[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 87 (Tuesday, May 6, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23999-24003]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-11142]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 03099]


Cooperative Agreement to Develop, Implement, and Evaluate Viral 
Hepatitis Education and Training (VHET); Notice of Availability of 
Funds

    Application Deadline: July 7, 2003.

A. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under section 301(a) and 317(k)(1) and 
317(k)(2) of the Public Health Service Act, (42 U.S.C. 241(k) and 
247b(k)(1) and 247(k)(2)), as amended. 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 to develop, implement and evaluate health education activities 
to prevent and control viral hepatitis and its consequences. This 
program addresses the ``Healthy People, 2010'' focus area of 
Immunization and Infectious Diseases.
    The purpose of the program is to develop, implement and evaluate 
health educational activities that result in the prevention of 
infections with hepatitis viruses. The goals of these activities are to 
increase knowledge, change attitudes and practices (KAP) that should 
result in the prevention and control of viral

[[Page 24000]]

hepatitis among health professionals, high-risk populations, and the 
general public.
    These activities are part of a comprehensive, national educational 
strategy to prevent and control viral hepatitis by changing behaviors 
that put persons at risk for acquiring these infections and increasing 
behaviors that prevent these infections. This comprehensive approach 
includes, but is not limited to, print, video and web-based health 
education tools, multi-media activities directed at populations at 
increased risk of infection, and curricula to train health care 
providers and counselors. Applicants should include formative, process 
and outcome evaluation methodologies in their comprehensive 
application.
    This announcement has four distinct Parts. Applicants wishing to 
apply for more than one Part must submit a complete application for 
each Part.
    The objective of Part A is to support up to six applicants to 
develop, implement and evaluate comprehensive communication strategies 
that target (1) men who have sex with men (MSM) who are at risk for 
hepatitis A and B; (2) injection drug users (IDUs) who are in or out of 
treatment and who are at risk for hepatitis A, B, and C; (3) men, women 
and juveniles who are incarcerated and who are at risk for hepatitis A, 
B, and C; (4) minority populations disproportionately infected with 
hepatitis A, B, and/or C viruses; and (5) other populations at 
increased risk for viral hepatitis. Applicants for Part A may apply to 
develop educational activities for more than one primary target 
population, but must include justification that the applicant has 
expertise in working with each primary target population(s). The 
applicant must provide a complete application that addresses 
development, implementation and evaluation for each target population 
and the specific viral hepatitis infection(s) that the applicant 
chooses to address.
    The objective of Part B is to support one applicant to further 
develop, implement and evaluate an existing curriculum that could be 
used nationally to train health professionals, including those in 
training programs, in the prevention, management, and control of viral 
hepatitis. This curriculum should contain client-centered counseling as 
a major component.
    The objective of Part C is to support up to two applicants to 
develop, implement and evaluate training programs or activities (e.g., 
meetings, symposia, seminars, distance learning) for health 
professionals to prevent and control viral hepatitis. The training 
format must address the integration of all aspects of viral hepatitis 
prevention into existing public health (e.g., STD, HIV/AIDS), substance 
abuse or clinical care (e.g., corrections, primary care) programs.
    The objective of Part D is to support one applicant to develop, 
implement, and evaluate educational tools that promote hepatitis A and 
hepatitis B vaccination. These tools might include, but are not limited 
to, brochures, newsletters, fact sheets, reports, Web site information, 
and manuals that provide public and provider education relative to the 
importance of hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccination practices.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with one or 
more of the following performance goals for the National Center for 
Infectious Diseases (NCID): Protect Americans from infectious diseases.

C. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public and private nonprofit 
organizations and by governments and their agencies; that is:

[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)
[sbull] Political subdivisions of States (in consultation with States)

    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.

D. Funding

Availability of Funds

    Approximately $800,000 is available in FY 2003 for Part A to fund 
approximately six awards, approximately $300,000 is available in FY 
2003 for Part B to fund one award, approximately $300,000 is available 
in FY 2003 for Part C to fund two awards, and approximately $300,000 is 
available in FY 2003 for Part D to fund one award. It is expected that 
the average award for Part A will be $130,000, ranging from $50,000 to 
$250,000 and it is expected that the average award for Part C will be 
$150,000, ranging from $100,000 to $200,000. It is expected that the 
awards will begin on or about September 15, 2003 and will be made for a 
12-month budget period within a project of up to five years for Parts A 
and D and up to three years for Parts B and C. Funding estimates may 
change.
    Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made 
on the basis of satisfactory progress toward stated goals and 
objectives and the availability of funds.

Recipient Financial Participation

    Matching funds are not required for this program.

Funding Preferences

    Preference will be given to applicants currently involved in 
devoting all or some of their activities and resources to educating the 
public, patients, and/or health professionals about the prevention and 
control of viral hepatitis and viral-hepatitis-related liver disease, 
or currently are devoting a major portion of their activities to 
educating the public, patients, and/or health professionals about the 
prevention and control of other blood-borne viral infections, vaccine-
preventable diseases, or sexually transmitted diseases, and could 
readily expand to address viral hepatitis.

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.
    Applicants must indicate for which Part they intend to seek funding 
under this agreement and submit a complete application for each Part.
    All educational activities developed through this cooperative 
agreement should incorporate information on viral hepatitis, which is 
consistent with current and future published CDC guidelines on 
prevention and control of hepatitis A, B, and C as contained in 
Attachment II (as posted on the CDC web site).
1. Recipient Activities
Part A
    a. Develop, implement, and evaluate educational activities that 
target (1) men who have sex with men (MSM) who are

[[Page 24001]]

at risk for hepatitis A and B; (2) injection drug users (IDUs) who are 
in or out of treatment and who are at risk for hepatitis A, B, and C; 
(3) men, women and juveniles who are incarcerated and who are at risk 
for hepatitis A, B, and C; (4) minority populations disproportionately 
infected with hepatitis A, B, and/or C viruses; and (5) other 
populations at increased risk for viral hepatitis. In their 
application, applicants must show that they have expertise working with 
the population(s) they are addressing in their project proposal.
    b. Indicate what type(s) of educational activities are considered 
to best reach the target audience. Based upon available data or data to 
be acquired by a needs assessment, develop, implement and evaluate a 
comprehensive approach to educational activities intended to reach the 
targeted audiences. This approach should have a strong KAP assessment 
component.
    c. Describe what linkages with state or local hepatitis C and 
hepatitis B coordinators and STD, HIV, drug treatment, juvenile and 
adult corrections programs will be established and describe the best 
approaches for the delivery of viral hepatitis educational activities.
    d. Describe how the activities developed in the proposal would 
incorporate information on viral hepatitis, which is consistent with 
published CDC guidelines on the prevention and control of hepatitis A, 
B, and C (see references in Attachment II).
    e. Describe the plan for production and distribution of materials 
developed in the project.
    f. Indicate the formative, process and outcome evaluations included 
for each educational activity.
Part B
    a. Further develop an existing curriculum that could be used 
nationally to train health professionals, including those in training, 
in the prevention, management, and control of viral hepatitis.
    b. Provide a curriculum that can be integrated into existing or 
ongoing training programs and that could be utilized in settings that 
provide services for patients who are at increased risk for viral 
hepatitis (e.g., STD clinics, HIV counseling and testing sites, drug 
treatment centers, community health centers). This curriculum should 
address viral hepatitis A, B, and C prevention and highlight client-
centered counseling messages.
    c. Formative, process and outcome evaluation methodologies should 
be developed and applied to assess the utility and usability of the 
curriculum.
    d. The curriculum should be produced and made available to 
governmental and non-governmental organizations nationwide.
Part C
    a. Support education and training programs for health professionals 
who work with individuals at increased risk for viral hepatitis.
    b. Develop and conduct training programs for health professionals 
related to the integration of viral hepatitis prevention and control 
into various public health and clinical settings that serve persons at 
increased risk of viral hepatitis.
    c. Direct training programs to a wide range of health professionals 
(e.g., physicians, nurses, counselors) from both governmental and 
private entities.
    d. Conduct the training programs using several formats (e.g., 
meetings, symposia, seminars, distance learning) and make the 
curriculum and training formats available nationwide through a Web site 
and/or through printed materials.
    e. Evaluate the program(s) through formative, process and outcome 
measures.
Part D
    a. Develop, implement and evaluate educational tools that promote 
hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccination of children, adolescents and 
adults. These tools might include, but are not limited to, information 
brochures/booklets, newsletters, manuals, reports, videos, and Web site 
information. The educational tools should target health professionals 
and the general public.
    b. Evaluate the tools using formative, process and outcome 
measures.
2. CDC Activities
    a. Provide scientific and public health consultation and assistance 
in the development of educational activities related to the cooperative 
agreement.
    b. Provide consultation and technical assistance regarding 
implementation of educational activities.
    c. Provide technical assistance in the development and 
implementation of formative, process and outcome evaluation plans.
    d. Assist in reporting and validating relevant information 
concerning viral hepatitis made available to Federal, State, local 
health agencies, health professionals, and volunteer organizations.

F. Content

Letter of Intent (LOI)

    An LOI is optional for this program. The Program Announcement title 
and number must appear in the LOI. The narrative should be no more than 
five pages, double-spaced, printed on one side, with one-inch margins, 
and unreduced 12-point font. Your letter of intent will be used to 
assist CDC in planning and executing the evaluation of applications 
submitted under this announcement, and should include the following 
information: name and address of institution; name, address, and 
telephone number of the contact person; and a brief description of 
intended effort. This description should include to which Part(s) the 
applicant is applying and which primary target population(s) the 
applicant is addressing. Each applicant must submit a separate LOI for 
each Part.

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. Separate applications for each Part must be 
submitted. 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 pages, double-spaced, printed on 
one side, with one-inch margins, and unreduced 12-point font.
    The narrative should consist of, at a minimum, a description of the 
overall plan to achieve the objectives, methods, evaluation and budget. 
The plan should address activities to be conducted over the entire 
project period. A detailed index to application contents, including 
appendices, as well as a one-page executive summary should be included 
at the front of the application and included in the 25 page limit.

G. Submission and Deadline

Letter of Intent (LOI) Submission

    On or before June 5, 2003, submit the LOI to the Grants Management 
Specialist identified in the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' 
section of this announcement.

Application Forms

    Submit the signed original and two copies of PHS 398 (OMB number 
0925-0001). Adhere to the instructions on the Errata Instruction Sheet 
(posted on the CDC web site) for PHS 398. Forms are available at the 
following Internet

[[Page 24002]]

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 July 7, 
2003. Submit the application(s) to: Technical Information Management-
PA03099, 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

    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. 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 goal as stated in 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. Objectives and Technical Approach (45 points)
    a. Extent to which the applicant describes objectives of the 
proposed activities which are (1) consistent with the purpose and goal 
of this cooperative agreement, (2) measurable and time-phased and (3) 
consistent with published CDC guidelines on prevention and control of 
hepatitis A, B, and C (see cited references in Attachment II).
    b. Extent and quality of detailed plan proposed for designing, 
implementing, and evaluating the activities, which clearly and 
appropriately addresses all ``Recipient Activities'' in the 
application, and are appropriate and adequate to accomplish the 
objectives. These activities will be scored in four categories as 
follows:
    (1) Methodologies used in the development of the activity. 
Methodologies should be based on established learning theories such as, 
but not limited to, adult learning theory, social learning theory, and/
or behavioral change theory that include the health belief model and 
stages of change. The established objectives must be measurable and 
meet the broad goals of the application.
    (2) The planning and development process. The process should 
include formative evaluation (e.g., needs assessment) that clearly 
shows the need and structure of the plan for the specific educational 
activity.
    (3) Implementation of educational activities. A complete 
description of implementation methodology should be included that 
describes the process evaluation throughout the implementation phase. 
Process evaluation during the development of the activity should 
directly address the planned activity and should be conducted (a) to 
assure that the educational activity is being implemented as intended 
and (b) to determine if the educational activity needs to be modified 
to better address the educational needs of the target population as 
outlined in the objectives.
    (4) The expected outcome. Impact evaluation should be assessed to 
determine if the objectives (e.g., change in KAPs) were met as a result 
of implementing the activity. A description of the standards (e.g., 
scientific, historical, normative) to which the results will be 
compared should be included. Outcome evaluation should contain an 
assessment of the resultant policy changes or organizational practices 
(e.g., extended/expanded use of the educational activity) after 
implementing the activity.
    c. Extent to which the applicant clearly identifies specific 
assigned responsibilities of all key professional personnel, and 
describes collaboration with CDC and other relevant organizations.
    d. The degree to which the applicant has met the CDC Policy 
requirements regarding the inclusion of women, ethnic, and racial 
groups in the proposed activities. 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 plans for recruitment and outreach for participants 
include the process of establishing partnerships with communities and 
recognition of mutual benefits.
2. Capacity (30 points)
    Extent to which the applicant provides evidence of adequate 
resources, facilities, experience (both technical and administrative), 
and access to target audiences for conducting the activities.
    This should include:
    a. Documentation that professional personnel involved are qualified 
and have past successful experience and achievements related to the 
proposed activities; this can include experience of either direct or 
collaborating personnel in providing viral hepatitis or other 
communicable disease (e.g., HIV) education and/or training in 
prevention and control activities.
    b. Inclusion of original letters of support from appropriate non-
applicant organizations, individuals, institutions, academic 
institutions, public health departments, etc. needed to carry out 
proposed activities and the extent to which such letters clearly 
indicate the author's commitment to participate as described in the 
plan.
    c. Evidence of past success in developing, disseminating and 
evaluating health education activities.
    d. Extent of demonstrated experience in areas of viral hepatitis or 
other blood-borne virus prevention and control and education and 
demonstrated success in developing, implementing, and evaluating the 
impact of educational activities in disease prevention/health promotion 
at different levels (e.g., community, high-risk populations, minority 
populations, patients, health professionals). Extent of demonstrated

[[Page 24003]]

access to target populations, and successful collaborations with a 
variety of organizations such as government, non-government, private, 
non-profit, academic, and evidence of existing quality assurance 
mechanisms to ensure appropriate and culturally sensitive health 
educational services as recommended for the proposed audiences (i.e., 
MSM, IDUS, inmates of correctional facilities, health professionals and 
other populations at high-risk for viral hepatitis infections).
3. Background and Understanding (20 points)
    Extent to which the applicant demonstrates a clear understanding of 
the subject area and responds to the purpose and objectives of this 
cooperative agreement, including collaboration in all aspects of the 
agreement with CDC program staff and other relevant organizations.
4. Measures of Effectiveness (5 points)
    Does the applicant provide Measures of Effectiveness that will 
demonstrate the accomplishment of the various identified objectives of 
the grant? Are the measures objective/quantitative and do they 
adequately measure the intended outcome?
5. Budget (not scored)
    The budget will be reviewed to determine the extent to which it is 
reasonable, clearly justified, and consistent with the intended use of 
funds.
    a. Submit line item itemized budget with narrative justification 
for personnel, travel, supplies, and other services related to the 
project.
    b. Funding levels for years two, three, four and five should be 
estimated for Parts A and D and for years two and three for Parts B and 
C.
6. Human Subjects (not scored)
    Does the application adequately address the requirements of Title 
45 CFR part 46 for the protection of human subjects? An application can 
be disapproved if the research risks are sufficiently serious and 
protection against risks is so inadequate as to make the entire 
application unacceptable.

I. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with original plus two copies of:
    1. Interim progress report, 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 include 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, 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.
    The following additional requirements are applicable to this 
application. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I of 
the program announcement as posted on the CDC Web page.

AR-1--Human Subjects Requirements
AR-2--Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic 
Minorities in Research
AR-7--Executive Order 12372
AR-9--Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR-10--Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11--Healthy People 2010
AR-12--Lobbying Restrictions

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, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone: 770-488-2700.
    For business management and budget assistance, contact: Merlin 
Williams, Grants Management Specialist, Procurement and Grants Office, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, 
Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone: 770-488-2765, E-mail address: 
[email protected].
    For business management and budget assistance in the Territories, 
contact: Steward Nichols, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 
Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone: 770-488-2788, E-
mail address: [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Linda Moyer, Chief, 
Education and Communication Team, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, MS G-37, 
Atlanta, GA 30333, Telephone: 404-371-5900, E-mail address: 
[email protected].

    Dated: April 30, 2003.
Edward Schultz,
Acting Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 03-11142 Filed 5-5-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P