[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 145 (Thursday, July 29, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45326-45330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-17279]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Support for Expanded HIV/AIDS Surveillance, Monitoring and 
Evaluation, and Information Management Activities in the Central 
American Region

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: 04277.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.941.
    Key Dates:
    Application Deadline: August 30, 2004.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Authority: This program is authorized under Sections 307 and 
317(k)(2) of the Public Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C. Sections 242l 
and 247b(k)(2)], as amended, and under Public Law 108-25 (United 
States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 
2003) [22 U.S.C. sections 7601 et seq.].

    Purpose: The primary purpose of this funding announcement is to 
assist in increasing the capacity for, quality and coverage of HIV/
AIDS-related Strategic Information activities undertaken at country 
level by Ministries of Health and their collaborating in-country 
partners, and to strengthen the coordination and implementation of 
region-wide activities that offer region-wide impact and economies of 
scale. This funding announcement targets the provision of support to 
specific countries within the Central American region (defined as 
Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and 
Panama). Strategic Information is defined as programs and activities 
supporting the implementation of first and second generation 
epidemiological surveillance surveys, systems for monitoring and 
evaluation of multi-sectoral national responses to HIV/AIDS, and 
strategic initiatives to improve infrastructure and systems supporting 
surveillance, care and treatment, laboratory and information management 
activities.
    Programs, activities and services to be supported through this 
agreement may include but are not limited to:

--Planning, resource, and implementation support of specific 
surveillance activities for HIV/AIDS and HIV/AIDS-related conditions;
--Training and capacity building of staff from Ministries of Health, 
other government Ministries, National Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and 
Malaria (GFATM)-related entities, and civil society organizations;
--Regional and/or sub-regional meetings, conferences and travel 
supporting the exchange of relevant information and best practices; and
--Recruitment and assignment of short and/or long-term staff and 
consultants to support relevant activities at country level.

    This will be accomplished by funding a regional non-governmental 
organization (NGO) to provide planning, resource and implementation 
support to Ministries of Health and their collaborating in-country 
partners. The regional NGO recipient, based on plans of action 
developed jointly with CDC and national partners, will be responsible 
for assisting Ministries of Health and their partners to mobilize for 
the implementation of expanded Strategic Information activities, 
through the provision of resources, training and logistical assistance. 
The CDC Global AIDS Program (GAP) Regional Office for Central America, 
based in Guatemala City, will collaborate closely with the regional NGO 
recipient in the design and implementation of these supportive 
activities as important components of CDC/GAP's annual work plan for 
HIV/AIDS assistance to countries within the Central American region.
    These activities will contribute and lead to: (1) Implementation of 
existing U.S. Government-supported regional strategic plans for 
expanded epidemiological surveillance of HIV/AIDS and HIV-related 
conditions; (2) improved networking, conferencing and communications 
among and between national HIV/AIDS epidemiologists, program managers 
and laboratorians from countries within the region; (3) improved 
national capacity to implement national strategic plans for 
surveillance of HIV/AIDS and HIV-related conditions; (4) improved 
national capacity to support the design

[[Page 45327]]

and implementation of periodic HIV/AIDS surveillance surveys to 
evaluate behavioral and/or prevalence measures at national, regional, 
or sub-population levels; (5) improved national systems for HIV/AIDS 
case reporting, data collection, data management and data analysis, 
including necessary hardware and software requirements; (6) 
strengthened national capacities for monitoring and evaluation of the 
national response to HIV/AIDS, particularly in the context of 
collecting, managing and analyzing information; and (7) strengthened 
human capacity at national level for planning, implementation and 
evaluation of Strategic Information activities.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with goals 
of the CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention, Global AIDS 
Program (GAP) to initiate, expand, or strengthen HIV/AIDS prevention, 
care and treatment and support activities globally.
    Activities: Awardee activities for this program are as follows:

A. Planning, Resource and Implementation Support of Surveillance, M&E 
and Information Management Activities Targeting HIV/AIDS and HIV-
Related Conditions at National Level

    1. Provide targeted resources and technical assistance to 
Ministries of Health and their national partners supporting the 
implementation of behavioral and/or prevalence surveillance activities 
at national level.
    2. Provide targeted resources and support to Ministries of Health 
and their national partners for the implementation of strategic 
planning meetings, reviews, assessments and consultations supporting 
the expanded surveillance, M&E and information management activities at 
national level.
    3. Provide resources and material support to Ministries of Health 
to improve infrastructure and systems supporting improved surveillance, 
care/treatment, laboratory and information management activities.

B. Planning, Resource and Implementation Support of Training and 
Capacity Building Programs Focused on Strategic Information at National 
and Regional Levels for Staff From Ministries of Health and Their 
National Partners

    1. Perform needs assessments for training and capacity building 
associated with Strategic Information activities at national and 
regional levels; develop annual plans for the provision of relevant 
trainings offered on a regional basis and for economies of scale, in 
conjunction with existing conferences, meetings, and trainings, if 
possible.
    2. Oversee logistics, travel and coordination of faculty, materials 
and requirements for relevant training courses, including translation 
of materials, as required.

C. Planning, Resource and Implementation Support of Relevant Travel of 
Key Collaborating Partners and Regional/Sub-Regional Meetings and 
Conferences Supporting the Exchange of Relevant Information

    1. Provide travel support to travelers from key collaborating 
organizations to relevant regional and international conferences, 
meetings, consultations and trainings.
    2. Oversee development of logistics, agendas, and reports 
associated with relevant meetings and conferences to be held at 
regional and sub-regional levels.

D. Resource and Administrative Support for the Recruitment and 
Assignment of Short and/or Long-Term Staff and Consultants To Support 
Relevant Activities at Country Level Within Ministries of Health and/or 
Their National Partners

    Oversee the recruitment, selection and assignment of staff and 
consultants to provide specialized Strategic Information assistance to 
Ministries of Health and their partners;

E. Financial Management

    1. Prepare a work plan that is consistent with the proposed 
activities in this announcement.
    2. Prepare an annual budget for the proposed activities.
    3. Prepare financial and progress reports--in English--according to 
CDC requirements and deadlines.
    4. Contract an independent auditor, approved by CDC, to ensure 
ongoing financial accountability and preparation of periodic audit 
reports, including a possible pre-audit assessment.
    In a Cooperative Agreement, CDC staff is substantially involved in 
the program activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring.
    CDC activities for this program are as follows:
    1. Collaborate with the recipient in designing and supporting 
activities listed above with regular communications, planning sessions, 
technical and administrative meetings.
    2. Review and approve the recipient's work plans for elaboration of 
the activities in this agreement.
    3. Provide appropriate technical assistance--as agreed upon in the 
work plan--via persons identified as the CDC technical focal point(s) 
in the Central American region.
    4. Hold periodic technical meetings with the recipient to assess 
progress and modify work plans, as necessary.
    5. Hold annual meeting to review overall progress and elaborate 
work plans for subsequent year.
    6. Collaborate with the recipient in the selection of key personnel 
to be involved in the activities performed under this agreement.
    7. Provide administrative support on financial and reporting 
requirements, as required.
    Technical assistance and training may be provided directly by CDC 
staff or through organizations that have successfully competed for 
funding under separate Cooperative Agreements or contracts.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.
    CDC involvement in this program is listed in the Activities Section 
above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2004.
    Approximate Total Funding: $300,000. Up to $300,000 is available 
for the first year of an expected three-year project period. Annual 
amounts for successive years may increase or decrease based on the 
success of the project and availability of funds.
    Approximate Number of Awards: One (1).
    Floor of Award Range: $200,000.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $300,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: September 1, 2004.
    Budget Period Length: 12 months.
    Project Period Length: Three 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 nongovernmental organizations 
(NGOs) with full legal registration status in one or more countries 
within the Central American Region (Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El 
Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama), including faith based 
organizations that have direct experience in:
    (a) Designing, implementing and evaluating HIV/AIDS activities in 
Central America.

[[Page 45328]]

    (b) Designing and implementing first and second generation 
surveillance programs for HIV/AIDS and HIV/AIDS-related conditions, and 
assessing the strengths and weaknesses of existing surveillance 
systems.
    (c) Designing, implementing and evaluating HIV/AIDS-related 
training and capacity-building programs.
    (d) Designing and implementing programmatic assessments, reviews 
and consultations in collaboration with national Ministries of Health 
in the Central American Region, and specific to the areas HIV/AIDS 
surveillance, M&E, training and information management.
    (e) Providing full logistical and organizational support to complex 
multi-country training programs, meetings and conferences at regional 
or national levels.
    Preference will be given to organizations that:
    (1) Maintain a headquarters/central/head office in the Central 
America region;
    (2) Have national offices and full time staff/consultants 
physically present in all or the majority of the countries of Belize, 
Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.
    (3) Have demonstrated organizational experience as recipient of 
grants, Cooperative Agreements or contracts from agencies of the United 
States (U.S.) Government and a successful history of program 
implementation in collaboration with agencies of the U.S. Government.

III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Matching funds are not required for this program.

III.3. Other

    If your application is incomplete or non-responsive to the 
requirements listed in this section, it will not be entered into the 
review process. You will be notified that your application did not meet 
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 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, or the Public Health Advisor at the 
regional CDC office in Guatemala City, Guatemala, Mr. Mark Fussell, at 
(502) 369-0791, extension 515. Application forms can be mailed to you.

IV.2. Content and Form of Submission

    Application: You must submit a project narrative with your 
application forms. The narrative must be submitted in the following 
format:
     Maximum number of pages: 15--If your narrative exceeds the 
page limit, only the first pages, which are within the page limit, will 
be reviewed.
     Pages must be numbered.
     Font size: 12 point unreduced.
     Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches.
     Page margin size: One inch.
     Printed only on one side of page.
     Held together only by rubber bands or metal clips; not 
bound in any other way.
     Your application must be submitted in English.
    Your narrative should address activities to be conducted over the 
entire project period, and must include at a minimum, a Plan, 
Demonstrated understanding of activity, Need for assistance, 
Objectives, Methods, Indicators/Performance Measures, Staffing to be 
supported, Timeline, and Budget and line item justification. Additional 
information may be included in the application appendices. This may 
include but is not limited to: organizational charts, curriculum vitas, 
letters of support, etc. The Budget/line item justification and 
appendices will not be counted toward the narrative page limit (15 
pages).
    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 www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-5711.
    For more information, see the CDC Web site at: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/pubcommt.htm. If your application form does not have a 
DUNS number field, please write your DUNS number at the top of the 
first page of your application, and/or include your DUNS number in your 
application cover letter.
    Additional requirements that may require you to submit additional 
documentation with your application are listed in section ``VI.2. 
Administrative and National Policy Requirements.''

IV.3. Submission Dates and Times

    Application Deadline Date: August 30, 2004.
    Explanation of Deadlines: Applications must be received in the CDC 
Procurement and Grants Office by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline 
date. If you send your application by the United States Postal Service 
or commercial delivery service, you must ensure that the carrier will 
be able to guarantee delivery of the application by the closing date 
and time. If CDC receives your application after closing due to: (1) 
Carrier error, when the carrier accepted the package with a guarantee 
for delivery by the closing date and time, or (2) significant weather 
delays or natural disasters, you will be given the opportunity to 
submit documentation of the carriers guarantee. If the documentation 
verifies a carrier problem, CDC will consider the application as having 
been received by the deadline.
    This announcement is the definitive guide on application submission 
address and deadline. It supersedes information provided in the 
application instructions. If your application does not meet the 
deadline above, it will not be eligible for review, and will be 
discarded. You will be notified that your application did not meet the 
submission requirements.
    CDC will not notify you upon receipt of your application. If you 
have a question about the receipt of your application, first contact 
your courier. If you still have a question, contact the PGO-TIM staff 
at: 770-488-2700. Before calling, please wait two to three days after 
the application deadline. This will allow time for applications to be 
processed and logged.

IV.4. Intergovernmental Review of Applications

    Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program.

IV.5. Funding Restrictions

    Restrictions, which must be taken into account while writing your 
budget, are as follows:
     Funds may be spent for reasonable program purposes, 
including travel, supplies, and services. Equipment may be purchased if 
deemed necessary to accomplish program objectives;

[[Page 45329]]

however, prior approval by CDC officials must be requested in writing.
     All requests for funds contained in the budget shall be 
stated in U.S. dollars. Once an award is made, CDC will not compensate 
foreign grantees for currency exchange fluctuations through the 
issuance of supplemental awards.
     The costs that are generally allowable in grants to 
domestic organizations are allowable to foreign institutions and 
international organizations. With the exception of the American 
University, Beirut, and the World Health Organization (WHO), Indirect 
Costs will not be paid (either directly or through sub-award) to 
organizations located outside the territorial limits of the United 
States or to international organizations regardless of their location.
     The applicant may contract with other organizations under 
this program; however, the applicant must perform a substantial portion 
of the activities (including program management and operations, and 
delivery of services for which funds are required).
     You must obtain an annual audit of these CDC funds 
(program-specific audit) by a U.S. based audit firm with international 
branches and current licensure/authority in-country, and in accordance 
with International Accounting Standards or equivalent standard(s) 
approved in writing by CDC.
     A fiscal Recipient Capability Assessment may be required, 
prior to or post award, in order to review the applicant's business 
management and fiscal capabilities regarding the handling of U.S. 
Federal funds.
     Funds received from this announcement will not be used for 
the purchase of antiretroviral drugs for treatment of established HIV 
infection (with the exception of nevirapine in Prevention of Mother-to-
Child Transmission (PMTCT) cases with prior written approval), 
occupational exposures, and non-occupational exposures.
     No funds appropriated under this announcement shall be 
used to carry out any program of distributing sterile needles or 
syringes for the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug.
     The U.S. Government is opposed to prostitution and related 
activities, which are inherently harmful and dehumanizing, and 
contribute to the phenomenon of trafficking in persons.
    Any entity that receives, directly or indirectly, U.S. Government 
funds in connection with this document (``recipient'') cannot use such 
U.S. Government funds to promote or advocate the legalization or 
practice of prostitution or sex trafficking. Nothing in the preceding 
sentence shall be construed to preclude the provision to individuals of 
palliative care, treatment, or post-exposure pharmaceutical 
prophylaxis, and necessary pharmaceuticals and commodities, including 
test kits, condoms, and when proven effective, microbicides. A 
recipient that is otherwise eligible to receive funds in connection 
with this document to prevent, treat, or monitor HIV/AIDS shall not be 
required to endorse or utilize a multisectoral approach to combating 
HIV/AIDS, or to endorse, utilize or participate in a prevention method 
or treatment program to which the recipient has a religious or moral 
objection. Any information provided by recipients about the use of 
condoms as part of projects or activities that are funded in connection 
with this document shall be medically accurate and shall include the 
public health benefits and failure rates of such use.
    In addition, any foreign recipient must have a policy explicitly 
opposing, in its activities outside the United States, prostitution and 
sex trafficking, except that this requirement shall not apply to the 
Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the WHO, the 
International AIDS Vaccine Initiative or to any United Nations agency, 
if such entity is a recipient of U.S. Government funds in connection 
with this document.
    The following definitions apply for purposes of this clause:
     Sex trafficking means the recruitment, harboring, 
transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of 
a commercial sex act. (22 U.S.C. section 7102(9)).
     A foreign recipient includes an entity that is not 
organized under the laws of any State of the United States, the 
District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Restoration of 
the Mexico City Policy, 66 FR 17303 (March 28, 2001).
    All recipients must insert provisions implementing the applicable 
parts of this section, `Prostitution and Related Activities,'' in all 
terms and conditions of the subagreement, acknowledge that each 
certification to compliance with this section, ``Prostitution and 
Related Activities,'' are a prerequisite to receipt of U.S. Government 
funds in connection with this document, and must acknowledge that any 
violation of the provisions shall be grounds for unilateral termination 
of the agreement prior to the end of its term. In addition, all 
recipients must ensure, through contract, certification, audit, and/or 
any other necessary means, all the applicable requirements of this 
section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities,'' are met by any other 
entities receiving U.S. Government funds from the recipient in 
connection with this document, including without limitation, the 
recipients' sub-grantees, sub-contractors, parents, subsidiaries, and 
affiliates.
    Recipients must agree that HHS may, at any reasonable time, inspect 
the documents and materials maintained or prepared by the recipient in 
the usual course of its operations that relate to the organization's 
compliance with this section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities.''
    All primary grantees receiving U.S. Government funds in connection 
with this document must certify compliance prior to actual receipt of 
such funds in a written statement referencing this document (e.g., 
``[Recipient's name] certifies compliance with this section, 
`Prostitution and Related Activities' '') addressed to the agency's 
grants officer. Such certifications are prerequisites to the payment of 
any U.S. Government funds in connection with this document.
    Recipient's compliance with this section, ``Prostitution and 
Related Activities,'' is an express term and condition of receiving 
U.S. Government funds in connection with this document, and any 
violation of it shall be grounds for unilateral termination by HHS of 
the agreement with HHS in connection with this document prior to the 
end of its term. The recipient shall refund to HHS the entire amount 
furnished in connection with this document in the event it is 
determined by HHS that the recipient has not complied with this 
section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities.''
    Awards will allow recipients reimbursement of pre-award costs such 
as photocopying, fax, postage or delivery charges and translation.
    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 04277, CDC Procurement 
and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, United 
States of America. Applications may not be submitted electronically at 
this time.

[[Page 45330]]

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. Understanding the proposed activity (25 points): Does the 
applicant demonstrate a good understanding of the extent and 
limitations of the proposed activity?
    2. Feasibility of plan (25 points): Does the applicant's proposed 
plan for the activity appear feasible?
    3. Relevant experience (25 points): Does the applicant have skills 
and experience relevant to the activities described in this program 
announcement?
    4. Administration and management of project (25 points): Does the 
applicant seem capable of administering this project and meeting all 
CDC requirements?

V.2. Review and Selection Process

    Applications will be reviewed for completeness by the Procurement 
and Grants Office (PGO) staff, and for responsiveness by National 
Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention (NCHSTP)-Global AIDS Program. 
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 the complete and responsive 
application according to the criteria listed in the ``V.1. Criteria'' 
section above.

V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    September 1, 2004.

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1. Award Notices

    The successful applicant will receive a Notice of Grant Award (NGA) 
from the CDC Procurement and Grants Office. The NGA shall be the only 
binding, authorizing document between the recipient and CDC. The NGA 
will be signed by an authorized Grants Management Officer, and mailed 
to the recipient fiscal officer identified in the application.
    Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of 
the application review by mail.

VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

45 CFR Part 74 and Part 92
    For more information on the Code of Federal Regulations, see the 
National Archives and Records Administration at the following Internet 
address: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html.
    The following additional requirements may apply to this project:

     AR-1 Human Subjects Requirements
     AR-4 HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions
     AR-5 HIV Program Review Panel Requirements
     AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
     AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
     AR-14 Accounting System Requirements

    Additional information on these requirements can be found on the 
CDC Web site at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm.

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    You must provide CDC with an original, plus two hard copies of the 
following reports:
    1. Interim progress report, no less than 90 days before the end of 
the budget period. The progress report will serve as your non-competing 
continuation application, and must contain the following elements:
    a. Current Budget Period Activities Objectives.
    b. Current Budget Period Financial Progress.
    c. New Budget Period Program Proposed Activity Objectives.
    d. Budget.
    e. Additional Requested Information.
    f. Measures of Effectiveness.
    2. Financial status report and annual progress report, no more than 
90 days after the end of the budget period.
    3. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days 
after the end of the project period.
    These reports must be mailed to the Grants Management or Contract 
Specialist listed in the ``Agency Contacts'' section of this 
announcement.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For general questions about this announcement, contact: Technical 
Information Management Section, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 
Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: (770) 488-2700.
    For program technical assistance, contact: Edgar Monterroso/Mark 
Fussell, Co-Project Officers, HHS/CDC AE Guatemala Unit 3321, APO AA 
34024, Telephone: (502) 369-0791, Ext 515, E-mail: [email protected] or 
[email protected].
    For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact: 
Shirley Wynn, Grants Management Specialist, CDC Procurement and Grants 
Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: (770) 488-
1515, E-mail: [email protected].

    Dated: July 23, 2004.
William P. Nichols,
Acting Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 04-17279 Filed 7-28-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P