[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 51 (Tuesday, March 16, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12338-12340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5866]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration

[HRSA-04-078]


Special Projects of National Significance: An Evaluation of 
Innovative Methods for Integrating Buprenorphine Opioid Abuse Treatment 
in HIV Primary Care Settings; CFDA 93.928

AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds.

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SUMMARY: The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) 
announces the availability of fiscal year (FY) 2004 funds to be awarded 
under the Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS) Program for 
the development and evaluation of innovative methods for integrating 
buprenorphine opioid abuse treatment in HIV primary care settings.
    Program Purpose: The purpose of this new grant initiative is to 
support and examine the effectiveness of the integration of 
advancements in substance abuse treatment (buprenorphine) in HIV 
primary care settings. Grantees are expected to participate in multi-
site evaluation activities as well as accomplish a local evaluation of 
interventions. An Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center (ETAC) 
will be responsible for coordinating and conducting a multi-site 
analysis, providing clinical expertise, developing guidelines for 
integrated programs, conducting cost-effectiveness analysis, and 
dissemination of results.
    Program Requirements: The demonstration projects will focus on the 
development and evaluation of interventions that examine a number of 
relevant issues including (a) barriers and facilitators for clients 
successfully engaging in integrated substance abuse treatment using 
buprenorphine while also being treated for HIV, (b) how delivery of 
care is impacted by an integrated approach, and (c) how continuity of 
both HIV primary care and substance abuse (buprenorphine) treatment 
will be affected. The Center will work with SPNS and demonstration 
sites to develop an overall multi-site evaluation of the initiative. 
Subsequently, the Center will assist grantees on program development 
and evaluation issues. The Center will be responsible for describing 
the methods, theoretical framework, and principles of the evaluation 
design. The Center must also develop a technical assistance plan for 
grantees. Throughout the initiative, the SPNS Program expects the 
Center to describe the roles and characteristics of the clients, 
providers, and practitioners who participate in the projects, and the 
interventions used by grantees. In addition, the Center will gather 
information that will describe the effect of integrating buprenorphine 
treatment into primary care structures and health care systems.
    Eligible Applicants: The statute, Section 2691(a) of the Public 
Health Service Act specifies that grants may be awarded to public and 
non-profit private entities to fund special programs for the care and 
treatment of people with HIV disease. Eligible applicants may include, 
but are not limited to, State, local, or tribal public health, mental 
health, housing, or substance abuse departments; public or non-profit 
hospitals and medical facilities; faith-based and community-based 
organizations, institutions of higher education, and national service 
provider and/or policy development associations and organizations. With 
regard to this initiative, all applicants must have significant 
experience evaluating substance abuse treatment programs, HIV primary 
care and treatment, and the integration of these endeavors.
    Funding Priorities: This SPNS Initiative is designed to demonstrate 
and evaluate innovative and replicable models with regard to HIV 
treatment and care in various settings. The authorizing legislation 
specifies three SPNS program objectives: (1) To support the development 
of innovative models of HIV care; (2) to evaluate the effectiveness of 
innovative program designs; and (3) to promote replication of effective 
models.
    Authorizing Legislation: The SPNS Program is authorized by section 
2691 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, (42 U.S.C. 390ff-101).
    Availability of Funds: The program has $3.5 million dollars 
available for this initiative. The Health Resources and Services 
Administration (HRSA) expects to make up to ten (10) awards for 
demonstration projects (Category A) and one award for an Evaluation and 
Program Support Center (Category B). It is anticipated that each 
Category A project site will be awarded up to $300,000 per year for 5 
years. The Category B Evaluation and Support Center will be awarded up 
to $500,000 per year for 5 years. The budget and project periods for 
approved and funded projects will begin on or about September 1, 2004. 
Funds must be requested for all 5 years of the initiative.
    Cost Sharing/Matching: There are no cost sharing/matching 
requirements under this grant initiative.
    Application Deadline: Applications must be received in the HRSA GAC 
by the close of business April 15, 2004, to be considered for 
competition. Applications will meet the deadline if they are either (1) 
received on or before the deadline date or (2) postmarked or E-marked 
on or before the deadline date, and received in time for submission to 
the objective review panel. A legibly dated receipt from a commercial 
carrier or U.S. Postal Service will be accepted instead of a postmark. 
Private metered postmarks shall not be accepted as proof of timely 
mailing.
    Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria 
above are considered late applications. HRSA shall notify each late 
applicant that its

[[Page 12339]]

application will not be considered in the current competition.
    The Chief Grants Management Officer (CGMO) or a higher level 
designee may authorize an extension of published deadlines when 
justified by such circumstances as acts of God (e.g. floods or 
hurricanes), widespread disruptions of mail service, or other 
disruptions of services such as a prolonged blackout. The authorizing 
official will determine the affected geographical area(s).
    Electronic Submission: HRSA encourages applicants to submit 
applications on-line. To register and/or log-in to prepare your 
application, go to https://grants.hrsa.gov/webexternal/login.asp. For 
assistance in using the on-line application system, call 877-GO4-HRSA 
(877-464-4772) between 8:30 am to 5:30 pm ET or e-mail 
[email protected]. Application narratives and spreadsheets will need 
to be created separately and submitted as attachments to the 
application. You will be prompted to ``upload'' your attachments at 
strategic points within the application interface. The following 
document types will be accepted as attachments: WordPerfect (.wpd), 
Microsoft Word (.doc), Microsoft Excel (.xls), Rich Text Format (.rtf), 
Portable Document Format (.pdf). If there are tables that are not 
supported as data entry forms from within the application, they should 
be downloaded to your hard drive, filled in, and then uploaded as 
attachments with your application. Applications submitted 
electronically will be time/date stamped electronically, which will 
serve as receipt of submission. To look for funding opportunities, go 
to http://www.hrsa.gov/grants and follow the links.
    DUNS Number: Beginning October 1, 2003, applicants were required to 
have a Dun and Bradstreet (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or 
cooperative agreement from the Federal Government. To obtain a DUNS 
number, access http://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-5711. 
Please include DUNS number on application face page. Additionally, the 
applicant organization will be required to register with the Federal 
Government's Central Contractor Registry (CCR) in order to do business 
with the Federal Government, including electronically applying for HRSA 
grants. Information about registering with the CCR can be found at 
http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/ccr.htm.
    Where to Request and Send an Application: To prepare and submit an 
application, organizations must obtain: (1) The SPNS Buprenophine 
Substance Abuse Treatment Guidance and (2) the official Federal grant 
application kit. To obtain the official grant application kit (PHS 
5161-1) and program guidance materials for this announcement call the 
HRSA Grant Application Center at 877-477-2123 and request the OMB 
Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 93.928, FY 2004 
Integrating Buprenorphine/Substance Abuse Treatment in HIV Primary Care 
Settings. These forms may also be downloaded from the Health Resources 
and Services Administration's Web site at: http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/forms.htm. The Guidance can be found at http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/. 
HRSA encourages applicants to submit applications on-line. To register 
and/or log-in to prepare your application, go to https://grants.hrsa.gov/webexternal/login.asp. For assistance in using the on-
line application system, call 877-GO4-HRSA (877-464-4772) between 8:30 
am to 5:30 pm ET or e-mail [email protected].
    Notification of Intent to Apply: To allow HRSA to plan for the 
Objective Review Process, letters of intent are requested from all 
applicants. Such letters should be sent to: Division of Independent 
Review, Director, Attention: FY 2004 Integrating Buprenorphine/
Substance Abuse Treatment in HIV Primary Care Settings, HRSA Grants 
Application Center (GAC), The Legin Group, Inc., 901 Russell Avenue, 
Suite 450, Gaithersburg, MD 20879, fax number: 877-477-2345. Letters 
should be received by March 30, 2004. Receipt of these notices of 
intent will not be acknowledged. An applicant is eligible to apply even 
if no letter of intent is submitted.

ADDRESSES: Please mail one (1) original (ink-signed) and two (2) 
unbound photocopies of completed applications to the HRSA Grant 
Application Center, c/o The Legin Group, Inc., 901 Russell Avenue, 
Suite 450, Gaithersburg, MD 20879, Attention: FY 2004 Integrating 
Buprenorphine/Substance Abuse Treatment in HIV Primary Care Settings, 
HRSA-04-078. Grant applications sent to any other address will be 
returned. Applicants are strongly advised to obtain the Guidance before 
preparing applications.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information regarding this 
funding announcement may be requested from Lois Eldred, Dr PH, Chief, 
Demonstration Project Development and Evaluation Branch, Office of 
Science and Epidemiology, HIV/AIDS Bureau, Health Resources and 
Services Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 7C-07, Rockville, MD 
20857; telephone 301-443-3327; fax 301-443-4965; e-mail address 
[email protected]. For assistance related to technical and program 
issues regarding the overall SPNS Program, please contact Pamela 
Belton, Program Analyst, Demonstration Project Development and 
Evaluation Branch, HIV/AIDS Bureau, Health Resources and Services 
Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Parklawn Building, Room 7C-07, 
Rockville, MD 20857; telephone: 301-443-9976; fax 301-443-4965 or e-
mail address [email protected]. For information regarding business, 
administration, and fiscal issues related to the awarding of grants 
under this notice, contact Ms. Pamela Baker, Grants Management 
Specialist, Division of Grants Management Operations, Health Resources 
and Services Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 11A-16, Rockville, 
MD 20857; telephone 310-443-0197, fax 301-594-6096 or e-mail address 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: All applications submitted to the SPNS 
Program will be reviewed and rated by an objective review panel. All 
applicants funded should recognize that this initiative is not designed 
to provide continuous support once the initiative is complete and 
evaluated. Applicants are strongly encouraged to secure non-SPNS 
funding support during their initiative if the evaluation suggests that 
the program/intervention is effective and merits continuation.
    Healthy People 2010 Objectives: The PHS encourages applicants to 
address at least one of the Healthy People 2010 objectives related to 
HIV and AIDS in their work plans. Potential applicants may obtain a 
copy of Healthy People 2010 (Full Report) or Healthy People 2010 
(Summary Report) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government 
Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402-9325 (Web site: http://www.access.gpo.gov; telephone: 202-512-1800).
    Reporting and Other Requirements: In addition to deliverables 
described in guidance materials, the successful applicant under this 
notice must submit two semi-annual activity summary reports, in 
accordance with provisions of the general regulations which apply under 
45 CFR 74.51 ``Monitoring and reporting of program performance'' (with 
the exception of State and local governments to which 45 CFR part 92 
reporting requirements apply), and comply with audit requirements of 
OMB Circular A-133. Further, the PHS also strongly encourages all award 
recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and

[[Page 12340]]

to promote the non-use of all tobacco products. In particular, Public 
Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain 
facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a facility) in which 
regular or routine education, library, day care, health care or early 
childhood development services are provided to children.
    Public Health System Reporting Requirements: This program is also 
subject to the PHS Reporting Requirements which have been approved by 
the OMB under No. 0937-0195. Under these requirements, any community-
based, non-governmental applicant must prepare and submit a Public 
Health System Impact Statement (PHSIS). The PHSIS is intended to keep 
State and local health officials appraised of proposed health services 
grant applications submitted from within their jurisdictions. 
Instructions on this matter are contained in the Guidance for this 
initiative, available from the GAC.
    Paperwork Reduction Act: Should there be any data collection 
activities associated with this funding that fall under the purview of 
the Paperwork Reduction Act, OMB clearance will be sought.
    Executive Order 12372: The SPNS Grant Program is subject to the 
provisions of Executive Order 12372, concerning intergovernmental 
review of Federal Programs, as implemented by 45 CFR part 100. 
Executive Order 12372 allows States the option of setting up a system 
for reviewing applications from within their States for assistance 
under certain Federal programs. The application packages to be made 
available under this notice will contain a listing of States which have 
chosen to set up a review system and will provide a State Single Point 
of Contact (SPOC) for the review. Applicants (other than federally 
recognized Indian tribes) should contact their SPOCs as early as 
possible to alert them to the prospective applications and receive any 
necessary instructions on the State process. For proposed projects 
serving more than one State, the applicant is advised to contact the 
SPOC of each affected State. The due date for State process 
recommendations under E.O. 12372 is 60 days after the application due 
date. HRSA does not guarantee that it will accommodate or explain its 
responses to State process recommendations received after that date. 
(See ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' Executive Order 
12372, and 45 CFR part 100, for a description of the review process and 
requirements. For additional information go to: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.)
    Review Process: Applications submitted in response to the NOAF will 
be reviewed for threshold criteria and merit by an Objective Review 
Committee. Applicants should carefully review the criteria, in relation 
to the Program Requirements, to ensure that their applications address 
each criterion. Reviewers will use only the information you include in 
your application. Therefore, it is important that you write clearly and 
be specific. You should assume that the reviewers know nothing about 
your organization or the work you do. The threshold criteria for 
Category A demonstration project sites and Category B Evaluation and 
Support Center are: (1) Need (15 points), (2) Response (25 points), (3) 
Evaluative Measures (20 points), (4) Impact (15 points), (5) Resources/
Capabilities (15 points) and (6) Support Requested (10 points). These 
criteria are more completely defined in the Application Kit.

    Dated: February 26, 2004.
Elizabeth M. Duke,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 04-5866 Filed 3-15-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-15-P