[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 70 (Monday, April 12, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19185-19191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8202]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary


Embryo Adoption Public Awareness Campaigns

    Funding Opportunity Title: Public Awareness Campaigns on Embryo 
Adoption.
    Announcement Type: Competitive Grant--Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: OPHS-2004-EA.
    CFDA Number: 93.007.
    Dates: Applications are due no later than June 11, 2004. A Letter 
of Intent (LOI) is requested on or before May 12, 2004.
    Executive Summary: This notice announces the availability of fiscal 
year (FY) 2004 grant funds for embryo adoption public awareness 
campaigns. Approximately $950,000 in funding is available on a 
competitive basis for three to four new projects each in the range of 
$200,000 to $250,000. Grants will be made for a project period of one 
year. This announcement seeks applications to develop and implement 
public awareness campaigns regarding embryo adoption. Applicants must 
demonstrate experience with embryo adoption programs that conform with 
professionally recognized standards governing embryo adoption and other 
applicable Federal or State requirements. For the purposes of this 
announcement, embryo adoption is defined as the donation of frozen 
embryo(s) from one party to a recipient who wishes to bear and raise a 
child or children.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS) of the Department of 
Health and Human Services (DHHS) announces the availability of funds 
for FY 2004 and requests applications for grants for public awareness 
campaigns on embryo adoption.
    The OPHS is under the direction of the Assistant Secretary for 
Health (ASH), who serves as the Senior Advisor on public health and 
science issues to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human 
Services (DHHS). The Office serves as the focal point for leadership 
and coordination across the Department in public health and science; 
provides direction to program offices within OPHS; and provides advice 
and counsel on public health and science issues to the Secretary.
    The increasing success of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) 
has resulted in a situation in which an

[[Page 19186]]

infertile couple typically creates several embryos through in-vitro 
fertilization (IVF). During IVF treatments, couples may produce many 
embryos in an attempt to conceive with several being cryopreserved 
(frozen) for future use. If a couple conceives without using all of the 
stored embryos, they may choose to have the remaining unused embryos 
donated for adoption allowing other infertile couples the experience of 
pregnancy and birth. Embryo adoption is a relatively new process in 
which individuals who have extra frozen embryos agree to release the 
embryos for transfer to the uterus of another woman, either known or 
anonymous to the donor(s) for the purpose of the recipient(s) 
attempting to bear a child and be that child's parent.

Program Statutes

    Public Law 108-199, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004, 
which includes appropriations for the Department of Health and Human 
Services, authorizes the Secretary to conduct a public awareness 
campaign to educate Americans about the existence of frozen embryos 
available for adoption.
    The FY 2004 Senate Appropriations Report (S. Rep. 108-81) contains 
the following statement:

    Embryo Adoption Awareness.--A recent study has shown that there 
are nearly 400,000 frozen embryos in fertility clinics in the United 
States, a figure several times higher than previous estimates. The 
Committee understands that only approximately 2 percent of these 
frozen embryos are donated to other couples in order to bear 
children. The Committee believes that, if educated about the 
possibility, many more couples may chose to donate their embryos and 
more infertile couples may chose to adopt such embryos. In fiscal 
year 2002, the Committee directed the Department to launch a public 
awareness campaign regarding the existence of these spare embryos. 
The Committee believes that increasing public awareness of this 
option remains an important goal and therefore directs the 
Department to continue its embryo adoption awareness campaign. The 
Committee has provided $1,000,000 for this purpose.

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated Total Funding: $950,000.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 3-4.
    Expected Amounts of Individual Awards: of $200,000-250,000.
    Project Periods for Awards: 12 months.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Eligibility to compete for this announcement is limited to 
particular applicant organizations. Only agencies and organizations, 
not individuals, are eligible to apply. Eligible applicants include 
public agencies, non-profit organizations, and for-profit 
organizations. One agency must be identified as the applicant 
organization and will have legal responsibility for the project. 
Additional agencies and organizations can be included as co-
participants, subgrantees, subcontractors, or collaborators if they 
will assist in providing expertise and in helping to meet the needs of 
the recipients. Faith-based and community-based organizations meeting 
the eligibility requirements may apply, or they may be included as co-
participants, subgrantees, subcontractors, or collaborators if they 
will assist in providing expertise and in helping to meet the needs of 
recipients. Eligibility is limited to organizations that can 
demonstrate previous experience with embryo adoption and are 
knowledgeable in all elements of the process of embryo adoption.
    Applicants should note that Sec.  74.81 of the DHHS grants 
administration regulations (45 CFR part 74) indicates that, except for 
awards under certain ``small business'' programs, no grant funds may be 
paid as profit to any recipient even if the recipient is a commercial 
organization. Profit is any amount in excess of allowable direct and 
indirect costs.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    None.

3. Other

    Applicants 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 OPA Web site at: http://opa.osophs.dhhs.gov/duns.html.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    Application kits may be requested from, and applications submitted 
to the Grants Management Office, Office of Public Health and Science, 
Department of Health and Human Services, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 
550, Rockville, Maryland, 20852. Application kits are also available 
online at: http://opa.osophs.dhhs.gov/ or by fax at (301) 594-9399.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    The OPHS requests that you send a Letter of Intent (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, estimate the potential review workload, and allow OPHS to 
plan the review process. The information will be used to determine the 
number of expert reviewers needed to evaluate the applications. The 
narrative should be not more than two double-spaced pages, printed on 
one side, with one-inch margins, and in 12-point font, unreduced. The 
LOI should include the following information: ``Attention: Embryo 
Adoption Public Awareness Campaign Letter of Intent;'' name and address 
of the applicant institution; name, address and telephone number of the 
contact person; and specific objectives to be addressed by the proposed 
project.
    Applications must be prepared on the forms supplied (OPHS-1, 
Revised 6/2001) and in the manner prescribed in the application kits 
provided by the OPHS. The application must be signed by an individual 
authorized to act for the applicant agency and to assume responsibility 
for the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant 
award.
    To be considered for funding, applicants must submit one signed 
original of the application and two photocopies in one package, 
including all forms and attachments. Please label the application 
envelope: ``Attention: Embryo Adoption Public Awareness Campaign.'' The 
application should be typed and should be no more than 50 double-spaced 
pages (excluding attachments), printed on one side, with one-inch 
margins, and in 12-point font, unreduced. All pages, including 
appendices should be numbered sequentially and stapled, or otherwise 
secured, in the upper left corner.
    Applications must include a one-page abstract of the proposed 
project. The abstract will be used to provide reviewers with an 
overview of the application, and will form the basis for the 
applications summary in grants management documents.
    Applicants will be required to develop and implement programs for a 
public awareness campaign on embryo adoption. Applicants are required 
to

[[Page 19187]]

submit a plan and time line that demonstrate that the proposed public 
awareness campaign: (a) Will be competency-based, (b) has experience 
with embryo adoption programs that conform to professionally-recognized 
guidelines and other relevant Federal or State requirements, (c) will 
be pilot tested and appropriately modified, as necessary, before use, 
and (d) can be reliably evaluated.
    In the narrative section of the application, applicants are advised 
to describe the strategies and processes that they will use to design a 
public awareness campaign. The applicant should document its capacity 
to undertake a public awareness campaign focused on potential donors 
and/or recipients. Applicants are encouraged to present a description 
of approaches that may be used, as well as any supplemental materials 
(brochures, handouts, visual aids, and other resources). Moreover, 
applicants are advised to demonstrate a familiarity with and 
understanding of professionally recognized standards or practices (both 
medical and legal issues) pertaining to embryo adoption, as well as 
supportive services for potential donor or recipient couples. The 
applicant organization should clearly demonstrate its professional 
knowledge and experience in embryo adoption whether with potential 
donor or recipient populations.
    Applicants must make reasonable efforts to ensure that the 
individuals who design and implement the public awareness campaign are 
knowledgeable in all elements of the embryo adoption process and are 
experienced in providing such information. Applicant organizations 
should demonstrate that they have access to frozen embryos for adoption 
either directly or through partnership arrangements. Applicants should 
include information about the number of frozen embryos to which they 
have access, their history in working with either potential donor or 
recipient couples, and the organization's capacity to facilitate an 
embryo adoption public awareness campaign. As part of the project 
narrative, applicants are advised to describe the methods they will use 
to recruit, select, train, and evaluate individuals who will implement 
the public awareness campaign. In the project narrative, applicants are 
encouraged to present a plan that may be used for working with 
potential donors and/or recipients under the proposed public awareness 
campaign.
    Applicants, in the project narrative, are encouraged to present a 
plan for evaluation of the public awareness campaign. The evaluation 
plan should be two tiered to address: (1) Process, including the 
planning, content and quality of the public awareness campaign 
materials provided and (2) participant satisfaction and campaign 
effectiveness. Applicants that do not have the in-house capacity to 
conduct an evaluation are advised to propose contracting with a third 
party social sciences evaluator or a university or college to conduct 
the evaluation.
    Applicants should prepare a project description statement in 
accordance with the following general instructions. Use the information 
provided in this section and the evaluation criteria section to develop 
the application content. The application will be evaluated on the 
criteria listed, so it is important to follow them in describing your 
program plan. The narrative should contain the following sections in 
the order presented below:
    1. Project Summary/Abstract: Provide a summary of the project 
description not to exceed one page. Care should be taken to produce an 
abstract/summary that accurately and concisely reflects the proposed 
project since the abstract will be used to provide reviewers with an 
overview of the application, will form the basis for an application 
summary in official documents, and it may be posted on the OPHS web 
site. It should describe the objectives of the project, the approach to 
be used and the results or benefits expected.
    2. Specific Aims and Objectives: Clearly identify the physical, 
economic, social, legal, financial, institutional, and/or other 
problem(s) requiring a solution. The need for assistance must be 
demonstrated and the principal and subordinate objectives of the 
project must be clearly stated; supporting documentation, such as 
letters of support and testimonials from concerned interests other than 
the applicant, may be included. Any relevant data based on studies 
should be included or referred to in the endnotes/footnotes. 
Incorporate demographic data and participant/beneficiary information, 
as well as information about frozen embryos available for adoption. In 
developing the project description, the applicant may volunteer to 
provide information on the total range of related projects currently 
being conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may 
be outside the scope of the program announcement.
    Describe the specific geographic region that will be served by the 
organization. This section should include a justification for the 
selection of the region, based on, for example, geographic size or the 
number and types of ART centers in the area, and an estimate of the 
number of frozen embryos available for adoption. There are no 
geographic restrictions on where the prospective projects may be 
conducted. The OPHS will accept applications for projects of national, 
regional, or local scope. The rationale for the project scope must be 
justified in detail.
    3. Approach: Outline a plan of action, which describes the scope 
and detail of how the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for 
all functions or activities identified in the application. Cite factors 
that might accelerate or decelerate the work, and state your reason for 
taking the proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual 
features of the project such as design or technological innovations, 
reductions in cost or time, or extraordinary social and community 
involvement. Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of 
the accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in 
such terms as the number of program activities to be held, or 
appropriate measurable outcomes. When accomplishments cannot be 
quantified by activity or function, list them in chronological order to 
show the schedule of accomplishments and their target dates.
    4. Evaluation: Provide a narrative addressing how the results of 
the project and the conduct of the project will be evaluated. In 
addressing the evaluation of results, state how you will determine the 
extent to which the project has achieved its stated objectives and the 
extent to which the accomplishment of objectives can be attributed to 
the project. Discuss the criteria to be used to evaluate results, and 
explain the methodology that will be used to determine if the needs 
identified and discussed are being met and if the project results and 
benefits are being achieved. With respect to the conduct of the 
project, define the procedures to be employed to determine whether the 
project is being conducted in a manner consistent with the work plan 
presented and discuss the impact of the project's various activities on 
the project's effectiveness.
    5. Organizational Profiles: Provide information on the applicant 
organization and cooperating partners such as organizational charts, 
financial statements, audit reports or statements from CPAs/Licensed 
Public Accountants, Employer Identification Numbers, names of bond 
carriers, contact persons and telephone numbers, and other 
documentation of professional accreditation, information on compliance 
with Federal/State/local government standards, documentation

[[Page 19188]]

of experience in the program area, and other pertinent information.
    6. Budget and Budget Justification: Provide a narrative budget 
justification that describes how the categorical costs are derived. 
Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, and allocability of the proposed 
costs. Identify the project director or principal investigator, if 
known. For each staff person, provide the title, time commitment to the 
project (in months), time commitment to the project (as a percentage or 
full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant salary, and wage rates. Do 
not include the costs of consultants or personnel costs of delegate 
agencies or of specific project(s) or businesses to be financed by the 
applicant. Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages that 
comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, 
retirement insurance, and taxes, unless treated as part of an approved 
indirect cost rate. Include information on the costs of project-related 
travel by employees of the applicant organization (does not include 
costs of consultant travel). For each trip, show the total number of 
traveler(s), travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage 
allowances, if privately owned vehicles will be used, and other 
transportation costs and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key 
staff to attend the grantee meeting should be detailed in the budget. 
For each type of equipment requested, provide a description of the 
equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units, the total cost, and 
a plan for use on the project, as well as use or disposal of the 
equipment after the project ends. An applicant organization that uses 
its own definition for equipment should provide a copy of its policy or 
section of its policy which includes the equipment definition. Specify 
general categories of supplies and their costs. Show computations and 
provide other information, which supports the amount requested. Include 
information on the costs of all contracts for services and goods except 
for those, which belong under other categories such as equipment, 
supplies, construction, etc. Third-party evaluation contracts (if 
applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient organizations, 
including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or businesses to be 
financed by the applicant, should be included under this category. 
Whenever the applicant intends to delegate part of the project to 
another agency, the applicant must provide a detailed budget and budget 
narrative for each delegate agency, by agency title, along with the 
required supporting information.
    Budget plans should include funding for participation in two 
grantee meetings. Approximately four to six weeks after the award of 
funding, the project directors for funded projects will be required to 
attend a one-day grantee orientation meeting in the Washington, DC 
area. Toward the end of the project period, a second one-day grantee 
meeting will also be scheduled. During the orientation meeting, DHHS 
staff will review grantee plans regarding embryo adoption and discuss 
the implications for developing the public awareness campaign and 
related educational materials. Scheduling matters and plans for 
ensuring that the public awareness campaigns are appropriately focused 
and targeted to donors as well as potential recipients during the 
course of the project will be outlined and discussed.

3. Submission Dates and Times

    Applications will be considered as meeting the deadline if they are 
received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management on or before the 
deadline listed in the DATES section of this announcement. The 
application due date requirement specified in this announcement 
supercedes the instructions in the OPHS-1. Applications that do not 
meet the deadline will be returned to the applicant unread. Hand-
delivered applications must be received by the OPHS Office of Grants 
Management not later than 4:30 p.m. eastern standard time on the 
application due date. Applications that are delivered to the OPHS 
Office of Grants Management after the deadline will not be accepted for 
review.

4. Intergovernmental Review

    This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review 
requirements of Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of 
Federal Programs,'' as implemented by 45 CFR Part 100.

5. Funding Restrictions

    The allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and necessity of 
direct and indirect costs that may be charged to OPHS grants are 
outlined in the following documents: OMB Circular A-21 (Institutions of 
Higher Education); OMB Circular A-87 (State and Local Governments); OMB 
Circular A-122 (Nonprofit Organizations); and 45 CFR Part 74, Appendix 
E (Hospitals). Copies of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
Circulars are available on the Internet at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_circulars.html.

6. Submission Requirements

    Applications must be submitted to the Grants Management Office, 
Office of Public Health and Science, Department of Health and Human 
Services, 1001 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, Maryland 20852. 
Letters of Intent should also be sent to this address.

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

    Each application will be evaluated individually against the 
following four criteria by a panel of independent reviewers appointed 
by the OPHS. Before the review panel convenes, each application will be 
screened for applicant organization eligibility, as well as to make 
sure the application contains all the essential elements. Applications 
received from ineligible organizations and applications received after 
the deadline will be withdrawn from further consideration. Applications 
that do not conform to the requirements of this program announcement 
will not be accepted for review and will be returned to the applicant. 
Applications sent via facsimile or electronic mail will not be accepted 
for review.
    Applicants that meet the requirements of this program announcement 
will be notified by the Office of Grants Management. A panel of at 
least three reviewers will use the evaluation criteria listed below to 
determine the strengths and weaknesses of each application, provide 
comments and assign numerical scores. Applicants should address each 
criterion in the project application. The point values (summing up to 
100) indicate the maximum numerical weight each criterion will be 
accorded in the review process.
Criterion 1: Objectives and Need for Assistance (30 points)
    Applicants must demonstrate a clear understanding of the 
legislative goals and demonstrate how their approach to the design of a 
public awareness campaign will contribute to achieve the legislative 
goals. Applicants must also demonstrate an understanding of the 
information and skills needed by the designated staff conducting such a 
public awareness campaign, as well as the information and service needs 
of potential donors and recipients. Applicants should provide letters 
of commitment or Memoranda of Understanding from organizations, 
agencies and consultants that will be partners or collaborators in the 
proposed project. These documents should describe the role of the 
agency, organization or consultant and detail

[[Page 19189]]

specific tasks to be performed. Specific review criteria include:
    (1) Extent to which the application reflects an understanding of 
the legislative goals of the public awareness campaign for embryo 
adoption, and shows how their approach to the design of a public 
awareness campaign and implementation will contribute to achieving the 
legislative goals;
    (2) Extent to which the application clearly describes and documents 
an understanding of the need for assistance to support and/or enhance 
existing efforts regarding awareness of embryo adoption;
    (3) Extent to which the application reflects a knowledge and 
understanding of the issues faced by donors and/or recipients;
    (4) Extent to which the application reflects a knowledge and 
understanding of the medical and legal framework of embryo adoption and 
the services and resources in the geographic area in which the proposed 
project will be conducted;
    (5) Extent to which the application explains how the proposed 
public awareness campaign will contribute to increased knowledge of the 
problems, issues, and effective strategies and best practices in the 
field;
    (6) Extent to which the application reflects a knowledge and 
understanding of the challenges of developing a public awareness 
campaign and in providing support to donors and/or recipients; and
    (7) Extent to which the application presents a vision of the 
campaign to be developed, and discusses broad contextual factors that 
will facilitate or impede the implementation of the campaign.
Criterion 2: Approach (30 Points)
    In this section, applicants are expected to define goals and 
specific, measurable objectives for the project. Goals and objectives 
should not be confused. Goals are an end product of an effective 
project. Objectives are measurable steps for reaching goals. Applicants 
are advised to describe a preliminary, yet appropriate and feasible 
plan of action pertaining to the scope of the proposed public awareness 
campaign and provide details on how the proposed public awareness 
campaign will be accomplished. If the project involves partnerships 
with other agencies and organizations, then the roles of each partner 
should be clearly specified. Applicants are required to describe how 
the public awareness campaign will be evaluated to determine the extent 
to which it has achieved its stated goals and objectives. Applicants 
are expected to present a project design that includes detailed 
procedures for documenting project activities that is sufficient to 
support a sound evaluation. The evaluation design is expected to 
include process and outcome analyses with qualitative and quantitative 
components. Applicants are expected to report on their evaluation 
results in their final report to the OPHS upon completion of the 
project period. Applicants are required to describe the products that 
they will develop pursuant to the public awareness campaign. Applicants 
should discuss the intended audiences for these products (e.g., ART 
centers, adoption organizations, practitioners, professional 
organizations that work with infertile couples, potential recipients, 
or donors) and present a dissemination plan specifying the venues for 
conveying the information. This criterion consists of four broad 
topics: (A) Design of the public awareness campaign, (B) 
implementation, (C) evaluation, and (D) dissemination. Specific review 
criteria include:
(A) Design of the Public Awareness Campaign
    (1) Extent to which the application reflects a familiarity with and 
understanding of professionally-recognized standards and/or other 
relevant Federal or State requirements pertaining to embryo adoption 
and supportive services for donors and recipients.
    (2) Extent to which the proposed project goals, objectives and 
outcomes are clearly specified and measurable, and reflect an 
understanding of the characteristics of the donors and recipients and 
the context in which embryo adoption operates; and
    (3) Extent to which the application presents an approach to the 
design of a public awareness campaign is: (a) Competency based, (b) 
linked to embryo adoption programs which are consistent with the 
nationally recognized guidelines, (c) pilot tested and appropriately 
modified, as necessary, before use, and (d) can be readily evaluated.
(B) Implementation
    (1) Extent to which the application clearly describes and provides 
a justification for the selection of the geographic region that will be 
served by the project;
    (2) Extent to which the application presents an appropriate, 
feasible and realistic plan for scheduling and conducting the public 
awareness campaign;
    (3) Extent to which the application presents an appropriate, 
feasible and realistic plan for recruiting, selecting, and training 
individuals to provide information under the public awareness campaign;
    (4) Extent to which the application provides an appropriate, 
feasible and realistic plan for documenting project activities and 
results, that can be used to describe and evaluate the public awareness 
campaign, and participant satisfaction with the campaign; and
    (5) Extent to which the proposed project will establish and 
coordinate linkages with other appropriate agencies and organizations 
serving the target population.
(C) Evaluation
    (1) Extent to which the methods of evaluation are feasible, 
comprehensive and appropriate to the goals, objectives and context of a 
public awareness campaign;
    (2) Extent to which the applicant provides an appropriate, feasible 
and realistic plan for evaluating the public awareness campaign, 
including performance feedback and assessment of program progress that 
can be used as a basis for program adjustments;
    (3) Extent to which the methods of evaluation include process and 
outcome analyses for assessing the effectiveness of program strategies 
and the implementation process; and
    (4) Extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use of 
objective performance measures that are clearly related to the intended 
outcomes of the program and will produce quantitative and qualitative 
results.
(D) Dissemination
    (1) Extent to which the application provides an appropriate, 
feasible and realistic plan for dissemination of information in a 
public awareness campaign and related educational materials;
    (2) Extent to which the intended audience is clearly identified and 
defined and is appropriate to the goals of the proposed program;
    (3) Extent to which the program's products will be useful to the 
respective audiences;
    (4) Extent to which the application presents a realistic schedule 
for developing these products, and provides a dissemination plan that 
is appropriate in scope and budget to each of the audiences; and
    (5) Extent to which the products to be developed during the program 
are described clearly and will address the goal of dissemination of 
information and are designed to support evidence-

[[Page 19190]]

based improvements of practices in the field.
Criterion 3: Organizational Profile (20 Points)
    Applicants need to demonstrate that they have the capacity to 
implement the proposed program. Capacity includes: (1) Previous 
experience with similar projects; (2) experience with the target 
population; (3) qualifications and experience of the project 
leadership; (4) experience and commitment of any consultants and 
subcontractors; and, (5) appropriateness of the organizational 
structure. This criterion consists of three broad topics: (A) 
Management plan, (B) staff qualifications, and (C) organizational 
capacity and resources.
    Applicants are expected to present a sound and feasible management 
plan for implementing the proposed program. This section should detail 
how the program will be structured and managed, how the timeliness of 
activities will be ensured, how quality control will be maintained, and 
how costs will be controlled. The role and responsibilities of the lead 
agency should be clearly defined and, if appropriate, applicants should 
discuss the management and coordination of activities carried out by 
any partners, subcontractors, and consultants. Applicants should 
include a list of organizations and consultants who will work with the 
project, along with a short description of the nature of their 
contribution or effort. Applicants are also expected to produce a time 
line that presents a reasonable schedule of target dates, and 
accomplishments. The time line should include the sequence and timing 
of the major tasks and subtasks, important milestones, reports, and 
completion dates. The application should also discuss factors that may 
affect project implementation or the outcomes and present realistic 
strategies for the resolution of these difficulties.
    Applicants must provide evidence that project staff have the 
requisite experience, and expertise to carry out the proposed public 
awareness campaign on time, within budget, and with a high degree of 
quality. Include information on staff knowledge of the medical and 
legal issues concerning embryo adoption, and experience working in this 
area. Brief resumes of current and proposed staff, as well as job 
descriptions, should be included. Resumes must indicate the position 
that the individual will fill, and each position description must 
specifically describe the job as it relates to the proposed project.
    Applicants must show that they have the organizational capacity and 
resources to successfully carry out the project on time and to a high 
standard of quality, including the capacity to resolve a variety of 
technical and management problems that may occur. If the proposed 
project involves partnering and/or subcontracting with other agencies/
organizations, then the application should include an organizational 
capability statement for each participating organization documenting 
the ability of the partners and/or subcontractors to fulfill their 
assigned roles and functions. Specific review criteria include:
(A) Management Plan
    (1) Extent to which the management plan presents a realistic 
approach to achieving the objectives of the proposed project on time 
and within budget, including clearly defined responsibilities, time 
lines and milestones for accomplishing project tasks;
    (2) Extent to which the role and responsibilities of the lead 
agency are clearly defined and the time commitments of the project 
director and other key project personnel (including consultants) are 
appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed 
project; and
    (3) Extent to which the application discusses factors that may 
affect the development and implementation of the public awareness 
campaign and presents realistic strategies for the resolution of these 
difficulties.
(B) Staff Qualifications
    (1) Extent to which the proposed project director, key project 
staff and consultants have the necessary technical skill, knowledge and 
experience to successfully carry out their responsibilities; and
    (2) Extent to which staffing is adequate for the proposed project, 
including administration, program services, data processing and 
analysis, evaluation, reporting and implementation of the public 
awareness campaign, including related educational materials.
(C) Organizational Capacity and Resources
    (1) Extent to which the applicant and partnering organizations 
collectively have experience in embryo adoption consistent with 
professionally recognized guidelines;
    (2) Extent to which the applicant has experience in developing and 
implementing similar information or public awareness campaigns; and
    (3) Extent to which the applicant has adequate organizational 
resources for the proposed project, including administration, program 
operations, data processing and analysis, and evaluation.
Criterion 4: Budget and Budget Justification (20 Points)
    Applicants are expected to present a budget with reasonable project 
costs, appropriately allocated across component areas and sufficient to 
accomplish the objectives. Consideration shall be given to project 
delays due to start-up when preparing the budget. Applicants are 
expected to allocate sufficient funds in the budget to provide for the 
project director to attend two grantee meetings in the Washington, DC 
area. Specific review criteria include:
    (1) Extent to which applicant demonstrates that the project costs 
and budget information submitted for the proposed program are 
reasonable and justified in terms of the proposed tasks and the 
anticipated results and benefits; and,
    (2) Extent to which the fiscal control and accounting procedures 
are adequate to ensure prudent use, proper and timely disbursement and 
an accurate accounting of funds received under this announcement.

2. Review and Selection Process

    Each application submitted to the OPHS Office of Grants Management 
will be screened to determine whether it was received by the closing 
date and time.
    The results of a competitive review are a primary factor in making 
funding decisions. In addition, Federal staff will conduct 
administrative reviews of the applications and, in light of the results 
of the competitive review, will recommend applications for funding to 
the ASH. The ASH reserves the option of discussing applications with 
other funding sources when this is in the best interest of the Federal 
government. The ASH may also solicit and consider comments from Public 
Health Service Regional Office staff and others within DHHS in making 
funding decisions. Final grant awards decisions will be made by the 
ASH. The ASH will fund those projects which will, in his/her judgement, 
best promote the purposes of this program, within the limits of funds 
available for such projects.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    The OPHS does not release information about individual applications 
during the review process. When final decisions have been made, 
successful applicants will be notified by

[[Page 19191]]

letter of the outcome of the final funding decisions. The official 
document notifying an applicant that a project has been approved for 
funding is the Notice of Grant Award (NGA), signed by the OPHS Grants 
Management Officer, which sets forth the amount of funds granted, the 
terms and conditions of the award, the effective date of the grant, the 
budget period for which initial support will be given, and the total 
project period for which support is contemplated. The ASH will notify 
an organization in writing when its application will not be funded. 
Every effort will be made to notify all unsuccessful applicants as soon 
as possible after final decisions are made.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    In accepting this award, the grantee stipulates that the award and 
any activities thereunder are subject to all provisions in 45 CFR parts 
74 (non-governmental) and 92 (governmental) currently in effect or 
implemented during the period of the grant.
    The Buy American Act of 1933, as amended (41 U.S.C. 10a-10d), 
requires that Government agencies give priority to domestic products 
when making purchasing decisions. Therefore, to the greatest extent 
practicable, all equipment and products purchased with grant funds 
should be American-made.
    A Notice providing information and guidance regarding the 
``Government-wide Implementation of the President's Welfare-to-Work 
Initiative for Federal Grant Programs'' was published in the Federal 
Register on May 16, 1997. This initiative was designated to facilitate 
and encourage grantees and their subrecipients to hire welfare 
recipients and to provide additional needed training and/or mentoring 
as needed. The text of the Notice is available electronically on the 
OMB homepage at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb.
    The HHS Appropriations Act requires that when issuing statements, 
press releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations, and other 
documents describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part 
with Federal money, grantees shall clearly state the percentage and 
dollar amount of the total costs of the program or project which will 
be financed with Federal money and the percentage and dollar amount of 
the total costs of the project or program that will be financed by non-
governmental sources.

3. Reporting

    A successful applicant under this notice will submit: (a) Progress 
reports; (b) annual Financial Status Reports; and (c) a final progress 
report and Financial Status Report. Reporting formats are established 
in accordance with provisions of the general regulations which apply 
under 45 CFR parts 74 and 92. Applicants must submit all required 
reports in a timely manner, in recommended formats (to be provided) and 
submit a final report on the project, including any information on 
evaluation results, at the completion of the project period. Agencies 
receiving $500,000 or more in total Federal funds are required to 
undergo an annual audit as described in OMB Circular A-133, ``Audits of 
States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations.''

VII. Agency Contacts

    Grants Management Office Contact: Karen Campbell, Department of 
Health and Human Services, Office of Public Health and Science, OPHS 
Grants Management Office, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, 
Maryland 20852. E-mail: [email protected]; telephone: (301) 
594-0758.
    Program Office Contract: Evelyn Kappeler, Department of Health and 
Human Services, Office of Public Health and Science, Office of 
Population Affairs, 1001 Wootton Parkway, Suite 750, Rockville, 
Maryland 20852. E-mail: [email protected]; telephone (301) 594-
4001.

    Dated: April 5, 2004.
Cristina V. Beato,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of Public Health and 
Science.
[FR Doc. 04-8202 Filed 4-9-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-28-P