[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 68 (Friday, April 9, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17392-17394]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-8821]



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Program Announcement 99064]


National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Research 
on Young Worker Safety and Health Risks in Construction; 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 researching safety and health risks to young workers 
associated with specific jobs or tasks in the construction industry. 
This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2000'' priority area(s) of 
Occupational Safety and Health. The purpose of the program is to 
provide empirical data that can guide efforts to prevent deaths and 
injuries of youth less than 18 years of age working in construction in 
the United States, with a focus on data needed to determine if changes 
are needed in existing regulations that prohibit youth less than 18 
years of age from working in particularly hazardous activities (29 CFR 
Part 570, Subpart E--Hazardous Orders).

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, and federally recognized 
Indian tribal governments, Indian tribes, or Indian tribal 
organizations.

    Note: Pub. L. 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 $550,000 is available in FY 1999 to fund 
approximately three to five awards. It is expected that the average 
award will be $145,000, ranging from $90,000 to $180,000. It is 
expected that the awards will begin on or about September 1, 1999, and 
will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project period of up 
to three years. Funding estimates 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 preferences may be given to applications covering differing 
types of construction work to obtain information on a wide spectrum of 
construction activities and minimize duplicative efforts.

D. Cooperative Activities

    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 implement a study protocol.
    2. Analyze data and interpret findings.
    3. Disseminate study results to the occupational safety and health 
community.
    4. Publish study findings.
B. CDC/NIOSH Activities
    1. Provide scientific and technical collaboration in the 
development of the study design, protocol, and data analysis.
    2. Assist in the development of a research protocol for 
Institutional Review Board (IRB) review by all cooperating 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.
    3. Assist awardees on data analysis, and interpretation of 
findings.

E. Application Content

    Use the information in the Cooperative Activities, Other 
Requirements and 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 30 double-spaced pages. 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. Appendices 
should have indexes and include (1) Support letters (2) information on 
key personnel (3) other supporting documentation.

F. Submission and Deadline

Letter of Intent (LOI)

    Your letter of intent should include the following information. The 
letter of intent must be submitted on or before May 28, 1999, to: 
Sheryl Heard, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, 
Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement 99064, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC), 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, Atlanta, 
Georgia 30341.

Application

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161-1 (OMB Number 0937-
0189). Forms are in the application kit. On or before June 30, 1999, 
submit the application to: Sheryl Heard, Grants Management Specialist, 
Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement 
99064, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2920 
Brandywine Road, Room 3000, Atlanta, Georgia 30341.
    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.)
    Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria in 
(a) or (b) above are considered late applications, will not be 
considered, and will be returned to the applicant.

G. Evaluation Criteria

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

1. Background and Need (20 points total)

    The extent to which the applicant understands the general 
objectives of the proposed agreement:
    (a) describing available data on youth employment and occupational 
injuries and hazardous exposures in construction work (5 points);
    (b) identifying gaps in information on safety and health risks for 
youth working in construction (5 points); and,

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    (c) illustrating how the research results could be used to guide 
decisions about revisions to existing Hazardous Orders (work activities 
prohibited for youth less than 18 years of age because they are 
considered especially hazardous) and/or identifying new areas for 
consideration as potential Hazardous Orders. 10 points

2. Study Design (20 points)

    The extent to which specific research questions and/or hypotheses 
are described. The extent to which the applicant provides a detailed 
description of overall design and methods selected for the study. The 
extent to which the applicant describes the theory and rationale for 
the study, and if relevant, how factors such as limited employment of 
youth less than 18 years in specific occupations or tasks (e.g. because 
of existing Hazardous Orders or Human Subject concerns) are factored 
into the study design. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates 
that the study population and/or setting can be generalized to other 
work settings doing similar work.

3. Study Population and Methods (15 points total)

    The extent to which the proposed study will meet study objectives. 
Extent to which the applicant describes the study population, including 
information on the ages and work experience of the study population. 
The extent to which the study population and/or setting in which the 
study or analyses are undertaken are adequate for achieving the desired 
objectives. The extent to which the applicants demonstrate the ability 
to address modifying factors that may vary across work sites, such as 
characteristics of equipment, training and supervision, and job 
experience of workers. (10 points)
    The extent 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; including anticipated 
levels of representation of these groups in the sampling plan; (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. (5 points)

4. Goals and Objectives (15 points)

    The extent to which the applicant has included goals and objectives 
that are specific, measurable, time-phased, feasible to be accomplished 
during the project period, and which address all activities necessary 
to accomplish the purpose of the application. The extent to which the 
applicant clearly states 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 application.

5. Staffing, Facilities and Resources (15 points)

    The extent to which job descriptions, proposed staffing, staff 
qualifications and experience, and curricula vitae for both the 
proposed and current staff indicate the applicant's ability to carry 
out the objectives of the program. Adequacy of the applicant's 
facilities, equipment, and other resources available for performance of 
the project.

6. Collaboration (15 points)

    The extent to which concurrence with the applicant's plans by all 
other involved parties is specific and documented, e.g. support for 
proposed activities as well as commitment to participate (e.g. letters 
of support and/or memorandum of understanding). The extent to which the 
partners are clearly described and their qualifications for their 
component of the proposed work are explicitly stated. The extent to 
which the applicants demonstrate access to work sites or datasets that 
are critical to study completion.

7. Budget Justification (Not Scored)

    The budget will be evaluated to the extent that it is reasonable, 
clearly justified, and consistent with limited use of funds.

8. Human Subjects (Not Scored)

    If human subjects will be involved, the extent to which the 
applicant describes 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. Semiannual progress reports;
    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: Sheryl Heard, Grants Management Specialist, 
Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341.
    The following additional requirements are applicable to this 
program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I (included 
in the application package).

AR-1...................................  Human Subjects Requirements.
AR-2...................................  Requirements for Inclusion of
                                          Women and Racial and Ethnic
                                          Minorities in Research.
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 section 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.

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.
    If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the 
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained 
from: Sheryl Heard, Grants Management Specialist, Procurement and 
Grants Office, Announcement 99064, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, Atlanta, GA 30305-
2209, telephone (770) 488-2723, Email address SLH[email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Dawn N. Castillo, 
M.P.H., Telephone: (304) 285-6012, Email: [email protected], National 
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Safety Research, 1095 
Willowdale Road, Mailstop P-180, Morgantown, WV 26505.
    See also the CDC home page on the Internet: http://www.cdc.gov.
    Special Hazard Review: Child Labor Research Needs: Recommendations 
from the NIOSH Child Labor Working Team. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational 
Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No.

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97-143, 1997. 59 FR 26164. Department of Labor: Child Labor 
Regulations, Orders and Statements of Interpretation; Proposed Rules, 
May 13, 1994.

    Dated: April 2, 1999.
Diane D. Porter,
Acting Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 99-8821 Filed 4-8-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-19-P