[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 74 (Friday, April 16, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20624-20629]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8637]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Centers for Genomics and Public Health

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: 04143.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.061.
    Key Dates:
    Letter of Intent Deadline: May 17, 2004.
    Application Deadline: June 15, 2004.

Table of Contents

I. Funding Opportunity Description
    I.1 Authority
    I.2 Background
    I.3 Purpose
    I.4 Activities
II. Award Information
III. Eligibility Information
    III.1 Eligible Applicants
    III.2 Cost Sharing or Matching
    III.3 Other
IV. Application and Submission Information
    IV.1 Address to Request Application Package
    IV.2 Content and Form of Submission
    IV.3 Submission Dates and Times
    IV.4 Intergovernmental Review of Applications
    IV.5 Funding Restrictions
    IV.6 Other Submission Requirements
V. Application Review Information
    V.1 Criteria
    V.2 Review and Selection Process
    V.3 Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
VI. Award Administration Information
    VI.1 Award Notices
    VI.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements
    VI.3 Reporting Requirements
VII. Agency Contacts
VIII. Other Information

I. Funding Opportunity Description

I.1 Authority

    This program is authorized under section 317(k)(2) of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247b(k)(2)), as amended.

I.2 Background

    The wealth of information generated by the recently completed Human 
Genome Project has captivated both the scientific community and the 
public, and created an expectation that this knowledge will yield 
future health benefits. As a result, there is an emerging need to 
discover what human genome variation means for health and disease in 
populations. How can research results be translated into opportunities 
to improve the public's health? How can genomic information be used to 
prevent, detect and treat disease? How will the health workforce 
acquire the knowledge and skills needed to support the integration of 
genomics into health practice and programs?
    In response to these needs, the Office of Genomics and Disease 
Prevention (OGDP) in collaboration with the Association of Schools of 
Public Health has funded cooperative agreements with three Schools of 
Public Health to establish the first Centers for Genomics and Public 
Health in 2001 (www.cdc.gov/genomics/activities/fund2001.htm). The goal 
for the initial three-year project period was to establish regional 
hubs of expertise in genomics and population health by coordinating 
existing institutional programs at the schools of public health and 
then reaching out to engage public health programs, health care 
providers and community groups. These partnerships provide a foundation 
for a national network of resource centers that could develop the 
capacity required to respond to future needs and opportunities related 
to genomics. In the original cooperative agreement, activities were 
focused in three areas: (1) Increasing the knowledge base in genomics 
and public health; (2) providing technical assistance to community, 
state, and regional organizations related to the integration of 
genomics into public health policy and programs; and (3) developing and 
providing training for the existing and future health workforce, with a 
particular focus on enhancing knowledge and awareness of genomics 
applications among public health workers.

I.3 Purpose

    Since the initial funding of the Centers, the potential impact of 
genomics on health practice and the health workforce has been widely 
acknowledged. The 2002 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report entitled 
``Who Will Keep the Public Healthy?'' ranked genomics as one of eight 
content areas to be included in public health education programs 
(http://www.iom.edu/file.asp?id=4166). Likewise, the CDC has identified 
genomics as an agency priority, citing the need to assess the impact of 
genomic variation on population health and to incorporate genomics into 
public health programs and practice (Comments of Dr. Julie Gerberding, 
CDC Director, Genomics and the Future of Public Health Symposium, 
Atlanta, GA, May 5, 2003).
    The purpose of Program Announcement 04143, Centers for

[[Page 20625]]

Genomics and Public Health, is to sustain development of the network of 
Centers for Genomics and Public Health (Centers), and continue to 
address the integration of genomics into health practice. Centers in 
the network will function as regional hubs of expertise in genomics and 
public health. The goal of the Centers network is to facilitate the 
translation of genomic information into health policy and programs by 
developing the capacity to: (1) Provide technical assistance to 
community, state and regional organizations by responding to identified 
needs and requests for information, assistance and training, and 
supporting the integration of genomics into population health research, 
policy and practice; (2) provide competency based training in genomics 
and population health for the health workforce, with a particular focus 
on enhancing knowledge and awareness of genomics applications among 
public health workers; (3) identify opportunities to serve as a 
credible and impartial provider of current information about genomics, 
genomic applications and population health, particularly to the public, 
policy makers and the health community; (4) participate in 
collaborative processes with other Centers, CDC and external partners; 
and (5) evaluate the process, achievements and impact of the Centers' 
activities.
    This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2010'' focus areas of: 
Workforce, Prevention Research, Data and Information Systems, Public 
Health Organizations and Resources.
    This program is consistent with CDC's agency-wide strategic plan to 
use genomic information to improve health and prevent disease across 
the lifespan. Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment 
with the performance goals for the Office of Genomics & Disease 
Prevention: Development of health workforce.

I.4 Activities

    Awardee activities for this program are:
    (1) Provide technical assistance to community, state and regional 
public health agencies (e.g., state health departments, including but 
not limited to those funded under PA 03022, Genomics and 
Chronic Disease Prevention: www.cdc.gov/genomics/activities/fund2003.htm) and other health care practitioners (e.g., providers and 
payers, community organizations) by:
    (a) Serving as a source of expertise and information that has 
immediate or potential relevance in the practice of medicine and public 
health. For example, having the ability to provide, or provide access 
to, current information related to human genome research (e.g., gene-
disease associations, gene-environment interactions), genomics and 
population health (e.g., pharmacogenomics, diagnosis/treatment/
prevention of diseases of public health significance), or evidence-
based processes for interpretation of scientific developments (e.g., 
Human Genome Epidemiology {HUGE{time}  reviews or systematic 
evaluations of genetic tests; www.cdc.gov/genomics).
    (b) Providing access to practical information from the current 
knowledge base in formats useful to health practitioners, policy makers 
and more general audiences, such as topic summaries, fact sheets and 
information briefs (e.g., Public Health Perspectives: www.cdc.gov/genomics/info/perspective. htm). Examples of approaches include 
identifying content experts, assembling existing materials and 
evaluating for accuracy and responsiveness to needs, and developing 
information summaries as needed by extracting, organizing and 
summarizing information.
    (c) Responding to immediate needs and requests for assistance by 
accessing resources through the Center, the Centers' network, and 
external partners and community resources.
    (d) Developing capacity to seek funding for applied research 
proposals that will address identified gaps and needs.
    (e) Working with community, state and national public health 
partners and CDC to plan, conduct and evaluate needs assessments 
related to practice or workforce development (see 2. below).
    (f) Convening or participating in workgroups or processes aimed at 
developing and implementing strategies for integrating genomic 
information into health care, and public health research, programs and 
policy (e.g., integrating family history into disease prevention 
efforts, utilizing existing data sources to identify and analyze 
population-based data).
    (2) Provide competency-based training for health professionals, 
especially the public health workforce, with a focus on practical 
application of genomics knowledge in population health (www.cdc.gov/genomics/training/competencies; www.nchpeg.org/nchpeg.html), by:
    (a) Identifying and evaluating existing genomic training materials/
tools/modules for suitability in meeting identified needs and requests.
    (b) Determining effective educational approaches (e.g., continuing 
education activities, packaged training modules/materials, conferences/
workshops, web-based or distance learning) and delivering training.
    (c) Calling attention to gaps in types or availability of 
educational materials and training tools identified through the Centers 
network and partners, and making strategic recommendations to CDC about 
high priority needs for development of new materials, tools or 
programs.
    (3) Identify and respond to opportunities to serve as a credible 
and impartial provider of current information about genomics, genomic 
applications and population health to the public, policy makers, and 
the health community by:
    (a) Supporting proactive educational initiatives at all levels 
(e.g., community based, K-12, academic, continuing education) aimed at 
improving understanding of current and potential roles for genomics 
information in improving health and preventing disease.
    (b) Developing resources or approaches for evidence-based response 
to misleading or inaccurate genomics-related information in the media 
and on the Internet.
    (c) Ensuring that information developed and disseminated by the 
Centers network and partners provides realistic expectations about the 
``value'' (e.g., efficacy, utility, acceptability, cost-effectiveness) 
and public health impact of genomic applications and explains how that 
value is assessed.
    (4) Actively participate with CDC, the Centers network and key 
external partners and collaborators (e.g., states funded to develop 
genomics capacity) in a consultative process to assess major unmet 
needs, identify strategies for meeting needs, and classify and 
prioritize issues and topics of common interest and highest public 
health importance.
    (5) Develop and maintain relationships and collaborations with 
public, private and academic partners that support the objectives and 
activities of the network of Centers.
    (6) Collaborate with CDC and other partners and investigators to 
organize meetings/workshops and develop publications (e.g., articles, 
peer-reviewed papers, contribution to OGDP genomics reports).
    (7) Design and implement an evaluation plan that will demonstrate 
and document measurable progress toward stated objectives, as well as 
capture information and insights about activities, strategies (e.g., 
opportunities, successes, barriers) and impact that can be shared among 
the network of Centers.

[[Page 20626]]

    In a cooperative agreement, CDC staff is substantially involved in 
the program activities, above and beyond routine program monitoring. 
CDC activities for this program are as follows:
    (1) Coordinate activities, collaboration and information exchange 
among the Centers, CDC, other national organizations and agencies, and 
within the larger health practice community. Disseminate information 
related to Center and network activities through conferences, workshops 
and publications.
    (2) Convene required meetings to facilitate collaboration and 
information sharing, and to guide Centers in developing plans 
consistent with objectives.
    (3) Serve as a liaison with other Federal and outside 
organizations.
    (4) Help identify expertise and resources to develop specific 
products/tools for which a need has been defined, but for which Centers 
are not funded (e.g., development/production of products/tools 
requiring multi-specialty expertise and resources).
    (5) Conduct onsite visits of Centers to provide consultation and 
technical support and assist Centers in meeting objectives and 
requirements of the cooperative agreement.
    (6) Monitor and evaluate the Center's progress toward meeting the 
goals, objectives, timeline and performance evaluation.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.
    CDC involvement in this program is listed in the CDC Activities 
Section above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2004.
    Approximate Total Funding: $2.5 million.
    Approximate Number of Awards: Up to five.
    Approximate Average Award: $500,000 (Amount for the first 12-month 
period, including both direct and indirect costs).
    Floor of Award Range: $400,000.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $600,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: September 1, 2004.
    Budget Period Length: 12 months.
    Project Period Length: Four 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 Schools of Public Health (SPH) and 
other public and private nonprofit organizations, such as: 
universities, colleges and research institutions.
Eligibility Criteria
    Applicants must describe and document capacity and capabilities 
appropriate to the program, including:
     Access to, and well-defined availability of, 
staff or collaborators with multidisciplinary expertise (public health 
practice, epidemiology, genomics, clinical genetics and medicine, 
policy, health communications and education).
     Demonstrated ability to develop educational and 
practice collaborations among public, private and academic partners, 
with emphasis on public health and health science institutions, state 
health departments and other agencies, health care organizations and 
community groups.
     Experience relevant to the specific objectives 
and activities of the program, particularly direct involvement with 
public health practice, improving population health and integrating 
genomics into practice.
     Expertise in needs assessment and planning and 
delivering technical assistance and training to public health workers 
or other health professionals.
    More information on the documentation of eligibility can be found 
in IV.2--Content and Form of Submission. Note that eligibility for the 
initial (2001) program announcement that formed the network of Centers 
for Genomics in Public Health was limited to SPH, in part to 
specifically target state and community program capacity in genomics 
and population health. SPH provided distinctive qualifications for 
initiating this program, including health leadership and networking 
capacity, relevant expertise (e.g., public health and clinical 
practice, epidemiology, genomics, health education), familiarity with 
public health practice and population health programs and experience 
developing and delivering training to the public health workforce.
    For the 2004 program announcement, institutions and organizations 
listed above in III.1--Eligible Applicants (including those that are 
not SPH) are invited to submit applications, but specific capacity must 
be demonstrated as discussed above.

III.2 Cost Sharing or Matching

    Matching funds are not required for this program.

III.3 Other

    If the application is incomplete or non-responsive, or a funding 
amount greater than the ceiling of the award range is requested, it 
will not be entered into the review process. Applicants will be 
notified that their 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: www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.
    If applicants do not have access to the Internet, or if applicants 
have difficulty accessing the forms on-line, they 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 
applicants.

IV.2 Content and Form of Submission

    Letter of Intent (LOI): CDC requests that applicants send a LOI if 
they intend to apply for this program, PA 04143 Centers for 
Genomics and Public Health. The LOI is not legally binding and will not 
be evaluated. It is requested from potential applicants to assist CDC 
in planning for the program application review. Applicants may use the 
LOI template provided in Appendix A (Appendix A can be viewed, along 
with the full program announcement, on the CDC Web site at: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/grantmain.htm) or provide an LOI in the 
following format:
     Maximum of two pages;
     Single-spaced;
     One inch margins;
     12-point unreduced font;
     8.5 by 11 inch paper;
     Printed only on one side.
    The LOI must contain the following information:
     Program Announcement number and title;
     Institution name and location;
     Name, address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-
mail address of a contact person from the applicant institution;
     Name of the Principal Investigator and brief 
description of the applicant's professional activity focus (three to 
four lines).

[[Page 20627]]

    Do not include attachments. The deadline for receiving the LOI will 
be May 17, 2004.
    Application: The applicant must submit a project narrative with the 
application forms. Each narrative must be submitted in the following 
format:
     Maximum number of pages: 25.
    The narrative should be no more than 25 clearly numbered pages. 
Federal forms, table of contents, abstract, budget, budget 
justifications and appendices are not counted toward the narrative page 
limit. If the narrative exceeds the page limit, only the first 25 pages 
will be reviewed. Utilize the following format:
     12 point unreduced font;
     8.5 by 11 inch paper, printed only on one side;
     Double spaced;
     One inch margins;
     Held together only by rubber bands or metal 
clips.
    The narrative should address activities to be conducted over the 
entire project period, and must include the following items in the 
order listed:
     Abstract--A one-page, single-spaced abstract of 
the narrative with a heading that includes the title, organization, 
name and address of the project director, telephone and fax numbers and 
e-mail address.
     Table of Contents.
     Background--(1) Provide background that 
illustrates understanding of the translation continuum from human 
genome research to integration of genomics information into health 
practice, particularly the strategies for integrating knowledge into 
programs and workforce capacity that form the basis of the program. (2) 
Justify the need(s) for the proposed activities, and describe the 
relevance of expected outcomes to the Purpose of the Announcement.
     Relevant Resources and Experience--(1) Describe 
available facilities and infrastructure, technological capacity and 
other resources, and document institutional commitment to support of 
the Center; (2) Describe and document (e.g., publications, products, 
presentations) prior or current experience, such as related projects 
and collaborations, or genomics and population health research 
capacity, that is relevant to the purpose and proposed activities of 
this cooperative agreement; (3) Address specific capacity and 
capability criteria as described in the eligibility requirements 
(sections III.1 and III.3).
     Proposed Staffing--(1) Provide a biographical 
sketch for the Principal Investigator/Program Director and all key 
personnel. (2) Provide a description of all project staff, regardless 
of their funding source, that includes: title, qualifications, 
experience, responsibilities, minimum percentage of time to be devoted 
to the project and the proportion of the salary to be paid by the 
cooperative agreement. (3) Provide a timetable for the recruitment and 
hiring of proposed additional qualified staff and an organizational 
chart that illustrates the staffing plan.
     Work Plan--Applicants should provide a detailed 
work plan that describes their current ability to address each of the 
elements in the ``Recipient Activities'' section of this announcement, 
as well as their specific plans for developing additional capacity over 
the project period. Applicants are also encouraged to propose unique 
initiatives/approaches based on their interests and expertise that are 
relevant to and/or build upon one or more of these activities. The Work 
Plan should: (1) Provide specific, measurable and time-framed 
objectives for proposed responses to the ``Recipient Activities.'' (2) 
Describe proposed methods and approaches by which the objectives will 
be achieved. (3) Present a timeline for activities and objectives over 
the project period. (4) Provide a description of the involvement of 
other entities in the proposed project, including academic, private and 
public partners (particularly state and local health departments, 
health organizations and community groups), with a clear statement of 
roles and commitment of time that are reflected in attached letters of 
support. Be sure to distinguish activities and outcomes of joint and/or 
overlapping projects supported through other sources. (5) Describe 
proposed performance measures, products or other quantifiable outcomes 
for each activity and objective.
     Evaluation--Describe plans for establishing a 
four-year Center-level evaluation protocol. Include evaluation goals, 
resources and infrastructure to develop/support the plan: how project 
partners and communities served will provide input in plan development, 
an implementation timeline and a visual representation that depicts 
specific activities and outcomes (e.g., flow diagram, table, logic 
model: http://www.wkkf.org). The evaluation protocol should be capable 
of documenting measurable progress toward specific objectives, 
activities and projected outcomes outlined in the work plan, as well as 
demonstrating the degree to which strategies and programs were 
delivered as intended, their effectiveness in achieving desired 
results, successful collaborations with public health and other 
partners, lessons learned and how evaluation results will be used to 
improve the overall impact of the Centers.
     Budget--Provide a detailed budget for year one 
of the cooperative agreement and budget projections for subsequent 
years. Include travel for two persons to attend an annual two-day 
meeting in Atlanta.
     Budget Justification--Provide a narrative that 
includes justification for all requested costs, including personnel 
(i.e., name, position title, annual salary, percentage of time and 
effort, amount requested) and consultants (as above plus period of 
performance and scope of work).
    Additional information should be included in the application 
appendices. The appendices will not be counted toward the narrative 
page limit. This additional information includes:
     Curriculum vitaes/resumes/biosketches;
     Letters of support (required);
     Organizational charts, evaluation models.
    Questions that arise during the application process should be 
clearly stated and emailed to Dr. Myers at the Office of Genomics and 
Disease Prevention ([email protected]). Responses will be generated by 
program staff and made available for all applicants to view. The 
questions and answers will be posted at least weekly at: www.cdc.gov/genomics/RFA2004questions.htm. Applicants may submit their questions in 
this format only.
    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 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 the application form does not have a DUNS number field, the 
applicant should write the DUNS number at the top of the first page of 
the application, and/or include the DUNS number in the application 
cover letter.
    Additional requirements that may require the applicant to submit 
additional documentation with the application are listed in section 
``VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements.''

[[Page 20628]]

IV.3 Submission Dates and Times

    LOI Deadline Date: May 17, 2004.
    Application Deadline Date: June 15, 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 the application is sent by the United States Postal Service or 
commercial delivery service, the applicant must ensure that the carrier 
will be able to guarantee delivery of the application by the closing 
date and time. If CDC receives the 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, the applicant will be given the 
opportunity to submit documentation of the carrier's guarantee. If the 
documentation verifies a carrier problem, CDC will consider the 
application as having been received by the deadline.
    This announcement is the definitive guide on application submission 
address and deadline. It supersedes information provided in the 
application instructions. If the application does not meet the deadline 
above, it will not be eligible for review, and will be discarded. The 
applicants will be notified that their application did not meet the 
submission requirements.
    CDC will not notify the applicant upon receipt of the application. 
If the applicant has a question about the receipt of the application, 
first contact the courier. If the applicant still has 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:
     Use of Funds--Cooperative agreement funds may 
not be used to support the provision of direct patient care, for 
facility or capital outlay, or to conduct research involving human 
subjects.
     Awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-award 
costs.
     Funds should not be allocated to develop/produce 
new training products/tools, such as CD-ROMs or on-line training. See 
Sections on Recipient Activities (3) and I.4, (2) c.
    If indirect costs are requested in the budget, a copy of all 
indirect cost rate agreements must be included. If the indirect cost 
rate is a provisional rate, the agreement should be less than 12 months 
of age.
    Guidance for completing the 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: Melanie F. Myers, Ph.D., Office of Genomics 
and Disease Prevention, Office of the Director, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., Mail Stop E-82, 
Atlanta, GA 30333, fax: 404-498-1444, 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 04143, 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

    Applicants are required to provide measures of effectiveness that 
relate to the goal stated in the ``Purpose'' section (I.3) of this 
announcement and will demonstrate the accomplishment of the various 
identified objectives and activities of the cooperative agreement. 
Measures must be objective and quantitative, and must measure the 
intended outcome(s) (as described in the Work Plan and Evaluation Plan, 
section IV.2). These measures of effectiveness must be submitted with 
the application and will be one element in the evaluation of the full 
proposal described below.
    Note that the criteria below are listed in descending order by 
weight. Applicants do not need to utilize this weighted order in 
preparing the narrative (see IV.2 for guidance on content).
    Applications will be evaluated against the following criteria:
     Work Plan (25 Points):
    Does the applicant adequately describe a work plan for achieving 
the proposed objectives?
    Does the applicant provide specific, measurable and time-framed 
objectives for each of the recipient activities?
    Is there a realistic timeline and adequate allocation of resources 
for major activities?
    Does the applicant adequately support the proposed approaches and 
methodology to carry out project activities?
    Are projected products and outcomes clearly defined?
    Does the applicant adequately describe relationships with public 
health, health care and academic partners, including defined roles and 
levels of commitment to this proposal, and methods for establishing and 
maintaining these relationships?
    Were all appropriate letters of support provided?
     Relevant Experience (20 Points):
    Does the demonstrated experience of the applicant team and partners 
support their ability to accomplish the proposed objectives and 
activities?
    Does the applicant demonstrate their ability and willingness to 
successfully participate in collaborative activities?
    How well does the applicant describe and document the principal 
investigator's experience and expertise, including project oversight, 
collaboration(s) with the health practice community and a track record 
of producing results and reports for publication?
     Staffing (20 Points):
    Does the applicant provide a staffing plan that includes defined 
roles, relevant expertise and experience, percentage effort of key 
personnel and timetable for any planned recruitment?
    Does the applicant provide an organizational chart that illustrates 
internal and external relationships?
    How well do the organizational chart and staffing plan support the 
proposed objectives and activities?
    Have the principal investigator and other key personnel obligated a 
sufficient amount of time to support the proposed roles?
    Is the PI's authority and responsibility for carrying out the 
proposed project clearly defined?
     Resources (15 Points):
    How well does the applicant describe the institutional commitment 
to the development of the Center (e.g., facilities, technological 
capacity, other resources)?
    Is the commitment and allocation of fiscal and professional 
resources adequate to support the proposal?
    How well does the applicant describe and document commitment of 
academic, public and private partners and collaborators?
     Evaluation Plan (10 Points):
    Does the applicant provide a comprehensive four-year evaluation

[[Page 20629]]

plan, including clearly stated objectives?
    Does the evaluation plan support measurement of progress toward the 
achievement of time-framed objectives and planned activities?
    Does the evaluation plan support the ability to gather information 
about the Center development process?
     Background (10 Points):
    Does the applicant display an understanding of the genome research 
to practice continuum and how proposed activities will facilitate 
translation of knowledge to practice?
    Does the applicant demonstrate understanding of public health and 
health practice, and the need to incorporate genomics capacity into 
population health programs?
    Does the applicant clearly explain the relevance of the proposed 
recipient activities (section I.4) to the Purpose of the Announcement 
(I.3)?
     Budget (Reviewed, but not Scored):
    Is the budget submitted by the applicant detailed, clear, justified 
and consistent with proposed program activities?

V.2 Review and Selection Process

    Applications will be reviewed for completeness by the Procurement 
and Grants Office (PGO) staff, and for responsiveness by OGDP. 
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: 
Maintenance of geographic diversity.

V.3 Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    September 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 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.accessxgpo.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-15 Proof of Non-profit Status;
 AR-20 Conference Support;
 AR-24 Health Insurance Portability and 
Accountability Act Requirements.

VI.3 Reporting Requirements

    The applicant must provide CDC with an original, plus two hard 
copies, of the following reports:
    (1) Annual 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) and semi-annual progress report by March 15 of each 
funding year.
    (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

    Technical questions that arise during the application process 
should be clearly stated and e-mailed to Dr. Myers at the Office of 
Genomics and Disease Prevention ([email protected]). Responses will be 
generated by program staff and made available for all applicants to 
view. The questions and answers will be posted at least weekly at: 
www.cdc.gov/genomics/RFA2004questions.htm. Applicants may submit their 
questions in this format only.
    For general questions about this announcement, contact: Technical 
Information Management Section, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 
Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, telephone number: 770-488-2700.
    For grants management, or budget assistance, contact: Mattie 
Jackson, Grants Management Specialist, CDC Procurement and Grants 
Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, telephone number: 770-
488-2696, e-mail: [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Melanie F. Myers, Ph.D., 
Office of Genomics and Disease Prevention, Office of the Director, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., 
Mail Stop E-82, Atlanta, GA 30333, e-mail: [email protected].

    Dated: April 9, 2004.
William P. Nichols,
Acting Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 04-8637 Filed 4-15-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P