FAQ Topics: LEAP in Health IT, 2024
2024 LEAP in Health IT Questions
Questions for Week Ending 07-12-2024
- Q: Just to confirm that References in the abstract are not included in the 500 word limit? Also the descriptive information (project title, etc.) is in a separate document and not a part of the abstract or 500 words.
A: The project abstract shall be one page in length, including the descriptive information such as the project title and applicant name. The abstract, exclusive of the descriptive information, is limited to 500 words. There are no requirements for references in the abstract. This information can be found on page 18 of the Notice of Funding Opportunity. - Q: We are questioning if indirect costs are allowed for us. We do not have a negotiated rate. We use the 10% de minimis rate. Also, there are no subrecipients included in the application. Are we able to use the 10% de minimis rate for indirect costs in this application?
A: Indirect costs that are to be applied to an award must be based on an approved Indirect Cost Rate Agreement. In the event that an organization does not have one, they are able to apply a 10% de minimus rate per 45 CFR 75.414. - Q: The RFA from 2018 calls for cost share, but the current Grants.gov synopsis has No Cost Share listed. Does this application require cost share?
A: The 2018 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is not valid. The 2022 NOFO does not require cost share.
- Q: We currently have a health information technology which will go live in the next few months. We would like to apply to the LEAP grant to expand functionality and accelerate adoption in behavioral health organizations. Could these funds be used to support the expansion of our technology? We anticipate adding these new functionalities after a few months of a stabilization period. Could we incorporate a stabilization period in the timeline for the LEAP grant. During this period, we will document emerging challenges inhibiting the development, use, or advancement of our technology.
A: As a matter of fairness, ONC does not provide potential applicants on guidance or confirmation as to whether or not their proposal is applicable. We strongly encourage potential applicants to carefully review the SEN to determine whether their project idea fits within the scope of either of the two areas of interest. - Q: In order to expand on our capabilities and eligibility it is necessary to give a description of our organization (the lead non profit organization) activities, mission and population served in some detail. Could this be a heading of its own or would it rather be shown in the applicant capability area.
A: The Applicant Capabilities section of the Project Narrative includes the Organizational Capability Statement that describes the organization’s capabilities, qualifications, and approach to address the work to be completed, as listed on page 22 of the Notice of Funding Opportunity. - Q: Appendix B (SF-424): Item 15 “Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project” reads “(Required) Enter a brief descriptive title of the project. If appropriate, attach a map showing project location (e.g., construction or real property projects). For pre-applications, attach a summary description of the project.” My question is: Is a map and/or the summary description of the project required for an Application?
A:Neither a map nor a summary description is required for a LEAP application. - Q: SF-LLL Form: This is listed as a mandatory form in Grants.gov. Please advise as to how to complete the SF-LLL form if the lead applicant has zero lobbying activities to disclose.
A: Please sign the form and write N/A in the lobbying activities section of the SF-LLL form. - Q: Project Abstract Form and Project Abstract Summary Form: There are two separate forms listed as mandatory in Grants.gov for the Project Abstract – the Project Abstract Form is solely a field for uploading a document (which counts toward the page limit). The Project Abstract Summary form allows for entering text with no more than 4,000 characters (which would not count towards the page limit). We can also see instructions for the Project Abstract on page 18 of the NOFO. My question is: Should applicants complete the standardized Project Abstract Summary Form (4,000 character limit) using the instructions from Page 18 of the NOFO? Or should applicants develop a separate document following the instructions on page 18 of the NOFO, and upload this to the Project Abstract Form, counting this as a page in their page count? Or both?
A: There are two Project Abstract parts of the application on Grants.gov. A PDF of the Project Abstract is attached to the Project Abstract section, and the text of the Project Abstract is copied into the Project Abstract Summary section. Both the content of the PDF and the content in the Project Abstract Summary section need to be no more than 500 words. Also on the PDF document, the project title, applicant name, physical address, contact name, contact phone numbers, email address, and web site address shall be included according to the instructions on page 18 of the Notice of Funding Opportunity. Additionally, the Project Abstract does not count toward the page limit.
- Q: Is an Implementation Project allowed under this grant?
A: As a matter of fairness, ONC does not provide potential applicants on guidance or confirmation as to whether or not their proposal is applicable. We strongly encourage potential applicants to carefully review the SEN to determine whether their project idea fits within the scope of either of the two areas of interest. - Q:Could you please clarify what the correct application due date is for Leading Edge Acceleration Projects (LEAP) in Health Information Technology. One notice says July 12, 2024: https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/341131. Another says 9/30/2027: https://www.grantsolutions.gov/gs/preaward/previewPublicAnnouncement.do?id=98047. But the actual NOFO is dated 2018.
A: The application due date is July 12, 2024. This information is listed on the ONC website and in the 2024 Special Emphasis Notice. The 2024 SEN can also be found on the Grants.gov website. The 2018 NOFO is no longer active. - Q: If the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is active until 2027, are there/what are the submission dates after this July?
A: Annually, at ONC’s discretion, a Special Emphasis Notice (SEN) will be announced under the LEAP program. The 2024 SEN application period is through July 12, 2024. - Q: We are planning a 5 year budget. Should the proposed project dates on SF-424, #17 indicate the 2 year period or the 5 year period?
A: The budget should cover a 2-year period-of-performance and may also include an extended budget and project proposal for years 3-5. Please note that the LEAP award commits to awarding projects for only a 2-year period-of-performance and that the decision to extend and fund years 3-5 is subject to the availability of funds and alignment with ONC’s priorities. - Q: Similarly, should the estimated funding on SF-424, #18, indicate funding for 2 years or 5 years?
A: The budget should cover a 2-year period-of-performance and may also include an extended budget and project proposal for years 3-5. Please note that the LEAP award commits to awarding projects for only a 2-year period-of-performance and that the decision to extend and fund years 3-5 is subject to the availability of funds and alignment with ONC’s priorities. - Q: On SF-424A, is it correct that the 2nd year of funding would be indicated in Section E, column b (first future funding period)?
A: On SF-424A, Section E, the funding amount for year 1 should be in column (b) and the funding amount for year 2 should be in column (c). - Q: Similarly, do the estimated budget for years 3 – 5, go in columns c, d, and e (second, third, fourth future funding period). If not, how are years 3-5 captured?
A:On SF-424A, Section E, the funding amount for years 3-5 will begin in column (d). - Q: I want to check if the PDF linked on this page (GrantSolutions.Gov Leading Edge Acceleration Projects (LEAP) in Health Information Technology website) is still valid, as it is dated 2018.
A:The 2018 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is no longer valid. A new NOFO was released in 2022, is valid, and is available here. - Q: Is the “Section D Application and Submission Information” where the “Application Package” component requirements are described in detail in the 2018 NOFO still valid for the 2024 application?
A: The 2018 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is no longer valid. The current 2022 NOFO includes application package information on page 18 and is available here in the related documents section. - Q: In the SEN, Page 6, ONC specifies that “An applicant proposal must not rely on proprietary technology”. Could ONC please clarify what is meant by ‘rely’ and what is considered as ‘technology’?A: Reliance on a single vendor or proprietary technology does not ensure widespread scalability and ease of adoption and is the reason behind this requirement. For all grants or cooperative agreement activities involving the adoption or use of health information technology standards and systems, or the interoperability (as defined 45 C.F.R. 170.102) of health information technology, the recipient must implement, acquire, upgrade, or utilize health information technology that meets standards and implementation specifications adopted under section 3004 of the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) (identified in 45 CFR Part 170, Subpart B “Standards and Implementation Specifications for Health Information Technology” (170.200-170.299)) if standards and implementation specifications in 45 CFR Part 170, Subpart B can support the activity. If standards and implementation specifications adopted under Section 3004 of the Public Health Service Act cannot support the activity, the recipient should implement, acquire, update, or utilize technology that meets non-proprietary standards and implementation specifications that are developed by consensus-based standards development organizations. This may include standards identified in the ONC Interoperability Standards Advisory.
- Q: Additionally, could ONC please clarify whether a platform is considered as ‘technology’?
A: Please review the Special Emphasis Notice (SEN) and the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to determine if a platform is considered technology. - Q: Could ONC please clarify if applicants are allowed to use proprietary technologies for elements of data analysis and/or to review common documentation practices within healthcare? For example, the use of EHR platforms that may be unique or proprietary.
A: The goal of the LEAP in Health IT funding opportunity is to address well-documented and fast emerging challenges inhibiting the development, use, or advancement of well-designed, interoperable health IT, which are scalable across the healthcare industry. Solutions are expected to further a new generation of health IT tools and inform the development, implementation, and refinement of health IT standards, methods, and techniques towards enabling widespread adoption of health IT tools to improve healthcare outcomes. Reliance on a single vendor or proprietary technology does not ensure widespread scalability and ease of adoption and is the reason behind this requirement. - Q: The SEN and NOFO call for a 2-year budget of up to $1,000,000 per applicant. Can ONC please clarify if there is annual budget limit (i.e. of $500,000) or can the two initial budget years be budgeted differently, so long as combined they do not exceed the $1,000,000 limit?
A: The $1 million is the total budget for the two-year period. There is no maximum annual budget, as long as it stays within the confines of the total award amount. - Q: Can ONC please confirm that, if awarded, the applicant will be able to spend year 1 and year 2 funds independently of the budget period they are budgeted in? (i.e. would unspent funds in year 1 roll over to year 2, as an example?).
A:Any unspent funding in year 1 can be spent in year 2 with prior approval by your grants management specialist. - Q: The NOFO calls for double-spacing of the technical proposal, including the budget narrative, however the budget narrative examples shown in the NOFO are all single-spaced. Can ONC please confirm that Excel and/or Word budget deliverables must be double-spaced, or can they be single-spaced like the examples shown in the NOFO?
A:The high level narrative included in the project narrative shall be double-spaced, formatted to 8 ½” x 11” (letter-size) pages, 1” or larger margins on all sides, and a font size of not less than 11 point. The budget narrative and budget forms that are separate from the project narrative should follow the template format included in the appendices. - Q: In the NOFO, p.4. ONC states that “applicants are encouraged to submit their applications based on a five-year budget period. Additional funding for years three to five may be provided, contingent upon availability of funds, meaningful progress, and ONC priorities.” Since this NOFO was released in FY2022 with a 5-year open application period, does this have any effect on whether the applicant can still submit a 5-year project, given it is now FY2024? In other words, can an application submitted in FY2024 still propose a 5-year budget in case there are funds available beyond the 2-year period of performance?
A:The applicant may propose a 5-year budget in 2024. - Q: Could ONC please clarify if Letters of Support should be addressed to the prime applicant or to ONC?
A:Letters of support should be addressed to ONC, specifically to the National Coordinator, Micky Tripathi. - Q: Could ONC please clarify if there is a preference for what format or template the applicant uses for resumes included for key personnel?
A:There is no preferred format or template for the resumes of the key personnel. - Q: If a PI is donating 5% of the 20% required time, how does this in-kind contribution, which is not a match, get captured on the SF-424A? Does this get captured in Section A, column f and Section B, column 4 or does it only get included in the Budget and Narrative Justification?
A:This would be considered non-federal funding. It would be captured in Section A, column f and Section B, column 4. - Q: Should resumes be uploaded as a separate attachment from the 35-page project narrative?
A:Resumes can be uploaded as a separate attachment from the project narrative. - Q: Can NIH biosketches be used instead of resumes?
A: ONC does not specify the resume format. - Q: Should the applicant: 1. replicate the deliverables included in the table beginning on page 10 of the solicitation (e.g. 4. Draft legal and policy landscape assessment) and populate the respective dates according to the proposed project? or 2. propose new deliverables and populate the respective dates according to the proposed project?
A:The deliverable table referenced in this question is in the 2018 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that is no longer valid. The 2022 NOFO does not list a deliverable table. Applicants shall propose new deliverables and their respective dates in the project plan and timeline. Additionally, the Special Emphasis Notice (SEN) lists specific information that shall be included in applications related to each project area. - Q: I am writing to inquire about the required attendance to the State Health Information Exchange (HIE) Leadership Training in Washington, DC and State HIE Forum in Chicago, IL specified in the 2022 LEAP in Health IT NOFO. Could you provide some additional information on these events to help determine which team members (e.g. PI and Co-PI, or administrative staff) should attend? Any guidance you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
A: The State Health Information Exchange (HIE) Leadership Training and Forum listed in the Budget and Narrative Justification Template in Appendix D of the Notice of Funding Opportunity on page 54 are sample entries in a sample budget and narrative justification. It is an example, and the items listed within the tables are example items used to explain how to fill out the form. They are not part of the requirements for the LEAP projects.
- Q: On page 10 of the solicitation, it states “…applicant will provide a draft project plan as an appendix to the application, with corresponding table of key and milestones…” Is this document the same as the “project timeline” referenced on page 21? (see entry 3 below)
A: Yes, the “draft project plan” referenced on page 12 of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is the detailed project timeline included as an appendix, which is referenced on page 22. Every other reference to a project plan is the plan for how the applicant intends to meet the goals of the area of interest. Explanations of the project plan are included on page 12, 19, 22, 27, and 29 of the NOFO and in the Special Emphasis Notice (SEN) for the 2024 areas of interest. - Q:On page 21 of the solicitation, it states “the application should include a detailed project timeline as an appendix that incorporates those milestones. The project timeline will not count towards the narrative page limit. It should also include an organizational chart as an appendix that reflects the roles and responsibilities.” Is the above-referenced Project Timeline the same document as the Project Plan referenced on page 10?
A: As stated above, the “draft project plan” reference on page 12 of the NOFO is a mistake and should be the project timeline. The project timeline and the project plan are not the same. The project timeline is an appendix that incorporates the project’s key objectives and dates to demonstrate that key objectives can be met within the two-year period. Explanations of the project plan are included on page 12, 19, 22, 27, and 29 of the NOFO and in the Special Emphasis Notice (SEN) for the 2024 areas of interest. - Q: Should the organizational chart be included within the project timeline document or as a separate appendix?
A: One document including all appendices will be submitted as part of your application. The NOFO does not state if project timeline and the organizational chart should fall within the same section of the appendix document. - Q: It is stated that up to 100 citations may be included. Are citations to be included with the Project Narrative or as a separate appendix? If the former, do citations count toward the project narrative page limit?
A: Citations shall be included with the project narrative and do count toward the project narrative limit. Do not use the Appendix to circumvent the page limitations of the project narrative component.
- Q: Is it acceptable to propose a solution that in any way overlaps between Areas 1 and 2 or are submissions expected to be mutually exclusive? Are any forms of overlap allowed?
A: Applications shall clearly state which Area of Interest the proposed project will address. As a matter of fairness, ONC does not provide potential applicants on guidance or confirmation as to whether or not their proposal is applicable. We strongly encourage potential applicants to carefully review the SEN to determine whether their project idea fits within the scope of either of the two areas of interest. - Q: I would like to get a copy of the Power Point for the LEAP Grant – NAP-AX-22-001, Presentation completed on 5-21-24. Can you forward this or direct me to where I can locate it?
A: The slides are available on ONC’s website. - Q: Is there a standard budget format/document to accompany the proposal or will it be a narrative and table incorporated in the application that is not standardized. Is there any further guidance on the budget submission/ incorporation?
A: There are two parts of the Notice Of Funding Opportunity that explain the requirement for a budget narrative. On page 22 of the NOFO, as part of the project narrative, we ask that the applicant provide a breakdown of how they plan to spend their allotted resources to complete their proposed activities. This should be no more than 3 pages of the project narrative. Additionally, as part of the appendices to the application, the applicant must submit a detailed budget narrative and supporting SF-424a form to breakdown the costs proposed to complete activities. Please see appendix D in the NOFO on page 54 for the template to be used. Please see page 23 for additional information regarding budget narratives. The NOFO is available here. - Q: Is it possible to still submit a proposal or was the LoI a requirement / prerequisite to submit a proposal?
A: A Letter of Intent is not a prerequisite for submitting a proposal. Proposals are due July 12, 2024, here.
- Q: Will only 2 applications be awarded funding – one for each area in this grant cycle?
A:ONC expects to issue one cooperative agreement award per area of interest of up to $1 million per award, totaling up to $2 million for the two awards in fiscal year 2024. Please note that all applicants must explicitly state the area of interest for which they are applying. Applications that do not clearly state their intended area of interest will not be considered. - Q: The University of Mississippi Medical Center is a State of Mississippi academic medical center. Are we considered an eligible applicant?
A: This is a competitive funding opportunity open to public or non-profit private institutions, such as a university, college, or a faith-based or community-based organization; units of local or state government, eligible agencies of the federal government, Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (federally recognized, other than federally recognized, and tribally designated organizations). For-profit organizations may participate in projects as members of a consortia or as a sub-recipient only. Applications submitted by for-profit organizations or foreign institutions will not be reviewed. Organizations described in section 501(c)4 of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities are not eligible. - Q: I am reaching out regarding the ONC LEAP Informational Session. I registered in advance of the meeting, but it seems the link prompts that the meeting is at full capacity. Will there be a recording of the session available after the event?
A: The recoding is available on ONC’s website. - Q: We are wondering about the separation of Areas 1 (AI) and 2 (behavioral health). We have a proposed solution that leverages AI and includes a behavioral health component. Would this combined approach be allowable under the terms of the solicitation?
A: Applications shall clearly state which Area of Interest the proposed project will address. As a matter of fairness, ONC does not provide potential applicants on guidance or confirmation as to whether or not their proposal is applicable. We strongly encourage potential applicants to carefully review the SEN to determine whether their project idea fits within the scope of either of the two areas of interest. - Q: Can we apply making it clear that we are submitting to Area 1 (AI) and provide our solution with all components including a partial behavioral health focus?
A: Applications that do not clearly state their intended area of interest will not be considered. The “Project Narrative” information in the NOFO on page 19 explains where applicants shall clearly state which Area of Interest the proposed project will address. - Q: I attended yesterday’s LEAP 2024 Information Session. Will you all be sharing these slides and this recording? I found the materials to be very helpful.
A: The recoding and slides are available on ONC’s website. - Q: Regarding the informal LOI deadline of May 28, 2024 — Can you provide the contents needed to be included in the email sent confirming intent to submit an application?
A: The notice should identify the name of the applicant organization, the city and state in which the applicant organization is located, and the Notice of Funding Opportunity title and number. For more details, please refer to the Letter of Intent section of the NOFO on page 16. - Q: Please confirm the anticipated project start date and duration.
A: The anticipated start date listed in the Information Session slides is Aug. 30, 2024. The period of performance is two years. - Q: Can you provide the requested criteria for the non-binding email letter that should be submitted by 5/28?.
A: The notice should identify the name of the applicant organization, the city and state in which the applicant organization is located, and the Notice of Funding Opportunity title and number. For more details, please refer to the Letter of Intent section of the NOFO on page 16. - Q: There is $1M allocated to each area, but is $1M the max total budget for each 2-year project? Is there a max annual budget?
A: The $1 million is the total budget for the two-year period. There is no maximum annual budget, as long as it stays within the confines of the total award amount. - Q: Can this grant be used for a vendor implementation? It sounds like the lightweight application must be used for internal resources.
A: As a matter of fairness, ONC does not provide potential applicants on guidance or confirmation as to whether or not their proposal is applicable. We strongly encourage potential applicants to carefully review the SEN to determine whether their project idea fits within the scope of either of the two areas of interest. - Q: For the awardees of the grants, when are the funds distributed– is this $1million over a 2 year period for the project?
A: The $1 million is the total budget for the two-year period. - Q: Apologies, I may have missed this on the merit review criteria slide re: purpose – will the proposal be evaluated on the purpose alignment during the self-contained project period, or the longer term (5 year+) alignment?
A: An applicant showing an understanding of the project purpose described in the SEN is a specific merit review criterion. The NOFO explains on page 19 that applicants shall show a specific delineation of the objectives and research challenges the proposed project will address, specifically distinguishing between challenges that can be addressed in the self-contained project period (two years) and challenges requiring a longer period (three to five years). - Q: Can area 2 of this grant be used to acquire an AI program to implement into a BH and MH environment and adapt for best practices use in such an environment?
A: As a matter of fairness, ONC does not provide potential applicants on guidance or confirmation as to whether or not their proposal is applicable. We strongly encourage potential applicants to carefully review the SEN to determine whether their project idea fits within the scope of either of the two areas of interest.
- Q: I just wanted to confirm that this funding is meant for technology organizations rather than behavioral health organizations.
A: This is a competitive funding opportunity open to public or non-profit private institutions, such as a university, college, or a faith-based or community-based organization; units of local or state government, eligible agencies of the federal government, Indian/Native American Tribal Governments. Organizations who meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply. Please refer to the eligibility requirements on page 13 of the NOFO (NAP-AX-22-001) to see what organizations are eligible to apply for this award. If your organization is a for-profit organization, you may participate in projects as members of a consortia or as a sub-recipient only. - Q: We are looking into this upcoming grant and we fall into the “other” category. Could you provide additional information on what falls into this category.
A: This is a competitive funding opportunity open to public or non-profit private institutions, such as a university, college, or a faith-based or community-based organization; units of local or state government, eligible agencies of the federal government, Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (federally recognized, other than federally recognized, and tribally designated organizations). For-profit organizations may participate in projects as members of a consortia or as a sub-recipient only. Because the purpose of this NOFO is to improve healthcare in the United States, foreign institutions may participate in projects as members of a consortia or as a sub-recipient only. Applications submitted by for-profit organizations or foreign institutions will not be reviewed. Organizations described in section 501(c)4 of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities are not eligible.