[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 145 (Friday, July 27, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39174-39177]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-18757]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 01148]


Capacity-Building Assistance (CBA) To Develop and Implement 
Effective HIV/AIDS Prevention Education Programs for South African 
Trade Unions; 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 capacity-building assistance (CBA) to develop and implement 
effective HIV/AIDS prevention education programs for South African 
Trade Unions.
    The purpose of the program is to provide financial and programmatic 
assistance to South African trade unions to develop and implement 
effective HIV/AIDS prevention education programs.

    Note: For this program announcement, the term ``capacity-
building assistance'' means the provision of information, new HIV 
prevention technologies, consultation, technical services, and 
training for individuals and organizations to improve the delivery 
and effectiveness of HIV prevention education.

    Business and organized labor have taken an active role in enhancing 
a partnership between public health and private sector support for HIV 
prevention. The partnership was initiated as an effort to address 
workforce education about HIV and its routes of transmission as well as 
in establishing workplace policies to accommodate HIV in the workplace. 
This assistance seeks to engage South African trade unions in HIV 
prevention education and workplace policy development. The goal of the 
program is to strengthen the capacity of South African trade unions to 
implement effective HIV/AIDS prevention education programs. The 
capacity-building assistance program will provide the skills, 
information and training necessary to:
    1. Strengthen the organizational infrastructures that support the 
delivery of effective HIV prevention services and interventions for 
union members whose behavior places them at risk for acquiring or 
transmitting HIV and other STDs;
    2. Improve the capacity of trade unions to design, develop, 
implement and evaluate effective HIV prevention interventions for union 
members whose

[[Page 39175]]

behavior places them at risk for acquiring or transmitting HIV and 
other STDs;
    3. Improve the capacity of trade unions to respond to HIV-related 
issues in the workplace and public policy areas; and
    4. Improve the capacity of trade unions to increase community 
awareness, leadership, participation and support for HIV prevention and 
care efforts within workers' communities.

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 two (2) years of experience in 
developing and implementing and conducting on an ongoing basis, HIV/
AIDS prevention activities in the workplace including trade unions.

    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 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 to five 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. Satisfactory progress will be determined 
by site visits by CDC representatives and progress reports.
    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.

1. Use of Funds

    Funds available under this announcement must support activities 
directly related to primary HIV prevention and capacity-building 
assistance.
    Funds received from this announcement will not be used for the 
purchase of antiretroviral drugs for treatment of established HIV 
infection (with the exception of nevirapin 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.
    No funds awarded under this announcement shall be used to carry out 
any program of distributing sterile needles or syringes for the 
hypodermic injection of any illegal drug.
    These funds may not be used to supplant or duplicate existing 
funding. Applicants may contract with other organizations under these 
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.

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. Create and support a national and regionally structured, 
capacity-building resource network that includes the applicant's 
current and proposed staff and other subject matter experts with 
expertise in strengthening organizational infrastructure, training, 
HIV/AIDS prevention education, and community mobilization;
    b. Incorporate cultural competency and linguistic appropriateness 
into all capacity and skills building efforts, including those 
involving the development, production, dissemination, and marketing of 
health communication or prevention messages;
    c. Coordinate program activities with relevant counterpart trade 
union HIV prevention programs to prevent duplication of efforts;
    d. Monitor and evaluate all major program activities and services 
supported with CDC HIV prevention funds under this cooperative 
agreement;
    e. Facilitate the dissemination of successful prevention 
interventions and program models through meetings, workshops, and 
conferences and comply with conference grant requirements;
    f. Broaden the linkages with counterpart trade unions in the sub-
Saharan region;
    g. Compile ``lessons learned'' from the project and share these 
with network organizations and CDC; and
    h. Develop and implement a plan for obtaining additional resources 
from non-CDC sources to supplement the program conducted through this 
cooperative agreement and to enhance the likelihood of its continuation 
after the end of the project period.

2. CDC Activities

    a. Provide consultation and technical assistance, as needed, in 
planning, operating, and evaluating prevention activities.
    b. Provide up-to-date scientific information regarding risk factors 
for HIV infection, prevention measures, and program strategies for 
prevention of HIV infection.
    c. Assist as needed in the evaluation of program activities and 
services.
    d. Facilitate the transfer of successful prevention interventions 
and program models to other geographic areas through convening meetings 
of grantees, workshops, conferences, and newsletters.
    e. Monitor the recipient's performance of program activities, 
protection of client confidentiality and compliance with other 
requirements.
    f. Facilitate, as needed, exchange of program information and 
technical assistance between trade unions, non-governmental 
organizations, business and governmental agencies in the 15 Global AIDS 
Program (GAP) countries in Africa and India.

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 45 double-spaced pages 
(excluding abstract, attachments and appendixes), printed on one side, 
with one inch margins, and unreduced font.
    Number each page clearly, and provide a complete index to the

[[Page 39176]]

application and its appendices. Please begin each separate section of 
the application on a new page. The original and each copy of the 
application set must be submitted unstapled and unbound. All material 
must be typewritten, single spaced, with unreduced type on 8-\1/2\" by 
11" paper, with at least 1" margins, headings and footers, and printed 
on one side only. Materials which should be part of the basic plan will 
not be accepted if placed in the appendices. The narrative should 
consist of, at a minimum, a Plan, Objectives, Methods, Evaluation, and 
Budget.

F. Submission and Deadline

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 24, 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: 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. Abstract Not To Exceed two Pages (Not Scored)

2. Organizational History and Capacity (25 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant:
    a. Describes existing organizational structure, including 
constituent or affiliate organizations or networks, how the 
organizational structure will support the proposed program activities, 
and how the structure offers the capacity to reach targeted 
populations.
    b. Describes past and current experience in developing and 
implementing effective HIV prevention strategies and activities, and in 
developing and implementing programs similar to the one proposed in 
this application.
    c. Describes the organization's capacity to provide culturally 
competent and appropriate services that respond effectively to the 
cultural, gender, environmental, social and multilingual character of 
the target populations, including any history of providing such 
services.
    d. Describes experience in collaborating with international and 
developing country organizations that provide HIV prevention services.

3. Description of Target Population and Needs Assessment (20 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant:
    a. Describes the target populations to be served through the 
proposed program, including the approximate number of persons to be 
reached; and describes the impact of HIV/AIDS on the community and any 
other specific environmental, social, cultural, or multilingual 
characteristics of the target populations that the program will 
consider and address in developing prevention strategies.
    b. The extent to which the applicant lists and briefly describes 
current HIV prevention and risk-reduction efforts under way among the 
target populations and outline major gaps in the provision of 
prevention services for the target populations:
    (1) Explains specific barriers to the dissemination of adequate HIV 
prevention information and education that exist or have existed;
    (2) Explains the unmet HIV prevention needs that exist in the 
target community and opportunities for creating linkages with trade 
unions in the U.S. and the 15 GAP countries in Africa and India; and
    (3) Identifies and describes the HIV prevention needs of the target 
populations that the proposed program will directly address.

4. Program Objectives (15 Total Points)

    The extent to which the applicant provides specific, realistic, 
time-phased and measurable objectives to be accomplished during the 
first budget period; and describes the expected outcomes of program 
activities on its target population(s).

5. Program Plan (25 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant:
    (a) Describes the activities that will be undertaken and specific 
interventions that will be provided to meet the objectives within 
projected time frames during the first program year; outlines major 
steps necessary to attain specified objectives; and notes the 
approximate dates by which activities will be accomplished. The 
applicant should note all major activities which will represent 
necessary milestones in the attainment of objectives;
    (b) Describes how participation and input will be obtained from 
appropriate service groups or organizations, how collaborative 
relationships with other agencies and organizations will be established 
and maintained, and the extent to which the applicant describes how 
members of the target population will be involved in planning, 
implementing, and evaluating activities and services throughout the 
project period;
    (c) Does the applicant include, as attachments, memoranda of 
understanding or agreement as evidence of these established or agreed 
upon collaborative relationships and provide a description of how the 
proposed program fills gaps left by existing programs as determined by 
the needs assessment must also be included.
    (d) The extent to which the applicant describes specific behaviors 
and practices that the interventions are designed to promote and 
prevent (e.g., increases in correct and consistent condom use, 
knowledge of serological status, not sharing needles, and enrollment in 
drug treatment and other preventive programs);
    (e) The extent to which the applicant describes how the proposed 
priority interventions and services are culturally competent, sensitive 
to issues of sexual identity, developmentally appropriate, 
linguistically-specific, and educationally appropriate.

6. Evaluation Plan (15 Points)

    (a) The extent to which the applicant's plan describes specific 
methods to assess the effectiveness of services, monitor activities and 
assess the achievement of objectives during the first year of the 
program.
    (b) The extent to which the applicant describes how information 
will be obtained, including a description of methods which will be 
implemented to gather and record data, and in what manner it will be 
summarized for Quarterly Progress Reports.
    (c) The extent to which the applicant describes how data will be 
used to improve the program and how successful approaches and ``lessons 
learned'' will be shared with other organizations.

[[Page 39177]]

7. Personnel (Not Scored)

    The appropriateness of the staffing pattern for the proposed 
project. The extent to which the applicant describes how the proposed 
program will be managed and staffed, including the location of the 
program within the organization; describes in detail each existing or 
proposed position for this program by job title, function, general 
duties, and activities with which that position will be involved. It 
should include the level of effort and allocation of time for each 
project activity by staff position. If the identity of any individual 
who will fill a position is known, her/his name and curriculum vitae 
(not to exceed one page each) should be attached. Experience and 
training related to the proposed project should be noted. If the 
identity of staff is not known, the extent to which the applicant 
describes a recruitment plan. If volunteers are involved in the 
project, provides job descriptions and methods to ensure accountability 
to the project.

8. Budget (Not Scored)

    The appropriateness of the budget for the proposed project. The 
extent to which the applicant provides a detailed budget for each 
priority activity to be undertaken, with accompanying justification of 
all operating expenses that is consistent with the stated objectives 
and planned activities of the project. CDC may not approve or fund all 
proposed activities. Applicants should be precise about the program 
purpose of each budget item, and should itemize calculations wherever 
appropriate.
    For the personnel section, the job title, annual salary/rate of 
pay, and percentage of time spent on this program should be indicated.
    For contracts contained within the application budget, applicants 
should name the contractor, if known; describe the services to be 
performed; justify using a third party; provide a breakdown of and 
justification for the estimated costs of the subcontracts; the kinds of 
organizations or parties to be selected; the period of performance; and 
the method of selection.

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with original plus two copies of:
    1. Quarterly 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. Annual audit of these CDC funds (program-specific) audit) by a 
U.S.-based audit firm with international branches and current 
licensure/authority in-country, and in accordance with International 
Accounting Standards or equivalent standard(s) approved in writing by 
CDC.
    Send all reports to the Grants Management Specialist identified in 
the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section of this 
announcement.
    A fiscal Recipient Capability Assessment may be required, pre or 
post award, with the potential awardee in order to review their 
business management and fiscal capabilities regarding the handling of 
U.S. Federal funds.
    The following additional requirements are applicable to this 
program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I of the 
announcement.

AR-4--HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions
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 section 301 and 307 of the Public 
Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. section 241 and 242], as amended and 
section 104 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, 22 U.S.C. 215b. The 
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.941.

J. Where To Obtain Additional Information

    This and other CDC [ATSDR] 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: 
Dorimar Rosado, 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: 770-488-2782 or 2720, email address: [email protected]
    For program technical assistance, contact: David Allen, MD, U.S. 
Embassy, P.O. Box 9536, (877 Pretorrius Street), Pretoria, 0001, South 
Africa, Telephone: 27 12 312 0127, E-mail: [email protected]

    Dated: July 23, 2001.
John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 01-18757 Filed 7-26-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P