[Federal Register: August 11, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 154)]
[Notices]
[Page 46840-46846]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11au05-79]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Capacity-Building Assistance for Global HIV/AIDS Microbiological
Laboratory Program Development Through Technical Assistance
Collaboration
Announcement Type: New.
Funding Opportunity Number: RFA AA012.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.067.
Key Dates:
Application Deadline: September 6, 2005.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Authority: This program is authorized under Sections 301(a) and
307 of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. Sections 241
[[Page 46841]]
and 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.
Purpose: 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.
The purpose of this funding announcement is to build progressively
an indigenous, sustainable response to national HIV epidemics through
the raped expansion of innovative, culturally appropriate, high-quality
HIV/AIDS prevention and care interventions, and to support laboratory
capacity building assistance for HIV/AIDS program development through
technical assistance (TA) as part of President Bush's Emergency Plan
for AIDS Relief. The term ``capacity-building assistance'' means the
provision of information, technical assistance, training, and
technology transfer for individuals and organizations to improve the
delivery and effectiveness of HIV prevention, care and treatment
services and interventions. This includes the delivery of direct HIV
prevention, care or treatment interventions. This program addresses the
goals of the President's Emergency Plan as cited above.
The goals of this funding announcement are to address
microbiological laboratory capacity-building needs in Emergency Plan
countries in two focus areas: (1) Strengthening laboratory
organizational and technical infrastructure, especially as it relates
to clinical microbiology for HIV prevention, care and treatment
programs; and (2) assuring the quality of laboratory testing and HIV
test results by instituting systematic approaches to delivering
clinical microbiology services to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and
care programs.
Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the
performance goals of the President's Emergency Plan and one (or more)
of the following performance goal(s) for the National Center for HIV,
STD and TB Prevention (NCHSTP) within the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) within HHS: Increase the proportion of HIV-
infected people who are linked to appropriate prevention, care and
treatment services; and strengthen the capacity nationwide to monitor
the epidemic, develop and implement effective HIV prevention
interventions, and evaluate prevention programs.
This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by
HHS/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: Either the awardee will implement activities directly
or will implement them 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 U.S. 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. 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 above. For each of these activities, the awardee will give
priority to evidence-based, yet culturally adapted, innovative
approaches.
Capacity-building TA activities covered under this cooperative
agreement are limited to the following:
1. Strengthen microbiological laboratory organizational and
technical infrastructure for HIV prevention, care and treatment
programs in Emergency Plan countries.
a. Provide TA in the laboratory management of HIV prevention, care
and treatment programs. Examples include, but are not limited to:
organizational assessments to determine the needs, resources, readiness
and gaps of organizational infrastructure systems (e.g., governance,
management, administration, personnel, and fiscal); development of
public/private partnership strategies; management information systems
(data management); strategic planning; leadership development; team-
building; human resources management, including staff, management,
retention and training; organizational quality assurance and
monitoring; program marketing and public relations; and cross-cultural
communications.
b. Plan and conduct site visits, conferences and/or meetings for
country public health officials and microbiological laboratory
personnel from countries covered by the President's Emergency Plan for
AIDS Relief.
c. Provide TA and training, to include strategic planning, training
of trainers and development and dissemination of manuals.
2. Assure the quality of laboratory testing and HIV test results by
instituting systematic approaches to delivering clinical microbiology
services to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care programs.
a. Provide TA in the laboratory design of prevention, care and
treatment programs, and in the establishment and/or improvement of
laboratory monitoring and evaluation systems for such programs.
b. Develop and disseminate resource toolkits to National/Regional/
District AIDS Programs in Emergency Plan countries to assist in the
planning, implementation and evaluation of laboratory programs.
c. Modify and/or translate of existing resource materials for use
in multiple GAP countries covered by the President's Emergency Plan.
d. Provide TA to support training activities in microbiological
techniques and procedures covering bacteriology, including
tuberculosis, mycology, parasitology, virology and molecular biology as
it relates to HIV/AIDS prevention and care.
e. Assist in the procurement of equipment to improve
microbiological testing for HIV/AIDS patients in Emergency Plan
countries.
f. Develop a quality-assurance/quality-control program for
microbiological testing for HIV/AIDS that is consistent with other HHS/
CDC laboratory programs.
[[Page 46842]]
g. Provide TA through short- (up to three months), medium- (three
months to nine months), and long-term (greater than nine months)
assignment of experts to help train and mentor local counterparts to
support HIV/AIDS program implementation in Emergency Plan countries.
h. Establish of peer-to-peer TA networks from U.S.-based
microbiology laboratories to sister public and private microbiology
laboratories to optimize similarities and common technical approaches
to providing laboratory support to programs.
i. Develop a system that would allow GAP country laboratory
personnel from Emergency Plan countries to participate in study tours
of appropriate laboratories in the United States.
j. Provide assistance to educational institutions that offer in-
service training of microbiologists in Emergency Plan countries to
improve training programs for new microbiologists.
k. Update and share relevant technical, best practice documents and
approaches (U.S. and international).
l. Support operations research into new microbiology techniques and
services that would feed into HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care
programs.
m. Procure and deliver necessary laboratory equipment and supplies
in support of in-country programs.
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. Provide policy and program information that would guide the
rapid dissemination and implementation of microbiology support to HIV/
AIDS programs in targeted countries, in compliance with guidance
established by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
2. Provide technical advice in the development of systems to
implement HHS policies on microbiology for HIV/AIDS programs.
3. Provide consultation and scientific and technical assistance in
planning, operating, analyzing and evaluating the microbiology
components of HIV prevention, care and treatment laboratory and program
evaluation activities.
4. Disseminate current information, including best practices and
the guidelines established by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS
Coordinator, in all areas of HIV prevention, care and treatment.
5. Monitor progress in achieving the purpose of this program, as
well as project objectives, including for compliance with the strategic
information guidance established by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS
Coordinator.
6. Assist in assessing program operations and in evaluating overall
effectiveness of programs.
7. Organize an orientation meeting with the awardee 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.
8. Review and approve the process used by the awardee 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.
9. Review and approve awardee'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.
10. Review and approve awardee's monitoring and evaluation plan,
including for compliance with the strategic information guidance
established by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
11. Meet on a monthly basis with awardee to assess monthly
expenditures in relation to approved work plan and modify plans as
necessary.
12. Meet on a quarterly basis with awardee to assess quarterly
technical and financial progress reports and modify plans as necessary.
13. Meet on an annual basis with awardee 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.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.
HHS/CDC involvement in this program, and the involvement of the
Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, is listed in the Activities
Section above.
Fiscal Year Funds: 2005.
Approximate Total Funding: $6,000,000 (Note: An estimated $100,000
will be awarded to support core activities each year. The remaining
funding of up to $1,900,000 per year is for the projected country-
specific activities. Country-specific activity requests must receive
funding from country budget allocations and be included in the approved
Country Operational Plans.
Approximate Number of Awards: One or more.
Approximate Average Award: $2,000,000 (This amount is for the first
12-month budget period, and includes direct costs.)
Floor of Award Range: $100,000.
Ceiling of Award Range: $2,000,000.
(This ceiling is for the first 12-month budget period.)
Anticipated Award Date: September 15, 2005.
Budget Period Length: 12 months.
Project Period Length: Four 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 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
Applications may be submitted by:
Public nonprofit organizations.
Private nonprofit organizations.
Universities.
Colleges.
For profit organizations.
Small, minority, women-owned businesses.
Community-based organizations.
Research institutions.
Hospitals.
Faith-based organizations.
Federally recognized Indian tribal governments.
Indian tribes.
Indian tribal organizations.
State and local governments or their Bona Fide Agents
(this includes the
[[Page 46843]]
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin
Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna Islands, American
Samoa, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the
Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau).
Political subdivisions of States (in consultation with
States).
III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching
Matching funds are not required for this program. Although matching
funds are not required, preference will go to organizations that can
leverage additional funds to contribute to program goals.
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:
Applications that are incomplete or non-responsive to the special
requirements listed in this section will not enter into the review
process. We will notify you the application did not meet submission
requirements.
HHS/CDC will consider late applications non-responsive.
See section ``IV.3. Submission Dates and Times'' for more information
on deadlines.
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
5161-1.
Electronic Submission: HHS strongly encourages the applicant to
submit the application electronically by using the forms and
instructions posted for this announcement on http://www.Grants.gov, the
official Federal agency wide E-grant Web site. Only applicants who
apply on-line are permitted to forgo paper copy submission of all
application forms.
Paper Submission: 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 access to the Internet is not available, or if there is
difficulty accessing the forms on-line, contact the HHS/CDC Procurement
and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section (PGO-TIM)
staff at 770-488-2700 and we can mail the application forms to you.
IV.2. Content and Form of Submission
Application: A project narrative must be submitted with the
application forms. You must submit the narrative in the following
format:
Maximum number of pages: 30. 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.
Printed only on one side of page.
Held together only by rubber bands or metal clips; not
bound in any other way.
The narrative should address activities to be conducted over the
entire project period, and must include the following items in the
order listed:
Program Plan. The program plan will include a description
of your program and strategy, objectives, activities and timeline. It
will also describe the program contribution to goals and objectives of
the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
Program and Strategy.
Provide a description of your proposed program and the strategy for
implementation. Include a description of the administrative, financial,
accounting and human resource models used to build organizational
infrastructure capacity of national AIDS programs (e.g., grant writing,
fiscal management, board development, staff and volunteer development
and strategic planning).
Objectives.
What are your objectives for addressing the general and focus area-
specific activities?
Activities.
What are your proposed activities? These activities must relate to
each of the objectives listed above.
Timeline.
Provide a timeline and list staff responsible for implementing
activities in the first year.
Program Experience.
Describe your organization's program experience as it relates to
the proposed activities in this program announcement. Address the
methods that you have used to provide similar services in the past.
Also include an explanation of how funds used in this cooperative
agreement will be used differently, or in ways that will expand upon
programs that are supported with existing or future funds. Address your
organization's experience and capacity to provide technical assistance
that responds effectively to the cultural and linguistic
characteristics of your recipients. In answering this question,
describe the types of services provided and list any culturally and
linguistically appropriate curricula and materials that your
organization has adapted or developed.
Management Plan and Organizational Structure.
Describe your management and staffing plan to conduct or support
the essential components of this cooperative agreement. Include an
organizational chart that reflects the current management structure and
a description of the roles, responsibilities and relationships of all
staff supported through this cooperative agreement. Provide resumes of
all key staff to demonstrate their qualifications (include in the
appendix).
Measures of Effectiveness.
These 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 of this
cooperative agreement.
Budget and Budget Justification (not included in page
limit).
Include a detailed and justified budget required to accomplish the
objectives. If you are requesting indirect costs in your budget, you
must include a copy of your approved indirect cost rate agreement. If
your indirect cost rate is a provisional rate, the agreement must have
been negotiated within the last 12 months. Justify all operating
expenses in relation to the planned activities and stated objectives.
CDC may not fund or approve all proposed activities. Be precise about
the program purpose of each budget item, and itemize calculations
wherever appropriate.
The following information should be included in the application
appendices, if relevant. The appendices will not be counted toward the
narrative page limit. This additional information includes:
Curriculum Vitaes/Resumes.
Organizational Charts.
A list of culturally and linguistically appropriate
materials that are available and are currently being delivered.
A description of funding from other sources (federal,
state, local, private, etc.) to conduct similar activities. This should
include a summary of current funds received with the name of the
sponsoring organization/source of
[[Page 46844]]
income, level of funding, description of how funds have been used and
budget period. Identify proposed personnel who will conduct and oversee
the activities of this project and all funding sources supporting these
individuals (include their roles and responsibilities).
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 CDC Web site at: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/
funding/grantmain.htm. If the application form does not have a DUNS
number field, please write the DUNS number at the top of the first page
of the application, and/or include the DUNS number in the application
cover letter.
Additional requirements that could require submittal of additional
documentation with the application are listed in section ``VI.2.
Administrative and National Policy Requirements.''
IV.3. Submission Dates and Times
Application Deadline Date: September 6, 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.
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 take 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 HHS/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, HHS/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 HHS/CDC funds
(program-specific audit) by a U.S.-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 HHS/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
[[Page 46845]]
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 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 (1-800-518-
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-AA012, 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 evaluation the application against the following criteria:
1. Program Plan (40 points).
a. Are the program and strategy based on sound reasoning or
evidence, and do they match the five-year strategy and goals of the
President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief? (10 points)
b. Does the applicant demonstrate an understanding of the national
cultural and political context and the technical and programmatic areas
covered by the project? (5 points)
c. Does the applicant display knowledge of the five-year strategy
and goals of the President's Emergency Plan? (5 points)
d. Are the proposed program objectives specific, measurable,
achievable, culturally appropriate and time-phased? (5 points)
e. What is the likelihood that the proposed program activities will
accomplish the proposed program objectives and contribute to the
achievement of the numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan?
(10 points)
f. Is the proposed timeline feasible? (5 points)
2. Program Experience (20 points).
Is the applicant's program experience relevant to the provision of
the services it intends to provide? Does the applicant demonstrate the
local experience and capability to achieve the goals of the project?
3. Organizational Capacity (20 points).
Does the applicant demonstrate current organizational capacity to
provide the services that they intend to provide, including the ability
to provide trainers fluent in the local languages of the targeted
countries?
4. Evaluation Monitoring Plan (20 points).
Is the evaluation/monitoring plan feasible and does it address the
required target goals, process and outcome data
[[Page 46846]]
collection, analysis and reporting activities consistent with the
guidelines established by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS
Coordinator?
5. Budget and Justification (Reviewed, but not scored).
Is the budget itemized, well-justified and consistent with the
five-year strategy and goals of the President's Emergency Plan and
Emergency Plan activities in targeted countries?
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.
V.3. Anticipated Award Date
September 15, 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 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-4 HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions.
AR-5 HIV Program Review Panel Requirements.
AR-7 Executive Order 12372.
AR-8 Public Health System Reporting Requirements.
AR-14 Accounting System Requirements.
AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status.
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 (in English and French):
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.
f. Additional Requested Information.
2. Annual progress report, due no more than 60 days after the end
of the budget period. Reports should include progress against the
numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
3. Financial status report, due no more than 90 days after the end
of the budget period.
4. 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 or
Contract 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: Sherry Orloff, Project
Officer, HHS/CDC/NCHSTP/GAP, 1600 Clifton Road, NE. (MS-E30), Atlanta,
GA 30333, Telephone: (404) 639-8838, E-mail: SOrloff@cdc.gov.
For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact:
Diane Flournoy, Grants Management Specialist, CDC Procurement and
Grants Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2920
Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: 770-488-2072, E-mail:
dmf6@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: August 5, 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. 05-15879 Filed 8-10-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P