[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 112 (Tuesday, June 11, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39988-39991]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14581]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

[Program Announcement 02112]


Asthma and Hazardous Substances, Applied Research and 
Development; Notice of the Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

    The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) 
announces the availability of fiscal year (FY) 2002 funds for a 
cooperative agreement program to conduct research on the impact of 
hazardous substances on asthma. This program addresses the

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``Healthy People 2010'' focus area of Environmental Health.
    The purpose of this program is to: (1) Link secondary data sources 
available for asthma with data on environmental contamination to 
evaluate the contribution of environmental exposures to asthma 
occurrence or morbidity among one or more communities exposed to 
hazardous air pollutants; (2) provide scientific information about the 
association between hazardous substances and asthma morbidity; and (3) 
develop and apply a methodology which could serve as a useful model for 
other organizations when responding to questions concerning the health 
impact of air releases of hazardous substances.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the 
following performance goal for the Agency for Toxic Substances and 
Disease Registry (ATSDR): Developing and providing reliable, 
understandable information for people in affected communities and 
tribes and for stakeholders.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be provided to official public health agencies of 
States or their bona fide agents or instrumentalities. This includes 
the District of Columbia, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the 
Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the 
Republic of Palau, and Federally recognized Indian Tribal governments. 
State organizations, including State universities, State colleges, and 
State research institutions, must establish that they meet their 
respective State's legislature definition of a State entity or 
political subdivision to be considered to be an eligible applicant.
    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 $250,000 is available in FY 2002 to fund two to three 
awards. It is expected that the average award will be $100,000, ranging 
from $80,000 to $120,000. The awards are expected to begin on or about 
September 1, 2002, and will be made for a 12-month budget period within 
a project period of up to three 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 expended for reasonable program purposes, such as 
personnel, travel, supplies and services. Funds for contractual 
services may be requested; however, the primary recipient of ATSDR 
funds must perform a substantive role in carrying out project 
activities and not merely serve as a conduit for an award to another 
party or provide funds to an ineligible party. Equipment may be 
purchased with these funds, however, the equipment proposed should be 
appropriate and reasonable for the research activity to be conducted. 
Equipment may be acquired only when authorized, and the applicant 
should provide a justification of need to acquire equipment, a 
description of the equipment, and the cost of purchase versus lease. To 
the greatest extent practicable, equipment and products purchased with 
ATSDR funds should be made in the United States. ATSDR retains the 
right to request the return of all equipment which is in operable 
condition and was purchased with grant funds (upon completion of the 
project period).

Funding Priorities

    Priority will be given to the proposed project that (1) is 
conducted in one or more areas where a completed air pathway has 
already been established for one or more hazardous substances from a 
particular point source. These hazardous substances, or urban air 
toxics (UATs), have been previously linked to asthma in the workplace 
and include: adehydes (such as formaldehyde), polyisocyanates/ 
isocyanates (such as toulene diisocyanate), acid anhydrides, and metals 
(such as cadmium); (2) includes a partnership between public health and 
environmental agencies; (3) clearly demonstrates a mechanism for 
community-based participation; and (4) demonstrates a new or innovative 
application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

D. Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient will be responsible for activities under 1. Recipient 
Activities, and ATSDR will be responsible for the activities listed 
under 2. ATSDR Activities.
1. Recipient Activities
    a. Develop a research project which examines the possible 
relationship between hazardous air pollutants and asthma morbidity 
using available data sources. Provide scientific information concerning 
hazardous substances and asthma and develop a model for others to 
address the health impact of hazardous substances to stakeholders.
    b. Develop study protocol for approval of project implementation.
    c. Develop, field test, and revise data extraction instruments and 
models that estimate ambient exposure to hazardous pollutants.
    d. Disseminate research results to community members, and publish 
in written format for distribution.
    e. Provide evidence of collaborate efforts with the local health 
environmental agencies on proposed and future community outreach 
activities.
    f. Provide plans for working collaboratively with representatives 
of the communit(ies).
    g. Collaborate with partners on these program activities, and meet 
annually to coordinate planned efforts and review progress.
2. ATSDR Activities
    a. Provide scientific, epidemiologic, and environmental assistance.
    b. Provide assistance on the development of the protocol and 
evaluation of the data extraction instruments.
    c. Facilitate external peer review of the protocol and final 
report.
    d. Provide assistance to awardees on data analysis and 
interpretation of findings.
    e. Provide technical assistance to awardees (if more than one award 
is made) to ensure a sharing of information and methodologies, as 
appropriate.
    f. Provide assistance for the dissemination of information to 
community members resulting from this project.
    g. Facilitate an annual meeting between awardees and partners to 
coordinate planned efforts and review progress.

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 writing your program plan. 
The narrative should be no more than 30 pages, double-spaced, printed 
on one side, with 1 inch margins, and unreduced fonts (font size 12 
point), on 8\1/2\ by 11 inch paper. Do not include any spiral or bound 
materials or pamphlets.

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1. Title Page
    The heading should include the title of the cooperative agreement 
announcement, the project title, the organization name, and the 
organization address, and the project director's name, address, and 
telephone number.
2. Abstract
    A one page, singled-spaced, typed abstract must be submitted with 
the application. The heading should include the title of cooperative 
agreement announcement, project title, organization, name and address, 
project director and telephone number. This abstract should include a 
work plan identifying activities to be developed, activities to be 
completed, and a time line for completion of these activities.
3. Application Narrative
    The narrative of each application must address the evaluation 
component in addition to the following:
    a. Briefly state the applicant's understanding of the need or 
problem to be addressed, the purpose, and goals over the three year 
period of the cooperative agreement.
    b. Describe in detail the objectives and the methods to be used to 
achieve the objectives of the project. The objectives should be 
specific, time-phased, measurable, and achievable during each budget 
period. The objectives should directly relate to the program goals. 
Identify the steps to be taken in planning and implementing the 
objectives and the responsibilities of the applicant for carrying out 
the steps.
    c. Provide the name, qualifications, and proposed time allocation 
of the Principal Investigator who will be responsible for administering 
the project. Describe staff, experience, facilities, equipment 
available for performance of this project, and other resources that 
define the applicant's capacity or potential to accomplish the 
requirements stated above. List the names (if known), qualifications, 
and time allocations of the existing professional staff to be assigned 
to (or recruited for) this project. List the support staff available 
for performance of this project. List the available facilities, 
including space.
    d. Document the applicant's expertise, and extent of experience in 
the areas of asthma, environmental health, and studies that link 
environmental databases with health indicators.
    e. Provide letters of support or other documentation demonstrating 
coordination with the state health department and all other agencies or 
organizations described as participating in the project.
    f. Describe how the affected communities will be involved in the 
proposed project.
    g. State whether or not Humans are subjects in this proposal. (See 
Human Subjects in the Evaluation Criteria and Other Requirements 
sections.)
    h. Describe how the CDC/ATSDR policy requirements will be met 
regarding the inclusion of women, ethnic, and racial groups in the 
proposed research. (See Women, Racial and Ethnic Minorities in the 
Evaluation Criteria and Other Requirements sections.)
4. Budget
    Provide a detailed budget which indicates anticipated costs for 
personnel, equipment, travel, communications, supplies, postage, and 
the sources of funds to meet these needs. The applicant should be 
precise about the program purpose of each budget item. For contracts 
described within the application budget, applicants should name the 
contractor, if known; describe the services to be performed; and 
provide an itemized breakdown and justification for the estimated costs 
of the contract; the kinds of organizations or parties to be selected; 
the period of performance; and the method of selection. The budget 
narrative pages showing, in detail, how funds in each object class will 
be spent, should be placed directly behind form 424A and not in the 
body of the application.

F. Submission and Deadline

Letter of Intent (LOI)

    In order for ATSDR to determine the level of interest in the 
program announcement, a non-binding letter of intent to apply is 
requested from potential applicants. The letter of intent should be 
submitted on or before June 30, 2002, to the Grants Management 
Specialist identified in the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' 
section of this announcement.

Application

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161-1 (OMB Number 0937-
0189). Forms are available on the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.
    On or before July 30, 2002, submit the application to:Technical 
Information Management--PA 02112, Procurement and Grants Office, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 
3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146.
    Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting the deadline 
if they are received on or before the deadline date.
    Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria 
above will be returned to the applicant.

G. Evaluation Criteria

    Each application will be evaluated individually against the 
following criteria by an objective review group appointed by ATSDR.
1. Study Design and Methods (30 percent)
    a. Adequacy of the study design and methodology for accomplishing 
the stated goals and objectives.
    b. The degree to which efficient and innovative approaches are 
proposed to address the problems.
    c. The extent to which the applicant's plans and schedule proposed 
for accomplishing the activities to be carried out in this project are 
clearly stated, are realistic given the length of the funding period, 
and can be achieved within the proposed budget.
    d. Adequacy of the plan to establish partnerships with 
community(ies), local environmental agencies, and other relevant public 
and private groups and organizations.
    e. The extent 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 for 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.
2. Program Personnel (20 percent)
    a. Applicant's technical experience and understanding (e.g. in the 
areas of asthma, environmental health, and database linkage).
    b. Qualifications and time allocation of the professional staff to 
be assigned to this project.
    c. Extent to which the management staff and their working partners 
are clearly described.
3. Community Involvement and Dissemination of Results (20 percent)
    Adequacy of the plan to address community concerns and create lines 
of communication. Adequacy of methods to disseminate the study results 
to state and local public health officials, tribal governments, Indian 
Health Service, community residents, and to other

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concerned individuals and organizations.
    4. Understanding of the Problem (10 percent)
    Responsiveness to the objectives of the cooperative agreement 
including:
    a. The applicant's understanding of the problems related to 
community exposures to hazardous substances and concerns regarding 
morbidity from asthma.
    b. Relevance of the proposed program to these and related problems.
5. Goals and Objectives (10 percent)
    The extent to which the proposed goals and objectives are clearly 
stated and measurable. Applicants are required to provide Measures of 
Effectiveness that will demonstrate the accomplishment of the 
identified purpose of the cooperative agreement. Measures must be 
objective/quantitative and must measure the intended goals of the 
proposed project. These Measures of Effectiveness shall be submitted 
with the application and shall be an element of evaluation.
6. Facilities and Resources (10 percent)
    The adequacy of the applicant's facilities, equipment, and other 
resources available for performance of this project.
7. Human Subjects (Not scored)
    Does the application adequately address the requirements of 45 CFR 
Part 46 for the protection of human subjects?
8. Budget Justification (Not Scored)
    The budget will be evaluated to the extent that it is reasonable, 
clearly justified, and consistent with the intended use of funds.

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with the original and two copies of:

    1. Semi-annual progress report. The progress report will include 
a data requirement that demonstrates measures of effectiveness. (See 
Attachment III)
    2. Financial Status Report (FSR) no more than 90 days after the 
end of the budget period.
    3. Final financial status report and performance report, no more 
than 90 days after the end of the project.

    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 complete description of each, see Attachment 1.

AR-1  Human Subjects Requirements
AR-2  Requirements of Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic 
Minorities in Research
AR-7  Executive Order 12372 Review
AR-10  Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11  Healthy People 2010
AR-12  Lobbying Restrictions
AR-17  Peer Review and Technical Reviews of Final Reports of Health 
Studies--ATSDR
AR-18  Cost Recovery--ATSDR
AR-19  Third Party Agreements--ATSDR
AR-22  Research Integrity

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized in sections 104(i)(1)(E),(7) and (15) of 
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability 
Act (CERCLA) as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization 
Act (SARA) (42 U.S.C. 9604 (i)(1)(E),(7) and (15)). The Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.206.

J. Where To Obtain Additional Information

    This and other ATSDR announcements can be found on the CDC home 
page Internet address--http://www.cdc.gov Click on ``Funding'' then 
``Grants and Cooperative Agreements.''
    If you have questions after reviewing the content of all the 
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained 
from: Edna Green, Grants Management Specialist, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC), Procurement and Grants Office, 
Acquisition and Assistance Branch B, Announcement 02112, 2920 
Brandywine Road, Suite 3000, Atlanta, Georgia 30341-4146, Telephone 
(770) 488-2743, E-mail address: [email protected].
    For program assistance, contact: Sherri Berger-Frank, Deputy Branch 
Chief, Health Investigations Branch, Division of Health Studies, Agency 
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., Mail 
Stop E-31, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, Telephone: (404) 498-0606, E-mail 
address: [email protected]Or: Michelle Lackey, Epidemiologist, Health 
Investigations Branch, Division of Health Studies, Agency for Toxic 
Substances and Disease Registry, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., Mail Stop E-
31, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, Telephone: (404) 498-0569, E-mail address: 
[email protected].

    Dated: June 5, 2002.
Edward Schultz,
Acting Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 02-14581 Filed 6-10-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-70-P