[Federal Register: May 6, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 87)]
[Notices]
[Page 23999-24003]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06my03-69]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Program Announcement 03099]
Cooperative Agreement to Develop, Implement, and Evaluate Viral
Hepatitis Education and Training (VHET); Notice of Availability of
Funds
Application Deadline: July 7, 2003.
A. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number
This program is authorized under section 301(a) and 317(k)(1) and
317(k)(2) of the Public Health Service Act, (42 U.S.C. 241(k) and
247b(k)(1) and 247(k)(2)), as amended. The Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance number is 93.283.
B. Purpose
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the
availability of fiscal year (FY) 2003 funds for a cooperative agreement
program to develop, implement and evaluate health education activities
to prevent and control viral hepatitis and its consequences. This
program addresses the ``Healthy People, 2010'' focus area of
Immunization and Infectious Diseases.
The purpose of the program is to develop, implement and evaluate
health educational activities that result in the prevention of
infections with hepatitis viruses. The goals of these activities are to
increase knowledge, change attitudes and practices (KAP) that should
result in the prevention and control of viral
[[Page 24000]]
hepatitis among health professionals, high-risk populations, and the
general public.
These activities are part of a comprehensive, national educational
strategy to prevent and control viral hepatitis by changing behaviors
that put persons at risk for acquiring these infections and increasing
behaviors that prevent these infections. This comprehensive approach
includes, but is not limited to, print, video and web-based health
education tools, multi-media activities directed at populations at
increased risk of infection, and curricula to train health care
providers and counselors. Applicants should include formative, process
and outcome evaluation methodologies in their comprehensive
application.
This announcement has four distinct Parts. Applicants wishing to
apply for more than one Part must submit a complete application for
each Part.
The objective of Part A is to support up to six applicants to
develop, implement and evaluate comprehensive communication strategies
that target (1) men who have sex with men (MSM) who are at risk for
hepatitis A and B; (2) injection drug users (IDUs) who are in or out of
treatment and who are at risk for hepatitis A, B, and C; (3) men, women
and juveniles who are incarcerated and who are at risk for hepatitis A,
B, and C; (4) minority populations disproportionately infected with
hepatitis A, B, and/or C viruses; and (5) other populations at
increased risk for viral hepatitis. Applicants for Part A may apply to
develop educational activities for more than one primary target
population, but must include justification that the applicant has
expertise in working with each primary target population(s). The
applicant must provide a complete application that addresses
development, implementation and evaluation for each target population
and the specific viral hepatitis infection(s) that the applicant
chooses to address.
The objective of Part B is to support one applicant to further
develop, implement and evaluate an existing curriculum that could be
used nationally to train health professionals, including those in
training programs, in the prevention, management, and control of viral
hepatitis. This curriculum should contain client-centered counseling as
a major component.
The objective of Part C is to support up to two applicants to
develop, implement and evaluate training programs or activities (e.g.,
meetings, symposia, seminars, distance learning) for health
professionals to prevent and control viral hepatitis. The training
format must address the integration of all aspects of viral hepatitis
prevention into existing public health (e.g., STD, HIV/AIDS), substance
abuse or clinical care (e.g., corrections, primary care) programs.
The objective of Part D is to support one applicant to develop,
implement, and evaluate educational tools that promote hepatitis A and
hepatitis B vaccination. These tools might include, but are not limited
to, brochures, newsletters, fact sheets, reports, Web site information,
and manuals that provide public and provider education relative to the
importance of hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccination practices.
Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with one or
more of the following performance goals for the National Center for
Infectious Diseases (NCID): Protect Americans from infectious diseases.
C. Eligible Applicants
Applications may be submitted by public and private nonprofit
organizations and by governments and their agencies; that is:
[sbull] Universities
[sbull] Colleges
[sbull] Technical schools
[sbull] Research Institutions
[sbull] Hospitals
[sbull] Community-based organizations
[sbull] Faith-based organizations
[sbull] Federally recognized Indian tribal governments
[sbull] Indian Tribes
[sbull] Indian tribal organizations
[sbull] State and local governments or their bona fide agents (this
includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the
Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna Islands,
American Samoa, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic
of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau)
[sbull] Political subdivisions of States (in consultation with States)
Note: Title 2 of the United States Code section 1611 states that
an organization described in section 501(C)(4) of the Internal
Revenue Code that engages in lobbying activities is not eligible to
receive Federal funds constituting an award.
D. Funding
Availability of Funds
Approximately $800,000 is available in FY 2003 for Part A to fund
approximately six awards, approximately $300,000 is available in FY
2003 for Part B to fund one award, approximately $300,000 is available
in FY 2003 for Part C to fund two awards, and approximately $300,000 is
available in FY 2003 for Part D to fund one award. It is expected that
the average award for Part A will be $130,000, ranging from $50,000 to
$250,000 and it is expected that the average award for Part C will be
$150,000, ranging from $100,000 to $200,000. It is expected that the
awards will begin on or about September 15, 2003 and will be made for a
12-month budget period within a project of up to five years for Parts A
and D and up to three years for Parts B and C. Funding estimates may
change.
Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made
on the basis of satisfactory progress toward stated goals and
objectives and the availability of funds.
Recipient Financial Participation
Matching funds are not required for this program.
Funding Preferences
Preference will be given to applicants currently involved in
devoting all or some of their activities and resources to educating the
public, patients, and/or health professionals about the prevention and
control of viral hepatitis and viral-hepatitis-related liver disease,
or currently are devoting a major portion of their activities to
educating the public, patients, and/or health professionals about the
prevention and control of other blood-borne viral infections, vaccine-
preventable diseases, or sexually transmitted diseases, and could
readily expand to address viral hepatitis.
E. Program Requirements
In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program,
the recipient will be responsible for the activities listed in 1.
Recipient Activities, and CDC will be responsible for the activities
listed in 2. CDC Activities.
Applicants must indicate for which Part they intend to seek funding
under this agreement and submit a complete application for each Part.
All educational activities developed through this cooperative
agreement should incorporate information on viral hepatitis, which is
consistent with current and future published CDC guidelines on
prevention and control of hepatitis A, B, and C as contained in
Attachment II (as posted on the CDC web site).
1. Recipient Activities
Part A
a. Develop, implement, and evaluate educational activities that
target (1) men who have sex with men (MSM) who are
[[Page 24001]]
at risk for hepatitis A and B; (2) injection drug users (IDUs) who are
in or out of treatment and who are at risk for hepatitis A, B, and C;
(3) men, women and juveniles who are incarcerated and who are at risk
for hepatitis A, B, and C; (4) minority populations disproportionately
infected with hepatitis A, B, and/or C viruses; and (5) other
populations at increased risk for viral hepatitis. In their
application, applicants must show that they have expertise working with
the population(s) they are addressing in their project proposal.
b. Indicate what type(s) of educational activities are considered
to best reach the target audience. Based upon available data or data to
be acquired by a needs assessment, develop, implement and evaluate a
comprehensive approach to educational activities intended to reach the
targeted audiences. This approach should have a strong KAP assessment
component.
c. Describe what linkages with state or local hepatitis C and
hepatitis B coordinators and STD, HIV, drug treatment, juvenile and
adult corrections programs will be established and describe the best
approaches for the delivery of viral hepatitis educational activities.
d. Describe how the activities developed in the proposal would
incorporate information on viral hepatitis, which is consistent with
published CDC guidelines on the prevention and control of hepatitis A,
B, and C (see references in Attachment II).
e. Describe the plan for production and distribution of materials
developed in the project.
f. Indicate the formative, process and outcome evaluations included
for each educational activity.
Part B
a. Further develop an existing curriculum that could be used
nationally to train health professionals, including those in training,
in the prevention, management, and control of viral hepatitis.
b. Provide a curriculum that can be integrated into existing or
ongoing training programs and that could be utilized in settings that
provide services for patients who are at increased risk for viral
hepatitis (e.g., STD clinics, HIV counseling and testing sites, drug
treatment centers, community health centers). This curriculum should
address viral hepatitis A, B, and C prevention and highlight client-
centered counseling messages.
c. Formative, process and outcome evaluation methodologies should
be developed and applied to assess the utility and usability of the
curriculum.
d. The curriculum should be produced and made available to
governmental and non-governmental organizations nationwide.
Part C
a. Support education and training programs for health professionals
who work with individuals at increased risk for viral hepatitis.
b. Develop and conduct training programs for health professionals
related to the integration of viral hepatitis prevention and control
into various public health and clinical settings that serve persons at
increased risk of viral hepatitis.
c. Direct training programs to a wide range of health professionals
(e.g., physicians, nurses, counselors) from both governmental and
private entities.
d. Conduct the training programs using several formats (e.g.,
meetings, symposia, seminars, distance learning) and make the
curriculum and training formats available nationwide through a Web site
and/or through printed materials.
e. Evaluate the program(s) through formative, process and outcome
measures.
Part D
a. Develop, implement and evaluate educational tools that promote
hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccination of children, adolescents and
adults. These tools might include, but are not limited to, information
brochures/booklets, newsletters, manuals, reports, videos, and Web site
information. The educational tools should target health professionals
and the general public.
b. Evaluate the tools using formative, process and outcome
measures.
2. CDC Activities
a. Provide scientific and public health consultation and assistance
in the development of educational activities related to the cooperative
agreement.
b. Provide consultation and technical assistance regarding
implementation of educational activities.
c. Provide technical assistance in the development and
implementation of formative, process and outcome evaluation plans.
d. Assist in reporting and validating relevant information
concerning viral hepatitis made available to Federal, State, local
health agencies, health professionals, and volunteer organizations.
F. Content
Letter of Intent (LOI)
An LOI is optional for this program. The Program Announcement title
and number must appear in the LOI. The narrative should be no more than
five pages, double-spaced, printed on one side, with one-inch margins,
and unreduced 12-point font. Your letter of intent will be used to
assist CDC in planning and executing the evaluation of applications
submitted under this announcement, and should include the following
information: name and address of institution; name, address, and
telephone number of the contact person; and a brief description of
intended effort. This description should include to which Part(s) the
applicant is applying and which primary target population(s) the
applicant is addressing. Each applicant must submit a separate LOI for
each Part.
Applications
The Program Announcement title and number must appear in the
application. Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other
Requirements and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the
application content. Separate applications for each Part must be
submitted. Your application will be evaluated on the criteria listed,
so it is important to follow them in laying out your program plan. The
narrative should be no more than 25 pages, double-spaced, printed on
one side, with one-inch margins, and unreduced 12-point font.
The narrative should consist of, at a minimum, a description of the
overall plan to achieve the objectives, methods, evaluation and budget.
The plan should address activities to be conducted over the entire
project period. A detailed index to application contents, including
appendices, as well as a one-page executive summary should be included
at the front of the application and included in the 25 page limit.
G. Submission and Deadline
Letter of Intent (LOI) Submission
On or before June 5, 2003, submit the LOI to the Grants Management
Specialist identified in the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information''
section of this announcement.
Application Forms
Submit the signed original and two copies of PHS 398 (OMB number
0925-0001). Adhere to the instructions on the Errata Instruction Sheet
(posted on the CDC web site) for PHS 398. Forms are available at the
following Internet
[[Page 24002]]
address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.
If you do not have access to the Internet, or if you have
difficulty accessing the forms on-line, you may contact the CDC
Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section
(PGO-TIM) at: 770-488-2700. Application forms can be mailed to you.
Submission Date, Time, and Address
The application must be received by 4 p.m. Eastern Time July 7,
2003. Submit the application(s) to: Technical Information Management-
PA03099, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine
Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146.
Applications may not be submitted electronically.
CDC Acknowledgment of Application Receipt
A postcard will be mailed by PGO-TIM, notifying you that CDC has
received your application.
Deadline
Letters of intent and applications will be considered as meeting
the deadline if they are received before 4 p.m. Eastern Time on the
deadline date. Any applicant who sends their application by the United
States Postal Service or commercial delivery services must ensure that
the carrier will be able to guarantee delivery of the application by
the closing date and time. If an application is received after closing
due to (1) carrier error, when the carrier accepted the package with a
guarantee for delivery by the closing date and time, or (2) significant
weather delays or natural disasters, CDC will upon receipt of proper
documentation, consider the application as having been received by the
deadline.
Any application that does not meet the above criteria will not be
eligible for competition and will be discarded. The applicant will be
notified of their failure to meet the submission requirements.
H. Evaluation Criteria
Application
Applicants are required to provide measures of effectiveness that
will demonstrate the accomplishment of the various identified
objectives of the cooperative agreement. Measures of effectiveness must
relate to the performance goal as stated in purpose section of this
announcement. Measures must be objective and quantitative and must
measure the intended outcome. These measures of effectiveness must be
submitted with the application and will be an element of evaluation.
An independent review group appointed by CDC will evaluate each
application against the following criteria:
1. Objectives and Technical Approach (45 points)
a. Extent to which the applicant describes objectives of the
proposed activities which are (1) consistent with the purpose and goal
of this cooperative agreement, (2) measurable and time-phased and (3)
consistent with published CDC guidelines on prevention and control of
hepatitis A, B, and C (see cited references in Attachment II).
b. Extent and quality of detailed plan proposed for designing,
implementing, and evaluating the activities, which clearly and
appropriately addresses all ``Recipient Activities'' in the
application, and are appropriate and adequate to accomplish the
objectives. These activities will be scored in four categories as
follows:
(1) Methodologies used in the development of the activity.
Methodologies should be based on established learning theories such as,
but not limited to, adult learning theory, social learning theory, and/
or behavioral change theory that include the health belief model and
stages of change. The established objectives must be measurable and
meet the broad goals of the application.
(2) The planning and development process. The process should
include formative evaluation (e.g., needs assessment) that clearly
shows the need and structure of the plan for the specific educational
activity.
(3) Implementation of educational activities. A complete
description of implementation methodology should be included that
describes the process evaluation throughout the implementation phase.
Process evaluation during the development of the activity should
directly address the planned activity and should be conducted (a) to
assure that the educational activity is being implemented as intended
and (b) to determine if the educational activity needs to be modified
to better address the educational needs of the target population as
outlined in the objectives.
(4) The expected outcome. Impact evaluation should be assessed to
determine if the objectives (e.g., change in KAPs) were met as a result
of implementing the activity. A description of the standards (e.g.,
scientific, historical, normative) to which the results will be
compared should be included. Outcome evaluation should contain an
assessment of the resultant policy changes or organizational practices
(e.g., extended/expanded use of the educational activity) after
implementing the activity.
c. Extent to which the applicant clearly identifies specific
assigned responsibilities of all key professional personnel, and
describes collaboration with CDC and other relevant organizations.
d. The degree to which the applicant has met the CDC Policy
requirements regarding the inclusion of women, ethnic, and racial
groups in the proposed activities. This includes: (1) The proposed plan
for the inclusion of both sexes and racial and ethnic minority
populations for appropriate representation; (2) The proposed
justification when representation is limited or absent; (3) A statement
as to whether the plans for recruitment and outreach for participants
include the process of establishing partnerships with communities and
recognition of mutual benefits.
2. Capacity (30 points)
Extent to which the applicant provides evidence of adequate
resources, facilities, experience (both technical and administrative),
and access to target audiences for conducting the activities.
This should include:
a. Documentation that professional personnel involved are qualified
and have past successful experience and achievements related to the
proposed activities; this can include experience of either direct or
collaborating personnel in providing viral hepatitis or other
communicable disease (e.g., HIV) education and/or training in
prevention and control activities.
b. Inclusion of original letters of support from appropriate non-
applicant organizations, individuals, institutions, academic
institutions, public health departments, etc. needed to carry out
proposed activities and the extent to which such letters clearly
indicate the author's commitment to participate as described in the
plan.
c. Evidence of past success in developing, disseminating and
evaluating health education activities.
d. Extent of demonstrated experience in areas of viral hepatitis or
other blood-borne virus prevention and control and education and
demonstrated success in developing, implementing, and evaluating the
impact of educational activities in disease prevention/health promotion
at different levels (e.g., community, high-risk populations, minority
populations, patients, health professionals). Extent of demonstrated
[[Page 24003]]
access to target populations, and successful collaborations with a
variety of organizations such as government, non-government, private,
non-profit, academic, and evidence of existing quality assurance
mechanisms to ensure appropriate and culturally sensitive health
educational services as recommended for the proposed audiences (i.e.,
MSM, IDUS, inmates of correctional facilities, health professionals and
other populations at high-risk for viral hepatitis infections).
3. Background and Understanding (20 points)
Extent to which the applicant demonstrates a clear understanding of
the subject area and responds to the purpose and objectives of this
cooperative agreement, including collaboration in all aspects of the
agreement with CDC program staff and other relevant organizations.
4. Measures of Effectiveness (5 points)
Does the applicant provide Measures of Effectiveness that will
demonstrate the accomplishment of the various identified objectives of
the grant? Are the measures objective/quantitative and do they
adequately measure the intended outcome?
5. Budget (not scored)
The budget will be reviewed to determine the extent to which it is
reasonable, clearly justified, and consistent with the intended use of
funds.
a. Submit line item itemized budget with narrative justification
for personnel, travel, supplies, and other services related to the
project.
b. Funding levels for years two, three, four and five should be
estimated for Parts A and D and for years two and three for Parts B and
C.
6. Human Subjects (not scored)
Does the application adequately address the requirements of Title
45 CFR part 46 for the protection of human subjects? An application can
be disapproved if the research risks are sufficiently serious and
protection against risks is so inadequate as to make the entire
application unacceptable.
I. Other Requirements
Technical Reporting Requirements
Provide CDC with original plus two copies of:
1. Interim progress report, no less than 90 days before the end of
the budget period. The progress report will serve as your non-competing
continuation application and must include the following elements:
a. Current Budget Period Activities Objectives.
b. Current Budget Period Financial Progress.
c. New Budget Period Program Proposed Activity Objectives.
d. Detailed Line-Item Budget and Justification.
e. Additional Requested Information.
2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of
the budget period.
3. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days
after the end of the project period.
Send all reports to the Grants Management Specialist identified in
the ``Where To Obtain Additional Information'' section of this
announcement.
The following additional requirements are applicable to this
application. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I of
the program announcement as posted on the CDC Web page.
AR-1--Human Subjects Requirements
AR-2--Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic
Minorities in Research
AR-7--Executive Order 12372
AR-9--Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR-10--Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11--Healthy People 2010
AR-12--Lobbying Restrictions
J. Where To Obtain Additional Information
This and other CDC announcements, the necessary applications, and
associated forms can be found on the CDC Web site, Internet address:
http://www.cdc.gov.
Click on ``Funding'' then ``Grants and Cooperative Agreements''.
For general questions about this announcement, contact: Technical
Information Management, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920
Brandywine Rd, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone: 770-488-2700.
For business management and budget assistance, contact: Merlin
Williams, Grants Management Specialist, Procurement and Grants Office,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road,
Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone: 770-488-2765, E-mail address:
mqw6@cdc.gov. For business management and budget assistance in the Territories,
contact: Steward Nichols, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920
Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone: 770-488-2788, E-
mail address: shn8@cdc.gov. For program technical assistance, contact: Linda Moyer, Chief,
Education and Communication Team, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, MS G-37,
Atlanta, GA 30333, Telephone: 404-371-5900, E-mail address:
lam1@cdc.gov.
Dated: April 30, 2003.
Edward Schultz,
Acting Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 03-11142 Filed 5-5-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P