[Federal Register: August 16, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 157)]
[Notices]
[Page 48149-48155]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16au05-78]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Rapid Expansion of Access to HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care, and
Treatment Interventions in the Underserved Northern and Western Regions
of the Republic of C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire Under the President's Emergency
Plan for AIDS Relief
Announcement Type: New.
Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-AA070.
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
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. The initiative aims to: treat more than
two million HIV-infected people with effective combination anti-
retroviral therapy (ART) 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/cll11652.htm.
Over the same time period, as part of a collective national
response, the Emergency Plan goals specific to C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire are
to treat at least 77,000 HIV-infected individuals; care for 385,000
HIV-affected individuals, including orphans; and prevent 265,000 new
HIV infections.
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,
improved linkages to confidential HIV counseling and testing (CT),
prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT), and HIV
treatment services that target underserved populations, prioritizing
those in the northern and western regions of C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire, where
health care has been disrupted since a 2002 armed rebellion, and
remains difficult because of the ongoing politico-military crisis.
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.
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 the
numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan and the following
performance goals for the National Center for HIV, STD, and TB
Prevention (NCHSTP) of CDC, within HHS: By 2010, work with other
countries, international organizations, the U.S. Department of State,
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and other partners
to achieve the United National General Assembly Special Session on HIV/
AIDS goal of reducing prevalence among persons 15 to 24 years of age.
The goals of the Emergency Plan include the following:
A. Prevention
Number of individuals trained to provide HIV prevention
interventions [Abstinence and Be Faithful (A/B); and for populations
engaged in high-risk behavior,\1\ correct and consistent condom use;
other prevention; PMTCT].
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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.
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1. Abstinence (A) and Be Faithful (B)
a. Number of community outreach and/or mass-media (radio) HIV/AIDS
prevention programs that are A/B focused.
b. Number of individuals reached through community outreach and/or
mass-media (radio) HIV/AIDS prevention programs that are A/B focused.
2. PMTCT
a. Number of service outlets that provide the minimum package of
PMTCT services (i.e., confidential antenatal counseling and testing
(CT); anti-retroviral prophylaxis; nutritional guidance; and support,
with links to voluntary family planning and supportive basic social
services).
b. Number of pregnant women provided with PMTCT, including
confidential CT.
c. Number of pregnant women provided with a complete course of
anti-retroviral prophylaxis in a PMTCT setting.
d. Number of health workers newly trained or retrained in the
provision of PMTCT.
B. Care and Support
1. Confidential Counseling and Testing (CT)
a. Number of CT service outlets that provide CT.
b. Number of clients who receive CT.
c. Number of people trained in CT.
2. Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)
a. Number of service outlets/programs.
b. Number of clients (OVC) served.
c. Number of persons trained in caring for OVC.
3. Palliative Care: Basic Health Care and Support
a. Number of service outlets/programs that provide general HIV-
related palliative care.
b. Number of service outlets/programs that provide malaria care
and/or referral.
[[Page 48150]]
c. Number of clients served with general HIV-related palliative
care.
d. Number of persons trained to provide general HIV-related
palliative care.
C. HIV Treatment With Anti-Retrovirals (ARV)
1. Number of clients served.
2. Number of persons trained in HIV treatment.
D. Strategic Information
Number of persons trained in strategic information, according to
guidance produced by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
E. Expanded Indigenous Sustainable Response
Project-specific quantifiable milestones will be required to
measure:
1. Indigenous capacity-building.
2. Progress toward sustainability.
Activities: The recipient of these funds is responsible for
activities in multiple HIV-related program areas designed to target
underserved populations in the northern and western regions of
C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire. 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.
The grantee will expand comprehensive HIV prevention and care,
including: behavior-change communication (BCC); provision of supportive
and palliative care to OVC and HIV affected families; and provision of/
or linkages to PMTCT, CT and HIV treatment through health care centers,
local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based-
organizations (CBOs) and/or faith-based organizations (FBOs), with a
measurable and progressive reinforcement of the capacity of local
structures to implement and sustain 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
C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire 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 in this
announcement 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.
Based on its competitive advantage and proven field experience, the
winning applicant will undertake a broad range of activities to meet
the numerical Emergency Plan targets outlined in this announcement. For
each of these activities, the grantee will give priority to evidence-
based, yet culturally adapted, innovative approaches including:
1. Assisting governmental and non-governmental structures,
financially and/or technically, to re-establish and/or reinforce a
range of prevention and palliative care interventions provided to
persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and their families in the regions
where health care has been disrupted; and providing care, supported
through a combination of technical assistance with capacity-building,
and of small- to medium-size grants to local community- and faith-based
organizations.
2. Implementation of BCC interventions, in partnership with local
organizations (CBOs/NGOs/FBOs), journalist and artist networks, and
traditional and elected authorities, in the geographic regions
targeted, by building on existing tools and strategies. Interventions
will respect and reflect local cultural and religious mores, and will
aim to reduce HIV-related stigma; promote HIV testing as part of a
comprehensive BCC strategy to reduce HIV transmission and as a routine
part of medical care; and improve care, support, and treatment for
PLWHA and family members, highly vulnerable youth, military, ex-
combatants and other vulnerable populations. Evidence-based approaches
will be used, which can include peer education, targeted condom social
marketing to populations engaged in high-risk behavior,\2\ and
networking with links to HIV-related care and treatment. Awardees may
not implement condom social marketing without also implementing the
abstinence and faithfulness behavior-change interventions outlined
above.
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\2\ 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.
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3. Progressively build capacity members of AIDS service
organizations (ASO) in program and financial management, monitoring and
evaluation, resource mobilization, and/or the provision of community/
home-based palliative care and anti-retroviral treatment.
4. Comply with all HHS/CDC management requirements for meeting
participation and progress and financial reporting for this cooperative
agreement. (See HHS/CDC activities and Reporting sections below for
details.)
Administration
Willing 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 to brief the grantee 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 or post-award sub-contractors 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.
[[Page 48151]]
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 with grantee, as necessary, to assess quarterly technical
and financial progress reports and modify plans as necessary.
6. 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 Global AIDS Coordinator.
7. Provide technical assistance, as mutually agreed upon and
revised annually, during validation of the first and subsequent annual
work plans. This can include expert technical assistance and targeted
training activities in specialized areas, such as: strategic
information; project management; confidential counseling and testing;
palliative care; orphans and vulnerable children (OVC); treatment
literacy; and adult learning techniques.
8. 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.
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: $5,000,000.
(This amount is an estimate for the entire four-year project period,
and is subject to availability of funds.)
Approximate Number of Awards: One.
Approximate Average Award: $1,000,000.
(This amount is for the first 12-month budget period, and includes
direct costs.)
Floor of Award Range: $500,000.
Ceiling of Award Range: $1,000,000. (This ceiling is for the first
12-month budget period and is subject to the availability of funds.)
Anticipated Award Date: September 15, 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 Emergency Plan for AIDS
Relief review and approval process for Country Operational Plans,
managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
III. Eligibility Information
III.1. Eligible applicants
Public and private non-profit and for-profit organizations may
submit applications, such as:
Public, non-profit organizations.
Private, non-profit organizations.
For-profit organizations.
Small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses.
Universities.
Colleges.
Hospitals.
Community-based organizations.
Faith-based organizations.
While both U.S.-based and Ivorian organizations are eligible to
apply, we will give preference to well-established Ivorian
organizations, legally incorporated in Cote d'Ivoire, that have well-
developed management and financial control systems and established HIV
activities that reach to rural areas of that country.
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 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 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.
Applicants may be U.S.-based or Ivorian, but we will give
preference to existing organizations legally incorporated in Cote
d'Ivoire with well-developed management and financial control and
established HIV activities with reach to the northern and western
regions of Cote d'Ivoire.
Applicant must provide documentation that substantiates
eligibility criteria. Such proof could include, but is not limited to,
official documents that describe legal organizational status, annual,
financial, and audit reports, etc.
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 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:
[[Page 48152]]
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.
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., Henry L. Gantt 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.
Project Budget Notes.
Curriculum Vitas (copies from current staff who will work
on the activity).
Job Descriptions (summaries of proposed key positions to
be created for the activity).
Quality-Assurance, Monitoring-and-Evaluation and
Strategic-Information Forms.
Applicant's Corporate Capability Statement.
Letters of Support.
Evidence of Legal Organizational Structure.
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 and broad line items for the other project
period years.
You must have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System
(DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative agreement from the
Federal government. The DUNS number is a nine-digit identification
number, which uniquely identifies business entities. Obtaining a DUNS
number is easy, and there is no charge. To obtain a DUNS number, access
http://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-5711. For more information, see the HHS/CDC Web site at: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/
funding/pubcommt.htm.
If your application form does not have a DUNS number field, please
write your DUNS number at the top of the first page of your
application, and/or include your DUNS number in your application cover
letter.
Additional requirements that could require you to submit additional
documentation with your application are listed in section ``VI.2.
Administrative and National Policy Requirements.''
IV.3. Submission Dates and Times
Application Deadline Date: 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.
Applications may be submitted 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, 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 of: (1) Carrier error,
when the carrier accepted the package with a guarantee for delivery by
the closing date and time, or (2) significant weather delays or natural
disasters, you will have the opportunity to submit documentation of the
carriers guarantee. If the documentation verifies a carrier problem,
HHS/CDC will consider the submission as received by the deadline.
If you submit a hard copy application, HHS/CDC will not notify you
upon receipt of your submission. If you have a question about the
receipt of your application, first contact your courier. If you still
have a question, contact the PGO-TIM staff at (770) 488-2700. Before
calling, please wait two to three days after the submission deadline.
This will allow time for us to process and log submissions.
This announcement is the definitive guide on application content,
submission address, and deadline. It supersedes information provided in
the application instructions. If your submission does not meet the
deadline above, it will not be eligible for review, and we will discard
it. We will notify you that you did not meet the submission
requirements.
IV.4. Intergovernmental Review of Applications
Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program.
IV.5. Funding Restrictions
Restrictions, which you must take into account while writing your
budget, are as follows:
Funds may not be used for research.
Reimbursement of pre-award costs is not allowed.
Funds may be spent for reasonable program purposes,
including personnel, travel, supplies, and services. Equipment may be
purchased if deemed necessary to accomplish program objectives;
however, prior approval by HHS/CDC Cote d'Ivoire 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
[[Page 48153]]
(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, 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 and with prior written approval),
occupational 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 act shall be used to
carry out any program of distributing sterile needles or syringes for
the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug.
Prostitution and Related Activities
The U.S. Government is opposed to prostitution and related
activities, which are inherently harmful and dehumanizing, and
contribute to the phenomenon of trafficking in persons.
Any entity that receives, directly or indirectly, U.S. Government
funds in connection with this document (``recipient'') cannot use such
U.S. Government funds to promote or advocate the legalization or
practice of prostitution or sex trafficking. Nothing in the preceding
sentence shall be construed to preclude the provision to individuals of
palliative care, treatment, or post-exposure pharmaceutical
prophylaxis, and necessary pharmaceuticals and commodities, including
test kits, condoms, and, when proven effective, microbicides.
A recipient that is otherwise eligible to receive funds in
connection with this document to prevent, treat, or monitor HIV/AIDS
shall not be required to endorse or utilize a multisectoral approach to
combating HIV/AIDS, or to endorse, utilize, or participate in a
prevention method or treatment program to which the recipient has a
religious or moral objection. Any information provided by recipients
about the use of condoms as part of projects or activities that are
funded in connection with this document shall be medically accurate and
shall include the public health benefits and failure rates of such use.
In addition, any recipient must have a policy explicitly opposing
prostitution and sex trafficking. The preceding sentence shall not
apply to any ``exempt organizations'' (defined as the Global Fund to
Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the World Health Organization and
its six Regional Offices, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative or
to any United Nations agency).
The following definition applies for purposes of this clause:
Sex trafficking means the recruitment, harboring,
transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of
a commercial sex act. 22 U.S.C. 7102(9).
All recipients must insert provisions implementing the applicable
parts of this section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities,'' in all
subagreements under this award. These provisions must be express terms
and conditions of the subagreement, must acknowledge that compliance
with this section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities,'' is a
prerequisite to receipt and expenditure of U.S. Government funds in
connection with this document, and must acknowledge that any violation
of the provisions shall be grounds for unilateral termination of the
agreement prior to the end of its term. Recipients must agree that HHS
may, at any reasonable time, inspect the documents and materials
maintained or prepared by the recipient in the usual course of 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 off-line, 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 customer support 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
transmission: ``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 recommend 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
[[Page 48154]]
express delivery service to the following address: Technical
Information Management Section--AA070, 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. Understanding the National HIV/AIDS Response and Cultural and
Political Context in C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire and Fitting Into the Five-Year
Strategy and Goals of the President's Emergency Plan (30 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 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 Cote d'Ivoire and meet the goals of
the Emergency Plan?
2. Capacity Building (20 Points)
Does the applicant describe a plan to progressively build the
indigenous capacity of local organizations, and of target beneficiaries
and communities, to respond to the epidemic, such that, if the
applicant is not an Ivorian organization, at the end of the project
period the applicant can turn over management of the project to a local
partner or partners?
3. Ability To Carry Out the Proposal (20 Points)
Does the applicant demonstrate the local experience and capability
to achieve the goals of the project? Do the staff members have
appropriate experience? Are the staff roles clearly defined? Does the
applicant currently have the capacity to reach northern and western
regions of Cote d'Ivoire despite the complex political situation?
4. Work Plan (15 Points)
Does the applicant describe strategies that are pertinent and
matched by 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 Cote
d'Ivoire to achieve the goals of the Emergency Plan?
5. Management Plan (15 Points)
Is there a plan to manage the resources of the program, prepare
reports, monitor and evaluate activities, and audit expenditures?
6. (Not Scored)
Is the budget itemized, well-justified and consistent with the
five-year strategy and goals of the President's Emergency Plan and
Emergency Plan activities in Cote d'Ivoire? Is the overhead less than
10% of the total budget (including salaries, supplies, rent, and
management fees) or less than 5 percent (excluding salaries, rent,
office supplies and management fees)?
V.2. Review and Selection Process
The HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office (PGO) staff will review
applications for completeness, and the 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 applications 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 Cote d'Ivoire. The panel
can include both Federal and non-Federal participants.
In addition, the following factors could affect the funding
decision:
While U.S.-based organizations are eligible to apply, we will give
preference to existing national/Ivorian organizations. 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
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-8 Public Health System Reporting Requirements
AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
AR-14 Accounting System Requirements
AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status
AR-21 Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Business
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
[[Page 48155]]
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
C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire.
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
C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire.
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
Specialist listed in the ``Agency Contacts'' section of this
announcement. Copies of the reports must also be submitted to the
Project Management Officer at the HHS/CDC Country Office in Cote
d'Ivoire.
Please note: The grantee is responsible for accurate translation
of all reports, and should submit French-language versions to the
local HHS/CDC office in Abidjan and English-language versions to the
HHS/CDC Grants Office in the U.S., by the established deadlines. See
the HHS/CDC project management officer in Abidjan for more details.
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: Monica Nolan, Director,
HHS/CDC/Project RETRO-CI, 2010 Abidjan Place, Dulles, Virginia 20189-
2010. Telephone: 225-21-25-41-89. E-mail: mnolan@cdc.gov.
For report mailing, contact: Jean-Claude Crinot, Project Management
Officer, HHS/CDC /Project RETRO-CI, 01 BP 1712 Abidjan 01. Telephone:
225-21-21-42-50. E-mail: crinotj@gapcdcci.org.
For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact:
Diane Flournoy, Grants Management Specialist, CDC Procurement and
Grants Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2920
Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341. Telephone: 770-488-2072. E-mail:
dflournoy@cdc.gov.
VIII. Other Information
Applicants can find this and other HHS funding opportunity
announcements on the HHS/CDC Web site, Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov
(Click on ``Funding'' then ``Grants and Cooperative
Agreements''), and on the Web site of the HHS Office of Global Health
Affairs, Internet address: http://www.globalhealth.gov.
Dated: August 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. 05-16174 Filed 8-15-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P