[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