[Federal Register: May 26, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 101)]
[Notices]
[Page 30451-30466]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26my05-82]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Public Health Emergency Preparedness
Announcement Type: New.
Funding Opportunity Number: AA154.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.283.
Application Deadline: July 13, 2005.
Notice of Award: August 31, 2005.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Authority: This program is authorized under 42 U.S.C. 247d-3.
Purpose: The purpose of this program is to upgrade and integrate
State and local public health jurisdictions' preparedness for and
response to terrorism and other public health emergencies with Federal,
State, local, and tribal governments, the private sector, and Non-
Governmental Organizations (NGOs). These emergency preparedness and
response efforts are intended to support the National Response Plan
(NRP)\1\ and the National Incident Management System (NIMS) \2\.
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\1\ Emergency Support Function Annexes. National Response Plan.
Available at: http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp.editorial/editorial_0566.xml
.
\2\ National Incident Management System http://www.fema.gov/nims/
.
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In addition, the activities described in this cooperative agreement
guidance are designed to develop emergency-ready public health
departments in accord with the Interim National Preparedness Goal (NPG)
\3\, the Interim Public Health and Healthcare Supplement to the NPG
\4\, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Preparedness Goals (see below). Associated with the Interim NPG are two
broad-gauged resources to help guide preparedness planning and
implementation: A set of scenarios and the Target Capabilities List
\5\. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) developed the Interim
NPG and the associated resources in concert with the Department of
Health and Human Services and other agencies of the Federal Government
as well as with representatives of State and local public health
departments and other stakeholders. All of these documents will be
refined and extended from time to time to capture lessons learned and
to introduce new concepts as appropriate.
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\3\ Interim National Preparedness Goal: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/docs/InterimNationalPreparednessGoal_03-31-05_1.pdf
.
\4\ Interim Public Health and Healthcare Supplement to the
National Preparedness Goal: http://www.hhs.gov/ophep/index.html.
\5\ Target Capabilities List: Version 1.0; January 31, 2005.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of State and Local
Government Coordination and Preparedness (ATTN: Office for Policy,
Initiatives, and Analysis) 810 7th Street, NW. Washington, DC 20531.
Version 1.0 of the Target Capabilities List will be made available
on the ODP Secure Portal (https://odp.esportals.com) and the Lessons
Learned and Information Sharing network (http://www.llis.gov).
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This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry (CDC/ATSDR). If research is proposed,
the application will not be reviewed. For the definition of research,
please see the CDC Web site at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/opspoll1.htm
.
This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2010'' focus area(s) of
public health infrastructure.
Recipient Activities: CDC has developed Preparedness Goals designed
to measure urgent public health system response performance parameters
that are directly linked to health protection of the public. The
Preparedness Goals are intended to measure urgent public health system
response performance for terrorism and non-terrorism events including
infectious disease, environmental and occupational related emergencies.
For the purposes of this announcement urgent response is intended to
indicate non-routine public health system reaction to limit possible
mortality, morbidity, loss of quality of life, or economic damage. The
primary intent of this cooperative agreement is to fund the active
participation of awardees in the immediate establishment, use, and
continuous improvement of a national system using the CDC Preparedness
Goals to measure public health system response performance. The CDC
Preparedness Goals are below:
Prevent: (1) Increase the use and development of interventions
known to prevent human illness from chemical, biological, radiological
agents, and naturally occurring health threats.
(2) Decrease the time needed to classify health events as terrorism
or naturally occurring in partnership with other agencies.
Detect/ Report: (3) Decrease the time needed to detect and report
chemical, biological, radiological agents in tissue, food or
environmental samples that cause threats to the public's health.
(4) Improve the timeliness and accuracy of information regarding
threats to the public's health as reported by clinicians and through
electronic early event detection, in real time, to those who need to
know.
Investigate: (5) Decrease the time to identify causes, risk
factors, and appropriate interventions for those affected by threats to
the public's health.
Control: (6) Decrease the time needed to provide countermeasures
and health guidance to those affected by threats to the public's
health.
Recover: (7) Decrease the time needed to restore health services
and environmental safety to pre-event levels. (8) Increase the long-
term follow-up provided to those affected by threats to the public's
health.
Improve: (9) Decrease the time needed to implement recommendations
from after-action reports following threats to the public's health.
The activities in this cooperative agreement guidance will be based
on the synchronization of the Department of Homeland Security Target
Capabilities List (TCL) with the CDC Preparedness Goals in order to
create a preparedness framework that identifies the key needs for the
public health community.
The TCL was developed under the auspices of Homeland Security
Presidential Directive 8: National Preparedness (HSPD-8). It is a
functional, performance-focused compendium of response activities
designed to provide State and local jurisdictions with nationally
accepted preparedness levels of first responder capabilities. The TCL
was developed in close consultation with Federal, State, local, and
tribal entities and national associations, including CDC and many of
the agency's key response partners.
Additional Requirements: The activities outlined in the guidance
and required for the application for funds are as follows:
1. The existence of or current efforts to establish or participate
in a senior advisory committee during Fiscal Year 2005 (FY05) to
coordinate funding with the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services' (HHS) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Health Resource and
Services Administration (HRSA) hospital preparedness cooperative
agreement; and FY05 Homeland Security Grant Program Department of
[[Page 30452]]
Homeland Security, Office for Domestic Preparedness.
2. During the award year, awardees ability to respond to events
will be evaluated through assessments, site visits, drills, exercises,
and responses to real events. In year one of this cooperative
agreement, CDC will initiate a series of drills to test components of a
comprehensive response system. In years 2-5 of this cooperative
agreement, CDC will require the demonstration of a broader set of
measures that are consistent with the TCLs through full-scale exercises
at the State and local level. Further guidance on the development and
evaluation of exercises and drills will be forthcoming from CDC. To the
extent possible, public health exercises should use standards set by
the DHS Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program (HSEEP) as well
as other recognized exercise programs including those used by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Emergency Management
Institute. These exercises should test both horizontal and vertical
integration with response partners at the local, tribal, State, and
federal level.
3. Awardees must ensure that funds are available to establish and
maintain systems to collect and report on the performance measures
described in this program announcement, including reporting on the
achievement of performance measures by local public health entities.
4. Awardees are expected to address the activities and outcomes
described in this announcement through the use of cooperative agreement
funds and coordination with other funding sources such as the Urban
Areas Security Initiative (UASI) and the Metropolitan Medical Response
System (MMRS) through the Department of Homeland Security. Achievement
of these outcomes will be evaluated through drills, exercises, and
responses to real events whenever possible.
5. While this guidance contains instructions for CDC awardees, it
also includes recipient activities that need to be integrated with
those funded by the hospital preparedness cooperative agreement
administered by HRSA. Further, CDC encourages applicants to coordinate
activities with current relevant efforts in their jurisdictions or
proposed under the various goals of this cooperative agreement.
Applicants should also coordinate activities within their
jurisdictions (i.e., at the State level), between State and local
jurisdictions, tribes, and military installations; among local
agencies; and with hospitals and major health care entities, including
tribal and Public Health Service health facilities; among
jurisdictional MMRSs, and adjacent States. If applicable, awardees
should coordinate with neighboring provinces, tribal/First Nations
indigenous jurisdictions and States across international borders.
6. Public health agencies must support public health response
functions in the context of NIMS. In accordance with HSPD-5, NIMS
provides a consistent approach for Federal, State, and local
governments to work effectively and efficiently together to prepare
for, prevent, respond to, and recover from domestic incidents,
regardless of cause, size, or complexity. As a condition of receiving
Public Health Emergency Preparedness cooperative agreement funds,
awardees agree to adopt and implement NIMS. In accordance with the
eligibility and allowable uses of the cooperative agreement, awardees
are encouraged to direct FY05 funding towards activities necessary to
implement NIMS.
On September 8, 2004, the former Secretary of Homeland Security,
Tom Ridge, wrote a letter to the Governors outlining the important
steps that State, territorial, tribal and local entities should take
during FY05 to become compliant with NIMS.\6\
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\6\ Available at http://www.fema.gov/doc/nims/letter_to_governors_09082004.doc
, accessed April 7, 2005.
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In order to receive Fiscal Year 2006 (FY06) preparedness funding,
the minimum FY05 compliance requirements described in the Secretary's
letter must be met. Applicants will be required to certify as part of
their FY06 cooperative agreement applications that they have met the
FY05 NIMS requirements.
NIMS compliance activities to be accomplished during FY05 are as
follows:
States and Territories
Incorporate NIMS into existing training programs and
exercises;
Ensure that federal preparedness funding (including the
National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness cooperative agreement)
supports State, local and tribal NIMS implementation;
Incorporate NIMS into Emergency Operations Plans (EOP);
Promote intraState mutual aid agreements;
Coordinate and provide NIMS technical assistance to local
and tribal entities; and
Incorporate Incident Command Systems (ICS) into public
health department, hospital, and supporting health care systems.
State, Territorial, Local and Tribal Jurisdictions
Complete the NIMS Awareness Course: ``National Incident
Management System (NIMS), An Introduction'' IS 700.
This independent study course developed by the Emergency Management
Institute (EMI) explains the purpose, principles, key components and
benefits of NIMS. The course is available on the EMI Web page at:
http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is700.asp.
Formally recognize the NIMS and adopt NIMS principles and
policies.
States, territories, tribes and local entities should establish
legislation, executive orders, resolutions, or ordinances to formally
adopt the NIMS. Go to http://www.fema.gov/nims and see NIMS Resources
for examples.
Determine which NIMS requirements have already been met.
State, territorial, tribal, and local entities have already
implemented many of the concepts and protocols identified in the NIMS.
However, as gaps in compliance with the NIMS are identified, States,
territories, tribes and local entities should use existing awards to
develop strategies for addressing those gaps.
Develop a strategy and timeframe for full NIMS
implementation.
States, territories, tribes, and local entities are encouraged to
achieve full NIMS implementation during FY05. To the extent that full
implementation is not possible during FY05, federal preparedness
assistance must be leveraged to complete NIMS implementation by FY06.
By Fiscal Year 2007 (FY07), federal preparedness assistance will be
conditioned by full compliance with the NIMS. States should work with
tribal and local governments to develop a strategy for Statewide
compliance with the NIMS.
Incorporate Incident Command Systems (ICS) into public
health department, hospital, and supporting health care systems.
All Federal, State, territory, tribal and local jurisdictions are
required to adopt ICS in order to be compliant with the NIMS. See NIMS
and the Incident Command System at http://www.fema.gov/nims under NIMS
Resources.
During the FY 2005 budget period the Department of Health and Human
Services will continue to work closely with the NIMS Integration Center
to clarify NIMS requirements for public health and medical communities.
Both HRSA and CDC will continue to provide technical assistance
throughout this
[[Page 30453]]
process to assist to awardees in meeting 2005 requirements.
7. Competency-based education of public health workers, clinicians,
and others critical to emergency response should be planned and
implemented based on needs identified through assessments and/or
evaluations of performance. Awardees are expected to continue to
support preparedness education and training activities needed to
successfully achieve targeted outcomes and preparedness goals.
Development, delivery, and evaluation of competency-based preparedness
education should be done in conjunction with Centers for Public Health
Preparedness (CPHP), and academic experts in other schools of public
health, medicine, nursing, and academic health science centers.
Prior to planning development of new preparedness education courses
or training programs to meet identified needs, efforts should be taken
to identify and utilize existing education programs that have been
evaluated for learning effectiveness (e.g. as evidenced by measured
knowledge gained through pre- and post-tests, self-assessed learner
competence, and/or skill demonstrations.) Resources such as learning
management systems ((e.g. TrainingFinder Real-time Affiliate Integrated
Network (TRAIN)) and other preparedness educational inventories ((e.g.
Centers for Public Health Preparedness (CPHP) Resource Center)) can
help facilitate the identification of existing preparedness educational
programs that can be accessed, adopted, and adapted for local use,
which will result in less duplication and more efficient use of
available funds.
8. During the award year, awardees are expected to implement
capable, interoperable information systems that support public health
preparedness. PHIN Preparedness defines functional requirements in the
areas of Early Event Detection, Outbreak Management, Countermeasure and
Response Administration, Partner Communications and Alerting, and
Connecting Laboratory Systems. All awardees are expected to develop
information technology systems that are compliant with PHIN and begin
to initiate the PHIN Preparedness certification process (further
guidance on this process can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/phin/certification
) during this cooperative agreement cycle. PHIN
certification will ensure that systems have the capabilities necessary
(``functional requirements'') to share data and work together (``Key
Performance Measures--KPM's'') in order to implement a national network
of capable public health preparedness systems. Certification is based
upon the system requirements and specification guides found at http://www.cdc.gov/phin.
Self-assessment tools are available for all
functional areas and the alerting KPMs at http://www.cdc.gov/phin/certification
.
Awardees may choose to meet the system requirements and
specifications by: building or enhancing their own systems, purchasing
commercial solutions, or using CDC developed systems and services. The
requirements documents and specification guides include the details of
what needs to be implemented in grantee systems to meet these needs.
Some awardees may choose to use CDC developed software and services
either as their final solutions or as bridge solutions until their own
systems meet the requirements and specifications and are certified. The
CDC has software and services available to cover all of the PHIN
Preparedness functional areas, but the CDC is committed to working with
awardees to help support solutions from any viable software solutions
providers. The implementation of the PHIN Preparedness functional
requirements will usually require several software systems to cover all
of the functional areas, but in some circumstances, awardees may
implement a single system that covers more than one functional area.
Each PHIN Preparedness functional area can be certified separately.
While CDC systems will undergo certification themselves, if CDC
software and services are used in the awardee environment some
components will require certification in the environment they are
implemented.
9. CDC requires documentation with the cooperative agreement
application that describes the process used by the State health
department to engage local health departments to reach consensus,
approval, or concurrence for the proposed use of non-earmarked
cooperative agreement funds. Non-earmarked cooperative agreement funds
are those funds not designated for urban areas (e.g. Cities Readiness
Initiative (CRI)), Early Warning Infectious Disease Surveillance
(EWIDS), currently established Level 1 Chemical laboratories, or other
specialty activities as defined in the guidance. The description should
bear evidence that local health department officials have been engaged
in the cooperative agreement application process and at least a
majority, if not the total, approves or concur with the application
itself. This evidence may be demonstrated by:
a. The consensus of a majority of local health officials whose
collective jurisdictions encompass a majority of the State's
population;
b. The recommendation of the President of the State Association of
County and City Health Officials (SACCHO) if a majority of local health
officials whose collective jurisdictions encompass a majority of the
State's population agree with the SACCHO's decision; or
c. Any other alternative method agreed to by the State Health
Official and a majority of local health officials whose collective
jurisdictions encompass a majority of the State's population.
State applicants will be required to submit a list of concurring
local health departments and a brief description of the process used to
engage local health departments to reach consensus, approval, or
concurrence for the proposed use of funds. In addition, State
applicants will be required to provide signed letters of concurrence
upon request.
10. CDC requires documentation with the cooperative agreement
application that describes the process used by the State health
department to engage the following entities in preparedness and
response activities: American Indian tribal governments, Tribal
organizations representing those governments, tribal epidemiologic
centers, or Alaska Native Villages and Corporations located within
their boundaries.
11. State awardees are expected to ensure the preparedness of major
population centers within each State either through the provision of
funding to the population centers to ensure their capability to perform
the outcomes and activities described and/or (for those States with a
centralized public health system that does not fund local health
agencies) by directly achieving the performance outcomes and completing
the required activities described in this cooperative agreement
announcement in those population centers. State awardees are expected
to report on the relevant performance measures (see Appendix 4) for the
following population centers. Some of the performance measures will be
reported on by each local public health agency (through the State) in
the jurisdiction; others will require the local agencies to work
collaboratively to develop an integrated response. In those cases,
reporting will be done through the State for the region as a whole (see
Appendix 4).
[[Page 30454]]
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Biowatch\*\ or UASI
State (05) cities Associated MSA
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Arizona.......................... Phoenix............. Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
California....................... Anaheim............. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA
Long Beach.......... Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA
Los Angeles......... Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA
Oakland............. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Sacramento.......... Sacramento Arden-Arcade Roseville, CA
San Diego........... San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA
San Francisco....... San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
San Jose............ San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Santa Ana........... Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA
Colorado......................... Denver.............. Denver-Aurora, CO
Delaware......................... Philadelphia........ Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE
District of Columbia............. Washington/NCR...... Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD
Florida.......................... Jacksonville........ Jacksonville, FL
Miami............... Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Miami Beach, FL
Tampa............... Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
Georgia.......................... Atlanta............. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA
Hawaii........................... Honolulu............ Honolulu, HI
Illinois......................... Chicago............. Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL-IN-WI
St. Louis........... St. Louis, MO-IL
Indiana.......................... Indianapolis........ Indianapolis, IN
Chicago............. Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL-IN-WI
Cincinnati.......... Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN
Louisville.......... Louisville, KY-IN
Iowa............................. Omaha............... Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA
Kansas........................... Kansas City......... Kansas City, MO-KS
Kentucky......................... Louisville.......... Louisville, KY-IN
Cincinnati.......... Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN
Louisiana........................ Baton Rouge......... Baton Rouge, LA
New Orleans......... New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA
Massachusetts.................... Boston.............. Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH
Maryland......................... Baltimore........... Baltimore-Towson, MD
Washington DC....... Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD
Michigan......................... Detroit............. Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI
Minnesota........................ Minneapolis......... Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
Missouri......................... Kansas City......... Kansas City, MO-KS
St. Louis........... St. Louis, MO-IL
Nebraska......................... Omaha............... Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA
North Carolina................... Charlotte........... Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, NC-SC
New Hampshire.................... Boston.............. Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH
New Jersey....................... Jersey City......... New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA
Newark.............. New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA
Philadelphia........ Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE
Nevada........................... Las Vegas........... Las Vegas-Paradise, NV
New York......................... Buffalo............. Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY
New York............ New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA
Ohio............................. Cincinnati.......... Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN
Cleveland........... Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, OH
Columbus............ Columbus, OH
Toledo.............. Toledo, OH
Oklahoma......................... Oklahoma City....... Oklahoma City, OK
Oregon........................... Portland............ Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WA
Pennsylvania..................... Philadelphia........ Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE
Pittsburgh.......... Pittsburgh, PA
New York............ New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA
South Carolina................... Charlotte........... Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, NC-SC
Texas............................ Austin\*\........... Austin-Round Rock, TX
Arlington........... Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
Dallas.............. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
Fort Worth.......... Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
El Paso\*\.......... El Paso, TX
Houston............. Houston-Baytown-Sugar Land, TX
San Antonio......... San Antonio, TX
[[Page 30455]]
Virginia......................... Washington DC....... Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD
Washington....................... Seattle............. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Portland............ Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WA
Wisconsin........................ Chicago............. Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL-IN-WI
Milwaukee........... Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI
Minneapolis......... Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
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\*\ Biowatch only.
12. CDC will work with awardees and partner agencies ((including
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO),
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), Council
of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE), Association of Public
Health Laboratories (APHL), DHS, and FEMA)) to build on these initial
activities and develop performance-based metrics within the next six
months that will measure all aspects of preparedness as outlined in the
CDC Preparedness Goals and the TCLs. They will be developed with the
understanding that wherever possible these activities can be
demonstrated through performance in drills, exercises, or real events.
Additional activities will include gap analysis, economic modeling,
continuous improvement and data collection/evaluation from exercises
and real events as well as piloting the developed metrics. Required
critical tasks and performance measures will be updated in each project
year as public health learns more about measuring preparedness. In
addition, CDC will be developing targets for those measures that do not
currently have them based on research over the coming year.
13. As Stated in the FY04 guidance, awardees should provide a copy
of the complete pandemic influenza plan for the jurisdiction to HHS
Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness (OPHEP) via CDC Division
of State and Local Readiness' Management Information System (DSLR-MIS).
Awardees of this cooperative agreement should collaborate with
influenza programs to maximize the impact of funds and efforts, reduce
duplication, and coordinate activities including drills and exercises.
Detailed information concerning the development of influenza pandemic
preparedness plans is available in the document Pandemic Influenza: A
Planning Guide for State and Local Officials, version 2.1 available at
http://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/pubs/pandemicflu.htm.
Local Caches of Antiviral Drugs
Certain antiviral drugs are efficacious in countering influenza
virus and could be the sole initial medical countermeasure against a
pandemic strain until an effective vaccine is available. The H5N1 avian
strain currently circulating widely in Asia has been shown to infect
humans and cause significant mortality and morbidity; and the virus
could trigger an influenza pandemic if it were to undergo genetic
changes that enhance its transmissibility from person to person. One
commonly available drug, Oseltamivir, has been shown to be effective
against the current H5N1 strain. Because worldwide production capacity
for antiviral drugs faces significant limitations, the Department of
Health and Human Services is working to create a mechanism whereby it
and its State and local public health partners might acquire and pre-
deploy predictable quantities of antiviral drugs during the next
several years.
The Hospital Bioterrorism Cooperative Agreement of the Health
Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) includes a Critical
Benchmark for hospital-based pharmaceutical caches. This provision
provides a means for jurisdictions to amass appropriate quantities of
antiviral drugs as a first line of protection for the staff of
hospitals and other healthcare entities as well as their most
critically ill patients. Such action could be one of the most important
steps toward maintaining an effective healthcare infrastructure during
an influenza pandemic.
Hospital-based pharmaceutical caches also could house antiviral
drugs to protect public health professionals, another critical part of
the human resources needed to combat an influenza pandemic. Funds
allocated through the CDC bioterrorism cooperative agreement could be
used to acquire appropriate quantities of antiviral drugs for storage
within the hospital-based caches funded by the HRSA cooperative
agreement. When and as needed, the drugs could be released to the
public health department for it to dispense to its staff. This
arrangement would be analogous to the way some jurisdictions have
implemented the CHEMPAK program (containerized sets of nerve-agent
antidotes)--i.e., using CDC funds to acquire materiel, using HRSA funds
to offset costs of storing it, and planning to release the materiel
when and as needed to those authorized to use it in accord with an
established Concept of Operations.
Awardees requesting to use cooperative agreement funds for the
purchase of antiviral drugs for these caches must specify the quantity
and cost as part of the budget application.
14. Awardees participating in the FY04 CRI will continue to do so
in FY05 (the second year of the pilot initiative). The guidelines for
CRI can be found in Appendix 3.
Application Content: What follows is the outline to be used to
develop the application for funds. It was derived from a combination of
many resources: past guidance, input from State and local public health
partners, subject matter expertise within technical program areas of
CDC, priorities from HHS, CDC priorities, documentation from DHS's TCL,
DHS's Universal Task List (UTL), and HSPD-8.
The outline is arranged in the following manner:
CDC Goals--Draft CDC Preparedness Goals that form a framework for
public health activities surrounding preparedness. This cooperative
agreement is one activity among many that will contribute to meeting
the Preparedness Goals.
Outcomes--The outcomes are Statements that were developed with
State and local input from public health and homeland security. They
were created in relation with HSPD-8 and are a comprehensive
description of the major roles and capabilities needed to respond to an
event of significance. Version 1 of the TCL contained 36 capabilities.
For year one of this guidance, we singled out those capabilities that
had a significant public health component. In some cases, we added
language to the capabilities to
[[Page 30456]]
create a public health focused outcome. A comprehensive budget where
each allocation is linked to an outcome should be submitted with the
application through the DSLR MIS.
Required Critical Tasks--The critical tasks were obtained from the
TCL. In most cases, the public health specific critical tasks
associated with an outcome were listed. Language was added or modified
to make the required critical task more specific to public health. In
addition, program requirements specific to CDC and this cooperative
agreement were added as sub-bullets under the required critical tasks
to assure that each applicant addressed plans to continue
implementation of the activities in the next cooperative agreement
cycle.
Performance Measures--The performance measures are defined as
leading indicators that will allow a national ``snapshot'' to show how
the preparedness and response activities, and the associated resources,
aid in making a public health system that responds more quickly and
comprehensively in a public health emergency.
Applicants will be required to address each critical task (using
the DSLR-MIS) by providing an explanation of their current capability
to perform this task and proposing activities for this budget year to
enhance performance on each critical task. In addition, applicants will
be asked how they currently evaluate or plan to evaluate their ability
to perform each of the critical tasks.
After award, CDC Project Officers and technical experts will
monitor the progress of each awardee in accomplishing the activities
set forth and approved in the plan submitted.
CDC Preparedness Goal 1: Prevent
Increase the use and development of interventions known to prevent
human illness from chemical, biological, radiological agents, and
naturally occurring health threats.
Outcome 1A: All Hazards Planning
Emergency response plans, policies, and procedures that identify,
prioritize, and address all hazards (using the 15 National Planning
Scenarios 7 8 9 10 as a guide to identify or recognize the
roles and responsibilities for each jurisdiction/agency) across all
functions. All plans are coordinated at all levels of government and
address the mitigation of secondary and cascading emergencies.
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\7\ Frequently Asked Questions: HSPD 8/National Planning
Scenarios/Targeted Capabilities List. Available at: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/assessments/hspd8.htm
.
\8\ Homeland Security Presidential Directive 8 http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/12/print/20031217-6.html
.
\9\ Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/nspd/hspd-5.html
.
\10\ Homeland Security Grant Program--FY 2005. Available at:
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/docs/fy05hsgp.pdf.
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Required Critical Tasks: (1) Support incident response operations
according to all-hazards plan
(2) Improve regional, jurisdictional, and State all-hazard plans
(including those related to pandemic influenza) to support response
operations in accordance with NIMS and the National Response Plan.\11\
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\11\ Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning: State
and Local Guide 101. Federal Emergency Management Agency. April
2001. http://www.fema.gov/pdf/rrr/slg101.pdf.
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(a) Increase participation in jurisdiction-wide self-assessment
using the National Incident Management System Compliance Assessment
Support Tool \12\ (NIMCAST).
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\12\ National Incident Management System Compliance Assessment
Support Tool (NIMCAST). http://www.fema.gov/nimcast/index.jsp.
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(b) Agency's Emergency Operations Center meets NIMS incident
command structure requirements to perform core functions: coordination,
communications, resource dispatch and tracking and information
collection, analysis and dissemination.
(3) Increase the number of public health responders who are
protected through Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), vaccination or
prophylaxis
(a) Have or have access to a system that maintains and tracks
vaccination or prophylaxis status of public health responders in
compliance with Public Health Information Network (PHIN) Preparedness
Functional Area Countermeasure and Response Administration \13\
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\13\ Public Health Information Network (PHIN) Preparedness
Requirements http://www.cdc.gov/phin/.
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(4) Increase and improve mutual aid agreements, as needed, to
support NIMS-compliant public health response.
(5) Increase all-hazard incident management capability by
conducting regional, jurisdictional and State training to:
(a) Include the Emergency Management Independent Study Program, IS
700, ``National Incident Management System: An Introduction \14\'' in
the training plan for all staff expected to report for duty following
activation of the public health emergency response plan and/or staff
who have emergency response roles documented in their job descriptions.
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\14\ Emergency Management Independent Study Program , IS 700,
National Incident Management System, An Introduction. http://www.training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS700.asp
.
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(6) Provide support for continuity of public health operations at
regional, State, tribal, local government, and agency level.
Measures: (1) Percent of public health employees who have emergency
response roles documented in their job descriptions that are trained in
Incident Management.
(2) Time to organize a NIMS-compliant medical and public health
operations functional area \15\ with hospitals that supports:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\15\ The CNACorporation. Medical Surge Capacity and Capability:
A Management System for Integrating Medical and Health Resources
During Large-Scale Emergencies. Prepared under Contract Number 233-
03-0028 for the Department of Health and Human Services. Alexandria,
Virginia: August 2004. Available at: http://www.cna.org/documents/mscc_aug2004.pdf
.
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incident epidemiological profiling
pre-hospital care
medical care
mental health
hazard threat/disease containment
mass casualty care
(Target: 3 hours from plan activation)
(3) Time from request for mutual aid to acknowledgement that
request has been approved.
(4) Time to complete the notification/alerting of the initial wave
of personnel to staff emergency operations (Target: 60 minutes).
(5) Time to have initial wave of personnel physically present to
staff emergency operations (Target: 90 minutes from notification).
CDC Preparedness Goal 2: Prevent
Decrease the time needed to classify health events as terrorism or
naturally occurring in partnership with other agencies.
Outcome 2A: Information Collection and Threat Recognition
Locally generated public health threat and other terrorism-related
information is collected, identified, provided to appropriate analysis
centers, and acted upon as appropriate.
Required Critical Tasks: (1) Increase the use of disease
surveillance and early event detection systems.
(a) Select conditions that require immediate reporting to the
public health agency (at a minimum, Category A agents).
(b) Develop and maintain systems to receive disease reports 24/7/
365.
(c) Have or have access to electronic applications in compliance
with PHIN Preparedness Functional Area Early Event Detection to
support:
[[Page 30457]]
Receipt of case or suspect case disease reports 24/7/365.
Reportable diseases surveillance.
Call triage of urgent reports to knowledgeable public
health professionals.
Receipt of secondary use health-related data and
monitoring of aberrations to normal data patterns.
(d) Develop and maintain protocols for the utilization of early
event detection devices located in your community (e.g., BioWatch).
(e) Assess timeliness and completeness of disease surveillance
systems annually.
(2) Increase sharing of health and intelligence information within
and between regions and States with Federal, local and tribal agencies.
(a) Improve information sharing on suspected or confirmed cases of
immediately notifiable conditions, including foodborne illness, among
public health epidemiologists, clinicians, laboratory personnel,
environmental health specialists, public health nurses, and staff of
food safety programs.
(b) Maintain secret and/or top secret security clearance for the
State health official, local health officials, preparedness directors,
and preparedness coordinators to ensure access to sensitive information
about the nature of health threats and intelligence information \16\.
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\16\ HHS Guidance: http://198.102.218.46/doc/Security%20Class%20Guide.doc
.
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(3) Decrease the time needed to disseminate timely and accurate
national strategic and health threat intelligence.
(a) Maintain continuous participation in CDC's Epidemic Information
Exchange Program (Epi-X)\17\.
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\17\ Epidemic Information Exchange Program (Epi ``X) http://www.cdc.gov/epix/
.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) Participate in the Electronic Foodborne Outbreak Reporting
System (EFORS) by entering reports of foodborne outbreak investigations
and monitor the quality, completeness or reports and time from onset of
illnesses to report entry \18\.
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\18\ Electronic Foodborne Outbreak Reporting System (EFORS)
http://www.cdc.gov/foodborneoutbreaks/info_healthprofessional.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) Perform real-time subtyping of PulseNet \19\ tracked foodborne
disease agents. Submit the subtyping data and associated critical
information (isolate identification, source of isolate, phenotype
characteristics of the isolate, serotype, etc) electronically to the
national PulseNet database within 72 to 96 hours of receiving the
isolate in the laboratory.
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\19\ PulseNet http://www.cdc.gov/pulsenet/.
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(d) Have or have access to a system for 24/7/365 notification/
alerting of the public health emergency response system that can reach
at least 90% of key stakeholders and is compliant with PHIN
Preparedness Functional Area Partner Communications and Alerting.
Measures: (1) Time to receive confirmed case reports of immediately
notifiable conditions by public health agency (includes Biowatch and
Biohazard Detection Systems (BDS)).
(2) Time for State to notify local/tribal or local/tribal to notify
State of receipt of a suspicious or confirmed case report of an
immediately notifiable condition (Target: one hour from receipt).
(3) Time to have a knowledgeable public health professional answer
a disease report call and begin taking the report 24/7/365 (Target: 15
minutes or less).
(4) Percent of sub-typing data submitted to PulseNet within 72-96
hours of receiving isolate in the laboratory.
Outcome 2B: Hazard and Vulnerability Analysis
Jurisdiction-specific Hazards are identified and assessed to enable
appropriate protection, prevention, and mitigation strategies so that
the consequences of an incident are minimized.
Required Critical Tasks: (1) Prioritize the hazards identified in
the jurisdiction hazard/vulnerability assessment for potential impact
on human health with special consideration for lethality of agents and
large population exposures within 60 days of cooperative agreement
award.
(2) Decrease the time to intervention by the identification and
determination of potential hazards and threats, including quality of
mapping, modeling, and forecasting.
(3) Decrease human health threats associated with identified
community risks and vulnerabilities (i.e., chemical plants, hazardous
waste plants, retail establishments with chemical/pesticide supplies).
(4) Through partners increase the capability to monitor movement of
releases and formulate public health response and interventions based
on dispersion and characteristics over time.
Measures: (1) Time to recommend public health courses of action to
minimize human health threats identified in the jurisdiction's hazard
and vulnerability analysis (Target: 60 days from identification of risk
or hazard).
CDC Preparedness Goal 3: Detect/Report
Decrease the time needed to detect and report chemical, biological,
radiological agents in tissue, food, or environmental samples that
cause threats to the public's health.
Outcome 3A: Laboratory Testing
Potential exposure and disease will be identified rapidly, reported
to multiple locations immediately, and accurately confirmed to ensure
appropriate preventive or curative countermeasures are implemented.
Additionally, public health laboratory testing is coordinated with law
enforcement and other appropriate agencies.
Required Critical Tasks: (1) Increase and maintain relevant
laboratory support for identification of biological, chemical,
radiological and nuclear agents in clinical (human and animal),
environmental, and food specimens 20, 21, 22
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\20\ CDC: Emergency Preparedness and Response--Lab Issues.
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/labissues/ \21\ National Lab Training Network http://www.phppo.cdc.gov/nltn/default.aspx.
\22\ Sentinel (Level A) lab protocols http://www.asm.org/Policy/
index.asp?bid=6342.
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(a) Develop and maintain a database of all sentinel (biological)/
Level Three (chemical) labs in the jurisdiction using the CDC-endorsed
definition that includes:
Name.
Contact information.
BioSafety Level.
Whether they are a health alert network partner.
Certification status.
Capability to rule-out Category A and B bioterrorism
agents per State-developed proficiency testing or College of American
Pathologists (CAP) \23\ bioterrorism module proficiency testing.
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\23\ College of American Pathologists (CAP) http://www.cap.org/apps.cap.
portal?--nfpb= rue&--pageLabel=home--page.
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Names and contact information for in-State and out-of-
State reference labs used by each of the jurisdiction's sentinel/Level
Three labs.
(b) Test the competency of a chemical terrorism laboratory
coordinator and bioterrorism laboratory coordinator to advise on proper
collection, packaging, labeling, shipping, and chain of custody of
blood, urine and other clinical specimens.
(c) Test the ability of sentinel/Level Three labs to send specimens
to a confirmatory Laboratory Response Network (LRN) laboratory on
nights, weekends, and holidays.
(d) Package, label, ship, coordinate routing, and maintain chain-
of-custody of clinical, environmental, and food specimens/samples to
laboratories that
[[Page 30458]]
can test for agents used in biological, chemical, and radiological
terrorism.
(e) Continue to develop or enhance operational plans and protocols
that include:
Specimen/samples transport and handling.
Worker safety.
Appropriate Biosafety Level (BSL) working conditions for
each threat agent.
Staffing and training of personnel.
Quality control and assurance.
Adherence to laboratory methods and protocols.
Proficiency testing to include routine practicing of LRN
validated assays as well as participation in the LRN's proficiency
testing program electronically through the LRN Web site.
Threat assessment in collaboration with local law
enforcement and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to include
screening for radiological, explosive and chemical risk of samples.
Intake and testing prioritization.
Secure storage of critical agents.
Appropriate levels of supplies and equipment needed to
respond to bioterrorism events with a strong emphasis on surge
capacities needed to effectively respond to a bioterrorism incident.
(f) Ensure the availability of at least one operational Biosafety
Level Three (BSL-3) facility in your jurisdiction for testing for
biological agents. If not immediately possible, BSL-3 practices, as
outlined in the CDC-NIH publication ``Biosafety in Microbiological and
Biomedical Laboratories, 4th Edition'' (BMBL), should be used (see
MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor http://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs) or formal arrangements
(i.e., Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)) should be established with a
neighboring jurisdiction to provide this capacity.
(g) Ensure that laboratory registration, operations, safety, and
security are consistent with both the minimum requirements set forth in
Select Agent Regulation (42 CFR part 73) and the U.S. Patriot Act of
2001 (Pub. L. 107-56) and subsequent updates.
(h) Ensure at least one public health laboratory in your
jurisdiction has the appropriate instrumentation and appropriately
trained staff to perform CDC-developed and validated real-time rapid
assays for nucleic acid amplification (Polymerase Chain Reaction, PCR)
and antigen detection (Time-Resolved Fluorescence, TRF).
(i) Ensure the capacity for LRN-validated testing and reporting of
Variola major, Vaccinia and Varicella viruses in human and
environmental samples either in the public health laboratory or through
agreements with other LRN laboratories.
(2) Increase the exchange of laboratory testing orders and results.
(a) Monitor compliance with public health agency (or public health
agency lab) policy on timeliness of reporting results from confirmatory
LRN lab back to sending sentinel/Level Three lab (i.e., feedback and
linking of results to relevant public health data) with a copy to CDC
as appropriate.
(b) Comply with PHIN Preparedness Functional Areas Connecting
Laboratory Systems and Outbreak Management to enable: (a) the linkage
of laboratory orders and results from sentinel/Level Three and
confirmatory LRN labs to relevant public health (epi) data and (b)
maintenance of chain of custody.
Measures: (1) Percentage of LRN biologic and chemical laboratories
that demonstrate proficiency in:
Confirming Category A agents in human clinical specimens
(proficiency in accordance with CDC's Laboratory Response Network (LRN)
proficiency testing program)
Confirming Category A agents in food samples.
Confirming the identity of and further characterizing
(e.g., assessment of toxin production, serotyping, phage typing, and
DNA ``fingerprinting'') Salmonella (including Salmonella Typhi),
Shigella species, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and pathogenic vibrios
isolated from FOOD samples.
Confirming Category A agents in environmental samples.
Confirming chemical agents in human clinical specimens.
(2) Time following initiation of an epidemiological investigation
to begin obtaining or directing the acquisition of samples/specimens
for laboratory analysis to support epidemiological investigation, as
needed (Target: 60 minutes).
(3) For clinical specimens, environmental samples and samples of
potentially contaminated food collected by public health personnel in
an emergency, time to:
Send clinical specimens to a reference laboratory within
the LRN when an incident may involve an infectious biological agent
(Target: within 60 minutes of collection).
Send clinical specimens to the CDC or CDC-designated State
laboratory when an incident may involve a hazardous chemical agent
(Target: within 180 minutes of collection).
Send environmental samples to a reference laboratory
within the LRN when the incident requires biological or chemical
characterization of an incident scene (Target: within 60 minutes of
collection).
Send potentially contaminated food samples to a reference
laboratory within the LRN or coordinate with Food Emergency Response
Network (FERN), as appropriate, when the incident might involve food
contaminated with a biological or chemical agent \24\ (Target: within
60 minutes of collection).
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\24\ Abrin, Acids and bases, Aconites, actinomycin type protein
synthesis inhibitors, Adamsite, Aflatoxin, amanitin toxin (Amanita
phalloides), Anatoxin B, Any potent carcinogens or teratogens (e.g.
benzo[a]pyrene, accutane), Arsenic compounds, Azides, Barium salts,
Cancer chemotherapeutic agents, Carbamates, cardioactive glycosides,
Colchicine, Copper and arseno-copper compounds, Corrosives
(permanganate, chromate, etc), Cyanides, Cycloheximide, Digoxin,
Dioxin, Ergot alkaloids, Ethylene glycol, Fluoroacetate salts,
Hallucinogens (PCP, LSD, myristosin, others), Ipecac/emetine, Lead
compounds, Mercury compounds, Methanol, Microcystins, Nicotine,
Organochlorine pesticides, Organophosphate pesticides, Paraquat,
Pentachlorophenol and dinitrophenols, Ricin, Rotenone, Sodium
nitrite, Strychnine, Superwarfarins, Tetramine, Tetrodotoxin,
Thallium salts.
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CDC Preparedness Goal 4: Detect/Report
Improve the timeliness and accuracy of information regarding
threats to the public's health as reported by clinicians and through
electronic early event detection in real time to those who need to
know.
Outcome 4A: Health Intelligence Integration and Analysis
To produce timely, accurate, and actionable health intelligence or
information in support of prevention, awareness, deterrence, response,
and continuity planning operations.
Required Critical Tasks: (1) Increase source and scope of health
information.
(2) Increase speed of evaluating, integrating, analyzing for, and
interpreting health data to detect aberrations in normal data patterns.
(3) Improve integration of existing health information systems,
analysis, and distribution of information consistent with PHIN
Preparedness Functional Area Early Event Detection, including those
systems used for identification and tracking of zoonotic diseases.
(4) Improve effectiveness of health intelligence and surveillance
activities \25\.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\25\ Updated Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health
Surveillance Systems http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5013A1.htm
.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Improve reporting of suspicious symptoms, illnesses, or
circumstances to the public health agency.
(a) Maintain a system for 24/7/365 reporting cases, suspect cases,
or unusual events consistent with PHIN Preparedness Functional Area
Early Event Detection.
[[Page 30459]]
(6) Increase number of local sites using BioSense for early event
detection.
Measures: (1) Percent of local public health agencies using
BioSense or other integrated early event detection systems.
(2) Percent of desired non-traditional public health data sources
that are currently part of early event detection system (e.g., HMO
encounter data, over-the-counter pharmaceutical sales).
CDC Preparedness Goal 5: Investigate
Decrease the time to identify causes, risk factors, and appropriate
interventions for those affected by threats to the public's health.
Outcome 5A: Public Health Epidemiological Investigation
Potential exposure and disease will be identified rapidly, reported
to multiple locations immediately, investigated promptly, and
accurately confirmed to ensure appropriate preventive or curative
countermeasures are implemented. Additionally, public health
epidemiological investigation is coordinated with law enforcement and
other appropriate agencies including tribal and federal agencies.
Required Critical Tasks:
(1) Increase the use of efficient surveillance and information
systems to facilitate early detection and mitigation of disease.
(2) Conduct epidemiological investigations and surveys as
surveillance reports warrant.
(3) Coordinate and direct public health surveillance and testing,
immunizations, prophylaxis, isolation or quarantine for biological,
chemical, nuclear, radiological, agricultural, and food threats.
(4) Have or have access to a system for an outbreak management
system that captures data related to cases, contacts, investigation,
exposures, relationships and other relevant parameters compliant with
PHIN preparedness functional area Outbreak Management.
Measures: (1) Time to initiate epidemiologic investigation after
initial detection of a deviation from normal disease/condition patterns
or a positive ``hit'' from an early detection device (Target: 3 hours
from initial detection).
(2) Time from initial detection of a deviation from normal disease/
condition patterns, initial report, or positive ``hit'' from an early
detection device to initiation of intervention (e.g., dissemination of
protective action guidance, treatment)
CDC Preparedness Goal 6: Control
Decrease the time needed to provide countermeasures and health
guidance to those affected by threats to the public's health.
Outcome 6A: Emergency Response Communications
A continuous flow of critical information is maintained among
emergency responders, command posts, agencies, and government officials
for the duration of the emergency response operation.
Required Critical Tasks: (1) Decrease the time needed to
communicate internal incident response information.
(a) Develop and maintain a system to collect, manage, and
coordinate information about the event and response activities
including assignment of tasks, resource allocation, status of task
performance, and barriers to task completion.
(2) Establish and maintain response communications network.
(3) Implement communications interoperability plans and protocols.
(4) Ensure communications capability using a redundant system that
does not rely on the same communications infrastructure as the primary
system.
(5) Increase the number of public health experts to support
Incident Command (IC) or Unified Command (UC).
(6) Increase the use of tools to provide telecommunication and
information technology to support public health response.
(a) Ensure that the public health agency has ``essential service''
designation from their telephone provider and cellular telephone
provider.\26\
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\26\ Government Emergency Telecommunications Service. Accessed
March 8, 2005 http://gets.ncs.gov/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) Ensure that the public health agency has priority restoration
designation from their telephone provider.
(7) Have or have access to a system for 24/7/365 notification/
alerting of the public health emergency response system that can reach
at least 90% of key stakeholders and is compliant with PHIN
Preparedness Functional Area Partner Communications and Alerting.
Measures: (1) Percent of key stakeholders that are notified/alerted
using the public health emergency communication system (Target: 90%).
(2) Time to obtain message approval and authorization for
distribution of public health and medical information to clinicians and
other responders (Target: 60 minutes from confirmation of health
threat).
(3) Percent of key stakeholders that are notified/alerted when
electricity, telephones, cellular telephone service, and Internet
service are unavailable.
(4) Percent of Level Three/Sentinel labs that can reach a
designated contact at an LRN laboratory 24/7/365 by phone within 15
minutes OR radio/satellite phone within 5 minutes.
Outcome 6B: Emergency Public Information
The public is informed quickly and accurately, and updated
consistently, about threats to their health, safety, and property and
what protective measures they should take.
Required Critical Tasks: (1) Decrease time needed to provide
specific incident information to the affected public, including
populations with special needs such as non-English speaking persons,
migrant workers, as well as those with disabilities, medical
conditions, or other special health care needs, requiring
attention.27 28
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\27\ CDC Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication Manual http://www.orau.gov/cdcynergy/erc/content/activeinformation/resources/CERC_course_materials.htm
.
\28\ Emergency Preparedness Initiative Guide on the Special
Needs of People with Disabilities for Emergency Managers, Planners,
and First Responders http://www.nod.org/resources/pdfs/epiguide2005.pdf
.
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(a) Advise public to be alert for clinical symptoms consistent with
attack agent.
(b) Disseminate health and safety information to the public.
(c) Ensure that the Agency's public information line can
simultaneously handle calls from at least 1% of the jurisdiction's
population.
(2) Improve the coordination, management and dissemination of
public information.
(3) Decrease the time and increase the coordination between
responders in issuing messages to those that are experiencing
psychosocial consequences to an event.
(4) Increase the frequency of emergency media briefings in
conjunction with response partners via the jurisdiction's Joint
Information Center (JIC), if applicable.
(5) Decrease time needed to issue public warnings, instructions,
and information updates in conjunction with response partners.
(6) Decrease time needed to disseminate domestic and international
travel advisories.
(7) Decrease the time needed to provide accurate and relevant
public health and medical information to clinicians and other
responders.
Measures: (1) Time to issue information to the public that
emphatically acknowledges the event;
[[Page 30460]]
explains and informs the public about risk; provides emergency courses
of action; commits to continued communication (Target: 60 minutes from
activation of the response plan).
Outcome 6C: Worker Health Safety
No further harm to any first responder, hospital staff member, or
other relief provider due to preventable exposure to secondary trauma,
chemical release, infectious disease, radiation, or physical and
emotional stress after the initial event or during decontamination and
event follow-up.
Required Critical Tasks: (1) Increase the availability of worker
crisis counseling and mental health and substance abuse behavioral
health support.
(2) Increase compliance with public health personnel health and
safety requirements.
(a) Provide Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) based upon hazard
analysis and risk assessment.
(b) Develop management guidelines and incident health and safety
plans for public health responders (e.g.; heat stress, rest cycles,
PPE).
(c) Provide technical advice on worker health and safety for IC and
UC.
(3) Increase the number of public health responders that receive
hazardous material training.
Measures: (1) Percent of public health responders that have been
trained and cleared to use PPE appropriate for their response roles
Outcome 6D: Isolation and Quarantine
Successful separation, restriction of movement, and health
monitoring of individuals and groups who are ill, exposed, or likely to
be exposed, in order to stop the spread of a contagious disease
outbreak. Legal authority for these measures is clearly defined and
communicated to the public. Logistical support is provided to maintain
measures until danger of contagion has elapsed.
Required Critical Tasks: (1) Assure legal authority to isolate and/
or quarantine individuals, groups, facilities, animals and food
products 29 30 31 32
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\29\ The Model State Emergency Health Powers Act. The Center for
Law and the Public's Health at Georgetown and Johns Hopkins
Universities. December 21, 2001. http://www.publichealthlaw.net/MSEHPA/MSEHPA2.pdf
.
\30\ Public Health Emergency Legal Preparedness Checklist:
Interjurisdictional Legal Coordination for Public Health Emergency
Preparedness. The Center for Law and the Public's Health at
Georgetown and Johns Hopkins Universities. December 2004. http://www.publichealthlaw.net/Resources/ResourcesPDFs/Checklist%201.pdf
.
\31\ Public Health Emergency Legal Preparedness Checklist: Local
Government Public Health Emergency Legal Preparedness and Response.
The Center for Law and the Public's Health at Georgetown and Johns
Hopkins Universities. December 2004. Accessed January 14, 2005.
http://www.publichealthlaw.net/Resources/ResourcesPDFs/Checklist%202.pdf
.
\32\ Public Health Emergency Legal Preparedness Checklist: Civil
Legal Liability and Public Health Emergencies. The Center for Law
and the Public's Health at Georgetown and Johns Hopkins
Universities. December 2004. Accessed January 14, 2005. http://www.publichealthlaw.net/Resources/ResourcesPDFs/Checklist%203.pdf
.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Coordinate quarantine activation and enforcement with public
safety and law enforcement.
(3) Improve monitoring of adverse treatment reactions among those
who have received medical countermeasures and have been isolated or
quarantined.
(4) Coordinate public health and medical services among those who
have been isolated or quarantined.
(5) Improve comprehensive stress management strategies, programs,
and crisis response teams among those who have been isolated or
quarantined.
(6) Direct and control public information releases about those who
have been isolated or quarantined.
(7) Decrease time needed to disseminate health and safety
information to the public regarding risk and protective actions.
(8) Have or have access to a system to collect, manage, and
coordinate information about isolation and quarantine, compliant with
PHIN Preparedness Functional Area Countermeasure and Response
Administration.
Measures: (1) Percentage of isolation orders that are violated.
(2) Percentage of quarantine orders that are violated.
Outcome 6E: Mass Prophylaxis and Vaccination
Appropriate prophylaxis and vaccination strategies are implemented
in a timely manner upon the onset of an event, with an emphasis on the
prevention, treatment, and containment of the disease. Prophylaxis and
vaccination campaigns are integrated with corresponding public
information strategies.
Required Critical Tasks: (1) Decrease the time needed to dispense
mass therapeutics and/or vaccines.
(a) Implement local, (tribal, where appropriate), regional and
State prophylaxis protocols and plans.
(b) Achieve and maintain the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS)
preparedness functions described in the current version of the
Strategic National Stockpile guide for planners.
(c) Ensure that smallpox vaccination can be administered to all
known or suspected contacts of cases within 3 days and, if indicated,
to the entire jurisdiction within 10 days.\33\
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\33\ Smallpox Response Planning http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/response-plan/index.asp
.
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(d) Have or have access to a system to collect, manage, and
coordinate information about the administration of countermeasures,
including isolation and quarantine, compliant with PHIN Preparedness
Functional Area Countermeasure and Response Administration.
(2) Decrease time to provide prophylactic protection and/or
immunizations to all responders, including non-governmental personnel
supporting relief efforts.
(3) Decrease the time needed to release information to the public
regarding dispensing of medical countermeasures via the jurisdiction's
JIC (if JIC activation is needed).
Measures: (1) Current rating on the SNS (or CRI for participating
cities) preparedness functions based on the CDC SNS assessment tool.
(2) Time to provide prophylactic protection and/or immunizations to
all responders, including non-governmental personnel supporting relief
efforts.
Outcome 6F: Medical and Public Health Surge
Cases are investigated by public health to reasonably minimize
morbidity and mortality rates, even when the numbers of casualties
exceed the limits of the normal medical infrastructure for an affected
community.
Required Critical Tasks: (1) Improve tracking of cases, exposures,
adverse events, and patient disposition.
(a) Have or have access to a system that provides these
capabilities consistent with PHIN Preparedness Functional Area Outbreak
Management.
(2) Decrease the time needed to execute medical and public health
mutual aid agreements.
(3) Improve coordination public health and medical services.
(a) Ensure epidemiology response capacity consistent with hospital
preparedness guidelines for surge capacity.
(b) Participate in the development of plans, procedures, and
protocols to identify and manage local, tribal, and regional public
health and hospital surge capacity.
(4) Increase the proficiency of volunteers and staff performing
collateral duties in performing epidemiology investigation and mass
prophylaxis support tasks.
[[Page 30461]]
(5) Increase the number of physicians and other providers with
experience and/or skills in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious,
chemical, or radiological diseases or conditions possibly resulting
from a terrorism-associated event who may serve as consultants during a
public health emergency.
Measures: (1) Percent of volunteers needed to support epidemiologic
investigation that have been trained.
(2) Percent of volunteers needed to support mass prophylaxis that
have been trained.
CDC Preparedness Goal 7: Recover
Decrease the time needed to restore health services and
environmental safety to pre-event levels.
Outcome 7A: Economic and Community Recovery
Recovery and relief plans are implemented and coordinated with the
nonprofit sector and nongovernmental relief organizations and with all
levels of government. Economic impact is estimated. Priorities are set
for recovery activities. Business disruption is minimized. Individuals
and families are provided with appropriate levels and types of relief
with minimal delay.
Required Critical Tasks: (1) Conduct post-event planning and
operations to restore general public health services.
(2) Decrease the time needed to issue interim guidance on risk and
protective actions by monitoring air, water, food, and soil quality,
vector control, and environmental decontamination, in conjunction with
response partners.
Measures: (1) Time needed to issue interim guidance on risk and
protective actions during recovery.
CDC Preparedness Goal 8: Recover
Increase the long-term follow-up provided to those affected by
threats to the public's health.
Required Critical Tasks: (1) Develop and coordinate plans for long-
term tracking of those affected by the event.
(2) Improve systems to track cases, exposures, and adverse event
reports.
(3) Increase the availability of information resources and messages
to foster community's return to self-sufficiency.
Measures: (1) Percent of cases and exposed successfully tracked
from identification through disposition to enable short- and long-term
follow-up.
CDC Preparedness Goal 9: Improve
Decrease the time needed to implement recommendations from after-
action reports following threats to the public's health.
Required Critical Tasks: (1) Exercise plans to test horizontal and
vertical integration with response partners at the federal, State,
tribal, and local level.
(2) Decrease the time needed to identify deficiencies in personnel,
training, equipment, and organizational structure, for areas requiring
corrective actions.
(3) Decrease the time needed to implement corrective actions.
(4) Decrease the time needed to re-test areas requiring corrective
action.
Measures: (1) Time needed to identify deficiencies in personnel,
training, equipment, and organizational structure, for areas requiring
corrective actions (Target: 72 hours after a real event or exercise).
(2) Time needed to implement corrective actions and integrate
changes into plans (Target: 60 days after identification of
deficiency).
(3) Time needed to re-test areas requiring corrective action
(Target: 90 days after identification of deficiency).
International Cross-Border Early Warning Infectious Disease
Surveillance (EWIDS) Project (Selected awardees): As in the previous
two years, the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness within
the Office of the Secretary (HHS) is continuing to provide funds for
early detection, identification, reporting and investigation of
infectious disease outbreaks (both bioterrorist-triggered and naturally
occurring) at our borders with Canada and Mexico.
This year, in recognition of the fact that States sharing a common
border with a neighboring Canadian province or a Mexican State have
some natural affinities and common challenges with respect to planning
and implementing cross-border surveillance and epidemiological
activities, the Early Warning Infectious Disease Surveillance (EWIDS)
program is offering the opportunity for any two or more neighboring
States to submit a joint proposal. This approach, which is strictly
voluntary, may be most appealing to States that have already undertaken
joint planning activities either because they share a common border
with a Canadian province or Mexican State or because they wish to
leverage their capabilities and resources as well as EWIDS funding.
Although EWIDS funds would still be allocated on a State-by-State
basis, this approach will capitalize on the synergies created by
activities that a number of Border States have initiated.
States interested in this opportunity must jointly develop a common
EWIDS proposal that would be broader in scope than what each State
could submit on its own. Within the proposal, each of the participating
States must clearly identify the specific activities for which it would
be individually responsible and accountable. For example, a coalition
of four States could each submit the same proposal that they had
jointly prepared. In this common proposal, each State would clearly
identify a set of activities for which it would assume lead
responsibility. There would be minimal duplication of effort among the
States and, as a result of the synergy and resource leveraging; all
four States would be able to benefit from each other's efforts. States
that wish to take advantage of this opportunity must each submit a copy
of the common proposal that was jointly developed. However, each State
should submit its own budget reflecting not only the specific
activities for which it would be responsible but also the amount of its
EWIDS funds.
In accordance with their authorizing legislation, EWIDS funds are
intended strictly for the support of surveillance and epidemiology-
related activities to address bioterrorism and other outbreaks of
infectious diseases. EWIDS funds are not to be used to support non-
infectious disease surveillance or broader border activities in
terrorism preparedness. Consequently, these funds may not be used to
finance any chemical, radiological, nuclear or other emergency
preparedness activities. Moreover, EWIDS funds cannot be used to
supplant surveillance and/or epidemiological activities already
supported by other funding sources. Proposed EWIDS activities must be
consistent with the laws and regulations of the United States and in
harmony with existing binational agreements and guidelines.
The EWIDS guidance can be found in Appendix 2. In substance, this
guidance is consistent with the guidance issued last year. However, the
structure has been modified to conform to the format that has been
established for the broader CDC public health emergency preparedness
cooperative agreement. The DSLR MIS template provides space for
responses to the EWIDS guidance for eligible applicants. These
activities will be updated in the MIS as part of regular progress
reports.
Collaboration across State, Tribal, Military, and International
Borders: Applicants may use cooperative agreement funds to conduct
necessary activities in support of cross jurisdictional planning,
coordination, communications, program development, and exercises to
enhance health security in the United States. In a jurisdiction that
shares State, tribal, military installation or international borders,
the
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public health agency may use cooperative funds to jointly participate
in disaster planning meetings (e.g., city-State-tribal collaboration or
city-State-province/State collaboration, etc.); exchange health alert
messages; exchange epidemiological data; provide mutual aid; conduct
collaborative drills, exercises, and evaluate disaster scenarios.
Applicants may propose relevant activities related to meeting the
goals, outcomes, tasks or measures as listed above. Proposed activities
must be consistent with national laws and regulations of the United
States and in harmony with any pre-existing agreements and guidelines.
CDC Responsibilities: In a cooperative agreement, CDC staff is
substantially involved in the program activities, above and beyond
routine grant monitoring.
CDC Activities for this program are as follows:
-- Technical Assistance
--Integration/Coordination of federal funding for preparedness.
--Subject matter expertise on preparedness activities (e.g., laboratory
testing, epidemiology and surveillance).
--Identification of promising practices.
--Development of performance goals and standards.
--Guidance on, and in some cases, conduct, of drills and exercises.
Monitoring of performance.
Monitoring adherence to all relevant PHS, HHS, CDC rules,
regulations and policies regarding cooperative agreements.
Facilitate tribal, military, international, DHS and other
federal agency efforts into national public health preparedness efforts
and coordinate the public health preparedness responsibilities of the
NRP where CDC is the designated lead agency.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. CDC involvement in this
program is listed in the Activities Section above.
Approximate Total Funding: Approximately $862 million of fiscal
year (FY) 2005 funds are available to fund budget year one of this
agreement (August 31, 2005-August 30, 2006) as follows:
$809,956,000: Base funds available for all awardees.
$40,181,000: Urban Area focused funding (to include maintenance of CRI
activities in previous 21 awardees) as described in Appendix 3.
$5,440,000: Early Warning Infectious Disease Surveillance (EWIDS) funds
available to select awardees (see Appendix 2).
$7,200,000: Chemical Laboratories funds available to select awardees
(see Appendix 1).
Each State awardee and Puerto Rico will receive a base amount of
$3.91 million, plus an amount equal to its proportional share of the
national population as reflected in the U.S. Census estimates for July
1, 2003. The District of Columbia will receive a base amount of $10
million and New York City, Los Angles County, and Chicago will continue
to receive a base amount of $5 million. Due to their demographic
characteristics and unique programmatic needs, American Samoa, the U.S.
Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Marshall
Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau will receive
$391,000 per awardee plus a population-based allocation.
In addition to the base amount, approximately $7,200,000 is
available for Level One chemical laboratory capacity. Only Level One
chemical laboratory activities may be supported with these funds. Level
Two and Level Three activities should be supported by base funding.
CDC may increase the number of Level One chemical laboratories from
5 to 10 over the next five years. However, for budget year one,
applicants may only apply for Level One status using their existing
funds. Applicants who wish to apply for Level One funding must have:
(a) Completed all current Level Two trainings (b) successfully
completed method evaluation (c) successfully completed at least one
proficiency test for each method, and (d) be in ``qualified'' status.
New applicants for Level One chemical laboratory capacity should refer
to Appendix 1.
Beginning in FY06, CDC envisions that allocation of funds among
eligible entities and among preparedness priorities will be influenced
increasingly by considerations of (1) the risks and likely medical
consequences of various forms of terrorism and other public health
emergencies when stratified across States and localities, (2) awardees'
performance in enhancing public health and healthcare emergency
preparedness, and (3) the relative merits of applicants' proposed
initiatives toward selected preparedness priorities as determined by
national competition.
Grantees that fail to comply with the terms and conditions of this
cooperative agreement, including responsiveness to program guidance,
measured progress in meeting the performance measures, and adequate
stewardship of these federal funds, may be subject to an administrative
enforcement action. Administrative enforcement actions may include
temporarily withholding cash payments or restricting a grantee's
ability to draw down funds from the Payment Management System until the
grantee has taken corrective action.
In circumstances where the grantee is unwilling or unable to take
corrective action, and in other appropriate circumstances, CDC may
withhold (deny) a continuation award and require that the grantee repay
any disallowed costs to the federal government from non-federal funds.
In all instances, grantees are reminded that continuation of
funding under this cooperative agreement is additionally contingent
upon continued availability of funds.
Anticipated Award Date: August 31, 2005.
Budget Period Length: 12 months (August 31, 2005-August 30, 2006).
Project Period Length: Year one of a five year project period.
Throughout the project period, CDC's commitment to continuation of
awards will be conditioned on the availability of funds, evidence of
satisfactory progress by the recipient (as documented in required
reports), and the determination that continued funding is in the best
interest of the Federal Government.
III. Eligibility Information
Eligible Applicants
Eligibility is limited to those currently funded through
cooperative agreement 99051 and authorized under 42 U.S.C. 247d-3.
Cost Sharing or Matching
Matching funds are not required for this program.
IV. Application and Submission Information
IV.1. Electronic Applications Via the DSLR MIS System Are Due on July
13, 2005 11:59 PM EST
See below for more details on accessing and submitting via the DSLR
MIS system.
IV.2. Content and Form of Submission
CDC will provide an Internet-based system for submitting
applications, including narrative and budget, electronically. This
system will also enable applicants to complete most required forms
electronically, which can then be signed and uploaded into the system.
Applicants are required to use
[[Page 30463]]
this system in lieu of paper-based applications. Under separate cover,
CDC will provide detailed instructions on obtaining a digital
certificate to access the CDC Web portal https://sdn.cdc.gov and use
the electronic application system. Any questions or problems concerning
use of the Internet-based application should be directed to your
project officer.
Cooperative Agreement Forms
All forms will be available from the Secure Data Network
(https://sdn.cdc.gov). In addition, Form PHS 5161-1 is available from
the CDC Procurement and Grants office at the following Internet
address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.
Application budget preparation guidance is also available
at: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/budgetguide2004.htm.
Forms SF-424 (Cover page) and SF-424B (Assurances) are
available from the DSLR MIS application site and the Office of
Management and Budget: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants
forms.html.
Form SF-424A (Budget Information) will be generated and
pre-populated automatically from the DSLR MIS budget application site.
A blank form SF-424A can also be obtained at the following Internet
address: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grantsforms.html.
Applications must include a projection of the amount of FY2004
funds that will be unobligated at the end of budget period five (i.e.,
on August 30, 2005) and report this estimate for each focus area on a
separate interim FSR form. (See Unobligated Funds, under C.
Availability of Funds.)
International Cross-Border Early Warning Infectious Disease
Surveillance Initiatives (Selected awardees): The DSLR MIS template
provides space for responses to the International Cross-Border Early
Warning Infectious Disease Surveillance (EWIDS) initiatives for
eligible applicants. These cross-border issues reflect the broader
Departmental goals for cross-border public health security and focus on
surveillance of infectious disease outbreaks (both bioterrorist-
triggered and naturally occurring) at our borders with Canada and
Mexico. These activities will be updated in the MIS as part of regular
progress reports.
IV.3. Submission
To submit the narrative and budget sections of the application
electronically, follow the online instructions. The MIS will notify CDC
that the application is ready for review and prevent any further
changes to the application by the applicant, pending any
recommendations from the project officer. The electronic submission
process must be completed by the application deadline (11:59 p.m. July
13, 2005 e.s.t.).
Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System
You are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal
Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative
agreement from the Federal government. The DUNS number is a nine-digit
identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities.
Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a
DUNS number, access http://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-
5711.
For more information, see the CDC Web site at: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/pubcommt.htm
.
If your application form does not have a DUNS number field, please
write your DUNS number at the top of the first page of your
application, and/or include your DUNS number in your application cover
letter.
Additional requirements that may require you to submit additional
documentation with your application are listed in section ``VI.2.
Administrative and National Policy Requirements.''
IV.4. Intergovernmental Review of Applications
Your application is subject to Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs, as governed by Executive Order (EO) 12372. This order sets up
a system for State and local governmental review of proposed federal
assistance applications. You should contact your State single point of
contact (SPOC) as early as possible to alert the SPOC to prospective
applications, and to receive instructions on your State's process.
Click on the following link to get the current SPOC list: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html
.
IV.5. Funding Restrictions
Restrictions, which must be taken into account while writing your
budget, are as follows:
Funds may not be used for research
Reimbursement of pre-award costs is not allowed
Use of Funds: Budget year one will begin on August 31, 2005 and
extend through August 30, 2006. However, monies may be re-directed
between/among goals during the year under the following conditions: (1)
Awardees must notify the CDC Grants Office, and (2) copy their CDC
Project Officer for all funding re-directions. Prior approval is
required for all funding re-directions for sums greater than 25% of the
total budget for BY1, or $250,000 (whichever is less).
Vehicles: Cooperative agreement funds under this program may not be
used to purchase vehicles or supplant any current State or local
expenditures.
Supplantation: The Public Health Service Act, Title I, Section
319(c) specifically States: ``SUPPLEMENT NOT SUPPLANT.--Funds
appropriated under this section shall be used to supplement and not
supplant other Federal, State, and local public funds provided for
activities under this section.'' Therefore, the law strictly and
expressly prohibits supplantation.
Unobligated Funds: Please submit interim Financial Status Reports
(FSRs) estimating the unobligated balance of funds as of August 30,
2005 with the application. Please provide a summary and individual
Focus Area FSRs with your application. Send the FSRs to CDC's
Procurement and Grants Office (PGO). Estimated unobligated funds should
also be reported in Section A--Budget Summary of Standard Form (SF)
424A.
Direct Assistance
Direct Assistance is a financial assistance mechanism, authorized
by statute, where by goods or services are provided to recipients in
lieu of cash. Direct assistance generally involves the assignment of
Federal personnel, the provision of equipment, or the use of federally
negotiated contracts. Applicants must discuss all requests for direct
assistance with the Division of State and Local Readiness project
officer prior to submitting an application.
Funding awarded through direct assistance is part of the total
award, not an addition to the award. Direct assistance funds MUST be
used in the Federal Fiscal Year (FY) in which they are appropriated.
Personnel funded through direct assistance may be split between two
federal fiscal years. For example, a career epidemiology field officer
hired through direct assistance may be funded from August 31-September
30, 2005, with FY05 funding provided with this award and from October
1-August 30, 2006, with FY06 funding.
Requests for equipment to be purchased through direct assistance:
Direct Assistance (Contracts and Task Orders)
a. To obligate Direct Assistance funds in an amount of less than
$100,000,
[[Page 30464]]
each applicant must submit a Performance-based Statement of Work for
each contract or task order supported by Direct Assistance Funding.
b. To obligate Direct Assistance funds in an amount greater than
$100,000, but less than $500,000, each applicant must submit the
following items for each contract or task order supported by Direct
Assistance funding:
Performance-based Statement of Work: The Division of State
and Local Readiness maintains a variety of Statement of work templates
available to any applicant upon request. Although performance-based
Statements of work are tailored to the specifics of each project, it
should contain these common elements:
--Background--general, non-technical terms and explains why the
acquisition is required; its relationship to past, current, or future
projects; summary of statutory and applicable program authorities and
regulations;
--Project Objective--a succinct Statement of the purpose of the
acquisition; outlining expected results; and anticipated benefits.
--Scope of Work--an overall, non-technical description of the work to
be performed; expands upon project objectives, while avoiding going
into all of the details required. Identifies and summarizes various
phases of the projects; define limits in terms of specific objectives,
time, special provisions, or limitations. The Scope of Work must be
consistent with the detailed requirements.
--Detailed Technical Requirements--Clearly and precisely describe the
work in terms of what is to be the required output rather than either
how the work will be accomplished or the number of hours to be
provided. Provide requirements that do not limit a contractor to
providing a specific product or service, rather the contractor is
provided with the objectives to be accomplished, the end goal, or the
desired achievement, including all pertinent information needed for a
contractor or vendor to submit a proposal. As the contractor is, being
hired based upon their expertise and ability to perform, the
performance-oriented requirements Statement of work places maximum
responsibility for performance on the contractor. Identify any
budgetary, environmental, or other constraints. Clearly and firmly
define and the criteria for acceptance for all end supplies or
deliverables associated with the contract.
--Reporting Schedule--Specify how the contractor shows that it has
fulfilled it obligations. Clearly identify the performance-based
criteria to be used by the Government for acceptance. Define the
mechanism by which the contractor can demonstrate progress and
compliance with the requirements, and present any problems it may have
encountered. The preparation and submission of technical and financial
progress reports on a timely basis reflect on a contractor's efforts to
certify satisfactory progress. Specific requirements to submit periodic
financial and technical progress reports, to include format and
templates will be provided by the Division of State and Local
Readiness.
--Special Consideration--Include all and any information that does not
fit into one of the other sections of the Statement of work.
--References--Provide a detailed list and description of any studies,
reports, and other data referred to elsewhere in the Statement of work.
Independent Government Cost Estimate: The independent
government cost estimate is the government's estimate of the costs
associated with a particular contract project. The cost estimate
determines the amount of money that should be set aside for funding the
project and the cost estimate serves as a standard to which the
offeror's costs or price proposals will be compared when the offeror's
proposal is evaluated. The cost estimate includes direct costs (i.e.,
labor, material, travel, per diem, printing, consultants, etc.) and
indirect costs (i.e., fringe benefits, overhead, and general and
administrative expense rates). For this is the government's assessment
of the probable cost of the supplies or services to be acquired and
serves as a basis for determining the reasonableness of an offeror's
proposed costs and understanding of the Statement of work. The
cooperative agreement applicant may request assistance in developing a
cost estimate from their project officer in the Division of State and
Local Readiness.
Quality Assurance Surveillance Plans: These plans must
recognize the responsibility of the contractor to carry out its quality
control obligations and must contain measurable inspections and
acceptance criteria corresponding to the performance standards
contained in the original performance-based Statement of work. This
plan must focus on the level of performance required by the
performance-based Statement of work, rather than the methodology used
by the contractor to achieve that level of performance. The plan may
also include:
--Technical progress and financial status reports (already a
requirement for all direct assistance projects);
--Site visits to evaluate contract performance against scheduled or
reported performance;
--Review of invoices and vouchers to assess reasonableness of costs
claimed and relate the total expenditures to the physical progress of
the contract, based on monitoring activities (i.e., site visits,
progress reports, etc.)
1. Please submit the following documents, electronically, to
Gregory Lanman in the Division of State and Local Readiness at
GHL2@cdc.gov:
a. Contract/Task Order less than $100,000: Submit a performance-
based Statement of work as described and outlined in this document.
b. Contract/Task Order greater than $100,000, but less than
$500,000: Submit a performance-based Statement of work; independent
cost estimate; and quality assurance surveillance plan as described and
outlined in this document.
c. If you are considering a contract or task order in an amount
larger than $500,000; please contact Gregory Lanman in the Division of
State and Local Readiness at (404) 639-7127 as soon as possible.
2. Upon receipt of each contract/task order package, the Division
of State and Local Readiness will obtain proposals and quotes for the
requested services, supplies, or equipment through federal contract
vehicles. The grantee will receive the proposals for review and
selection according to their technical evaluation factors. Contract/
task order awards will be based upon your evaluation criteria and
selection decision.
3. The Division of State and Local Readiness will obligate all
Direct Assistance funding and will assume an active partnership as part
of your Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. This partnership will
include oversight of the contract/task order, monitoring contract/task
order expenditures and funding balances, and by coordinated site visits
by the Project Officers of the Division of State and Local Readiness.
4. For additional information or if you have any questions, please
contact Gregory Lanman in the Division of State and Local Readiness at
(404) 639-7127 or by e-mail at GHL2@cdc.gov.
Direct Assistance (Equipment): CDC will provide a list of equipment
that may be purchased through direct assistance. Generally, direct
assistance equipment purchases are limited to the purchase of
laboratory equipment.
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Direct Assistance (Personnel): In fiscal year 2005, CDC personnel
will be available to provide on-site assistance to State, territorial
and local public health agencies in the form of Direct Assistance
awards. Placement of these Direct Assistance personnel will be based on
the needs of host agencies in a variety of public health disciplines,
including public health management, laboratory science, epidemiology,
health communications, and environmental health. Direct Assistance
personnel assigned through this cooperative agreement will receive
training in critical aspects of public health preparedness and
emergency response to prepare them to respond to local, State, regional
and national public health emergencies.
Deployment of Direct Assistance personnel associated with this
cooperative agreement, including specific positions in the Career
Epidemiology Field Officers (operated by the National Center for Health
Marketing), will be coordinated with the Field Services Activity in the
CDC Portfolio Management Project.
Requests for new Public Health Readiness Field Program assignees
during this budget period should be discussed with the grantee's
project officer prior to including them in the budget and budget
justification sections of your annual funding application. Direct
Assistance Personnel costs will be based on published pay and
allowances/reimbursement rates established by the Office of Personnel
Management. The value of personnel for the budget period will be
deducted from the amount of financial assistance that would otherwise
be made available to the recipient under the applicable allocation,
formula, or other determination of award amount but will be deemed to
be part of the award and to have been paid to the recipient.
Public Health Readiness Field Program personnel detailed to a
recipient remain Federal employees and are subject to increases,
adjustments, and any other benefits that would otherwise apply.
Provision for changed costs will be negotiated with the recipient in
advance as this may change the amount of financial assistance provided.
Recipients will be instructed as to the process and timing for
submitting travel authorizations and claims for reimbursement as well
as other requests to incur costs or be reimbursed for costs related to
personnel details. Recipients shall maintain documentation of payments
for in-State and local travel costs and other payments on behalf of
detailees as grant-related records. These records are subject to review
and audit by or on behalf of CDC.
Direct Assistance Personnel assigned through the Public Health
Readiness Field Program are subject to the provisions of the existing
Agreement to Detail that defines the respective responsibilities of CDC
and recipients regarding Direct Assistance assignments of CDC
personnel. CDC will review this agreement with recipient officials upon
execution of the detail.
Recipients interested in the Direct Assistance staffing option,
should contact their Division of State and Local Readiness project
officer to discuss specific staffing needs and how to reflect the
request for Direct Assistance personnel in your application. Be
prepared to discuss the specific duties and responsibilities proposed
for the Direct Assistance assignee and where the assignee would work in
your organizational structure.
V. Application Review Information
V.1. Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be reviewed for technical acceptability by
project officers from the Coordinating Center of Terrorism Preparedness
and Emergency Response and subject matter experts through out CDC.
Technical reviewers will be assessing the applications to determine:
The applicant's current capability to perform the outcomes
and critical tasks.
That the operational plan clearly and adequately addresses
the goals, outcomes, tasks, and measures.
The extent to which the applicant clearly defines an
evaluation plan that leads to continuous quality improvement of public
health emergency response.
The extent to which the applicant presents a detailed
budget with a line item justification and any other information to
demonstrate that the request for assistance is consistent with the
purpose and objectives of the cooperative agreement.
Where applicable, the extent to which the applicant
presents an operational plan for funds for early detection, reporting
and investigation of infectious disease outbreaks (both bioterrorist-
triggered and naturally occurring) at our borders with Canada and
Mexico.
V.2. Criteria for Level One Chemical Laboratory Capacity
New (competitive) applications for Level One chemical laboratory
capacity will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
1. Description of the jurisdiction covered (10 points): the extent
to which the application clearly identifies the jurisdiction(s) covered
by the proposed activities.
2. Capacity (30 points): the extent to which the applicant
demonstrates experience in measurements using mass spectrometry,
general experience with a bench-top mass spectrometer, and experience
using tandem mass spectrometry for analysis of environmental and
biological samples.
3. Operational Plan (40 points): (a) The extent to which the
applicant's operational plan clearly and adequately addresses all
recipient activities (see Appendix 1) (b) the extent to which
laboratory space plans meet or exceed the minimum requirements (c) the
extent to which applicant clearly describes past experiences in
application content (d) the extent to which applicant clearly describes
plans for hiring or designating appropriately qualified staff.
4. Coordination (10 points): the extent to which the applicant
demonstrates that the proposed activities will be coordinated with
relevant activities currently underway in the applicant's jurisdiction
or proposed under other sections of the cooperative agreement program.
The extent to which the applicant clearly demonstrates how these
activities will be coordinated within the jurisdiction (e.g., at the
State level, between State and local agencies, between local agencies,
with MMRS if present, and as appropriate, with other States).
5. Support (10 points): inclusion of a letter of support from the
State administration agreeing to provide CDC with surge capacity in
cases of emergencies. This letter should also show commitment by the
State to develop this capacity in their State public health laboratory
and allow their State employees to be part of the CDC response.
6. Budget (not scored): the extent to which the applicant presents
a detailed budget with a line item justification and any other
information to demonstrate that the request for assistance is
consistent with the purpose and objectives of the cooperative
agreement.
V.3. Review and Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed for completeness by the Procurement
and Grants Office (PGO) staff, and for technical acceptability by the
Coordinating Office of Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response
and CDC subject matter experts. Incomplete applications and
applications that are non-responsive to
[[Page 30466]]
the eligibility criteria will not advance through the review process.
Applicants will be notified that their application did not meet
submission requirements.
New applications for Level One chemical laboratory capacity will be
evaluated by an objective review panel using the criteria listed in the
``V.1. Criteria'' section above. In addition, these applications will
also be reviewed by senior federal staff taking into account the
results of the independent review, program needs and relevance to
national goals, geographic location, and budgetary considerations.
VI. Award Administration Information
VI.1. Award Notices
Successful applicants will receive a Notice of Grant Award (NGA)
from the CDC Procurement and Grants Office. The NGA shall be the only
binding, authorizing document between the recipient and CDC. The NGA
will be signed by an authorized Grants Management Officer, and mailed
to the recipient fiscal officer identified in the application.
Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of
the application review by mail.
VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
45 CFR Part 74 and Part 92
For more information on the Code of Federal Regulations, see the
National Archives and Records Administration at the following Internet
address: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html
The following additional requirements apply to this project:
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
AR-16 Security Clearance Requirement
AR-21 Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Business
AR-24 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
Requirements
AR-25 Release and Sharing of Data
Additional information on these requirements can be found on the
CDC Web site at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm
.
VI.3. Technical Reporting Requirements
Quarterly Progress Reports for Budget Period One--Progress reports
for activities undertaken in budget period, as well as special topics
related to the goals and objectives, are due on January 15, 2006 (for
activities undertaken August 31-November 30, 2005), April 15, 2006 (for
activities undertaken December 1, 2005-February 28, 2006), and July 15,
2006 (for activities undertaken March 1-May 30, 2006). These reports
must be submitted through the DSLR MIS. CDC will provide templates for
these reports to assess program outcomes related to activities
undertaken in BY 01. In addition, awardees may be required to submit
information upon request based on changing threat status or national
security priorities.
Financial Status Reports--A mid-year estimated financial status
report is due May 30, 2006, for the period August 31, 2005-February 28,
2006. The final Financial Status Report (FSR) is due 90 days after the
end of the budget period, ending on August 30, 2006. The due date for
the FSR is November 30, 2006. Estimated FSRs (through August 30, 2005)
are requested with your continuation application (See Unobligated Funds
on page 3).
Final Reports--This cooperative agreement will end on August 30,
2006. An original and two copies of the final FSR will be due to the
Grants Management Officer named below by November 30, 2006. Final
project reports (for activities from June 1-August 30, 2006) should be
submitted through the DSLR MIS by November 30, 2006.
Please submit the hard copy of your financial status reports to:
Rebecca B. O'Kelley, Acting Chief, Attn: Sharon Robertson, Acquisition
and Assistance, Branch VI, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, MS K-75, Atlanta,
GA 30341-4146. Telephone: 770-488-2748. E-mail address: sqr2@cdc.gov.
Please copy your Project Officer on any electronic submissions.
VII. Agency Contacts
We encourage inquiries concerning this announcement. Programmatic
technical assistance for this request may be obtained from your Project
Officer.
For general questions, contact:
Sharon Robertson, Grants Management Specialist--Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 10,
Acquisition and Assistance Branch VI, Procurement and Grants Office,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2920 Brandywine Road,
Atlanta, Georgia 30341-4146. Telephone: 770-488-2748. E-mail address:
sqr2@cdc.gov.
Angela Webb, Grants Management Specialist--Regions 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
Acquisition and Assistance Branch VI, Procurement and Grants Office,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2920 Brandywine Road,
Atlanta, Georgia 30341-4146. Telephone: 770-488-2784. E-mail address:
aqw6@cdc.gov.
VIII. Other Information
Attachments will be available from the Secure Data Network (https://sdn.cdc.gov
).
Appendix 1: Requirements for Level One and Level Two Chemical
Laboratories.
Appendix 2: Early Warning Infectious Disease Surveillance (EWIDS)
Guidance.
Appendix 3: Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI) Guidance.
Appendix 4: DRAFT Measurement Descriptions and Methods of Data
Collection.
Appendix 5: Funding Table.
Dated: May 20, 2005.
William P. Nichols,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 05-10537 Filed 5-25-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P