5-D04-08-001 Page 2
Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant Program
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Health Resources and Services Administration
Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant Program
Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant Program
Announcement Type Non-Competing Continuation
Announcement Number: 5-D04-09-001
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) No. 93.912
PROGRAM GUIDANCE
Fiscal Year 2009
Due Date in Grants.gov: December 5, 2008
Supplemental Due Date in EHBs: December 19, 2008
Release Date: October 27, 2008
Date of Issuance: October 27, 2008
Nisha Patel, MA, CHES
Outreach Program Coordinator, ORHP
Telephone: 301-443-6894
Fax: 301-443-2803
Authority: Public Health Service Act, Section 330A (e) (42 U.S.C. 254c)
Guidance Table of Contents
I. Funding Opportunity Description 3
Purpose 3
Background 3
II. Award Information 3
1. Type of Award 3
2. Summary of Funding 3
III. Eligibility Information 3
1. Eligible Applicants 3
2. Cost Sharing/Matching 3
3. Other 3
IV. Application and Submission Information 3
1. Address to Request Application Package 3
2. Content and Form of Application Submission 3
Application Format Requirements 3
i. Application Face Page 3
ii. Table of Contents 3
iii. Application Checklist (Grants.gov) 3
iv. Budget (EHBs) 3
v. Budget Justification 3
vi. Staffing Plan and Personnel Requirements 3
vii. Assurances and Certifications 3
viii. Project Abstract (Grants.gov) 3
ix. Program Narrative 3
x. Attachments in the EHBs 3
3. Submission Dates and Times 3
V. Application Review Information 3
A. Review Process 3
B. Anticipated Award Date 3
VI. Award Administration Information 3
1. Award Notices 3
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements 3
3. performance review 3
VII. Post award Reporting 3
VIII. CONTACT INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE 3
A. Business, Administrative and Fiscal Inquiries 3
B. Program Assistance 3
C. Electronic Application - Grants.gov Assistance 3
D. Electronic Application - HRSA EHBs Assistance 3
E. Easy Reference Contact Information Table 3
IX. Other Information 3
x. Tips for Writing a Strong Application 3
APPENDIX A: HRSA’s Electronic Submission User Guide 3
1. Introduction 3
1.1 Document Purpose and Scope 3
1.2 Document Organization and Version Control 3
2. Noncompeting Continuation Application 3
2.1 Process Overview 3
2.2 Grantee Organization Needs to Register With Grants.gov (if not already registered) 3
2.3 Project Director and Authorizing Official Register with HRSA EHBs (if not already registered) 3
2.4 Apply through Grants.gov 3
2.4.1 Find Funding Opportunity 3
2.4.2 Download Application Package 3
2.4.3 Complete Application 3
2.4.4 Submit Application 3
2.4.5 Verify Status of Application in Grants.gov 3
2.5 Verify in HRSA Electronic Handbooks 3
2.5.1 Verify Status of Application 3
2.5.2 Manage Access to the Application 3
2.5.3 Check Validation Errors 3
2.5.4 Fix Errors and Complete Application 3
2.5.5 Submit Application 3
3. Competing Application (Entire Submission Through Grants.gov- No verification required within HRSA EHBs) 3
3.1 Process Overview 3
3.2 Grantee Organization Needs to Register With Grants.gov (if not already registered) 3
3.3 Apply through Grants.gov 3
3.3.1 Find Funding Opportunity 3
3.3.2 Download Application Package 3
3.3.3 Complete Application 3
3.3.4 Submit Application 3
3.3.5 Verify Status of Application in Grants.gov 3
4. Competing Application (Submitted Using Both Grants.gov and HRSA EHBs, verification required within HRSA EHBs) 3
4.1 Process Overview 3
4.2 Grantee Organization Needs to Register With Grants.gov (if not already registered) 3
4.3 Register with HRSA EHBs (if not already registered) 3
4.4 Apply through Grants.gov 3
4.4.1 Find Funding Opportunity 3
4.4.2 Download Application Package 3
4.4.3 Complete Application 3
4.4.4 Submit Application 3
4.4.5 Verify Status of Application 3
4.5 Verify in HRSA Electronic Handbooks 3
4.5.1 Verify Status of Application 3
4.5.2 Validate Grants.gov Application in the HRSA EHBs 3
4.5.3 Manage Access to Your Application 3
4.5.4 Check Validation Errors 3
4.5.5 Fix Errors and Complete Application 3
4.5.6 Submit Application 3
5. General Instructions for Application Submission 3
5.1 Narrative Attachment Guidelines 3
5.1.1 Font 3
5.1.2 Paper Size and Margins 3
5.1.3 Names 3
5.1.4 Section Headings 3
5.1.5 Page Numbering 3
5.1.6 Allowable Attachment or Document Types 3
5.2 Application Content Order (Table of Contents) 3
5.3 Page Limit 3
6. Customer Support Information 3
6.1 Grants.gov Customer Support 3
6.1.2 HRSA Call Center 3
6.1.3 HRSA Program Support 3
7. FAQs 3
7.1 Software 3
7.1.1 What are the software requirements for using Grants.gov? 3
7.1.2 What are the differences between PureEdge Viewer and Adobe Reader 8.1.2? 3
7.1.3 Why can’t I download Adobe Reader or PureEdge Viewer onto my machine? 3
7.1.4 I have heard that Grants.gov is not Macintosh compatible. What do I do if I use only a Macintosh? 3
7.1.5 What are the software requirements for HRSA EHBs? 3
7.1.6 What are the system requirements for using HRSA EHBs on a Macintosh computer? 3
7.2 Application Receipt 3
7.2.1 What will be the receipt date--the date the application is stamped as received by Grants.gov or the date the data is received by HRSA? 3
7.2.2 When do I need to submit my application? 3
7.2.3 What emails can I expect once I submit my application? Is email reliable? 3
7.2.4 If a resubmission is required because of Grants.gov system problems, will these be considered "late"? 3
7.2.5 Can you summarize the emails received from Grants.gov and HRSA EHBs? Who all receive the emails? 3
7.3 Application Submission 3
7.3.1 How can I make sure that my electronic application is presented in the right order for objective review? 3
7.4 Grants.gov 3
Appendix B – Registering and Applying Through Grants.gov 3
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose
The purpose of this announcement is to solicit non-competing continuation applications for the Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant Program. A non-competing continuation application, also referred to as a summary progress report, is required for continuation of grant funding for a second or subsequent budget period within an approved project period. The continuation application submits the budget request for the next year of funding and it serves as the primary source of information regarding activities, accomplishments, outcomes, and obstacles related to achieving project outcomes during the current budget period. It also provides documentation necessary to justify continuation of the project. This document contains instructions, for applicants that initially received an Outreach grant in Federal fiscal year 2007.
The purpose of the Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant Program is to promote rural health care services outreach by expanding the delivery of health care services to include new and enhanced services in rural areas.
Background
The Health Resources and Services Administration’s Office of Rural Health Policy is the focal point for rural health activities within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Office is statutorily required in Title VII (Section 711) of the Social Security Act to advise the Secretary on the effects of current policies and regulatory changes in the programs established under titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) on the financial viability of small rural hospitals, the ability of rural areas to attract and retain physicians and other health professionals and access to (and the quality of) health care in rural areas. The Social Security Act also requires ORHP to coordinate activities within HHS that relate to rural health care and provide relevant information to the Secretary and others in the Department.
ORHP accomplishes this mission through two broad strategies that focus on policy and programs. The Office addresses the specific difficulties of providing health care in rural communities through its grant programs. The CFDA number for this grant program is 93.912. The Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant Program is authorized by the Public Health Service Act Title 330A, (e) (42 U.S.C. 254c (E).
This program is important as it provides necessary services to rural communities. Grantees have the opportunity to demonstrate the need in their community and development and implement a program to address this need.
II. Award Information
1. Type of Award
Funding will be provided in the form of a grant.
2. Summary of Funding
This program will provide funding during the grant cycles, May 1, 2009 - April 30, 2010 in the amount of approximately $4,047,516 to fund 27 grantees. The continuation request should not exceed the recommended level of support found on line 13 of the Notice of Grant Award. The funding level can also be verified by contacting the Grants Management Specialist identified on your Notice of Grant Award.
Funding is dependent on the availability of appropriated funds, grantee satisfactory performance, adequate justification for all projected costs, and a determination that funding is in the best interest of the Federal government. Inadequate justification and/or progress may result in the reduction of approved funding levels.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Eligibility for this funding opportunity is limited to the current grantees requesting support for a second or subsequent budget period within an approved project period for the Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant Program.
2. Cost Sharing/Matching
There is no cost sharing/matching requirement for this announcement.
3. Other
Applications that exceed the recommended level of support will be considered non-responsive and returned for revision, which may lead to a delay or lapse in funding.
Any application that fails to satisfy the deadline requirements referenced in Section IV.3 will be considered non-responsive, which may lead to a delay or lapse in funding.
Federal funds provided under this announcement may not be used for the following purposes:
(1) To purchase or acquire real property or for construction or renovation of any space;
(2) To purchase equipment above 40 percent of the Federal share of funding for each budget period; or
(3) To provide inpatient care.
Requests for funds that duplicate, supplant, or replace funding currently received from other sources, including other ORHP funds, will not be considered. It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate that requested funds are not duplicative and will not be used to supplant or replace other funding sources in their project narrative. Applicants must provide assurance that all revenue generated from the funding of this grant program will be used to offset the costs of approved project-related activities supported through this grant.
Federal law also prohibits the use of appropriated funds for lobbying Congress. Specifically, appropriated funds may NOT be used for publicity or propaganda purposes or for the preparation, distribution, or use of information designed to support or defeat legislation pending before Congress. This prohibition applies not only to Federal agencies, but also prohibits grantees and contractors of Federal agencies from using Federal funds to conduct such activities.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package
Application Materials
The application and submission process has changed significantly. HRSA is requiring awardees to submit their non-competing continuation application, also know as a Summary Progress Report, electronically through Grants.gov. All awardees must submit in this manner unless the awardee is granted a written exemption from this requirement in advance by the Director of HRSA’s Division of Grants Policy. Awardees must request an exemption in writing from , and provide details as to why they are technologically unable to submit electronically though the Grants.gov portal. Make sure you specify the announcement number for which you are seeking relief. 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 2, which provides detailed information on the non- competitive application and submission process.
Awardees must submit proposals according to the instructions in Appendix A, using this guidance in conjunction with Public Health Service (PHS) Application Form PHS-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 PHS-5161-1 appear in the “Application Format” section below.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
Application Format Requirements
See Appendix A, Section 5 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 could result in a delay in issuing the Notice of Grant of Award or a lapse in funding.
Application Format-Content
Application for funding must consist of the following documents in the following order:
5-D04-08-001 Page 2
Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant Program
Application Format Requirements
Applications for funding must consist of the following documents in the following order:
SF-424 Short Form – 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.
% The forms listed in the table below are the only items that should be submitted in grants.gov. All additional, required information should be submitted into the EHB system.
% For electronic submissions no table of contents is required. HRSA will construct an electronic table of contents in the order specified.
Application Section / Form Type / Instruction / HRSA/Program Guidelines /Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) / Form / Pages 1, 2 & 3 of the SF-424 face page. / Not counted in the page limit
Project Summary/Abstract / Attachment / Can be uploaded on page 2 of SF-424 - Box 15 / Required attachment. Counted in the page limit. Refer guidance for detailed instructions. Provide table of contents for this document
Additional Congressional District / Attachment / Can be uploaded on page 2 of SF-424 - Box 16 / If applicable. Not counted in the page limit.
HHS Checklist Form PHS-5161 / Form / Pages 1 & 2 of the HHS checklist. / Not counted in the page limit
% After successful submission of the above forms in Grants.gov, and subsequent processing by HRSA, you will be notified by HRSA confirming the successful receipt of your application and requiring the Project Director and Authorizing Official to review and submit additional information in HRSA EHBs. Your application will not be considered submitted unless you review the information submitted through Grants.gov and enter and submit the additional information required through the HRSA EHBs. Refer to the HRSA Electronic Submission Guide provided in Appendix A, Section 2 of this guidance for the complete process and instructions.