[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 120 (Friday, June 21, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42265-42268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-15659]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 02101]


Support for Epidemiology, Mathematical Modeling, and Tools for 
Monitoring the Impact of the Local Response to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in 
Zimbabwe; 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 Support for Epidemiology, Mathematical Modeling, and Tools 
for Monitoring the Impact of the Local Response to the Human 
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV/AIDS) Epidemic in Zimbabwe.
    The purpose of the program is to assist the CDC to provide support 
to:
    The Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Welfare (MOHCW) in its 
mission of conducting epidemiologic studies of HIV/AIDS at a population 
level in Zimbabwe and conducting mathematical modeling studies of HIV 
infection.
    The National AIDS Council (NAC) in its mission of generating tools 
and training local District AIDS Action Committees to help monitor the 
local response to the epidemic of HIV/AIDS.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with one or 
more of the following performance goals for

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the Global AIDS Program (GAP). Working with other countries, USAID, 
international, and U.S. government agencies, reduce the number of new 
HIV infections among 15 to 24 year olds in sub-Saharan Africa from an 
estimated two million by 2005.

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 2421), as amended. The Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.941.

C. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public and private nonprofit 
organizations and, universities, colleges, research institutions, 
hospitals, other public and private nonprofit organizations worldwide, 
regional or technical organizations involved in health and development 
in Africa or globally, or any development or research organization 
worldwide. Consideration will be given to those applicants than have 
demonstrated their ability to work successfully in Zimbabwe and/or 
elsewhere in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).
    Zimbabwe is committed to demonstrating and documenting a successful 
response to HIV/AIDS within the next five years. CDC's Global AIDS 
Program Zimbabwe wishes to recruit partners for the highest possible 
technical performance in this effort without regard to nationality or 
any other geographic, political.

D. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $150,000 is available in FY 2002 to fund one to two 
awards. It is expected that the award(s) will begin on or about August 
15, 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 award(s) within an approved project period will be 
made on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required 
reports and the availability of funds.

Direct Assistance

    Equipment or supplies may be requested in the form of direct 
assistance, in lieu of a portion of financial assistance, if the 
applicant deems that it is cost efficient for achieving the CDC mission 
of supporting the expanded response to HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe. At the end 
of the cooperative agreement, and in accordance with the standards 
outlined in 45 CFR 74.34, any such equipment should become property of 
one of the permanent, indigenous institutions of public health of 
Zimbabwe (for example, the MOHCW, NAC, University of Zimbabwe, School 
of Medicine or another relevant organization).

Use of Funds

    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 United States or to international organizations 
regardless of their location.
    All requests for funds, including the budget contained in the 
application, shall be stated in United States 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 shall be used to carry out any 
program of distributing sterile needles or syringes for the hypodermic 
injection of any illegal drug.
    Funds should be used in a complementary fashion to support two 
overriding CDC objectives: (1) Accomplishing high priority work 
identified by the CDC, NAC, MOHCW, and other central institutions of 
the national response to HIV/AIDS, especially those elements for which 
the CDC has been requested to support efforts and initiatives of the 
MOHCW and NAC; and (2) building capacity for long-term ability to 
respond to HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe.

1. Funding Preferences

    Characteristics of a preferred cooperative agreement partner 
include:
    a. Expert knowledge of HIV epidemiology in Sub Saharan Africa and 
in Zimbabwe.
    b. Expertise in mathematical modeling of infectious diseases, 
especially HIV/AIDS.
    c. Understanding of the local response to HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe, 
including the roles and functions of the MOHCW, the NAC, and District 
AIDS Action Committees; and expertise in monitoring of responses to 
HIV/AIDS, including developing appropriate tools.
    d. Capacity to contribute substantively to knowledge of 
surveillance options for HIV/AIDS, including antenatal surveillance and 
its relationship to population-based surveillance and surveys.
    e. In-depth knowledge of Zimbabwe, including knowledge of the 
relationship between national level indicators of HIV epidemic status 
and local (especially rural) epidemiology of HIV infection.
    f. Demonstrated capacity and cultural competence to function 
effectively in Zimbabwe and other underdeveloped, sub-Saharan African 
countries.
    g. Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of the processes 
required to build capacity in the areas of HIV epidemiology and 
mathematical modeling of epidemics in Zimbabwe and similar sub-Saharan 
African countries.
    h. Appreciation for the District Planning Initiative of the 
Zimbabwe NAC, especially the structures at rural level, and capacity to 
help design and evaluate tools for monitoring the District (and lower) 
levels of response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
    Matching funds is not a requirement for this program announcement.

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. Train and support local staff of MOHCW, NAC, ZNFPC, CDC-
Zimbabwe, University of Zimbabwe School of Medicine, and other groups 
in epidemiology, surveillance, mathematical modeling, and related 
subjects that relate current epidemiologic status and indicators to 
long-term implications in terms of morbidity, mortality, and 
demographic and economic impact.
    b. Support and contribute to analyses of epidemiologic and 
surveillance data (such as, antenatal HIV surveillance and the Young 
Adult Survey (YAS+) as

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required to help contribute to a clear informed profile of HIV in 
Zimbabwe. Such analyses may be hosted either by CDC Zimbabwe or by the 
MOHCW or NAC of Zimbabwe, or potentially other partners.
    c. Assist in developing a District level ``epidemiologic'' 
profile'' of the AIDS epidemic for all 82 HIV Planning Districts in 
Zimbabwe, and a training program in communicating about and using the 
District Profile to aid in developing the District AIDS Action Plan.
    d. Develop a dynamic mathematical model of the HIV/AIDS epidemic at 
a national level in Zimbabwe, incorporating available data on HIV 
prevalence, incidence, mortality, and related variables, that yields a 
predictive model of the future of the epidemic.
    e. Develop or adapt a mathematical model for the epidemic 
appropriate for use at the District level in Zimbabwe and allow 
characterization of local conditions and assessment of the potential 
impact of different local interventions.
    f. Conduct research in Zimbabwe, especially among rural 
populations, of behavioral and other interventions, including but not 
limited to: (1) The CDC Modeling and Reinforcement to Combat HIV 
(MARCH) strategy for behavior change; (2) the local response (district 
planning) initiative of the National AIDS Council of Zimbabwe, and 
other efforts to organize or stimulate a broader response to HIV/AIDS 
in Zimbabwe; and (3) development and evaluation of tools for monitoring 
the response to HIV/AIDS at the local level, especially at the district 
level.
    g. Sponsor long-term training for Zimbabwean scientists, students, 
and public health officers in any or all of the above areas, to build 
national capacity for these areas of expertise.

2. CDC Activities

    a. Contribute to developing priorities for approaches to and 
protocols for analyses, training, and research in epidemiology, 
demographic, and socioeconomic impact to be implemented by the 
recipient, and participate in such research.
    b. When CDC scientists are co-investigators in research, assist in 
the development of research protocols for Institutional Review Board 
(IRB) review by all cooperating institutions participating in the 
research project. (The CDC IRB will review and approve the protocol 
initially and on at least an annual basis until the research project is 
completed).
    c. Facilitate the integration of the recipient and the 
collaborative activities into other components of Zimbabwe's response 
to HIV/AIDS, including the monitoring, evaluation, and research agenda 
of the NAC, training in evaluation of public health interventions at 
the University of Zimbabwe, and so on.

F. Content

Letter of Intent (LOI)

    A LOI is required for this program. The narrative should be no more 
than two double-spaced pages, printed on one side, with one-inch 
margins, and size unreduced fonts. Your letter of intent will be used 
to help plan the review process, and should include the following 
information:

1. Principal investigator and co-investigators
2. Institutions involved
3. 500 words (or less) abstract outlining ``Central Concepts'' to be 
developed more fully in the complete application
4. 300 words (or less) statement of qualifications and capacity to
5. Estimated amount of funds to be requested

Applications

    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 consist of, at a minimum, a Plan, 
Objectives, Methods, Evaluation and Budget. It should be no more than 
30 double spaced pages, printed on one side, with one-inch margins, and 
unreduced fonts.

G. Submission and Deadline

Letter of Intent (LOI)

    On or before July 5, 2002, submit the LOI 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 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 5, 2002, submit the application to the Grants 
Management Specialist identified in the ``Where to Obtain Additional 
Information'' section of this announcement.
    Deadline: Letters of Intent and final applications shall be 
considered as meeting the deadlines if they are either:
    1. Received on or before the deadline dates.
    2. Sent on or before the deadline dates and received in time for 
submission to the independent review group.
    Late: Letters of Intent and Applications which do not meet the 
criteria in 1 or 2 above will be returned to the applicant.

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 shall be submitted with the application and 
shall be an element of evaluation.
    Each application will be evaluated individually against the 
following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC:
Understanding the Purpose of the Overall Plan the Application (10 
points)
    A cogent, brief summary of critical issues; succinct, coherent 
understanding of the purpose of the program announcement; and 
crosscutting, cost-effective approaches to responding to the 
announcement.
Objectives (15 points)
    A translation of the general purposes of the program announcement 
into no more than four specific objectives, products, or outputs of the 
cooperative agreement that will be convincingly realized: two 
objectives within one to two years, and two objectives more linked to 
capacity building within three to four years on onset of funding.
Methods (15 points)
    Enunciation of a methodology appropriate for accomplishing the 
Objectives outlined above.
Evaluation (15 points)
    Brief explanation of how internal monitoring and evaluation of this 
program will contribute to strengthening and institutionalization of 
this program during the period of the grant.
Capacity (40 point)
    Epidemiologic analysis and support (15 points)
    Ability to participate in epidemiologic analysis of HIV infection 
rates, especially the relationships between

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HIV prevalence in pregnant women and in the general population.
Mathematical Modeling (15 points)
    Ability to develop mathematical models that help interpret the 
underlying dynamics of the HIV epidemic in Zimbabwe, and contribute to 
characterizing interventions that reflect a cost effective response to 
the epidemic.
Tools for Monitoring the Local Response to HIV/AIDS (10 points)
    Ability to develop appropriate tools to assist in monitoring the 
HIV/AIDS epidemic in a highly affected country with a generalized 
epidemic, especially including the organizational response at the 
district level (the District AIDS Action Committee), including 
monitoring the local response plus response to the epidemic at a local 
level.
Measures of Effectiveness (5 points)
    Measures must be objective and quantitative and must measure the 
intended outcome.
Budget and Cost-effectiveness (Reviewed but not scored)
    Creative and convincing approaches to resource utilization 
(financial, personnel, computing, etc.) to lead to a major impact of 
available resources.
Human Subjects (Review But Not Scored)
    The extent to which the application adequately addresses the 
requirements listed in the 45 CFR 46 for the protection of human 
subjects.

I. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    1. Progress report (annual); A brief, comprehensive narrative 
progress report should be submitted no later than 30 days after the end 
of the budget period. The progress report must include the following: 
(1) A comparison of the actual accomplishments to the objectives 
established; (2) the reasons for slippage if established objectives 
were not met; and (3) other pertinent information.
    2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
each budget period.
    3. Final financial report and performance report, no more than 90 
days after the end of the project period.
    Obtain 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.
    A fiscal Recipient Capability Assessment may be required with the 
potential awardee, prior or post award, in order to review their 
business management and fiscal capabilities regarding the handling of 
U.S. Federal funds.
    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.

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-12  Lobbying Restrictions
AR-14  Accounting System Requirements
AR-22  Research Integrity

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:

Cynthia Collins, Grants Management Specialist, International & 
Territories Acquisition & Assistance Branch, Procurement & Grants 
Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine 
Road, Room 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone: (770) 488-2757, E-
mail: [email protected].

    For program technical assistance, contact:

Michael St. Louis, MD, Director, Global AIDS Program (GAP), Zimbabwe 
Country Team, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Zim-CDC AIDS Project Team, 38 
Samora Machel Avenue, 2nd Floor, Harare, Zimbabwe, Telephone: 263 4 
796040 796048, Fax: 263 4 796032, E-mail: [email protected].

    Dated: June 17, 2002.
Sandra R. Manning,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 02-15659 Filed 6-20-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P