[Federal Register: May 26, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 101)]
[Notices]
[Page 30447-30451]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26my05-81]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Coordination of Activities Between the CDC's National
Immunization Program and the State and Territorial Health Officials
Announcement Type: New.
Funding Opportunity Number: RFA AA005.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.185.
Letter of Intent Deadline: June 27, 2005.
Application Deadline: July 25, 2005.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Authority: This program is authorized under section 311 [42
U.S.C. 243] and 317(k)(1) [42 U.S.C. 247b(k)(1)] of the Public
Health Service Act as amended.
Purpose: The purpose of the program is to coordinate the activities
between the National Immunization Program (NIP) and the state and
territorial health officials on issues related to immunizations for
children, adolescent and adults. Specifically: (1) To allow exchange of
information between the state and territorial health officials and NIP,
(2) to inform state and territorial health officials of current,
proposed and new legislation regarding immunization, (3) to create
mechanisms to communicate and inform state and territorial health
officials and partners about timely and new immunization initiatives
and the progress of current immunization programs, (4) to encourage
states to participate in federal and state immunization initiatives,
and (5) to create partnerships between State health departments and
other immunization related stakeholders, and to educate health
officials, providers and the public on the importance of timely
vaccination. This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2010'' focus
areas of Immunization and Infectious Disease.
Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the
following performance goals for NIP:
Reduce the number of indigenous cases of vaccine
preventable diseases,
Ensure that two year-olds are appropriately vaccinated,
and
Increase the proportion of adults who are vaccinated
annually against influenza and ever vaccinated against pneumococcal
disease.
This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by
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/ads/opspoll1.htm
.
Activities: Awardee activities for this program are as follows:
1. Coordinate immunization efforts with existing state and
territorial health officials' health projects, Special Supplemental
Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, the
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE), the
Association of Immunization Managers (AIM), the National Association of
County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) and other organized health
related associations where immunization programs can have an impact on
increasing vaccination coverage.
2. Attend meetings and inform state and territorial health
officials and other partners of issues addressed by the Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the National Vaccine
Advisory Committee (NVAC) and the immunization-related committees of
the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, NACCHO and
AIM.
3. Provide information on key immunization-related developments and
legislative issues to state and territorial health officials, state
immunization coordinators, appropriate adult or adolescent groups, and
other partners via newsletters, conference calls, and other multimedia
sources.
4. Organize and convene meetings and workshops on an as needed
basis for the purpose of exchanging immunization related information
and program updates. Provide representation of state and territorial
health officials at national meetings.
5. Collaborate with CDC on immunization-related issues including
vaccine supply, vaccine financing, implementation of new vaccines,
pandemic preparedness, adolescent and adult immunization and the
development and coordination of immunization national policy and
evaluation.
In a cooperative agreement, CDC staff are substantially involved in
the program activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring.
CDC activities for this program are as follows:
1. Provide technical assistance in implementing activities,
identifying major immunization-related issues, identifying effective
programs, and setting priorities related to the cooperative agreement.
2. Provide scientific collaboration for appropriate aspects of the
awardees' activities, including information on disease impact,
vaccination coverage levels, vaccine supply and prevention strategies.
3. Assist in development and review of relevant immunization
information made available to federal, State and local health agencies,
health care providers and volunteer organizations.
4. In conjunction with the grantee, establish and implement
mechanisms for evaluating the reach of the program and effectiveness of
the materials produced.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. CDC involvement in this
program is listed in the Activities Section above.
Fiscal Year Funds: 2005.
Approximate Total Funding: $250,000. (This amount is an estimate,
and is subject to availability of funds.)
Approximate Number of Awards: 1.
Approximate Average Award: $250,000. (This amount is for the first
12-month budget period, and includes both direct and indirect costs)
Floor of Award Range: None.
Ceiling of Award Range: $ 250,000. (This ceiling is for the first
12-month budget period.)
Anticipated Award Date: August 31, 2005.
[[Page 30448]]
Budget Period Length: 12 months.
Project Period Length: 5 years.
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
III.1. Eligible Applicants
Applications may be submitted by public or private national
nonprofit organizations and by governments and their agencies that
officially represent the chief public health officials of each state
and territory and have the knowledge and understanding of the needs and
operations of state health agencies, especially regarding immunization-
related programs and services.
A Bona Fide Agent is an agency/organization identified by the state
as eligible to submit an application under the state eligibility in
lieu of a state application. If you are applying as a bona fide agent
of a state or local government, you must provide a letter from the
state or local government as documentation of your status. Place this
documentation behind the first page of your application form.
Justification of Limitation: Assistance will be provided to one
applicant that can demonstrate the ability to accomplish the objectives
stated above (See section I purpose). Applicant should be able to
demonstrate ability to provide support to the state and territorial
health officials on immunization-related issues and have knowledge of
immunization policy, experience in supporting immunization programs,
and ability to collaborate on immunization activities. The applicant
should officially represent chief health officials from all states and
territories.
III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching
Matching funds are not required for this program.
III.3. Other
CDC will accept and review applications with budgets greater than
the ceiling of the award range.
Special Requirements: If your application is incomplete or non-
responsive to the special requirements listed in this section, it will
not be entered into the review process. You will be notified that your
application did not meet submission requirements.
Late applications will be considered non-responsive. See
section ``IV.3. Submission Dates and Times'' for more information on
deadlines.
Applications may be submitted by public or private
national nonprofit organizations and by governments and their agencies
that officially represent the chief public health officials of each
state and territory and have the knowledge and understanding of the
needs and operations of state health agencies, especially regarding
immunization-related programs and services.
Note: Title 2 of the United States Code Section 1611 states that
an organization described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal
Revenue Code that engages in lobbying activities is not eligible to
receive Federal funds constituting an award, grant, or loan.
IV. Application and Submission Information
IV.1. Address To Request Application Package
To apply for this funding opportunity use application form PHS
5161. Application forms and instructions are available on the CDC Web
site, at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm
.
To submit your application electronically, please utilize the forms
and instructions posted for this announcement at http://www.grants.gov.
If you do not have access to the Internet, or if you have
difficulty accessing the forms on-line, you may contact the CDC
Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section
(PGO-TIM) staff at: 770-488-2700. Application forms can be mailed to
you.
IV.2. Content and Form of Submission
Letter of Intent: A Letter of Intent (LOI) is optional for this
program. The RFA title and number must appear in the LOI. Your letter
of intent will not be evaluated, but will be used to assist CDC in
planning for the objective review for this program.
Your LOI must be written in the following format:
Maximum number of pages: 2
Font size: 12-point unreduced
Paragraph spacing: Double spaced
Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches
Page margin size: One inch
Printing: Only on one side of page
Written in plain language, avoid jargon
Your LOI must contain the following information:
The name of the organization
The primary contact person's name, mailing address, phone
number, fax and e-mail address
The mission/activities of the organization
A description of the organization's membership, including
the number of members in the organization.
Application: You must submit a project narrative with your
application forms. The narrative must be submitted in the following
format:
Maximum number of pages: 25. If your narrative exceeds the
page limit, only the first pages which are within the page limit will
be reviewed.
Font size: 12 point unreduced
Paragraph spacing: Double spaced
Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches
Page margin size: One inch
Printing: only on one side of page
Held together only by rubber bands or metal clips; not
bound in any other way.
Your narrative should address activities to be conducted over the
entire project period, and must include the following items in the
order listed:
1. Background
Provide a narrative, including background information on
the applicant organization that includes evidence of relevant
experience in coordinating activities among constituents and a clear
understanding of the purpose of the project.
Include details of past experience working with the target
population(s). Provide information on organizational capability to
conduct proposed project activities.
2. Program Management
Describe the professional personnel involved in the
management of this project and their qualifications.
Provide evidence of an organizational structure that can
meet the terms of the project. Include an organizational chart of the
applicant organization specifying the location and staffing plan for
the proposed project.
3. Objectives
Establish long-term (5 years) and short-term (one-year)
objectives that are specific, realistic, measurable and time-phased.
Include an explanation of how the objectives contribute to the purpose
of the request for assistance and evidence that demonstrates the
potential effectiveness of the proposed objectives.
4. Methods of Operation
Describe the operational plan for achieving each objective
established. Concisely describe each component or major activity and
how it will be carried out.
Include a time-line for completing each component or major
activity.
[[Page 30449]]
Provide a plan for disseminating project results
indicating when, to whom, and in what format the materials will be
presented.
5. Evaluation Plan
Describe the plan for monitoring progress toward
achievement of each of the objectives.
6. Collaboration Activities
Obtain and include letters of support, written in the last
12 to 24 months from constituents.
Provide any memoranda of agreement from collaborating
organizations indicating a willingness to participate in the project,
the nature of their participation, period of performance, names and
titles of individuals who will be involved in the project, and the
process of collaboration. Each memorandum should also show an
understanding and endorsement of immunization activities.
Provide evidence of collaborative efforts with health
departments, provider organizations, coalitions, and other local
organizations.
7. Budget Information
Provide a detailed budget with justification. The budget
proposal should be consistent with the purpose and program plan of the
proposed project.
Provide an itemized (line-item) budget categorized by
objective.
The budget proposal should be in the application appendices. The
appendices will not be counted toward the narrative page limit.
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.3. Submission Dates and Times
LOI Deadline Date: June 27, 2005.
CDC requests that you send a LOI if you intend to apply for this
program. Although the LOI is not required, not binding, and does not
enter into the review of your subsequent application, the LOI will be
used to gauge the level of interest in this program, and to allow CDC
to plan the application review.
Application Deadline Date: July 25, 2005.
Explanation of Deadlines: Applications must be received in the CDC
Procurement and Grants Office by 4 p.m. eastern time on the deadline
date. If you submit your application by the United States Postal
Service or commercial delivery service, you must ensure that the
carrier will be able to guarantee delivery by the closing date and
time. If CDC receives your submission after closing due to: (1) Carrier
error, when the carrier accepted the package with a guarantee for
delivery by the closing date and time, or (2) significant weather
delays or natural disasters, you will be given the opportunity to
submit documentation of the carriers guarantee. If the documentation
verifies a carrier problem, CDC will consider the submission as having
been received by the deadline.
This announcement is the definitive guide on LOI and application
content, submission address, and deadline. It supersedes information
provided in the application instructions. If your submission does not
meet the deadline above, it will not be eligible for review, and will
be discarded. You will be notified that you did not meet the submission
requirements.
If you submit your application electronically, you will receive an
e-mail notice of receipt.
CDC will not notify you upon receipt of your submission. If you
have a question about the receipt of your LOI or application, first
contact your courier. If you still have a question, contact the PGO-TIM
staff at: 770-488-2700. Before calling, please wait two to three days
after the submission deadline to allow time for submissions to be
processed and logged.
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.
Construction, renovations, purchase or lease of passenger
vehicles or vans, or supplementing any applicant expenditure are not
allowed.
If you are requesting indirect costs in your budget, you must
include a copy of your indirect cost rate agreement. If your indirect
cost rate is a provisional rate, the agreement should be less than 12
months of age.
Guidance for completing your budget can be found on the CDC Web
site, at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/budgetguide.htm
.
IV.6. Other Submission Requirements
LOI Submission Address: Submit your LOI by express mail, delivery
service, fax, or e-mail to: Nicole Smith, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, National Immunization Program, 1600 Clifton Road, NE.,
MS E-52, Atlanta, GA 30333. (404) 639-6220 (phone). (404) 639-8627
(fax). nsmith2@cdc.gov (E-mail address).
Application Submission Address: You may submit your application
electronically at: http://www.grants.gov, OR submit the original and
two hard copies of your application by mail or express delivery service
to: Technical Information Management--RFA AA005, CDC Procurement and
Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341.
V. Application Review Information
V.1. Criteria
Applicants are required to provide measures of effectiveness that
will demonstrate the accomplishment of the various identified
objectives of the cooperative agreement. Measures of effectiveness must
relate to the performance goals stated in the ``Purpose'' section of
this announcement. Measures must be objective and quantitative, and
must measure the intended outcome. These measures of effectiveness must
be submitted with the application and will be an element of evaluation.
[[Page 30450]]
Your application will be evaluated against the following criteria:
1. Experience (15 Points)
Does the applicant document having experience in representing chief
health officials from each of the states and territories and actively
engaging them in issues and policies related to immunization? Does the
applicant have the ability to communicate with their constituents on
timely issues?
2. Collaboration (15 Points)
Does the applicant's organization include representatives from each
of the states and territories from all parts of the nation? Has the
applicant worked with state and territorial health officials, as well
as partner organizations on immunization issues?
3. Understanding the project (15 Points)
Does the applicant understand the requirements, problems,
objectives, complexities, and interactions required of this project?
4. Objectives (15 Points)
Are the proposed objectives clearly stated, realistic, time phased
and related to the purpose of this project?
5. Operational Plan and Timetable (15 Points)
Are the applicant's plans to carry out the proposed activities
feasible and consistent with the stated objectives in this proposal?
Does the timetable incorporate major activities and milestones that are
specific, measurable and realistic? Does the plan include dates and
persons responsible for accomplishing tasks?
6. Staff Capacity (15 Points)
Do the professional personnel proposed to be involved in
administering this project and the professional personnel proposed to
provide program leadership have the capacity to perform the work
proposed? Do the staff have qualifications with evidence of past
achievements?
7. Evaluation Plan (10 Points)
Does the evaluation plan appear feasible for monitoring progress
toward meeting the stated project objectives? In addition to evaluating
outcomes-related project objectives, does the plan clearly describe how
the grantee will use performance measures to track internal processes?
8. Budget (Not Scored)
Is the budget reasonable, clearly justified, and consistent with
the intended use of funds?
9. GPRA Goals (Not Scored)
Will the application further NIP's GPRA goals stated in section
``I. Purpose'' of this announcement?
V.2. Review and Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed for completeness by the Procurement
and Grants Office (PGO) staff, and for responsiveness by the National
Immunization Program. Incomplete applications and applications that are
non-responsive to the eligibility criteria will not advance through the
review process. Applicants will be notified that their application did
not meet submission requirements.
An objective review panel will evaluate complete and responsive
applications according to the criteria listed in the ``V.1. Criteria''
section above.
Applications will be funded in order by score and rank determined
by the review panel.
V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
Award Date: August 31, 2005.
VI. Award Administration Information
VI.1. Award Notices
Successful applicants will receive a Notice of Award (NoA) from the
CDC Procurement and Grants Office. The NoA shall be the only binding,
authorizing document between the recipient and CDC. The NoA 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-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11 Healthy People 2010
AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
AR-14 Accounting System Requirements
AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status
AR-20 Conference Support
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. Reporting Requirements
You must provide CDC with an original, plus two hard copies of the
following reports:
1. Interim progress report, due no less than 120 days before the
end of the budget period. The progress report will serve as your non-
competing continuation application, and must contain the following
elements:
a. Current Budget Period Activities Objectives.
b. Current Budget Period Financial Progress.
c. New Budget Period Program Proposed Activity Objectives.
d. Budget.
e. Measures of Effectiveness.
f. Additional Requested Information.
2. Financial status report and annual progress report, no more than
90 days after the end of the budget period.
3. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days
after the end of the project period.
These reports must be mailed to the Grants Management Specialist
listed in the ``Agency Contacts'' section of this announcement.
VII. Agency Contacts
We encourage inquiries concerning this announcement. For general
questions, contact: Technical Information Management Section, CDC
Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341.
Telephone: 770-488-2700.
For program technical assistance, contact: Nicole Smith, Project
Officer, CDC National Immunization Program, 1600 Clifton Road, MS E-52,
Atlanta, GA 30333. Telephone: (404) 639-6220. E-mail: nsmith2@cdc.gov.
For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact:
Peaches Brown, Grants Management Specialist, CDC Procurement and Grants
Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341. Telephone: 770-488-
2738. E-mail: POBrown@cdc.gov.
VIII. Other Information
This and other CDC funding opportunity announcements can be found
on the CDC Web site, Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov. Click on
``Funding'' then ``Grants and Cooperative Agreements.''
Information about the National Immunization Program can be found at
http://www.cdc.gov/nip.
[[Page 30451]]
Dated: May 20, 2005.
William P. Nichols,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 05-10538 Filed 5-25-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P