[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 167 (Thursday, August 28, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51781-51785]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-22007]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

[Program Announcement 04004]


Public Health Conference Support Grant Program; Notice of 
Availability of Funds

    Application Deadline:

Cycle A: November 19, 2003.
Cycle B: March 8, 2004.
Cycle C: June 1, 2004.

A. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) program is 
authorized under section 317(k)(2) of the Public Health Service Act, 
(42 U.S.C. 247b(k)(2)) as amended. The Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance (CFDA) number is 93.283.
    The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) 
program is authorized under sections 104(i)(14) and (15) of the 
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act 
of 1980 (CERCLA), as amended by the Superfund Amendments and 
Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA), [42 U.S.C. 9604(i)(14) and (15)]. 
The CFDA number is 93.161 for ATSDR.

B. Purpose

    CDC and ATSDR announce the pending availability of appropriated 
fiscal year (FY) 2004 funds for a grant program for Public Health 
Conference Support. This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2010'' 
focus areas of Arthritis, Osteoporosis and Chronic Back Conditions, 
Cancer, Diabetes, Disability and Secondary Conditions, Educational and 
Community-Based Programs, Environmental Health, Heart Disease and 
Stroke, Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Injury and Violence

[[Page 51782]]

Prevention, Maternal, Infant and Child Health, Occupational Safety and 
Health, Oral Health, Physical Activity and Fitness, Public Health 
Infrastructure, Respiratory Diseases, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 
and Tobacco Use. Conferences on Access to Quality Health Services, 
Family Planning, Food Safety, Health Communications, Medical Product 
Safety, Substance Abuse, and Vision and Hearing, are not priority focus 
areas of CDC or ATSDR, and should be directed to other Federal 
Agencies.
    HIV Conferences and HIV subject matter are covered under another 
program and are not permitted under this announcement.
    The purpose of conference support funding is to provide partial 
support for specific non-Federal conferences (not a series) in the 
areas of health promotion and disease prevention information and 
education programs, and applied research.
    Conference support by CDC/ATSDR creates the appearance of CDC/ATSDR 
co-sponsorship, and Congress has required that there will be active 
participation by CDC/ATSDR in the development and approval of the 
conference agenda to make sure there are no subjects that would 
embarrass the Government or be an improper use of funds. CDC/ATSDR 
funds will be expended only for approved portions of the conference.

C. Eligible Applicants

    Applications for CDC support may be submitted by public and private 
non-profit, and faith-based organizations. Public and private non-
profit entities include State and local governments or their bona fide 
agents, faith-based organizations, voluntary associations, foundations, 
civic groups, scientific or professional associations, universities, 
and Federally-recognized Indian tribal governments, Indian tribes, or 
Indian tribal organizations.
    Applications for ATSDR support may be submitted by the official 
public health agencies of the States, or their bona fide agents. This 
includes the District of Columbia, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, 
Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall 
Island, the Republic of Palau, and Federally-recognized Indian Tribal 
governments. State organizations, including State universities, State 
colleges, and State research institutions must establish that they meet 
their respective State's legislature definition of a State entity or 
political subdivision to be considered an eligible applicant.
    Also eligible are nationally and internationally recognized 
associations of health professionals and other chartered organizations 
generally recognized as demonstrating a need for information to protect 
the public from the health effects of exposure to hazardous substances. 
Faith-based organizations are encouraged to apply.
    Only conferences planned for May 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005 
are eligible to apply under this announcement.
    To be eligible to apply the applicant must:
    1. Propose a conference that matches only one or two topic areas 
identified in the ``Topic Areas of Programmatic Interest'' as listed in 
Attachment II of this announcement. (All attachments are posted with 
this announcement on the CDC Web site.)
    2. Identify the estimated total cost of the conference and the 
dollar amount of the total cost requested from CDC/ATSDR (which must be 
less than 100 percent).
    This information should be included in the cover letter submitted 
with the application. Applications that do not include this information 
and respond directly to the above information will be determined as 
non-responsive and will be returned without review.

    Note: Title 2 of the United States Code, Chapter 26, Section 
1611 states that an organization described in section 501(c)(4) of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engages in lobbying 
activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds constituting an 
award, grant, cooperative agreement, contract, loan, or any other 
form.

D. Funding

    Availability of Funds: Approximately $1,100,000 may be available 
from CDC in FY 2004 to fund approximately 60 to 80 awards. It is 
expected that the average award will be $20,000.
    Approximately $25,000 is available from ATSDR in FY 2004 to fund 
approximately three to five awards. It is expected that the average 
award will be $8,000, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.
    Application requests that exceed $50,000 (CDC) or $10,000 (ATSDR) 
will be determined as non-responsive and will be returned to the 
applicant without review.
    It is expected that the awards will begin on or about sixty days 
before the date of the conference. For FY 2004, awards will be made for 
each cycle with a 12-month budget period within a 12-month project 
period. Funding estimates may change.
    Recipient Financial Participation: Matching funds are not required 
for this program.

Use of Funds

    1. Funds may be used for direct cost expenditures: salaries; 
speaker fees (for services rendered); rental of necessary conference-
related equipment; registration fees; and transportation costs (not to 
exceed economy class fare) for non-Federal individuals.
    2. Funds may be used for only those parts of the conference 
specifically supported by CDC or ATSDR as documented in the grant 
award.
    3. Funds may not be used for the purchase of equipment; payments of 
honoraria (for conferring distinction); alterations or renovations; 
organizational dues; support entertainment or personal expenses; food 
or snack breaks; cost of travel and payment of a Federal employee or 
per diem or expenses for local participants (other than local mileage). 
Travel for Federal employees will be supported by CDC/ATSDR. Travel for 
other Federal employees will be supported by the employees' Federal 
agency.
    4. Funds may not be used for reimbursement of indirect costs.
    5. CDC and ATSDR will not fund 100 percent of any conference 
proposed under this announcement. Part of the cost of the proposed 
conference must be supported with funds other than Federal funds.
    6. CDC and ATSDR will not fund a conference after it has taken 
place.
    7. Federal funds may not be used to fund novelty items or 
souvenirs.

E. Programmatic Interest Areas

    The mission of CDC is to promote health and improve the quality of 
life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability.
    Through the support of conferences and meetings (not a series) in 
the areas of public health research, education, prevention research in 
program and policy development, managed care, and prevention 
application, CDC is meeting its overall goal of dissemination and 
implementation of new cost-effective intervention strategies.
    The mission of ATSDR is to prevent both exposure and adverse human 
health effects that diminish the quality of life associated with 
exposure to hazardous substances from waste sites, unplanned releases, 
and other sources of pollution present in the environment.
    ATSDR's systematic approaches are needed for linking applicable 
resources in public health with individuals and organizations involved 
in the practice of applying such research. Mechanisms are also needed 
to shorten the time frame between the development of disease prevention 
and health promotion

[[Page 51783]]

techniques and their practical application. ATSDR believes that 
conferences and similar meetings (not a series) that permit individuals 
to engage in hazardous substances and environmental health research, 
education, and application (related to actual and/or potential human 
exposure to toxic substances) to interact, are critical for the 
development and implementation of effective programs to prevent adverse 
health effects from hazardous substances.
    (See Attachment II for the specific topic areas that each Center/
Agency is requesting.)

F. Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient will be responsible for the following activities:
    1. The conference organizer(s) may use CDC's/ATSDR's name only in 
factual publicity for the conference. CDC/ATSDR involvement in the 
conference does not necessarily indicate support for the organizer's 
general policies, activities, products, or the content of speakers' 
presentations.
    2. Any national conference co-sponsored under this announcement 
shall be held in facilities that are fully accessible to the public as 
required by the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility 
Guidelines (ADAAG). Accessibility under ADAAG addresses accommodations 
for persons with sensory impairments as well as persons with physical 
disabilities or mobility limitations.
    3. Manage all activities related to program content (e.g., 
objectives, topics, attendees, session design, workshops, special 
exhibits, speaker's fees, agenda composition, and printing). Many of 
these items may be developed in concert with assigned CDC or ATSDR 
project personnel.
    4. Provide draft copies of the agenda and proposed ancillary 
activities to CDC or ATSDR for approval. All but ten percent of the 
total funds awarded for the proposed conference will be initially 
restricted pending approval by CDC or ATSDR of a full, final agenda. 
The remaining 90 percent of funds will be released by letter to the 
grantee upon the approval of the final agenda. Because conference 
support by CDC and ATSDR creates the appearance of CDC co-sponsorship, 
there will be active participation by CDC or ATSDR in the development 
and approval of those portions of the agenda supported by CDC funds. 
CDC funds will not be expended for non-approved portions of meetings. 
In addition, CDC will reserve 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 
and ATSDR reserves the right to terminate co-sponsorship if it does not 
concur with the final agenda.
    5. Determine and manage all promotional activities (e.g., title, 
logo, announcements, mailers, press, etc.). CDC or ATSDR must review 
and approve any materials with reference to CDC or ATSDR involvement or 
support.
    6. Manage all registration processes with participants, invitees, 
and registrants (e.g., travel, reservations, correspondence, conference 
materials and handouts, badges, registration procedures, etc.).
    7. Plan, negotiate, and manage conference site arrangements, 
including all audio-visual needs.

G. Content

    Letter of Intent (LOI): A Letter of Intent (LOI) is required for 
this Program Announcement. The LOI will not be evaluated or scored. 
Your letter of intent will be used to estimate the potential reviewer 
workload and to avoid conflicts of interest during the review. If you 
do not submit a LOI, you will not be allowed to submit an application.
    You must submit an original and two copies. The LOI should be two 
to three pages in-depth, single-spaced, and typewritten. Use English 
only and avoid jargon and unusual abbreviations.
    Applications: Beginning October 1, 2003, applicants will be 
required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Number (DUNS) number to apply for 
a grant or cooperative agreement from the Federal government. The DUNS 
number is a nine-digit identification number, which uniquely identifies 
business entities. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no 
charge.
    You are encouraged to obtain a DUNS number now if you believe you 
will be submitting an application to any Federal agency on or after 
October 1, 2003. Proactively obtaining a new DUNS number at the current 
time will facilitate the receipt and acceptance of applications after 
September 2003.
    To obtain a DUNS number, access the following Web site: http://www.dunandbradstreet.com OR call 1-866-705-5711.
    Use the information in the Program Requirements and Evaluation 
Criteria sections to develop the application content. The application 
narrative should be no longer than 12 double-spaced pages, printed on 
one side, with one-inch margins, and 12-point font. Use English only 
and avoid jargon and unusual abbreviations. Pages must be clearly 
numbered, and a complete index to the application and its appendices 
must be included. 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.
    The application should include:
    1. A one-page cover letter addressing Eligibility. Include the 
Announcement title, number and programmatic interest area being 
addressed by your conference. This cover letter does not count toward 
the 12-page narrative limit.
    2. A one-page project summary cover sheet that includes:

a. Name of organization
b. Name of conference
c. Location of conference
d. Date(s) of conference
e. Intended audience and number
f. Dollar amount requested
g. Total conference budget amount

This project summary cover sheet does not count toward the 12-page 
narrative limit.
    3. A narrative that includes:
    a. A brief background of your organization--include the 
organizational history, purpose, and previous experience related to the 
proposed conference topic.
    b. A clear statement of the need for, and purpose of, the 
conference. This statement should also describe any problems the 
conference will address or seek to solve, and the action items or 
resolutions it may stimulate.
    c. An elaboration on the conference objectives and target audience. 
A list should be included of the principal areas or topics to be 
addressed. A proposed or final agenda must be included.
    d. A clear description of the evaluation plan and how it will 
assess the accomplishments of the conference objectives. A sample of 
the evaluation instrument that will be used must be included and a 
step-by-step schedule and detailed operation plan of major conference 
planning activities necessary to attain specified objectives.
    e. Budget plan and justification--A clearly justified budget 
narrative that is consistent with the purpose, objectives, and 
operation plan of the conference. It should include the share requested 
from this grant as well as those funds from other sources, including 
organizations, institutions, conference income, and/or registration 
fees.
    4. Biographical sketches are required of the individuals 
responsible for planning and implementing the conference. Experience 
and training related to conference planning and implementation as it 
relates to the

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proposed topic should be noted. The biosketches should be placed in an 
appendix, and will not be counted toward the 12-page narrative limit.
    5. Letters of endorsement or support--Letters of endorsement or 
support for the sponsoring organization and its capability to perform 
the proposed conference activity. Letters of support should be placed 
in an appendix, and will not be counted toward the 12-page narrative 
limit.

H. Submission and Deadline (For All Applicants) Deadline

    LOI and application deadlines have now been imposed for all 
conference support grants, and dates should be strictly followed by 
applicants to ensure that their LOI's and applications are received in 
a timely manner.
    There will be three conference support reviews this year:
    If your conference dates fall between May 1, 2004 and April 30, 
2005, you should apply under Cycle A under this announcement.
    If your conference dates fall between August 1, 2004 and July 31, 
2005, you should apply under Cycle B under this announcement.
    If your conference dates fall between November 1, 2004 and 
September 30, 2005, you should apply under Cycle C under this 
announcement.
    If your conference dates fall between October 1, 2003 and April 30, 
2004, you should have applied under the previous Program Announcement 
03012, and your LOI will be considered non-responsive to Program 
Announcement 04004.

Letter of Intent Due Dates

Cycle A: October 1, 2003.
    For conferences May 1, 2004-April 30, 2005.
Cycle B: January 6, 2004.
    For conferences August 1, 2004-July 31, 2005.
Cycle C: April 1, 2004.
    For conferences November 1, 2004-September 30, 2005.

    Letter of Intent (LOI) Submission: On or before October 1, 2003; 
January 6, 2004; and April 1, 2004 submit an original and two signed 
copies of the LOI to: Technical Information Management (TIMS)--
PA04004, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine 
Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146.
    Applicants who do not submit a LOI will not be eligible to submit 
an application for review or funding.
    Application Forms: Applicants must also submit the original and two 
copies of PHS form 5161-1, (OMB Number 0937-0189). Forms are available 
on the CDC Web site at: http://forms.psc.gov/forms/PHS/PHS-5161-1.pdf.
    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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Earliest possible award
           Application due dates                        dates
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cycle A: November 19, 2003................  April 1, 2004.
Cycle B: March 8, 2004....................  June 30, 2004.
Cycle C: June 1, 2004.....................  September 1, 2004.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Application Submission: On or before November 19, 2003; March 8, 
2004; and June 1, 2004 submit an original and two signed copies of the 
application to: Technical Information Management--PA04004, CDC 
Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-
4146.
    Applications may not be submitted electronically. Applications 
received that were not preceded by a LOI will not be reviewed or 
funded.
    CDC Acknowledgement of Application Receipt: If you have a question 
about the receipt of your application, first contact your courier. If 
you still have a question, contact the PGO-TIM staff at: 770-488-2700. 
Before calling, please wait two to three days after the application 
deadline. This will allow time for applications to be processed and 
logged.
    Letters of Intent and 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.

I. Evaluation Criteria

    Letter of Intent: The required Letter of Intent will not be 
evaluated or scored.
    A conference is a symposium, seminar, workshop, or any other 
organized and formal meeting lasting one day or more (not a series), 
where persons assemble to exchange information and views, explore, or 
clarify a defined subject, problem, or area of knowledge, whether or 
not a published report results from such meeting. The conference should 
support CDC or ATSDR's public health principles in furtherance of CDC's 
mission or ATSDR's mission.
    Application: Each application will be evaluated individually 
against the following criteria by an independent review group appointed 
by CDC.
    Section 1.a., is ATSDR specific.
    Section 1.b., is CDC specific.
    Section 1.c., and all other sections in these criteria are 
applicable to both CDC and ATSDR. Each application will be evaluated 
based on the following criteria:
1. Proposed Program and Technical Approach (25 Points)
    a. The public health significance of the proposed conference, 
including the degree to which the conference can be expected to 
influence the prevention of exposure, adverse human health effects, and 
diminished quality of life associated with exposure to hazardous 
substances from waste sites, unplanned releases, and other sources of 
pollution present in the environment (Applicable to ATSDR applications 
only).
    b. The applicant's description of the proposed conference as it 
relates to specific non-Federal conferences in the areas of health 
promotion and disease prevention information/education programs (except 
substance abuse), including the public health need of the proposed 
conference and the degree to which the conference can be expected to 
influence public health practices. Evaluation will also be based on the 
extent of the applicant's collaboration with other organizations 
serving the intended audience (Applicable to all CDC applications 
except ATSDR).
    c. The applicant's description of conference objectives, in terms 
of quality, specificity, and the feasibility of the conference based on 
the operational plan, will also be evaluated.
2. Conference Objectives (25 Points)
    a. The overall quality, reasonableness, feasibility, and logic of 
the designed conference objectives, including the overall work plan and 
timetable.
    b. The likelihood of accomplishing conference objectives, as they 
relate to

[[Page 51785]]

disease prevention and health promotion goals, and the feasibility of 
the project in terms of the operational plan.
3. The Qualifications of Program Personnel (20 Points)
    a. The extent to which the application provides evidence of the 
qualifications, experience, and commitment of the principal staff 
person, and his/her ability to devote adequate time and effort to 
provide effective leadership.
    b. The extent to which the application provides evidence of the 
competence of associate staff persons, discussion leaders, speakers, 
and presenters to accomplish conference objectives.
    c. The extent to which the application demonstrates the knowledge 
of nationwide and educational efforts currently underway which may 
affect, and be affected by, the proposed conference.
4. Evaluation Methods (20 Points)
    Evaluation instrument(s) for the conference should adequately 
assess increased knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the target 
audience.
5. Applicant's Capability (10 Points)
    a. The applicant's capability includes the adequacy of the 
applicant's resources (additional sources of funding, organization's 
strengths, staff time, proposed physical facilities, etc.) available 
for conducting conference activities.
    b. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates a history (at 
least three years) of managing conferences.
6. Budget Justification and Adequacy of Facilities (Not Scored)
    The proposed budget will be evaluated on the basis of its 
reasonableness, concise and clear justification, and consistent with 
the intended use of grant funds. The application will also be reviewed 
as to the adequacy of existing or proposed facilities and resources for 
conducting conference activities.

J. Other Requirements

    Technical Reporting Requirements: Provide the CDC with original 
plus two copies of:
    1. A performance report or, in lieu of a performance report, 
proceedings of the conference, no later than 90 days after the end of 
the budget/project period.
    2. Financial status report, no later than 90 days after the end of 
the budget/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 this announcement as posted on the CDC Web site.

AR-7--Executive Order 12372 Review.
AR-9--Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements.
AR-10--Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements.
AR-11--Healthy People 2010.
AR-12--Lobbying Restrictions.
AR-13--Prohibition on Use of CDC Funds for Certain Gun Control 
Activities.
AR-15--Proof of Non-Profit Status.
AR-20--Conference Support.

K. 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 Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone: (770) 488-2700.
    For business management assistance, contact: Rick Jaeger, Grants 
Management Specialist, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, 
Georgia 30341-4146, Telephone: (770) 488-2727, e-mail address: 
[email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Janet Telman, Funding 
Resource Specialist, Office of the Director Extramural Services 
Activity, Public Health Practice Program Office (PHPPO), Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 4770 Buford Highway, NE, MS K38, 
Atlanta, Georgia 30341-3714, Telephone: (770) 488-2834, e-mail address: 
[email protected].

    Dated: August 21, 2003.
Sandra R. Manning,
Director, Program and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 03-22007 Filed 8-27-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P