[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 249 (Tuesday, December 29, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71649-71652]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34375]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Program Announcement 99025]


Emerging Infections Sentinel Networks; Notice of Availability of 
Funds

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1999 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program for the operation of provider-based Emerging Infections 
Sentinel Networks (EISN). This program addresses the ``Healthy People 
2000'' priority area of Immunization and Infectious Diseases. The 
purpose of the program is to assist recipients in operating and 
enhancing established EISNs or in setting up new networks for assessing 
emerging infections. These networks will assess emerging infectious 
diseases, including drug-resistant, foodborne and waterborne, and 
vaccine-preventable or potentially vaccine-preventable diseases.
    Sentinel networks linking groups of participating individuals or 
organizations are helpful in monitoring a variety of infectious disease 
problems and enhancing communication among participants, and between 
participants and the public health community. They also can serve as 
readily accessible mechanisms to address urgent public health 
infectious disease problems rapidly. Three sentinel networks are 
currently receiving funds through this cooperative agreement program: 
Infectious Disease Society of America Emerging Infections Network; 
Emergency ID Net, a network of academically affiliated emergency 
departments; and GeoSentinel, a network operated by the International 
Society for Travel Medicine. Further development of the sentinel 
network concept will continue to improve understanding of specific 
public health issues and enhance preparedness to meet new infectious 
disease threats.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public and private nonprofit 
organizations and by governments and their agencies, that is, 
universities, colleges, research institutions, hospitals, other public 
and private nonprofit organizations, State and local governments or 
their bona fide agents, and federally recognized Indian tribal 
governments, Indian tribes, or Indian tribal organizations.

    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 $525,000 is available in FY 1999 to fund 
approximately three awards. It is expected that the average award will 
be $175,000, ranging from $150,000 to $200,000. It is expected that the 
awards will begin on or about May 1, 1999, and will be made for a 12-
month budget period within a project period of up to five years. The 
funding estimate may change.
    Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made 
on the basis of satisfactory progress as

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evidenced by required reports and the availability of funds.

Funding Preferences

    Although applications for new EISNs are encouraged, funding 
preference will be given to competing continuation applications over 
applications for programs not already receiving support under the EISN 
program. Current awardees have implemented new sentinel networks that 
require continued support to become fully developed and to realize the 
benefits of the network activities.

D. Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient shall be responsible for the activities under Recipient 
Activities, below, and CDC shall be responsible for conducting 
activities under CDC Activities, below:

Recipient Activities

    1. Continue to develop an emerging infections sentinel network or 
develop a new sentinel network for assessing emerging infectious 
diseases. Organize the EISN around a specific group of providers, e.g., 
emergency department physicians, infectious disease specialists, travel 
and tropical medicine clinics, etc. EISNs must be sufficiently flexible 
to be engaged swiftly to address emergent problems in infectious 
diseases.
    2. Analyze, present, and publish the results of projects 
collaboratively with CDC.
    3. In collaboration with CDC:
    a. Focus and/or redirect projects as indicated through critical 
review of data and evaluation of various projects; and
    b. Consider and initiate novel methods of surveillance for emerging 
infectious diseases; develop and modify as necessary methods for 
management and communication of information within the network; and
    c. In order to take full advantage of the network capacity and to 
facilitate integration of surveillance and health information systems, 
undertake additional projects in other public health areas (e.g, 
chronic diseases, injury, etc.), as appropriate.
    4. Monitor and evaluate scientific and operational accomplishments 
of the EISN and progress in achieving the purpose and overall goals of 
this program.
    5. If a proposed project involves research on human participants, 
ensure appropriate Independent Review Board (IRB) review.

CDC Activities

    1. Provide consultation and scientific and technical assistance in 
developing or establishing the EISN and in selecting and conducting 
EISN projects.
    2. Assist in monitoring and evaluating scientific and operational 
accomplishments of the EISN and progress in achieving the purpose and 
overall goals of this program.
    3. Participate in analysis, publication, and dissemination of 
information and data gathered from EISN projects.
    4. If during the project period research involving human subjects 
should be conducted and CDC scientists will be co-investigators in that 
research, assist in the development of a research protocol for IRB 
review by all institutions participating in the research project. The 
CDC IRB will review and approve the protocol initially and on at least 
an annual basis until the research project is completed.

E. Application Content

    Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other 
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the 
application content. Your application will be evaluated on the criteria 
listed, so it is important that your narrative follow the criteria in 
the order presented.
    Provide a brief (no more than two pages) abstract of the 
application. The narrative should be no more than 15 double-spaced 
pages (excluding abstract, budget, and appendices), printed on one 
side, with one inch margins and unreduced font on white 8.5'' x 11'' 
paper. All pages must be clearly numbered, a complete index to the 
application and its appendices must be included, and the required 
original and two copies must be submitted unstapled and unbound.

F. Submission and Deadline

Letter of Intent (LOI)

    All parties intending to submit an application are requested to 
inform CDC of their intention to do so at least ten (10) business days 
prior to the application due date. The LOI is not required and will not 
be used for accepting or evaluating applications. The sole purpose of 
the LOI is to assist CDC in timely planning and administration of the 
evaluation process. The LOI should be a brief notice that includes (1) 
the name and address of the institution, (2) the name, address, and 
telephone number of the contact person, and (3) a very brief 
description (e.g., 2-3 sentences) of the EISN that will be proposed. 
LOIs should be provided by facsimile, postal mail, or Email to 
Catherine Spruill, Office of the Director, National Center for 
Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 
1600 Clifton Road, N.E., Mailstop C-12, Atlanta, Georgia 30333. 
Facsimile: (404) 639-4197. Email address: [email protected].

Application

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161-1 (OMB Number 0937-
0189). Forms are in the application kit.
    On or before February 15, 1999, submit the application to: Andrea 
Wooddall, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, 
Procurement and Grants Office Announcement 99025, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255 East Paces Ferry Road, 
N.E., Mailstop E18, Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2209.
    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 
orderly processing. (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.)

G. Evaluation Criteria

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

1. Understanding the Objectives of the EISN: (10 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant demonstrates a clear 
understanding of the purpose and objectives of this cooperative 
agreement program and of the requirements, responsibilities, problems, 
constraints, and complexities that may be encountered in establishing 
and operating the EISN.

2. Description of Existing Capacity: (30 Points)

    a. For competing continuation applicants, the extent to which the 
applicant has successfully established and operated an EISN and 
provides documentation of the accomplishments of the network.
    For applicants proposing new networks, the extent to which the 
applicant: (1) demonstrates the capacity and ability to establish a 
provider-based EISN, including description of the applicant's 
qualifications, standing, and relationships to represent a group of 
providers in a sentinel network, (2) describes the niche that the 
proposed EISN will fill that is not currently filled

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by other networks or systems (EISN or otherwise), (3) comments on the 
long-term potential of the network to provide important information for 
public health.
    b. The extent to which the applicant describes past experience in 
conducting: (1) infectious disease surveillance and/or applied research 
in infectious diseases, particularly public health-related work; (2) 
surveillance or research related to emerging infectious diseases, 
including drug-resistant, foodborne and waterborne, and vaccine-
preventable or potentially vaccine-preventable diseases.
    c. The extent to which the applicant: (1) demonstrates ability to 
develop and maintain strong cooperative relationships with various 
public and private, local and regional, medical, public health, 
academic, and community organizations, (2) provides letters of support 
from non-applicant participating agencies, institutions, organizations, 
individuals, consultants, etc., identified in applicant's operational 
plan, and the extent to which the letters of support clearly indicate 
the signatory's willingness to participate in the EISN (e.g., as 
sources of information or members of the network). (The letters of 
support should be placed in an appendix. Letters of support from CDC 
scientists should not be included.)

3. Operational Plan: (50 points)

    a. For both new and continuation applications, the extent to which 
the applicant provides a detailed and time-phased plan for establishing 
and operating the EISN. The extent to which applicant's operational 
plan clearly describes (1) the organizational and operating structure 
and procedures for accomplishing all Recipient Activities, (2) 
agreements currently in place with potential participants in the 
network, (3) what new agreements with potential participants will be 
necessary, and the likelihood that these agreements can be implemented 
promptly, (4) plans to collaborate with CDC in the establishment and 
operation of the EISN, including planning and development of projects, 
management and analysis of data, and synthesis and dissemination of 
findings. The extent to which applicant's plan is consistent with and 
adequate to accomplish the purpose and objectives of this program.
    b. The extent to which the applicant: (1) clearly identifies and 
describes the EISN participants and sources of information, (2) 
describes the structure of the EISN ``network'', such as number, 
location, etc., of sites or surveillance information sources, (3) 
describes procedures and mechanisms to transfer information between 
network participants and the network's central data collection point.
    c. The extent to which applicant clearly identifies specific 
diseases or conditions (e.g., notifiable diseases, foodborne and 
waterborne diseases, drug-resistant infections, or infectious disease 
syndromes) which will be addressed. The extent to which the applicant's 
current or proposed activities are appropriate for the participants/
sources in the network and address significant emerging syndromes, 
diseases, conditions, events, etc. For a new network, the extent to 
which these projects appear feasible and the likelihood they can be 
successfully conducted.
    d. The extent to which the applicant clearly describes how the EISN 
(or its design for a new EISN) is flexible and able to swiftly address 
new public health challenges in infectious diseases.
    e. The extent to which the applicant describes an appropriate and 
effective process for providing necessary information to State and 
local health departments and appropriate others about findings related 
to notifiable conditions.
    f. The extent to which applicant: (1) identifies professional staff 
who have the knowledge, experience, and authority to carry out 
recipient activities as evidenced by job descriptions, curricula vitae, 
organizational charts, etc., (2) clearly describes the respective roles 
of the personnel in the management and operation of the EISN. 
(Curricula vitae and organizational charts should be placed in an 
appendix.)
    g. The extent to which the applicant describes support staff 
services to be provided for the program.
    h. If any research involving human subjects is proposed, the degree 
to which the applicant has met the CDC Policy requirements regarding 
the inclusion of women, ethnic, and racial groups in any proposed 
research. This includes:
    (1) The proposed plan for the inclusion of both sexes and racial 
and ethnic minority populations for appropriate representation.
    (2) The proposed justification when representation is limited or 
absent.
    (3) A statement as to whether the design of the study is adequate 
to measure differences when warranted.
    (4) 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. Evaluation: (10 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant provides a plan for monitoring 
and evaluating: (1) scientific and operational accomplishments of the 
EISN and its projects, (2) progress in achieving the purpose and 
overall goals of this program.

5. Budget: (Not Scored)

    The extent to which the proposed budget is reasonable, clearly 
justified, and consistent with the intended use of the cooperative 
agreement funds.

6. Human Subjects: (Not Scored)

    If any research involving human subjects is proposed, does the 
application adequately address the requirements of Title 45 CFR Part 46 
for the protection of human subjects? ______ Yes ______ No
Comments: ____________________

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with original plus two copies of:
    1. Progress reports (annual), no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget 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: Andrea Wooddall, Grants Management Specialist, 
Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255 East Paces Ferry 
Road, N.E., Mailstop E18, Atlanta, GA 30305-2209.
    The following additional requirements are applicable to this 
program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment 1 in the 
application kit.

AR-1  Human Subjects Requirements
AR-2  Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic 
Minorities in Research
AR-7  Executive Order 12372 Review
AR-9  Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR-10  Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11  Healthy People 2000
AR-12  Lobbying Restrictions

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under the Public Health Service Act 
Sections 301(a) [42 U.S.C. 241(a)], 317(k)(1) and 317(k)(2), [42 U.S.C. 
247b(k)(1)] and [247b(k)(2)], as amended. The Catalog of

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Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.283.

J. Where To Obtain Additional Information

    To receive additional written information and to request an 
application kit, call 1-888-GRANTS4 (1-888-472-6874). You will be asked 
to leave your name and address and will be instructed to identify the 
Announcement number of interest (this is Announcement number 99025).
    If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the 
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained 
from: Andrea Wooddall, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management 
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement 99025, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255 East Paces Ferry 
Road, N.E., Mailstop E18, Atlanta, GA 30305-2209, telephone (404) 842-
6522. Email address: [email protected]
    See also the CDC home page on the Internet: http://www.cdc.gov
    For program technical assistance, contact Catherine Spruill, Office 
of the Director, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mailstop C-12, 1600 Clifton Road, 
N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30333. Phone: (404) 639-2603.

    Dated: December 22, 1998.
John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 98-34375 Filed 12-28-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P