[Federal Register: August 16, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 157)]
[Notices]
[Page 48143-48149]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16au05-77]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Strengthening the Delivery of Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Prevention,
Care, Support, and Treatment in the Republic of Ethiopia as Part of the
President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
Announcement Type: New.
Funding Opportunity Number: AA119.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.067.
Dates: Application Deadline: September 9, 2005.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Authority: This program is authorized under Sections 307 and
317(k)(2) of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C Sections 242l and
247b(k)(2)], as amended and under Public Law 108-25 (United States
Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003) [22
U.S.C. 7601].
Purpose: 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 Ethiopia are to treat at
least 210,000 HIV-infected individuals; and care for 1,050,000 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,
increase and strengthen the role of PLWHA in prevention, care, and
treatment activities and improved linkages to HIV counseling and
testing and HIV treatment to target rural and other underserved
populations in Ethiopia.
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 focuses on two or three major program areas in each country.
Goals and priorities include the following:
Achieving primary prevention of HIV infection through
activities such as expanding confidential counseling and testing
programs, building programs to reduce mother-to-child transmission, and
strengthening programs to reduce transmission via blood transfusion and
medical injections.
Improving the care and treatment of HIV/AIDS, sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs) and related opportunistic infections by
improving STD management; enhancing care and treatment of opportunistic
infections, including tuberculosis (TB); and initiating programs to
provide anti-retroviral therapy (ART).
Strengthening the capacity of countries to collect and use
surveillance data and manage national HIV/AIDS programs by expanding
HIV/STD/TB surveillance programs and strengthening laboratory support
for surveillance, diagnosis, treatment, disease-monitoring and HIV
screening for blood safety.
This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by
HHS, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If
an applicant proposes research activities, HHS will not review the
application. For the definition of research, please see the HHS/CDC web
site at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/ads/opspoll1.htm
.
Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with one
(or more) of the following performance goal(s) for the numerical goals
of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and HHS/CDC National
Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention (NCHSTP): 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.
Activities: The recipient of these funds is responsible for
activities in multiple program areas designed to target underserved
populations in Ethiopia. Either the awardee will
[[Page 48144]]
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 Global AIDS
Coordinator. The awardee must show a measurable progressive
reinforcement of the capacity of indigenous organizations and local
communities to respond to the national HIV epidemic, as well as
progress towards the sustainability of activities.
Applicants should describe activities in detail as part of a four-
year action plan (U.S. Government Fiscal Years 2005-2008 inclusive)
that reflects the policies and goals outlined in the five-year strategy
for the President's Emergency Plan.
The grantee will produce an annual operational plan in the context
of this four-year plan, which the U.S. Government Emergency Plan team
on the ground in Ethiopia will review as part of the annual Emergency
Plan for AIDS Relief Country Operational Plan review and approval
process managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. The
grantee may work on some of the activities listed below in the first
year and in subsequent years, and then progressively add others from
the list to achieve all of the Emergency Plan performance goals, as
cited in the previous section. HHS/CDC, under the guidance of the U.S.
Global AIDS Coordinator, will approve funds for activities on an annual
basis, based on documented performance toward achieving Emergency Plan
goals, as part of the annual Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country
Operational Plan review and approval process.
Specific awardee activities for this program are as follows:
1. Conduct needs assessment to determine risk factors, target
behaviors, barriers, facilitators, reinforcement mechanisms,
communication channels, availability of services, family demographics/
situations, etc. to inform the development prevention, care and
treatment programs among people living with HIV/AIDS.
2. Develop/adapt or organize tools such as operations manuals,
training manuals, and guidelines in the areas of, prevention of mother-
to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, confidential voluntary counseling
and testing (VCT), sexually transmitted infections (STI), tuberculosis
(TB), laboratory, and other technical areas as deemed appropriate for
provision of interventions, trainings, and targeted monitoring and
evaluations.
3. Institute the needed administrative and functional arrangements
to coordinate the day-to-day activity of the project to guarantee
effectiveness, efficiency, transparency and accountability.
4. Organize and procure necessary equipment and supplies in a
transparent and competitive process, and coordinate services, trainings
in local languages and targeted monitoring and evaluations.
5. Provide trainings on counseling and home-based care to PLWHA to
improve the provision of care at the community level.
6. Establish self'care and anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment
information resource center/section within the network of people living
with HIV/AIDS to update members on current development including in ARV
treatment.
7. Establish peer-support system among the network of people living
with HIV/AIDS to facilitate health-seeking behavior and adherence to
ARV treatment.
8. Engage PLWHA to closely work with public and private health
facilities to strengthen adherence to care and treatment, including ARV
drug adherence, such as linkage of health facilities to community/
household activities.
9. Undertake activities geared towards prevention among HIV
positives by following the ``ABC'' (Abstinence; Be faithful; and, for
populations engaged in high-risk behavior,\1\ correct and consistent
condom use) strategies and prevention and control of sexually
transmitted infections. Awardees may not implement condom social
marketing without also implementing abstinence and faithfulness
behavior change interventions.
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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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10. Conduct culturally and age-appropriate workshops, seminars and
popularization events in local languages related to HIV/AIDS
prevention, control, and treatment.
11. Conduct targeted monitoring and evaluations of projects and in
identified priority areas that require evidence for perusal in programs
implementation, according to the strategic information guidance
established by the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
Administration
Winning applicants must 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.) Winning applicants must 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 it 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
[[Page 48145]]
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.
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.
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: $1,250,000 (This amount is an estimate,
and is subject to availability of funds).
Approximate Number of Awards: One.
Approximate Average Award: $250,000 (This amount is for the first
12-month budget period, and includes direct costs).
Floor of Award Range: None.
Ceiling of Award Range: $250,000.
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, managed by the U.S. Global
AIDS Coordinator.
III. Eligibility Information
III.1. Eligible Applicants
Public and private non-profit and for-profit organizations may
submit applications, such as:
Public, non-profit organizations.
Private, non-profit organizations.
For-profit organizations.
Small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses.
Colleges.
Universities.
Hospitals.
Community-based organizations.
Faith-based organizations.
In addition, applicants must meet the criteria listed below:
1. Be indigenous to Ethiopia.
2. Have the ability, and credibility to support culturally and age-
appropriate prevention, care, support, and treatment activities by
PLWHA in local languages at the community and facility level.
3. Documented experience in working with national and regional/
local PLWHA associations and support groups.
4. Experience working with the Ethiopian Government, international
organizations and community- and faith-based groups societies in the
prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia.
III.2. Cost-Sharing or Matching Funds
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 you request a funding amount greater than the ceiling of the
award range, HHS/CDC will consider your application non-responsive, and
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 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.
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.
HHS strongly encourages you to submit your application
electronically by using the forms and instructions posted for this
announcement at http://www.grants.gov.
Application forms and instructions are available on the HHS/CDC Web
site, at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm
.
If you do not have access to the Internet, or if you have
difficulty accessing the forms on-line, you may contact the 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.
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.
All pages should be numbered.
Your 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:
Project Context and Background (Understanding and Need).
Project Strategy--Description and Methodologies.
Project Goals.
Project Outputs.
Project Contribution to the Goals and Objectives of the
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
Work Plan and Description of Project Components and
Activities.
Performance Measures.
Timeline (e.g., GANNT Chart).
Management of Project Funds and Reporting.
You may include additional information in the application
appendices. The appendices will not count toward the narrative page
limit. This additional information includes the following:
Project Budget and Justification.
Curriculum vitae of current staff who will work on the
activity.
Job descriptions of proposed key positions to be created
for the activity.
Quality-Assurance, Monitoring-and-Evaluation, and
Strategic-Information Forms.
Applicant's Corporate Capability Statement.
[[Page 48146]]
Letters of Support.
Evidence of Legal Organizational Structure.
Applicants must provide documentation that substantiates
their well-developed management and financial controls and ability to
implement HIV activities with reach to rural areas of Ethiopia. Such
proof could include, but is not limited to, annual, financial, and
audit reports, etc.
The budget justification will not count in the narrative page
limit.
Although the narrative addresses activities for the entire project,
the applicant should provide a detailed budget only for the first year
of activities, while addressing budgetary plans for subsequent years.
You must have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System
(DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative agreement from the
Federal Government. The DUNS number is a nine-digit identification
number, which uniquely identifies business entities. Obtaining a DUNS
number is easy, and there is no charge. To obtain a DUNS number, access
http://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-5711. For more information, see the HHS/CDC Web site at: http://
http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/pubcommt.htm. If your application form does
not have a DUNS number field, please write your DUNS number at the top
of the first page of your application, and/or include your DUNS number
in your application cover letter.
Additional requirements that could require you to submit additional
documentation with your application are listed in section ``VI.2.
Administrative and National Policy Requirements.''
IV.3. Submission Dates and Times
Application Deadline Date: 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 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.
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.
Funds may be spent for reasonable program purposes,
including personnel, training, travel, supplies and services. Equipment
may be purchased and renovations completed 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 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) relating
to the management of sub-grants to local organizations and improving
their capacity.
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, to review the applicant's business management
and fiscal capabilities regarding the handling of U.S. Federal funds.
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,
[[Page 48147]]
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: 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--AA119, 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.
An objective review panel appointed by HHS will evaluate each
application against the following criteria:
1. Plans for Administration and Management of the Project (30 Points)
Does the applicant provide a clear plan for the administration and
management of the proposed activities, to manage the resources of the
program, prepare reports, monitor and evaluate activities and audit
expenditures?
2. Technical and Programmatic Approach (20 Points)
Does the applicant's proposal demonstrate an understanding of how
to develop, promote, implement, monitor and evaluate activities listed
above? Does the applicant describe strategies that are pertinent and
match those identified in the five-year strategy of the President's
Emergency Plan and activities that are evidence-based, realistic,
achievable, measurable and culturally appropriate in Ethiopia to
achieve the goals of the Emergency Plan?
3. Ability To Carry Out the Project (20 Points)
Does the applicant demonstrate the local experience and capability
to achieve the goals of the project?
[[Page 48148]]
4. Personnel (20 Points)
Are staff involved in this project qualified to perform the tasks
described? CVs provided should include information that they are
qualified to perform HIV/AIDS, prevention, care, support and treatment
activities in the local languages? Are the staff roles clearly defined?
Are professional personnel involved in this project qualified,
including evidence of experience in working with HIV/AIDS, sexually
transmitted infections, and tuberculosis?
5. Understanding the Problem (10 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 Ethiopia and meet the goals
of the Emergency Plan? Does the applicant demonstrate a clear and
concise understanding of the general AIDS epidemic situation, the
policy environment and current training and research needs in Ethiopia?
6. Budget (Not Scored)
Is the itemized budget for conducting the project is reasonable and
well-justified? 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 Ethiopia?
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 in Ethiopia. The panel can
include both Federal and non-Federal participants.
In addition, the following factors could affect the funding
decision:
It is possible for one organization to apply as lead grantee with a
plan that includes partnering with other organizations, preferably
local. Although matching funds are not required, preference will be go
to organizations that can leverage 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-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).
1. Interim progress report, due no less than 90 days before the end
of the budget period. The progress report will serve as your non-
competing continuation application, and must contain the following
elements:
a. Current Budget Period Activities Objectives.
b. Current Budget Period Financial Progress.
c. New Budget Period Program Proposed Activity Objectives.
d. Budget.
e. Measures of Effectiveness, including progress against the
numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief for
Ethiopia.
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 for
Ethiopia.
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: Tadesse Wuhib, MD, MPH,
Country Director, HHS/CDC-Ethiopia, P.O. Box 1014, Entoto Road, Addis
Ababa. Telephone: (Office) 251-1-66-95-33; (Cell) 251-9-228543. E-mail
address: wuhibt@etcdc.com.
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 HHS funding opportunity
[[Page 48149]]
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. 05-16173 Filed 8-15-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P