability

Organizational Information, Resources, and Capabilities

(4) Organizational Information, Resources, and Capabilities

Budget and Budget Justification

Narrative

(5) Support Requested

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ii. Project Narrative

This section provides a comprehensive framework and description of all aspects of the proposed project. It should be succinct, self-explanatory, consistent with forms and attachments, and well-organized so that reviewers can understand the proposed project.

Successful applications will contain the information below. Please use the following section headers for the narrative:

PURPOSE AND NEED -- Corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion # 1

This section must help reviewers understand the needs of the underserved populations in your state and how the project will improve health care for these populations. Briefly state the purpose of your proposed project and how it relates to the purpose of this funding opportunity. Cite demographic data whenever possible to support the needs identified below.

• Describe the targeted population and the current gaps in primary care, dental, or mental health care workforce, including the socio-economic and cultural determinants of health and health disparities impacting the population or communities served and/or unmet workforce needs.

• Describe the capacity of the existing health care workforce including any relevant health care workforce trends that have been identified.

• Identify the targeted workforce disciplines and specific types of HPSA that your proposed project will address.

• If applicable, describe health care workforce needs that align with the clinical priorities of addressing opioid abuse and mental health conditions.

RESPONSE TO PROGRAM PURPOSE -- This section includes three sub-sections

— (a) Work Plan; (b) Methodology/Approach; and (c) Resolution of Challenges—all of which correspond to Section V’s Review Criteria #2 (a), (b), and (c).

(a) WORK PLAN -- Corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion #2 (a).

Provide a detailed work plan that demonstrates your experience implementing a project of the proposed scope (a sample work plan can be found here:

http://bhw.hrsa.gov/grants/technicalassistance/workplantemplate.docx.).

Your work plan must be submitted through the Standardized Work Plan (SWP) Form located in the Grants.gov. The SWP form is organized by budget period and must include all activities and deliverables for each objective and program goal.

The program goals for this NOFO must be entered in the Program Goals section of the SWP form. For example, Goal 1 in the Purpose section of the NOFO will need to be entered as Goal 1 in the SWP form. Objectives and sub-objectives can be tailored to your project needs. Objectives may be tagged with organizational priorities by selecting applicable priorities on the SWP form. For the purpose of this NOFO, please write in COVID-19 or Health Equity in the “Other Priority Linkage” if your objective or sub-objectives align with those priorities. Form http://bhw.hrsa.gov/grants/technicalassistance/workplantemplate.docx

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instructions are provided along with the SWP form, and are included in the application package found on Grants.gov.

You must complete the Standardized Work Plan (SWP) mandatory form in the Application Package.

(b) METHODOLOGY/APPROACH -- Corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion #2 (b) Describe your objectives and proposed activities and how they will address your project purpose and stated needs regarding services and targeted population, as well as the critical elements Participant Eligibility, Discipline Eligibility, Practice Site Eligibility, and Program Administrative Management and Oversight (described in detail in the Appendix).

Participant Eligibility

• Describe the process to determine program eligibility for participants, including applicable federal and state requirements. See the Appendix for more information about eligible participants.

o Describe recruitment strategies and activities to foster a competitive applicant pool and increase program participation, as well as strategies and activities to retain providers in underserved communities.

o Include a discussion of the policies and processes that states will use to determine and verify eligibility of qualifying educational loans for repayment under the SLRP contract.

o Include the processes for verifying all funds provided under the SLRP contract have been used to repay qualifying educational loans that were approved before issuing a subsequent contract.

Discipline Eligibility

• Identify the primary care disciplines that will be supported by the program and how the eligible disciplines you propose to award will impact the access to primary care services to specific population. See the Appendix for more information about eligible SLRP disciplines.

o Describe how these disciplines will meet the health care workforce gaps identified above.

o Indicate whether or not the selection of eligible disciplines is determined by state law or policy.

o Indicate how the disciplines align with the clinical priorities of addressing opioid abuse and mental health conditions, if applicable.

o Identify the types of populations that will benefit from this funding.

o Identify the types of primary care services that will be supported due to this funding.

o Will this funding expand the composition of providers from your current recruitment efforts?

Practice Site Eligibility

• Identify which site types will be supported by SLRP. See the Appendix for more information about eligible site types.

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o Describe practice site recruitment strategies; the process for determining site eligibility; and the monitoring process for sites with SLRP participants.

o See Attachments section below for more information about Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) and sub-recipient agreements.

Program Administrative Management and Oversight

• Provide an overview of the organizational and management structure of the state entity that would be administering the Loan Repayment program. See the Appendix for more information about Program Administrative Management and Oversight.

• Describe any partnerships and collaborations with other organizations, including:

o Description of how the program would be coordinating with federal, state and other organized activities within the state which relate to health care workforce services and resources.

o Partnerships with organizations that formally or informally provide program guidance such as an advisory committees or other entities.

• Describe the strategies and processes proposed to ensure that sites and the participants remain in compliance with program and state guidelines, including:

o Policies and processes that will be utilized by states to ensure that program requirements are met and service obligations are fully completed.

o Actions taken when a participant fails to complete the obligation.

o The monitoring and service verification process.

o The involvement of the practice sites in participant monitoring.

o The process to ensure that salaries for SLRP participants are at the prevailing rate and not reduced because of their SLRP award.

o Monitoring process to ensure the continued eligibility of program participants.

(c) RESOLUTION OF CHALLENGES -- Corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion #2 (c)

Discuss challenges that you are likely to encounter in designing and implementing the activities described in the work plan, and approaches that you will use to resolve such challenges, including:

• Obstacles related to the critical elements described in the above sections (Work

Plan and Methodology/Approach).

IMPACT -- This section includes two sub-sections— (a) Evaluation and Technical

Support Capacity; and (b) Project Sustainability—both of which correspond to Section V’s Review Criteria #3 (a) and (b).

(a) EVALUATION AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT CAPACITY -- Corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion #3 (a)

Describe the plan for program performance evaluation that will contribute to continuous quality improvement. The program performance evaluation must monitor ongoing processes and progress toward meeting goals and objectives of the project. Include descriptions of the inputs (e.g., key evaluation personnel and organizational support, collaborative partners, budget, and other resources); key processes; variables to be measured; expected outcomes of the funded activities;

and a description of how all key evaluative measures will be reported. In the Attachments section (IV. 2. vi., Attachment 2), attach a complete staffing plan and

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job descriptions for key personnel. Biographical sketches of Key Personnel should be uploaded in the SF-424 R&R Senior/Key Person Profile form. Demonstrate evidence that the evaluative measures selected will be able to assess: 1) the extent to which the program objectives have been met, and 2) the extent to which these can be attributed to the project.

Describe the systems and processes that will support your organization's collection of HRSA’s performance measurement requirements for this program. At the following link, you will find the required data forms for this program:

http://bhw.hrsa.gov/grants/reporting/index.html. Describe the data collection strategy to accurately collect, manage, analyze, store, and track/report data (e.g., assigned skilled staff, data management software) to measure process and impact/outcomes, and explain how the data will be used to inform program development and service delivery in a way that allows for accurate and timely reporting of performance outcomes.

Document the procedure for assuring the data collection, management, storage, and reporting of National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers for individuals participating in the Program. Describe current experience, skills, and knowledge, including individuals on staff, materials published, and previous work of a similar nature. Describe any potential obstacles for implementing the program performance evaluation and meeting HRSA’s performance measurement requirements and your plan to address those obstacles. The evaluation and reporting plan also should indicate the feasibility and effectiveness of plans for dissemination of project results, the extent to which project results may be national in scope, and the degree to which the project activities are replicable.

(b) PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY -- Corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion #3 (b)

Provide a clear plan for project sustainability after the period of federal funding ends, including a description of specific actions you will take to:

a. Highlight key elements of your grant projects, e.g., training methods or strategies, which have been effective in improving practices.

b. Discuss challenges that you are likely to encounter on how the state program will continue to engage stakeholders and other public and private partners to secure funding sources that will support the continuity of the State’s primary health care workforce.

c. Provide a timetable for becoming self-sufficient.

d. Recipients are expected to sustain key elements of their projects, e.g., strategies or services and interventions, which have been effective in improving practices and those that have led to improved outcomes for the target population.

ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION, RESOURCES, AND CAPABILITIES --

Corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion #4

Succinctly describe your capacity to effectively manage the programmatic, fiscal, and administrative aspects of the proposed project. Provide information on your organization’s current mission and structure, including an organizational chart, relevant http://bhw.hrsa.gov/grants/reporting/index.html

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experience, and scope of current activities, and describe how these elements all contribute to the organization’s ability to implement the program requirements and meet program expectations. (A project organizational chart is requested in Section IV.2.v.1, Attachment 4.) Discuss how the organization will follow the approved plan, as outlined in the application, properly account for the federal funds, and document all costs so as to avoid audit findings. Describe how the unique needs of target populations of the communities served are routinely assessed and improved.

The staffing plan and job descriptions for key faculty/staff must be included in Attachment 2 (Staffing Plan and Job Descriptions for Key Personnel). However, the biographical sketches must be uploaded in the SF-424 RESEARCH & RELATED Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) form that can be accessed in the Application Package under “Mandatory.” Include biographical sketches for persons occupying the key positions, not to exceed TWO pages in length each. In the event that a biographical sketch is included for an identified individual who is not yet hired, please include a letter of commitment from that person with the biographical sketch. When applicable, biographical sketches should include training, language fluency, and experience working with diverse populations that are served by their programs.

Biographical sketches, not exceeding two pages per person, should include the following information:

• Senior/key personnel name

• Position Title

• Education/Training - beginning with baccalaureate or other initial professional education, such as nursing, including postdoctoral training and residency training if applicable:

o Institution and location o Degree (if applicable) o Date of degree (MM/YY) o Field of study

• Section A (required) Personal Statement. Briefly describe why the individual’s experience and qualifications make him/her particularly well-suited for his/her role (e.g., PD/PI) in the project that is the subject of the award.

• Section B (required) Positions and Honors. List in chronological order previous positions, concluding with the present position. List any honors. Include present membership on any Federal Government public advisory committee.

• Section C (optional) Peer-reviewed publications or manuscripts in press (in chronological order). You are encouraged to limit the list of selected peer-reviewed publications or manuscripts in press to no more than 15. Do not include manuscripts submitted or in preparation. The individual may choose to include selected publications based on date, importance to the field, and/or relevance to the proposed research. Citations that are publicly available in a free, online format may include URLs along with the full reference (note that copies of publicly available publications are not acceptable as appendix material).

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• Section D (optional) Other Support. List both selected ongoing and completed (during the last 3 years) projects (federal or non-federal support). Begin with any projects relevant to the project proposed in this application. Briefly indicate the overall goals of the projects and responsibilities of the Senior/Key Person identified on the Biographical Sketch.

iii. Budget The directions offered in the SF-424 R&R Application Guide may differ from those offered by Grants.gov. Follow the instructions in Section 4.1.iv of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide and the additional budget instructions provided below. A budget that follows the R&R Application Guide will ensure that, if HRSA selects the application for funding, you will have a well-organized plan and, by carefully following the approved plan, may avoid audit issues during the implementation phase.

SLRP Programs are allowed to make an award of up to $25,000 a year to a participant.

In addition, the State Loan Repayment Program allows the following:

• A maximum of 10 percent of funding may be requested per year for administrative and management costs of the program; e.g. Project staff time, indirect costs, etc.

Reminder: The Total Project or Program Costs are the total allowable costs (inclusive of direct and indirect costs) you incur to carry out a -HRSA-supported project or activity. Total project or program costs include costs charged to the award and costs borne by you to satisfy a matching or cost-sharing requirement, as applicable.

HRSA’s Standard Terms apply to this program. Please see Section 4.1 of HRSA’s SF- 424 Application Guide for additional information. None of the funds appropriated in this title shall be used to pay the salary of an individual, through a grant or other extramural mechanism, at a rate in excess of Executive Level II. The current Executive Level II salary is $199,300. See Section 5.1.iv Budget – Salary Limitation of HRSA’s SF-424 Application Guide for additional information. Note that these or other salary limitations may apply in the following fiscal years, as required by law.

iv. Budget Justification Narrative See Section 4.1.v of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide.

The budget justification narrative must describe all line-item federal funds (including sub awards), proposed for this project. Please note: all budget justification narratives count against the page limit.

http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424rrguidev2.pdf https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/standard-terms http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424guide.pdf http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply/applicationguide/sf424guide.pdf

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v. Standardized Work Plan (SWP) Form

As part of the application submitted through Grants.gov, you must complete and electronically submit the SWP Form by the application due date. Work Plan -- Corresponds to Section V’s Review Criterion #2 (a).

The SWP Form is part of the electronic Grants.gov application package and must be completed online as a part of the Grants.gov application package. Ensure it includes all the information detailed in Section IV.2.ii. Project Narrative.

vi. Attachments

Provide the following items in the order specified below to complete the content of the application. Unless otherwise noted, attachments count toward the application page limit. Indirect cost rate agreements and proof of non-profit status (if applicable) will not count toward the page limit. Clearly label each attachment.

Attachment 1: Staffing Plan and Job Descriptions for Key Personnel (see Section 4.1.vi. of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide)

Keep each job description to one page in length as much as is possible. Include the role, responsibilities, and qualifications of proposed project staff. Also, please include a description of your organization’s time keeping process to ensure that you will comply with the federal standards related to documenting personnel costs.

Attachment 2: Letters of Agreement, Memoranda of Understanding, and/or Description(s) of Proposed/Existing Contracts (project-specific)

Provide any documents that describe working relationships between your organization and other entities and programs cited in the proposal. Documents that confirm actual or pending contractual or other agreements should clearly describe the roles of the contractors and any deliverable. Make sure any letters of agreement are signed and dated. It is not necessary to include the entire contents of lengthy agreements, so long as the included document provides the information that relates to the requirements of the NOFO.

Attachment 3: Project Organizational Chart Provide a one-page figure that depicts the organizational structure of the project (not the applicant organization).

Attachment 4: Tables, Charts, etc.

To give further details about the proposal (e.g., Gantt or PERT charts, flow charts).

Attachment 5: Sample Contract (will not count towards page limit)

Provide a copy of a sample contract used for SLRP participants. This attachment does not count toward the maximum number of pages for this application. Ensure that the contract includes a default provision that must be spelled out clearly and must be at least as stringent as (i.e., not more favorable than) the NHSC LRP default penalty found at 42 U.S.C. § 254o(c) (1).

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Attachment 6: Letters of Support Provide a letter of support for each organization or department involved in your proposed project. Letters of support must be from someone who holds the authority to speak for the organization or department (CEO, Chair, etc.), must be signed and dated, and must specifically indicate understanding of the project and a commitment to the project, including any resource commitments (in-kind services, dollars, staff, space, equipment, etc.).

Attachments 7: Other Relevant Documents

Include here any other document that is relevant to the application.

3. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number Transition to the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM)

You must obtain a valid DUNS number, also known as the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and provide that number in the application. In April 2022, the *DUNS number will be replaced by the UEI, a “new, non-proprietary identifier” requested in, and assigned by, the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). For more details, visit the following webpages: Planned UEI Updates in Grant Application Forms and General Service Administration’s UEI Update.

You must register with SAM and continue to maintain active SAM registration with current information at all times during which you have an active federal award or an application or plan under consideration by an agency (unless you are an individual or federal agency that is exempted from those requirements under 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the agency under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)). For your SAM.gov registration, you must submit a notarized letter appointing the authorized Entity Administrator.

If you are chosen as a recipient, HRSA will not make an award until you have complied with all applicable SAM requirements and if you have not fully complied with the requirements by the time HRSA is ready to make an award, you may be deemed not qualified to receive an award, and HRSA may use that determination as the basis for making an award to another applicant.

If you have already completed Grants.gov registration for HRSA or another federal agency, confirm that it is still active and that the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) has been approved.

*Currently the Grants.gov registration process requires information in three separate systems:

• Dun and Bradstreet (https://www.dnb.com/duns-number.html)

• System for Award Management (SAM) (https://sam.gov/content/home | SAM.gov Knowledge Base)

• Grants.gov (https://www.grants.gov/) https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/planned-uei-updates.html https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/answer.do?sysparm_kbid=d2e67885db0d5f00b3257d321f96194b&sysparm_search=kb0013183 https://www.dnb.com/duns-number.html https://sam.gov/content/home https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=gsa_kb_view2&kb_id=f66d8e6cdb76d4100d73f81d0f9619c6 https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=gsa_kb_view2&kb_id=f66d8e6cdb76d4100d73f81d0f9619c6 https://www.grants.gov/

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For further details, see Section 3.1 of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide.

In accordance with the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce reporting burden for recipients of federal financial assistance, the general certification and representation requirements contained in the Standard Form 424B (SF-424B) – Assurances – Non- Construction Programs, and the Standard Form 424D (SF-424D) – Assurances – Construction Programs, have been standardized federal-wide. Effective January 1, 2020, the forms themselves are no longer part of HRSA’s application packages and the updated common certification and representation requirements will be stored and maintained within the SAM. Organizations or individuals applying for federal financial assistance as of January 1, 2020, must validate the federally required common certifications and representations annually through SAM located at SAM.gov.

If you fail to allow ample time to complete registration with SAM or Grants.gov, you will not be eligible for a deadline extension or waiver of the electronic submission requirement.

4. Submission Dates and Times

Application Due Date The due date for applications under this NOFO is April 8, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. ET. HRSA suggests submitting applications to Grants.gov at least 3 calendar days before the deadline to allow for any unforeseen circumstances. See Section 8.2.5 – Summary of emails from Grants.gov of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide for additional information.

5. Intergovernmental Review

SLRP is not a program subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, as implemented by 45 CFR part 100.

See Section 4.1 ii of HRSA’s SF-424 R&R Application Guide for additional information.

6. Funding Restrictions

You may request funding for a period of performance of up to 4 years, up to $1,000,000 per year (inclusive of direct and indirect costs). Awards to support projects beyond the first budget year will be contingent upon satisfactory progress in meeting the project’s objectives, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the Federal Government.

HRSA’s Standard Terms apply to this program. Please see Section 4.1 of HRSA’s SF- 424 Application Guide for additional information.

Funds under this announcement must be used to repay the qualifying educational loans of health care professionals who have entered into SLRP contracts with the states.

SLRP Programs are allowed to make an award of up to $25,000 a year to a participant.

https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/standard-terms

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You may use a maximum of 10 percent of the award towards administering the program.

You cannot use funds under this notice for the following purposes:

i) within the State to provide technical or other nonfinancial assistance to Infant Mortality Grants under section 330(f) of the Public Health Services Act (PHSA);

ii) under a memorandum of agreement entered into with the State to Homeless Grants under section 330(h) of the PHSA; or

iii) under Grants to States for Operation of Office of Rural Health under section 338J of the PHSA.

You are required to have the necessary policies, procedures, and financial controls in place to ensure that your organization complies with all legal requirements and restrictions applicable to the receipt of federal funding including statutory restrictions on use of funds for lobbying, executive salaries, gun control, abortion, etc. Like those for all other applicable grants requirements, the effectiveness of these policies, procedures, and controls is subject to audit.

Be aware of the requirements for HRSA recipients and sub-recipients at 2 CFR §

200.216 regarding prohibition on certain telecommunications and video surveillance services or equipment. For details, see the HRSA Grants Policy Bulletin Number: 2021- 01E.

All program income generated as a result of awarded funds must be used for approved project-related activities. The program income alternative applied to the award(s) under the program will be the addition/additive alternative. You can find post-award requirements for program income at 45 CFR § 75.307.

V. Application Review Information

1. Review Criteria

HRSA has procedures for assessing the technical merit of applications to provide for an objective review and to assist you in understanding the standards against which your application will be reviewed. HRSA has critical indicators for each review criterion to assist you in presenting pertinent information related to that criterion and to provide the reviewer with a standard for evaluation.

These criteria are the basis upon which the reviewers will evaluate and score the merit of the application. The entire proposal will be considered during objective review.

Five review criteria are used to review and rank SLRP applications. Below are descriptions of the review criteria and their scoring points.

https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/manage/grants-policy-bulletin-2021.pdf https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/manage/grants-policy-bulletin-2021.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=4d52364ec83fab994c665943dadf9cf7&ty=HTML&h=L&r=PART&n=pt45.1.75

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Criterion 1: PURPOSE AND NEED (15 points) – Corresponds to Section IV’s Purpose and Need This section will help reviewers understand the state, as well as the needs of the communities within the HPSA that the program supports.

The extent to which the application demonstrates the problem and associated factors contributing to the problem, including the quality of and extent to which the…