[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 68 (Thursday, April 8, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18575-18579]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7940]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry


Program To Build Capacity To Conduct Environmental Medicine and 
Health Education Activities

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: 04079.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.161.
    Key Dates: Application Deadline: June 7, 2004.
    Executive Summary: This program announcement is intended to 
increase professional and lay health education services, and build 
environmental medicine capacity, to inform and educate national 
professional organizations engaged in clinical healthcare practice, 
their members and constituent stakeholders, and other Agency for Toxic 
Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) partners working to assist 
communities to cope with environmental contamination.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Authority: This program is authorized under Sections 104(i) (14) 
of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), as amended by the Superfund 
Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) [42 U.S.C. 9604(i) 
(14)].

    Purpose: The purpose of the program is to provide professional and 
lay health education services, and build capacity for increased subject 
matter expertise, in environmental medicine among national professional 
organizations engaged in clinical healthcare practice, their members 
and constituent stakeholders, and other ATSDR partners working to 
assist communities to cope with environmental contamination. This 
program addresses the ``Healthy People 2010'' focus area of Educational 
and Community-Based Programs, Environmental Health, and Age-Related 
Objectives for Children.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with one or 
more of the following performance goals for the ATSDR: (1) Prevent 
ongoing and future exposures and resultant health effects from 
hazardous waste sites and releases; (2) mitigate the risks of human 
health effects at toxic waste sites with documented exposures; and (3) 
build and enhance effective partnerships.
    Activities: Awardee activities for this project are as follows:
    Required Recipient Activities:
     Assemble and communicate information on 
educational products, services, and capacity enhancements (e.g., 
training, resource materials, practice aids, technical assistance, 
etc.) needed to improve the practice of environmental medicine and 
health education among the applicant's national organizational members 
and its constituent partners in environmental medicine.
     Develop, implement, and evaluate products, 
services, and capacity

[[Page 18576]]

enhancements provided to improve the practice of environmental medicine 
and health among the applicant's members and its constituent partners, 
including healthcare clinicians, environmental health educators, and 
other ATSDR constituents. Such activities should include information 
about the unique vulnerabilities and special needs of children where 
appropriate.
     Provide all educational products and, when 
appropriate, other services and capacity enhancements in an electronic 
format for distribution and use through the Internet and/or other 
technology-centered forms of information transfer.
     Evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the 
educational products, services, and capacity enhancements through the 
practices of environmental medicine and environmental health education.
     Attend and participate in the annual ATSDR 
Partners Meeting normally held in Atlanta, Georgia, including assisting 
in planning and presenting program activities and evaluation results.
    Optional Recipient Enhancement Activities:
     Provide site-specific consultation and capacity 
building activities specific to environmental medicine and health 
education capabilities in ATSDR-served community sites that are 
concerned with chemical contamination.
    In a cooperative agreement, ATSDR staff is substantially involved 
in the project activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring.
    ATSDR Activities for this project are as follows:
     Provide technical assistance in identifying the 
constituent and organizational member needs for environmental medicine 
and health education resources.
     Provide information, instructional resources, 
technical assistance and collaboration needed to work effectively in 
communities dealing with known contamination.
     Assist in the development of the evaluation 
plans that address the effectiveness and impact of the overall project.
     Provide assistance in establishing communication 
and resource networks between applicants and such partners as other 
federal agencies, state and local health departments, tribal 
governments, environmental and health professional non-governmental 
organizations, and academic, medical, and clinical associations.
     Provide technical assistance and collaboration 
in the dissemination of resource materials, including assistance to 
apply distance learning outreach, consultation, and training.
     Assist in providing training related to exposure 
assessment, health concerns response, and community involvement in 
contaminated sites.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative agreement.
    ATSDR involvement in this program is listed in the Activities 
Section above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2004.
    Approximate Total Funding: $115,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: One-two.
    Approximate Average Award: $115,000 (This amount is for the first 
12-month budget period, and includes both direct and indirect costs.)
    Floor of Award Range: $70,000.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $115,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: July 1, 2004.
    Budget Period Length: 12 months.
    Project Period Length: Up to five years.
    Throughout the project period, ATSDR 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 non-profit national member 
organizations of medical and allied healthcare professionals with 
subject matter expertise in environmental medicine, clinical practice, 
and medical consultation as well as experience in environmental health 
education. Applicants must demonstrate experience and expertise in 
providing educational products, services, and capacity enhancements 
(e.g. training, resource materials, practice aids, technical 
assistance, and education of professional and lay audiences) to their 
organizational members, their constituent partners, and community 
populations concerned with environmental contamination like those 
served by ATSDR and its partners.
    Justification for Limitation on Eligibility: This project engages 
national expertise in environmental medical assistance to communities, 
families, and individuals who are threatened or affected by illness 
from exposures to hazardous substances. Through collaboration with 
national medical and clinical professional organizations, the field of 
environmental medicine is stimulated to grow at all levels of the 
health and medical care system. In addition, national organizations are 
capable of providing increased local capacity to respond quickly to 
concerns in contaminated communities across the nation.

III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Matching funds are not required for this program.

III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements

    If the requested funding amount is greater than the ceiling of the 
award range, the 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.
    If your application is incomplete or non-responsive to the 
requirements listed, it 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

    Application: You must include a project narrative with your 
application forms. Your narrative must be submitted in the following 
format:
     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.
     Font size: 12 point unreduced.
     Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches.
     Page margin size: One inch.
     Printed only on one side of page.

[[Page 18577]]

     Held together only by rubber bands or metal 
clips; not bound in any other way.
     Double-spaced.
    Your narrative should address work required to be conducted over 
the entire project period, and must include the following items in the 
order listed:
     Project Plan:
    1. Background: A brief discussion demonstrating an understanding of 
issues of chemical and toxic contamination of communities in the United 
States (U.S.), including disproportionate risk to children and other 
vulnerable populations.
    2. Target Populations and Their Needs in Environmental Medicine and 
Health Education: An explanation of populations (e.g., organizational 
members, partners, and community residents) that can be reached by the 
national organization and the perceived needs these populations have 
for health education services and environmental medicine resources.
    3. Project Goals and Objectives: This section should provide 
clearly stated project objectives that are realistic, measurable, and 
related to program requirements.
    4. Activities and Timeline: The activities of the project should be 
clearly presented to demonstrate a sufficient time allocation, and 
chronology or sequence of events to be conducted. The activities should 
provide specificity and demonstrate feasibility of the proposed 
activities in the form of a plan of work and timeline for accomplishing 
the project activities.
    5. Plan for Collaboration: The project plan should present the 
intent and scope of activities that the applicant intends to undertake 
within his/her membership organization and with key constituent groups 
as well as the level of interaction intended to occur with the partner 
networks of ATSDR.
     Capacity to Influence Clinical Practice in 
Environmental Medicine and Health Education: In this section, a 
discussion of past and present activities that demonstrate a capability 
to:
    1. Plan, conduct, and evaluate clinical practice in environmental 
medicine and health education initiatives for professional and lay 
audiences.
    2. Provide consultative services in the clinical practice of 
environmental medicine and health education activities for professional 
and lay audiences.
    3. Develop and deliver resources that support clinical practice in 
environmental medicine and health education efforts for professional 
and lay audiences.
    4. Demonstrates a history of collaborative environmental health 
work.
     Personnel: This section should address the 
qualification, experience, and responsibilities of each individual 
working on the project. Adequate time and effort necessary to provide 
effective leadership should be demonstrated by the project lead. Any 
new staffing requirements should be addressed with inclusion of a 
recruitment plan and position descriptions. Vitas or resumes should be 
provided for all existing staff.
     Evaluation Plan: The project evaluation plan 
should address the evaluation strategies and methods necessary to 
measure impacts and outcomes of the project interventions. It should 
present measures for the overall project and its impact and outcome, 
such as achievement of stated public health objectives and effect of 
the project on the stated population. Other project measures may be 
changes in the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors or practices of the 
target population/audience, or professional/community-wide changes 
intended to occur in programs, policies, or the physical environment 
that influences the health of the target populations. To the extent 
possible, the evaluation measures must be objective and quantitative 
and relate to the performance goals stated in section ``B. Purpose'' of 
this announcement.
     Budget Justification: A clearly justified budget 
narrative that is consistent with the purpose, relates directly to 
project activities, is clearly justified, and is consistent with 
intended use of funds is required.
    Additional information may be included in the application 
appendices. The appendices will not be counted toward the narrative 
page limit. This additional information includes:
     Curriculum Vitas or Resumes.
     Organizational Charts.
     Letters of Support.
    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.
    You must submit a signed original and two copies of your 
application forms.
    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

    Application Deadline Date: June 7, 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 program 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 his program.

IV.5. Funding Restrictions

    Funding restrictions, which must be taken into account while 
writing your budget, are as follows:

[[Page 18578]]

     Funds may be expended for reasonable program 
purposes, such as personnel, travel, supplies and services, including 
contractual.
     ATSDR funding is generally not to be used for 
the purchase of furniture or equipment.
     The direct and primary recipient in a 
cooperative agreement program must perform a substantive role in 
carrying out project activities and not merely serve as a conduit for 
an award to another party or provider who is an ineligible party.
    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.
    Awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-award costs.
    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

    Application Submission Address: Submit the original and two hard 
copies of your application by mail or express delivery service to: 
Technical Information Management--PA 04079, 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:
1. Proposed Project--40 Percent
    a. Clearly stated understanding of environmental public health 
problems associated with communities and other locations affected with 
hazardous contaminations, including any special risks to children as a 
susceptible population.
    b. Clear and reasonable public health goals and clearly stated 
project objectives that are realistic, measurable, and related to 
program requirements.
    c. Identification of specific target audiences and their needs in 
clinical practice of environmental medicine and health education.
    d. Specificity and feasibility of the proposed timeline for 
implementing project activities.
    e. Appropriateness and thoroughness of the proposed activities for 
the proposed target groups.
    f. Plans for collaborative efforts.
    g. Appropriate letters of support.
2. Capability--20 Percent
    a. Capability to develop and distribute national guidance in 
clinical practice of environmental medicine and health education 
initiatives and the supportive resource materials.
    b. Demonstrated ability to plan, conduct, and evaluate clinical 
practice in environmental medicine and health education activities, 
including training.
    c. Capability to prove consultative services nationally through the 
organization's membership.
    d. Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with a variety 
of public health and clinical partners.
3. Proposed Personnel--20 Percent
    a. Ability of the applicant to provide adequate program staff and 
support staff, including proposed consultants or contractors.
    b. Experience and expertise of proposed staff in developing, 
distributing, implementing, and evaluating clinical guidance in 
environmental medicine and health education initiatives and the 
supporting intervention materials.
4. Evaluation Plan--20 Percent
    a. Strategies and methods to measure impacts and outcomes of 
project interventions, such as changes in target population/audience 
knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors or practices, as well as 
environmental changes within a community or professional organization.
    b. Specific evaluation plan to measure overall project impact and 
outcome, such as achievement of stated public health objectives and 
effect of the project on the stated population.
5. Proposed Budget--(Not Scored)
    Is the budget reasonable, clearly justified with a budget 
narrative, and consistent with the intended use of cooperative 
agreement funds?

V.2. Review and Selection Process

    Applications will be reviewed for completeness by the Procurement 
and Grants Office (PGO) staff, and for responsiveness by ATSDR. 
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.
    In addition, the following factors may affect the funding decision: 
Ability to provide site-specific consultation on environmental health 
concerns in locations where NCEH/ATSDR is assisting communities to cope 
with hazardous contamination.

V.3. Anticipated Announcement Award Date: August 1, 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 ATSDR. 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-1 Human Subjects Requirements
 AR-9 Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
 AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
 AR-11 Healthy People 2010
 AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
 AR-14 Accounting System Requirements
 AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status
 AR-18 Cost Recovery-ATSDR
 AR-19 Third Party Agreements-ATSDR
     Materials Review: All materials, including 
meeting agendas, course notebooks, and fact sheets, developed with 
cooperative agreement funding

[[Page 18579]]

must be reviewed by the ATSDR Project Officer in draft before they are 
finalized and disseminated. ATSDR will return draft materials with 
comments within two weeks of receipt. All materials developed with 
cooperative agreement must contain acknowledgement of funding as 
follows:

    This material was developed under a cooperative agreement from 
the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services, with funding from the 
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act 
(CERCLA) of 1980 as amended by the Superfund Amendment and 
Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986.

    All materials developed with cooperative agreement funds will not 
be copyrighted and will remain in the public domain to encourage wide 
distribution. ATSDR will receive final paper and electronic copies 
(electronic files are to be compatible with ATSDR software) of all 
materials developed by the awardee.
    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 Objectives and Activities.
    b. Current Budget Period Financial Progress.
    c. New Budget Period Program Proposed Objectives and Activity.
    d. Detailed Line-Item Budget and Justification.
    e. Additional Requested Information.
    f. Measures of Effectiveness.
    2. Financial status report and annual progress report are due 60 
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 sent to the Grants Management 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: Brenda L. Adams, Project 
Officer, CPET/PSB/DHEP/ATSDR, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., Mailstop E-33, 
Atlanta, Georgia 30333, Telephone: 404-498-0513, E-mail: 
[email protected].
    For budget assistance, contact: Edna Green, Grants Management 
Specialist, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, 
Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: 770-488-2743, E-mail: [email protected].

    Dated: April 2, 2004.
William P. Nichols, MPA,
Acting Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 04-7940 Filed 4-7-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-70-P