[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 105 (Friday, May 31, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38120-38123]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-13635]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 02190]


Support for Strengthening Voluntary Counseling and Testing 
Services and Expansion of Tuberculosis (TB) Diagnosis, Treatment and 
Prevention in the Republic of Uganda; 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 to strengthen the capacity of existing voluntary counseling and 
testing (VCT) services and to expand TB diagnosis, treatment, referral 
and prevention within VCT sites in the Republic of Uganda.

[[Page 38121]]

Goals
    1. Improve the quality and expand laboratory and data management 
capacity in four stand-alone VCT sites that provide VCT services to 
their own clients and technical and program support to affiliated VCT 
sites in the Republic of Uganda.
    2. Support TB diagnosis, treatment, and prevention activities in 
the four main sites while screening and referral will be provided in 
the affiliated sites.
    3. Support other targeted HIV/AIDS prevention and care 
interventions within the context of VCT services at these centers.
    CDC has established partnerships with local and international non-
governmental organizations, the Ugandan Ministry of Health, and the 
Uganda AIDS Commission in discovering and applying effective 
interventions to prevent HIV infection and associated opportunistic 
infections and subsequent deaths from Human Immunodeficiency Virus/
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS).
    As a key partner in the United States (U.S.) Government's 
international activities, CDC is working in a collaborative manner with 
national governments and other agencies to develop programs of 
assistance to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in many countries.
    TB prevention and treatment programs that are provided in an 
integrated manner in an existing VCT service is one potential way of 
improving current VCT services in Uganda. Tuberculosis diagnosis, 
treatment, and prophylaxis using Isoniazid for Purified Protein 
Derivative (PPD) positive persons with HIV have been shown to be 
feasible to add to existing VCT services in Uganda.
    This program will also support the documentation and production of 
counseling protocols adapted to address new psycho-social needs related 
to (VCT). This will contribute to improvements in counseling provided 
to individuals and couples.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with one or 
more of the following performance goals for the Global AIDS Program 
(GAP):
    Reduce the number of new HIV infections among 15 to 24 year olds in 
sub-Saharan Africa from an estimated two million by 2005 by working 
with other countries, United States Agency for International 
Development (USAID), international, and U.S. government agencies.

B. 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 242l], as amended. The Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.118. There are no matching 
requirements for this program announcement.

C. Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be provided only to Ugandan non-governmental 
organizations with more than five years of experience in the 
implementation of voluntary counseling and testing services in multiple 
rural locations of Uganda. The applicants should have at least one year 
of experience in implementing an integrated TB program within existing 
VCT services.

D. Availability of Funds

    Approximately U.S. $200,000 is available in FY 2002 to fund one 
award. It is expected that the award will begin on or about August 30, 
2002 and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project 
period of 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 only be utilized to implement activities as described in 
the goals, objectives, and activities of the submitted and funded 
program.
    The purchase of antiretroviral, reagents, and laboratory equipment 
for antiretroviral treatment projects requires pre-approval from the 
Global AIDS Program Headquarters.
    Applicants may contract with other organizations under this 
cooperative agreement, 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 U.S. or to international organizations regardless of 
their location.
    All requests for funds, including the budget contained in the 
application, will 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.
    No funds appropriated under this Act will be used to carry out any 
program of distributing sterile needles or syringes for the hypodermic 
injection of any illegal drug.

E. 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. Identify staffing needs; hire and train staff.
    b. Identify and acquire programmatic needs, including space, 
furnishings, fittings, equipment, and computers.
    c. Establish maintenance contracts for program facilities, 
equipment, and fittings.
    d. Carry out training needs assessment for medical and counseling 
staff as needed.
    e. Produce training manuals and referral and treatment algorithms.
    f. Identify and subcontract refresher training for all relevant 
staff in the specific areas identified.
    g. Acquire source reagents, and other clinic and laboratory 
supplies.
    h. Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation plans, 
customized for each program component.
    i. Provide training in new content areas through apprenticeships 
and other skills development methodologies.
    j. Procure, supply, and maintain VCT sites with materials required 
for TB clinical activities.
    k. Develop and establish a regular distribution system for 
diagnostic and other supplies in all participating VCT sites.
    l. Schedule regular supervisory visits for new program activities.
    m. Develop a data management plan and provide training for all 
relevant staff.
    n. Initiate collaborations with National TB and Leprosy Program, 
Ministry of Health and other relevant institutions.
    o. Establish administrative and management systems for the program.
    p. Prepare and submit quarterly progress activity and financial 
reports.

[[Page 38122]]

2. CDC Activities

    a. Monitor project and budget performance.
    b. Approve the selection of key personnel to be involved in the 
activities performed under this cooperative agreement.
    c. Provide technical assistance in the design and implementation of 
a monitoring and evaluation plan and other programmatic areas as 
needed.
    d. Assist in the planning for data management and analysis.
    e. Participate in training activities.
    f. Provide technical and programmatic oversight to the program.
    g. Collaborate with recipient in writing papers for publication or 
other dissemination activities if needed.

F. Content

    The program announcement title and number must appear in the 
application. 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 a one-inch margins, and unreduced font.
    Each activity for which funds are requested should be specifically 
identified with goals, Plan, Objectives, Activities, Method of 
Evaluation and Budget provided. A summary budget by line item should be 
provided.

G. 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: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.
    Application forms must be submitted in the following order:

Cover Letter
Table of Contents
Application
Budget Information Form
Budget Justification
Checklist
Assurances
Certifications
Disclosure Form
HIV Assurance Form (if applicable)
Human Subjects Certification (if applicable)
Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable)
Narrative

    On or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time July 30, 2002, submit the 
application to: Technical Information Management Section (TIM), PA# 
02190, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-
4146.
    Deadline: Applications will be considered as meeting the deadline 
if they are received before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline 
date. Applicants sending applications by the United States Postal 
Service or commercial delivery services must ensure that the carrier 
will be able to guarantee delivery of the application by the closing 
date and time. If an application is received after closing due to: 1. 
Carrier error, when the carrier accepted the package with a guarantee 
for delivery by the closing date and time; or 2. significant weather 
delays or natural disasters, CDC will upon receipt of proper 
documentation, consider the application as having been received by the 
deadline.
    Applications that do not meet the above criteria will not be 
eligible for competition and will be discarded. Applicants will be 
notified of their failure to meet the submission requirements.

H. Evaluation Criteria

Application

    Applicants are required to provide Measures of Effectiveness that 
will demonstrate the accomplishment of the various identified 
objectives of the grant or cooperative agreement. Measures of 
Effectiveness must relate to the performance goal (or goals) as stated 
in section ``A. Purpose'' of this announcement. Measures must be 
objective and quantitative and must measure the intended outcome. These 
Measures of Effectiveness will be submitted with the application and 
will be an element of evaluation.
    Each application will be evaluated individually, against the 
following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC.
1. Program Capacity (25 Points)
    The proposal should demonstrate capacity and experience needed to 
implement a project of this magnitude and scope including 
infrastructure, staffing levels and laboratory capacity.
2. Personnel (25 Points)
    The extent that professional personnel involved in this project are 
qualified including evidence of experience in working in ACT and TB 
diagnosis, treatment and prevention programs.
3. Program Plan (20 Points)
    The proposal demonstrates capacity and plans to rapidly roll out 
this program to multiple sites in the country.
4. Understanding of the Problem (15 Points)
    The extent that the applicants demonstrate a clear and concise 
understanding of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Uganda specifically the gaps 
in current prevention efforts including voluntary counseling and 
testing.
5. Technical and Programmatic Approach (15 Points)
    The extent that the applicants' proposal demonstrates an 
understanding of how to develop, implement, monitor and evaluate an 
integrated VCT and TB program.
6. Budget (Will Review But Not Scored)
    The extent that the itemized budget for conducting the project is 
reasonable and well justified.
7. Human Subjects (Not Scored)
    The extent that the application adequately addresses the 
requirements listed in the 45 CFR 46 for the protection of human 
subjects.

I. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with original plus two copies of the following:
    1. Quarterly progress reports. (The progress report will include a 
data requirement that demonstrates measures of effectiveness.)
    2. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days 
after the end of the project period.
    3. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
budget period.
    4. Applicants are required to provide Measures of Effectiveness 
that will demonstrate the accomplishment of the various identified 
objectives of the grant or cooperative agreement.
    Awardee is required to obtain an annual audit of these CDC funds 
(program specific audit by an audit firm based in the U.S. with 
international branches and current licensure/authority in country, and 
in accordance with the international accounting standards of equivalent 
standards approved in writing by CDC.
    Projects that involve the collection of information from 10 or more 
individuals and funded by cooperative agreement will be subject to 
review by the office of management and budget (OMB) under the paperwork 
reduction act.

[[Page 38123]]

    A fiscal recipient capability assessment may be required with the 
potential awardee, prior or post award, in order to review business 
management and fiscal capabilities regarding the handling of U.S. 
Federal funds.
    Send all reports to both the program contact in Uganda and 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. Some of the more complex requirements have additional 
information provided below:

AR-1--Human Subjects Requirements
AR-2--Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic 
Minorities in Research
AR-4--HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions
AR-6--Patient Care
AR-9--Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR-10--Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-14--Accounting System Requirements

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 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: (770) 488-2782, E-mail: [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Jonathan Mermin, MD, 
MPH, Global AIDS Program, Uganda Country Team, National Center for HIV, 
STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PO 
Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda, Telephone: +256-410320776, E-mail: 
[email protected].

    Dated: May 24, 2002.
Sandra R. Manning,
CGFM, Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 02-13635 Filed 5-30-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P