[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 18, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37473-37475]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17911]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 01173]


Notice of Availability of Funds; Expansion of Mother to Child 
HIV/AIDS Prevention Activities in the Republic of Kenya

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 the expansion of HIV/AIDS Prevention Activities in the 
Republic of Kenya.
    The purpose of the program is to promote the delivery of integrated 
and comprehensive services to prevent mother to child transmission 
(PMCT) of HIV infection, including counseling and testing of antenatal 
patients, the use of effective anti-retroviral drugs, appropriate 
feeding recommendations, and other maternal health services.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public and private nonprofit 
organizations and by governments and their agencies and international 
organizations with a minimum of 2 years experience in providing 
integrated and comprehensive services to women at high risk of HIV 
infection or whom are HIV infected for the purpose of preventing mother 
to child transmission of HIV infection.

    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 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 $500,000 is available in FY 2001 to fund one award. 
It is expected that the award 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 (3)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.

Use of Funds

    Funds may be utilized only for the purposes and for the activities 
described and approved in the final award. Antiretroviral Drugs
    Funds received from this announcement will not be used for the 
purchase of antiretroviral drugs for treatment of established HIV 
infection (with the exception nevirapine in PMTCT cases and with prior 
written approval), occupational exposures, and non-occupational 
exposures and will not be used for the purchase of machines and 
reagents to conduct the necessary laboratory monitoring for patient 
care.
    Applicants may contract with other organizations under this 
cooperative agreements, however, applicants must perform a substantial 
portion of the activities (including program management and operations 
and delivery of prevention services for which funds are requested.
    The costs that are generally allowable in grants to domestic 
organizations are likewise allowable to foreign institutions and 
international organizations, with the following exceptions:
    Indirect Costs: With the exception of the American University, 
Beirut, the Gorgas Memorial Institute, and the World Health 
Organization, indirect costs will not be paid (either directly or 
through a sub-award) to organizations located outside the territorial 
limits of the United States or to international organizations 
regardless of their location.
    All requests for funds, including the budget contained in the 
application, shall be stated in U.S. dollars. Once an award is made, 
the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will not compensate 
foreign grantees for currency exchange fluctuations through the 
issuance of supplemental awards.
    Needle Exchange: No funds appropriated under this Act shall be used 
to carry out any program of distributing sterile needles or syringes 
for the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug.

D. Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under ``Recipient 
Activities'', and CDC will be responsible for the activities listed 
under ``CDC Activities''.

1. Recipient Activities

a. Identify appropriate health institutions and develop mechanisms for 
funding service activities.
    (1) Work with the National AIDS/STD Control Program (NASCOP) and 
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention--Kenya (CDC) to develop 
a plan for expansion of PMCT services so that model services are 
provided in at least one district in each province. This will include 
appropriate assessments of capacity, feasibility, and acceptability of 
PMCT in potential target districts;
    (2) Assist Ministry of Health (MOH) staff in facilities and 
District or Provincial Health Offices in these selected districts in 
wishing to provide PMCT as part of their AIDS activities in preparing 
plans for training health workers, organizing manpower and services, 
and establishing plans for monitoring and evaluation of comprehensive 
PMCT services;
    (3) Solicit proposals from local non governmental organizations 
(NGO) health facilities who wish to provide PMCT services as part of 
their AIDS prevention and/or care efforts, including church and faith-
based health facilities, and other private facilities and provide 
funding through contracts to these organizations;
    (4) Provide on-going technical assistance to such groups;
    (5) Minimally upgrade facilities so that confidential counseling 
can take place within existing antenatal clinics and maternity units
b. Train Health Workers in PMCT
    (1) Develop a training plan for selecting and training health 
workers at selected facilities in the specific skills and competencies 
required to deliver comprehensive PMCT services.

[[Page 37474]]

    (2) Conduct or provide a contract to another organization which 
will conduct training in PMCT consistent with the Kenya national 
guidelines.
c. Provide Nevirapine, HIV, RPR test kits and other supplies needed to 
conduct on-site, confirmed, rapid HIV testing for purposes of providing 
PMCT.
    (1) Procure HIV test kits and other supplies as needed for PMCT. 
Selection of test kits will be made on the basis of CDC recommendations 
and will be test kits approved for use in Kenya.
    (2) Develop a system for the distribution and re-stocking of HIV 
test kits and consumables.
    (3) Develop a system for additional testing of samples with 
discordant results, and for quality assurance testing.
d. Provide on-going support, monitoring, supervision, and evaluation of 
these sites
    (1) Ensure that all PMCT sites are operating in accordance with the 
Kenya National PMCT guidelines and with all applicable local and 
international standards.
    (2) Ensure that all funds disbursed for PMCT activities are 
properly used and accounted for, and train staff at PMCT sites 
receiving funds in proper accounting procedures according to federal 
regulations;
    (3) Develop systems for routine monitoring and supervision of PMCT 
services, including a system for computerized record keeping in all 
districts, and provide central level analysis and reporting.
e. Public Information Campaign Regarding PMCT
    (1) Develop and implement an marketing campaign designed to 
increase public awareness of the benefits of PMCT and the specific 
services offered at PMCT sites;
    (2) Develop and implement a public awareness campaign and design 
services to encourage expectant parents to seek couple counseling 
regarding HIV status, including primary prevention for negative 
couples, specific counseling for discordant couples with ongoing 
counseling support and transmission prevention education, and 
appropriate information and referral for care for HIV infected couples;
    (3) Ensure that all sites are appropriately advertised so that 
pregnant women and their families in the community know where they may 
receive PMCT services.

2. CDC Activities

    a. CDC will collaborate with the recipient on designing and 
implementing the activities listed above, including but not limited to 
providing technical assistance to develop and implement program 
activities, quality assurances, data management, statistical analysis 
and presentations of program methods and findings.
    b. Monitor project and budget performance and
    c. Approve the selection of key personnel to be involved in the 
activities preformed under this cooperative agreement.
    d. Rapid HIV Test kits may be provided in limited amounts for the 
purpose of this activity.

E. 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 12 point font. Pages 
should be numbered and indexed. The narrative should consist of, at a 
minimum, a Plan, Objectives, Methods, Evaluation and Budget.

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 17, 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 postmark or obtain a legibly dated receipt from a 
commercial carrier. 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. Understanding of the Problem (15 percent)

    The extent to which the applicant's proposal demonstrates a clear 
and concise understanding of the AIDS epidemic in Kenya and the role of 
PMCT as a prevention intervention and as an entry point to care for the 
family.

2. Technical and Programmatic Approach (30 percent)

    The extent to which the applicant's proposal demonstrates an 
understanding of how to develop, promote, implement, monitor, and 
evaluate PMCT services offered in a variety of health facilities. This 
includes experience in providing counseling and testing of antenatal 
patients, the use of effective antiretroviral drugs, making appropriate 
feeding recommendations and providing other maternal health services.

3. Ability to Carry Out the Project (20 percent)

    The extent to which the applicant documents demonstrated capability 
to achieve the purpose of the project, including grants management of 
U.S. donor funds. Experience should include working in developing 
African countries, familiarity with the resources and customs of the 
Republic of Kenya.

4. Personnel (20 percent)

    The extent to which professional personnel involved in this project 
are qualified, including evidence of experience in working with HIV/
AIDS in mothers and children in clinical settings, HIV counseling and 
testing, working with families and communities, with government and 
non-government health facilities, and specific knowledge or experience 
with PMCT.

5. Plans for Administration and Management of the Project (15 percent)

    Adequacy of plans for administering the project.

6. Budget (Not scored, but evaluated)

    The extent to which the itemized budget for conducting the project 
is reasonable and well justified. The applicant should include an 
analysis of the estimated cost per client served in the budget.

7. Protection of Human Subjects (not scored)

    The extent to which the application adequately addresses the 
requirements of 45 CFR 46 for the protection of human subjects. (Not 
scored; however,

[[Page 37475]]

an application can be disapproved if the research risks is so 
inadequate and protection against risks is so inadequate as to make the 
entire application unacceptable.)

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with original plus two copies of
    1. Semiannual progress reports;
    2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period;
    3. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days 
after the end of the project period and;
    4. Obtain annual program specific audit by a U.S.-based audit firm 
with international branches and current licensure/authority in-country, 
and in accordance with the International Accounting Standards or 
equivalent standard(s) approved in writing by CDC.
    A fiscal Recipient Capability Assessment, pre or post award, may be 
required with the potential grantee, in order to review their business 
management and fiscal capabilities in handling of U.S. Federal funds.
    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 of the 
announcement.

AR-1  Human Subjects Requirements
AR-4  HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions
AR-6  Patient Care
AR-10  Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-12  Lobbying Restrictions
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. 2421), 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.''
    To receive additional written information and to request an 
application kit, call 1-888-GRANTS4 (1-888-472-6874). You will be asked 
to leave your name and address and will be instructed to identify the 
Program Announcement number of interest.
    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: Lawrence H. Marum, M.D., 
FAAP, MPH CDC LIFE Initiative, PO Box 30137, Nairobi Office: National 
AIDS/STD Control Programme (NASCOP) Phone: +254-72-721-781 or +254-2-
729-549 Fax: +254-2-714-745 Email: [email protected] P.O. Box 
30137 Nairobi, Kenya US Mail: Unit 64112 APO, AE 09831-4112

    Dated: July 12, 2001.
John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 01-17911 Filed 7-17-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P