[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 60 (Tuesday, March 29, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-7340]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 29, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health Resources and Services Administration
[PN 2194]
RIN-0905-ZA13

 

Availability of Funds for Special Projects of National 
Significance Under the Ryan White CARE Act

AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds.

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SUMMARY: The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) 
announces that up to $2.5 million under the Special Projects of 
National Significance (SPNS) program is available in fiscal year 1994 
funds. Applicants can apply for two-year project periods under one of 
either of the following categories: Category A: Model Dissemination to 
assure wider dissemination of successful SPNS models through training, 
technical assistance, adaptation or actual replication of these 
programs; or Category B: Model Refinement to refine and more rigorously 
evaluate (e.g., using quasi-experimental designs) successful models, or 
to further develop and evaluate promising aspects of successful models. 
These grants are authorized by section 2618 (a) of the Public Health 
Service Act and the funds are appropriated under Public Law 103-112.
    The SPNS program is designed to demonstrate and test innovative and 
potentially replicable HIV service delivery models. Therefore, crucial 
factors in appraising proposals will include the following as 
determined by the category for which funding is sought: Documentation 
through evaluation findings of model effectiveness; potential for 
replication; program refinements with the potential to have a strong 
impact on service delivery; and the ability of programs to carry out 
dissemination. Proposals that seek funding for only continuation of 
present project activities or only for the support of oral/written 
presentation of evaluation findings will not be considered for review.

Healthy People 2000 Objectives:

    The Public Health Services urges applicants to address a specific 
objective of the Healthy People 2000 in their work plan. Potential 
applicants may obtain a copy of Healthy People 2000 (Full Report; Stock 
No. 017-001-00473-0) or Healthy People 2000 (Summary Report; Stock No. 
017-001-00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government 
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (Telephone: (202) 783-3238).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Program Purpose

    The primary purpose of the SPNS program is to advance knowledge and 
skills in the delivery of health and support services to people with 
HIV disease. This is accomplished through funding and technical support 
of projects that demonstrate and evaluate service delivery models which 
meet the SPNS program objectives and target one of the Special Project 
Categories described below. The objectives under this subsection are as 
follows: (1) To assess the effectiveness of different models of care; 
(2) to support innovative program design; and (3) to promote 
replication of effective models.

Availability of Funds

    Section 2618, subsection (a) of the Public Health Services Act 
provides for ``Special Projects of National Significance.'' The 
provision permits the Secretary to allocate up to ten percent of the 
funds provided for part B of Title XXVI to award direct grants to 
public and non-profit private entities to carry out the objectives of 
the statute. Approximately $2.5 million is available in FY 1994, for up 
to ten projects to be funded at about $250,000 each. The budget and 
project periods for approved and funded projects will begin October 1, 
1994. Project periods may be requested for up to two years. Grants to 
support projects beyond the first budget year will be contingent upon 
the availability of funds and satisfactory progress in meeting the 
project's objectives. Applicants are required to submit, in the initial 
application, budgets for each proposed project year.

Eligible Applicants

    State and local governments and private, non-profit organizations 
who have demonstrated, documented, and completed a program evaluation 
of an innovative HIV service delivery model during the last three to 
five years. The model must be in operation at the time of application 
and intend to remain operating during the project period requested by 
the applicant. Current SPNS grantees with similar service delivery 
models are encouraged to submit a joint application as a consortia.

Description of Categories

    Applicants can submit a proposal for only one of the subcategories 
described under Category A or B.

Category A--Model Dissemination

    1. Provision of technical assistance (TA) to another or several 
organization(s) for replication of an innovative and previously 
evaluated HIV service delivery model. This TA would involve assessing 
the feasibility in a particular community for the model, assisting in 
identifying key roles and key players, and providing a framework for 
implementation and evaluation. It would include developing a 
consultation plan for addressing unanticipated problems or concerns 
related to the replication, and for training on specific tasks or 
aspects of the replication. For example, this might include setting up 
referral systems, designing data collection instruments for evaluation, 
or modifying services to meet differing needs of the target 
population(s). It is anticipated that the TA will be delivered in the 
form of site visits and/or regional workshops and training programs, 
which can include the assistance of national AIDS organizations and/or 
AIDS Education and Training Centers (AETCs).
    2. Replication of an evaluated HIV service delivery model by the 
model developer in another geographic area(s) or with another 
population(s). While it is assumed that replication of the model will 
require some adaptation (for example, to tailor the model to the 
differing needs of another area or population) it is anticipated that 
these adaptations will be minor.
    The organizational entity that developed the model must direct and 
oversee all activities related to the replication. Additional project 
management may be provided by the agencies serving as replication 
sites. The preferred evaluation strategy will be a comparison between 
the original project and the replication sites to determine differences 
in effectiveness of the model between geographic areas and/or 
populations being served. Funds awarded for model replication cannot be 
used by the applicant for the provision of services associated with 
existing project activities. It is anticipated that the budgetary 
requirements of the applicant organization will be for services at the 
replication site, administration of the project and the program 
evaluation.
    3. Development of a major instructional component within an 
evaluated HIV service delivery project to enhance knowledge and build 
capacity in other agencies for replication and/or adaptation. Teaching 
programs can be established to allow agencies and/or individuals 
wanting to set up similar projects to consult with staff, visit 
agencies linked to the project, and participate directly in service 
delivery and evaluation activities. A plan must be developed for 
notifying providers, particularly those in other municipalities and 
States, of the instructional opportunities available through this 
project. Travel funds may be budgeted to facilitate instructional 
activities, as well as limited funds to continue the current activities 
of the SPNS project.
    4. Provision of technical assistance to organizations that want to 
change their delivery and approach to HIV-related services through 
partial replication of an evaluated HIV service delivery model. The HIV 
service delivery project team will assess the transferability of the 
knowledge, skills, and specific model elements they have developed as a 
result of implementing and evaluating the model. The project team will 
work actively with organizations to assist them in adapting and 
incorporating aspects of the model into its HIV-related services in a 
manner appropriate to the organization's structure, environment, and 
clientele.

Category B--Model Refinement

    1. Refine an evaluated HIV service delivery model based on 
information and data collected from the current project and conduct a 
rigorous evaluation of the refined HIV service delivery model. Use of a 
quasi-experimental design that compares the refined model with at least 
one other model or form of intervention is preferred.
    2. Refinement of an innovative aspect of an evaluated HIV 
service delivery model. The project will focus on and further 
evaluate a promising component of an evaluated HIV service delivery 
model with the same or a different population. This aspect should 
include a service component that is not traditionally funded and is 
innovative in design.

Review Criteria

    Applications submitted to the SPNS program for Model Dissemination 
and Refinement grants will be reviewed and rated by an objective review 
panel. Criteria for the technical review of applications will include 
the following factors:
    Factor 1 (10 points) Adequacy of justification of need for the 
proposed program within the community and target population to be 
served by the project.
    Factor 2 (15 points) Effectiveness of the evaluated HIV service 
delivery model and it potential significance on HIV service delivery 
through replication and/or adaptation.
    Factor 3 (25 points) Comprehensiveness of the program plan as 
described in broad and clearly stated goals, time-limited and 
measurable objectives for each goal, activities for each objective, and 
a time line that shows the scheduled production of materials/products 
that corresponds to milestones stated in the objectives and program 
evaluation.
    Factor 4 (10 points) Competency of the applicant organization in 
fiscal and program management as evidenced through (a) the consistency 
between the proposed level of effort being and the budget 
justification; (b) skill level and time commitment required in the 
personnel specifications; (c) the level of resources being proposed to 
conduct a quality evaluation of the project; and (d) appropriate 
handling of confidential medical, social service, and epidemiological 
data of clients served.
    Factor 5 (10 points) Extensiveness of coordination and 
collaboration with related HIV activities within the project's 
catchment area.
    Factor 6 (Category A: 10 points; Category B: 20 points) 
Appropriateness and feasibility of the evaluation plan proposed by the 
applicant.
    Factor 7 (Category A: 20 points; Category B: 10 points) Expertise 
in producing and distributing information about the current HIV service 
delivery model, including skills in professional writing, training, and 
technical assistance.

Other Grant Information

    Date Applications Due: Grant applications must be received in the 
Grants Management Office by the close of business May 31, 1994 to be 
considered for competition. Applications will meet the deadline if they 
are either (1) received on or before the deadline date or (2) 
postmarked on or before the deadline date, and received in time for 
submission to the review committee. A legibly dated receipt from a 
commercial carrier or U.S. Postal Service will be accepted in lieu of a 
postmark. Private metered postmarks shall not be accepted as proof of 
timely mailing. Applications received after the deadline will be 
returned.
    Allowable Costs: The basis for determining allocable and allowable 
costs to be charged to PHS grants is set forth in 45 CFR part 74, 
subpart Q and 45 CFR part 92 for State, local or tribal governments. 
The four separate sets of cost principles prescribed for public and 
private non-profit recipients are: OMB Circular A-87 for State, local 
or tribal governments; OMB Circular A-21 for institutions of higher 
education; 45 CFR part 74, appendix E for hospitals; and OMB Circular 
A-122 for nonprofit organizations. Reporting and Other Requirements: A 
successful applicant under this notice will submit semi-annual activity 
summary reports in accordance with provisions of the general 
regulations which apply under 45 CFR part 74, subpart J, ``Monitoring 
and Reporting of Program Performance,'' with the exception of State and 
local governments to which 45 CFR part 92, Subpart C reporting 
requirements apply. Also, grantees must be prepared to cooperate with 
HRSA, and its contractors, by participating in multi-site evaluation 
studies sponsored by the SPNS Program.
    Public Health System Reporting Requirements: This program is 
subject to the Public Health System Reporting Requirements which have 
been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under No. 0937-
0195. Under these requirements, any community-based, non-governmental 
applicant must prepare and submit a Public Health System Impact 
Statement (PHSIS). The PHSIS is intended to keep State and local health 
officials apprised of proposed health services grant applications 
submitted from within their jurisdictions.
    Community-based, non-governmental applicants are required to 
submit, no later than the Federal due date for receipt of the 
application, the following information to the administrator of the 
State and local health agencies and to the State and local AIDS program 
director in the area(s) to be impacted by the proposal: (a) A copy of 
the face page of the application (SF 424); and, (b) a summary of the 
project (PHSIS), not to exceed one page, which provides: (1) A 
description of the population to be served; (2) a summary of the 
services to be provided; and, (3) a description of the coordination 
planned with the appropriate State or local health agencies. Copies of 
the letters forwarding the PHSIS to these authorities must be contained 
in the application materials submitted to this program.
    Executive Order 12372: The Special Projects of National 
Significance Grant Program has been determined to be a program subject 
to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, concerning 
intergovernmental review of Federal Programs, as implemented by 45 CFR 
100.13. Under urgent conditions, the Secretary may waive any provision 
of this regulation. The Secretary has waived 45 CFR 100.13 due to the 
compelling need to get funds to grantees.

    OMB Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: Number for the 
Special Projects of National Significance is 93.928.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional technical or program 
information may be obtained from Mr. George Sonsel, SPNS Branch, Office 
of Science and Epidemiology, Bureau of Health Resources Development, 
Health Resources and Services Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, room 
7A-19, Rockville, MD 20857. The telephone number is (301) 443-9976 and 
the FAX number is (301) 592-2511. Grant applications, guidance 
materials, and additional information regarding business, 
administrative and fiscal issues related to the awarding of grants 
under this Notice may be requested from Ms. Glenna Wilcom, Grants 
Management Officer, Bureau of Health Resources Development, Health 
Resources and Services Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, room 7-15, 
Rockville, MD 20857. The telephone number is (301) 443-2280 and the FAX 
number is (301) 594-6096. Applicants for grants will use Form PHS 5161-
1, approved under OMB Control No. 0937-0189. Completed applications 
should be sent to the Grants Management Officer.

    Dated: February 17, 1994.
William A. Robinson,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 94-7340 Filed 3-28-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-15-P