[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 26 (Thursday, February 7, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5820-5822]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-2937]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 02029]


Cooperative Agreement for the Support of a National Folic Acid 
Promotion Program Notice of Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of Fiscal Year (FY) 2002 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program for the support of a National Folic Acid Promotion Program. 
This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2010'' focus area of 
Maternal, Infant, and Child Health.
    The purpose of this program is to support the development and 
implementation of a national program to promote the use of vitamin 
folic acid for the prevention of spina bifida and other neural tube 
defects. This program will improve the knowledge and awareness of 
health care providers, public and private health organizations, and 
women of reproductive age about reducing birth defects by promoting the 
use of folic acid.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public and private nonprofit 
organizations and by governments and their agencies; that is, 
universities, colleges, research institutions, hospitals, other public 
and private nonprofit organizations, State and local governments or 
their bona fide agents, and federally recognized Indian tribal 
governments, Indian tribes, or Indian tribal organizations.
    To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate involvement in a 
national organization which is actively participating in the promotion 
of folic acid to prevent birth defects. This should be demonstrated in 
the form of a letter from the identified National Organization's/
Council's Executive Officer and should be placed immediately following 
the face page of the application.
    Applications that do not include the above information will be 
determined as non-responsive and returned without review.

C. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $200,000 will be available to fund one award. It is 
expected that this award will begin on or about June 1, 2002, and will 
be made for a 12-month budget period within a project period of up to 
five years. The funding estimate 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.

D. Program Requirements

    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 activities listed under 2. (CDC Activities).

1. Recipient Activities

    a. Provide at least one full-time manager and other staff support 
needed to carry out a national agenda.
    b. Develop a national program to reach women of reproductive age 
and healthcare providers who serve them.
    c. Provide a mechanism which allows the public to access the latest 
developments in research and practice related to the use of folic acid 
to prevent birth defects.
    d. Provide a customized service whereby state and local programs, 
agencies, and professionals may receive packets, newsletters, 
bibliographies, policy papers, and fact sheets.
    e. Convene meetings of council partners to share information about 
materials, strategies, and model programs to promote the use of folic 
acid to prevent birth defects.
    f. Participate in national, state, or local meetings and 
conferences on behalf of the council.
    g. Establish and implement methods for evaluating the impact of the 
programs and activities to increase consumption of folic acid.

2. CDC Activities

    a. Provide scientific collaboration for appropriate aspects of the 
activities, including new scientific data on benefits of folic acid, 
information on rates of neural tube birth defects, and prevention 
strategies.
    b. Assist in development and review of relevant information made 
available to federal, state, and local health agencies, health care 
providers, and volunteer organizations.
    c. In conjunction with the recipient, evaluate the impact of the 
programs and activities to increase consumption of folic acid.
    d. Participate in all meetings convened by the recipient.

E. Application Content

    Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other 
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the 
application content. Applications will be evaluated on the criteria 
listed, so it is important to follow them in laying out the program 
plan. The application should be no more than 20 double-spaced pages, 
printed on one side, with one-inch margins, and 12 point font, not 
including attachments.

1. Organization Profile

    a. Provide a narrative, including background information and 
information on the applicant organization, evidence of relevant 
experience in coordinating activities among constituents, and a clear 
understanding of the purpose of the project.
    b. Include details of past experiences working with the target 
populations.

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Provide information on organizational capability to conduct proposed 
project activities.
    c. Describe qualified and experienced personnel who are available 
to work on the project and provide evidence of the organizational 
structure that is proposed to meet the requirements of the project. 
Include an organizational chart of the applicant organization 
specifying the location and staffing plan for the proposed project.

2. Program Plan

    a. Include goals and measurable impact and process objectives that 
are specific, realistic, measurable, and time-phased. Include an 
explanation of how the objectives contribute to the purposes of the 
request for assistance and evidence that demonstrates the potential 
effectiveness of the proposed objectives.
    b. Detail an action plan, including a timeline of activities and 
personnel responsible for implementing each segment of the plan.
    c. Prepare a plan to include impact and process evaluation 
utilizing both quantitative and qualitative measures for the 
achievement of program objectives to determine the impact of the 
program promoted by the awardee, and monitor the implementation of 
proposed activities. Indicate how the quality of services provided will 
be ensured.
    d. Provide a plan for obtaining additional resources from non-
Federal sources to supplement program activities and ensure 
continuation of the activities after the end of the project period.

3. Collaboration Activities

    Provide evidence of collaborative efforts with organizations 
involved with promoting the health of children and/or preventing birth 
defects.

4. Budget Information

    a. Provide a detailed budget with justification. The budget 
proposal should be consistent with the purpose and program plan of the 
proposed project.
    b. Provide, if known at the time of application, the name of any 
contractor, method of selection, budget etc.

F. Submission and Deadline

Letter of Intent (LOI)

    On or before February 28, 2002, submit the LOI to the official 
noted for program technical assistance identified in the ``Where to 
Obtain Additional Information'' of this announcement.

Application

    Submit the original and two copies of the application PHS 5161-1, 
(OMB Number 0937-0189). Forms are in the application kit or at Internet 
address: www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.
    On or before March 29, 2002, 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 
orderly processing. (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 are considered late applications, will not be 
considered, and 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. Background and Need (15 points)

    The extent to which the applicant understands the importance of 
promoting the use of the vitamin folic acid for the prevention of 
neural tube birth defects and proposes a plan to address the issues of 
an educational campaign.

2. Capability (25 points)

    The extent to which the applicant appears likely to succeed in 
implementing proposed activities as measured by relevant past 
experience, a sound management structure, and staff qualifications, 
including the appropriateness of their proposed roles and 
responsibilities and job descriptions.

3. Program Plan (30 points)

    The feasibility and appropriateness of the applicant's action plan 
to provide staffing, convene meetings, facilitate communication, and 
evaluate impact of program.

4. Coordination and Collaboration (20 points)

    The extent to which the applicant proposes to coordinate the 
activities of the National Council on Folic Acid with state and local 
folic acid programs, state and local coalitions, provider 
organizations, and other appropriate agencies.

5. Evaluation Plan (10 points)

    The extent to which the applicant proposes to evaluate the impact 
of the proposed plan, including impact and process evaluation, as well 
as quantitative and qualitative measures for achievement of program 
objectives, determining the health effect on the population, and 
monitoring the implementation of proposed activities.

6. Budget and Justification (Not Scored)

    The extent to which the proposed budget is adequately justified, 
reasonable, and consistent with proposed project activities and this 
program announcement.

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with the original plus two copies of:
    1. Semi-annual reports should include:
    a. A brief project description.
    b. A comparison of the actual accomplishments to the goals and 
objectives established for the period.
    c. In the case that established goals and objectives may not be 
accomplished or are delayed, documentation of both the reason for the 
deviation and the anticipated corrective action or a request for 
deletion of the activity from the project.
    d. Other pertinent information, including preliminary findings from 
the analysis of available data.
    2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period.
    3. Final financial report and performance report, 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 Appendix I in the 
application kit.

AR-9  Paperwork Reduction Act
AR-10  Smoke-Free Workplace
AR-11  Healthy People 2010
AR-12  Lobbying Restriction

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under section 301(a), 317(c) and 317(J) 
of the

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Public Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C. 241] as amended. The Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.184.

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 Agreement''.
    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: Sheryl Heard, Grants Management Specialist, Acquisition and 
Assistance Branch B, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC), Announcement 02029, 2920 Brandywine Road, 
Room 3000, Atlanta, Georgia 30341-4146, Telephone (770) 488-2723, 
Email: [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Charlotte Dickinson, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 4770 Buford Highway, 
Mailstop F-34, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, Telephone: (770) 488-7155, 
Email: [email protected].

    Dated: February 1, 2002.
Robert L. Williams,
Chief, Acquisition and Assistance Branch, Procurement and Grants 
Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention--(CDC).
[FR Doc. 02-2937 Filed 2-6-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P