[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 5 (Thursday, January 8, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1295-1298]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-356]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


National On-line Resource Center for Violence Against Women

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: 04066.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.136.
    Key Dates:

Letter of Intent Deadline: January 23, 2004.
    Application Deadline: March 8, 2004.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Authority: This program is authorized under section 317(k) of 
the Public Health Service Act, (42 U.S.C. 247b(k)).

    Purpose: The purpose of this program is to support an on-line, 
publicly accessible collection of resources and discussion forums on 
violence against women (VAW) within an organization that currently 
manages an on-line collection. This program will utilize current 
technology to build the capacity of local, state, national and tribal 
agencies and organizations to develop, implement and evaluate VAW 
prevention initiatives and intervention programs.
    For the purposes of this program announcement the following 
definitions apply:
    Intervention: services, policies and actions provided after 
domestic violence or sexual violence has occurred and may have the 
advantageous effect of preventing a re-occurrence of violence.
    Prevention: population-based and/or environmental/system level 
services, policies and actions that prevent violence against women from 
initially occurring. Prevention efforts work to modify and/or entirely 
eliminate the event, conditions, situations, or exposure to influences 
(risk factors) that result in the initiation of violence against women 
and associated injuries, disabilities, and deaths. Additionally, 
prevention efforts seek to identify and enhance protective factors that 
may prevent violence against women not only in at-risk populations but 
also in the community at large.
    Violence Against Women (VAW): Minimally, violence against women 
refers to physical violence, sexual violence, threats of physical and/
or sexual violence, stalking, and psychological/emotional abuse against 
women by any perpetrator (e.g. spouse, acquaintance, stranger, etc.).
    The program requires three core components:
    1. Provide a searchable, on-line, publicly accessible, full-text 
collection of resources that address VAW.
    2. Provide on-line, publicly accessible discussion forum(s) for 
participants to exchange ideas, share resources, discuss emerging 
issues and network in order to support effective local, state, national 
and tribal prevention initiatives and intervention programs.
    3. Compile, translate and disseminate VAW research and evaluation 
findings.
    This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2010'' focus area of 
Injury and Violence Prevention.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the 
following performance goal for the National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control (NCIPC):
    Increase the capacity of injury prevention and control programs to 
address the prevention of injuries and violence.

Activities

    Awardee activities for this program are as follows:
    a. Collaborate with CDC on the implementation and evaluation of the 
program, which includes establishing mutually agreed upon goals and 
objectives and participating in strategic planning.
    b. Provide a searchable, on-line, publicly accessible, full-text 
collection of resources that address VAW.
    The on-line resource collection should provide access to 
information and materials for developing and maintaining local, state, 
national and tribal VAW prevention initiatives and intervention 
programs (e.g. education and training curriculums, research on risk and 
protective factors for violence against women perpetration and 
victimization, law and policy concerning VAW, summary and translation 
of current research and evaluation findings and community mobilization 
strategies). This cooperative agreement also allows for the development 
of original materials. The collection should be searchable and 
resources should be available in full-text. Resources should include a 
focus on traditionally underserved populations, violence as a public 
health problem, prevention and public education strategies and research 
and evaluation summary and translation. Materials and other resources 
in support of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness month 
activities should also be made available. Resources should be equally 
balanced between domestic violence and sexual assault as well as 
prevention and intervention topics.
    c. Provide on-line, publicly accessible discussion forums for 
participants to exchange ideas, share resources, discuss emerging 
issues and network in order to support effective local, state, national 
and tribal VAW prevention initiatives and intervention programs.
    The discussion forums should strengthen communication between 
local, state, national and tribal agencies and organizations (e.g., 
state domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions, local domestic 
violence and sexual assault programs, public health agencies and 
organizations and those working in underserved communities) as well as 
interested individuals to support effective prevention initiatives and 
intervention programs. Discussion forums should be equally balanced 
between domestic violence and sexual assault, and prevention and 
intervention topics.
    d. Compile, translate and disseminate VAW research and evaluation 
findings on a broad range of VAW related topics.
    The program should make current research and evaluation findings 
available and accessible to practitioners by providing summaries and 
translation of findings as well as implications for practice. This 
should be done in consultation with a researcher(s) that has expertise 
in VAW.
    e. Provide a full-time manager and other staff as appropriate.
    f. Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with 
national, state, local and tribal domestic violence and sexual violence 
organizations, public health agencies and organizations, the recipient 
of the national resource center on sexual violence prevention 
cooperative agreement, and other CDC grantees and partners.
    g. Actively market the program to a broad range of constituents, 
including but not limited to local, state, national and tribal domestic 
violence and sexual violence agencies and organizations, public health 
agencies and organizations, and those working in underserved 
communities.
    h. Establish and maintain an advisory board with professional 
experience and expertise in the areas of domestic

[[Page 1296]]

violence and sexual violence. Board members should: represent multiple 
disciplines, including public health; represent a balance between 
prevention and intervention expertise; and be culturally and racially/
ethnically diverse.
    i. Provide a detailed evaluation plan that will document program 
process, effectiveness, and outcomes. This plan should identify 
potential program data sources for evaluation, document staff 
availability, expertise and capacity to perform the evaluation 
activities. The plan should also include how results or information 
will be used to make programmatic and/or operational decisions.
    j. Participate in regular conference calls with CDC program staff 
and participate in CDC grantee meetings as requested by CDC.
    k. Submit required reports to CDC as scheduled.
    In a cooperative agreement, CDC staff is substantially involved in 
the program activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring.
    CDC Activities for this program are as follows:
    a. Provide technical assistance and consultation in the 
implementation and evaluation of the program including participation in 
strategic planning and advisory committee meetings.
    b. Consult with program staff in the development of discussion 
forums including topics, facilitators and content.
    c. Participate in on-line discussion forums.
    d. Contribute to the identification and development of Web site 
content.
    e. Review of the compilation and translation of VAW research and 
evaluation findings.
    f. Collaborate with program staff in identifying up-to-date 
scientific and programmatic information around VAW prevention 
activities, including but not limited to CDC funded projects, 
extramural research projects, and initiatives with other agencies 
around VAW prevention and intervention issues.
    g. Arrange for information sharing among the program and other 
relevant CDC grantees and partners.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. CDC involvement in this 
program is listed in the Activities Section above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2004.
    Approximate Total Funding: $770,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: one.
    Approximate Average Award: $770,000.
    Floor of Award Range: None.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $770,000.
    If you request a funding amount greater than the ceiling of the 
award range, your application will not be entered into the review 
process. You will be notified that your application did not meet the 
submission requirements.
    Anticipated Award Date: September 1, 2004.
    Budget Period Length: 12.
    Project Period Length: five years.
    Throughout the project period, CDC's commitment to continuation of 
awards will be conditioned on the availability of funds, evidence of 
satisfactory progress by the recipient (as documented in required 
reports), and the determination that continued funding is in the best 
interest of the Federal Government.

III. Eligibility Information

    Eligible applicants: Applications may be submitted by public and 
private nonprofit organizations and faith- and community-based 
organizations that currently have a searchable, on-line, full-text 
collection of resources that address VAW as well as existing 
technological infrastructure to support the growth of the collection 
and web-based discussion forums.
    Because these funds are not to be used for the development of new 
infrastructure the only eligible applicants are those with the existing 
capacity to accomplish the goals set forth in the ``Purpose'' section 
of this announcement.
    Other Eligibility Requirements: If your application is incomplete 
or non-responsive to the requirements listed below, it will not be 
entered into the review process. You will be notified that your 
application did not meet the submission requirements.
    Cost Sharing or Matching: Matching funds are not required for this 
program.

    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.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    Letter of Intent (LOI):
    CDC requests that you send a LOI if you intend to apply for this 
program. Your LOI will be used to gauge the level of interest in this 
program, and to allow CDC to plan the application review. Your LOI must 
be written in the following format:
    [sbull] Maximum number of pages: two.
    [sbull] Font size: 12-point unreduced.
    [sbull] Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches.
    [sbull] Single spaced.
    [sbull] Page margin size: one inch.
    [sbull] Printed only on one side of page.
    [sbull] Written in English, avoid jargon.
    Your LOI must contain the following information:
    [sbull] Number and title of this Program Announcement (PA  
04066).
    [sbull] A brief description of your current on-line resource 
collection.
    LOI Deadline Date: January 23, 2004.
    LOI Submission Address: Submit your LOI by express mail, delivery 
service, fax or E-mail to: Karen Lang, Project Officer, 2939 Flowers 
Road South, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: 770-488-1118, Fax: 770-488-
4349, [email protected].
    How to Obtain Application Forms and Instructions: To apply for this 
funding opportunity use application form PHS 5161. Forms are available 
on the CDC Web site, 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) staff at: 770-488-2700. Application forms can be mailed to 
you.

Content and Form of Application Submission

    Application: This program announcement is the definitive guide on 
application format, content, and deadlines. It supersedes information 
provided in the application instructions. If there are discrepancies 
between the application form instructions and the program announcement, 
adhere to the guidance in the program announcement.
    You are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering System (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 http://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-
5711.
    For more information, see the CDC Web site at: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/pubcommt.htm. If your application form does not have a 
DUNS number field, please write your DUNS number at the top of the 
first page of your application, and/or include your DUNS number in your 
application cover letter.

[[Page 1297]]

Content and Form of Submission

    Application: You must submit a signed original, two copies, and a 
labeled disk or CD-Rom of your application forms.
    You must include a project narrative with your application forms. 
Your narrative must be submitted in the following format:
    [sbull] Maximum number of pages: 25. If your narrative exceeds the 
page limit, only the first pages which are within the page limit will 
be reviewed.
    [sbull] Font size: 12 point unreduced.
    [sbull] Double spaced.
    [sbull] Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches.
    [sbull] Page margin size: one inch.
    [sbull] Printed only on one side of page.
    [sbull] Held together only by rubber bands or metal clips; not 
bound in any other way.
    Your narrative should address activities to be conducted over the 
entire project period, and must include the following items in the 
order listed:
    [sbull] Abstract (one-page summary of the application, does not 
count towards page limit).
    [sbull] Applicant's relevant experience.
    [sbull] Plan to implement the program.
    [sbull] Applicant's capacity and staffing.
    [sbull] Collaboration.
    [sbull] Marketing plan.
    [sbull] Measures of effectiveness.
    [sbull] Proposed budget and justification (does not count towards 
page limit).
    Funding restrictions, which must be taken into account while 
writing your budget are as follows: cooperative agreement funds for 
this project cannot be used for construction, renovation, the lease of 
passenger vehicles, the development of major software applications, or 
supplanting current applicant expenditures.
    If you are requesting indirect costs in your budget, you must 
include a copy of your indirect cost rate agreement. If your indirect 
cost rate is a provisional rate, the agreement must be less than 12 
months of age.
    Guidance for completing your budget can be found on the CDC Web 
site, at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/budgetguide.htm.
    Additional information may be included in the application 
appendices. The appendices will not be counted toward the narrative 
page limit. This additional information includes:
    [sbull] Curriculum vitaes
    [sbull] Job descriptions
    [sbull] Resumes
    [sbull] Organizational charts
    [sbull] Letters of support, etc.

Submission Date, Time, and Address

    Application Deadline Date: March 8, 2004.
    Application Submission Address: Submit your application by mail or 
express delivery service to: Technical Information Management--
PA 04066, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine 
Road, Atlanta, GA 30341.
    Applications may not be submitted by fax or e-mail.
    Explanation of Deadlines: Applications must be received in the CDC 
Procurement and Grants Office by 4 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline 
date. If you send your application by the United States Postal Service 
or commercial delivery service, you must ensure that the carrier will 
be able to guarantee delivery of the application by the closing date 
and time. If CDC receives your application 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, you will be given the opportunity to 
submit documentation of the carrier's guarantee. If the documentation 
verifies a carrier problem, CDC will consider the application as having 
been received by the deadline.
    This program announcement is the definitive guide on application 
format, content, and deadlines. It supersedes information provided in 
the application instructions. If your application does not meet the 
deadline above, it will not be eligible for review, and will be 
discarded. You will be notified that you did not meet the submission 
requirements.
    If you have a question about the receipt of your application, first 
contact your courier. CDC will not notify you by mail upon receipt of 
your application, but 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.
    Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order 12372 
does not apply to this program.

V. Application Review Information

    Review Criteria: You 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.
    Your application will be evaluated against the following criteria:
    1. Applicant's Relevant Experience (30 points)
    a. Does the applicant have experience in managing a comprehensive, 
searchable, on-line, publicly accessible, full-text collection of 
resources that address VAW?
    b. Does the applicant have experience in addressing prevention and 
intervention of both domestic violence and sexual assault (including 
sexual assault perpetrated by someone other than an intimate partner)?
    c. Does the applicant have experience in managing on-line 
discussion forums that address VAW prevention and intervention?
    d. Does the applicant have experience in providing summary and 
translation of current research and evaluation findings for VAW 
practitioners?
    2. Plan to Implement the Resource Collection (25 points)
    a. Does the applicant provide a plan that responds to all three 
core areas outlined in ``Purpose'' section of this announcement?
    b. Does the applicant provide clearly stated goals and 
corresponding objectives that are time-phased, specific, attainable, 
and measurable?
    c. Does the applicant provide a 5-year vision for how the program 
will be flexible and adaptable in incorporating change and growth of 
both technology as well as priorities and context of the domestic 
violence, sexual assault and public health fields?
    d. Does the applicant articulate how this program provides a 
resource that is unique and not duplicative of other programs/
resources?
    e. Does applicant provide a clear description of the role and 
involvement of the advisory board and do they identify participants 
representing a broad range of disciplines that work in the area of VAW, 
including public health?
    f. Does the applicant provide a specific and achievable plan to 
market the resource collection to a diverse range of constituents, 
including public health?
    g. Does applicant have a plan to recruit and manage a diverse range 
of participants in the on-line discussion forums (including a plan to 
address potential inappropriate postings)?
    3. Applicant's Capacity and Staffing (20 points)
    a. Does the applicant demonstrate an existing capacity and 
infrastructure (including a comprehensive, searchable, on-line, 
publicly accessible, full-text

[[Page 1298]]

collection of resources that address VAW, and has institutional 
experience, adequate server space and other information technology) to 
manage the program and carry out the required activities in the 
cooperative agreements?
    b. Does the applicant's description of the responsibilities of 
individual staff members, including the level of effort and allocation 
of time, demonstrate an ability to effectively manage and implement the 
activities of this cooperative agreement?
    c. Is the project staff clearly described and does each staff 
member have the appropriate skills and expertise for their assigned 
staff position? Has the applicant included an organizational chart and 
curriculum vitae, or position description for each proposed staff 
member?
    4. Collaboration (15 points)
    a. Does the applicant demonstrate a willingness to collaborate with 
CDC in the design, implementation and evaluation of the program?
    b. Does the applicant demonstrate a willingness to collaborate with 
other relevant CDC grantees and partners, including the recipient of 
the national resource center on sexual violence prevention?
    c. Does the applicant demonstrate a successful history of 
collaborating effectively with other organizations at the national, 
state, local and tribal levels? Does the applicant include letters of 
support and/or memoranda of agreement from national and state VAW 
organizations, research and/or academic experts/institutions, and other 
relevant agencies and organizations, including public health agencies 
and organizations?
    5. Evaluation (10 points)
    a. Does the applicant provide a detailed description of the methods 
to be used to evaluate program effectiveness, including what will be 
evaluated, data to be collected and analyzed, who will perform the 
evaluation, the time frame and how the data will be used for program 
enhancement?
    b. Does the applicant's evaluation plan include a component for 
assessing consumer satisfaction as well as periodic assessment of 
emerging issues and information needs in the VAW and public health 
fields?
    c. Does the applicant document staff availability, expertise, and 
capacity to evaluate program activities and effectiveness?
    6. Measures of Effectiveness (not scored)
    Does the applicant provide objective/quantifiable measures 
regarding the resource centers intended outcomes that will demonstrate 
the accomplishment of the various identified objectives of the 
cooperative agreement?
    7. Budget (not scored)
    Does the applicant provide a detailed budget with complete line-
item justification of all proposed costs consistent with the stated 
activities in the program announcement? Details must include a 
breakdown in the categories of personnel (with time allocations for 
each), staff travel, communications and postage, equipment, supplies, 
and any other costs. The budget projection must also include a 
narrative justification for all requested costs. Any sources of 
additional funding beyond the amount stipulated in this cooperative 
agreement should be indicated, including donated time or services. For 
each expense category, the budget should indicate CDC share, the 
applicant share and any other support. These funds should not be used 
to supplant existing efforts.
    Review and Selection Process: An objective review panel will 
evaluate your application according to the criteria listed above.

VI. Award Administration Information

    Award Notices: Successful applicants will receive a Notice of Grant 
Award (NGA) from the CDC Procurement and Grants Office. The NGA shall 
be the only binding, authorizing document between the recipient and 
CDC. The NGA will be signed by an authorized Grants Management Officer, 
and mailed to the recipient fiscal officer identified in the 
application.
    Administrative and National Policy Requirements: 45 CFR parts 74 
and 92.
    For more information on the Code of Federal Regulations, see the 
National Archives and Records Administration at the following Internet 
address: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html.
    The following additional requirements apply to this project:
    [sbull] AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
    [sbull] AR-11 Healthy People 2010
    [sbull] AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
    [sbull] AR-13 Prohibition on Use of CDC Funds for Certain Gun 
Control Activities
    [sbull] AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status
    Additional information on these requirements can be found on the 
CDC Web site at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm.
    Reporting Requirements: You must provide CDC with an original, plus 
two copies of the following reports:
    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.
    f. Measures of Effectiveness.
    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.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For general questions about this announcement, contact: Technical 
Information Management Section, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 
Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: 770-488-2700.
    For program technical assistance, contact: Karen Lang, Project 
Officer, 4770 Buford Hwy., NE., MS-K60, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, 
Telephone: 770-488-1118, E-mail: [email protected].
    For budget assistance, contact: Angie Nation, Grants Management 
Specialist, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, 
Suite 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: (770) 488-2719, E-mail: 
[email protected].

    Dated: December 31, 2003.
Edward Schultz,
Acting Director, Procurement and Grants Office Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 04-356 Filed 1-7-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P