[Federal Register: July 29, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 145)]
[Notices]
[Page 43879-43885]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29jy05-107]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Expanding and Enhancing HIV Confidential and Voluntary Counseling
and Testing Services in the Republic of Botswana
Announcement Type: New.
Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-AA175.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.067.
Key Dates: Application Deadline: August 22, 2005.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Authority: This program is authorized under Sections 307 and
317(k)(2) of the Public Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C. 242l], as
amended, and under Public Law 108-25 (United States Leadership
Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003) [U.S.C.
7601].
Background: President Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief has
called for immediate, comprehensive and evidence-based action to turn
the tide of global HIV/AIDS. The initiative aims to treat more than two
million HIV-infected people with effective combination anti-retroviral
therapy by 2008; care for ten million HIV-infected and affected
persons, including those orphaned by HIV/AIDS, by 2008; and prevent
seven million infections by 2010, with a focus on 15 priority
countries, including 12 in sub-Saharan Africa. The five-year strategy
for the Emergency Plan is available at the following Internet address:
http://www.state.gov/s/gac/rl/or/c11652.htm.
Over the same time period, as part of a collective national
response, the Emergency Plan goals specific to Botswana are to treat at
least 33,000 HIV-infected individuals; and provide care for 165,000
HIV-affected individuals.
Purpose: The United States Government seeks to reduce the impact of
HIV/AIDS in specific countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the
Americas by working with governments and other key partners to assess
the needs of each country and design a customized program of assistance
that fits within the host nation's strategic plan.
The purpose of this funding announcement is to progressively build
an indigenous, sustainable response to the national HIV epidemic in
Botswana through the rapid expansion of innovative, culturally
appropriate, high-quality HIV/AIDS prevention and care interventions.
[[Page 43880]]
Under the leadership of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, as part
of the President's Emergency Plan, the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS) works with host countries and other key partners
to assess the needs of each country and design a customized program of
assistance that fits within the host nation's strategic plan.
Specifically, the winner of this announcement will expand and
enhance confidential HIV VCT services (including social marketing for
promoting awareness and importance of testing) in Botswana, including
rural areas. These services include referral of those testing positive
to sources of ongoing psycho-social support and basic preventive and
palliative care. The provision of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) is not
part of this program, although patients who qualify for ART under
medical criteria may receive referrals to treatment sites as they
become available.
Monitoring and evaluation of all programs and services will be
essential in measuring success of these activities. All of the program
activities conducted in this cooperative agreement are part of The
Emergency Plan.
Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the
performance goals of the President's Emergency Plan and with the
following performance goal for the CDC National Center for HIV, STD and
TB Prevention within HHS: By 2010, work with other countries,
international organizations, the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Agency
for International Development (USAID), and other partners to achieve
the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS goal of
reducing prevalence among young people 15 to 24 years of age. Specific
measurable outcomes of this program include, but are not be limited to,
the number, age and sex of clients (individual and couples) provided
with confidential HIV CT, unrecognized HIV infections discovered, the
cost per client service and per unrecognized infection, and the number
of persons with HIV successfully referred to an effective care or
treatment provider.
This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by
HHS, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If
an applicant proposes research activities, HHS will not review the
application. For the definition of research, please see the HHS/CDC web
site at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/ads/opspoll1.htm
.
Activities: Based on its competitive advantage and proven field
experience, the winning applicant will undertake a broad range of
activities to meet the numerical Emergency Plan targets outlined in
this Program Announcement. For each of these activities, the grantee
will give priority to evidence-based, yet culturally adapted,
innovative approaches.
The awardee will either implement activities directly or through
its subgrantees and/or subcontractors; the awardee will retain overall
financial and programmatic management under the oversight of HHS/CDC
and the strategic direction of the Office of the Global AIDS
Coordinator. The awardee must show a measurable progressive
reinforcement of the capacity of indigenous organizations and local
communities to respond to the national HIV epidemic, as well as
progress towards the sustainability of activities.
Applicants should describe activities in detail as part of a four-
year action plan (U.S. Government Fiscal Years 2005-2008 inclusive)
that reflects the policies and goals outlined in the five-year strategy
for the President's Emergency Plan.
The grantee will produce an annual operational plan in the context
of this four-year plan, which the U.S. Government Emergency Plan team
on the ground in Botswana will review as part of the annual Emergency
Plan for AIDS Relief Country Operational Plan review and approval
process managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. The
grantee may work on some of the activities listed below in the first
year and in subsequent years, and then progressively add others from
the list to achieve all of the Emergency Plan performance goals, as
cited in the previous section. HHS/CDC, under the guidance of the U.S.
Global AIDS Coordinator, will approve funds for activities on an annual
basis, based on documented performance toward achieving Emergency Plan
goals, as part of the annual Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country
Operational Plan review and approval process.
Awardee activities for this program are as follows:
1. Strengthen institutional capacity of VCT center network for
provision of on-going confidential VCT services throughout Botswana.
2. Manage all aspects of confidential VCT service delivery,
including administration, human resources, and monitoring and
evaluation.
3. Provide social marketing for confidential VCT services.
4. Expand confidential HIV counseling and testing to remote areas
and to special groups.
5. Work to link activities described here with related HIV care and
other social services in the area, and promote coordination at all
levels, including through bodies such as village, district, regional
and national HIV coordination committees and networks of community-
based, non-governmental and faith-based organizations.
6. Participate in relevant national technical coordination
committees and in national process(es) to define, implement and monitor
simplified small grants program(s)for faith- and community-based
organizations, to ensure local stakeholders receive adequate
information and assistance to engage and access effectively funding
opportunities supported by the President's Emergency Plan and other
donors.
7. Progressively reinforce the capacity of faith- and community-
based organizations and village and district AIDS committees to promote
quality, local ownership, accountability and sustainability of
activities.
8. Develop and implement a project-specific participatory
monitoring and evaluation plan by drawing on national and U.S.
Government requirements and tools, including the strategic information
guidance provided by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
Administration: Comply with all HHS management requirements for
meeting participation and progress and financial reporting for this
cooperative agreement. (See HHS Activities and Reporting sections below
for details.) Comply with all policy directives established by the
Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
In a cooperative agreement, HHS staff is substantially involved in
the program activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring.
HHS Activities for this program are as follows:
1. Support training of VCT counselors, development of tools for
monitoring and evaluation of confidential counseling and testing
programs, quality assurance, and competitive and transparent
procurement of HIV rapid tests.
2. Expand age-appropriate supportive counseling, psychosocial
support, and preventive counseling for children, adolescents and people
with special needs. Interventions should emphasize abstinence for youth
and other unmarried persons, mutual faithfulness and partner reduction
for sexually active adults, and correct and consistent use of condoms
by those whose behavior places them at risk for
[[Page 43881]]
transmitting or becoming infected with HIV.\1\
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\1\ Behaviors that increase risk for HIV transmission including
engaging in casual sexual encounters, engaging in sex in exchange
for money or favors, having sex with an HIV-positive partner or one
whose status is unknown, using drugs or abusing alcohol in the
context of sexual interactions, and using intravenous drugs. Women,
even if faithful themselves, can still be at risk of becoming
infected by their spouse, regular male partner, or someone using
force against them. Other high-risk persons or groups include men
who have sex with men and workers who are employed away from home.
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3. Facilitate the exchange of materials and expertise with regard
to confidential counseling and testing services for populations engaged
in high-risk behaviors.
4. Review and approve grantee's annual work plan and detailed
budget, as part of the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country
Operational Plan review and approval process, managed by the Office of
the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
5. Strengthen confidential counseling and testing programs.
6. Organize an orientation meeting with the grantee to brief them
on applicable U.S. Government, HHS, and Emergency Plan expectations,
regulations and key management requirements, as well as report formats
and contents. The orientation could include meetings with staff from
HHS agencies and the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
7. Review and approve the process used by the grantee to select key
personnel and/or post-award subcontractors and/or subgrantees to be
involved in the activities performed under this agreement, as part of
the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country Operational Plan review and
approval process, managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS
Coordinator.
8. Review and approve grantee's annual work plan and detailed
budget, as part of the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country
Operational Plan review and approval process, managed by the Office of
the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
9. Meet on a monthly basis with grantee to assess monthly
expenditures in relation to approved work plan and modify plans as
necessary.
10. Meet on a quarterly basis with grantee to assess quarterly
technical and financial progress reports and modify plans as necessary.
11. Meet on an annual basis with grantee to review annual progress
report for each U.S. Government Fiscal Year, and to review annual work
plans and budgets for subsequent year, as part of the Emergency Plan
for AIDS Relief review and approval process for Country Operational
Plans, managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
12. Provide technical assistance, as mutually agreed upon, and
revise annually during validation of the first and subsequent annual
work plans. This could include expert technical assistance and targeted
training activities in specialized areas, such as strategic
information, project management, confidential counseling and testing,
palliative care, treatment literacy, and adult learning techniques.
13. Provide in-country administrative support to help grantee meet
U.S. Government financial and reporting requirements.
Please note: Either HHS staff or staff from organizations that
have successfully competed for funding under a separate HHS
contract, cooperative agreement or grant will provide technical
assistance and training.
Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the
following performance goals for the Emergency Plan:
A. Prevention
Number of individuals trained to provide HIV prevention
interventions, including abstinence, faithfulness and, for populations
engaged in high-risk behaviors,\2\ correct and consistent condom use.
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\2\ Behaviors that increase risk for HIV transmission including
engaging in casual sexual encounters, engaging in sex in exchange
for money or favors, having sex with an HIV-positive partner or one
whose status is unknown, using drugs or abusing alcohol in the
context of sexual interactions, and using intravenous drugs. Women,
even if faithful themselves, can still be at risk of becoming
infected by their spouse, regular male partner, or someone using
force against them. Other high-risk persons or groups include men
who have sex with men and workers who are employed away from home.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Abstinence (A) and Be Faithful (B)
Number of community outreach and/or mass media (radio)
programs that are A/B focused
Number of individuals reached through community outreach
and/or mass media (radio) programs that are A/B focused.
B. Care and Support
1. Confidential Counseling and Testing
Number of patients who accept confidential counseling and
testing in a health-care setting.
Number of clients served, direct.
Number of people trained in confidential counseling and
testing, direct, including health-care workers.
2. Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)
Number of service outlets/programs, direct and/or indirect.
Number of clients (OVC) served, direct and/or indirect.
Number of persons trained to serve OVC, direct.
3. Palliative Care: Basic Health Care and Support
Number of service outlets/programs that provide palliative
care, direct and/or indirect.
Number of service outlets/programs that link HIV care with
malaria and tuberculosis care and/or referral, direct and/or indirect.
Number of clients served with palliative care, direct and/
or indirect.
Number of persons trained in providing palliative care,
direct.
C. HIV Treatment With ART
Number of clients enrolled in ART, direct and indirect.
Number of persons trained in providing ART, direct.
D. Strategic Information
Number of persons trained in strategic information,
direct.
E. Expanded Indigenous Sustainable Response
Project-specific quantifiable milestones to measure: a.
Indigenous capacity-building. b. Progress toward sustainability.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.
HHS involvement in this program is listed in the Activities Section
above.
Fiscal Year Funds: 2005.
Approximate Total Funding: $20,000,000 (This amount is an estimate,
and is subject to change as additional funds become available.).
Approximate Number of Awards: One.
Approximate Average Award: $1,700,000 (This amount is for the first
6-month budget period.).
Floor of Award Range: None.
Ceiling of Award Range: $1,700,000.
Anticipated Award Date: August 31, 2005.
Budget Period Length: 12 month.
Project Period Length: Five years.
Throughout the project period, HHS'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
[[Page 43882]]
Federal Government, through the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief review
and approval process for Country Operational Plans, managed by the
Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
III. Eligibility Information
III.1. Eligible Applicants
Public and private non-profit and for-profit organizations may
submit applications, such as:
Public non-profit organizations
Private non-profit organizations
For-profit organizations
Community-based organizations
Faith-based organizations
Universities
Colleges
Hospitals
Small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses
In addition, applicants must meet the criteria listed below:
1. Be indigenous to Botswana
2. Have at least three years of VCT experience
3. Currently provide HIV confidential and voluntary counseling and
testing services through a network of sites with a national
geographical scope covering main cities, major towns and villages and
rural areas of Botswana, such that at least 80% of the Botswana
population has access to a VCT site within 50 km radius of their
residence.
4. Be well-positioned to enhance and strengthen confidential and
voluntary counseling and testing services for Botswana, particularly
rural areas. An example may include engaging in a strategic planning
process for enhancing and strengthening HIV testing services.
5. Be an active representative in District Multi-sectoral AIDS
committees within Botswana. Applicants should provide a letter of
support from the MOH.
III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching
Matching funds are not required for this program.
III.3. Other
If applicants request a funding amount greater than the ceiling of
the award range, HHS/CDC will consider the application non-responsive,
and it will not enter into the review process. We will notify you that
your application did not meet the submission requirements.
Special Requirements: If your application is incomplete or non-
responsive to the special requirements listed in this section, it will
not enter into the review process. You will be notified that your
application did not meet submission requirements.
HHS/CDC will consider late applications to be non-
responsive. See section ``IV.3. Submission Dates and Times'' for more
information on deadlines.
IV. Application and Submission Information
IV.1. Address To Request Application Package
To apply for this funding opportunity use application form PHS
5161.
HHS strongly encourages you to submit your application
electronically by using the forms and instructions posted for this
announcement at http://www.grants.gov.
Application forms and instructions are available on the HHS/CDC Web
site, at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm
.
If you do not have access to the Internet, or if you have
difficulty accessing the forms on-line, you may contact the CDC
Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section
(PGO-TIM) staff at: 770-488-2700. We can e-mail application forms to
you.
IV.2. Content and Form of Submission
Application: You must submit a project narrative with your
application forms. You must submit the narrative in the following
format:
Maximum number of pages: 25--If your narrative exceeds the
page limit, we will only review the first pages within the page limit.
Font size: 12 point unreduced.
Double spaced.
Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches.
Page margin size: One inch.
Pages should be numbered.
Printed only on one side of page.
Appendices may be included.
Held together only by rubber bands or metal clips; not
bound in any other way.
Submitted in English.
Your narrative should address activities to be conducted over the
entire project period, and must include the following items in the
order listed:
Project Context and Background (Understanding and Need)
Project Strategy--Description and Methodologies
Project Goals
Project Outputs
Project Contribution to the Goals and Objectives of the
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
Work Plan and Description of Project Components and
Activities
Performance Measures
Timeline (e.g., GANNT Chart)
Management of Project Funds and Reporting
You may include additional information in the application
appendices. The appendices will not count toward the narrative page
limit. This additional information includes the following:
Project Budget and Justification
Project Budget Notes
Job Descriptions
Testing Protocols
Overview of HIV Counseling and Testing Quality Assurance
Procedures, both Internal and External
HIV Counseling and Testing Quality Assurance, Monitoring
and Evaluation and Strategic Information Forms
HIV Counseling and Testing Referral Procedures and Forms
Mobile HIV Counseling and Testing Processes and Procedures
HIV Counseling and Testing Staff Training Curricula
Applicant's Corporate Capability Statement
Letter of Support
The budget justification will not count in the narrative page
limit.
Although the narrative addresses activities for the entire project,
the applicant should provide a detailed budget only for the first year
of activities, while addressing budgetary plans for subsequent years.
You must 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 HHS/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 could 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
Application Deadline Date: August 22, 2005.
Explanation of Deadlines: Applications must be received in the CDC
Procurement and Grants Office by
[[Page 43883]]
4 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date.
You may submit your application electronically at http://www.grants.gov.
We consider applications completed online through
Grants.gov as formally submitted when the applicant organization's
Authorizing Official electronically submits the application to http://www.grants.gov.
We will consider electronic applications as having met
the deadline if the applicant organization's Authorizing Official has
submitted the application electronically to Grants.gov on or before the
deadline date and time.
If you submit your application electronically with Grants.gov, your
application will be electronically time/date stamped, which will serve
as receipt of submission. You will receive an e-mail notice of receipt
when HHS/CDC receives the application.
If you submit your application by the United States Postal Service
or commercial delivery service, you must ensure the carrier will be
able to guarantee delivery by the closing date and time. If HHS/CDC
receives your submission after closing because: (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 have the opportunity to submit documentation of the
carriers guarantee. If the documentation verifies a carrier problem,
HHS/CDC will consider the submission as received by the deadline.
If you submit a hard copy application, HHS/CDC will not notify you
upon receipt of your submission. If you have a question about the
receipt of your 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.
This will allow time for us to process and log submissions.
This announcement is the definitive guide on 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 we will discard
it. We will notify you that you did not meet the submission
requirements.
IV.4. Intergovernmental Review of Applications
Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program.
IV.5. Funding Restrictions
Restrictions, which you must 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.
Funds may be spent for reasonable program purposes,
including personnel, travel, supplies, and services. Equipment may be
purchased if deemed necessary to accomplish program objectives;
however, prior approval by CDC officials must be requested in writing.
All requests for funds contained in the budget shall be
stated in U.S. dollars. Once an award is made, CDC will not compensate
foreign grantees for currency exchange fluctuations through the
issuance of supplemental awards.
The costs that are generally allowable in grants to
domestic organizations are allowable to foreign institutions and
international organizations, with the following exception: With the
exception of the American University, Beirut, and the World Health
Organization, Indirect Costs will not be paid (either directly or
through sub-award) to organizations located outside the territorial
limits of the U.S. or to international organizations regardless of
their location.
The applicant may contract with other organizations under
this program; however the applicant must perform a substantial portion
of the activities (including program management and operations, and
delivery of prevention services for which funds are required).
You must obtain an annual audit of these CDC funds
(program-specific audit) by a US-based audit firm with international
branches and current licensure/authority in-country, and in accordance
with International Accounting Standards or equivalent standards(s)
approved in writing by CDC.
A fiscal Recipient Capability Assessment may be required,
prior to or post award, in order to review the applicant's business
management and fiscal capabilities regarding the handling of U.S.
Federal funds.
Needle Exchange--No funds appropriated under this Act
shall be used to carry out any program of distributing sterile needles
or syringes for the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug.
Prostitution and Related Activities
The U.S. Government is opposed to prostitution and related
activities, which are inherently harmful and dehumanizing, and
contribute to the phenomenon of trafficking in persons.
Any entity that receives, directly or indirectly, U.S. Government
funds in connection with this document (``recipient'') cannot use such
U.S. Government funds to promote or advocate the legalization or
practice of prostitution or sex trafficking. Nothing in the preceding
sentence shall be construed to preclude the provision to individuals of
palliative care, treatment, or post-exposure pharmaceutical
prophylaxis, and necessary pharmaceuticals and commodities, including
test kits, condoms, and, when proven effective, microbicides. A
recipient that is otherwise eligible to receive funds in connection
with this document to prevent, treat, or monitor HIV/AIDS shall not be
required to endorse or utilize a multisectoral approach to combating
HIV/AIDS, or to endorse, utilize, or participate in a prevention method
or treatment program to which the recipient has a religious or moral
objection. Any information provided by recipients about the use of
condoms as part of projects or activities that are funded in connection
with this document shall be medically accurate and shall include the
public health benefits and failure rates of such use.
In addition, any recipient must have a policy explicitly opposing
prostitution and sex trafficking. The preceding sentence shall not
apply to any ``exempt organizations'' (defined as the Global Fund to
Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the World Health Organization and
its six Regional Offices, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative or
to any United Nations agency).
The following definition applies for purposes of this clause:
Sex trafficking means the recruitment, harboring,
transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of
a commercial sex act. 22 U.S.C. 7102(9).
All recipients must insert provisions implementing the applicable
parts of this section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities,'' in all
subagreements under this award. These provisions must be express terms
and conditions of the subagreement, must acknowledge that compliance
with this section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities,'' is a
prerequisite to receipt and expenditure of U.S. government funds in
connection with this document, and must acknowledge that any violation
of the provisions shall be grounds for unilateral termination of the
agreement prior to the end of its term. Recipients must agree that HHS
may, at any reasonable time, inspect the documents and materials
maintained or prepared by the recipient in the usual course of
[[Page 43884]]
its operations that relate to the organization's compliance with this
section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities.''
All prime recipients that receive U.S. Government funds (``prime
recipients'') in connection with this document must certify compliance
prior to actual receipt of such funds in a written statement that makes
reference to this document (e.g., ``[Prime recipient's name] certifies
compliance with the section, `Prostitution and Related Activities.' '')
addressed to the agency's grants officer. Such certifications by prime
recipients are prerequisites to the payment of any U.S. Government
funds in connection with this document.
Recipients' compliance with this section, ``Prostitution and
Related Activities,'' is an express term and condition of receiving
U.S. Government funds in connection with this document, and any
violation of it shall be grounds for unilateral termination by HHS of
the agreement with HHS in connection with this document prior to the
end of its term. The recipient shall refund to HHS the entire amount
furnished in connection with this document in the event HHS determines
the recipient has not complied with this section, ``Prostitution and
Related Activities.''
You can find guidance for completing your budget on the HHS/CDC web
site, at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/budgetguide.htm
.
IV.6. Other Submission Requirements
Application Submission Address: HHS/CDC strongly encourages you to
submit electronically at: http://www.grants.gov You will be able to download a copy of the application package from http://www.grants.gov.,
complete it offline, and then upload and submit the application via the
Grants.gov site. We will not accept e-mail submissions. If you are
having technical difficulties in Grants.gov, you may reach them by e-
mail at support@grants.gov, or by phone at 1-800-518-4726 (1-800-
GRANTS). The Customer Support Center is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
HHS/CDC recommends that you submit your application to Grants.gov
early enough to resolve any unanticipated difficulties prior to the
deadline. You may also submit a back-up paper submission of your
application. We must receive any such paper submission in accordance
with the requirements for timely submission detailed in Section IV.3.
of the grant announcement.
You must clearly mark the paper submission: ``BACK-UP FOR
ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION.''
The paper submission must conform to all requirements for non-
electronic submissions. If we receive both electronic and back-up paper
submissions by the deadline, we will consider the electronic version
the official submission.
We strongly recommended that you submit your grant application by
using Microsoft Office products (e.g., Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel,
etc.). If you do not have access to Microsoft Office products, you may
submit a PDF file. You may find directions for creating PDF files on
the Grants.gov Web site. Use of files other than Microsoft Office or
PDF could make your file unreadable for our staff.
OR
Submit the original and two hard copies of your application by mail
or express delivery service to the following address: Technical
Information Management-AA175, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta,
GA 30341.
V. Application Review Information
V.1. Criteria
Applicants must 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. Applicants must submit these measures of
effectiveness with the application, and they will be an element of
evaluation.
We will evaluate your application against the following criteria:
1. Ability to carry out the proposal (30 points) Does the applicant
demonstrate the local experience and capability to achieve the goals of
the project? Do the staff members have appropriate experience? Are the
staff roles clearly defined? Does the applicant currently have the
capacity to reach rural populations?
2. Understanding the national HIV/AIDS response and cultural and
political context in Botswana and fitting into the five-year strategy
and goals of the President's Emergency Plan, as well as the issues,
principles and systems requirements involved in carrying out the
project (30 points)
Does the applicant demonstrate an understanding of the issues,
principles and systems requirements to carry out the project? Does the
applicant demonstrate an understanding of the national cultural and
political context and the technical and programmatic areas covered by
the project? Does the applicant display knowledge of the five-year
strategy and goals of the President's Emergency Plan, such that it can
build on these to develop a comprehensive, collaborative project to
reach underserved populations in Botswana and meet the goals of the
Emergency Plan?
3. Work Plan (20 points)
Does the applicant describe activities that are evidence-based,
realistic, achievable measurable and culturally appropriate in Botswana
to achieve the goals of the Emergency Plan and of the program? Does the
applicant describe strategies that are pertinent and match those
identified in the five-year strategy of the President's Emergency Plan?
4. Management and Accounting Plan (20 points)
Is there a plan to prepare reports, monitor and evaluate
activities, audit expenditures and manage the resources of the program?
5. Budget (not scored)
Is the budget for conducting the program itemized, well-justified
and consistent with the five-year strategy and goals of the President's
Emergency Plan and Emergency Plan activities in Botswana?
V.2. Review and Selection Process
The HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office (PGO) staff will review
applications for completeness, and HHS Global AIDS program will review
them for responsiveness. Incomplete applications and applications that
are non-responsive to the eligibility criteria will not advance through
the review process. Applicants will receive notification 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. All persons who serve on the panel will be external to
the U.S. Government Country Program Office. The panel may include both
Federal and non-Federal participants.
In addition, the following factors could affect the funding
decision:
It is possible for one organization to apply as lead grantee with a
plan that includes partnering with other organizations, preferably
local. Although matching funds are not required, preference will be go
to organizations that can leverage
[[Page 43885]]
additional funds to contribute to program goals.
Applications will be funded in order by score and rank determined
by the review panel. HHS/CDC will provide justification for any
decision to fund out of rank order.
V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
August 31, 2005.
VI. Award Administration Information
VI.1. Award Notices
Successful applicants will receive a Notice of Award (NoA) from the
HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office. The NoA shall be the only
binding, authorizing document between the recipient and HHS/CDC. An
authorized Grants Management Officer will sign the NoA and mail it 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
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-4 HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions.
AR-6 Patient Care.
AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements.
Applicants can find additional information on these requirements on
the HHS/CDC web site at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm
.
You need to include an additional Certifications form from the PHS
5161-1 application in your Grants.gov electronic submission only.
Please refer to http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/PHS5161-1-Certificates.pdf.
Once you have filled out the form, please attach it
to your Grants.gov submission as Other Attachment Forms.
VI.3. Reporting Requirements
You must provide HHS/CDC with an original, plus two hard copies of
the following reports:
1. Interim progress report, due no less than 90 days before the end
of the budget period. The progress report will serve as your non-
competing continuation application, and must 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, including progress against the
numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief for
Botswana.
f. Additional Requested Information.
2. Annual Progress Report and Financial Status Report, no more than
90 days after the end of the budget period.
3. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days
after the end of the project period.
Recipients must mail these reports 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, U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341. Telephone:
770-488-2700.
For program technical assistance, contact: Thierry Roels, Project
Officer, Plot 5348 Ditlhakore Way, Extension 12, Gaborone. Telephone:
(267)-390-1696 Extension 208. E-mail: tbr6@botusa.org.
For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact:
Shirley Wynn, Grants Specialist, CDC Procurement and Grants Office,
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2920 Brandywine Road,
Atlanta, GA 30341. Telephone: 770-488-1515. E-mail: Swynn@cdc.gov.
VIII. Other Information
Applicants can find this and other HHS funding opportunity
announcements on the HHS/CDC Web site, Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov.
Click on ``Funding'' then ``Grants and Cooperative Agreements,'' and on
the Web site of the HHS Office of Global Health Affairs, Internet
address: http://www.globalhealth.gov.
Dated: July 25, 2005.
William P. Nichols,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. 05-15006 Filed 7-28-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P