[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 1, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19296-19299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10783]



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Agency for Toxic 
Substances and Disease Registry
[Announcement 703]


Public Health Conference Support Grant Program

Introduction

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency 
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) announce the 
availability of funds in fiscal year (FY) 1997 for the Public Health 
Conference Support Grant Program. CDC and ATSDR are committed to 
achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of 
``Healthy People 2000,'' a national activity to reduce morbidity and 
mortality and improve the quality of life. This announcement is related 
to all of the Healthy People 2000 priority areas, except HIV Infection. 
(An announcement for HIV entitled, ``Public Health Conference Support 
Cooperative Agreement Program for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) 
Prevention'' will be published.) (For ordering a copy of ``Healthy 
People 2000,'' see the Section ``Where To Obtain Additional 
Information.'')

Authority

    The CDC program is authorized under Section 301 [42 U.S.C. 241] and 
Section 310 [42 U.S.C. 242n] of the Public Health Service Act. The 
ATSDR program is authorized under Sections 104(i)(14) and (15) of the 
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act 
(CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, [42 U.S.C. 9604 (i)(14) and (15)].

Smoke-Free Workplace

    CDC and ATSDR strongly encourage 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

    CDC eligible applicants include public and private (e.g., 
community-based, national and regional) organizations, nonprofit and 
for-profit organizations and governments and their agencies. Thus, 
universities, colleges, research institutions, hospitals, other public 
and private organizations, State and local governments 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 for these grants.
    ATSDR eligible applicants are the official public health agencies 
of the States, or their bona fide agents. This includes the District of 
Columbia, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin 
Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the Northern Mariana 
Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Island, the Republic of Palau, 
and federally recognized Indian tribal governments. State 
organizations, including State universities, State colleges, and State 
research institutions, must establish that they meet their respective 
State's legislature definition of a State entity or political 
subdivision to be considered an eligible applicant.

Availability of Funds

    Approximately $500,000 from CDC is expected to be available in FY 
1997 to fund approximately 25-30 awards. The awards range from $1,000 
to $30,000 with the average award being approximately $15,000. The 
awards will be made for a 12-month budget and project period. The 
funding estimates may vary and are subject to change, based on the 
availability of funds. ATSDR expects to have approximately $50,000 
available in FY 1997 to fund approximately 6 awards. It is expected 
that the average award will be $8,000, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. 
Applications requesting more than $10,000 will be given a lesser 
priority and will be subject to the availability of funds. The awards 
will be made for a 12-month budget and project period. Funding 
estimates may vary and are subject to change.

Use of Funds

     CDC and ATSDR funds may be used for direct cost 
expenditures: salaries, speaker fees, rental of necessary equipment, 
registration fees, and transportation costs (not to exceed economy 
class fare) for non-Federal employees.
     CDC and ATSDR funds may NOT be used for the purchase of 
equipment, payments of honoraria, alterations or renovations, 
organizational dues, entertainment or personal expenses, cost of travel 
and payment of a Federal employee, nor per diem or expenses other than 
local mileage for local participants.
     CDC and ATSDR funds may NOT be used for reimbursement of 
indirect costs.
     Although the practice of handing out novelty items at 
meetings is often employed in the private sector to provide 
participants with souvenirs, Federal funds CANNOT be used for this 
purpose.
     CDC and ATSDR funds may be used for only those parts of 
the conference specifically supported by CDC as documented in the grant 
award.
     CDC and ATSDR will NOT fund 100% of any conference 
proposed under this announcement.

Purpose

    The purpose of the CDC and ATSDR conference support grants is to 
provide PARTIAL support for specific non-Federal conferences in the 
areas of health promotion and disease prevention information/education 
programs, (EXCEPT HIV INFECTION.)
    CDC applications are being solicited for conferences on: (1) 
Chronic disease prevention; (2) Infectious disease prevention; (3) 
Control of injury or disease associated with environmental, home, and 
work-place hazards; (4) Environmental health; (5) Occupational safety 
and health; (6) Control of risk factors such as poor nutrition, 
smoking, lack of exercise, high blood pressure, and stress; (7) Health 
education and promotion; (8) Laboratory practices; and (9) Efforts that 
would strengthen the public health system.
    ATSDR applications are being solicited for conferences on: (1) 
Health effects of hazardous substances in the environment; (2) Disease 
and toxic substance exposure registries; (3) Hazardous substance 
removal and

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remediation; (4) Emergency response to toxic and environmental 
disasters; (5) Risk communication; (6) Environmental disease 
surveillance; and (7) Investigation and research on hazardous 
substances in the environment.
    Because conference support by CDC and ATSDR creates the appearance 
of CDC and ATSDR co-sponsorship, there will be active participation by 
CDC and ATSDR in the development and approval of those portions of the 
agenda supported by CDC and ATSDR funds. In addition, CDC and ATSDR 
will reserve the right to approve or reject the content of the full 
agenda, speaker selection, and site selection. CDC and ATSDR funds will 
not be expended for non-approved portions of meetings. Contingency 
awards will be made allowing usage of only 10% of the total amount to 
be awarded until a final full agenda is approved by CDC and ATSDR. This 
will provide funds for costs associated with preparation of the agenda. 
The remainder of funds will be released only upon approval of the final 
full agenda. CDC and ATSDR reserves the right to terminate co-
sponsorship if it does not concur with the final agenda.
    Because CDC's and ATSDR's mission and programs relate to the 
promotion of health and the prevention of disease, disability, and 
premature death, only conferences focusing on such programmatic areas 
will be considered. Those topics concerned with health-care and health-
service issues and areas other than prevention should be directed to 
other public health agencies.

Recipient Requirements

    CDC and ATSDR grantees must meet the following requirements:
    A. Manage all activities related to program content (e.g., 
objectives, topics, attendees, session design, workshops, special 
exhibits, speakers, fees, agenda composition, and printing). Many of 
these items may be developed in concert with assigned CDC and ATSDR 
project personnel.
    B. Provide draft copies of the agenda and proposed ancillary 
activities to CDC and ATSDR for approval. Submit copy of final agenda 
and proposed ancillary activities to CDC and ATSDR for approval.
    C. Determine and manage all promotional activities (e.g., title, 
logo, announcements, mailers, press, etc.). CDC and ATSDR must review 
and approve any materials with reference to CDC and ATSDR involvement 
or support.
    D. Manage all registration processes with participants, invitees, 
and registrants (e.g., travel, reservations, correspondence, conference 
materials and hand-outs, badges, registration procedures, etc.).
    E. Plan, negotiate, and manage conference site arrangements, 
including all audio-visual needs.
    F. Participate in the analysis of data from conference activities 
that pertain to the impact on prevention.
    G. ATSDR grantees must develop and conduct education and training 
programs on prevention of health effects of hazardous substances.
    H. ATSDR grantees must collaborate with ATSDR staff in reporting 
and disseminating results and relevant prevention education and 
training information to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, 
and the general public.

Letter of Intent

    Potential applicants must submit an original and two copies of a 
one-page typewritten Letter of Intent (LOI) that briefly describes the 
title, location, purpose, and date of the proposed conference and the 
intended audience (number and profession). The LOI must also include 
the estimated total cost of the conference and the percentage of the 
total cost (which must be less than 100%) being requested from CDC and 
ATSDR.
    Requests for 100% funding will be considered non-responsive to this 
program announcement and returned to applicant without review. Current 
recipients of CDC and ATSDR funding must provide the award number and 
title of the funded programs. No attachments, booklets, or other 
documents accompanying the LOI will be considered. The one page 
limitation must be observed or the letter of intent will be returned 
without review.
    Letters of Intent will be reviewed by program staff for consistency 
with CDC's and ATSDR's health promotion and disease prevention goals 
and priorities and the purpose of this program.
    Following submission of a LOI, successful potential applicants will 
receive written notification to submit an application for funding. 
Applications may be accepted by CDC and ATSDR only after the LOI has 
been received by CDC and ATSDR and written invitation from CDC and 
ATSDR has been received by prospective applicant. An invitation to 
submit a final application will be made on the basis of the proposed 
conference's relationship to the CDC and ATSDR funding priorities and 
on the availability of funds.

Evaluation Criteria

    CDC applications will be reviewed and evaluated according to the 
following criteria (Total 100 Points):

A. Proposed Program and Technical Approach (25 Points)

    Evaluation will be based on:
    1. The applicant's description of the proposed conference as it 
relates to specific non-Federal conferences in the areas of health 
promotion and disease prevention information/education programs (except 
HIV infection), including the public health need of the proposed 
conference and the degree to which the conference can be expected to 
influence public health practices. Evaluation will be based also on the 
extent of the applicant's collaboration with other agencies serving the 
intended audience, including local health and education agencies 
concerned with health promotion and disease prevention.
    2. The applicant's description of conference objectives in terms of 
quality and specificity and the feasibility of the conference based on 
the operational plan.
    3. The quality of the proposed agenda in addressing the chosen non-
HIV health and disease prevention/education topic.

B. Applicant Capability (10 Points)

    Evaluation will be based on the adequacy of applicant's resources 
(additional sources of funding, organization's strengths, staff time, 
proposed facilities, etc.) available for conducting conference 
activities.

C. The Qualification of Program Personnel (20 Points)

    Evaluation will be based on the extent to which the application has 
described:
    1. The qualifications, experience, and commitment of the principal 
staff person, and his/her ability to devote adequate time and effort to 
provide effective leadership.
    2. The competence of associate staff persons, discussion leaders, 
speakers, and presenters to accomplish conference objectives.
    3. The degree to which the application demonstrates the knowledge 
of nation-wide and education efforts currently underway which may 
affect, and be affected by, the proposed conference.

D. Conference Objectives (25 Points)

    Evaluation will be based on:
    1. The overall quality, reasonableness, feasibility, and logic of 
the designed conference objectives, including the

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overall work plan and timetable for accomplishment.
    2. The likelihood of accomplishing conference objectives as they 
relate to disease prevention and health promotion goals, and the 
feasibility of the project in terms of the operational plan.

E. Evaluation Methods (20 Points)

    Evaluation will be based on the extent to which evaluation 
mechanisms for the conference will be able to adequately assess 
increased knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the target attendees.

F. Budget Justification and Adequacy of Facilities (Not Scored)

    The proposed budget will be evaluated on the basis of its 
reasonableness, concise and clear justification, and consistency with 
the intended use of grant funds. The application will also be reviewed 
as to the adequacy of existing and proposed facilities and resources 
for conducting conference activities.
    ATSDR applications for support of the types of conferences listed 
in the Purpose section above will be reviewed and evaluated according 
to the following criteria: (Total 100 Points):

A. Proposed Program and Technical Approach (50 Points)

    Evaluation will be based on the description of:
    1. The public health significance of the proposed conference 
including the degree to which the conference can be expected to 
influence the prevention of exposure and adverse human health effects 
and diminished quality of life associated with exposure to hazardous 
substances from waste sites, unplanned releases and other sources of 
pollution present in the environment.
    2. The feasibility of the conference in terms of an operational 
plan.
    3. Clearly stated conference objectives and the potential for 
accomplishing those objectives.
    4. The method of evaluating the conference.

B. The Qualification of Program Personnel (30 Points)

    Evaluation will be based on the extent to which the proposal has 
described:
    1. The qualifications, experience, and commitment of the principal 
staff person, and his/her ability to devote adequate time and effort to 
provide effective leadership.
    2. The competence of associate staff persons, discussion leaders, 
speakers, and presenters to accomplish the proposed conference.

C. Applicant Capability (20 Points)

    Evaluation will be based on the description of:
    1. The adequacy and commitment of institutional resources to 
administer the program.
    2. The adequacy of the facilities to be used for the conference.

D. Budget Justification and Adequacy of Facilities (Not Scored)

    The proposed budget will be evaluated on the basis of its 
reasonableness, concise and clear justification, and consistency with 
the intended use of grant funds. Applications requesting funds in 
excess of $10,000 may not be fully funded, depending upon availability 
of funds. The application will also be reviewed as to the adequacy of 
existing and proposed facilities and resources for conducting 
conference activities.

Executive Order 12372 Review

    Applications are not subject to review as governed by Executive 
Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.

Public Health System Reporting Requirements

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

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    The CDC Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number is 93.283. 
ATSDR's Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number is 93.161.

Submission Requirements and Deadlines

A. Letter of Intent (LOI)

    1. One original and two copies of the LOI must be postmarked by the 
following deadline dates in order to be considered in the application 
cycles. (Facsimiles are not acceptable.)
    2. Letter of Intent Due Dates:
     October 4, 1996.
     April 4, 1997.

B. Application

    1. One original and two copies of the invited application must be 
submitted on PHS Form 5161-1 (OMB Number 0937-0189) and must be 
postmarked by the following deadline dates in order to be considered in 
the application cycles.
    2. Application Due Dates:
     January 8, 1997.
     June 9, 1997.
    Following submission of a LOI, successful potential applicants will 
receive a written notification to submit an application for funding. 
Applications may be accepted by CDC and ATSDR only after the LOI has 
been reviewed by CDC and ATSDR and written invitation from CDC and 
ATSDR has been received by prospective applicant. An invitation to 
submit an application does not constitute a commitment to fund the 
applicant. Availability of funds may limit the number of Letters of 
Intent, regardless of merit, that receive an invitation to submit an 
application.

C. Addresses for Submission of Letter of Intent and Invited Application

    One original and two copies of the Letters of Intent and invited 
applications must be postmarked on or before the deadline date and 
mailed to: Henry S. Cassell, III, Grants Management Officer, Attention: 
Karen Reeves, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry 
Road, NE., Mailstop E-09, Atlanta, GA 30305.

D. Deadline

    Letters of Intent and Applications shall be considered as meeting 
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 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 will NOT be acceptable as proof of 
timely mailing.)

E. Late Applications

    Applications that do not meet the criteria in D.1. or D.2. above 
are considered late applications and will be returned to the applicant 
without review.

Where To Obtain Additional Information

    To receive additional written information, call (404) 332-4561. You 
will be asked to leave your name, address, telephone number and refer 
to Announcement Number 703. You will receive a complete program 
description and information on application procedures. The announcement 
is also available through homepage on the Internet. The address for the 
CDC homepage is http://www.cdc.gov. If after reviewing the contents of 
all the documents, you require additional information, you may contact:
    For Business Management Assistance (Application Information): Karen

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Reeves, 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-
09, Atlanta, GA 30305, Telephone (404) 842-6596.
    For Programmatic/Technical Assistance: Bruce Granoff, Resource 
Analysis Specialist, Public Health Practice Program Office, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1600 Clifton Road, NE., Mailstop 
E-42, Atlanta, GA 30333, Telephone (404) 639-0425.
    Please refer to Announcement Number 703 when requesting information 
and when submitting your Letter of Intent and application in response 
to the announcement.
    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) 512-1800.

    Dated: April 25, 1996.
Claire V. Broome,
Deputy Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and 
Deputy Administrator, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 
(ATSDR).
[FR Doc. 96-10783 Filed 4-30-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P