[Federal Register: August 11, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 154)]
[Notices]
[Page 46861-46866]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11au05-82]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Total Control of the Epidemic: A Door-to-Door Approach to
Strengthen Community-Based Interventions for HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care
and Treatment in Namibia
Announcement Type: New.
Funding Opportunity Number: AA072.
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. 241 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: The 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 Namibia are to treat at
least 23,000 HIV-infected individuals and care for 115,000 HIV-affected
individuals, including orphans.
Purpose: The purpose of this funding announcement is to
progressively build an indigenous, sustainable response to the national
HIV epidemic through the rapid expansion of innovative, culturally
appropriate, high-quality HIV/AIDS prevention and care interventions,
and improved linkages to HIV counseling and testing and HIV treatment
services targeting rural and other underserved populations in Namibia.
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.
HHS announces the availability of fiscal year (FY) 2005 funds for a
cooperative agreement to implement HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and
treatment in the community in northern Namibia.
The purpose of this announcement is to support the community
response in Namibia to increase its capacity to prevent new HIV
infections and to improve community linkages with available health care
and social services for confidential HIV counseling and testing (CT),
HIV/AIDS care, treatment, and support. The Namibian Ministry of Health
and Social Services (MoHSS) has requested assistance from HHS to
rapidly expand health care and social services within Namibia through a
population-based door-to-door education program known as ``Total
Control of the Epidemic'' (TCE). The TCE approach has been shown to
significantly improve the community response to HIV/AIDS, such as
increases in HIV testing rates in neighboring Botswana. TCE has begun
in the northern regions of Namibia, including the Omusati, Oshana, and
half of the Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions, and this announcement will
extend this unique program to the remaining half of Ohangwena and
Oshikoto regions and the neighboring region of Kavango in 2005. These
five regions account for 54 percent of the Namibia population. Based on
performance and need, it is also anticipated that the TCE program will
be extended to other regions in subsequent years.
HHS/CDC assistance will include: (1) Technical guidance to awardee
personnel by working in close collaboration with the MOHSS to develop
appropriate training materials for field staff in HIV prevention,
including Abstinence (``A''), Being faithful to a partner of known HIV
status (``B''), and for populations engaged in high-risk behaviors [1]
correct and consistent Condom use (``C'') \1\[``A,B,C'' model]; (3) the
benefits of knowing your HIV status and how to access services for CT;
(4) increasing awareness in the community that HIV Confidential
counseling and testing will be more routinely offered in the health-
care setting, e.g., when pregnant, or sick with TB or other HIV-related
conditions; (5) the availability of comprehensive HIV/AIDS care in the
health facilities, including prevention and treatment of opportunistic
infections and anti-retroviral therapy (ART); and (6) the importance of
nutrition and positive living for those infected by HIV.
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\1\ Behaviors that increase risk for HIV transmission include
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.
Awardees may not implement condom social marketing without also
implementing abstinence and faithfulness behavior-change
interventions.
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Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the
numerical performance goals of the President's Emergency Plan and with
the following performance goals of the National Center for HIV,
Sexually Transmitted Disease and Tuberculosis Prevention of the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within HHS: By 2010, work with
other countries, international organizations, the U.S. Department of
State, United States 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 persons 15
to 24 years of age, reducing HIV transmission, and improving care of
persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).
This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by
HHS, including the 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: The recipient of these funds is responsible for
activities in multiple program areas designed to target underserved
populations in northern Namibia. 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.
[[Page 46862]]
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 awardee 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 Namibia 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
awardee 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. Identify, train, compensate, and support field educators from
the community to deliver the TCE program.
2. Collaborate with local, regional, and national government
officials to ensure that activities and approaches are consistent with
national HIV/AIDS policies, the National Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS,
and the five-year strategies and goals of the President's Emergency
Plan.
3. Collaborate with other non-governmental organizations to avoid
duplication, and to improve access of the population within TCE areas
to needed services.
4. Inform and educate the public, including community leaders and
traditional healers, about HIV/AIDS, including age-appropriate
prevention through the ``A,B,C'' model, prevention of mother-to-child
transmission (PMTCT), confidential voluntary counseling and testing
(VCT) and access to care, support, and treatment.
5. Mobilize the communities in Namibia to support and utilize
PMTCT, confidential counseling and testing, and HIV/AIDS care,
including organizing groups for mobile confidential VCT.
6. Provide basic counseling on HIV risk-reduction and positive
living.
7. 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 faith-based
organizations.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
In a cooperative agreement, HHS staff is substantially involved in
the program activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring.
HHS Activities for this program is as follows:
1. Collaborate with the awardee in adapting the TCE approach to the
Namibia cultural and social context, including, but not limited to, the
provision of technical assistance to design program activities and
training materials, quality assurance, monitoring and evaluation, and
providing recommendations.
2. 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.
3. Conduct support visits to work sites in collaboration with the
Ministry of Health and Social Services to promote linkages to health
facilities and services related to voluntary counseling and testing,
prevention of mother-to-child transmission, antiretroviral therapy, TB/
HIV, and palliative HIV/AIDS care.
4. 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. Provide trainers to assist the awardee with training of
staff members and field officers.
5. Monitor project and budget performance. 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.
6. 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.
7. Meet on a monthly basis with awardee to assess monthly
expenditures in relation to approved work plan and modify plans as
necessary.
8. Meet on a quarterly basis with awardee to assess quarterly
technical and financial progress reports and modify plans as necessary.
9. 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.
Fiscal Year Funds: 2005.
Approximate Total Funding: $5,000,000 (This amount is an estimate,
and is subject to availability of funds.)
Approximate Number of Awards: One.
Approximate Average Award: $769,165 (This amount is for the first
12-month budget period.)
Floor of Award Range: $769,165.
Ceiling of Award Range: $2,000,000 (This ceiling is for the first
12-month budget period.)
Anticipated Award Date: September 23, 2005.
Budget Period Length: 12 months.
Project Period Length: Four years.
Throughout the project period, HHS' 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
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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
Funding under this Cooperative Agreement will be used in FY 2005 to
immediately and more efficiently expand the TCE program to reach
underserved populations. Applicants must be able to demonstrate the
ability to deliver TCE in the following geographic areas: The areas of
Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions where TCE has not begun and the
neighboring region of Kavango. Applicants must have the ability to
financially and technically oversee the project and provide
implementation of a large-scale interpersonal communication project and
the ability to collect information, train staff and advocate for the
program in support of the National AIDS Strategic Plan, and to
disseminate personalized communication to support the fight against
HIV/AIDS in the Republic of Namibia.
III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds
Preference will go to organizations that leveraged additional
resources from the Global Fund to contribute to program goals in
Oshana, Omusati, and Oshikoto Regions.
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. We will notify that your 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 state
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 you to submit your
application electronically by using the forms and instructions posted
for this announcement on http://www.grants.gov, the official Federal
agencywide E-grant Web site.
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 you do not have access to the Internet, or if you have
difficulty accessing the forms on-line, you may contact the HHS/CDC
Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section
(PGO-TIM) staff at 770-488-2700. We can 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 paper is ``preferred'' but
customary sized paper used by international organizations will be
accepted.
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.
You must submit the narrative in English
The 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 and Objectives
Project Contribution to the Goals and Objectives of the
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
Work Plan and Description of Project Components and
Activities
Timeline
Staff
Performance Measures
Budget Justification (The budget justification will not be
counted in the 25 page limit).
You may include additional information in the application
appendices. The appendices will not count toward the narrative page
limit. This additional information includes:
Certified copies of letters or notification from the
Global Fund concerning award of funds for Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto,
and Ohangwena regions.
Letters of support from their respective regional offices
and the regional office of Kavango.
Curriculum Vitae of the project director with the
application and describe how Namibian personnel will be integrated into
project management in the interest of capacity-building and
sustainability.
The organization or agency 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/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.''
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 on-line 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
[[Page 46864]]
http://www.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 the 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 the submission after the closing date 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 carrier's guarantee. If the documentation verifies
a carrier problem, HHS/CDC will consider the submission as received by
the deadline.
If you submit hard copy application, HHS/CDC will not notify you
upon receipt of the submission. If you have a question about the
receipt of the application, first contact the carrier. 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 will be
discarded. 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 be taken into account while writing
your budget, are as follows:
Funding to be administered include: Provision of salaries and short
term contracts for technical and support staff needed to scale up TCE
programs in the community to a nation-wide level; funding for the
support infrastructure in terms of office space, equipment, supplies,
transport, communications, and logistics in support of program
activities; funding for training, materials, and supervision in the
field for the staff engaged in HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment
programs.
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 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 standard(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 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
sub-agreements under this award. These provisions must be express terms
and conditions of the sub-agreement, 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
[[Page 46865]]
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 may 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
Electronic Submission
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 the
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 the 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. You may find directions for creating PDF files on the
Grants.gov Web site. Use of file formats other than Microsoft Office or
PDF could make your file unreadable for our staff.
or
Paper Submission
Submit the original and two hard copies of your application by mail
or express delivery service to the following address: Technical
Information Management-AA072, 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. Technical Approach (25 points).
To the extent to which the applicant's proposal includes an overall
design strategy, including measurable time lines, the extent to which
the proposal addresses regular monitoring and evaluation, and the
potential effectiveness of the proposed activities in meeting
objectives.
2. Understanding of the Problem (20 points).
Extent to which the applicant demonstrates a clear and concise
understanding of the nature of the problem described in the Purpose
section of this announcement. This specifically includes description of
the public health importance of the planned activities to be undertaken
and realistic presentation of proposed objectives and projects. Does
the applicant demonstrate understanding of the processes and principles
of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and does
the applicant display a willingness and ability to integrate its
program with activities funded by The Global Fund? 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 Namibia and meet the goals of the Emergency Plan?
3. Ability to Carry Out the Project (20 points).
The extent to which the applicant documents demonstrated capability
to achieve the purpose of the project.
4. Personnel (20 points).
The extent to which professional personnel, including Namibians,
involved in this project are qualified, including evidence of
experience in working with HIV/AIDS, community-based programs, and
monitoring and evaluation.
5. Plans for Administration and Management of Projects (15 points).
Does the applicant demonstrate adequacy of plans for administering
the projects, and does the applicant describe a plan to progressively
build the indigenous capacity of Namibians and of target beneficiaries
and communities to manage various aspects of the project and to respond
to the epidemic?
6. Budget (Reviewed but not scored).
The extent to which the itemized budget for conducting the project,
along with justification, is reasonable and consistent with the five-
year strategy and goals of the President's Emergency Plan, Emergency
Plan activities in Namibia, and stated objectives and planned program
activities.
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.
[[Page 46866]]
Government Country Program Office. The panel may include both Federal
and non-Federal participants.
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
September 23, 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-6 Patient Care
AR-8 Public Health System Reporting Requirements
AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
AR-14 Accounting System Requirements
Applicants can find additional information on the 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
PHS5161-1 application needs 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 the Grants.gov submission as Other Attachments Form.
VI.3. Reporting Requirements
You must provide HHS/CDC with an original, plus two hard copies, of
the following reports:
1. Interim progress reports (annual): a brief, comprehensive
narrative progress report should be submitted no less than 90 days
after 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. Detailed Line-Item Budget.
e. Measures of Effectiveness, including progress against the
numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief for
Namibia.
f. Additional Requested Information.
2. Financial status report due no more than 90 days after the end
of the budget period.
3. Final financial and performance reports, due no more than 90
days after the end of the project period.
4. 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 for
Namibia.
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: Leonard Floyd, Project
Officer, U.S. Department of State, 2540 Windhoek Place, Washington, DC
20521-8320, Telephone: 011 264 61224 149, E-mail: Floydl@nacop.net.
For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact:
Shirley Wynn, Grants Management Specialist, CDC Procurement and Grants
Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2920 Brandywine
Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: (770) 488-1515, E-mail:
SWynn@cdc.gov.
VIII. Other Information
Applicants can find this and other CDC 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. 05-15892 Filed 8-10-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P