[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 125 (Tuesday, June 30, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35592-35594]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-17300]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
[Program Announcement 98096]


Economic Evaluation of Engineering Control Interventions for 
Drywall Sanding Construction Activities; Notice of Availability of 
Funds

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1998 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program to conduct an economic evaluation and variable analyses of 
engineering control interventions during drywall sanding construction 
activities. This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2000'' priority 
area of Occupational Safety and Health.
    The purpose of the program is to identify the financial and 
behavior factors which are affected by implementing drywall sanding 
engineering controls. These factors may occur throughout the 
construction-model hierarchy from the individual worker on up to the 
building owner. A successful project will serve as an example 
throughout the construction industry that the cost and benefits of 
providing a clean and safe working environment should be evaluated from 
the big-picture perspective as opposed to the level of acquisition. 
Such an example could lead to new implementation strategies to increase 
the use of engineering controls and ultimately improve the construction 
work environment.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public and private nonprofit and 
for-profit organizations and by governments and their agencies; that 
is, universities, colleges, research institutions, hospitals, other 
public and private nonprofit and for-profit organizations, State and 
local governments or their bona fide agents.

    Note: Public Law 104-65 states that an organization described in 
section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engages 
in lobbying activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds 
constituting an award, grant, cooperative agreement, contract, loan, 
or any other form.

C. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $95,000 is available in FY 1998 to fund one award. It 
is expected that the award will be renewed on an annual basis for an 
additional two years at an approximate amount of $95,000 per year. It 
is expected that the awards will begin on or about September 1, 1998, 
with 12-month budget periods within project periods of up to three 
years. The funding estimate is subject to change.
    Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made 
on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required reports 
and the availability of funds.
    Use of Funds: The applicant should allocate funds for at least one 
annual CDC/NIOSH directed meeting.
    Programmatic Interest: The applicant should address the 
availability of drywall sanding dust exposure reduction interventions 
and the economic impact and related variable analyses of some or all of 
the identified interventions upon the various organizational layers 
(e.g. worker, subcontractor, general contractor, building owner) within 
the building construction process.

D. Program Agreement 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, implement, and evaluate a study protocol.
    2. Provide statistical analysis of the data.
    3. Disseminate study results to the construction safety and health 
community.
    4. Collaborate with CDC/NIOSH on these activities and the 
activities listed below.

B. CDC/NIOSH Activities

    1. Providing scientific and technical collaboration including study 
design and protocol development, and data analysis.
    2. Monitor and evaluate scientific and operational accomplishments 
of the project through site visits, telephone calls, and review of 
technical reports and interim data analysis.
    3. Collaborate with awardee(s) on data analysis, and interpretation 
of findings.
    4. Review the results of the study and collaborate, where 
appropriate, in the preparation and publication of results in peer-
reviewed journals and construction industry trade publications.

E. Application Content

    Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other 
Requirements, and

[[Page 35593]]

Evaluation Criteria sections 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 narrative 
should be no more than 25 double-spaced pages, printed on one side, 
with one inch margins, and unreduced font.

F. Submission and Deadline

    Submit the original and five copies of PHS-398 (OMB Number 0925-
0001) (adhere to the instructions on the Errata Instruction Sheet for 
PHS 398). Forms are in the application kit. On or before August 10, 
1998, submit the application to: Victoria Sepe, Grants Management 
Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, 
Announcement 98096, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 
Room 300, 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., M/S E-13, Atlanta, Georgia 
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 are not acceptable).

G. Evaluation Criteria

    Each application will be evaluated individually against the 
following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC.

1. Understanding of the Problem (15 Percent)

    Responsiveness to the objective of the cooperative agreement 
including: (a) applicant's understanding of the general objectives of 
the proposed cooperative agreement, and (b) evidence of ability to 
design an effective evaluation study.

2. Experience (15 Percent)

    The extent to which the applicant's prior work and experience in 
evaluating occupational safety and health intervention efforts and/or 
experience within the construction trades affected by drywall finishing 
operations.

3. Goals, Objectives and Methods (35 Percent)

    The extent to which the proposed goals and objectives are clearly 
stated, time-phased, and measurable. The extent to which the methods 
are sufficiently detailed to allow assessment of whether the objectives 
can be achieved for the budget period. Clearly state the evaluation 
method for evaluating the accomplishments. The extent to which a 
qualified plan is proposed that will help achieve the goals stated in 
the proposal.
    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; (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.

4. Facilities and Resources (10 Percent)

    The adequacy of the applicant's facilities, equipment, and other 
resources available for performance of this project. The proposal 
should include a commitment from the participating institution, as 
evidenced by a written agreement. For applicants who have already 
identified potential construction site(s) to conduct the evaluation, 
the proposal should include a commitment, as evidenced by a written 
agreement, from the building owner, general contractor, and relevant 
subcontractors with jurisdiction over the drywall finishing and budget 
management operations, when such exist at the applicant's anticipated 
study location(s).

5. Project Management and Staffing Plan (15 Percent)

    The extent to which the management staff and their working partners 
are clearly described, appropriately assigned, and have pertinent 
skills and experiences. The extent to which the applicant proposes to 
involve appropriate personnel who have the needed qualifications to 
implement the proposed plan. The extent to which the applicant has the 
capacity to design, implement, and evaluate the proposed intervention 
program.

6. Collaboration (10 Percent)

    The extent to which all partners are clearly described and their 
qualifications and the extent to which their intentions to participate 
are explicitly stated. The extent to which the applicant provides proof 
of support (e.g., letters of support and/or memoranda of understanding) 
for proposed activities. Evidence or a statement should be provided 
that these funds do not duplicate already funded components of ongoing 
projects.

7. 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.

8. Human Subjects (Not Scored)

    If human subjects will be involved, how will they be protected, 
i.e., describe the review process which will govern their 
participation.
H. Other Requirements
    Technical Reporting Requirements
    Provide CDC with original plus two copies of:
    1. Semi-annual progress reports including a brief program 
description and a listing of program goals and objectives accompanied 
by a comparison of the actual accomplishments related to the goals and 
objectives established for the period;
    2. financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period; and
    3. final financial status and performance reports, 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), Room 300, 255 East Paces Ferry 
Road, NE., M/S E-13, Atlanta, GA 30305-2209
    The following additional requirements are applicable to this 
program. For a complete description of each, see Addendum I (included 
in the application package).

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

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    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)]. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.262 
for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

J. Where To Obtain Additional Information

    To receive additional written information call 1-888-GRANTS4. You

[[Page 35594]]

will be asked to leave your name, address, and phone number and will 
need to refer to NIOSH Announcement 98096. You will receive a complete 
program description, information on application procedures, and 
application forms. CDC will not send application kits by facsimile or 
express mail. Please refer to NIOSH announcement number 98096 when 
requesting information and submitting an application.
    If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the 
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained by 
contacting: Victoria Sepe, Grants Management Specialist, Grants 
Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement 98096, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255 East 
Paces Ferry Road, NE., M/S E-13, Atlanta, GA 30305-2209, telephone 
(404) 842-6804, Email address: [email protected].
    See also the CDC home page on the Internet: http://www.cdc.gov.
    For program technical assistance contact: Kenneth Mead, P.E., 
telephone (513) 841-4319, Email [email protected], National Institute for 
Occupational Safety and Health, Center for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering, 4676 
Columbia Parkway, Mailstop R-5, Cincinnati, OH 45226.
    National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA): CDC, NIOSH is 
committed to the program priorities developed by NORA. Copies of the 
publication, ``The National Occupational Research Agenda'' 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 Home 
Page, ``http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora.html''.

    Dated: June 23, 1998.
Diane D. Porter,
Acting Director, National Institute For Occupational Safety and Health, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 98-17300 Filed 6-29-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P