[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 124 (Wednesday, June 29, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-15739]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 29, 1994]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Announcement Number 487]

 

Computer Image-Based Cytology Proficiency Test Pilot Program

Introduction

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of funds for fiscal year (FY) 1994 for a cooperative 
agreement with professional organizations to provide a Computer Image-
Based Cytology Proficiency Test (PT) Pilot Program.
    The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the 
health promotion and disease prevention objectives of ``Healthy People 
2000,'' a PHS-led national activity to reduce morbidity and mortality 
and improve the quality of life. This announcement is related to the 
priority area of Preventive Services. (For ordering a copy of ``Healthy 
People 2000,'' see the section ``Where To Obtain Additional 
Information.'')

Authority

    This program is authorized under sections 317 and 353 of the 
Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 247b and 263a], as amended.

Smoke-Free Workplace

    The Public Health Service strongly encourages all grant recipients 
to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all 
tobacco products. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect 
and advance the physical and mental health of the American people.

Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be provided to private non-profit professional 
organizations whose membership includes cytopathologists and/or 
cytotechnologist who: (1) are concerned with the screening and 
interpretation of gynecologic cytology specimens and, (2) currently use 
computer imaging for testing purposes, or conducting cytology 
proficiency testing programs or other forms of performance evaluation 
in cytology.
    These organizations would be the most appropriate applicants 
because:
    1. The organization's membership has the expertise and experience 
needed to conduct quality proficiency tests.
    2. The organizations have a demonstrated interest in improving the 
performance of cytology professionals.
    3. The direct impact of proficiency tests on the membership of the 
organizations provides a strong incentive to develop effective PT 
programs.
    4. The memberships of the organization provide a ready source of 
participants for the pilot project. Participation would familiarize the 
professionals with computer-based PT.

Availability of Funds

    Approximately $200,000 is available in FY 1994 to fund up to three 
cooperative agreements. It is expected that the average award will be 
$66,000. It is expected that the awards will begin on or about 
September 23, 1994, and will be made for a 12-month budget and project 
period.

Purpose

    The purpose of this cooperative agreement program is to assist 
professional organizations in the development of effective alternatives 
to the use of glass slides in cytology proficiency tests by conducting 
computer image-based cytology PT pilot programs.

Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under A. 
(Recipient Activities), and CDC will be responsible for the activities 
listed under B. (CDC Activities).

A. Recipient Activities

    1. Conduct a cytology PT pilot project that is patterned after the 
cytology PT requirements in the Clinical Laboratory Improvement 
Amendment (CLIA) regulations except that:

    a. computer images will be used in lieu of glass slides,
    b. testing may be performed off-site (for example, at national 
or regional meetings) but must be supervised, wherever it is 
conducted,
    c. samples must be classified according to the Bethesda system,
    d. participation will be voluntary,
    e. individual results will be compiled, but without personal 
identifiers.

    2. Develop computer images from glass slides, the classification of 
which has been agreed upon by three pathologists.
    3. Evaluate participant acceptance of PT using a computer instead 
of a microscope.
    4. Identify logistical or other issues that could affect the 
feasibility or acceptance of using computer imaging on an ongoing 
basis.

B. CDC Activities

    1. Assist in the review of slide sets that are selected for 
digitizing.
    2. Collaborate on the development of the computer imaging that is 
created and the computer software that is used.
    3. Participate in the planning of scheduled testing events.
    4. Provide technical assistance in the planning of measures to 
assess participant acceptance.

Evaluation Criteria

    Applications will be reviewed and evaluated according to the 
following criteria:
    1. Responsiveness to the objectives of the cooperative agreement 
including: a) applicant's understanding of the objectives of the 
proposed cooperative agreement; and b) relevance of the proposal to the 
stated objectives. (25 points)
    2. Ability to provide staff, knowledge, participants, and other 
resources required to perform the applicant's responsibilities of this 
project. The qualifications and time allocations of key personnel, 
facilities, equipment and other resources available for performance of 
this project. Curricula vitae of key personnel should be provided. (25 
points)
    3. Methods to be used in carrying out the responsibilities of this 
project. Steps to be taken in planning and implementation of this 
project. (25 points)
    4. Schedule for accomplishing the activities of this project and 
methods for evaluating the accomplishments. (25 points)
    5. The budget will be evaluated to the extent that it is 
reasonable, clearly justified, and consistent with the intended use of 
funds. (Not scored)

Executive Order 12372 Review

    This program is not subject to the Executive Order 12372 review.

Public Health System Reporting Requirement

    This program is not subject to the Public Health System Reporting 
Requirements.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.283.

Application Submission and Deadline

    The original and two copies of the application Form PHS-5161-1 
(Revised 7/92, OMB Control Number 0937-0189) must be submitted to 
Elizabeth M. Taylor, Grants Management Officer, Grants Management 
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., room 305, Mailstop E-
16, Atlanta, Georgia 30305, on or before August 3, 1994.
    1. Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting the 
deadline if they are either:
    (a) Received on or before the deadline date; or
    (b) Sent on or before the deadline date and received in time for 
submission to the objective review group. (Applicants must request a 
legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or obtain a legibly dated 
receipt from a commercial carrier or U.S. Postal Service. Private 
metered postmarks shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.)

Where To Obtain Additional Information

    A complete program description and information on application 
procedures are contained in the application package. Business 
management technical assistance may be obtained from Marsha D. 
Driggans, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, 
Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., room 305, Mailstop E-
16, Atlanta, Georgia 30305, telephone (404) 842-6523.
    Programmatic technical assistance may be obtained from MariBeth C. 
Gagnon, Cytotechnologist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC), Public Health Practice Program office, Division of Laboratory 
Systems, 4770 Buford Highway, NE., Mailstop F-11, Atlanta, Georgia 
30341-3724, telephone (404) 488-7670.
    Please refer to Announcement 487 when requesting information and 
submitting an application.
    Potential applicants may obtain a copy of ``Healthy People 2000'' 
(Full Report, Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or ``Healthy People 2000'' 
(Summary Report, Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) referenced in the 
``Introduction'' through the Superintendent of Documents, Government 
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325, telephone (202) 738-3238.

    Dated: June 23, 1994.
Ladene H. Newton,
Acting Associate Director for Management and Operations, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 94-15739 Filed 6-28-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P