[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 63 (Thursday, April 1, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17159-17163]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7306]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


National Health Organization Strategies To Provide Information 
and Education for Patients, Their Family Members, Friends, and 
Caregivers With Respect to Hematologic Cancers

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: 04159.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.283.
    Key Dates:

Letter of Intent Deadline: May 3, 2004.
Application Deadline: May 28, 2004.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Authority: This program is authorized under sections 301(a), 
317(k)(2) of the Public Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C. 241 (a)and 
247b(k)(2)], as amended.

    Purpose: The purpose of the program is to announce the availability 
of fiscal year 2004 funds for cooperative agreements for national 
health organization strategies to provide information and education for 
patients, their family members, friends, and caregivers with respect to 
hematologic cancers. This program will assist national health 
organizations in the development and implementation of strategies to 
promote and disseminate information and education, and to increase 
awareness of support services for patients, their family members, 
friends, and caregivers with respect to hematologic cancers, 
particularly leukemia, lymphoma, and/or multiple myeloma.
    This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2010'' focus area of 
cancer, specifically Chapter 3, Goals 3-1 (Reduce the overall cancer 
death rate) and Goals 3-15 (Increase the proportion of cancer survivors 
who are living 5 years or longer after diagnosis).
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the 
following performance goal for the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC): Increase the proportion of cancer of hematologic 
cancer survivors, particularly leukemia, lymphoma, and/or multiple 
myeloma who are living five years or longer after diagnosis through 
effective individual, community, and health care provider health 
promotion strategies, information dissemination, and education.
    This project includes developing partnerships to facilitate the 
exchange of previously developed and tested hematologic cancer 
information and education resources (existing or newly developed) among 
a variety of public agencies and national health organizations. This 
program may also include efforts to develop and test new hematologic 
cancer information and education resources for individuals who may be 
underserved, uninsured or underinsured, or of racial/ethnic minorities 
if a need can be demonstrated and appropriate materials are not 
available.
    Activities: Awardee activities for this program include development 
of programs, strategies, and partnerships designed to promote and 
disseminate previously effective developed and tested information and 
education resources for patients, their family members, friends, and 
caregivers with respect to hematologic cancers, particularly of 
leukemia, lymphoma, and/or multiple myeloma, as follows:
     Develop and test new hematologic cancer 
information and education resources for individuals who may be 
underserved, uninsured or underinsured, or of racial/ethnic minorities 
if a need can be demonstrated and no materials currently exist pending 
CDC approval. Performance will be measured by the extent to which the 
applicant reaches hematologic cancer patients, their family members, 
friends, and caregivers.
     Develop and carry out strategies to increase 
awareness of patient support services for hematologic cancer patients.
    Performance will be measured by the extent to which implemented 
strategies increase awareness of services.
     Establish specific, measurable, and realistic 
short-term (one year) and long-term (three year) program objectives 
consistent with the purpose of this program announcement for the 
accomplishment of program activities.
    Performance will be measured based upon the extent to which 
objectives are realistic, time-phased, and achievable.
     Identify and hire appropriate staff.
    Performance will be measured by the extent to which the 
organization has hired qualified staff and supported them with 
resources to accomplish the goals and objectives proposed.
     Establish partnerships with other federal 
agencies, such as National Cancer Institute (NCI) and Health Resources 
and Services Administration (HRSA), Comprehensive Cancer Control (CCC) 
programs in state health departments, American Indian/Alaska Native 
organizations, U.S. territories, the District of Columbia, and/or other 
national health organizations to implement hematologic cancer education 
activities to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the 
program strategies.
    Performance will be measured based on the extent to which the 
program establishes and uses new partnerships in developing and 
disseminating hematologic cancer education activities.
     Participate in a minimum of two CDC or other 
hematologic cancer partner meetings per year to facilitate the 
accomplishment of proposed objectives. Performance will be measured by 
the extent to which the organization participates in or facilitates at 
least two meetings per year (e.g. annual, regional, CDC-sponsored, 
etc.) to either gain information or to educate partners.
     Evaluate achievement of each goal and objective 
through a well-designed evaluation plan. Effectiveness will be measured 
based on the development and use of objective, quantitative measures to 
demonstrate the accomplishment of program goals, objectives, and 
intended outcomes.
     Disseminate information regarding organization 
achievements and activities to hematologic cancer patients, their 
family members, friends, and caregivers.
    Performance will be measured by the activities undertaken to 
disseminate strategies and share information with partners.
    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:
     Collaborate with recipients in the development, 
implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of program strategies 
designed to provide information and education, and to increase 
awareness of support services for patients, their family members, 
friends, and caregivers with respect to hematologic cancers, 
particularly leukemia, lymphoma, and/or multiple myeloma.
     Collaborate with recipients in the development 
of information dissemination approaches that relate to the purpose of 
this program announcement.
     Facilitate the exchange of program information, 
technical assistance, and the development of partnerships between 
recipients funded under this program announcement and federal

[[Page 17160]]

agencies, community organizations, health departments, and other 
appropriate partners. Collaborate with recipients to develop meeting 
agendas including identifying speakers and presenters.
     Review and approve all strategies to develop and 
test new materials to ensure that there is a clear demonstrated need 
for a particular population.

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: $3,000,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 5-6.
    Approximate Average Award: $500,000.
    (This amount is for the first 12-month budget period, and includes 
both direct and indirect costs.)
    Floor of Award Range: None.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $500,000 (This ceiling is for the first 12-
month budget period.)
    Anticipated Award Date: August 16, 2004.
    Budget Period Length: 12 months.
    Project Period Length: 3 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

III.1. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public and private nonprofit and 
for profit, such as:

 Public nonprofit organizations
 Private nonprofit organizations
 For profit organizations

    Applications may be submitted by national health organizations that 
have the capacity and ability to conduct nationwide programmatic 
activities related to promoting hematologic cancer education and 
information dissemination on support services that serve a large number 
of hematologic cancer patients. Applicants must demonstrate the ability 
to implement programs related to hematologic cancers. Due to the fact 
that this program is intended to serve the entire nation, to be 
eligible, national organizations must serve as an umbrella organization 
for their constituents (having regional or local chapters or 
memberships), implementing activities in 25 or more states.

III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Matching funds are not required for this program.

III.3. Other

    If you request a funding amount greater than the ceiling of the 
award range, your application will be considered non-responsive, and 
will not be entered into the review process. You will be notified that 
your application did not meet the submission requirements.


    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

IV.1. Address To Request Application Package

    To apply for this funding opportunity use application form PHS 
5161. Application forms and instructions 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.

IV.2. Content and Form of Submission

    Letter of Intent (LOI):
    Your LOI must be written in the following format:

 Maximum number of pages: 2
 Font size: 12-point unreduced
 Double spaced
 Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches
 Page margin size: One inch
 Printed only on one side of page
 Written in plain language, avoid jargon

    Your LOI must contain your organization's name, address and contact 
information.
    Application: You must submit a project narrative with your 
application forms. The narrative must be submitted in the following 
format:

 Maximum number of pages: 35. If your narrative 
exceeds the page limit, only the first pages which are within the page 
limit will be reviewed.
 Font size: 12 point unreduced
 Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches
 Page margin size: One inch
 Double spaced
 Printed only on one side of page
 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 three year project period, and must include the following items 
in the order listed:
    Executive Summary: The applicant should provide a clear, concise 1-
2 page written summary to include:
    1. Proposed strategies to promote and disseminate information and 
education, and to increase awareness of support services for patients, 
their family members, friends, and caregivers with respect to 
hematologic cancers.
    2. Statement of capability to conduct the proposed strategies.
    3. Requested amount of funding.
    Capacity: Describe the applicant's history and experience with 
program activities or any services provided to people affected by 
hematologic cancers, and the rationale for use of previously conducted 
or newly developed innovative strategies to enhance the delivery of 
education, information, or support services to patients with 
hematologic cancers, particularly leukemia, lymphoma, and/or multiple 
myeloma.
    Work Plan: The applicant should provide a detailed work plan for 
the first year that describes how the proposed activities will be 
conducted. The work plan should include the following:
    1. Objectives: Specific, realistic, and time-phased, measurable, 
short-term (one year) and long-term (three year) objectives consistent 
with the intent of this program announcement.
    2. Activities: Specific activities and strategies that will be 
undertaken to achieve each of the proposed short-term objectives during 
the budget period.
    3. Time Line: A time line for assessing progress in meeting 
objectives.
    4. Staff Responsibility: Staff responsible for completion of 
activities. Include the level of effort and allocation of time for each 
project activity by staff position.
    5. Program Evaluation: How activities and their impact will be 
evaluated, including indicators of program success.
    Grantees may choose to use the attached work plan format to present 
this information (See Attachment A of this announcement as posted on 
the CDC Web site.)
    Project Management:
    1. Describe the organization's structure and function, size, 
national membership substructure, activities on a national level, and 
methods of routine communication with members.

[[Page 17161]]

    2. Describe each current or proposed staff position for this 
program by job title, function, education and experience, general 
duties, and activities with which that position will be involved.
    Collaborative Activities: Describe past and proposed collaborative 
working partnerships with providers, community groups or others who 
serve or have established linkages with patients with hematologic 
cancers.
    Budget and Justification: Provide a detailed line item budget and 
narrative justification of all operating expenses consistent with the 
proposed objectives and planned activities. Each budget item should be 
clearly related to a stated activity.
    Participation in CDC sponsored training, workshops, or meetings is 
essential to the effective implementation of hematologic cancer 
education and information activities. Travel funds should be budgeted 
for the following meetings:
    Three to five persons to Atlanta, Georgia to discuss program 
implementation progress (reverse site visit) and for consultation and 
technical assistance (two days, one trip per year.)
    Up to two additional two-person trips to Atlanta, or other 
destinations to attend or assist with national workgroups, task forces, 
or committees (one to three days.)

    Additional information may be included in the application 
appendices. The appendices will not be counted toward the narrative 
page limit, but should not exceed 20 pages. This additional information 
includes:

 Curriculum vitae
 Job descriptions
 Organizational charts
 Work plan
 Any other supporting documentation
    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.
    Additional requirements that may require you to submit additional 
documentation with your application are listed in section ``VI.2. 
Administrative and National Policy Requirements.''

IV.3. Submission Dates and Times

    LOI Deadline Date: May 3, 2004.
    CDC requests that you send a LOI if you intend to apply for this 
program. Although the LOI is not required, not binding, and does not 
enter into the review of your subsequent application, the LOI will be 
used to gauge the level of interest in this program, and to allow CDC 
to plan the application review.
    Application Deadline Date: May 28, 2004.
    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 carriers guarantee. If the documentation 
verifies a carrier problem, CDC will consider the application as having 
been received by the deadline.
    This announcement is the definitive guide on application submission 
address and deadline. 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 your application did not meet the 
submission requirements.
    CDC will not notify you upon receipt of your application. 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.

IV. 4. Intergovernmental Review of Applications

    Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program.

IV. 5. Funding Restrictions

    Restrictions, which must be taken into account while writing your 
budget, are as follows:
     Funds may be used to support personnel and to 
purchase supplies and services directly related to program activities 
consistent with the scope of this announcement. While the purchase of 
equipment is discouraged, it will be considered for approval if 
justified on the basis of being essential to the program and not 
available from another source.
     Funds provided under this announcement are not 
to be used to conduct research.
     Funds may not be used for the purchase or lease 
of land or buildings, construction of facilities, renovation of 
existing space, or the delivery of clinical and therapeutic services, 
personal health services, medications, rehabilitation or other costs 
associated with screening or treatment for cancer.
     Funds provided under this announcement may not 
be used for the endorsement or promotion of any drugs, health products, 
or medical supplies and equipment.
     Applicants are encouraged to maximize the public 
health benefit of CDC funding. Recipients have the ability to redirect 
up to 25 percent of the total approved budget to achieve stated goals 
and objectives within the scope of the award, except from categories 
that require prior approval such as contracts or change in scope or key 
personnel. A list of required prior approval actions will be included 
in the Notice of Grant Award.
     Awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-award 
costs.
    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 should 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.

IV.6. Other Submission Requirements

    LOI Submission Address: Submit your LOI by express mail, delivery 
service, fax, or E-mail to: Christine Dauer, Public Health Advisor, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic 
Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Cancer Prevention 
and Control, Office of the Director, 4770 Buford Highway, NE., Mailstop 
K-52, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, Telephone:

[[Page 17162]]

(770) 488-3056, Fax: (770) 488-4760, E-mail: [email protected].
    Application Submission Address: Submit the original and two hard 
copies of your application by mail or express delivery service to: 
Technical Information Management-PA 04159, CDC Procurement and 
Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341.
    Applications may not be submitted electronically at this time.

V. Application Review Information

V.1. 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:
Evaluation Criteria (100 Points Total)
1. Work Plan (50 Points)
 Objectives
    Are short-term (one year) and long-term (three year) objectives 
specific, time-phased, measurable, realistic, related to identified 
needs and consistent with the purpose of this program announcement?

 Activities
    Does the applicant's plan for achieving the proposed activities 
appear realistic and feasible and relate to the programmatic 
requirements and purposes of this program announcement?

 Evaluation Plan
    Does the proposed evaluation plan address progress toward meeting 
goals and objectives, describe indicators of program success, and 
appear to be reasonable and feasible?

2. Project Management (25 Points)

    Does proposed staffing, organizational structure, staff experience 
and background, training needs or plan, job descriptions and curricula 
vitae for both proposed and current staff indicate past experience in 
carrying out similar programs and the ability to carry out the purposes 
of the current program? Does the applicant demonstrate ability to 
manage the project, including lines of communication, and 
organizational support? Can the activities described reasonably be 
accomplished? What is the relationship of the activities to the 
expected outcomes?
3. Collaborative Activities (15 Points)
    Does the applicant describe clear and complete plans to develop 
relationships with or engage other organizations, agencies, or partners 
to provide for complementary or supplementary activities and resources?
4. Capacity (10 Points)
    Does the applicant demonstrate the capacity and ability of the 
organization to implement proposed activities including, 
infrastructure, relationship to intended audience, and experience with 
partners?
5. Budget and Justification (Not Scored)
    Is the budget well-justified, reasonable, and consistent with the 
purpose and activities of the program?

V.2. Review and Selection Process

    Applications will be reviewed for completeness by the Procurement 
and Grants Office (PGO) staff, and for responsiveness by the National 
Center for Chronic Disease (NCCD), Division of Cancer Prevention and 
Control (DCPC). Incomplete applications and applications that are non-
responsive to the eligibility criteria will not advance through the 
review process. Applicants will be notified that their application did 
not meet submission requirements.
    An objective review panel will evaluate complete and responsive 
applications according to the criteria listed in the ``V.1. Criteria'' 
section above.

V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    August 16, 2004.

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1. 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.
    Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of 
the application review by mail.

VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

45 CFR Part 74 and Part 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:

     AR-8 Public Health System Reporting 
Requirements.
     AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements.
     AR-11 Healthy People 2010.
     AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions.
     AR-14 Accounting System Requirements.
     AR-25 Release and Sharing of Data.
    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.

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    You must provide CDC with an original, plus two hard 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. Budget.
    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.
    These reports must be mailed to the Grants Management or Contract 
Specialist listed in the ``Agency Contacts'' section of this 
announcement.

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: Christine Dauer, Public 
Health Advisor, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National 
Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of 
Cancer Prevention and Control, Office of the Director.
    For mail service: 4770 Buford Highway, NE., Mailstop K-52, Atlanta,

[[Page 17163]]

GA 30341-3724, Telephone: (770) 488-3056, Fax: (770) 488-4760, E-mail: 
[email protected].
    For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact: 
Angela Webb, Grants Management Specialist, CDC Procurement and Grants 
Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: 770-488-
2784, E-mail: [email protected].

VIII. Other Information

Technical Assistance Workshop

    Technical assistance will be available for potential applicants 
during a workshop scheduled for April 26, 2004 in Atlanta, GA at the 
Atlanta Airport Executive Conference Center. The purpose of the 
workshop 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 the 
workshop is not mandatory. Applicants who wish to attend the workshop 
will be responsible for their own travel and lodging expenses. 
Applicants who plan to attend the workshop must RSVP to Christine Dauer 
at e-mail [email protected] by no later than April 18, 2004.

    Dated: March 26, 2004.
Edward Schultz,
Acting Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 04-7306 Filed 3-31-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P