[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 73 (Monday, April 16, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19502-19503]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-9314]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Announcement Number 01055]


Building Influenza Surveillance Capacity in Asia; Notice of 
Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 2001 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program with the Western Pacific Regional Office of the World Health 
Organization (WHO) for building influenza surveillance capacity in 
Asia. This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2010'' focus areas of 
Immunization and Infectious Diseases and Public Health Infrastructure. 
For additional information on ``Healthy People 2010'' visit the 
internet site: http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.
    The purpose of the program is to build influenza surveillance 
capacity in Asia by improving infrastructure and providing training and 
technical assistance. Asia has long been thought by experts to be the 
starting point for new influenza viruses.
    Improving the infrastructure and surveillance capacity for 
influenza surveillance in Asia has a direct impact on the United States 
(U.S.) and globally by improving influenza surveillance, the basis for 
international and U.S. vaccine decisions, and improving the early 
detection system for influenza viruses with pandemic potential.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be provided only to the Western Pacific Regional 
Office (WPRO) of the World Health Organization (WHO). No other 
applications are solicited.
    WPRO is the only international, non-government organization in the 
Western Pacific region qualified to conduct the activities under this 
cooperative agreement because:
    1. As a Regional Office of WHO, they are in a unique position to 
act as the technical agency for health within the United Nations.
    2. WPRO's location in Manila and formal collaborative ties to 37 
countries in the region gives them access to the national health 
promotion and disease prevention programs and potential sites to expand 
influenza surveillance in the countries located in the region.
    3. WPRO collaborates with other international organizations to 
accomplish its mission by disseminating information related to 
infectious disease program needs and services, making recommendations 
for improved policies and programs, and provides consultation and 
guidance at all levels in the region.
    4. As a regional office of WHO, WPRO offers special opportunities 
for furthering research programs through the use of unusual talent 
resources and through a vast working knowledge of the specific 
abilities and needs in each country in the region.
    5. WPRO is uniquely qualified to conduct activities to enhance 
influenza surveillance capacity which have specific relevance to the 
mission and objectives of CDC and which have potential to advance 
knowledge that benefits the U.S. and the international community.

C. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $125,000 is available in FY 2001 to fund one award. 
It is expected that the award will begin on or about August 1, 2001, 
and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project period 
of up to five years. The funding estimate may change.
    Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made 
on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required reports 
and the availability of funds.

D. Program 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 the activities 
listed under 2. (CDC Activities).

1. Recipient Activities

    a. Develop strategies to enhance influenza surveillance capacity 
for both diseased-based and virologic surveillance of influenza and 
build infrastructure for those programs in the region.
    b. Analyze national resources of the countries in the region 
devoted to influenza surveillance and identify shortfalls in human, 
technical, and equipment resources, then develop plans to resolve 
recognized deficiencies.
    c. Assist public health authorities in the Western Pacific Region 
in developing and implementing effective prevention and control 
strategies for influenza including surveillance, pandemic planning 
activities, facilitating improvement of vaccine production, supply and 
distribution issues, and regional coordination of these issues.
    d. Conduct applied surveillance research focusing on recognition 
and response to novel influenza virus isolates.
    e. Monitor and evaluate program performance.

2. CDC Activities

    a. Provide technical assistance in the design, conduct, and 
evaluation of surveillance projects and activities.
    b. Perform selected laboratory tests, as requested by WPRO, on 
isolates collected from the region.
    c. Assist in data collection, data management, data analysis, and 
interpretation of data generated from surveillance projects.
    d. Participate in dissemination of program information and 
surveillance data.
    e. Provide educational and training materials as appropriate.

E. Application Content

    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 your program 
plan. The narrative should be no more than 40 double-spaced pages, 
printed on one

[[Page 19503]]

side, with one-inch margins, and unreduced font.
    The application should follow this format:
    1. Introduction: Present the overall objectives of the cooperative 
agreement program. Present the general plan for management and 
implementation of the activities.
    2. Individual Project Proposals: Present a detailed proposal for 
each separate project/activity (for multi-year projects, present 
details for the first year and include only a brief description of 
future-year activities). Each proposal should include the following 
sections in this order:
    a. Title
    b. Background and Need
    c. Objectives
    d. Operational Plan
    e. Budget and Justification
    If requesting funds in the ``Contractual'' line-item, the Budget 
section should include the following information for each contract: (a) 
name of proposed contractor, (b) breakdown and justification for 
estimated costs, (c) description and scope of activities to be 
performed by contractor, (d) period of performance, and (e) method of 
contractor selection (e.g., sole-source or competitive solicitation).

F. Submission and Deadline

    Submit the original and five copies of PHS-398 (OMB Number 0925-
0001)(adhere to the instructions on the Errata Instruction Sheet for 
PHS 398). Forms are in the application kit.
    On or before June 1, 2001, submit the application to the Grants 
Management Specialist identified in the ``Where to Obtain Additional 
Information'' section of this announcement.

G. Evaluation Criteria

    The application will be evaluated against the following criteria by 
an independent review group appointed by CDC.
    1. Background and Need (25 points):
    The extent to which the background and need are clearly presented 
for the program.
    2. Objectives (30 points):
    The extent to which the activities proposed and their objectives 
are clear and consistent with the purpose and Program Requirements of 
this cooperative agreement announcement.
    3. Operational Plan (45 points):
    The extent to which the operational plan(s) for conducting the 
proposed activities
    a. are clear, detailed, and appropriate to achieve the stated 
objectives;
    b. identify the key personnel and organizations responsible for the 
proposed activities;
    c. identify a specific timetable for activities;
    d. include a plan for evaluation of progress towards objectives; 
and
    4. Human Subjects (not scored):
    Does the application adequately address the requirements of Title 
45 CFR Part 46 for the protection of human subjects?
    5. Budget (not scored):
    The extent to which the project budget includes detailed line-item 
justification and is appropriate for the activities proposed.

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with original plus two copies of
    1. Progress reports (semiannual);
    2. Financial Status Report, 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.
    For descriptions of the following Other Requirements, see 
Attachment I.
AR-9 Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11 Healthy People 2010
AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
AR-22 Research Integrity

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under sections 301(a), 307, and 
317(k)(1) and 317(k)(2) of the Public Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C. 
sections 241(a), 2421, and 247b(k)(1) and 247(k)(2)], as amended. The 
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.283.

J. Where to Obtain Additional Information

    This and other CDC 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: Mattie B. Jackson, Lead 
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 number 770-488-
2718, Email address [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Ann Moen, Public Health 
Advisor, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, N.E. MS G-16, Atlanta, GA 
30333, Telephone 404-639-4652, Email address [email protected].

    Dated: April 10, 2001.
John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 01-9314 Filed 4-13-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P