[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 77 (Friday, April 20, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20312-20313]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-9810]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 01056]


Sigmoidoscopy and Error Reduction; 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 grant program with 
the Institute for Clinical Evaluation (ICE) to conduct a project to 
improve the quality of care in flexible sigmoidoscopy. This program 
addresses the ``Healthy People 2010'' focus area of Immunization and 
Infectious Diseases. For additional information on ``Healthy People 
2010'' visit the internet site: http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.
    The purpose of the program is to improve the quality of care and 
reduce the error rate in patients undergoing sigmoidoscopy by improving 
the skills of the operator.
    The objective of the program is to increase the number and 
geographic distribution of the flexible sigmoidoscopy simulators to (1) 
support testing for the credential, (2) allow continued research on the 
use of the simulation, and (3) offer trainees the opportunity to learn 
the manual skills associated with the procedure.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be provided only to ICE. No other applications are 
solicited. Eligibility is limited to ICE because fiscal year 2001 
Federal appropriations specifically directs CDC to award this applicant 
funds to conduct a project to improve the quality of care in flexible 
sigmoidoscopy.
    ICE is uniquely qualified to conduct the activities under this 
program because they are the only independent, non-profit organization 
offering a credential in flexible sigmoidoscopy to all relevant 
providers of the service. ICE combines expertise in medicine and 
psychometrics with years of experience in the development and 
administration of certification programs as well as knowledge and 
capability in the development of high quality evaluation devices and 
assessment systems for the health care professions.
    The House of Representatives Conference Report accompanying the 
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and 
Related Agencies Appropriation Bill, 2000 (H.R. 4577, 106th Cong. 
(2000)), recognized ICE's unique qualifications for carrying out the 
activities in this grant (H.R. Rep. 106-1033, 2000).

    Note: Title 2 of the United States Code, Chapter 26, Section 
1611 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 $211,000 is available in FY 2001 to fund the 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 one year. The funding estimate may change.

D. Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient will be responsible for the following activities.
    1. Increase the number of and geographic distribution of the 
flexible sigmoidoscopy simulators.
    2. Conduct simulator testing.
    3. Demonstrate that the flexible sigmoidoscopy credential and 
performance on the simulation reduces medical errors and improves the 
quality of care.
    4. Demonstrate whether the simulation alone can replace the 
cognitive examination or whether the cognitive examination could be 
administered on the same computer as the simulation.
    5. Locate the simulators in training programs, providing access 
thereby to candidates for the credential and subjects for the research.
    6. Make the simulators available to the training programs for 
educational purposes.
    7. Publish the results of the program demonstrations.

E. Application Content

    Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other 
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the 
application content. The application should describe ICE's ability to 
address the purpose and required activities of this announcement. The 
application will be evaluated on the criteria listed, so it is 
important to follow them specifically in laying out the program plan. 
The narrative should be no more than 25 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 0937-
0189). Forms are available at the following Internet address: 
www.cdc.gov . . . Forms, or 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/Need (20 points)

    The extent to which the applicant demonstrates a strong 
understanding of the use of flexible sigmoidoscopy simulators. The 
extent to which the applicant illustrates the need for this grant 
program. The extent to which the applicant presents a clear goal for 
this

[[Page 20313]]

grant that is consistent with the described need.

2. Capacity (30 points)

    The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that it has the 
expertise, facilities, and other resources necessary to accomplish the 
program requirements, including curricula vitae of key personnel and 
letters of support from any participating organizations/ institutions.

3. Operational Plan (40 points)

    a. The extent to which the applicant presents clear, time-phased 
objectives that are consistent with the stated program goal and a 
detailed operational plan outlining specific activities that are likely 
to achieve the objective. The extent to which the plan clearly outlines 
the responsibilities of each of the key personnel. (35 points)
    b. The degree to which the applicant has met the CDC Policy 
requirements regarding the inclusion of women, ethnic, and racial 
groups in the proposed research. This includes: (1) The proposed plan 
for the inclusion of both sexes and racial and ethnic minority 
populations for appropriate representation; (2) The proposed 
justification when representation is limited or absent; (3) A statement 
as to whether the design of the study is adequate to measure 
differences when warranted; and (4) A statement as to whether the plans 
for recruitment and outreach for study participants include the process 
of establishing partnerships with community(ies) and recognition of 
mutual benefits. (5 points)

4. Evaluation Plan (10 points)

    The extent to which the applicant presents a plan for monitoring 
progress toward the stated goals and objectives.

5. Budget (not scored)

    The extent to which the applicant presents a detailed budget with a 
line-item justification and any other information to demonstrate that 
the request for assistance is consistent with the purpose and 
objectives of this grant program.

6. Human Subjects (Not scored)

    Does the application adequately address the requirements of Title 
45 CFR Part 46 for the protection of human subjects?

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with the original plus two copies of
    1. progress report (semi-annual);
    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
    The following additional requirements are applicable to this 
program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I in the 
application kit.

AR-1  Human Subjects Requirements
AR-2  Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic 
Minorities in Research
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 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 (CDC), 2920 
Brandywine Road, Room 3000, M/S K-75, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, 
Telephone: (770) 488-2765, Email address: [email protected]
    For program technical assistance, contact: Steve Solomon, M.D., 
National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC), 1600 Clifton Road, N.E., M/S A-07, Atlanta, GA 
30333, Telephone: (404) 639-6476, Facsimile: (404) 639-6483, Email 
address: [email protected]

    Dated: April 16, 2001.
John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 01-9810 Filed 4-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P