Recovery.gov - Track the Money

IHS health care services are provided in over 700 IHS and tribal health care sites throughout 36 states, mostly in rural and isolated areas. Total space (IHS and tribal) is over 1.6 million square meters (17.2 million square feet) with a replacement cost in excess of $3.1 billion. Recovery Act projects will be executed using a combination of federal construction contracts and Indian self-determination (P.L. 93-638) construction project agreements. High priority projects will be selected in partnership with tribes and tribal organizations. The IHS will use up to 3% of the funds for administrative costs, project management, and transparency reporting required by the Recovery Act.

Maintenance & Improvement Projects by Categories:
• Improve Facility Condition (164 projects at a total cost of $49,999,385)
• Energy Conservation (70 projects at a total cost of $21,927,365)
• Program Enhancements(42 projects at a total cost of $17,771,202)
• Fire-Life-Safety(23 projects at a total cost of $6,009,347)
• Security (2 projects at a total cost of $211,566)
• Sustainability (1 project at a total cost of $100,000)
TOTAL # of projects: 302 and TOTAL Cost $96,018,865

*The remaining balance of $1,213,135 is held in reserve pending actual award amounts which may differ from current projections. Additional projects will be funded with any unused funds.

• Projects may address multiple categories of work; however one category was selected for reporting purposes.

Recipients will be selected in accordance with applicable contracting solicitation requirements under the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) or under P.L. 93-638, the Indian Self-Determination Act. New and existing contracts and compacts will be used.

All Recovery Act programs will be assessed for risk and to ensure that appropriate internal controls are in place throughout the entire funding cycle. These assessments will be done consistent with the statutory requirements of the Federal Manager’s Financial Integrity Act and the Improper Payments Information Act, as well as OMB’s Circular A-123 “Management’s Responsibility for Internal Control.”

• The Unified Financial Management System (UFMS) will record all Recovery Act funds and expenditures and allow program and project managers to monitor financial activity.
• IHS will incorporate implementation of Recovery Act into its FY 2009 Management Control Plan, i.e., the agency’s management control system for ensuring compliance with the Federal Managers’ Financial Integrity Act.
• Monitor recipient progress reports at least quarterly or more frequently if required to correct risks.
• Identify deviations from planned schedule or performance.
• IHS gives feedback and corrective measures to recipients as necessary to mitigate risks.
• All Recovery Act programs will be assessed for risk and to ensure that appropriate internal controls are in place throughout the entire funding cycle. These assessments will be done consistent with the statutory requirements of the Federal Manager’s Financial Integrity Act and the Improper Payments Information Act, as well as OMB’s Circular A-123 “Management’s Responsibility for Internal Control.”
• Assignment of Project Managers.

The Recovery Act appropriated $100 million to IHS for Maintenance & Improvement activities, and allowed up to 5% to be used for administrative costs. IHS will spend $97 million on repair, alteration, and improvement of facilities, and $3 million on administration.

IHS will be open and transparent in all of its contracting competitions and regulations that involve spending of Recovery Act funding consistent with statutory and OMB guidance.

IHS will also ensure that recipient reporting required by Section 1512 of the Recovery Act and OMB guidance is made available to the public on Recovery.gov by October 10, 2009. IHS will inform recipients of their reporting obligation through standard terms and conditions, grant announcements, contract solicitations, and other program guidance. IHS will provide technical assistance to grantees and contractors and fully utilize Project Officers to ensure compliance with reporting requirements.

• The IHS will be open and transparent in all of its contracting that involve spending of Recovery Act funding consistent with statutory and OMB guidance.
  
• All Tribal and Federal contracts will include relevant reporting requirements for use of Recovery Act funds.
  
• The IHS will inform recipients of their reporting obligation through standard terms and conditions, grant announcements, contract solicitations, and other program guidance.
  
• The IHS will provide technical assistance to recipients and fully utilize Project Officers.

To ensure that managers are held to high standards of accountability in achieving program goals under the Recovery Act, IHS will build on and strengthen existing processes. Senior IHS Office of Environmental Health and Engineering program officials will meet regularly with senior Department officials to ensure that projects are meeting their program goals, assessing and mitigating risks, ensuring transparency, and incorporating corrective actions. The personnel performance appraisal system will also incorporate Recovery Act program stewardship responsibilities for program and business function managers.

• IHS Health Care Facilities officials will meet regularly to ensure that projects are meeting their program goals, assessing and mitigating risks, ensuring transparency, and incorporating corrective actions.
  
• The personnel performance appraisal system will also incorporate Recovery Act program stewardship responsibilities for program and business function managers.
  
• Incorporate the Recovery Act into the IHS FY 2009 Management Control Plan.
  
• Track Recovery Act projects and funds in the Unified Financial Management System.
  
• M&I Projects comply with:
  
  • national design standards.
    
  • worker health and safety standards, and coverage standards.
    
  • project approval processes.
• Track and report use of funds for administration.

• Approximately $22 million will be invested in major energy and sustainability related projects.
• All projects at Federal sites will comply with the Department of Health and Human Services Sustainable Buildings Implementation Plan, which outlines the guidance on incorporating sustainability principles into the existing and new buildings.
• Projects will reduce ongoing energy usage.