[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 125 (Thursday, June 27, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33523-33524]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-16387]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
[Announcement Number 644]


Ecology of the Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) in 
Peridomestic Settings

Introduction

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1996 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program to provide assistance for studies on the behavior, movement, 
reproductive biology, population structure, and relative infection 
status of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and deer-mouse populations 
inhabiting peridomestic environments.
    CDC is 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 the priority area of Immunization and 
Infectious Diseases. (For ordering a copy of Healthy People 2000, see 
the section Where To Obtain Additional Information.)

Authority

    This program is authorized under sections 301(a) and 317(k)(2) [42 
U.S.C. 241(a) and 247b(k)(2)] of the Public Health Service Act, as 
amended. Applicable program regulations are found in 42 CFR Part 52, 
Grants for Research Projects.

Smoke-Free Workplace

    CDC strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-
free workplace and to promote the non-use of all tobacco products, and 
Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children's 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, 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 to apply.

Availability of Funds

    Approximately $150,000 is available in FY 1996 to fund one award. 
It is expected that the award will begin on or about September 30, 
1996, and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project 
period of up to 3 years. Funding estimates may vary and are subject to 
change. Continuation awards within an approved project period will be 
made on the basis of satisfactory progress and availability of funds.

Purpose

    The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to assist the 
recipient in gaining knowledge about the behavior, movement, 
reproductive biology, population structure, and relative infection 
status of deer mice and deer-mouse populations inhabiting peridomestic 
environments. This knowledge will lead to improved assessment of the 
risk of hantaviral infection in peridomestic environments and more 
effective reservoir control and risk reduction. Because the major 
reservoir of Sin Nombre virus (SNV) in the western United States has 
been the deer mouse, the initial studies should concentrate on the 
ecology of this species. However, as more information about North 
American hantaviruses and their rodent hosts becomes available, 
additional studies of other virus/rodent pairings may be appropriate.

Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under A. below, 
and CDC will be responsible for conducting activities under B. below:

A. Recipient Activities

    1. Locate an area containing a variety of structures (occupied, 
unoccupied, or seasonally occupied; houses, trailers, and outbuildings; 
heated and non-heated) where SNV infected deer mice are known to occur.
    2. Use standard ecological and virological methods to monitor the 
dynamics of deer mouse populations and the dynamics of viral infection 
within host populations. Ecological techniques should include mark-
recapture and/or radio telemetry studies. Virological techniques should 
be CDC approved and should include serology (on periodic blood samples 
taken from marked animals); methods may also include antigen-capture 
enzyme immunoassay and polymerase chain reaction for virus detection.
    3. Studies similar to those outlined in #2 above with other virus/
rodent relationships may be appropriate and should be considered as 
more information about North American hantaviruses and their rodent 
hosts becomes available.
    4. Analyze and publish study results.

B. CDC Activities

    1. Provide consultation and scientific and technical assistance to 
the recipient.
    2. In collaboration with recipient, analyze study results.

Evaluation Criteria

    Applications will be reviewed and evaluated according to the 
following criteria:

A. Background and Need

    Extent to which applicant demonstrates a clear understanding of the 
purpose and objectives of this proposed cooperative agreement. Extent 
to which applicant demonstrates a clear understanding of the 
requirements, responsibilities, interactions, problems, constraints, 
complexities, etc., that may be encountered in conducting the project 
and performing the studies. (30 points)

B. Capacity

    Extent to which applicant describes adequate resources and 
facilities (both technical and administrative) for conducting the 
project including appropriate laboratory facilities. Extent to which 
applicant documents that professional personnel involved in the project 
are qualified and have past experience and achievements in research 
related to that proposed in this cooperative agreement as evidenced by 
curriculum vitae, publications, etc. (35 points)

C. Objectives and Technical Approach

    Extent to which applicant describes objectives of the proposed 
project which are consistent with the purpose and program requirements 
of this

[[Page 33524]]

cooperative agreement and which are measurable and time-phased. Extent 
to which applicant presents a detailed plan for initiating and 
conducting the project which clearly and appropriately addresses all 
``Recipient Activities.'' Extent to which the plan clearly describes 
applicant's technical approach/methods for conducting the proposed 
studies. Extent to which applicant describes specific study protocols 
or plans for the development of study protocols that are appropriate 
for achieving project objectives. Extent to which applicant describes 
adequate collaboration with CDC during various phases of the project. 
Extent to which applicant provides a detailed plan for evaluating study 
results and for evaluating progress towards achieving project 
objectives. (35 points)

D. Budget

    Extent to which the proposed budget is reasonable, clearly 
justifiable, and consistent with the intended use of cooperative 
agreement funds. (Not Scored)

Executive Order 12372 Review

    This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372.

Public Health System Reporting Requirements

    This program is subject to the Public Health System Reporting 
Requirements. Under these requirements, all community-based 
nongovernmental applicants must prepare and submit the items identified 
below to the head of the appropriate State and/or local health 
agency(s) in the program area(s) that may be impacted by the proposed 
project no later than the receipt date of the Federal application. The 
appropriate State and/or local health agency is determined by the 
applicant. The following information must be provided:
    a. A copy of the face page of the application (SF 424);
    b. A summary of the project that should be titled ``Public Health 
System Impact Statement'' (PHSIS), not exceed one page, and include the 
following:
    (1) A description of the population to be served;
    (2) A summary of the services to be provided;
    (3) A description of the coordination plans with the appropriate 
State and/or local health agencies.
    If the State and/or local health official should desire a copy of 
the entire application, it may be obtained from the State Single Point 
of Contact (SPOC) or directly from the applicant.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number is 93.283.

Other Requirements

Animal Subjects

    If the proposed project involves research on animal subjects, the 
applicant must comply with the ``PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of 
Laboratory Animals by Awardee Institutions.'' An applicant organization 
proposing to use vertebrate animals in PHS-supported activities must 
file an Animal Welfare Assurance with the Office for Protection from 
Research Risks at the National Institutes of Health.

Application Submission and Deadline

    The original and two copies of the application PHS Form 5161-1 
(Revised 7/92, OMB Number 0937-0189) must be submitted to Sharron P. 
Orum, Grants Management Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement 
and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 
255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 314, Mail Stop E-18, Atlanta, 
Georgia 30305, on or before August 20, 1996.
    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.)
    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

    A complete program description and information on application 
procedures are contained in the application package. Business 
management technical assistance may be obtained from Locke Thompson, 
Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and 
Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 
East Paces Ferry Road, NE, Room 314, Mail Stop E-18, Atlanta, Georgia 
30305, telephone (404) 842-6593, or through the Internet or CDC Wonder 
electronic mail at: [email protected]. Programmatic technical 
assistance may be obtained from Jim Mills, National Center for 
Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 
1600 Clifton Road, NE., Mail Stop G-13, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, 
telephone (404) 639-1075, or through the Internet or CDC Wonder 
electronic mail at: [email protected].
    Please refer to Announcement Number 644 when requesting information 
regarding this program.
    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.

Important Notice

    Atlanta, Georgia, will be the host of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games 
(July 19 through August 4, 1996). As a result of this event, it is 
likely that the Procurement and Grant Office (PGO) may experience 
delays in receipt of both regular and overnight mail deliveries. 
Contacting PGO employees during this time frame may also be hindered 
due to possible telephone disruptions.
    To the extent authorized, please consider the use of voice mail, e-
mail, and facsimile transmissions to the maximum extent practicable. 
Please do not fax lengthy documents, contract proposals or grant 
applications.

    Dated: June 21, 1996.
Joseph R. Carter,
Acting Associate Director for Management and Operations, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 96-16387 Filed 6-26-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P