[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 84 (Monday, May 1, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25334-25336]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-10733]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 00066]


Using Private Provider Partnerships To Strengthen the 
Immunization Message; Notice of Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 2000 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program with national private provider organizations to inform their 
constituency on immunization issues, identify best practices and 
successful immunization programs, promote the improvement of 
immunization coverage in primary care settings, enhance and create 
partnerships with, State and local health departments, non-governmental 
organizations, and other professional organizations to collaborate on 
immunization programs around the country. This program addresses the 
``Healthy People 2010,'' a national activity to reduce morbidity and 
mortality and improve the quality of life. This announcement is related 
to the focus area of Immunization and Infectious Diseases. For a 
conference copy of ``Healthy People 2010,'' visit the internet site: 
http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.
    This cooperative agreement will:
    1. Establish partnerships with national private provider 
organizations and associations to effectively utilize the combined 
resources of the public and private health care delivery systems.
    2. Establish a mechanism to promote successful immunization 
programs, distribute current immunization information to the recipients 
constituency, and to gather information regarding the status of current 
programs at the grass-roots level.
    3. Obtain access to the recipient organization for the purpose of 
promoting the goals and objectives of the National Immunization 
Program.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be provided to non-profit tax-exempt national 
private provider professional associations with active memberships of 
at least 3,000 health care providers who's members provide primary care 
services to preschool-aged children, adolescents, and/or adults. Tax-
exempt status may be confirmed by either providing a copy of the pages 
from the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS most recent list of 501(c)(3) 
tax-exempt organizations or a copy of the current IRS Determination 
Letter. Proof of tax-exempt status must be provided in the application.

    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 $450,000 will be available to fund up to five 
cooperative agreements. It is expected that the average award will 
range from $100,000 to $150,000. It is expected that this award will 
begin on or about September 30, 2000, 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.

Use of Funds

    Funds cannot be used for construction or renovation, to purchase or 
lease vehicles or vans, to purchase a facility to house project staff 
or carry out project activities, or to substitute new activities and 
expenditures for current ones.

D. Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this Cooperative 
Agreement, the recipient will be responsible for achieving the 
activities under Item 1. Recipient Activities. The CDC will be 
responsible for activities under Item 2. CDC Activities.

1. Recipient Activities

    A. Utilize recommendations by the National Immunization Program 
(NIP), Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP), American 
College of Physicians (ACP), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and 
the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) to create and 
distribute new materials to promote the understanding, adoption, and 
use of those recommendations by

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the health care providers, parents, and patients.
    B. Establish and implement mechanisms for promoting effective 
immunization practices and programs and support the incorporation of 
such practices within the facilities operated by your affiliates.
    C. Establish and implement a mechanism for distribution of current 
immunization news, practices, and strategies to health care providers 
within your constituency.
    D. Participate in the planning of your organization's conferences 
and meetings on the National, regional, and State levels to ensure that 
appropriate priority is placed on strategies and model programs that 
increase immunization coverage levels.
    E. Establish and implement mechanisms for evaluating the 
effectiveness of communication with your constituency, regarding 
increased awareness, knowledge, and participation in immunization 
programs, and the practice of health care provider affiliates.

2. CDC Activities

    A. Provide technical assistance in implementing activities, 
identifying major immunization issues, effective programs, and assist 
with setting program priorities as related to the cooperative 
agreement.
    B. Provide scientific collaboration for appropriate aspects of the 
activities, including information on disease impact, vaccination 
coverage levels, and prevention strategies.
    C. Assist in the review of relevant immunization information.
    D. Assist the recipient in evaluating the reach of the program and 
effectiveness of the materials produced.

E. Application Content

    Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other 
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the 
application content. Applications will be evaluated on the criteria 
listed, so it is important to follow them in laying out the program 
plan. The application should be no more than 35 double-spaced pages, 
printed on one side, with one inch margins, and 12 point font not 
including attachments.

Organization Profile

    A. Provide a narrative, including background information and 
information on the applicant organization, evidence of relevant 
experience in coordinating activities among constituents, and a clear 
understanding of the purpose of the project.
    B. Include details of past experiences working with your 
constituency regarding promotion and education of immunization issues. 
Provide information on organizational capability to conduct proposed 
project activities.
    C. Profile qualified and experienced personnel who are available to 
work on the project and provide evidence of an organizational structure 
that can meet the terms of the project. Include an organizational chart 
of the applicant organization specifying the location and staffing plan 
for the proposed project.

Program Plan

    A. Include goals and measurable impact and process objectives that 
are specific, realistic, and time-phased. Include an explanation of how 
the objectives contribute to the purposes of the request for assistance 
and evidence that demonstrates the potential effectiveness of the 
proposed objectives.
    B. Detail an action plan, including a timeline of activities and 
personnel responsible for implementing each segment of the plan.
    C. Prepare a plan to include impact and process evaluation 
utilizing both quantitative and qualitative measures for the 
achievement of program objectives to determine the reach and 
effectiveness of the message promoted by the grantee, and monitor the 
implementation of proposed activities. Indicate how the quality of 
services provided will be ensured.
    D. Provide a plan for disseminating project results indicating 
when, to whom, and in what format the material will be presented.
    E. Provide a plan for obtaining additional resources from non-
federal sources to supplement program activities and ensure 
continuation of the activities after the end of the project period.

Collaboration Activities

    A. Obtain and include letters of support from local organizations 
and constituents indicating or committing to support the activities of 
this program.
    B. Provide any memoranda of agreement from collaborating 
organizations indicating a willingness to participate in the project, 
the nature of their participation, period of performance, names and 
titles of individuals who will be involved in the project, and the 
process of collaboration. Each memorandum should also show an 
understanding and endorsement of immunization activities.
    C. Provide evidence of collaborative efforts with health 
departments, provider organizations, coalitions, and other local 
organizations.

Budget Information

    Provide a detailed budget with justification. The budget proposal 
should be consistent with the purpose and program plan of the proposed 
project.

F. Submission and Deadline

    Submit the original and two copies of the application PHS 5161-1, 
(OMB Number 0937-0189). Forms are available at the following Internet 
address: www.cdc.gov/* * *Forms, or the application kit.
    On or before July 6, 2000, 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.

G. Evaluation Criteria

    Each application will be evaluated individually against the 
following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC.
    1. Background and Need: The extent to which the applicant 
understands the problem of under-immunization and proposes a plan to 
address the issues specific to their constituents (20 points)
    2. Capability: The extent to which the applicant appears likely to 
succeed in implementing proposed activities as measured by relevant 
past experience, a sound management structure, and staff 
qualifications, including the appropriateness of their proposed roles 
and responsibilities and job descriptions.(40 points)
    The applicant must:
    a. Have a demonstrated history of a constituency that provides 
immunization services including services to under-served, low-income, 
or minority populations.

[[Page 25336]]

    b. Have a system in place for communicating with their constituents 
and providing them information in a timely manner.
    3. Program Plan: The feasibility and appropriateness of the 
applicant's action plan to identify immunization issues and new 
developments, communicate with and reach targeted populations, and 
translate technical immunization information into appropriate formats. 
(30 points)
    4. Evaluation Plan: The extent to which the applicant proposes to 
evaluate the proposed plan, including impact and process evaluation, as 
well as quantitative and qualitative measures for achievement of 
program objectives, determining the improvement in level of 
immunization knowledge among your constituency, identify improvements 
made in immunization delivery by providers within your constituency, 
and monitoring the implementation of proposed activities. (10 points)
    5. Budget and Justification: The extent to which the proposed 
budget is adequately justified, reasonable, and consistent with the 
proposed project activities and this program announcement. (Not Scored)

H. Other Requirements

    Provide CDC with original plus two copies of:
    1. Progress reports (semiannual) The CDC will provide specific 
guidelines for documenting and reporting on program activities.
    2. Financial Status Reports, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period; and
    3. Final financial 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 Addendum I in the 
application kit.

AR-10--Smoke-Free Workplace
AR-11--Healthy People 2010
AR-12--Lobbying Restriction
AR-14--Accounting System Requirements
AR-15--Proof of Non-Profit Status
AR-20--Conference Support

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under section 311 [42 U.S.C. 243] and 
317 (k)(2) [42 U.S.C. 247b (k) (2)] of the Public Health Service Act as 
amended. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.185.

J. Where to Obtain Additional Information

    This and other CDC announcements may be downloaded through the CDC 
homepage on the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov (Click on funding). 
Please refer to Program Announcement Number 00066 when requesting 
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 you 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: Mattie B. Jackson, Grants Management Specialist, Grants 
Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention 2920 Brandywine Rd., Room 3000, Atlanta, GA 
30341-4146, Telephone: (770) 488-2718, Email Address: [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Duane Kilgus, Community 
Outreach and Planning Branch, Immunization Services Division, National 
Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 
Clifton Road, M/S E-52, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, Telephone: (404) 639-
8784, Email [email protected].

    Dated: April 25, 2000.
Henry S. Cassell III,
Acting Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 00-10733 Filed 4-28-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P