FY15 AST-OWH.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

AGENCY: Office on Women’s Health, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health, Office of the

Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE: The IPV Provider Network: Engaging the Health Care

Provider Response to Interpersonal Violence Against Women

ACTION: Notice

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial Competitive Cooperative Agreement

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: WH-AST-15-001

CFDA NUMBER: 93.088

CFDA PROGRAM: Advancing System Improvements for Key Issues in Women’s Health

DATES: Applications are due May 12, 2015 by 5 p.m. ET. To receive consideration, applications must be received electronically via Grants.gov by the HHS Office of the Assistant

Secretary for Health (HHS/OASH), Office of Grants Management (OGM) no later than this due date. Applications which do not meet the specified deadlines will be returned to the applicant unread. All applicants must submit electronically via Grants.gov unless they obtain a written exemption from this requirement two (2) business days in advance of the deadline by the

Director, HHS/OASH Office of Grants Management. To obtain an exemption, applicants must request one via email from the HHS/OASH Office of Grants Management, and provide details as to why they are technologically unable to submit electronically through Grants.gov portal.

Requests should be submitted at least 4 business days prior to the application deadline to ensure the request can be considered prior to 2 business days in advance of the deadline. If requesting an exemption, include the following in the e-mail request: the HHS/OASH announcement number;

the organization's DUNS number; the name, address and telephone number of the organization;

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

AGENCY: Office on Women’s Health, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health, Office of the

Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE: The IPV Provider Network: Engaging the Health Care

Provider Response to Interpersonal Violence Against Women

ACTION: Notice

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial Competitive Cooperative Agreement

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: WH-AST-15-OO1

CFDA NUMBER: 93.088

CFDA PROGRAM: Advancing System Improvements for Key Issues in Women’s Health

DATES: Applications are due May 12, 2015 by 5 p.m. ET. To receive consideration, applications must be received electronically via Grants .gov by the HHS Office of the Assistant

Secretary for Health (HHS/OASH), Office of Grants Management (0GM) no later than this due date. Applications which do not meet the specified deadlines will be returned to the applicant unread. All applicants must submit electronically via Grants.gov unless they obtain a written exemption from this requirement two (2) business days in advance of the deadline by the

Director, HHS/OASH Office of Grants Management. To obtain an exemption, applicants must request one via email from the HHS/OASH Office of Grants Management, and provide details as to why they are technologically unable to submit electronically through Grants .gov portal.

Requests should be submitted at least 4 business days prior to the application deadline to ensure the request can be considered prior to 2 business days in advance of the deadline. If requesting an exemption, include the following in the e-mail request: the HHS/OASH announcement number;

the organization’s DUNS number; the name, address and telephone number of the organization;

the name and telephone number of the Authorizing Official; the Grants.gov Tracking Number

(GRANTXXXX) assigned to the submission; and a copy of the "Rejected with Errors" notification from Grants.gov. Send the request with supporting documentation to ogm.oash@hhs.gov. Note: failure to have an active System for Account Management (SAM) registration will not be grounds for receiving an exemption to the electronic submission requirement.

The HHS/OASH Office of Grants Management will only accept applications via alternate methods (hardcopy paper via US mail or other provider or PDF via email) from applicants obtaining prior written approval. The application must still be submitted by the deadline. Only applications submitted through the Grants.gov portal or alternate format

(hardcopy paper via US mail or other service or PDF via email) with an approved written exemption will be accepted. See the heading "APPLICATION and SUBMISSION

INFORMATION" for information on application submission mechanisms.

To ensure adequate time to successfully submit the application, HHS/OASH recommends that applicants register as early as possible in Grants.gov since the registration process can take up to one month. For information on registering for Grants.gov, refer to http://www.grants.gov or contact the Grants.gov Contact Center 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (excluding Federal holidays) at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The Office on Women’s Health (OWH) announces the anticipated availability of funds for

Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 to award $2,200,000 total (direct and indirect) under TITLE V of the

Violence Against Women Act (2013)—Strengthening the Healthcare System’s Response to

Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, IPV, and Stalking. SECTION. 501. Consolidation of the name and telephone number of the Authorizing Official; the Grants.gov Tracking Number

(GRANTXXXX) assigned to the submission; and a copy of the ‘Rejected with Errors’ notification from Grants.gov. Send the request with supporting documentation to ogm.oash@hhs.gov. Note: failure to have an active System for Account Management (SAM) registration will not be grounds for receiving an exemption to the electronic submission requirement.

The HHS/OASH Office of Grants Management will only accept applications via alternate methods (hardcopy paper via US mail or other provider or PDF via email) from applicants obtaining prior written approval. The application must still be submitted by the deadline. Only applications submitted through the Grants.gov portal or alternate format

(hardcopy paper via US mail or other service or PDF via email) with an approved written exemption will be accepted. See the heading ‘APPLICATION and SUBMISSION

INFORMATION’ for information on application submission mechanisms.

To ensure adequate time to successfully submit the application, HHS/OASH recommends that applicants register as early as possible in Grants.gov since the registration process can take up to one month. For information on registering for Grants.gov, refer to http://www.grants.gov or contact the Grants.gov Contact Center 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (excluding Federal holidays) at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The Office on Women’s Health (OWH) announces the anticipated availability of funds for

Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 to award $2,200,000 total (direct and indirect) under TITLE V of the

Violence Against Women Act (2013)—Strengthening the Healthcare System’s Response to

Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, IPV, and Stalking. SECTION. 501. Consolidation of mailto:ogm.oash@hhs.gov http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:support@grants.gov

Grants to Strengthen the Healthcare System’s Response to Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Violence, and Stalking. OWH anticipates awarding one (1) to three (3) cooperative agreement(s) for approximately $2,200,000 total cost (direct and indirect) in FY 2015. Domestic and sexual violence will hereafter be referred to as “Interpersonal Violence” or IPV, and the network of healthcare providers and violence programs will be referred to as the IPV Provider

Network.

This initiative will continue work focused on integrating interpersonal violence assessment and intervention into basic care, as well as encouraging collaborations between healthcare providers, (including public health programs), and IPV programs. OWH encourages applicants with an established network of 5 – 10 partners, which represent healthcare providers (including those in public health programs) and domestic and sexual violence programs to apply.

Previous work focused on enhancing health care providers’ understanding of IPV issues and connecting providers with IPV programs. This funding opportunity will focus on turning the

“connections” into implementation, namely, large-scale collaboration between providers and IPV programs to test models and strategies that:

• integrate screening, brief counseling and referral for interpersonal violence into routine clinical practice,

• improve standards for documentation and communication across programs,

• integrate evaluation, continuous quality measurement and reporting, and

• Consider standardization and evidence-based interventions, balanced with local cultural and legal considerations.

The anticipated start date for new award is August 1, 2015 with an anticipated period of

Grants to Strengthen the Healthcare System’s Response to Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Violence, and Stalking. OWH anticipates awarding one (1) to three (3) cooperative agreement(s) for approximately $2,200,000 total cost (direct and indirect) in FY 2015. Domestic and sexual violence will hereafter be referred to as “Interpersonal Violence” or IPV, and the network of healthcare providers and violence programs will be referred to as the IPV Provider

Network.

This initiative will continue work focused on integrating interpersonal violence assessment and intervention into basic care, as well as encouraging collaborations between healthcare providers, (including public health programs), and IPV programs. OWH encourages applicants with an established network of 5 — 10 partners, which represent healthcare providers (including those in public health programs) and domestic and sexual violence programs to apply.

Previous work focused on enhancing health care providers’ understanding of IPV issues and connecting providers with IPV programs. This funding opportunity will focus on turning the

“connections” into implementation, namely, large- scale collaboration between providers and IPV programs to test models and strategies that:

• integrate screening, brief counseling and referral for interpersonal violence into routine clinical practice,

• improve standards for documentation and communication across programs,

• integrate evaluation, continuous quality measurement and reporting, and

• Consider standardization and evidence-based interventions, balanced with local cultural and legal considerations.

The anticipated start date for new award is August 1, 2015 with an anticipated period of performance of three (3) years. Throughout the period of performance, OWH's commitment to continuation of awards will be conditioned on the availability of funds, evidence of satisfactory progress in reaching established benchmarks and performance measures by the Awardee (as documented in required reports and/or site visits), and the determination that continued funding is in the best interest of the U.S. Government.

As a cooperative agreement, grantees can anticipate regular collaboration with other grantees and substantial OWH programmatic involvement in various aspects of the grant, including the areas of evaluation and dissemination efforts. Specifically, OWH will:

• Actively participate in finalizing work plans across sites to ensure that models and strategies are coordinated.

• Facilitate collaboration among grantees to share best practices, lessons learned, methodologies and evaluation approaches.

• Partner in identifying platforms for dissemination of evidence-based results.

The Principal Investigator(s) (PI) may enlist Technical Assistance (TA) from the OWH

Program Officer (PO) to coordinate work across sites and ensure that all goals and objectives are covered. Additional Federal partners may be invited to provide input and TA to inform the project.

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION:

Background

The mission of the Office on Women’s Health (OWH) is to provide national leadership and coordination to improve the health of women and girls through policy, education and innovative model programs. The Department of Health and Human Services has identified violence prevention as a major goal for improving health across several initiatives, including performance of three (3) years. Throughout the period of performance, OWH’s commitment to continuation of awards will be conditioned on the availability of funds, evidence of satisfactory progress in reaching established benchmarks and performance measures by the Awardee (as documented in required reports and/or site visits), and the determination that continued funding is in the best interest of the U.S. Government.

As a cooperative agreement, grantees can anticipate regular collaboration with other grantees and substantial OWH programmatic involvement in various aspects of the grant, including the areas of evaluation and dissemination efforts. Specifically, OWH will:

• Actively participate in finalizing work plans across sites to ensure that models and strategies are coordinated.

• Facilitate collaboration among grantees to share best practices, lessons learned, methodologies and evaluation approaches.

• Partner in identifying platforms for dissemination of evidence-based results.

The Principal Investigator(s) (PT) may enlist Technical Assistance (TA) from the OWH

Program Officer (P0) to coordinate work across sites and ensure that all goals and objectives are covered. Additional Federal partners may be invited to provide input and TA to inform the project.

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION:

Background

The mission of the Office on Women’s Health (OWH) is to provide national leadership and coordination to improve the health of women and girls through policy, education and innovative model programs. The Department of Health and Human Services has identified violence prevention as a major goal for improving health across several initiatives, including

Healthy People. Further efforts are needed to ensure that all aspects of the health care system respond appropriately to women and girls who are victims of interpersonal violence. According to data from the CDC, women are disproportionately affected by intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and stalking; and victims experience many negative impacts and health consequences. (http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/nisvs-fact-sheet-2014.pdf; accessed

January 10, 2015). Preliminary work supported by OWH highlighted the need for more collaborative violence prevention and health-related programs and projects.

Previous work sponsored by OWH has illustrated the need to connect health care providers and public health programs to IPV programs. Strategies have included train-the-trainer methods, clear messaging, and development of services. OWH work also supports the importance of including geographically and ethnically diverse sites to maximize impact and social responsibility to underserved populations. Across all strategies and sites, the over-riding goal has been to develop the connection and support the linkage between systems that provide health care services and IPV programs for women. The next step is to test models that implement the linkages using robust methodologies to test interventions and evaluate programs.

Focus of the Initiative

The OWH is continuing the violence again women initiative such that this funding opportunity will focus on turning the “connections” into implementation of four collaborative interventions between healthcare providers and IPV programs that reflect important and current public health policies, namely:

Healthy People. Further efforts are needed to ensure that all aspects of the health care system respond appropriately to women and girls who are victims of interpersonal violence. According to data from the CDC, women are disproportionately affected by intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and stalking; and victims experience many negative impacts and health consequences. (http ://www .cdc .gov/violenceprevention/pdf/nisvs-fact-sheet-2014 .pdf accessed

January 10, 2015). Preliminary work supported by OWH highlighted the need for more collaborative violence prevention and health-related programs and projects.

Previous work sponsored by OWH has illustrated the need to connect health care providers and public health programs to IPV programs. Strategies have included train-the-trainer methods, clear messaging, and development of services. OWH work also supports the importance of including geographically and ethnically diverse sites to maximize impact and social responsibility to underserved populations. Across all strategies and sites, the over-riding goal has been to develop the connection and support the linkage between systems that provide health care services and IPV programs for women. The next step is to test models that implement the linkages using robust methodologies to test interventions and evaluate programs.

Focus of the Initiative

The OWH is continuing the violence again women initiative such that this funding opportunity will focus on turning the “connections” into implementation of four collaborative interventions between healthcare providers and IPV programs that reflect important and current public health policies, namely:

http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/nisvs-fact-sheet-2014.pdf

1. integrate screening, brief counseling and referral for interpersonal violence covered under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148) into routine clinical practice,

2. improve standards for documentation and communication across both health care providers and IPV programs (including electronic health records),

3. integrate formal evaluation, continuous quality measurement and reporting as routine practices, and

4. Throughout, consider standardization and evidence-based interventions balanced with local cultural and legal considerations.

These four IPV collaborative interventions will create an IPV Provider Network with the potential to make a measurable impact on health services and health outcomes.. The combination of collaborative interventions into an IPV Provider Network will be proposed by the applicants, then developed, implemented, tested and evaluated by the grantees in a cooperative fashion.

Structure of the Initiative

Awards will be made to 1 (one) to 3 (three) applicants. Examples of healthcare providers include (but are not limited to health plan providers, hospital system primary care affiliates or national provider organizations. Examples of IPV programs include domestic violence professional societies, women’s shelters, national hotlines, or regional/state programs.

Applicants are encouraged to include all relevant providers who can contribute to the development and testing of innovative programs that implement the elements described previously. OWH encourages applicants with an established network of 5 – 10 partners, which represent healthcare providers (including those in public health programs) and domestic and sexual violence programs to apply. The competition is not limited to established networks.

1. integrate screening, brief counseling and referral for interpersonal violence covered under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148) into routine clinical practice,

2. improve standards for documentation and communication across both health care providers and IPV programs (including electronic health records),

3. integrate formal evaluation, continuous quality measurement and reporting as routine practices, and

4. Throughout, consider standardization and evidence-based interventions balanced with local cultural and legal considerations.

These four IPV collaborative interventions will create an IPV Provider Network with the potential to make a measurable impact on health services and health outcomes.. The combination of collaborative interventions into an IPV Provider Network will be proposed by the applicants, then developed, implemented, tested and evaluated by the grantees in a cooperative fashion.

Structure of the Initiative

Awards will be made to 1 (one) to 3 (three) applicants. Examples of healthcare providers include (but are not limited to health plan providers, hospital system primary care affiliates or national provider organizations. Examples of IPV programs include domestic violence professional societies, women’s shelters, national hotlines, or regional/state programs.

Applicants are encouraged to include all relevant providers who can contribute to the development and testing of innovative programs that implement the elements described previously. OWH encourages applicants with an established network of 5 — 10 partners, which represent healthcare providers (including those in public health programs) and domestic and sexual violence programs to apply. The competition is not limited to established networks.

Letters of Commitment from healthcare providers should be submitted to provide evidence of the partnership and should describe established relationships. Memoranda of

Understanding or Agreement may be finalized after award, although OWH assumes this will be an efficient process in light of the Letters of Commitment. Applicants are also encouraged to develop relationships with new partners, particularly if it expands the connections to American

Indian/Alaska Native populations or other minority or disadvantaged populations with a high risk for IPV.

Outcomes from the Initiative

Under this cooperative agreement, the award recipient(s) will develop outcomes related to the focus areas described previously plus routine progress reports. Outcome activities and products will be proposed and collaboratively developed by the grantees, with TA from the PO.

Examples of potential outcome products/activities include:

1. A toolkit that includes an established evidence-based screening tool*, brief counseling and referral protocols, and an implementation plan. The toolkit should be based on a theoretical framework or logic model, be efficiently implemented by health care providers, and easily adapted to be culturally appropriate.

* see examples in the “Clinical Considerations” section at:

http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsipv.htm.

2. Certification materials for the continuing education and training of healthcare professionals.

3. Templates for documentation of IPV screening, counseling and referral, with flexibility to incorporate local laws and policies and integration into electronic health records.

Letters of Commitment from healthcare providers should be submitted to provide evidence of the partnership and should describe established relationships. Memoranda of

Understanding or Agreement may be finalized after award, although OWH assumes this will be an efficient process in light of the Letters of Commitment. Applicants are also encouraged to develop relationships with new partners, particularly if it expands the connections to American

Indian/Alaska Native populations or other minority or disadvantaged populations with a high risk for IPV.

Outcomes from the Initiative

Under this cooperative agreement, the award recipient(s) will develop outcomes related to the focus areas described previously plus routine progress reports. Outcome activities and products will be proposed and collaboratively developed by the grantees, with TA from the P0.

Examples of potential outcome products/activities include:

1. A toolkit that includes an established evidence-based screening tool*, brief counseling and referral protocols, and an implementation plan. The toolkit should be based on a theoretical framework or logic model, be efficiently implemented by health care providers, and easily adapted to be culturally appropriate.

* see examples in the “Clinical Considerations” section at:

http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsipv .htm.

2. Certification materials for the continuing education and training of healthcare professionals.

3. Templates for documentation of IPV screening, counseling and referral, with flexibility to incorporate local laws and policies and integration into electronic health records.

http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsipv.htm

4. Policy analyses about new opportunities to develop, disseminate and implement policies related violence prevention in health settings.

5. Planning materials to introduce/enroll victims and patients to the Affordable Care Act

Health Insurance Marketplace during annual enrollment periods.

6. Coordinated dissemination plans and efforts to encourage national spread of grant activities and products.

7. Evaluation plan for interventions and educational materials.

AUTHORITY: This program is authorized by 42 U.S.C. 300u-2(a) and 42 U.S.C. § 237a

(§3509 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act).

II. AWARD INFORMATION

The Office on Women’s Health intends to make available approximately $2,200,000 for competitive cooperative agreements.

Grants will be funded in annual increments (budget periods) and are generally approved for a project period of up to three (3) years, although shorter project periods may be approved.

Funding for all approved budget periods beyond the first year of the grant is generally level with the initial award amount and is contingent upon the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the project, and adequate stewardship of Federal funds.

Award Information

Estimated Funds Available for Competition: $2,200,000

Anticipated Number of Awards: 1-3

Range of Awards: $500,000 - $2,200,000 per budget period)

Anticipated Start Date: 08/01/2015

Period of Performance: Not to exceed three (3) years

4. Policy analyses about new opportunities to develop, disseminate and implement policies related violence prevention in health settings.

5. Planning materials to introduce/enroll victims and patients to the Affordable Care Act

Health Insurance Marketplace during annual enrollment periods.

6. Coordinated dissemination plans and efforts to encourage national spread of grant activities and products.

7. Evaluation plan for interventions and educational materials.

AUTHORITY: This program is authorized by 42 U.S.C. 300u-2(a) and 42 U.S.C. § 237a

(35O9 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act).

II. AWARD INFORMATION

The Office on Women’s Health intends to make available approximately $2,200,000 for competitive cooperative agreements.

Grants will be funded in annual increments (budget periods) and are generally approved for a project period of up to three (3) years, although shorter project periods may be approved.

Funding for all approved budget periods beyond the first year of the grant is generally level with the initial award amount and is contingent upon the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the project, and adequate stewardship of Federal funds.

Award Information

Estimated Funds Available for Competition: $2,200,000

Anticipated Number of Awards: 1-3

Range of Awards: $500,000 - $2,200,000 per budget period)

Anticipated Start Date: 08/01/2015

Period of Performance: Not to exceed three (3) years

Budget Period Length: 12 months

Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. Agency involvement is outlined in Section I.

Type of Application Accepted: Electronic via Grants.gov ONLY unless an exemption is granted.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

Any public or private entity is eligible to apply. Eligible applicants that can apply for this funding opportunity are listed below:

• Nonprofit with 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than institution of higher education)

• Nonprofit without 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than institution of higher education)

• For-profit organizations. For-profit organizations must agree to forgo any profit or management fee.

• Universities and colleges

• Research institutions

• Hospitals

• State and local health departments.

• Small, minority, and women-owned businesses

• Community-based and Faith-based organizations

• Federally recognized or state-recognized American Indian/Alaska Native tribal governments

• American Indian/Alaska Native tribally designated organizations

• Alaska Native health organizations

• Urban Indian health organizations

Budget Period Length: 12 months

Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. Agency involvement is outlined in Section I.

Type of Application Accepted: Electronic via Grants .gov ONLY unless an exemption is granted.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

Any public or private entity is eligible to apply. Eligible applicants that can apply for this funding opportunity are listed below:

• Nonprofit with 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than institution of higher education)

• Nonprofit without 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than institution of higher education)

• For-profit organizations. For-profit organizations must agree to forgo any profit or management fee.

• Universities and colleges

• Research institutions

• Hospitals

• State and local health departments.

• Small, minority, and women-owned businesses

• Community-based and Faith-based organizations

• Federally recognized or state-recognized American Indian/Alaska Native tribal governments

• American Indian/Alaska Native tribally designated organizations

• Alaska Native health organizations

• Urban Indian health organizations

• Tribal epidemiology centers

• State and local governments or their Bona Fide Agents (this includes the District of

Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Federated States of

Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau)

• Political subdivisions of states (in consultation with states)

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost Sharing or Matching is not a requirement.

3. Responsiveness and Screening Criteria Application Screening Criteria

All applications appropriately submitted will be screened to assure a level playing field for all applicants. If duplicate applications from the same organization for the same project are successfully submitted, only the last application received by the deadline will be reviewed.

Applications that fail to meet the screening criteria described below will not be reviewed and will receive no further consideration.

1. Applications must be submitted electronically via www.grants.gov (unless an exemption was granted 2 business days prior to the deadline) by May 12, 2015.

2. The Project Narrative section of the application must be double-spaced, on the equivalent of 8 ½ ” x 11” inch page size, with 1” margins on all sides (top, bottom, left and right) and font size not less than 12 points.

3. The Project Narrative must not exceed 10 pages. NOTE: The following items do not count toward the page limit: all required forms, including SF-424, SF-424A, SF-

424B, SF-LLL, Project Abstract Summary and Budget narrative

• Tribal epidemiology centers

• State and local governments or their Bona Fide Agents (this includes the District of

Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mañana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Federated States of

Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau)

• Political subdivisions of states (in consultation with states)

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost Sharing or Matching is not a requirement.

3. Responsiveness and Screening Criteria Application Screening Criteria

All applications appropriately submitted will be screened to assure a level playing field for all applicants. If duplicate applications from the same organization for the same project are successfully submitted, only the last application received by the deadline will be reviewed.

Applications that fail to meet the screening criteria described below will not be reviewed and will receive no further consideration.

1. Applications must be submitted electronically via www.grants.gov (unless an exemption was granted 2 business days prior to the deadline) by May 12, 2015.

2. The Project Narrative section of the application must be double-spaced, on the equivalent of 8 ½” x 11” inch page size, with 1” margins on all sides (top, bottom, left and right) and font size not less than 12 points.

3. The Project Narrative must not exceed 10 pages. NOTE: The following items do not count toward the page limit: all required forms, including SF-424, SF-424A, SF424B, SF-LLL, Project Abstract Summary and Budget narrative

4. The total application including Appendices must not exceed 25 pages. NOTE: items noted above do not count toward total page limit.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Information to Request Application Package

Application packages may be obtained electronically by accessing Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov/. If you have problems accessing the application or difficulty downloading, contact:

Grant Operations Center, Office of Grants Management Operations Center, telephone 1-

888-203-6161, or email ASH@LCGnet.com.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Application Format

Applications must be prepared using forms and information provided in the online grant application package.

The Project Narrative, and total application including appendices, must adhere to the page limit indicated in Application Screening Criteria.

Project Narrative pages must be double-spaced.

The applicant should use an easily readable typeface, such as Times New Roman or

Arial, 12-point font. Tables may be single spaced and use alternate fonts but must be easily readable. The page limit does not include budget, budget narrative/ justification, required forms, assurances, and certifications as described in Application Screening Criteria. All pages, charts, figures, and tables, whether in the narrative or appendices, should be numbered. Applications that exceed the specified page limits when printed on 8.5” X 11” paper by HHS/OASH/OGM

4. The total application including Appendices must not exceed 25 pages. NOTE: items noted above do not count toward total page limit.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Information to Request Application Package

Application packages may be obtained electronically by accessing Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov/. If you have problems accessing the application or difficulty downloading, contact:

Grant Operations Center, Office of Grants Management Operations Center, telephone 1-

888-203-6161, or email ASH@LCGnet.com.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Application Format

Applications must be prepared using forms and information provided in the online grant application package.

The Project Narrative, and total application including appendices, must adhere to the page limit indicated in Application Screening Criteria.

Project Narrative pages must be double-spaced.

The applicant should use an easily readable typeface, such as Times New Roman or

Anal, 12-point font. Tables may be single spaced and use alternate fonts but must be easily readable. The page limit does not include budget, budget narrative! justification, required forms, assurances, and certifications as described in Application Screening Criteria. All pages, charts, figures, and tables, whether in the narrative or appendices, should be numbered. Applications that exceed the specified page limits when printed on 8.5” X 11” paper by HHS!OASH!OGM mailto:ASH@LCGnet.com will not be considered. We recommend applicants print out their applications before submitting electronically to ensure that they are within the page limit and are easily readable.

Appendices

Appendices should include any specific documents outlined in the Application Content section of this FOA. If not specified, appendices may include curriculum vitae, organizational structure, examples of organizational capabilities, or other supplemental information which supports the application. Brochures and bound materials should not be submitted. Appendices are for supportive information only and should be clearly labeled. All information that is critical to the proposed project should be included in the body of the application. Appendices created specifically for the application should use the same formatting required for the Project Narrative, including double-line spacing. However, appendix documents that were not created directly in response to this funding announcement, especially those imported from other sources and documents, may use other formatting but must be easily readable (e.g., organizational structure).

Project Abstract

Applicants must complete the Project Abstract Summary form provided in the application package. The abstract will be used to provide reviewers with an overview of the application, and will form the basis for the application summary in grants management and program summary documents. Abstracts may be published by HHS/OASH and should not include sensitive or proprietary information.

Budget Narrative

The Budget Narrative text should use the formatting required of the Project Narrative for the explanatory text. Budget tables may be single-spaced but should be laid out in an easily-readable format and within the printable margins of the page.

will not be considered. We recommend applicants print out their applications before submitting electronically to ensure that they are within the page limit and are easily readable.

Appendices

Appendices should include any specific documents outlined in the Application Content section of this FOA. If not specified, appendices may include curriculum vitae, organizational structure, examples of organizational capabilities, or other supplemental information which supports the application. Brochures and bound materials should not be submitted. Appendices are for supportive information only and should be clearly labeled. All information that is critical to the proposed project should be included in the body of the application. Appendices created specifically for the application should use the same formatting required for the Project Narrative, including double-line spacing. However, appendix documents that were not created directly in response to this funding announcement, especially those imported from other sources and documents, may use other formatting but must be easily readable (e.g., organizational structure).

Project Abstract

Applicants must complete the Project Abstract Summary form provided in the application package. The abstract will be used to provide reviewers with an overview of the application, and will form the basis for the application summary in grants management and program summary documents. Abstracts may be published by HHS/OASH and should not include sensitive or proprietary information.

Budget Narrative

The Budget Narrative text should use the formatting required of the Project Narrative for the explanatory text. Budget tables may be single-spaced but should be laid out in an easilyreadable format and within the printable margins of the page.

Electronic Submission

The HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (HHS/OASH) requires all applications be submitted electronically via the Grants.gov portal unless an exemption has been granted. Any applications submitted via any other means of electronic communication, including facsimile or electronic mail, will not be accepted for review.

You may access the Grants.gov website portal at http://www.grants.gov. All HHS/OASH funding opportunities and grant application packages are made available on Grants.gov.

Applications will not be considered valid until all application components are received via Grants.gov by the HHS/OASH Office of Grants Management according to the deadlines specified in the DATES section on page 1 of this announcement. Application submissions that do not adhere to the due date and time requirements will be deemed ineligible.

Applicants are encouraged to initiate electronic applications early in the application development process. This will aid in addressing any problems with submissions prior to the application deadline. Any files uploaded or attached to the Grants.gov application must be of the following file formats – Microsoft Word, Excel or PowerPoint, Adobe PDF, or image formats

(JPG, GIF, TIFF, or BMP only). Even though Grants.gov allows applicants to attach any file format as part of their application, HHS/OASH restricts this practice and only accepts the file formats identified above. Any file submitted as part of the Grants.gov application that is not in a file format identified above will not be accepted for processing and will be excluded from the application during the review process. The application must be submitted in a file format that can easily be copied and read by reviewers. We do not recommend that you submit scanned copies through Grants.gov unless you confirm the clarity of the documents. Pages cannot be reduced resulting in multiple pages on a single sheet to avoid exceeding the page limitation. All

Electronic Submission

The HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (HHS/OASH) requires all applications be submitted electronically via the Grants.gov portal unless an exemption has been granted. Any applications submitted via any other means of electronic communication, including facsimile or electronic mail, will not be accepted for review.

You may access the Grants.gov website portal at http://www.grants.gov. All HHS/OASH funding opportunities and grant application packages are made available on Grants.gov.

Applications will not be considered valid until all application components are received via Grants.gov by the HHS/OASH Office of Grants Management according to the deadlines specified in the DATES section on page 1 of this announcement. Application submissions that do not adhere to the due date and time requirements will be deemed ineligible.

Applicants are encouraged to initiate electronic applications early in the application development process. This will aid in addressing any problems with submissions prior to the application deadline. Any files uploaded or attached to the Grants .gov application must be of the following file formats — Microsoft Word, Excel or PowerPoint, Adobe PDF, or image formats

(JPG, GIF, TIFF, or BMP only). Even though Grants.gov allows applicants to attach any file format as part of their application, HHS/OASH restricts this practice and only accepts the file formats identified above. Any file submitted as part of the Grants.gov application that is not in a file format identified above will not be accepted for processing and will be excluded from the application during the review process. The application must be submitted in a file format that can easily be copied and read by reviewers. We do not recommend that you submit scanned copies through Grants.gov unless you confirm the clarity of the documents. Pages cannot be reduced resulting in multiple pages on a single sheet to avoid exceeding the page limitation. All documents that do not conform to the above will be excluded from the application during the review process.

A. Important Grants.gov Information

You may access the electronic application for this program on http://www.grants.gov.

You must search the downloadable application page by the Funding Opportunity Number or

CFDA number.

To ensure successful submission of applications, applicants should carefully follow the step-by-step instructions provided at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html . These instructions are kept up-to-date and also provide links to Frequently Asked

Questions and other troubleshooting information.

Applicants should contact Grants.gov with any questions or concerns regarding the electronic application process conducted through Grants.gov.

• You are required to provide a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering

System (DUNS) number when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements.

It is a unique, nine-digit identification number, which provides unique identifiers of single business entities. The DUNS number is free and easy to obtain.

• Instructions are available on the Grants.Gov web site as part of the organization registration process at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html.

• All applicants must register in the System for Account Management (SAM). You should allow a minimum of five days to complete the SAM registration. Grants.gov will reject submissions from applicants with nonexistent or expired SAM documents that do not conform to the above will be excluded from the application during the review process.

A. Important Grants.gov Information

You may access the electronic application for this program on http://www.grants.gov.

You must search the downloadable application page by the Funding Opportunity Number or

CFDA number.

To ensure successful submission of applications, applicants should carefully follow the step-by- step instructions provided at http ://www .grants . gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-forgrants.html

. These instructions are kept up-to-date and also provide links to Frequently Asked

Questions and other troubleshooting information.

Applicants should contact Grants .gov with any questions or concerns regarding the electronic application process conducted through Grants.gov.

• You are required to provide a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering

System (DUNS) number when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements.

It is a unique, nine-digit identification number, which provides unique identifiers of single business entities. The DUNS number is free and easy to obtain.

• Instructions are available on the Grants.Gov web site as part of the organization registration process at http ://www .grants . gov/web/grants/applicants/organizationregistration.html

• All applicants must register in the System for Account Management (SAM). You should allow a minimum of five days to complete the SAM registration. Grants.gov will reject submissions from applicants with nonexistent or expired SAM http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html

Registrations. You can register with the SAM online and it will take about 30 minutes

(https://www.sam.gov.)

• You must renew your SAM registration each year. Organizations registered to apply for Federal grants through http://www.grants.gov will need to renew their registration in SAM.

• It may take 24 hours or more for SAM updates to take effect in Grants.gov, so potential applicants should check for active registration well before the application deadline.

• Applicants must maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration by an HHS agency.

An award cannot be made until the applicant has complied with these requirements. In accordance with 2 CFR 25.205, at the time an award is ready to be made, if the intended recipient has not complied with these requirements, HHS/OASH:

• May determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award; and

• May use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

Should you successfully compete and receive an award, all first-tier sub-award recipients must have a DUNS number at the time the recipient makes a sub-award.

B. Application Content

Successful applications will contain the following information:

Project Narrative

The Project Narrative is the most important part of the application, since it will be used as the primary basis to determine whether or not your project meets the minimum requirements for

Registrations. You can register with the SAM online and it will take about 30 minutes

(https ://www.sam.gov.)

• You must renew your SAM registration each year. Organizations registered to apply for Federal grants through http ://www .grants .gov will need to renew their registration in SAM.

• It may take 24 hours or more for SAM updates to take effect in Grants.gov, so potential applicants should check for active registration well before the application deadline.

• Applicants must maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration by an HHS agency.

An award cannot be made until the applicant has complied with these requirements. In accordance with 2 CFR 25.205, at the time an award is ready to be made, if the intended recipient has not complied with these requirements, HHS/OASH:

• May determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award; and

• May use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

Should you successfully compete and receive an award, all first-tier sub-award recipients must have a DUNS number at the time the recipient makes a sub-award.

B. Application Content

Successful applications will contain the following information:

Project Narrative

The Project Narrative is the most important part of the application, since it will be used as the primary basis to determine whether or not your project meets the minimum requirements for https://www.sam.gov/ a grant under this announcement. The Project Narrative should provide a clear and concise description of your project. HHS/OASH recommends that your project narrative include the following components:

Executive Summary

I. Problem Statement, Goal(s) and Objective(s)

II. Proposed Interventions and Implementation, including Special Target Populations and Organizations

III. Proposed Outcomes and Evaluation

IV. Dissemination

V. Project Management and Organizational Capability

Executive Summary

This section should include a brief description of the proposed project, including: goal(s), objectives within your partner network, proposed intervention and implementation processes, proposed outcomes and dissemination plans.

Problem Statement, Goal(s) and Objective(s)

The Problem Statement should describe, in both quantitative and qualitative terms, your perspective on the nature and scope of the specific and particular problem or issue, and the proposed intervention it is designed to address.