[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 116 (Friday, June 16, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31724-31726]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-14771]



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 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
[Announcement 572]


National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Prevention 
of Stress and Health Consequences of Workplace Downsizing and 
Reorganization

Introduction

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1995 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program to study organizational downsizing/reorganization and propose 
interventions to reduce the negative health and performance 
consequences among employees. The research funded by this cooperative 
agreement will focus on the defense nuclear industry where large-scale 
downsizing and reorganization are currently occurring, but the research 
will provide a model for other industries affected by downsizing and 
reorganization issues.
    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 areas of Occupational Safety and Health and Mental Health and 
Mental Disorders. (For ordering a copy of Healthy People 2000, see the 
Section Where to Obtain Additional Information.)

Authority

    This program is authorized under Sections 20 (a) and 22(e)(7) of 
the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 669(a) and 
671(e)(7)).

Smoke-free Workplace

    The PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a 
smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products, 
and Public Law 103-227, the Pro- Children Act of 1994, prohibits 
smoking in certain facilities that receive Federal funds in which 
education, library, day care, health care and early childhood 
development services are provided to children.

Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public and private, non-profit and 
for-profit organizations and governments, and their agencies. Thus, 
universities, colleges, research institutions, hospitals, other public 
and private organizations, State and local health departments or their 
bona fide agents, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, 
Indian tribes or Indian tribal organizations, and small, minority-, 
and/or women-owned businesses are eligible to apply.

Availability of Funds

    Approximately $300,000 is available in FY 1995 to fund at least one 
award. It is expected that the award will begin on or about September 
30, 1995, and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a 
project period of 3 to 5 years. Funding estimates may vary and are 
subject to change.
    Continuation awards within the project period will be made on the 
basis of satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.

Purpose

    The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to utilize the special 
resources of the extramural community to conduct a program of applied 

[[Page 31725]]
research in the prevention of negative health consequences of 
organizational downsizing/reorganization in selected facilities of the 
defense nuclear and related industries. The program will consist of 
applied research to assess the effects of downsizing on employee health 
and well-being, and on organizational culture/climate. Specifically, 
this cooperative agreement is intended to result in the development, 
implementation, and evaluation of practical interventions for 
preventing the negative health and performance consequences of 
downsizing. Primary prevention strategies should be emphasized (e.g., 
recommending ``best practices'' for downsizing), but secondary 
prevention strategies, if linked to a primary prevention strategy, can 
be proposed (e.g., provision of counseling for employees).
    At least three key aspects of downsizing/reorganization should be 
assessed in any research proposal: (1) The purpose of downsizing 
(proactive vs. reactive); (2) the process of downsizing (targeted vs. 
across-the-board changes, communication style etc.); and (3) the 
provision of assistance to employees who lose their jobs (finding new 
jobs or acquiring new skills), and employees who retain their jobs. 
Outcome measures can include measures of perceived stress, health 
consequences to downsizing of those employees who retain their jobs, 
employee commitment and involvement and organizational culture/climate. 
The findings should be used to develop preventive interventions; for 
example, identifying best practice for reducing negative health 
effects of downsizing, or implementing strategies to reduce employee 
uncertainty and ambiguity during downsizing. Finally, proposals must 
include an evaluation component which describes the approach and method 
by which the efficacy of the intervention(s) will be assessed.

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/NIOSH will be responsible for 
conducting activities under B. (CDC/NIOSH Activities).

A. Recipient Activities

    1. Develop and conduct a study of the health and performance 
consequences of downsizing and/or reorganization.
    2. Develop a research protocol that reviews the pertinent 
downsizing/reorganization and organizational stress/health literatures, 
and describes the study methodology, data to be collected and the 
proposed analysis of the data; present the protocol to a panel of peer 
reviewers and revise the protocol as required for final approval by 
CDC/NIOSH.
    3. Conduct all required medical and laboratory tests on workers 
participating in the study, collect questionnaire/interview information 
and identifying data on workers, and analyze data.
    4. Prepare a final report summarizing the study methodology, 
results obtained, conclusions reached and recommendations for 
preventing the negative health and performance consequences of 
downsizing and additional research needs.
    5. Where appropriate, collaborate with CDC/NIOSH scientists who are 
working in complementary research areas.
    6. Report research results to the scientific community via 
presentations at professional conferences and articles in peer-reviewed 
journals.

B. CDC/NIOSH Activities

    1. Provide scientific, epidemiologic, engineering, environmental, 
industrial hygiene, and clinical technical assistance, as needed, for 
the successful completion of this project.
    2. Identify and convene Peer Review Panel to review draft study 
protocol.
    3. Assist in formulating the study design, the analysis of data 
collected by the recipient, interpretation of the results, and 
preparation of the written reports.
    4. Engage in scientific collaboration in research areas of mutual 
interest and investigation.

Evaluation Criteria

    The application will be reviewed and evaluated according to the 
following criteria:
1. Understanding of the Problem (25%)
    Responsiveness to the objective of the cooperative agreement 
including: (a) applicant's understanding of the research needed to 
document the health and performance consequences of downsizing and/or 
reorganization and the objective of the proposed cooperative agreement, 
and (b) relevance of the proposal to the objective.
2. Study Design and Project Planning (40%)
    Steps proposed in planning and implementing this project, and the 
respective responsibilities of the applicant for carrying out those 
steps, the proposed approach to the study and the draft (or detailed 
outline) of the study protocol. The applicant's schedule proposed for 
accomplishing the activities to be carried out in this project and for 
evaluating the accomplishments.
3. Program Personnel (25%)
    Qualification and time allocation of the professional staff to be 
assigned to this project and applicant's ability to provide 
knowledgeable staff required to perform the applicant's 
responsibilities in this project, and the approach to be used in 
carrying out those responsibilities.
4. Facilities and Resources (10%)
    The adequacy of the applicant's facilities, equipment, and other 
resources available for performance of this project.
5. Budget Justification (not scored)
    The budget will be evaluated to the extent that it is reasonable, 
clearly justified, and consistent with the intended use of funds.

Executive Order 12372 Review

    Applications are subject to Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs as governed by Executive Order (E.O.) 12372. E.O. 12372 sets 
up a system for State and local government review of proposed Federal 
assistance applications. Applicants (other than federally recognized 
Indian tribal governments) should contact their State Single Point of 
Contact (SPOC) as early as possible to alert them to the prospective 
applications and receive any necessary instructions on the State 
process. For proposed projects serving more than one State, the 
applicant is advised to contact the SPOC for each affected State. 
Indian tribes are strongly encouraged to request tribal government 
review of the proposed application. A current list of SPOCs is included 
in the application kit.
    If SPOCs or tribal governments have any State process 
recommendations on applications submitted to CDC, they should send them 
to Henry S. Cassell, III, Grants Management Officer, Grants Management 
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Atlanta, GA 30305, no 
later than 60 days after the application deadline date. The Program 
Announcement Number and Program Title should be referenced on the 
document. The granting agency does not guarantee to ``accommodate or 
explain'' State or tribal process recommendations it receives after 
that date. 

[[Page 31726]]


Public Health System Reporting Requirements

    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 93.956.

Other Requirements

Paperwork Reduction Act

    Projects funded through the cooperative agreement mechanism of this 
program involving the collection of information from 10 or more 
individuals will be subject to review and approval by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Human Subjects

    If the proposed project involves research on human subjects, the 
applicant must comply with the DHHS Regulations, 45 CFR part 46, 
regarding the protection of human subjects. Assurance must be provided 
to demonstrate the project will be subject to initial and continuing 
review by an appropriate institutional review committee. The applicant 
will be responsible for providing assurance in accordance with the 
appropriate guidelines and form provided in the application kit.
    In addition to other applicable committees, Indian Health Service 
(IHS) institutional review committees also must review the project if 
any component of IHS will be involved or will support the research. If 
any American Indian community is involved, its tribal government must 
also approve that portion of the project applicable to it.

Application Submission and Deadline

    The original and two copies of the application PHS Form 5161-1 
(Revised 7/92, OMB Control Number 0937-0189) must be submitted to Henry 
S. Cassell, III, Grants Management Officer, Grants Management Branch, 
Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), Mailstop E-13, 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 
300, Atlanta, GA 30305, on or before July 17, 1995.
    1. Deadline: Applications will 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 independent review group. Applicants must request a 
legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or obtain a legibly dated 
receipt from a commercial carrier or the U.S. Postal Service. Private 
metered postmarks shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.
    2. Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria 
in 1.(a) or 1.(b) above are considered late applications. Late 
applications will not be considered in the current competition and will 
be returned to the applicant.

Where To Obtain Additional Information

    To receive additional written information call (404) 332-4561. You 
will be asked to leave your name, address, and telephone number and 
will need to refer to Announcement 572. You will receive a complete 
program description, information on application procedures, and 
application forms.
    If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the 
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained 
from Oppie Byrd, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management 
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 300, Mailstop E-
13, Atlanta, GA 30305, telephone (404) 842-6546.
    Programmatic technical assistance may be obtained from Lawrence R. 
Murphy, Ph.D., Division of Biomedical and Behavioral Science, National 
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC), 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 
45226, telephone (513) 533-8171, Fax (513) 533-8510, Email (Internet): 
[email protected].
    Please refer to Announcement 572 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 
Section through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing 
Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325, telephone (202) 512-1800.
    Dated: June 12, 1995.
Diane D. Porter,
Acting Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 95-14771 Filed 6-15-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-19-P