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

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.