[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 165 (Friday, August 26, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50350-50357]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16990]
[[Page 50350]]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Enhancing and Strengthening the Capacity of National Faith-Based
Organizations, Community Based Organizations and Non-Governmental
Organizations To Respond Effectively to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the
United Republic of Tanzania, Under the President's Emergency Plan for
AIDS Relief
Announcement Type: New.
Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-AA247.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.067.
Key Dates: Application Deadline: September 22, 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 Tanzania are to treat at
least 150,000 HIV-infected individuals and care for 750,000 HIV-
affected individuals, including orphans.
Purpose: 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.
The purpose of this funding announcement is to build progressively
an indigenous, sustainable response to the national HIV epidemic
through enhancing and strengthening the capacity of national faith-
based organizations (FBOs), community-based Organizations (CBOs) and
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to respond effectively to the
HIV/AIDS epidemic in Tanzania.
This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by
HHS, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If
an applicant proposes research activities, HHS will not review the
application. For the definition of ``research,'' please see the HHS/CDC
web site at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/ads/opspoll1.htm.
Activities: 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 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 Tanzania will review as part of the annual Emergency
Plan for AIDS Relief Country Operational Plan review and approval
process, managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. The
grantee may work on some of the activities listed below in the first
year and in subsequent years, and then progressively add others from
the list to achieve all of the Emergency Plan performance goals, as
cited in the previous section. HHS/CDC, under the guidance of the U.S.
Global AIDS Coordinator, will approve funds for activities on an annual
basis, based on documented performance toward achieving Emergency Plan
goals, as part of the annual Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country
Operational Plan review and approval process.
Awardee activities for covering all program areas are as follows:
1. Work to link activities described here with related HIV care and
other basic social services in the area, and promote coordination at
all levels, including through bodies such as village, district,
regional and national HIV coordination committees and networks of
faith-based organizations.
2. Participate in relevant national technical coordination
committees and in national process(es) to define, implement and monitor
simplified small grants program(s) for faith- and community-based
organizations, to ensure local stakeholders receive adequate
information and assistance to engage and access funding opportunities
supported by the President's Emergency Plan and other donors.
3. Progressively reinforce the capacity of faith- and community-
based organizations and village and district AIDS committees to promote
quality, local ownership, accountability and sustainability of
activities.
4. Develop and implement a project-specific participatory
monitoring and evaluation plan by drawing on national and U.S.
Government requirements and tools, including the strategic information
guidance provided by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
5. Identify and collaborate with the established national HIV/AIDS
coordinating offices in multi-sectoral and civil society organizations
working in/or located in the nine regions of Tanzania.
6. Strengthen the infrastructure capacity of FBOs, CBOs and NGOs to
address the National HIV/AIDS epidemic.
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7. Develop and implement a feasibility study for establishing
confidential voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) and prevention of
mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) centers in rural communities
throughout Tanzania.
8. Develop effective, culturally and age-appropriate HIV education
materials in local languages for mass distribution in communities of
Tanzania in which populations are engaged in high-risk behavior.\1\
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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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9. Mobilize communities to participate and support people living
with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in a stigma-free environment.
10. Develop network/linkages and referral systems for care and
spiritual support of those affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.
11. Conduct a series of in-country skills-building training
programs to build and support a strong HIV care delivery network within
communities, especially rural communities.
12. Develop curricula for life skills and conduct education in
local languages on HIV/AIDS in small and rural communities.
Based on its competitive advantage and proven field experience, the
winning applicant will undertake a broad range of activities to meet
the numerical Emergency Plan targets outlined above. For each of these
activities, the grantee will give priority to evidence-based, yet
culturally adapted, innovative approaches including:
Prevention Activities
1. Abstinence and Be Faithful Behavior-Change Interventions
a. Develop pertinent behavior-change communication (BCC) tools and
strategies that build on existing tools and strategies, such as the
HIV/AIDS lexicon in local languages, and that reflect and respect local
cultural and religious mores.
b. Implement mass-media (especially radio) and proximity abstinence
and faithfulness BCC prevention campaigns to target youth and other
populations in rural settings.
2. Other Complementary Behavior-Change Interventions
Implement a condom social-marketing program specifically targeted
at populations who are engaged in high-risk behaviors,\2\ as part of a
comprehensive community mobilization and behavior-change campaign,
which must include the promotion of abstinence and fidelity, access to
care and treatment, the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission,
and the reduction of HIV-related stigma. Awardees may not implement
condom social marketing without also implementing the abstinence and
faithfulness behavior-change interventions outlined in the preceding
paragraph.
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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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Care Activities
1. Confidential HIV Counseling and Testing (VCT)
a. Develop and implement a BCC campaign to promote confidential HIV
counseling and testing as a routine part of medical care and overcome
barriers to HIV testing for rural and underserved populations, by
building on and complementing existing tools and campaigns.
b. Increase access to confidential HIV counseling and testing for
rural and underserved populations through innovative approaches, such
as mobile outreach confidential HIV counseling and testing linked to
existing static confidential HIV counseling and testing centers, and
making confidential HIV counseling and testing a routine part of
medical care, in partnership with health professionals.
2. Care and Support for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)
a. Perform a preliminary needs assessment to determine priorities
for OVC in rural areas, by assuring coordination with the Tanzanian
technical Ministry responsible for OVC.
b. Provide expanded care and support to meet the needs of OVC in
rural areas, consistent with the major findings of the initial needs
assessment; this could include small grants to rural CBOs and FBOs.
3. Palliative Care: Basic Health Care and Support
Establish and monitor comprehensive palliative care activities by
using innovative approaches to increase access to underserved
populations through expanded community-level care supported by and
linked to existing care and/or mobile outreach clinics/teams in rural
areas.
Support To Access and Adherence to Comprehensive HIV Treatment,
Including Anti-Retrovirals
1. Implement treatment literacy programs to target rural and
underserved populations by building on and complementing existing
strategies and tools, which could include the use of the recently-
developed HIV/AIDS lexicon in local languages, testimonies/advocacy by
persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), the training of faith leaders and
HIV village action committees.
2. Develop or enhance a functional referral network to link rural
and underserved HIV-positive persons and their families to health care
and other basic social services.
Strategic Information
1. Using participatory approaches, develop and implement a
strategic information/monitoring and evaluation plan consistent with
national policies and the strategic information guidance established by
the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator that draws on available
data and national tools and uses quantitative and qualitative methods.
2. Collect, analyze and disseminate data to ensure adequate
baseline data and regular data reports to support targeted service
delivery, program monitoring and evaluation, and appropriate
information systems.
3. Progressively expand the capacity of the Tanzanian government
and local non-governmental organizations to use data for policy and
planning.
4. Report data to relevant local and national stakeholders in
Tanzania, including by making it available to the general public in
local languages.
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:
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1. Organize an orientation meeting with the grantee to brief it on
applicable U.S. Government, HHS, and Emergency Plan expectations,
regulations and key management requirements, as well as report formats
and contents. The orientation could include meetings with staff from
HHS agencies and the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
2. Collaborate with the applicant and international partners in the
development of plans for strengthening the capacity of FBO clergy,
community workers and NGO staff in communities and other health
professionals to identify and care for those infected and affected by
HIV/AIDS.
3. Collaborate with the applicant and international partners in the
delivery of integrated and comprehensive HIV care in nine regions which
are HHS expansion sites for Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 (Kigoma, Ruvuma,
Rukwa, Dodoma, Lindi, Mara, Shinyanga, Tanga, and Singida).
4. Provide consultation and scientific and technical assistance
based on the ``HHS/CDC Global AIDS Program (GAP) Technical Strategies''
document to promote the use of best practices known at the time.
5. Facilitate in-country planning and review meetings for the
purpose of ensuring coordination of country-based program technical
assistance activities.
6. Function as a liaison and assist in coordinating activities, as
required, between the applicant and other NGOs, FBOs, CBOs, the
Government of Tanzania (GOT), and other CDC, HHS/GAP partners.
7. Provide technical assistance in developing internal capacity for
administering the cooperative agreement and reporting of activities.
8. Provide strategic information support to guide program planning
and targeting of resources.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. Meet on a monthly basis with grantee to assess monthly
expenditures in relation to approved work plan and modify plans as
necessary.
13. Meet on a quarterly basis with grantee to assess quarterly
technical and financial progress reports and modify plans as necessary.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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 \3\, correct and consistent condom use.
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\3\ 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 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
Number of persons trained in strategic information,
direct.
E. Expanded Indigenous Sustainable Response
Project-specific quantifiable milestones to measure the
following:
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: $8,500,000 (This amount is an estimate
for the five year project period, and subject to availability of
funds).
Approximate Number of Awards: One.
Approximate Average Award: $1,700,000 (This amount is an estimate
for the first 12-month budget period, and includes direct and indirect
costs.
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Floor of Award Range: None.
Ceiling of Award Range: $1,700,000 (This ceiling is for the first
12-month budget period.)
Anticipated Award Date: September 30, 2005.
Budget Period Length: 12 months.
Project Period Length: Five years.
Throughout the project period, HHS's 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
The following kinds of organizations may submit applications:
Public, non-profit organizations
Private, non-profit organizations
Universities
Colleges
For-profit organizations
Small, minority, women-owned businesses
Community-based organizations
Research institutions
Hospitals
Faith-based organizations
Federally recognized Indian tribal governments
Indian tribes
Indian tribal organizations
State and local governments or their Bona Fide Agents
(this includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna
Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the
Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau)
Political subdivisions of States (in consultation with
States)
Applicants must also meet the following criteria:
1. Have at least three years of documented experience in developing
HIV/AIDS policies and strategic plans for national civil society
organizations and establishing national systems for monitoring and
evaluation of the HIV/AIDS programs in Tanzania.
2. Have at least three years of documented experience in
implementing cost-effective, evidence-based interventions within rural
communities in Tanzania.
3. Have at least three years of documented experience in program
design, planning and management of HIV/AIDS programs in rural
communities within Tanzania.
4. Have extensive, well-established documented network of local
FBOs, CBOs and NGOs that will enable the program to deliver
interventions immediately by building upon previous accomplishments.
While both U.S.-based and Tanzanian organizations are eligible to
apply, we will give preference to well-established Tanzanian
organizations, legally incorporated in Tanzania, that have well-
developed management and financial control systems and established HIV
activities that reach to rural areas of that country.
III.2. Cost-Sharing or Matching Funds
Matching funds are not required for this program. Although matching
funds are not required, preference will go to organizations that can
leverage additional funds to contribute to program goals.
III.3. Other
If applicants request a funding amount greater than the ceiling of
the award range, HHS/CDC will consider the application non-responsive,
and it will not enter into the review process. We will notify you that
your application did not meet the submission requirements.
Special Requirements
If your application is incomplete or non-responsive to the special
requirements listed in this section, it will not enter into the review
process. We will notify you that your application did not meet
submission requirements.
HHS/CDC will consider late applications non-responsive.
See section ``IV.3. Submission Dates and Times'' for more information
on deadlines.
Applicants may be U.S.-based or Tanzanian, but we will
give preference to existing organizations legally incorporated in
Tanzanian with well-developed management and financial control and
established HIV activities with reach to rural areas of Tanzanian.
Applicant must provide documentation that substantiates eligibility
criteria. Such proof could include, but is not limited to, official
documents that describe legal organizational status, annual, financial,
and audit reports, etc.
Note: Title 2 of the United States Code
Section 1611 states that an organization described in Section
501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engages in lobbying
activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds constituting an
award, grant, or loan.
IV. Application and Submission Information
IV.1. Address To Request Application Package
To apply for this funding opportunity use application form PHS
5161-1.
HHS strongly encourages you to submit your application
electronically by using the forms and instructions posted for this
announcement at www.grants.gov.
Application forms and instructions are available on the HHS/CDC Web
site, at the following Internet address: 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: 35. 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.
Your narrative should address activities to be conducted over the
entire project period, and must include the following items in the
order listed:
Project Context and Background (Understanding and Need)
Project Strategy--Description and Methodologies
Project Goals
Project Outputs
Project Contribution to the Goals and Objectives of the
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
Work Plan and Description of Project Components and
Activities
Performance Measures
Timeline (e.g., GANNT Chart)
Management of Project Funds and Reporting.
You may include additional information in the application
appendices. The appendices will not count toward the narrative page
limit. This additional information includes the following:
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Project Budget and Justification
Curriculum vitae of current staff who will work on the
activity
Job descriptions of proposed key positions to be created
for the activity
Quality-Assurance, Monitoring-and-Evaluation, and
Strategic-Information Forms
Applicant's Corporate Capability Statement
Letters of Support
Evidence of Legal Organizational Structure
Applicants must provide documentation that substantiates
their well-developed management and financial controls and ability to
implement HIV activities with reach to rural areas of Tanzania. Such
proof could include, but is not limited to, annual, financial, and
audit reports, etc.
The budget justification will not count in the narrative page
limit.
Although the narrative addresses activities for the entire project,
the applicant should provide a detailed budget only for the first year
of activities, while addressing budgetary plans for subsequent years.
You must have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System
(DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative agreement from the
Federal Government. The DUNS number is a nine-digit identification
number, which uniquely identifies business entities. Obtaining a DUNS
number is easy, and there is no charge. To obtain a DUNS number, access
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 22, 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 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 www.grants.gov. We
will consider electronic applications as having met the deadline if the
applicant organization's Authorizing Official has submitted the
application electronically to Grants.gov on or before the deadline date
and time.
If you submit your application electronically with Grants.gov, your
application will be electronically time/date stamped, which will serve
as receipt of submission. You will receive an e-mail notice of receipt
when HHS/CDC receives the application.
If you submit your application by the United States Postal Service
or commercial delivery service, you must ensure the carrier will be
able to guarantee delivery by the closing date and time. If HHS/CDC
receives your submission after closing because: (1) Carrier error, when
the carrier accepted the package with a guarantee for delivery by the
closing date and time, or (2) significant weather delays or natural
disasters, you will have the opportunity to submit documentation of the
carriers guarantee. If the documentation verifies a carrier problem,
HHS/CDC will consider the submission as received by the deadline.
If you submit a hard copy application, HHS/CDC will not notify you
upon receipt of your submission. If you have a question about the
receipt of your application, first contact your courier. If you still
have a question, contact the PGO-TIM staff at: 770-488-2700. Before
calling, please wait two to three days after the submission deadline.
This will allow time for us to process and log submissions.
This announcement is the definitive guide on application content,
submission address, and deadline. It supersedes information provided in
the application instructions. If your submission does not meet the
deadline above, it will not be eligible for review, and we will discard
it. We will notify you that you did not meet the submission
requirements.
IV.4. Intergovernmental Review of Applications
Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program.
IV.5. Funding Restrictions
Restrictions, which you must take into account while writing your
budget, are as follows:
Funds may not be used for research.
Needle Exchange--No funds appropriated under this Act
shall be used to carry out any program of distributing sterile needles
or syringes for the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug.
Funds may be spent for reasonable program purposes,
including personnel, training, travel, supplies and services. Equipment
may be purchased and renovations completed if deemed necessary to
accomplish program objectives; however, prior approval by HHS/CDC
officials must be requested in writing.
All requests for funds contained in the budget shall be
stated in U.S. dollars. Once an award is made, HHS/CDC will not
compensate foreign grantees for currency exchange fluctuations through
the issuance of supplemental awards.
The costs that are generally allowable in grants to
domestic organizations are allowable to foreign institutions and
international organizations, with the following exception: With the
exception of the American University, Beirut, and the World Health
Organization, Indirect Costs will not be paid (either directly or
through sub-award) to organizations located outside the territorial
limits of the United states or to international organizations,
regardless of their location.
The applicant may contract with other organizations under
this program; however, the applicant must perform a substantial portion
of the activities (including program management and operations, and
delivery of prevention services for which funds are required) relating
to the management of sub-grants to local organizations and improving
their capacity.
You must obtain an annual audit of these HHS/CDC funds
(program-specific audit) by a U.S.-based audit firm with international
branches and current licensure/authority in-country, and in accordance
with International Accounting Standards or equivalent standard(s)
approved in writing by HHS/CDC.
A fiscal Recipient Capability Assessment may be required,
prior to or post award, to review the applicant's business management
and fiscal capabilities regarding the handling of U.S. Federal funds.
Prostitution and Related Activities
The U.S. Government is opposed to prostitution and related
activities, which are inherently harmful and dehumanizing, and
contribute to the phenomenon of trafficking in persons.
Any entity that receives, directly or indirectly, U.S. Government
funds in connection with this document (``recipient'') cannot use such
U.S.
[[Page 50355]]
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
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: www.grants.gov. You will be able to download
a copy of the application package from 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
[email protected], 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 recommend that you submit your grant application by
using Microsoft Office products (e.g., Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel,
etc.). If you do not have access to Microsoft Office products, you may
submit a PDF file. You may find directions for creating PDF files on
the Grants.gov web site. Use of files other than Microsoft Office or
PDF could make your file unreadable for our staff.
OR
Submit the original and two hard copies of your application by mail
or express delivery service to the following address:
Technical Information Management--AA247, 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. Technical Approach (25 points)
Does the applicant's proposal include an overall design strategy,
including measurable time lines? Does the proposal address regular
monitoring and evaluation, and the potential effectiveness of the
proposed activities in meeting 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. Understanding of the Problem (20 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
[[Page 50356]]
develop a comprehensive, collaborative project to reach underserved
populations in Tanzania and meet the goals of the Emergency Plan? Does
the applicant demonstrate a clear and concise understanding of the
nature of the problem described in the Purpose section of this
announcement? Does the proposal specifically include a description of
the public health importance of the planned activities to be undertaken
and realistic presentation of proposed objectives and projects?
3. Ability to Carry Out the Project (20 points)
Does the applicant have demonstrated capability to achieve the
purpose of the project and prior experience in collaborating with other
FBOs, CBOs and NGOs?
4. Personnel (20 points)
Are the professional personnel involved in this project qualified,
including evidence of local language skills and of experience in
working with HIV/AIDS prevention activities.
5. Plans for Administration and Management of Projects (15 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?
6. Budget (not scored)
Is the itemized budget for conducting the project, along with
justification, reasonable and consistent with stated objectives and
planned program activities? Is the budget itemized, well-justified and
consistent with the five-year strategy and goals of the President's
Emergency Plan and Emergency Plan activities in Tanzania?
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:
While U.S.-based organizations are eligible to apply, we will give
preference to existing national/Tanzanian 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 30, 2005.
VI. Award Administration Information
VI.1. Award Notices
Successful applicants will receive a Notice of Award (NoA) from the
HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office. The NoA shall be the only
binding, authorizing document between the recipient and HHS/CDC. An
authorized Grants Management Officer will sign the NoA, and mail it to
the recipient fiscal officer identified in the application.
Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of
the application review by mail.
VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
45 CFR Part 74 and Part 92
For more information on the Code of Federal Regulations, see the
National Archives and Records Administration at the following Internet
address: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html.
The following additional requirements apply to this project:
AR-4 HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions
AR-5 HIV Program Review Panel Requirements
AR-7 Executive Order 12372
AR-8 Public Health System Reporting Requirements
AR-14 Accounting System Requirements
AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status
Applicants can find additional information on these requirements on
the HHS/CDC Web site at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm.
You need to include an additional Certifications form from the PHS
5161-1 application in your Grants.gov electronic submission only.
Please refer to http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/PHS5161-1-Certificates.pdf. Once you have filled out the form, please attach it
to your Grants.gov submission as Other Attachment Forms.
VI.3. Reporting Requirements
You must provide HHS/CDC with an original, plus two hard copies, of
the following reports:
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
Tanzania.
f. Additional Requested Information.
2. Annual progress report, due no later 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
Tanzania.
3. Financial status report, due no more than 90 days after the end
of the budget period.
4. Final financial and performance reports, due no later 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: Cecil Threat, Project
Officer, Global AIDS Program, c/o American Embassy, 2140 Dar es Salaam
Place, Washington, DC 20521-2140, Telephone: 255 22 212 1407, Cell: 255
744 222986, Fax: 255 22 212 1462, e-mail: [email protected].
For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact:
Shirley Wynn, Contract Specialist, CDC Procurement and Grants Office,
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2920 Brandywine Road,
[[Page 50357]]
Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: 770-488-1515, E-mail: [email protected].
VIII. Other Information
Applicants can find this and other HHS funding opportunity
announcements on the HHS/CDC Web site, Internet address: 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: www.globalhealth.gov.
Dated: August 22, 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. 05-16990 Filed 8-25-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P