[Federal Register: August 24, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 163)]
[Notices]
[Page 49642-49648]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24au05-72]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Strengthening Prevention, Control and Treatment Activities for
HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Sexually Transmitted Infection in the Amhara
Region of Northwest Ethiopia, as Part of the President's Emergency Plan
for AIDS Relief
Announcement Type: New.
Funding Opportunity Number: AA135.
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 242l], 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 Ethiopia are to treat at
least 210,000 HIV-infected individuals and care for 1,050,000 HIV-
affected individuals, including orphans.
Purpose: The purpose of this funding announcement is to
progressively build an indigenous, sustainable response to the national
HIV epidemic in Ethiopia 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 by targeting underserved populations in Ethiopia. Under
the leadership of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, as part of the
President's Emergency Plan, the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) works with host countries and other key partners to
assess the needs of each country and design a customized program of
assistance that fits within the host nation's strategic plan.
HHS focuses on two or three major program areas in each country.
Goals and priorities include the following:
Achieving primary prevention of HIV infection through
activities such as expanding confidential counseling and testing
programs, building programs to reduce mother-to-child transmission, and
strengthening programs to reduce transmission via blood transfusion and
medical injections.
Improving the care and treatment of HIV/AIDS, sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs) and related opportunistic infections by
improving STD management; enhancing care and treatment of opportunistic
infections, including tuberculosis (TB); and initiating programs to
provide anti-retroviral therapy (ART).
Strengthening the capacity of countries to collect and use
surveillance data and manage national HIV/AIDS programs by expanding
HIV/STD/TB surveillance programs and strengthening laboratory support
for surveillance, diagnosis, treatment, disease-monitoring and HIV
screening for blood safety.
As one of the key agencies that implement the Emergency Plan, HHS
works 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'
mission in Ethiopia is to work with Ethiopian and international
partners to develop and apply effective interventions to prevent HIV
infection and associated illnesses and death from AIDS.
Ethiopia is among the countries most adversely affected by the HIV/
AIDS epidemic and TB. STIs are highly prevalent in Ethiopia and
contribute to morbidity and mortality from HIV/AIDS. Ethiopia has one
of the largest populations of HIV-infected persons in the world. By the
end of 2003 an estimated 1.5 million adults in Ethiopia were HIV-
positive. The estimated percentage of Ethiopians age 15 to 49 infected
with HIV is 4.4 percent, and there have been over a million cumulative
deaths from AIDS. In Ethiopia approximately 200,000 children are
currently living with HIV, and AIDS has orphaned over 500,000 children.
Given the complex nature of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ethiopia,
forging a strong multi-sectoral and multi-level partnership with broad
stakeholder involvement is imperative. The Government of Ethiopia has
therefore adopted a responsive HIV/AIDS/STI/TB program, and its
implementation mechanisms have been in place since 1998. Ethiopia is
currently taking measures to accelerate the implementation of
interventions that deliver comprehensive care to decrease illness and
death, promote acceptance of HIV counseling and confidential voluntary
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, support, and treatment
across the country, with significant assistance from the President's
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
A shortage of trained care providers and lack of adequate technical
support, and scientific evidence to guide policy and program decisions
are major challenges. The complexity of the response to HIV/AIDS/STI/TB
necessitates strong technical support to national and regional
programs. Scaling up training at in-service and pre-service levels,
targeted monitoring and evaluations, and linkages to national and
international partners are all needed. These program needs in Northwest
Ethiopia are best met by universities, their teaching hospitals and
catchment health facilities, working in partnership with the Regional
Health Bureau, and the Ethiopian Ministry of Health (MOH) and sister
institutions in-country and overseas.
The purpose of this project is to strengthen HIV/AIDS/sexually
transmitted infection (STI)/tuberculosis (TB) prevention and control
efforts in the Amhara region of Northwest Ethiopia. The project will
(1) improve HIV/AIDS/STI/TB prevention by using the ``ABC strategy''
(abstinence, be faithful, and, for populations engaged in high-risk
behaviors,\1\ correct and
[[Page 49643]]
consistent condom use),\2\ and control and treatment programs in the
Amhara region of Northwest Ethiopia; (2) strengthen training in HIV/
AIDS/STI/TB at university-affiliated teaching hospitals in the Amhara
region of Northwest Ethiopia and their outreach training facilities;
(3) establish a technical support and training unit to assist
university-affiliated teaching hospitals HIV/AIDS/STI/TB program
implementation within their catchment areas in the Amhara region of
Northwest Ethiopia; (4) prevent, control, and treat HIV/AIDS/STI among
students and faculty of universities in the Amhara region of Northwest
Ethiopia; and (5) develop the health system and infrastructure
important for the delivery of HIV/AIDS/STI/TB care at university-
affiliated teaching hospitals in the Amhara region of Northwest
Ethiopia; (6) implement HIV/AIDS/STI/TB-targeted monitoring and
evaluation for these programs.
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\1\ Behaviors that increase risk for HIV transmission include
engaging in casual sexual encounters, engaging in sex in exchange
for money or favors, having sex with an HIV-positive partner or one
whose status is unknown, using drugs or abusing alcohol in the
context of sexual interactions, and using intravenous drugs. Women,
even if faithful themselves, can still be at risk of becoming
infected by their spouse, regular male partner, or someone using
force against them. Other high-risk persons or groups include men
who have sex with men and workers who are employed away from home.
Awardees may not implement condom social marketing without also
implementing abstinence and faithfulness behavior-change
interventions.
\2\ Prevention interventions directed toward behavior change
should promote the ABC model. Methods and strategies should
emphasize abstinence for youth and other unmarried persons, mutual
faithfulness and partner reduction for sexually active adults, and
correct and consistent use of condoms by populations engaged in
high-risk behaviors. Behaviors that increase risk for HIV
transmission include engaging in casual sexual encounters, engaging
in sex in exchange for money or favors, having sex with an HIV-
positive partner or one whose status is unknown, using drugs or
abusing alcohol in the context of sexual interactions, and using
intravenous drugs. Women, even if faithful themselves, can still be
at risk of becoming infected by their spouse, regular male partner,
or someone using force against them. Other high-risk persons or
groups include men who have sex with men and workers who are
employed away from home. Awardees may not implement condom social
marketing without also implementing the abstinence and faithfulness
behavior-change interventions outlined above.
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This collaborative initiative will change the focus and activities
of universities and their teaching hospitals and affiliated health
facilities in the Amhara region of Northwest Ethiopia. It will enable
these universities to strengthen and improve the quality of care
offered at their affiliated hospitals, and improve HIV/AIDS/STI/TB
training provided to all cadres of health professionals trained at the
universities, its teaching hospital and catchment facilities. It will
strengthen the capacity of the university to support in-service
training for the Amhara Region and adjoining regions with no
institutions of higher education; conduct targeted monitoring and
evaluations; assist in development and adaptation into local languages
of technical materials for local use; and provide technical support to
the regional and national Ethiopian HIV/AIDS/STI/TB programs. It will
serve as a demonstration site for other training facilities in the
region; and prepare the universities for collaboration with other
institutions of higher education in Ethiopia, and for twinning with
other institutions overseas, including in the United States.
Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the
numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and
one (or more) of the following performance goal(s) for the National
Center for HIV, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Tuberculosis
Prevention (NCHSTP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) within HHS: Increase the proportion of HIV-infected people who
are linked to appropriate prevention, care and treatment services and
to strengthen the capacity nationwide to monitor the epidemic, develop
and implement effective HIV prevention interventions and evaluate
prevention programs.
This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by
HHS, including CDC. If applicants propose research, HHS/CDC will not
review the application. For the definition of ``research,'' please see
the HHS/CDC Web site at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/ads/opspo111.htm
.
Activities: The recipient of these funds is responsible for
activities in multiple program areas designed to target underserved
populations in Ethiopia. Either the awardee will 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.
Applications 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 Haiti will review as part of an annual Emergency Plan
for AIDS Relief Country Operational Plan review and approval process
managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. The grantee
may work on some of the activities listed below in the first year and
in subsequent years, and then progressively add others from the list to
achieve all of the Emergency Plan performance goals, as cited in the
previous section.
HHS/CDC, under the guidance of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator,
will approve funds for activities on an annual basis, based on
documented performance towards 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. Conduct needs assessment among the students and faculty at
universities and teaching hospitals in the Amhara region of Northwest
Ethiopia to determine risk factors, target behaviors, barriers,
facilitators, reinforcement mechanisms, communication channels,
availability of care, etc. to inform the development of prevention,
care and treatment programs.
2. Organize and procure necessary equipment and supplies in a
transparent and competitive process; and coordinate interventions,
trainings and targeted monitoring and evaluations.
3. Develop/adapt or organize tools, such as operations manuals,
training manuals, and guidelines in local languages, in the areas of
HIV/AIDS; prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT);
confidential voluntary counseling and testing (VCT); 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.
4. Institute the needed administrative and functional arrangements
to coordinate the day-to-day activities of the project to guarantee
effectiveness, efficiency, transparency and accountability.
5. Conduct in-service training activities in local languages
related to HIV/AIDS, PMTCT, confidential VCT, STI, TB, laboratory, and
other technical areas, as needed at universities and teaching hospitals
in the Amhara region of Northwest Ethiopia.
6. Review, update, and institute course outlines and contents for
pre-
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service (undergraduate and post-graduate medical students, nursing
students and other paramedical students) training programs in local
languages to strengthen the training in HIV/AIDS, PMTCT, confidential
VCT, STI, TB, laboratory, and other related technical areas at
universities and teaching hospitals in the Amhara region of Northwest
Ethiopia.
7. Conduct pre-service training in HIV/AIDS, PMTCT, VCT, STI, TB,
laboratory, and other related technical areas in all health
professional training programs at universities and teaching hospitals
in the Amhara region of Northwest Ethiopia.
8. Conduct targeted monitoring and evaluations of the project in
identified priority areas that require evidence for 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 cultural appropriate workshops, seminars and
popularization events in local languages related to HIV/AIDS
prevention, control, and treatment in the region; and undertake
monitoring and evaluation and planning of the project at universities
and teaching hospitals in the Amhara region of Northwest Ethiopia.
Grantee many not implement condom social marketing without also
implementing abstinence and behavior change interventions.
11. Conduct HIV/AIDS/STIs prevention following the ABC model \3\,
as well as control, and treatment activities among students and faculty
at universities and teaching hospitals in the Amhara region of
Northwest Ethiopia.
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\3\ Prevention interventions directed toward behavior change
should promote the ABC model. Methods and strategies should
emphasize abstinence for youth and other unmarried persons, mutual
faithfulness and partner reduction for sexually active adults, and
correct and consistent use of condoms by populations engaged in
high-risk behaviors. Behaviors that increase risk for HIV
transmission include engaging in casual sexual encounters, engaging
in sex in exchange for money or favors, having sex with an HIV-
positive partner or one whose status is unknown, using drugs or
abusing alcohol in the context of sexual interactions, and using
intravenous drugs. Women, even if faithful themselves, can still be
at risk of becoming infected by their spouse, regular male partner,
or someone using force against them. Other high-risk persons or
groups include men who have sex with men and workers who are
employed away from home. Awardees may not implement condom social
marketing without also implementing the abstinence and faithfulness
behavior-change interventions outlined above.
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12. Institute comprehensive prevention, care and treatment services
supported by information systems and laboratories at teaching hospitals
in the Amhara region of Northwest Ethiopia.
Administration: The winning applicant 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), and 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/CDC activities for this program are as follows:
1. Provide scientific and technical assistance in developing the
awardee's operational plan.
2. Provide ongoing technical assistance in program implementation.
3. Assist the awardee in assessments of the program's operations to
determine the overall effectiveness of the program, including
developing a monitoring and evaluation tool for the activities in the
program.
4. Participate in training of health staff.
5. Provide technical assistance from HHS-headquarters and the in-
country HHS office in Ethiopia to assure other related U.S. Government
activities are well-coordinated with the national program.
6. Organize an orientation meeting with the grantee to brief it on
applicable U.S. Government, HHS, and Emergency Plan expectations,
regulations and key management requirements, as well as report formats
and contents. The orientation could include meetings with staff from
HHS agencies and the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Meet on a monthly basis with grantee to assess monthly
expenditures in relation to approved work plan and modify plans as
necessary.
11. Meet on a quarterly basis with grantee to assess quarterly
technical and financial progress reports and modify plans as necessary.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. Provide in-country administrative support to help grantee meet
U.S. Government financial and reporting requirements.
15. Make available manuals, guidelines or other related materials
already developed by HHS-Ethiopia for other similar projects.
Technical assistance and training may be provided directly by HHS/
CDC staff or through organizations that have successfully competed for
funding under a separate HHS/CDC contract.
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.
Approximate Number of Awards: One.
Approximate Average Award: $100,000. (This amount is for the first
12-month budget period, and includes direct costs.)
Floor of Award Range: None.
Ceiling of Award Range: $100,000.
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
[[Page 49645]]
the determination that continued funding is in the best interest of the
Federal Government, through the President's 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 Northwest 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 Amhara 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. Although matching
funds are not required, preference will go to organizations that can
leverage additional funds to contribute to program goals.
III.3. Other
If you request a funding amount greater than the ceiling of the
award range, we 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 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
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.
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:
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?
Objectives--What objectives will be achieved by
undertaking this project?
Methods--What methods will be used to achieve stated
objectives?
Timeline--What is the timeframe for completing the stated
objectives?
Staff--What staff will be employed to carry out the
project?
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?
We need the budget and budget justification only for year one of
the project period. The budget and budget justification will not count
toward the page limit stated above.
Additional information may be included in the application
appendices. The appendices will not be counted toward the narrative
page limit. Additional information could include, but is not limited
to:
Resumes and/or curriculum vitae
Letters of Support
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
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://
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 HHS/
CDC Procurement and Grants Office by 4 p.m. Eastern Time on the
deadline date.
You may submit your application electronically at http://www.grants.gov.
We consider applications completed online through Grants.gov as
formally submitted when the applicant organization's Authorizing
Official electronically submits the application to http://www.grants.gov. We
will consider
[[Page 49646]]
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 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.
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.''
[[Page 49647]]
All prime recipients that receive U.S. Government funds (``prime
recipients'') in connection with this document must certify compliance
prior to actual receipt of such funds in a written statement that makes
reference to this document (e.g., ``[Prime recipient's name] certifies
compliance with the section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities.'
'') addressed to the agency's grants officer. Such certifications by
prime recipients are prerequisites to the payment of any U.S.
Government funds in connection with this document.
Recipients' compliance with this section, ``Prostitution and
Related Activities,'' is an express term and condition of receiving
U.S. Government funds in connection with this document, and any
violation of it shall be grounds for unilateral termination by HHS of
the agreement with HHS in connection with this document prior to the
end of its term. The recipient shall refund to HHS the entire amount
furnished in connection with this document in the event HHS determines
the recipient has not complied with this section, ``Prostitution and
Related Activities.''
You may find guidance for completing your budget on the HHS/CDC Web
site, at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/budgetguide.htm
.
IV.6. Other Submission Requirements
Application Submission Address: Electronic Submission: HHS/CDC
strongly encourages you to submit electronically at: http://www.grants.gov.
You will be able to download a copy of the application package from
http://www.grants.gov, complete it offline, and then upload and submit the
application via the Grants.gov site. We will not accept e-mail
submissions. If you are having technical difficulties in Grants.gov,
you may reach them by e-mail at 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 file formats other than Microsoft
Office or PDF could make your file unreadable for our staff.
OR
Paper Submission: Submit the original and two hard copies of your
application by mail or express delivery service to: Technical
Information Management Section--AA135, 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 will be an element of
evaluation.
An objective review panel appointed by HHS will evaluate each
application against the following criteria:
1. Plans for Administration and Management of the Project (25 Points)
Do the plan, objectives, and methods described meet the objectives
of the President's Emergency Plan? Does the adequacy of described
evaluation methodology meet the plans of the project? Does the
application include an overall design strategy, including measurable
time lines, 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?
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?
3. Ability to Carry Out the Project (20 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?
4. Personnel (20 Points)
Are the professional personnel involved in this project qualified?
Do they have experience working with HIV/AIDS/STI/TB? Are they able to
communicate effectively in the local languages?
5. Understanding the Problem (15 Points)
Does the applicant demonstrate an understanding of the national
cultural and political context and the technical and programmatic areas
covered by the project? Does the applicant display knowledge of the
five-year strategy and goals of the President's Emergency Plan, such
that it can build on these to develop a comprehensive, collaborative
project to reach underserved populations in Ethiopia and meet the goals
of the Emergency Plan? Does the applicant's proposal demonstrate a
clear and concise understanding of the general AIDS epidemic situation,
the policy environment and current training and research needs in
Ethiopia?
6. Budget (Not Scored, 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
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:
[[Page 49648]]
While U.S.-based organizations are eligible to apply, we will give
preference to existing national/Ethiopian 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 be go to organizations
that can leverage additional funds to contribute to program goals.
Applications will be funded in order by score and rank determined
by the review panel. HHS/CDC will provide justification for any
decision to fund out of rank order.
V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
September 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 and Part 92
For more information on the Code of Federal Regulations, see the
National Archives and Records Administration at the following Internet
address: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html.
The following additional requirements apply to this project:
AR-4 HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions
AR-8 Public Health System Reporting Requirements
AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace 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
PHS5161-1 application 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, 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.
f. Additional Requested Information.
2. Annual progress report, due 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.
These reports must be mailed to the Grants Management Specialist
listed in the ``Agency Contacts'' section of this announcement.
VII. Agency Contacts
We encourage inquiries concerning this announcement.
For general questions, contact: Technical Information Management
Section, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine Road,
Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: 770-488-2700.
For program technical assistance, contact: Tadesse Wuhib, MD, MPH,
Country Director, CDC-Ethiopia, PO 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, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: 770-488-
1515, E-mail: SWynn@cdc.gov.
VIII. Other Information
This and other CDC funding opportunity announcements can be found
on the CDC Web site, Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov. Click on
``Funding'', then ``Grants and Cooperative Agreements.''
Dated: August 17, 2005.
William P. Nichols,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 05-16832 Filed 8-23-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P