[Federal Register: August 24, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 163)]
[Notices]
[Page 49629-49635]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24au05-70]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Strengthening HIV/AIDS, TB and STI Prevention, Control and
Treatment in the Oromia Area of the Southwest Region of the Federal
Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Announcement Type: New .
Funding Opportunity Number: AA136.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.067.
Key Dates: Application deadline: September 19, 2005.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Authority: This program is authorized under sections 301(a) and 307
of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 241 and 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.
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 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
announces the availability of Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 funds for a
cooperative agreement for strengthening the activities on the
prevention, control, and treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Infection and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, other Sexually
Transmitted Infections and Tuberculosis (HIV/AIDS/STI/TB) among
students and faculty of higher education institutions in the Oromia
area of Southwest Ethiopia.
This project particularly aims to: (1) Improve HIV/AIDS/STI/TB
prevention following the Abstinence, Be Faithful, and, for populations
engaged in high-risk behaviors,\1\ Correct and Consistent Condom Use
(ABC) strategies, control, and treatment programs; (2) strengthen
training in HIV/AIDS/STI/TB care and treatment, (3) implement HIV/AIDS/
STI/TB related targeted monitoring and evaluations and development
plans; (4) establish a technical support and training unit to support
the Oromia Regional Health Bureau and assist HIV/AIDS/STI/TB program
implementation in the Oromia region of Southwest Ethiopia; (5) conduct
prevention, care and treatment of HIV/AIDS/STIs programs among students
and faculty at institutions of higher education in the region and (6)
develop the health system and infrastructure important for the
[[Page 49630]]
delivery of HIV/AIDS/STI/TB services in the Oromia region Southwest
Ethiopia.
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\1\ Behaviors that increase risk for HIV transmission including
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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This project addresses the Healthy People 2010 focus area of HIV.
The U.S. Government (USG) has taken major steps to reduce the
global impact of HIV/AIDS. Through various agencies, including the
Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Government is working
with specific countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief aims at strengthening
national capacities for: (1) HIV primary prevention; (2) HIV care,
support, and treatment; and (3) health systems and infrastructure
development. Targeted 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.
As one of the key agencies to implement the Emergency Plan, HHS is
working in a collaborative manner with national governments and other
agencies to develop programs of assistance to address the HIV/AIDS
epidemic in target countries, including Ethiopia. In particular, HHS's
mission in Ethiopia is to work with Ethiopian and international
partners to develop and apply effective interventions to prevent and
treat HIV infection and associated illness and deaths from AIDS.
Ethiopia is among the world's countries most adversely affected by
the HIV/AIDS epidemic and TB. STIs are highly prevalent, and contribute
to morbidity and mortality from HIV/AIDS. With an estimated 1.5 million
adults infected with HIV by the end of 2003, Ethiopia had one of the
largest populations of HIV-infected persons in the world. The estimated
percent of persons age 15 to 49 infected with HIV is 4.4 percent. There
have been about a million cumulative deaths due to AIDS. Estimates
posit that 200,000 children are currently living with HIV in Ethiopia
and that AIDS has orphaned over 500,000 children.
Given the complex nature of the causes and the serious impact of
the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ethiopia, forging a strong multi-sectoral and
multi-level partnership and broad stakeholder involvement is
imperative. The Government of Ethiopia has therefore adopted an HIV/
AIDS/STI/TB program that responds to these needs, and implementation
mechanisms are in place. The government and its partners in civil
society are currently taking measures to accelerate the implementation
of interventions that deliver comprehensive care and treatment to
decrease illness and death, promote acceptance of HIV confidential
counseling and testing, and strengthen local health-care capacity.
Health-care facilities that are already in the frontlines of the fight
against HIV/AIDS/STI/TB are scaling up prevention, care and treatment
activities.
The national experience and momentum gathered accord much support
to Ethiopia's effort to scale up its HIV/AIDS/STI/TB interventions.
However, a shortage of trained manpower, a lack of adequate technical
support, and constraints with scientific evidence to guide policy and
programmatic decisions, have emerged as major challenges. The
complexity of the response to HIV/AIDS/STI/TB calls for strong
technical support to national and regional programs. In the Oromia
region of Southwest Ethiopia, there is a strong need to scale up
training at in-service and pre-service levels, target monitoring and
evaluation activities, and establish linkages to national and
international partners.
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/AIDS, STI, and TB Prevention (NCHSTP): By 2010, work with other
countries, international organizations, the Department of State, the
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS), and other partners to achieve the
United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS goal of
reducing prevalence among 15 to 24 years of age and to initiate, expand
or strengthen HIV/AIDS prevention, care, treatment and support
globally.
This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by
HHS. If an applicant proposes research, we 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/opspo111.htm
.
Activities
Awardee activities for this program are as follows:
1. Conduct needs assessment among students and faculty at
universities and teaching hospitals in the Oromia region of Southwest
Ethiopia to determine risk factors, target behaviors, barriers,
facilitators, reinforcement mechanisms, communication channels,
availability of care, family demographics/situations, etc. to inform
the development and implementation of prevention, care and treatment
programs.
2. Organize and procure necessary equipment and supplies in a
competitive and transparent process, and coordinate care, trainings and
targeted monitoring and evaluations.
3. Develop/adapt or organize tools, such as operations manuals,
training manuals, and guidelines, in the areas of HIV/AIDS; prevention
of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT); confidential counseling and
testing; STI, TB, laboratory, and other technical areas as deemed
appropriate for provision of in-patient and out-patient care, in-
service training; and targeted monitoring and evaluations.
3.5. Develop and implement a program to make confidential HIV
counseling and testing as a routine part of medical care in teaching
hospitals in the Oromia region of Southwest Ethiopia.
4. Institute the needed administrative and functional arrangements
to coordinate the day-to-day activity of the project to guarantee
effectiveness, efficiency, transparency and accountability.
5. Conduct in-service training activities related to HIV/AIDS,
PMTCT, confidential counseling and testing, STI, TB, laboratory, and
other technical areas as needed at universities and teaching hospitals
in the Oromia region of Southwest Ethiopia.
6. Review, update, and institute course outlines and contents for
pre-service (undergraduate and post-graduate medical students, nursing
students and other paramedical students) training programs to
strengthen the training in HIV/AIDS, PMTCT, confidential counseling and
testing, STI, TB, laboratory, and other related technical areas at
universities and teaching hospitals in the Oromia region of Southwest
Ethiopia.
7. Conduct pre-service training in HIV/AIDS, PMTCT, confidential
counseling and testing, STI, TB, laboratory, and other related
technical areas in all health professional training programs at
universities and teaching hospitals in the Oromia region of Southwest
Ethiopia.
8. Conduct targeted monitoring and evaluations of project and in
identified priority areas that require evidence for perusal in program
implementation and in-service and pre-service training, in
collaboration with international partners.
9. Conduct reviews and analysis of data and prepare, and
disseminate reports and information.
10. Conduct culturally appropriate workshops, seminars and
popularization events in local languages related to HIV/AIDS
prevention, control,
[[Page 49631]]
and treatment in South West Ethiopia, and undertake monitoring and
evaluation and re-planning of the project.
11. Conduct HIV/AIDS/STIs prevention following the ABC strategies,
control, and treatment activities among students and faculty of
universities and teaching hospitals in the Oromia region of Southwest
Ethiopia. Grantee may not implement condom social marketing without
also implementing abstinence and behavior-change interventions.
12. Institute comprehensive prevention, care and treatment
supported by information systems and laboratories at teaching hospitals
in the Oromia region of Southwest Ethiopia.
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. HHS will collaborate with the recipient on designing and
implementing the activities listed above, including but not limited to,
providing technical assistance to develop and implement program
activities, training, quality assurance, data management, statistical
analysis and presentations, and project evaluation.
2. Monitor project and budget performance, 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. Assist in the selection of key personnel to be involved in the
activities performed under this cooperative agreement.
4. Make available manuals, guidelines or other related materials
already developed by HHS-Ethiopia for other similar projects, as well
as all policy directives established by the Office of the U.S. Global
AIDS Coordinator.
Administration
Comply with all HHS management requirements for meeting
participation and progress and financial reporting for this cooperative
agreement. (See HHS Activities and Reporting sections below for
details.) Comply with all policy directives established by the Office
of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
In a cooperative agreement, HHS staff is substantially involved in
the program activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring.
HHS activities for this program are as follows:
1. Organize an orientation meeting with the grantee to brief them
on applicable U.S. Government, HHS, and Emergency Plan expectations,
regulations and key management requirements, as well as report formats
and contents. The orientation could include meetings with staff from
HHS agencies and the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
2. Review and approve the process used by the grantee to select key
personnel and/or post-award subcontractors and/or subgrantees to be
involved in the activities performed under this agreement, as part of
the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country Operational Plan review and
approval process, managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS
Coordinator.
3. Review and approve grantee's annual work plan and detailed
budget, as part of the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country
Operational Plan review and approval process, managed by the Office of
the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
4. Review and approve grantee's monitoring and evaluation plan,
including for compliance with the strategic information guidance
established by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
5. Meet on a monthly basis with grantee to assess monthly
expenditures in relation to approved work plan and modify plans as
necessary.
6. Meet on a quarterly basis with grantee to assess quarterly
technical and financial progress reports and modify plans as necessary.
7. Meet on an annual basis with grantee to review annual progress
report for each U.S. Government Fiscal Year, and to review annual work
plans and budgets for subsequent year, as part of the Emergency Plan
for AIDS Relief review and approval process for Country Operational
Plans, managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
8. Provide technical assistance, as mutually agreed upon, and
revise annually during validation of the first and subsequent annual
work plans. This could include expert technical assistance and targeted
training activities in specialized areas, such as strategic
information, project management, confidential counseling and testing,
palliative care, treatment literacy, and adult learning techniques.
9. Provide in-country administrative support to help grantee meet
U.S. Government financial and reporting requirements.
Please note: Either HHS staff or staff from organizations that
have successfully competed for funding under a separate HHS
contract, cooperative agreement or grant will provide technical
assistance and training.
Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the
following performance goals for the Emergency Plan:
A. Prevention
Number of individuals trained to provide HIV prevention
interventions, including abstinence, faithfulness, and, for populations
engaged in high-risk behaviors,\2\ correct and consistent condom use.
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\2\ Behaviors that increase risk for HIV transmission including
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)
Number of community outreach and/or mass media (radio)
programs that are A/B focused.
Number of individuals reached through community outreach
and/or mass media (radio) programs that are A/B focused.
B. Care and Support
1. Confidential counseling and testing
Number of patients who accept confidential counseling and
testing in a health-care setting.
Number of clients served, direct.
Number of people trained in confidential counseling and
testing, direct, including health-care workers.
2. Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)
Number of service outlets/programs, direct and/or
indirect.
Number of clients (OVC) served, direct and/or indirect.
Number of persons trained to serve OVC, direct.
3. Palliative Care: Basic Health Care and Support
Number of service outlets/programs that provide palliative
care, direct and/or indirect.
Number of service outlets/programs that link HIV care with
malaria and tuberculosis care and/or referral, direct and/or indirect.
Number of clients served with palliative care, direct and/
or indirect.
Number of persons trained in providing palliative care,
direct.
C. HIV Treatment With ART
Number of clients enrolled in ART, direct and indirect.
Number of persons trained in providing ART, direct.
D. Strategic Information
[[Page 49632]]
Number of persons trained in strategic information,
direct.
E. Expanded Indigenous Sustainable Response
Project-specific quantifiable milestones to measure:
a. Indigenous capacity-building.
b. Progress toward sustainability.
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: $500,000. (This amount is an estimate,
and is subject to availability of funds)
Approximate Number of Awards: One.
Approximate Average Award: $100,000.
Floor of Award Range: None.
Ceiling of Award Range: $100,000. (This is the ceiling for the
first 12-month budget period)
Anticipated Award Date: September 23, 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
Assistance will be provided only to universities and teaching
hospitals in South West Ethiopia. Applicants must demonstrate a strong
commitment to community based, multi-disciplinary team training program
that also integrates training, service and research.
Applicants must have a documented track record of working closely
with Oromia Regional Health Bureau and the adjoining regions as well as
with a number of regional and international institutions of higher
education, professional associations and non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) and faith based organizations (FBOs). Applicants must have
demonstrated capacity to provide training for all cadres of health care
professionals deployed to this region of Ethiopia.
III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds
Matching funds are not required for this program.
III.3. Other
If an applicant requests 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.
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: 20. If your narrative exceeds the
page limit, we will only review the first pages within the page limit.
Font size: 12-point unreduced
Double spaced
Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches
Page margin size: One inch
Printed only on one side of page
Held together only by rubber bands or metal clips; not
bound in any other way.
All pages should be numbered
A complete index to the application and any appendices
must be included.
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:
Background--What are the underlying issues related to
undertaking this project?
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
Understanding--Demonstrate knowledge of the elements
involved in implementing this project.
Performance Measures--What measures will be used to
determine if the objectives of the project are being met?
Budget Justification--How are the costs related to
implementing the project justified?
Budget--what are the costs associated with implementing
the project?
The budget and budget justification is needed only for year one of
the project period. The budget and budget justification will not be
counted in the page limit stated above.
You may include additional information in the application
appendices. The appendices will not be counted toward the narrative
page limit. This additional information could include, but is not
limited to the following:
Resumes and/or Curriculum Vitas
Letters of support, etc.
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
1. 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
[[Page 49633]]
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 19, 2005.
Explanation of Deadlines: Applications must be received in the CDC
Procurement and Grants Office by 4 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline
date.
You may submit your application electronically at http://www.grants.gov.
We consider applications completed 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 that the carrier will
be able to guarantee delivery by the closing date and time. If HHS/CDC
receives your submission after closing because: (1) carrier error, when
the carrier accepted the package with a guarantee for delivery by the
closing date and time; or (2) significant weather delays or natural
disasters, you will have the opportunity to submit documentation of the
carrier's guarantee. If the documentation verifies a carrier problem,
HHS/CDC will consider the submission as having been received by the
deadline.
If you submit a hard copy application, HHS/CDC will not notify you
upon receipt of your submission. If you have a question about the
receipt of your application, first contact your courier. If you still
have a question, contact the PGO-TIM staff at: 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.
Antiretroviral Drugs--The purchase of antiretrovirals,
reagents, and laboratory equipment for antiretroviral treatment
projects require pre-approval from the GAP headquarters.
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 and care services for which funds are required).
You must obtain an annual audit of these HHS/CDC funds
(program-specific audit) by a U.S.-based audit firm with international
branches and current licensure/authority in-country, and in accordance
with International Accounting Standards or equivalent standard(s)
approved in writing by HHS/CDC.
A fiscal Recipient Capability Assessment may be required,
prior to or post award in order to review the applicant's business
management and fiscal capabilities regarding the handling of U.S.
Federal funds.
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.
[[Page 49634]]
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 Section--AA136, 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. Plans for Administration and Management of the Project (25
points)
Do the plan, objectives, and methods described meet the strategy
and goals of the President's Emergency Plan? Does the described
evaluation methodology meet the plans of the project?
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, and 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 capability to achieve the
purpose of the project and provide the required training and outreach
activities in local languages?
4. Personnel (20 points)
Are professional personnel involved in this project qualified,
including evidence of experience in working with HIV/AIDS/STI/TB in
Sub-Saharan Africa?
5. Understanding the Problem (15 points)
Does the applicant's proposal demonstrate a clear and concise
understanding of the general AIDS epidemic and the specific situation
in Ethiopia, the policy environment and current training and research
needs in Ethiopia?
6. Budget (Not scored, but Evaluated)
Is the itemized budget for conducting the project reasonable and
well justified?
V.2. Review and Selection Process
The HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office (PGO) staff will review
[[Page 49635]]
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. 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/Ethiopian organizations with a
successful history of working in the Oromia region of Southwest
Ethiopia. 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 23, 2005.
VI. Award Administration Information
VI.1. Award Notices
Successful applicants will receive a Notice of Award (NoA) from the
HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office. The NoA shall be the only
binding, authorizing document between the recipient and HHS/CDC. An
authorized Grants Management Officer will sign the NoA, and mail it to
the recipient fiscal officer identified in the application.
Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of
the application review by mail.
VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
45 CFR Part 74
For more information on the Code of Federal Regulations, see the
National Archives and Records Administration at the following Internet
address: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html.
The following additional requirements apply to this project:
AR-4 HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions
AR-8 Public Health System Reporting Requirements
AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
AR-14 Accounting System Requirements
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:
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 within no later than 90 days after
the end of the budget period.
3. Financial status report, 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
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 17, 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. 05-16817 Filed 8-23-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P