[Federal Register: August 18, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 159)]
[Notices]
[Page 48560-48566]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18au05-46]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Enhancing the Community Response to HIV/AIDS and TB Through the
Expanded Role of the Community Treatment Supporters in the Republic of
Zambia
Announcement Type: New.
Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-AA159.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.067.
Key Dates: Application Deadline: September 12, 2005.
[[Page 48561]]
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Authority: This program is authorized under sections 301(a) and
307 of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 241 and 2421], as
amended, and under Public Law 108-25 (United States Leadership
Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003) [U.S.C.
7601].
Background: President Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief has
called for immediate, comprehensive and evidence-based action to turn
the tide of global HIV/AIDS. The initiative aims to treat more than two
million HIV-infected people with effective combination anti-retroviral
therapy by 2008; care for ten million HIV-infected and affected
persons, including those orphaned by HIV/AIDS, by 2008; and prevent
seven million infections by 2010, with a focus on 15 priority
countries, including 12 in sub-Saharan Africa. The five-year strategy
for the Emergency Plan is available at the following Internet address:
http://www.state.gov/s/gac/rl/or/c11652.htm.
Over the same time period, as part of a collective national
response, the Emergency Plan goals specific to Zambia are to treat at
least 120,000 HIV-infected individuals and care for 600,000 HIV-
affected individuals, including orphans.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic poses a health and developmental crisis for
Zambia. The prevalence of infection in the general population was
estimated at 16 percent in the last Demographic and Health Survey,
though infection rates vary from more than 23 percent in urban areas to
11 percent in rural areas. It is estimated that more than 900,000
Zambians are currently living with HIV, and more than 200,000 are in
need of specific anti-retroviral treatment (ART). The Government of
Zambia has instituted an ART program in the public sector, and has set
a goal of 100,000 on ART by the end of 2005. There are over 22,000
people currently on ART in Zambia in both the public and private
sectors, with support of co-operating partners such as the President's
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Emergency Plan), the Global Fund and
the World Bank. However, for the majority of Zambians living with HIV,
the primary type of HIV/AIDS care and support available is psychosocial
support, non-ART health care and home-based care.
Tuberculosis (TB) represents a major public health problem in
Zambia, and notification rates in the country have increased more than
fivefold in the last 20 years. According to the World Health
Organization, the estimated notification rate for TB in Zambia is 668/
100,000, which makes it one of the countries with the highest burden of
the disease. The increase in cases stems, in the main part, from co-
infection with HIV. Based on studies carried out in Lusaka, the capital
city, HIV co-infection rates for newly diagnosed pulmonary TB cases are
50-70 percent, with much higher rates of infection in extra-pulmonary
cases.
The Government of Zambia has adopted the Directly Observed
Treatment Strategy (DOTS) for the management of TB. Direct observation
of treatment occurs through health facilities in close collaboration
with community members, who function as treatment supporters.
Logistical problems, such as shortage of trained health personnel; long
distances to health centers, especially in rural areas; poor road and
transportation networks; and a high proportion of bed-ridden TB
patients from co-infection with HIV make this method of supervising
treatment the most practical.
With the more widespread availability of ART, the role of community
treatment supporters for TB is a possible mechanism to provide support
to patients on ART, to enhance adherence to treatment. The Zambian
Central Board of Health, with technical and financial support from HHS,
has developed a manual for the training of community treatment
supporters. To increase the number of treatment supporters, the winning
applicant will implement a training-of-trainers program, with specific
emphasis on the mission hospitals that provide over 50 percent of
formal health care in rural Zambia. The trainers will, in turn, train
community members to support TB/HIV patients. Logistical support will
go to the treatment supporters to enable them to carry out their
supportive activities, along with support to the mission hospitals to
improve the care and treatment provided to people living with HIV/AIDS.
Purpose: The purpose of this funding announcement is to
progressively build an indigenous, sustainable response to the national
HIV epidemic through the rapid expansion of innovative, culturally
appropriate, high-quality HIV/AIDS prevention and care interventions,
and improved linkages to HIV counseling and testing and HIV treatment
services targeting underserved populations in Zambia.
Under the leadership of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, as part
of the President's Emergency Plan, the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS) works with host countries and other key partners
to assess the needs of each country and design a customized program of
assistance that fits within the host nation's strategic plan.
The purpose of the program is to enhance the role and involvement
of community-level DOTS volunteers in supporting the treatment and
management of TB/HIV co-infected patients and people living with HIV/
AIDS in rural health facilities.
The U.S. Government seeks to reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS in
specific countries within sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Americas
through the President's Emergency Plan. Through this initiative, the
HHS Global AIDS Program (GAP) will continue to work with host countries
to strengthen capacity and expand activities in the areas of: (1)
Primary HIV prevention; (2) HIV care, support, and treatment; and (3)
capacity and infrastructure development. Focus countries represent
those with the most severe epidemics and the highest number of new
infections. They also represent countries where the potential for
impact is greatest and where U.S. Government agencies are already
active. Zambia is one of these focus countries.
To carry out its activities in these countries, HHS is working in a
collaborative manner with national governments and other agencies to
develop programs of assistance to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. As
part of the President's Emergency Plan, HHS' mission in Zambia is to
work with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and its partners to develop and
apply effective interventions to prevent and treat HIV infection and
associated illnesses and death from AIDS.
Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with one
(or more) of the following performance goal(s) for the National Center
for HIV, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) and Tuberculosis (TB)
Prevention (NCHSTP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) within HHS: By 2010, work with other countries, international
organizations, the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID), and other partners to achieve the
United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS goal of
reducing prevalence among young people 15 to 24 years of age. In
addition, the measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment
with the goals of the President's Emergency Plan to prevent seven
million new HIV infections, provide care for ten million people
including orphans and vulnerable children, and place two million people
on anti-retroviral treatment.
[[Page 48562]]
This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by
HHS, including the CDC. If an applicant proposes research activities,
HHS will not review the application. For the definition of research,
please see the HHS/CDC Web site at the following Internet address:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/ads/opspoll1.htm.
Activities: The recipient of these funds is responsible for
activities in multiple program areas designed to target underserved
populations in Zambia. Either the awardee will implement activities
directly or will implement them through its subgrantees and/or
subcontractors; the awardee will retain overall financial and
programmatic management under the oversight of HHS/CDC and the
strategic direction of the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
The awardee must show a measurable progressive reinforcement of the
capacity of indigenous organizations and local communities to respond
to the national HIV epidemic, as well as progress towards the
sustainability of activities.
Applicants should describe activities in detail as part of a four-
year action plan (U.S. Government Fiscal Years 2005-2008 inclusive)
that reflects the policies and goals outlined in the five-year strategy
for the President's Emergency Plan.
The awardee will produce an annual operational plan in the context
of this four-year plan, which the U.S. Government Emergency Plan team
on the ground in Zambia will review as part of the annual Emergency
Plan for AIDS Relief Country Operational Plan review and approval
process managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. The
awardee may work on some of the activities listed below in the first
year and in subsequent years, and then progressively add others from
the list to achieve all of the Emergency Plan performance goals, as
cited in the previous section. HHS/CDC, under the guidance of the U.S.
Global AIDS Coordinator, will approve funds for activities on an annual
basis, based on documented performance toward achieving Emergency Plan
goals, as part of the annual Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country
Operational Plan review and approval process.
Awardee Activities for this program are as follows:
1. Improve the capacity for rural hospitals and health care centers
to provide quality treatment for TB/HIV through promoting the
supervision of TB treatment and ART by using trained community
volunteers.
2. Train a core of trainers for the community treatment supporters
in the districts.
3. Provide on-going supportive supervision in local languages to
the community treatment supporters to ensure quality care and adherence
to treatment protocols.
4. Provide logistics, such as bicycles and home-based care kits, to
support the community treatment supporters in their provision of care
in the community.
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.
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: $750,000 (This amount is an estimate,
and is subject to availability of funds.)
Approximate Number of Awards: One.
Approximate Average Award: $150,000 (This amount is for the first
12-month budget period, and includes direct costs).
Floor of Award Range: None.
Ceiling of Award Range: $150,000 (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, 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
To meet the eligibility criteria for this program announcement,
applicants must be indigenous to Zambia and have at least 10 years
experience providing health care.
[[Page 48563]]
Applicants must be umbrella bodies of non-governmental
organizations that have the role of representation and advocacy,
resource mobilization, technical support as well as administrative and
logistical support for affiliated organizations, including faith-based
organizations.
Applicants must have demonstrated experience in managing an AIDS
care and prevention program in faith-based hospitals and run other
related programs such as a TB program, malaria control program as well
as a Primary Health Care program that includes the training of
community health workers and traditional birth attendants.
Applicants must have a Grant Management Unit that manages sub-
grants and capacity building of NGOs that work in remote and under-
served districts in partnership with the Zambian District Health
Management teams.
Preference will go to applicants that have a demonstrated track
record of successfully managing funds from the Global Fund and other
multilateral and bilateral donors.
III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds
Matching funds are not required for this program.
III.3. Other
If you request a funding amount greater than the ceiling of the
award range, HHS will consider your 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 considers late applications non-responsive. See
section ``IV.3. Submission Dates and Times'' for more information on
deadlines.
Note: Title 2 of the United States Code Section 1611
states that an organization described in Section 501(c)(4) of the
Internal Revenue Code that engages in lobbying activities is not
eligible to receive Federal funds constituting an award, grant, or
loan.
IV. Application and Submission Information
IV.1. Address To Request Application Package
To apply for this funding opportunity use application form PHS
5161-1.
Electronic Submission: HHS strongly encourages you to submit your
application electronically by using the forms and instructions posted
for this announcement on http://www.Grants.gov, the official Federal agency
wide E-grant Web site. Only applicants who apply on-line are permitted
to 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, 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 the
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.
Application must be written in English.
The narrative should address activities to be conducted over the
entire project period, and must include the following items in the
order listed:
Goals and Objectives, including Project Contribution to
the Goals and Objectives of the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
Work Plan and Description of Project Components and
Activities.
Timeline.
Staffing Plan, with Level of Effort.
Performance Measures and Methods of Evaluation.
Summary Budget composed by line item, along with a budget
justification. (This will not be counted against the stated page
limit).
You may include additional information in the application
appendices. The appendices will not count toward the narrative page
limit. This additional information includes:
Curriculum Vitas (CVs)/Resumes.
Organizational Charts.
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.
Letters of Support.
Evidence of Legal Organizational Structure.
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/grantmain.htm
.
If your application form does not have a DUNS number field, please
write the DUNS number at the top of the first page of the application,
and/or include the DUNS number in the application cover letter.
Additional requirements that could require you to submit additional
documentation with the application are listed in section ``VI.2.
Administrative and National Policy Requirements.''
IV.3. Submission Dates and Times
Application Deadline Date: September 12, 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 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 through Grants.gov
(http://www.grants.gov), your application will be electronically time/
date stamped, which will serve as receipt of submission. You will
receive an e-mail notice of receipt when HHS/CDC receives the
application.
If you submit your application by the United States Postal Service
or commercial delivery service, you must ensure the carrier will be
able to
[[Page 48564]]
guarantee delivery by the closing date and time. If HHS/CDC receives
the submission after the closing date because: (1) Carrier error, when
the carrier accepted the package with a guarantee for delivery by the
closing date and time, or (2) significant weather delays or natural
disasters, you will have the opportunity to submit documentation of the
carrier's guarantee. If the documentation verifies a carrier problem,
HHS/CDC will consider the submission as having been received by the
deadline.
If you submit a hard copy of the application, HHS/CDC will not
notify you upon receipt of the submission. If you have a question on
the receipt of the 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. This will allow time for
us to process and log submissions.
This announcement is the definitive guide on application content,
submission address, and deadline. It supersedes information provided in
the application instructions. If your submission does not meet the
deadline above, it will not be eligible for review, and we will discard
it. We will notify you that you did not meet the submission
requirements.
IV.4. Intergovernmental Review of Applications
Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program.
IV.5. Funding Restrictions
Restrictions, which you must take into account while writing your
budget, are as follows:
Funds may not be used for research.
Reimbursement of pre-award costs is not allowed.
Funds may be spent for reasonable program purposes,
including personnel, travel, supplies, and services. Equipment may be
purchased if deemed necessary to accomplish program objectives;
however, prior approval by HHS/CDC officials must be requested in
writing.
All requests for funds contained in the budget shall be
stated in U.S. dollars. Once an award is made, HHS/CDC will not
compensate foreign grantees for currency exchange fluctuations through
the issuance of supplemental awards.
The costs that are generally allowable in grants to
domestic organizations are allowable to foreign institutions and
international organizations, with the following exception: With the
exception of the American University, Beirut, and the World Health
Organization, Indirect Costs will not be paid (either directly or
through sub-award) to organizations located outside the territorial
limits of the U.S. or to international organizations, regardless of
their location.
The applicant may contract with other organizations under
this program; however the applicant must perform a substantial portion
of the activities (including program management and operations, and
delivery of prevention services for which funds are required).
You must obtain an annual audit of these HHS/CDC funds
(program-specific audit) by a U.S.-based audit firm with international
branches and current licensure/authority in-country, and in accordance
with International Accounting Standards or equivalent standards(s)
approved in writing by HHS/CDC.
A fiscal Recipient Capability Assessment may be required,
prior to or post award, in order to review the applicant's business
management and fiscal capabilities regarding the handling of U.S.
Federal funds.
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
[[Page 48565]]
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 Web site. We will not accept e-mail
submissions. If you are having technical difficulties in Grants.gov,
you may reach them by e-mail at support@grants.gov or by phone at 1-
800-518-4726 (1-800-518-GRANTS). The Customer Support Center is open
from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. eastern time, Monday through Friday.
HHS/CDC recommends that you submit your application to Grants.gov
early enough to resolve any unanticipated difficulties prior to the
deadline. You may also submit a back-up paper submission of the
application. We must receive any such paper submission in accordance
with the requirements for timely submission detailed in Section IV.3.
Of the grant announcement.
You must clearly mark the paper submission: ``BACK-UP FOR
ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION.''
The paper submission must conform to all requirements for non-
electronic submissions. If we receive both electronic and back-up paper
submissions by the deadline, we will consider the electronic version
the official submission.
We strongly recommended that you submit your grant application
using Microsoft Office products (e.g., Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel,
etc.). If you do not have access to Microsoft Office products, a PDF
file may be submitted. You may find directions for creating PDF files
on the Grants.gov Web site. Use of file formats other than Microsoft
Office or PDF could make your file unreadable for our staff; or
Paper Submission: Applicants should submit the original and two
hard copies of the application by mail or express delivery service to:
Technical Information Management--AA159, 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.
The application will be evaluated against the following criteria:
1. Understanding the Problem (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 Zambia and meet the goals
of the Emergency Plan? Does the applicant demonstrate a clear and
concise understanding of the nature of the problems to be addressed as
described in the Purpose section of this announcement? This includes a
description of the planned activities to be undertaken and a detailed
presentation of the objectives of the proposal.
2. Methodology (25 Points)
Does the application include an overall design strategy, including
measurable timelines, clear monitoring and evaluation procedures and
specific activities for meeting the proposed objectives? 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?
3. Personnel (25 Points)
Is the staff involved in this project qualified to perform the
tasks described? CVs provided should include information that they are
qualified in the following: management of HIV/AIDS prevention
activities in local languages, especially confidential voluntary
counseling and testing; and development of capacity-building among and
collaboration between governmental and NGO partners. Are the staff
roles clearly defined?
4. Administration and Management (25 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?
5. Budget (Reviewed But Not Scored)
Does the applicant present a detailed budget with clear
justifications for all line items and consistent with the proposed
activities and objectives of the proposal, and with the five-year
strategy and goals of the President's Emergency Plan and Emergency Plan
activities in Zambia?
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 be go
to organizations that can leverage additional funds to contribute to
program goals.
[[Page 48566]]
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-6--Patient Care
AR-10--Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
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
PHS5161-1 application needs in the Grants.gov electronic submission
only. Please refer to http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/PHS5161-1-Certificates.pdf.
Once you have filled out the form, please attach it
to the Grants.gov submission as Other Attachments Form.
VI.3. Reporting Requirements
You must provide HHS/CDC with an original, plus two hard copies of
the following reports:
1. Interim progress 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
Zambia.
f. Additional Requested Information.
2. Financial status report no more than 90 days after the end of
the budget period.
3. Quarterly progress reports.
4. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days
after the end of the project period.
5. 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
Zambia.
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: Marc Bulterys, Project
Officer, 1600 Clifton Road MS E-04, Atlanta, GA 30333, Telephone: 011
260 1 250 955 ext 246, E-mail: bulterysm@cdczm.org.
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 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 11, 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. 05-16357 Filed 8-17-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P