[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 27, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33251-33254]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-15667]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration


Limited Competitive Cooperative Agreements to Medical 
Organizations to Support Campaign Safe & Sober

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Limited Competitive Cooperative Agreements to Medical 
Organizations to Support Campaign Safe & Sober.

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SUMMARY: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 
announces the availability of FY 1995 limited competitive cooperative 
agreements to support the Secretary of Transportation's goals of 
increasing safety belt use to 75 percent and reducing the proportion of 
alcohol-related fatalities by 35 percent (to 11,000 annually) by the 
year 2005. This notice solicits applications from national, nonprofit 
medical organizations that are interested in developing and 
implementing projects under this program. Project emphasis will be 
placed on promoting legislation to upgrade safety belt laws, actively 
supporting the traffic safety efforts of the law enforcement community, 
promoting injury prevention, and enhancing capacity-building among the 
selected medical organizations' membership to work with the media to 
publicize Campaign Safe & Sober activities.

DATE: Applications must be received at the office designated below on 
or before August 18, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted to the National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Contracts and Procurement 
(NAD-30), ATTN: Rose Watson, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 5301, 
Washington, DC 20590. All applications submitted must include a 
reference to NHTSA Limited Competitive Cooperative Agreement Program 
No. DTNH22-95-H-05202. Interested applicants are advised that no 
separate application package exits beyond the contents of this 
announcement.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General administrative questions may 
be directed to Rose Watson, Office of Contracts and Procurement, at 
(202) 366-9557. Programmatic questions relating to this cooperative 
agreement should be directed to Ms. Fran Hurtado, Highway Safety 
Specialist, Room 5118 (NTS-11), 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20590, at (202) 366-1108.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Traffic crashes are consistently the leading cause of death for 
persons between the ages of 5 and 32, and are a significant cause of 
death for all ages. About 40,000 people die in traffic crashes each 
year and 5 million persons are injured. Many of the deaths and injuries 
that occur on our roads are not the result of unavoidable incidents. 
Instead, the consequences of these crashes are the result of the 
failure to take proper precautions such as wearing safety belts and 
bicycle helmets, and exhibiting unsafe driving behaviors such as 
speeding and impaired driving. Reducing the number of deaths and 
injuries due to motor vehicle crashes is a significant problem 
warranting the attention not only of traffic safety professionals, but 
of medical, nursing and public health professionals as well.
    Wearing safety belts is the most immediate and effective way of 
cutting the highway death toll--and strong occupant protection laws are 
the most effective way of increasing safety belt use. Highway deaths 
could be cut dramatically if all 50 states had primary safety belt use 
laws in effect. The Agency recognizes that usage rates are higher, and 
fatality rates are lower in states with primary enforcement.

(Note: With a primary enforcement law, a citation can be written 
whenever a law officer observes an unbelted driver or passenger. Nine 
States and Puerto Rico currently have primary belt laws; all have use 
rates that exceed 70 percent.)

    Because of the combination of population size and current usage 
rates, the Agency further recognizes that some States are likely to 
contribute more than others to reaching a national use rate of 75 
percent by 1997. NHTSA believes that targeted Agency expertise and 
resources, as well as new private/public sector partnerships should be 
utilized to actively encourage and support high-potential States to set 
and achieve challenging, but reasonable use rates.
    The importance of strengthening the partnership between the traffic 
safety and medical communities in motor vehicle related injury 
prevention programming has been recognized by both parties. Highway 
safety objectives have been included in ``Healthy People 2000,'' the 
national health promotion and disease prevention objectives for the 
year 2000. NHTSA has included the establishment of cooperative traffic 
safety-medical-injury control programs in its priority plan. In 
addition, any future health care reform legislation in the Congress 
will have a major impact. Whatever action is finally taken, wellness 
and preventive health care initiatives are likely to be in the 
forefront of any effort to reduce the medical costs associated with 
illness and injury. This grant provides new opportunities for the 
Agency to solicit the involvement of the medical community in promoting 
motor vehicle injury prevention activity.
    In 1993, Secretary of Transportation Federico Pena announced two 
new national highway safety goals: to reduce the proportion of highway 
fatalities that are alcohol-related to 43 percent, and to increase the 
national safety belt use rate to at least 75 percent by 1997. In 1994, 
the nation met and exceeded the Secretary's alcohol goals, and he has 
subsequently announced an aggressive new alcohol goal of reducing the 
proportion of alcohol-related fatalities by 35 percent (to 11,000 
annually) by the year 2005.
    In support of these goals, NHTSA is currently implementing an 
initiative called ``Campaign Safe & Sober'' that has become the 
centerpiece of the [[Page 33252]] Agency's traffic safety program over 
the next several years. It defines the federal strategy for reaching 
the Secretary's alcohol and belt use goals. Campaign activities will be 
supplemented by outreach programs involving public and private sector 
organizations.
    Generally, however, Campaign Safe & Sober has three components:
     Public information and education to increase public 
awareness of the risks and costs of traffic crashes and to support 
enforcement efforts through highly visible media
     Improved legislation to provide enforceable traffic laws
     Enhanced enforcement to reduce alcohol-impaired driving 
and increase compliance with belt use laws through special Traffic 
Enforcement Programs (STEPS)
    To further the overall goals of Campaign Safe & Sober, NHTSA is 
seeking increased participation of the injury control communities, 
including medical, nursing and public health organizations. The Agency 
has a long history of working with health and medical professionals, 
civic groups, and private sector organizations who can motivate people, 
through their interpersonal contacts, to exhibit safe driving 
behaviors. One of the most effective means of educating the public 
about various highway safety issues has been through these 
organizations. Many organizations have been committed to occupant 
protection and impaired driving issues over the years and have, 
individually, made contributions of time, materials, resources and 
effort to promote the cause.
    In efforts to achieve the Secretary's goals, NHTSA proposes to 
initiate cooperative efforts with two national, nonprofit medical 
organizations. Each of the two organizations will develop a motor 
vehicle injury prevention program specific to the respective 
organization for implementation in mutually selected states and 
communities across the country. The program will focus on alcohol and 
occupant protection issues, but may be expanded to include activities 
in pedestrian, bicycle and motorcycle safety. Program efforts will be 
concentrated on working with the organization's members to effectively 
communicate with their legislators, colleagues, patients, the community 
and law enforcement officials in an effort to increase safety belt use.
    The medical community plays a key role in influencing local and 
state decision makers and elected officials to promote programs and 
policies that discourage unhealthy behaviors (smoking, alcohol or other 
drug abuse, etc.) and encourage healthy behaviors (wearing seat belts, 
bicycle and motorcycle helmets, use of child safety seats, etc.). 
However, the potential for medical leadership in the public policy 
arena often goes unrealized. Capacity-building in the medical community 
needs to be encouraged to augment existing advocacy, legislative and 
media skills.

Objectives

    Under this cooperative agreement, the concepts of injury control, 
through the promotion of safe traffic safety behaviors, will be 
advanced. Specific objectives for this cooperative agreement program 
are as follows:
    1. To promote effective traffic safety legislation, with special 
emphasis on primary safety belt use law upgrades and on broader child 
safety seat legislation.
    2. To work effectively with the media to support the efforts of 
police to enforce occupant protection (and alcohol-impaired driving) 
laws.
    3. To motivate members of these two national medical organizations 
and members of the public they serve to adopt traffic-related behaviors 
that promote safety and health.
    Anticipated activities of this cooperative agreement for each of 
the two medical organizations are:
    1. An assessment of existing motor vehicle/injury control 
prevention activity currently being conducted by the organization.
    2. The development, pilot testing and evaluation of a capacity-
building workshop for the organization's membership to enhance the 
media and advocacy skills necessary to support targeted legislative and 
enforcement activities; and other Campaign Safe & Sober initiatives.
    3. Development of policy statements for the organization in support 
of traffic safety legislation and enforcement.
    4. Development and implementation of a focused, mutually-agreed 
upon strategy (or strategies) targeting high potential States to 
support legislative and enforcement efforts. Possible approaches 
include: identification and development of ``resource members'' to 
provide technical assistance (on-site, by telephone or by mail) to 
individual State/local organizations to prepare letter-writing 
campaigns, to prepare and deliver testimony at legislative hearings, to 
make personal appearances at key meetings/events and in media 
interviews, etc.
    Anticipated outcomes include:
    1. An increase in the number and quality of motor prevention 
activities conducted by the organizations' members (ie., civic and 
professional presentations; media appearances; placement of editorials 
and articles in organizational publications and in the print media).
    2. An observable increase in support for local and statewide 
(alcohol and safety belt) law enforcement efforts in selected sites.
    3. An increase in the number of medical professionals who are 
involved in traffic safety legislative advocacy activities (ie. 
preparation and delivery of testimony, engaging in dialogue with 
legislators, taking leadership roles in traffic safety advocacy 
coalitions.)

Specific Tasks

    1. The contractor shall meet with the COTR within one week after 
the award of the contract to review details of the contractor's 
proposed work plan and schedules for this project.
    2. The contractor shall work with NHTSA to mutually identify high 
potential States that are likely to contribute to reaching a national 
safety belt use rate of 75 percent by 1997.
    3. The contractor shall adapt or develop materials to be used to 
educate members in high potential States.
    4. The contractor shall develop a ``capacity-building'' strategy 
for member to work with the media in high potential States to provide 
support for legislative, enforcement and other ongoing prevention 
efforts (including media efforts, letter-writing capacity, presenting 
testimony, etc.)
    5. The contractor shall identify and train members in high 
potential States to deliver support for legislative and enforcement 
activities.
    6. The contractor or affiliates shall pilot test the capacity-
building strategies and resulting traffic safety advocacy using members 
selected by the medical organization.
    7. A description of pilot activities will be required by the COTR 
before the pilot testing commences. Contingent with the submission of 
the test plan, the contractor shall present the COTR a detailed method 
of evaluating the effectiveness of the strategies.
    8. The contractor shall implement these support activities.
    9. It is imperative that the contractor make provisions in his/her 
organization to continue the implementation of the strategies developed 
after the termination of this cooperative agreement within each of the 
target areas for at least two years. Emphasis should be placed on 
making this an ongoing program that is self-sufficient. NHTSA will be 
prepared to offer suggestions that may assist the contractor to achieve 
this goal.

[[Page 33253]]

    10. Quarterly progress reports will be provided. The contractor 
shall, upon completion of this project, present to NHTSA a detailed 
report of the entire project.

Deliverables

    A final list of required deliverables will be developed in 
accordance with the accepted proposal prior to award. For planning 
purposes, the Agency anticipates that the required deliverables will 
include the following:

Work Plan and Schedules--1 Week, 3 Weeks and 4 Weeks after award
Progress Reports--Quarterly
Final Report (Draft)--1 Year after award
Plan for Self-sustenance, Final Report--2 Months after project 
completion

NHTSA Role in Activities

    The NHTSA Office of Occupant Protection (OOP), National 
Organizations Division (NTS-11) will be involved in all activities 
undertaken as part of this cooperative agreement program and will:
    1. Provide a project officer to participate in the planning and 
management of the cooperative agreement and to coordinate activities 
between the organization and OOP
    2. Make available information and technical assistance from 
government sources, including a copy of the previously conducted NHTSA 
study. Additional assistance shall be within resources available
    3. Provide liaison with government and private agencies as 
appropriate.

Evaluation Criteria and Review Process

    Proposals must demonstrate that the applicant meet all eligibility 
requirements listed above. Proposals will be evaluated based upon bid 
price and upon the following weighted six factors:
    1. Potential Project Impact--25 points. What the organization 
proposes to accomplish and the potential of the proposed project to 
significantly contribute to achieving the Secretary's national alcohol 
and belts goals through Campaign Safe & Sober
    2. Proposed Approach or Strategy--25 points. The extent to which 
the project addresses foreseeable barriers to gaining significant 
involvement of the medical professionals in motor vehicle injury 
prevention advocacy programs. These barriers include awareness, 
motivation, instruction, and personal and financial limitations.
    3. Experience and Capability of Organization--20 points. The 
overall experience, capability and commitment of the organization to 
facilitate involvement of its membership in the promotion of motor 
vehicle injury control.
    4. Soundness of the Proposed Work Plan--15 points. The soundness 
and feasibility of the proposed approach or work plan, including the 
evaluation to assess program effectiveness and outcomes.
    5. Proposed Administrative Plan--10 points. How the organization 
will provide the administrative capability and staff expertise 
necessary to complete the proposed project.
    6. Proposed Coordination Plan--5 points. The proposed coordination 
with and use of other available resources, including collaboration with 
state highway safety offices and other existing or planned state and 
community motor vehicle injury control programs.
    Upon receipt of applications by the agency, they will be screened 
to assure that all eligibility requirements have been met. Applications 
will be reviewed by NHTSA staff using the criteria outlined above. The 
results of this review will be recommendations to the agency management 
for Competitive Cooperative Agreement award.

Support, Terms and Conditions

    Contingent on the availability of funds, satisfactory performance, 
and continued demonstrated need, this cooperative agreement may be 
awarded for a project period of up to twelve months. The application 
for the funding period (12 months) should address what is proposed and 
can be satisfactorily accomplished during that period.
    The anticipated funding level for this cooperative agreement in FY 
95 is $150,000, or $75,000 for each of two (2) organizations. Federal 
funds should be viewed as seed money to assist organizations in the 
development of traffic safety initiatives. Monies allocated in this 
cooperative agreement are not intended to cover all of the costs that 
will be incurred in completing this project. Applicants should 
demonstrate a commitment of financial and in-kind resources to the 
support of this project.
    The organizations participating in this cooperative agreement 
program may use awarded funds to support salaries of individuals 
assigned to the project, the development or purchase of direct program 
materials, direct program-related activities, or for travel related to 
the cooperative agreement.
    The award recipient will be required to submit quarterly progress 
reports on a schedule to be determined after award. In addition, the 
recipient will be required to submit a detailed final summary report 
describing the project and its outcomes no later than two (2) months 
after termination of this agreement.

Eligibility Requirements

    In order to be eligible to participate in this cooperative 
agreement, an organization must meet the following requirements:
    1. Be a private, national, non-profit medical organization;
    2. Have an established membership structure with state/local 
chapters or affiliates in a broad geographic region of the country;
    3. Have in place a schedule of annual regional/state conference or 
conventions and a variety of communication mechanisms that are 
appropriate for educating and motivating members and other constituents 
to become involved in legislative advocacy and implementation support 
of occupant protection laws;
    4. Demonstrate an understanding of occupant protection issues: and
    5. Demonstrate top level support within the organization for the 
project and, where appropriate, demonstrate similar support from the 
membership or local affiliates.
Application Procedures

    1. All applications must be covered by a signed copy of OMB 
Standard Form 424 (revised 4/88, including 424A and 424B) ``Application 
for Federal Assistance'' with the required information filled in and 
the certified assurances included. This form is available from the 
NHTSA Office of Contracts and Procurement (NAD-30), 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20590, (202 366-0607). Form 424-A deals with budget 
information, and Section B identifies Budget Categories, the available 
space does not permit for a level of detail which is sufficient to 
provide for a useful evaluation of the proposed costs. A supplemental 
sheet should be provided which presents a detailed breakdown of the 
proposed costs.
    2. Applications shall include a program narrative statement which 
addresses the following:

A. Goals and Objectives

    (i) Demonstrates the need for the assistance and states the 
principle and subordinate objectives of the project. Supporting 
documentation from concerned interests other than the applicant can be 
used. Any relevant data based on planning studies should be included or 
footnoted.
    (ii) Identifies the results and benefits to be 
derived. [[Page 33254]] 

B. Approach

    (i) Outlines a plan of action pertaining to the scope and detail on 
how the proposed work will be accomplished. Include the reasons for 
taking this approach as opposed to other approaches.
    (ii) Describes any unusual features, such as design or 
technological innovations and extraordinary social/community 
involvement.
    (iii) Provides quantitative projections of the accomplishments to 
be achieved, if possible, or lists the activities in chronological 
order to show the schedule of accomplishments and their target dates.
    (iv) Identifies the kinds of data to be collected and maintained, 
and discusses the criteria to be used to evaluate the results. Explains 
the methodology that will be used to determine if the needs identified 
and discussed are being met and if the results and benefits identified 
are being achieved.
    (v) Lists each organization, corporation, consultant, or other 
individual who will work on the project along with a short description 
of the nature of their effort or contribution and relevant experience.
    3. Applications must be typed on one side of the page only. The 
original and two copies of each application must be submitted. An 
applicant may submit an additional four copies to facilitate the review 
process, but there is no requirement or obligation to do so.

Terms and Conditions of the Award

    Prior to the award, each recipient must comply with the 
certification requirements of 49 CFR part 29--Department of 
Transportation. During the effective period of the cooperative 
agreement awarded as a result of this notice, the agreements shall be 
submitted to general administrative requirements of OMB Circular A-110 
(or the ``common rule'', if effected prior to the award), the cost 
principles of OMB Circular A-21 or A-22, as applicable to the 
recipient, and the provisions of 49 CFR part 29, Governmentwide 
Debarment and Suspension (nonprocurement).

    Issued On: June 21, 1995.
James H. Hedlund,
Acting Associate Administrator, Traffic Safety Programs.
[FR Doc. 95-15667 Filed 6-26-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M