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Notice2025-17857

Health Center Program Performance Period Extensions

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Published
September 16, 2025

Issuing agencies

Health and Human Services DepartmentHealth Resources and Services Administration

Abstract

To avoid a gap in services to its service area between the end of BCHN's current period of performance and the next Service Area Competition (SAC), BCHN will receive a 3-month Extension with Funds to extend the end date of its period of performance from January 31, 2026, to April 30, 2026. BCHN currently has a period of performance ending on January 31, 2026. Extending BCHN's total period of performance to April 30, 2026, will prevent interruption in access to critical primary health care services in the community currently served by BCHN. Since there will be no SAC competition released for health centers with a period of performance end date of January 31, 2026, this extension will also permit BCHN to apply to the SAC application cycle for health centers with a period of performance end date of April 30, 2026.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 177 (Tuesday, September 16, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 16, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44685-44687]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-17857]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Health Center Program Performance Period Extensions

AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department 
of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Notice of 3-month extension for Bronx Community Health Network, 
Inc. (BCHN).

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SUMMARY: To avoid a gap in services to its service area between the end 
of BCHN's current period of performance and the next Service Area 
Competition (SAC), BCHN will receive a 3-month Extension with Funds to 
extend the end date of its period of performance from January 31, 2026, 
to April 30, 2026. BCHN currently has a period of performance ending on 
January 31, 2026. Extending BCHN's total period of performance to April 
30, 2026, will prevent interruption in access to critical primary 
health care services in the community currently served by BCHN. Since 
there will be no SAC competition released for health centers with a 
period of performance end date of January 31, 2026, this extension will 
also permit BCHN to apply to the SAC application cycle for health 
centers with a period of performance end date of April 30, 2026.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erica Clift, Division Director, Office 
of Program and Policy Development, Bureau of Primary Care, HRSA, at 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6603050a0f0012260e14150748010910"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0267616e6b6476426a7071632c656d74">[email&#160;protected]</span></a> and 301-443-0741.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Intended Recipient of the Award: BCHN, which serves the Bronx, New 
York service area. The Bronx is a community that is vulnerable to a 
lapse in access to comprehensive primary care services.
    Amount of Award(s): 1 award for $2,377,440.

[[Page 44686]]

    Project Period: February 1, 2022, to April 30, 2026.
    Assistance Listing Number: 93.224.
    Award Instrument: Grant--Non-competing Continuation.
    Authority: Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended 
(42 U.S.C. 254b, as amended).
    Justification: Providing BCHN a 3-month extension to April 30, 
2026, is consistent with the Health Center Program's policy decision to 
change from 3-year project periods to 4-year project periods in a 
phased-in approach over the next 2 years and to align with the SAC 
cycle that begins in April 2026. Health centers currently receive a 3-
year period of performance when they successfully compete and receive 
Health Center Program funding through an SAC. HRSA will begin to move 
health centers with a current 3-year period of performance to a 4-year 
period of performance through a phased approach starting in FY 2026 
with periods of performance beginning on May 1, 2026, to:
    <bullet> Reduce the burden on health centers by extending the 
timing for their operational site visits and their SAC application 
submission from every 3 years to every 4 years;
    <bullet> Provide HRSA with increased operational flexibility and 
efficiency by distributing the review and processing of SACs, Program 
Analysis and Recommendations, and operational site visits more evenly 
across the 4-year funding cycles of health center competitive awards 
without sacrificing the integrity of compliance reviews and funding 
decisions for the Health Center Program; and
    <bullet> Increase the continuity of patient access to comprehensive 
primary health care services by committing each health center to a 
longer time frame in each service area, while remaining aligned with 
current grants requirements and policies.
    HRSA will provide BCHN with a 3-month extension with funds to 
ensure continuity of services between the current period of performance 
end date and when a new award is made for the service area.
    Request for Recipient Response: This action extends the period of 
performance with funds to your Health Center Program (H80CS00626) 
award. BCHN's award with a current period of performance of February 1, 
2022, through January 31, 2026, will be extended by 3 months to April 
30, 2026. This extension will prevent interruptions in access to 
critical health care services in the community. To process this action, 
BCHN must respond to this request for information (RFI) within the 
specified timeframe by providing a SF-424A and Budget Narrative, as 
detailed below.
    Activities/Requirements: Activities and work funded under this 3-
month extension are within the scope of the current award. All of the 
terms and conditions of the current award apply to activities and work 
supported by this 3-month extension.
    Required Submission Response: BCHN must submit the response to the 
RFI in HRSA's Electronic Handbook. If HRSA does not receive a response 
to the RFI by the deadline, or the response to the RFI is incomplete or 
non-responsive, there may be a delay or lapse in the issuance of 
funding. The response should not exceed 20 pages, single-spaced, and 
must include the following information.

1. SF-424A: Budget Information Form

    Upload an SF-424A: BUDGET INFORMATION FORM attachment.
    Section A: Budget Summary: Verify the pre-populated list of Health 
Center Program funding types:

<bullet> Community Health Center (CHC)
<bullet> Migratory and Seasonal Agricultural Workers (MSAW)
<bullet> Homeless Population (HP)
<bullet> Residents of Public Housing (RPH)

    If the funding types are incorrect, make necessary adjustments. In 
the Federal column, provide the funding request for each Health Center 
Program funding type (CHC, MSAW, HP, RPH). The total federal funding 
requested across all Health Center Program funding types must align 
with the amount provided in the request from HRSA.

    Note: This RFI submission may not be used to request changes to 
the total award, funding type(s), or Health Center Program funds 
allocation between funding types. Funding must be requested and will 
be awarded proportionately for all funding types as currently funded 
under the Health Center Program.

    In the Non-Federal column, provide the total non-federal funding 
sources for each type of Health Center Program (CHC, MSAW, HP, RPH).
    Section B: Object Class Categories: Provide the object class 
category breakdown (i.e., line-item budget) for FY 2026 budgeted funds. 
Include federal funding in the first column and non-federal funding in 
the second column. Each line represents a distinct object class 
category that must be addressed in the Budget Narrative. Indirect costs 
may only be claimed with an approved indirect cost rate (see details in 
the Budget Narrative section below).
    Section C: Non-Federal Resources: Provide a breakdown of non-
federal funds by funding source (e.g., state, local) for each type of 
Health Center Program funding (CHC, MSAW, HP, RPH). If you are a state 
agency, leave the State column blank and include state funding in the 
Applicant column.

Salary Rate Limitation

    As required by the current appropriations act, ``[n]one of the 
funds appropriated in this title shall be used to pay the salary of an 
individual, through a grant or other extramural mechanism, at a rate 
over Executive Level II'' (see <a href="https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/25Tables/exec/html/EX.aspx">https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/25Tables/exec/html/EX.aspx</a>). Effective January 2025, the salary rate limitation is 
$225,700. As required by law, salary rate limitations may apply in 
future years and will be updated.

2. Budget Narrative

    Upload a Budget Narrative attachment for the budget period 
(February 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026) that explains the amounts 
requested for each line in Section B: Object Class Categories of the 
SF-424A Budget Information Form. The Budget Narrative must itemize both 
your federal request and non-federal resources.
    The Budget Narrative must describe how each line-item will support 
achieving the project objectives. Refer to 45 CFR 75 (2 CFR 200) for 
information on allowable costs (see <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-75#part-75">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-75#part-75</a>). Include detailed 
calculations explaining how each line-item expense within each cost 
category is derived (e.g., number of visits, cost per unit). Include a 
description for each item in the ``other'' category.
    Include the following in the Budget Narrative:
    Personnel Costs: Explain personnel costs and list each staff member 
who will be supported by Health Center Program funds, name (if 
possible), position title, percentage of full-time equivalency, and 
annual salary.
    Reminder: An individual's base salary, per se, is NOT constrained 
by the statutory provision for a salary limitation. The rate limitation 
limits the amount that may be awarded and charged to the HRSA grant. 
Provide an individual's actual base salary if it exceeds the cap. Refer 
to the Sample Budget Narrative on the Budget Period Progress Report 
Technical Assistance web page (see https://bphc.hrsa.gov/funding/
funding-opportunities/budget-

[[Page 44687]]

period-progress-report-bpr-noncompeting-continuation-ncc).
    Fringe Benefits: List the components that make up the fringe 
benefit rate, for example, health insurance, taxes, unemployment 
insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, and tuition reimbursement. 
The fringe benefits should be directly proportional to the personnel 
costs allocated for the project.
    Travel: List travel costs according to local and long-distance 
travel. For local travel, outline the mileage rate, number of miles, 
reason for travel, and staff members/consumers completing the travel. 
The budget should also reflect the travel expenses (e.g., airfare, 
lodging, parking, per diem, etc.) for each person and the trip 
associated with participating in meetings and other proposed training 
or workshops. Name the traveler(s) if possible, describe the purpose of 
the travel, and provide the number of trips involved, the destinations, 
and the number of individuals for whom funds are requested.
    Equipment: List equipment costs and justify the need for the 
equipment to carry out the program's goals. Extensive justification and 
a detailed status of current equipment must be provided when requesting 
funds to purchase items that meet the definition of equipment (a unit 
cost of $10,000 or more and a useful life of 1 or more years).
    Supplies: List the items that will be used to implement the 
proposed project. Separate items into 3 categories: office supplies 
(e.g., paper, pencils), medical supplies (e.g., syringes, blood tubes, 
gloves), and educational supplies (e.g., brochures, videos). Items must 
be listed separately. Equipment items such as laptops, tablets, and 
desktop computers are classified as a supply if the acquisition cost is 
under the $10,000 per unit cost threshold.
    Contractual/Subawards/Consultant: Provide a clear justification, 
including how you estimated the costs and the specific contract/
subaward deliverables. Attach a summary of contracts with the Budget 
Narrative. Make sure that your organization has an established and 
adequate procurement system with fully developed written procedures for 
awarding and monitoring all contracts/subawards. Recipients must notify 
potential subrecipients that entities receiving subawards must be 
registered in System for Award Management (SAM) and provide the 
recipient with their Unique Entity Identifier number (see 2 CFR part 25 
in <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25</a>).
    In your budget:
    <bullet> For consultant services, list the total costs for all 
consultant services. Identify each consultant, the services they will 
perform, the total number of days, travel costs, and total estimated 
costs.
    <bullet> For subawards to entities that will help carry out the 
work of the grant, describe how you monitor their work to ensure the 
funds are being properly used.
    <bullet> Note: You should not provide line-item details on proposed 
contracts; rather, provide the basis for your cost estimate for the 
contract.
    Per the Suspension and Debarment rules in the Uniform 
Administrative Requirements, as implemented by HRSA under 2 CFR 
200.214, non-federal entities and contractors are subject to the non-
procurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive 
Orders 12549 and 12689, and 2 CFR parts 180 and 376. These regulations 
restrict awards, subawards, and contracts with certain parties 
debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for 
participation in federal assistance programs or activities.
    Other: Include all costs that do not fit into any other category 
and provide an explanation for each cost in this category (e.g., 
Electronic Health Record provider licenses, audit, legal counsel). In 
some cases, rent, utilities, and insurance fall under this category if 
they are not included in an approved indirect cost rate.
    Indirect Costs: Indirect costs are costs you charge across more 
than one project that cannot be easily separated by project.
    To charge indirect costs, you can select one of two methods:
    Method 1--Approved rate. You currently have an indirect cost rate 
approved by your cognizant federal agency. If indirect costs are 
included in the budget, attach a copy of the indirect cost rate 
agreement in the Budget Narrative attachment.
    Method 2--De minimis rate. Per 2 CFR 200.414(f) (see <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.414">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.414</a>), if you have never 
received a negotiated indirect cost rate, you may elect to charge a de 
minimis rate. If you choose this method, costs included in the indirect 
cost pool must not be charged as direct costs.
    This rate is 15 percent of modified total direct costs (see 2 CFR 
200.1 in <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#p-200.1">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#p-200.1</a>(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC). You can use 
this rate indefinitely.
    Submission Deadline: Submit the response to this request via HRSA's 
Electronic Handbook no later than 30 days from the receipt of the 
request.
    System for Award Management (SAM): Recipients must continue to 
maintain active SAM registration with current information at all times 
that they have an active federal award, an active application, or an 
active plan under consideration by an agency (unless you are an 
individual or federal agency that is exempted from those requirements 
under 2 CFR 25.110(b) or (c), or you have an exception approved by the 
agency under 2 CFR 25.110(d)). For your SAM registration, you must 
submit a notarized letter appointing the authorized Entity 
Administrator.
    Intergovernmental Review: This funding is subject to the provisions 
of Executive Order 12372, as implemented by 45 CFR part 100.
    Review Criteria and Process: HRSA will conduct a review of the 
submitted response in accordance with HRSA guidelines. HRSA reserves 
the right to request clarification, a resubmission of the budget, 
narrative, and forms, or additional information if the submission is 
not fully responsive to any of the requirements or if ineligible 
activities are proposed. Following the review of all applicable 
information, HRSA reviews and awards management officials will 
determine if special conditions are required, and what level of funding 
is appropriate. Award decisions and funding levels are discretionary 
and are not subject to appeal. Continued funding depends on 
congressional appropriation of funds, satisfactory performance, and a 
decision that continued funding would be in the government's best 
interest.
    As part of HRSA's required review of risk posed by applicants for 
this program, as described in 2 CFR 200.206 (see <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.205">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.205</a>), HRSA will consider additional factors. These factors include, 
but are not limited to, past performance and the results of HRSA's 
assessment of the financial stability of your organization. HRSA 
reserves the right to conduct site visits and/or use the current 
compliance status to inform final funding decisions.
    Award Notice: HRSA anticipates issuing the Notice of Award on or 
near January 31, 2026.

Thomas J. Engels,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2025-17857 Filed 9-15-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-15-P


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