[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 78 (Wednesday, April 23, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20001-20004]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9975]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 03026]


Strengthening Epidemiologic Services and Surveillance in Central 
America, the Dominican Republic and Haiti; Notice of Availability of 
Funds

A. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under sections 301 and 307 of the Public 
Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C. sections 242l], as amended, and section 
104 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151b). The 
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.283.

B. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 2003 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program for Strengthening Epidemiologic Services and Surveillance in 
Central America, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti.
    The purpose of the program is to underpin the ability of the 
Ministries of Health (MOH) of the participating countries in the 
Servicio de Investigacion Epidemiologica y Vigilancia de Centro America 
la Republica Dominicana y Haiti (SIEVCADH) project to develop public 
health surveillance, investigate priority public health problems, and 
provide epidemiologic response to disease outbreaks and other public 
health emergencies. By doing so, applied public health programs in 
Central America, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti will be 
strengthened.
    The objectives of this program are: (1) To produce high-quality 
public health surveillance, epidemiologic assessment and epidemiologic 
investigation in order to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of 
public health action, programs, and policy in SIEVCADH project 
countries; (2) to produce an enhanced and sustainable professional 
staff capacity to continue carrying out these activities in SIEVCADH 
project countries; and (3) to continue development of the Masters in 
Epidemiology with specialization in Field Epidemiology as an academic 
umbrella for the previous two objectives. The increased capacity in 
emergency response, epidemiologic investigation and surveillance will 
be essential to achieving the project's goal of developing sustainable 
capacity in field epidemiology in Central America, the Dominican 
Republic, and Haiti.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with one or 
more of the following performance goals for the Epidemiology Program 
Office (EPO): Maximize the distribution and use of scientific 
information and prevention messages through modern communication 
technology, efficiently respond to the needs of its public health 
partners through the provision of epidemiologic assistance, and 
implement accessible training programs to provide an effective work 
force for staffing state and local health departments, laboratories, 
and ministries of health in developing countries.

C. Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be limited to academic institutions in Central 
America.

    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.


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D. Funding

Availability of Funds

    Approximately $220,000 is available in FY 2003 to fund one award. 
It is expected that the award will begin on or about June 2003 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.

Direct Assistance

    No direct assistance will be provided.

Use of Funds

    1. All requests for funds contained in the budget, shall be stated 
in U.S. dollars. Once an award is made, CDC will not compensate foreign 
grantees for currency exchange fluctuations through issuance of 
supplemental awards.
    By making this statement all requests, not only the initial budget, 
but any subsequent request such as re-directions, requests for 
supplemental funds, carry-overs, etc. are included. This is Health and 
Human Services (HHS) policy.
    2. Funds may be spent for reasonable program purposes, including 
personnel, travel, supplies, and services. Equipment may be purchased 
if deemed necessary to accomplish program objectives, however, prior 
approval by CDC officials must be requested in writing.
    3. The costs that are generally allowable in grants to domestic 
organizations are allowable to foreign institutions and international 
organizations, with the following exception: With the exception of the 
American University, Beirut, and the World Health Organization, 
Indirect Costs will not be paid (either directly or through sub-award) 
to organizations located outside the territorial limits of the United 
States or to international organizations regardless of their location.
    4. The applicant may contract with other organizations under this 
program; however, the applicant must perform a substantial portion of 
the activities including program management and operations, and 
delivery of prevention services for which funds are required.
    5. Limitations and/or prohibitions on the use of funds are as 
follows:
    a. Alterations and renovations are not allowable.
    b. Customs and import duties, including consular fees, customs 
surtax, value-added taxes and other related charges are not allowable.
    6. Awardee is required to 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.
    7. A fiscal Recipient Capability Assessment may be required, pre or 
post award, with the potential awardee in order to review their 
business management and fiscal capabilities regarding the handling of 
U.S. Federal funds.

Recipient Financial Participation

    No matching funds are required for this program

Funding Preferences

    Funding preferences will be given to academic institutions in 
Central America that have established relationships with other Central 
American academic institutions, governmental institutions such as MOH, 
national disease prevention and control programs, and international 
organizations.

E. Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient will be responsible for the activities listed in 1. 
Recipient Activities, and CDC will be responsible for the activities 
listed in 2. CDC Activities.

1. Recipient Activities

    The Recipient will be responsible for coordination of the SIEVCADH 
Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) and accomplishment of the 
following three objectives: (1) To strengthen public health 
surveillance, epidemiological assessments, and epidemiologic 
investigations; (2) to produce and enhance sustainable professional 
staff capacity to carry out these activities; and (3) to continue 
development of the Masters in Epidemiology with specialization in Field 
Epidemiology program.
    Specific activities include:
    a. Development and review of the curriculum of its Masters of 
Epidemiology with specialization in Field Epidemiology.
    b. Development of agreements with other academic institutions in 
SIEVCADH countries to participate in the development and teaching of 
the Masters of Epidemiology with specialization in Field Epidemiology 
curriculum.
    c. Development and coordination of a SIEVCADH faculty for the 
Masters of Epidemiology with specialization in Field Epidemiology.
    d. Development and application of an Internet-based distance-
learning program.
    e. Logistical and administrative support of all students enrolled 
in the SIEVCADH FETP.
    f. Development and implementation of a plan to establish field-
training sites for the field component of the SIEVCADH FETP.
    g. Development and establishment of a mentoring program for 
SIEVCADH faculty, supervisors, and students.
    h. Provision of technical assistance to SIEVCADH FETP students' 
work and projects.
    i. Review and oversight of SIEVCADH FETP students' work and 
projects.
    j. Development and implementation of a plan for the ongoing 
assessment of the SIEVCADH FETP to determine if changes in strategies 
and/or activities are needed.
    k. Development of an evaluation plan for all SIEVCADH FETP 
activities, which would also include a follow-up assessment of the 
students to determine the quality and success of the training programs 
and their continued occupation in related fields.

2. CDC activities

    Provide technical consultation as needed on all aspects of program 
planning, implementation, and evaluation methods.
    Specific activities to include:
    a. Provision of assistance in the development and revision of the 
Masters of Epidemiology with a specialty in Field Epidemiology 
curriculum.
    b. Provision of assistance in the development of SIEVCADH FETP 
workshops and seminars.
    c. Provision of assistance in the development of a mentoring 
program for SIEVCADH faculty, supervisors, and students.
    d. Provision of technical assistance as needed for management of 
program operations, including the application of continuous quality 
improvement.
    e. Provision of assistance in ongoing assessment of program 
activities to ensure the use of effective and efficient implementation 
strategies.
    f. Collaboration with recipient in the design of all phases of the 
evaluation.

F. Content

Applications

    The Program Announcement title and number must appear in the 
application.

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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 20 pages, double-spaced, printed on one side, 
with one-inch margins, and unreduced 12-point font.
    The narrative should consist of: Background and Need, Plan and 
Objectives, Plan of Operations, Evaluation, and Budget.

G. Submission and Deadline

    Submit the signed original and two copies of PHS 5161-1 (OMB Number 
0920-0428). Forms are available at the following Internet address: 
http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.
    If you do not have access to the Internet, or if you have 
difficulty accessing the forms on-line, you may contact the CDC 
Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section 
(PGO-TIM) at: 770-488-2700. Application forms can be mailed to you.

Submission Date, Time, and Address

    The application must be received by 4 p.m. Eastern Time June 9, 
2003. Submit the application to: Technical Information Management--PA 
03026, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, 
Atlanta, GA 30341-4146.
    Applications may not be submitted electronically.

CDC Acknowledgment of Application Receipt

    A postcard will be mailed by PGO-TIM, notifying you that CDC has 
received your application.

Deadline

    Applications shall be considered as meeting the deadline if they 
are received before 4 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date. Any 
applicant who sends their application 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.
    Any application that does not meet the above criteria will not be 
eligible for competition, and will be discarded. The applicant 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 cooperative agreement. Measures of effectiveness must 
relate to the performance goals stated in the purpose section of this 
announcement. Measures must be objective and quantitative and must 
measure the intended outcome. These measures of effectiveness must be 
submitted with the application and will be an element of evaluation.
    An independent review group appointed by CDC will evaluate each 
application against the following criteria:
1. Plan and Objectives (25 points)
    a. The extent to which the goals relate to the overall vision of 
capacity building and are specific, time-phased, measurable and 
feasible.
    b. The extent to which the applicant describes objectives that are 
specific, measurable, and feasible, including a schedule for 
implementation.
2. Plan of Operation (25 points)
    The extent to which the applicant provides a detailed description 
of proposed activities which are likely to achieve each objective and 
overall program goals and which includes designation of responsibility 
for each action undertaken. The extent to which the applicant provides 
a reasonable and complete schedule for implementing all activities. The 
extent to which position descriptions, curriculum vitae's and lines of 
command are appropriate to accomplishment of program goals and 
objectives and to which concurrence with the applicant by all other 
parties involved is specific and documented. The extent to which the 
proposed activities are capable of achieving the stated program goals 
and intent of this program announcement.
3. Evaluation (25 points)
    The Quality of the plan for evaluating the proposed program 
activities. Appropriateness of the methods to be used to monitor the 
implementation of proposed activities, to measure the achievement of 
project objectives, and to evaluate the impact of each project.
4. Experience (15 points)
    The extent to which the applicant has experience in teaching a two-
year masters program in epidemiology with specialization in field 
epidemiology with a large in-service or field component and that have 
the infrastructure of providing distance-based learning via the 
Internet.
5. Background and Need (10 points)
    The extent to which the applicant presents data justifying the need 
for the program in terms of the magnitude of need for applied 
epidemiology training.
6. Budget (Reviewed, but not Scored)
    The extent to which the budget is reasonable, clearly justified, 
and consistent with the intended use of cooperative agreement funds.
7. Performance goals (Reviewed, but not Scored)
    The extent to which the measurable outcomes of the program will be 
in alignment with one or more of the performance goals for the EPO.

I. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with an original plus two copies of--
    1. Interim progress reports, no less than 90 days before the end of 
the budget period. The progress report will serve as your non-competing 
continuation application, and must contain the following elements:
    a. Current Budget Period Activities Objectives.
    b. Current Budget Period Financial Progress.
    c. New Budget Period Program Proposed Activity Objectives.
    d. Detailed Line-Item Budget and Justification.
    e. Additional Requested Information.
    2. Financial status report (FSR) no more than 90 days after the end 
of the budget period.
    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.

Additional Requirements

    The following additional requirements are applicable to this 
program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I of the 
program announcement, as posted on the CDC web site.

AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
AR-14 Accounting System Requirements

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AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status

    Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program.

J. Where To Obtain Additional Information

    This and other CDC announcements, the necessary applications, and 
associated forms can be found at the CDC web site, Internet address: 
http://www.cdc.gov.
    Click on ``Funding'' then ``Grants and Cooperative Agreements''.
    For general questions about this announcement, contact: Technical 
Information Management, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 
Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone: 770-488-2700.
    For business management and budget assistance, contact: Tracey 
Coleman, Contract Specialist, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 
30341-4146, Telephone: 770-488-2074, E-mail address: [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Dr. Robert E. Fontaine, 
Epidemiologist, Epidemiology Program Office, Division of International 
Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford 
Highway, MS K-72, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: 770-488-8329, E-mail 
address: [email protected]. or Mr. Hoang Dang, Public Health Advisor, 
Epidemiology Program Office, Division of International Health, Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, MS K-72, 
Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: 770-488-8466, E-mail address: 
[email protected].

    Dated: April 17, 2003.
Sandra R. Manning,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 03-9975 Filed 4-22-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P