HRSA-25-047 RWHAP ACE TA 12-6-24.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due February 11, 2025

HIV/AIDS Bureau Division of State HIV/AIDS Programs

Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) Access, Care, and Engagement Technical Assistance Center (ACE TA) Opportunity number: HRSA-25-047

Contents Before you begin 3

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 4

Basic information 5

Eligibility 6

Program description 8

Award information 10

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 16

Get registered 17

Find the application package 17

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 19

Application contents and format 20

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 28

Application review 29

Selection process 34

Award notices 34

Step 5: Submit Your Application 35

Application submission & deadlines 36

Application checklist 37

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 39

Post-award requirements and administration 40

Reporting 42

Contacts & Support 43

Contents 2

Before you begin If you believe you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, secure your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations now. If you are already registered, make sure your registrations are active and up-to-date.

SAM.gov registration (this can take several weeks) You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Grants.gov registration (this can take several days) You must have an active Grants.gov registration. Doing so requires a Login.gov registration as well.

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Apply by the application due date Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 11, 2025.

To help you find what you need, this NOFO uses internal links. In Adobe Reader, you can go back to where you were by pressing Alt + Left Arrow (Windows) or Command + Left Arrow (Mac) on your keyboard.

Before you begin 3 https://sam.gov/ https://grants.gov/

Jump to a step

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1:

Review the Opportunity

In this step

Basic information 5

Eligibility 6

Program description 8

Award information 10

Basic information Health Resources and Services Administration

HIV/AIDS Bureau

Division of State HIV/AIDS Programs

Have questions? Go to Contacts and Support

Key facts

Opportunity name: Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) Access, Care, and Engagement Technical Assistance Center (ACE TA)

Opportunity number:

HRSA 25-047

Announcement version:

New

Federal assistance listing:

93.917

Statutory authority: 42 U.S.C. §§ 243(c), 300ff-26, and 300ff-54(b) (§§ 311(c), 2606 and 2654(b) of the Public Health Service Act)

Key dates

NOFO issue date:

December 6, 2024

Application deadline:

February 11, 2025

Expected award date:

June 1, 2025

Expected start date:

July 1, 2025

Summary The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is accepting applications for the fiscal year (FY) 2025 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) Access, Care, and Engagement Technical Assistance Center (ACE TA Center). This cooperative agreement will maintain and strengthen the ACE TA Center to build the capacity of RWHAP recipients and subrecipients to ensure people with HIV understand and use the range of health care coverage options available to facilitate access to and maintain engagement in care.

Funding details Application type: Competing continuation

Expected total available funding: $375,000

Expected number and type of awards: 1

Funding range per award: Up to $375,000

We plan to fund awards in three 12-month budget periods for a total three-year period of performance of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028.

The program and awards depend on the appropriation of funds and are subject to change based on the availability and amount of appropriations.

To help you find what you need this NOFO uses internal links. In Adobe Readeryou can return to where you were by pressing Alt + Backspace.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5

Eligibility Who can apply Types of eligible organizations These types of domestic* organizations may apply:

• Public institutions of higher education

• Private institutions of higher education

• Non-profits State, county, city, township, and special district governments, including the District of Columbia, domestic territories, and the freely associated states

• Native American tribal governments

• Native American tribal organizations

*“Domestic” means the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

Individuals are not eligible applicants under this NOFO.

Other eligibility criteria Completeness and responsiveness criteria We will review your application to make sure it meets these requirements to move forward in the competition.

We will not consider an application that:

• Is from an organization that does not meet all eligibility criteria.

• Requests funding above the award ceiling shown in the funding range.

• Is submitted after the deadline.

Application limits You may not submit more than one application. If you submit more than one application, we will only accept the last on-time submission.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 6

Cost sharing This program has no cost-sharing requirement. If you choose to share in the costs of the project, we will not consider it during merit review. We will hold you accountable for any funds you add, including through reporting.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 7

Program description Purpose This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the Ryan White HIV/ AIDS Program (RWHAP) Access, Care and Engagement Technical Assistance Center (ACE TA Center), previously funded under Funding Opportunity Number HRSA-22-024. This cooperative agreement will build the capacity of RWHAP recipients and subrecipients to ensure people with HIV understand and use the range of health care coverage options available to facilitate access to and maintain engagement in care.

The funded entity will work collaboratively with Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) on a national scale to achieve the following goals:

• Maximize engagement of people with HIV in health care through increased health literacy on how to access and engage with the health care system, including clinicians, support service providers, and other practitioners.

• Increase awareness and understanding of RWHAP recipients, subrecipients, providers, and people with HIV on how to enroll in and/or utilize health care coverage options available in the evolving health care landscape.

• Identify or develop strategies and messages to promote equitable access to health care coverage options for people with HIV to increase engagement in HIV care and maintain health care coverage through the assistance of outreach workers; health educators; case managers; peer navigators; health care navigators; certified application counselors, other assisters; and administrators.

• Improve health outcomes across the HIV care continuum for people with HIV, including maximizing health care coverage for people aging with HIV.

Background This program is authorized by the technical assistance (TA) authorities in the RWHAP legislation (codified at title XXVI of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act). The RWHAP provides a comprehensive system of HIV primary medical care, essential support services, and medications for low-income people with HIV. The program funds grants to states, cities, counties, and local community-based organizations to provide care and treatment services to people with HIV to improve health outcomes and reduce HIV transmission among hard-to-reach populations.

The HRSA Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program has five statutory funding parts that provide a comprehensive system of medical care, support, and medications for low-income

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 8 https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/about/parts-and-initiatives people with HIV. The goal is better health results, and lower HIV transmission in priority groups.

The HIV care continuum is key to the program. It shows the journey of someone with HIV from diagnosis to effective treatment, leading to viral suppression. Achieving viral suppression boosts the patient’s quality of life and prevents HIV transmission.

This continuum also helps programs and planners measure progress and use resources effectively. We require you to assess your outcomes and work with your community and public health partners to improve outcomes across the HIV care continuum. To assess your program, review HRSA’s Performance Measure Portfolio.

Strategic frameworks and national objectives To address health challenges faced by low-income people with HIV, using national objectives and strategic frameworks is crucial. These frameworks include:

Healthy People 2030

National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) (2022–2025)

Sexually Transmitted Infections National Strategic Plan for the United States (2021–2025)

Viral Hepatitis National Strategic Plan for the United States: A Roadmap to Elimination (2021–2025)

These strategies offer guidance on the main principles, priorities, and steps for our national health response. They serve as a blueprint for collective action and impact.

Expanding the effort There have been significant accomplishments:

• From 2018 to 2022, HIV viral suppression among Ryan White program patients improved from 87.1% to 89.6%. For more, see the 2022 Ryan White Services Report

(RSR).

• Racial, ethnic, age-based, and regional disparities in viral suppression rates have significantly reduced. For more, see the Annual Client-Level Data Report 2022.

• In 2020, the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) initiative launched to further expand federal efforts to reduce HIV transmission. For the RWHAP, the EHE initiative expands the program’s ability to meet the needs of clients, specifically focusing on linking people with HIV who are either newly diagnosed, diagnosed but currently not in care, or are diagnosed and in care but not yet virally suppressed, to the essential HIV care, treatment, and support services needed to help them reach viral suppression.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 9 https://www.hiv.gov/federal-response/policies-issues/hiv-aids-care-continuum/ https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/grants/performance-measure-portfolio https://health.gov/healthypeople https://www.hiv.gov/federal-response/national-hiv-aids-strategy/national-hiv-aids-strategy-2022-2025 https://www.hhs.gov/programs/topic-sites/sexually-transmitted-infections/plan-overview/index.html https://www.hhs.gov/programs/topic-sites/sexually-transmitted-infections/plan-overview/index.html https://www.hhs.gov/hepatitis/viral-hepatitis-national-strategic-plan/national-viral-hepatitis-action-plan-overview/index.html https://www.hhs.gov/hepatitis/viral-hepatitis-national-strategic-plan/national-viral-hepatitis-action-plan-overview/index.html https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/ryanwhite/data/rwhap-annual-client-level-data-report-2022.pdf https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/ryanwhite/data/rwhap-annual-client-level-data-report-2022.pdf https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/ryanwhite/data/rwhap-annual-client-level-data-report-2022.pdf https://www.hiv.gov/federal-response/ending-the-hiv-epidemic/overview/ending-epidemic-timeline/

Using data effectively HRSA and CDC promote integrated data sharing and use for program planning, quality improvement, and public health action.

We encourage you to:

• Follow the Data Security and Confidentiality Guidelines for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Disease, and Tuberculosis Programs.

• Create data-sharing agreements between surveillance and HIV programs.

• Progress towards NHAS goals through integrated data sharing, analysis, and use of HIV data by health departments.

• Complete CD4, viral load, and HIV nucleotide sequence reporting to the state and territorial health departments’ HIV surveillance systems. CDC mandates the reporting of all such data to the National HIV Surveillance System (NHSS).

• Use our interactive RWHAP Compass Dashboard to visualize reach, impact, and outcomes of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program and to inform planning and decision making. The dashboard gives you a look at national, state, and metro area data and displays client demographics, services, outcomes, and viral suppression. It also includes data about clients in the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP).

• Develop data-sharing strategies with other RWHAP recipients and relevant entities to reduce administrative burden.

• Use electronic data sources to verify client eligibility when you can. See Policy Clarification Notice 21-02, Determining Client Eligibility & Payor of Last Resort in the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.

Program resources and innovative models We offer multiple projects and resources to help you. A full list of resources is available on TargetHIV. We urge you to learn about them and use them in your project. For some examples, see Helpful Websites.

Award information Cooperative agreement terms Our responsibilities

Aside from monitoring and technical assistance (TA), we also get involved in these ways:

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 10 https://www.cdc.gov/sti/media/pdfs/PCSIDataSecurityGuidelines.pdf https://www.cdc.gov/sti/media/pdfs/PCSIDataSecurityGuidelines.pdf https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/hiv-aids/compass-dashboard https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/ryanwhite/grants/pcn-21-02-determining-eligibility-polr.pdf https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/ryanwhite/grants/pcn-21-02-determining-eligibility-polr.pdf https://targethiv.org/help/ta-directory

• Make available experienced HRSA personnel to inform, support, or participate in planning, developing, and/or delivering cooperative agreement activities.

• Ensure cooperative agreement activities build upon past progress, needs assessment and evaluation results, success, and lessons learned by providing access to materials and information from previous work in this area.

• Coordinate communication and develop partnerships with personnel from HRSA, other state and federal agencies, including other TA providers focused on equitable access to health care coverage, and other federally funded training and capacity building programs.

• Participate in designing, developing, directing, and/or delivering procedures, strategies, tools, training, TA, and peer learning activities, including the selection of sites to receive targeted training and TA.

• Provide ongoing monitoring and review of the design, development, direction, and/or delivery of cooperative agreement activities, including procedures, evaluation measures, and quality improvement efforts for accomplishing the goals of the cooperative agreement.

• Participate, as appropriate, in conference calls, meetings, and learning sessions that are conducted to support cooperative agreement activities.

• Participate in cooperative agreement trainings, TA, or other meetings with RWHAP recipients, subrecipients, and other stakeholders.

• Review and provide substantive and stylistic input on cooperative agreement materials and activities.

• Inform methods for evaluating the process and outcomes of cooperative agreement activities and use evaluation findings to inform future work.

• Participate in disseminating cooperative agreement activities, progress, and results (e.g., formal, or informal presentations to internal and external stakeholders, presentations at national or regional conferences), including best practices and lessons learned.

Your responsibilities

You must follow all relevant laws and policies. Your other responsibilities will include:

• Track, assess, and keep RWHAP recipients and subrecipients apprised of legislative, regulatory, policy, and programmatic changes in the health care environment, with particular attention to Medicaid, Medicare, and private health care coverage options.

• Assess the training and TA needs of RWHAP recipients and subrecipients related to building capacity for outreach and enrollment of people with HIV into health care coverage options, addressing health literacy, and ensuring equitable access to health care coverage options for people with HIV.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 11

• Establish measures and methods for assessing needs and evaluating the process and outcome of cooperative agreement activities and use findings to improve future work.

• Develop and update culturally appropriate tools, training, and/or TA for RWHAP recipients, subrecipients, and people with HIV to enroll and engage people with HIV in health care coverage.

• Identify, assess, and disseminate best practices pertaining to outreach and enrollment activities implemented by RWHAP recipients and subrecipients that would facilitate health care coverage to support access to health care.

• Work with established networks in both rural and urban areas to continue to train RWHAP recipients and subrecipients, including outreach workers; health educators; community health workers; case managers; peer navigators; health care navigators, certified application counselors, and other assisters; and administrators in healthcare coverage options including enrollment and engagement for people with HIV.

• Market the ACE TA Center and its resources.

• In close collaboration with HRSA HAB, identify or develop strategies and messages to increase client engagement in care and maintain health care coverage through the assistance of outreach workers; health educators; community health workers;

case managers; peer navigators; health care navigators, certified application counselors, and other assisters; and administrators.

• Develop culturally appropriate health literacy materials focused on people with HIV and the RWHAP care and treatment system, health care providers, and people with HIV regarding the use of the health care system to improve the health outcomes of people with HIV.

• Identify, assess, and disseminate best practices to facilitate health care coverage for people aging with HIV to support access to health care.

• Develop methods and models for peer learning opportunities across RWHAP recipients and subrecipients, building on and leveraging currently available opportunities (e.g., meetings, conferences).

• Identify and incorporate best practices and innovations in the delivery of virtual training and TA.

• In response to feedback from HRSA HAB and/or RWHAP recipients, subrecipients, and people with HIV, modify approaches to the content, design, and/or delivery of tools, training, and TA to improve their quality, utility, effectiveness, and impact.

• Disseminate promising or best practices, project accomplishments, results from project evaluation activities, and other pertinent information to key stakeholders and constituents.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 12

• Develop a multi-year evaluation plan comprised of both quantitative and qualitative data as well as process and impact outcomes.

• Provide HRSA HAB with a complete, updated, and accessible copy of all federally supported materials, including online content, prepared under this cooperative agreement in an electronic zip file format on an annual basis for the duration of the project period.

Funding policies & limitations Policies We will only make awards if this program receives funding. If Congress appropriates funds for this purpose, we will move forward with the review and award process.

Support beyond the first budget year will depend on:

• Appropriation of funds

• Satisfactory progress in meeting the project’s objectives

• A decision that continued funding is in the government’s best interest.

If we receive more funding for this program, we may:

• Fund more applicants from the rank order list

• Extend the period of performance

• Award supplemental funding

General limitations

• For guidance on some types of costs we do not allow or restrict, see Project

Budget Information in Section 3.1.4 of the Application Guide. You can also see 45 CFR part 75, or any superseding regulation, General Provisions for Selected Items of Cost.

• You cannot earn profit from the federal award. See 45 CFR 75.400(g).

• Congress’s current appropriations act includes a salary limitation, which applies to this program. As of January 2024, the salary rate limitation is $221,900. This limitation may be updated.

Program-specific statutory or regulatory limitations You cannot use funds under this notice for the following purposes:

• Charges that are billable to third party payers (e.g., private health insurance, prepaid health plans, Medicaid, Medicare, Department of Housing and Urban Development funding for housing services, other RWHAP funding including the AIDS Drug Assistance Program);

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 13 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=13 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75/subject-group-ECFR5d90ba314caea08 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75/subject-group-ECFR5d90ba314caea08 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75#p-75.216(b)

• Provision of core medical or support services;

• To directly provide housing or health care services (e.g., HIV care, counseling, and testing)

• Clinical research;

• International travel;

• Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) or non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) medications or related medical services. As outlined in the June 22, 2016 RWHAP and PrEP program letter, the RWHAP legislation provides grant funds to be used for the care and treatment of people with HIV, thus prohibiting the use of RWHAP funds for PrEP medications or related medical services, such as physician visits and laboratory costs. However, RWHAP Part C recipients and subrecipients may provide prevention counseling and information, which should be part of a comprehensive PrEP program.

• HIV test kits;

• Cash payments to intended recipients of services;

• Syringe Services Programs (SSP) - Purchase of sterile needles or syringes for the purposes of hypodermic injection of any illegal drug. Some aspects of SSPs are allowable with HRSA’s prior approval and in compliance with HHS and HRSA policy;

• Development of materials designed to directly promote or encourage intravenous drug use or sexual activity;

• Purchase or improvement of land; and

• Purchase of, construction, or major alterations or renovations on any building or other facility (see 45 CFR part 75 – subpart A Definitions).

See Manage Your Grant for other information on costs and financial management.

Indirect costs Indirect costs are costs you charge across more than one project that cannot be easily separated by project. For example, this could include utilities for a building that supports multiple projects..

To charge indirect costs you can select one of two methods:

Method 1 – Approved rate. You currently have an indirect cost rate approved by your cognizant federal agency.

Method 2 – De minimis rate. Per 2 CFR 200.414(f), if you have never received a negotiated indirect cost rate, you may elect to charge a de minimis rate. If you choose

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 14 https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/ryanwhite/grants/prep-letter-06-22-2016.pdf https://www.hiv.gov/federal-response/policies-issues/syringe-services-programs https://www.hiv.gov/federal-response/policies-issues/syringe-services-programs https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-75#75.2 https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/manage-your-grant https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.414 this method, costs included in the indirect cost pool must not be charged as direct costs.

This rate is 15% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). See 2 CFR 200.1 for the definition of MTDC. You can use this rate indefinitely.

Program income Program income is money earned as a result of your award-supported project activities. You must use any program income you generate from awarded funds for approved project-related activities. Find more about program income at 45 CFR 75.307.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 15 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC)) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-75/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR911e5e1a30bfbcb/section-75.307

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

In this step

Get registered 17

Find the application package 17

Get registered SAM.gov You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process today.

To register, go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and click Get Started. From the same page, you can also click on the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register.

Grants.gov You must also have an active account with Grants.gov. You can see step-by step instructions at the Grants.gov Quick Start Guide for Applicants.

Find the application package The application package has all the forms you need to apply. You can find it online. Go to Grants Search at Grants.gov and search for opportunity number HRSA-25-047.

After you select the opportunity, we recommend that you click the Subscribe button to get updates.

Application writing help Visit HHS Tips for Preparing Grant Proposals.

Visit HRSA’s How to Prepare Your Application page for more guidance.

See Apply for a Grant for other help and resources.

Join the webinar For more information about this opportunity, join the webinar on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 2PM ET. You can join at https://hrsa-gov.zoomgov.com/j/ 1613031317?pwd=ipKgUJxvDFNPhQaeVxL72kM9lzf2aT.1

If you are not able to join through your computer, you can call in at (833) 568-8864 with meeting ID 161 303 1317, Passcode ATSG6LTm.

We will record the webinar. If you are not able to join live, you can replay it at TargetHIV.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 17 https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://grants.gov/search-grants https://www.hhs.gov/grants-contracts/grants/get-ready-for-grants-management/tips-for-preparing-grant-proposals/index.html https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply-for-a-grant/prepare-your-application https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply-for-a-grant https://hrsa-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1613031317?pwd=ipKgUJxvDFNPhQaeVxL72kM9lzf2aT.1 https://hrsa-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1613031317?pwd=ipKgUJxvDFNPhQaeVxL72kM9lzf2aT.1 https://targethiv.org/ace/dual-eligible

Have questions? Go to Contacts and Support.

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 18

Step 3:

Prepare Your Application

In this step

Application contents and format 20

Application contents and format Applications include five main components. This section includes guidance on each.

Application page limit: 60 pages

Submit your information in English and express budget figures using U.S. dollars.

Make sure you include each of these:

Components Submission Format

Project abstract Use the Project Abstract Summary form

Project narrative Use the Project Narrative Attachment form

Budget narrative Use the Budget Narrative Attachment form

Attachments Insert each in the Other Attachments form.

Other required Forms Upload using each required form.

Required format You must format your narratives and attachments using our required formats for fonts, size, color, format, and margins. See the formatting guidelines in Section 3.2 of the Application Guide.

Project abstract Complete the information in the Project Abstract Summary form. Include a short description of your proposed project. Include the needs you plan to address, the proposed services, and the population groups you plan to serve. For more information, see Section 3.1.2 of the Application Guide.

Project narrative In this section, you will describe all aspects of your project. Project activities must comply with the nondiscrimination requirements.

Use the section headers and the order listed.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 20 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=24 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=13

Introduction See merit review criterion 1: Need

Briefly describe the purpose of your project. Include a discussion showing an expert understanding of the issues related to the activities included in this NOFO among your employees, subcontractors, and any partnering/collaborating organizations.

Describe how the proposed project will address the goals of this cooperative agreement as outlined in this NOFO. Include a discussion that exhibits an expert understanding of health care access, RWHAP recipients’ and subrecipients’ capacity for outreach and enrollment, health equity, health literacy, and program evaluation.

Include how you will address the intended national scope of this announcement. Also, include a discussion that exhibits expertise in nationwide collaborations with state and federal agencies and national organizations, including other TA providers focused on equitable access to health care coverage, relevant for the purpose of this NOFO, and program evaluation.

Need See merit review criterion 1: Need

• Describe your understanding of and relevant work related to the National HIV/ AIDS Strategy (NHAS) and the HIV care continuum. Describe the current state of health care access outreach and enrollment activities for people with HIV nationwide and provide an assessment of the challenges and strategies that may affect the TA work.

• Describe how you will assess, in collaboration with HRSA, best practices for outreach and enrollment to engage people with HIV in health care coverage options, equitable access to health care coverage, and increased health literacy of the RWHAP recipients, subrecipients, and clients regarding use of the health care system to improve the health outcomes of people with HIV. Use and cite data whenever possible to support the information provided. Discuss any relevant barriers the proposal hopes to overcome as well as any challenges in meeting the expectations identified by HRSA.

Approach See merit review criterion 2: Response

• Tell us how you’ll address the stated purpose and goals and meet each of the recipient responsibilities listed in this NOFO. Include innovative strategies, procedures, and activities for collaborating meaningfully with HRSA HAB, CDC Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention (DHAP), and other state and federal agencies. This includes other TA providers focused on equitable access to health care coverage

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 21 https://www.hiv.gov/federal-response/national-hiv-aids-strategy/national-hiv-aids-strategy-2022-2025 https://www.hiv.gov/federal-response/national-hiv-aids-strategy/national-hiv-aids-strategy-2022-2025 and programs; efficiency implementing the proposed project; and effectiveness in meeting purpose and goals of the cooperative agreement.

• Discuss why the approach chosen is appropriate for this project. Discuss how the chosen approach aligns with the overview provided in the Need section and will contribute to the success of the proposed project over the entire period of performance.

High-level work plan See merit review criteria 2: Response & 4: Impact

• Describe how you’ll achieve each of the objectives during the period of performance. Include methods for assessing TA needs, updating existing tools, and training, developing new tools and training, project implementation, dissemination, training of recipients, sustainability, evaluation, and meaningful collaboration. Be sure all methods discussed in the Approach section are included and appropriately described in the work plan. Identify the type and number of resources to be developed (e.g., tools, trainings, TA opportunities) and appropriate milestones (e.g., a significant or important event in the project period).

• Develop a time-framed and measurable work plan in table format that corresponds with the work plan narrative and include as Attachment 1. The work plan table should identify for each project activity and the specific action steps, intended target population(s) including people aging with HIV, measurable outcome(s), targeted end date, and person(s) responsible for implementation. The work plan must include goals, objectives, and outcomes that are SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time measurable). The work plan must include the goals, objectives, and action steps for the entire three-year period of performance and be broken out by each year of the project.

Resolving challenges See merit review criterion 2: Response

Discuss challenges that you’re likely to encounter in designing and carrying out the activities in the work plan. Explain approaches that you will use to resolve them.

Discuss challenges with partner organizations, identified resources, effectively addressing identified health inequities, health literacy, and processes for maintaining engagement of national and local participants.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 22

Performance reporting and evaluation See merit review criteria 3: Evaluation Measures & 5: Resources & Capabilities

• Describe the anticipated or intended outcome or impact of proposed activities on RWHAP recipients, subrecipients, and people with HIV. Discuss your plan for the program performance evaluation, including process, outcome, and/or impact evaluation. Describe how the proposed evaluation plan will allow you to determine whether you were successful in realizing this anticipated or intended outcome or impact.

• Describe how you will monitor processes, track progress toward fulfilling the goals and objectives of the project, modify objectives as needed, and measure outcomes over time. Identify specific performance measures and corresponding benchmarks you’ll use to support process, outcome, and/or impact evaluation.

Identify the data collection and analytical strategies, methods, systems, tools and/ or techniques that you’ll use. Describe how you’ll share with key stakeholders and/or broadly disseminate evaluation findings, best practices, and/or accomplishments to advance work in this area. Describe how you’ll use evaluation findings to support continuous quality improvement across project activities and throughout the entire period of performance.

• Describe the current experience, technical knowledge, and skills of employees or contractors who will implement the program performance evaluation, and identify any materials published and previous work of a similar nature.

Organizational information See merit review criterion 5: Resources & Capabilities

• Describe the ability, capacity, expertise, and experience held by your organization and any subcontractors/partners/collaborators to fulfill the stated purpose and the recipient responsibilities listed in this NOFO. Describe past performance managing collaborative federal grants at the national level. Include examples of completed resources from past projects. You should demonstrate a minimum four-year story of experience doing work directly related to the proposed project on a national scale.

• Provide a staffing plan and job descriptions for key personnel as Attachment 2.

Provide biographical sketches of key personnel as Attachment 3. The staffing plan, job descriptions, and biographical sketches should support the narrative description of your ability, capacity, expertise, and experience described in the narrative.

• Briefly describe your mission, structure, and the scope of your current activities.

Explain how they support your ability to carry out the program requirements.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 23

Include a project organization chart as Attachment 5. The organizational chart should be a one-page figure that depicts the organizational structure of only the proposed activities to be funded through this cooperative agreement, not the entire organization. It should include subcontractors and other significant partners/collaborators.

• Provide any relevant letters of agreement or contract documents exhibiting partner commitment to the proposed project as Attachment 4. Applications proposing partners/collaborators must provide information on how you will monitor and assess performance by partner organizations, and how the individual efforts of the partner organization help to implement the activities in the cooperative agreement’s overall work plan.

NOTE: Applicants have the option to submit proposals with collaborating organizations if the partnership enhances the capability and approach of the cooperative agreement purpose and goals. You must clearly demonstrate that you and any partners bring the following experience and expertise:

• ensuring equitable access to health care coverage options for people with HIV, and

• providing health literacy trainings and technical assistance, and

• disseminating enrollment health care coverage options at the state, local health department, and HIV service provider levels, and

• conducting program evaluation.

Budget and budget narrative See merit review criterion 6: Support Requested

Your budget should follow the instructions in Section 3.1.4. Project Budget Information

- Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) of the Application Guide and the instructions listed in this section. Your budget should show a well-organized plan.

HHS now uses the definitions for equipment and supplies in 2 CFR 200.1. The new definitions change the threshold for equipment to the lesser of the recipient’s capitalization level or $10,000 and the threshold for supplies to below that amount.

The total project or program costs are all allowable (direct and indirect) costs used for the HRSA activity or project. This includes costs charged to the award and non-federal funds used to satisfy a matching or cost-sharing requirement (which may include maintenance of effort, if applicable.)

The budget narrative supports the information you provide in Standard Form 424-A.

See other required forms. It includes an itemized breakdown and a clear justification of the justification of the costs you request. The merit review committee reviews both.

As you develop your budget, consider:

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 24 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=13 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Equipment) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Supplies)

• If the costs are reasonable and consistent with your project’s purpose and activities.

• The restrictions on spending funds. See funding limitations.

To create your budget narrative, see detailed instructions in section 3.1.5 of the Application Guide.

In addition, the RWHAP ACE TA Center program requires the following:

• Project Activity Budget. You must submit a separate program-specific line-item budget for each year of the three-year period of performance. Upload this budget as Attachment 8.

Note: If indirect costs are included in the budget, please attach a copy of your organization’s indirect cost rate agreement as Attachment 9. Indirect cost rate agreements will not count toward the page limit.

Attachments Place your attachments in order in the Other Attachments form. See the application checklist to determine if they count toward the page limit.

Attachment 1: Work plan Counts toward page limit.

Attach the project’s work plan in table format. Make sure it includes everything required in the Project Narrative section.

Attachment 2: Staffing plan and job descriptions Counts toward page limit.

See Section 3.1.7 of the Application Guide.

Include a staffing plan that shows the staff positions that will support the project and key information about each. Justify your staffing choices, including education and experience qualifications and your reasons for the amount of time you request for each staff position.

For key personnel, attach a one-page job description. It must include the role, responsibilities, and qualifications.

Attachment 3: Biographical sketches Does not count towards the page limit.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 25 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=18 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page=22

Include biographical sketches for people who will hold the key positions you describe in Attachment 2.

Each biographical sketch should be no more than two pages. Do not include non-public, personally identifiable information. If you include someone you have not hired yet, include a letter of commitment from that person along with the biographical sketch.

Attachment 4: Agreements with other entities Counts toward page limit.

Provide any documents that describe working relationships between your organization and others you refer to in the proposal. Documents that confirm actual or pending contracts or agreements should clearly describe the roles of the contractors and any deliverable. Make sure you sign and date any letters of agreement. If letters of support are required for eligibility, include them in this attachment. Letters of support must be dated and specifically indicate a commitment to the project/program (e.g., in-kind services, dollars, staff, space, equipment).

Attachment 5: Project organizational chart Counts toward page limit.

Provide a one-page diagram that shows the project’s organizational structure.

Attachment 6: Tables and charts Counts toward page limit.

Provide tables or charts that give more details about the proposal. These might be Gantt, PERT, or flow charts. Additional tables and charts are optional.

Attachment 7: Program Specific Line-Item Budget Does not count in the page limit.

You must submit a separate program-specific line-item budget with a separate budget for each year of the three-year period of performance. NOTE: HRSA recommends that you convert the budget or scan it into PDF format for submission. Do not submit Excel spreadsheets. Please submit the line-item budget in table format. The budget should include personnel name and title, fringe benefits, total personnel costs, consultant costs by individual consultant, supplies, staff travel, other expenses by individual expense, total direct costs, indirect costs, and total costs. Include annual salary and total project full-time equivalent (FTE).

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 26

Attachment 8: Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, if applicable Does not count in the page limit.

If indirect costs are included in the budget, please attach a copy of your organization’s federal indirect cost rate agreement or a statement that your organization elects to charge a de minimis rate of up to 15 percent of the modified total direct costs.

Attachment 9-15: Other Relevant Documents Does not count in the page limit.

Include here any other documents that are relevant to the application.

Other required forms You will need to complete some other forms. Upload the forms at Grants.gov. You can find them in the NOFO application package or review them and any available instructions at Grants.gov Forms.

Forms Submission Requirement

Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) With application.

Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A)

With application.

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) If applicable, with the application or before award.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 27 https://www.grants.gov/forms

Step 4:

Learn About Review and Award

In this step

Application review 29

Selection process 34

Award notices 34

Application review Initial review We review each application to make sure it meets eligibility criteria, including completeness and responsiveness criteria. If your application does not meet these criteria, it will not be funded.

We will not review any pages that exceed the page limit.

Merit review A panel reviews all applications that pass the initial review. The members use these criteria.

Criterion Total number of points = 100

1. Need 15 points

2. Response 35 points

3. Evaluation measures 5 points

4. Impact 15 points

5. Resources & capabilities 25 points

6. Support requested 5 points

Criterion 1: Need (15 points) See Project Narrative Introduction and Need sections.

The panel will review your application for how well it:

• Describes the problem and its contributing factors.

• Demonstrates an understanding of the issues related to enrolling and engaging people with HIV in health care options, ensuring equitable access to health care coverage options for people with HIV, maximizing health care coverage for people aging with HIV, and increasing the health literacy of RWHAP recipients, subrecipients, and clients regarding use of the health care system to improve the health outcomes of people with HIV.

• Exhibits expertise in nationwide collaborations with state and federal agencies, including other TA providers focused on equitable access to health care coverage and national organizations.

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 29

• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the HIV care continuum, the NHAS, and the current state of health care coverage options, and provides an assessment of the challenges and strategies that may impact the TA work.

• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of strategies and practices to address disparities in access to health care coverage.

• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of existing health literacy modalities and best practices to assist providers serving people with HIV through TA.

Criterion 2: Response (35 points) See Project Narrative Approach, Work Plan, and Resolving Challenges sections.

Approach (20)

The panel will review your application for the strength of:

• The proposed project in relation to the overall goal of providing TA and tools to RWHAP recipients and subrecipients. The strength of the TA and tools to increase their capacity to enroll and engage people with HIV in health care coverage options, ensure equitable access to health care coverage options for people with HIV, maximize coverage for people aging with HIV and to increase the health literacy of RWHAP recipients, subrecipients, and clients.

• The proposed methods that will be used to address the stated needs and meet each of the previously described program requirements and expectations.

• The proposed process for developing effective tools and strategies for collaboration, TA modalities, and how the utilization of the tools, strategies and TA modalities will meet the goals of the cooperative agreement.

Work Plan (10)

The panel will review your application for how well:

• The work plan includes clear and realistic goals and objectives for each year of the three-year project period that will meet the requirements of the program and corresponds to the described methodology.

• The activities of the work plan are measurable and achievable. How well the work plan includes project activity, action steps, intended population of focus, to include people aging with HIV, measurable outcomes, target end dates and the person(s) responsible for each step during each year of the three-year project period.

• The work plan includes goals, objectives, and outcomes that are SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time measurable), and includes appropriate milestones of any products to be developed.

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 30

• The proposed work plan for assesses best practices for enrollment in health care coverage options and determining which entities may need TA.

Resolution of Challenges (5)

The panel will review your application for how well the applicant demonstrates an understanding of challenges:

• They are likely to encounter in designing and implementing the activities described in the work plan, and approaches that they will use to resolve such challenges.

• Of working with partner organizations and identified resources, and processes for maintaining engagement of national and local participants.

Criterion 3: Performance reporting and evaluation (5 points) See Project Narrative performance reporting and evaluation section. section.

The panel will review your application for:

• The strength of the proposed plan for program performance evaluation and continuous quality improvement.

• The extent that the evaluation plan monitors ongoing processes and the progress towards the goals and objectives of the project.

• The strength and feasibility of the proposed methods staff will employ to ensure that proposed activities are being successfully documented and completed, based on the overall work plan.

• The strength and feasibility of proposed performance measures and benchmarks for process and outcome evaluation.

• The strength of the proposed data collection strategy to collect, analyze, and track data to measure process and impact/outcomes and explain how the data will be used to inform program development in the subsequent activities of the project.

• The extent that the applicant demonstrates an understanding of any potential obstacles for implementing the program performance evaluation and how they will address those obstacles.

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 31

Criterion 4: Impact (15 points) See Project Narrative High-level Work Plan section.

The panel will review your application for:

• The strength of the proposed process and outcome measures in the work plan to assess the impact of activities on the HIV care continuum and the NHAS.

• The strength of the proposed method for disseminating best practice models, methodologies, project accomplishments, and results.

• The…