[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 13, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31933-31935]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-14857]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 01105]


Replication and Implementation of Scientifically-Proven Asthma 
Interventions; 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 for Replication and Implementation of Scientifically-Proven 
Asthma Interventions. This program addresses the ``Healthy People 
2010'' focus area of Respiratory Diseases.
    The purpose of the program is to implement one of the following 
scientifically proven asthma interventions: (1) ``Open Airways'' or (2) 
``Asthma Care Training for Kids: ACT', to improve quality of life, 
decrease acute care visits, decrease hospitalizations, and increase 
compliance with asthma care plans and asthma medication regimens. These 
existing interventions have been selected because they have been 
validated as being safe and effective.
    No research may be conducted as part of this cooperative agreement.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by non-profit, public and private 
organizations or agencies that have affiliate/local offices in States, 
U.S. territories, or Indian tribes or Indian tribal organizations; 
local education agencies; hospitals; community-based organizations; 
managed care organizations; community health centers, and city or 
county public health agencies.
    To be an eligible applicant, you must provide the following:
    1. Evidence that applicant has direct access to target populations 
needed to implement these interventions.
    2. Evidence of an established record of successful service in the 
community, through letters of support.
    3. Evidence, through letters of support, of working relationships 
with other appropriate organizations within the specific community of 
the target populations.
    4. If the applicant proposes the use of ``Open Airways'', then a 
specific letter of support from the local chapter of American Lung 
Association is required.
    This documentation should be placed after the face page of the 
application. An applicant that does not provide the above documentation 
will be determined non-responsive and returned without review.

    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 $1,000,000 is available in FY 2001 to fund 
approximately five to ten awards. It is expected that the average award 
will be $125,000, ranging from $100,000 to $150,000. It is expected 
that the awards will begin on or about September 30, 2001, 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.

Funding Preferences

    Funding preferences may include: (1) Geographic distribution, (2) 
racial and ethnic populations with a disproportionate asthma burden, 
(3) the mix between the two interventions to be implemented under this 
announcement, and (4) balance of organization type (i.e. Non-profit, 
managed care, community-based organization, etc.).

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. Implement the selected science-based asthma intervention 
designed to improve the quality of life of persons with moderate to 
severe persistent asthma by improving overall management of the 
disease.
    b. Develop a quality assurance plan that allows confirmation that 
the implementation adheres to the selected intervention protocol.
    c. Develop a plan to integrate the intervention into the 
organization's standard practice over time assuring 
institutionalization of the intervention. If needed, institute 
activities to change organizational policies and health care provider 
practices to ensure institutionalization.

2. CDC Activities

    a. If requested, provide consultation and technical assistance 
regarding the implementation and evaluation of the intervention.
    b. Provide liaison among grantees and potential sources of 
information and assistance.
    c. Coordinate activities among sites, when appropriate.
    d. Convene meetings among collaborators to discuss program issues, 
when appropriate.

E. Content

Letter of Intent (LOI)

    A non-binding LOI is requested, and it should include:
    1. Name and address of organization;
    2. Contact person; and
    3. Selected intervention.
    The LOI will be used to ascertain the level of interest in this 
announcement and to assist in determining the size and composition of 
the independent review panel.

[[Page 31934]]

Applications

    To develop the application content, use the information below in 
addition to the information listed in ``Program Requirements,'' ``Other 
Requirements,'' and ``Evaluation Criteria'' sections. Your application 
will be evaluated on the criteria listed, so it is important to follow 
them in laying out your program plan. The application, excluding 
appendices, should be no more than 15 double-spaced pages, printed on 
one side, with one-inch margins, and unreduced font. The application 
must be submitted unstapled and unbound.
1. Description of Applicant, Health Problem, and Population To Be 
Served
    Describe the applicant's organization type (i.e., school district, 
community health center, local health department, etc.) and structure. 
Describe the population to be served and the asthma problem that will 
be addressed in this population by the intervention. Provide data to 
demonstrate the number of persons with moderate to severe persistent 
asthma who will be enrolled in the intervention over the three-year 
period and describe the source of that data.
2. Program Plan
    a. Describe in detail the plans for implementing the intervention 
in the described population. Provide information on how the applicant 
will access the intervention protocol and the materials necessary for 
the intervention. Provide specific objectives for the proposed 
activities that are realistic, time-phased, and measurable, and reflect 
the three-year period of this announcement. Assure that the 
intervention patients are receiving appropriate medical care (based on 
the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) 
Guidelines) prior to enrollment in the intervention activity. For 
school-based projects, describe which of the American Lung Association/
Kaiser Permanente Key Elements of School-based Asthma Management are 
already implemented (see attachment 2, part II, for reference).
    b. Describe in-kind contributions of the organization to support 
the intervention, the plan to integrate the intervention into its 
standard practice over time, and document the agency's willingness to 
do so. Describe policy and practice changes necessary to make 
institutionalization possible.
3. Evaluation of Intervention
    Describe how progress toward effective implementation of the 
intervention will be evaluated. Describe proposed process evaluation 
measures. (Note: Because the safety and effectiveness of the 
interventions to be implemented has been demonstrated previously, 
outcome evaluation will not be funded through this announcement.)
4. Management and Staffing Plan
    a. Describe the qualifications, primary roles and responsibilities 
for each of the project staff over the three-year grant period. Include 
a description of intervention staff and the management plan for 
oversight of these staff.
    b. Provide a plan to expedite filling of the staff position(s) and 
assure that they have been or will be approved by the applicant's 
personnel system.
    c. Describe in detail needed training for staff and how that 
training will be provided.
5. Budget
    This section must include a detailed first-year budget and 
narrative justification and future annual projections. The applicant 
should describe the program purpose for each budget item. For contracts 
contained within the application budget, applicants should name the 
contractor, if known; describe the services to be performed; justify 
the use of a third party; and provide a breakdown or a justification 
for the estimated costs of the contracts, the kinds of organizations or 
parties to be selected, the period of performance, and the method of 
selection. [Note: The funds for this intervention may not be used to 
supplant existing funds.]

F. Submission and Deadline

Letter of Intent (LOI)

    On or before July 16, 2001, submit the LOI to the Grants Management 
Specialist identified in the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' 
section of this announcement.

Application

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161-1 (OMB Number 0920-
0428). Forms are available in the application kit and at the following 
Internet address: www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.
    On or before August 13, 2001, 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:
    1. Received on or before the deadline date; or
    2. 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 which do not meet the criteria in 1. or 2. above 
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. Description of Applicant, Health Problem and Population To Be Served 
(15 points)

    The extent to which the applicant describes the understanding of 
the population's need. Applicant's description of and access to an 
adequate number of the target population. Adequate description of the 
source of the data provided describing the target population.

2. Program Plan (35 points)

    a. The extent to which the applicant describes the appropriateness 
of the proposed approach to implementation of the intervention. The 
ability to meet the objectives and the adequacy of the plan to carry 
out the proposed activities within the time-line provided.
    b. The extent to which objectives are measurable against the stated 
purpose of the cooperative agreement. Applicant description of access 
to the information and materials necessary for the implementation of 
the intervention.
    c. The extent that organizational support and the feasibility of 
the plan for institutionalization is described by the applicant.

3. Evaluation of Intervention (30 points)

    The extent to which the applicant describes the feasibility and 
appropriateness of the plan to monitor progress toward meeting the 
objectives of the project. Appropriateness of proposed process 
measures.

4. Management and Staffing Plan (20 points)

    The extent to which the applicant's overall ability to perform the 
proposed activities as reflected in the staff's qualifications and 
experience are described. The demonstration of the timely start of the 
intervention plan through the expedited hiring or availability of 
staff. Description of and access to needed training for staff.

[[Page 31935]]

5. Budget (Not scored)

    The extent to which the budget is reasonable, adequately justified 
and consistent with the intended use of the cooperative agreement 
funds.

F. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with original plus two copies of:
    1. Semi-annual progress reports;
    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 may be applicable to this 
program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I of the 
announcement.

AR-7  Executive Order 12372 Review
AR-8  Public Health System Reporting Requirements
AR-10  Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11  Healthy People 2010
AR-12  Lobbying Restrictions
AR-14  Accounting System Requirements
AR-15  Proof of Non-Profit Status

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under sections 301 and 317 of the Public 
Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C. section 241 and 247b], 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 business management technical assistance, contact: Sonia 
Rowell, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, 
Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, 
Telephone number: (770) 488-2724, Email address: [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Dan Burrows, Air 
Pollution and Respiratory Health Branch, National Center for 
Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 
Clifton Rd., NE (MS-E17), Atlanta, GA 30333, Telephone number: (404) 
498-1004, Email address: [email protected].

    Dated: June 7, 2001.
John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 01-14857 Filed 6-12-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P