U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Health Resources and Services Administration
Bureau of Primary Health Care
Improvement of Health Care Services in Specified Communities
Announcement Type: Special Congressional Initiative
Announcement Number: HRSA-09-153
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) No. 93.888
SPECIAL CONGRESSIONAL INITIATIVE PROGRAM GUIDANCE
Fiscal Year 2009
Application Due Date: July 24, 2009
Date of Issuance: June 19, 2009
Date of Release: June 19, 2009
Guidance Contact: Valerie Bowers
Public Health Analyst, Office of Policy and Program Development
Bureau of Primary Health Care
Telephone: 301/443-7364
Fax: 301/480-7225
E-mail:
Authority: The Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111-8)
Executive Summary
This announcement details the eligibility requirements, review criteria, and awarding factors for 7 organizations listed in The Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (P.L. 111-8). Grants under the Act were specifically designated by Congress in the annual Department of Health and Human Services appropriation.
In FY 2009, approximately $2.2 million is available in one-time funding for 7 awards. Grant funds are to be used to improve and increase access to health care services in specified communities. The use of grant funds is limited to: the delivery of primary care services, facility staffing, renovation, refurbishing, and movable equipment.
Staffing is defined as all personnel, including contractors, who will be employed or available to provide services during the grant award period.
Movable equipment is defined as an article of non-expendable, tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of: (a) the capitalization level established by the applicant for its financial statement purposes; or (b) $5,000. Moveable equipment can be readily shifted from place to place without requiring a change in the utilities or structural characteristics of the space. This equipment is usually purchased outside of any construction contract. This category includes such items as: video systems, operating and obstetrical tables, anesthesia apparatus, oxygen tents, wheeled equipment, but does not include items that are expendable at the time of use (such as food, fuel, dressings, drugs). All radiographic equipment is considered moveable.
Alteration and renovation is work that changes the interior arrangements or other physical characteristics of an existing facility or installed equipment so that it can be used more effectively for its currently designated purpose or adapted to an alternative use to meet a programmatic requirement. Alteration and renovation may involve (1) changes to interior dimensions, surfaces, or finishes; (2) changes to the internal environment (temperature, humidity, ventilation, and acoustics); (3) changes to utility services (plumbing, electricity, gas, vacuum, and other laboratory fittings); (4) installation of fixed equipment (including casework, fume hoods, large autoclaves, biological safety cabinets); (5) replacement, removal, or reconfiguration of interior walls, doors, frames, or windows in order to place equipment in a permanent location; (6) making unfinished shell space suitable for purposes other than human occupancy, such as storage of pharmaceuticals; or (7) alterations to meet requirements for accessibility by individuals with physical disabilities. This type of work also may be referred to as improvement, conversion, rehabilitation, remodeling, or modernization. Minor alteration and renovation has a total Federal and non-Federal cost of less than or equal to $500,000.
Major Alteration and Renovation is remodeling, improvement, expansion, or repair of, or completion of shell space in an existing building (whether for storage or for human occupancy), that has a total Federal and non-Federal cost exceeding $500,000. It also includes acquisition and installation of fixed equipment necessary to make the modernized area suitable for use by a particular program. This type of activity may occur under a grant whose primary purpose is modernization or activities other than modernization.
Construction means construction of a new building, including the installation of fixed equipment, but excluding the purchase of land and ancillary improvements, for example, parking lots or roads.
Funds may not be used to support construction of facilities, nor may they be used for major A&R activities.
Applications must be received through Grants.gov on or before July 24, 2009 at 8:00 P.M. E.T. Applications will be reviewed internally by Federal staff and award notification will be made on or about September 1, 2009.
HRSA-09-153 26
Guidance Table of Contents
I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION 4
Purpose 4
Background 5
II. AWARD INFORMATION 5
1. Type of Award 5
2. Summary of Funding 5
III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION 5
1. Eligible Applicants 5
2. Cost Sharing/Matching 6
3. Other 6
IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 6
1. Address to Request Application Package 6
2. Content and Form of Application Submission 7
3. Submission Dates and Times 17
4. Intergovernmental Review 17
5. Funding Restrictions 17
6. Other Submission Requirements 18
V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION 19
1. Review Criteria 19
2. Review and Selection Process 19
3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates 20
VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION 20
1. Award Notices 20
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements 20
3. Reporting 22
4. Status Reports 22
VII. AGENCY CONTACTS 22
VIII. OTHER INFORMATION: Sample Work Plan and Instructions 23
IX. TIPS FOR WRITING A STRONG APPLICATION 25
APPENDIX A – ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION GUIDE 27
APPENDIX B – REGISTERING AND APPLYING THROUGH GRANTS.GOV 58
APPENDIX C – DESIGNATED FUNDING AMOUNTS BY ORGANIZATION 63
APPENDIX D –APPLICATIONS FOR ALTERANTION & RENOVATION PROJECTS 64
APPENDIX E – APPLICATIONS FOR ALTERATION AND RENOVATION PROJECTS 76
HRSA-09-153 26
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose
The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA), Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC), will administer 7 awards listed in The Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (P.L. 111-8). Funds have been specifically designated by Congress in the annual Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) appropriation, for one-time grants to improve health care services in specified communities. Awardees are expected to use the funds for costs associated with improving and increasing access to health care services. The use of these grant funds is limited to: the delivery of primary care services, facility staffing, renovation, refurbishing, and movable equipment.
Staffing is defined as all personnel, including contractors, who will be employed or available to provide services during the grant award period.
Movable equipment is defined as an article of non-expendable, tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of: (a) the capitalization level established by the applicant for its financial statement purposes; or (b) $5,000. Moveable equipment can be readily shifted from place to place without requiring a change in the utilities or structural characteristics of the space. This equipment is usually purchased outside of any construction contract. This category includes such items as: video systems, operating and obstetrical tables, anesthesia apparatus, oxygen tents, wheeled equipment, but does not include items that are expendable at the time of use (such as food, fuel, dressings, drugs). All radiographic equipment is considered moveable.
Alteration and renovation is work that changes the interior arrangements or other physical characteristics of an existing facility or installed equipment so that it can be used more effectively for its currently designated purpose or adapted to an alternative use to meet a programmatic requirement. Alteration and renovation may involve (1) changes to interior dimensions, surfaces, or finishes; (2) changes to the internal environment (temperature, humidity, ventilation, and acoustics); (3) changes to utility services (plumbing, electricity, gas, vacuum, and other laboratory fittings); (4) installation of fixed equipment (including casework, fume hoods, large autoclaves, biological safety cabinets); (5) replacement, removal, or reconfiguration of interior walls, doors, frames, or windows in order to place equipment in a permanent location; (6) making unfinished shell space suitable for purposes other than human occupancy, such as storage of pharmaceuticals; or (7) alterations to meet requirements for accessibility by individuals with physical disabilities. This type of work also may be referred to as improvement, conversion, rehabilitation, remodeling, or modernization. Minor alteration and renovation has a total Federal and non-Federal cost of less than or equal to $500,000.
Major Alteration and Renovation and Construction is remodeling, improvement, expansion, or repair of, or completion of shell space in an existing building (whether for storage or for human occupancy), that has a total Federal and non-Federal cost exceeding $500,000. It also includes acquisition and installation of fixed equipment necessary to make the modernized area suitable for use by a particular program. This type of activity may occur under a grant whose primary purpose is modernization or activities other than modernization.
Construction means construction of a new building, including the installation of fixed equipment, but excluding the purchase of land and ancillary improvements, for example, parking lots or roads.
Funds may not be used to support construction of facilities, nor may they be used for major A&R activities.
Background
This Improvement of Health Care Services in Specified Communities initiative is a non-competitive program announcement that supports: staffing, minor alteration and renovation, refurbishing, and equipment needs at facilities such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, and trauma care centers annually specified in The Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (P.L. 111-8).
II. Award Information
1. Type of Award
Funding will be provided in the form of a grant.
2. Summary of Funding
Approximately $2.2 million in total funds will be available in one-time funding during Federal FY 2009 for seven awards. Projects must be specifically noted in The Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (P.L. 111-8), and will be for one year. Please refer to Appendix C for a listing of organizations and the designated amount of the award.
Under this funding opportunity, funds are to be used for costs associated with improving and increasing access to health care services. The use of grant funds is limited to: the delivery of primary care services, facility staffing, minor alteration and renovation, refurbishing, and movable equipment.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
To be eligible to receive funds under this program, the organization must have been specified by Congress as a project to receive funding under The Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (P.L. 111-8). Eligible applicants are as follow:
Organization / City / State / Designated AmountThe Children's Health Fund / New York / NY / $235,620
Free Clinics of Iowa in Des Moines / Des Moines / IA / $377,190
Elliot Health Systems / Manchester / NH / $211,860
Spokane County Medical Society Foundation / Spokane / WA / $94,050
University of Kentucky Research Foundation / Lexington / KY / $188,100
St. Francis Hospital / Charlestown / WV / $188,100
Northwest Hospital and Medical Center / Seattle / WA / $941,490
2. Cost Sharing/Matching
There is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
3. Other
Applicants may not request more than the designated amount of funding identified above and provided in Appendix C. Applications that exceed the ceiling amount will be considered non-responsive and will be returned, which may result in a delay in funding.
Any application that fails to satisfy the deadline requirements referenced in Section IV.3 will be considered non-compliant. This may result in a delay in funding.
Construction, expansion projects and major alteration and renovation (A&R) activities are ineligible.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package
Application Materials
HRSA is requiring applicants for this funding opportunity to apply electronically through Grants.gov. All applicants must submit in this manner unless the applicant is granted a written exemption from this requirement in advance by the Director of HRSA’s Division of Grants Policy. Grantees must request an exemption in writing from , and provide details as to why they are technologically unable to submit electronically through the Grants.gov portal. Make sure you specify the announcement number for which you are seeking relief, and include specific information, including any tracking or anecdotal information received from Grants.gov and/or the HRSA Call Center, in your justification request. As indicated in this guidance, HRSA and its Grants Application Center (GAC) will only accept paper applications from applicants that received prior written approval.
Refer to Appendix A for detailed application and submission instructions. Pay particular attention to Section 3, which provides detailed information on the application and submission process.
Applicants must submit proposals according to the instructions in Appendix A, using this guidance in conjunction with PHS Application Form 5161-1. These forms contain additional general information and instructions for grant applications, proposal narratives, and budgets. These forms may be obtained from the following sites by:
(1) Downloading from http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/forms.htm
Or
(2) Contacting the HRSA Grants Application Center at:
The Legin Group, Inc.
910 Clopper Road
Suite 155 South
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Telephone: 877-477-2123
Instructions for preparing portions of the application that must accompany Application Form 5161-1 appear in the “Application Format” section below.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
Application Format Requirements
See Appendix A, Section 4 for detailed application submission instructions. These instructions must be followed.
The total size of all uploaded files may not exceed the equivalent of 80 pages when printed by HRSA, approximately 10 MB. This 80-page limit includes the abstract, project and budget narratives, attachments, and letters of commitment and support. Standard forms are NOT included in the page limit.
Applications that exceed the specified limits (approximately 10 MB, or that exceed 80 pages when printed by HRSA) will be deemed non-compliant. All non-compliant applications will be returned to the applicant, which may lead to a delay in funding.
Applications for minor alteration and renovation projects must be submitted separately using the application guidance at Appendices D and E.
Application Format for projects that do not include alteration and renovation (non-construction) follows.
HRSA-09-153 26
SF-424 Non Construction – Table of Contents
% It is mandatory to follow the instructions provided in this section to ensure that your application can be printed efficiently and consistently for review.
% Failure to follow the instructions may make your application non-compliant. Non-compliant applications will not be given any consideration and those particular applicants will be notified.