[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 78 (Wednesday, April 23, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20010-20013]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9978]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 03002]


Public Health Conference Support Cooperative Agreement Program 
for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevention; Notice of Availability of 
Funds

A. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under the Public Health Service Act, 
section 301(a), 42 U.S.C. 241(a), as amended and section 317(a), 42 
U.S.C. 247b(a), as amended. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 
number is 93.941.

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 Public Health Conference Support for Human Immunodeficiency 
Virus (HIV) Prevention. This program addresses the Healthy People 2010 
focus area of HIV.
    The purpose of this program is to provide partial support for 
specific non-Federal conferences in the areas of health promotion and 
disease prevention information/education programs. Because conference 
support by CDC creates the appearance of CDC co-sponsorship, there will 
be active participation by CDC in the development and approval of those 
portions of the agenda supported by CDC funds. In addition, CDC 
reserves the right to approve or reject the content of the full agenda, 
press events, promotional materials (including press releases), speaker 
selection, and site selection. CDC funds will not be used for portions 
of meetings that are not approved.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with one or 
more of the following performance goals for the National Center for 
HIV, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) and Tuberculosis (TB) 
Prevention: Strengthen the capacity nationwide to monitor the epidemic, 
develop and implement effective HIV prevention interventions and 
evaluate prevention programs.

C. Eligible Applicants

    Letters of Intent and applications may be submitted by:
    [sbull] Public nonprofit organizations.
    [sbull] Private nonprofit organizations.
    [sbull] Universities.
    [sbull] Colleges.
    [sbull] Technical schools.
    [sbull] Research institutions.
    [sbull] Hospitals.
    [sbull] Community-based organizations.
    [sbull] Faith-based organizations.
    [sbull] Federally recognized Indian tribal governments.
    [sbull] Indian tribes.
    [sbull] Indian tribal organizations.
    [sbull] State and local governments or their bona fide agents (this 
includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the 
Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna Islands, 
American Samoa, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic 
of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau).
    Foreign organizations are not eligible to apply.

    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.


D. Funding

Availability of Funds

    Approximately $112,000 is available in FY 2003 to fund 
approximately 5 awards. It is expected that the average award will be 
$20,000, ranging from $15,000 to $25,000. It is expected that the 
awards will begin on or about September 1, 2003, and will be made for a 
12-month budget and project period. Funding estimates may change.
    Applicants may not request more than $25,000 including indirect 
cost.
    Contingency awards will be made allowing usage of only 10 percent 
of the total amount to be awarded until a final full agenda is approved 
by CDC. Funding will be provided to support costs associated with 
preparation of the agenda. The remainder of funds will be released only 
upon CDC approval of the final full agenda. CDC reserves the right to 
terminate co-sponsorship at any time.
    Please note that conferences planned for October 1, 2003, through 
March 31, 2004, will be considered for funding.

Use of Funds

    1. CDC funds will not be used for nonapproved portions of meetings. 
CDC funds may be used for only those parts of the conference 
specifically supported by CDC as listed on the Notice of Cooperative 
Agreement Award. CDC funds may be used for direct costs, such as
    a. Salaries.
    b. Speaker fees.
    c. Rental of conference-related equipment.
    d. Registration fees.
    e. Scholarships.
    f. Transportation costs (not to exceed economy class fares) for 
non-Federal employees.
    g. Mileage for local participants.
    2. CDC funds may not be used
    a. To purchase equipment.
    b. To pay honoraria.
    c. For organizational dues.
    d. To support entertainment.
    e. For personal expenses not related to the conference.
    f. For travel costs or payment to a Federal employee.
    g. For per diem and expenses for local participants.
    h. To reimburse indirect costs.
    i. To purchase novelty items (e.g., bags, T-shirts, hats, pens) 
distributed at meetings.
    j. To purchase food or drinks.
    3. CDC will not fund a conference after it has taken place.

Recipient Financial Participation

    Recipient financial participation is required for this program in 
accordance with this Program Announcement. CDC will not fund more than 
75 percent of the total cost of the conference. At least 25 percent of 
the cost for the conference must be supported with non-federal funds.

Funding Preferences

    Preferences for funding may be given for:
    1. Ensuring a balance of funded agencies that serve populations in 
special settings (e.g., correctional institutions, shelters for runaway 
youth).
    2. Ensuring a balance of funded agencies that target under served 
geographic areas, especially rural populations.
    3. Ensuring a balance of funded agencies that target people of 
color (especially African Americans and Hispanic women of color).
    4. Ensuring a balance of funded agencies that provide support of 
comprehensive primary and secondary prevention programs for persons 
living with HIV.
    No preference will be given to organizations that have received CDC 
funding in past years.

[[Page 20011]]

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. Manage all activities related to conference content (e.g., 
objectives, topics, session design, workshops, special exhibits, 
speakers, fees, agenda composition, printing). Many of these items may 
be developed in concert with CDC personnel assigned to support the 
conference.
    b. Provide draft copies of the agenda, objectives, and proposed 
related activities to the CDC Project Official for review and comment. 
Submit a copy of the final agenda, objectives, and proposed related 
activities to the CDC Grants Management Office for approval.
    c. Determine and manage all promotional activities (e.g., title, 
logo, announcements, mailers, press). CDC must review and approve the 
use of any materials with reference to CDC involvement or support.
    d. Manage all registration processes with participants and 
registrants (e.g., travel, reservations, correspondence, conference 
materials and hand-outs, badges, registration procedures).
    e. Plan, negotiate, and manage conference site arrangements, 
including all audiovisual needs.
    f. Develop the content and manage the activities of the conference.
    g. If the proposed conference is or includes a satellite broadcast, 
recipient will
    (1) Provide individual, on-camera rehearsals for all presenters.
    (2) Provide at least one full dress rehearsal involving the 
moderator, all presenters, equipment, visuals, and practice telephone 
calls at least one day before the actual broadcast and as close to the 
actual broadcast time as possible.
    (3) Provide full scripting and Teleprompter use for the moderator 
and all presenters.
    h. Collaborate with CDC staff in reporting and disseminating 
conference results, recommendations, and relevant HIV prevention 
information. This information should be made available to appropriate 
Federal, State, and local agencies, healthcare providers, HIV/AIDS 
prevention and service organizations, and the general public.
    2. CDC Activities
    a. Provide technical assistance through telephone calls, 
correspondence, and site visits in the areas of program agenda 
development, implementation, and priority setting related to the 
cooperative agreement.
    b. Provide scientific collaboration for appropriate aspects of the 
program, including selection of speakers, pertinent scientific 
information on HIV, preventive measures, and program strategies for the 
prevention of HIV infection.
    c. Review draft agendas. The Grants Management Officer will approve 
or disapprove the final agenda and proposed related activities prior to 
release of restricted funds.
    d. Assist applicant in reporting and disseminating results, 
recommendations, and relevant HIV prevention information.

F. Content

Letter of Intent (LOI)

    A LOI is required for this program. The Program Announcement title 
and number must appear in the LOI. The narrative should be no longer 
than two pages, including the letterhead and signatures, single-spaced, 
and with one-inch margins. The page limitation must be observed or the 
LOI will be returned without review.
    CDC will review each LOI and determine who can submit a full 
application. CDC will invite applicants to submit their full 
applications within 30 days after the LOI due date.
    Availability of funds may limit the number of applicants, 
regardless of merit, who receive an invitation to submit an 
application.
    Applicants must submit an original and two copies of a two-page 
typewritten LOI that briefly provides the following information:
    a. Name of organization.
    b. Mailing address.
    c. Telephone and fax numbers.
    d. Email address.
    e. Title of the proposed conference.
    f. Location of the proposed conference. (city and State.)
    g. Conference dates.
    h. Document need for the conference.
    i. Purpose of the conference.
    j. Potential contribution to HIV/AIDS Prevention.
    k. Intended audience (number and description of conference 
attendees.)
    l. Population(s) who will ultimately benefit from the information 
shared with conference attendees (population consists of persons at 
risk, i.e., women, men who have sex with men, injecting drug users and 
persons living with HIV.)
    m. The estimated total cost of the conference.
    n. The percentage of the total cost (which must be 75 percent or 
less) being requested from CDC.
    o. The relationship of the conference to CDC's Funding Preferences, 
which are listed in section E.
    p. Potential contribution toward the National HIV prevention goals 
based on the CDC HIV Prevention Strategic Plan:
    1. Decrease new infections.
    2. Increase knowledge of Serostatus.
    3. Increase linkage to prevention, care and treatment.
    4. Strengthen monitoring, capacity and evaluation.
    Information on HIV prevention methods (or strategies) can include 
abstinence; monogamy, i.e., being faithful to a single sexual partner; 
or using condoms consistently and correctly. These approaches can avoid 
risk (abstinence) or effectively reduce risk for HIV (monogamy, 
consistent and correct condom use).
    q. If applicable, current recipients of CDC HIV funding must 
provide the award number and title of the funded programs.

    Note: No attachments, booklets, or other documents accompanying 
the LOI will be considered.

Applications

    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 12 pages, double-spaced pages 
(excluding attachments, i.e., assurances), printed on one side, with 
one-inch margins, and 12-point font. Write your narrative in English 
only and do not use jargon or abbreviations. Clearly number the pages, 
and include a complete index to the application and its appendices. The 
original and two required copies of the application must be submitted 
unstapled and unbound. Materials that are part of the basic plan should 
not be in the appendices.

Narrative Content

    If your LOI is selected, your application must include the 
following information:
    a. A project summary cover sheet that includes
    (1) Name of organization.
    (2) Name of conference.
    (3) Location of conference.
    (4) Date(s) of conference.
    (5) Target population(s) who will benefit from the information 
shared with conference attendees (e.g., youth,

[[Page 20012]]

women, men who have sex with men, injecting drug users and persons 
living with HIV.)
    (6) Intended audience (number and description of conference 
attendees.)
    (7) Conference objectives.
    (8) Dollar amount requested.
    (9) Total conference budget.
    b. Biographical sketches and job descriptions of the individuals 
responsible for planning and coordinating the conference.
    c. A budget narrative separately identifying and justifying line 
items to which the requested federal funds would be applied.
    d. A draft agenda for the proposed conference.
    e. Award number and title of funded programs for current recipients 
of CDC HIV funding. Applicants must have not submitted the same 
proposal for review for funding to other parts of CDC.

G. Submission and Deadline

Letter of Intent (LOI) Submission

    Cycle I: For conferences during the dates of October 1, 2003, to 
March 31, 2004, submit LOI on or before May 19, 2003.
    Cycle II: Applications requesting support for conferences held 
during the dates of April 1, 2004, to September 30, 2004, will be 
solicited in a separate FY 2004 program announcement.
    Submit LOIs to the Grants Management Specialist identified in the 
``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section of this 
announcement. If your LOI does not arrive on or before the due date, it 
will not be considered.

Application Forms

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161-1 (OMB Number 0920-
0428.) Forms are available at the following Internet address: 
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.
    Applicants should adhere to the instructions in this program 
announcement regarding the due date.

Submission Date, Time, and Address

    Applications must be received by 4 p.m. eastern standard time, July 
28, 2003.
    Submit the application to:
    Technical Information Management--PA03002, Procurement and Grants 
Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Rd, 
Room 3000, 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

    Letters of intent and applications will be considered as meeting 
the deadline if they are received before 4 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 which 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

Letter of Intent

    The Letter of Intent will be evaluated against the following 
criteria:
    1. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the need for the 
conference. (20 points.)
    2. The extent to which the applicant discuss the potential 
contribution to HIV/AIDS prevention. (20 points.)
    3. The extent to which high risk populations will ultimately 
benefit from the conference. (20 points.)
    4. The extent to which the conference will have potential 
contribution toward the National HIV Prevention Goals based on the CDC 
HIV Prevention Strategic Plan. (15 points.)
    5. The extent to which the conference overall objectives are 
reliable, reasonable, measurable and specific. (15 points.)
    6. The extent to which the estimate of the conference cost is 
reasonable. (10 points.)
    7. In addition, the applicant is expected to complete the LOI 
requirements listed in section F. Content. LOI must also address one or 
more of the elements listed in section D under Funding Preferences.

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 goal stated in section A. Purpose 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:

    Note: Use the following headings on your application.

    a. Proposed Program and Technical Approach (30 points):
    1. The extent to which the proposed conference description fits one 
of the Funding Preferences listed in section E.
    2. The degree to which the conference objectives are specific, 
measurable, realistic, and time-phased. The extent to which evaluation 
of the conference assesses increased knowledge and attitudes of the 
conference participants.
    3. The relevance and effectiveness of the proposed agenda in 
addressing the conference topic(s).
    4. The degree to which conference activities relate to the 
prevention of HIV.
    b. Applicant Capability and Experience (25 points):
    1. The adequacy of existing resources to administer the program for 
the proposed conference.
    2. The adequacy of existing and proposed facilities for conducting 
conference activities.
    3. The degree to which the applicant has established relationships 
with related government agencies, community planning groups, and 
related community groups. Include letters of support (five only) from 
such agencies, addressing related applicant's capability and 
experience. Letters of support must explain how the agency will work 
with the applicant to plan the proposed conference. Letters that do not 
pertain directly to the proposed conference will not be considered.
    4. The extent to which the applicant shows the need for the 
conference. c. Qualifications of Program Personnel (25 points):
    1. The qualifications and experience of the principal staff person, 
and his or her ability to devote adequate time to provide effective 
leadership.

[[Page 20013]]

    2. Program personnel's ability to accomplish conference objectives.
    3. Key personnel's (including associate staff persons, discussion 
leaders, and speakers) education and expertise relative to the 
conference objectives.
    d. Purpose of the conference (20 points):
    1. Extent to which the applicant shows that participants and 
presenters will have the opportunity to interact during the conference, 
share information on successful and unsuccessful program experiences, 
and develop collaborative working relationships.
    2. The extent to which the applicant shows the need for the 
conference.
    e. Budget Justification and Adequacy of the Facility (this session 
will be reviewed, but not scored):
    The proposed budget will be evaluated on the basis of its 
reasonableness, concise and clear justification, consistency with the 
intended use of cooperative agreement funds, and the extent to which 
the applicant documents financial support from other sources.

I. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with the original plus two copies of the final 
financial (reporting actual expenses) and performance reports, no more 
than 90 days after the end of the project period. The performance 
report should include:
    1. The cooperative agreement number.
    2. Title of the conference.
    3. Name of the principal investigator, program director or 
coordinator.
    4. Name of the organization that conducted the conference.
    5. A copy of the agenda.
    6. A list of individuals who participated in the formally planned 
sessions of the meeting.
    7. A summary of the meeting results, including a discussion of how 
the meeting reached the stated conference objectives.
    8. The Program Review Panel's report that all written materials 
have been reviewed as required.
    With the prior approval of CDC, copies of proceedings or 
publications resulting from the conference may be substituted for the 
final performance report, provided they contain the information 
requested in items 1 through 8 above.
    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 page.

AR-5 HIV Program Review Panel Requirements
AR-8 Public Health System Reporting Requirements
AR-9 Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11 Healthy People 2010
AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status
AR-20 Conference Support

    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 on 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 Rd, Room 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146. Telephone: 770-488-
2700.
    For business management and budget assistance, contact: Diane 
Childs, Grants Management Specialist, Procurement and Grants Office, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 
3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146. Telephone: (770) 488-2876. E-mail 
address: [email protected].
    For business management and budget assistance in the territories 
contact: Charlotte L. Flitcraft, Contract Specialist, CDC Procurement 
and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine Rd., Atlanta, GA 30341-4146. 
Telephone: 770-488-2632. E-mail address: [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Victoria E. Saho, 
Project Officer, Technical Information and Communications Branch, 
Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention--Intervention Research and Support, 
National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., 
M/S E49, Atlanta, GA 30333. Telephone: (404) 639-5211. E-mail address: 
[email protected].

    Dated: April 17, 2003.
Sandra R. Manning,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 03-9978 Filed 4-22-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P