[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 108 (Thursday, June 5, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33711-33714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-14126]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 03114]


Improve State and Local Health Information and Data Systems; 
Notice of Availability of Funds

    Application Deadline: July 21, 2003.

A. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under section 301(a) of the Public 
Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 241(a), 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 improve the capability of state and local health information 
and data systems to monitor and improve the health of U.S. populations 
and their communities. This program addresses the ``Healthy People 
2010'' focus area of Public Health Infrastructure.
    The purpose of the program is to better enable state and local 
health departments to regularly and systematically collect, assemble, 
analyze, and disseminate information on the health of their populations 
and communities. Further background may be found in the 1988 Institute 
of Medicine report ``The Future of Public Health,'' which described the 
three core functions of public health: assessment, policy development, 
and assurance. As part of the assessment function, every public health 
agency should regularly and systematically collect, assemble, analyze, 
and make available information on the health of the community, 
including statistics on health status, community health needs, and 
epidemiologic and other studies of health problems.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with one or 
more of the following performance goals for the Epidemiology Program 
Office (EPO):
    1. Maximize the distribution and use of scientific information and 
prevention messages through modern communication technology.
    2. Encourage state health departments to develop efficient and 
comprehensive public health information and surveillance systems by 
promoting the use of the Internet and by focusing on development of 
standards for communications and data elements.
    3. 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 provided only to national non-profit 
organizations. Eligible national organizations must have affiliate 
offices and local, state, or regional membership constituencies in a 
minimum of 10 states and territories. Affiliate offices and local, 
state, or regional membership constituencies may not apply in lieu of, 
or on behalf of, their national office. No other applications are 
solicited. Limiting assistance to national organizations is necessary 
to produce the maximum possible enhancement, given available resources, 
of the assessment capacities of state and local health departments 
throughout the nation.

    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 $200,000 is available in FY 2003 to fund 
approximately two awards. It is expected that the average award will be 
$100,000, ranging from $50,000 to $150,000. 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 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.

Recipient Financial Participation

    No matching funds are required for this program.

Funding Preferences

    Funding preference may be given to organizations whose primary 
mission is to support state and local health agencies.

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
    a. Establish and maintain activities which support health 
information and data systems for state and local health departments.
    b. Implement projects and activities with specific, measurable, and 
feasible goals, objectives, and timelines. Evaluate the effectiveness 
of the activities related to this program including possible indicators 
of success.
    c. Participate in the annual CDC Assessment Initiative Conference 
each budget year of the project period for the purpose of sharing best 
practices learned from the planned activities.
    d. Disseminate project-related information and findings through a 
variety of methods.
    e. Implement an operational plan for one or more of the following 
activities:
    (1) Data and Statistical Standards: Develop guidelines to 
facilitate the implementation of data and statistical specifications 
and standards in health information systems by state and local health 
agencies. These specifications and standards should take advantage of 
existing national and international data and information standards 
(e.g., products of the Public Health Data Standards Consortium), and 
work already done in the public and private sectors.
    (2) Technical Assistance: Develop a plan to address the technical 
needs of state and local health departments in such areas as methods of 
linking or matching data; methods of managing and storing data; methods 
of analyzing data; methods of querying or otherwise accessing data; 
methods of displaying and disseminating information; and methods of 
ensuring the integrity and security of data, the confidentiality of 
data about individual persons, and compliance with the privacy and 
security standards of the Health Insurance Portability and 
Accountability Act. Identify the most common requests for information 
that state and local health agencies receive, assess information and 
service needs, and provide direct technical assistance to requesting 
agencies.

[[Page 33712]]

    (3) National Health Information Systems Training: In conjunction 
with various partners develop a national plan to address the changing 
training needs of state and local health departments in the area of 
health information systems; develop new training, as appropriate, to 
address emerging topics (e.g., the ``Guide for Public Health Agencies 
Developing, Adopting, or Purchasing Interactive Web-based Data 
Dissemination Systems''); and identify other training opportunities for 
state and local health agency staff.
2. CDC Activities
    a. Coordinate with national, state, and local health information 
and data agencies, as well as other relevant organizations, in 
developing programs which will enable state and local health 
departments to regularly and systematically collect, assemble, analyze, 
and disseminate information on the health of their populations and 
communities.
    b. Provide guidance related to program planning, implementation, 
and evaluation; assessment of program objectives; use of indicators; 
and dissemination of successful strategies, experiences, and evaluation 
reports.
    c. Plan and conduct the annual CDC Assessment Initiative Conference 
to address issues and program activities related to this cooperative 
agreement.
    d. Assist in the evaluation of program activities.

F. Content

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 35 pages, double-spaced, 
printed on one side, with one-inch margins, and unreduced 12-point 
font.
    The narrative should consist of:
    1. Executive Summary
    Provide a concise, two-page summary that clearly states the health 
information and data systems needs being addressed and describes the 
organization's eligibility, including (a) its status as a national 
organization; (b) the number and membership of affiliate offices; and 
(c) the experience and capacity of the organization to work with state 
and local health departments. The summary should also include the major 
proposed goals, objectives, and activities for the project, and 
describe how anticipated project outcomes will interface with other 
relevant public health systems.
2. Background and Need
    a. Describe the organization's background and experience in 
assessing and addressing the needs related to health information and 
data systems.
    b. Describe the need for the specific activities proposed in the 
project plan.
    c. Describe the criteria that were used to select the project and 
the alternative approaches that were considered.
3. Operational Plan
    a. Goals: List goals that specifically relate to program 
requirements that indicate where the program will be at the end of the 
projected three-year project period.
    b. Objectives: List objectives that are specific, measurable, and 
feasible to be accomplished during the first 12-month budget period. 
The objectives should relate directly to the project goals and 
recipient activities.
    c. Activities: Describe in narrative form, and display on a 
timetable, specific activities that are related to each first-year 
objective. Indicate when each activity will occur as well as when 
preparations for activities will occur. Indicate who will be 
responsible for each activity. The program plan should briefly address 
activities to be conducted over the entire three-year project period.
    d. Milestones: List major milestones that will be accomplished 
during years two and three.
    e. Dissemination: Describe how project materials and 
accomplishments will be shared with others. Identify appropriate 
audiences for this information.
4. Evaluation
    Describe a plan to evaluate the project's effectiveness in meeting 
its goals and objectives. Describe the type of evaluation that will be 
used (process, outcome, or both). Specify the evaluation question(s) to 
be answered, evaluation measures (quantitative measures of 
effectiveness that are used to measure the intended outcome of a goal 
or objective) to be obtained, the type(s) of analyses to be performed, 
to whom they will be reported, and how the evaluation will be used to 
improve the program. The plan should indicate major steps in the 
evaluation and who will be responsible for each step.
5. Ability to Carry Out the Proposed Project
    a. Describe the organization's constituents and affiliates as 
follows: type of constituency; number of constituents and affiliates; 
location of constituents and affiliates; how the constituency can 
influence and work with health information and data systems.
    b. Describe the organization's current and previous experience 
related to the proposed program activities; current and previous 
coordination with other national organizations and partners; and 
activities related to building alliances, networks, or coalitions.
    c. Describe the organization's structure and how it supports health 
information and data systems. Submit a copy of the applicant's 
organizational chart.
    d. Identify the proposed project staff and describe their 
qualifications and experience in areas relevant to the project's focus. 
Submit a curriculum vitae (limited to two pages) for each professional 
staff member named in the proposal, and job descriptions for existing 
and proposed positions.
    e. Describe the purposes of proposed collaborations and the 
agencies and organizations with which collaboration will be conducted. 
If other organizations will participate in proposed activities, provide 
the name(s) of the organization(s), and state who in each organization 
will coordinate the activity. For each organization listed, provide a 
letter from them that acknowledges their specific role and describes 
their capacity to fulfill it. Do not include letters of support from 
organizations that will not have specific roles in the project.
6. Budget and Accompanying Justification
    Provide a detailed budget narrative and line-item justification of 
all operating expenses. The budget should be consistent with the stated 
objectives and planned activities of the project. Budget requests 
should include funding for two staff members to make one two-day trip 
for a planning meeting and one three-day trip for the annual CDC 
Assessment Initiative Conference. (Base cost estimates on travel to 
Atlanta, Georgia.)
7. Appendix
    Attach an appendix containing organizational chart(s), curricula 
vitae, job descriptions, and letters of support from proposed 
collaborating organizations.

G. Submission and Deadline

Application Forms

    Submit the signed original and two copies of PHS 5161-1 (OMB Number

[[Page 33713]]

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.

Submission Date, Time, and Address

    The application must be received by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time July 21, 
2003. Submit the application to: Technical Information Management--
PA03114, 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

    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.

    Note: For the purposes of this cooperative agreement, ``measures 
of effectiveness'' are defined as the ``evaluation measures'' 
discussed with the Evaluation Plan criteria.

    An independent review group appointed by CDC will evaluate each 
application against the following criteria:
    1. Operational Plan (40 Points)
    a. The extent to which the applicant describes three-year project 
goals that specifically relate to program requirements.
    b. The extent to which the first-year objectives are specific, 
measurable, feasible, and relate directly to the project goals and 
recipient activities.
    c. The extent to which the applicant describes specific activities 
that are related to each first-year objective, with timelines and 
responsible persons for each activity.
    d. The extent to which the applicant describes reasonable 
milestones to be accomplished during years two and three.
     e. The extent to which the applicant describes how project 
materials and accomplishments will be shared with others.
    2. Ability to Carry Out the Proposed Plan (30 Points)
    a. The extent to which the applicant describes the organization's 
ability to access and influence state and local health agencies through 
a network of affiliates, constituents, or members.
    b. The extent to which the applicant describes current and previous 
experience administering or coordinating health-related, public health, 
or community-based data or information programs in conjunction with 
other national organizations and partners.
    c. The extent to which the applicant's organizational structure; 
the qualifications, experience, and responsibilities of proposed staff; 
and available physical facilities and information technology resources 
demonstrate the ability to successfully carry out the project.
    d. The extent to which the applicant describes proposed 
collaborative activities and provides evidence of the support, 
commitment, and capacity of proposed collaborating organizations.
    3. Background and Need (15 Points)
    a. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates an understanding 
of the needs of state and local health agencies with respect to 
population-based health information and data systems, and provides 
evidence of previous experience in addressing these needs.
    b. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the need for the 
specific activities proposed in the project plan. c. The extent to 
which the applicant describes sound criteria for selecting the proposed 
project over possible alternatives.
    4. Evaluation Plan (15 Points)
    The extent to which the applicant presents an evaluation plan, with 
reasonable evaluation measures (i.e., required ``measures of 
effectiveness''), to measure the achievement of program objectives and 
monitor the implementation of proposed activities.
    5. Budget Justification (not scored)
    The extent to which the proposed budget is reasonable, clearly 
justified, and consistent with the intended use of cooperative 
agreement funds.

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 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, 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-7 Executive Order 12372 Review
AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11 Healthy People 2010
AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status

J. Where To Obtain Additional Information

    This and other CDC announcements, the necessary applications, and 
associated forms can be found on the

[[Page 33714]]

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: Mattie B. 
Jackson, Grants Management Specialist, Procurement and Grants Office, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, 
Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone: 770-488-2696, E-mail address: 
[email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Timothy A. Green, Ph.D., 
Chief, Applied Sciences Branch, Division of Public Health Surveillance 
and Informatics, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, MS K-74, Atlanta, GA 
30341-3717, Telephone: 770-488-8378, E-mail address: [email protected].

    Dated: May 30, 2003.
Edward Schultz,
Acting Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 03-14126 Filed 6-4-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P