[Federal Register: August 16, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 157)]
[Notices]
[Page 48135-48143]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16au05-76]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Strengthening Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Private-
Sector Care Networks in the Republic of India as Part of the
President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
Announcement Type: New.
Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-AA058.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.067.
Key Dates: Application Deadline: September 9, 2005.
[[Page 48136]]
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Authority: This program is authorized under Section 301(a) (42
U.S.C. Sections 241 and 2421), as amended, and under Pub. L. 108-25
(United States Leadership against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
Act of 2004) [22 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, and supports programs in more than 100
countries. 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
.
In India, the Emergency Plan seeks to engage both governmental and
non-governmental institutions at all levels to bolster the provision of
care and treatment to HIV-positive people, and to expand prevention
activities to avoid new cases of HIV.
HHS' mission in India is to work with Indian and international
partners to develop, evaluate and support effective implementation of
interventions to prevent HIV and related illnesses, and to improve care
and support of persons with HIV/AIDS. The program aims to build local
capacity and promote in-country leadership and ownership of activities
by focusing on national and local priorities, sharing experiences and
technical information, coordinating activities with other programs, and
using local expertise whenever possible.
Specifically, HHS' mission in India is to accomplish the following:
1. Provide support and training for HIV/AIDS prevention and care in
health care facilities and in the community.
2. Establish training expertise for HIV/AIDS prevention and care
and infrastructure development in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and other
states in India.
3. Strengthen the local and national response to HIV/AIDS in India
through support and collaboration with the National AIDS Control
Organization (NACO), State AIDS Control Societies, Networks of Positive
People, the private, non-governmental and faith-based health sectors,
and others.
Purpose
The purpose of this program is to address the HIV-related health
care needs in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh (the state most
heavily affected by HIV in India, according to Government of India
reports), and, to a lesser extent, in other states in India affected by
the epidemic, by strengthening the existing health care infrastructure
in the private/non-government/faith-based sectors and mobilizing local
institutions to commit to quality HIV-related health care. Through this
cooperative agreement, funds are available to encourage independent
non-government and for-profit care institutions to join together to
form new or improve existing care and training networks. The activities
will initially be concentrated on the south Indian state of Andhra
Pradesh during the first one to two years and could expand into other
Indian states in subsequent years, at the discretion of HHS in India
and the grantee with the approval of the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS
Coordinator.
This competition will select one or more awardees that focus on
Andhra Pradesh, and possibly one or more additional awardees to focus
on other parts of the country, including one or more northern Indian
states in areas in which the HIV epidemic is emerging. Applicants
should clearly define in which State they will initially focus the
activities of this cooperative agreement, and should keep in mind that
scaling up care activities in Andhra Pradesh is our first priority.
Each awardee will seek to improve and expand the clinical care of
persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) within the recipient's
institutions/network of institutions, with a focus on outpatient care.
``Care: includes confidential, voluntary counseling and testing (VCT);
treatment of opportunistic infections (OIs); staging of HIV;
nutritional support; family counseling and support; treatment of
sexually transmitted infections (STIs); treatment with anti-retroviral
therapy (ART), when appropriate and economically feasible; and
prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT).
The activities also follow the five-year strategy of the
President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the three strategies of
the National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention (NCHSTP) of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within HHS:
prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment and care, and surveillance and
infrastructure development. The measurable outcomes of the program will
be in alignment with the goals of HHS/CDC Strategy of the Emergency
Plan and NCHSTP, to reduce HIV transmission and improve care of PLWHAs.
They will also contribute to the goals of the President's Emergency
Plan for AIDS Relief (Emergency Plan), which include the following:
Within five years treat more than two million HIV-infected
persons with effective combination anti-retroviral therapy.
Provide care for ten million HIV-infected and affected
persons, including those orphaned and left vulnerable by HIV/AIDS.
Prevent seven million new infections.
Specific measurable outcomes of this program include, but are not
limited to, routine reporting, which verifies responsible maintenance
of program expenditures and program technical activities and confirms
accountability of U.S. Government funds spent in India.
This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by
HHS/CDC. If applicants propose research, HHS/CDC 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
Awardee activities for this program are as follows:
a. Identify project staffing needs (including administrative,
management and technical staff); hire and train staff.
b. Identify furnishings, fittings, equipment and other fixed-asset
procurement needs of the project and implementing partners, and acquire
through transparent and competitive processes.
c. Within the first three months from the date of the award,
develop a revised and updated strategic plan, to include goals,
objectives, a monitoring plan, an implementation strategy, and a
reporting system.
d. Improve and expand the clinical care of PLWHAs within the
recipient's institutions/network of institutions with a focus on
outpatient care. Care includes: confidential VCT; treatment of OIs;
staging of HIV; nutritional support; family counseling and support;
treatment of STIs; treatment with ART, when appropriate and
economically feasible; and PMTCT.
e. Improve the HIV-related laboratory capacity of the recipient's
institutions/network of institutions. The awardee should develop and
implement a system of sharing expertise or technically difficult
laboratory equipment within the network (and possibly with the medical
community outside of the existing network). An acceptable alternative
could be to organize a cost-efficient system of outsourcing some
laboratory testing to independent quality labs.
f. Improve and expand HIV-related community outreach activities
directly run or sponsored by the recipient's institutions/network of
institutions as a whole. Outreach activities should be
[[Page 48137]]
cost-efficient, effective, feasible, have a wide reach, be culturally
and age-appropriate and be performed in local languages. Community
outreach activities can include primary prevention of HIV; family
counseling of PLWHAs; confidential VCT; STI care and linkages;
voluntary, age-appropriate family planning; nutritional support; ART
support, etc.
g. Develop a functional relationship and linkages to national
level, district level and/or state-level networks of HIV-positive
people, where these positive networks already exist; and help develop
such positive networks where they do not currently exist.
h. Develop and initiate a system for creating the human capacity to
meet the above HIV care and support needs. This includes developing and
implementing plans to increase interest in HIV care; remove any stigma
and discrimination from applicant institutions; and provide ongoing,
innovative hands-on training in local languages to medical personnel
(physicians, nurses, pharmacists, lab technicians, community health
workers, counselors, etc.) and management (institutional leaders,
etc.).
i. Systematically document programmatic activities and
institutional capacities over time. Awardees should use formal
monitoring and evaluation tools, such as asset mapping, community
assessments, and pre/post-evaluation of specific trainings or
interventions, initially and then periodically, as appropriate.
j. Participate in HHS-sponsored meetings and other HIV-related
meetings, conferences and/or workshops, as appropriate.
k. Make use of existing guidelines, curricula and clinical
algorithms developed by the Indian National AIDS Control Organization
(NACO), the World Health Organization (WHO), HHS, the Office of the
U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, the University of Washington
International Training and Education Center for HIV/AIDS (I-TECH), and
others, as appropriate.
l. Create and/or strengthen linkages with Indian federal and state
Government health-care institutions, as appropriate (i.e., State AIDS
Control Societies, primary health care clinics, Departments of Medical
Education, the national/state Tuberculosis (TB) programs, nutrition
support programs, etc.).
m. Formalize the structures and rules of the applicant's networks
of medical care institutions, if required. This includes creating by-
laws, a management/leadership team, developing and/or strengthening
decision-making processes, funding and accounting mechanisms, etc.
n. Provide in-kind support equal to or greater than 15 percent of
the funding granted by HHS in year one, and 25 percent in years 2-5.
o. Provide HHS in India with semi-annual reports, according to
guidelines developed 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. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Review and approve grantee's monitoring and evaluation plan,
including for compliance with the strategic information guidance
established by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
5. Meet on a monthly basis with grantee to assess monthly
expenditures in relation to approved work plan and modify plans as
necessary.
6. Meet on a quarterly basis with grantee to assess quarterly
technical and financial progress reports and modify plans as necessary.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
Additional HHS activities for this program are as follows:
1. Provide input into the development of the overall program
strategy, including collaboration in the selection of key personnel to
be involved in the activities to be performed under this agreement.
2. Define, in collaboration with the grantee(s) and other HHS
partners, the specific geographic reach of the grantee(s) activities,
in consultation with the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
3. Provide clearly defined goals and desired outcomes for
activities; and provide ongoing technical assistance to the recipient,
and its member institutions and external partners in local languages,
if possible. This technical assistance could come directly from HHS
staff or through in-country partners/contractors of the U.S.
Government.
4. Help encourage and strengthen linkages to, and cooperation with,
Indian Federal and State Government institutions and programs.
5. Convene meetings, workshops and consultations between
recipients, with recipients and others (U.S. Government partners, HIV
experts, etc.), as appropriate.
6. Collaborate in the development of a system for record-keeping
and information access.
7. Collaborate in the development of a monitoring and evaluation
system; and provide technical assistance, as
[[Page 48138]]
needed, in the monitoring and evaluation of program activities.
8. Assist, as needed, in appropriate analysis and interpretation of
program evaluation data collected.
9. Provide support in all aspects of the implementation of the
cooperative agreement. This will include, but will not be limited to,
working with the network of institutions to review existing materials
available in local languages for PLWHAs; develop information and
education resources for PLWHAs; etc.
10. Provide and promote liaison and assist in coordinating
activities, as required, between the awardee(s) and the activities to
be performed under this agreement and other HHS and U.S. Government
programs in India in training, care, support, and other activities.
HHS India staff, HHS/CDC Atlanta Staff or U.S. Government partners
may provide technical and administrative/management assistance.
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: $300,000-$750,000 (year one). $300,000-
$1,000,000 (each of years two-five). (This amount is an estimate, and
is subject to availability of funds.)
Approximate Number of Awards: One-four.
Approximate Average Award: $150,000-$300,000 per award. (This
amount is for the first 12-month budget period, and includes direct
costs.)
Floor of Award Range: $150,000.
Ceiling of Award Range: $500,000. (This ceiling is for the first
12-month budget period.)
Anticipated Award Date: September 15, 2005.
Budget Period Length: 12 months.
Project Period Length: Five 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, as determined by the annual review
and approval of Country Operational Plans for the President's Emergency
Plan for AIDS Relief, managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS
Coordinator.
III. Eligibility Information
III.1. Eligible Applicants
Applications may be submitted by for-profit organizations, as well
as public and private non-profit organizations, such as:
Universities
Colleges
Research institutions
Hospitals
Community-based organizations
Faith-based organizations
In addition, eligible applicants will:
Be Indian owned/operated non-governmental organizations;
network, trust or private enterprise.
Have major ongoing organizational activity in the delivery
of quality medical care (and/or the training of medical personnel in
local language).
Have established (or soon to be established) medical care
activities in a minimum of four districts in Andhra Pradesh. If
applying for one of the additional awards outside of Andhra Pradesh,
have established medical care activities in a minimum of four districts
in the Indian state of focus (applicant's choice).
Be committed to ensuring expanded quality HIV medical and
community care services within their network/organization, and to
providing local/state-level leadership in HIV related issues.
Be recognized and respected by the Government of India at
both the national and state levels.
Competition for this cooperative agreement is limited to the types
of organizations listed above because of the uniqueness of the
activities for this project. Awardees must have specific knowledge and
capability to work in urban and rural locations and in multiple and
diverse geographic locations throughout India. The types of
organizations listed above would have direct experience, and on-the-
ground capacity and knowledge, to perform these activities in India.
Competition is limited to agencies that possess the following:
A proven track record in developing and successfully
managing effective and sustainable medical and community care
activities and/or the training of medical personnel in local languages.
Established medical and/or community care activities in
several areas and the experience and ability to effectively link with
other public and private health care institutions/providers to deliver
quality care.
The commitment to establish medical care activities in
several areas and willingness and ability to effectively link with
other health care institutions/providers to deliver quality care.
Extensive knowledge of the Indian public and private
health structure--from the national to the district levels.
Credentials that allow the organization to work legally in
India, and an existing office in one or more critical locations in
India.
Furthermore, a guiding principle of the President's Emergency Plan
for AIDS Relief, which implements assistance for HIV/AIDS in countries
throughout the world, calls for the support and development of local
expertise and capacity so national programs can achieve results and
monitor and evaluate their activities for the long term. Through the
President's Emergency Plan, HHS in India seeks to support and foster
the development of indigenous leadership, which is critical to
developing a sustainable and successful response to the AIDS epidemic
in India. In adherence to these guiding principles, competition for the
cooperative agreement is therefore limited to the organizations listed
above.
III.2. Cost-Sharing or Matching Funds
Applicant must provide direct funds or in-kind services (equipment,
supplies, salaries, etc.) of at least 15 percent of the annual HHS
award for year one, and 25 percent for years two-five. [For example, if
the applicant asked for $100,000 from HHS in the first year and
$300,000 in year two, it must provide at least $15,000 in additional
funds or in-kind services directly to the project in year one, and
$75,000 in year two.]
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 be entered into the review process. You will be
notified 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 be entered into the
review process. We will notify you 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.
Applications that cannot provide supporting documentation
(such as:
[[Page 48139]]
letters, legal documents, etc.) in the appendices will be considered
unresponsive. At a minimum, please provide:
1. Proof of legal status in India.
2. Proof of work in the health sector.
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 you to submit your
application electronically by using the forms and instructions posted
for this announcement at http://www.grants.gov, the official Federal
agency wide E-grant Web site. Only applicants who apply on-line are
permitted to forego 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 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: 1-770-488-2700. 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: 20. 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.
Number all pages of the application sequentially from page
one (Application Face Page) to the end of the application, including
charts, figures, tables, and appendices.
Application must be 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:
1. Executive Summary (one page) to include a brief description of
your organization's strengths and a summary of activities that you are
proposing under this RFA.
2. Narrative (to include four sections as follows):
Section A: Description of your organization, institutions, existing
infrastructure and current scope of activities. Include: details
regarding the specific areas you serve; the assets and deficiencies of
the communities you serve or hope to serve; your organizational
strengths and weaknesses; an overview of your organization's (and/or
member institutions') five year overall strategic plan; and any ongoing
monitoring and evaluation (M&E) or quality improvement efforts. Also
include the following as appendices:
One or more map illustrations outlining the areas you
currently serve and areas you hope to move into in the next two years.
Clearly note on the map where your member institutions are located, as
well as a general category of these institutions (i.e., hospitals,
colleges, clinics, social service centers, etc.).
A single detailed chart listing member institutions. Next
to each unique institution or project site, list the activities being
undertaken there, the number of technical staff (physicians, nurses,
outreach workers, etc.), and any other relevant information concerning
staff. Please provide an estimate of the size of the population being
served by the staff, and anything else you feel is relevant to
understanding your organization.
Section B: Describe your existing or proposed network that is or
will be responsible for overseeing and enacting the HIV-related
activities of this project. Specifically, please describe:
How this network was, or will be, created and maintained.
The scope of work that is conducted, or is proposed to be
conducted, by the network.
The mechanism in which this network makes decisions,
gathers information, and communicates with its member institutions. If
the network is not yet established, the mechanism in which it proposes
to communicate.
The structure of the network (or the proposed network),
including staff (or proposed staff) and other active participants.
The relationship between the network (or proposed network)
leaders/staff and member institutions (i.e., How does the network
influence individual institutions? Has this been effective?).
Any plans on how the network or the proposed network will
be strengthened.
Section C: Describe, in as much detail as possible, your proposed
HIV-related activities and provide a detailed plan that discusses how
you will accomplish and maintain/sustain these activities. Discuss your
long-term vision (years three to five); however, provide detailed
activities of years one to two in the state of Andhra Pradesh and in
other states in India. For years one to two, include information on the
staffing needs associated with this project and your ability to meet
these needs; your training plan; your scale up strategies; and your
current M&E plan, or proposal for developing a focused and efficient
M&E system. Also include information on other HIV-related funding
sources you receive and how these new CDC funds will add to (and not
duplicate) the activities carried out under existing funding sources.
Section D: Describe the commitment of the applicant, member
institutions and other proposed partners to improve the quality and
scope of HIV-related services. Specifically, the applicant should
provide evidence of support by key institutional leaders and field
level staff. Examples of ways to provide such evidence may be included
in the appendices and may include:
A summary of current HIV-related activities and care
within the network or individual institutions.
Letters of support by member institutions, network leaders
and/or outside community groups (attach as appendix number one; NOT to
be included in the 20 page limit).
A detailed description of your proposed in-kind support
for this project.
A summary of any efforts, to date, to collect and analyze
HIV-related data in the communities you serve (i.e., HIV prevalence
data, community needs assessment, asset mapping, VCT data, etc.).
Details can be included as part of appendix number two.
3. Budget and Justification:
A budget and budget justification for the entire project period
should be included. While summary budgets may be provided for years two
through five, a full budget and budget justification for year one must
be included. In the year one budget, the specific overhead costs should
be clear. The applicant should clearly delineate what the CDC, via the
cooperative agreement, will pay for and what the applicant institution
(as part of the in-kind requirement) will pay for.
[[Page 48140]]
The budget and justification will not be counted in the page limit
stated above.
The following information must be included in the application
appendices: Supporting documentation (i.e., letters, legal documents,
etc.) to verify legal status in India and provide proof of work in the
health sector.
You may include additional information in the application
appendices. The appendices will not count toward the narrative page
limit. This additional information may include the following:
Curriculum Vitas and/or Resumes.
Organizational Charts/Maps.
Letters of Support.
A summary of current HIV-related activities and care
programs being carried out within the network or individual
institutions.
Letters of support by member institutions, network leaders
and/or outside community members/organizations.
A detailed description of your proposed in-kind support
for this project.
A summary of any efforts, to date, to collect and analyze
HIV-related data in the communities you serve (i.e., HIV prevalence
data, community needs assessment, asset mapping, VCT data, etc.).
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 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: September 9, 2005.
Explanation of Deadlines: Applications must be received in the HHS/
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 application 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
carrier's guarantee. If the documentation verifies a carrier problem,
HHS/CDC will consider the submission as having been 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: 1-770-488-2700. 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.
Awards will allow recipients reimbursement of pre-award
costs, such as photocopying, fax, postage or delivery charges and
translation.
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 (WHO). Indirect Costs will not be paid (either directly or
through sub-award) to organizations located outside the territorial
limits of the United States 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 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.
Funds received from this announcement will not be used for
the purchase of antiretroviral drugs for treatment of established HIV
infection (with the exception of nevirapine in Prevention of Mother-to-
Child Transmission (PMTCT) cases with prior written approval),
occupational
[[Page 48141]]
exposures, and non-occupational exposures; and will not be used for the
purchase of machines and reagents to conduct the necessary laboratory
monitoring for patient care.
No funds appropriated under this announcement 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 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 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 http://support@grants.gov">http://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 submission. 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 file formats other than Microsoft
Office or PDF may result in your file being 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:
Technical Information Management-CDC-RFA-AA058, CDC Procurement and
Grants Office, 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. The current ability of the applicant and its member institutions
to provide
[[Page 48142]]
high-quality health care and community outreach in local languages to a
significant portion of that state's population and any ongoing
monitoring and evaluation or quality-assurance activities within these
institutions. (25 points).
Does the applicant show, through its' experience and the written
proposal, that it has a firm understanding of health care and community
outreach, along with expertise in the existing systems of health care
delivery and medical training in India? Does the applicant's current
network reach a large segment of the at-risk populations of the state?
2. Strength of applicant's existing or proposed network. (25
points).
Is the network firmly established and credible? Is there evidence
of institutional support for establishing or strengthening their
network? Is the existing or proposed network likely to be maintained
during or beyond the project period? Does the network exhibit value
beyond this project? Does the network have the commitment and interest
to work collaboratively with outside groups and agencies?
3. Quality and feasibility of proposed activities. (25 points).
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 India and meet the goals of
the Emergency Plan? Are the details of the proposed activities (for the
entire project period) clearly presented in the application? While
summary details for years three through five are acceptable, specific
and clearly presented details for years one and two are required. Is
staffing, professional personnel, and leadership in place; if not, is
there a proposed plan to meet staffing needs to carry out the proposed
program? Are program strategies well thought out and clearly defined,
including evidence of innovation and creativity? Is scale up and
sustainability addressed? Is there an effective monitoring and
evaluation plan proposed, or currently in place, and can initial
assessment activities be immediately started?
4. Commitment of the applicant and its member institutions to
improving the quality and scope of HIV-related care. (25 points).
Is there evidence of leadership support and of evidence of current
or past efforts to improve HIV care? Are there letters of support by
outside groups and member organizations? Does the level and quality of
in-kind support reflect a commitment to HIV care by the applicant? Does
the applicant describe a plan to progressively build the capacity of
local organizations and of target beneficiaries and communities to
respond to the epidemic?
5. Budget. (Reviewed, but not scored).
Is the budget for conducting the activity itemized, well-justified,
and consistent with stated activities 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. 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 go to
organizations that can leverage 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:
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-8 Public Health System Reporting Requirements
AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
AR-14 Accounting System Requirements
AR-25 Release and Sharing of Data
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 ed in your Grants.gov electronic submission only.
Refer to: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/PHS5161-1-Certificates.pdf.
Once you have filled out the form, 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.
f. Additional requested information.
2. Financial status report and annual progress report, no more than
90 days after the end of the budget period.
3. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days
after the end of the project period.
4. Annual progress report, due no less than 30 days after the end
of the budget period. This report will include progress to date, plans
for upcoming activities,
[[Page 48143]]
and will report on a specific set of indicators developed in
collaboration with CDC GAP India. This report must be provided to the
CDC GAP office in New Delhi.
These reports must be mailed to the Grants Management Specialist
listed in the ``Agency Contacts'' section of this announcement.
VII. Agency Contacts
We encourage inquiries concerning this announcement.
For general questions, contact: Technical Information Management
Section, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, telephone:
1-770-488-2700.
For program technical assistance, contact: Michael Friedman, MD,
HHS/CDC, Global AIDS Program (India), Country Team, c/o U.S. Consulate
General, 220 Mount Road, Chennai, India 600 006, telephone: 91-44-2811-
2000, e-mail: FriedmanM@gapcdcin.org; or Nancy Hedemark Nay, MPH
(Project Officer), HHS/CDC, Global AIDS Program (India), Country Team,
c/o U.S. Embassy, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, India 110 021,
telephone: 91-11-2419-8000, e-mail: NHN1@cdc.gov.
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: zbx6@cdc.gov.
VIII. Other Information
Applicants can find this and other HHS/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 9, 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. 05-16170 Filed 8-15-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P