[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 157 (Thursday, August 14, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48611-48614]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-20705]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 03150]


Expansion of Youth and Young Adult-Focused HIV & STD Prevention 
Activities In the Republic of Tanzania; Notice of Availability of Funds

    Application Deadline: September 15, 2003.

A. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under section 301(a) and 307 of the 
Public Health Service Act, (42 U.S.C. 241(a) and 242l) 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 the expansion of youth-focused HIV/STD prevention 
activities in the Republic of Tanzania.
    The purpose of this program is to provide assistance to a Tanzania-
based public, private non-profit, or faith-based organization in the 
provision of a youth-focused HIV/STD prevention program that includes 
information, education and communication (IEC), voluntary counseling 
and testing (VCT), and support services for HIV positive youth in 
Tanzania; and in the development of strategies for extending successful 
youth-focused services to other private and public sector 
organizations.
    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).
    Measurable outcomes of this program will be in alignment with one 
or more of the following performance goals for the National Center for 
HIV, STD and TB Prevention (NCHSTP), Global AIDS Program (GAP): Working 
with other countries, U.S. Agency for International Development 
(USAID), and U.S. government agencies, reduce the number of new HIV 
infections among 15-24 year olds in sub-Saharan Africa from an 
estimated two million by 2005.

C. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public and private non-profit 
organizations, and faith-based organizations based in Tanzania, with 
current capacity for providing IEC, VCT, and support services to 25,000 
youth per year. Organizations based outside Tanzania 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 $250,000 is available in FY 2003 to fund one award. 
It is expected that the award 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 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.

[[Page 48612]]

Use of Funds

    (1) Funds may be used only for activities associated with HIV/AIDS. 
CDC funds may be used for direct costs such as salaries; necessary 
travel; operating costs, including supplies, fuel, utilities, etc.; 
staff training costs, including registration fees and purchase and 
rental of training related equipment; and purchase of HIV testing 
reagents, test kits, and laboratory equipment for HIV testing.
    (2) The purchase of antiretroviral drugs, reagents, and laboratory 
equipment for antiretroviral treatment projects requires prior approval 
in writing by CDC officials.
    (3) No funds appropriated under this Act shall be used to carry out 
any program of distributing sterile needles or syringes for the 
hypodermic use of any illegal drug.
    (4) Applicants 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 and care services for which funds are 
requested).
    (5) 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 
American University, Beirut, the Gorghas Memorial Institute, and the 
World Health Organization, indirect costs will not be paid (either 
directly or through a sub-award) to organizations located outside the 
territorial limits of the United States or to international 
organizations regardless of their location.
    (6) 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 the issuance of 
supplemental awards.
    (7) A fiscal Recipient Capability assessment may be required, prior 
to or post award, in order to review the applicant's business 
management and fiscal capabilities regarding the handling of U.S. 
Federal funds.
    (8) You must obtain an 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.

Recipient Financial Participation

    Matching funds are not required for this program.

Funding Priority

    Priority will be given to eligible applicants who can demonstrate:
    (1) A history of working with youth and organizations of young 
adults on HIV/STD prevention.
    (2) The capacity to coordinate multi-agency projects.
    (3) A well-organized program for training their own staff.
    (4) The capability of training other sites to develop and implement 
successful HIV/STD prevention programs.

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. Develop and implement IEC strategies targeting youth ages 15-24 
and young adults attending tertiary institutions. Use existing IEC 
materials and/or develop new materials in collaboration with Ministry 
of Education (MOE), Ministry of Health (MOH), and CDC. Information on 
HIV prevention methods (or strategies) should 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).
    b. Provide technical assistance and training to institutions 
working with youth to strengthen their capacity to implement successful 
IEC strategies.
    c. Work within existing health services to extend or initiate VCT 
and services for the treatment and prevention of sexually transmitted 
diseases (STD) services specifically targeting youth.
    d. Provide technical assistance and training to existing health 
facilities to strengthen their capacity to routinely provide youth-
focused VCT and STD services.
    e. Work within existing health or community services to extend or 
initiate support services for HIV positive youth.
    f. Provide technical assistance and training to existing health or 
community organizations to strengthen their capacity to routinely 
provide support services for HIV positive youth.
2. CDC Activities
    a. Collaborate with the grantee on designing and implementing the 
activities listed above, including, but not limited to:
    (1) Providing technical guidance to process of developing IEC 
materials and effective communication strategies;
    (2) Developing and implement youth-targeted IEC training module;
    (3) Developing HIV testing quality assurance plan for tertiary 
institutions;
    (4) Developing a referral logistics plan and integrate a care and 
treatment referral strategy into VCT/STI prevention services;
    (5) Developing support strategies linking community organizations 
with youth prevention activities of tertiary institutions;
    (6) Providing overall guidance and technical support to project 
data management and analysis, dissemination of results and findings, 
and management and tracking of finances; and
    (7) Participating on project-related advisory board.
    b. Provide input into, and approve the selection of key personnel 
to be involved in the activities performed under this cooperative 
agreement.
    c. Assist in training and capacity building to ensure successful 
implementation of program and activities.
    d. Monitor project and budget performance.

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 30 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 Plan, Objectives, 
Methods, Evaluation, and Budget. The program plan should address 
activities to be conducted over the entire five-year project period. 
The budget must cover the first one-year budget period. Prepare an 
appropriate plan for financial management and accounting for the 
activities in this proposal that are consistent with an annual 
workplan.

G. Submission and Deadline

Application Forms

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161-1 (OMB Number 0920-
0428). Forms are available in the application kit and at the following 
Internet address: www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.

[[Page 48613]]

    Application forms must be submitted in the following order: Cover 
Letter, Table of Contents, Application, Budget Information Form, Budget 
Justification, Checklist, Assurances, Certifications, Disclosure Form, 
HIV Assurance Form, Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, and Narrative.
    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 September 
15, 2003. Submit the application to: Technical Information Management--
PA 03150, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine 
Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146.
    Applications may be e-mailed to [email protected]. If you e-mail your 
application, you must follow up by mailing a copy of the application 
face page showing original signatures.

Deadline

    Applications shall be considered as meeting the deadline if they 
are received in the CDC Procurement and Grants Office 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 the purpose section of this 
announcement. Measures must be objective and quantitative and must 
measure the intended outcome. These Measures of Effectiveness shall be 
submitted with the application and shall be an element of evaluation.
    An independent review group appointed by CDC will evaluate each 
application against the following criteria:
1. Ability to Carry Out the Project (40 points).
    The extent to which the applicant understands and describes 
activities which are realistic, achievable, time-framed and appropriate 
to effectively plan, coordinate, and complete these activities. 
Applicant must show how and at what intervals the effectiveness and 
productivity of this program activity will be monitored and evaluated. 
Applicant should include a description of applicant organizational 
structure and use it to explain how the work will be carried out.
2. Technical and Programmatic Approach (20 points)
    The extent to which the applicant's proposal demonstrates 
understanding of the technical and organizational aspects of conducting 
all included HIV testing and care activities and computerization of 
client record data.
3. Personnel (20 points)
    The adequacy of personnel, including training, availability, and 
experience, in order to carry out the technical and organizational 
aspects of all proposed activities.
4. Administrative and Accounting Plan (20 points)
    (a) The adequacy of the plans to account for, prepare reports, 
monitor, and audit expenditures under this agreement; (b) The extent to 
which the application demonstrates ability to administer and manage the 
budget; (c) The extent to which the budget is itemized and well 
justified; and (d) Demonstration of plans to engage an outside 
accounting firm to design and manage the financial system to meet CDC 
and the recipient's accounting requirements.
5. Budget (Reviewed, but not scored)
    The extent to which the budget is detailed, clear, justified, 
provides direct support, and is consistent with the proposed program 
activities.

I. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with an original, plus two copies of:
    1. Interim progress reports. Include copies of all surveillance 
reports and plans completed and program accomplishments during the 
reporting 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; and
    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-4, HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions
AR-5, HIV Program Review Panel Requirements
AR-9, Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR-10, Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-12, Lobbying Restrictions.
    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: 
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: Terri 
Brown, International Territories Acquisitions and Assistance Branch, 
Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, 2920

[[Page 48614]]

Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone: 770-488-2638, E-
mail address: [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Eddas Bennett, MBA, MPH, 
Deputy Director, CDC Tanzania AIDS Program, National Center for HIV, 
STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC), 140 Msese Road, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Telephone: 2 666 010 
x4155, e-mail: [email protected].

    Dated: August 8, 2003.
Edward Schultz,
Acting Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 03-20705 Filed 8-13-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P