fy15 omh foa lupus amended.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Office of Minority Health

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE: National Health Education Program on Lupus

ACTION: Notice

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial Competitive Grant

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: [MH-CPI -15-00X]

CFDA NUMBER: 93.137

CFDA PROGRAM: Community Programs to Improve Minority Health Grant Program

DATES:

Applications are due May 18, 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 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.

Executive Order 12372 comment due date: The State Single Point of Contract (SPOC) has 60 days from the application due date to submit any comments. For more information on the

SPOC see section IV.4 Intergovernmental Review.

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.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to register multiple authorized organization representatives.

mailto:ogm.oash@hhs.gov http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:support@grants.gov

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The United States Department of Health and Human Services

(HHS or Department), Office of Minority Health (OMH) announces the availability of funds for

Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 for the National Health Education Program on Lupus (hereafter referred to as NHEPL) under the authority of Section 1707 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C, §300u-6) and the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, H.R. 3547.

This notice solicits applications for projects that promote lupus collaboration among entities concerned with this issue in order to promote awareness/education, diagnosis and treatment through the NHEPL. The program is intended to improve lupus awareness, diagnosis and treatment through increased collaboration among lupus organizations dedicated to research, education, support and advocacy; improved outreach and education efforts in the community;

and engagement of healthcare providers, educators, and health professions schools. The NHEPL will target individuals, patients, communities, and practicing professionals in geographic areas and populations where lupus is more prevalent. Practicing professionals include physicians, nurses and other allied health professionals (hereafter referred to as health professionals) and medical, nursing, and other allied health students in training (hereafter referred to as student trainees).

The OMH will fund 3-5 grants to carry out NHEPL as described in this announcement. The

OMH expects successful applicants to utilize standard practices necessary for effective collaborative partnerships. This includes developing a structure for involvement, and regularly engaging community and partnering organizations in the design and review of strategies, tools, resources, and approaches needed to carry out NHEPL. Community and partnering organization members shall represent a wide range of health partners including minority health professional associations, medical and nursing professional associations, medical and nursing schools, schools of allied health professions, and healthcare organizations. In addition, successful applicants will have many of the recommended relationships already in place, will be knowledgeable in the most effective strategies for working with these entities to achieve NHEPL programmatic goals, and will have existing knowledge and expertise in lupus epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and disparity related issues. Moreover, successful applicants will have a history of forming, managing and engaging community and partnering organizations in the conduct of health related initiatives. Ultimately, the NHEPL aims to remove the barriers to diagnosis, treatment, and disease management for minorities impacted by lupus, often due to limited access to lupus educational curricula tools and resources that currently exist among practicing health professionals. Educating the general public, student trainees, and health professionals can be an effective way to provide scientific-based information about lupus and to encourage testing of individuals when presenting symptoms consistent with lupus.

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION:

1. Purpose

The purpose of the NHEPL is to reduce lupus related health disparities among racial and ethnic minority populations disproportionately affected by this disease by conducting a national lupus education initiative that includes the general public, health professionals and student trainees in targeted communities, schools and health care systems and practices.

Three to five grantees will be funded to conduct this national initiative. These grantees will be responsible for conducting at least two of the following three priority activities:

A. Conduct provider training to include physicians, nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and allied health professionals to engage them to improve lupus diagnosis and treatment through education, appropriate linkages to care, disease management, and enrollment in health coverage.

B. Implement a lupus program through a comprehensive community level education effort that will serve persons living with lupus and their family members. The program will include: community outreach to improve awareness and understanding of lupus and management of primary and secondary conditions; access to care and coverage to increase the number of persons linked to health care services and enrolled in health coverage; and communication strategies such as electronic media and patient/provider software application development to improve disease management and outcomes and patient/provider communication.

C. Develop and maintain patient and family care networks to identify strategies that address the emotional and social support needs of individuals diagnosed with lupus and their families and improve care coordination across the health care delivery system.

Successful applicants will conduct activities that address a minimum of two priority areas by working collaboratively within the grantee’s network of agencies and organizations.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes a host of symptoms and poses significant disease management and treatment challenges for patients and health care providers. In autoimmune disorders such as lupus, the immune system, which is designed to protect against infection, creates auto antibodies that attack the body’s own tissues and organs.

These auto antibodies cause inflammation which damages organs and tissue. Although scientists have achieved significant advances in the treatment and management of this disease, there is still no cure for lupus.

In the United States, lupus disproportionately affects African Americans, Asians, and

American Indians.

Persons of African Caribbean or African descent may also be at higher risk.

Lupus is 2-3 times more common in African American populations.

The age range for individuals with lupus also varies widely. Lupus can occur in very young children or the elderly; however, the average age range for diagnosis of lupus is generally between 15 and 44. In this age group, women with lupus outnumber men

12 to 1. Because these are childbearing years, the impact of lupus on women is particularly problematic.

2. OMH Expectations

OMH expects that the lupus intervention will result in:

Increased number of health professionals and student trainees who are knowledgeable and skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of lupus;

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of

Health. Systemic lupus erythematosus. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human

Services, http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Lupus/default.asp. Accessed January 2015.

Petri, M. Epidemiology of systemic lupus erythematosus. Best Practice and Research. 2002;

16(5):847-858.

Simard JF and Costenbader. What can epidemiology tell us about systemic lupus. International

Journal of Clinical Practice, July 2007. (7):1170-1180.

Krishman E and Huber HB. Ethnicity and mortality from systemic lupus erthematosus in the

US. Ann Rheum Dis., 2006. 65:1500-1505 National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of

Health. Systemic lupus erythematosus. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human

Services, http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Lupus/default.asp. Accessed January 2015.

http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Lupus/default.asp http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Lupus/default.asp

Increased number of health professionals with enhanced knowledge and expertise in the signs and symptoms of lupus, treatment adherence, and screening;

Increased number of people who are aware of the disease and knowledgeable about its symptoms and warning signs;

Increased number of providers that use lupus materials to disseminate information to patients and families (e.g., patient educational materials and patient videos).

Improved access to care and improved linkage to health care services and enrollment in health coverage for patients;

Improved communication among the lupus community and health care providers, especially among individuals living with lupus and their families, to foster and improve disease management through the use of social media and other electronic means of communication; and

Increased capacity for patient and family care networks to address the emotional and social support needs of individuals diagnosed with lupus and their families, and to improve care coordination across the health care delivery system.

3. Applicant Project Results

Applicants must identify anticipated project results that are consistent with the NHEPL and

OMH expectations. Project results should fall within the following general categories:

Increased patient and provider lupus knowledge and awareness;

Increased access to culturally and linguistically appropriate lupus education and training curricula and materials for student trainees and health professionals;

Evidence of an effective community level education outreach campaign that is appropriately utilized, managed, and sustained over the duration of the lupus initiative;

Effective engagement and integration of diverse community organizations and patient advocates in the implementation of the intervention; and

Increased efforts to create and support patient and family care networks that identify strategies that address the emotional and social support needs of patients diagnosed with lupus and improve care coordination across the health care delivery system.

4. Project Requirements

Applicant organizations must propose to conduct activities in at least two of the following three priority areas:

A. Conduct provider training to include physicians, nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and allied health professionals to engage them to improve lupus diagnosis and treatment through education, appropriate linkages to care, disease management, and healthcare enrollment.

Increase the number of health professionals and student trainees with knowledge and expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of lupus.

Increase the number of health professionals with enhanced knowledge of screening for lupus.

B. Implement a lupus program through a comprehensive community level education effort that will serve persons living with lupus and their family members. The program will include: community outreach to improve awareness and understanding of lupus and management of primary and secondary conditions; access to care and coverage to increase the number of persons linked to health care services and enrolled in health coverage; and communication strategies such as electronic media and patient/provider software application development to improve disease management and outcomes and patient/provider communication.

Increase the number of people who are aware of the disease and knowledgeable about its symptoms and warning signs.

Increase the number of providers that use lupus materials to disseminate information to patients and families (e.g., patient educational materials, and patient videos).

Improve communication among the lupus community and health care providers, especially among patients and their families, to foster and improve disease management through the use of social media and other electronic means of communication.

C. Develop and maintain patient and family care networks to identify strategies that address the emotional and social support needs of patients diagnosed with lupus and their families, and improve care coordination across the health care delivery system.

Improve access to care for patients and improve linkages to health care services and enrollment in health coverage plans.

Increase support for patient and family care networks to address strategies that address the emotional and social support needs of individuals diagnosed with lupus and their families, and to improve care coordination across the health care delivery system.

AUTHORITY: Section 1707 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. §300u-6) and the

Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

OMH intends to make available approximately $2,000,000 for The National Health

Education Program on Lupus competing grants. These grants will be funded for a project period of up to one year.

Award Information

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

Anticipated Number of Awards: 3-5

Range of Awards: $350,000 to $500,000

Anticipated Start Date: 08/01/2015

Period of Performance: Not to exceed 1 year

Budget Period Length: 12 months

Type of Award: Grant

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

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

Any public or private nonprofit entity located in a State (which includes one of the 50

United States, District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands) is eligible to apply for a grant under this announcement. Even where states apply for a family planning services grant, local and regional entities may also apply directly to the Secretary for a family planning services grant under this announcement. Faith-based organizations and American

Indian/Alaska Native/Native American (AI/AN/NA) organizations are eligible to apply for these grants.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost Sharing is not required

3. Responsiveness and Screening Criteria (see below)

Applications will be reviewed to determine whether they meet the following responsiveness criteria. Those that do not will be administratively eliminated from the competition and will not be reviewed.

The applicant must propose to conduct activities in at least two of the following three priority areas:

A. Conduct provider training to include physicians, nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and allied health professionals to engage them to improve lupus diagnosis and treatment through education, appropriate linkages to care, disease management, and healthcare enrollment.

B. Implement a lupus program through a comprehensive community level education effort that will serve persons living with lupus and their family members.

C. Develop and maintain patient and family care networks to identify strategies that address the emotional and social support needs of patients diagnosed with lupus and their families, and improve care coordination across the health care delivery system.

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 18, 2015, 5 p.m. ET.

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 50 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.

4. The total application including Appendices must not exceed 65 pages. NOTE: items noted above do not count toward total page limit.

5. Proposed budget does not exceed maximum indicated in Range of Awards.

6. The application has met the Application Responsiveness Criteria outlined above.

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 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.

mailto:ASH@LCGnet.com

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.

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.

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

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

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.

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html https://www.sam.gov/

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 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

Problem Statement

Goal(s) and Objective(s)

Proposed Intervention

Special Target Populations and Organizations

Outcomes

Project Management

Evaluation

Dissemination

Organizational Capability

Executive Summary. This section should include a brief description of the proposed project, including: goal(s), objectives, outcomes, and products to be developed.

Problem Statement. This section should describe, in both quantitative and qualitative terms, the nature and scope of the specific and particular problem or issue, and the proposed intervention it is designed to address. It should detail how the project will potentially affect the targeted population, specific subgroups within those populations, and other interested stakeholders as identified. It is recommended that applicants focus their problem statement on the specific aspects of the history, extant literature, current status, and policy considerations bearing on the program area, and the roles of the national, state, and local agencies responsible for their operation, rather than providing a broad or sweeping historical overview that is not directly related to the proposed interventions and activities.

Goals and Objectives. This section should consist of a description of the project’s goal(s) and major objectives. Unless the project involves multiple, complex interventions, we recommend you have only one overall goal. Applicants are expected to explain the relevance of the program objectives to the HHS Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities and Healthy People 2020 objectives.

http://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/npa/templates/content.aspx?lvl=1&lvlid=33&ID=285 http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020 .

http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020

Proposed Intervention. This section should provide a clear and concise description of the intervention you are proposing to use to address the need identified in the program announcement and the problem described in the “Problem Statement” above.

Applicants are expected to explain the rationale for using a particular intervention and to present a clear connection between identified system gaps and needs and the proposed activities. Proposals should detail the nature of the activities to be undertaken, how they address system gaps and identified issues, and how they will assist in achieving the overall project goals and objectives. Clarification as to why these specific activities were selected is appropriate (i.e. has this approach been successful in other settings? Does the research suggest this direction?). Also note any major barriers you anticipate encountering and how your project will be able to overcome those barriers. At minimum, applicants should:

1. Indicate a plan for addressing the problems or issues nationally. Provide detailed descriptions of specific products or outcomes proposed for development or modification.

2. Demonstrate how technology will be incorporated to advertise and advance programs and services, provide training and/or technical assistance, and disseminate information and products.

3. Describe the role and makeup of potential subrecipients who are intended to be involved in completing specific tasks, and identify the percentage of level of effort subrecipients are anticipated to provide in completing programmatic activities.

4. Provide specifics about the intervention strategies, expected outcomes, and barriers for all anticipated years of the grant.

Special Target Populations and Organizations. This section should describe how you plan to involve community-based organizations and practicing professionals in geographic areas where lupus is more prevalent in a meaningful way in the planning and implementation of the proposal project. This section should also describe how the proposed intervention will target populations affected by lupus, including limited-English speaking populations. Additionally, this section should outline who the applicant considers vested stakeholders in the successful operation they were/will be identified, and how they will be meaningfully incorporated into the project.

Outcomes. This section of the project narrative must clearly identify the measurable outcome(s) that will result from the project. HHS/OASH will not fund any project that does not include measurable outcomes. In addition to discussion in the narrative, applicants must describe how they envision the project will benefit the field at large

A “measurable outcome” is an observable end-result that describes how a particular intervention benefits consumers. It demonstrates the “impact” of the intervention. For example, a change in a client’s financial, health, and/or functional status; mental well-being; knowledge; skill; attitude; awareness; or behavior. It can also describe a change in the degree to which consumers exercise choice over the types of services they receive, or whether they are satisfied with the way a service is delivered. Additional examples include: a change in the responsiveness or cost-effectiveness of a service delivery system;

a new model of support or care that can be replicated; new knowledge; a measurable increase in community awareness; or a measurable increase in persons receiving services.

A measurable outcome is not a measurable “output”, such as: the number of clients served; the number of training sessions held; or the number of service units provided.

You should keep the focus of this section on describing what outcome(s) will be produced by the project. You should use the Evaluation section noted below to describe how the outcome(s) will be measured and reported. Your application will be scored on the clarity and nature of your proposed outcomes, not on the number of outcomes cited.

In many cases, it is very appropriate for a project to have only ONE outcome that it is trying to achieve through the intervention reflected in the project’s design.

Project Management. This section should include a clear delineation of the roles and responsibilities of project staff and subrecipients and how they will contribute to achieving the project’s objectives and outcomes. It should specify who would have day-to-day responsibility for key tasks such as: leadership of project; monitoring the project’s on-going progress, preparation of reports; and communications with other partners and HHS/OASH. It should also describe the approach that will be used to monitor and track progress on the project’s tasks and objectives. HHS/OASH expects that, throughout the grant period, the Project Director will have involvement in, and substantial knowledge about, all aspects of the project.

Evaluation. This section should describe the methods that you will use to evaluate whether or not the proposed intervention achieves its measurable outcome(s) and assess and evaluate the impact of activities for which you are applying. You should describe the quantitative and qualitative tools and techniques that you will employ to measure the outcome(s) and how you will identify and document the “lessons learned.”

Applicants must provide a logic model as suggested in the Strategic Framework for OMH: Improving Racial and Ethnic Minority Health and Eliminating Racial and

Ethnic Health Disparities. The OMH Strategic Framework can be found at:

http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=3&lvlid=20.

Applicants are also strongly encouraged to refer to “Evaluation Planning

Guidelines for Grant Applicants” when developing the evaluation plan for the proposal.

This document can be found at:

http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/Assets/pdf/Checked/1/Evaluation%20Planning%20Guideli nes%20for%20Grant%20Applicants.pdf.

Note: Successful applicants will also be required to report project-related data in the Office of Minority Health’s Performance Data System (PDS) (OMB No. 0990-0275, Expiration date 08/31/16). PDS is a web-based management information system developed by the Office of Minority Health to enable collection of standardized performance data from OMH grant recipients.

http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=3&lvlid=20 http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/Assets/pdf/Checked/1/Evaluation%20Planning%20Guidelines%20for%20Grant%20Applicants.pdf http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/Assets/pdf/Checked/1/Evaluation%20Planning%20Guidelines%20for%20Grant%20Applicants.pdf

Dissemination. This section should describe the method that will be used to disseminate the project’s results and findings in a timely manner and in easily understandable formats to the target audience, the general public, and other parties who might be interested in using the results of the project. All appropriate findings and products will be posted on a HHS/OASH sponsored website as determined by the

HHS/OASH project officer. Therefore, applicants should propose other innovative approaches to informing parties who might be interested in using the results of the project to inform practice, service delivery, program development, and/or policy-making, especially to those parties who would be interested in replicating the project.

HHS/OASH expects that nationwide dissemination of products and knowledge will occur.

Organizational Capability: Each application must include an organizational capability statement and vitae for key project personnel. The organizational capability statement should describe how the applicant agency (or the particular division of a larger agency which will have responsibility for this project) is organized, the nature and scope of its work, and the capabilities it possesses. This description should cover capabilities of the applicant agency not included in the program narrative, such as any current or previous relevant experience and/or the record of the project team in preparing cogent and useful reports, publications, and other products. If appropriate, include an organization chart showing the relationship of the project to the current organization.

Also include information about any contractual and/or supportive staff/organization(s) that will have a secondary role(s) in implementing the project and achieving project goals.

You are required to submit a Budget Narrative. Please Note: Because the proposal must demonstrate a clear and strong relationship between the stated objectives, project activities, and the budget, the budget justification should describe the cost estimated per proposed project, activity, or product. This budget justification should define the amount of work that is planned and expected to be performed and what it will cost. The Budget Narrative does not count toward your total application page limit.

Appendices

Include documentation and other supporting information in this section. 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.

All items described in this section will count toward the total page limit of your application.

Work Plan. The Project Work Plan should reflect, and be consistent with, the Project

Narrative and Budget, and must cover 12-months (1) year of the project period.

However, each year’s activities should be fully attainable in one budget year. The Work

Plan should include a statement of the project’s overall goal, anticipated outcome(s), key objectives, and the major tasks, action steps, or products that will be pursued or developed to achieve the goal and outcome(s). For each major task, action step, or product, the work plan should identify the timeframes involved (including start- and end-dates), and the lead person responsible for completing the task.

Letters of Commitment from Subrecipient Organizations and Agencies

Letters of Commitment are required for all organizations and entities that have been specifically named as a subrecipient to carry out any aspect of the project. The signed letters of commitment must detail the specific role and resources that will be provided, or activities that will be undertaken, in support of the applicant. The organization’s expertise, experience, and access to the targeted population(s) should also be described in the letter of commitment.

Letters of commitment are not the same as letters of support. Letters of support are letters that are general in nature that speak to the writer’s belief in the capability of an applicant to accomplish a goal/task. Letters of support also may indicate an intent or interest to work together in the future, but they lack specificity. Applicants should NOT provide letters of “support,” and letters of support such as this will not be considered during the review.

3. Submission Dates and Times

The deadline for the submission of applications under this Program Announcement is

5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the date indicated in the DATES section on page 1 of this announcement. Applications must be submitted by that date and time.

Applications that fail to meet the application due date will not be reviewed and will receive no further consideration. You are strongly encouraged to submit your application a minimum of 3-5 days prior to the application closing date. Do not wait until the last day in the event you encounter technical difficulties, either on your end or with http://www.grants.gov .

Grants.gov can take up to 48 hours to notify you of a successful submission.

Unsuccessful submissions will require authenticated verification from http://www.grants.gov indicating system problems existed at the time of your submission. For example, you will be required to provide an http://www.grants.gov submission error notification and/or tracking number in order to substantiate missing the cut off date.

4. Intergovernmental Review

Applications under this announcement are subject to the requirements of

Executive Order 12372, ‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,’’ as implemented by

45 CFR part 100, ‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services

Programs and Activities.’’ As soon as possible, the applicant should discuss the project with the

State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for the State in which the applicant is located. The current listing of the SPOCs is available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc. For those states not represented on the listing, further inquiries should be made by the applicant regarding submission to the relevant SPOC. The SPOC should forward any comments to the Department of

Health and Human Services 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20852. The http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc

SPOC has 60 days from the due date listed in this announcement to submit any comments. For further information, contact the HHS/OASH Office of Grants Management at 240–453–8822.

5. Funding Restrictions

The allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and necessity of direct and indirect costs may be charged to HHS/OASH grants in accordance with Department regulations and policy effective at the time of the award. Current requirements are outlined at 45 CFR Part 75 Uniform

Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards, 79

Federal Register 75871 (December 19, 2014).

Indirect costs may be included per 45 CFR 75.414. Applicants should indicate which method and/or rate is used for this application. To obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate with the

Federal Government you may contact the Health and Human Services Division of Cost

Allocation (DCA) Regional Office that is applicable to your State. A list of DCA Regional

Offices is included in the grant application package for this announcement.

Pre-Award Costs:

Are not allowed.

Salary Limitation:

The Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (P.L. 113-235) limits the salary amount that may be awarded and charged to HHS/OASH grants and cooperative agreements. Award funds should not be budgeted to pay the salary of an individual at a rate in excess of Executive Level II. Currently, the Executive Level II salary of the Federal Executive

Pay scale is $183,300. This amount reflects an individual’s base salary exclusive of fringe and any income that an individual may be permitted to earn outside of the duties to the applicant organization. This salary limitation also applies to subawards/subcontracts under an HHS/OASH grant or cooperative agreement.

As an example of the application of this limitation: If an individual’s base salary is

$350,000 per year plus fringe benefits of 25% ($87,500) and that individual is devoting 50% of their time to this award, their base salary should be adjusted to $183,300, their direct salary would be $91,650 (50% FTE), fringe benefits of 25% would be $22,912.50, and a total of

$114,562.50 may be included in the project budget and charged to the award in salary/fringe benefits for that individual. See the breakdown below:

Individual’s actual base full time salary: $350,000

50% of time will be devoted to project

Direct salary $175,000

Fringe (25% of salary) $43,750

Total $218,750

Amount that may be claimed on the application budget due to the legislative salary limitation:

Individual’s base full time salary adjusted to Executive Level II: $183,300

50% of time will be devoted to the project

Direct salary $91,650

Fringe (25% of salary) $22,912.50

Total amount $114,562.50

Appropriate salary limits will apply as required by law.

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. Criteria: Eligible applications will be assessed according to the following criteria:

A. Factor 1: Program Plan (40 points)

Appropriateness and merit of proposed approach in terms of methodology, creativity, and innovation relative to each objective.

Logic and sequencing of the planned approach relative to the statement of need and objectives.

Clear and sound plan for strengthening the quality and dissemination of lupus education and training.

Qualifications, experience and appropriateness of proposed partner organizations.

Appropriateness of defined roles of partner organizations and proposed consultants.

Soundness of the dissemination plan and evidence of applicant’s capacity to carry out the plan

Applicant’s strength and potential to recruit a variety of health professions schools for curriculum dissemination and use.

B. Factor 2: Evaluation Plan (25 points)

Clearly articulated and detailed plan for monitoring and evaluating progress toward desired results.

Degree to which intended results are consistent with lupus goals overall, and the stated objectives of the proposed project and activities.

Sound plan for tracking, assessing, and documenting progress toward achieving objectives, planned activities, and intended outcomes.

Clarity of plan for measuring lupus outcomes and accomplishments.

Clarity of plan for assessing exposure of lupus educational tools and resources among practicing professionals.

Clearly articulated evaluation methods that are consistent with OMH evaluation planning guidelines and logic model.

C. Factor 3: Background and Experience (20 points)

Demonstrated knowledge of lupus including epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, management, and associated disparities among affected racial and ethnic populations.

Previous experience providing lupus education and training to health professionals.

Extent and documented outcome of past efforts and activities relative to lupus education.

Previous experience in conducting comprehensive community level health education campaigns aimed at increasing the awareness and understanding of health issues and access to health care by the target population.

Extent to which the applicant has used electronic and social media to conduct outreach for patients and their families to improve disease management and health outcomes.

Previous expertise in developing and maintaining patient and family care networks to address the emotional and care coordination needed by those affected by lupus or other chronic diseases.

Previous experience in assisting patients and families’ access to health care and linking or enrolling them in health coverage.

Applicant’s capability to manage and evaluate the project as determined by:

– The applicant organization’s experience in managing similar collaborative project/activities.

– The applicant’s organizational structure, inclusive of clearly defined roles and responsibilities.

– The applicant’s plan for clear relationships, responsibilities, and lines of authority between the applicant and collaborating organizations.

– The strength of commitment of the applicant organization in terms of managerial and leadership support and staffing necessary to carry out proposed plan.

D. Factor 4: Objectives (15 points)

Relevance to the HHS Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities and

Healthy People 2020 objectives (see http://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/npa/templates/content.aspx?lvl=1&lvlid=33&ID=28

5 and http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020).

Relevance of objectives to the NHEPL purpose and expectations, and to the stated problem to be addressed.

Degree to which the objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-phased.

2. Review and Selection Process

Each HHS/OASH Program's office is responsible for facilitating the process of evaluating applications and setting funding levels according to the criteria set forth above.

An independent review panel will evaluate applications that pass the screening http://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/npa/templates/content.aspx?lvl=1&lvlid=33&ID=285 http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020 and meet the responsiveness criteria if applicable. These reviewers are experts in their fields, and are drawn from academic institutions, non-profit organizations, state and local government, and Federal government agencies. Based on the Application Review Criteria as outlined under

Section V.1, the reviewers will comment on and score the applications, focusing their comments and scoring decisions on the identified criteria. In addition to the independent review panel, Federal staff will review each application for programmatic, budgetary, and grants management compliance.

Final award…