[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 26, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28497-28499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13330]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Program Announcement 99150]
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health;
Intervention Effectiveness; 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 support to accomplish research in the National Occupational
Research Agenda (NORA) Priority area of intervention effectiveness.
This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2000'' priority area(s) of
Occupational Safety and Health. The purpose of the program is to
provide support to eligible applicants to develop intervention
strategies, and/or assess the effectiveness of intervention techniques
in reducing or preventing workplace injuries and illnesses.
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, Federally recognized
Indian tribal governments, Indian tribes, or Indian tribal
organizations, and small minority businesses.
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 $350,000 is available in FY 1999 to fund five to
seven awards. It is expected that the average award will be $60,000 and
will range from $30,000 to $50,000. It is expected that the award will
begin on or about September 30, 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.
D. Program Interests
Research applications are sought that focus on the systematic
evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions. Of interest are
fully-developed interventions which are ready for implementation as
well as evaluations of the effectiveness of interventions which have
already been implemented. Applications for comparative analyses of the
effectiveness of alternate options (e.g., cost-effectiveness) are also
solicited. The interventions to be evaluated could be defined at any
level of complexity, and range from a regulatory or voluntary
occupational safety or health standard to the change of a single,
specific work process, control technology, training program, or
informational campaign. Encouraged are interdisciplinary projects which
include, as appropriate, the fullest complement possible of outcome
measures. These measures could include health and safety outcomes
(e.g., reductions in injury, disability, stress, or hazard exposure);
economic outcomes (e.g, the effect of the intervention on productivity,
employee turnover, income, medical, and or societal costs); and/or
social outcomes (e.g., social roles and relationships at work and in
the family and other aspects of the work-family interface.) These
examples of potential health, economic, and social outcome measures are
provided only to illustrate the range of outcomes of interest, not to
represent an exclusive listing.
Encouraged are applications to evaluate interventions in any
industry sector; however, special consideration will be given to
applications to evaluate interventions in agriculture, construction,
services (especially health care), and mining.
E. 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 (if appropriate) 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.
F. 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 25 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; and (3) other supporting documentation.
Applications should follow the PHS 398 (Rev. 5/95) application and
Errata sheet, and should include the following information:
1. The project's focus that justifies the research needs and
describes the scientific basis for the research, the expected outcome,
and the relevance of the findings to reduce or prevent workplace
injuries and illnesses.
2. Specific, measurable, and time-framed objectives.
3. A detailed plan describing the methods by which the objectives
will be achieved and evaluated, including their sequence.
4. A description of the principal investigator's role and
responsibilities.
5. A description of all the project staff regardless of their
funding source. It should include their title, qualifications,
experience, percentage of time each will
[[Page 28498]]
devote to the project, as well as that portion of their salary to be
paid by the cooperative agreement.
6. A description of those activities related to, but not supported
by, the cooperative agreement.
7. A description of the involvement of other entities that will
relate to the proposed project, if applicable. It should include
commitments of support and a clear statement of their roles.
8. An explanation of how the research findings will contribute to
the national effort to reduce or prevent workplace injuries and
illnesses.
G. Submission and Deadline
Letter of Intent (LOI)
The letter of intent must be submitted on or before June 11, 1999,
to: Sheryl L. Heard, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office Announcement 99150, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000,
Atlanta, Georgia 30341.
Application
Submit the original and five copies of PHS 398 (OMB Number 0925-
0001 and adhere to the instructions on the Errata Instruction sheet for
PHS 398). Forms are in the application kit.
On or before July 12, 1999, submit the application to: Sheryl
Heard, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch,
Procurement and Grants Office Announcement 99150, 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
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.
H. Evaluation Criteria
Applications which are complete and responsive will be reviewed and
evaluated by an Independent Special Emphasis Panel in accordance with
the following criteria:
1. Study Design (40 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
technical significance and originality of the proposed study. The
extent to which appropriateness and adequacy of the study design and
methodology proposed to carry out the project. The extent to which the
applicant demonstrates that the study population and/or setting can be
generalized to other work settings doing similar work.
2. Study Population and Methods (15 points)
(A) The extent to which the proposed study will meet study
objectives. The extent to which the applicant describes the study
population, including information on the ages and work experiences 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.
(B) 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:
(1) 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; (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; and (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.
3. 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.
4. 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. The extent to which adequacy of the
applicant's facilities, equipment, and other resources are available
for performance of the project.
5. 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; 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 applicant demonstrates access to work sites or datasets that
are critical to study completion.
6. Budget Justification (Not Scored)
The extent to which the budget is reasonable, clearly justified,
and consistent with limited use of funds.
7. Human Subjects (Not Scored)
If human subjects will be involved, the extent to which the
applicant describes how they will be protected, i.e., describe the
review process which will govern human subjects.
I. Other Requirements
Technical Reporting Requirements
Provide CDC with original plus two copies of
1. annual 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 the Grants Management Specialist identified in
the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section of this
announcement.
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
[[Page 28499]]
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
J. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number
This program is authorized under section 20(a) and 22(c)(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
93.283.
K. Where To Obtain Additional Information
The application kit for program announcement 99150 can be
downloaded from the CDC home page on the Internet: http://www.cdc.gov.
(Click on Funding)
Please refer to Program Announcement 99150 when you request
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 99150, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341,
telephone (770) 488-2723, Email address SLH[email protected].
For program technical assistance, contact: Susan Board, National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), OECSP, 1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop D40,
Atlanta, Georgia 30333, Telephone: (404) 639-2376, Email: SBB[email protected]
Dated: May 20, 1999.
Diane D. Porter,
Acting Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 99-13330 Filed 5-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-19-P