[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 26 (Thursday, February 7, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5822-5824]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-2941]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 02026]


Cooperative Agreement for a National Professional Organization 
for Persons with Developmental Disabilities; 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 entitled ``National Professional Organization for Persons with 
Developmental Disabilities.'' This program addresses the ``Healthy 
People 2010'' focus areas of Maternal, Infant and Child Health, and 
Disability and Secondary Conditions.
    The purpose of the program is to strengthen the nation's capacity 
to carry out public health activities in the areas of birth defects and 
developmental disabilities. The objectives are to: (1) Facilitate 
state-based surveillance and research of birth defects and 
developmental disabilities, to assure time-sensitive services are 
provided and effective clinical and environmental interventions are 
made available; (2) increase access to social participation of children 
and adults with disabilities through advocacy and public policy 
development; and (3) train public health professionals to strengthen 
the nation's expertise in the fields of birth defects, developmental 
disabilities, and children and adults with disabilities.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will only be provided to applicants that are national 
professional organizations, with a large and broad-based membership 
representing professionals working with state public health agencies 
and academic communities in the areas of birth defects and 
developmental disabilities as well as consumers of these services.
    To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate that the mission of the 
organization is explicitly committed to improving and developing state 
and national health policy in birth defects and developmental 
disabilities throughout the United States, by focusing their efforts on 
helping to strengthen and build capacity and infrastructure of state 
agencies responsible for surveillance, applied research, and training. 
This may be demonstrated by submission of your Charter, or at least two 
letters of support from the membership representing professionals 
working with state public health agencies and academic communities in 
the areas of birth defects and developmental disabilities which 
documents your active commitment to the above mission and public health 
policies, or both.
    This information should be placed directly behind the face page of 
the application. Applications that fail to submit the evidence 
requested above will be considered non-responsive and returned without 
review.

    Note: Title 2 of the United States Code, section 1611 states 
that an organization described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal 
Revenue Code that engages in lobbying activities is not eligible to 
receive Federal funds constituting an award, grant, or loan.

C. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $200,000 is available in FY 2002 to fund 
approximately one award. It is expected that the awards 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. 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.

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. Establish in the first year, the methods, guidance, and 
infrastructure for projects that may be conducted by the recipient, or 
by a sub-recipient; i.e. professional membership (Special Projects). 
The recipient will prepare and provide guidance documentation for 
soliciting applications, evaluation of applications and making funding 
decisions. Subsequent continuation applications will include any 
Special Projects which the organization determines should receive 
funding. All projects should be responsive to the public health mission 
of CDC by focusing on one or more of the activities ``b.'' through 
``h.'' below; and all projects must meet the requirements of activity 
``i.'' below.
    b. Develop and implement projects in public health and disability 
services research regarding best practices for persons with birth 
defects, developmental disabilities, and special health care needs.
    c. Collaborate with local and state agencies to develop and provide 
access to critical databases for health and disability services 
assessment; develop methods to analyze and interpret relevant data.
    d. Collaborate with local and state agencies in a recruitment and 
training program to produce professionals to serve in public health at 
state and national levels.
    e. Develop and participate in educational workshops, conferences, 
and other forums focusing on persons with birth defects, developmental 
disabilities, and special health care needs.
    f. Design and implement training activities that will promote 
professional

[[Page 5823]]

development to support data-related activities in birth defects and 
developmental disabilities.
    g. Convene an advisory panel of experts to assist in identifying 
the knowledge and practices in the areas related to birth defects and 
developmental disabilities and to provide expert opinions and advice on 
required research services and education.
    h. Disseminate information on prevention of birth defects, 
developmental disabilities, and health promotion for persons with 
disabilities.
    i. For each of the activities ``a. through h.'' above, develop and 
implement an evaluation plan.

2. CDC Activities

    a. Provide assistance in the establishment and implementation of 
Special Project program operations, which include development of a 
process for solicitation of applications, establishment of application 
review procedures, participation on review committees, and development 
of evaluation guidance and processes for making funding decisions.
    b. Provide assistance in the development of public health projects 
in the fields of birth defects, developmental disabilities, and health 
and disability services.
    c. Assist in the evaluation of professional training and leadership 
in the fields of birth defects, developmental disabilities, and health 
and disability services.
    d. Assist in the evaluation of state, local and national level 
forums on critical public health issues related to the fields of birth 
defects, developmental disabilities, and health and disability 
services.
    e. Assist in monitoring of progress for the Special Projects.
    f. Assist in the development of a research protocol for 
Institutional Review Board (IRB) review by all cooperating institutions 
participating in any proposed research projects.

E. Application Content

Letter of Intent (LOI)

    A non-binding LOI is requested for this program. The narrative 
should be no more than one, double-spaced page, printed on one side, 
with one inch margins, and unreduced font. It should identify the 
announcement number, name of the proposed project director and name of 
the organization.
    Your letter of intent will be used to allow CDC to determine the 
level of interest in the announcement, to plan the review more 
efficiently, and to ensure that each applicant receives timely and 
relevant information prior to the application submission date.
    Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other 
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the 
application content. The application will be evaluated on the criteria 
listed, so it is important to follow them in laying out the program 
plan.

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 five copies of PHS-398 (OMB Number 0925-
0001) (adhere to the instructions on the Errata Instruction Sheet for 
PHS 398). Forms are available in the application kit and at the 
following Internet address: www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.
    On or before March 28, 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 
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

    The applications will be evaluated individually against the 
following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC.

1. Proposed Program (30 points)

    The extent to which the proposal clearly demonstrates the 
applicants understanding of the issues. The proposal should describe 
project objectives that fit the activities in the application. The 
proposal demonstrates that applicant has a broad range of knowledge and 
expertise in the fields of birth defects, developmental disabilities, 
and adults and children living with disabilities. The proposal 
demonstrates that the applicant's membership is comprised of 
professionals practicing in a variety of specialties that contribute to 
the research, policy development, and training in the areas of birth 
defects, and developmental disabilities, and adults and children living 
with disabilities.

2. Technical Merit (30 points)

    The extent to which the proposal demonstrates technical merit in 
the approaches to be used in accomplishing the activities.

3. Proposal Adequacy (30 points)

    The extent to which the application demonstrates adequacy of the 
plan to address the activities and an appropriate time line to 
accomplish them. The degree to which the applicant has met the CDC 
Policy requirements regarding the inclusion of women, ethnic, and 
racial groups in the proposed research. This includes: (1) The proposed 
plan for the inclusion of both sexes and racial and ethnic minority 
populations appropriate representation; (2) the proposed justification 
when representation is limited or absent; (3) a statement as to whether 
the design of the study is adequate to measure differences when 
warranted; and (4) a statement as to whether the plans for recruitment 
and outreach for study participants include the process of establishing 
partnerships with communities and recognition of mutual benefits.

4. Program Personnel (10 points)

    The extent to which the proposal describes qualifications of 
professional and support staff that are commensurate with necessary 
levels of expertise to successfully accomplish program activities.

5. Budget (not scored)

    The extent to which the proposal demonstrates appropriateness and 
justification of the requested budget relative to the activities 
proposed.

6. Human Subjects (not scored)

    Procedures adequate for the protection of human subjects must be 
documented. The application must adequately address the requirements of 
Title 45 CFR part 46 for the protection of human subjects. Although 
this is not scored, an application can be disapproved if the research 
risks are sufficiently serious and protection against risks are so 
inadequate as to make the entire application unacceptable.

[[Page 5824]]

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with original plus two copies of
    1. Semi-annual progress 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; 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 are applicable to this 
program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I of the 
announcement in the application kit.

AR-1  Human Subjects Requirements
AR-2  Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic 
Minorities in Research
AR-10  Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11  Healthy People 2010
AR-12  Lobbying Restrictions
AR-22  Research Integrity

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under section 301(a), 311, and 317 of 
the Public Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C. sections 241, 243, and 
247b4], 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 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: Sheryl Heard, Grants Management Specialist, Assistance and 
Acquisition Branch B, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention.

[Announcement 02026]

    2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146. Telephone 
number: 770-488-2723. E-mail: [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Tom Horne, National 
Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. 4770 Buford 
Highway, Mail Stop F-15 Atlanta, Georgia 30341. Telephone number: 770-
488-7364. E-mail: [email protected].

Robert L. Williams,
Chief, Assistance and Acquisition Branch B., Procurement and Grants 
Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 02-2941 Filed 2-6-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P