[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 134 (Thursday, July 12, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36581-36582]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17040]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 01144]


CDC Support To Improve Uptake of Prevention of Mother to Child 
Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) Programme in Botswana; Notice of 
Availability of Program Support

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year FY 2001 funds for a grant program for the 
PMTCT Programme, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Local Government, 
Botswana. This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2010'' focus 
areas of Access to Quality Health Services, Health Communications, 
Maternal, Infant, and Child Health and Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
    The project is a nationwide prevention program targeting pregnant 
females to identify HIV positive pregnant women so they may receive 
antiretroviral prophylactic treatment to prevent the transmission of 
HIV to their newborn children.
    The Government of Botswana will take receipt of the equipment and 
list as its property to be maintained by them as any other equipment.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be provided only to the Government of Botswana, 
Ministry of Health. No other applications are solicited.
    This is a sole source grant to provide assistance to the Government 
of Botswana in the form of equipment to enhance the ability of the 
program to provide confidential pre- and post-test HIV counseling, and 
identify HIV positive women eligible for antiretroviral prophylactic 
treatment so that HIV is not transmitted to the new born child.
    The MOH is the only appropriate and qualified organization to 
fulfill the requirements set forth in this announcement because:
    1. The Ministry of Health is uniquely positioned in terms of 
constitutional authority, mandate, and ability to oversee and safeguard 
public health. Additionally, it provides over 95% of health care 
services in Botswana and is the only health care agency to provide AZT, 
which is a crucial component of the PMTCT program. No other health care 
agency in Botswana is able to provide free health care services to the 
general public. The MOH has the unique ability to extend services to 
all parts of the country.
    2.The MOH has in place the central, district, and community based 
support structure such as clinics and staff to immediately engage in 
the activities listed in this announcement.
    3. The MOH is directly responsible for the implementation, 
monitoring, and evaluation of population-based HIV/AIDS prevention and 
care policies and services.

C. Availability of Program Support

    It is expected that the support 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 2 years.
    Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made 
on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required reports.
Use of Support
    Support is limited to the transfer of equipment to support the 
specified program activities.

[[Page 36582]]

Recipient Participation
    The Ministry of Health of Botswana will provide the land, staff, 
medicines, utilities, and other supplies necessary to carry out the 
program to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

D. Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose and meet the 
objectives of this program, the recipient will be responsible for the 
following activities:
    1. Selecting the sites for equipment installation.
    2. Accepting, installing, and maintaining all property and 
equipment.
    3. Integrating the equipment and group videotape into clinics to be 
used for the intended purpose.
    4. Assuming all liability issues and maintaining all appropriate 
insurance, e.g. accident or property. Indemnify and hold harmless all 
US Government interest for any personal or property issue. If 
necessary, providing appropriate storage and coverage for any other 
incidental costs.

E. Application Content

    Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other 
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the 
application content. Your 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 25 double-spaced pages, 
printed on one side, with one inch margins, and unreduced font.

F. Submission and Deadline

    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 9, 2001, submit the application to the Grants 
Management Specialist identified in the ``Where to Obtain Additional 
Information'' section of this announcement.

G. Evaluation Criteria

    Your application will be evaluated against the following criteria 
by an independent review group appointed by CDC.

1. Program Plan (25 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant specifies the number of 
videotapes, videotape players, televisions, cabinets, portable 
buildings and other related equipment needed to show the videotapes 
which were designed for group pre-test counselling in the approximately 
260 clinics and hospitals which provide antenatal clinic (ANC) 
services.

2. Program Objectives (25 Points)

    The extent to which the program objectives are measurable, 
realistic, specific, and timephased.

3. Methods (25 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant describes the methods for 
accomplishing the proposed objectives and identifies where activities 
or services will take place. This includes a description of how the 
applicant will receive and organize the equipment, how the equipment 
will be used in program activities, and how the applicant will 
coordinate the installation, maintenance and oversee the proper use and 
operation of the equipment.

4. Evaluation Plan (25 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant describes how the use of the 
portable buildings by the PMTCT program and/or the clinics will be 
monitored; and describes methods to assess evidence of use and 
increases in program participation or up-take attributed to the success 
of this activity.
    The extent to which the applicant describes evaluation activities 
to assess the impact of the PMTCT videotape and Group HIV Pretest 
Counselling activities; the ability of the videotape to be successfully 
integrated into the ANC setting, improve acceptance of counselling, 
testing, and short-course AZT among eligible pregnant women, and 
improve health care worker support and implementation of the PMTCT 
program in Botswana.

5. Equipment List (Not Scored)

    The extent to which the applicant itemizes the type and amount of 
equipment requested.

H. Other Requirements

    Technical Reporting Requirements Provide CDC with original plus two 
copies of quarterly progress reports regarding the acceptance and 
installation of the equipment.
    An annual depreciation report must be submitted to CDC, until the 
point where the equipment's book value reaches $5,000. All reports 
shall be stated in U.S. dollars.
    There will be a written agreement to execute the transfer of the 
equipment.
    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.

    AR-4  HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions
    AR-5  HIV Program Review Panel Requirements
    AR-10  Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
    AR-11  Healthy People 2010
    AR-14  Accounting System Requirements

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under section 307 of the Public Health 
Service Act, 42 U.S.C. section 242I, as amended. The Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance number is 93.941.

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.''
    If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the 
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained 
from: Dorimar Rosado, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management 
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000 MS-15, Atlanta, GA 30341-
4146, Telephone number: 770-488-2782, email address: [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Ethleen S. Lloyd, c/o 
U.S. Embassy Gaborone, 2170 Gaborone Place, Washington, DC 20521, 
Phone: +267-301-696, Fax: +267-373-117, E-mail: [email protected].

    Dated: July 2, 2001.
John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 01-17040 Filed 7-11-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P