(a) Authorizations. Under the Healthcare Connect Fund Program, the Consortium Leader must obtain the following authorizations:

(1) Prior to the submission of the request for services, the Consortium Leader must obtain authorization, the necessary certifications, and any supporting documentation from each consortium member to permit the Consortium Leader to submit the request for services and prepare and post the request for proposal on behalf of the member.

(2) Prior to the submission of the funding request, the Consortium Leader must secure authorization, the necessary certifications, and any supporting documentation from each consortium member to permit the Consortium Leader to submit the funding request and manage invoicing and payments on behalf of the member.

(b) Optional two-step process. The Consortium Leader may secure both required authorizations from each consortium member in either a single LOA or in two separate LOAs.

(c) Required information in a LOA.

(1) An LOA must include, at a minimum, the name of the entity filing the application (i.e., lead applicant or Consortium Leader); the name of the entity authorizing the filing of the application (i.e., the participating health care provider/consortium member); the physical location of the health care provider/consortium member site(s); the relationship of each site seeking support to the lead entity filing the application; the specific timeframe the LOA covers; the signature, title and contact information (including phone number, mailing address, and email address) of an official who is authorized to act on behalf of the health care provider/consortium member; the signature date; and the type of services covered by the LOA.

(2) For health care providers located on Tribal lands, if the health care facility is a contract facility that is run solely by the tribe, the appropriate Tribal leader, such as the Tribal chairperson, president, or governor, shall also sign the LOA, unless the health care responsibilities have been duly delegated to another Tribal government representative.