[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 96 (Wednesday, May 17, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31329-31330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12341]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement Number 00057]


Longitudinal Studies of Rodent Reservoirs of Hantaviruses in the 
Northwestern United States; 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 the Montana Tech University (MTU) for longitudinal studies 
of rodent reservoirs of hantaviruses in the northwestern United States 
(U.S.). CDC is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease 
prevention objectives of ``Healthy People 2010'', a national activity 
to reduce morbidity and mortality and improve the quality of life. This 
announcement is related to the focus areas of Immunization and 
Infectious Diseases. For the conference copy of ``Healthy People 2010'' 
visit the internet site http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.
    The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to continue studies of 
hantavirus reservoir populations at previously established sites in 
Cutbank, Polson, Cascade, Gold Creek, Wisdom, and CM Russell Reserve, 
Montana. The goal of the research is to conduct longitudinal mark-
recapture studies to identify and determine the distribution and 
dynamics of populations of rodents that are confirmed or potential 
reservoirs of hantaviruses. Preliminary studies have documented the 
effects of weather fluctuation and other ecological variables on the 
rodent populations at the designated study sites. The major objective 
of this cooperative agreement is to support research that appropriately 
builds upon the ecological information developed at the established 
sites.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be provided only to MTU. No other applications are 
solicited.
    MTU was the only applicant that applied under the original Program 
Announcement 96044 and was subsequently awarded. In previous studies, 
MTU developed an extensive database on population dynamics and 
hantavirus infection in rodents and associated environmental conditions 
at six trapping sites from 1994 to 2000. This unique dataset is the 
baseline data for the proposed longitudinal studies which will compare 
newly collected information with the 1994-2000 data. In order to 
provide for the continuity of long-term data, it is crucial that the 
proposed study be conducted at the identical sites using the same 
methodology as the previous studies.

C. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $135,000 is available in FY 2000 to fund one award. 
It is expected that the 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 5 years. The funding estimate may change.
    Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made 
on the basis of satisfactory progress and availability of funds.

D. Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under 1. 
(Recipient Activities) and CDC will be responsible for conducting 
activities under 2. (CDC Activities).

1. Recipient Activities

    a. Design and conduct longitudinal mark recapture studies of 
rodents on existing established grids in the northwestern U.S., to 
identify and determine the distribution and dynamics of populations of 
rodents that are confirmed or potential reservoirs of hantaviruses.
    b. Use ecological techniques that provide continuity of rodent 
sampling and processing so that data can be appropriately analyzed and 
correlated with previously collected ecological data from the 
established sites. Ecological techniques should include capture-mark-
release and bleeding of captured animals.
    c. Collect and submit blood samples on all captured animals to 
appropriate laboratories for further analysis and storage.
    d. Identify captured rodents and perform morphological measurements 
and other observations necessary for characterization of rodents.
    e. Analyze and publish study results from the individual study 
sites.

2. CDC Activities

    a. Provide consultation and scientific and technical assistance in 
the design, conduct, and evaluation of the project.
    b. Perform appropriate laboratory testing and analysis of blood 
samples from captured animals, upon request.
    c. Analyze study results in collaboration with the recipient.

E. Application Content

Application

    Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other 
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the 
application content. The application will be evaluated on the criteria 
listed, so it is important to follow them in laying out the program 
plan. The narrative should be no more than 10 double-spaced pages, 
printed on one side, with one-inch margins, and unreduced font.

F. Submission and Deadline

Application

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161-1 (OMB Number 0348-
0043). Forms are available at the following Internet Address: 
www.cdc.gov/...Forms, or in the application kit. On or before July 1, 
2000, submit the application to the Grants Management Specialist 
identified in the ``Where to

[[Page 31330]]

Obtain Additional Information'' section of this announcement.

G. Evaluation Criteria

    The application will be evaluated individually against the 
following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC.
    1. Background and Need (33 Points): Extent to which applicant 
demonstrates a clear understanding of the purpose and objectives of 
this proposed cooperative agreement and demonstrates a clear 
understanding of the requirements, responsibilities, interactions, 
problems, constraints, complexities, etc., that may be encountered in 
conducting the project and performing the studies.
    2. Capacity and Personnel (33 Points): Extent to which applicant 
demonstrates past experience of professional personnel in conducting 
studies similar to those proposed in this cooperative agreement. Extent 
to which applicant demonstrates it has adequate administrative 
personnel and support. Extent to which applicant demonstrates it has 
adequate scientific resources and facilities (including certified BSL-3 
laboratory) to successfully conduct the activities.
    3. Objectives and Technical Approach (34 Points): Extent to which 
applicant describes objectives of the proposed project which are 
consistent with the purpose and goals of this grant/cooperative 
agreement program and which are measurable and time-phased. Extent to 
which applicant presents a detailed operational plan for initiating and 
conducting the project, which clearly and appropriately addresses all 
``Recipient Activities.'' Extent to which applicant clearly identifies 
specific assigned responsibilities of all key professional personnel. 
Extent to which the plan clearly describes applicant's technical 
approach/methods for conducting the proposed studies and extent to 
which the plan is adequate to accomplish the objectives. Extent to 
which applicant describes specific study protocols or plans for the 
development of study protocols that are appropriate for achieving 
project objectives. Extent to which applicant describes adequate and 
appropriate collaboration with CDC and/or others during various phases 
of the project. Extent to which applicant provides a detailed and 
adequate plan for evaluating study results and for evaluating progress 
toward achieving project objectives.
    4. Budget (Not Scored): Extent to which applicant presents a 
detailed, line-item budget with a detailed narrative justification (by 
line-item) that is consistent with the purpose and objectives of this 
cooperative agreement.
    5. Animal Subjects (Not Scored): Does the application adequately 
address the requirements of PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of 
Laboratory Animals?

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with the original plus two copies of:
    1. Progress reports (semiannual);
    2. Financial Status Report (FSR), no more than 90 days after the 
end of the budget period; and
    3. Final FSR 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 I in the 
application kit.
    AR-3 Animal Subjects Requirements
    AR-7 Executive Order 12372 Review
    AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
    AR-11 Healthy People 2010
    AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
    AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under sections 301(a) and 317(k)(2) of 
the Public Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C. sections 241(a) and 
247b(k)(2)], as amended. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 
number is 93.283.

J. Where To Obtain Additional Information

    This and other CDC [ATSDR] announcements can be found on the CDC 
home page Internet address--http://www.cdc.gov Click on ``funding'' 
then ``Grants and Cooperative Agreements.''
    To obtain additional information, contact: Merlin Williams, Grants 
Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants 
Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Room 3000, 2920 
Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone: (770)488-2765, E-
mail address: [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Dr. James N. Mills, 
Special Pathogens Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, 
National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, N.E., M/S G-14, Atlanta, Georgia 
30333, Telephone: (404)639-1396.

    Dated: May 11, 2000.
Henry S. Cassell, III,
Acting, Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 00-12341 Filed 5-16-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P