[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 112 (Thursday, June 11, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32005-32008]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15549]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
[Announcement 98053]


Deep-South Center for Agricultural Disease and Injury Research, 
Education, and Prevention; Notice of Availability of Funds for Fiscal 
Year 1998

Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the nation's 
prevention agency, announces the availability of funds for fiscal year 
(FY) 1998 for a cooperative agreement to establish an Agricultural 
Safety and Health Center, The Deep-South Center for Agricultural 
Disease and Injury Research, Education, and Prevention.
    This announcement is related to the priority area of Occupational 
Safety and Health. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and 
Health (NIOSH) has created a National Occupational Research Agenda 
(NORA). NORA is a vision of the Institute to conduct occupational 
safety and health research to adequately serve the needs of workers in 
the United States.
    In 1990, Congress established a National Program for Occupational 
Safety and Health in Agriculture (Ag) within NIOSH to lead a national 
effort in surveillance, research, and intervention. This program has 
had a ``significant and measurable impact'' on reducing adverse health 
effects among agricultural workers. Since 1990, eight Ag Centers have 
been established nationally. The Ag Centers were established to conduct 
research, education, and prevention projects to address the nation's 
pressing agricultural safety and health problems. Geographically, the 
Ag Centers are distributed throughout the nation to be responsive to 
the agricultural safety and health issues unique to the different 
regions. Through these efforts, the Ag Centers help to ensure that 
actions to prevent disease and injury in agriculture are taken based 
upon scientific findings.
    The purpose of this Agricultural Center will be to conduct 
research, education, and prevention programs addressing agricultural 
safety and health problems in the geographic region served. A special 
focus of this Deep-South Center will address safety and health problems 
of special agricultural populations in the region including minority, 
migrant, and low-income farmers and farm workers.

Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants are limited to organizations that serve the 
target populations of Alabama, Florida and Mississippi. The successful 
applicant would have a primary focus in any or all of the target 
States. Therefore eligible applicants include State and private 
universities and university-affiliated, nonprofit and for-profit 
medical centers.
    These States have been determined to be the most appropriate target 
populations for the following reason:
    1. The sociocultural and demographic aspects of southern 
agricultural populations are unique relative to other regions of the 
country. Most notable are the racial diversity, poverty, and illiteracy 
unique to this region. Southern farmers and migrant worker populations 
include African-Americans, Jamaicans, Haitians, Laotians, Thais, and 
other racial and ethnic minorities. Several studies suggest that 
African-American workers in agricultural production and services have 
higher fatality rates as compared to other racial or ethnic groups 
nationally.
    2. There was no downward trend in fatality rates for the 10-year 
period, 1980-1989, for African-Americans as had been experienced by 
Caucasians and Hispanics in the South. (American Journal of Industrial 
Medicine, 1991)
    3. In 1995, the Kennedy SM et al published the conclusions of an 
external review of funded NIOSH agricultural projects. The review panel 
recommended an expansion of the program to include other regions with a 
high degree of agricultural activity not adequately served under the 
current program. Specifically mentioned were major deep-south 
agricultural areas. This announcement for these specific States will 
allow this program to be implemented.

Availability of Funds

    Approximately $350,000 is available in FY 1998 to fund one 
Agricultural Center. The amount of funding available may vary and is 
subject to change. This award is expected to begin on or about 
September 30, 1998. The award will be made for a 12-month budget period 
within a project period not to exceed three years. Continuation awards 
within the project period will be made on the basis of satisfactory 
progress and availability of funds.

Program Requirements

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

A. Recipient Activities

    1. Develop and conduct research related to the prevention of 
occupational disease and injury of agricultural workers and their 
families, with an emphasis on multi-disciplinary research and the 
development and evaluation of control technologies.
    2. Develop a research protocol(s) for agricultural disease and 
injury research, education, and prevention which would include 
collaboration with regional stakeholders as appropriate.
    3. Develop, implement and evaluate model educational, outreach, and 
intervention programs promoting health and safety for the targeted 
populations.

[[Page 32006]]

    4. Develop, implement and evaluate model programs including control 
technologies for the prevention of illness and injury among 
agricultural workers and their families.
    5. Provide assistance and direction to community-based groups in 
the area for the development and implementation of community projects 
including intervention research and prevention demonstration projects 
for preventing work related injuries and illness among farm workers and 
their families.
    6. Serve as a center for consultation and/or training for 
agricultural safety and health professionals.
    7. Develop linkages and communication with other governmental and 
non-governmental bodies involved in agricultural health and safety.
    8. Disseminate research results and relevant health and safety 
education and training information.
    9. Collaborate with other CDC/NIOSH Agricultural Centers, to 
develop and utilize a uniform evaluation scheme for Agricultural Center 
research, education/training, and outreach/intervention activities.

B. CDC/NIOSH Activities

    1. Provide technical assistance through site visits and 
correspondence in the areas of program development, implementation, 
maintenance, and priority setting related to the cooperative agreement.
    2. Provide scientific collaboration where needed.
    3. Assist in the reporting and dissemination of research results 
and relevant health and safety education and training information to 
appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, health-care providers, 
the scientific community, agricultural workers and their families, 
management and union representatives, and other CDC/NIOSH Centers for 
agricultural disease and injury research, education, and prevention.

Application Content

    Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other 
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria section to develop the 
application content. Your application will be evaluated on the criteria 
listed, so it is important to follow them in laying out your program 
plan.
    The entire application, including appendices, should not exceed 100 
pages and the Proposal Narrative section contained therein should not 
exceed 50 pages. Pages should be clearly numbered and a complete index 
to the application and any appendices included. The original and each 
copy of the application must be submitted unstapled and unbound. All 
materials must be typewritten, double-spaced, with unreduced type (font 
size 12 point) on 8\1/2\'' by 11'' paper, with at least 1'' margins, 
headers, and footers, and printed on one side only. Do not include any 
spiral or bound materials or pamphlets.

A. Title Page

    The heading should include the title of grant program, project 
title, organization, name and address, project director's name address 
and telephone number.

B. Abstract

    A one page, singled-spaced, typed abstract must be submitted with 
the application. The heading should include the title of the grant 
program, project title, organization, name and address, project 
director and telephone number. This abstract should include a work plan 
identifying activities to be developed, activities to be completed, and 
a time-line for completion of these activities.

C. Proposal Narrative

    The narrative of each application must:
    1. Briefly state the applicant's understanding of the need or 
problem to be addressed, the purpose, and goals over the 3 year period 
of the cooperative agreement.
    2. Describe in detail the objectives and the methods to be used to 
achieve the objectives of the project. The objectives should be 
specific, time-phased, measurable, and achievable during each budget 
period. The objectives should directly relate to the program goals. 
Identify the steps to be taken in planning and implementing the 
objectives and the responsibilities of the applicant for carrying out 
the steps.
    3. Provide the name, qualifications, and proposed time allocation 
of the Project Director who will be responsible for administering the 
project. Describe staff, experience, facilities, equipment available 
for performance of this project, and other resources that define the 
applicant's capacity or potential to accomplish the requirements stated 
above. List the names (if known), qualifications, and time allocations 
of the existing professional staff to be assigned to (or recruited for) 
this project, the support staff available for performance of this 
project, and the available facilities including space.
    4. Document the applicant's expertise, and extent of involvement in 
the area of safety and health.
    5. Provide letters of support or other documentation demonstrating 
collaboration of the applicant's ability to work with diverse groups, 
establish linkages, and facilitate awareness information.
    6. Human Subjects: State whether or not Humans are subjects in this 
proposal. (See Human Subjects in the Evaluation Criteria and Other 
Requirements sections).
    7. Inclusion of women, ethnic, and racial groups: Describe how the 
CDC policy requirements will be met regarding the inclusion of women, 
ethnic, and racial groups in the proposed research. (See Women, Racial 
and Ethnic Minorities in the Evaluation Criteria and Other Requirements 
sections).

D. Budget

    Provide a detailed budget which indicates anticipated costs for 
personnel, equipment, travel, communications, supplies, postage, and 
the sources of funds to meet these needs. The applicant should be 
precise about the program purpose of each budget item. For contracts 
described within the application budget, applicants should name the 
contractor, if known; describe the services to be performed; and 
provide an itemized breakdown and justification for the estimated costs 
of the contract; the kinds of organizations or parties to be selected; 
the period of performance; and the method of selection. Place the 
budget narrative pages showing, in detail, how funds in each object 
class will be spent, directly behind form 424A. Do not put these pages 
in the body of the application. CDC may not approve or fund all 
proposed activities.

Submission and Deadline

A. Preapplication Letter of Intent

    Although not a prerequisite of application, a non-binding letter of 
intent-to-apply is requested from potential applicants. It should be 
postmarked no later than June 24, 1998. The letter should identify 
program announcement number 98053, and name of the principal 
investigator. The letter of intent will enable CDC to plan the review 
more efficiently. The letter should be submitted to: Victoria F. Sepe, 
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, Georgia 
30305-2209.

[[Page 32007]]

B. Application

    Submit an original and two copies of the application PHS 5161-1 
(Revised 5/96, OMB Number 0937-0189). Forms are in the application kit.
    On or before July 24, 1998, submit to Victoria Sepe, Grants 
Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants 
Office, Announcement 98053, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 300, Mailstop E-13, 
Atlanta, GA 30305-2209.
    If your application does not arrive in time for submission to the 
independent review group, it will not be considered in the current 
competition unless you can provide proof that you mailed it on or 
before the deadline (i.e., receipt from U.S. Postal Service or a 
commercial carrier; private metered postmarks will not be acceptable as 
proof of timely mailing).

Evaluation Criteria

    Each application will be evaluated individually against the 
following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC. 
Applicants will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
    A. Responsiveness to the objectives of the cooperative agreement 
program, including the applicant's understanding of the objectives of 
the proposed cooperative agreement and the relevance of the proposal to 
the objectives. (20 percent)
    B. Feasibility of meeting the proposed goals of the cooperative 
agreement program including the proposed schedule for initiating and 
accomplishing each of the activities of the cooperative agreement and 
the proposed method for evaluating the accomplishments. (20 percent)
    C. 1. Strength of the program design in addressing the distinct 
characteristics, specific populations, and needs in agricultural 
research and education for the region. This included a balanced program 
to address agricultural safety and health problems in the three States 
included in this area. This also includes program responsiveness to 
address the safety and health needs of special populations in this area 
including minority, migrant, and low-income agricultural populations, 
women, and children.
    2. The degree to which the applicant has met the CDC policy 
requirements regarding the inclusion of women, ethnic, and racial 
groups in the proposed research. This includes: a. The proposed plan 
for the inclusion of both sexes and racial and ethnic minority 
populations for appropriate representation; b. The proposed 
justification when representation is limited or absent; c. A statement 
as to whether the design of the study is adequate to measure 
differences when warranted; and d. A statement as to whether the plans 
for recruitment and outreach for study participants include the process 
of establishing partnerships with community(ies) and recognition of 
mutual benefits will be documented. (Total 20 percent for C1 & C2)
    D. Training and experience of proposed Program Director, staff, and 
organization. This includes: (1) a Program Director who is a 
distinguished scientist and technical expert and staff with training or 
experience sufficient to accomplish proposed program, and (2) a 
director, staff, and organization with proven accomplishments in the 
field of agricultural safety and health and the infrastructure 
necessary to access the agricultural populations in the regions served 
by the Agricultural Center. (20 percent)
    E. Strength of the proposed program for agricultural safety and 
health in the areas of prevention, research, education, and multi-
disciplinary approach. (10 percent)
    F. Efficiency of resources and novelty of program. This includes 
the efficient use of existing and proposed personnel with assurances of 
a major time commitment of the Project Director to the program and the 
novelty of program approach. (5 percent)
    G. The strength of program plans for development and implementation 
of a uniform evaluation scheme for Agricultural Center research, 
education/training, and outreach/intervention activities. (5 percent)

H. Human Subjects (Not Scored)

    Whether or not exempt from the DHHS regulations, are procedures 
adequate for protection of human subjects. Recommendations on the 
adequacy of protections include: (1) protections appear adequate, and 
there are no comments to make or concerns to raise, (2) protections 
appear adequate, but there are comments regarding the protocol, (3) 
protections appear inadequate and the Objective Review Group has 
concerns related to human subjects, or (4) disapproval of the 
application is recommended because the research risks are sufficiently 
serious and protection against the risks are inadequate as to make the 
entire application unacceptable.

I. 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.

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with an original plus two copies of:
    A. Annual progress report which includes:
    (1) a comparison of actual accomplishment to the goals established 
for the period; (2) the reasons for lack of success if established 
goals were not met; and (3) other pertinent information including, when 
appropriate, analysis and explanation of unexpectedly high costs for 
performance no more than 30 days after the end of the budget period.
    B. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period.
    C. Final financial status report and performance report, no more 
than 90 days after the end of the project period.
    Send all reports to: Victoria Sepe, 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 30305-2209.
    The following additional requirements are applicable to this 
program. For a complete description of each, see Addendum 1 in the 
application kit.

AR98-1  Human Subjects Requirements
AR98-2  Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic 
Minorities in Research
AR98-9  Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR98-10  Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR98-11  Healthy People 2000
AR98-12  Lobbying Restrictions

Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program announcement is authorized under the Public Health 
Service Act, as amended, Section 301(a) [42 U.S.C. 241(a)]; and the 
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Sections 20(a) and 22 (29 
U.S.C. 669(a) and 671). The applicable program regulation is 42 CFR 
Part 52. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.283.

Where To Obtain Additional Information

    To receive additional written information call 1-888-GRANTS4. You 
will be asked to leave your name, address, and phone number and will 
need to refer to NIOSH Announcement 98053. You will receive a complete 
program description, information on

[[Page 32008]]

application procedures, and application forms. CDC will not send 
application kits by facsimile or express mail.
    If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the 
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained 
from: Victoria Sepe, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management 
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Mailstop E-
13, Atlanta, GA 30305-2209, telephone (404) 842-6804, Internet: 
[email protected].
    Programmatic technical assistance may be obtained from:

Greg Kullman, Ph.D., CIH, National Institute for Occupational Safety 
and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 
1095 Willowdale Rd., Mailstop P-04/18, Morgantown, WV 26505, telephone 
(304) 285-5711, Internet: [email protected],

      OR

Vincent R. Nathan, Ph.D., M.P.H., National Institute for Occupational 
Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC), 1600 Clifton Rd., NE., Mailstop D-40, Atlanta, GA 30333, 
telephone (404) 639-1493, Internet: [email protected].

    This and other CDC announcements are available through the CDC 
Homepage on the Internet. The address for the CDC Homepage is: http://
www.cdc.gov.
    Copies of the publication, The National Occupational Research 
Agenda (NORA) may be obtained from The National Institute of 
Occupational Safety and Health, Publications Office, 4676 Columbia 
Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226-1998 or telephone 1-800-356-4674, and is 
available through the NIOSH Homepage: ``http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/
nora.html''.

    Dated: June 5, 1998.
Diane D. Porter,
Acting Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 98-15549 Filed 6-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-19-P