[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 119 (Tuesday, June 22, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33293-33305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-15372]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Program Announcement 99091]


Community-Based HIV Prevention Services and Capacity-Building 
Assistance to Organizations Serving Gay Men of Color at Risk for HIV 
Infection; 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 cooperative agreement 
programs with non-governmental minority organizations to support: (1) 
Community-based organizations (CBOs) to develop and implement effective 
community-based HIV prevention programs for gay men of color (Category 
A); and (2) non-governmental minority organizations to provide 
regionally structured and focused capacity-building assistance to CBOs 
that serve the HIV prevention needs of gay men of color at risk for HIV 
infection (Category B).
    This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2000'' priority areas 
of Educational and Community-Based Programs, Human Immuno-deficiency 
Virus (HIV) Infection, and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).
    The goals for program Category A--Community-Based HIV Prevention 
Services are to:
    1. Provide financial and technical assistance to CBOs so they can 
provide HIV prevention services to populations of gay men of color for 
which gaps in services are demonstrated;
    2. Support HIV prevention programs that are consistent with the HIV 
prevention priorities outlined in the jurisdiction's comprehensive HIV 
prevention plan or adequately justify addressing other priorities; and
    3. Promote collaboration and coordination of HIV prevention efforts 
among CBOs; HIV prevention community planning groups; and other local, 
State, Federal and privately funded programs.
    The goals for program Category B--Capacity-Building Assistance 
Program are to:
    1. Improve the capacity of CBOs serving gay men of color to 
mobilize their communities to increase their awareness, leadership, 
participation and support for HIV prevention; and
    2. Enhance the capacity of CBOs serving gay men of color to 
effectively participate in, and improve the responsiveness of the HIV 
prevention community planning process to the HIV prevention needs of 
gay men of color.
    Refer to Section M, ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'', for 
dates and times of audio-conferences.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Note: Applicants that meet the eligibility requirements for both 
Categories A and B may apply for both under separate applications. 
For Category B, applicants may only apply to provide capacity-
building assistance to a single racial or ethnic group (that is, 
African American, Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander, or American 
Indian/Alaskan Native). For example, if an organization applies to 
provide capacity-building assistance for African American gay men, 
that organization may not also apply to provide assistance for 
Latino gay men.

1. Category A--Community-Based HIV Prevention Services

    Eligible applicants for Category A are African American, Latino, 
Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaskan Native CBOs that 
provide services to gay men, and that meet the following criteria (also 
see Proof of Eligibility section):
    a. Have been granted tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3), as 
evidenced by an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) determination letter.
    b. Have a board or governing body composed of greater than 50 
percent of the racial/ethnic minority population to be served.

[[Page 33294]]

    c. Members of the racial/ethnic minority population to be served 
must serve in greater than 50 percent of key positions in the 
organization, including management, supervisory, administrative, and 
service provision positions (for example, executive director, program 
director, fiscal director, outreach worker, prevention case manager, 
counselor, group facilitator, or trainer).
    d. Documentation of an established record of services to the target 
population is required. An established record is defined as a minimum 
of two years serving the target population.
    e. Two or more racial/ethnic minority CBOs may apply as a 
collaborative partnership. In a collaborative contractual partnership, 
one CBO must be the legal applicant and will function as the lead 
organization in the collaboration. The lead organization must meet 
criteria a-d specified above and the collaborating CBO(s) must meet 
criteria b and c specified above.
    f. Racial/ethnic minority CBOs currently funded under program 
announcement 704 that meet criteria
a-e above are eligible to apply for funding under this program 
announcement only as a part of a collaboration with other racial/ethnic 
minority CBOs.

    Note: A CBO can only submit one application under this category; 
that is, it may apply as an individual organization or as part of a 
collaboration, but not both.

    g. Local affiliates, chapters, or programs of national and regional 
organizations are eligible to apply. In this case, the local affiliate, 
chapter, or program applying must meet criteria
a-f, above.
    h. Governmental or municipal agencies, their affiliate 
organizations or agencies (e.g., health departments, school boards, 
public hospitals), and private or public universities and colleges are 
not eligible for funding under this announcement.

2. Category B--Capacity-Building Assistance Program

    The Capacity-Building Assistance Program (Category B) will serve 
four regional groups as follows:
    Northeast Region: CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, PR, U.S. 
Virgin Islands
    Midwest Region: IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI
    South Region: AL, AR, D.C., DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, OK, SC, 
TN, TX, VA, WV
    West Region: AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY
    Eligible applicants for Category B are: (1) A national minority 
organization serving up to four regions either independently or as the 
lead agency within a coalition; or (2) a regional minority organization 
serving at least one region either independently or as the lead agency 
within a coalition; or (3) a local minority organization as the lead 
agency within a coalition serving one region. A coalition may consist 
of any combination of national, regional or local minority 
organizations.
    The lead agency must be the legal applicant and all applicants must 
meet the following criteria:
    a. Have a copy of a currently valid IRS Determination letter 
stating that the organization is a 501(c)(3).
    b. Have a documented and established 3-year record of service to 
community-based organizations serving gay men of color and to gay men 
of color population(s). Acceptable documentation includes letters of 
support, agency annual reports, client satisfaction survey summaries, 
and memoranda of agreement.
    c. Have a board or governing body composed of greater than 50 
percent of the racial/ethnic minority population to be served. This 
body must also include representation from members of the target 
population (i.e. men who have sex with men, including bisexuals, 
transgenders, and Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (GBT) youth).
    d. Have greater than 50 percent of key positions in the applicant 
organization, including management, supervisory, administrative, and 
service positions filled by persons of the racial/ethnic population to 
be served (for example, executive director, program director, fiscal 
director, trainer, technical assistance provider, curricula development 
specialist, or group facilitator).
    e. Local affiliates, chapters, or programs of national and regional 
organizations are eligible. In this case, the local affiliate, chapter, 
or program applying must meet criteria a-d, above.

3. Categories A and B

    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

    Awards will be made in two categories: (A) community-based HIV 
prevention services; and (B) capacity-building assistance program. 
Applicants may apply for both categories if eligible; however, separate 
applications must be submitted for each category.
    1. Category A--Community-Based HIV Prevention Services. 
Approximately $4,000,000 is available in FY 1999 to fund approximately 
20 awards. It is expected that awards 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 4 years. It is expected that the average award will be 
approximately $200,000.

    Note: Funds to support CBOs to provide HIV prevention services 
are also available under Program Announcement 99092--Community Based 
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Prevention Projects for African 
Americans, Program Announcement 99096-HIV Prevention Projects for 
African American Faith-Based Organizations, and Program Announcement 
99047--Human Immunodeficiency Virus Community Based Prevention 
Projects for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the United States 
Virgin Islands. Eligible organizations may apply for and receive 
funding under more than one of these announcements; however, the 
total combined funding provided to any organization under these four 
new announcements and those grantees currently funded under Program 
Announcement 704 (97004) can not exceed $300,000, and awards will 
not support the same project activities twice.

    2. Category B--Capacity-Building Assistance Program Approximately 
$2,400,000 is available in FY 1999 to fund approximately 9 awards. It 
is expected that awards 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 five years. It is expected that the average award will be 
approximately $300,000.

3. Categories A and B

    Funding estimates may change based on the availability of funds.
    Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made 
on the basis of availability of funds and the applicant's satisfactory 
progress toward achieving objectives. Satisfactory progress toward 
achieving objectives will be determined by progress reports submitted 
by the recipient and site visits conducted by CDC representatives. 
Proof of continued eligibility is required with noncompeting 
continuation applications.
Use of Funds
    1. Category A--Community-Based HIV Prevention Services Funds 
provided under this Announcement must support activities directly 
related to primary HIV prevention. However, intervention activities 
which involve preventing other STDs or substance abuse as a means of 
reducing or eliminating the risk of HIV transmission may also be 
supported.

[[Page 33295]]

    2. Category B--Capacity-Building Assistance Program Funds available 
under this announcement must support assistance that increases the 
capacity of CBOs to expand and sustain effective HIV prevention 
activities for gay men of color whose behavior places them at high risk 
for HIV and other STDs, and should include the following populations: 
men who have sex with men, including bisexuals, transgenders, and Gay, 
Bisexual and Transgender (GBT) youth.

    Note: If indirect costs are requested, you must provide a copy 
of your organization's current negotiated indirect rate agreement. 
In the absence of an indirect cost rate agreement, the recipient may 
request, with detailed justification, a maximum of 10 percent for 
the executive director. If the organization has an indirect rate 
that includes the executive director's salary, no additional funds 
will be provided. Funds will not be provided for the salary of an 
executive director that is also a member of the organization's Board 
of Directors.

    3. Categories A and B:
    Applicants are encouraged to develop coalitions and may contract 
with other organizations under these cooperative agreements; however, 
applicants must perform a substantial portion of the activities 
(including program management and operations and delivery of services) 
for which funds are requested. Applications requesting funds to support 
only administrative and managerial functions will not be accepted.
    No funds will be provided for direct patient medical care 
(including substance abuse treatment, medical treatment, or 
medications) or research.
    These funds may not be used to supplant or duplicate existing 
funding. Funds awarded should be used to enhance or expand existing 
activities.
Funding Priorities
    1. Category A--Community-Based HIV Prevention Services
    In making awards under Category A--Community Prevention Services, 
priority for funding will be given to:
    a. Ensuring a national distribution of CBO awards based on AIDS 
morbidity among racial/ethnic minority populations, and
    b. Supporting several CBO collaborations (consisting of two or more 
minority organizations) in which the applicant (the lead organization) 
proposes to share resources, strategies, and expertise with a start-up 
or less experienced HIV prevention organization.
    2. Category B--Capacity-Building Assistance Program
    In making awards under Category B (Capacity-Building Assistance 
Program), priority for funding will be given to: ensure that funding 
for capacity-building assistance is distributed in proportion to the 
disease burden for gay men of color in each region.
    Interested persons are invited to comment on the proposed funding 
priorities. All comments received within 30 days after publication in 
the Federal Register will be considered before the final funding 
priorities are established. If the funding priorities change because of 
comments received, a revised announcement will be published in the 
Federal Register, and revised applications will be accepted before the 
final selections are made. Address comments to: Van Malone, Grants 
Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants 
Office Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine 
Road, Room 3000, Mailstop E-15, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146.

D. Program Requirements--Category A--(Community-Based HIV Prevention 
Services)

    HIV prevention interventions are specific activities (or set of 
related activities) using a common method of delivering the prevention 
messages to reach persons at risk of becoming HIV-infected or, if 
already infected, of transmitting the virus to others. The goal of HIV 
prevention interventions is to bring about HIV risk reduction in a 
particular population.
    In order to maximize the effective use of CDC funds, each applicant 
must conduct at least one of the following priority HIV prevention 
interventions: (1) HIV Counseling, Testing and Referral Services; (2) 
Individual Level Interventions; (3) Group Level Interventions; (4) 
Community Level Interventions; and (5) Street and Community Outreach. A 
brief description of these priority interventions is provided in 
Attachment 1. Also, please reference the materials included in the tool 
kit for additional information about these interventions. The tool kit 
will be sent with the application packet.
    Although activities may overlap from one type of intervention to 
another (e.g., individual or group level interventions may be a part of 
a community-level intervention), each applicant must indicate which one 
of the five interventions is their primary focus.
    Because of the resources, special expertise, and organizational 
capacities needed for success, applicants should carefully consider the 
feasibility of undertaking more than two of the priority interventions 
listed. Recipients proposing to conduct more than two of these priority 
prevention interventions must demonstrate the capacity to implement 
them effectively.
    In conducting activities to achieve the purposes of this program, 
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under number 1. 
(Recipient Activities) and CDC will be responsible for activities under 
number 2. (CDC Activities) below.
    1. Recipient Activities:
    a. Design program activities by using epidemiologic data, needs 
assessments, and prioritization of groups and interventions.
    b. Develop program activities which are consistent with applicable 
State and local comprehensive HIV prevention plans or adequately 
justify addressing other priorities.
    c. Provide--or assist high risk clients in gaining access to--HIV 
counseling, testing, and referral for other needed services.
    d. Conduct health education and risk reduction interventions for 
persons at high risk of becoming infected or transmitting HIV to 
others.
    e. Assist HIV-positive persons in gaining access to appropriate HIV 
treatment and other early medical care, substance abuse prevention 
services, STD screening and treatment, partner counseling and referral 
services, psychosocial support, mental health services, TB prevention 
and treatment, primary HIV prevention such as health education and risk 
reduction services, and other supportive services. High-risk clients 
who test negative should be referred to appropriate health education 
and risk reduction services and other appropriate prevention and 
treatment services.
    f. Ensure adequate protection of client confidentiality.
    g. Coordinate and collaborate with health departments, community 
planning groups, and other organizations and agencies involved in HIV 
prevention activities, especially those serving the target population.
    h. Participate in the HIV prevention community planning process. 
Participation may include involvement in workshops; attending meetings; 
if nominated and selected, serving as a member of the group; reporting 
on program activities; or reviewing and commenting on plans.
    i. Incorporate cultural competency and linguistic and developmental 
appropriateness into all program activities and prevention messages.
    j. Coordinate program activities with relevant national, regional, 
State, and local HIV prevention programs to prevent duplication of 
efforts.

[[Page 33296]]

    k. Monitor and evaluate major program and intervention activities 
and services supported with CDC HIV prevention funds under this 
cooperative agreement. This should include assessing client 
satisfaction periodically via quantitative (e.g., periodic surveys) and 
qualitative methods (e.g., focus groups).
    l. Compile ``lessons learned'' from the project and facilitate the 
dissemination of ``lessons learned'' and successful prevention 
interventions and program models to other organizations and CDC through 
peer-to-peer interactions, meetings, workshops, conferences, Internet, 
communications with project officers, and other capacity-building and 
technology transfer mechanisms.
    m. Work with CDC-funded capacity-building assistance programs to 
meet your and other organizations' capacity-building needs.
    n. Develop and implement a plan for obtaining additional resources 
from non-CDC sources to supplement the program conducted through this 
cooperative agreement and to enhance the likelihood of its continuation 
after the end of the project period.
    o. Adhere to CDC policies for securing approval for CDC sponsorship 
of conferences.
    p. Before using funds awarded through this cooperative agreement to 
develop HIV prevention materials, recipients must check with the CDC 
National Prevention Information Network (NPIN) to determine if suitable 
materials are already available. Also, materials developed by 
recipients must be made available for dissemination through the CDC 
NPIN.
    CDC's National Prevention Information Network (NPIN) maintains a 
collection of HIV, STD and TB resources for use by organizations and 
the public. Successful applicants may be contacted by NPIN to obtain 
information on program resources for use in referrals and resource 
directories. Also, grantees should send three copies of all educational 
materials and resources developed under this grant for inclusion in 
NPIN's databases.
    NPIN also makes available information and technical assistance 
services for use in program planning and evaluation. For further 
information on NPIN services and resources, contact NPIN at 1-800-458-
5231(TTY users: 1-800-243-7012). NPIN's web site is www.cdcnpin.org; 
the fax number is 1-888-282-7681.

2. CDC Activities

    a. As appropriate, link funded applicants to a coordinated national 
capacity building and technology transfer network.
    b. Provide consultation and technical assistance in planning, 
implementing, and evaluating prevention activities. CDC may provide 
consultation and technical assistance both directly and indirectly 
through prevention partners such as health departments, national and 
regional minority organizations (NRMOs), contractors, and other 
national organizations.
    c. Provide up-to-date scientific information on risk factors for 
HIV infection, prevention measures, and program strategies for 
prevention of HIV infection.
    d. Assist in the design and implementation of program evaluation 
activities, including provision of evaluation forms, if appropriate.
    e. Assist recipients in collaborating with State and local health 
departments, community planning groups, and other federally supported 
HIV/AIDS recipients.
    f. Facilitate the transfer of successful prevention interventions, 
program models, and ``lessons learned'' through convening meetings of 
grantees, workshops, conferences, newsletters, use of the Internet, and 
communications with project officers. Also facilitate exchange of 
program information and technical assistance among community 
organizations, health departments, and national and regional 
organizations.
    g. Monitor the recipient's performance of program activities, 
protection of client confidentiality, and compliance with other 
requirements.
    h. Conduct an overall evaluation of this cooperative agreement 
program.

E. Application Content--Category A--Community-Based HIV Prevention 
Services

    Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other 
Requirements, and Application 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 40 pages (not 
including the budget or attachments).
    Number each page sequentially, and provide a complete Table of 
Contents to the application and its appendices. Please begin each 
separate section of the application on a new page. The original and 
each copy of the application set must be submitted unstapled and 
unbound. All material must be typewritten, single spaced, with 
unreduced 12 point or 10 pitch font on 8\1/2\'' by 11'' paper, with at 
least 1'' margins, headings and footers, and printed on one side only. 
Materials which should be part of the basic narrative will not be 
accepted if placed in the appendices.

    Note: Applicants may apply for both categories (A and B), if 
eligible; however, a separate application must be submitted for each 
category.

    In developing the application, you must follow the format and 
instructions below:
Format For Category A--Community-Based HIV Prevention Services
    1. Abstract.
    2. Assessment of Need and Justification for Proposed Activities.
    3. Long-term Goals.
    4. Organizational History and Capacity.
    5. Program Plan.
    6. Program Evaluation Plan.
    7. Communications and Dissemination Plan.
    8. Plan for Acquiring Additional Resources.
    9. Budget and Staffing Breakdown and Justification.
    10. Training and Technical Assistance Plan.
    11. Attachments.
Instructions For Category A--Community-Based HIV Prevention Services
    1. Abstract (not to exceed 2 pages): summarize which intervention 
category of the five priority HIV prevention interventions--(1) HIV 
Counseling, Testing, and Referral Services; (2) Individual Level 
Interventions; (3) Group Level Interventions; (4) Community Level 
Interventions; and (5) Street and Community Outreach--you intend to 
implement and your proposed intervention activities. Include the 
following:
    a. brief summary of the need for the proposed activities;
    b. long-term goals;
    c. brief summary of proposed plan of operation, including the 
population(s) to be served, activities to be undertaken, and services 
to be provided; and
    d. brief summary of plans for evaluating the activities of this 
project.
    2. Assessment of Need and Justification for Proposed Activities 
(not to exceed 5 pages):
    a. Describe the population(s) for which your proposed 
intervention(s) will provide services.
    b. Describe the impact of the AIDS epidemic on the priority 
population and their community and any specific environmental, social, 
cultural, or linguistic characteristics of the priority populations 
which you have considered

[[Page 33297]]

and addressed in developing prevention strategies, such as:
    (1) HIV prevalence and incidence (if available), reported AIDS 
cases, and the proportion that engages in specific risk behaviors 
(sexual behaviors, substance use, etc.) in the target population;
    (2) HIV/AIDS-related baseline knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and 
behaviors;
    (3) Patterns of substance use and rates of STDs and tuberculosis 
(TB); and
    (4) Other relevant information. (Specify)
    c. Identify the need that will be addressed by your proposed 
intervention(s), and describe how you assessed the need. Include 
epidemiologic and other data that were used to identify the need. 
Include a description of existing HIV prevention and risk-reduction 
efforts provided by other organizations to address the needs of the 
target population(s), and an analysis of the gap between the identified 
need and the resources currently available to address the need (i.e., 
How will the proposed intervention(s) address an important unmet HIV 
prevention need?).
    d. Describe the specific behaviors and practices that the proposed 
intervention(s) is designed to promote and prevent (e.g., increases in 
correct and consistent condom use, knowledge of serological status, not 
sharing needles, and enrollment in drug treatment and other preventive 
programs).
    e. Describe how your proposed intervention(s) complements the HIV 
prevention priority populations and interventions identified in the 
applicable State or local comprehensive HIV prevention plan(s). If the 
comprehensive HIV prevention plan does not prioritize the needs that 
you have identified, justify the need and the priority of your proposed 
intervention activities and summarize how the activities address 
prevention gaps and complement ongoing prevention efforts. State why 
the funds being applied for in this application are necessary to 
address the need. A list of the names and telephone numbers of State 
health department contacts from whom you may obtain a copy of the 
jurisdiction's comprehensive HIV prevention plan is provided with the 
application kit;
    f. Explain any specific barriers to the implementation of your 
proposed intervention(s) and how you will overcome these barriers.
    3. Long-term Goals (not to exceed 2 pages): Describe the broad HIV 
prevention goals that your proposed intervention(s) aims to achieve by 
the end of the project period (four years).
    4. Organizational History and Capacity (not to exceed 4 pages) 
Describe the following:
    a. Organizational structure, including the role, responsibilities, 
and racial/ethnic composition of board of directors; committee 
structure of board of directors; organizational management, 
administrative and program components; constituent or affiliate 
organizations or networks; how the organizational structure will 
support the proposed intervention activities; and how the structure 
offers the capacity to reach targeted populations. Describe how the 
organizational structure includes, or has the ability to obtain 
meaningful input and representation from, members of the target 
population(s) (for example, gay, bisexual, and Transgender populations, 
youth at risk, HIV-positive individuals, substance abusers).
    b. Past and current experience in developing and implementing 
effective HIV prevention strategies and activities, and in developing 
and implementing interventions similar to the one(s) proposed in this 
application.
    c. The process in your organization for making major programmatic 
decisions.
    d. Mechanisms used by your organization to monitor program 
implementation and quality assurance.
    e. Experience in working or collaborating with governmental and 
non-governmental organizations, including State and local health 
departments, local and State non-governmental organizations, national 
agencies or organizations, community planning groups, and other groups 
that provide HIV prevention services.
    f. Capacity to provide the proposed interventions in a manner that 
is culturally competent and linguistically and developmentally 
appropriate, and which responds effectively to the gender, 
environmental, and social characteristics of the target populations.
    g. For any of the above areas in which you do not have direct 
experience or current capacity, describe how you will ensure that your 
organization will gain capacity (e.g., through staff development, 
collaboration with other organizations, or a contract).
    5. Program Plan (not to exceed 10 pages): Use this section to 
describe the specific characteristics of your proposed intervention(s).
    a. Involvement of the target population: Describe how the target 
population is, or will be, involved in planning, implementing, and 
evaluating activities and services throughout the project period.
    b. Intervention Objectives: Develop process objectives that are 
specific, measurable, appropriate, realistic, and time-based. Process 
objectives focus on the projected amount, frequency, and duration of 
the intervention activities and the number and characteristics of the 
target population to be served. If applicable, describe how the 
objectives are related to the prevention priorities outlined in the 
jurisdiction's comprehensive HIV prevention plan. Describe potential 
barriers to or facilitators for reaching these objectives.
    c. Plan of Operation:
    (1) Describe the specific activities to be conducted or services to 
be provided to accomplish the objectives and where these activities or 
services will take place. Make certain that your proposal addresses all 
required activities. The following four HERR interventions will be 
funded: Individual level (including prevention case management [PCM]), 
group level, community level interventions, and street and community 
outreach. Each recipient must conduct at least one of these 
interventions. Applicants should not apply for more interventions than 
they can conduct effectively.
    (2) Describe your mechanisms for soliciting clients into the 
program and obtaining informed consent.
    (3) Describe your staffing plan and the responsibilities each staff 
position will have in conducting the proposed activities. Describe how 
the proposed program will be managed, including the location of the 
program within your organization.
    (4) Describe the potential for volunteer involvement in your 
program. If volunteers will be involved, describe plans to recruit, 
train, place, and retain volunteers.
    (5) Describe how you will market and promote your program in the 
community.
    (6) Describe how you will prioritize the program activities to 
place emphasis on populations or communities that are at high risk for 
HIV infection.
    d. Appropriateness of Interventions: Describe mechanisms that will 
be used to ensure client satisfaction. Describe how you will ensure 
that the proposed interventions and services are culturally competent; 
sensitive to issues of sexual orientation; developmentally, 
educationally, and linguistically appropriate; and targeted to the 
needs of the target populations.
    e. Scientific, Theoretical, Conceptual, or Program Experience 
Foundation for Proposed Activities: Provide a detailed description of 
the program experience or scientific, theoretical, or conceptual 
foundation on which the proposed

[[Page 33298]]

activities are based and which support the potential effectiveness of 
these activities for addressing the stated needs.
    f. Collaborations, Linkages, and Coordination:
    (1) Describe any formal collaborations with State or local health 
departments, community planning groups, and other appropriate service 
groups or organizations that will be used in the development and 
implementation of your program. Describe the respective roles and 
responsibilities of each collaborating entity in developing and 
implementing the program.
    (2) Specify any and all organizations and agencies with which you 
will establish linkages and coordinate activities, and describe the 
activities that will be coordinated with each listed organization. 
These may include, as appropriate, the following:
    (a) Community groups and organizations, including churches and 
religious groups;
    (b) HIV/AIDS service organizations;
    (c) Ryan White CARE Title I and Title II planning bodies;
    (d) Schools, boards of education, and other State or local 
education agencies;
    (e) State and local substance abuse agencies, community-based and 
other drug treatment or detoxification programs;
    (f) Federally funded community projects, such as those funded by 
the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations' 
(SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) and Center for 
Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), the Health and Human Services' 
Health Resource Services Administration (HRSA), Office of Minority 
Health (OMH), and other Federal entities;
    (g) Providers of services to youth in high risk situations (e.g., 
youth in shelters);
    (h) State or local departments of mental health;
    (i) Juvenile and adult criminal justice, correctional, or parole 
systems and programs;
    (j) Family planning and women's health agencies; and
    (k) STD and TB clinics and programs.
    (3) Describe how referrals to other service providers will be 
initiated.
    (4) Provide a time line that identifies major implementation steps 
and assigns approximate dates for the inception and completion of each.
    6. Quality Assurance and Program Evaluation Plan (not to exceed 5 
pages): The plan should describe when and how evaluation activities 
will be implemented. At a minimum, the plan should outline strategies 
for implementing process evaluation of interventions to determine if 
the process objectives are being achieved. Indicate which member(s) of 
the staff will be responsible for implementing the evaluation plan.
    Your process evaluation plan should include the following:
    a. A list of resources available to the organization to carry out 
process evaluation (e.g., provider staff, health department staff, data 
experts to design a system for managing information about proposed 
interventions, evaluation consultants, NRMOs (National/Regional 
Minority Organizations)).
    b. A list of who will be involved in implementing the evaluation 
and identify their roles. Describe who will collect, report, enter, and 
analyze data.
    c. A description of the data that will be collected. To assure 
valid data are collected, established instruments should be used when 
feasible. Established instruments include those that have been either 
science-based or previously administered in effective HIV prevention 
interventions. In addition, data sources should be verifiable through 
appropriate documentation (such as storing original data for the 
duration of the cooperative agreement). Examples of data that could be 
collected include:
    (1) Detailed information on the specific intervention service(s).
    (2) The number of persons who received the service(s) by (a) risk 
categories (MSM, IDU, etc.) and (b) demographics, such as age, race and 
ethnicity, gender, and if appropriate and available, sexual 
orientation.
    (3) When and how often the intervention service was provided.
    (4) Where the intervention service was provided (e.g., CTRPN site, 
STD clinic, street corner, housing project).
    (5) Documents referral systems, including the number of persons 
referred; how you intend to determine the success of referral systems 
(e.g., the number actually receiving services by referral sites); and 
how well the system functions in identifying referral services.
    (6) Describe client satisfaction with HIV prevention intervention 
services.
    d. Discuss how data will be collected, managed, and monitored over 
time. Address ways to collect, report, enter, and analyze data as well 
as how you would use data for program improvement. Describe how often 
data will be collected. Discuss how data security will be maintained 
and client confidentiality assured.
    e. Discuss how you will assess the performance of staff to ensure 
that they are providing information and services accurately and 
effectively.
    Because of the additional cost and need for scientific support 
beyond the scope of these cooperative agreements, you may not be able 
to conduct outcome evaluations (i.e., long-term effects of the program 
in terms of changes in behavior or health status, such as changes in 
HIV incidence after the intervention) with funds provided through this 
cooperative agreement. CDC will continue to support special projects to 
evaluate the behavioral and other outcomes of interventions commonly 
used by CBOs and other organizations, and disseminate information and 
lessons learned from this research to CBOs, health departments, 
community planning groups, and other organizations and agencies 
involved in HIV prevention programs.
    7. Communications and Dissemination Plan (not to exceed 2 pages): 
Describe how you will share successful approaches and ``lessons 
learned'' with other organizations.
    8. Plan for Acquiring Additional Resources (not to exceed 1 page): 
Describe how you will develop and implement a plan for obtaining 
additional resources from other (non-CDC) sources to supplement the 
program conducted through this cooperative agreement and to increase 
the likelihood of its continuation after the end of the project period.
    9. Budget/Staffing Breakdown and Justification
    a. Detailed Budget: Provide a detailed, separate budget for each 
intervention proposed (i.e., CTR, individual level, group level, 
community level, or street and community outreach), with accompanying 
justification of all operating expenses that is consistent with the 
stated objectives and planned priority activities. CDC may not approve 
or fund all proposed activities. Be precise about the program purpose 
of each budget item and itemize calculations wherever appropriate.
    For contracts and consultant agreements, applicants should name the 
contractor, if known; describe the services to be performed which 
justifies the use of a contractor; provide a breakdown of and 
justification for the estimated costs of the contracts; the period of 
performance; the method of selection; and method of monitoring the 
contract.
    b. Staffing Plan: Provide a job description for each position 
specifying job title; function, general duties, and activities; salary 
range or rate of pay; and the level of effort and percentage of time 
spent on activities funded through this cooperative agreement. If the

[[Page 33299]]

identity of any key personnel who will fill a position is known, her/
his name and resume should be attached. Experience and training related 
to the proposed project should be noted. If the identity of staff is 
not known, describe your recruitment plan. If volunteers are involved 
in the project provide job descriptions.
    10. Training and Technical Assistance Plan (not to exceed 2 pages): 
Describe areas in which you anticipate needing technical assistance in 
designing, implementing, and evaluating your program and discuss how 
you will obtain needed technical assistance. Also, describe anticipated 
staff training needs related to the proposed program and how these 
needs will be met. Describe your plan for providing ongoing training to 
ensure that staff are knowledgeable about HIV and STD risks and 
prevention measures. This information will assist CDC to better address 
your needs and help you to identify technical assistance and training 
providers.
    11. Attachments
    a. Proof of Eligibility.
    Each applicant must provide documentation that they comply with all 
eligibility requirements specified under the ``Eligible Applicants'' 
section of this program announcement. Applicants should provide a 
separate section within this Attachments section that is entitled Proof 
of Eligibility to include the documents listed below. Failure to 
provide the required documentation will result in disqualification.
    (1) A copy of the Internal Revenue Service's determination letter 
showing their approval of your 501(c)(3) status.
    (2) A list of the members of your organization's governing body 
along with their positions on the board, their expertise in working 
with or providing services to the proposed target population, and their 
racial/ethnic backgrounds. (Submission of information regarding the HIV 
status or other confidential information regarding the board is 
optional, and must not be linked to a specific individual.)
    (3) Documentation that your organization is located and provides 
services in the geographical area to be served. This documentation 
could include letters of support, news articles, brochures or flyers, 
annual reports, memoranda of agreement, or client surveys.
    (4) A Table of Organization of existing and proposed staff, 
including the board of directors, volunteer staff, and their racial/
ethnic backgrounds.
    (5) Documentation that your organization has an established record 
of providing services to the target population for at least two years, 
and a description of the specific services that have been provided.
    (6) Affiliates, chapters, or programs of national or regional 
organizations must include with the application an original, signed 
letter from the national or regional organization's chief executive 
officer assuring their understanding of the intent of this program 
announcement and the responsibilities of recipients.
    (7) A separate sheet of paper stating if your organization is 
currently funded under CDC Program Announcement 704, Community Based 
HIV Prevention Projects.
    b. Other Attachments.
    (1) A list of all collaborating or coordinating entities and 
memoranda of understanding or agreement as evidence of these 
established or agreed-upon collaborative or coordinating relationships. 
Memoranda of agreement should specifically describe the proposed 
collaborative activities. Evidence of continuing collaboration must be 
submitted each year to ensure that the collaborative relationships are 
still in place. Memoranda of agreement from health departments should 
include a statement that they have reviewed your application for these 
funds.
    (2) A list of major community resources and health care providers 
to which referrals will be made.
    (3) Protocols to guide and document training, activities, services, 
and referrals (e.g., applicants seeking funds for Street and Community 
Outreach Interventions must provide a description of the policies and 
procedures that will be followed to assure the safety of outreach 
staff).
    (4) Samples of data collection tools that will be used in 
performing, monitoring, or evaluating program activities, if available.
    (5) A description of funds received from any source to conduct HIV/
AIDS programs and other similar programs targeting the population 
proposed in the program plan. This summary must include: (1) the name 
of the sponsoring organization/source of income, amount of funding, a 
description of how the funds have been used, and the budget period; (2) 
a summary of the objectives and activities of the funded program(s); 
and (3) an assurance that the funds being requested will not duplicate 
or supplant funds received from any other Federal or non-Federal 
source. In addition, identify proposed personnel devoted to this 
project who are supported by other funding sources and the activities 
they are supporting.
    (6) Independent audit statements from a certified public accountant 
for the previous 2 years.
    (7) A copy of your organization's current negotiated Federal 
indirect cost rate agreement, if applicable.

    Note: Materials submitted as attachments should be printed on 
one side of 8\1/2\''  x  11'' paper. Please do not attach bound 
materials such as booklets or pamphlets. Rather, submit copies of 
the materials printed on one side of 8\1/2\''  x  11'' paper. Bound 
materials may not be reviewed.

F. Evaluation Criteria--Category A--Community-Based HIV Prevention 
Services

    Each application will be evaluated individually against the 
following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC.
    1. Abstract. (not scored)
    2. Assessment of Need and Justification for the Proposed 
Activities. (15 points)
    a. The extent to which the applicant soundly and convincingly 
documents a substantial need for the proposed program and activities; 
and the degree to which the proposed activities are consistent with the 
Recipient Activities described in the Program Requirements Section. (5 
points)
    b. The degree to which the applicant describes the specific 
behaviors and practices that the interventions are designed to promote 
and prevent (i.e., increases in correct and consistent condom use, 
knowledge of serological status, not sharing needles, and enrollment in 
drug treatment and other preventive programs). (5 points)
    c. The quality of the applicant's plan to ensure consistency with 
the State and local comprehensive HIV prevention plans and, if 
applicable, the adequacy with which the applicant demonstrates the 
rationale for deviating from the jurisdiction's comprehensive HIV 
prevention plan. (5 points)
    3. Long-term Goals (5 points) The quality of the applicant's stated 
goals and the extent to which they are consistent with the purpose of 
this cooperative agreement, as described in this program announcement.
    4. Organizational History and Capacity (15 points) The extent of 
the applicant's documented experience, capacity, and ability to address 
the identified needs and implement the proposed activities, including:
    a. How the applicant's organizational structure and planned 
collaborations (including constituent or affiliated organizations or 
networks) will support the proposed program activities, and how the 
proposed program will have the capacity to reach targeted populations; 
(3 points)

[[Page 33300]]

    b. Applicant's past and current experience in developing and 
implementing effective HIV prevention strategies and activities, and in 
developing and implementing programs similar to those proposed in this 
application; (3 points)
    c. Applicant's experience and ability in collaborating with 
governmental and non-governmental organizations, including other 
national agencies or organizations, State and local health departments, 
community planning groups, and State and local non-governmental 
organizations that provide HIV prevention services; (3 points)
    d. Applicant's capacity to obtain meaningful input and 
representation from members of the target population(s) and to provide 
culturally competent and appropriate services which respond effectively 
to the cultural, gender, environmental, social, and multilingual 
character of the target audiences, including documentation of any 
history of providing such services; (3 points) and
    e. Plans to ensure capacity to implement proposed program where no 
direct experience or capacity currently exists within the applicant 
organization. (3 points)
    5. Program Plan. (45 total points)
    a. Involvement of the target population (5 points) The degree to 
which the applicant describes the involvement of the target population 
in planning, implementing, and evaluating activities and services 
throughout the project period.
    b. Intervention Objectives (5 points) Degree to which the proposed 
process objectives are specific, measurable, appropriate, realistic, 
and time-based, related to the proposed activities, and consistent with 
the program's long-term goals; and the extent to which the applicant 
identifies possible barriers to or facilitators for reaching these 
objectives.
    c. Plan of Operation (15 points) The quality of the applicant's 
plan for conducting program activities, and the potential effectiveness 
of the proposed activities in meeting objectives.
    d. Appropriateness of Interventions (5 points) The degree to which 
the applicant describes how the proposed priority interventions and 
services are culturally competent, sensitive to issues of sexual 
orientation, developmentally appropriate, linguistically-specific, and 
educationally appropriate.
    e. Scientific, Theoretical, Conceptual, or Program Experience 
Foundation for Proposed Activities (5 points) The degree to which the 
applicant provides a detailed description of the scientific, 
theoretical, conceptual, or program experience foundation on which the 
proposed activities are based and which support the potential 
effectiveness of these activities for addressing the stated need.
    f. Collaborations, Linkages, and Coordination (5 points) 
Appropriateness of collaboration and coordination with other 
organizations serving the same priority population(s). At minimum, the 
applicant provides a description of the collaboration or coordination 
and a signed memoranda of agreement for each agency with which 
collaborative activities are proposed, and other evidence of 
collaboration that describe previous, current, as well as future areas 
of collaboration.
    g. Time line (5 points) The extent to which the applicant's 
proposed time line is specific and realistic.
    6. Quality Assurance and Program Evaluation Plan (10 points) The 
potential of the evaluation plan to describe when and how evaluation 
activities will be implemented by the applicant; the extent to which 
the evaluation plan is realistic and feasible, taking into account the 
applicant's unique needs, resources, capabilities, and priorities; and 
the extent to which a plan has been created that will guide the 
collection of data for improving HIV prevention efforts and informing 
stakeholders of the progress made in HIV prevention.
    7. Communication and Dissemination Plan (5 points) The degree to 
which the applicant describes how successful approaches and ``lessons 
learned'' will be documented and shared with other organizations.
    8. Plan for Acquiring Additional Resources (5 points) the degree to 
which the applicant describes plans to develop and implement a plan for 
obtaining additional resources from other (non-CDC) sources to 
supplement the program conducted through this cooperative agreement and 
to increase the likelihood of its continuation after the end of the 
project period.
    9. Budget and Staffing Breakdown and Justification (not scored)
    a. Budget Appropriateness of the budget for the proposed project.
    b. Personnel Appropriateness of the staffing pattern for the 
proposed project.
    10. Training and Technical Assistance Plan (not scored). The extent 
to which the applicant describes areas in which technical assistance is 
anticipated in designing, implementing, and evaluating the proposed 
program and how the applicant will obtain this technical assistance. 
The extent to which the applicant describes anticipated staff training 
needs related to the proposed program and how these needs will be met. 
The extent to which the applicant describes a plan for providing 
ongoing training to staff.
    Before final award decisions are made, CDC may either make 
predicisional site visits to CBOs whose applications are highly ranked 
or review the items below with the local or State health department and 
applicant's board of directors.
    a. The organizational and financial capability of the applicant to 
implement the proposed program.
    b. The special programmatic conditions and technical assistance 
requirements of the applicant.
    A business management and fiscal recipient capability assessment 
may be required of some applicants prior to the award of funds.

G. Program Requirements--Category B Capacity-Building Assistance

    In conducting activities to achieve the purposes of this program, 
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under number 1. 
(Recipient Activities) and CDC will be responsible for activities under 
number 2. (CDC Activities) below.
    For additional information on capacity-building assistance 
activities, see Attachment 2.
    1. Recipient Activities:
    a. Conduct regional community needs and resource assessments around 
issues related to HIV prevention, leadership development, and community 
mobilization.
    b. Develop a regional plan of action to mobilize community and 
agency resources to meet priority needs related to Community Capacity-
Building for HIV prevention.
    c. Develop a regional plan of action to provide capacity-building 
assistance in HIV Prevention Community Planning Effectiveness and 
Participation.
    d. Provide capacity-building assistance to CBOs serving gay men of 
color populations and community stakeholders in the following areas: 
Community Capacity-Building for HIV Prevention, and HIV Prevention 
Community Planning Effectiveness and Participation. These services are 
to be provided through the use of the following mechanisms: Information 
Transfer, Skills Building, Technical Consultation, Technical Services, 
and Technology Transfer (where appropriate and approved by the CDC). 
See Addendum for additional information.
    e. Develop and implement a plan for targeting, engaging, and 
maintaining long term capacity-building relationships with CBOs serving 
gay men of color populations and community stakeholders. The plan

[[Page 33301]]

should include strategies for conducting ongoing CBO and community 
stakeholder needs assessments related to areas listed in Section d 
above. The plan should also include the strategy for developing 
tailored capacity building packages to be delivered over the course of 
the project period.
    f. Develop a strategy that includes forming a regional community 
advisory board which includes CDC-funded CBOs, members of the target 
population(s), and community representatives and other HIV prevention 
stakeholders. This community advisory board should be involved with 
providing input into the overall direction of the proposed program and 
in assessing the proposed program's communication, linkages, 
performance, and services to the target population.
    g. Ensure that capacity-building assistance is allocated according 
to priority capacity-building assistance needs of CBOs and highly 
affected gay men of color communities and sub-populations, such as gay, 
bisexual and Transgender youth (GBT Youth); injection drug users and 
other substance abusers (IDU/SA); and incarcerated, soon-to-be-released 
and released persons.
    h. Develop and implement a system that responds to requests for 
assistance in Community Capacity-Building; HIV Prevention Community 
Planning Participation and Effectiveness; and other types of capacity-
building assistance from CBOs and gay men of color community 
stakeholders. This process must include mechanisms for conducting needs 
assessments, prioritizing requests, assigning staff or consultants, 
delivering services, reporting on service delivery, and conducting 
quality assurance.
    i. Develop a standardized system for tracking and reporting all 
capacity-building assistance requests and delivery with CDC assistance 
as needed.
    j. Incorporate cultural competency and linguistic and educational 
appropriateness into all capacity-building activities.
    k. Develop and implement an effective strategy for marketing 
capacity-building assistance and services.
    l. Participate in a CDC-coordinated capacity-building network.
    m. Coordinate program activities with appropriate national, 
regional, state, and local HIV prevention programs and community 
planning groups to prevent duplication of efforts and optimize use of 
resources.
    n. Monitor and evaluate the accomplishment of program objectives, 
and the process of capacity-building assistance.
    o. Facilitate the dissemination of information about successful 
capacity-building assistance strategies and ``lessons learned'' through 
peer-to-peer interactions, meetings, workshops, conferences, and 
communications with CDC project officers.
    p. Participate in CDC coordinated train-the-trainer opportunities.
    q. Adhere to CDC policies for securing approval for CDC sponsorship 
of conferences.
    r. Develop a strategy for obtaining additional resources from non-
CDC sources to supplement the program conducted through this 
cooperative agreement and to enhance the likelihood of its continuation 
after the end of the project period.
    2. CDC Activities:
    a. Serve as the coordinator for CDC's capacity-building programs, 
which will include organizations providing capacity-building assistance 
under this program announcement.
    b. Provide recipients with consultation in planning, developing, 
managing, and evaluating capacity-building services. CDC will provide 
consultation and assistance both directly through CDC and indirectly 
through contractors; national, regional and local organizations; and 
peer-to-peer assistance from CDC-funded partners.
    c. Provide up-to-date scientific information on the risk factors 
for HIV infection, prevention measures, and program strategies for 
prevention of HIV infection.
    d. Facilitate and promote collaboration through the exchange of 
program information, coalition maintenance strategies, and technical 
assistance among CBOs; State and local health departments; HIV 
prevention community planning groups; national, regional, and local 
organizations; and other HIV prevention partners.
    e. Support train-the-trainer opportunities that enhance capacity-
building assistance delivery systems.
    f. Facilitate and collaborate in the dissemination of successful 
capacity-building strategies and ``lessons learned'' through meetings 
of grantees, workshops, conferences, and communications.
    g. Work with recipients to standardize a system for tracking and 
reporting all capacity-building assistance requests and delivery.
    h. Monitor the recipient's performance of program activities, 
protection of client confidentiality, and compliance with federally 
mandated requirements.
    i. Coordinate an evaluation of the overall capacity-building 
assistance program.

H. Application Content--Category B--Capacity-Building Assistance

    Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other 
Requirements, and Application 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 40 pages.
    Number each page sequentially, and provide a complete Table of 
Contents to the application and its appendices. Please begin each 
separate section of the application on a new page. The original and 
each copy of the application set must be submitted unstapled and 
unbound. All material must be typewritten, single spaced, with 
unreduced 12 point or 10 pitch font on 8\1/2\'' by 11'' paper, with at 
least 1'' margins, headings and footers, and printed on one side only. 
Materials which should be part of the basic narrative will not be 
accepted if placed in the appendices.

    Note: Applicants may apply for both categories (A and B), if 
eligible; however, a separate application must be submitted for each 
category.

    In developing the application, you must follow the format and 
instructions below:
Format for Category B--Capacity-Building Assistance Program
    1. Abstract.
    2. Long-term Goals.
    3. Organizational History and Capacity.
    a. Organizational Structure.
    b. History Providing Community Capacity Development and Other 
Capacity-Building Assistance to CBOs serving Gay Men of Color 
populations and communities.
    c. Capacity for Cultural Competence.
    d. Current Capability in Providing Capacity-Building Assistance.
    e. Experience Working with Coalitions (where appropriate) and 
Current Collaborations.
    4. Assessing the Need for Community Capacity Development and HIV 
Prevention Community Planning Effectiveness and Participation.
    a. Characteristics of Gay Men of Color Population(s).
    b. Capacity-Building Needs.
    5. Program Plan.
    a. Involvement of Local CBOs and HIV Prevention Stakeholders.
    b. Objectives.

[[Page 33302]]

    c. Plan of Operation.
    d. Coordination/Collaboration.
    e. Time line.
    6. Program Evaluation Plan.
    7. Communications/Dissemination Plan.
    8. Plan for Acquiring Additional Resources.
    9. Budget and Staffing Breakdown and Justification.
    a. Detailed Budget.
    b. Mechanisms for Use of Funds.
    c. Staffing Plan.
    10. Training and Technical Assistance Plan.
    11. Attachments.
Instructions for Category B--Capacity-Building Assistance Program
    1. Abstract (not to exceed 3 pages).
    Briefly summarize the following:
    a. Region(s) applying for and the type of organization (national, 
regional, or local) and, if national or regional, whether applying 
independently or with a coalition.
    b. Organizational structure, philosophy, mission, history.
    c. Long term goals of the proposed project.
    d. Overview of plan of operation.
    e. Overview of plan for collaboration and coordination with other 
capacity-building service providers, state and local health 
departments, and community planning groups.
    f. Composition of proposed coalition (where appropriate).
    g. Future year activities.
    2. Long-term Goals (not to exceed 1 page).
    Describe the broad capacity-building goals that your proposed 
program aims to achieve over the course of the project period.
    3. Organizational History and Capacity (not to exceed 10 pages).
    a. Describe your existing organizational structure, including the 
role, responsibilities, and racial/ethnic composition of board of 
directors; board committee structure (including advisory board); board 
recruitment and training process; organizational management, 
administrative, and program components; constituent or affiliate 
organizations or networks; and how the organizational structure offers 
the ability to provide capacity-building assistance.
    b. Describe your organization's history with providing assistance 
in community capacity development; HIV prevention community planning 
effectiveness and participation; and providing other capacity-building 
assistance to CBOs serving Gay Men of Color populations and 
communities. Describe specific assistance or services provided.
    c. Describe your organization's capability to provide services that 
respond effectively to the cultural, gender, environmental, social, and 
multilingual characteristics of CBOs serving Gay Men of Color 
populations. Include a description of the types of services provided 
and a list summarizing culturally, linguistically, and developmentally 
appropriate curricula and materials.
    d. Describe your organization's capability in developing and 
implementing capacity-building programs, strategies, or activities 
(refer to recipient activities section), and in developing and 
implementing programs similar to the one proposed in this program 
announcement. If you are proposing to conduct more than two priority 
prevention interventions, demonstrate your capacity to implement both 
effectively.
    e. Describe your organization's experience, if appropriate, working 
with a coalition(s) and in collaborating with governmental and non-
governmental organizations, including national or regional agencies or 
organizations, State and local health departments, community planning 
groups, and State and local non-governmental organizations that provide 
HIV prevention services.
    4. Assessing the Need for Community Capacity Development, and HIV 
Prevention Community Planning Effectiveness and Participation (not to 
exceed 5 pages).
    a. Describe the demographics of the racial/ethnic minority 
populations you intend to serve. Describe the impact of the HIV and 
AIDS epidemic on these population(s) and any specific environmental, 
social, cultural, or linguistic characteristics which will be 
considered in your capacity-building strategy.
    b. Describe the priority needs related to community capacity 
development and HIV prevention community planning effectiveness and 
participation for Gay Men of Color communities and CBOs serving Gay Men 
of Color populations in the region(s) you intend to serve. Describe the 
process for determining these needs, including where appropriate: the 
use of epidemiologic and other data, resource inventories, regional 
needs assessments, and the use of gap analyses.
    c. Describe how your proposed program complements the HIV 
comprehensive plans in the region(s) you plan to serve.
    5. Program Plan (not to exceed 20 pages).
    Describe your proposed program, including:
    a. Involvement of Local CBOs and Community HIV Prevention 
Stakeholders: Describe how CBOs and other community HIV prevention 
stakeholders within a region will be involved in providing input into 
the direction of the proposed program and in assessing the proposed 
program's communication, linkages, performance, and services provided 
throughout the project period.
    b. Objectives: Provide specific, realistic, time-phased, and 
measurable objectives to be accomplished during the first budget 
period. Describe how these objectives relate to the goals described in 
this announcement. Describe possible barriers to or facilitators for 
reaching these objectives.
    c. Plan of Operation: Describe the following:
    (1) the strategies (in detail) that will be used, the activities 
that will be conducted, and the services that will be provided to meet 
the proposed goals and objectives and to complete all the required 
recipient activities (including the provision of services through the 
use of the ``capacity-building assistance delivery mechanisms'');
    (2) the process for responding to requests for assistance in 
community capacity development; HIV prevention community planning 
participation and effectiveness; and other types of capacity-building 
assistance from CBOs and other HIV prevention stakeholders in the Gay 
Men of Color community. Include in your description how you will: (a) 
conduct needs assessments, (b) prioritize requests to place major 
emphasis on assistance to CBOs and other prevention stakeholders 
serving Gay Men of Color populations most heavily affected by HIV, (c) 
assign staff and consultants, (d) deliver services, (e) report on 
service delivery, and (f) conduct quality assurance;
    (3) how your organization will ensure that assistance provided will 
be culturally competent, sensitive to issues of sexual and gender 
identity, developmentally appropriate, linguistically-specific, 
educationally appropriate, and targeted to the needs of CBOs and other 
prevention stakeholders serving Gay Men of Color;
    (4) how your organization will market program services;
    (5) how the proposed program will be managed and staffed, including 
the fiscal, administrative, managerial, and personnel infrastructure 
and resources that will be used to support the proposed capacity-
building program;
    (6) the placement of the program within your organizational 
structure and the space that will be used to house the proposed program 
staff;

[[Page 33303]]

    (7) the equipment and information management systems that could be 
used to maintain information related to this announcement; and
    (8) the respective roles and responsibilities of your organization 
and those of each coalition member performing any of the proposed 
activities or functions.
    d. Coordination and Collaboration: Describe how you will coordinate 
and collaborate with other national, regional, state, and local 
governmental and nongovernmental organizations and HIV prevention 
providers (see Addendum for examples of collaborating agencies).
    e. Time line: Provide a time line that identifies major 
implementation phases and assigns approximate dates for inception and 
completion.
    6. Program Evaluation Plan (not to exceed 5 pages). Describe your 
plan for monitoring progress to determine if the objectives are being 
achieved and demonstrating that the methods used to deliver the 
proposed capacity-building services are effective and efficient. At a 
minimum, the plan should (1) outline strategies for implementing 
process evaluation of capacity building activities to determine if the 
process objectives are being achieved, (2) outline strategies for 
outcome monitoring to determine if the services and methods used to 
deliver the services are effective and efficient, (3) describe what 
data will be collected and how this data will be collected, analyzed, 
and used to evaluate and improve the program, and (4) specify the 
persons responsible for designing and implementing evaluation 
activities, collecting and analyzing data, and reporting findings.
    7. Communication and Dissemination Plan (not to exceed 2 pages).
    Describe how you will share successful approaches and ``lessons 
learned'' with other organizations.
    8. Plan for Acquiring Additional Resources (not to exceed 2 pages).
    Describe how you will develop and implement a plan for obtaining 
additional resources from other (non-CDC) sources to supplement the 
program conducted through this cooperative agreement and to increase 
the likelihood of its continuation after the end of the project period.
    9. Budget/Staffing Breakdown and Justification (not scored).
    a. Detailed Budget: Provide a detailed budget for each proposed 
activity. Justify all operating expenses in relation to the stated 
objectives and planned activities. CDC may not approve or fund all 
proposed activities. Be precise about the program purpose of each 
budget item and itemize calculations wherever appropriate.
    For contracts and consultants, applicants should name the 
contractor, if known; describe the services to be performed which 
justifies the use of a contractor; provide a breakdown of and 
justification for the estimated costs of the contracts; the period of 
performance; the method of selection; and method of monitoring the 
contract.
    b. Staffing Plan: Provide a job description for each position 
specifying job title; function, general duties, and activities; salary 
range or rate of pay; and the level of effort and percentage of time 
spent on activities funded through this cooperative agreement. If the 
identity of any key personnel who will fill a position is known, her/
his name and resume should be attached. Experience and training related 
to the proposed project should be noted. If the identity of staff is 
not known, describe your recruitment plan. If volunteers are involved 
in the project provide job descriptions.
    10. Training and Technical Assistance Plan (not scored).
    Describe areas in which you anticipate needing technical assistance 
in designing, implementing, and evaluating your program and discuss how 
you will obtain needed technical assistance. Also, describe anticipated 
staff training needs related to the proposed program and how these 
needs will be met. Describe your plan for providing ongoing training to 
ensure that staff are knowledgeable about HIV and STD risks and 
prevention measures. This information will assist CDC to better address 
your needs and help you to identify technical assistance and training 
providers.
    11. Attachments.
    a. Proof of Eligibility: Each applicant must provide documentation 
that they comply with all eligibility requirements specified under the 
``Eligible Applicants'' section of this program announcement. 
Applicants should provide a separate section within this Attachments 
section that is entitled Proof of Eligibility to include the documents 
listed below. Failure to provide the required documentation will result 
in disqualification.
    (1) A copy of the Internal Revenue Service's determination letter 
showing their approval of your 501(c)(3) status.
    (2) Documentation that your organization has an established record 
of providing capacity-building services to the CBOs serving Gay Men of 
Color for at least two years, and a description of the specific 
services that have been provided.
    (3) Section of Bylaws or Agency Charter that indicates 
organization's national or regional scope of work, if applying as a 
national or regional organization.
    (4) A list and organizational chart of the members of your 
organization's governing body along with their positions on the board, 
their expertise in working with or providing services to the proposed 
target population, and their racial/ethnic backgrounds. (Submission of 
information regarding the HIV status or other confidential information 
regarding the board is optional, and must not be linked to a specific 
individual.)
    (5) A list and an organizational chart of existing and proposed 
staff for this program, their race/ethnicity, their area of expertise, 
and relevant experience. Include resumes (not to exceed 2 pages per 
person).
    b. Other Attachments:
    (1) A list of all collaborating or coordinating entities and 
memoranda of understanding or agreement as evidence of these 
established or agreed-upon collaborative or coordinating relationships. 
Memoranda of agreement should specifically describe the proposed 
collaborative activities. Evidence of continuing collaboration must be 
submitted each year to ensure that the collaborative relationships are 
still in place.
    (2) Description of coalition organizations and original signed 
letters from the chief executive officers of each organization assuring 
their understanding of the intent of this program announcement, the 
proposed program, their role in the proposed program, and the 
responsibilities of recipients.
    (3) A list summarizing services currently delivered and culturally, 
linguistically, and developmentally appropriate curricula and 
materials.
    (4) A description of funds received from any source to conduct HIV/
AIDS programs and other similar programs targeting the population 
proposed in the program plan. This summary must include: (a) the name 
of the sponsoring organization/source of income, amount of funding, a 
description of how the funds have been used, and the budget period; (b) 
a summary of the objectives and activities of the funded program(s); 
and (c) an assurance that the funds being requested will not duplicate 
or supplant funds received from any other Federal or non-Federal 
source. CDC awarded funds can be used to expand or enhance services 
supported with other Federal or non-Federal funds. In addition, 
identify proposed personnel devoted to this project who are

[[Page 33304]]

supported by other funding sources and the activities they are 
supporting.
    (5) Independent audit statements from a certified public accountant 
for the previous 2 years.
    (6) A copy of your organization's current negotiated Federal 
indirect cost rate agreement, if applicable.

I. Evaluation Criteria--Category B--Capacity-Building Assistance 
Program

    Each application will be evaluated individually against the 
following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC.
    1. Abstract. (not scored)
    2. Long-term Goals. (Total 5 points)
    The quality of the applicant's stated long-term goals and the 
extent to which the goals are consistent with the purpose of this 
program announcement.
    3. Organizational History and Capacity. (Total 35 points)
    The extent to which the applicant has demonstrated history and 
capacity to provide capacity-building assistance and to implement the 
proposed program.
    These criteria include:
    a. The extent to which the applicant's organizational structure 
(including planned collaborations or coalition) will support the 
proposed program activities. (5 points)
    b. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates a history in 
providing assistance in community capacity development; HIV prevention 
community planning effectiveness and participation; and other capacity-
building assistance to CBOs serving Gay Men of Color and to Gay Men of 
Color communities heavily affected by HIV and other STDs. (7 points)
    c. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates capacity to 
provide services that respond effectively to the cultural, gender, 
environmental, social, and multilingual characteristics of CBOs serving 
Gay Men of Color and to Gay Men of Color Communities. (7 points)
    d. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates capability in 
developing and implementing capacity-building programs, strategies or 
activities, and in developing and implementing programs similar to 
those proposed in this application. The extent to which the applicant 
demonstrates the capacity to effectively implement more than two of the 
priority prevention interventions, if applicable. (10 points)
    e. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates experience and 
ability in working with coalitions (where appropriate) and in 
collaborating with governmental and non-governmental organizations, 
including other national agencies or organizations, State and local 
health departments, community planning groups, and State and local non-
governmental organizations that provide HIV prevention services. (6 
points)
    4. Assessing the Need for Community Capacity Development and HIV 
Prevention Community Planning Effectiveness and Participation (Total 10 
Points) The extent to which the applicant demonstrates an understanding 
of the need for community capacity development and HIV prevention 
community planning effectiveness and participation. These criteria 
include:
    a. The extent to which the applicant describes the demographics of 
the racial/ethnic minority population to be served, the impact of the 
HIV and AIDS epidemic on this population, and any specific 
environmental, social, cultural, or linguistic characteristics which 
will be considered in the capacity-building strategy.
    b. The extent to which the applicant describes the priority needs 
related to community capacity development and HIV prevention community 
planning effectiveness and participation for CBOs serving Gay Men of 
Color populations and communities in the region(s) to be served, and 
the process for determining these needs.
    c. The extent to which the applicant describes how the proposed 
program complements the HIV comprehensive plans in the region(s) to be 
served.
    5. Program Plan. (Total 35 points)
    a. Involvement of CBOs. (5 points)
    The extent to which CBOs and community HIV prevention stakeholders 
will be involved in providing input into the direction of the program 
and the program's communication, linkages, performance, and services 
provided throughout the project period.
    b. Objectives. (5 points)
    (1) The extent to which the proposed first-year objectives are 
specific, realistic, time-phased, measurable, and consistent with the 
program's long-term goals and proposed services; and
    (2) The extent to which the applicant identifies possible barriers 
to or facilitators for reaching these objectives.
    c. Plan of Operation. (15 points)
    (1) The overall quality of the applicant's plan for providing 
capacity-building assistance in community capacity development and HIV 
prevention community planning effectiveness and participation to CBOs 
serving Gay Men of Color populations and communities, and the 
likelihood that the proposed methods will be successful in achieving 
proposed goals and objectives.
    (2) The extent to which the applicant's plans address all the 
activities listed under Required Recipient Activities.
    (3) The extent to which the roles and responsibilities of the 
primary applicant and each coalition member (where appropriate), 
collaborating organization, or subcontractor are consistent with the 
proposed activities.
    d. Coordination and Collaboration. (5 points)
    (1) The extent to which the applicant describes and documents, as 
applicable, intended coordination with national, regional, State, and 
local governmental and nongovernmental organizations and HIV prevention 
providers, such as other national agencies or organizations, State and 
local health departments.
    (2) The extent to which the applicant provides memoranda of 
agreement or understanding as evidence of agreed-upon collaborative 
relationships.
    6. Time line. (5 points)
    The extent to which the applicant's proposed time line is specific 
and realistic.
    7. Program Evaluation Plan. (Total 5 points)
    The quality of the applicant's evaluation plan for monitoring and 
evaluating the implementation of proposed services and measuring the 
achievement of program goals and objectives.
    8. Communications and Dissemination Plan. (Total 5 points)
    The quality of the applicant's plan for sharing successful 
approaches and ``lessons learned'' with other organizations.
    9. Plan for Acquiring Additional Resources. (Total 5 points)
    The quality of the applicant's plan for obtaining additional 
resources from other (non-CDC) sources to supplement the program 
conducted through this cooperative agreement and ensure its 
continuation after the end of the project period.
    10. Budget/Staffing Breakdown and Justification. (not scored)
    Extent to which the budget is reasonable, itemized, clearly 
justified, and consistent with intended use of funds.
    11. Training and Technical Assistance Plan. (not scored)
    The quality of the applicant's plan for obtaining needed technical 
assistance and staff training to support the proposed program.
    Before final award decisions are made, CDC may either make 
predecisional site visits to applicants whose applications are highly 
ranked or review the items below with the applicant's board of 
directors.

[[Page 33305]]

    a. The organizational and financial capability of the applicant to 
implement the proposed program.
    b. The special programmatic conditions and technical assistance 
requirements of the applicant.
    A business management and fiscal recipient capability assessment 
may be required of some applicants prior to the award of funds.

J. Submission and Deadline--Categories A and B

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161 (OMB Number 0937-
0189). Forms are available at the following Internet address: 
www.cdc.gov/* * * Forms, or in the application kit. On or before August 
5, 1999, submit the application to the Grants Management Specialist 
identified in the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section of 
this announcement.
    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 
submission to the Independent Review Group. (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.

K. Other Requirements--Categories A and B

    1. Technical Reporting Requirements.
    Provide CDC with the original plus two copies of:
    a. Progress reports quarterly, no more than 30 days after the end 
of each 3 month period;
    b. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
each budget period; and
    c. Final financial status report and performance report, 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 3 in the 
application kit.

AR-4  HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions
AR-5  HIV Program Review Panel Requirements
AR-7  Executive Order 12372 Review
AR-8  Public Health system Reporting Requirements
AR-9  Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR-10  Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11  Health People 2000
AR-12   Lobbying Restrictions
AR-14  Accounting System Requirements

L. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number--
Categories A and B

    This program is authorized under Sections 301(a) and 317 of the 
Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 241(a) and 247(b), as amended. The 
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number is 93.939.

M. Where To Obtain Additional Information--Categories A and B

    To receive additional written information and to request an 
application and tool kit, call NPIN at 1-800-458-5231 (TTY users: 1-
800-243-7012); visit their web site: www.cdcnpin.org/program; send 
requests by fax to 1-888-282-7681; or sent requests by e-mail: 
[email protected]. This information is also posted on the 
Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention (DHAP) Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/
nchstp/hiv__aids/funding/toolkit/.
    CDC maintains a Listserv (HIV-PREV) related to this program 
announcement. By subscribing to the HIV-PREV Listserv, members can 
submit questions and will receive information via e-mail with the 
latest news regarding the program announcement. Frequently asked 
questions on the Listserv will be posted to the Web site. You can 
subscribe to the Listserv on-line or via e-mail by sending a message 
to: [email protected] and writing the following in the body of 
the message: subscribe hiv-prev first name last name.
    Pre-application Audio-conference Information: June 24 (2:30-4:00 
p.m. EDT)--June 29 (2:30-4:00 p.m. EDT)
    The telephone number for all calls is: 800-311-3437 and the pass 
code (when asked by the automated voice) is 990238 and the name of the 
audio-conference (Gay Men of Color).
    Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to participate in 
one of the scheduled audio-conferences. These audio conferences will 
include information on the application and business management 
requirements, and how to access additional pre-application resources 
relevant to application development. Prospective applicants are 
strongly encouraged to read and become familiar with this program 
announcement before participating in the audio-conferences.
    If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the 
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained 
from: Van Malone, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management 
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Program Announcement [99091], 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 
3000, Mailstop E-15, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone (770) 488-2733; 
E-mail [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Dr. George Roberts or 
Mr. Samuel Taveras, Community Assistance, Planning, and National 
Partnerships Branch, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1600 Clifton Road, M/
S E-58, Atlanta, GA 30333, Telephone number (404) 639-5280 and (404) 
639-5240; Email [email protected] or [email protected].
    See also the CDC home page on the Internet: http://www.cdc.gov

    Dated: June 11, 1999.
John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 99-15372 Filed 6-21-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P