[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 20 (Monday, February 1, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4876-4878]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-2150]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Program Announcement 99032]


Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases; 
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 to promote adequate capacity of local, State, and national 
efforts for epidemiologic and laboratory surveillance and response for 
infectious diseases. This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2000'' 
priority area of Immunization and Infectious Diseases.
    The purpose of the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity in 
Infectious Diseases (ELC) program is to assist State and eligible local 
public health agencies in strengthening basic epidemiologic and 
laboratory capacity to address infectious disease threats with a focus 
on notifiable diseases, food-, water-, and vector-borne diseases, 
vaccine-preventable diseases, and drug-resistant infections. Awards are 
intended to support activities that enhance the ability of a program to 
identify and monitor the occurrence of infectious diseases of public 
health importance in a community, characterize disease determinants, 
identify and respond to disease outbreaks and other infectious disease 
emergencies, use public health data for priority setting and policy 
development, and assess the effectiveness of activities. Strengthening 
collaboration between laboratory and epidemiology practice is seen as a 
crucial component of this program.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be provided only to the health departments of 
States or their bona fide agents, including the District of Columbia, 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth 
of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, federally 
recognized Indian tribal governments, the Federated States of 
Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of 
Palau. In addition, official public health agencies of city governments 
with jurisdictional populations greater than 1,500,000 or county 
governments with jurisdictional populations greater than 8,000,000 
(based on 1990 census data) are eligible to apply.
    The ELC program was initiated in 1995 with Program Announcement 543 
and expanded in 1997 with Program Announcement 720. A total of 30 
grantees has been funded to date. This announcement is a further 
expansion of the ELC program and is intended to add new States, 
counties, and/or cities not already funded in the program and to 
competitively renew those current grantees with project periods 
expiring in 1999. Thus, the following current ELC grantees, which do 
not have project periods expiring in 1999, are ineligible to apply for 
funds under this announcement: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, 
Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, 
Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

    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 $4,600,000 is available in FY 1999 to fund 
approximately fifteen competing continuation and three new awards. 
Although only three new awards are currently projected for FY 1999, 
should additional funding become available, CDC may fund additional new 
awards from this competition. All eligible applicants are, therefore, 
encouraged to submit an application. It is expected that the average 
award (total direct and indirect costs) will be $255,000, ranging from 
$100,000 to $300,000. It is expected that the awards will begin on or 
about July 1, 1999, and will be made for a 12-month budget period 
within a project period of up to four years. The funding estimate may 
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.

Funding Preferences

    Funding preference will be given to competing continuation 
applications over new applications. Current grantees have implemented 
important capacity-building activities and continued cooperative 
agreement support is required to continue building and for maintaining 
these capacities.

Recipient Financial Participation

    Although a requirement for matching funds is not a condition for 
receiving an award under this cooperative agreement program, applicants 
must document the non-Federal human and fiscal resources that will be 
available to conduct activities outlined in the proposal. Federal funds 
cannot be used to replace or supplant existing State and local support. 
See Evaluation Criteria (paragraph 6: Budget) for additional 
information.

D. Program Requirements

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

Recipient Activities

    1. Enhance local capacity for gathering and evaluating infectious 
disease surveillance data, detecting and investigating outbreaks, and 
using surveillance data for public health practice and clinical follow-
up.

[[Page 4877]]

    2. Ensure appropriate representation to planning and priority-
setting meetings organized for recipients of this cooperative 
agreement.

CDC Activities

    1. Provide consultation and assistance in enhancing local 
epidemiologic and laboratory capacity for surveillance and response for 
infectious diseases.
    2. Assist in monitoring and evaluating scientific and operational 
accomplishments and progress in achieving the purpose of this program.
    3. Provide national coordination of activities where appropriate.

A. Application Content

    Information in the Program Requirements, Other Requirements, and 
Evaluation Criteria sections should be used to develop the application 
content. Applications will be evaluated on the criteria listed in 
Section G., below, so it is important that narratives 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 12 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.
    A detailed budget with a line-item justification and any other 
information to demonstrate that the request for assistance is 
consistent with the purpose and objectives of this cooperative 
agreement program.
    Although matching funds are not a condition for receiving an award 
under this program, include in the budget, a separate line-item 
accounting of non-Federal contributions (funding, personnel, and other 
resources) that will be directly allocated to the proposed activities. 
Identify any non-applicant sources of these contributions.
    If requesting funds for any contractual activities, provide the 
following information for each contract: (1) Name of proposed 
contractor, (2) breakdown and justification for estimated costs, (3) 
description and scope of activities to be performed by contractor, (4) 
period of performance, and (5) method of contractor selection (e.g., 
sole-source or competitive solicitation).
    This program is designed to support core epidemiologic and 
laboratory capacity in a variety of ways. In health departments where 
gaps in personnel and equipment are identified as major barriers to 
effective surveillance and response, the program can provide resources 
to hire staff or purchase necessary equipment. Funds can also be used 
to initiate or enhance ongoing activities. Examples of such activities 
are provided below. These examples are not meant to serve as templates 
for proposals. Rather, recipients are urged to analyze their current 
surveillance infrastructure, identify gaps in core epidemiologic and 
laboratory capacity, and develop proposals that address the needs of 
their respective health jurisdictions.

Examples

    1. Enhanced communicable disease surveillance and response. 
Activities would include improving surveillance in such areas as 
foodborne diseases, influenza, antimicrobial resistant organisms and 
vaccine-preventable diseases. Applicants are encouraged to discuss 
proposed activities in advance with relevant branches within CDC and, 
where appropriate, to coordinate those activities with CDC or other 
public health agencies.
    2. Acquisition of molecular diagnostic and subtyping technologies. 
Activities might include:
    (a) purchasing necessary equipment and supplies;
    (b) training of laboratory personnel; and
    (c) support of personnel to perform these activities. Recipients 
should plan to adhere to existing standards where appropriate, such as 
in PFGE-subtyping of E. coli O157:H7 isolates. Recipients should 
clearly specify how they plan to use information gained from these 
technologies to augment their existing surveillance activities.
    3. Training of epidemiology and laboratory personnel.
    4. Improved use of information technology. Activities could 
include:
    (a) development of innovative methods of communicating public 
health information to clinicians, public health practitioners, and the 
public;
    (b) development of local area networks (LANs) or wide area networks 
(WANs) to improve communications between divisions of a health 
department (e.g., between the epidemiology and laboratory divisions) or 
between local, county, and State health departments; or
    (c) development of electronic laboratory-based reporting systems to 
automate communicable disease reporting from clinical laboratories. 
State and local health jurisdictions developing electronic laboratory-
based reporting are encouraged to develop systems that are compliant 
with emerging standards and to work with CDC and with other States that 
are in the process of developing such systems.

F. Submission and Deadline

Letter of Intent (LOI)

    In order to assist CDC in planning for and executing the evaluation 
of applications submitted under this program announcement, all parties 
intending to submit an application are requested to inform CDC of their 
intention to do so at their earliest convenience prior to the 
application due date. Notification should include name and address of 
the institution and name, address, and telephone number of the contact 
person. Notification can be provided by facsimile, postal mail, or E-
mail to Deborah A. Deppe, M.P.A., 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 E-mail address: <[email protected]>.

Application

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161-1 (OMB Number 0937-
0189) on or before April 1, 1998. (Forms are in the application kit.) 
Submit all applications to: Oppie Byrd, Grants Management Specialist, 
Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement 
99032, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2929 
Brandywine Road, Mailstop E-18, Atlanta, Georgia 30341.
    Applications that do not arrive in time for submission to the 
independent review group, will not be considered in the current 
competition unless proof is provided package was mailed 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. Description of the population under surveillance, either the 
State or other appropriate jurisdiction (if an applicant is a county, 
city, or other agency) (5 points). Extent to which the application 
provides information on the population size, demographic 
characteristics, geographic distribution, racial/ethnic makeup, and 
health care delivery systems.
    2. Description of existing public health infectious disease 
epidemiology and laboratory capacity (15 points).

[[Page 4878]]

    Extent to which the applicant:
    1. Describes existing infectious disease surveillance and response 
activities, including reporting requirements, spectrum of laboratory 
specimen testing performed, degree of automation of laboratory and 
epidemiologic information management, and public health response 
capacity.
    b. Provides information on existing staffing, management, material 
and equipment investment, training, space, and financial support of 
laboratory and epidemiologic capacity for public health surveillance 
and response for infectious diseases.
    c. Describes current collaboration between its epidemiology and 
laboratory programs in surveillance and response including the 
existence of, or potential for, integrated uses of surveillance data;
    d. Describes current or previous collaborative relationships with 
clinical laboratories, local health agencies, academic medicine groups, 
and health care practitioners, including Health Maintenance 
Organizations (HMOs) or managed care providers; and demonstrates the 
potential of these relationships for enhanced surveillance and public 
health response activities.
    3. Identification of areas of need (gaps) in surveillance and 
response for infectious diseases and understanding of the objectives of 
this cooperative agreement program (20 points).
    Extent to which the application:
    a. Outlines State and local needs in epidemiology and laboratory 
capacity for public health surveillance and response for infectious 
diseases.
    b. Identifies specific important diseases or conditions (e.g., 
notifiable diseases, foodborne and waterborne diseases, vaccine-
preventable diseases and drug-resistant infections) which will be 
addressed and outlines why these are important.
    4. Operational Plan (Note: Provide a detailed description of first 
year activities only and briefly describe future year activities) (45 
points). Extent to which the proposed plan:
    a. Outlines activities that clearly address the identified needs in 
capacity and the specific diseases and conditions to be addressed.
    b. Describes steps to be taken to facilitate and strengthen 
collaboration between epidemiology and laboratory practice.
    c. Includes current letters of support from participating agencies, 
institutions, and organizations indicating their willingness to 
participate in the activities.
    d. Is consistent with, and adequate to achieve, the needs 
identified and the purpose and objectives of this program.
    e. If any research involving human subjects is proposed, 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.
    5. Plan for monitoring and evaluation (15 points). The extent to 
which the applicant describes a detailed plan for monitoring the 
implementation of the activities and evaluating the extent to which the 
proposed activities strengthen local and national epidemiologic and 
laboratory capacity for infectious diseases.
    6. Budget (not scored).
    The extent to which the budget request is clearly explained, 
adequately justified, reasonable, and sufficient for the proposed 
project activities.
    7. 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. annual progress reports, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period;
    2. annual Financial Status Report (FSR), no more than 90 days after 
the end of the budget period; and
    3. Final FSR and performance reports, no more than 90 days after 
the end of the project period.
    Send all reports to: Oppie Byrd, Grants Management Specialist, 
Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2929 Brandywine Road, Mailstop E-
18, Atlanta, Georgia 30341.
    The following additional requirements are applicable to this 
program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I 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-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)[42 U.S.C. 247b(k)(1)], and 
317(k)(2)[42 U.S.C. 247b(k)(2)], as amended. The Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance number is 93.283.

J. Where To Obtain Additional Information

    Please refer to Program Announcement 99032 when you request 
information. For a complete program description, information on 
application procedures, an application package, and business management 
technical assistance, contact Oppie Byrd, Grants Management Specialist, 
Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office Announcement 
99032, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2929 
Brandywine Road, Mailstop E-18, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: (404) 
842-6546, E-mail Address: <[email protected]>. See also the CDC home page on 
the Internet: <http://www.cdc.gov>.
    For program technical assistance, contact Deborah A. Deppe, M.P.A., 
National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC), Mailstop C-12, 1600 Clifton Road, N.E., Atlanta, 
Georgia 30333, Telephone: (404) 639-4668, E-mail Address: 
<[email protected]>.
    For 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. (Application forms are also available on the CDC Home Page of 
the Internet.)

    Dated: January 25, 1999.
John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 99-2150 Filed 1-29-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P