COVID-19 New Notice Of Funding Opportunity for Tribes

Dear Tribal Leader,

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is pleased to announce that at least $40 million is available for a new non-competitive notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) to reach all Title I and Title V tribal nations with funding to respond to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The anticipated NOFO publication date is March 30, 2020.

Though this is a non-competitive grant, there are immediate, required actions (which can take 3-14 business days) that you can take now to avoid delays in accessing, applying for, and receiving awards.

Act now to ensure your organization has these steps completed and is eligible prior to submitting your application:

  1. Obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
    • D-U-N-S Number assignment is FREE for all businesses required to register with the US Federal government for contracts or grants. If one does not exist for your business location, it can be created within 1 business day.
    • For additional help, contact SAMHelp@dnb.com or call 1-866-705-5711.
  2. Register for a System for Award Management (SAM) account
    • You will need your organization’s DUNS number and Tax ID number or Employer Identification Number (EIN).
    • If you are already registered, please ensure that your account is active at least through June 2020.
    • Reference Registration instructions for SAM and the SAM Quick Start Guide for additional information.
    • For help, contact the supporting Federal Service Desk (FSD) at https://www.fsd.gov/ or call 1-866-606-8220. 
  3. Register your organization on Grants.gov
    • Before applying for a funding opportunity, you need to register an account with Grants.gov which can be completed in minutes.
    • Reference the Grants.gov Online Help Portal for additional information. 
    • For help, contact suppoprt@grants.gov or call 1-800-518-4726.

Based on input from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Indian Health Service (IHS), and tribal partners and stakeholders, CDC is taking a multifaceted approach to provide COVID-19 funding to Indian Country. This approach aims to get public health resources out quickly during the COVID-19 declared emergency and enable broad access and opportunity for COVID-19 resources across tribal nations. This approach also reflects the statutory requirements of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-123). 

On behalf of CDC, I look forward to working with you to ensure Indian Country has resources to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19.

Please contact TribalCOVIDnofo@cdc.gov for additional information and questions.

Sincerely,

JT

José T. Montero, MD, MHCDS

Director, Center for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

White House’s Indian Country COVID-19 Response Team

Dear Tribal Leaders, Public Health Officials, and Indian Country Professionals,

Good afternoon, I’ve had the pleasure to visit with many of you since our conference call last week. Thank you for your correspondence on the critical issues your communities are facing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. I will continue to touch base with each of you who have reached out as quickly as possible.  

The Indian Country COVID-19 Response Team is continuing to engage through the Tribal Leaders  and Urban Indian Organization Leaders Conference call hosted by the Indian Health Service on Thursdays at 3:30PM. This week, in addition to our regular updates from Admiral Weahkee, we are featuring presentations from the Federal Emergency Management Agency* and the Small Business Administration on disaster assistance resources managed by the agencies. The agenda is available HERE and I encourage you all to join us to continue our dialogue. 

Access information is as follows: 

Date: Thursday, March 26, 2020

Time: 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Eastern)

Conference Call: 800-857-5577

Participant Passcode:  6703929

Webinar Adobe Connecthttps://ihs.cosocloud.com/r4k6jib09mj/

Participant Password: ihs123

* Please see the recent guidance offered by FEMA for Tribal recipients of disaster assistance here:
https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2020/03/22/coronavirus-covid-19-response-tribal-recipients

Mvto, 

Tyler Fish

Senior Policy Advisor & Tribal Liaison

White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs

(202) 881-9014

FEMA Stakeholder Advisory: Federal Partners Continue Providing Resources for COVID-19 Response Efforts

Federal Partners Continue Providing Resources for COVID-19 Response Efforts

The federal government continues to take aggressive and proactive steps to address the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The health and safety of the American people is our top priority. 

We are halfway through 15 Days to Slow the Spread. Do your part to flatten the curve:

  • Stay home as much as much as possible.
  • If you need to go out, practice social distancing.

Under the direction of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, FEMA, HHS and our federal partners are working with state, local, tribal and territorial governments to execute a whole of government response to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and protect the public.

On March 22, President Trump directed the Secretary of Defense to allow the states of California, New York and Washington use of the National Guard in a Title 32 status to support state and local emergency assistance efforts. This allows the governors to activate the National Guard to support their disaster response efforts, on a fully reimbursable basis and under their respective command and control, if that becomes necessary. To date, more than 9,000 National Guard troops have activated to help with testing and other response efforts. Additional states can request this assistance and those requests will be considered.

On March 13, 2020, President Trump declared a nationwide emergency pursuant to Sec. 501(b) of Stafford Act. The President’s action cuts red tape and bureaucracy and avoids governors needing to request individual emergency declarations. In addition, the states of New York, Washington, California, Iowa and Louisiana were approved for major disaster declarations to assist with additional needs identified in these states.

11 states and 4 tribes have issued full stay-at-home orders; in addition, 5 states have issued partial or localized orders.

Medical supplies are en route to states, including respirators, surgical masks and gowns, face shields, coveralls and gloves, with quantities already delivered to Washington, New York and California. We anticipate additional supplies will be delivered within the next 24 hours. The U.S. Navy hospital ship Mercy is en route to Los Angeles to provide additional hospital beds and medical staff and is expected to arrive by March 27. The U.S. Navy hospital ship Comfort is scheduled to arrive in New York on April 7. FEMA issued a $350 million Mission Assignment to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for construction of alternate care facilities in New York. Four sites have been selected.

Please see attached for updated information on the federal response efforts, Community Based Testing Sites (CBTS), Ventilator Guidance, Defense Production Act, Disinformation and Rumor Control, How to Help for volunteers and the private sector, and information on the Strategic National Stockpile.

If you have any questions, please contact FEMA Tribal Affairs at (202) 646-3444 or at FEMA-Tribal@fema.dhs.gov

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FEMA’s mission is to help people before, during and after disasters.

Follow FEMA online, on Twitter @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol, on FEMA’s Facebook page or Espanol page and at FEMA’s YouTube account. Also, follow Administrator Pete Gaynor’s activities @FEMA_Pete.

Tribal Updates: Indian Country Addresses COVID-19

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response: Tribal Recipients
Based on the President’s national emergency declaration for the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on March 13, 2020, tribal governments may be a Recipient or Subrecipient for FEMA Public Assistance. The following guidance supports questions related to the tribal recipient/subrecipient assistance process pursuant to the nationwide COVID-19 emergency.
Tribal Options for Assistance

  • Tribal governments do not need to request separate emergency declarations to receive FEMA assistance under this nationwide declaration.
  • A tribal government may choose to be a Subrecipient under a state that has chosen to be a Recipient of FEMA assistance or choose to be a direct Recipient of FEMA.
  • The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) also has funding available, including $40 million dollars specifically identified for tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal health service providers.

OMB Memo on Coronavirus and Expanded Administrative Relief

On March 19, 2020 the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations (M-20-17) which provides an expanded scope of recipients affected by the loss of operational capacity and increased costs due to the COVID-19 crisis.

M-20-17 is in addition to the narrowly crafted flexibilities to grant recipients performing essential research and services necessary to carry out the emergency response related to COVID-19 outlined in the March 9, 2020 OMB memo, Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (M-20-11). 

In addition, the flexibilities provided within M-20-17, agencies are reminded of their existing flexibility to issue exceptions on a case-by-case basis in accordance with 2 CFR § 200.102, Exceptions. M-20-11 shall continue to apply, and Appendix A describes the exceptions granted under this memorandum to recipients affected by the loss of operational capacity. These exceptions are time limited and will be reassessed by OMB within 90 days of M-20-17 (June 17, 2020). ResourcesMarch 19, 2020 OMB Memo (M-20-17)March 9, 2020 OMB Memo (M-20-11)e-Code of Federal RegulationsOMB Website
 
SAVE THE DATE: March 26, 2020 12:00 PM EDT
OMB Grants Innovation Exchange Session Scheduled

OMB’s March Grants Innovation Exchange Session scheduled for Thursday March 26, 2020 at 12:00 pm EDT, will feature updates from the OMB Grants Team on recent OMB memo M-20-17 providing administrative relief regarding the Coronavirus crisis and an update on The GREAT Act. NAFOA’s Event Page will be updated once registration is available. 

NAFOA will continue to provide relevant updates as they become available and will continue to take your questions and concerns as always. 
Summary Administrative Relief Exceptions for COVID-19 Crisis 
Federal awarding agencies are authorized to take the following actions, as they deem appropriate and to the extent permitted by law, with respect to the administrative provisions that apply to recipients and grantees affected by the COVID-19, for both recipients with COVID-19 related grants and other types of Federal grants.

Awarding agencies are required to maintain records on the level of particular exceptions provided to recipients. For items 6 and 7, awarding agencies must require recipients to maintain appropriate records and documentation to support the charges against the Federal awards.

1. Flexibility with SAM registration. (2 CFR § 200.205)
Awarding agencies can relax the requirement for active System for Award Management (SAM) registration at time of application in order to expeditiously issue funding. See M-20-17 for more information.

2. Flexibility with application deadlines. (2 CFR § 200.202)
Awarding agencies may provide flexibility with regard to the submission of competing applications in response to specific announcements, as well as unsolicited applications. As appropriate, agencies should list specific guidance on their websites and/or provide a point of contact for an agency program official. See M-20-17 for more information.

3. Waiver for Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) Publication. (2 CFR § 200.203)
Ability to publish emergency Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) for less than thirty (30) days on competitive grants and cooperative agreements. Documentation required by agency for tracking purposes. See M-20-17 for more information.

4. No-cost extensions on expiring awards. (2 CFR § 200.308)
Agencies may extend awards which were active as of March 31, 2020 and scheduled to expire prior or up to December 31, 2020, automatically at no-cost for a period of up to twelve (12) months. Required due dates of project-specific financial and performance reports 90 days following end date of extension. See M-20-17 for more information.

5. Abbreviated non-competitive continuation requests. (2 CFR § 200.308)
For continuation requests scheduled to come in from April 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 agencies may accept a brief statement from recipients to verify they are in a position to 1) resume or restore project activities; and 2) accept a planned continuation award. See M-20-17 for more information.

6. Allowability of salaries and other project activities. (2 CFR § 200.403, 2 CFR § 200.404, 2 CFR § 200.405)
Awarding agencies may allow recipients to continue to charge salaries and benefits to currently active Federal awards consistent with the recipients’ policy of paying salaries (under unexpected or extraordinary circumstances) from all funding sources, Federal and non-Federal. Awarding agencies may allow other costs to be charged to Federal awards necessary to resume activities supported by the award, consistent with applicable Federal cost principles and the benefit to the project. See M-20-17 for more information.

7. Allowability of Costs not Normally Chargeable to Awards. (2 CFR § 200.403, 2 CFR § 200.404, 2 CFR § 200.405)
Awarding agencies may allow recipients who incur costs related to the cancellation of events, travel, or other activities necessary and reasonable for the performance of the award, or the pausing and restarting of grant funded activities due to the public health emergency, to charge these costs to their award without regard to 2 CFR § 200.403, Factors affecting allowability of costs, 2 CFR § 200.404, Reasonable costs, and 2 CFR § 200.405, Allocable costs. See M-20-17 for more information.

8. Prior approval requirement waivers. (2 CPR § 200.407)
Awarding agencies are authorized to waive prior approval requirements as necessary to effectively address the response. See M-20-17 for more information.

9. Exemption of certain procurement requirements. (2 CPR§ 200.319(b), 2 CPR§ 200.321)
Awarding agencies may waive the procurement requirements contained in 2 CPR§ 200.319(b) regarding geographical preferences and 2 CPR§ 200.321 regarding contracting small and minority businesses, women’s business enterprises, and labor surplus area firms. See M-20-17 for more information.

10. Extension of financial, performance, and other reporting. (2 CPR§ 200.327, 2 CPR§ 200.328)
Awarding agencies may allow grantees to delay submission of financial, performance and other reports up to three (3) months beyond the normal due date.  See M-20-17 for more information.

11. Extension of currently approved indirect cost rates. (2 CPR§ 200.414 (c))
Awarding agencies may allow grantees to continue to use the currently approved indirect cost rates (i.e., predetermined, fixed, or provisional rates) to recover their indirect costs on Federal awards. See M-20-17 for more information.

12. Extension of closeout. (2 CPR§ 200.343)
Awarding agencies may allow the grantee to delay submission of any pending financial, performance and other reports required by the terms of the award for the closeout of expired projects, provided that proper notice about the reporting delay is given by the grantee to the agency. This delay in submitting closeout reports may not exceed one year after the award expires. See M-20-17 for more information.

13. Extension of Single Audit submission. (2 CFR § 200.512)
Awarding agencies, in their capacity as cognizant or oversight agencies for audit, should allow recipients and subrecipients that have not yet filed their single audits with the Federal Audit Clearinghouse as of the date of the issuance of this memorandum that have fiscal year-ends through June 30, 2020, to delay the completion and submission of the Single Audit reporting package, as required under Subpart F of 2 CFR § 200.501 –Audit Requirements, to six (6) months beyond the normal due date. See M-20-17 for more information.
 
For any other questions or concerns, please contact Emery Real Bird at Emery@nafoa.org or (202) 945-7750

Tribal Leader Town Hall on COVID-19

NAFOA, NCAI, and NIHB will convene a Tribal Leader Town Hall on the COVID-19 pandemic to engage on updates and policy implications. The town hall will be in a webinar format where we will discuss responses from the White House, public health agencies, and how our organizations are responding to the fight against COVID-19.

You may submit questions in advance via the registration form or by emailing Lacina Onco at lacina@nafoa.org.

March 17, 2020
2:00 PM- 3:00 PM Eastern
Click for Webinar Registration

  ResourcesTribal Leader Town Hall RegistrationNIHB Letter on COVID-19 FundingCDC COVID-19 WebsiteNCAI COVID-19 WebsiteWHO COVID-19 Website
 
Register for Tribal Leader Town Hall
To learn more and stay updated, see the CDC’s website on COVID-19 response. We recommend following official sources for information.

For any other questions or concerns, please contact Lacina Onco, Policy Specialist, at 202-603-3943 or at lacina@nafoa.org.

DOE Announces Intent to Issue New Funding Opportunity for Tribal Energy Infrastructure Development

March 5, 2020


Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs issued a Notice of Intent to release a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) entitled “Energy Infrastructure Development on Indian Lands – 2020” later this year.

“This planned funding will help Native American and Alaska Native communities harness their vast energy resources to reduce or stabilize energy costs, as well as increase energy security and resilience,” said Kevin R. Frost, Director of the Office of Indian Energy.

Through the planned FOA, the Office of Indian Energy intends to solicit applications from Indian tribes, which, for the purposes of the FOA, include Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Village Corporations, Intertribal Organizations, and Tribal Energy Development Organizations, to:

  • Install energy generating system(s) and/or energy efficiency measure(s) for tribal building(s); or,
  • Deploy community-scale energy generating system(s) or energy storage on Tribal Lands; or,
  • Install integrated energy system(s) for autonomous operation (independent of the traditional centralized electric power grid) to power a single or multiple essential tribal facilities during emergency situations or for tribal community resilience; or,
  • Deploy energy infrastructure or integrated energy system(s) to electrify tribal buildings.

This FOA is consistent with the principles of tribal sovereignty and self-determination, and with an all-of–the-above energy strategy that recognizes each tribe’s right to use their energy resources as they see fit. Projects sought under the planned FOA will be fuel and technology neutral.

Through this planned FOA, the Office of Indian Energy will continue its efforts to maximize the deployment of energy solutions for the benefit of American Indians and Alaska Natives and help build the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to implement those energy solutions. See the Office of Indian Energy website for a map and summaries of previous competitively funded projects.

Download the Notice of Intent (DE-FOA-0002316).

Find information about past funding opportunities.

Regards, 
Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs
1000 Independence Ave. SW 
Washington DC 20585

For more information on the Office of Indian Energy, visit our website.