[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 195 (Wednesday, October 8, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58103-58110]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-25481]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 04010]


Programs to Improve the Health, Education, and Well-Being of 
Young People; Notice of Availability of Funds

    Application Deadline: December 8, 2003.

A. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under Sections 301(a), 311(b) and (c), 
and 317(k)(2) [42 U.S.C. 241(a), 243(b) and (c), and 247b(k)(2)] of the 
Public Health Service Act, as amended. The Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance number is 93.938.

B. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 2004 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program for Programs to Improve the Health, Education, and Well-Being 
of Young People. This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2010'' 
focus areas of Diabetes, Educational and Community-Based Programs, 
Family Planning, Food Safety, HIV, Nutrition and Overweight, and 
Sexually Transmitted Diseases. This program also addresses Goal One, 
Objective Three, Strategies One, Two, and Six of CDC's HIV Prevention 
Strategic Plan Through 2005 (found at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/od/hiv_plan/default.htm).
    The purpose of the program is to improve the education, health, and 
well-being of young people by

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strengthening coordinated school health programs and by enabling other 
youth-serving organizations to address health risks. Award recipients 
will emphasize efforts to help young people avoid risks (e.g., to avoid 
sexual intercourse). This may also include efforts to involve parents 
in programs to improve the health of youth.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the 
following performance goal and measure for the National Center for 
Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP): Reduce the 
percentage of HIV/AIDS-related risk behaviors among school-aged youth 
through the dissemination of HIV prevention education programs. 
Performance is measured by the percentage of high school students who 
are taught about HIV/AIDS prevention in school and the proportion of 
adolescents (grades 9-12) who abstain from sexual intercourse or use 
condoms if currently sexually active.
    This program announcement covers the following six priority areas:

Priority 1: HIV Prevention for School-Age Youth

    The purpose of Priority 1 is to build broad nationwide strategies, 
programs, and support to help schools and other youth-serving agencies 
prevent sexual risk behaviors that result in HIV infection. Strategies 
and programs should especially target youth most at risk for HIV 
infection as identified in CDC's HIV Prevention Strategic Plan Through 
2005. Specific populations addressed would include:

[sbull] Adolescents who have sex with older male partners
[sbull] Adolescents who have multiple sexual partners
[sbull] Adolescents who initiate sexual activity at young ages
[sbull] Adolescents with multiple lifetime sexual partners
[sbull] Adolescents with a history of unprotected sex
[sbull] Young men who have sex with men
[sbull] Young women who have sex with men who have sex with men.

This priority also includes strategies and programs to involve parents 
in HIV prevention efforts.
    Category A--Schools: These organizations will build capacity and 
partnerships to help the nation's schools prevent sexual risk behaviors 
that result in HIV infection. Strategies and programs should especially 
target youth who are at highest risk for HIV infection per CDC's HIV 
Prevention Strategic Plan Through 2005, and students in grades 7 
through 12.
    Category B--Youth-Serving Organizations: These organizations will 
focus on preventing HIV infection among large populations of youth, 
especially youth in high-risk situations as identified in CDC's HIV 
Prevention Strategic Plan Through 2005, Goal 1, Objective 3, Strategy 
1. Funded organizations are expected to work through constituencies and 
networks of youth-serving, community-based agencies and institutions 
which have access to these young people. Examples include, but are not 
limited to: Recreation and service organizations, alternative schools, 
faith-based organizations, juvenile justice facilities, outreach 
services to runaway and homeless youth, programs for immigrants and 
limited English speaking youth, and services for youth with substance 
abuse or mental health problems.

Priority 2: Integration of School Efforts To Prevent HIV, STDs, and 
Unintended Pregnancy (Optional Enhancements to Priority 1, Category A)

    The purpose of Priority 2 is to help schools integrate their 
efforts to prevent HIV, STDs, and unintended pregnancies. HIV, STD, and 
unintended pregnancy share many protective factors including sexual 
abstinence as the most effective prevention method. Integration of 
efforts to prevent these outcomes will promote increased efficiency and 
increase the potential for effectiveness. This strategy is consistent 
with CDC's HIV Prevention Strategic Plan Through 2005, Goal 1, 
Objective 3, Strategy 6.
    Category A--Pregnancy Prevention: These organizations will focus on 
strategies and programs designed to prevent unintended pregnancy, and 
how they can be effectively implemented and integrated with strategies 
and programs designed to prevent HIV and other STDs and increase 
abstinence from sexual intercourse.
    Category B--STD Prevention: These organizations will focus on 
strategies and programs designed to prevent STDs, and how they can be 
effectively implemented and integrated with strategies and programs 
designed to prevent HIV and unintended pregnancy and increase 
abstinence from sexual intercourse.

Priority 3: Abstinence Collaboration and Partnerships

    The purpose of Priority 3 is to strengthen communication, 
coordination, and collaboration among agencies working to prevent 
sexual risk behaviors among youth that result in HIV, other STDs, or 
unintended pregnancy, with an emphasis on partnerships with agencies 
that focus exclusively on helping school-age youth not to engage in 
intercourse (i.e. to remain or become abstinent). As stated in the 
Guidelines for Effective School Health Education to Prevent the Spread 
of AIDS, abstinence from sexual intercourse is the most effective means 
of preventing the spread of HIV.

Priority 4: Coordinated School Health Programs and Prevention of 
Chronic Disease Risks

    The purpose of Priority 4 is to support state education and health 
agencies in strengthening coordinated school health programs to prevent 
priority health risks among youth, especially those that contribute to 
chronic diseases. Current funding focuses on strategies and programs to 
(1) prevent tobacco use and addiction, (2) improve eating patterns, (3) 
increase physical activity, and (4) prevent obesity among youth.

Priority 5: Prevention of Foodborne Illnesses

    The purpose of Priority 5 is to build the capacity of organizations 
and their constituents to help schools prevent foodborne illnesses 
within a coordinated school health program.

Priority 6: Training and Professional Development

    The purpose of Priority 6 is to increase non-governmental 
organizational capacity to be as effective as possible in working with 
their constituencies to reduce health problems among youth. This will 
be accomplished by planning and delivering learning opportunities and 
providing technical assistance for other non-governmental 
organizations.

C. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants are non-profit, non-governmental organizations, 
including organizations that represent faith communities, parents, and 
families, which have the capacity to achieve the purposes of the 
priority area(s). Applicants ideally should have local, state, or 
regional constituencies representing all states and territories, but at 
minimum representing 25 states/territories.
    Eligible applicants for Priority 1 should have a nationwide 
structure and capacity to help schools (Category A) or youth-serving 
organizations (Category B) prevent HIV among large numbers of youth. 
Eligible applicants may apply for both Category A and Category B, but 
can only be funded for one.
    Eligible applicants for Priority 2 should have a nationwide 
structure and

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capacity to integrate school efforts to prevent HIV, STDs, and 
unintended pregnancy. Priority 2, Category A (Pregnancy Prevention) and 
B (STD Prevention), are optional enhancements to Priority 1, Category 
A. Thus, to be eligible under Priority 2, organizations must also apply 
for Priority 1, Category A funding. Only those organizations selected 
to be funded under Priority 1, Category A will then be considered in 
the competition for Priority 2 funding. Organizations may apply for one 
or both categories under Priority 2, so long as they also apply for 
Priority 1, Category A.
    Eligible applicants for Priority 3 should have a nationwide 
structure and capacity to strengthen communication, coordination, and 
collaboration among agencies working to prevent sexual risk behaviors 
among youth that result in HIV, other STDs, or unintended pregnancy, 
with an emphasis on partnerships with agencies that focus exclusively 
on helping school-age youth not to engage in intercourse (i.e. to 
remain or become abstinent).
    Eligible applicants for Priority 4 should have a nationwide 
structure and capacity to help schools implement coordinated school 
health programs to effectively prevent a wide range of health risks, 
especially organizations that can support state education and health 
agency chronic disease efforts.
    Eligible applicants for Priority 5 should have a nationwide 
structure and capacity to help schools prevent foodborne illness and 
related school absences through school food safety programs and the 
credentialing of food safety professionals.
    Eligible applicants for Priority 6 must demonstrate (1) significant 
nationwide experience with strategies and programs designed to prevent 
HIV infection and other health problems among youth within the context 
of schools or other youth-serving agencies, (2) experience with 
implementing high quality, training events, and (3) experience in 
working with other Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) 
funded or similar organizations and knowledge of their training needs.


    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 $9,604,000 will be available in FY 2004 for up to 44 
awards for Priorities 1 through 6. Funds expected to be available for 
specific priorities and categories are as follows:

Priority 1: HIV Prevention for School-Age Youth

    Approximately $6,879,000 is expected to be available for Priority 
1, Category A and B.
    Category A--Schools: Approximately $5,465,000 is expected to be 
available to fund up to 20 organizations. Awards will average $273,250 
and will range from approximately $175,000 to $300,000.
    Category B--Youth-Serving Organizations: Approximately $1,414,000 
is expected to be available to fund up to six organizations. Awards 
will average $235,666 and will range from approximately $150,000 to 
$275,000.

Priority 2: Integration of School Efforts to Prevent HIV, STDs, and 
Unintended Pregnancy (Optional Enhancements to Priority 1, Category A)

    Category A--Pregnancy Prevention: Approximately $600,000 is 
expected to be available to fund up to six organizations. Awards will 
average $100,000 and will range from approximately $100,000 to 
$300,000.
    Category B--STD Prevention: Approximately $300,000 is expected to 
be available to fund approximately three organizations. Awards will 
average $100,000 and will range from approximately $75,000 to $125,000.

Priority 3: Abstinence Collaboration and Partnerships

    Approximately $900,000 is expected to be available to fund 
approximately four organizations. Awards will average $225,000 and will 
range from approximately $175,000 to $275,000.

Priority 4: Coordinated School Health Programs and Prevention of 
Chronic Disease Risks

    Approximately $550,000 is expected to be available to fund 
approximately three organizations. Awards will average $183,333 and 
will range from approximately $125,000 to $200,000.

Priority 5: Prevention of Foodborne Illnesses

    Approximately $125,000 is expected to be available to fund one 
organization.

Priority 6: Training and Professional Development

    Approximately $250,000 is expected to be available to fund one 
organization.
    It is expected that all awards will begin on or about May 15,2004, 
with a 12-month budget period, within a project period of up to two 
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, 
achievement of performance standards, and the availability of funds.

Use of Funds

    Cooperative agreement funds may be used to support personnel and to 
purchase equipment, supplies, and services (including travel) directly 
related to program activities and consistent with the scope of the 
cooperative agreement. Funds are not intended to be used to conduct 
research projects, provide direct delivery of patient care or treatment 
services, purchase condoms or contraceptives, or to provide clinical 
testing or screening services. Federal funds awarded under this Program 
Announcement may not be used to supplant other Federal funds.
    Grantees are encouraged to leverage the maximum use of limited 
funds through opportunities to work with other nationwide organizations 
and state and local education and health agencies that are addressing 
the risk factors and health problems described in Priorities 1 through 
6 of this announcement. These opportunities might include, but are not 
limited to: joint planning activities, joint funding of complementary 
activities based on program recipient activities, education of 
constituents and members, collaborative efforts in the development and 
implementation of strategies and program interventions, and other cost-
sharing activities that complement school and youth-focused program 
priorities.

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

    The following activities are applicable to all priorities and 
recipients:
    a. Establish and maintain appropriate and qualified staff positions 
to implement activities funded under this announcement. With the 
exception of activities under Priority 2, Category B, each priority 
area should have at least one full-time staff position within the 
organization with the responsibility and authority to carry out the 
activities identified in the operational plan.

[[Page 58106]]

    b. Collaborate with constituents, CDC, and other relevant federal, 
national, state, and local organizations to achieve the purposes of the 
program.
    c. Emphasize efforts to help young people avoid risks (e.g. to 
avoid sexual intercourse).
    d. Based on a logic model, implement specific, measurable, and 
feasible goals and objectives. (Logic models depict the causal 
mechanisms through which interventions are expected to affect health 
behaviors.)
    e. Evaluate the effectiveness of the program in achieving goals, 
objectives, and performance measures.
    f. Participate in DASH-sponsored conferences and meetings of funded 
partners.
    g. Disseminate program information and materials to constituents, 
stakeholders, CDC, and other DASH-funded partners.
    h. Assess the status of constituents with regard to the purposes of 
the program and their needs for training, technical assistance, 
materials, and other resources.
    i. Build the capacity of constituents by addressing the needs 
identified.
    j. Plan and implement training and technical assistance based on 
constituent needs and the purposes of the program.
    k. Identify and/or develop and disseminate model strategies, 
guidelines, procedures, programs, materials, and other resources.
    l. Help constituents develop and implement effective strategies and 
programs.
    m. Support locally determined programs consistent with community 
values and needs.
    n. Assist constituents in the development of state or local 
coalitions to support the purposes of the program.
    o. Develop and/or participate in coalitions and initiatives to 
support the purposes of the program.
    p. Collaborate with constituents; state and local education, 
health, and social service agencies; non-governmental partners; and CDC 
and other federal agencies to develop strategies to support the 
purposes of the program.
    The following activities are applicable to programs awarded with 
HIV prevention funding (Priorities 1 and 3):
    a. Encourage state and local constituents to work collaboratively 
with health departments and HIV Prevention Community Planning Groups.
    b. Emphasize reaching youth at highest risk for HIV infection as 
identified in CDC's HIV Prevention Strategic Plan Through 2005.
    The following activities are applicable to Priority 6 only:
    a. Assess the training and professional development needs of other 
organizations specifically as it pertains to their work under this 
program announcement.
    b. Develop and implement a professional development plan that 
addresses the training needs.
    c. In collaboration with the CDC-sponsored Professional Development 
Consortium, plan and implement at least two to three training events 
within a 12-month period for organizations funded under this program 
announcement.
    d. Coordinate all logistical arrangements and disburse funds for 
significant costs associated with these training events, including 
travel, hotel, and per diem expenses for participants and presenters.
    e. Evaluate the training events to inform necessary changes in 
future training offerings and designs.
    f. Participate in at least one meeting of the DASH-sponsored 
Professional Development Consortium each year and conference calls as 
needed to plan and coordinate training events.
    Performance Measures: Measurable outcomes of the program will be in 
alignment with the following performance goal for the National Center 
for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP): Reduce 
the percentage of HIV/AIDS-related risk behaviors among school-aged 
youth through the dissemination of HIV prevention education programs. 
Performance is measured by the percentage of high school students who 
are taught about HIV/AIDS prevention in school and the proportion of 
adolescents (grades 9-12) who abstain from sexual intercourse or use 
condoms if currently sexually active.
    Performance under Priorities 1 through 5 will be measured by the 
extent to which recipients:
    a. Determine the need for the program based on the reported needs 
of constituents. Evidence might include: needs assessment reports and/
or other data which identifies and documents specific needs for 
training, materials, or other forms of assistance and support.
    b. Address the identified needs, and build constituent's capacity 
to plan, implement, and evaluate effective strategies and high quality 
programs. Evidence might include: reports documenting assistance 
provided to constituents and how the assistance was consistent with 
identified needs; documentation of the results of the organization's 
efforts at the constituent level (e.g. the number of interventions 
planned, implemented, and evaluated at the local level; the results of 
evaluations; or the numbers of youth reached with effective 
interventions); and documentation of training activities designed to 
build knowledge and skills directly applicable to constituent 
activities and the purposes of the program (e.g. agendas, training 
materials, and lists of participants and other data collected with 
record keeping systems such as Training Tracker).
    c. Collaborate effectively with constituents and local, state, 
national, and federal partners to achieve the purposes of the program. 
Evidence might include: documentation of activities with, and feedback 
from constituents; the results and outcomes of key meetings and events; 
documentation of participation, engagement, and support from 
constituents and other key organizations, including their involvement 
in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the program.
    d. Reduce health disparities by targeting efforts toward those 
youth at highest risk for the health problem(s) addressed. Evidence 
might include: data indicating the racial or ethnic characteristics of 
youth reached through constituent activities; documentation of grantee 
activities related to targeting youth at highest risk for the health 
problem(s) addressed; documentation of strategies utilized to reach 
underserved youth most in need of the program and to facilitate their 
participation in the program; documentation of established strategies 
and procedures to develop curriculum, education materials, and other 
information in formats that respect cultural values and meet the 
language and literacy needs of the target population; evidence of 
development and implementation of strategies to recruit, retain, train, 
and promote qualified, diverse, and culturally competent program 
personnel to address the needs of the youth being targeted; evidence, 
when applicable, of procedures to assess the quality and 
appropriateness of interpretation and translation services.
    e. Monitor and evaluate program activities relative to stated goals 
and objectives, performance measures, and the effectiveness of selected 
strategies in achieving desired results. Evidence might include: 
progress reports indicating the degree to which goals and objectives 
and/or performance measures were achieved, and evaluation reports 
documenting the degree to which strategies and programs were delivered 
as intended, their effectiveness in achieving desired results, lessons 
learned, and how evaluation results will be used to improve the 
program.

[[Page 58107]]

    Performance under Priority 6 will be measured by the extent to 
which the organization is able to:
    a. Plan and implement training events for CDC-funded organizations 
consistent with their needs. Evidence might include: results of 
Professional Development Consortium meetings demonstrating how the 
training needs of organizations were considered in determining the 
training topics selected; and progress reports documenting the 
implementation of training events (e.g. agendas, lists of participants, 
training materials, etc.).
    b. Evaluate training events to determine the degree to which 
desired results were achieved and to inform changes needed in future 
training designs. Evidence might include: summaries of participant 
evaluations (content, format, delivery, and recommendations for 
improvement); results of follow-up surveys; documentation of de-
briefing meetings with CDC and the Professional Development Consortium; 
and revised agendas demonstrating changes made in training designs as a 
result of evaluations and feedback.

2. CDC Activities

    a. Provide and periodically update information related to the 
purposes or activities of this program announcement.
    b. Coordinate with national, state, and local education, health, 
social service, and other relevant organizations in planning and 
implementing the components of a broad strategy designed to prevent 
health risks among school-age youth.
    c. Provide consultation and guidance to grantees on program 
planning, implementation, and evaluation; assessment of program 
objectives and performance measures; and dissemination of successful 
strategies, experiences, and evaluation reports.
    d. Provide assistance with program planning to assure consistency 
with the overall strategy, including assistance with the use of logic 
models and other public health tools and resources.
    e. Assist in the evaluation of program activities, including review 
and feedback of evaluation plans, and linking grantees to additional 
evaluation expertise from CDC or its contractors.
    f. Plan and implement funded partners meetings, conferences, 
trainings, and work group meetings to provide forums through which 
grantees can increase their knowledge and skills, learn from each 
other, share resources, and work collaboratively together to address 
issues and program activities related to improving the health, 
education, and well being of young people.

F. Content

Technical Assistance Conference Call

    Technical assistance will be available for potential applicants on 
two conference calls scheduled as follows:
First Call (Conference 7329384)
    Date: 10/21/2003.
    Time: 1-3 p.m. Eastern Time.
    Telephone Number: 1-888-566-0007.
    Pass Code: 22135.
    Leader: Ms. Judy Powers.
Second Call (Conference 7329405)
    Date: 10/23/2003.
    Time: 1-3 p.m. Eastern Time.
    Telephone Number: 1-866-556-1092.
    Pass Code: 19953.
    Leader: Ms. Judy Powers.
    Potential applicants are requested to call in using only one 
telephone line. The pass code and leaders name will be required to join 
the call. The purpose of the conference calls is to help potential 
applicants understand the scope and intent of the program announcement, 
Public Health Service funding policies, and application and review 
procedures. Participation in these conference calls is not mandatory.

Letter of Intent (LOI)

    A LOI is required for this program. The Program Announcement title 
and number must appear in the LOI, as well as the priority(ies) and 
category(ies) being applied for. The narrative should be no more than 
two pages, single-spaced, printed on one side, with one-inch margins, 
in 12 point, unreduced font. Your LOI will be used to provide evidence 
of eligibility and to plan the objective review process. Failure to 
submit a LOI will preclude you from submitting an application. However, 
it will not influence review and funding decisions. The LOI should 
provide evidence of eligibility; supportive documentation of 
eligibility may be attached.

Applications

    The Program Announcement title and number must appear in the 
application, as well as the Priority and Category being applied for. A 
complete, separate application is required for each priority/category 
applied for. Use the information in the Purpose, 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. All application pages must be clearly numbered with one-inch 
margins. Content and narrative must be single-spaced and typewritten in 
unreduced 12-point font. Applications should be printed on one side 
only.
    Applicants are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet (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.
    To obtain a DUNS number, access the following Web site: http://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-5711.

Executive Summary

    All applications should begin with a clear, concise, one to two 
page summary, to include: (1) The priority/category being applied for, 
(2) the amount of funds requested, (3) a brief summary of the overall 
strategy and the groups and organizations to be reached, and (4) the 
major activities reflected in the operational plan.
1. Need and Capacity (not more than eight pages)
    a. Describe the need for the proposed activities, including the 
specific groups targeted and the need for the particular strategies and 
activities planned.
    b. Describe the capacity and ability of your organization to 
address the identified needs and implement the proposed activities, 
including current and past experience with the priority area and target 
population(s).
    c. Describe the existing organizational structure and how that 
structure will support the proposed program activities. Include an 
organizational chart, which may be placed in an appendix.
2. Operational Plan (not more than 15 pages)
    a. Goals: List goals that specifically relate to the purpose of the 
priority/category and program requirements, and indicate what the 
program will have accomplished by the end of the two-year project 
period.
    b. Objectives: List objectives that are specific, measurable, and 
feasible to accomplish during the first 12-month budget period. The 
objectives should relate directly to the project goals and program 
requirements.
    c. Activities: Identify and describe specific activities that will 
be accomplished to meet each objective. Indicate when each activity 
will occur, identify the person(s) responsible for each activity and 
display on a timetable. The plan should also address activities

[[Page 58108]]

to be conducted over the entire two-year project period.
3. Project Management and Staffing Plan (not more than four pages, 
excluding items in an appendix)
    a. Describe the proposed staffing for the project and provide job 
descriptions for existing and proposed positions, including the level 
of responsibility involved for each position.
    b. Submit curriculum vitae (limited to two pages per person) for 
each professional staff member named in the proposal. These may be 
placed in an appendix.
    c. If other organizations will participate in the proposed 
activities, provide the name(s) of the organization(s), and a letter 
from each organization describing their role and the specific 
activities they have agreed to implement or be involved with.
4. Program Monitoring and Evaluation (not more than four pages)
    Describe a plan that will collect relevant data to be used for 
program accountability and to inform decisions about program changes 
and improvement. Plans should include the type of data to be collected, 
the methods of data collection and analysis, and how the data will be 
used. Plans should include at least two levels of data collection:
    a. Program Monitoring: Documenting progress in meeting objectives 
and conducting activities during the budget period.
    b. Program Evaluation: Assessing the quality and effectiveness of 
proposed activities (e.g. trainings, documents, dissemination efforts), 
and collecting data to assess the performance measures identified under 
Recipient Activities (Section E).
5. Budget and Accompanying Justification
    Provide a detailed budget and line-item justification of all 
operating expenses for the first 12-month budget period. The budget 
should be consistent with the stated objectives and planned activities 
of the project.
    Contracts and Consultants: Provide the following information for 
contracts and consultants: (a) Name of contractor/consultant, (b) 
method of selection, (c) period of performance, (d) scope of work, (e) 
method of accountability, and (f) itemized budget with justification.
    Travel Funds: Budget requests should include travel funds for staff 
members to participate in meetings in Atlanta, Georgia or elsewhere, 
including: DASH annual conference and/or funded partner meetings (two 
to three days, applicable to all priorities), the CDC-sponsored HIV 
Prevention Conference (two to three days, applicable to all HIV-funded 
priorities) and/or the National Conference on Chronic Disease 
Prevention and Control (two to three days, applicable to those funded 
under Priority 4).
    Indirect Costs: If indirect costs are requested, applicants must 
include a copy of the organization's current negotiated Federal 
Indirect Cost Rate Agreement.

G. Submission and Deadline

Letter of Intent (LOI)

    On or before November 7, 2003, submit the LOI to: Technical 
Information Management--LOI 04010, Procurement and Grants Office, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, 
Atlanta, GA 30341-4146.

Application Forms

    Submit the signed original and two copies of PHS 5161-1 OMB 
Approval No. 0920-0428) for each application. 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 
(PGO-TIM) at (770) 488-2700, and forms will be mailed to you.

Submission Date, Time, and Address

    The application must be received by 4 p.m. Eastern Time, December 
8, 2003. Submit the original and two copies of each application (i.e., 
a separate application for each priority/category applied for) to: 
Technical Information Management--PA 04010, Procurement and 
Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 
Brandywine Rd, Room 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146.
    Applications may not be submitted electronically.
    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.

Deadline

    LOIs and applications will 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. Applicants sending applications 
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.
    Applications that do not meet the above criteria will not be 
eligible for competition and will be discarded. Applicants will be 
notified of their failure to meet the submission requirements.

H. Evaluation Criteria

Letter of Intent (LOI)

    The LOI will be used only to ascertain eligibility for the priority 
being applied for, and to assist in planning the objective review 
process. The criteria for eligibility are indicated in the section on 
Eligible Applicants. All organizations which are determined ineligible 
for the priority being applied for, whether through information 
provided in the LOI or in the application itself, will be notified that 
they are ineligible and why.

Application

    Applicants are required to provide measures of effectiveness that 
will demonstrate the accomplishment of the various identified purposes 
and objectives of the cooperative agreement. Measures of effectiveness 
must also relate to the applicable performance measures listed in the 
``Program Requirements'' section. 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.
    Each application will be evaluated individually against the 
following criteria. All applications will be competitive and reviewed 
by an independent review group appointed by CDC. Points indicated in 
parentheses below reflect the total number possible for that section. 
The total number of possible points for the entire application is 100.
1. Operational Plan (40 Points)
    a. Goals: The extent to which the applicant has submitted goals 
that align with Healthy People 2010 focus areas, HHS Department-wide 
program

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objectives including STEPS to a HealthierUS, and the performance goals 
for NCCDPHP as indicated in the purpose section of this announcement. 
The extent to which the applicant has submitted goals that are specific 
and feasible for the two-year project period and are consistent with 
the purpose of the priority/category and program requirements.
    b. Objectives: The extent to which the applicant has submitted 
objectives for the first 12-month budget period that are specific, 
measurable, feasible, and directly related to the goals, purpose, and 
program requirements.
    c. Activities: The extent to which the applicant describes 
activities that are likely to achieve the objectives identified, 
provides a timetable, and identifies the person(s) responsible for each 
activity.
    d. The extent to which the overall operational plan reflects a 
coherent, effective strategy for achieving optimal impact and results 
within the priority area addressed.
    e. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates realistic 
evidence of collaboration with federal agencies, other organizations, 
and state and local education and health agencies to achieve the 
purposes of the program.
    f. The extent to which the overall operational plan includes 
activities to reach communities of color and youth at highest risk for 
health problems.
2. Need and Capacity (30 Points)
    a. The extent to which the applicant justifies the need and 
demonstrates the ability to implement strategies that serve the 
greatest unmet needs for the proposed activities.
    b. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the capacity and 
ability of their organization and constituency to address the 
identified needs and implement the proposed activities.
3. Project Management and Staffing (15 Points)
    The extent to which the applicant identifies staff that have the 
responsibility, qualifications, and authority to carry out the 
activities proposed, as evidenced by job descriptions, curriculum 
vitae, organizational charts, and letters documenting the role of 
collaborating organizations.
4. Program Monitoring and Evaluation (15 Points)
    The extent to which the applicant describes relevant data 
collection plans for program monitoring and evaluation that include the 
type of data to be collected, methods of data collection and analysis, 
and how the data will be used.
5. Budget and Accompanying Justification (Not Scored)
    The extent to which the applicant provides a detailed and clear 
budget consistent with the operational plan.

I. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Send an original and two copies of the following reports to the 
Grants Management Specialist identified in the ``Where to Obtain 
Additional Information'' section of this announcement:
1. Interim Progress Report and Continuation Plan
    For the first year of the project, an interim progress report and 
continuation plan will be due by February 15, 2005. The interim 
progress report will be used as evidence of achievement to date in 
meeting approved goals, objectives, and performance measures. 
Continuation funding decisions will be made on the basis of 
satisfactory progress on performance measures and the availability of 
funds. The interim progress report/continuation plan should include:
    a. HIV Assurance and Compliance Forms (for recipients of HIV 
funding only): These include the form certifying compliance with Web 
Site Notices, and CDC Form 0.1113 signed by the chairperson of the HIV 
Review Panel which lists the names of current review panel members. The 
applicant should also submit documentation, signed by the chairperson, 
of materials reviewed, and the panel's decision to approve or 
disapprove each item.
    b. A succinct description (no longer than ten pages) of progress 
made to date in meeting each program objective, including discussion of 
any significant delays or barriers and what is being done to correct 
the situation.
    c. A financial progress report which provides an estimate of the 
overall obligations for the current budget period, and the actions to 
be taken if unobligated or insufficient funds are anticipated.
    d. An operational plan for the next budget period, which includes 
all goals, objectives, and activities. Descriptions of staffing or 
evaluation activities are necessary only if there are significant 
changes from those provided in the original application.
    e. A line item budget and budget justification for the next budget 
period (including information needed for proposed contracts and 
consultants as described in Section F: Content, Budget and Accompanying 
Justification).
2. Annual Progress Report
    Within 90 days after the end of the first budget period (by August 
14, 2005), submit an annual progress report that includes information 
described in (a) above (if applicable) and (b) above, with the 
exception that the period covered should be the entire budget period 
(May 15, 2004 to May 14, 2005). Within 90 days after the end of the 
entire two-year project period (by August 14, 2006), submit a final 
progress report.
3. Financial Status Report
    Within 90 days after the end of the first budget period (by August 
14, 2005), submit a Financial Status Report. Within 90 days after the 
end of the entire two-year project period (by August 14, 2005), submit 
a final Financial Status Report.

Additional Requirements

    Projects that involve the collection of information from 10 or more 
individuals and funded by a cooperative agreement will be subject to 
review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act.
    The following additional requirements are applicable to this 
program. For a complete description of each, see appendix D of the 
announcement as posted on the CDC Web site:

AR-1 Human Subjects Requirement
AR-5 HIV Review Panel Requirements (HIV funded projects only)
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

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 Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone: 770-488-2700.

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    For business management and budget assistance, contact: Nealean 
Austin, Grants Management Officer, Acquisitions and Assistance Branch, 
Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone 
number: (770) 488-2754, E-mail address: [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, send questions in writing to the 
following e-mail address: [email protected].
    Potential applicants may obtain online copies of documents 
referenced in this announcement at the following addresses:

CDC's HIV Prevention Strategic Plan Through 2005: http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/od/news/prevention.pdf.
Healthy People 2010: http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.

    Further guidance is available at the DASH Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dash.

    Dated: October 2, 2003.
Edward Schultz,
Acting Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 03-25481 Filed 10-7-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P