[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 98 (Wednesday, May 21, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27808-27810]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-12709]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 03103]


Cooperative Agreement To Enhance Clinical Practices To Prevent 
Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities and To Promote Health 
Among Women With Disabilities; Notice of Availability of Funds

    Application Deadline: June 20, 2003.

A. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under section 301, 311, and 317C of the 
Public Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C. 241, 243, and 247b-4], as 
amended. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.184.

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 enhance clinical practices to prevent birth defects and 
developmental disabilities and to promote health among women with 
disabilities. This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2010'' focus 
areas of Maternal, Infant and Child Health and Disability and Secondary 
Conditions.
    The purpose of this program is to prevent birth defects and 
developmental disabilities and to improve access to preventive and 
health promotion obstetric/gynecologic services to women with 
disabilities through: (1) Understanding the current knowledge, skills, 
attitudes and practices among obstetricians/gynecologists and their 
clients related to the prevention of birth defects/developmental 
disabilities and to provision of services to women with disabilities; 
(2) Identifying the information and training needs of obstetricians/
gynecologists in these areas; (3) Developing information, 
communication, education, and training programs to meet those needs; 
and, (4) Providing targeted training, education, and information to 
obstetricians/gynecologists for more effective practice.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with one or 
more of the following performance goals for the National Center on 
Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities: Prevent birth defects and 
developmental disabilities and improve the health and quality of life 
of American's with disabilities.
    Research involving human participants will not be supported under 
this cooperative agreement.

C. Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be provided only to applicants that are well 
established national, non-profit organizations who are: (1) Involved in 
providing health care services for women; (2) who are able to reach out 
to and work with, obstetricians/gynecologists to collect information 
AND to disseminate information to obstetricians/gynecologists and their 
clients; and, (3) who are able to provide them with proper education 
and training.

    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. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $250,000 is available in FY 2003 to fund one award. 
It is expected that the award will begin on or about September 1, 2003, 
and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project period 
of up to five 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.

Recipient Financial Participation

    Matching funds are not required for this program.

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. Collect information from obstetricians/gynecologists regarding 
their knowledge and application of interventions that have been proven 
to prevent birth defects/developmental disabilities, particularly 
before conception, such as the use of folic acid to prevent neural tube 
defects, abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy to prevent fetal 
alcohol syndrome, and the need for newborn screening.
    b. Collect information about women's knowledge and use of 
interventions that prevent birth defects and developmental 
disabilities; in particular the use of folic acid by women whose 
infants were born with and died, of neural tube defects.
    c. Collect information about obstetricians/gynecologists' ability 
to provide services to women with disabilities; in particular: their 
training in providing services to women with disabilities; access of 
their facilities to women in wheelchairs; appropriateness of the 
instruments/machines/technology in their offices for providing services 
to women with disabilities (exam tables, mammogram machines, etc).
    d. Analyze data, organize and disseminate information collected 
from obstetricians/gynecologists and their clients.
    e. Use information to design and implement communication, education 
and training activities that will promote professional development for 
obstetricians/gynecologists in birth defects and developmental 
disabilities and improve provider health care practices and prevention 
of birth defects.

[[Page 27809]]

    f. Evaluate the effectiveness of these programs in enhancing the 
ability of obstetricians/gynecologists in providing effective 
prevention/health promotion services.
    g. Collaborate with organizations such as the American Academy of 
Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, March 
of Dimes, American College of Nurse Midwives and others that could 
provide professional development activities and assist in the 
dissemination of information on birth defects and health promotion for 
women with disabilities.
    h. Convene selected panels of experts to assist in identifying the 
knowledge and practices in the areas related to birth defects and 
developmental disabilities, and to provide expert opinions and advice 
on needed research services and education.
    i. Disseminate information on prevention of birth defects, 
developmental disabilities and health promotion for women with 
disabilities.
    j. Develop and utilize collaborative relationships with State and 
local medical societies and health care professionals, in order to 
enhance health care providers' understanding of the information and 
resources available in the areas relating to birth defects prevention 
and health promotion among women with disabilities.
    k. Identify research topics that address prevention effectiveness 
and development of best practices.
2. CDC Activities
    a. Participate in the panel of experts meeting and assist in the 
identification of knowledge and practices in the areas related to birth 
defects and developmental disabilities, and disability and health.
    b. Assist in developing and evaluating projects in health and 
disability services.
    c. Assist in providing data for targeting or evaluation of various 
initiatives carried out through this project.
    d. Participate in materials development and evaluation to support 
interventions.
    e. Assist in the development of forums and critical issues related 
to health and disability services.
    f. Participate in the development of health care provider training 
programs.
    g. Participate in planning meetings that identify gaps in services 
and research topics on prevention effectiveness.
    h. Serve as a resource for sharing regional and/or national 
pertinent data.

F. Content

Letter of Intent (LOI)

    A LOI is requested for this program. The Program Announcement title 
and number must appear in the LOI. The narrative should be no more than 
2 pages, double-spaced, printed on one side, with one-inch margins, and 
unreduced 12-point font. Your letter of intent will be used to enable 
CDC to determine the level of interest in the announcement and plan the 
review more efficiently.

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. The application will be evaluated on the criteria 
listed, so it is important to follow them in completing the description 
of the program plan. The application narrative should be no more than 
25 double-spaced pages, printed on one side, with one-inch margins, and 
unreduced font. Applicants should include a Table of Contents (not to 
exceed one page) to provide a guide for locating key topics.
    1. Understanding of the Project. Briefly identify and describe the 
target audience of the project.
    2. Objectives. Establish long-range (five year) and short-term (one 
year) objectives for programmatic plans. Objectives should be specific, 
measurable, time-phased and realistic.
    3. Operational Plan. Describe the operation plan for achieving the 
objectives. Describe each component or major activity and how it will 
be carried out.
    4. Evaluation Plan. Discuss the plan for monitoring progress toward 
each of the objectives.
    5. Program Management. Give the name and qualifications of the 
professional personnel who will manage this project.
    6. Collaborate with State/Local Health Departments. Describe plans 
for coordination with state or local health departments.
    7. Budget. Submit a detailed and line item justification that is 
consistent with the project purpose and proposed activities.

G. Submission and Deadline

Letter of Intent (LOI) Submission

    On or before June 2, 2003, submit the LOI to the Program Officer, 
at the address designated for programmatic technical assistance 
identified in the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section on 
this announcement.

Application Forms

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS-5161 (OMB Number 0937-
0189) 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 at telephone number (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 on June 20, 
2003. Submit the application to: Technical Information Management 
Section--PA , CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 
Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146.
    Applications may not be submitted electronically.

CDC Acknowledgement 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 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

[[Page 27810]]

section of this announcement. Measures must be objective and 
quantitative and must measure the intended outcome. The 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. The adequacy of the operational plans for carrying out the 
various initiatives involved in the project. (30 points)
    2. The extent to which professional personnel proposed to be 
involved in this project are qualified, including evidence of past 
achievements appropriate to this project (20 points)
    3. The degree to which the proposed objectives are clearly stated, 
realistic, time-phased, and related to the purpose of the project. (15 
points)
    4. The quality and feasibility of the evaluation plan for the 
various initiatives involved in the project. (15 points)
    5. The extent to which the applicant understands the requirements, 
problems, objectives and complexities of the project. (10 points)
    6. The extent to which the applicant proposes potentially effective 
coordination with state/local health departments. (10 points)
    7. Budget and its description. The applicant must provide 
justification for budget expenditures as well as appropriateness of 
activities proposed in their application. (Not scored)

I. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with original plus two copies of
    1. Interim progress report, which will be due on April 22nd of each 
budget year. 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 and Objectives;
    d. Detailed Line-Item Budget and Justification; and
    e. Additional Requested Information.
    2. Financial status report, due no more than 90 days after the end 
of the budget period (December 30th of each budget year); and
    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 
announcement, as posted on the CDC web site.
AR-09 Paperwork Reduction Act
AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11 Healthy People 2010
AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
AR-14 Accounting System Requirements
AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status
    Executive Order 12372 does not apply.

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.''
    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 technical assistance, contact: Sheryl 
Heard, Grants Management Specialist, Acquisition and Assistance Branch 
B., Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146. 
Telephone number: 770-488-2723. Email: [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Hani Atrash, Associate 
Director for Program Development, National Center on Birth Defects and 
Developmental Disabilities, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, Georgia 
30341, Telephone number: 770-488-4943, Email: [email protected].

    Dated: May 15, 2003.
Sandra R. Manning,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 03-12709 Filed 5-20-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P